**Aussie Author Challenge**

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Just finished I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak. Loved this book...a quick, easy read, but one you'll love. Travel along with Ed while he works out his 'messages' and grow to love his mates, Audrey, Marv and Ritchie. You will especially love The Doorman, he is a character of his own!! A book well worth reading, a recommendation for everyone.

[Neko]

Waaahhtt? Quick read at around 350 pages :OOO Seems pretty interesting though. Hmm..to add to my TBR or not..lol

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Laura wrote: "Waaahhtt? Quick read at around 350 pages :OOO Seems pretty interesting though. Hmm..to add to my TBR or not..lol"

Well, Laura, I started it on the 5th and finished it early on the 7th! But apart from the dates, it FELT light, I wasn't bogged down by anything heavy. It just flowed, was fun, entertaining...oh very entertaining! It might have that amount of pages, but it didn't feel like there were a lot!!! Does that make sense...??? :) I loved it!!!!

[Neko]

Brenda wrote: "Laura wrote: "Waaahhtt? Quick read at around 350 pages :OOO Seems pretty interesting though. Hmm..to add to my TBR or not..lol"

Well, Laura, I started it on the 5th and finished it early on the 7t..."
Haha, that makes complete sense! Sounds like it was a pure enjoyment to read on your part :) That can make reading so blissful the pages are over before you know it.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Yes, pretty much just like that Laura...:D

[Murray]

I'm having trouble keeping up with all the new threads and posts, but it's clear from this one that I'm going to have to add Unbearable Lightness to my challenge list. Here's what I've read so far:

Falling into Queensland (GR author - not yet released) 3 stars
Manhood 3 stars
DEAD ish (GR author) 3 stars
technically DEAD (GR author) 3 stars
The Last Stormlord 4 stars
Odalisque 3 stars

I'm using the ratings according to the text that pops up, so I did like the 3 star books even if they're not what I'd normally read.

[Bronwyn]

I am half way through my 3rd book in this challenge - Halo by Alexandra Adornetto and I am quite enjoying it.

[[deleted user]]

Oooops, when I read your comment Murray at first I thought you meant the books you were reading were unbearably light. I had to read it a second time. My bad.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Carmel wrote: "Gail «Cyborg» wrote: "Oooops, when I read your comment Murray at first I thought you meant the books you were reading were unbearably light. I had to read it a second time. My bad."

Must be some..."

Oh you're quick Carmel..well said..lol

[Murray]

A couple of them were light, Gail, but not unbearably so. Naomi's books are a great short read. You could knock them over in one session.

[[deleted user]]

Murray I've read the first of Naomi's books 'Dead-ish' already and own the second one. They are a fast fun read, very entertaining. I like Naomi's writing style.

[Jacinta]

I haven't taken part in this challenge as I don't really have enough time to take on too many tasks but in taking part in the Summer and now Autumn challenges I have started to read a few more Aussie authors. I wont make any targets but at the end I may end up with quite a few Aussies to my my list. :)

Who knows I might end up being an accidental tourist or Matilda!

[Shona]

I've just finished .
Book 1 on my Aussie author challenge. Set in 1960's Kings Cross it was a great read.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Carmel wrote: "Shona wrote: "I've just finished .
Book 1 on my Aussie author challenge. Set in 1960's Kings Cross it was a great read."

I believe Brenda loved it too!"

Yes, totally wonderful book...I have actually read it twice now..:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Carmel wrote: "Ha Brenda did you just change your nickname? I'd love that as a permanent message on my fridge at home!!!LOL"

I did that a couple of days ago Carmel, but yes, SO WOULD I! It never seems to happen tho, does it...HA

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Carmel wrote: "Brenda wrote: "I did that a couple of days ago Carmel, but yes, SO WOULD I! It never s..."

Shows how observant I am!! I think I'll stick with mine for as long as possible;)"

Ha!! We'll see!! ;)

[Neko]

Shona wrote: "I've just finished .
Book 1 on my Aussie author challenge. Set in 1960's Kings Cross it was a great read."
I want to read this book..I placed it on my TBR list..aahhh..Must stop adding XD

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Laura wrote: "Shona wrote: "I've just finished .
Book 1 on my Aussie author challenge. Set in 1960's Kings Cross it was a great read."
I want to read this book..I placed it on my TBR lis..."

