**Winter Reading Challenge - 2012**

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Great list Louise!

[Trina]

Louise, perhaps you could read a more academic one? Not that I'm suggestion possibly making yourself feel worse at all. I'm reading The Mindful Way Through Depression basically as my own therapy. It's quite good (I started it a while ago and then just one day put it down and didn't pick it up) and easy to follow. I can definitely understand not wanting to read anything potentially triggering! I hope your depression lessens its grip on you soon!

[Louise]

Thanks for the thought Trina!

[Trina]

No worries Louise. I see we're both reading Shadow of Night for the new release one. I'm hoping it's good, I've been waiting for it since I finished A Discovery of Witches.

[Christy]

Yay! I'm also done with my 1st for the challenge!

#4 - Literature Map. Put in Janet Evanovich and came up with Debbie Macomber and read The Shop on Blossom Street.

Cute, fun, and easy read to begin the challenge! Didn't review it, because there are already a million out there. But would recommend it to any who need a sweet book and especially to those who enjoy knitting! :)

Now on to #2!!

[Sharon]

I have finished my 1st book for the challenge.

No. 4 Literature Map. Put in Agatha Christie and the closest being
PD James and chose to read Death Comes To Pemberley (as it also ties in with my love of Jane Austen).

My review http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Christy and Sharon:)

[Trina]

Changing my Aussie read from Tomorrow When The War Began (which was going to be a reread anywa) to The World Beneath by Cate Kennedy, which a friend has lent me.

I'm about half way through Ender's Game and now my exam was today so I can settle in and do more reading than usual for the next few weeks.

[Mish]

Trina wrote: "Changing my Aussie read from Tomorrow When The War Began (which was going to be a reread anywa) to The World Beneath by Cate Kennedy, which a friend has lent me.

I'm about half way through Ender'..."

I'll be reading The World Beneath for this challenge as well. It looks good. What did you friend think of it?

[Trina]

Mish wrote: "Trina wrote: "Changing my Aussie read from Tomorrow When The War Began (which was going to be a reread anywa) to The World Beneath by Cate Kennedy, which a friend has lent me.

I'm about half way ..."

I have no idea! We just did a quick book swap before we went in for our exam.

[Mish]

Trina wrote: "Mish wrote: "Trina wrote: "Changing my Aussie read from Tomorrow When The War Began (which was going to be a reread anywa) to The World Beneath by Cate Kennedy, which a friend has lent me.

I'm ab..."

haha that's fair enough :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Hope your exam went well Trina:)

[Trina]

Thanks Brenda! I'm confident I did pretty well. Just got to wait a few weeks for the semester results.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Fingers crossed for you Trina:)

[Sabina]

I have finished my 1st book for the challenge, though I'm yet to do my review as it's getting late and I want to pick my next book before I head to bad. lol

Breaking Dawn

[Rhiannon]

I finished my first book Mornings in Jenin last night, and all I can say is that it was the first book ever to make me cry. And when I say cry, I don't mean in the 'single trickling tear' way; I got to the last page and wept for half an hour. I paced my kitchen at 3 o'clock in the morning despairing over how unaware we can sometimes be to the pain and suffering going on in people's lives on the other side of the world, and I took a while to calm myself down. I laid my hand on my little sister's back (we are temporarily sharing a bed due to less than desirable circumstances) just to feel her breathing and make sure she was there, and then I went and stood guard at my father's door for a little while to make sure he was similarly safe. After thus reassuring myself, I finally felt secure enough to relax into some much needed sleep!

That said, I don't think most readers would have anywhere near as strong an emotional response to the book. I think perhaps the humanitarian stance the story takes, and the fact that I was faced with the idea of losing all of my own family when the same happened to the extremely lovable characters, really helped this story in striking my emotional Achilles heel.

I am so glad I read this book, and now I can't wait to get cracking on the next one on my list. I started this challenge hoping to reconnect with literature and the way it helped me empathise when I was younger, and my first text has already succeeded in that task. I am starting my next text The Potato Factory tonight.

[Louise]

I've finished my first TBR The Rise and Fall of Thomas Cromwell: Henry VIII's Most Faithful Servant by John Schofield. 4 stars.

Review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Rhiannon wrote: "I finished my first book Mornings in Jenin last night, and all I can say is that it was the first book ever to make me cry. And when I say cry, I don't mean in the 'single trickling tear' way; I go..."

Wow Rhiannon, that's a response all authors would be looking for I would think! Maybe you could put exactly what you've said above in the review section for other potential readers to see? That way everyone on the GR site would see it, not just us Aussie Readers:)

[Rhiannon]

Such a good idea Brenda, I kept those parts but fleshed it out a bit and I just posted it :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Rhiannon wrote: "Such a good idea Brenda, I kept those parts but fleshed it out a bit and I just posted it :)"

Absolutely brilliant review Rhiannon! I'll put a link to it for others to see... http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

[Louise]

Just finished my 2nd book:
#10 Horror/murder/thriller Smokin' Seventeen by Janet Evanovich 3 stars.

