2012 Aussie Authors - with a twist!

[Janine]

I have just finished my third book for February, Fields of Gold by Fiona McIntosh which I enjoyed very much. Due to this challenge I have now read 6 books by authors I had never read before and have enjoyed most of them and will read other books by some of these authors.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Janine wrote: "I have just finished my third book for February, Fields of Gold by Fiona McIntosh which I enjoyed very much. Due to this challenge I have now read 6 books by authors I..."

Congratulations Janine:) That's great that you are trying new authors and liking them too:D Makes these challenges worth while!

[[deleted user]]

July - Life and Times of Michael K - J.M. Coetzee

August - Killing Aurora - Helen Barnes

September - A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute

October - Poor Man's Orange - Ruth Park

November - Shade's Children - Garth Nix

December - The Shiralee - D'Arcy Niland

Thread will be updated when I've chosen more books. :)

[[deleted user]]

Hi guys - if you want a challenge An Imaginary Life by David Malouf is a brilliant book.

[Maggie]

Finished The Spell of Rosette for Feb, 4 stars. Just waiting now for March - books are at hand, waiting...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Maggie! Same, I'm waiting for March to start too....not long now though:)

[Sharon]

My Books for March

by Matthew Reilly and by Melina Marchetta.

[Dee-Ann]

For February I read

Facades which I gave three stars ...
and one non-Aussie book
The Christmas Pearl which I gave 4 stars.

Thus you can tell which one I preferred.

[Bronwyn]

I was going to go with the Amatuer Level but so far I seem to be keeping up with Semi Professional Level so I might keep going with that and see how I go.

January – Gilgamesh by Joan London 5* audio 28/01/12, Addition by Toni Jordan – 3* audio – 18/01/12
February -Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Manchetta 5* audio 27/02/12, The Gypsy Crown by Kate Forsyth 5* audio 13/02/12
March – The Distant Hours by Kate Morton 4* audio 31/03/12,The Book Thief by Markus Zukas 5* audio 18/03/12
April – Away with the Fairies by Kerry Greenwood - audio
June – Palomino by Elizabeth Jolley - audio
July – Pearl in a Cage by Joy Dettman - audio
August – Keri Arthur, Annie Gracie
September – a book by Susanne Kearsley, Spin the Bottle by Monica McInerney,Four In Hand by Stephanie Laurens - audio
October – -Outback Sunset by Lynne Wilding – audio
November –
December

[Bronwyn]

Dee-Ann wrote: "For February I read

Facades which I gave three stars ...
and one non-Aussie book
The Christmas Pearl which I gave 4 stars.

Thus you can tell which one I prefer..."

Isn't this challenge for Australia authors only or is it any. The Christmas Pearl is written by an American author. If the authors can be other Nationalities that opens it up a to a lot more authors.

[Bronwyn]

Sharon wrote: "My Books for March

by Matthew Reilly and by Melina Marchetta."

I have enjoyed all the books that I have read by Melina marchetta - a good choice

[Bronwyn]

Natasha wrote: "Mish wrote: "I'm going to try and read 2 books this month

February The Family Lawby Benjamin Lawand Come Back to Me by Sara Foster

..."

This sounds like a good recommendation I am adding it to my TBR pile

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Bronwyn wrote: "Dee-Ann wrote: "For February I read

Facades which I gave three stars ...
and one non-Aussie book
The Christmas Pearl which I gave 4 stars.

Thus you can tell which on..."

Only Aussie authors Bronwyn:)

[Kim Marie]

January: A Killing Frost.....4 Stars
February: Blood Ties.....3 Stars
March: On the Jellicoe Road

[Zuzu]

Just started Monkey Grip.
Half way through I would rate 2.

[Maggie]

Hey, I've finished the books for March - surprised myself there. So now I'm off to read a few books for the March and Autumn challenges.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Maggie wrote: "Hey, I've finished the books for March - surprised myself there. So now I'm off to read a few books for the March and Autumn challenges."




Well done Maggie:)

[Janine]

Maggie wrote: "Hey, I've finished the books for March - surprised myself there. So now I'm off to read a few books for the March and Autumn challenges."
Wow Maggie that is great. I haven't started mine yet as I have started one for the Autumn challenge

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I've finished my first March book Granville: A Mother's Grief ..review here http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

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

February - Come Back to Me by Sara Foster★★★★★
My Sister's Funeral by Stephen Bush★★★★

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
The Diamond Anchor by Jennifer Mills

July - Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay
A Season Of TransformationJayne Fordham

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

September - The Secret River by Kate Grenville
Treespeaker by Katie W. Stewart

October - Matilda Is Missing by Caroline Overington
Bella's Run by Margareta Osborn

November - Nosebleed by Rosanne Dingli
Tiger Men by Judy Nunn

December - Precipice , The by Virginia Duigan
Desert Fish by Cherise Saywell

[[deleted user]]

