Aussie Readers discussion

Just popping in from the south island of NZ where we are snowed in - whoo hoo!!!!! We have paid for 24 hours of internet access - so just thought I'd say that I finished the last of my winter challenge books today as I sit in front of a fire with iPad in one hand and wine in the other!!!!

Will post the complete list when I get back at the end of next week :)

Oh Sally, that sounds divine!!! Congrats on completing the challenge too:)

Sally906 wrote: "Just popping in from the south island of NZ where we are snowed in - whoo hoo!!!!! We have paid for 24 hours of internet access - so just thought I'd say that I finished the last of my winter chall..."

Enjoy!

Pick a book from your Mt.TBR list
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon
✭✭✭✭✭ review here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...


Find a YA novel or a picture book to read
The Secret Hour by Scott Westerfeld
*Currently Reading*

BORROW a book from the library/friend or pick one out of your TBR list
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman I own this book, its out of my TBR list. Not library. ✭✭✭✭✭ Full Marks: review here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

choosing a book which has been transformed into a movie
Coraline by Neil Gaiman ✭✭✭.5
Review here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Read a book with a word starting with the letters of WINTER in the title
The Comical Tragedy or Tragical Comedy of Mr. Punch by Neil Gaiman ✭✭✭
Review here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Read an Aussie author's book or books with an Aussie landscape/locale in it
Mice byGordon Reece Finished: ✭✭✭.5 , review here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Choose a New Release which will be out somewhere in the 3 month period of Winter
The Warlock by Michael Scott Read most of it, threw it aside towards the end: ✭✭ Review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Pick a friend on your GR list and also select and read a book they have read
Smoke and Mirrors by Neil Gaiman
✭✭✭✭, review here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Curl up beside the fire and grab yourself a book full of suspense or murder!
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie


Oh hey, I might finish this after all :)

Yee Jess, i'd say you've got a very good chance of finishing this challenge :D

You definitely will Jess, you only have one more after the one you're reading now:) Good on you:D

Doing well Michael..you'll finish, no problems. I felt pretty much like you regarding Naked Cruelty..certainly not one of her best!

Michael wrote: "I havnt read any other of her books im assuming there better or at least i hope so. =/"

The most amazing book of hers was the first ever I read The Thorn Birds. A very old tale, but such a brilliant story. I've still got the original book from way back then, published in 1977. Another one I really enjoyed was Morgan's Run, and I really enjoyed Angel, though I know others haven't. I enjoyed On, Off which is Carmine's first mystery, much better than the #3 which you just read. It's funny, but she writes many different genres, very talented author...

Just finished Wuthering Heights. Only one to go. 206 Bones by Kathy Reichs.

Well done Sharon:)

Started for #6 of this challenge, and will be the last read for Winter. So far it's pretty good.

I forgot to say last week that I read my last book for the challenge - so here is my final list :)

1) Pick a book that has a warm or summery theme on the cover:
Catching Fire(catching fire has got to be warm...) 4/5
2) Pick a book from your Mt.TBR list:
The Autumn of the Patriarch 4/5
3) Find a YA novel or a picture book to read:
City of Bones 2/5
4) National Tree Day – read a book you haven’t purchase:
A House for Mr. Biswas (library)2/5
5) Choose a book which has been made into a movie:
The Road 4/5
6) Read a book with a word starting with the letters of WINTER in the title:
Waiting for Godot 3/5
7) Read an Aussie author's book:
My Brilliant Career 3/5
8) Read New Release out somewhere in the 3 month period of winter: Before I Go to Sleep 3/5
9) Pick a friend on your GR list and also select and read a book they have read: (from Sally009's list) As the Earth Turns Silver 3/5
10) Curl up beside the fire and grab yourself a book full of suspense or murder:
The Hunger Games 4/5
11) Bonus Book City of Ashes 2/5

Congrats Lesley and Megan:) Job well done!

I have decided to have a last minute crack at the Winter Challenge. Might be cutting it a tad fine with only 9 days left :) I'll have a go anyway!

