**Summer Reading Challenge**

[[deleted user]]

You can read them in random order Brenda, or I plan to anyway. :)

[Neko]

I must say it's interesting seeing all the books that are popping up.Some I've heard of and many I haven't.

I think for the challenge I'll only end up reading 8 books because I'm also on another challenge at the moment XD

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Thanks Gail, thought so but wanted to make sure.:)

[Mish]

1.Celebrate Australia – A Darker Music by Maris Morton - FINISHED 3 STARS

2.Lighten the load - The Good Daughter by Honey Brown -FINISHED 2 STARS

3.Choose a book that’s been made into a movie, TV series or play – The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini - FINISHED 5 STARS

4.Choose a book with a word related to Summer in the title – Hotbed - FINISHED 3 STARS

5.Oprah Book List – This was a hard one but I’ve chosen two possible books. The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski or The Passage by Justin Cronin - FINISHED EDGAR SAWTELLE - 4 STARS

6.New release book – Crave by J.R.Ward - FINISHED 4 STARS

7.It’s Schoolies week – Linger by Maggie Stiefvater - FINISHED 4 STARS

8.Ho Ho Ho! – Cold Rain by Craig Smith - FINISHED 3 STARS

9.Literature Map – typed in Paullina Simons got Belinda Alexandra. Might read Tuscan Rose or Wild Lavender by Belinda Alexandra - FINISHED TUSCAN ROSE 5 STARS

10.Valentine's Day – Kiss of the Light by Sherrilyn Kenyon - FINISHED 4 STARS

[Cheryl]

Ok, most of these are from Mt. TBR. But my to-read is growing because you-all are reading such interesting books, too!

1. Celebrate Australia! changed to Tracks because of a thoughtful recommendation here, and because I've already received it via swap. Finished.

2. Lighten the Load! I Saw Esau: The Schoolchild's Pocket Book Finished.

3. Movie tie-in. To Kill a Mockingbird Finished.

4. Summer. The Greengage Summer Finished.

5. Oprah. Middlesex - Had to give up on this. Nor could I find anything interesting (that I haven't already read) on her lists. So, moving Lemon Cake up here. Finished.

6. New arrival. With the revised instructions I'll watch my library's New Books display. Read Sachar's new YA, *The Cardturner* - Finished.

7. Schoolies. The House of the Scorpion Finished.

8. Christmas theme. I hope Hogfather is close enough. - Ok, I think it was; it had a lot of Christmas-type ideas. Finished.

9. Literature Map. I typed in Louis Sachar, which pointed to Sharon Creech, and I chose The Wanderer. Finished.

10. Valentine's Day. A friend just bookcrossed to me The Dewey Decimal System of Love. Finished.

edit of 1. Tracks

edit of 5. The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake

edit of 6. The Cardturner: A Novel about a King, a Queen, and a Joker

[[deleted user]]

Woot! Of course, thanks Cheryl. I am officially too lazy to look for books to finish filling my quota. I am pinching ideas from other people’s lists. I am just about to add To Kill a Mockingbird. Hee, it is on my TBR.

[Brit]

1. Celebrate Australia! – Obernewtyn - Isobelle Carmody
2. Lighten the load! – Catching Fire – Suzanne Collins
3. Choose a book that’s been made into a movie, TV series or play – The Da Vinci Code – Dan Brown
4. Choose a book with a word related to Summer in the title – A Midsummer's Night Dream - William Shakespeare
5. Oprah’s list – A Million Little Pieces – James Frey
6. New Release – Full Dark, No Stars - Stephen King
7. It’s Schoolies week! – Beautiful Darkness – Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
8. Ho Ho Ho! - A Christmas Carol – Charles Dickens
9. Literature Map – And Then There Were None – Agatha Christie
10. Valentine’s Day – A Walk To Remember – Nicholas Sparks

Finished! Reviews written for all, found on my 'read' shelf :)

[[deleted user]]

Welcome to the group Brit. Good to see you jumping in feet first by joining in the Summer challenge. :D

[Brit]

Thanks :) Ashamed to say I've actually been a member for a while, nearly since I joined I think, but haven't really participated. Then I saw this and thought it was something right up my alley :)

[[deleted user]]

That's okay. I noticed it was you first post. Lurking is cool. :)

[Maggie]

Michelle wrote: "1.Celebrate Australia – A Darker Music by Maris Morton

2.Lighten the load - The Good Daughter by Honey Brown

3.Choose a book that’s been made into a movie, TV series or play – The Kite Runne..."

