**Summer Reading Challenge**

[Bronwyn]

I notice that some people have attached their review to their post can someone please tell me how you do that?

Thanks

[Neko]

Out of the overal challenge for me the Oprah part has been the hardest to get through..Before I was sailing through and looking forward to reading until this book. I'm not saying it's a bad book but it's just a little slow for my liking, however, it seems things are starting to pick up!! Really hope to have the book dusted by Sunday.

[Khenan]

Not sure if there is any specific button to do this but i'd just link it and ..'name' the link :p

<@a href="http://www.goodreads.com">my link text

so you get the review url and replace that url, and where is says 'my link text' put in 'review' (or somethin).

for instance

<@a href="http://lovealiz.files.wordpress.com/2...
gives
Pie

Oh and take out the two @'s at the start and end ;p

[[deleted user]]

That is exactly how I do it as well Khenan.

@Bronwyn if you need further help let me know.

[Bronwyn]

I am sorry I am a bit slow here - Aimie at message 372 has done 5 for here books and that's what I would like to do for my books. For instance can someone tell me exactly what to put if I wanted to attach my review for The Immortal Hunter (Rogue Hunter, #2) by Lynsay Sands - (review) and it would bring up my review for this book?
Thank you

[Bronwyn]

review

[Bronwyn]

I have worked out the word review and it is almost taking me where I want it to go but not quite. I must be missing something?

[Bronwyn]

review

[[deleted user]]

You need the URL of your actual review. When you click on the book your review should be sitting under it. Click on My Review this will bring up the url of your review. That is what you are missing. Good luck!

[Maggie]

Finished The Greengage Summer this afternoon. I had read it years ago and whilst I still enjoyed it I could only give it 3 stars. This leaves me with one book to go - a romance which I'm waiting on from the library. Not being a romance reader usually I dont think I have any on my shelves at home that I could substitute, but I'll look. In the meantime I'm on to book two of the Hunger GamesCatching Fire.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I have just finished my last book of the challenge..What is Left the Daughter I was a little disappointed in this book...took me awhile to get into it, so much so that I almost gave up on it. I'm glad I didn't, but the characters didn't seem to have any depth. I didn't get to know many of them it seemed, with only Cornelia and Wyatt slightly.
I read this book for the challenge, I certainly wouldn't have chosen it otherwise. I'm glad I read it, but I won't read any more of Howard Norman's books...:)

[Neko]

Congrats Brenda!! I think I may stay away from that book if it's slow going and characters seem to be kinda blank.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Laura wrote: "Congrats Brenda!! I think I may stay away from that book if it's slow going and characters seem to be kinda blank."

Think it might have just been me, Laura, cos most of the other reviews were glowing!

[Maggie]

Finally on to my last book in this challenge, Just Listen. Hopefully it is better than the book I finished this afternoon Walking Naked.

[Dee-Ann]

Finished Shiver ... so that is 6 down now.

1. Celebrate Australia! Parrot and Olivier in America. - currently reading (2nd attempt)
2. Lighten the Load! Mockingjay
3. Movie, TV series or play. The Secret Life of Bees
4. Title related to Summer! Sizzling Sixteen - READ
5. Oprah's List - Shark Girl - READ
6. New Release! Eleven - READ
7. Schoolie's Week! iBoy or I Am Number Four - READ BOTH
8. Ho Ho Ho! - Shiver READ
9. Literature Map - Succubus Blues
10. Valentine's Day - Persuasion - READ

[Emily]

I feel so slack compared to the people who have already finished this. I've only read 6, 1 of which doesn't really fit into any category. Haha.

1. Celebrate Australia! - Shall We Dance? by Maggie Alderson - READ
2. Lighten the load! - Animal Farm by George Orwell
3. Choose a book that’s been made into a movie, TV series or play - Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
4. Choose a book with a word related to Summer in the title - The Second Summer of the Sisterhood by Ann Brashares - READ
5. Oprah’s list - Frankenstein by Mary Shelley - READ
6. New Release - Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead - READ
7. It’s Schoolies week! - Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
8. Ho Ho Ho! - The Third Day the Frost by John Marsden - READ
9. Literature Map - The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold (closest to Jodi Picoult)
10. Valentine’s Day - The Host by Stephanie Meyer - READ

[[deleted user]]

Don't worry Emily I've only finished 6 of mine. I can't see myself finishing the challenge but it has been a lot of fun.

