Aussie Readers discussion

I just finished Water for Elephants.

I can see why it's been on the NY Books bestsellers list for ages. It's a very entertaining read, the perfect book to unwind during the cold winter nights. It's not high brow lit, yet the period details and fast paced plot make up for the cliches and shallow characters. And how adorable are the animals!

Also it's amazing how this book is just tailor made for a movie. I mean from the first few pages you just know what kind of feel the movie will have, how the setting will look like, I could even hear the soundtrack playing in the background as I was flipping the pages. And I haven't even seen the trailer, I only knew who were in it. It was literally speaking, like I was reading a movie.

Please find my review here:
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/172...

Dhitri, I think you have the wrong link..when I clicked on it, it went to Douglas Lee's reviews...'The Richest Man in Babylon' >.<

No idea how that happened! Here's the correct link *fingers crossed*

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

Thanks Dhitri, it worked that time...excellent review:)

Louise wrote: "Knowledge Lost wrote: Now Completed 4/10 books from the Winter Challenge

1. We Need to Talk About Kevin

"We Need to Talk about Kevin:"We Need to Talk About Kevin is a very scary,..."

Thanks for your feelings - I have this on my TBR list. Now I'm not sure whether to rush out and borrow it or not!

You should rush out and borrow it ;)

Knowledge Lost wrote: "You should rush out and borrow it ;)"

Will do.

Good girl

Can I finish my cup of tea first??

Maggie wrote: "Can I finish my cup of tea first??"

I think the library is closed right about now...tomorrow will do..;D

I dont think so Brenda...Maggie break in there and get a copy!

Should I buy a copy? I am about to go the a large Westfield place, and I havent bought a new book for ages!!!

I bought my copy after reading I liked it so much.
so i would say yes but if you dont like it you cant yell at me!

Melanie wrote: "I bought my copy after reading I liked it so much.
so i would say yes but if you dont like it you cant yell at me!"

that seems fair

Just reserved it at the library. Saved money - yay for me!

Might put the $ saved towards Before I Go to Sleep instead cos the waiting list at the library is long...

Anyway, back to the Winter Challenge - I am currently reading my third book for this challenge (after a nice bit of rearranging my selections to include a book I am currently reading). Most of the books I've chosen look good to me so it's a good challenge to have.

Maggie wrote: "Just reserved it at the library. Saved money - yay for me!

Might put the $ saved towards Before I Go to Sleep instead cos the waiting list at the library is long...

Anyway, back t..."

Well done on all fronts Maggie!!!

After a slow start to the winter challenge, I have finished my first two books.
I have finished Atonement which was ok but I did get confused alot of the time and didn't really like any of the characters. Really disliked the main character. Afterwards I sat down and watched the movie, slightly better.
The second book I finished was A Waltz for Matilda and I loved it.
Today I hope to start my third book Assassin's Apprentice.

Going well Sharon!

Louise wrote: "Dee-Ann - I WANT a wee free man! :D"

me too!

Sharon wrote: "After a slow start to the winter challenge, I have finished my first two books.
I have finished Atonement which was ok but I did get confused alot of the time and didn't really like any of the cha..."
let me know how assassins apprentice goes its on my bookcase

Melanie wrote: "Sharon wrote: "After a slow start to the winter challenge, I have finished my first two books.
I have finished Atonement which was ok but I did get confused alot of the time and didn't really like..."

Will do.

Started as the 'summer cover' book. I've been meaning to read it since it was first released in 07.

Lesley wrote: "Started as the 'summer cover' book. I've been meaning to read it since it was first released in 07."

I have it to read too Lesley...let us know what you think please:)

Well done Michael!! Perfect :)

Michael wrote: "Thanks now i just need to come up with one for movie one then ill be set."

Have you read Water for Elephants?

ok so changing my number 9 to Before I Go To Sleep cause well you have all read it haha


Pick a book that has a warm or summery theme on the cover
Graceling* mostly because of the colours!

Pick a book from your Mt.TBR list
Angelology*

Find a YA novel or a picture book to read
The Forest of Hands and Teeth*

BORROW a book from the library/friend or pick one out of your TBR list
King Arthur: Dragon's Child 5/5*

choosing a book which has been transformed into a movie
Water for Elephants

Read a book with a word starting with the letters of WINTER in the title
Whitechapel Gods*

Read an Aussie author's book or books with an Aussie landscape/locale in it
King Arthur: Warrior of the West*

Choose a New Release which will be out somewhere in the 3 month period of Winter
Deadline 5/5*

Pick a friend on your GR list and also select and read a book they have read
Before I Go To Sleep

Curl up beside the fire and grab yourself a book full of suspense or murder!
Bleeding Violet 3/5* its meant to be creepy and twisted so hopefully this one works out

* books I own :)

Lesley wrote: "Started as the 'summer cover' book. I've been meaning to read it since it was first released in 07."

It's great story :) Hope you enjoy it.

Have changed my number 5 - have actually found a book in my TBR pile that either is a movie, or the movie is about to be released:
The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud by Ben Sherwood.

