**Summer Reading Challenge**

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Carmel wrote: "Now Brenda & Maggie you can legally start reading:) ha ha"

I caaan't!! :( Three library books to finish first...:(
Thanks for letting me out of the naughty corner tho..:)

[Mandapanda]

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

Emily you can pick a book that starts with 'O'. Any of the words in the title can start with 'O'.

[Mandapanda]

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

That book looks like a lot of fun!:)

[[deleted user]]

Emma wrote "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 beleive fits the category...:

This made me LOL - I am not a fan of Christmas so the idea of reading about a brutal crime kinda appeals to the Scrooge in me. 'Tis a great book from memory (read it a long time ago and old age means I don't recall too many details).

[Dee-Ann]

Bernadette wrote: "This made me LOL - I am not a fan of Christmas so the idea of reading about a brutal crime kinda appeals to the Scrooge in me. 'Tis a great book from memory (read it a long time ago and old age means I don't recall too many details).

"


I finished reading this book last week, and it is definitely a scroogey thing to do, brutal even by todays standards. I dont think after reading this you would like to leave your door unlocked to let Santa in!

[Mandapanda]

Yay! We're famous!! Bernadette's posted our Summer Reading challenge on her fabulous "Reactions to Reading" book review blog which is definitely worth checking out for great book reviews and insightful comments on the book industry.

http://reactionstoreading.com/2010/11...

[[deleted user]]

Nice one Bernadette and congratulations Mandy on such a brilliantly thought out challenge.

[Mel | Places we read]

1. Celebrate Australia - Picnic at Hanging Rock
2. Lighten the load - TBA
3. Book to Movie, TV Series or Play -Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
4. Summer - TBA
5. Oprah's list - The Story of Edgar Sawtelle
6. New Release - Last Sacrifice
7. Schoolies Week - Uglies
8. Ho, Ho, Ho - The Winter Ghosts
9. Literature Map - TBA
10. Valentine's Day - TBA

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Awesome, Bernadette!!!

[Dee-Ann]

Cool Blog Bernadette!

[Neko]

Sweet blog post Bernadette! :)

[Mandapanda]

Melissa wrote: "3. Book to Movie, TV Series or Play -Pride and Prejudice and Zombies..."

I can't resist that book title or the cover either! It's so deliciously creepy. I have read there is a whole 'horror genre' subculture of rewriting the classics to include zombies.;D

[[deleted user]]

Ha ha I am resisting, get your crazy zombie mits off Elizabeth.

[Neko]

Mandy wrote: "Melissa wrote: "3. Book to Movie, TV Series or Play -Pride and Prejudice and Zombies..."

I can't resist that book title or the cover either! It's so deliciously creepy. I have read there is a wh..."

I was going to read this while ago buuuut I'm not so big on Zombies..I feel my zombie is set on overload. But isss it any good? :o

[Neko]

I've mid way through India in eat,pray,love and uhm...it kinda seems to be the same thing over and over again :/ I hope the last part is better.

Also started readig 500 icecreams..i feel like i'm gaining weight just reading it..lol

[Maggie]

Carmel wrote: "Off to the naughty corner for Maggie & Brenda!!"
I'm thinking that naughty corner could be quite busy! There seems to be a lot of people in there.

[Maggie]

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..."
Good luck with The Hobbit - it appears on the most begun but not finished book list.

[Maggie]

Dee-Ann wrote: "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 'Persuasion' is my favourite Austen story.

[Maggie]

Ok, I'm now officially out of all corners, naughty and otherwise. I began my book on Dec 1st "One pair of feet" by Monica Dickens. Not enjoying it much, but it's been sitting on my shelf for a few years, it begins with O and it's going to be read!
This way I can clear out a couple of dodgy looking choices I made for the reading challenge, and save all the good ones for later (yes, this is how I ate my vegies when I was young!).

[[deleted user]]

Maggie wrote: "I think 'Persuasion' is my favourite Austen story."

Mine too. Have we had this conversation before? I know I had it with someone. :D

P.S. I ate my vegies the same way.

[Khenan]

1 - Celebrate Australia How To Be a ManFinished
2 - Lighten the Load The Great GatsbyFinished
3 - Book - Movie Shawshank RedemptionFinished
4 - Summer The Old Man and the Sea(its a stretch but I've wanted to read this for ages :))Finished
5 - Oprah The RoadFinished
6 - New Release Autobiography of Mark Twain, Vol. 1
7 - YA The OutsidersFinished
8 - Christmas A Christmas CarolFinished
9 - Literature Map The Postman Always Rings Twice Finished
10 - Romance Gone With the WindFinished

If I can get my hands on them I think I'll do fine ;)

[[deleted user]]

Khenan wrote: "1 - Celebrate Australia How To Be a Man
2 - Lighten the Load The Great Gatsby
3 - Book - Movie Shawshank Redemption
4 - Summer [book:The Old Man and the S..."

