**Autumn Reading Challenge**

[Sally906]

I finished the challenge - post it here as my original post is on the first page:
1. Shades of Autumn - The Orange Girl by Jostein Gaarder
2. Strong Female Lead - Fierce September by Fleur Beale
3. Something Irish - Green by Laura Peyton Roberts
4. Working Class Lead - The Body at the Tower by Y.S. Lee (The main character worked for a spy agency and went undercover on a construction site as a boy labourer)
5. Children's Book - Mess Monsters by Beth Shoshan (Have been reading this every night while 3 year old grandson visiting)
6. Reduce from TBR List - Fifty Acres and a Poodle: A Story of Love, Livestock, and Finding Myself on a Farm by Jeanne Marie Laskas
7. Re-Read - Comet in Moominland by Tove Jansson
8. Recycle (Library Book) – Separate Beds by Elizabeth Buchan
9. The Ides of March (Murder Mystery) - Roll Over and Play Dead by Joan Hess
10 Short Stories - 10 Short Stories You Must Read This Year by assorted authors

So roll on winter challenge :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Sally..well done!!! Enjoy your 'random' reading until the Winter challenge comes out...won't be too long :)

[Davina]

And another one bites the dust. It was a good one too City of Fallen Angels. I might leave my review until tommorrow as I'm still got my mouth hitting the floor by the ending. I'm also going to change my recycle toA Touch of Dead as it finally came in. I've had it reserved since January and picked it up tonight.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Glad you enjoyed CoFA Davina...will be interested to read your review when you put it up :)

[Davina]

@Carmel I think so you can check out my review if you like. I'll try not to put any spoilers in there but I have allot of trouble reviewing books I like.
On an even bigger note I ignored my kitchen that looked like a bomb hit it when I had an hour or so and finished another book for the challenge. A Touch of Dead.

[Davina]

Yes I am as long as hubbies work doesn't throw a spanner in the works.

[Neko]

Finished Factory Girls: From Village to City in a Changing China! I wrote a review but GR ate my review...Not happy!!!!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Laura! Can you remember what you wrote...maybe do it again...:(

[Neko]

I do..But it was a long review :/ BAH...The one time I didn't do a copy before hitting okay button..booooooooo~!!

This brings me to my last book for this challenge..it's..uhm..dunno...Will start it tomorrow i think.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Good on you, nearly there....:)

[Neko]

Rewriten! blegh.. D:<

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Laura wrote: "Rewriten! blegh.. D:<"

:D

[Dee-Ann]

Finished Middlesex which I really enjoyed, gave it 5 stars. I think it will have me thinking about gender identity long after I have finished the book. Unique, comprehensive saga.

So that is 6 out of 10. I dont know if I will finish this challenge in time.

1. The Colours of Autumn: Middlesex - READ. International Women‘s Day: The Secret Lives of Dresses - READ
3. Saint Patrick‘s Day: This Year It Will Be Different - READ
4. Australian Labour Day: The Housekeeper and the Professor - READ
5) A children’s book. to be decided
6) REDUCE - Last Sacrifice
7) RE-USE - Matilda or The Ladies of Missalonghi depends on which one I can find.
8) RECYCLE - The Catcher in the Rye - READ
9) The Ides of March - to be decided
10) Short story, essay or anthology - Short & Tall Tales: Moose County Legends Collected by James Mackintosh Qwilleran - READ

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Dee-Ann, you are doing very well :)

[Neko]

Yesterday I started My Favourite Wife. Not entirely sure this is my usual type of book but it seems rather interesting and the chapters are shortish which I like.

[Emily]

I finished my last book, one I've been trying to finish since about August last year.

8. Catch 22 - Joseph Heller

I would not read that again as I didn't understand most of what was going on.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Emily!! You did well to persevere with that one...it seems like it was heavy going! I read that a million years ago (lol), and remember feeling a bit the same :)

[Emily]

I'm glad its not just me who doesn't get it.

[Maggie]

Emily wrote: "I'm glad its not just me who doesn't get it."

I also did not really get it, and would not read it again.

[Michael]

Than I won't recommend Slaughterhouse-Five to any of you :-D

[Luke]

All done. May I present my findings:

1 The Colour of Autumn: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee FINISHED (I was afraid that this was going to be really dreary, but it was so awesome. First 5 star book in a while.)
2 International womens day : Rum Punch by Elmore Leonard FINISHED (this was great. Really well drawn characters.)
3 St Patricks day: A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce FINISHED (hard work, but enjoyable.)
4 Labour Day: Psycho by Robert Bloch FINISHED (very similar to the movie. So concisely written, which is what I like in a book.)
5 Read a childrens book: Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson FINISHED (yaaarrgghh it be well worth reading.)
6 reduce: The Gunslinger by Stephen King FINISHED (good, if you can get over a pretty dull first half.)
7 re use: Cycle of the Werewolf by Stephen King FINISHED (hell brief. Would have made good YA fiction, if not for the swear words.)
8 recycle: Devil in a Blue Dress by Walter Mosely FINISHED (this book was so awesome. Kind of a noir thing, but with a lot of other themes.)
9 The Ides of March: Armadillos & Old Lace by Kinky Friedman FINISHED (awesome light reading. Consistently funny.)
10 Read short story or Anthology: Switch Bitch by Roald Dahl FINISHED (holy hell this was funny. Had me grinning my head off on the bus to and from work.)

[Luke]

Slaughterhouse Five is one of my all time favourites. I even named my band after it.

