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Archives > **Spring Reading Challenge - 1/9/12 - 30/11/12**

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message 251: by Kelly (new)

Kelly Higgins | 105 comments I have finished #2 The Help by Kathryn Stockett and #9 I Will Plant You a Lilac Tree A Memoir of a Schindler's List Survivor by Laura Hillman . I didn't realise alot of the books I chose are very short (less than 300 pages). I gave 'The Help' 2 stars. I felt it was repetitive and took a long time to get to the good parts. I gave 'I will plant you a lilac tree' 4 stars. It was an interesting read, I didn't know very much about Schindlers List and how it realated to Nazi Germany prior to reading this. It could have included more detail though, it felt very much like a summary of the author's experience.


message 253: by Mish (new)

Mish | 3599 comments You're all doing well :)


message 254: by MarciaB (new)

MarciaB - Book Muster Down Under | 225 comments Well, The Sun Witch (Fyne Witches, #1) by Linda Winstead Jones done and dusted. I found it to be rather sweet and magical. Would like to read the other 2 books in the series - The Moon Witch and The Star Witch - just to see what happens.

Have now started reading Tomorrow, When the War Began (Tomorrow, #1) by John Marsden .


message 255: by Sabina (new)

Sabina (ms_delirium) I've finished my first book Crewel (Crewel World, #1) by Gennifer Albin and will be starting Seraphina by Rachel Hartman .


message 256: by Michelle (new)

Michelle (shelld79) | 144 comments It's taken me a while (I'm a bit of a procrastinator sometimes) but I've almost managed to pick my books for this challenge. Here's what I've come up with so far (bear in mind I'm trying to do my best to get through all the books I already have rather than buying new ones):

1) Red: Catching Fire (The Hunger Games, #2) by Suzanne Collins
2) Orange: Temple by Matthew Reilly
3) Yellow: The Darwin Awards Evolution in Action (Darwin Awards, #1) by Wendy Northcutt
4) Green: Book of Shadows by Alexandra Sokoloff
5) Blue: Fallen (Fallen, #1) by Lauren Kate
6) Purple/Violet: Darkhouse (Experiment in Terror, #1) by Karina Halle
7) Spring/TBR Read: The Carrie Diaries (The Carrie Diaries, #1) by Candace Bushnell
8) Aussie Spring Release: Still thinking about this one
9) Spring Cover: Still choosing this one too
10) Young Adult Release: The Raven Boys (Raven Cycle, #1) by Maggie Stiefvater
11) GR Friend Read: Still choosing
12) TBR Read: The $60,000 Dog My Life With Animals by Lauren Slater

Now just to find the time to get through all of these!


message 257: by Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen (new)

Brenda | 79967 comments Mod
Great list Michelle! Good luck:)


message 258: by Christy (new)

Christy (mrscrich) | 220 comments I've finished my ORANGE book Gone Girl Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn - yes it's a HUGE stretch for Orange, but I'm still hoping to read my original choice too.
Also finished my YELLOW The Language of Flowers The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
Both books were absolutely amazing, but I'm also still hoping to read my original choice for yellow as well. Just starting my RED book One Breath Away One Breath Away by Heather Gudenkauf which again is pushing it, but as I said in an earlier post, all of my holds from the library came in at once. So if I'm REALLY good, these 3 will be bonus books! Brenda I read your Review of One Breath Away and can't wait to get started on it!!


message 259: by KJ (new)

KJ Maggie wrote: "I'm loving seeing all the covers. Some are really beautiful, like The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen.

I must have really colourful books because I found it hard to choose which books to include, there w..."


Hi Maggie, sorry I've just seen your comment now! I like your cover and it's definitely more purple than mine! :)


message 260: by KJ (new)

KJ I'm changing my choice of my YELLOW book to Grymm by Keith Austin so I can incorporate my next book club book with this challenge as I've got sooooo many to read!!