Looks like a great mix of books to me. I hope you can get hold of them.

[Emma]

I'm not going to be able to start until tomorrow!!! That's mostly because I'm such a foold I want to actually attempt to read the books in order as well, or at least start off that way (with library reserve lists it will probably be impossible to keep up). But I finished the book I had been reading so I'm all ready to go as soon as I get my hands on Tuscan Rose tomorrow :)

Uh oh Dee Ann you've made me a little worried about having picked In Cold Blood! I actually can't sleep for a week after watching Law and Order and have been most recently freaked out by the scenes towards the end of Cloudstreet... but it's on my list now so I shall just have to be brave!! :S

[Adele]

1. Celebrate Australia - Night's Cold Kiss

2. TBR - The Becoming

3. Movie/TV - The Princess Bride

4. Summer theme - Holidays Are Hell

5. Oprah - Words That Matter

6. New Release - Last Sacrifice

7. YA - The Hunger Games

8. Xmas theme - A Christmas Carol

9. Literature Map - i typed in patricia briggs and got Ilona Andrews so i'll read On the Edge

10. Romance - Halfway to the Grave

[Mish]

Emma wrote: "I'm not going to be able to start until tomorrow!!! That's mostly because I'm such a foold I want to actually attempt to read the books in order as well, or at least start off that way (with libra..."

Emma, I have started Tuscan Rose for my Reading Challenge. So far I’m really enjoying it.

[Maggie]

Melissa wrote: "1. Celebrate Australia - Picnic at Hanging Rock
2. Lighten the load - TBA
3. Book to Movie, TV Series or Play -Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
4. Summer - TBA
5. Oprah'..."
Keen to hear what you think of Picnic at Hanging Rock, and the Zombie P & P. I haven't read either, but have wondered about it.

[Emma]

Michelle, I'm glad you're enjoying Tusacn Rose, I have heard very good things about it!

I've read Picnic at Hanging Rock. I read it after seeing the movie and I actually think I liked the movie better... Is your edition one where the last chapter is missing, as it was published originally? I can't remember now whether the one I read was like that or not... Anyway it's a very interesting book, worth reading, so I hope you enjoy it!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I've just finished 'The Reversal' so am starting my No.10 book...'Safe Haven' Nicholas Sparks. As it is due back to the library in 3 days, I'm going to have to read fairly quickly, but don't think it'll be a problem..:)

[Maggie]

Khenan wrote: "1 - Celebrate Australia How To Be a Man
2 - Lighten the Load The Great GatsbyFinished
3 - Book - Movie Shawshank Redemption
4 - Summer [book:The Old Man a..."

Hey, you're reading them as fast as I am! Just started "City of Bones" this morning, loving it. With a quiet day planned I may just finish this one quickly too. Is the sequel "City of Ashes" good too?

[Maggie]

Brenda wrote: "I've just finished 'The Reversal' so am starting my No.10 book...'Safe Haven' Nicholas Sparks. As it is due back to the library in 3 days, I'm going to have to read fairly quickly, but don't think ..."

Is The Reversal by Michael Connolly? I read quite a few of his Harry Bosch books but suddenly tired of his character.

[Emily]

Maggie, The Mortal Instruments Trilogy is AMAZING! City of Glass (the last one) is the best. The first two are pretty awesome as well though. Enjoy!

[Khenan]

Maggie wrote: Hey, you're reading them as fast as I am!

Haha I stopped all other books I'm on at the moment to complete this list. To be fair both books I've read are quite short, as are a lot of my other books in the list ;o.
Just started on Mark Twains Autobiography (700+p) so that should slow me down XD

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Maggie wrote: "Brenda wrote: "I've just finished 'The Reversal' so am starting my No.10 book...'Safe Haven' Nicholas Sparks. As it is due back to the library in 3 days, I'm going to have to read fairly quickly, b..."

Yes, it's Michael Connelly, and I'd have to say, it's one of his best, if not THE best! He joins Harry Bosch, and Micky Haller to work together, and Rachael Walling makes an appearance, plus a few others. It's really worth the read!