Loved Edgar Sawtelle (despite being unsure about it at the start).

[Mish]

That’s good to know Maggie, thankyou. I’m the same…a bit unsure but I’ve read some great reviews on ‘Edgar Sawtelle so I might read this book instead of ‘The Passage’.

[[deleted user]]

Reading these lists is a dangerous pass time. I can see my TBR exploding. :)

[Neko]

Gail "cyborg" wrote: "Reading these lists is a dangerous pass time. I can see my TBR exploding. :)"
Lol..yeah, i've seen some books that have struck up my interest as well XD

[Kim Marie]

I've had to rely on availability with my list and I think some of the books could double up on criteria if I become too desperate for time :o)

1. Celebrate Australia: In a Sunburned Country....Finished
2. Lighten the Load: Mistress of the Empire....Finished
3. Upcoming Movie: The Emperor's Children....Finished
4. Summer: The Last Rose Of Summer....Finished
5. Oprah's Reading List: Ape House....Finished
6. New Release: The Black Prism....Finished
7. YA Novel: I Am the Messenger....Finished
8. Christmas/Winter: Giants of the Frost....Finished
9. Literature Map: The Name of the Wind....Finished
10. Valentine's Day: Crescendo....Finished

I've ended up having to make a substitution for my New Release category in order to complete my Challenge as I was still 17th on the list at the library for At Home With the Templetonsand I really can't justify buying another book at the moment :(

[Maggie]

Have just finished the book I chose for "Lighten the load" namely "The Glass Castle". I have reviewed it on my usual listing. Great book, highly recommended, read it so quickly. Now on to the next book for my summer challenge.

[Maggie]

Gail "cyborg" wrote: "Reading these lists is a dangerous pass time. I can see my TBR exploding. :)"

Likewise Gail, my TBR list is growing so rapidly. It was so long to begin with, now it is expanding even more so.

[Neko]

Maggie wrote: "Have just finished the book I chose for "Lighten the load" namely "The Glass Castle". I have reviewed it on my usual listing. Great book, highly recommended, read it so quickly. Now on to the next ..."
Ahh..you've got a head start :P The challenge starts on the 1st of Dec..lol

[Maggie]

Does that mean I read another book for 'Lighten the Load', cos that load needs lightening!

[Mandapanda]

Maggie wrote: "Does that mean I read another book for 'Lighten the Load', cos that load needs lightening!"

No that's fine Maggie... Near enough's good enough for me!:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I also cheated :). Have finished Chocolat, loved it, and have filled it in above. I will attempt to read my other 'film' one, Dr Zhivago, if I can!!

[[deleted user]]

Shoot, I can't can't start mine yet. :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Gail, I need an early start, with all the other books I have to read (library) as well...and Carmel, I'm happy to go to the naughty corner, as long as I can read while I'm there..:):)

[Lauren]

1. Celebrate Australia -Once FINISHED
2. Lighten the Load - Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast FINISHED
3. Book that has been made into a movie - Howl's Moving Castle FINISHED
4. Summer related book - On the Jellicoe Road FINISHED
5. Oprah's list -The Pillars of the Earth READING
6. New Release -Seer of Sevenwaters FINISHED
7. Schoolies/YA book - The Thief FINISHED
8. Ho Ho Ho - The Snow Queen FINISHED
9. Literature Map -Hamlet: A Novel FINISHED
10. Valentine's Day -Austenland FINISHED

[[deleted user]]

Thank you Lauren I have been looking for a schoolies. The Thief would be perfect. :)

We almost have enough of us reading The Pillars of the Earth to have an individual book discussion. Would you be interested?