Review (such as it is): http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Louise:)

[Louise]

Brenda wrote: "Well done Louise:)"

It's amazing the lengths you'll go to avoid study! :D

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Louise wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Well done Louise:)"

It's amazing the lengths you'll go to avoid study! :D"

Haha!! True...but then you stress! :)

[Michael]

Just an update on my progress

1 – TBR List
June - All That I Am - http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
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
The Dog Stars

6 - Winter Blues
Love in the Years of Lunacy

7 – Warm or Summery cover

The Waddi Tree

8 – International Children's Day
Railsea - http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

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

10 - Horror/Murder/Thriller or Cosy Mystery
The Deep Blue Good-by - http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Michael wrote: "Just an update on my progress

1 – TBR List
June - All That I Am - http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
July - Pure
August - Now You See Me

2 - Aussie landscape/locale
Love in the Years..."

Great list Michael, just checked out your reviews too...hopefully some of these will elicit a higher score than 3.5 for you:)

[Michael]

or 2

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Yes, I'm sorry I meant the 2, 3 and 3.5!

[Michael]

I'm currently reading Love in the Years of Lunacy and that one isn't going to help me there

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

That doesn't appear to be your kind of book Michael? You need to pick up one you know you'll love:)

[Michael]

I try all types of books

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

It's a good way to be, and sometimes it surprises us with books we love, and didn't think we would!

[Mish]

Michael wrote: "I'm currently reading Love in the Years of Lunacy and that one isn't going to help me there"

That'a shame. I really liked the sound of that book.

[Michael]

Mish wrote: "That'a shame. I really liked the sound of that book."

My biggest issue is they are the story doesn't line up with the historical facts. They add bombing on Sydney just so the two will have sex.

[Mish]

Michael wrote: "Mish wrote: "That'a shame. I really liked the sound of that book."

My biggest issue is they are the story doesn't line up with the historical facts. They add bombing on Sydney just so the two will..."

Hmm! I’ll keep that in mind but I don’t think it would bother me so much. We’ll see. :)

[Amber]

Well I've managed to cross the first title off my list, finished it at about 11pm last night. I will try to write a little review soon!

9."Winter is Coming":
A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire #1) by George R. R. Martin

I have just started reading The Angel's Game

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Amber:)

[Davina]

Read my first book for this challenge. It was my Aussie Author. Rebecca Lim last book in the Mercy series Fury.

[Mish]

Davina wrote: "Read my first book for this challenge. It was my Aussie Author. Rebecca Lim last book in the Mercy series Fury."

Well done Davina :)

[Ben]

10. A Murder of Quality by John le Carré

First one down!

[Lesley]

Also just finished my first one #2 Australian locale Dirt Music. I really liked it, 4 stars. Not so sure about the ending though - I thought it a little unlikely.

[Trina]

Finished my first: Ender's Game, which was my pick from a friend's shelf. I rated it four stars, it was really enjoyable. My second for this challenge will be Good Omens, which I'll start either tonight or tomorrow.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done everyone!!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I'm reading my #10 at the moment...and boy, it sure does send chills!!! Doll House by Aussie author Anya Allyn

[Ben]

Trina wrote: "Finished my first: Ender's Game, which was my pick from a friend's shelf. I rated it four stars, it was really enjoyable. My second for this challenge will be Good Omens, which I'll start either to..."

Good Omens is hilarious fun

[Mish]

Well done everyone :)

[Mish]

Brenda wrote: "I'm reading my #10 at the moment...and boy, it sure does send chills!!! Doll House by Aussie author Anya Allyn"

I've been looking at that today. It's sounds good. I've added it :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Mish wrote: "Brenda wrote: "I'm reading my #10 at the moment...and boy, it sure does send chills!!! Doll House by Aussie author Anya Allyn"

I've been looking at that today. It's sounds good. I've added it :)"

Finished it Mish...sooooooo good!! My review http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

[Mish]

Brenda wrote: "Mish wrote: "Brenda wrote: "I'm reading my #10 at the moment...and boy, it sure does send chills!!! Doll House by Aussie author Anya Allyn"

I've been looking at that today. It's sounds good. I've ..."

oh thanks Brenda, I’m definitely getting that book :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Mish wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Mish wrote: "Brenda wrote: "I'm reading my #10 at the moment...and boy, it sure does send chills!!! Doll House by Aussie author Anya Allyn"

I've been looking at that today. It's sou..."

Amazing Mish! Could NOT put it down!!