I enjoyed my RED book There, Where The Pepper Grows by Bem Le Hunte , very interesting read and I'm really enjoying my ORANGE book In Cold Blood by Truman Capote ....fascinating!

Happy reading everyone! :)


message 261: by Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen (new)

Brenda | 79967 comments Mod
Christy wrote: "I've finished my ORANGE book Gone GirlGone Girl by Gillian Flynn - yes it's a HUGE stretch for Orange, but I'm still hoping to read my original choice too.
Also finished my YELLOW The Language of Flow..."


You will love it Christy!! (I hope..lol) I've got Gone Girl waiting at the library for me, and I've read those other two!! Great choices:)


message 262: by Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen (new)

Brenda | 79967 comments Mod
Here's my updated list, with my review for The Other Daughter here:

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

Read a Rainbow: (the first 6)

1. Red ....The Other DaughterThe Other Daughter by Lisa GardnerLisa Gardner★★★★★
2. Orange ....The Last TemptationThe Last Temptation (Tony Hill & Carol Jordan, #3) by Val McDermidVal McDermid
3. Yellow ....The SentryThe Sentry (Elvis Cole, #12, Joe Pike, #3) by Robert CraisRobert Crais
4. Green ....The End of the Wasp SeasonThe End of the Wasp Season (Alex Morrow, #2) by Denise MinaDenise Mina
5. Blue ....Big JackBig Jack (In Death, #17.5) by J.D. RobbJ.D. Robb
6. Purple/Violet ....A Darkness More Than NightA Darkness More Than Night by Michael ConnellyMichael Connelly


7. Spring
clean TBR shelf ....Purity in Death by J.D. Robb ★★★★★

8. Brisbane Writers Festival - Spring release - TBA

9. Title or cover relating to Spring e.g new life, new growth, warmth, joy, happiness....Honeymoon by James Patterson ★★★★

10. Young Adult novel, try for Australian if you can, and also try for 2012 release....Trapped in Gondwana by JB Rowley

11. Pick a friend on your GR list then select and read a book they have read.... Steve.. In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

12. Another from our TBR to finish off Spring cleaning.... Cold Grave by Kathryn Fox ★★★★★


message 263: by Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen (new)


message 264: by Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen (last edited Sep 12, 2012 05:34AM) (new)


message 265: by Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen (new)

Brenda | 79967 comments Mod
Glad you enjoyed The Happiest Refugee: A Memoir Michael:)


message 266: by Bronwyn (last edited Sep 13, 2012 12:50AM) (new)

Bronwyn Rykiert | 315 comments I thought I had put up my list but looking at all the great posts and some good choices I realise that I have not put my list up yet so here goes. Thank for the choices I have looked at so far I have been able to add to my TBR list. Enjoy this challenge everyone.

1. Red Hades (Halo, #2) by Alexandra Adornetto by Alexandra Adornetto - 3* audio 01/09/12
2. Orange Beyond The Sunset (The Swan Lake Saga, #2) by Anna Jacobs by Anna Jacobs – 4* IPod 01/09/12
3. Yellow Dead Reckoning (Sookie Stackhouse, #11) by Charlaine Harris by Charlaine Harris 5* 11/09/12
4. Green Kiss the Night Goodbye (Nikki & Michael, #4) by Keri Arthur by Keri Arthur
5. Blue Tomorrow's Promise by Sandra Brown by Anna Jacobs - IPod
7. TBR - Thorn on the Rose by Joy Dettman - 5* IPod 04/09/12
8. New release, aussie author - TBA
9. Spring (new, warm, joy, happy) – Always And Forever by Cathy Kelly by Cathy Kelly – 4* audio 07/09/12
10. YAThe Butterfly in Amber by Kate Forsyth - 5* audio 10/11/12 (2012)
11. Pick a book from a Good Reads friendsA Highlander's Destiny by Melissa Mayhue
12. TBRSexiest Vampire Alive by Kerrelyn Sparks[book:Tomorrow's Promise|10847743


message 267: by Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen (new)

