**Winter Reading Challenge - 2012**

[Maggie]

Not having much luck finding an author/book for the literature search. Both that I have chosen so far are unavailable at the library. So I've changed it once again. Searching Sarah Waters has lead me to Donna Tarrt, and that's going to be easy because I have her book The Secret History already. That will be the last book for this challenge.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Good luck Maggie:)

[Janine]

I have just started my last book for this challenge, The Catcher in the Rye
I have just finished The Book Thief by Markus Zusak and loved it.
I will post my completed list when I finish the last book

[Sally906]

I have FINISHED!!!!!

1. As per requests, read one per month from your TBR list (total of 3)...curl up with a hot chocolate and enjoy!:
a. A Fountain Filled With Blood by Julia Spencer-Fleming
b. Magnolia Wednesdays by Wendy Wax
c. Forbidden Nights with a Vampire by Kerrelyn Sparks

2. Read an Aussie authors book or books with an Aussie landscape/locale in it:
Spin cycle by Ilsa Evans

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!
The Radleys by Matt Haig - Taken from Shelleyrae's shelf as when I went to my friends she was the one who had updated the most recently and was an Aussie :)

4. Choose a favourite author, head to the Literature Map http://www.literature-map.com/, type in the author’s name, then read a book by the author closest to your fav!!
Maybe This Time by Jennifer Crusie (search term was Janet Evanovich)

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!
Wicked Business by Janet Evanovich – a new Lizzy and Diesel novel due for release 19th June (on pre-order)


6. WINTER BLUES! Find a book related to mental health in some way (non fiction, memoir, fiction) to help us all expand our understanding:
The Boy Who Fell to Earth by Kathy Lette– her new book about her son who has autism

7. Find a book with a warm, summery cover to give you the illusion of cosy in winter!
The Beach House by Jane Green

8. It's International Children's Day on the 13th of June. Why not find a YA novel or a picture book to read?
Clemency Pogue: Fairy Killer by J.T. Petty

9."Winter is Coming" Read a book with a word associated with WINTER in the title...ice, cold, snow, rain, wind...
Chill Factor by Rachel Caine

10. Read a horror/murder/thriller, something that sends CHILLS down your spine!! OR Snuggle up with a COZY mystery...
a snuggle with Hot Chocolate rather than a chilling experience Assault and Pepper by Tamar Myers

[Sally906]

So when is the Spring one starting? LOL!!!!!!

[Mish]

Yay well done!

Are you doing the monthly challenge Sally…this is a good one to reduce the TBR list
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/9...

[Sally906]

Mish wrote: "Yay well done!

Are you doing the monthly challenge Sally…this is a good one to reduce the TBR list
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/9..."

Was planning to - have been away and just got back so still playing catchup:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Sally! Wonderful results!

Not long now Janine:)

[Louise]

I've only got 2 more to go! I've had to change #5 as I couldn't get hold of Shadow of Night

1.1 The Rise and Fall of Thomas Cromwell: Henry VIII's Most Faithful Servant, John Schofield
1.2 Dance of the Gods, Nora Roberts
1.3 Valley of Silence, Nora Roberts
2. The Slap, Christos Tsiolkas
3. Death by Water, Kerry Greenwood
4. Neuromancer, William Gibson
5. Bring Up the Bodies, Hilary Mantel
6. The Boy Who Fell to Earth, Kathy Lette
7. Summery cover : The Red Queen, Margaret Drabble
8. Torn, Amanda Hocking
9."Winter is Coming" : Ice, Louis Nowra
10. Smokin' Seventeen, Janet Evanovich

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Going well Louise:)

[Bronwyn]

I have just finished 2 more of my books for this challenge - Kiss by Ted Dekkar and The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley.
I have one more book to read The Beloved by Annah Faulkner

Congrats to all others who are getting through this challenge.

[Trina]

I finished The Gunslinger for a general TBR, and now I've got two more to go, one of which I've already started!

I did think over the past few weeks that I wouldn't make it, but I think I can finish this now!

[Trina]

Louise wrote: "I've only got 2 more to go! I've had to change #5 as I couldn't get hold of Shadow of Night

1.1 The Rise and Fall of Thomas Cromwell: Henry VIII's Most Faithful Servant, John Schofield
1.2 Dance o..."

Shame you couldn't get a hold of Shadow of Night, I thought it was lovely. Hopefully you can read it soon!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Going well Bronwyn and Trina!

[Christy]

Down to my last book Rules Of Prey
I can't believe even with all the chaos in the last 2 months I'm going to finish!!

[Louise]

Trina wrote: "Shame you couldn't get a hold of Shadow of Night, I thought it was lovely. Hopefully you can read it soon!"

