2012 Aussie Authors - with a twist!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

This year's Aussie Author challenge is just a little different. Whether you are a dinky die Aussie, an holidaying tourist or an international reader wanting to discover some talented new authors, the 2012 Aussie Author Challenge - with a twist! is for you! It will run for 12 months until 31st December 2012 and there are three levels:

AMATEUR level - In January read an Aussie author with either her/his name starting with a 'J', or the book having a 'J' at the start of one of the words in the title. February read an Aussie author who's name or the title starts with an 'F', March - an 'M' starting the name/title etc....total of 12 for the year.

SEMI PROFESSIONAL level - The same as the amateur x 2 per month..e.g. 2 x 'J', 2 x 'F', 2 x 'M' etc...total of 24 for the year.


PROFESSIONAL level - The same again x 3 each month..e.g. 3 x 'J', 3 x 'F', 3 x 'M' etc...total of 36 for the year.








You will find lots of books which will tickle your fancy here http://www.goodreads.com/group/booksh..., or you can just read up on your friends TBR and read lists...there's bound to be something that will catch your eye.

Or check this link out for some different ideas http://www.goodreads.com/search?q=Aus...









Once you've chosen which level you'd like to attempt, post a message here. You don't need to list all your books straight away (it'd take far too long!) but as you read them, update your status throughout the year right here in this thread!

[Laura]

Wooooohoooo..Awesomemoooo!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

It's a pretty exciting challenge, I reckon:D

[Laura]

I do too...Keep the challenge up while reading for fun :D!!!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

'Sright;D

[★ Jess]

Sounds really, really tough. No way will I triumph, but I'll try anyway with AMATEUR level.

[Sally906]

Does it have to be read in strict order? If I read an 'O' book for October in April will it matter?

I will try for AMATEUR level I think. :)

[Kylie]

Sounds interesting. I will try PROFESSIONAL and see how I go.

Can these books also be combined with the monthly/seasonal challenges as I haven't done a yearly challenge before.

[[deleted user]]

Never done this before so I'm going to try for SEMI PROFESSIONAL level and see how I go from there.

[Murray]

I think you're setting the bar a little too high this year, Brenda. Your Amateur level is as many books as True Blue was last year, and your criteria more difficult. I'll play the game, but I have no expectation of even reaching half of Amateur level.

Any suggestions for J, anyone?

[[deleted user]]

Murray wrote: "I think you're setting the bar a little too high this year, Brenda. Your Amateur level is as many books as True Blue was last year, and your criteria more difficult. I'll play the game, but I hav..."

John Marsden is a really good aussie author. He wrote Tomorrow, When the War Began

[Murray]

Thanks for the tip, Mickey. I have been considering that book for a while, but it hasn't been a priority. I guess I just found a reason to push it up the list.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Murray wrote: "I think you're setting the bar a little too high this year, Brenda. Your Amateur level is as many books as True Blue was last year, and your criteria more difficult. I'll play the game, but I hav..."

That's what a 'challenge' is all about Murray;) Sorry if you think it's too hard, just enjoy your reading and see how you go!

I've decided on Joanne van Os with Outback Heart for my January one, but if you click on her (she lives in Darwin) she has a lot more books out than just that one. The one I've chosen is non-fiction. GL!!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Here's a few links to lots of different Aussie authors, many I had never even heard of myself!

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/7... POST 22 has a list.

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/5...

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/7...

If I find anymore links I'll pop them in there too, if anyone needs any help, please say, we want you to enjoy your reading at the same time:)

[Wendy]

May I add The Unhewn Stone to the list of favourite YA books by Aussie Authors? Or would that be unethical since I wrote it?

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Sally906 wrote: "Does it have to be read in strict order? If I read an 'O' book for October in April will it matter?

I will try for AMATEUR level I think. :)"

Try the order first if you can Sally, this is what we decided ...In January read an Aussie author with either her/his name starting with a 'J', or the book having a 'J' at the start of one of the words in the title. February.......

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Kylie wrote: "Sounds interesting. I will try PROFESSIONAL and see how I go.

Can these books also be combined with the monthly/seasonal challenges as I haven't done a yearly challenge before."

Yes Kylie, you can certainly combine the different challenges:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Wendy wrote: "May I add The Unhewn Stone to the list of favourite YA books by Aussie Authors? Or would that be unethical since I wrote it?"

The Unhewn Stone by Wendy Laharnar... there's a September book guys:)

Thanks Wendy:)

[Zuzu]

Put me down for Amateur. As this is my first challenge starting off slow is the way to go.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Zuzu wrote: "Put me down for Amateur. As this is my first challenge starting off slow is the way to go."

Great Zuzu!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

EDIT: I'm going to update this list to SEMI-PROFESSIONAL, as I've found some other books which will suit:)

I'm going to list the ones I can find here, as it'll help keep me on track, plus it may help others find a book;)

January - Outback Heart by Joanne van Os★★★★★
Five Bells by Gail Jones

February - Come Back to Me
Hell on the Way to Heaven by Chrissie Foster

March - Granville A Mother's Grief by June ollerenshaw
Death in the Mountains: The True Story of a Tuscan Murder

April - By The Sword by Alison Stuart
Brotherhood , The by Y A Erskine

May - Scarecrow and the Army of Thieves by Matthew Reilly
Me and Mr. Booker by Cory Taylor

June - Deadly Trust by J.J. Cooper

July - Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay

August - It's Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life by Lance Armstrong

September - The Secret River by Kate Grenville

October - Matilda Is Missing by Caroline Overington

November - Nosebleed by Rosanne Dingli

December - Precipice , The by Virginia Duigan


I'll work on June onwards later.... And of course, this is all subject to change;)

[Regan]

I like the sound of this challenge, especially since I have not read many Aussie authors. So, sign me up for the Amateur level! :)

Also, I think I will combine this challenge with the Summer Reading Challenge and read Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay in January.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Regan wrote: "I like the sound of this challenge, especially since I have not read many Aussie authors. So, sign me up for the Amateur level! :)

Also, I think I will combine this challenge with the Summer Readi..."

