**Winter Reading Challenge - 2012**

[Mish]

Bron wrote: "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..."

That’s the spirit Bron – the main thing is to have fun :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Wow some wonderful lists there everyone! Lots of help for others to be able to 'steal' the ideas too! Not too long before you can start the Winter challenge....but lets not rush winter..it's cold enough now;D

[Amber]

So it's looks like two of my titles have changed to fit in with the June challenge that I will attempt to do :-) Should I re-post my revised list, or go back and edit the original post?

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Amber wrote: "So it's looks like two of my titles have changed to fit in with the June challenge that I will attempt to do :-) Should I re-post my revised list, or go back and edit the original post?"

I usually edit my original post, then as you read them, update it, and repost in current posts. (Probably do that once a month over the seasonal challenge) That way you can keep up with it, plus everyone can see how you're going as well. Does that make sense?

[Lesley]

My plan for this challenge:


#1 June 'You'll Never Take Me Alive': The Life And Death Of Bushranger Ben Hall read 16 June, 5 stars.
July Suite Française read 2 July, 4 stars
August The Other Side of Silence read 29 August, 4 stars
#2 Australian Dirt Music read 8 June, 4 stars
#3 friend's All Quiet on the Western Front read 25 June, 4 stars
#4 literature map
#5 new release
#9 Winter Snow read 20 August, 2 stars
#7 Summer Summer At Mount Hope read 22 June, 5 stars
#10 murder The Stranger read 9 July, 2 stars
#8 YA Zlata's Diary: A Child's Life in Wartime Sarajevo read 24 July, 3 stars
#6 mental health Birdsong: A Novel of Love and War read 3 August, 4 stars

[Nicola]

Finalised my list!
1. 1421
2. The libght betweens oceans/M L Stedman
3. A short hostory of the world/H G Wells
4. Stranger in a strange land/R A Heinlein
5. several in this list are new, so will include them in this one
6. The woman who changed her brain/Barbara Arrowsmith-Young
7. still looking....
8. Cartographer/PEter Twohig
9. The chocolate snowman murders/JoAnna Carl
10. Any of the Phyrne Fisher books/Kerry Greenwood

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Nicola wrote: "Finalised my list!
1. 1421
2. The libght betweens oceans/M L Stedman
3. A short hostory of the world/H G Wells
4. Stranger in a strange land/R A Heinlein
5. several in this list are new, so will in..."

1. 1421: The Year China Discovered America by Gavin Menzies
2. The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman
3. A Short History of the World by H.G. Wells
4. Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein
5. TBA
6. The Woman Who Changed Her Brain: Stories of Transformation from the Frontier of Brain Science by Barbara Arrowsmith-Young
7. TBA
8. The Cartographer by Peter Twohig
9. The Chocolate Snowman Murders by JoAnna Carl
10. Any of the Phyrne Fisher books by Kerry Greenwood

[Amber]

Brenda wrote: "I usually edit my original post, then as you read them, update it, and repost in current posts. (Probably do that once a month over the seasonal challenge) That way you can keep up with it, plus everyone can see how you're going as well. Does that make sense?"

Hi Brenda, any chance you could link me to one of your previous challenge posts to show me what you mean? :-)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Amber wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Hi Brenda, any chance you could link me to one of your previous challenge posts to show me what you mean? :-) "

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/8... Post #16

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/8... Post #144

[Amber]

Thank you Brenda, I've got it now :-)

[Melanie]

1. Read one per month from your TBR list (total of 3)...curl up with a hot chocolate and enjoy!
1. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
2. Obernewtyn by Isobelle Carmody
3. TBA

2. Read an Aussie authors book or books with an Aussie landscape/locale in it.
Rabbit-Proof Fence: The True Story of One of the Greatest Escapes of All Time by Doris Pilkington

3. Pick a friend from your GR list, then select and read a book they have read.
I chose my friend Beth who is a fellow Australian member and I chose 22 Britannia Road by Amanda Hodgkinson.

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!!
Phillipa Gregory is a favourite of mine and the search recommended:
The Plantation by Di Morrissey

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!
Deadlocked by Charlaine Harris

6. WINTER BLUES! Find a book related to mental health in some way (non fiction, memoir, fiction) to help us all expand our understanding.
Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen

7. Find a book with a warm, summery cover to give you the illusion of cosy in winter!
Road To Paradise by Paullina Simons

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...
Ice Station by Matthew Reilly

10. Read a horror/murder/thriller, something that sends CHILLS down your spine!! OR Snuggle up with a COZY mystery...
Private Games by James Patterson

[Mish]

Melanie wrote: "1. Read one per month from your TBR list (total of 3)...curl up with a hot chocolate and enjoy!
1. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
2. Obernewtyn by Isobelle Carmody
3. TBA

2. Read an Aussie autho..."

Great list Melanie. I LOVE Obernewtyn and the Hunger Games series....enjoy :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Amber wrote: "Thank you Brenda, I've got it now :-)"

That's good Amber:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Melanie wrote: "1. Read one per month from your TBR list (total of 3)...curl up with a hot chocolate and enjoy!
1. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
2. Obernewtyn by Isobelle Carmody
3. TBA

2. Read an Aussie autho..."

Great list Melanie!