My list is as follows:
1. Pick a book that has a warm or summery theme on the cover:
Mystery Bay Blues by Robert G.Barrett (it's a mushroom not an umbrella!)
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

2. Pick a book from your Mt.TBR list:
Killing Hour by Andrew Gross
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

3. Find a YA novel or a picture book to read:
Magpie Mischief by Jon Doust
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

4. National Tree Day – read a book you haven’t purchased:
Sensitive New Age Spy by Geoff McGeachin
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

5. Choose a book which has been made into a movie:
Raise The Titanic! by Clive Cussler
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

6. Read a book where a word in the title has to relate to a wintery theme:
Arctic Drift by Clive Cussler
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

7. Read an Aussie author's book:
Wyatt by Garry Disher
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

8. Read New Release out somewhere in the 3 month period of winter:
Private London by James Patterson
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

9. Pick a friend on your GR list and also select and read a book they have read: (from Brenda's list)
Running Blind (aka The Visitor) by Lee Child
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

10. Curl up beside the fire and grab yourself a book full of suspense or murder:
Follow the Money by Peter Corris
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

11. Bonus Book:
Garry Disher (born 15th August) Port Vila Blues
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

David wrote: "I have decided to have a last minute crack at the Winter Challenge. Might be cutting it a tad fine with only 9 days left :) I'll have a go anyway!

My list is as follows:
1. Pick a book that has a..."

Wow David!!! That sure is cutting it fine...I don't think you'll be doing anything else for the next 9 days, with 6 books left to read O_O!!! Good luck with that, and definitely let us know how you go:D

PS...thanks for picking from my list:)

Finished my 6th book today.
7. Book Thief - Markus Zusak.
All I can say is wow. Its very very good.
Only going to read one for because thats all I will have time to do. Oh well, i tried.

The Book Thief is magnificent :D

Emily wrote: "Finished my 6th book today.
7. Book Thief - Markus Zusak.
All I can say is wow. Its very very good.
Only going to read one for because thats all I will have time to do. Oh well, i tried."

Emily, you enjoyed your reading, 7 is an awesome achievement....you did really well:)

Haha thanks. Stupid school exams, reading is obviously much more important.

Emily wrote: "Haha thanks. Stupid school exams, reading is obviously much more important."

Definitely Emily!!! Must get your priorities right;D lol

Finished this challenge on the weekend including the bonus read:

3. YA/Child: Divergent 2 STARS
6. WINTER: Snømannen 2 STARS
7. Australian landscape: Bloodstain: the vanishing of Peter Falconio 4 STARS
8. New release: Before I Go to Sleep 4 STARS

And for the bonus Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier 3 STARS.

Yahoo! Now on to Spring.

Go David! You can do it!!!

And @Jess, sorry to say, but I had issues with The Book Thief (don't unfriend me)

Knowledge Lost wrote: "Go David! You can do it!!!

And @Jess, sorry to say, but I had issues with The Book Thief (don't unfriend me)"

3 more to go - I think I can, I think I can :) Fun trying anyway!

David wrote: "Knowledge Lost wrote: "Go David! You can do it!!!

And @Jess, sorry to say, but I had issues with The Book Thief (don't unfriend me)"

3 more to go - I think I can, I think I can :) Fun trying anyway!"

Doing well David....of course you can, of course you can;D

Brenda wrote: "David wrote: "Knowledge Lost wrote: "Go David! You can do it!!!

And @Jess, sorry to say, but I had issues with The Book Thief (don't unfriend me)"

3 more to go - I think I can, I think I can :) F..."

Hey Brenda, The Andrew Gross book (Killing Hour or Eyes Wide Open) was awesome. I flew through the 450 pages last night. I see you gave it 5 stars as well. The ending hinted there might be more - hopefully there is a sequel.

David wrote: "Brenda wrote: "David wrote: "Knowledge Lost wrote: "Go David! You can do it!!!

And @Jess, sorry to say, but I had issues with The Book Thief (don't unfriend me)"

3 more to go - I think I can, I t..."

I agree, it was amazing!!! Hope there'll be more:)

I am 200 pages (thereabouts) from finishing this challenge, and I'm really not inspired about the book I've chosen. I've heard that Gorky Park is a great book, and leads into a great series. But either I'm being too choosey, or I'm just not getting it. *sigh* Perseverance - that's what's needed. AND I need to start picking my list for Spring challenge!

Louise wrote: "I am 200 pages (thereabouts) from finishing this challenge, and I'm really not inspired about the book I've chosen. I've heard that Gorky Park is a great book, and leads into a great ..."

Don't be too fussed if you're not enjoying it Louise! At least you can say you tried, and that's all you need. :)

Just finished 'The Precipice' by Virgina Duigan which was published on 1 July 2011, with thus means I have read a new release. This was sent to me for free and I really enjoyed it. The 'ramblings' of the character, Thea, are realistic, witty, sardonic and funny.