Brenda | 79967 comments Mod
That looks great Bronwyn, and you're flying through them:) Well done!


message 268: by Amber (new)

Amber (ukaunz) Finished reading my orange book: Mockingjay (The Hunger Games, #3) by Suzanne Collins Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins ★★


message 269: by Louise (new)

Louise (louisecc) | 192 comments My list so far - still have some to choose tho.
1. Red The Kingmaking, Helen Hollick The Kingmaking (Pendragon's Banner Trilogy, #1) by Helen Hollick
2. Orange Dark Space, Marianne de Pierres Dark Space (Sentients of Orion, #1) by Marianne de Pierres
3. Yellow
4. Green The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon, Stephen King The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon by Stephen King
5. Blue Quite Ugly One Morning, Christopher Brookmyre Quite Ugly One Morning by Christopher Brookmyre
6. Purple Ascend, Amanda Hocking Ascend (Trylle Trilogy, #3) by Amanda Hocking
7. TBR Dark Fire, C.J. Sansom


message 270: by Lynxie (last edited Sep 20, 2012 09:23PM) (new)


message 271: by Lesley (new)

Lesley | 328 comments Today I finished my amended #6 purple Tolstoy and the Purple Chair My Year of Magical Reading by Nina Sankovitch . 3 stars.


message 272: by Kim Marie (new)

Kim Marie | 894 comments Very pleased with my first choice for this challenge:

Talulla Rising Talulla Rising by Glen Duncan 4 STARS

I had wondered if Glen Duncan would be able to maintain the quality of his writing with this sequel to The Last Werewolf but I needn't have worried as it's all still there....the lovely prose in the midst of graphic violence and the undercurrent of dark humour. Highly recommended to anyone who has read the first book in this trilogy.


message 273: by Zen (last edited Sep 13, 2012 06:42AM) (new)

Zen | 21 comments Hi all,
Finally getting round to my lists. This is what I've come up with ... attempting to tie this in, to some degree, with the reading I 'have to' do :)

1. Red - A Wild Sheep Chase by Haruki Murakami ... Looking forward to once again being transported into the mind of Murakami (ok, I know, just a splash of red ...)
2. Orange - Blue Notebook by James A. Levine
3. Yellow - Fierce Attachments, by Vivien Gornick Fierce Attachments A Memoir by Vivian Gornick (It looks a lot more yellow in my copy ...) From my list of Thesis reading.
4. Green - Writing as a way of Healing Writing as a Way of Healing How Telling Our Stories Transforms Our Lives by Louise DeSalvo
5. Blue - Ken Kesey classic


One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey

6. Purple - This one sounds a bit literal, but it was in my TBR pile, and couldn't have been more perfect...
The Color Purple by Alice Walker

7. From my recent TBRs - Thesis reading (multi-tasking)... a classic in the memoir genre - Mary Karr's, The Liar's Club
The Liars Club by Mary Karr

and skipping through to 12) Another TBR - again thesis reading (memoirs)- The Night of the Gun by David Carr

The rest is TBA!
Happy reading everyone :)


message 274: by Mish (new)

Mish | 3599 comments Kim Marie wrote: "Very pleased with my first choice for this challenge:

Talulla Rising Talulla Rising by Glen Duncan 4 STARS

I had wondered if Glen Duncan would be able to maintain the quality of his writing with th..."


Really glad you liked it Kim. :)


message 275: by Kim Marie (new)

Kim Marie | 894 comments Mish, the hard part now will be the wait for that final book :-(


message 276: by Michael (new)

Michael (knowledgelost) Such a long wait :(


message 277: by Louise (new)

Louise (louisecc) | 192 comments I've chosen my yellow book: The Hollow Chocolate Bunnies of the Apocalypse, Robert Rankin The Hollow Chocolate Bunnies of the Apocalypse by Robert Rankin

The rest of the list is still TBA, but as I've got two assignments due next week I'll have to spend my time on them, and not on books. :)


message 278: by Kim Marie (new)

