Aussie Readers discussion

With spring at our doorstep the temperature is starting to warm up, so shed those woolly blankets and grab a book that warms the heart instead....



1. Spring clean your bookcases by reading a much loved, but yet unread book..either novel or biography..

2. Choose a book that features a new life - a baby (animal or human) on the cover/in the story.

3. Choose a book for it's cover - a spring image with all it's colour.

4. The Royal Adelaide show is on 2nd - 10th September.. http://www.whatsonwhen.com/sisp/index... ..so a book about a show/carnival rides/handicrafts/cookery/livestock..anything to tie into the event.



5. The Brisbane Writers Festival is on 7th - 11th September.. http://www.whatsonwhen.com/sisp/index... so choose a book written by an Aussie author, released somewhere in the 3 months of Spring.

6. Seeing as Spring colours are predominantly red and yellow, pick a book with either a red or yellow cover, and post the book cover as well, so everyone can see (and get colourful suggestions).

7. Sydney Eisteddfod is running until 20th September.. http://www.whatsonwhen.com/sisp/index... and they are searching for the best young Australian talent, so pick a Young Adult book, not necessarily by an Aussie author, for this event.

8. The Spring Racing Carnival culminating with the Melbourne Cup is in November, so a book about horses/horse racing/betting/money won and lost..



9. How about a book with the title beginning with the first letter of your name....e.g. I could choose Black Wave: A Family's Adventure at Sea and the Disaster That Saved Them

10. For the last one, you have a choice...a book with a garden connection for spring or a non-fiction/biography, again with a spring connection!

Some links to help you with your choices: http://www.dymocks.com.au/Search/resu...

http://www.collinsbooks.com.au/frontp...

And maybe you could do a search at your local library, you may come up with something special :)

Another link to help with the YA section http://www.goodreads.com/search?query...



HAPPY SPRING READING

Great, Michael:)

Sounds like fun. I'll work up a planned list when the boss is looking the other way!

Good on you David:)

I'm going to try Coming of Age in Samoa: A Psychological Study of Primitive Youth for Western Civilisation. I've wanted to read the controversial anthropological work for a while and I'm sure this birth into a new phase of life fits the spring theme.

Murray wrote: "I'm going to try Coming of Age in Samoa: A Psychological Study of Primitive Youth for Western Civilisation. I've wanted to read the controversial anthropological work for a while and..."

Good one....That would be #2 Murray, what are you going to choose for the other 9;D

Sounds great Brenda, something new to think about whilst I finish the Winter challenge!

Indeed I will be joining in on this :)

I'm in - still holidaying in NZ - finished my last winter challenge book today. Will make a list of books for the spring challenge when I get back next week - see you all then!!!!

Great news from you all..can't wait to see all the listed books......hope you are enjoying NZ Sally:)

This list is harder than Winters, I have no idea what to pick for some of these books

Knowledge Lost wrote: "This list is harder than Winters, I have no idea what to pick for some of these books"

I'm sure you'll work them out KL....you might have to deviate into other genres to do it? Good luck...I guess picking the books is a challenge in itself!

Brenda wrote: "I'm sure you'll work them out KL....you might have to deviate into other genres to do ..."

What genre don't I read?

Knowledge Lost wrote: "Brenda wrote: "I'm sure you'll work them out KL....you might have to deviate into other genres to do ..."

What genre don't I read?"

I don't know Knowledge? ;D

Brenda wrote: "Murray wrote: "I'm going to try Coming of Age in Samoa: A Psychological Study of Primitive Youth for Western Civilisation. I've wanted to read the controversial anthropological work ..."

Oh, I didn't realise I had to choose one for each.

This is a tricky list to put together! I think I can squeeze seven from my towering "to read" list, but I'm going to have to go searching for the others... will post the full list when I'm sorted.

1. Life: Keith Richards

2. Bart Simpson Class Clown -MAGGIE SIMPSON is Bart's little baby sister :D

3. I don't own any books with a spring theme at the moment so skipping this.

4. Graffiti Japan

5. No idea for now.

6. Headspace: On the Trail of Sniffer Dogs, Wasp Wardens and Other Dumb Friends in the Surveillance Industry

7. Catching Fire

8. Repeat Until Rich

9. Level 26

10. Kings Way: The Beginnings of Australian Graffiti: Melbourne 1983-93 - I think this will fit as it's to do with Beginnings which Spring is about 'new life'.

Will prolly come back and add if I find books I can read :)

Murray wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Murray wrote: "I'm going to try Coming of Age in Samoa: A Psychological Study of Primitive Youth for Western Civilisation. I've wanted to read the controversial anthro..."

Yes, one for each suggestion Murray...so 10 books in total:) Because it's a 3 month challenge there is always more books to read:)

I just added another link to help out with the YA section of it.....

You're right KL, it is a hard one to fill this time O_O!!! I'm having trouble myself!;D

told you :P

So is the idea to read one book from each of these categories?

Trina wrote: "So is the idea to read one book from each of these categories?"

