Aussie Readers discussion

During the months of Autumn Australia holds various events throughout the country...



Some of these are:

1. Labor Day March in some states - Choose a book whose lead characters are workers in construction, office, health, police force or teachers. Please mention their occupation when you post your list.

2. St Patrick's Day 17th March - Choose a book with a GREEN COVER OR is set in Ireland/has Irish characters



3. Melbourne's Moomba Festival March - Read a book with any kind of happy, fun activity in it: singing, dancing, sporting activities, movies under the stars, water activities...

4.
Canberra Day Second Monday in March - The city's name comes from the local Aboriginal word Kanbarra, meaning "meeting place," in the old Ngunnawal language - Read a book written by or about local indigenous people

5.
April Fools' Day - Choose a book in the humour category

6. Easter - April - Read a book which has chocolate, religion, hot cross buns, or family fun included



7. ANZAC Day 25th April - Choose War or Military Fiction tying in to our Aussie Diggers

8.
The Captain Cook 1770 Festival May - Read an Historical Fiction novel set around our early settlement days

9.
The Whaleshark Festival May - Find a book with any of our beautiful sea creatures in it

10. Colours of Autumn - Choose a book which has the words, red, gold, brown, orange or yellow in the title OR whose cover is primarily one of those colours

11, 12 & 13 - Read 3 books from your TBR list for these. And just for fun, why not let the Randomiser select the books for you - please note this is optional.



Some links to help with your choices
Best Fiction Set in Ireland
Irish Fiction
Indigenous Australian Writing
Indigenous Reading
More Indigenous Reading
Australian Outback Literature
Humorous Fiction
Humour-April Fool's Day
Easter
Chocolate Covered Fiction
Best Modern Day Military Accounts
Australian Military History
Australian Colonial History
Australian Historical Fiction
Sea Creatures
Sea Monsters
Oceanic/Marine Science Fiction

Please post your lists in the challenge thread, linking your books and showing the covers where necessary:)

Sit back, relax in the (slightly) cooler weather, and enjoy your reading for another season!

Great challenge Brenda. And of course I'll be participating :)

That's great news Sharon! And you are very quick off the mark;) lol

Whoo hoo. Been hanging out for this. Will be back later with a list!

Brenda wrote: "That's great news Sharon! And you are very quick off the mark;) lol"

Just luck I was on here when I saw it come through. I was very excited when I saw it might I add :) Now to sort out my list that's the best part :)

A few tricky categories outside of my comfort zone in this challenge so will see how it goes! As always, my picks are subject to change!

1. The Last Policeman
2. The Lies of Locke Lamora
3. Openside
4. Follow the Rabbit-Proof Fence
5. An Idiot Abroad
6. The Divine Invasion
7. Helmet for my Pillow
8. The Fatal Shore
9. Red Seas Under Red Skies
10. On the Steel Breeze
11. Altered Carbon
12. The Colorado Kid
13. The Return of the Thin Man

Woohoo! Choosing the books is the biggest fun! And reading other people's choices is also great!! Good luck with choosing, and have fun doing so:)

Great to see you're joining us for this one too Ben:)

I will certainly give it a go. :)

Good to hear Samantha:)

Oh wow this randomiser is so much fun!! lol

#1. Labour Day - EMBRYO 3: RANEY & LEVINE by J.A. Schneider - Doctor/Nurse ★★★★★
Like This, For Ever by S.J. Bolton - Detective ★★★★★

#2. St Patricks Day (Ireland/Irish character) -
Concealed in Death by J.D. Robb ★★★★★
An Irish Country Doctor by Patrick Taylor ★★★★

#3. Melbourne Moomba Festival - Fun activity - Slave Girl by Alexa Moses ★★★★
Susie’s Adventures On The Magic Island by Susan Valentine ★★.5

#4. Canberra Day - Indigenous - The Last of the Nomads by W.J. Peasley ★★★★★
The Mish by Robert Lowe ★★★

#5. April Fool's Day - Humour - Football Mambo by Peter Tonkin ★★★
Terms & Conditions by Robert Glancy ★★★

