Aussie Readers discussion

☼♄Jülie wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Look what I just found!

The bush was grey a week to-day
(Olive-green and brown and grey);
But now the spring has come this way,
With blossoms for the wattle.

- Veronica Mason, from..."

I'm sure I remember singing it!

Marina wrote: "☼♄Jülie wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Look what I just found!

The bush was grey a week to-day
(Olive-green and brown and grey);
But now the spring has come this way,
With blossoms for the wattle.

- Vero..."

That's right Marina! A rather motley choir we made too!

Thanks Sally, that's just gorgeous! Thanks for the link too:)

I love the idea of the seasonal challenge, and as a new arrival to this forum, this will be my first attempt at the Spring 2014 Challenge. But I need to confess something before I get to my wish list: due to severe space constraints in my home, I do not buy books. I rely 100% on the local library for my reading material and I regretfully send them back once read because I have nowhere to store my own books. Having 'fessed up to this, I have put together a list which will depend on selections coming from the library's shelves. Therefore I've put a hold on ten books only, not the full fifteen. Is that OK with this group?
OK, here's my selection:

1. A long TBR: Looking for Alibrandi Melina Marchetta 4 ★ s



3. Rainbow colours:
(a) red: The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie Alan Bradley 2 ★ s

(b) orange: Bonito Deputy by Jack Slade, which is a Western 2 ★s

(c) yellow: Milk Fever by Lisa Reece-Lane 4 ★ s

(d) green: The Honey Queen by Cathy Kelly 3 ★ s

(e) blue: The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson 3 ★ s

(f) purple: Prunella: the authorised biography of Prunella Scales Prunella 2 ★ s

4. YA: Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden 4 ★ s


5. Wattle: Black Wattle Creek by Geoffrey McGeachin 4 ★ s


6. Labor Day: Cross Country by James Patterson 1 ★


7. Remembrance Day: Postcards From No Man's Land by Aidan Chambers 3.5 ★ s


8. From a Friend's List: Still Alice by Lisa Genova 5 ★s


9. Fav genre - crime fiction: In Her Blood by Annie Hauxwell 2 ★s


10. Another TBR - A Graphic Novel:
Frist time I've ever read a graphic novel, and I was charmed by its quirkiness.
The House that Groaned by Karrie Fransman 3 ★s



I've deliberately left out the books from the upcoming Brisbane Writers Festival. Those volumes won't make it to my library in time.
If I can manage to get all of these volumes from my local library corporation in the timeframe, I'll be well chuffed. Who knows, they may roll in the door and I get a chance to go for the full 15...?
Like a 'real time' book group, this challenge has pushed me to select reading material outside my comfort zone, and I'm quite looking forward to it.

Mary wrote: "I love the idea of the seasonal challenge, and as a new arrival to this forum, this will be my first attempt at the Spring 2014 Challenge. But I need to confess something before I get to my wish l..."

Well done Mary! The list looks good, and as you say, you may be able to add the rest of your rainbow colours if you have time:) After all, you have 3 months! So glad you're joining us for this challenge - your first with the group!

Mary wrote: "I love the idea of the seasonal challenge, and as a new arrival to this forum, this will be my first attempt at the Spring 2014 Challenge. But I need to confess something before I get to my wish l..."

Great List Mary. None of our lists are usually set in concrete! Changes nearly always occur as different books come along or choices turn out to be boring. So don't worry if you can't get all your choices when you need them. Substitutions can be made :)

Here's my list, it clears a good chunk out of my TBR. :-)

1) TBR - by Dean Koontz
2) Brisbane Writer's Festival - by Peter Carey
3) Rainbow, Red - by Tim McGregor
Orange - by Michael Koryta
Yellow - by Johnny Shaw
Green - by Dick Francis
Blue - by Johnny Shaw
Purple/Violet - by J.A. Konrath
4) Young Adult, Aussie Author - by John Marsden
5) Wattle - by Geoffrey McGeachin
6) Labour Day - by James Lee Burke
7) Remembrance Day - by Anthony Hill
8) Goodreads Friend, Mike - by Anonymous-9
9) Favourite Genre, Detective/Mystery - by Michael Connelly
10) TBR - by John Sandford

Jackmeister wrote: "Here's my list, it clears a good chunk out of my TBR. :-)

1) TBR - by Dean Koontz
2) Brisbane Writer's Festival - by [auth..."

Excellent list Jackie! Not long till start day now:)

Brenda wrote: "Not long till start day now:)"

Can't wait!

Steve wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Not long till start day now:)"

Can't wait!"

Good to hear:)

Just got to finish Bones Never Lie first:)

Around 10 hours and we can start....tick! tick! Tick!

It's counting down, that's for sure!!! Woohoo!

It's such a beautiful day today it feels like spring already!

Marina wrote: "It's such a beautiful day today it feels like spring already!"

Yes it's been glorious Marina!

Since it has just turned midnight, going to curl up in bed with my first, first 3a. Read a Rainbow (Red), The Sea of Monsters.

Good for you Steve! Did you finish it already?

Brenda wrote: "Good for you Steve! Did you finish it already?"

You sound like my wife. :-) She asked when we woke up if I'd finished my first book, and when I said no, she said I wasn't trying hard enough. I'm roughly half way through.

