**Winter Reading Challenge**

[Michael]

Now wouldn't be a good time to mention I'll be in Spain and France in August

[Michael]

No it doesn't *evil grin*

[Neko]

tsk tsk! lol How long you going for?

[Michael]

Only a few weeks

[Megan]

I have just joined this group (from New Zealand but can't seem to find NZ's equivalent group) and saw your Winter challenge - it's a cool challenge, I managed to fit most of what I read or am reading this Winter into it - with just a few gaps to fill :)

1) Pick a book that has a warm or summery theme on the cover:
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (catching fire has got to be warm...) 4/5
2) Pick a book from your Mt.TBR list:
Autumn of the Patriarch by Gabriel Garcia Marquez (part way through)
3) Find a YA novel or a picture book to read:
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare (Not getting the hype for this) 2/5
4) National Tree Day – read a book you haven’t purchase:
A House for Mr Biswas by V. S. Naipaul (library)2/5
5) Choose a book which has been made into a movie:
The Road by Cormac McCarthy 4/5
6) Read a book with a word starting with the letters of WINTER in the title:
War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy (half way through)
7) Read an Aussie author's book:
My Brilliant Career by Mile Franklin
8) Read New Release out somewhere in the 3 month period of winter:
9) Pick a friend on your GR list and also select and read a book they have read:
City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare 2/5
10) Curl up beside the fire and grab yourself a book full of suspense or murder:
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (All about murdering for your own survival - enjoyed but not sure I would give this to a child to read...) 4/5

[Michael]

Wow good work Megan

[Megan]

Yeah... I went a little YA crazy the last month, got a bit addicted to both series. Catching up on a little sleep now.

[★ Jess]

Hi megan :) I see many books in your list that I love, namely The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, The Road & City Of Bones. I agree, CoB is pretty good, but definitely not worth the hype

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Megan, great list:)

[Deb]

Adhityani "Dhitri" wrote: "My list (took me ages to finalise!!!):

1. Summery theme cover: Half of a Yellow Sun (Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie)
2. From TBR list: The Lacuna (Barbara Kingsolver)
3. YA n..."

Dhitri - love to know what you think of The Lacuna when you read it. I really enjoyed Poisonwood Bible recently and wondered whether to pick that one up too.

[Irina]

Dhitri - love to know what you think of The Lacuna when you read it. I really enjoyed Poisonwood Bible recently and wondered whether to pick that one up too.
I'd like to know too, as I hate to tell this, but I didn't really like it :( I also was really busy at work while I read it, this often can affect my impression, so I might consider re-reading it if I hear good feedback :)

[Neko]

Finished last night. I didn't mind it but it certainly wasn't my favorite book...I don't really see how it won an award even..heh.

But it seems to be partly based in some loopy truth?

[Maggie]

here's my updated list:
1.summer theme: Coromandel Sea Change READ 4 STARS
2. Mt TBR: The House of Lost Souls READ 2 OR 3 STARS
3. YA/Child: Divergent
4. library: Dear Fatty READ 4 STARS
5. Book to movie: Bridge to Terabithia READ 2 STARS
6. WINTER: Snømannen (I'll be reading it in English!)
7. Australian landscape: Bloodstain: the vanishing of Peter Falconio
8. New release: Before I Go to Sleep
9. A GR friend's list: I've changed my choice for this one. It's now We Need to Talk About Kevin READ 5 STARS
10. Mystery / suspense: The Secret Of Crickley Hall READ 3 STARS

[Michael]

Awesome work Maggie

[Louise]

I've finished my 3rd book Best Served Cold. Not a bad read, but not too sure I'll choose any more of his. My review is here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

[Adhityani]

Updated list: Four down, six to go! Decided to change no. 10 (cheeky!) because I really want to complete a challenge for once! Feel free to check out my reviews :) Oh, and I HAVEN'T decided what to read next.

1. Summery theme cover: Half of a Yellow Sun READ 5 STARS review here

2. From TBR list: The Lacuna
3. YA novel: I Am the Messenger
4. Library/ebook list: The Forty Rules of Love

5. Book made into a movie: Water for Elephants READ 4 STARS review here

6. Winter theme in title: What You Call Winter: Stories
7. Aussie author: Jasper Jones

8. New Release: State of Wonder READ 3 STARS review here

9. Book from friend's list: Beyond Fear (Jaye Ford) - picked from Brenda's bookshelf!

10. Suspense/Murder: Sister (Rosamund Lupton) changed to Before I Go to Sleep READ 5 STARS review here

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Looking good Dhitri!! You'll love Beyond Fear..it was awesome!!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Wow Maggie, you're doing very well:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I finished The Neighbor last night, so that's 2 of this challenge completed. Started Naked in Death next.

1..Pick a book that has a warm or summery theme on the cover The Indigo Sky
2..Pick a book from your Mt.TBR list The Neighbor ★★★★★
3..Find a YA novel or a picture book to read Winter
4..BORROW a book from the library/friend or pick one out of your TBR list I'll Walk Alone ★★★★
5..choosing a book which has been transformed into a movie Along Came a Spider
6..Read a book with a word starting with the letters of WINTER in the title White Hot
7..Read an Aussie author's book or books with an Aussie landscape/locale in it True History of the Kelly Gang
8..Choose a New Release which will be out somewhere in the 3 month period of Winter Fallen
9..Pick a friend on your GR list and also select and read a book they have read Vanishing Acts A number of my friends have read this!
10..Curl up beside the fire and grab yourself a book full of suspense or murder! Naked in Death

Bonus: 'Mystery' Jonathan Kellerman (born 9th August)
Mystery MYSTERY by Kellerman, Jonathan ( Author ) on Mar, 29, 2011 Hardcover

[Sharon]

Have just finished my third book Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb. I really enjoyed it and will put the other books from this trilogy on my TBR list.
Melanie you asked me to let you know what I thought... I gave it 4 stars and found it hard to put down. I was a bit confused at first but by the end I think I had a good understanding of the intrigues that were going on. Debating on whether I will finish the winter challenge first or give into the temptation of reading other two books from trilogy first. So want to know what happens to Fitz (main character).