Kim Marie | 894 comments Michael, it's just as well we have some great books to read while we wait :-)


message 279: by Michael (new)

Michael (knowledgelost) Kim Marie wrote: "Michael, it's just as well we have some great books to read while we wait :-)"

It feels like I read Talulla Rising ages ago; but it was only April. I want to know what happens next.


message 280: by Kim Marie (new)

Kim Marie | 894 comments Frustrating I know, we may need a re-read by the time the third book arrives!


message 281: by Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen (new)

Brenda | 79967 comments Mod
Congrats everyone...flying along:)


message 282: by Katie (last edited Sep 14, 2012 12:31AM) (new)

Katie (ieishanalani) my list!!
1. Red- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Harry Potter, #1) by J.K. Rowling

2. Orange- Ferno The Fire Dragon (Beast Quest, #1) by Adam Blade

3. Yellow- The Man with Tiger Eyes by Karen Wallace

4. Green- Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices, #2) by Cassandra Clare

5. Blue- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter, #2) by J.K. Rowling

6. Purple/violet- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Harry Potter, #3) by J.K. Rowling

&. Spring clean- The Hunger Games Tribute Guide by Emily Seife

8. Brisbane festival- The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton

9. Spring cover-

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

10. YA- Hush, Hush (Hush, Hush, #1) by Becca Fitzpatrick

11. Pick a friend- (i chose Brenda :D) Beautiful Disaster (Beautiful, #1) by Jamie McGuire

12. TBR Spring clean- Eclipse (Twilight, #3) by Stephenie Meyer


message 283: by Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen (new)

Brenda | 79967 comments Mod
Looks great Katie! And I hope you enjoy #11:D


message 284: by MarciaB (last edited Sep 28, 2012 10:35PM) (new)

MarciaB - Book Muster Down Under | 225 comments Okeedokee, so I've just finished reading my No. 10 Tomorrow, When the War Began (Tomorrow, #1) by John Marsden

I thoroughly enjoyed this and found John Marsden to have a really good sense of humour and writing manner. I can't wait to read the rest of the series.

I have also now started reading my "Red" book,

Now, to update my list:

1. Red - Fractured (Will Trent, #2) by Karin Slaughter Finished
2. Orange - Shattered Sky by Helene Young Finished
3. Yellow - Trouble in High Heels by Christina Dodd
4. Green - The Girl Who Disappeared Twice by Andrea Kane - Finished
5. Blue - Four Play by Maya Banks - Finished
6. Purple - Deadly Fear (Deadly, #1) by Cynthia Eden - Finished
7. TBR Shelf - I'm still trying to figure out which one. Will post as soon as I have decided.
8. 2012 New release book written by an Aussie Author - I have really battled with the selection of this one (none of the books on the new release list thread seemed to appeal to me), but Booktopia seems to have made up my mind for me with a special on Assassin (Makedde Vanderwall, #6) by Tara Moss where they are offering "Siren" for free - Finished
9. Spring cover - The Sun Witch (Fyne Witches, #1) by Linda Winstead Jones - Finished
10. YA Aussie Author -
Tomorrow, When the War Began (Tomorrow, #1) by John Marsden - Finished
11. Book on Goodreads Friends Read Shelf - Edge of Midnight (Chasing Evil, #3) by Leslie Tentler - Finished
12. TBR Shelf - Speak No Evil (No Evil Trilogy, #1) by Allison Brennan - Finished

Whew, still so many to read.

Ok, so I tried the strike out thing and it struck out things that I didn't want it to.


message 285: by Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen (new)

Brenda | 79967 comments Mod
Great list Marcia...you're doing well.


message 286: by Michael (new)

Michael (knowledgelost) Kim Marie wrote: "Frustrating I know, we may need a re-read by the time the third book arrives!"

