2012 Aussie Authors - with a twist!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Great to have you with us Melanie:)

[Melanie]

Thanks Brenda.

[Zuzu]

The Plan so far....

January, The High Commissioner by Jon Cleary
February, Open File by Peter Corris
March, Monkey Grip by Helen Garner
April, Tea with Arwa by Arwa el Masri
March, Panic by David Marr
June, Ruby Blues by Jessica Rudd

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

The High Commissioner
Open File
Monkey Grip
Tea with Arwa
Panic
Ruby Blues

There you go Zuzu...looks good:)

[Megan]

I have a question - Can I play my own version of the challenge?

This year I have read 12 books by Aussie authors but only read a couple of New Zealand books because of it - Australia kind of took over. So can I, being Kiwi, please include both New Zealand and Australia books on my list? :D

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Of course Megan...you're welcome to do that! You're only just over the ditch anyway;)

[Megan]

Thanks Brenda - I'll start planning my books soon :D

[Blue Eyed Vixen]

Sounds like a good challenge...I'll try to add and read 2 books for each month but my aim is to acheive amateaur level as I'm trying to be realistic.

I will add my books as I go if that's OK.

January
Rocks In The Belly by John Bauer.
Cargo by Jessica Au.

[Dee-Ann]

I dont have a list yet, but will aim for amateur level as well. But I thought I might add my own challenge in that each month, along with an Australian book/author starting with the letter, I will also do an international book/author with the same letter, this way I can hopefully knock of the large pile of unread books at home ...sounds good in theory, but I find that for each book I read, I seem to acquire 2 more.

[Mish]

Blue Eyed Vixen wrote: "Sounds like a good challenge...I'll try to add and read 2 books for each month but my aim is to acheive amateaur level as I'm trying to be realistic.

I will add my books as I go if that's OK.

..."

I read Rocks in the Belly a while ago. I wasn’t sure what to think of it. It was quite disturbing at times and the main character was not very likable at all but good writing.

I’d be interested to know what you think Blue Eyed Vixen

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Dee-Ann wrote: "I dont have a list yet, but will aim for amateur level as well. But I thought I might add my own challenge in that each month, along with an Australian book/author starting with the letter, I will..."

That sounds really good Dee-Ann. Let us know how you go with it, won't you:)

[Janine]

I am thinking a Judy Nunn book for January.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

That would work Janine:)

[Kim Marie]

January....John Marsden and A Killing Frost will be the next book in that series for me. If another "J" book turns up during the month it will probably be more by good luck than good management as I try to make a dent in Mt TBR!

[Maria]

Thanks Kim. Didn't think of John Marsden, I know. What I'm going to read now

[Kim Marie]

Glad to help, Maria :o)

[Khenan]

Well having horribly failed last years Aussie challenge (0 books from that challenge read..) i've decided to go all out ;D 'of' and 'a' counted as applicable words in the titles for me :P

January - FinishedTomorrow, When the War Began, FinishedThe Dead of Night, FinishedA Killing Frost
February - Rabbit-Proof Fence: The True Story of One of the Greatest Escapes of All TimeFinished, The Lost StoriesFinished, The OutcastsFinished
March - The Book Thief, March, Mary Poppins
April - Seven Little Australians, The Ancestor Game, Picnic at Hanging Rock
May - Walzting Matilda - Banjo PattersonFinished, My Brilliant Career, Mary Poppins Comes Back
June - He Died with a Felafel in His Hand, Darkness, Be My FriendFinish, Burning For RevengeFinished
July - The Night Is For HuntingFinished, The Other Side Of DawnFinished, Wildwood Dancing
August - Schindler's List(Aussie version actually called Schindler's Ark, can't find the link for it), Looking for Alibrandi, The Mystery of a Hansom Cab
September - The Man From Snowy River - Banjo Patterson, The Cupboard Under the Stairs, The Secret River
October - Oscar and LucindaFinished, The Eye of the Storm, True History of the Kelly Gang
November - Drowned Wednesday, Sir Thursday, Lady Friday
December - Dancing on Coral, The Dam Busters, Mary Poppins Opens the Door

Good year ahead!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Fantastic list Khenan! Well done....you'll definitely be a 'professional' when you complete this list!!

