Aussie Readers discussion

Welcome to January and another New Year with the promise of lots more books to read!

Our challenge this month is in two parts. Choose to do just one part for the easy challenge (must include at least one Aussie author) or both parts for the hard challenge (must include at least two Aussie authors).

Part one: Answer all five of the following tasks
1. Read a book with a title starting with the letter J
2. Read a book where one of the author's initials can be found in the word January
3. Read a book published in January (any year)
4. Read a book with a new to you author.
5. Read any book of your choice.

Part two: Spell it out
Choose a word from the list or any word that you feel relates to our theme this month and spell it out using author initials and titles. Try and include as many Aussie authors as you can but there must be at least one!
Some possible words to choose:
happy
new
year
first
January
fireworks
party
champagne
twenty
resolution

Alex
Alexandra
Brenda
Carolyn
Catherine
Cherie
Clare
Elaine
Erin
Erina
Jane
Janine
Jennifer
Jenny
Kali
Kellie
Kim
Krystal
Kylie
Kylie
KylieH
Li'lOwl
Melissa
Nicola
Odette
Phrynne
Sarah
Sharon
Teresa
TheMadHatter
Tien
Trish
Valerie
Zoey

January Challenge 1st - 31st January 2020
Hard Challenge

10/10

1. Read a book with a title starting with the letter J
Jackaby by William Ritter 4 stars
2. Read a book where one of the author's initials can be found in the word January
Good Girl, Bad Girl by Michael Robotham AA 5 stars
3. Read a book published in January (any year)
Into the Fire by Gregg Hurwitz 5 stars
4. Read a book with a new to you author.
The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali 3 stars
5. Read any book of your choice.
Gallowstree Lane by Kate London 4 stars



F The Falcon at the Portal by Elizabeth Peters 5 stars
I I, Michael Bennett by James Patterson 3 stars
R The River Home by Hannah Richell AA 4 stars
S N is for Noose by Sue Grafton 2 stars
T Tell Me, Pretty Maiden by Rhys Bowen 3 stars

January Challenge 2020 Happy New Year
Level: Hard
10/10

1. Read a book with a title starting with the letter J
Jasmine Sea by Phillipa Nefri Clark 5★s 15/1/20 AA

2. Read a book where one of the author's initials can be found in the word January
Three Hours by Rosamund Lupton 5★s 4/1/20

3. Read a book published in January (any year)
A Twist of Fate by Erin Moira O'Hara 4★s 9/1/20 AA

4. Read a book with a new to you author.
Spitfire by M.L. Huie 3★s 2/1/20

5. Read any book of your choice.
Bound for Murder by Victoria Gilbert 5★s 3/1/20



Spell-it-Out

P - Piranha by Clive Cussler 4★s 1/1/20
A - Akarnae by Lynette Noni 5★s 14/1/20 AA
R - Real Actors, Not People by Karen Musser Nortman 5★s 10/1/20
T - The Daughter of Victory Lights by Kerri Turner 5★s 12/1/20 AA
Y - The Holiday Homicide by Grace York 5★s 10/1/20 AA

January Challenge 2020 Happy New Year
Level: Easy
4/5
Part one: Answer all five of the following tasks
1. Read a book with a title starting with the letter J
Josephine's Garden by Stephanie Parkyn AA Currently Reading
2. Read a book where one of the author's initials can be found in the word January
Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson Read 5 stars
3. Read a book published in January (any year)
All the Tears in China by Sulari Gentill AA Read 4 stars
4. Read a book with a new to you author.
The Bee and the Orange Tree by Melissa Ashley AA 4 Stars
5. Read any book of your choice.
A Month of Sundays by Liz Byrski AA Read 5 stars

January Challenge 2020 Happy New Year
Level: Hard
8/8 (4/2 AA)

Part one: Answer all five of the following tasks

1. Read a book with a title starting with the letter J
Johnno by David Malouf AA -Read 11/01

2. Read a book where one of the author's initials can be found in the word January
Under the Midnight Sky by Anna Romer AA -Read 20/1

3. Read a book published in January (any year)
The Secret Vineyard by Loretta Hill AA -Read 05/01

4. Read a book with a new to you author.
Blood Heir (Blood Heir Trilogy #1) by Amélie Wen Zhao -Read 03/01

5. Read any book of your choice.
The Place At Whitton by Thomas Keneally AA -Read 19/01



Spell-it-Out

H - Moriarty (Sherlock Holmes - Horowitz #2) by Anthony Horowitz -Read 01/01
O - Sins as Scarlet (Inspector Iwata #2) by Nicolás Obregón -Read 15/01
T - The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy -Read 06/01

Finished!