I purchased this book when it first came out, and read it then, it was called Angel Puss...the Puss has been dropped now, but it's still the same great story...

[Neko]

Brenda wrote: "Laura wrote: "Shona wrote: "I've just finished .
Book 1 on my Aussie author challenge. Set in 1960's Kings Cross it was a great read."
I want to read this book..I placed it..."
Do you know why the puss was dropped from the title? Is it kinda risky to have or something?

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

No idea...probably one of those publisher things where they think it'll sell better with a new title!!

[Dee-Ann]

Finished The Book Thief on the weekend. What a great book, really liked the way it was written including the summaries/dotpoints at the beginning of the chapters and the little bold excerpts throughout the book ... I thought they would annoy me, but I looked forward to reading them ... maybe it was a way to break up the seriousness in parts.

Anyhow, that is 3 down, 9 to go.

1 Something Fishy; READ
2. Odd One Out; READ
3 The Book Thief; READ
4 The Great Big Enormous Book of Tashi; currently reading

5 Cocaine Blues;
6 The Seventh Tower;
7 Foundling;
8 Neap Tide; currently reading
9 The Unknown Terrorist: A Novel ;
10 Indelible Ink;
11. Ranger's Apprentice series;
12. The Dressmaker

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Dee-Ann wrote: "Finished The Book Thief on the weekend. What a great book, really liked the way it was written including the summaries/dotpoints at the beginning of the chapters and the little bold excerpts throu..."

Doing well, Dee-Ann! So glad you enjoyed The Book Thief..it was amazing!

[Neko]

Finished my first book for this challenge Rendezvous At Kamakura Inn which was also in the Autumn challenge..eheheh :D!!

Not sure what will be my 2nd aussie book.

[Neko]

Adding Moonshadow: Eye of the Beast to my TBR and will slot into this challenge nicely :)

[Davina]

Just finished reading and reviewing On the Jellicoe Road for this challenge. I loved it, it made me cry. I struggled to review it though because I couldn't describe why I loved it without spoilers. So thats three down.

[Cheryl]

Ok, now I must find more by Marchetta. I just read and loved Saving Francesca. And it's already been requested in swap - good to know she's gaining an audience in the US.

[[deleted user]]

Cheryl in CC NV wrote: "Ok, now I must find more by Marchetta. I just read and loved Saving Francesca. And it's already been requested in swap - good to know she's gaining an audience in the US."

Have you read Looking for Alibrandi?

[Davina]

Cheryl in CC NV wrote: "Ok, now I must find more by Marchetta. I just read and loved Saving Francesca. And it's already been requested in swap - good to know she's gaining an audience in the US."
I know what you mean Cheryl. After I finished
On the Jellicoe Road yesterday I went and put all her others on my to be read list.

[Cheryl]

I'll just be getting everything I can that my library system has bought - after I read some off Mt. TBR and get them out of the house!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Just finished the 4th book of this challenge!

TRUE BLUE level-

1.Shattered Sky
2.The Six Sacred Stones
3.The Ballad of Les Darcy
4.Mailman of the Birdsville Track: The Story of Tom Kruse LEFT REVIEW!
5.I Am the Messenger LEFT REVIEW
6.The Riders
7.Fishing For The Stars
8.The Story of Danny Dunn
9.Everything I Knew
10.Jason McCartney: After Bali
11.Glory Girl - Peter Yeldham LEFT REVIEW!.
12.Land's Edge: A Coastal Memoir - Tim Winton (published 22/11/10)
13.He Died with a Felafel in His Hand
14.True History of the Kelly Gang

[Cheryl]

My list is in msg 151. I'm up to nine. Mostly juveniles as they're easy to find at my library. But I finally own a copy of My Brilliant Career so I'll be growing up soon!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Cheryl in CC NV wrote: "My list is in msg 151. I'm up to nine. Mostly juveniles as they're easy to find at my library. But I finally own a copy of My Brilliant Career so I'll be growing up soon!"