[Melanie]

Thanks Mish and Brenda. I got the first 2 of the Hunger Games book while in Ireland then I got Mockingjay at the library the other day. Im all set. lol

[Briar]

Alright I haven't done a challenge in a while but here goes!

TBR:
Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James
City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare
Black Dawn by Rachel Caine

AUSSIE BOOK:
Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay

FRIENDS BOOK:
Delirium by Lauren Oliver

LITERATURE MAP: from Oscar Wilde
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

NEW RELEASE:
The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead

MENTAL HEALTH:
I Never Promised You a Rose Garden by Joanne Greenberg

SUMMER:
The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks

PICTURE BOOKS:
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

BOOKS ABOUT WINTER
The Winter King by Bernard Cornwell

MURDER:
10th Anniversary by James Patterson

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Nice list Persephone! Enjoy!

[Brit]

Brenda wrote: "1. The Arabian Nights: Tales from a Thousand and One Nights
Sense and Sensibility
The Tempest
2. Tandia
3. Fight Club
4. The Fault in Our Stars
5. Rapture
6. Just Listen
7. Second Chance Summer
8. ..."

Thanks Brenda! :)

[Briar]

Brenda wrote: "Nice list Persephone! Enjoy!"
Thank you!! :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

You're welcome Brit and Persephone!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Just over 24 hours and we can all get stuck into our winter challenge....time to curl up, stay warm, and read!!! Good luck everyone!!

[Trina]

I can't wait. I've been itching to start a few of the books for the last week.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Trina wrote: "I can't wait. I've been itching to start a few of the books for the last week."

I'm excited to start too....love lots of choices:)

[Amber]

Here's my updated list

1. TBR (one per month):
June – Foal's Bread by Gillian Mears (also reading for the June Challenge - Literary Fiction/Classics)
July – The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
August – The Mother's Group by Fiona Higgins (if I can get it from the library, otherwise it's back to A Dog's Purpose by Bruce W. Cameron)

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

3. From a GR friend's list:
Black Beauty by Anna Sewell (also reading this one for the June challenge)

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. Martin

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

[Mish]

Nice list Amber! do the best you can and have fun :)

[Trina]

Looks like there will be quite a few of us embarking on A Game of Thrones this challenge!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Great list Amber, and as Mish says...have fun!

[Maggie]

I'll start with I'll Tell You Mine from my TBR shelf.

[Maggie]

Trina wrote: "Rhiannon, I'd be interested to hear what you think of Unbearable Lightness. I've had one friend read it, so I know her opinion, but I want a few others so that I can decide if I want to read it."

I read it, gave it 5 stars. Curious to see what others think.

[Davina]

Off to the library this afternoon to pick up my first three for this challenge.

[Louise]

I haven't sorted my whole list for this challenge yet - but I've started!

#1 TBR June The Rise and Fall of Thomas Cromwell: Henry VIII's Most Faithful Servant by John Schofield.

I actually cheated and started this earlier as I've been ill at home for most of the week.

[Trina]

Now, which one to start with...

Think I'll start with Ender's Game, which is my off-a-friend's-list book.

[Rhiannon]

I was chuckling to myself all day today thinking about how fitting it was that on the first day of winter, Sydney is swamped with rain, winds and extreme cold :) It's almost like Mother Nature is on my side in this Challenge, prompting me to stay inside, snuggle under a blanket with a hot chocolate and get reading!!

I started with Mornings in Jenin by Susan Abulhawa and it has already made me cry :( The subject matter is at times very hard to come to terms with, but also told in quite a beautiful way.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Great starts everyone!

[Louise]

Trina wrote: "Now, which one to start with...

Think I'll start with Ender's Game, which is my off-a-friend's-list book."


Ender's Game is one of my all time favourites - I hope you enjoy it Trina!

[Amber]

I'm enjoying A Game of Thrones so far, more than I thought I would. I've watched the first season of the tv series and thought that reading the book would be like rehashing the story... but it's so good, I don't mind knowing what's going to happen next :-)

[[deleted user]]

1. Picnic at Hanging Rock 2.5 stars (review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...)
The Space Between
Ordeal by Innocence

2. The Burning Bridge
3. A Game of Thrones (currently reading)
4. They Came on Viking Ships 4 stars (review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...)
5. TBA
6. House Rules
7.
8. Macbeth and Son
9. Shiver
10. Death and the Running Patterer

[[deleted user]]

I think that review for Picnic at Hanging Rock is the longest review I've ever written. Wow! I'm doing better now. I'm actually hoping to do a review for all of the above books in my list.