January Challenge 2020
Happy New Year
Level: Easy
10/10 (Minimum 1 AA)

FIRST
F Alice Feeney—I Know Who You Are 1/17/20 5★'s
I The Inquisitor's Key by Jefferson Bass 1/17/20 4★'s
R Michael Robotham—Life or Death 1/3/20 5★'s AA
S Someone Knows by Lisa Scottoline 1/23/20 5★'s
T The Better Liar by Tanen Jones 1/21/20 4★'s



HAPPY!
H Steena Holmes—The Patient 1/15/20 4★'s
A Angela Clarke—On My Life 1/9/20 5★'s
P Douglas Preston—Relic 1/12/20 5★'s
P Christopher Paolini—Eragon1/27/20 5★'s
Y You Don't Know Me by Sara Foster 1/26/20 4★'s
AA

January Challenge 2020 Happy New Year
Level: Hard
8/8 - Finished 26 Jan 2020

Part one: Answer all five of the following tasks
1. Read a book with a title starting with the letter J
Just Like Heaven by Julia Quinn
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... (3.5 Stars)
2. Read a book where one of the author's initials can be found in the word January
Joel and Cat Set the Story Straight by Nick Earls and Rebecca Sparrow AA - First initials of both authors
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... (3.5 Stars)
3. Read a book published in January (any year)
The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory (Published 30 January 2018)
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... (3 Stars)
4. Read a book with a new to you author.
Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... (4 Stars)
5. Read any book of your choice.
While You Were Reading by Ali Berg AA
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... (2.5 Stars)



Part two: Spell it out
I chose Sun as new year to me is the end of a journey around the sun and the start of a new journey around the sun. All about the sun (especially in Australia) :-)

S - Shadows by Paula Weston AA
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... (4 Stars)
U - The Undercurrent by Paula Weston AA
review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... (3 Stars)
N - Never Seduce a Scot by Maya Banks
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... (3 Stars)

I'm taking it easy. Spell-it-out

P Philip Kerr - The One from the Other
A Adrian McKinty (AA) - The Cold Cold Ground
R Raven Black by Ann Cleeves
T True West by AA David Whish-Wilson
Y The Yellow Diamond: A Crime of the Super-Rich by Andrew Martin

Easy Level for me. Spell-it-out
5/5

H - The Truths and Triumphs of Grace Atherton by Anstey Harris READ 14/1/20 3*
A - The Cinema at Starlight Creek by Alli Sinclair(AA) READ 3/1/20 3*
P - Cross My Heart by Pamela Cook(AA) READ 5/1/20 5*
P - The Land Girls by Victoria Purman(AA) READ 8/1/20 4*
Y - The Yankee Widow by Linda Lael Miller READ 12/1/20 3*

Easy Level. Spell-it-out (going easy this time because everyone is home so there is less time to read lol)
3/3

H - Hunting Prince Dracula by Kerri Maniscalco 4 stars
O - One Word Kill by Mark Lawrence 3 stars
T - These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman AA 3.5 stars

I'm planning an EASY start to the New reading Year.

5/5 books (1 AA)

Part one
✔ 1. A book with a title starting with the letter J: The Janus Stone by Elly Griffiths 4★
✔ 2. A book where one of the author's initials can be found in the word January: Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano 5★
✔ 3. A book published in January: American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins (Jan 2020) 5★
✔ 4. A book with a new to you author:The Memory Wood by Sam Lloyd 4★
✔ 5. Any book of your choice: The Good Turn by Dervla McTiernan AA 5★

January Challenge 2020
Part One Easy Level

0/5 Books

1. Read a book with a title starting with the letter J
Jane Austen: A Life by Claire Tomalin

2. Read a book where one of the author's initials can be found in the word January
55 by James Delargy

3. Read a book published in January (any year)
Unforgivable (Aussie author) by Sharon Robards

4. Read a book with a new to you author
Facing the Fifties: From Denial to Reflection by Peter A. O'Connor

5. Read any book of your choice
On the Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta



It's been a while and I feel like I've been out in the reading wilderness but I might ease my way back in with this one. I'll see how I go.