It's still on my TBR list, so I will definitely be getting to it soon. Glad you enjoyed it!

[Sharon]

My update:

1. TBR list:
- The Ruby in the Smokeby Phillip Pullman 4 stars finished 15th June
- When Gods Die by C S Harris 4 stars finished 16th June
- City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare

2. Aussie author with Aussie landscape/locale:
The Invadersby John Flanagan 4 stars finished 17th June

3. Pick a friend, choose a book - I chose Abby, and she's read:
The Alchemist in the Shadows by Pierre Pevel 3 stars finished 3oth July

4. Literature Map - I chose Agatha Christie and came up with PD James Death Comes to Pemberley 3 stars finished 4th June

5. New Release for Winter: Pennies for Hitler by Jackie French release date 1st June 2012


6. Winter Blues - read a book on mental health:
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey

7. Warm summery cover:
by Michael Gerard Bauer 4 stars finished 29th June

8. International Children's Day - YA or kid's book:
The Children of Green Knowe by L M Boston 4stars finished 5th June

9. Winter is coming - word in title:
Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

10. Chills or COZY mystery: My cozy mystery:
The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side by Agatha Christie 5 stars finished 16th August

Not sure if I will have time to finish the challenge as I still have 4 books to go. Just haven't been in the mood for reading lately. Very unusual for me.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Christy! Great job!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Don't worry Sharon..you have put in a great effort anyway! Maybe you can include the last few into another challenge:)

[Janine]

Finished!!
1. TBR June Home Front by Kristin Hannah 4*
TBR July On the Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta 3*
TBR August Gabriella's Book of Fire: A Novel by Venero Armanno 3*
2. Aussie Book Heritage by Judy Nunn 3*
3. Pick a Friend Dead Heat by Bronwyn Parry 4*
4. Literature Map Victims by Jonathan Kellerman 3*
5. New Release Burning Lies by Helene Young 5*
6. Mental Health The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger 2*
7. Summery Cover Sin Tropez by Aita Ighodaro 2*
8. YA Novel The Book Thief by Markus Zusak 5*
9. Winter word in title The Promise Of Rain by Donna Milner 4*
10. Cozy Mystery The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie 3*

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Janine!! My two favourite books got 5 stars on your list:)

[Janine]

Brenda wrote: "Well done Janine!! My two favourite books got 5 stars on your list:)"
We do seem to have similar taste. I use your lists for inspiration. Thank you

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Janine wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Well done Janine!! My two favourite books got 5 stars on your list:)"
We do seem to have similar taste. I use your lists for inspiration. Thank you"

Thanks Janine:) I'm glad you enjoy the ones you choose!

[Amber]

I've just knocked another off my list:

7. Warm summery cover:

The Life by Malcolm Knox★★★★

I can't believe I enjoyed a book about surfing so much! And with such an annoying character!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Good on you Amber;)

[Louise]

Finished my penultimate book The Red Queen by Margaret Drabble. 4 stars! And I've just added another item to my loooong list if things/people I need to research. :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Louise:)

[Christy]

Whoo Hoo!!!!! I'm done! Finished by John Sandford. And I'm done!
Now I even have time for another TBR book before the Spring Challenge kicks off!

[Mish]

Well done Christy :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Christy wrote: "Whoo Hoo!!!!! I'm done! Finished by John Sandford. And I'm done!
Now I even have time for another TBR book before the Spring Challenge kicks off!"

Congratulations Christy! Great result!! Yes, a little breather before the Spring challenge starts:)

[Nicola]

Update to my reading....
1. 1421: The Year China Discovered America / >Gavin Menzies
2. The Light Between Oceans / M.L. Stedman
3. A Short History of the World / H. G. Wells
4. Stranger In A Strange Land / Heinlein Ra
5. Home From the Sea / Mercedes Lackey
6. The Woman Who Changed Her Brain: Stories of Transformation from the Frontier of Brain Science / Barbara Arrowsmith-Young
7. Frangipani: A Novel Célestine Hitiura Vaite
8. The Cartographer / Peter Twohig
9. The Chocolate Snowman Murders / JoAnna Carl
10. Death By Water / Kerry Greenwood
Slogging through them - definitely will not finish on time - but have enjoyed it so much - have just received my No.6 book - so will start that tonight...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Fantastic so far Nicola! Maybe you could add some of your unfinished ones into the Spring challenge? Or the new September one I just released?

[Nicola]

Might be able to - or otherwise they'll stay on my TBR list!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Nicola wrote: "Might be able to - or otherwise they'll stay on my TBR list!"

