**Spring Reading Challenge**

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Looking good Lesley:)

[Lesley]

★ Jess wrote: "Ah, Definitely cant agree that 'The Lovely Bones' is a YA book."

Oh okay, just that it has won a Sth Carolina YA Book Award and GR has it listed as YA amongst other genres. I rarely read YA.

[Mish]

Here's my list

1. Spring clean your bookcases
FINISHED 3STARS

2.Choose a book that features a new life

3.Choose a book for it's cover - a spring image with all it's colour


4.book about a show/carnival rides/handicrafts/cookery/livestock, anything to tie into the event


5.book written by an Aussie author, released somewhere in the 3 months of Spring


6.Spring colours are predominantly red and yellow, pick a book with either a red or yellow cover


7.Young Adult book, not necessarily by an Aussie author, for this event
FINISHED 4 STARS

8.book about horses/horse racing/betting/money won and lost


9.book with the title beginning with the first letter of your name
- READING

10.book with a garden connection for spring or a non-fiction/biography, again with a spring connection

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Mish wrote: "Here's my list

1. Spring clean your bookcases


2.Choose a book that features a new life


3.Choose a book for it's cover -..."

Nice list Mish! I've read your #9, and really enjoyed it:)

[Mish]

Thanks Brenda. Good to know about #9....I've not read any of her books before :)

[Paula]

David wrote: "My choices are all crime fiction novels. Finding one with spring depicted on the cover could be a challenge on its own :)
1. Spring clean book - The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler
2. New life book -..."

Brenda wrote: "Paula wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Paula wrote: "OK, here's the best I can do (and Brenda, I really did A Thousand Splendid Suns on my list before I saw yours!)

1. Wuthering Heights (Emily Bronte)
2. Br..."


Thanks! Water for Elephants would be a good one too (except I've already read it...)

[Paula]

Carmel wrote: "Hey Melanie, why don't you read Knife of Never Letting Go, surely noone suggested that yet;) LOL"

I've read it - it's awesome (but quite stressful... lot's of tension!)

[Sharon]

My List
1. Spring Clean Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John Le Carre (looking forward to movie coming out later this year)
2. New Life The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards
3. Spring Image Forgotten by Cat Patrick
4. Show / carnival Cirque Du Freak by Darren Shan
5. New Release Aussie Author TBA
6. Spring Colours Vesper's Rising (39 Clues Book)
7.Young Adult Don't Call Me Ishmael by Michael Gerard Bauer
8. Spring Racing Cincinnati KId by Richard Jessup (Is this one okay, no horses but definitely about gambling)
9. First Letter of Name StormBreaker by Anthony Horowitz
10. Garden Connection The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

I have raided Mickey's bookshelves so lots of YA books on my list.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Sharon, that's a fantastic list!!! And yes, your gambling one is fine...

[Sharon]

Brenda wrote: "Sharon, that's a fantastic list!!! And yes, your gambling one is fine..."

Thanks! Just need to finish off last book for Winter challenge and will be ready for Spring.

[Sharon]

Carmel wrote: "Sharon, I love The Secret Garden, it's one of my favourite family movies!!! Great list!"

Loved the movie and books are usually better than the movie so thought now was an opportunity to read it.

[char]

My list is ready!! :)

After much deliberating and Australian book hunting I finally got my list together and am soooo looking forward to the 1st of September!

1. for Spring cleaning..Good Girls Do Swallow

2. for new life..Bliss

3. for Spring image..Sunnyside

4. for Royal Adelaide Show..Knit: Handmade Style (Handmade Style

5. for Aussie author in Spring..Why You Are Australian: A Letter to My Children (this was released as an eBook Spring)

6. for red or yellow cover..The Secret

7. for Young Adult..Almost Perfect (so proud, this is my only non-Australian book lol!)

8. for Melbourne Cup..Melbourne

9. for the first letter of my name..Christina's Matilda

10. for garden connection..Picnic at Hanging Rock

My first book reading challenge, i'm very excited! :)
-Charmayne

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Wow Charmayne, congratulations! That's an awesome list:) Enjoy your reading of it...let us know how you progress:) (There's lots of us can't wait for the 1st September!)

[Megan]

Charmayne wrote: "My list is ready!! :)

After much deliberating and Australian book hunting I finally got my list together and am soooo looking forward to the 1st of September!

Yay for choosing almost all Aussie books as well :D

[char]

Brenda wrote: "Wow Charmayne, congratulations! That's an awesome list:) Enjoy your reading of it...let us know how you progress:) (There's lots of us can't wait for the 1st September!)"

Thank you Brenda! I will! :-)

[char]

Yay for choosing ..."