EASY
4/5 books

Part one:
1. Read a book with a title starting with the letter J Just One Wish Rachael Johns
2. Read a book where one of the author's initials can be found in the word January Paris Savages Katherine Johnson AA
3. Read a book published in January (any year) The Grass is Greener Loretta Hill AA
4. Read a book with a new to you author. The Lost Summers of Driftwood Vanessa McCausland
5. Read any book of your choice. The Island of Sea Women Lisa See

January Challenge 1st - 31st January 2020
Hard

8/8 COMPLETED

Part one:
1. Read a book with a title starting with the letter J
Josephine's Garden by Stephanie Parkyn AA 26/01/2020 5* https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
2. Read a book where one of the author's initials can be found in the word January
The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow 02/01/2020 5+* https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
3. Read a book published in January (1993)
Fishing in the Styx by Ruth Park AA 29/01/2020 4*
4. Read a book with a new to you author.
Confession With Blue Horses by Sophie Hardach 11/01/2020 4* https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
5. Read any book of your choice.
Oligarchy by Scarlett Thomas 13/01/2020 1.5*

Part two:
N The Night Tiger by Yangsze Choo 07/01/2020 3.5* https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
E Everywhere I Look by Helen Garner AA 12/01/2020 5* https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
W Water Shall Refuse Them by Lucie McKnight Hardy 17/01/2020 3* https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

January Challenge 2020 Happy New Year
Level: Easy
4/5

1. Read a book with a title starting with the letter J
Jane Steele by Lyndsay Faye Read 15/1. 4☆

2. Read a book where one of the author's initials can be found in the word January
Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie Read 31/1. 3☆

3. Read a book published in January (any year) 2019
Two Can Keep a Secret by Karen M. McManus Read 26/1. 3☆

4. Read a book with a new to you author.
Storyland by Catherine McKinnon AA

5. Read any book of your choice.
After the Lights Go Out by Lili Wilkinson AA Read 21/1. 2☆

Welcome all! Names linked to here:)

Level: EASY
Progress: 4/5

Part one: Answer all five of the following tasks

1. Read a book with a title starting with the letter J
Jar of Hearts by Jennifer Hillier Review Here

2. Read a book where one of the author's initials can be found in the word January
The Scarred Woman by Jussi Adler-Olsen

3. Read a book published in January (any year)
Moral Compass by Danielle Steel (published 14/1/20) Review Here

4. Read a book with a new to you author.
Oasis by Katya de Becerra (AA) Review Here

5. Read any book of your choice.
The Weekend by Charlotte Wood (AA) Review Here

EASY LEVEL

Part one: Answer all five of the following tasks
1. Read a book with a title starting with the letter J
Justice for Sara Erica Spindler
2. Read a book where one of the author's initials can be found in the word January A Mother's Story Rosie Batty
3. Read a book published in January (any year)My Name Is Lucy Barton Elizabeth Strout
4. Read a book with a new to you author. The True Story of Lilli Stubeck James Aldridge
5. Read any book of your choice An Isolated Incident Emily Maguire ✔

All Done! 😁

Level: Easy
Part Two - Spell it Out
Progress 6/6 Books

✅T - The Catcher in the Rye byJ.D. Salinger
- read 10/1/20 - 1 star
✅W - Where the Forest Meets the Stars by Glendy Vanderah
- finished 2/1/20 - 4.5 stars
✅E - This Vicious Cure by Emily Suvada AA
- finished 24/01/20 - 4 stars
✅N - Nerd Do Well by Simon Pegg
- finished 3/1/20 - 3 stars
✅T - The Conference of the Birds by Ransom Riggs
- finished 19/01/20 - 5 stars
✅Y - Your Own Kind of Girl by Clare Bowditch AA
- finished 10/1/20 - 3 stars

Welcome to the challenge Krystal and Jenny. I have linked your names.