[Emily]

Thats true. I did manage to finish 5, but the others I don't own.
School starts soon and I fear my reading time will be replaced with the never-ending fun of homework and study. Oh the joy!

[Neko]

YAAAAAAAAAAAAYY finished my 10th boook..Father of the Rain...It was prolly the hardest book to get through when it came to this challenge. The book was alright but it was just so slow and the characters were developed but just not enough..At times I could rip through a chaper or two but other times I felt like I could rip out my hair instead.

It's not a bad story but it's just missing something, atleast for me. I kept waiting for something to happen but nothing really did, I mean things DID happen, but it was more like a child growning into an adult and was writing a diary of her life while being brief. I dunno, I just thought it was going to be better.

[[deleted user]]

Congratulations Laura. Super effort.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done, Laura!!!! Now onto the Aussie Authors challenge...lol

[Neko]

Thankyou ladies :)

@Brenda- Haha, yeah...I've only got one book lined up for that so far..haha ^^;;

@Carmel- Keep on thonging through!! (Hehehe, a little play on words since pluggers are apparently thongs xD)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Laura wrote: "Thankyou ladies :)

@Brenda- Haha, yeah...I've only got one book lined up for that so far..haha ^^;;

@Carmel- Keep on thonging through!! (Hehehe, a little play on words since pluggers are apparent..."

Oh you're quick Laura!!! hahahaaha!!!!!

[Bronwyn]

I have now finsihed this challenge with at least one book in each catergory but I might add to it as I go. I did order a book from the library with the Summer in it but I have not got around to that one yet.

1. Celebrate Australia! - Sizzle, Seduce & Simmer by Marion Lennox (30/12/10) review
2. Lighten the Load! - Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris (26/12/10) review
3. A book made into a movie, TV series or play - The Shipping News by Annie Proulx (10/01/11) review
4. Chhose a book with a word related to Summer in the Title -An End of Summer by W.E.D. Ross (06/01/10) review
5. Oprah's List or O - The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (22/01/11) review
6. New Release - A Groom of One's Own by Maya Rodale (01/07/10) 09/12/10) review
7. Choose a YA Novel to read - Gone by Michael Grant (29/12/10) review
8. Ho Ho Ho! Christmas or Winter Theme - Pastures New by Julia Williams (19/12/10) review and The Twilight Before Christmas by Christine Feehan (09/01/11) review
9. Literature Map (I loved this idea) - Eloisa James is closest to Lisa Kleypas - Kiss Me, Annabel by Eloisa James (17/01/11) review
10. Valentine Day (Romance is what I read the most) - Sleepless in Scotland by Karen Hawkins (31/12/10) review and The Immortal Hunter (Rogue Hunter, #2) by Lynsay Sands (05/01/11) review

I have enjoyed this challenge very much. Thanks for having it. If I read any more in these categories, I will add them as I complete them.

[Bronwyn]

Thank you - I really enjoyed this challenge and I have got few ideas to add to my TBR list from what others have been reading. I just put all the books I own on my TBR list and now, with the few library books I have there, there are 96 books. Some of them have been sitting there for awhile so it will be interesting to see what I get to read this year from that list.

[Deb]

1. Celebrate Australia! Red Dog– Loius de Berniere or Mary Smokes Boys - Patrick Holland (if I can find a copy) BOTH FINISHED !
2. Lighten the load! The Sound of One Hand Clapping - Richard Flanagan (it's been lurking for a long time)
3. Book that’s been made into a movie. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest - Ken Kesey
4. Title related to Summer The Sea - John Banville FINISHED
5. Oprah’s visiting Australia - The Pillars of the Earth - Ken Follett
6. Baby - Tar Baby - Toni Morrison FINISHED
7. Schoolies week! Uglies - Scott Westerfield FINISHED
8. Ho Ho Ho! - The Snow Leopard - Peter Mathiessen
9. Literature Map - The Secret River - Kate Grenville FINISHED
10. Valentine’s Day - The Thorn Birds - Colleen McCulloch

Hi everyone, this has been a great challenge. I've managed to finish one from 5 of the categories and that was my target. It helped me find some new reads (loved Tar Baby) and reduce the TBR pile (The Sea / Secret River). Starting POTE now, but I think unlikely to finish by 3 Feb. We'll see!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Deb wrote: "1. Celebrate Australia! Red Dog– Loius de Berniere or Mary Smokes Boys - Patrick Holland (if I can find a copy) BOTH FINISHED !
2. Lighten the load! The Sound of One Hand Clapping - Richard Flanaga..."

