Aussie Readers discussion

Gail "cyborg" wrote: "Shoot, my booktopia books haven't arrived yet. I need them to soon so I can continue my Summer Reading Challenge. (My daughter is currently in possession of my kindle. I knew I shouldn't have loane..."

I guess you'll just have to let her have that one, and get yourself another, Gail...LOL

Brenda, I'll wait until the next model comes out before I suggest something like that. :)

I received my email in the morning, and the parcel arrived in the arvo, Carmel!!! So maybe they wait a couple of days after sending them, to give you an email...:) Good luck!!

Gail "cyborg" wrote: "Brenda, I'll wait until the next model comes out before I suggest something like that. :)"

Yes...I'd def get yourself a new one first..LOL

Khenan, msg 8, the link is broken - plz help - classics might be more readily avl in American libraries than newer books.

Kim Marie wrote: "The two stand-out books for me in 2010 were The Book Thief and Water for Elephants. I'm still working on my Summer Challenge but can double up with a couple of the books ..."

Some great choices here Kim Marie. If you havent read the Tomorrow series yet by John Marsden I think you'll enjoy it. Seven books I think but quick reading, and I loved it.

Has anyone actually included books by members of the group in their list? If not, feel free to add Dragon Bones: Two Years Beneath the Skin of a Himalayan Kingdom. It should be in Australian stores in March.

My list includes:
Danann Frost Falls from Grace
something by Jacqueline George (Jacqueline, do you have one that a man might enjoy?)
Ice King
The Last Stormlord
The Magician's Apprentice
Darkbane

Murray wrote: "Has anyone actually included books by members of the group in their list? If not, feel free to add Dragon Bones: Two Years Beneath the Skin of a Himalayan Kingdom. It should be in ..."

I'm listing books as I'm reading them. I have a number of books by group members I plan to add. I will include yours. :D

Gail, I'm really looking forward to reading Nine Parts of Desire: The Hidden World of Islamic Women as I enjoyed both the previous books I'd read by Geraldine Brooks, perhaps Year of Wonders a little more than People of the Book. The Secret River has been on my TBR pile for so long that it's an absolute embarrassment :o)

Ditto with John Marsden's books Maggie. My son has been telling me for years that Tomorrow is a great series.

I'll be doing at least tourist level, since I just picked up:

Garden of the Purple Dragon
Dragon Keeper and
Dragon Moon

by Carole Wilkinson (I'm going to ignore the 'three different authors' part of the challenge ;)

[I guess I should mention that anyone looking for a fantasy novel written by an Australian has a chance to get my [book:Stained Glass Monsters: Eferum Book 1|10134027] as a freebie from Goodreads First Reads this week.]

Murray wrote: "Has anyone actually included books by members of the group in their list? If not, feel free to add Dragon Bones: Two Years Beneath the Skin of a Himalayan Kingdom. It should be in ..."

Yes I've got 2 books from group members. I bought them last year but haven't read them yet so this is a good challenge for me! (Kevin and Naomi)

My tentative list is - mostly depending on what I can get my hands on :)

1. Diamond Dove by Adrian Hyland READ 5 stars

2. Watch the World Burn by Leah Giarratano READ 3 stars

3. The Valley by Di Morrisey READ 1 star

4. The Body Count by PD Martin READ 3 stars

5. Things Bogans Like by E C McSween READ 2 stars

6. Saltwater Vampires by Kristy Eagar *Substituted The Fix by Nick Earls READ 3 stars


7. The Reformed Vampire Support Group by Catherine Jinks
* Substituted Hey, You in The Black T-Shirt by Michael Chugg. I gave it 2 stars.

8. Lessons in Letting Go: Confessions of a Hoarder by Corinne Grant READ 3 1/2 stars

9. Frantic by Katherine Howell READ 4 stars

10. What Alice Forgot Liane Moriarty READ 4 stars

11. I Came To Say Goodbye by Caroline Overington
Substituted Last Summer by Kylie Ladd 41/2 stars

12. Destiny Kills by Keri Arthur READ 3 stars

I own books by Gerry, Naomi, Tracey, Joanne V and Elita. That's almost my challenge done. :) Adding Murrays to my TBR.

I'm not going to list books that I might not get around to, but I have been meaning to read more Aussie books. I have a set of Australian Classics which I hope to fit into other challenges I'm doing this year and I'll review them here as I go.

It's good to see that I was wrong and people are reading books by members of the group. Thanks Gail and Carmel for choosing mine.

Hi I'm a new member and I'm going to do the Matilda level:
The Six Sacred Stones, Matthew Reilly
At Home with the Templetons, Monica McInerney
Jasper Jones, Craig Silvey
The True Story of Butterfish, Nick Earls
The Dark Mirror, Juliette Marillier
Tomorrow When the War Began, John Marsden

Murray wrote: "It's good to see that I was wrong and people are reading books by members of the group. Thanks Gail and Carmel for choosing mine."

