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

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

I know it doesn't count for this challenge but just for future reference, regarding the challenge guidelines; if I read for eg; The Whispers which is only 64 pages but I also read the next two in that series in succession, 75 + 76 pages, making a total 215 pages.
Would that qualify as my one choice? I used those in the Winter challenge as my W choice but only marked the one book. I might write "books 1,2, & 3 of The Whispers series?

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I'm pretty sure that would work Jools...I'll check with the others but it'd be along the same lines as an anthology... so once the combined total is above the minimum page count, it would work as one choice:)

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Finished my 3rd for this challenge:

#1. The Night Guest by Fiona McFarlane->Miles Franklin Literary Award Nominee 2014, Dobbie Literary Award Nominee 2014. 5★s

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

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Great review Jools:)

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Brenda wrote: "Great review Jools:)"

Thanks Brenda :D

[Renee V]

Finished my I book I Am Legend and Other Stories

[Rebecca]

Hello all! I'm very new to this group and very late to this challenge... but nevertheless; a challenge is, by definition, suppose to be challenging!

So here we go:



1...
W A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
I Identity by Ted Dekker
N Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
T The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
E Eight Cousins byLouisa May Alcott
R A Room of One's Own by Virginia Woolf

2... Read a NEW RELEASE which is published in JUNE, JULY or AUGUST 2015 : A Bullet Apiece: Saint Louis Noir by John Joseph Ryan

3... For International Children's Day choose a YOUNG ADULT title by an AUSSIE author: Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden



4... Choose a book written by an AUSSIE author who is independently published - an AUSSIE INDIE AUTHOR: TBC

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

Historical: Wild Wood by Posie Graeme-Evans
Speculative: TBC
Mystery: TBC

This is an ambitious list for me! I've purposely chosen some smaller books to make it a little more achievable. :) :)

[Stef]

Rebecca you seem to have good taste in books (judging by this list)

I hope you succeed

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Welcome to the group Rebecca and most certainly, welcome to your very first challenge! Good luck and some great choices:)

[Lynxie]

Rebecca wrote: "4... Choose a book written by an AUSSIE author who is independently published - an AUSSIE INDIE AUTHOR: TBC

Great list Rebecca and welcome. Let me know if you need some help with the indie author one. I'm sure we could find something suitable and a good length for you if you need. :)

[Stef]

Lynxie wrote: "Rebecca wrote: "4... Choose a book written by an AUSSIE author who is independently published - an AUSSIE INDIE AUTHOR: TBC

Great list Rebecca and welcome. Let me know if you need some help with t..."

I have got one for that which I would recommend too !!! :)

[Rebecca]

Oh you are all so lovely! Thank you!

Yes, I would love some suggestions for the Aussie Indie Author category - this is not a genre that I am particularly familiar with....

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Rebecca wrote: "Oh you are all so lovely! Thank you!

Yes, I would love some suggestions for the Aussie Indie Author category - this is not a genre that I am particularly familiar with...."

If you'd like to check the first post Rebecca, we made a list of all Aussie Indie authors...you should be able to choose something from that large list:)

[Rebecca]

Hi Brenda,

Yes, I did check that list.... there is a lot to choose from, hence my indecision!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

The girls might be able to give you some hints - you might also be able to check through individual members' lists for choice. What's your genre preference? I would most highly recommend the work by Vicki Tyley it's crime fiction and totally excellent. If you read on an ereader, her books are kindle...

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_nos...

That's the list of them on Amazon which might help:)

[Kathryn]

Rebecca wrote: "Hello all! I'm very new to this group and very late to this challenge... but nevertheless; a challenge is, by definition, suppose to be challenging!

So here we go:



1...
W..."

Like the look of your list, Rebecca. I've read and enjoyed your W and T read, want to read Wild Wood and also like the look of your Ted Dekker read for I.

Will look forward to hearing what you think of them!

[Stef]

Rebecca I think you would like Fairytales for Wilde Girls judging by what else you are reading. However I haven't read the book yet, only looked at it with desire and put it away as a reward when I finish my E.

Brenda I am checking out your recommendation now to see if it is my sort of thing (crime fiction is, but I am a bit old-school). So thanks for the tip from me as well! :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

You're welcome :) She is definitely worth the try Stef and the prices are good :)

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Good luck Stef! Still plenty of winter left yet so hopefully you can give it a good crack ;)

[Lynxie]

If crime's your thing, you can't go past Vanessa Skye's The Enemy Inside, I loved it!

Vanessa also released a paranormal romance, Koven, but I didn't think it was as good as her crime thrillers.

I loved Dianne F. Gray's Soul's Child which is a fantastic paranormal read, and it's only 86 pages long.

I also enjoyed Ann Somerville's M/M Romance, cross paranormal series that starts with Unnatural Selection.

The Narrowing Path by David J. Normoyle was an enjoyable YA dystopian/fantasy mix too...

The list is soo long!

[Sally906]

Rebecca wrote: "Hello all! I'm very new to this group and very late to this challenge... but nevertheless; a challenge is, by definition, suppose to be challenging!
..."

Welcome to the challenge Rebecca - I've read a few on your list and they were all great.

[Sally906]

Well almost a third of the way through the Winter challenge and I am cruising along nicely.