[Blue Eyed Vixen]

Mish wrote: "I read Rocks in the Belly a while ago. I wasn’t sure what to think of it. It was quite disturbing at times and the main character was not very likable at all but good writing.

I’d be interested to know what you think Blue Eyed Vixen"

I know what you mean, I umm'ed and ahh'ed about this one....but I have had it here to read and I've been trying to read out of my comfort zone more these days.

[Janine]

Have just finished my book for January, Maralinga by Judy Nunn. Haven't decided if I will try for the next level.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Maralinga by Judy Nunn was a great book:)

[Khenan]

Finished my three for january :) As i understand it for this challenge i can only read my Feb ones in Feb? Its annoying because the other books in the series i started i can only read in June/July:( might just read em and get new books for June :D

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Khenan wrote: "Finished my three for january :) As i understand it for this challenge i can only read my Feb ones in Feb? Its annoying because the other books in the series i started i can only read in June/July:..."

Haha! That's right Khenan! How on earth have you finished 3 books by the 3rd January? >.< I'm sure you'll find lots more you can read in the next few weeks!!! Well done:)

[Sharon]

I will try for amateur level and see how I go. I'll start with The Lost Stories by John Flanagan as I have been trying to find time to read it since the spring challenge. Keep getting sidetracked by going to the library and picking up books that have nothing to do with the challenges I am doing.

[Maggie]

OK here's my plan which I have no illusions about completing but I'll give it a go:
JANUARY:
On the Jellicoe Road READ 5 STARS
The Best of Times, the Worst of Times: Our Family's Journey with Bipolar by Jessica Rowe and her mother READ The Donkey Who Carried the Wounded: The Famous Story of Simpson and His Donkey - a True Anzac Legend by Jackie French READ 4 STARS
FEBRUARY:
Batavia Peter Fitzsimmons READ 5 STARS
Beyond Fear Jaye Ford READ 3 STARS
The Spell of Rosette Kim Falconer READ 4 STARS
MARCH: Me and Mr. Booker READ 4 STARS The Blood Countess READ 2 STARS Mulga Bill's Bicycle READ 3 STARS
APRIL: Arrows of Time READ 4 STARS Unpolished Gem READ 3 STARS Diamond Eyes READ 3.5 STARS
MAY:
The Brides of Rollrock Island READ 5 STARS My Place 5 STARS Forget me not: The Story of One Family's Voyage on the Titanic READ 3 OR 4 STARS
JUNE:
Picnic at Hanging Rock Joan Lindsay READ 4 STARS
The Good Parents Joan LondonREAD 3 STARS
Moonlight 3 STARS
JULY:
Seven Ancient Wonders 4 STARS
The Six Sacred Stones 3 STARS
The Five Greatest Warriors READ 3 STARS
(these are all novels in the Jack West Jnr series)
AUGUST:
An Authentic Life 1 STAR
What Alice Forgot 1 STAR
Days Like This 3 STARS
SEPTEMBER:
Sick to Death: A Manipulative Surgeon and a Healthy System in Crisis-a Disaster Waiting to Happen READ 5 STARS
Sarah's Last Wish 2 STARS
Suspect READ 3 1/2 STARS
OCTOBER:
Outlaws: The Truth About Australian Bikers READ 2 1/2 STARS
[book:I Came To Say Goodbye|9482772] READ 4 STARS
Broken Open READ 2 1/2 STARS
NOVEMBER:
The Magic Pudding Norman Lindsay READ
Tears on My Pillow: Australian Nurses in Vietnam Narelle Biedermanh READ
Journey by Night Kim Falconer READ
DECEMBER:
Dragon's Child READ
Black Dog Daze READ
Daughter of the Forest CURRENTLY READING

I've mixed in a few children's and young adult books. And I've used the titles of books or author's names to find these books. I tried to be clever and have all author names one month and book titles in another but it didnt work!
Wish me luck.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Wow Maggie, awesome list! Congratulations on your research for that! And good luck with it all, I'm sure you'll conquer it:)

[Sally906]

Maggie wrote: "OK here's my plan which I have no illusions about completing but I'll give it a go:
JANUARY:
On the Jellicoe Road
[book:The Best of Times, the Worst of Times: Our Family's Journey wi..."