Hey Deb, I'm pretty sure you have until the 28th Feb to finish the challenge...it's for the complete summer months...:D

[[deleted user]]

Deb you definitely have until the 28th of Feb. As you are reading PoTE post some comments as they occur to you in the discussion thread and I'll join you.

[Neko]

Congrats Bronwyn!

@Deb- Keep on goin' and since you've reached your target congrats as well :D!

[Bronwyn]

Congrats to everyone who is getting through this challenge, it's quite interesting.

[Deb]

@Brenda - oooh lots more time..must have been your speed reading that made me think I was way behind! 28 Feb may be enough to get through the 10 books, or at least finish the two chunky ones Pillars and Thorn Birds. Trouble is I get distracted by the other lonely books calling to me from my TBR pile.

@Gail - sure thing, will post some thoughts as I read.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Deb wrote: "@Brenda - oooh lots more time..must have been your speed reading that made me think I was way behind! 28 Feb may be enough to get through the 10 books, or at least finish the two chunky ones Pillar..."

Hahahaha!! Yes, it's easy to get distracted by other books...*it's only small, it won't take long to read* I'm sure we have all done that...:)

[Emily]

I have a problem with my list. I have 4 books to read and I can't get access to any of them. I've been stalking the library shelves and nothing!
Its so frustrating. Maybe I should just change my list... haha.

[[deleted user]]

Deb wrote: @Gail - sure thing, will post some thoughts as I read."

Great I've been looking forward to having someone to discuss it with.

[[deleted user]]

Emily wrote: "Maybe I should just change my list... haha."

There is nothing in the rules that says you have to stick to the original list. Well really there is no set of rules so feel free to bend them. ;)

[Dot]

So, I too was going ok until I was distracted by another book. Actually dozens of other books but I read one at a time and so I'm calling it a single distraction. Ha!

This is where I stand with my list thus far....

1. (1) Celebrate Australia! Cloudstreet

2. (2) Lighten the load! Animal Farm

3. (3) Choose a book that’s been made into (or referenced in) a movie... To Kill a Mockingbird

4. (5) Oprah’s visiting Australia in December. The Hunger Games **Was waiting for this one to arrive from The Book Depository. Finally arrived late last week. This is the reason I started another book. Really it is. ;o)

5. (7) Uh Oh!! It’s Schoolies week!!!! The Giver **Just puttin' this one off. Don't know why. It's only a little book and it has good reviews.

**Ok, I'm thinking I need to put down Halfway to the Grave and read these last two book in my challenge but.... Oh, I'm finding it hard to move away from this book even though I seem to have a love/hate relationship with it. I know some of you would just finish this book in a day or two but remember?? I'm the world's slowest reader.

BTW: I just love GR and this group in particular. You guys have inspired me to read so much more and I'm havin' a ball. :o)

[[deleted user]]

::High Fives:: Dot.

I have just finished my seventh book To Kill a Mockingbird, and am onto the eighth The Secret Life of Bees. As I haven't got a copy of the nineth book yet and couldn't decide on the tenth one, this might be as far as I get.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Dot wrote: "So, I too was going ok until I was distracted by another book. Actually dozens of other books but I read one at a time and so I'm calling it a single distraction. Ha!

This is where I stand with ..."

You go Dot! You are doing well, and yes, it is a great group isn't it! I'm doing the same with reading much more than I was! Just enjoy your reading! :)

[Dot]

Gail "cyborg" wrote: "::High Fives:: Dot.

I have just finished my seventh book To Kill a Mockingbird, and am onto the eighth The Secret Life of Bees. As I haven't got a copy of the nineth bo..."