J-
June by Gabrielle Lord 4 stars
Letters From the Inside by John Marsden 4 stars
F-
The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan 4 stars
Tom Appleby Convict Boy by Jackie French 1.5 stars
M-
Hell Island by Matthew Reilly (currently reading)
The Piper's Son by Melina Marchetta 4 stars
A-
Halo by Alexandra Adornetto
Area 7 by Matthew Reilly
M-
Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
J-
Macbeth and Son by Jackie French
A 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 Deadly Wonders by Matthew Reilly,
Schindler's List by Thomas Keneally
O-
Oscar And Lucinda by Peter Carey
Conspiracy 365 October by Gabrielle Lord
N-
Sabriel by Garth Nix,
The Magic Pudding by Norman Lindsay
D-
Dirt Music by Tim Winton
The Bombing of Darwin: The Diary of Tom Taylor, Darwin, 1942 by Alan Tucker

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Looking good Mickey:)

[Maggie]

Janine wrote: "Maggie wrote: "Hey, I've finished the books for March - surprised myself there. So now I'm off to read a few books for the March and Autumn challenges."
Wow Maggie that is great. I haven't started ..."

Luckily one was a child's book!

[Dee-Ann]

Brenda wrote: "Bronwyn wrote: "Dee-Ann wrote: "For February I read

Facades which I gave three stars ...
and one non-Aussie book
The Christmas Pearl which I gave 4 stars.


Thus you c..."

My apologies, I had indicated at the beginning that I was setting my own personal challenge of matching Aussie books with a non-Aussie book, in order to conquer my huge tbr pile (which is currently at 233). I will stick to just writing in the Aussie ones, but will continue with my own personal challenge.

Aside: I have found it interesting though that quite a few of the books I have read, written by a non-Aussie author recently, have had an Australian character for one of the main characters.

[Maggie]

Dee-Ann wrote: I have found it interesting though that quite a few of the books I have read, written by a non-Aussie author recently, have had an Australian character for one of the main characters.

That is interesting, maybe we're becoming popular! PS I think it's a great idea to match one of your ownTBR books for each book you read in a challenge.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Dee-Ann wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Bronwyn wrote: "Dee-Ann wrote: "For February I read

Facades which I gave three stars ...
and one non-Aussie book
The Christmas Pearl which I gave 4..."

I think that's a great idea Dee-Ann....I'd forgotten you said that! I'm doing the same thing...oh to reduce the pile....lol

[[deleted user]]

Thanks for the lists everyone.

[Janine]

I have just finished my 3rd book for March so can get on with some other challenges. Have read:
3*
4*
My Beautiful Spy by Colin Falconer 3*

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Janine wrote: "I have just finished my 3rd book for March so can get on with some other challenges. Have read:
3*
4*
My Beautiful Spy by [author:C..."

Well done Janine!!!

[Sally906]

I have finished my March book:
What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty - was very good, I gave it 5 stars.

I have Addition by Toni Jordan lined up for my April book :)

[Dee-Ann]

Sally906 wrote: "I have finished my March book:
What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty - was very good, I gave it 5 stars.

I have [book:Addit..."

Well done, I have not even started my March books yet and am rapidly running out of time. I hope you enjoy Addition as much as I did.

[Blue Eyed Vixen]

I've been very slack and haven't updated my status on this challenge lately as my laptop had had major bad-hair days and is still in the repair shop.

I think I'm pretty much on track having completed my Jan thru to March books and am now reading The Ambassador's Mission by Trudi Canavan.

[Blue Eyed Vixen]

Sally906 wrote: "I have finished my March book:
What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty - was very good, I gave it 5 stars.

I read this as my February book and thought it quite good too Sally.

[Maggie]

Blue Eyed Vixen wrote: "I've been very slack and haven't updated my status on this challenge lately as my laptop had had major bad-hair days and is still in the repair shop.

I think I'm pretty much on track having comple..."

I haven't read anything by Trudi Canavan - does she write well?

[Blue Eyed Vixen]

Maggie wrote: "Blue Eyed Vixen wrote: "I've been very slack and haven't updated my status on this challenge lately as my laptop had had major bad-hair days and is still in the repair shop.

I think I'm pretty muc..."

I must admit that I did struggle a little with the pace of the book, and also keeping track of the characters somewhat, but then I've had a few books on the go at once and maybe hadn't given it my undivided attention. Halfway in and all-good. I would try another of her books before making any hasty decisions.

I am also comparing this to Finnikin of the Rock which I couldn't put down.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

My second March read The Mistake by Wendy James was amazing! My review http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

[Sharon]

Finished my 2 March books. by Melina Marchetta & by Matthew Reilly. Now I just have to think of 2 books for April.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Sharon wrote: "Finished my 2 March books. by Melina Marchetta & by Matthew Reilly. Now I just have to think of 2 books for April."