Great list - and I know where to come to get ideas as the year progresses :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Sally906 wrote: "Maggie wrote: "OK here's my plan which I have no illusions about completing but I'll give it a go:
JANUARY:
On the Jellicoe Road
[book:The Best of Times, the Worst of Times: Our Fami..."

Yes, it's a great help isn't it Sally:)

[Kaz]

For January, I'll be reading Feeling Sorry For Celia by Jaclyn Moriarty.

[Kylie]

Due to other challenges I'm going to do amateur as I will run out of days in the months otherwise. :)

Jan:
1. The Book of Lies By James Moloney. 5 stars 7/1/12

Feb:
1. The Family Farm By Fiona Palmer 3 Stars 03/02/2012

Mar:
1. On the Jellicoe Road By Melina Marchetta

Apr:
1.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Kaz wrote: "For January, I'll be reading Feeling Sorry For Celia by Jaclyn Moriarty."

Feeling Sorry for Celia by Jaclyn Moriarty:)

It's amazing how many 'J's' are out there when you search, isn't it....and 'F's' and 'M's'........;D

[Maggie]

Khenan wrote: "Well having horribly failed last years Aussie challenge (0 books from that challenge read..) i've decided to go all out ;D 'of' and 'a' counted as applicable words in the titles for me :P

January ..."

Some excellent reads there, and a great way to read John Marsden's "Tomorrow..." series. I've chosen a few of these books myself (or I considered them for my list).

[Janine]

I have just finished my second book for January so have decided to try for Professional Level. Spent my day off going through all my books to read and found lots meet the requirements so my tentative list is:
January
Maralinga by Judy Nunn read 3/1/12
Farewell to Lancashire by Anna Jacobs read 6/1/12
Campaign Ruby by Jessica Rudd read 17/1/12

February
Gold Dust read 5/2/12 and Wildflower Hill by Kimberley Freeman read 24/2/12
Fields of Gold by Fiona McIntosh Read 14/2/12
March
March by Geraldine Brooks read 12/3/12
Split by
Tara Moss read 8/3/12
My Beautiful Spy by Colin Falconer read 10/3/12
April
Pictures of Us : A Novel by Todd Alexander read 15/4/12
All That I Am: A Novel by Anna Funder Read 8/4/12
Beyond the Sunset by Anna Jacobs Read 5/4/12
May
Paycheque by Fiona Mccallum Read 14/5/12
Matter of Trust by Sydney Bauer Read 17/5/12
Hell Island by Matthew Reilly read 21/5/12
June
Heritage by Judy Nunn Read 8/6/12
Destiny's Path by Anna Jacobs Read 3/6/12
Love Begins with an A by Jeana Vithoulkas Read 16/6/12
July
Outback Heart by Joanne Van Os Read 4/7/12
Berlin Syndrome by Melanie Joosten Read 23/7/12
Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta Read 5/7/12
August
A Grand Passion by De Lisle Anne Read 8/8/12
Firehead by Venero Armanno Read 4/8/12
The Trader's Sister by Anna Jacobs Read 6/8/12
September
The Street Sweeper by Elliot Perlman
The Lioness by Katherine Scholes
The Secret River by Kate Grenville
October
Oscar and Lucinda by Peter Carey
The Lonely Planet Story Once While Travelling by Tony Wheeler
Matilda Is Missing by Caroline Overington
November
Pacific and Floodtide by Judy Nunn
Patterns of the Heart by Nancy Cash
December
Barra Creek by Di Morrissey
Earthly Delights by Kerry Greenwood
Dirt Music by Tim Winton
This is my first attempt at adding a link so hope it has worked ok

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Janine, that is brilliant! Well done on all the research into your books! Some great reads there too:)

[[deleted user]]

I've decided to go for semi-professional instead.