Hi Phrynne, you missed me. no.16 Thanks

Sorry Clare. Doing it now.

You are linked too Erin. Welcome to the challenge:)

Phrynne wrote: "You are linked too Erin. Welcome to the challenge:)"

Thanks Phrynne :)

January Challenge 1st - 31st January 2020
Hard Challenge

10/10

1. Read a book with a title starting with the letter J - Joy Ride by Lauren Blakely 3*
2. Read a book where one of the author's initials can be found in the word January : The Guardians by John Grisham 3*
3. Read a book published in January (any year) :The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepworth AA 4*
4. Read a book with a new to you author: The Cottage at Rosella Cove by Sandie Docker AA 4*
5. Read any book of your choice :The Rise of Magicks by Nora Roberts 5*


Spell It Out - START
S - The Last Widow by Karin Slaughter 5*
T - Thankless in Death by J.D. Robb 4*
A - Tangling with the CEO by Annie Seaton AA 4*
R - Good Girl, Bad Girl by Michael Robotham AA 5*
T - The Twenty-Three by Linwood Barclay 3*

January Challenge 2020 Happy New Year
Level: Easy Spell it out - BEGIN
0/5

B L'Adoration by Jacques Borel
E Maybe the Horse Will Talk by Elliot Perlman AA
G The Rosie Result by Graeme Simsion AA
I Suite Française by Irène Némirovsky
N Leurs enfants après eux by Nicolas Mathieu

January Challenge 1st - 31st January 2020
Hard Challenge
4 AA
14/14

Part one: Answer all five of the following tasks
1. Read a book with a title starting with the letter J
Jade's Cowboy Crush by Kimberly Krey 4 Stars

2. Read a book where one of the author's initials can be found in the word January
The House on Burra Burra Lane by Jennie JonesAA 5 stars

3. Read a book published in January (any year)
SEAL the Deal by Cat Johnson 3.5 stars

4. Read a book with a new to you author.
Cutie Pies and Deadly Lies by Addison Moore 4 stars

5. Read any book of your choice.
Lone Star Hero by Jennie Jones AA 4 stars


Spell it out!
C - Wild Fire by Christine Feehan 5 stars
H - Hunted by Jamie Garrett AA 5 stars
A - Addison Moore - Bobbing for Bodies 3.5 stars
M - Mandy Magro -Jacaranda 5 stars
P - Promise of Hunters Ridge by Sarah Barrie AA 5 stars
A - Addison Moore - Pumpkin Spice Sacrifice 4 stars
G - Rebel Wolf by Amy Green 4 stars
N - The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss 5 stars
E - Eve Silver - Sins of the Soul 4 stars

January Challenge 2020
Level: Easy
4/5

Part one: Answer all five of the following tasks
1. Read a book with a title starting with the letter J: Just One Wish by Rachael Johns AA
2. Read a book where one of the author's initials can be found in the word January: Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik - 4★
3. Read a book published in January (any year): The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepworth - 3.5★ AA
4. Read a book with a new to you author: Hide by S.J. Morgan - 4★ AA
5. Read any book of your choice: Water Under The Bridge by Lily Malone - 4★ AA

January Challenge 2020
Level: Easy
5/5 (AA-1/1)

Part one: Answer all five of the following tasks
1. Read a book with a title starting with the letter J
Judas Silver by J.R. Rain 3 stars 1/1/20

2. Read a book where one of the author's initials can be found in the word January
The Third Day, the Frost by John Marsden AA 4 stars 4/1/20

3. Read a book published in January (any year)
The Other You by J. S. Monroe 4 stars 5/1/20

4. Read a book with a new to you author.
My First Murder by Leena Lehtolainen 3 stars 1/1/20

5. Read any book of your choice.
Toward the Light by Bonnar Spring 4 stars 2/1/20

All linked to here 🙂

I'd love to join in please!