Twill only be a problem if we don't like them. :P

Alethea wrote: "Hi I'm a new member and I'm going to do the Matilda level:
The Six Sacred Stones, Matthew Reilly
At Home with the Templetons, Monica McInerney
Jasper Jones, Craig Silvey
The True Story of Butte..."

Those books sound great Alethea! Thanks for joining the challenge.:)

I have read:
The Independence of Miss Mary Bennet Colleen McCullough

I will read:
On the Beach by Nevil Shute
A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute
Contest by Matthew Reilly

Does Bryce Courtenay count?
If so I will read Brother Fish

I will add some more later.

Oooo...I found out one of my books is by an Aussie!! Humm, I don't remember their name atm though..hahaha. So, I'm kinda in this Aussie author challenge.

Laura Laura Laura.

Laura wrote: "It sounds like a fun challenge but I don't know how many of my TBR are actually Aussie authors. So, once I look over 'em a little more I might be able to join in. I'll have to see :)."

I was thinking the same thing. But then I thought it would be interesting to trade one of the books that I have for an Aussie. I going through some of my books I realized that some were already applicable for this reading challenge. So I think I'm going for it. I'm even going to try and put up a list of foreign authors on my blog, like Aussie (due to this challenge) and Brasilian (oh which I am). I don't think that foreign authors get enough credit as they should. Only now with the spy and thrillers from authors like Steig Larsson have oversea books become a little more popular within the general public.

Does anyone have a favorite Aussie author that they think I should start off with? I really can't wait until I reformat and relaunch my blog so that they reviews and recommendations are available to members of all my book sites and to those perusing the internet. Perhaps if everyone that is more familiar with Aussie authors could post their favorite recommendations for newbies like us to try out. You never know when you come across a new favorite author or read a book that comes to you at the right time.

Welcome to the group NerdyOZ. I hope you enjoy the challenge it has been a lot of fun.

Where to start you off?
1. The Book Thief has been hugely popular.
2. If you want something quintessentially Australian Cloudstreet, it does have quite a bit of Aussie slang which some people struggle with.
3. Geraldine Brooks has written a few very popular books. I haven't read them yet but they are on my reading list and I am really looking forward to them People of the Book and Year of Wonders

I have read Capitan of Sands by Amado Jorde which I really loved. Maybe you could recommend some foreign authors to us.

Julia wrote: "A1. Scott, Kim. That Deadman Dance thanks, Gail ..."


I'll keep you posted. I'm about a third of the way through.

I'm in for True Blue. I'm still trudging through Newsweek's Top 100 Books list, but I'll intersperse a few Aussie authors here and there. Too bad, I just read 3 books by Kate Morton at the end of last year and one Time Winton before that. Oh well, I have a huge list of books to read, so this challenge will get me moving on it!

Here's my list (assuming I can get copies of all these books in the USA):


The Book Thief
The Thorn Birds
True History of the Kelly Gang
Cloudstreet
Tomorrow, When the War Began
Shantaram
The Happiest Refugee
Picnic at Hanging Rock
A Fortunate Life
Oscar and Lucinda
I Am the Messenger
A Town Like Alice

Patricia wrote: "I'm in for True Blue. I'm still trudging through Newsweek's Top 100 Books list, but I'll intersperse a few Aussie authors here and there. Too bad, I just read 3 books by Kate Morton at the end of l..."

Very impressive Pat. Most of those should be available. There are one or two you might have difficulties finding. If you get stuck we might be able to suggest an alternative.

I think I can manage the True Blue level, so I will start my treasure hunt of Aussie books I want to read.

Patricia wrote: "I'm in for True Blue. I'm still trudging through Newsweek's Top 100 Books list, but I'll intersperse a few Aussie authors here and there. Too bad, I just read 3 books by Kate Morton at the end of l..."

That's a great looking list Patricia.

Gail "cyborg" wrote: "Laura Laura Laura."

I believe that is my name :o!

The book is...*looks around the room*...
Rendezvous At Kamakura Inn :D Just had to find the darned thing..fancy it being hidden under other books..*gasps*

Carmel wrote: "Laura wrote: "Oooo...I found out one of my books is by an Aussie!! Humm, I don't remember their name atm though..hahaha. So, I'm kinda in this Aussie author challenge."

Oh Laura you are a myster..."

lolol :P It's all good now..just took a little over a day to find it..a thriller by Marshall Browne

Have just finished two books this week, both on my Aussie Reading Challenge list. Pity I havent finished the Summer Challenge yet!

I finally finished Monsoon, and then couldnt put down Unbearable Lightness: A Story of Loss and Gain, so that's two already done.

Maggie wrote: "Have just finished two books this week, both on my Aussie Reading Challenge list. Pity I havent finished the Summer Challenge yet!

I finally finished Monsoon, and then couldnt put..."

What did you think of Monsoon, Maggie?

Brenda wrote: "Maggie wrote: "Have just finished two books this week, both on my Aussie Reading Challenge list. Pity I havent finished the Summer Challenge yet!