Thus 7 books read, 3 (or 4) to go .... dont like my chances ... still have over 200 pages of Atlas Shrugged to go.

3. YA novel or a picture book: The Wee Free Men - READ.
4. Borrow book from library: Minding Frankie - READ.
6. Book with a word starting with the letters of WINTER in the title: What is the What - READ.
7. Aussie author's book: Brumby Plains - READ.
8. New release: The Precipice - READ.
9. A book a friend on GR has read: The Tiger's Wife - READ
10. Suspense of murder: Before I go to Sleep - READ

Dee-Ann wrote: "Just finished 'The Precipice' by Virgina Duigan which was published on 1 July 2011, with thus means I have read a new release. This was sent to me for free and I really enjoyed it. The 'ramblings..."

Thanks Dee-Ann, very interested to hear you enjoyed it:)

I hope to wrtie a review of it, but my review function in Goodreads is not working at the moment. I am teetering between 4 and 5 stars. It was well written, however the description of the book in Goodreads/and on the cover differs to 'what I read'. I hope you enjoy it too, when you get a chance.

Thanks from me too Dee-Ann :) I’ll be starting Precipice , The tomorrow

I just read a review of this book on another site, and it was quite scathing. So it will be interesting to hear your views.

will do

Michael wrote: "Finished my final book Gone yesterday. :D

Review here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/..."

Congratulations Michael:)

Michael wrote: "High five Brenda yeah lol."

Definite high five....if I was Jessy, I'd have a good picture for you...lol

FINISHED
! :D

Congratulations to you too Melanie!!

so now can we start the spring one hahah

Melanie wrote: "so now can we start the spring one hahah"

In a few more sleeps Melanie;D

One more to go....
Loved The Visitor (Lee Child) that I snaffled from your TBR list Brenda. Guranteed to keep one reading until all hours of the night or morning (yawn!). Five stars from me also.

David wrote: "One more to go....
Loved The Visitor (Lee Child) that I snaffled from your TBR list Brenda. Guranteed to keep one reading until all hours of the night or morning (yawn!). Five stars from me also."

Awesome David!! You are amazing!!! You can slow down now, you have a lot of days left till the end of winter:) And yes, it was a great read:D

David wrote: "One more to go....
Loved The Visitor (Lee Child) that I snaffled from your TBR list Brenda. Guranteed to keep one reading until all hours of the night or morning (yawn!). Five stars from me also."

David if you liked The Visitor you absolutely must read the first two Jack Reacher books - Killing Floor and Die Trying. I've read so many Jack Reacher books but these two are the best IMO.

Maggie wrote: "David wrote: "One more to go....
Loved The Visitor (Lee Child) that I snaffled from your TBR list Brenda. Guranteed to keep one reading until all hours of the night or morning (yawn!). Five stars f..."

Agreed Maggie!!! I have them all, and have read them all. Love them, love Jack Reacher:)

Wouldn't say I love Jack Reacher because I don't - his character drives me nuts, and I stopped reading his books at about number 6 or 7 I think. But the first two books are really good.

Jack Reacher is a bit like Harry Bosch (Michael Connelly's main character) - another disenfranchised loner discontented man, winning all the women etc. I enjoyed a few of the Harry Bosch stories then the character irritated me too much to keep on with them.

But if you enjoy Jack you'll love Harry so try them too.

I already do read them Maggie;D Love them too...lol

Thanks Maggie and Brenda. I have read the entire Jack Reacher series apart from the first three books - these are probably the ones the local library doesn't have :) I'll source them! I thought The Visitor (#4) had less violence than some of the others and I enjoyed it.

David, have you read any 'Harry Bosch' or 'Jack McEvoy' then? Some books were better than others.
Looking over my reviews it seems I liked The Poet, Blood Work and The Closers. I like the way the characters link up from one series to another on occasion.

I did not like the Lincoln Lawyer series though. I think I may have to re-read some of Connelly's novels.

Hi Maggie, I read Echo Park 2-3 years ago. As far as I can remember, that is the only Connelly book I have read. I gave it 4 stars so not sure why I haven't read any others. I'll have to borrow a couple from the library and re-visit him.

The Poet and Blood Work were really good:) I have The Closers but haven't read it yet.