Thanks Megan!. You too great list! :)

[Louise]

I haven't decided on my whole list yet, but this is what I've got so far:

1. Spring clean your bookcases by reading a much loved, but yet unread book..either novel or biography.. Nine Parts of DesireNine Parts of Desire: The Hidden World of Islamic Women

2. Choose a book that features a new life - a baby (animal or human) on the cover/in the story. Something by James Herriot

4. The Royal Adelaide show is on 2nd - 10th September, so choose a book about a show/ carnival rides/ handicrafts/ cookery/ livestock..anything to tie into the event. A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian

7. Sydney Eisteddfod is running until 20th September, and they are searching for the best young Australian talent, so pick a Young Adult book, not necessarily by an Aussie author, for this event. The Graveyard Book

8. The Spring Racing Carnival culminating with the Melbourne Cup is in November, so a book about horses/horse racing/betting/money won and lost.. Something by Dick Francis

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Louise that's really good so far:) Enjoy!

[Chantal]

It's taken me a while to put this list together, but here you go:

1. Spring clean your bookcases by reading a much loved, but yet unread book.

Eat Pray Love
I think the whole idea of her trying to restart her life also goes with the theme.

2. Choose a book that features a new life.
Night Watch
The main character spends most of the book trying to get home for the birth of his child so I thought that would be fitting

3. Choose a book for it's cover - a spring image with all it's colour.
The Girl's Guide to Growing your own
Hopefully help me to finally plant a veggie patch

4. A book about a show/carnival rides/handicrafts/cookery/livestock..anything to tie into the event.
Tomorrow When the War Began

I've wanted to re read this series for years so hopefully it will kick start it

5. Choose a book written by an Aussie author, released somewhere in the 3 months of Spring.
Zumbo
It was the only one I could find being released in spring and there was no way I wasn't going to get it!

6. Pick a book with either a red or yellow cover.
The Prince in my version the colour is a much brighter yellow than that in this satiny fabric. It looks so cheery for a book about Machiavellian politics.

7. Pick a Young Adult book, not necessarily by an Aussie author, for this event.
Goliath I got started on this steampunk series in a group read and have loved it. It is supposed to come out in September or October and has a love story in it. That's how I figure the spring theme in it.

8. A book about horses/horse racing/betting/money won and lost.
Oscar and Lucinda I can't believe I've never read this one, but gambling and set in Australia is what made me pick it.


9. How about a book with the title beginning with the first letter of your name...
Chocolat

10. A book with a garden connection for spring or a non-fiction/biography, again with a spring connection!
The Secret Garden I just thought that no spring list should be without this book

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Excellent list Chantal:)

[Chantal]

I must say that I've added so many to my to read list from everyone's selections. It's been interesting to see what people have come up with.

[Chantal]

Thanks Brenda, it was harder than I initially thought to pick them. I found myself picking a lot of YA books and I wanted to push myself further than that so I really had to dig around for some of them, lol! Only a few days before I can get craking on it!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Yes, it has proven to be a surprisingly challenging challenge this time;) Choosing our books was quite hard, but everyone has done really well...

[Kim]

1. A Zoo in my Luggage, Gerald Durrel. I love My Family and Other Animals.

2. Animal Farm, George Orwell - I can't remember for sure, but I think there's a baby in there somewhere.

3. Anne of the Island, L. M. Montgomery. My copy has a grass and flowery scene on the cover.

(4.) Lady Susan, Jane Austen. I'm sure there will be some mention of needlework in there. It is Austen! Finished. Not my favourite Austen, but an interesting change reading letters and insight into what may be her opinion on some womens approach to marriage.


(5.) You'll be sorry when I'm Dead, Marieke Hardy. I'm cheating with the release date by a few days, but I am very keen to get my hands on a copy of this! Finished :)


6. Running With Scissors, Augusten Burroughs. Red, yellow AND orange!

7. the Hobbit, J. R. R. Tolkien. He told it to his kids at bed time and it's on high school curriculum so that's young adult enough for me. And I want to read it again before the movie comes out *excited face*

8. When Red is Black, Qiu Xiaolong. I'm taking a stab in the dark and assuming the involvement of a business man comes with the money aspect.


9. Going one step better, this book is titled my name :D
Kim, Rudyard Kipling.

10. Commited, Elizabeth Gilbert. There's quilling on the cover which is kind of flowery and the story seems to be about new beginnings :)

This is a very fun activity and I hope to get through this lot and more :D

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Great list Kim:) Lovely to have you with us:)

[Kim]

Brenda wrote: "Great list Kim:) Lovely to have you with us:)"

Thanks! Glad to be here and have a very good reason to be reading these books finally!

[Kim]

Carmel wrote: "Wow you have jumped in quickly Kim, fantastic!!!"

Haha I have! I love my books though! :)

[Chantal]

Misskim wrote: "1. A Zoo in my Luggage, Gerald Durrel. I love My Family and Other Animals.

2. Animal Farm, George Orwell - I can't remember for sure, but I think there's a baby in there somewhere.

3. Anne of the..."

Interesting list, some books I hadn't even thought of, thanks for the inspiration.

[Kim]

Chantal wrote: "Misskim wrote: "1. A Zoo in my Luggage, Gerald Durrel. I love My Family and Other Animals.

2. Animal Farm, George Orwell - I can't remember for sure, but I think there's a baby in there somewhere...."

My pleasure. I have had a few of them on my shelf for too long and had almost forgotten them myself. Perfect time to read them :)

[Kim]

Just a quick question, as we read them, do we comment on here that we have? Or just a completion of list when all have been devoured?