[Adele]

8. Xmas theme - A Christmas Carol
One down 9 to go.
this one was easy, as i found an audiobook verion of this, on librivox.com, it was slightly annoying as it was done by a computer generated voice, the standard microsoft one. pronoucation was wierd too. but i stuck with it. next time i'm going to try a human voiced audiobook

[[deleted user]]

Ooooh I am behind already, I started reading my first book yesterday.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

At least you've started Gail...:)

[[deleted user]]

I have two weeks off over the Christmas period I plan on catching up then. :)

[Amber]

Gail "cyborg" wrote: "Ooooh I am behind already, I started reading my first book yesterday."

Don't worry Gail, I only started yesterday too. Hopefully we'll catch up :D

[Neko]

So, I just finished-

Eat,Pray, Love- I think it was okay but I found India put me to sleep. A bit to much self loathing for my taste. Overal, it's not terrible and sometimes she places some interesting facts into it as well.

500 icecreams- Woow, I can see my icecream maker getting busy! hahaha Didn't know that you could make up so mannnnnny flavoours..My mouth needed a bucket to collect all the drool.

8 books to go

[Lauren]

Gail "cyborg" wrote: "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..."

Surely would. I have heard great things about it and have been meaning to read it for quite some time now!

[[deleted user]]

Lauren wrote: "We almost have enough of us reading The Pillars of the Earth to have an individual book d..."

Here is the thread I started. Jump in when you are ready. :)
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/4...

[Adhityani]

Sounds like fun!!! But have to pass at the moment... good luck everyone!

[Mandapanda]

For anyone still looking for books made into movies here are a few recent/upcoming ideas:

Tamara Drewe (Out now - starring Gemma Arterton)


Gulliver's Travels (Out now - Remake with hilarious Jack Black)


Sarah's Key (December release - starring Kristin Scott-Thomas)



Chronicles of Narnia Movie Tie-in Box Set The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (Showing now I think)


Love and Other Drugs (Showing now - Starring Jake Gylenhall and Anne Hathaway. Original novel titled Hard Sell: The Evolution of a Viagra Salesman)



Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything (January release - Documentary examining human behaviour with provocative and sometimes hilarious results)


True Grit (January release - Based on the original book and not the 1969 film. Starring, jeff Bridges, Josh Brolin and Matt Damon)


Water for Elephants (April release - Starring yummy Robert Pattinson)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Ooooo, don't know whether I'd like to see 'Sarah's Key'..way too sad if it sticks to the book storyline!! Loved the book, tho, maybe the film would spoil it??

[Maggie]

Brenda wrote: "Ooooo, don't know whether I'd like to see 'Sarah's Key'..way too sad if it sticks to the book storyline!! Loved the book, tho, maybe the film would spoil it??"

Just added "Sarah's Key" to my TBR list. Sounds good. TBR list now groaning.

[Visible]

This is my first attempt at a Summer Reading Challenge and to ensure that I get through all 10 I have also mixed up the media in which I'll go through the list, throwing in some books, audio books and e-books.

1 Charles Kingsford Smith and Those Magnificent Men – Peter FitzSimons (Audiobook)
2 A Feast for Crows (A Song of Ice and Fire, #4) – George R.R. Martin (Audiobook)
3 Eat, Pray, Love – Elizabeth Gilbert (Paperback)
4 Under the Tuscan Sun – Frances Mayes (Paperback)
5 The Pillars of the Earth – Ken Follett (Paperback or Audiobook)
6 How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe – Charles Yu (Kindle eBook)
7 Leviathan (Leviathan, #1) – Scott Westerfeld (Audiobook)
8 The Nine Tailors – Dorothy L. Sayers (Paperback or Audiobook)
9 Assassin's Apprentice (Farseer Trilogy, #1) – Robin Hobb (Paperback)
10 Chocolat – Joanne Harris (Paperback)

I go into the reasons for the choices and the alternative for question 3 on my blog so as to not bore people here ;)

[[deleted user]]

Visible wrote: "This is my first attempt at a Summer Reading Challenge and to ensure that I get through all 10 I have also mixed up the media in which I'll go through the list, throwing in some books, audio books ..."

Welcome to the challenge Visible. We are having a bit of a chat about The Pillars of the Earth, I hope you will join in. This is my first challenge read too. :)

[Emily]

I, uhh only started today .... oh dear.

[Emily]

Haha. Thats fine then.
Still haven't picked an Oprah one. I'll pick it later.

[Neko]

@Emily- No sweat! You'll get there no matter :)

-

Going through two books now..One I just started today but it is a reread. And I still think it is better than the one that made it into a movie (Devil Wears Prada).
Started:


Currently on:



Waiting on 3 books to arrive...Probably see them in the new year though.