[Rae]

I've been hesitant to post anything until now, but this reading challenge looks too fun to pass up!

1. Celebrate Australia: Pilgrims- Will Elliot
2. Lighten the Load: Around the World in 80 Days- Jules Verne
3. Book into Movie: The Hobbit- J.R.R. Tolkien
4. Summer related book: Desert Spear- Peter V. Brett ('Desert' is close enough to 'summer', right? :)Sand + Heat= ...Summer! ;D )
5. Book beginning with 'O': Odalisque- Fiona McIntosh
6. New release book: The Griffin's Flight- K.J. Taylor
7. YA Book: Beautiful Creatures- Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
8. Christmas/Winter theme: TBA
9. Literature Map (via Jennifer Fallon): Priestess of the White- Trudi Canavan
10. Touch of Romance: The Princess Bride- William Goldman

[Mandapanda]

Gail "cyborg" wrote: "We almost have enough of us reading The Pillars of the Earth to have an individual book discussion. Would you..."

Count me in, I read it years ago and it's still one of my favourite books.

[Neko]

Lol..anyone who went to the naughty corner can come out now and read in the light!

I'm starting now with Eat, Pray, Love

Urgk..I just hope the books I ordered will arrive before this challenge is over..lol

[[deleted user]]

Rae wrote: "I've been hesitant to post anything until now, but this reading challenge looks too fun to pass up!

1. Celebrate Australia: Pilgrims- Will Elliot
2. Lighten the Load: Around the World in 80 Day..."

Glad you could join us Rae. The reading challenge should be fun.

[Neko]

Carmel wrote: "I'm LEGALLY starting with :)"
Darn, that book is going on my 'to buy' list..lol. That looks like it will be an interesting read.
My 'to buy' list keeps growing :x

[Dee-Ann]

Here is my list so far, but it is likely to change. Due to finances and an ever expanding TBR list I am trying to attack my TBR list and secondly either read books I have sitting around at home or I think are in the library.

1. Celebrate Australia! Parrot and Olivier in Americawhich I have requested from the library, or if this fails I have Something Fishysitting at home which is supposed to be excellent.

2. Lighten the Load! Mockingjay

3. Choose a book that's been made into a movie, TV series or play. The Secret Life of Bees ... if I can get this from the library.

4. Title related to Summer! Sizzling Sixteen just need an excuse to get to the Janet Evanovich book which has been sitting on my shelf too long … I put this in for sizzling which reminds me of summer down south weather and bbqs.

5. Oprah's List - The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake which I think I have seen lurking at the library.

6. New Release! Eleven which is sitting at home due to a moment of weakness when passing a bookstore not long ago.

7. Schoolie's Week! iBoy or I Am Number Four which my son has and read and said they were awesome.

8. Ho Ho Ho! - Shiver which I have bought a copy to put under the Xmas tree for myself, as I could never get a copy at the library … it was always reserved or booked out.

9. Literature Map - Succubus Blues

10. Valentine's Day - Persuasion

[Janelle]

I broke the gate and started on the 27/11 - it's fantastic!
Happy Summer Reading everyone...

[Dee-Ann]

Janelle wrote: "I broke the gate and started on the 27/11 - it's fantastic!
Happy Summer Reading everyone..."

wow! that was quick and that sounds like a great book.

[Janelle]

Dee-Ann wrote: "Janelle wrote: "I broke the gate and started on the 27/11 - it's fantastic!
Happy Summer Reading everyone..."

wow! that was quick and that sounds like ..."

It really is Dee-Ann, I should have it finished by tonight :)

[Janelle]

Carmel wrote: "Yeah it sounds good Laura & it's a library copy so didn't cost me anything!"

I LOVE my local library :) They get me inter-library loans from all over my state.

[[deleted user]]

Ha ha there are a few that have broken early.

[[deleted user]]

Yay, I only need two more books to complete my list. One related to summer and one with some romance.

