Aussie Readers discussion

The 2014 Challenge will run from January 1st to December 31st - this challenge is for you to read 12 (Bronze Level), 24 (Silver Level) or 36 (Gold Level) books by an Australian Author of your choice.



However your selection must consist of at least:

2 x Female Authors
2 x Male Authors
1 x Debut Novel, but not necessarily a current release (eg Tim Winton’s debut novel is An Open Swimmer) (Peruse your choice of author's page for their debut novel)
2 x 2014 New Release
1 x Classic
1 x Fantasy
1 x Historical Fiction
2 x Favourite Genre

When you have decided whether you will go for BRONZE, SILVER OR GOLD, make your list (making sure you link your books) and post here in this thread.



Links to help you decide on your choices:

Female Authors
Popular Australian Authors (Male & Female)
Wiki List Australian Novelists
Classics
Best Australian Fantasy Reads
Fantasy
Historical Fiction
Australian Colonial History
Historical Romance



Have fun making your lists, deciding if you'd like to be Bronze, Silver or Gold, post your lists here, then settle back, wait for January 1st, and ENJOY!

Gold Level - Read 36 Australian Authors COMPLETED

Minimum selection requirements: must consist of at least:
2 x Female Authors
2 x Male Authors
1 x Debut Novel, but not necessarily a current release
2 x 2014 New Releases
1 x Classic
1 x Fantasy
1 x Historical Fiction
2 x Favourite Genre
Then 24 more assorted Aussie authors

My books:

1. Female Author - Frontier Incursion by Leonie Rogers

2. Female Author - The Cry by Helen Fitzgerald

3. Male Author - Lost Voices by Christopher J. Koch

4. Male Author - The Last Shot by Michael Adams

5. Debut Novel - Burial Rites by Hannah Kent

6. 2014 New Release - Deserving Death by Katherine Howell

7. 2014 New Release - Someone Like You by Victoria Purman

8. Classic - The Nargun and the Stars by Patricia Wrightson

9. Fantasy - The Puzzle Ring by Kate Forsyth

10. Historical Fiction - Ronan's Echo by Joanne van Os

11. Favourite Genre (Romance) – The Girl in the Yellow Vest by Loretta Hill

12. Favourite Genre (Romance) - February Or Forever by Juliet Madison

That's the required selections - here are my assorted 24:


13. Chasing the Valley 2: Borderlands by Skye Melki-Wegner

14 Almost Dead by Kaz Delaney

15. Unnatural Habits by Kerry Greenwood

16. The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty

17. The January Wish by Juliet Madison

18. Dead, Actually by Kaz Delaney

19. Through the Cracks by Honey Brown

20. Pandora Jones: Admission by Barry Jonsberg

21. Charlotte's Creek by Therese Creed

22. Rocking Horse Hill by Cathryn Hein

23. Outback Blaze by Rachael Johns

24. Tiddas by Anita Heiss

25. Time Will Tell by Fiona McCallum

26. The Tea Chest by Josephine Moon

27. The Word Ghost by Christine Paice

28. Dancing on Knives by Kate Forsyth

29. Boy, Lost by Kristina Olsson

30. A Ring Through Time by Felicity Pulman

31. Twin Curse by Rinelle Grey

32. No Sex in the City by Randa Abdel-Fattah

33. Hamlet's Ghost by Jane Tara

34. Breaking The Drought by Lisa Ireland

35. Dust of the Land by J.H. Fletcher

36. Lily's Leap by Téa Cooper

That's excellent Sally:)

I think I'll try for gold as well. I may not get there but that's half the fun isn't it?


Finally my list.
Level = Gold
Completed = 0/36

2 x Female Authors
1. by Belinda Hawkins
2. by Judy Nunn
3. by Chloe Hooper
4. by Kathleen Evans
5. by Caroline Overington (my newest favourite author)
6. by Anne Crawford
7. by Angela Goode
8. by Di Morrissey
9. by Claire Scobie
10. by Lily Chan
11. by Melissa Lucashenko
12. by Kristy Chambers

2 x Male Authors
1. by Bryce Courtenay
2. by Tim Winton
3. by Anh Do
4. by Gregory David Roberts
5. by Mark Logue
6. by Peter Carey
7. by Patrick White
8. by Peter Carey