Level: Easy

1. Read a book with a title starting with the letter J
Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey AA

2. Read a book where one of the author's initials can be found in the word January
The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul by Deborah Rodriguez 3 stars

3. Read a book published in January (any year)
A Silent Death by Peter May

4. Read a book with a new to you author.
The Nowhere Child by Christian White AA 4 stars

5. Read any book of your choice.
Nowhere Near First: Ultramarathon Adventures From The Back Of The Pack by Cory Reese 4 stars

You are linked Catherine:)

Easy
5/5

Part one: Answer all five of the following tasks
1. Read a book with a title starting with the letter J
Jar of Hearts by Jennifer Hillier 4.5★
2. Read a book where one of the author's initials can be found in the word January
Betrayal in Death by J.D. Robb 4.5★
3. Read a book published in January (any year)
Admit One by Lisa Clark O'Neill 4.5★
4. Read a book with a new to you author.
Brothers and Bones by James Hankins 2★
5. Read any book of your choice.
Man Drought by Rachael Johns AA 5★

Good choices everyone! I can't wait to get started:)

Your name is linked Zoey (nearly missed you out, sorry!)

January Challenge 1st - 31st January 2020
Hard- Happy New Year
8/8
Completed

Part one: Answer all five of the following tasks

1. Read a book with a title starting with the letter J
Just Friends by Elizabeth Grey Read 11/1/20 4*

2. Read a book where one of the author's initials can be found in the word January
Aurora Rising by Amie Kaufman AA Read 27/1/20 4*

3. Read a book published in January (any year)
Redemption Point by Candice Fox (Pub 29/1/18) AA Read 25/1/20 4*

4. Read a book with a new to you author.
Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris Read 16/1/20 5*

5. Read any book of your choice.
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame Read 11/1/20 4*



N - Whisper by Lynette Noni AA Read 10/1/20
E - The Shanghai Wife by Emma Harcourt AA Read 4/1/20
W - Wideacre by Philippa Gregory Read 8/1/20 5*

Easy - New
3/3

N - Never Forget: A Victor Lessard Thriller 4 ★
E - Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman 5 ★
W- Weapon by Lynette Noni 4 ★ AA

Welcome to the challenge Teresa and Kylie H. You are linked:)

Phrynne wrote: "Good choices everyone! I can't wait to get started:)"


I am a bit scared Phrynne...:)

Jenny wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "Good choices everyone! I can't wait to get started:)"


I am a bit scared Phrynne...:)"

???

Phrynne wrote: "Jenny wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "Good choices everyone! I can't wait to get started:)"


I am a bit scared Phrynne...:)"

???"

Just that I wont be able to make it through all the books... first time I have done a challenge like this!

That's okay. No one will tell you off if you don't read them 😉

Hi Phrynne, I'd love to join the challenge! I'll attempt Hard and see how I go...
Progress: 1/10 AA: 1/3

Part 1:
1. Read a book with a title starting with the letter J: Joe Cinque's Consolation, A True Story of Death, Grief and the Law by Helen Garner AA
2. Read a book where one of the author's initials can be found in the word "January": The Cinema at Starlight Creek by Alli Sinclair AA (6/1) 3.5*
3. Read a book published in January (any year): Three Hours by Rosamund Lupton (due for publication 9 January 2020 - I'll need to make some changes if my library "on hold" copy doesn't arrive in time)
4. Read a book with a new to you author: The Surgeon by Tess Gerritsen
5. Read any book of your choice: T.B.A. (I'll put my top-rated book not already listed here)

Part 2. Spell-it-Out: PARTY
P: Wonder by R.J. Palacio
A: The Word Is Murder by Anthony Horowitz
R: The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith
T: The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware
Y: Death at the Dog Show by Grace York AA

Welcome to the challenge Sarah:) You are linked.

Thanks Phrynne!

January challenge
EASY ..Part 2 Spell it out 2AA
4/4

H- The Things We Keep by Sally Hepworth AA....read 4*
E- City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert....read 4*
A- The Dutch House by Ann Patchett....read 4.5*
T- There Was Still Love by Favel Parrett AA....read 4*

Good choice of word Trish especially today. It is very hot out there!
I have linked your post.

Are you all getting your books ready? Nearly time to start!

Phrynne wrote: "Good choice of word Trish especially today. It is very hot out there!
I have linked your post."

Thank you Phrynne...really feeling for our firies as there seems to be little let up.