**Winter Reading Challenge - 1/6/15 - 31/8/15**

[Rosie]

I have finished all my books for this challenge.

I am looking forward to starting the spring challenge.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Rosie:)

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Ok, am onto my last read for this challenge (E.) which I probably won't get finished in time but will get close ;), and have had to leave 5a and 5b off.
5b has been moved onto my next challenge and 5a was the wrong choice as I didn't realize I needed to read her 1st book.


☔ 2015 Winter Challenge: ☔

W The Whispers: A Whispers Story by Lisa Unger Books 1,2 & 3. 5★s
I Ignoring Gravity by Sandra Danby 4★s
N The Night Guest by Fiona McFarlane 5★s
T This House of Grief by Helen Garner 4.5★s
E Elizabeth is Missing by Emma Healey ........ *Reading now.
R Remember Me This Way: A Novel by Sabine Durrant 4★s

2. Winter release: My Grandmother Sends Her Regards and Apologises by Fredrik Backman 5★s
3. Aussie YA: Looking for Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta 5★s
4. Aussie Indie: Bitter Nothings by Vicki Tyley ... .5★s

5. ❄ Owned for June, July, August ❄

5a. Speculative: Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult

5b. Historical: Paper Daisies by Kim Kelly .....

5c. Mystery: The Bones of You by Debbie Howells 4★s


......... .......

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Jools!!

[Nicola]

3 short of finishing my challenge, but what a season!
Winter
Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West / Gregory Maguire
I Am Number Four/ Pittacus Lore
The Nightmare Affair / Mindee Arnett
T - not read
The Early Asimov, Vol 1 / Isaac Asimov
Relics / Pip Vaughan-Hughes

New Release
Not read

YA Aussie Author
Not read

Aussie Indie Author
TimeStorm / Steve Harrison

Speculative
The Martian / Andy Weir
Historical
Voyager / Diana Gabaldon
Mystery
The Strange Death of Fiona Griffiths / Harry Bingham

[Sharon]

Sadly I never got to finish this challenge, but I did manage to read a few books. Here are the ones I read:

1. Spell it out:
I: Intensive Care by Nicki Edwards 4★
N:Nest by Inga Simpson 5★
R: Rose River by Margareta Osborn 4★

2. New Release: Hush, Little Bird by Nicole Trope 5★

5. Historical fiction: The Blue Mile by Kim Kelly 5★

Thanks to all the mods for another great challenge. Although I didn't get chance to finish this challenge I still enjoyed it. Congrats to everyone else who has completed this challenge :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Nicola and Sharon!!

[Kathryn]

I didn't finish mine either... I'd have had more success if I hadn't chosen Wolf Hall for my "W" read...!

1...
W – Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel - currently reading (very...slooooww...going...!)
I – Ice Station by Matthew Reilly - 4.5 stars
N – Nightingale by Fiona McIntosh - 4.5 stars
T – Though the Bud Be Bruised by Jo Wanmer - 3 stars
E – Enemy In The Room by Parker Hudson - 4 stars
R – Relics of the Dead by Ariana Franklin - 4 stars

3. YOUNG ADULT title by an AUSSIE author
Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta - 4 stars

4. An AUSSIE INDIE AUTHOR
Mule by S.A. Tawks - 2.5 stars

5. OWNED TBR books - one SPECULATIVE FICTION, one HISTORICAL FICTION and one MYSTERY for JUNE, JULY and AUGUST (to be read in your month of choice!)

June - Mystery – The Handsome Man's Deluxe Café by Alexander McCall Smith - 3 stars
July - Historical Fiction – Candle in the Darkness by Lynn Austin - 3.5 stars
August - Speculative fiction – The Time Machine by H.G. Wells - 3 stars

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

You've done really well Kathryn! You almost squeaked in....you've had mostly good reads too...

[Trevor]

And I didn't manage to finish my challenge either:

W - When Skies Have Fallen by Debbie McGowan 4★
I - I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith - didn't read
N - A Note in the Margin by Isabelle Rowan 3★
T - Tigerland by Sean Kennedy 4★
E - Eugénie Grandet by Honoré de Balzac 4★
R - Rose Boys by Peter Rose - didn't read

YA - Gravity by Scot Gardner 4★
Aussie independent - Look Closer by Rachel Amphlett - didn't read
Speculative fiction - The Time Machine by H.G. Wells - abandoned as an awful read
Historical fiction - Dark Places by Kate Grenville 4★
Mystery - The Mystery of a Hansom Cab by Fergus Hume 3★

Thank you moderators for another great challenge, even if I didn't finish.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

You did very well anyway Trevor! You maybe can slot them into the next one:)

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Personally I wouldn't worry about not reading I Capture the Castle Trevor. I couldn't understand what everyone saw in it when I read it:)

[Trevor]

Phrynne wrote: "Personally I wouldn't worry about not reading I Capture the Castle Trevor. I couldn't understand what everyone saw in it when I read it:)"

I've had differing opinions on it, but at the moment it's not going to get a go.

[Kathryn]

Trevor wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "Personally I wouldn't worry about not reading I Capture the Castle Trevor. I couldn't understand what everyone saw in it when I read it:)"

I've had differing opinions ..."

And I wouldn't worry too much about not finishing The Time Machine, either - I gave it 3★ here, but then when I wrote the review, decided to drop it down to 2.5★. It was OK, had interesting bits, but was a bit difficult at times to read.

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Brenda wrote: "Well done Jools!!"

Thanks Brenda :)

[Trevor]

Kathryn wrote: "Trevor wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "Personally I wouldn't worry about not reading I Capture the Castle Trevor. I couldn't understand what everyone saw in it when I read it:)"

I've had diff..."

I agree it wasn't an interesting read, and the writing style was very dated, pity as I'd enjoyed other of his books.

[Elaine]

Just managed to scrape in my 8th and last book for this challenge and what a brilliant book to finish off this challenge with.
Salt Creek . A 5+ star read for me. My review says it all, I think.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Elaine! A great result:) And a brilliant review as well!