Well done Sharon:)

[[deleted user]]

J-
June by Gabrielle Lord 4 stars
Letters From the Inside by John Marsden 4 stars
F-
The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan 4 stars
Tom Appleby Convict Boy by Jackie French 1.5 stars
M-
Hell Island by Matthew Reilly 4 stars
The Piper's Son by Melina Marchetta 4 stars
A-
Halo by Alexandra Adornetto 1 star (I really tried to read this but I just couldn't finish it)
Area 7 by Matthew Reilly
M-
Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
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-
Beyond The Sunset by Anna Jacobs
Death and the Running Patterer by Robin Adair
S-
Seven Deadly Wonders by Matthew Reilly,
Schindler's List by Thomas Keneally
O-
Oscar And Lucinda by Peter Carey
Conspiracy 365 October by Gabrielle Lord
N-
Sabriel by Garth Nix,
The Magic Pudding by Norman Lindsay 3 stars (borrowed from library)
D-
Dirt Music by Tim Winton
The Bombing of Darwin: The Diary of Tom Taylor, Darwin, 1942 by Alan Tucker

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Mickey wrote: "J-
June by Gabrielle Lord 4 stars
Letters From the Inside by John Marsden 4 stars
F-
The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan 4 stars
[book:Tom Appleby Convict..."

Nice list Mickey:)

[Dee-Ann]

I finished my March books, just in time.

I read for my Aussie one I read:
Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden, and I gave it 5 stars

and as part of my own challenge, my non-aussie book (dont laugh) is:
The Little Red Caboose by Marian Potter which I read with my 11 year old autistic son and we both gave it 5 stars.

If I had to rank them, then 'Tomorrow ...' would be first, but as a reading experience, you cant go past a cute little red train wtih an avid audience.

[Mish]

Dee-Ann wrote: "I finished my March books, just in time.

I read for my Aussie one I read:
Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden, and I gave it 5 stars

and as part of my own challenge, ..."

Dee-Ann, I recently finished the first 3 books of the Tomorrow series. If you gave the first book 5 stars, I would highly recommend reading the next 2. They are absolutely riveting and will keep you on the edge of your seat….better than the first book

[Dee-Ann]

Mish wrote: "Dee-Ann wrote: "I finished my March books, just in time.

I read for my Aussie one I read:
Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden, and I gave it 5 stars

and as part of my..."

Thanks for your advice Mish ... I think I might wait for the adrenalin to settle from this one. My eldest son has the next two books in the series, so maybe I will tackle them for the May 'twist' challenge.

[Mish]

Dee-Ann wrote: "Mish wrote: "Dee-Ann wrote: "I finished my March books, just in time.

I read for my Aussie one I read:
Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden, and I gave it 5 stars

and ..."

Oh I don’t blame you. They really do get your adrenalin pumping. I had to take a pause from the series as well

[Sharon]

My books for April are:

by Randa Abdel-Fattah
and
by Alyssa Brugman.

I have never read anything by either author so am broadening my horizons and hoping they are good.

[Maggie]

Dee-Ann wrote: "I finished my March books, just in time.

I read for my Aussie one I read:
Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden, and I gave it 5 stars ..."

Dee-Ann I love this series, have read it a couple of times. Whilst I enjoyed each book, there was one somewhere in the middle that I didn't enjoy as much, can't remember which one, but the entire series is great reading.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Maggie wrote: "Dee-Ann wrote: "I finished my March books, just in time.

I read for my Aussie one I read:
Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden, and I gave it 5 stars ..."

Dee-Ann I love th..."

I loved the series too when I read it a few years ago!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Sharon wrote: "My books for April are:

by Randa Abdel-Fattah
and
by Alyssa Brugman.

I have never read anything by either author so..."

Good on you Sharon...the challenges are good for that, aren't they. I'm amazed how many different authors I read now!

[Bronwyn]

I just managed to finish my March books. The Distant Hours by Kate Morton, I gave this one 4 stars and The Book Thief by Markus Zukas which I gave 5 stars to. I have had this a long time in my TBR list but I was reluctant to read it as I was told that the story is narrated by death when this challenge came along I decided to give it a go and I really quite enjoyed the audio version.

Good work with the books in the challenge to everyone.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Bronwyn wrote: "I just managed to finish my March books. The Distant Hours by Kate Morton, I gave this one 4 stars and The Book Thief by Markus Zukas which I gave 5 stars to. I have h..."

Well done Bronwyn:) The Book Thief was amazing, I loved it:)

[Sharon]

Have finished both my April Challenge books.
which I really enjoyed (4stars). I will definitely will be reading other books by this author. The second book I thought was okay (2stars only).