#6. Easter - family - Dance In the Outback by S.E. Gilchrist ★★★★
Norwegian by Night by Derek B. Miller ★★★

#7. ANZAC - War/Military Fiction - Ronan's Echo by Joanne van Os ★★★★★
Fromelles: The Final Chapters by Tim Lycett ★★★★

#8. Captain Cook Festival - Historical Fiction - Crimson Dawn by Fleur McDonald ★★★★★
Bereft by Chris Womersley ★★★★★

#9. Whaleshark Festival - Sea Creatures - The Beach by Jaye Frances ★★★
Safe Harbour by Helene Young ★★★★★

#10. Colours of Autumn - Words in title/colour (red, gold, brown, orange, yellow) - Fear Nothing by Lisa Gardner ★★★★★
Simmering Season by Jenn J. McLeod ★★★★★

#11. TBR - Randomiser - #706 The Death Trade by Jack Higgins ★★★★★
#701 just_a_girl by Kirsten Krauth ★★★

#12. TBR - Randomiser - #322 The Mystery of a Hansom Cab by Fergus Hume ★★★
#84 Blacklands by Belinda Bauer ★★★

#13. TBR - Randomiser - #272 Three Strikes by Scott Soloff ★★★★
#98 Gone by Lisa Gardner ★★★★★

(subject to change as always!)

Great list Brenda :)

Thanks Sharon:) I had great fun playing with the randomiser:)

Haha that's good. I haven't got that far yet :)

Sharon wrote: "Haha that's good. I haven't got that far yet :)"

Have fun with it then;)

Here are my picks - subject to change :)

1. Labor Day - If Walls Could Talk by Juliet Blackwell (Construction – well professional renovator)

2. St Patrick's Day - Dark Witch by Nora Roberts (set in Ireland)

3. Melbourne's Moomba - Mister Owita's Guide to Gardening: How I Learned the Unexpected Joy of a Green Thumb and an Open Heart by Carol Wall (Gardening is a fun activity)

4. Canberra Day – The Nargun and the Stars by Patricia Wrightson

5. April Fools' Day - Dead, Actually by Kaz Delaney

6. Easter - religion - Previously Loved Treasures by Bette Lee Crosby

7. ANZAC Day – Anzac Biscuits by Phil Cummings

8. The Captain Cook 1770 Festival - To Love Anew by Bonnie Leon

9. The Whaleshark Festival - Deep Blue by Jennifer Donnelly

10. Colours of autumn - Red Wolf by Jennifer Dance (Red Cover plus Red in title)

Then reduce my TBR pile:

11. Slipping into Paradise: Why I Live in New Zealand by Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson

12. Shanghai Girls by Lisa See

13. Straying from the Flock: Travels in New Zealand by Alexander Elder

Sally would you class Kaz Delaney's second book as humour? I have got that one and checked, but it doesn't have that shelf at all:)

Great list too BTW!

Cassie wrote: "I'm going to read Planet of the Apes. It's got a yellow cover."

That's for #10 Cassie - good choice; do you have any of the rest chosen yet?
Planet of the Apes

Maybe you'd be best to only do the monthly challenges then Cassie. This one is over 3 months with 13 books for that time. Whereas the monthly are only 1 book:) The March challenge will be released soon so you might be able to put that book into March:) Good luck at Uni:)

Brenda wrote: "Sally would you class Kaz Delaney's second book as humour? I have got that one and checked, but it doesn't have that shelf at all:)

Great list too BTW!"

Yes - lots of laughs even though it was a mystery. I have to confess most of my mirth was due to being well out of my teens and just relating to how the teenage characters talked and thought. Just SO accurate. But the main character is very sassy and cracks jokes. Yep I thought it was funny :)

If The Rosie Project and World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War are classed as humerous fiction then Kaz Delaney's books are more humorous :)

Thanks Sally:) I wasn't sure!

I've finally completed my list and edited it above - double ups again. I wasn't going to do it this time, but couldn't help myself! lol

Brenda wrote: "#1. Labour Day - Harvest by Tess Gerritsen - Doctor/Nurse
Like This, For Ever by [au..."

