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

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Heather wrote: "I have my first book for the challenge - The Fatal Flame picked it up from the library - I put it on reserve when I saw they had it on order. Feel a bit guilty about not starting a ..."

It sure is brand new Heather! Only a few days till winter!

[Lynxie]

I hope I can get the book I'm currently reading finished tomorrow or it'll be a late start for my winter challenge!! 0_o

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Lynxie wrote: "I hope I can get the book I'm currently reading finished tomorrow or it'll be a late start for my winter challenge!! 0_o"

You have all day tomorrow Lynxie, I'm sure you will:) Good luck! Not far now either, till we can all start!!

[Hannah]

Super excited to start my first book of the challenge tomorrow! :)
Happy Sunday everyone!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Han wrote: "Super excited to start my first book of the challenge tomorrow! :)
Happy Sunday everyone!"

I think everyone is getting that way Han! Happy Sunday to you too:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Can't wait to start this one in a few hours!! Woohoo:)

[Valerie]

I'm going to start my first with a W .. Wolfsangel by Liza Perrat

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Valerie wrote: "I'm going to start my first with a W .. Wolfsangel by .."

I'll be interested in your thoughts when you're done Valerie :)

[Carolyn]

I'm also going to start with W Web of Deceit by Katherine Howell.

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Think I might start with Talulla Rising by Glen Duncan. I have been looking forward to it.

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

I'm starting with one of my June reads first that doesn't qualify here ;)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I'm not sure on mine yet - I've got to do 2 reviews then I'll see;) But all your choices are looking good...

[Kathryn]

I think my first for this challenge will be Ice Station by Matthew Reilly, but as I'm about to start a massive tome for the June challenge, it won't be today or probably any time this week! Next week...we'll see! I may need a break!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Kathryn wrote: "I think my first for this challenge will be Ice Station by Matthew Reilly, but as I'm about to start a massive tome for the June challenge, it won't be today or probabl..."

Ice Station would be a quick, easy read Kathryn so you might be able to read them both side by side:)

[Kathryn]

Brenda wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "I think my first for this challenge will be Ice Station by Matthew Reilly, but as I'm about to start a massive tome for the June challenge, it won't be ..."

It doesn't look quick - it looks quite fat!! Then again, everything is relative, I guess - compared to The Forsyte Saga Vol 2: The White Monkey, The Silver Spoon, Swan Song, I guess it would be quicker and easier!! The writing style is probably easier to absorb.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Kathryn wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "I think my first for this challenge will be Ice Station by Matthew Reilly, .....The writing style is probably easier to absorb. ..."

You're right about the writing style..

[Lynxie]

I've started Koven by Vanessa Skye because it's being released on June 11 and I said I could get it read and reviewed before then :)

This book would count for the Aussie Indie if anyone is still not sure what they want to read :) OR the new release too... :)

[Tina]

I have been going over my shelves wondering why suddenly all books start with any letter but the ones I want! Most of my choices are books I own that have been in waiting for varied amounts of time, including a couple of French titles. Still have a couple to find yet.

W Weather by Julie Capaldo
I Indelible Ink by Fiona McGregor
N The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
T The Tiny Wife by Andrew Kaufman
E Encore une belle journée by Annie Saumont
R RIRE AVEC DIEU APHORISMES ET CONTES SOUFIS by Sayd Bahodine Majrouh texte francais de Serge Sautreau

2. new release ?
3. Australian YA You're the Kind of Girl I Write Songs About by Daniel HerbornREAD
4. Australian indie author ?
5. Owned TBR
SPECULATIVE Hemlock Grove by Brian McGreevy
HISTORICAL The Blue Flower by Penelope Fitzgerald
MYSTERY The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco

more rainy days needed!

[MaryG2E]

1st June has arrived, hooray! R = The Remains of the Day is greenlit!!

[Lynxie]

Tina wrote: "I have been going over my shelves wondering why suddenly all books start with any letter but the ones I want! Most of my choices are books I own that have been in waiting for varied amounts of tim..."

Great list Tina :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I have just started my first for this challenge.. Hush, Little Bird by Nicole Trope

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Brenda wrote: "I have just started my first for this challenge.. Hush, Little Bird by Nicole Trope"

This sounds like a good one Brenda, will look forward to your review :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

☼♄Jülie wrote: "Brenda wrote: "I have just started my first for this challenge.. Hush, Little Bird by Nicole Trope"

This sounds like a good one Brenda, will look forward to your r..."

I'm liking it so far Jools:)

[Stef]

Ok I will try this. 1.