Lesley wrote: "Started as the 'summer cover' book. I've been meaning to read it since it was first released in 07."

I really enjoyed this one - another brilliant piece of writing!

4 down, on to number 5.

Wow Maggie, that's awesome!! Well done..:)

another one down 4/10

Pick a book that has a warm or summery theme on the cover
Graceling* mostly because of the colours!

Pick a book from your Mt.TBR list
Angelology*

Find a YA novel or a picture book to read
The Forest of Hands and Teeth 4/5*

BORROW a book from the library/friend or pick one out of your TBR list
King Arthur: Dragon's Child 5/5*

choosing a book which has been transformed into a movie
Water for Elephants

Read a book with a word starting with the letters of WINTER in the title
Whitechapel Gods*

Read an Aussie author's book or books with an Aussie landscape/locale in it
King Arthur: Warrior of the West*

Choose a New Release which will be out somewhere in the 3 month period of Winter
Deadline 5/5*

Pick a friend on your GR list and also select and read a book they have read
Before I Go To Sleep

Curl up beside the fire and grab yourself a book full of suspense or murder!
Bleeding Violet 3/5* its meant to be creepy and twisted so hopefully this one works out

* books I own :)

Wow Melanie, doing well:)

Hello all

Signing in from Cairns - lovely warm days here but at night it gets cool enough to pop on a jumper.

I have been busy at work preparing for our next busy season so reading time has been limited. However I have just managed to finish Drums of Autumnby Diana Gabaldonas my choice for #2 A book from my TBR list.

I rated the book two stars and can now confidently say that I have no further compunction to read any more of this series. Claire and Jamie were fun for a while but its time to move on. :)

Hope everyone else is enjoying their winter reading.

Jacinta wrote: "Hello all

Signing in from Cairns - lovely warm days here but at night it gets cool enough to pop on a jumper.

I have been busy at work preparing for our next busy season so reading time has been ..."

Glad you managed to finish your book Jacinta..hope you can get some more read with your busy schedule at work! Cairns is a beautiful spot, very unusual to be cool at night up there to! :)

Good work Melanie!
4/5 for The Forest of Hands & Teeth. I love that book :) Glad you liked it.
Are you planning on reading the sequel?

yepo I picked up a Unedited manuscript of the dead tossed waves at a book sale...hopefully its not to different from the actual published one haha

Lesley wrote: "Started as the 'summer cover' book. I've been meaning to read it since it was first released in 07."

It's harrowing but brilliant.

Melanie, the King Arthur book sounds good. I'll have to look out for it.

they are Maggie! I wasn't sure what to think when I picked them up but I ended up loving them! bought the hole trilogy lol
defiantly have to check them out

Melanie wrote: "yepo I picked up a Unedited manuscript of the dead tossed waves at a book sale...hopefully its not to different from the actual published one haha"

The Dark & Hollow Places is by far the best :)

Have now completed two books - and the next two (for challenges 5 and 10) will be finished by the end of June :)

1) Pick a book that has a warm or summery theme on the cover:
Heat Stroke by Rachel Caine (Kindle book)
2) Pick a book from your Mt.TBR list:
Tiny Sunbirds, Far Away by Christie Watson (Kindle)
3) Find a YA novel or a picture book to read:
Summer of the Swans by Betsy Byers
4) National Tree Day – read a book you haven’t purchase:
Frostbitten by Kelley Armstrong (Kindle)
5) Choose a book which has been made into a movie:
The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud by Ben Sherwood - the movie either has been released or is about to be released.
6) Read a book with a word starting with the letters of WINTER in the title:
Invisible by Ivy Malone (Kindle)
7) Read an Aussie author's book:
Brumby Plains by Joanne van Os
8) Read New Release out somewhere in the 3 month period of winter: The Dark Enquiry by Deanna Raybourn - due for release around 20th June.
9) Pick a friend on your GR list and also select and read a book they have read:
The Blood of Flowers by Anita Amirrezvani (from friend Roberta Austin's book list)
10) Curl up beside the fire and grab yourself a book full of suspense or murder:
Violent Exposure by Katherine Howell

Finshed Bossypants but it was audio...Still so fantastic. I laughed so many times. Only took 2 days to listen to it all. I highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys Tina.

I'm also finishing off Sonic Select: Book One which I'll no doubt get dusted in a few minutes :)

I also forgot to mention earlier on in the month I finished off From High Heels to Handcuffs.

This is bringing me up to 5/8 finished for the challenge so far.

Will also have Life of Pi done quiet soon and Stigs book but I'm finding both these books less interesting.

Wow Laura! You are doing really well!!! :)

Im still on my second book :/

Thanks Brenda :)

Don't worry what other people are up to when it comes to books for this challenge, Jessica. Just enjoy your books and read at whatever pace you want :)

Michael wrote: "Well done Sally you will have the challenge completed well before Winters over."

Trying to read all my non- kindle books before we leave for our trip to New Zealand. Won't do any of my updates until our return at the end of August :)

I went to New Zealand in 2004. Its such a beautiful place :D

:P Ive been out twice.

Im sure you'll go on a fantastic holiday soon :)