**Winter Reading Challenge - 2012**

[Trina]

I'm interested in reading it for that reason too. However a friend of mine (who has an eating disorder) read it and didn't have a really favourable opinion of it, but I always try to factor in a few opinions before deciding whether or not to read a book if people I know have read it.

[Amber]

Hi everyone! I've never joined a reading challenge before, though I've been tempted. I'll do my best (I'm lucky if I can read more than one book per month these days, post having kids!). Anyway, here's my list, TBC depending on whether I can get hold of some of them from the library. I've tried to cut down my TBR list but have managed to add a few more in the process of reading responses to this challenge :-D

1. TBR (one per month):
June – The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
July – A Dog's Purpose by Bruce W. Cameron (my Mum recommended it to me)
August – Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (if I can get hold of a copy from the library, I'm about 100th on the wait list! If not, I'll read Harry Potter #6 or whatever it was I got up to before losing interest)

2. Aussie author with Aussie locale:
On The Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta

3. From a GR friend's list:
The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett

4. Literature Map (Rohinton Mistry):
Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahari

5. Winter New Release:
The Prisoner of Heaven by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (if I can get it from the library. Otherwise TBA)

6. Winter Blues/mental health:
An Angel At My Table by Janet Frame

7. Summery cover:
The Life by Malcolm Knox

8. YA novel or a picture book for International Children's Day:
Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

9."Winter is Coming":
A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire #1) by George R. R. Martins. I'd actually just started reading this a couple of days ago but now I want to read it for the challenge, so I'll have to put it aside until June!

10. Horror/murder/thriller/cosy mystery:
Shutter Island by Denis Lehane

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Excellent list Amber:)

[Amber]

Thanks Brenda, it was really hard to narrow it down!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Amber wrote: "Thanks Brenda, it was really hard to narrow it down!"

Yes, the seasonal ones take a bit of work, don't they! I sat on the floor in front of my books and tried to tie them in to each point!

[[deleted user]]

1. Picnic at Hanging Rock
Ordeal by Innocence
The Space Between

2. The Burning Bridge
3. A Game of Thrones
4. They Came on Viking Ships
5. TBA
6. House Rules
7.
8. Macbeth and Son
9. Shiver
10. Death and the Running Patterer

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Nice list Mickey:) I loved House Rules and have Picnic at Hanging Rock to read in the Aussie challenge for July.

[[deleted user]]

Picnic at Hanging Rock is for my June Aussie Author. Actually I believe nearly all of my Aussie Author books for June, July and August are in my list above somewhere.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Mickey wrote: "Picnic at Hanging Rock is for my June Aussie Author. Actually I believe nearly all of my Aussie Author books for June, July and August are in my list above somewhere."

Great idea Mickey! You'll read it before me then:)

[Maggie]

Rhiannon wrote: "This is my first ever book challenge and it's a big one, but I am determined to do it so let's see how I go :)

1. TBR
Mornings in Jenin by Susan Abulhawa
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
Great..."

Rhiannon, I hope you get as much from Portia de Rossi's book Unbearable Lightness: A Story of Loss and Gain as I did.

[Maggie]

Here is my list subject to change of course:
1. 3 x TBR
June = I'll Tell You Mine READ 2 STARS
July = Chill Factor 2 STARS.
August = The Woman in Black 4 STARS
2. Aussie locale: Red Queen READ 2 STARS
3. Friend's GR list: Never Let Me Go on lists by Brenda, Misha and Michael Kitto 4 STARS
4. Literature Map - Sarah Waters lead me to Donna Tartt The Secret History
5. New Release: SwiftS READ 1& 1/2 STARS
6. Mental health - The Buddha and the Borderline: My Recovery from Borderline Personality Disorder through Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Buddhism, and Online Dating CURRENTLY READING
7. Warm summer cover: Iris And Ruby ABANDONED
Black Narcissus READ 3 1/2 STARS
8. YA: The Storyteller READ 6 OUT OF 5 STARS
9. Winter title: Icebound READ 4 STARS
10: Horror spooky: The Haunting of Hill House READ 2 STARS

[Michael]

Maggie wrote: "Here is my list subject to change of course:
1. 3 x TBR to be advised closer to the time
2. Aussie locale: Red Queen
3. Friend's GR list:Never Let Me Go on lists by Brenda, Misha and Michael Kitto
..."

Interesting choice for no.3 hope you like it

[Trina]

I loved Never Let Me Go, I hope you do too Maggie!

[Mish]

I’ve finally got my list together – Here it is

1 – TBR List
June Forever by Maggie Stiefvater - READING
July The World Beneath by Cate Kennedy
August Don't Tell by Karen Rose

2 - Aussie landscape/locale
Darkness, Be My Friend by John Marsden - FINISHED 3 STARS

3 - Pick a friend - Melanie
Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion

4- Literature Map
Selected Maggie Stiefvater, came up with Patrick Ness, to read A Monster Calls

5 - New Release
The Prisoner of Heaven by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

6 - Winter Blues
Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend by Matthew Green

7 – Warm or Summery cover
by Helene Young

8 – International Children's Day
Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

9 - WINTER in the title - ice, cold, snow, rain, wind
Giants of the Frostby Kim Wilkins

10 - horror/murder/thriller or Cosy mystery
Talulla Rising by Glen Duncan FINISHED 5 STARS

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

That's a great list Mish:) You will LOVE #7!! And #2!

