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

[Sally906]

Touching base with where I am at :)

Currently reading my orange and purple books:

Forever by Maggie Stiefvater

And

Storm Glass by Maria V. Snyder

[Kirsten]

Sally906 wrote: "Touching base with where I am at :)

Currently reading my orange and purple books:

Forever by Maggie Stiefvater

And

Storm Glass by Maria V. Snyder"

Can't wait to hear what you thought of them! I love Maria V. Snyder! (I thought the 'study' books were way better than the 'glass' ones though - interested to hear your opinion on this)

[Louise]

I've finished #6 Purple - Ascend, Amanda Hocking and I've started #9 with Cloud Atlas, David Mitchell

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Doing well people!!

[Janine]

I have finished # 1 Red 3*
#3 Yellow 4*
#5 Blue 4*

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Janine!

[MarciaB]

Well, I have now finished my Red Book and started reading my no. 12 !

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

I just finished Stormdancer which is my book 8 (Aussie author, published in Spring). It was really good and very different. I loved the Japanese influence and Yukiko, the main character, was fantastic. I hope there is a follow up to this as some relationships were left unexplored.

[Kirsten]

Phrynne wrote: "I just finished Stormdancer which is my book 8 (Aussie author, published in Spring). It was really good and very different. I loved the Japanese influence and Yukiko, the main character, was fanta..."

I'm looking forward to reading that one! I've just started on Cloud Atlas

[Trina]

I'm almost finished my second book for this challenge! I feel like you've all taken off without me!

[MarciaB]

You'll get there Trina - happy reading!

[Trina]

I've hit a bit of a reading slump. Too much study to do.

[Amber]

I'm also reading Cloud Atlas right now, does that make three of us, or more? :-)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Trina wrote: "I've hit a bit of a reading slump. Too much study to do."

Jolly study...it always gets in the way of life, doesn't it Trina;P

But don't worry...plenty of time left:)

[Trina]

My exams are done early October, so then it'll be read read read cause I'm planning on trying out NaNoWriMo so I probably won't read much in November!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Oh wow! Good luck with your exams, then the NaNoWriMo in November! Full on!

[Jess]

Ohh, I doubt I'll be reading much in November either Trina, Nano is fun, but demanding. I can't wait for Nano this year :)

[Lesley]

Last night I finished . It was a great read, based on historical fact. Has anyone else read any Frank Coates novels?

[Nicola]

Here's my list - have already started some them so I'm not as far behind as it seems!

Blue TiarèCélestine Hitiura Vaite
YellowCrocodile on the SandbankElizabeth Peters
Red Shadows and StrongholdsElizabeth Chadwick
Purple A Crown ImperiledRaymond E. Feist
Green SylvesterGeorgette Heyer
Orange OsamaChris Ryan
TBR Agatha Raisin and the Wizard of EveshamM.C. Beaton
Aussie writer Scarecrow and the Army of ThievesMatthew Reilly
Spring Cover
Sprig MuslinGeorgette Heyer
YA The Opal DeceptionEoin Colfer

[Kim Marie]

Talulla Rising 4 STARS

City of Dragons 5 STARS

Continuing my journey through the Rain Wilds with my favourite fantasy author, Robin Hobb. I love her worldbuilding, especially the Rain Wilds and best of all, "there be dragons"!

[Kirsten]

Kim Marie wrote: "Talulla Rising 4 STARS

City of Dragons 5 STARS

Continuing my journey through the Rain Wilds with my favourite fantasy auth..."

I can't wait to read those Robin Hobb books! I've put it off because the last one isn't out yet, and because I thought I should re-read the others first. It's been a while since I read the liveship & tawny man books - do you think it's worth doing the re-read, or should I jump straight in to the new ones?

[Kim Marie]

Hi Kirsten, I think a re-read of the Liveship series would definitely be worthwhile, especially once you reach City of Dragons because previous characters start to make an appearance. If I was a more patient person I'd have waited for the last book because this series is really 2 books split into 4 and so it loses some of the depth that I enjoyed in the earlier books.
Whatever you decide, I hope you love the stories as much as I do :)

[Kirsten]

Kim Marie wrote: "Hi Kirsten, I think a re-read of the Liveship series would definitely be worthwhile, especially once you reach City of Dragons because previous characters start to make an appearance. If I was a m..."

Thanks!! The Liveship books are my fave Robin Hobb books so far so I'm sure I'll enjoy these :)

[Deb]

I have finally finished my second book for this challenge - orange - (the cover I have is different and much closer to orange) I am now starting my TBR book, which I have changed from to . I was lucky enough to hear Toni Jordan speak at the Brisbane Writers Festival and to get a signed copy of her book - so it has jumped to the top of my TBR list. (which like everyones is growing way to fast!)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Deb wrote: "I have finally finished my second book for this challenge - orange - (the cover I have is different and much closer to orange) I am now starting my TBR book, which..."