[Mish]

Mickey wrote: "I think that review for Picnic at Hanging Rock is the longest review I've ever written. Wow! I'm doing better now. I'm actually hoping to do a review for all of the above books in my list."

The review was excellent Mickey..well done

The more reviews you write the easier it gets :)

[Bronwyn]

Sally906 wrote: "Here is my list - a few still to be finallised but it is ready to all intents and purposes :)

1. As per requests, read one per month from your TBR list (total of 3)...curl up with a hot chocolate ..."

Some good choices in this list

[Bronwyn]

There are some good choices in these lists, some I have already read and others might have to added to my TBR list which really does not need anymore books on it. I am slowly reading books from it.

1. TBR List – Fallen by Kate Lauren – audio Ipod
Night's Kiss by Amanda Ashley
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)
7. Warm summary cover – by Amanda Ashley
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

[Nikki]

Alright, so I have finally decided on my list for this challenge... look out TBR pile, you are going down
1. TBR Pile
June - The Phantom of the Opera Gaston Leroux
July - Blue Remembered Earth by Alastair Reynolds
August - The Gone-Away World by Nick Harkaway
2. Choose an Aussie Author with Aussie landscape/locale
Highways to a War by Christopher J. Koch
3. Pick a Friend (Brenda) Choose a Book
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
4. Literature Map (David Gibbons)
The Romanov Prophecy by Steve Berry
5. New Release For Winter
Wicked Business by Janet Evanovich
6. Winter Blues!
Unbearable Lightness: A Story of Loss and Gain by Portia de Rossi
7. Warm, Summery Cover
Rich Girl, Poor Girl by Lesley Lokko
8. YA Novel
Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
9. Winter Is Coming!
The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley
10. Choose a Horror/Murder/Thriller
The Night Strangers by Chris Bohjalian

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Mickey wrote: "I think that review for Picnic at Hanging Rock is the longest review I've ever written. Wow! I'm doing better now. I'm actually hoping to do a review for all of the above books in my list."

Great review Mickey! It's hard to remember how long ago this was written, therefore the rules the girls had to follow were much stricter than now days, plus the teacher would have been very stuffy! I'm hoping to get to it soon:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Great lists Bronwyn and Nikki! Nikki, I hope you enjoy The Help..one of my favourites:)

[[deleted user]]

Brenda wrote: "Mickey wrote: "I think that review for Picnic at Hanging Rock is the longest review I've ever written. Wow! I'm doing better now. I'm actually hoping to do a review for all of the above books in my..."

I know. I'm so happy that I live in the year I do because at my school you get to a more personal level with your teachers so that if you have a problem you can actually talk to them about it.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Mickey wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Mickey wrote: "I think that review for Picnic at Hanging Rock is the longest review I've ever written. Wow! I'm doing better now. I'm actually hoping to do a review for all of the ab..."

Yes, definitely a better advantage than back then...and oh, the clothes they had to wear!!! O.o!!

[Nikki]

Brenda wrote: "Great lists Bronwyn and Nikki! Nikki, I hope you enjoy The Help..one of my favourites:)"

Thanks Brenda, I've been looking forward to reading it for so long... it's actually in my gigantic pile at home but I never get to it. I always play eeni, meeni, minee, mo to pick which book to read next and it hasn't won yet much to my disappointment, but now it is on my list I'll get to it :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Nikki wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Great lists Bronwyn and Nikki! Nikki, I hope you enjoy The Help..one of my favourites:)"

Thanks Brenda, I've been looking forward to reading it for so long... it's actually in my gi..."

I know what you mean...lol I'll be interested in your thoughts when you're done:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I finished my first for this challenge...#5 - New Release for Winter

Tuesday's Gone by Nicci French...as this isn't released until 25/7, I will put my review up closer to then:)

[Louise]

I've sorted my list:

1. One TBR per month:
The Rise and Fall of Thomas Cromwell: Henry VIII's Most Faithful Servant by John Schofield
Dance of the Gods by Nora Roberts
Valley of Silence by Nora Roberts
2. Aussie author/landscape/locale : The Slap by Christos Tsiolkas
3. Friend’s GR list : From AE Marling’s list Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence
4. Literature Map http://www.literature-map.com/ : Put in Issac Asimov, came up with William Gibson, so chose Neuromancer
5. New Release : Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness
6. WINTER BLUES! : I suffer depression myself and I'm not in a place at the moment where I can read someone else's story. I'll give this one a miss. Sorry!
7. Summery cover : TBA
8. International Children's Day : The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
9."Winter is Coming" : Ice by Louis Nowra
10. Horror/murder/thriller : Smokin' Seventeen by Janet Evanovich

; ; ; ; ; ; ; None; TBA: ;
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