[Amber]

I'm feeling slack, I haven't even started reading any of the books on my list... 1 December just seemed to creep up out of nowhere :)

[[deleted user]]

There is plenty of time Amber. I am in the middle of a book not on my list that I have to finish first. I am pretty happy with my list now. It contains only books from my TBR, books that I had intended to get to soon. I plan on neglecting housework over the holidays so I can indulge myself in some serious reading time. (some me time)

[Amber]

I'm in the middle of reading one too, that I definitely want to finish before I start on the list. Hopefully I can get some me time too of the holidays. As our office is shutting for 17 days so I should hopefully put a big dent it the list.

[Emma]

Ok I think I have finally decided on my list... I've tried to include mostly books that were on my TBR list or that I had been wanting to read anyway...

Finished! 1. Celebrate Australia: Tuscan Rose
I was actually living in Florence last summer (our time) and so didn’t get one! I’ll thus kick off my Summer Reading Challenge and celebrate Australia by... reading a book set in Florence?

Finished! 2. Lighten the load: Breaking Dawn
Dear God just let it be over with already.

Finished! 3. Made into a movie/TV show: Watership Down
Have never seen the movie, and didn’t know there was one until I was browsing the goodreads’ lists, but I’ve been wanting to read this book about bunnies for a while now.

4. Title related to Summer: In a Sunburned Country
I’ve never read any of Bill Bryson’s books and this will also help make up the ‘Celebrate Australia!’ component ;)

5. From Oprah’s lists: Freedom
Chosen by Oprah and The First Tuesday Book Club as well as probably every other book club this is perhaps a bit of a predictable choice! But it is Oprah’s latest pick for her club and has claimed it’s a “masterpiece”. It’s also quite a significant selection considering her history with Jonathan Franzen...

(To celebrate her trip to Australia I’m also going to read Living Oprah: My One-Year Experiment to Live as TV's Most Influential Guru Advises but I don’t think it’s ever been acknowledged my Ms. Winfrey herself and so certainly hasn't made it onto her Book Club list! ;) )

6. New release: Just My Type: A Book about Fonts
This book was written for me! I can’t wait to read it!

7. It’s Schoolies week: On the Jellicoe Road
I have heard very good things about this book and am interested to read something else by Melina Marchetta.

8. Ho Ho Ho! Santa’s on his way: In Cold Blood: A True Account of a Multiple Murder and Its Consequences
OK so not exactly the Christmas spirit but it does have “cold” in the title which I believe fits the category...

9. Literature Map: That Old Ace in the Hole
I was so taken with Cloudstreet recently that I typed in Tim Winton. Annie Proulx was practically sitting on top of him on the Literature Map and this is on my shelf.

10. It’s Valentine’s Day: Sense and Sensibility
I’m going for some old-school romance. This will only be my second Austen so I’m excited to read another of these classics :)

I'm worried though that I've ended up with a few too many thick books... I hope I can get through them all!

Happy reading everyone!

[[deleted user]]

Great list Emma. I will be interested to hear what you think about Freedom.

[Emma]

Thanks Gail! I'm very interested to see what all the fuss is about with Freedom though I've heard it's like an American Slap so I may find it difficult to get through!

[Emily]

What do we do if none of the books on Oprah's list sound good? Do we just pick one anyway...?

[Emily]

I haven't started yet either. Although one of my books is coming in the mail. Hope it gets here soon!

[[deleted user]]

If you get stuck you could read The Pillars of the Earth and join in the group discussion that I am proposing? :)

[Amber]

Gail "cyborg" wrote: "If you get stuck you could read The Pillars of the Earth and join in the group discussion that I am proposing? :)"

I've just added The Pillars of the Earth, none of the books on Oprah's lists interested me :)

[[deleted user]]

Super I hope you will join in the discussion.

[Neko]

Emily wrote: "I haven't started yet either. Although one of my books is coming in the mail. Hope it gets here soon!"
that is my only real concern..About 3 of the books I'm going to read, I am waiting on them to arrive :x

[Emma]

Yes I realised some of mine I'll have to wait for to get from the library - especially Freedom, which was heaps of reserves!! I think I'm 9/14, and at the library where I used to work there are 75 reserves so I'm not even going to bother adding my name to that list!