She's lovely isn't she Deb...I heard her talk at the Sydney Writers Festival...apparently Nine Days is very good...the reviews seem to indicate that:) Enjoy!

[Lynxie]

I may need to pick some more books for this challenge... perhaps I can read two rainbows.

So far I've read:

RED: The List by J.A. Konrath 5*

YELLOW:Conspiracy by Lindsay Buroker 5*

GREEN:The Annihilation of Foreverland by Tony Bertauski 4*

BLUE:Archangel Evolution by David Estes 3*

PURPLE:Black Purple Sky by Colleen Wait 3*

Just starting: Spring clean: The Emerald Talisman by Brenda Pandos

Which leaves: ORANGE: The Color of Magic by Terry Pratchett

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Haha!! Well done Lynxie...you can continue down to #12 on the list now;P

[Lynxie]

Hrm... ok I spose I could do that then maybe another rainbow if I finish them.

8. Aussie Author: Wolf Pear

9. Spring cover: Eternal Eden

10. YA: The Book Thief

11. Friend read: Divergent

12. Spring clean #2: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Lynxie...knew that wouldn't be hard with the TBR list you have!! lol

[Trina]

Finally finished my second for this challenge, my YA book The Knife of Never Letting Go. I rated it four stars and the review is here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... (cause I actually wrote one, I rarely do).

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Great review Trina:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Just finished BLUE Big Jack by J.D. Robb ..review http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Updated list:

Read a Rainbow: (the first 6)

1. Red ....The Other DaughterLisa Gardner★★★★★
2. Orange ....The Last TemptationVal McDermid
3. Yellow ....The SentryRobert Crais
4. Green ....The End of the Wasp SeasonDenise Mina ★★★
5. Blue ....Big JackJ.D. Robb ★★★★
6. Purple/Violet ....A Darkness More Than NightMichael Connelly


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

8. Brisbane Writers Festival - Spring release - Assassin by Tara Moss

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 ★★★★★

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

My review for the GREEN book by Denise Mina is here http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

[Trina]

Brenda wrote: "Great review Trina:)"

Thanks Brenda!

[MarciaB]

So, I finished my No. 12 book yesterday and have now posted my first ever review on GR here http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/91...

I've now started reading my spring release book .

[MarciaB]

Thanks Michael - I'll go in and edit and try that now.

Hee hee, finally, I learned a new trick thanks to you!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Marcia wrote: "Thanks Michael - I'll go in and edit and try that now.

Hee hee, finally, I learned a new trick thanks to you!"

Great review Marcia...here's the link to your review..yours went to the book:)

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

I'm going to read Assassin soon as well:)

[MarciaB]

Brenda wrote: Great review Marcia...here's the link to your review..yours went to t..."

Thanks for the kind words Brenda. Oops, sorry I didn't link correctly, but thanks for helping me out. Greatly appreciated.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

You're welcome:)

[MarciaB]

Michael wrote: "Great review Marcia. :)"

Thanks Michael - you're too kind.

[Christy]

Just finished #4 - RED: One Breath Away and wow, I'm still having a hard time catching my breath - after a somewhat slow start, a fantastic read!!
Will update my list soon - as many books have changed, although I see I'm not alone, I may also be reading 2 rainbows (or at least close to it).
Going to start #5 NEW SPRING RELEASE: Stage Fright
Definitely need an easy read after the last one! :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Christy! One Breath Away was fantastic, wasn't it!

[MarciaB]

Yay, finished Assassin this morning. My review is here http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... hope that I've linked it correctly this time).

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Marcia wrote: "Yay, finished Assassin this morning. My review is here http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... hope that I've linked it correctly this time)."

Perfectly linked Marcia, and a great review! Thanks:)

[Louise]

I've finished #9 Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell. 4 stars!

[Trina]

Finished my third book last night, my green book; and really enjoyed it. I rated it five stars but didn't write a review. Now on to my purple book; .

[Sally906]

Have finished my Orange book:

by Forever by Maggie Stiefvater

my review

[Kirsten]

Sally906 wrote: "Have finished my Orange book:

by Forever by Maggie Stiefvater

my review"

Great review Sally! Your link didn't work for me so in case others had the same problem here it is again: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... (I found it by clicking on your name).

I felt the same way about the ending of this book!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Sally906 wrote: "Have finished my Orange book:

by Forever by Maggie Stiefvater

my review"

Great review Sally...such a shame you were disappointed with it. I haven't read any of those but feel sorry when that happens!

[Kelly]

I'm in a bit of a reading slump at the moment. I have finished reading The Gunslinger and I Will Plant You a Lilac Tree: A Memoir of a Schindler's List Survivor. I finished those last week or the week before. Does any one else get into a bit of a slump not long after reading a few books in a row?