Excellent Regan! If you like, you can do your list as you work it out...it helps others too! Thanks:)

OOOHHH!! Just realized I have a 'J' missing! I can read yours...thanks!

[[deleted user]]

J- Magic Lessons by Justine Larbalestier, Letters from the Inside by John Marsden
F- The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan, The Fall of Ossard by Colin Taber
M- Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta, The Piper's Son by Melina Marchetta
A- Halo by Alexandra Adornetto, Area 7 by Matthew Reilly
M- The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, Hell Island by Matthew Reilly
J- Macbeth and Son by Jackie French, Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay
J- The Burning Bridge by John Flanagan, They Came on Viking Ships by Jackie French
A- Stray by Andrea K. Höst, Death and the Running Patterer by Robin Adair
S- Seven Deadly Wonders by Matthew Reilly,
O- ??
N- Sabriel by Garth Nix,
D- ??


Andrea was born in Sewden but grew up in Australia and currently lives in Sydney does that count?

[Lori]

I'll start January off with Jillaroo by Rachael Treasure. (picked up from local library)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Mickey wrote: "J- Magic Lessons by Justine Larbalestier
F- ??
M- Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta
A- Halo by [author:Alexandra A..."

Great list Mickey! Yes, Andrea is fine:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Lori wrote: "I'll start January off with Jillaroo by Rachael Treasure."

Nice pick Lori!

[Mish]

Okay I found a book for J. I'll start off with by Jane Sullivan

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Good on you Mish:)

[Mish]

Thanks Brenda, I'm trying to combine this challenge with my AWW challenge :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Mish wrote: "Thanks Brenda, I'm trying to combine this challenge with my AWW challenge :)"

Hahaha!! Yes, I'm going to do the same:)

[Mish]

Brenda wrote: "I'm going to list the ones I can find here, as it'll help keep me on track, plus it may help others find a book;)

January - Outback Heart by Joanne van Os

Februar..."

LOL you are to :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Sshhh Mish...LOL

[Mish]

Haha....okay Brenda my lips are sealed

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Oh that's good, no-one else will know now;D

[Regan]

Brenda wrote: "OOOHHH!! Just realized I have a 'J' missing! I can read yours...thanks!"

Haha, no worries. Glad I helped. :)

And here is my almost completed list. Later on I will have a gander at the couple of lists that have been posted here to see if they can help me out.

January - Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay

February - Not sure yet.

March - My Brilliant Career by Miles Franklin

April - And the Ass Saw the Angel by Nick Cave

May - On the Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta

June - Tomorrow When the War Began by John Marsden

July - The Hunter by Julia Leigh

August - The Twyborn Affair by Patrick White

September - The Harp in the South by Ruth Park

October - Oscar and Lucinda by Peter Carey

November - Sabriel by Garth Nix

December - Not sure yet.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Great list Regan!! Well done:)

[Laurel]

Wendy wrote: "May I add The Unhewn Stone to the list of favourite YA books by Aussie Authors? Or would that be unethical since I wrote it?"

I loved your book, Wendy.

[Maria]

Another book for Jan. "Jasper Jones" by Craig Silvery

[Zuzu]

January book will be The High Commissioner by Jon Cleary

[Tien]

Am definitely interested! Don't know if I can keep up but am aiming for PROFESSIONAL and I'll be starting with Juliet Marillier!!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey

The High Commissioner by Jon Cleary

:D

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Kazza wrote: "Am definitely interested! Don't know if I can keep up but am aiming for PROFESSIONAL and I'll be starting with Juliet Marillier!!"

Fantastic Kazza! GL!

[Kylie]

For January I thought I would read:

My Brother Jack By George Johnston

Jasper Jones By Craig Silvey

Jessica By Bryce Courtenay

May change but its a starting point

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Kylie...so it looks like you're going PROFESSIONAL!

[Kylie]

Brenda wrote: "Well done Kylie...so it looks like you're going PROFESSIONAL!"

Am going to try. :) Gives me something to work on.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Good on you, I'll be interested to see how you go choosing each month! The hard part MIGHT be the three J's...which will be 9 books with the same letter:D

[Lizzy]

My completed challenge (amateur level) - not the list I started out but I've managed to cover all the months!


January, Gail Jones, Dreams of Speaking reviewed here.

February, Kate Forsyth, Bitter Greens reviewed here.

March, Margo Lanagan, Sea Hearts reviewed here.

April, Y A Erskine, The Betrayal reviewed here.

May, Meg Mundell, Black Glass reviewed here.

June, Toni Jordan Fall Girl reviewed here

July, Lynne Leonhardt, FindingJasper reviewed here.

August, Angela Savage, The Half-Child reviewed here.

September, Lisa Heidke, Stella Makes Good reviewed here.

October, Caroline Overington Sisters Of Mercy reviewed here.

November, P M Newton The Old School reviewed here.

December, Eva Hornung Dog Boy reviewed here

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Great list Elizabeth:) Lots to help others there:)

[Melanie]

I'd love to join this challenge and as I am participating in a challenge to read onebook by a female Aussie author I will try to only read females.

Jotting down some from Judy Nunn and Colleen McCullough so far.