[Maggie]

Decided to read Chill Factor as one of my TBR. I received this book (ages ago I'm ashamed to say) as a GR free giveaway and haven't yet read it. Sorry GR, getting to it as fast as I can.

[Mish]

Thanks Brenda, I'm looking forward to reading Helene book :)

[Maggie]

Mickey wrote: "Picnic at Hanging Rock is for my June Aussie Author. Actually I believe nearly all of my Aussie Author books for June, July and August are in my list above somewhere."

Smart choices then Mickey

[Maggie]

Amber wrote: "Hi everyone! I've never joined a reading challenge before, though I've been tempted. I'll do my best (I'm lucky if I can read more than one book per month these days, post having kids!). Anyway, he..."

Amber I'm sure you'll enjoy On the Jellicoe Road. Carmel will certainly agree!

[Michael]

Mish wrote: "I’ve finally got my list together – Here it is

1 – TBR List
June Forever by Maggie Stiefvater
July The World Beneath by Cate Kennedy
August Don't Tell by Karen Rose

2 - Aussie landscape/locale
D..."

I approve of #10 ;)

[Trina]

Great list Mish. I've never read any of the ones you've got, bar the Tomorrow one. Your number six sounds interesting!

[Mish]

Michael wrote: "Mish wrote: "I’ve finally got my list together – Here it is

1 – TBR List
June Forever by Maggie Stiefvater
July The World Beneath by Cate Kennedy
August Don't Tell by Karen Rose

2 - Aussie lands..."

Yep, I thought you might approve

Where's your list?

[Mish]

Trina wrote: "Great list Mish. I've never read any of the ones you've got, bar the Tomorrow one. Your number six sounds interesting!"

Thanks Trina, I'll let you know what it's like. It's been getting some great reviews :)

[Michael]

Mish wrote: "Where's your list? "

It's a secret

[Mish]

Michael wrote: "Mish wrote: "Where's your list? "

It's a secret"


haha!

Are you going to reveal you’re secret list any time shortly :p

[Michael]

When I work out my reading plans

[Christy]

Ok, after MUCH hard work, consideration and narrowing down, here is my list!! I had WAY too much fun creating it!!

1. As per requests, read one per month from your TBR list (total of 3)...curl up with a hot chocolate and enjoy!
June - Fifty Shades Freed by E.L. James - I know I know, but I need to finish what I've started :)

July - 7th Heavenby James Patterson

August - The True History of Paradiseby Margaret Cezair-Thompson

2. Read an Aussie authors book or books with an Aussie landscape/locale in it.
In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson

3. Pick a friend from your GR list, then select and read a book they have read. You never know, you might find something new to enjoy!
From Melissa's list - Rules Of Prey by John Sanford

4. Choose a favourite author, head to the Literature Map, type in the authors name, then read a book by the author closest to your fav!!
Janet Evanovich gave me Debbie Macomber - The Shop on Blossom Street

5. Choose a New Release which will be out somewhere in the 3 month period of Winter... either purchase, or borrow from the library and enjoy!
The Prisoner of Heavenby Carlos Ruiz Zafon

6. WINTER BLUES! Find a book related to mental health in some way (non fiction, memoir, fiction) to help us all expand our understanding. Veronika Decides to Die by Paulo Coelho

7. Find a book with a warm, summery cover to give you the illusion of cosy in winter! by Lorna Landvik

8. It's International Children's Day on the 13th of June... Why not find a YA novel or a picture book to read?
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

9."Winter is Coming" Read a book with a word associated with WINTER in the title...ice, cold, snow, rain, wind...
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

10. Read a horror/murder/thriller, something that sends CHILLS down your spine!! OR Snuggle up with a COZY mystery... Agony of the Leaves by Laura Childs

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Love your list Christy!! It is fun choosing, isn't it;)

[Trina]

I made a pretty decent mess of my bookshelf while deciding!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Trina wrote: "I made a pretty decent mess of my bookshelf while deciding!"

Haha!! Probably found books you'd forgotten you had!!

[Trina]

Nah they're all on a shelf above my bed (my bookshelf has an inbuilt bed), so I know they're there. Last month I got some boxes of stuff back from my ex, and there were tonnes of books, most of which I did forget that I had.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Trina wrote: "Nah they're all on a shelf above my bed (my bookshelf has an inbuilt bed), so I know they're there. Last month I got some boxes of stuff back from my ex, and there were tonnes of books, most of whi..."

Wow, tons of books!!! That'd be like Christmas:)

[Rhiannon]

Silly as this sounds, a thought just occurred to me in my challenge naivety: Do the books have to be read in the order they are listed? Or do you read them in which ever preference appeals most to you?

[Mish]

Rhiannon wrote: "Silly as this sounds, a thought just occurred to me in my challenge naivety: Do the books have to be read in the order they are listed? Or do you read them in which ever preference appeals most to ..."