Oh I loved the An Irish Country Doctor series. So sort of James Herriot in a doctors surgery :)

This is my list for this challenge.

#1. Labour Day The Yearning by Kate Belle - Teacher.
#2. St Patricks Day (green cover) Upside Down Inside Out by Monica McInerney
#3. Melbourne Moomba Festival - fun activity Fairway To Heaven by Lily Malone
#4. Canberra Day - Indigenous Rabbit-Proof Fence: The True Story of One of the Greatest Escapes of All Time by Doris Pilkington
#5. April Fool's Day - humour The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
#6. Easter - family The Kissing Season by Rachael Johns
#7. ANZAC - War/Military fiction Bereft by Chris Womersley
#8. Captain Cook Festival - Historical fiction The Secret River by Kate Grenville
#9. Whaleshark Festival - sea creatures Safe Harbour by Helene Young
#10. Colours of Autumn - words in title/colour The Girl in the Yellow Vest by Loretta Hill
#11. TBR Beautiful Malice by Rebecca James
#12. TBR No Safe Place by Jenny Spence
#13. TBR Brittle Shadows by Vicki Tyley

Sally906 wrote: "Brenda wrote: "#1. Labour Day - Harvest by Tess Gerritsen - Doctor/Nurse
[book:Like This, For Ever|1..."

I didn't even realize I had that one (forgotten) until I was searching! Perfect slot for the challenge:) Good to know you enjoyed it too:)

Sharon wrote: "This is my list for this challenge.

#1. Labour Day The Yearning by Kate Belle - Teacher.
#2. St Patricks Day (green cover) [book..."

Fantastic list Sharon! Some really good choices there:)

ok I've got my list - not sure if this will work but will try to post it here
1. Nurses of the Outback by Annabelle Brayley
2.The Tea House on Mulberry Street by Sharon Owens
3. No Biking in the House Without a Helmet by Melissa Fay Greene
4.Mullumbimby by Melissa Lucashenko
5. The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
6. The Never Never Sisters by L. Alison Heller (I picked this for family fun - it's description is "highly entertaining novel about family secrets" so I figured it counted :)
7. The Daughters of Mars by Thomas Keneally
8. The Secret River by Kate Grenville
9. Safe Harbour by Helene Young (ok I may be stretching it a little bit for "sea creatures" but it does include mention of a whale station in the blurb so I definitely think this counts - plus I really want to read it!)
10. House for all Seasons by Jenn J. McLeod (this totally qualifies for colours of autumn - just look at the cover!)
11-13 (off my TBR Pile)
11. Firestorm by Tamara McKinley
12. Silver Clouds by Fleur McDonald
13. Saving Grace by Fiona McCallum
Can't wait to start reading!

Finally my list:


1. Labour Day
The Book Whisperer: Awakening the Inner Reader in Every Child by Donalyn Miller March 28th 2014 ****

2. St Patrick's Day
Green by Frances Sherwood

3. Melbourne's Moomba Festival
TBA

4. Canberra Day
Rabbit-Proof Fence: The True Story of One of the Greatest Escapes of All Time by Doris Pilkington

5. April Fool's Day
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion March 13th 2014 *****

6. Easter
Jews and Words by Amos OzElianne

7. Anzac Day
For the Term of His Natural Life by Marcus Clarke

8. The Captain Cook 1770 Festival
Elianne by Judy Nunn

9. The Whaleshark Festival
Our Dying Planet: An Ecologist's View of the Crisis We Face by Peter Sale (coral reefs etc.)

10. Colours of Autumn
I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak

11-13. TBR
I Got Your Back: A Father and Son Keep it Real About Love, Fatherhood, Family, and Friendship by Eddie Levert Sr currently reading
We Bought a Zoo: The Amazing True Story of a Young Family, a Broken Down Zoo, and the 200 Wild Animals That Change Their Lives Forever by Benjamin Mee
Bright Shiny Morning by James Frey




N.B. I'm not doing very well this time around.

Brenda wrote: "Sharon wrote: "This is my list for this challenge.

#1. Labour Day The Yearning by Kate Belle - Teacher.
#2. St Patricks Day (gre..."