Onto my first book 3E Blue ,

very topical as the AFL finals have started, just a pity the pies aren't there this year :-(

Steve wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Good for you Steve! Did you finish it already?"

You sound like my wife. :-) She asked when we woke up if I'd finished my first book, and when I said no, she said I wasn't trying har..."

Hahaha!!! Sounds like I'd really like her!

First day and I got my Aussie YA read Red ★★★★. Also I have changed my blue book its now as I couldn't get the other one from my library :(

I have finished my first, my first 3a. Read a Rainbow (Red), The Sea of Monsters, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

Up next is my first 4. Young Adult, The Titan's Curse.

Finished my first book in this challenge Mr Wigg. I liked it but didn't love it.
My review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Steve wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Good for you Steve! Did you finish it already?"

You sound like my wife. :-) She asked when we woke up if I'd finished my first book, and when I said no, she said I wasn't trying har..."

Ha! ha! ha! I agree with her ;)

I have started my first book today my first 8. Goodreads friend list - Lolita

I'm also reading my first - Favourite Genre - Bones Never Lie by Kathy Reichs

I have finished my first for this challenge. An absolutely wonderful book from my TBR that I managed to read in two sittings. The Collected Works of A. J. Fikry . Five stars.

Elaine wrote: "I have finished my first for this challenge. An absolutely wonderful book from my TBR that I managed to read in two sittings. The Collected Works of A. J. Fikry[bookcover:The Collec..."

Isn't it fabulous :)

Brenda wrote: "I'm also reading my first - Favourite Genre - Bones Never Lie by Kathy Reichs"

I have this on my list too...I really enjoy Kathy Reichs Stories.

Sally906 wrote: "Elaine wrote: "I have finished my first for this challenge. An absolutely wonderful book from my TBR that I managed to read in two sittings. The Collected Works of A. J. Fikry[bookc..."

Yes it really is Sally!!!

Elaine wrote: "I have finished my first for this challenge. An absolutely wonderful book from my TBR that I managed to read in two sittings. The Collected Works of A. J. Fikry[bookcover:The Collec..."

So glad you loved that one Elaine! Me too:)

Jennifer wrote: "Brenda wrote: "I'm also reading my first - Favourite Genre - Bones Never Lie by Kathy Reichs"

I have this on my list too...I really enjoy Kathy Reichs..."

I'm almost finished - would have if I hadn't stopped to watch ABCs BookClub:)

Last night, I finished my second, my first 4. Young Adult, The Titan's Curse, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

Up next is my second 3a. Read a Rainbow (Red), The Battle of the Labyrinth.

Finished my first for this challenge - 1st Favourite Genre - Bones Never Lie by Kathy Reichs 5★s

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

I am just starting my second - Aussie YA - Cooper Bartholomew is Dead by Rebecca James

Finished my first for the challenge, Purple: Dead Famous. It's a fun read with some serious social commentary among the laughs. Review is here.

Marina wrote: "Finished my first for the challenge, Purple: Dead Famous. It's a fun read with some serious social commentary among the laughs. Review is here."

Great review Marina:) You didn't rate it though?

Can't wait to read the new Kathy Reichs - I am a big fan :) Looks like you enjoyed it Brenda?

I haven't decided on a Spring list yet....usually like to see what I feel like at the time (and what jumps off the library shelves at me :)). But I am hoping to clear some of my TBR during Spring, so hopefully I can fit them into the categories!

I am starting with my first 3. (green) Lost and Found by Brooke Davis which is left over from Winter....and so far I am loving it!

Sorry meant to put in the cover of the book so you can see the colour.... :)

Brenda wrote: "Great review Marina:) You didn't rate it though?"

Oops. Fixed. 4 stars!

Katrina wrote: "Can't wait to read the new Kathy Reichs - I am a big fan :) Looks like you enjoyed it Brenda?

I haven't decided on a Spring list yet....usually like to see what I feel like at the time (and what j..."

Loved it Katrina:) Thanks...

Marina wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Great review Marina:) You didn't rate it though?"

Oops. Fixed. 4 stars!"

Oh that's great! Thanks:)

Finished my second Aussie YA book Looking for Alibrandi ★★★★Started my 'wattle' book

Renée wrote: "Finished my second Aussie YA book Looking for Alibrandi **** Started my 'wattle' book "

I'll be interested in your thoughts on the wattle book Renee:)

I have finished my first book - book with a blue cover:
The Wedding Bees by Sarah-Kate Lynch 4 ★ s


Here is my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I finished my second, which is the first #4 Aussie YA Cooper Bartholomew is Dead by Rebecca James last night 5★s

Review to follow closer to publication

I have finished my first bookLolita. What a horrible book. If it was not on the BBC's 100 books to read before you die I would never have read it at all.

On to my next book...The Bell Jar. I hope this is a better read.

Jennifer wrote: "I have finished my first bookLolita. What a horrible book. If it was not on the BBC's 100 books to read before you die I would never have read it at all.

On to my next book...[book:..."

That's bad luck Jennifer! Enjoy this next one:)

While I was out tonight, I finished my third, my second 3a. Read a Rainbow (Red), The Battle of the Labyrinth, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

I also started on my second 4. Young Adult, The Last Olympian.

Finished my first 3 green - Lost and Found by Brooke Davis which I really enjoyed. 4 stars.
Now onto 3 yellow - by Kathryn Stockett which has been on my TBR for ages :)