2012 Aussie Authors - with a twist!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Maggie wrote: "Just finished Forget me not: The Story of One Family's Voyage on the Titanic for May, a YA book about the Titanic.

Quite good retelling of the tale, 3 stars if you're familiar with the story, 4 st..."

Well done Maggie:)

[Janine]

Just back from Vietnam so am only starting my 3 May books so under a bit of pressure.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Janine wrote: "Just back from Vietnam so am only starting my 3 May books so under a bit of pressure."

You've still got almost 3 weeks Janine....you can do it;) Did you have a lovely time in Vietnam?

[Janine]

Brenda wrote: "Janine wrote: "Just back from Vietnam so am only starting my 3 May books so under a bit of pressure."

You've still got almost 3 weeks Janine....you can do it;) Did you have a lovely time in Vietnam?"

We had a great time but it was really hot and humid. Fascinating country with so much history but it is good to be home.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Janine wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Janine wrote: "Just back from Vietnam so am only starting my 3 May books so under a bit of pressure."

You've still got almost 3 weeks Janine....you can do it;) Did you have a lovely..."

Glad you had a good time....always good to be home isn't it!

[Faye]

Sally906 wrote: "Brenda wrote: "I have one suggestion... The Briny Cafe by Susan Duncan...I haven't read it yet, but it's meant to be light and fluffy, and it's based in Sydney in hot weather...so I bet Christmas i..."

Have not read Briny Cafe yet but have read The House at Salvation Creek and just loved it.Faye

[Mish]

The Briny Cafe & The House at Salvation Creek :)

[Sharon]

For June I plan to read by John Flanagan & by Jackie French. That is if i ever get around to reading my May books.Haven't started them yet as I keep getting distracted by other books.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

They look good Sharon....you still have 2 weeks left for your May books:) lol

[Bronwyn]

I have just finished my 2nd book for May - Spin the Bottle by Monica McInerny. Now to work out my June books.

Happy reading everyone

[Mish]

I'm falling a bit behind. I'm still listening to my April book What Alice Forgot and half way through my May book Mateship With Birds

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Bronwyn wrote: "I have just finished my 2nd book for May - Spin the Bottle by Monica McInerny. Now to work out my June books.

Happy reading everyone"

Good on you Bronwyn!

Mish wrote: "I'm falling a bit behind. I'm still listening to my April book What Alice Forgot and half way through my May book Mateship With Birds"

You'll do it Mish:)

[Maggie]

Just read My Place for May. This is a brilliant children's book showing the changes to a suburb since pre colonial days. The illustrations are wonderful. Find it at your library and have a quick look.
Soon I'll be starting the final book for May, The Brides of Rollrock Island aka "Sea Hearts" by Margo Lanagan.

[Mish]

Maggie wrote: "Just read My Place for May. This is a brilliant children's book showing the changes to a suburb since pre colonial days. The illustrations are wonderful. Find it at your library and have a quick lo..."

Thank Maggie - I've just reserved My Place at my local library - this would be something my daughter and I would enjoy reading together :)

[Faye]

Mish wrote: "Maggie wrote: "Just read My Place for May. This is a brilliant children's book showing the changes to a suburb since pre colonial days. The illustrations are wonderful. Find it at your library and ..."
Thankyou, I am now on the list at the Library for My Place...look forward to reading this book.Faye

[[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 4 stars
M-
Possum Magic by Mem Fox 4 stars (decided to read an old favourite from when I was younger)
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak 4 stars
J-
They Came on Viking Ships by Jackie French 4 stars
Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay 2.5 stars
J-
The Burning Bridge by John Flanagan
Macbeth and Son 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 4 stars
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]

Looking good Mickey! You've only had a couple of disappointments in that lot!

[Sharon]

Have finished my first May Author . I gave it 2 stars. It was a quick read but not my cup of tea.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Sharon wrote: "Have finished my first May Author . I gave it 2 stars. It was a quick read but not my cup of tea."

Bad luck Sharon!

[Sharon]

Maybe my second book will be better by Andrew McGahan. If all else fails next month I'm back to 2 of my favourite Aussie Authors John Flanagan & Jackie French.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Sharon wrote: "Maybe my second book will be better by Andrew McGahan. If all else fails next month I'm back to 2 of my favourite Aussie Authors John Flanagan & Jackie French."

Good luck with it:) Favourite authors are at least safe (most of the time!!)

[Janine]

I have just finished my 3 books for May
Hell Island by Matthew Reilly 4* (I did cheat a bit and swap this for Ice Station which was my original choice but this was much shorter)
Matter of Trust by Sydney Bauer 3*
Paycheque by Fiona Mccallum 3*
Now 2 to go for the Autumn challenge!

[Margaret]

Well done, and happy reading!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Janine wrote: "I have just finished my 3 books for May
Hell Island by Matthew Reilly 4* (I did cheat a bit and swap this for Ice Station which was my original choice but this was much shorter)
Matter of Trust by ..."

Well done Janine!!!

[Maggie]

Just finished a wonderful book for my May read, The Brides of Rollrock Island (aka "Sea Hearts"). 5 STARS for sure, and I dont give that many stars often. It is a YA book, but I feel it is more of an adult book. So absorbing. Tells the tale of a fishing community who exchange their wives and families to marry young women drawn forth from a local seal colony by a witch. I wont say too much more about the story but find it and read it - it's wonderful.

[Margaret]

Lovely to see such enthusiasm, Maggie!

[Maggie]

Margaret wrote: "Lovely to see such enthusiasm, Maggie!"

It's a great read.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Maggie wrote: "Just finished a wonderful book for my May read, The Brides of Rollrock Island (aka "Sea Hearts"). 5 STARS for sure, and I dont give that many stars often. It is a YA book, but I feel it is more of ..."