Thanks Brenda :)

Bec wrote: "ok I've got my list - not sure if this will work but will try to post it here
1. Nurses of the Outback by Annabelle Brayley

"

Just keep editing until you have the whole challenge books listed Bec - that's if you're putting them in bit by bit like I did;)

Was putting them in my blog and realised I missed 8 - oops

Bec wrote: "ok I've got my list - not sure if this will work but will try to post it here
1. Nurses of the Outback by Annabelle Brayley


2.The Tea House on Mulberry Street by Sharon Owens


3. No Biking..."

Fantastic list Bec! Well done:)

PS..I chose Helene's book too ;)

Some good choices here :)

1. Labour Day - As Darkness Falls Bronwyn Parry(Detective)
2. St Patricks Day - Treespeaker Katie W. Stewart(Green Cover)
3. Moomba - Honeymoon For One Chris Keniston(cruise ship)
4. Canberra Day - The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf Ambelin Kwaymullina
5. April Fools Day - Confessions of a Shopaholic Sophie Kinsella
6. Easter - The Queen's Fool Philippa Gregory(Religion - The rivalry between Queen Mary I - Catholic & her sister, soon to be Queen Elizabeth I - Protestant
7. ANZAC Day - The Bronze Horseman Paullina Simons(World War 2)
8. Captain Cook - Destiny's Path Anna Jacobs3rd in a trilogy about sisters who were shipped to the Swan River Colony
9. Whaleshark Festival - Back to Blue Virginia McKenna
10. Colours of Autumn - The Third Day, The Frost John Marsden(Red Cover)
11. TBR - The Exiled Posie Graeme-Evans
12. TBR - The Virgin's Lover Philippa Gregory
13. TBR - P is for Peril Sue Grafton

Sally906 wrote: "Brenda wrote: "#1. Labour Day - Harvest by Tess Gerritsen - Doctor/nurse.

I started reading Patrick Taylor's series for the St Patrick's Day category last year. I know the Irish category this year will be filled with the second in the series, An Irish Country Village. Some of the other categories I'm still not so sure about, but I'm thinking about it!

Thinking of joining this challenge too, is it ok to use books from my Aussie authors challenge here as well?

1. The Midwife's Confession midwife

2. Walking on Trampolines

3. Joyland.

4. Lost and Stolen

5. A Dirty Job.

6. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

7.Letters From Home

8. Burial Rites

9. The Beach House

10.Finding Claire Fletcher

11. .The Weight of Silence

12. Live To Tell

13. Dark Places

Some fantastic choices of books here everyone! It'll be great to see everyone's enjoyment when we start **soon** :)

Still a few choices to make yet, but this is my list so far.

1. Labor Day
The Ghost Map: The Story of London's Most Terrifying Epidemic--and How It Changed Science, Cities, and the Modern World by Steven Johnson - anaesthetist turned public health advisor

2. St Patrick's Day - read a book set in Ireland
An Irish Country Village by Patrick Taylor

3. Read a book with any kind of happy, fun activity in it
The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick - dancing

4. Read a book written by or about local indigenous people
TBA

5. April Fools' Day - Choose a book in the humour category
The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson and/or
The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde

6. Easter - Read a book which has chocolate, religion, hot cross buns, or family fun included
The Loveliest Chocolate Shop in Paris by Jenny Colgan

7. ANZAC Day - 25th April
Bereft by Chris Womersley

8. - Read an Historical Fiction novel set around our early settlement days
A Woman Transported by Sharon Robards

9. Find a book with any of our beautiful sea creatures in it
TBA - can anyone who has read The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman remember if there are any sea creatures in it??!

10. Colours of Autumn - Choose a book which has the words, red, gold, brown, orange or yellow in the title OR whose cover is primarily one of those colours
House for all Seasons by Jenn J. McLeod and/or
Ellenvale Gold by Amanda Deed

11, 12 & 13 - Read 3 books from your TBR list for these. And just for fun, why not let the Randomiser select the books for you - please note this is optional.

TBA
TBA
TBA

And all my selections liable to change, as always!