[Kim]

Carmel wrote: "Kim, you can edit your original comment & add a link to a review/add your rating (stars)etc as you go through the challenge:)"

Thanks Carmel. I shall do that.
I'm excited about winter being gone for the year too! Even though I have just revved up the making of scarves and beanies... useless :p

[[deleted user]]

*stresses* I havent even finished my list yet!

lol but YAY :D for spring means my birhtday and the return of opressive heat :D

[Kim]

Carmel wrote: "ha ha Kim, someone in the world needs a scarf during our summer, so not useless really:) ha"

True... I hope they can appreciate it while it's stuffed in my bedroom somewhere :P Maybe it's time I created an Etsy store... *ponders*

[Kim]

Carmel wrote: "Ha ha you could do that, earn yourself a few dollars to pay for books Kim:)"

Now if you put it like that... :p

[Sally906]

OK - gathering my thoughts for the Spring Challenge- here are what I have decided on - some are still to be announced:


1. Spring Clean - read a book from your shelf : Dead Man's Chest by Kerry Greenwood Read

2. New Life - read a book with a baby on the cover (either human or animal): Baby Bonanza by Maureen Child Read

3. Spring on cover - Stone Springby Stephen BaxterRead
4. Book with anything that can be linked to an activity at the Royal Adelaide Show: Enslaved by Ducks by Bob Tarte (Kindle)- always have prize ducks at the show

5. Book released in spring by an Aussie Author: Empire Day by Diane Armstrong due for release September

6. Colours of spring - Book with a cover of red or yellow - Rip Tide by Kat Falls

7. Young Adult book: Ashes, Ashes by Jo Treggiari (Kindle)

8. Spring Carnivals - horses, horse racing, betting money - The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Gouge

9. Read a book whose title starts with my first initial - 'S': Smokin' Seventeenby Janet Evanovich Read

10. Book with garden or spring connections - The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen - has blossoms on the cover, and the peach tree is in a garden - Read

[Emily]

For number 4, the show/carnival, does Jurassic Park fit?
Because its a theme park and thats kinda similar but not really the same as a carnival ...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Just over 4 hours till Spring guys.....good luck with your Spring challenge, (and of course your September challenge also!)

Sally that sure is a great start:)

[★ Jess]

Why is that?

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Go for it Michael:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Thanks Michael, yes we are. We're in Mildura now, last leg of the trip tomorrow:) We've been exceptionally lucky with the weather...it's been gorgeous travelling:)

[★ Jess]

Sounds fantastic Brenda! Glad your having fun!

[Chantal]

Ok only two and a half hours to go and I want to start now!! Though I should really be ordering in one of the books I need for the challenge..

[Chantal]

An hour and a half to go now and I have the books all lined up! And as usual the one I really want to read is one that isn't on the list! :) Are people reading them in order or just whichever they feel like first?

[Kim]

Chantal wrote: "An hour and a half to go now and I have the books all lined up! And as usual the one I really want to read is one that isn't on the list! :) Are people reading them in order or just whichever they ..."

I've been reading already :/ oops. It looks like I'm a little cheat :p
I have also been reading two of them at once and way out of order. I'm sorry if my breaking rules upsets the balance, but I promise to read more than my list as oh so horrid punishment :p

[David]

...and we're off!

[David]

You too Carmel :) Definitely some spring in my step today!

[David]

Carmel wrote: "Same here David, I love this quote:
"Spring is nature's way of saying, Let's party!" — Robin P. Williams"

Haha! I like it - Let's party hard!

[Emily]

Oops. Forgot to post my list, which is still not finished.

1. Beyond the Shadows - Brent Weeks
2. The Goddess Test - Aimee Carter (they apparently move in the book to start a new life)
3. The Soldier's Wife - Margaret Leroy (flowers)
4. TBA
5. TBA
6. Eldest - Christopher Paolini
7. Bloodlines - Richelle Mead
8. Riding High - Emma Boling
9. Eragon - Christopher Paolini
10. TBA

[Lesley]

I have to choose a new YA as have already read The Lovely Bones and yes, I agree, it is not a YA book.

[Louise]

Oh, what a lovely Spring challenge!
Tricky, tricky.... I think I read about a hundred books about horses when I was 11 (My Friend Flicka, Black Beauty, Misty of Chincoteague, etc, etc). What about almost anything by Dick Francis? Not sure if I want to go there. I'll have to have a think.
Some suggestions for the tricky festival/show/livestock books - if you're looking for weird, try Geek Love by Katherine Dunn (geeks are carnies who bite the heads off live chickens, apparently) about a carnival family who breed their own freak show.
Or Johannes Cabal the Necromancer by Jonathan L. Howard, about a man who runs a carnival of the damned, inspired by the classic Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury. That's a great book - guaranteed to make sure you never look at a carousel the same way again.
But I was reading a review of a mystery novel by Leonie Swann, called Three Bags Full where the sheep are the detectives, so I might have to read that one for my show/livestock one.
I'll work on my list & post it soon.