Fantastic Gail! How did you like To Kill a Mockingbird?

I listened to an audio version of The Secret life of Bees from Audible a few years ago and just loved it. Hope you do to. ;o)

@Brenda - Thanks Brenda, I really am.

[[deleted user]]

Dot I really loved it. Despite the atrocious treatment of the blacks (I have read a few books recently that have opened my eyes to the appalling treatment that went on and to some extent still goes on today). The characters were so squeezably gorgeous. It left me with a lingering sense of hope for humanity, which was lovely.

[Dot]

Gail "cyborg" wrote: "Dot I really loved it. Despite the atrocious treatment of the blacks (I have read a few books recently that have opened my eyes to the appalling treatment that went on and to some extent still goes..."

Yes, I agree. I found it adorable. I think my dissapointment came from reading reviews and expecting someting completely different. I did learn a lesson there. Never ever read too many reviews before reading the book. I like to read reviews but I actually read pages of them with this book. Never again. LOL

Glad you loved it. :o)

[Maggie]

Dot wrote: "So, I too was going ok until I was distracted by another book. Actually dozens of other books but I read one at a time and so I'm calling it a single distraction...."

I relate to that - I think I've read more books NOT on my summer reading list than on it!

Anyway I've finished Just Listen which was my last one. I (surprisingly) quite enjoyed this book, half way between 4 and 5 starts from me.

Now, on to the Aussie Author Challenge (I've already started this actually one of my distractions from the Summer Reading Challenge).

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Maggie!!! :)

[[deleted user]]

Dot wrote: "Gail "cyborg" wrote: "Dot I really loved it. Despite the atrocious treatment of the blacks (I have read a few books recently that have opened my eyes to the appalling treatment that went on and to ..."

I am glad you asked, I am going to change my review and add my last line to it. :)

[Dee-Ann]

Finally finished Parrot and Olivier ... 7 down

1. Celebrate Australia! Parrot and Olivier in America. - currently reading - READ
2. Lighten the Load! Mockingjay
3. Movie, TV series or play. The Secret Life of Bees
4. Title related to Summer! Sizzling Sixteen - READ
5. Oprah's List - Shark Girl - READ
6. New Release! Eleven - READ
7. Schoolie's Week! iBoy or I Am Number Four - READ BOTH
8. Ho Ho Ho! - Shiver READ
9. Literature Map - Succubus Blues
10. Valentine's Day - Persuasion - READ

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Dee-Ann..:)

[★ Jess]

Ive read six books-not bad considering I forgot about the challenge :P

1. Celebrate Australia:


2. Lighten the Load:


3. Book that's been made into a movie, TV series or play:


6. New Release:


7. Schoolie's Week:


10. Valentine's Day:


Those are the ones Ive read :)

[Emily]

I've cheated and changed a few on my list to hopefully have them read. Half are library books that are due back in Feb and one is for the February Mardi Gras Challenge. :D

[Cheryl]

★ Jessica ★ wrote: "Ive read six books-not bad considering I forgot about the challenge :P



Impressive - good save! :)

[[deleted user]]

1. Celebrate Australia! The Book Thief by Markus Kuzak Great book ★★★★★ Beautiful
2. Lighten the load! Kafka on the Shore Read, I gave it ★★★★★
3. Choose a book that’s been made into a movie, TV series or play - To Kill a Mockingbird★★★★★ this is going into the read again pile.
4. Choose a book with a word related to Summer in the title - TBA
5. Oprah’s list - The Pillars of the Earth ★★★★
6. New Release - That Deadman Dance by Kim Scott - Read ★★★★
7. It’s Schoolies week! The Thief Read-it ★★★★ Enjoyable, good for my kids to read

8. Ho Ho Ho! A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. ★★★★ A must read for everyone!
9. Literature Map Website - ~ Barbara Kingsolver ˃˃Sue Monk Kidd The Secret Life of Bees. ★★★ This didn't come anywhere near Barbara Kingsolver.
10. Choose a book with a touch of Romance. - Set This House in Order: A Romance of Souls

I have finished 8 and am pretty happy with that. I would still like to read Set This house in order but as I don't have a copy of it, it will have to wait.