I am currently reading my new release - Serafina and the Black Cloak by Robert Beatty (scheduled July release)

Here is where I am up to - a line through it means read:
1. Spell it out! Read 6 books whose titles spell out WINTER
W - The Wide-Awake Princess by E.D. Baker
I - I Take You by Eliza Kennedy
N - No Ghouls Allowed by Victoria Laurie
T - Treasured Secrets by Kendall Talbot
E - Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
R - Ruby by Lauraine Snelling

2. Read a NEW RELEASE which is published in JUNE, JULY or AUGUST 2015 - Serafina and the Black Cloak by Robert Beatty (July release)

3. For International Children's Day choose a YOUNG ADULT title by an AUSSIE author - Wolves of the Witchwood by Kate Forsyth

4. Choose a book written by an AUSSIE author who is independently published - an AUSSIE INDIE AUTHOR - In Strange Worlds by Brenda Cheers

5. From your OWNED TBR books choose one SPECULATIVE FICTION, one HISTORICAL FICTION and one MYSTERY for JUNE, JULY and AUGUST (to be read in your month of choice!)
Speculative Fiction – The Hunt is On by Natalie Herzer - June
Mystery – Murder on the Bucket List by Elizabeth Perona - July
Historical Fiction - The Tea Planter's Wife by Dinah Jefferies - August

[Lynxie]

And another is finished (my fourth):

1. Spell it out
W - When Angels Cry by Melanie Nilles (Indie) ★★★

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

[Suzie]

Finished my indie author book: Five Egyptian Pounds The story of George Said by Helen Said. Very interesting story of George Said's life and migration to Australia 4★

[Stef]

Finished Tomorrow, When the War Began. My review is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

My son pointed out that I miscounted, I have to read 12 not 13 and considering I tend to get through more than 4 a month (and that was my fourth) I can actually breathe a little.

Nearly finished Epistemology of the Closet as well. The thing to think about now is using some libraries (and fitting that around work) so I dont spend a fortune on books and then have to store them too! ;)

[Carolyn]

I've read #2 new Winter release Friday On My Mind by Nicci French 4★

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

[Renee V]

Finished my Aussie YA A Confusion of Princes I always enjoy Garth Nix and as yet he has not let me down for an enjoyable read.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my 9th - second #4 Aussie Indie author - The First Lie by Virginia King 4.5★s

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

[Stef]

Renée wrote: "Finished my Aussie YA A Confusion of Princes I always enjoy Garth Nix and as yet he has not let me down for an enjoyable read."

AGREED Renee! Nix is awesome!

[Stef]

none of you are helping me keep my tbr down lol

[Kathryn]

I've had a slowish start to this challenge, but have currently completed 3/12.

I've read:

1. My "I" read - Ice Station by Matthew Reilly - 4.5★ (and my "N" read - Nightingale by Fiona McIntosh will be started within the next week)

3. My YA title by an Aussie author - Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta - 4★

5. My mystery read - The Handsome Man's Deluxe Café by Alexander McCall Smith - 3★

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Kathryn!!

[Janine]

I have finished my 4th
5. June TBR Mystery Breaking Creed by Alex Kava 4*

[Renee V]

Finished my W - The Winter People. Due to a long lunch at work I got to finish this book very quickly, it was an amazingly fast easy read and while I liked some elements I was disappointed by the ending, particularly in regards to Ruthie.

[Renee V]

Stef wrote: "Renée wrote: "Finished my Aussie YA A Confusion of Princes I always enjoy Garth Nix and as yet he has not let me down for an enjoyable read."

AGREED Renee! Nix is awe..."

My favs of his are still Sabriel and Shade's Children. I've got his newest one To Hold the Bridge waiting for me at home :-)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

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

Review to follow closer to publication"

Here's my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Elaine]

So I've just read my first for this challenge!!! Historical: A God in Ruins

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Brenda wrote: "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"

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

[Steve]

Finally finished my second last night, my first 1d. Spell it Out (T), Temple of the Winds, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

Up next is my first 5a. Mystery, Divided in Death.

[Stef]

Finished (E) Epistemology of the Closet

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

Already I am reading the next Fairytales for Wilde Girls

[Janine]

Have finished my 5th
#2 Winter New Release
The Lost Swimmer by Ann Turner 3*

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my 10th - first T - A Tender Deception by Sandy Curtis 5★s

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

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I forgot to add this one when I finished it the other day! My 11th - first SPEC FICTION - The First Lie by Virginia King4.5★s

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

[Anna]

i never asked before but i assume you can use the same book for two different challenges?

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

You sure can:)

[Stef]

Embarrassed because when I was not far into this book I was promoting it to everyone and I ended up not so impressed (a bitter 2)

Indie Fairytales for Wilde Girls

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

the next 2 books I read will probably be for other challenges I also have to do (since I believe I have got ahead on this one having done six which puts me at half way through July by my estimation)

:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my 12th - first R - Runaway Lies by Shannon Curtis 5★s

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

[Carolyn]

I've finished my 6th, tbr historical By the Sword by Alison Stuart 4★

A fun, romantic historical story set in the English civil war.

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

[Steve]

Last night, I finished my third, my first 5a. Mystery, Divided in Death, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

I made a start on my first 4. Aussie Indie Author, White Gold.

[Renee V]

Finished my E Eutopia not completely what I expected, will do a review later.