Hi Rhiannon, Yes, that's right - read what ever appeal to you at the time. There's no need to read them in the order listed. :)

[Amber]

I've got a newbie question too - do TBR books have to be ones that I actually own, or can they be books I've wanted to borrow from the library for ages?

[Trina]

Amber, they can be ones you borrow from the library! It doesn't matter if you don't own them, just as long as you want to read them! And you don't ever have to go out and buy a book if you don't want to.

[Mish]

Trina wrote: "Amber, they can be ones you borrow from the library! It doesn't matter if you don't own them, just as long as you want to read them! And you don't ever have to go out and buy a book if you don't wa..."

That's right...Thanks Trina :)

[Amber]

Thanks everyone. I wasn't sure after reading the May TBR challenge thread, as people were talking about their TBR "pile" and whether or not to buy any more books before they start the challenge...
I rarely buy books except for my kids these days, so I wasn't sure if I would be able to do this challenge if I can't get hold of a brand new release from the library, new books usually have long wait lists. Fingers crossed!

[Mish]

Amber wrote: "Thanks everyone. I wasn't sure after reading the May TBR challenge thread, as people were talking about their TBR "pile" and whether or not to buy any more books before they start the challenge...
..."

Same here Amber. I rarely buy a new release, I wait until the prices are discounted or borrow from the library. But I might make an exception with The Prisoner of Heaven...I can’t wait to read this book :)

[Christy]

Mish wrote: "Amber wrote: "Thanks everyone. I wasn't sure after reading the May TBR challenge thread, as people were talking about their TBR "pile" and whether or not to buy any more books before they start the..."

Mish I can't agree more about Prisoner of Heaven!!

[Amber]

That's the one I'm hoping to get from the library too. I've got to read The Angel's Game first though, which is one of my 3 TBRs for the challenge, even though I didn't know it existed until I spotted The Prisoner of Heaven in the new releases! So two good books to look forward to :-) I Looooved The Shadow of the Wind...

[Amber]

I just found a copy of The Prisoner of Heaven at The Book Depository for about $6.40, but no idea what this edition would be like, as there is no cover image and not much info... anyone? Otherwise there's a pre-order copy for $20.52 (34 days to go!)
ETA Fishpond has a pre-order copy for $14.50

[Mish]

Amber the Book Depository one for $6.40 seem awfully cheap. Hmm I'm not sure, I would prefer more info. I'll wait a little while longer and hopefully more details will appear

The Fishpond one seems reasonable but it won’t be released until March 13

[Bronwyn]

Here is my list for this challenge, I think half the fund in choosing the books, though it gets a little harder when you are trying to fit it into a couple of different challenges.

1. TBR List
Fallen by Kate Lauren – audio Ipod
Night's Kiss by Amanda Ashle
Moth To The Flame by Joy Dettman – audio Ipod
2. Aussie landscape/locale – Murder On The Ballarat Train by Kerry Greenwood – audio CD
3. Pick from a friend – (Shellyrae) Jacaranda by Mandy Margo - ebook
4. Literature Map – I put in Teresa Medeiros and found Susanna Kearsley – The Rose Garden
5. New Release - to be decided
6. Mental health story – A Rose in Winter by Linda Sole – (Amnesia) 4* 06/06/12
7. Warm summary cover – by Amanda Ashley - 5* 12/06/12
8. YA Adult or picture book – The Lightning Bold by Kate Forsyth – audio Ipod
9. Winter, ice, cold, snow, rain, wind in title – Bluebird Winter by Linda Howard 4* 02/06/12
10. Horror/Murder/Thriller/Mystery – The Green Mill Murder by Kerry Greenwood – audio CD

[Mish]

Haha Bronwyn, I agree. I’ve got 4 challenges going on at the moment. Trying to fit in my books to this challenge felt like a juggling act lol

By the way, Great list. I've got The Rose Garden on my TBR list - I hope it's a good one :)

[Michael]

I've still got too many I still need to decide on to post my list :(

[Bronwyn]

It is not an easy task. I hope The Rose Garden is a good read. I hope all of them are actually

[Michael]

I've heard that The Rose Garden is very similar to The Winter Sea

[Bron]

OK I'm in for the winter challenge (I haven't been on for a while to do a challenge). With a little baby in the house and a possible return to uni at the end of June my reading time is limited and reality is I wont get through my whole list but I'll give it a go. Love the Literature Map site. Now to go make a list.....

[Michael]

Ok here is my list, but it might change;


1 – TBR List
June - All That I Am
July - Pure
August - Now You See Me

2 - Aussie landscape/locale
TBA

3 - Pick a friend (Brenda)
Joe Cinque's Consolation, A True Story of Death, Grief and the Law

4- Literature Map (Raymond Chandler)
The Grifters

5 - New Release
TBA

6 - Winter Blues
Love in the Years of Lunacy

7 – Warm or Summery cover

The Waddi Tree

8 – International Children's Day
Railsea

9 - WINTER in the title - ice, cold, snow, rain, wind
Snow Crash

10 - Horror/Murder/Thriller or Cosy Mystery
The Deep Blue Good-by