J-
June by Gabrielle Lord 4 stars
Letters from the Inside by John Marsden 4 stars.
F-
The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan
Tom Appleby, Convict Boy by Jackie French
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
Rose for the Anzac Boys by Jackie French
J-
The Burning Bridge by John Flanagan
They Came on Viking Ships by Jackie French
A-
Beyond the Sunset by Anna Jacobs
Death and the Running Patterer by Robin Adair
S-
Seven Ancient Wonders by Matthew Reilly,
Schindler's Ark by Thomas Keneally
O-
Oscar and Lucinda by Peter Carey
October by Gabrielle Lord
N-
Sabriel by Garth Nix,
The Magic Pudding by Norman Lindsay
D-
Dirt Music by Tim Winton
The Diary of Tom Taylor: The Bombing of Darwin by Alan Tucker

[Helene]

I'm definitely participating in this challenge but have no idea what I'll be reading yet! Am certain to cheat a little and double up on some for other challenges as well :) Having said that I think I better stick with amateur level - I can always upgrade if I miraculously find more spare time!!

[[deleted user]]

Has anybody thought of reading the Conspiracy 365 series yet. They are by an aussie author and the titles are:

1st book: January
2nd: February
3rd: March
...................
All the way to:
12th: December.

My mum is a bit upset because she has already read them and doesn't want to read them again for this challenge.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Helene wrote: "I'm definitely participating in this challenge but have no idea what I'll be reading yet! Am certain to cheat a little and double up on some for other challenges as well :) Having said that I think..."

Have a look back at the posts of a couple/few days ago Helene... Maggie #76, Janine #84 and Mickey #86 have done full lists, plus others have put in a few...there's sure to be something you would enjoy!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Mickey wrote: "Has anybody thought of reading the Conspiracy 365 series yet. They are by an aussie author and the titles are:

1st book: January
2nd: February
3rd: March
...................
All the way..."

Sounds like a great idea Mickey...can you link any of them for us as I've not heard of them before, and probably others haven't?

[Maggie]

Here you go Brenda, they're by Gabrielle Lord:

January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
Conspiracy 365 September
Conspiracy 365 October
November
Conspiracy 365 December

I havent heard of this series before either.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Maggie wrote: "Here you go Brenda, they're by Gabrielle Lord:

January
February
March
April
May
June
July
[..."

Thanks Maggie...they sound great!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Have finished my January title...Outback Heart by Joanne van Os ..review here http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Feeling Sorry for Celia
On the Jellicoe Road
;P

[Maggie]

Carmel wrote: "...Maggie, you're going to read one of my favourite Melina Marchetta books, hm..."

Yes I'm sure I've heard you mention it a million times! Thought I'd better get around to reading it at last. Enjoy your holiday or are you still on away?

[Bronwyn]

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..."

That's a great choice, good luck.

[Sharon]

Have finished my January read. by John Flanagan. Love his books, so easy to get caught up in the adventures.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Bronwyn wrote: "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 [author:Joanne van Os|..."

Thanks Bronwyn:)

[Bronwyn]

I see some people are already off to a great start. I will give this ago and I will go for amateure at this stage. As mmost of my books come from the library I will send them in as I receive them. Sometimes I might have to order a few to get one on time to read it in the correct month.

January - Gilgamesh by Joan London or Palomino by Elizabeth Jolley

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Gilgamesh
Palomino

[Sally906]

Here are my reads for the year:

J - Castaway A Brumby Plains Adventure by Joanne van Os

F - A Rose for the ANZAC Boys by Jackie French

M - What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty

A - Addition by Toni Jordan

M - The Blood Countess by Tara Moss

J - Little People by Jane Sullivan

J - Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier

A - Tea with Arwa by Arwa El Masri

S - Pied Piper by Nevil Shute

O - Matilda Is Missing Caroline Overington

N - Ghost Gum Valley by Johanna Nicholls

D - The Wedding Season by Su Dharmapala