[Neko]

Nice job Luke!!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Great work Ljuke!! I'm thrilled you loved To Kill a Mockingbird..so many people do, and I certainly did. I had it recommended to me by my son, and I'm so pleased I read it! :) I hope you'll join us in the Winter Challenge now ;)

[Jacinta]

Well done Luke, you have picked some interesting books and I have added a couple of them to my TBR list maybe for the next challenge.

[Luke]

Thanks guys. Mockingbird was just so enjoyable. Really surprised me. Definitely going to read some more Elmore Leonard and Walter Mosely.

[Michael]

I was a little disappointed with Mockingbird. It was well written, but I wanted more of the trial and less of their childhood.

[Dee-Ann]

I started and finished The Secret of the Lonely Isles over the weekend, which I enjoyed (gave it 4 stars). Great read for children aged 9 onwards.

So that is 7 down, 3 to go.

1. The Colours of Autumn: Middlesex - READ. International Women‘s Day: The Secret Lives of Dresses - READ
3. Saint Patrick‘s Day: This Year It Will Be Different - READ
4. Australian Labour Day: The Housekeeper and the Professor - READ
5) A children’s book. THe Secret of the Lonely Isles - READ.
6) REDUCE - Last Sacrifice
7) RE-USE - Matilda or The Ladies of Missalonghi depends on which one I can find.
8) RECYCLE - The Catcher in the Rye - READ
9) The Ides of March - to be decided
10) Short story, essay or anthology - Short & Tall Tales: Moose County Legends Collected by James Mackintosh Qwilleran - READ

[Neko]

:D Niiice work Dee-Ann :D

[Geoff]

My list depends on the second hand book sale at Sutherland, Sydney 9th & 10th July. Every year my wife & I attend this event and always come away with anything between 30 to 50 books. Last year we bought about 48, which cost us around $110. The money goes to Lifeline
The pile lasted us months. Great opportunity to buy unknown authors (unknown to me that is) because if I don't like the book I haven't lost much and it goes back to Lifeline for next year. Only hope I remember not to buy it again next year :-o)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Wow Geoff, sounds great!! Very envious :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Going well Dee-Ann! Don't worry if you don't finish..just roll the unfinished into Winter challenge (if you can)! :)

[Bronwyn]

Lesley wrote: "I have finished my first GR challenge ... yeh...
and enjoyed trying to fit/select my TBR books within the confines of each category.

1. The Help by Kathryn Stockett (3 stars)
2. Ines of my ..."

Congrats Lesley for completing the challenge

[Bronwyn]

Maggie wrote: "Completed my list:
1. Colours of autumn The Girl Who Played with Fire READ 4 STARS
2. International Women's Day The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest READ
3. Irish - The Copper Be..."


Congrats Maggie

I have just completed this challenge as well with M
Morrigan's Cross, my re-read. I read it last time and this time I listened to it. I have updated my last post which was on 05/05/11

[Bronwyn]

Sally906 wrote: "I finished the challenge - post it here as my original post is on the first page:
1. Shades of Autumn - The Orange Girl by Jostein Gaarder
2. Strong Female Lead - Fierce September by Fleur Beale
3..."

Congrats Sally to anyone else who has finished this challenge.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations as well Bronwyn!!

[Sandra]

AR Autumn Challenge 2011
1/3/11 - 31/5/11

10/10 Completed FINISHED 23/5/11

1. Colour - In Too Deep 13/4/11 ★★★★★
2. International Women's Day - This Side of the Grave 4/5/11 ★★★★
3. Irish - Immortal in Death 19/3/11 ★★★★
4. Aust Labour Day - River Marked 10/3/11 ★★★★★
5. Kids - Magyk 26/4/11 ★★★
6. TBR - Kitty and the Dead Man's Hand 22/3/11 ★★★★
7. Re-Read - At Grave's End 4/3/11 ★★★★★
8. Library - Shades of Midnight 3/4/11 ★★★★
9. Murder - Glory in Death 4/3/11 ★★★★
10. Short Story/Anthology - Huntress 23/5/11 ★★

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Sandra, you have done awesomely!!! Made it with time to spare ;)

[Sandra]

Thanks Brenda :)

[Sandra]

No worries Carmel! Thanks :)

[Neko]

Ooops..It's not long until Winter..Must..Finish...Book!!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Laura wrote: "Ooops..It's not long until Winter..Must..Finish...Book!!"

:D No gaming till you've finished Laura..LOL ;)

[Michael]

Cruel and unusual punishment

[Neko]

Brenda wrote: "Laura wrote: "Ooops..It's not long until Winter..Must..Finish...Book!!"

:D No gaming till you've finished Laura..LOL ;)"

lol..405pages..i'm past 300..Will hopefully dust it off tonight. None of the books on GR have the correct page numbers though. O.o;

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Knowledge Lost wrote: "Cruel and unusual punishment"

Hahaha!!!!! You don't need to worry Knowledge!! ;)

[Michael]

Brenda wrote: "Knowledge Lost wrote: "Cruel and unusual punishment"

Hahaha!!!!! You don't need to worry Knowledge!! ;)"

Then; carry on

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Laura wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Laura wrote: "Ooops..It's not long until Winter..Must..Finish...Book!!"

:D No gaming till you've finished Laura..LOL ;)"

lol..405pages..i'm past 300..Will hopefully dust it off ton..."

Oh you don't need to worry then...was it the 'cruel and unusual punishment' which made you hustle? So you can play your games? ;)

[Neko]

LOL..what on earth!?

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Laura wrote: "LOL..what on earth!?"

Did you not see what Knowledge wrote???

[Neko]

Oh...no? *go looks*