I finally finished Monsoon, and the..."

I was disappointed. I thought the story line was a bit thin and predictable. But having travelled through Vietnam, especially to the Australian base at Vung Tau etc, I enjoyed all the references to the areas mentioned in the book. And not just there, but in Hanoi, Hue Ho CHi Minh City, Ha Long Bay etc. So that for me was the best part of the book, revisiting in my mind places I had been.

Have you read it, or anything else by that author? I dont plan to read any more books by her.

I am a second year Nursing student so my reading time is limited to pre and post study so while I want to attempt this, I am going to follow the lead of others and list books as I finish them.

I will aim to be a Tourist, and hope that I might make Matilda.
No promises though. :)

Now while I think of it, i've already finished one.
1. Unbearable Lightness by Portia de Rossi (amazing read - finished 03/01/11)
2. Life In His Hands: The True Story of a Neurosurgeon and a Pianist by Susan Wyndham. I actually read the Kindle version of this book but there is no kindle or ebook version listed on Goodreads. (finished 27/01/11)

Lauren wrote: "I am a second year Nursing student so my reading time is limited to pre and post study so while I want to attempt this, I am going to follow the lead of others and list books as I finish them.

I w..."

Welcome to the world of nursing. What did you think of Unbearable Lightness?

I thought it was an amazing book.
She showed a lot of courage telling her story the way she did, shouldering most of the blame herself. While I never claimed to understand eating disorders before, the picture she paints makes it so much easier to understand the obsession that these women go through, how their mind is constantly consumed.

I am glad that I read it.

Lauren wrote: "I thought it was an amazing book.
She showed a lot of courage telling her story the way she did, shouldering most of the blame herself. While I never claimed to understand eating disorders before, ..."

It was a powerful book.

I'd like to go for True Blue but Matilda will be more realistic time wise... Here's my list:

The Forgotten Garden - Kate Morton
Ashling - Isobelle Carmody
The Umbrella Club - David Brooks
The Lost Thoughts of Soldiers - Delia Falconer
Gravel - Peter Goldsworthy
Bereft - Chris Womersley

@Carmel - The Book Thief is very good!

It takes more time to organise the to-be-read list than it does to read a book.

Maggie, I have read a few of Di Morrissey's, but her latest one was definitely the best...The Plantation Enjoyed that one very much..:)

Gail "cyborg" wrote: "It takes more time to organise the to-be-read list than it does to read a book."
lol..yes,it can feel like that at times XDDD

I have been reading this thread and found it very interesting - I love the different choices people make for thier reading. I am going True Blue and here is my tentative list, it will be interesting if I do get to read them all.

1. Dancing with the Devil by Keri Arthur
2. Hearts in Darkness by Keri Arthur
3. Chasing the Shadows by Keri Arthur
4. Kiss The Night Goodbye by Keri Arthur
5. Stars Over Shiralee by Sheryl McCorrey
6. Saltwater Vampires by Kirsty Eagar
7. Beloved Highlander by Sara Bennett
8.The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

I will choose the rest later but they will be something by Kate Grenville, Monica McInernney, Stephanie Laurens and maybe I will try Mel Teshco if my library has any of her books.

1.Markus Zusak - The Book Thief I have now posted my review
2.Kim Scott - That Deadman Dance - my review

I'm going to start with 3:
Angel-Colleen McCullough
Broken Hero-Anne Whitfield
Magical Gains by Nicola E Sheridan (not on goodreads yet)

Shona

Maggie wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Maggie wrote: "Have just finished two books this week, both on my Aussie Reading Challenge list. Pity I havent finished the Summer Challenge yet!

I finally finished [book:Monsoon|25..."

I too have read Monsoon and did not find it all that good - nother best work. My 2 favourite books by Di Morrissey are "Barra Creek" which was the first one I listened to and I loved it and the other is "The Valley".

I enjoyed both of those too, Bronwyn..

Bronwyn wrote: "Maggie wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Maggie wrote: "Have just finished two books this week, both on my Aussie Reading Challenge list. Pity I havent finished the Summer Challenge yet!

I finally finished [..."

(How many '..wrote....wrote...wrote...wrote' can we have at the beginning of a message???)

Ok maybe I should try another one of her books. I hear [book:The Plantation|9587521] is meant to be good but it just doesn't appeal to me. Maybe "Barra Creek"?

I have just started my first one of the Aussie Author challenge, Glory Girl by Peter Yeldham. I'm only a little way in, but so far it is good.
(Mandy has it on the AR home page, but GR doesn't have it yet to put the link, sorry)

Have you read other books by Peter Yeldham - I have read and enjoyed both Barbed Wire and Roses and A Distant Shore.

No Marg, I haven't...I only read a blurb on this one, and it interested me, so I borrowed it from the library. Hadn't even heard of Peter Yeldham till then :( If I enjoy this one, I'll definitely get the other two to read. Thanks Marg :)