W- The Wombat Strategy 3 1/2 ★
I- Insurgent 1 1/2 ★
N- The Name of the Rose 3 ★
T- Tomorrow, When the War Began 3 1/2 ★
E- Epistemology of the Closet 3 1/2 ★
R- Revolutionizing Pedagogy: Education for Social Justice Within and Beyond Global Neo-Liberalism 4 ★

New release- The Quality of Silence 5 ★
Young adult- Sabriel 3 1/2 ★

Indie- Fairytales for Wilde Girls 2 ★

I don't have those on my TBR shelf, my TBR is mostly non-fic so

Speculative-The Swan Book 5 ★

Historical-Bridie's Fire 4 ★

Mystery- Kiss the Girls and Make Them Spy: An Original Jane Bond Parody 3 1/2 ★

So...I want to read all that. It remains to be seen whether I will as well as the 4 other challenges I am doing AND my study/work/parenting triad



my reviews (in the order I read them)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

FINISHED!!!!

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Finished my first T- Talulla Rising by Glen Duncan. Wow is all I can say:)
My review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Carolyn]

Finished my first one, W Web of Deceit by Katherine Howell 4★

As always an enjoyable read!

review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Marina]

I read on her blog recently that Katherine Howell is giving up writing. Such a shame! Her books are really good.

[Kathryn]

Change of plan - I needed a quick, light and easy read after an intense one at the weekend, so I started The Handsome Man's Deluxe Café by Alexander McCall Smith and finished it last night! Love the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency books - always a fun read.

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Marina wrote: "I read on her blog recently that Katherine Howell is giving up writing. Such a shame! Her books are really good."

Apparently Tell the Truth was her last. It's a real shame. I really enjoyed her books.

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

I finished my second, Historical Fiction, At the Water's Edge by Sara Gruen. Very enjoyable.
My review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Phrynne wrote: "Marina wrote: "I read on her blog recently that Katherine Howell is giving up writing. Such a shame! Her books are really good."

Apparently Tell the Truth was her last. It's a real..."

Devastating:(

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Finished my second starting with R - Run by Ann Patchett. I enjoyed it.
My review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Lynxie]

Yay! Finished my first for the challenge:

2. New Release: Koven by Vanessa Skye (Aussie Indie) ★★★

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my first last night - #2 (New Release) - The Hand That Feeds You by A.J. Rich 4.5★s

Review to follow closer to publication

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my second - 2nd #2 (New Release) - Hush, Little Bird by Nicole Trope 5★s

Review to follow closer to publication

[Lynxie]

Brenda wrote: "Finished my second - 2nd #2 (New Release) - Hush, Little Bird by Nicole Trope 5★s

Review to follow closer to publication"

I feel slow now - only 10% into my second lol :P

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Don't feel slow Lynxie:) I bet you didn't have a 5 hour train journey to help you on your way;)

[Lynxie]

Brenda wrote: "Don't feel slow Lynxie:) I bet you didn't have a 5 hour train journey to help you on your way;)"

This is true... I was at work, then at my writing group critique meeting. hehe

a 5 hour train ride sounds just the ticket to knock over this book :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I read 90% of the book I started in that trip:)

[Hannah]

How do I put the line through the text ( for the books I've completed) please?

[Steve]

Finally kicking this challenge off with my first 5b. Speculative, Blood of the Fold.

[Steve]

Han wrote: "How do I put the line through the text ( for the books I've completed) please?"

Put <s></s> around the text -- like so.

[Sally906]

Han wrote: "How do I put the line through the text ( for the books I've completed) please?"

You do this: say you want to put a line through STRIKE

In front of STRIKE you put a <*s> (don't put the * in I have only put it there so it won't strike my word out)

At the end of STRIKE put a <*/s> (Again don't put in the *)

So if you set it out like that (without the *) it will look like this: STRIKE

Also when you are making your comment if you click on (some html is ok) up at the top RH corner of the comment box it will open a box that will give you the technique there

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Thanks Steve and Sally - very clear for Han and anyone else who's not sure:)

[Hannah]

Steve wrote: "Han wrote: "How do I put the line through the text ( for the books I've completed) please?"

Put around the text -- like so."

Thanks Steve and Sally!! :)

[Steve]

Sally906 wrote: "In front of STRIKE you put a <*s> (don't put the * in I have only put it there so it won't strike my word out)"

You can get around that by using &lt;s&gt; in your comment. It then shows up as <s>.

[Kathryn]

Steve wrote: "Sally906 wrote: "In front of STRIKE you put a (don't put the * in I have only put it there so it won't strike my word out)"

You can get around that by using <s> in your comment. It then sho..."

That's very cool, Steve - I didn't know that! However, chances are I'll have forgotten it by the time I next need to use it!

[Chris]

Finished my first- I Am Number Four. 5★

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my third - first MYSTERY - Found by Harlan Coben 5★s

Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Finished my fourthBitter Nothings by Vicki Tyley.
My review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...