1 x Debut Novel
1. by Hannah Kent

2 x 2014 New Release
1. by Nick Bryant (release date: 01/07/2014)
2. by Silvia Kwon (release date: 25/03/2014)

1 x Classic
1. by Christina Stead
2. by Christos Tsiolkas
3. by Geraldine Brooks
4. by Caroline Overington
5. by Norman Lindsey
6. by Tim Winton
7. by Nancy Cato

1 x Fantasy
1. by Garth Nix

1 x Historical Fiction
1. by Judy Nunn
2. by Di Morrissey
3. by Colleen McCullough
4. by Colleen McCullough
5. by Peter Carey

1 x Favourite Genre (Christian)
1. by Tom Frame
2. by Naomi Reed

Good for you Zara!

Good on you Sally and Zara :)

I'm going to start off with Bronze, and then work my way through to Silver and then GOLD!!

GOLD LEVEL - 36 books

New Release 2014 -
Safe Harbour by Helene Young (26/3/14) 5★
The Grass Castle by Karen Viggers (1/2/14) 5★s
In Safe Arms by Lee Christine (1/1/14) 5★s
Deserving Death by Katherine Howell (15/2/14) 5★s
The Lost Girls by Wendy James (1/3/14) 5★s
Beams Falling by P.M. Newton (26/2/14) 3★s
Tracking North by Kerry McGinnis (26/3/14) 5★s
Simmering Season by Jenn J. McLeod 5★s
Time Will Tell by Fiona McCallum 4.5★s
Rocking Horse Hill by Cathryn Hein 5★s
Crimson Dawn by Fleur McDonald 5★s
Writer's Block by Clare Havens 4★
Billabong Bend by Jennifer Scoullar 5★s
Dancing on Knives by Kate Forsyth 3★s

Male Author -
Snapshot by Garry Disher 4★s
A Dark Place To Die by Ed Chatterton 2★s
Bait by Ian Walkley rating to follow
Roger Ascham And The King's Lost Girl by Matthew Reilly 3★s
Voodoo Dawn by Greg Barron 5★s
Time Square The Shift by S.W. Lothian 3.5★s
Last of the Nomads by W.J. Peasley 5★s
Fromelles: The Final Chapters by Tim Lycett 4.5★s
The Mish by Robert Lowe 3★s
Bloody Ham by Brian Kavanagh 2★s
The Night Ferry by Michael Robotham 5★s

Female Author -
Poppy's Dilemma by Karly Lane 5★s
The Winter Sea by Di Morrissey
Unforgivable by Sharon Robards 5★s
Music Box by Anya Allyn 5★s
Fairway to Heaven by Lily Malone 5★s
Operation Valentine by Loretta Hill 5★s
Friends, Family and Other Strangers From Downunder by Liza Perrat 4★s
Mountain Ash by Margareta Osborn 5★s
Through the Cracks by Honey Brown 5★s
Dance In the Outback by S.E. Gilchrist 4★s
Slave Girl by Alexa Moses 4★s
Down Outback Roads by Alissa Callen 4★s
Secret North by G.J. Walker-Smith 5★s
The Iron Road by Charlotte Nash 4★s
Bridie's Choice by Karly Lane 5★s
The Power of Bones by Keelen Mailman 2★s
Red Sand Sunrise by Fiona McArthur 4★s
Sisters At Heart by Juliet Madison 4★s
Nowhere Else by Fiona McCallum 3★s
The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty 5★s

Fantasy -
Reckless Recon by Rinelle Grey
Forget Me Not by Stacey Nash 4.5★s
Twin Curse by Rinelle Grey 5★s
Troll Mountain: Episode 1 by Matthew Reilly 4★s
Troll Mountain: Episode II by Matthew Reilly 4.5★s
Troll Mountain: Episode III by Matthew Reilly 4.5★s
Grounded Spirits by Pippa Dee 5★s

Classic -
The Dying Trade by Peter Corris
The Mystery of a Hansom Cab by Fergus Hume 3★s

Historical Fiction -
Ronan's Echo by Joanne van Os 5★s
The Railwayman's Wife by Ashley Hay 5★s
Bereft by Chris Womersley 5★s
The Blue Mile by Kim Kelly 5★s
Lord Somerton's Heir by Alison Stuart 5★s