:D

[Dee-Ann]

Finished Neap Tide which a friend loaned me a while back. Did not like very much but it was well written. I did not like any of the characters and it had all the elements in it : drugs, adultery, rape, murder, HIV/AIDS, loneliness, depression, ghosts, racism and more ... no happy bits. It reminded me a bit of 'The Slap' in parts.

Anyhow, that is 4 down, 8 to go.

1 Something Fishy; READ
2. Odd One Out; READ
3 The Book Thief; READ
4. Neap Tide; READ

5. The Great Big Enormous Book of Tashi; currently reading

6 Cocaine Blues;
7 The Seventh Tower;
8 Foundling;
9 The Unknown Terrorist: A Novel ;
10 Indelible Ink;
11. Ranger's Apprentice series;
12. The Dressmaker

[Mandapanda]

Dee-Ann wrote: " drugs, adultery, rape, murder, HIV/AIDS, loneliness, depression, ghosts, racism and more ... no happy bits..."

Gosh how many bad things can happen in one book! That sounds like my least favourite kind of story.;)

[Cheryl]

Are We There Yet? : A Journey Around Australia by Alison Lester is absolutely wonderful! I think it should be in every American elementary school library, if not every year 2 or 3 classroom.

[Cheryl]

Ok, I added the latest stack of picture-books. I've read 12 different Aussie Authors. But I'm certainly not stopping there!

[Mandapanda]

Go Cheryl! You're way ahead.:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Cheryl in CC NV wrote: "Are We There Yet? : A Journey Around Australia by Alison Lester is absolutely wonderful! I think it should be in every American elementary school library, if not every..."

It's great isn't it Cheryl! Alison is related distantly to my family, and it's been a treasured book for a long time. Where the tale begins, Binnum, I lived with my family, from age 2 to age 7, with my Grandma and Grandpa. She also has other little books, 2 of which I bought for my grand-daughters.

[Maggie]

Mandy wrote: "Dee-Ann wrote: " drugs, adultery, rape, murder, HIV/AIDS, loneliness, depression, ghosts, racism and more ... no happy bits..."

Gosh how many bad things can happen in one book! That sounds like ..."

Sure sounds like The Slap to me.

[Bronwyn]

Davina wrote: "Just finished reading and reviewing On the Jellicoe Road for this challenge. I loved it, it made me cry. I struggled to review it though because I couldn't describe why I loved it wi..."

I have to agree with you as I absolutely enjoyed this book too.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Just finished my fifth book for this challenge and reviewed it. Cloudstreet

[Neko]

weeoooo 5th book already :o Nice one Brenda :D

[Neko]

Nearly a tourist! 2nd book finished.

Moonshadow: Eye of the Beast

Great book for kids from probably grade 4 and up. It's a bit of a lengthy read (perhaps) for a kid but the story is action packed making it sure to be a page turner no matter what :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Laura wrote: "Nearly a tourist! 2nd book finished.

Moonshadow: Eye of the Beast

Great book for kids from probably grade 4 and up. It's a bit of a lengthy read (perhaps) for a kid but the story i..."

Great stuff, Laura!! Sounds different..lol

[★ Jess]

1) The Bridge of Clay by Markus Zusak (release in September)

2) The Story of Danny Dunn by Bryce Courtenay

3) Breath by Tim Winton ★★★★: My review

4) Peeps by Scott Westerfeld ★★★★ My review. Woot! Four 'likes' :)

5) Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden

6)The Last Days by Scott Westerfeld ★★My review

[Neko]

Going good Jessica!! :)))

[Shona]

Finished book 2 and on my way to tourist level . 'Broken Hero' is a WW2 romance novel set in England.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Shona wrote: "Finished book 2 and on my way to tourist level. 'Broken Hero' is a WW2 romance novel set in England."

Shona, that sounds really interesting!! Will have to pop onto Mt. TBR lol

[Neko]

This morning at work I got to do some reading :3

I picked up a two different childrens story books..At that stage I had no idea one was by an Australian author..Huzzah!

So, I made it to 3 books for this challenge. Nice x)

The book:

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Laura wrote: "This morning at work I got to do some reading :3

I picked up a two different childrens story books..At that stage I had no idea one was by an Australian author..Huzzah!

So, I made it to 3 books f..."

Cute Laura!! :)