[Adhityani]

Deb wrote: "Adhityani "Dhitri" wrote: "My list (took me ages to finalise!!!):

1. Summery theme cover: Half of a Yellow Sun (Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie)
2. From TBR list: The Lacuna (..."

Deb, I am reading The Lacuna now, but unfortunately I haven't read the Poisonwood Bible, so would not be able to compare.

[Michael]

Now Completed 6/10 books from the Winter Challenge

1. A Clockwork Orange
2. Dog Soldiers - ★★★
3. Evil Genius
4. We Need to Talk About Kevin
5. The Hunger Games - ★★★★
6. The White Tiger - ★★★★
7. On the Beach - ★★
8. Carte Blanche - ★★★★
9. Me and Mr. Booker - ★★★★
10. The Long Goodbye

Bonus: Frankenstein

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Looking good KL!!!

[Luke]

Knowledge Lost wrote: "Now Completed 6/10 books from the Winter Challenge

I'm thinking about adding Carte Blanche myself. Not many mew releases I'm interested in.

[Michael]

Ljuke wrote: "I'm thinking about adding Carte Blanche myself. Not many mew releases I'm interested in."

I would recommend it to any Bond fans, have you considered Before I Go to Sleep as your new release book ;)

[Luke]

I would recommend it to any Bond fans, have you considered [book:Before I Go to Sleep|973693..."

Sounds pretty cool. And since everbody else is reading it...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Ljuke wrote: "I would recommend it to any Bond fans, have you considered [book:Before I Go to Sleep|973693..."

Sounds pretty cool. And since everbody else is reading it..."

That's the way...:D

[Louise]

It's in my to-read list too. Soon!

[[deleted user]]

ahh the joys of peer pressure hahah

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my #10 Naked in Death last night. My review for anyone interested http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

That's 3 finished now!

[Neko]

Nice work Brenda :D

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my #7 on the list Our Father Who Art in the Tree, which makes 4 done. My review http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Will start #8 next Fallen

[Muphyn]

What are people reading for #8, the new release? (Sorry, I'm being lazy and don't want to scroll through the entire thread... :) hoping you'll let me know anyway... :D )

[Michael]

Before I Go To Sleep has been popular

[[deleted user]]

lots are reading Before I Go To Sleep Michael is trying to get every one to read it

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

And it's awesome Muphyn!!!! :D

[Sally906]

Have finished 3 more books for my challenge The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud , Brumby Plains and Violent Exposure now I just have my Kindle reads left which I will read while over in New Zealand resting, relaxing and sipping wine in front of fires.

[Bronwyn]

Maggie wrote: "here's my updated list:
1.summer theme: Coromandel Sea Change READ 4 STARS
2. Mt TBR: The House of Lost Souls READ 2 OR 3 STARS
3. YA/Child: Divergent
4. library: [book:Dear Fatty|43..."

Good reading Maggie - it looks like you have chosen a couple of okay books as well. I have done that for that last 4 books.

[Bronwyn]

Melanie wrote: "lots are reading Before I Go To Sleep Michael is trying to get every one to read it"

I have just ordered this one from my library, they don't have a copy yet and I am number 67 on the list. I don't think I will get to read it for this challenge but it does sound like a book that would be good to read.

[Bronwyn]

Here's an update to this challenge.

1. Warm Summery Theme - Applemere Summer by Harriet Hudson - 3* 29/06/11
2. TBR List - Hearts in Darkness by Keri Arthur - 4* 5/06/11
3. YA Novel - Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
4. Library/TBR/Ebook - Charlie All Night by Jennifer Crusie - 3* audio 02/06/11
5. Book made into a movie - Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin - 4* audio - 06/06/11
6. Wintery Theme - Snowy Night with a Stranger
7. Aussie Author - The Turning: Stories by Tim Winton - audio
8. New Release
9. Read a book a friend has read - A Highlander of Her Own by Melissa Mayhue
10. Suspense/Murder - Ice Cold by Tess Gerristen - 5* audio 4/06/11

Bonus

Read a book by an author born in June/July/August - Flying Too High by Kerry Greenwood (DOB 17/06)- 5* audio - 05/06/11

[Michael]

The reward is in reading the book, right Michael ;)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Wow! You are all doing so well:)

[Sharon]

For # 8 challenge do I give in to peer pressure and read Before I Go To Sleep or my other choice Forgotten by Cat Patrick????

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Sharon... Before I Go to Sleep!!!!! ;D

[Neko]

Yes, that book is current 'trending' within this group! Michael maybe you could try to trend it on twitter as well if you have an account..lol

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Carmel wrote: "Michael would you like me to recommend it on FB, but it will cost you;) ha ha"

More 50c pieces flying around!!! ;D

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Now now, Michael....that naughty corner is beckoning!!! ;D

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Michael wrote: "Im a reformed character honest."

[Megan]

I have just sourced myself a copy of Before I Go to Sleep to add to the challenge. Joining the masses...

[Jacinta]

Good morning everyone

I have just finished A Thousand Splendid Sunsfor my #1 selection.

My reactions to the book are all a bit raw and troubled at the moment so while I gave the book 3*** I haven't been able to put any words together to capture my reaction. Sufficient to day that I am forever grateful that I live in a society where a woman can freely participate in any aspect of life she so chooses.

cheers to all

Jacinta