Author's Debut Novel -
Sinister Intent by Karen M. Davis 4★s
Desert Fish by Cherise Saywell 4★s
The Girl in Steel-Capped Boots by Loretta Hill 5★s
Red Queen by Honey Brown 5★s
A Savage Garden by Chris Muir 4★s
Losing Kate by Kylie Kaden 5★s
Football Mambo by Peter Tonkin 3★s
The Crushers by Bronwyn Rodden 3★s
Nobody But Him by Victoria Purman 4★s
Three Degrees of Murder by Wendy Hird 3★s

Favourite Genre -
Dark City Blue by Luke Preston 4★s
The Killing Hands by P.D. Martin 5★s
Kiss Of Death by P.D. Martin
Until Death by Sandy Curtis 5★s
Two birds by Vicki Tyley 4★s
Murder On The Ballarat Train by Kerry Greenwood 4★s
The Wreckage by Michael Robotham 5★s
Watch The World Burn by Leah Giarratano 5★s
Once Upon A Lie by Jill Paterson 4★s
Standoff by David Rollins 4★s
Dance with the Devil by Sandy Curtis 5★s

Hey... I could do this by reading books I wrote or co-wrote myself... (I have a few pseudonyms). But I'm thinking this wouldn't be cricket?

I'll give it a go but I think I'll start with Bronze.

Sally wrote: "Hey... I could do this by reading books I wrote or co-wrote myself... (I have a few pseudonyms). But I'm thinking this wouldn't be cricket?"

No not cricket Sally:) It's introducing you to many new authors that's the challenge:)

Christina wrote: "I'll give it a go but I think I'll start with Bronze."

Good on you:)

Hi Brenda,
Can your list change during the course of the challenge or once listed that is it?

I will go for gold! Will soon update my list :)

Christina wrote: "Hi Brenda,
Can your list change during the course of the challenge or once listed that is it?"

Yes it can change Christina:) Subject to change always!

Rabia wrote: "I will go for gold! Will soon update my list :)"

Great you can join us Rabia...I notice you are a new member, welcome to the group. Would you like to introduce yourself here https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... so everyone else can welcome you to the group as well? Thanks!

Brenda wrote: "Christina wrote: "Hi Brenda,
Can your list change during the course of the challenge or once listed that is it?"

Yes it can change Christina:) Subject to change always!"

Thanks Brenda.

Another great challenge Brenda :)

Thanks Sharon:) Should be a lot of fun!

I think I will start off with bronze I can always update if needed.

Of course you can Dale:) Good luck!

Hi Brenda, Is it possible to include books in this challenge which you also choose for other challenges?

I will start with bronze.

I think I'll start with bronze. Will have to sit down and figure out my list now :)

Trevor wrote: "Hi Brenda, Is it possible to include books in this challenge which you also choose for other challenges?"

Yes Trevor, as long as they all qualify for each particular challenge, that's perfectly fine:)

Brenda wrote: "Trevor wrote: "Hi Brenda, Is it possible to include books in this challenge which you also choose for other challenges?"

Yes Trevor, as long as they all qualify for each particular challenge, that..."

Thanks Brenda, I'll start with bronze

Wonderful to have so many people committing to this challenge:)

I'm tempted to go for silver since I read 24 Aussie authors this year, but I might start low with bronze and then if I make it to silver, it's a bonus!!

Kathryn wrote: "I'm tempted to go for silver since I read 24 Aussie authors this year, but I might start low with bronze and then if I make it to silver, it's a bonus!!"

If it looks like you're getting close before half the year is over Kathryn, work out the rest of your books to make Silver:)

Another great challenge Brenda but on track record it will be Bronze for me :)

Bronze

2 x Female Authors
Shadowfell by Juliet Marillier
Sisters Of Mercy by Caroline Overington

2 x Male Authors
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak 5 stars
Scarecrow by Matthew Reilly

1 x Debut Novel
Splashdance Silver by Tansy Rayner Roberts3 stars

2 x 2014 New Release
Hades by Candice Fox
Doctors Beyond Borders by Georgie Tyler

1 x Classic
The Fringe Dwellers by Nene Gare

2 x Fantasy
Winter Be My Shield by Jo Spurrier
Lights Over Emerald Creek by Shelley Davidow

1 x Historical Fiction
Maralinga by Judy Nunn

1 x Favourite Genre
Dark Space by Marianne de Pierres
Ambassador: Seeing Red by Patty Jansen

Thanks Kim:) Bronze is good!