Haha!! That's what generally happens to us all:)

[Bronwyn]

Maggie wrote: "Not having much luck finding an author/book for the literature search. Both that I have chosen so far are unavailable at the library. So I've changed it once again. Searching Sarah Waters has lead ..."

I agree it is a challendge sometimes where relying on the library for our books, but changing your idea is good - did you find one eventually.

[Bronwyn]

I have just finsihed my last book for this challenge The Beloved by Annah Faulkner - a great read I highly recommend it. I will update my books in an earlier post.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Bronwyn! Well done...few more days, and you can start the Spring one:)

[Bronwyn]

Here is my list for this challenge, it has taken a bit of looking to put it together. It has been good reading lists that everyone else has put up. I have added to my TBR list again.

1. Red by Alexandra Adornetto - audio
2. Orange by Anna Jacobs - IPod
3. Yellow by Charlaine Harris
4. Green by Keri Arthur
5 Blue byNic las Sparks
6. Purple/Violet by Anna Jacobs - IPod
7. TBR - Thorn on the Rose by Joy Dettman - IPod
8. New Release, Aussie Author - TBA
9. Spring (new, warm, happy, joy) - Always And Forever by Cathy Kelly - audio
10. YA - The Butterfly in Amber by Kate Forsyth - audio
11. Pick a Book from a GoodReads friend - A Highlander's Destiny by Melissa Mayhue
12. TBR -Sexiest Vampire Alive by Kerrelyn Sparks - IPod

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Bronwyn wrote: "Here is my list for this challenge, it has taken a bit of looking to put it together. It has been good reading lists that everyone else has put up. I have added to my TBR list again.

1. Red [boo..."

Looks good so far Bronwyn:)

[Trina]

So I finished The World Beneath by Cate Kennedy and rated it four stars. I've started my last one, Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger and hope to finish it soon!

[Amber]

Louise wrote: "Finished my penultimate book..."

I've always wanted to use that word in a sentence :-D Now I can! I have also finished my penultimate book:

6. Winter blues/mental health:

Still Alice by Lisa Genova★★★★

I will definitely put Left Neglected on my TBR list!

[Christy]

I'm reading Left Neglected now and it a great read!
Hope you like it!!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Her third one is out soon guys Love Anthony She's an awesome writer!

[Amber]

So my final book was an easy one: because I thought I was going to be scraping for time by the end of the month, I chose a "children's" book.

4. Literature Map:

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein★★

I don't know why Shel Silverstein was the closest name to Alison Lester on the Literature Map!!

So now I have time to read a TBR before the Spring challenge :-)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Amber, well done:)

[Nicola]

Update to my reading....
1. 1421: The Year China Discovered America / >Gavin Menzies
2. The Light Between Oceans / M.L. Stedman 10*
3. A Short History of the World / H. G. Wells
4. Stranger In A Strange Land / Heinlein Ra 5*
5. Home From the Sea / Mercedes Lackey 4*
6. The Woman Who Changed Her Brain: Stories of Transformation from the Frontier of Brain Science / Barbara Arrowsmith-Young
7. Frangipani: A Novel Célestine Hitiura Vaite 5* fantastic book
8. The Cartographer / Peter Twohig 4*
9. The Chocolate Snowman Murders / JoAnna Carl 3.5*
10. Death By Water / Kerry Greenwood 5*

About half way through book 6 and started book 3, can probably polish them both off this week. Definitely don't think that I'll get 1421 even started! But I am proud of myself for getting this many done - especially as there's been textbooks to read and study and work to be done as well.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Nicola! Fantastic result:) You've give #2 10 stars...that good huh? ;P

[Trina]

Gah I'm so with you on the study Nicola! I always try to study more than I read, and if there's exams or assessments due the reading gets pushed out!

[Ben]

A couple more... I don't think I'm quite going to make it though!

1a. June TBR
The Nerdist Way: How to Reach the Next Level (in Real Life) by Chris Hardwick ★★★★

1b. July TBR (also for July challenge)
Angel of Darkness by Charles de Lint ★★★

4. Literature Map - Michael Chabon
A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole ★

5. New Release
Redshirts by John Scalzi ★★

6. Winter Blues
Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain by John J. Ratey ★★★★★

7. Summery cover

Gentlemen of the Road: A Tale of Adventure by Michael Chabon ★★★★★

8. Children's Day
Instructions: Everything You'll Need to Know on Your Journey by Neil Gaiman ★★★★★

9. Winter is coming
The Spy Who Came in From the Cold by John le Carré ★★★★

10. Chills down your spine
A Murder of Quality by John le Carré ★★★

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Looking good Ben:)