Kathryn wrote: "Still a few choices to make yet, but this is my list so far.

1. Labor Day - [book:The Ghost Map: The Story of London's Most Terrifying Epidemic--and How It Changed Science, Cities, and the Modern..."

Great list Kathryn:) Yes you can have that for #9!!

Brenda wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "Still a few choices to make yet, but this is my list so far.

1. Labor Day - The Ghost Map The Story of London's Most Terrifying Epidemicand How It Changed Science Cities..."

Oh good, thanks, Brenda - I don't think I have any books on my list that I expect to contain sea creatures (let alone specifically Australian ones!), but there are some that may possibly contain them and I thought The Light Between Oceans might be my best bet!!

Kathryn wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "Still a few choices to make yet, but this is my list so far.

1. Labor Day - [book:The Ghost Map The Story of London's Most Terrifying Epidemicand How It Changed Sci..."

Definitely will work Kathryn!

I just clicked on your link for humorous fiction. Barnes and Noble have a very broad interpretation of humour! (A Clockwork Orange???)

I saw that too Phrynne....my eyebrow raised as well;)

My List is:

1. The Witness
2. Jewels of the Sun set in Ireland
3. Theater Shoes
4. Lost and Stolen
5. Girt: The Unauthorised History of Australia
6. Charms and Chocolate Chips
7. Letters From Home
8. The Secret River
9. Peter Pan
10. The Castlemaine Murders the book cover is orange

Here are mine so far!

1. Concealed in Death police
2.

Here's mine so far.

1. Concealed in Death by J.D. Robb Police 5 stars

2. The Neon Court by Kate Griffin Green cover 5 stars

3. Kitty Peck and the Music Hall Murders by Kate Griffin 4 stars

4. Shadow Dreaming by Jan Hawkins 1 star

5. The Restaurant at the End of the Universe byDouglas Adams 4 stars

6. The Cruelest Month by Louise Penny 4 stars

7. Ronan's Echo by Joanne van Os 4 stars
8. The Secret River by Kate Grenville 3 stars

9. The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan 4 stars

10. Red Rising by Pierce Brown 4 stars

11. The Minority Council by Kate Griffin 5 stars

12. Cat Out of Hell by Lynne Truss 4 stars

13. Lirael by Garth Nix 4 stars

My List so far...
1. Labour Day - Police Officer
a) Unlucky 13:
b) TBA

2. St Patrick's Day - Irish Character
a) The President's Daughter
b) The White House Connection

3. Melbourne's Moomba Festival
a) The Silver Linings Playbook
b)


4. Canberra Day
a)Rabbit-Proof Fence: The True Story of One of the Greatest Escapes of All Time
b)My Place

5. April Fool's Day
a)Catch-22
b)Northanger Abbey

6. Easter - Chocolate
a) Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
b) Chocolat

7. Anzac Day
a) The Bronze Horseman
b) Sniper One: The Blistering True Story of a British Battle Group Under Siege

8. Captain Cook 1770 Festival
a) A Fortunate Life
b) Lighthouse Bay

9. The Whaleshark festival
a) Wake
b) Oceans of Fire

10. Colours of Autumn
a) Witch Flame
b) Slices of Night (the copy I have is half red and half orange)

11. March TBR Shelf
a) Insurgent
b) Allegiant

12. April TBR Shelf
a) The Undead Pool
b) Murder of Crows

13 May TBR Shelf
a) Night Broken
b) The Secret Life Of Bees

Jennifer wrote: "My List so far...
1. Labour Day - Police Officer
a) TBA
b) TBA

2. St Patrick's Day - Irish Character
a) The President's Daughter
b) The White House Connection

3. Melbo..."

Well done Jennifer - you're doubling up too!!

Kathryn wrote: "Still a few choices to make yet, but this is my list so far.

1. Labor Day
The Ghost Map: The Story of London's Most Terrifying Epidemic--and How It Changed Science, Cities, and the Modern..."</i>

I read [book:The Ghost Map: The Story of London's Most Terrifying Epidemic--and How It Changed Science, Cities, and the Modern World a few years back a very interesting read.