Leonie wrote: "2 x Female Authors
Shadowfell by Juliet Marillier
Sisters Of Mercy by Caroline Overington

2 x Male Authors
The Book Thief ..."

Great list Leonie...you just need one more:)

I'm thinking of re-reading either or both of The Magic Pudding by Norman Lindsay and Seven Little Australians by Ethel Turner (both last read at least 15 - 20yrs ago!!) for my classics reads - they aren't on the Classics link, but they have to be classics, surely??

Yes, I thought I'd reserve that spot for one or two books that are to be published next year by Hague Publishing (my publisher). Both look really interesting, but are not yet on Goodreads, so I can only link the authors not the books.

The authors are Janis Hill and Shelley Davidow, who has been in Australia for a fair few years, so she can probably be called an Australian author now.

Here's my list for Bronze level - 12 Books

Female Author
The Fortunes of Ruby White
Beatle Meets Destiny

Male Author
Barracuda
Rotten Gods

Debut Novel
Cargo

New Release
TBA
TBA

Classic Novel
Death in Brunswick

Fantasy
The Rook
The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf

Historical Fiction
Grand Days

Favourite Genre
After the Darkness - Thriller

Kathryn wrote: "I'm thinking of re-reading either or both of The Magic Pudding by Norman Lindsay and Seven Little Australians by Ethel Turner (both last..."

Definitely classics Kathryn:)

Leonie wrote: "Yes, I thought I'd reserve that spot for one or two books that are to be published next year by Hague Publishing (my publisher). Both look really interesting, but are not yet on Goodreads, so I ca..."

Good idea Leonie:)

Mish wrote: "Here's my list for Bronze level - 12 Books

Female Author
The Fortunes of Ruby White
Beatle Meets Destiny

Male Author
Barracuda
[book:Rotten Gods|1563..."

Great list Mish:)

Brenda wrote: "Mish wrote: "Here's my list for Bronze level - 12 Books

Female Author
The Fortunes of Ruby White
Beatle Meets Destiny

Male Author
Barracuda
Rot..."</i>

Thanks Brenda.

I like your list too. Loved [book:Desert Fish & Cocaine Blues.

Thanks Mish:)

Leonie wrote: "2 x Female Authors
Shadowfell by Juliet Marillier
Sisters Of Mercy by Caroline Overington

2 x Male Authors
The Book Thief ..."

Would you mind putting Bronze level at the top of your list Leonie? Thanks:)

Brenda wrote: "Leonie wrote: "2 x Female Authors
Shadowfell by Juliet Marillier
Sisters Of Mercy by Caroline Overington

2 x Male Authors
[book:The Boo..."

Shall do.

Done :)

Leonie wrote: "Done :)"

Thank you!

I'm in for bronze. Will post my list soon :-)

I'm in but seeing as I didn't quite complete this year's challenge (although the year's not quite over...who am I kidding), I think I will only sign up for the Bronze challenge. Thanks for another inspired challenge. :)

Elaine wrote: "I'm in but seeing as I didn't quite complete this year's challenge (although the year's not quite over...who am I kidding), I think I will only sign up for the Bronze challenge. Thanks for another ..."

You're welcome:)

I will be in for Bronze



Female Author
The Blood Countess by Tara Moss
Dirty WeekendbyGabrielle Lord

Male Author
Razor: Tilly Devine, Kate Leigh and the Razor Gangsby
Larry Writer
Celtic BloodbyJames John Loftus

Debut
As Darkness FallsbyBronwyn Parry

New Release
HadesbyCandice Fox
The Girl in the Yellow VestbyLoretta Hill

Classic
The Harp In The SouthbyRuth Park

Fanatsy
TreespeakerbyKatie W. Stewart

Historical Fiction
The ExiledbyPosie Graeme-Evans

Favourite Genre
Beyond The SunsetbyAnna Jacobs4★
Destiny's PathbyAnna Jacobs

I'll start with bronze and hopefully upgrade during the year!