I do want to reread the entire series when book three is released


message 287: by [deleted user] (new)

i have finished P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern and started Sister by Rosamund Lupton


message 288: by Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen (new)

Brenda | 79967 comments Mod
Rena wrote: "i have finished P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern and started My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult"

Loved Sister Rena!


message 289: by Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen (new)

Brenda | 79967 comments Mod
Rena wrote: "i have finished P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern and started Sister by Rosamund Lupton"

Loved Sister Rena!


message 290: by Kira (last edited Sep 14, 2012 11:25PM) (new)

Kira (kirajessup) | 234 comments I have finished my red, yellow and blue books so far.

Chosen (The Chosen #1) by Denise Grover Swank I thought it was good. Interesting story but was mostly action based and set up more for the sequels.

Travelers Rest by Ann Tatlock This was different to all the other books I've been reading lately. I couldn't help but feel a bit disconnected to it because I'm not all that religious, but it was ok.

Amulet by Nancy Lee Parish This book was awesome. I absolutely loved it. I haven't really been much of a fantasy reader until now but that may change. Very complex and long but for me that just made it more interesting.


message 291: by Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen (new)

Brenda | 79967 comments Mod
Well done Kira:)


message 292: by Kirsten (new)

Kirsten Bailey (klbailey) Wow, everyone is doing so well!
I've only just finished my first book in this challenge (my orange book), Foundation, by Isaac Asimov. Foundation (Foundation, #1) by Isaac Asimov It was an interesting read but I didn't like it as much as I hoped I would. I gave it 3 stars. You can read my review here http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... if you like. Looks like I've got some catching up to do!


message 293: by Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen (new)

Brenda | 79967 comments Mod
Kirsten wrote: "Wow, everyone is doing so well!
I've only just finished my first book in this challenge (my orange book), Foundation, by Isaac Asimov. Foundation (Foundation, #1) by Isaac Asimov It was an interesting read but I didn..."


Good review Kirsten...shame you didn't enjoy it more! But don't worry, you have until the end of November to finish all your books;)


message 294: by Kirsten (new)

Kirsten Bailey (klbailey) Brenda wrote: Good review Kirsten...shame you didn't enjoy it more! But don't worry, you have until the end of November to finish all your books;)"

Thanks :) I keep getting sidetracked by other books!


message 295: by Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen (new)

Brenda | 79967 comments Mod
Kirsten wrote: "Brenda wrote: Good review Kirsten...shame you didn't enjoy it more! But don't worry, you have until the end of November to finish all your books;)"

Thanks :) I keep getting sidetracked by other b..."


Don't we all!! lol


message 296: by Katie (new)

Katie (ieishanalani) I've finished my green book "Clockwork Prince" and I absolutely love it!!! It's my favorite book by Cassandra Clare so far!!


message 297: by Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen (new)

Brenda | 79967 comments Mod
Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices, #2) by Cassandra Clare :)


message 298: by Jess (new)

Jess (jessiquie) I finished Deadlocked (Sookie Stackhouse, #12) by Charlaine Harris Deadlocked by Charlaine Harris and although I didn't hate the book, I'm still left feeling kind of blase about the whole thing. It just didn't seem to have much of a point sadly. Thus it might be the last of the Sookie series I read..


message 299: by Kirsten (new)

Kirsten Bailey (klbailey) Jess wrote: "I finished Deadlocked (Sookie Stackhouse, #12) by Charlaine HarrisDeadlocked by Charlaine Harris and although I didn't hate the book, I'm still left feeling kind of blase about the whole thing. It just didn't seem to have much of ..."

This one's on my to-read list. I've felt the Sookie books have been going downhill for a while now, but I can't seem to stop.


message 300: by Phrynne, Series Queen! (new)

Phrynne | 15789 comments Mod
Kirsten wrote: "Jess wrote: "I finished Deadlocked (Sookie Stackhouse, #12) by Charlaine HarrisDeadlocked by Charlaine Harris and although I didn't hate the book, I'm still left feeling kind of blase about the whole thing. It just didn't seem to ..."

I gave up on the Sookie books a while ago. They got a bit silly which was a shame because the earlier ones were so good!


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