Good on you Maggie! It sounds an interesting story:)

[Sharon]

I have finished my second May read by Andrew McGahan. I liked this one so much better than my other May read. I'm looking forward to reading the other 3 books in the series as they come out. Now just need to add them to my TBR list and find out when they are due out.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Sharon....soon be able to start on your June read/s!

[Faye]

So many good books, and not enough time to read them all!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Faye wrote: "So many good books, and not enough time to read them all!"

I agree Faye...that's my mantra!

[Faye]

Brenda wrote: "Faye wrote: "So many good books, and not enough time to read them all!"

I agree Faye...that's my mantra!"

Oooh that has been my mantra for a long time, thats cool that you think the same. I just picked up a bundle of books from the local library. One of which is "My Place" which was being talked about the other day. Will let you know what I think, hopefully will read that tonight.

[Maggie]

Hope you enjoyMy Place Faye, it's a great children's book.

[Faye]

Hi Everybody, just finished My Place, enjoyed every page and picture, I am certainly ordering a copy for the school I work at. What a great book to read with your own children, it would also make a great present. :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Faye wrote: "Hi Everybody, just finished My Place, enjoyed every page and picture, I am certainly ordering a copy for the school I work at. What a great book to read with your own children, it would also make a..."

Glad you enjoyed it Faye!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Just over 24 hours everyone, and you can all get started on your J reads;D

[Sally906]

I have already borrowed my book from the library - is sitting at home waiting for me - I am going to be reading Little People by Jane Sullivan

[Mish]

Sally906 wrote: "I have already borrowed my book from the library - is sitting at home waiting for me - I am going to be reading Little People by Jane Sullivan"

Great book Sally. I really enjoyed Little People :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I will start my first June book next... Scared Yet? by Jaye Ford :)

[Bronwyn]

Here is almost a full list of what I have read and what I hope to read in this challenge. Since I get most of my reading from the library there may be some changes but I going okay. I have just been through the posts getting some more ideas or Aussie Authors.

July - Anna Jacobs, can this book count - British Author but the story is in Australia - I did pick up the author from someone's list?

Just for the heck of it my car took 7 weeks to fix.

Semi Professional Level

January
Gilgamesh by Joan London audio ***** 28/01/12
Addition by Toni Jordan – audio – *** 18/01/12
February
Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Manchetta audio ***** 27/02/12
The Gypsy Crown by Kate Forsyth audio ***** 13/02/12
March
The Distant Hours by Kate Morton audio **** 31/03/12
The Book Thief by Markus Zukas audio ***** 18/03/12
April
Away With The Fairies by Kerry Greenwood – audio ***** 30/04/12
Chasing the Shadows by Keri Arthur **** 25/04/12
May
Gucci Mamas by Cate Kendall audio **** 10/05/12
Spin the Bottle by Monica McInerney audio **** 16/05/12
June
Palomino by Elizabeth Jolley 2* – audio CD 05/06/1
Outback Heart by Joanne Van Os – audio Ipod **** 18/06/12
July Farewell To Lancashire by Anna Jacobs – audio IPod **** 19/07/12
Pearl in 2 Cage by Joy Dettman – audio IPod ***** 24/07/12
August
Kiss The Night Goodbye by Keri Arthur **** 13/07/12
Hades by Alexandra Ardonetto – audio CD *** 01/09/12
September
Four In Hand by Stephanie Laurens – audio CD *** 16/09/12
The Secret River by Kate Grenville – audio IPod **** 18/09/12
October
Outback Sunset by Lynne Wilding – audio IPod
Never Say Die by Chris O'Brien
Bella's Run by Margareta Osborn or
I Came To Say Goodbye by Caroline Overington
November
Beneath the Southern Cross by Judy Nunn – audio IPod
Night's Cold Kiss by Tracey O’Hara
December
The Master Player by Emma Darcy
maybe a book by Lillian Darcy or Dianne Blacklock

[Maggie]

Finished The Good Parents for June,have just posted my review. Now onto my next book.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Bronwyn wrote: "Here is almost a full list of what I have read and what I hope to read in this challenge. Since I get most of my reading from the library there may be some changes but I going okay. I have just b..."

Great list Bronwyn! Yes, Anna Jacobs is fine, she lives in Australia http://www.annajacobs.com/personal.aspx so we can call her one of our own!!

Oh my! How did you manage without your car for 7 weeks? It must have had a lot wrong with it, or the repairers were extremely slow?

[Bronwyn]

They were a bit slow, no priority on my car - I would say mostly because they leant me a car for that time. It is good to have it back though I am without it again this week as I am on the Gold Coast for Coolly Rocks On and my partner took the car home with him, but this is fine as there is lots of walking I can do I am sure. The car needed a new motor.

[Bronwyn]

Brenda wrote: "Bronwyn wrote: "Here is almost a full list of what I have read and what I hope to read in this challenge. Since I get most of my reading from the library there may be some changes but I going okay..."

Thanks for that info on Anna Jacobs

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Bronwyn wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Bronwyn wrote: "Thanks for that info on Anna Jacobs ..."

You're welcome:)

Bronwyn wrote: "They were a bit slow, no priority on my car - I would say mostly because they leant me a car for that time. It is good to have it back though I am without it again this week as I am on the Gold Co..."

Glad you've (sort of) got it back now;)

[Sharon]

Have finished my 1st book for June by Jackie French.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

well done Sharon:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I have finished my second June title Deadly Trust by J.J. Cooper. My review here http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

[Maggie]

Have finishedPicnic at Hanging Rock and it was so much better than I remembered. 4 stars from me. Now I have one book left for June, waiting on it from the library.