Yes, that's right Trina...so you end up with 10 to read over the 3 months, if you can find them all:)

OK here's my list...it could change a little if I find different ones:

1. Spring clean your bookcases..Treachery in Death ★★★★★

2. Choose a book that features a new life.. The Perfect Husband (baby born) ★★★★★

3. Choose a book for it's cover - a spring image with all it's colour...
A Thousand Splendid Suns ★★★★★

4. book about a show/carnival rides/handicrafts/cookery/livestock..anything to tie into the event...Love in The Age of Drought ★★★★

5. book written by an Aussie author, released somewhere in the 3 months of Spring Sophie: Dog Overboard - The Incredible True Story of the Castaway Dog ★★★★

6. Spring colours are predominantly red and yellow, pick a book with either a red or yellow cover...
The Interrogator (it looks more yellow than it shows here) ★★★★

7. On the Jellicoe Road ★★★★

8. book about horses/horse racing/betting/money won and lost...Private (a gambling scandal!) ★★★★

9. book with the title beginning with the first letter of your name...Black Wave: A Family's Adventure at Sea and the Disaster That Saved Them ★★★★

10. book with a garden connection for spring or a non-fiction/biography, again with a spring connection!.. Stillwater Creek ★★★★

OK, here's the best I can do (and Brenda, I really did A Thousand Splendid Suns on my list before I saw yours!)

1. Wuthering Heights (Emily Bronte)
2. Brave New World (Aldous Huxley -it has a baby on the cover!)
3. A Thousand Splendid Suns (Khaled Hosseini)
4. I got nothing (and no, that's not a book title)
5. The Bridge (Jane Higgins)
6. Catching Fire (Suzanne Collins)
7. This is Shyness (Leanne Hall)
8. Dead Point (Peter Temple)
9. Pretty Monsters (Kelly Link)
10. Forever (Maggie Stiefvater)

Paula wrote: "OK, here's the best I can do (and Brenda, I really did A Thousand Splendid Suns on my list before I saw yours!)

1. Wuthering Heights (Emily Bronte)
2. Brave New World (Aldous Huxley -it has a baby..."

Hahaha!!! Well done Paula...I love #4...I actually hadn't heard of that book...lol (I had trouble finding that one too!) You might find one in the next few months, and you can add it in:)

Sounds like fun! I will get started on my list soon, i have just about got through the winter challenge :-)

May I suggest my YA novel A Season Of Transformation for the YA section or #4 where a show/ carnival appears in the book (one of the main scenes is set in a carnival) for anyone who may be stuck for ideas :-)

I'm looking forward to Spring and warmer weather
Jayne

Brenda wrote: "Trina wrote: "So is the idea to read one book from each of these categories?"

Yes, that's right Trina...so you end up with 10 to read over the 3 months, if you can find them all:)"

Ahh ok, I've never done one of these big challenges before, just some of the one-book ones.

1. I have many well-known, popular books on my shelf, including some recent ones and some classics.
2. one with a new life might be hard, a quick look at my to-read list doesn't really show any relating to new life.
3. a book with a spring image, another difficult one I think.
4. not sure I have any books related to carnival type things either!
5. Aussie author, book released in Spring...going to need some suggestions for this!
6. a book with a red and/or yellow cover: 44 Scotland Street has a red cover
7. a YA book: City of Ashes
8. a book about racing/horses/betting, going to need suggestions for this too!
9. ok books starting with K...I don't have any at the moment!
10. something/anything relating to Spring, again I just seriously can't think of any!

I think I'll look through some of the links others have posted.

Paula wrote: "OK, here's the best I can do (and Brenda, I really did A Thousand Splendid Suns on my list before I saw yours!)

1. Wuthering Heights (Emily Bronte)
2. Brave New World (Aldous Huxley -it has a baby..."

Oh you're right about Brave New World! My copy has the baby on the cover too!

Jayne wrote: "Sounds like fun! I will get started on my list soon, i have just about got through the winter challenge :-)

May I suggest my YA novel A Season Of Transformation for the YA section ..."

Thanks Jayne, that may help some people...

Trina wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Trina wrote: "So is the idea to read one book from each of these categories?"

Yes, that's right Trina...so you end up with 10 to read over the 3 months, if you can find them all:)"
..."

Look a little bit outside the square Trina...for example, spring is new beginnings, so it doesn't have to be literally about spring, stretch the imagination a bit ....look at my #10..a biography titled 'from this moment on' isn't about spring as such, but a new beginning in her life:) Does that make sense?

Laura wrote: "1. Life: Keith Richards

2. Bart Simpson Class Clown -MAGGIE SIMPSON is Bart's little baby sister :D

3. I don't own any books with a spring theme at the moment so ski..."

Nice list Laura:) I actually searched the giveaways to find the suggestions for the Aussie author NR's (#5)...couldn't think of anywhere else to look.

Thank you Brenda :) Lemme know how From This Moment On is..Always love reading bios!

Good idea on the #5 actually!!

I'll work on getting a list up soon.

Ah yes, Royal Adelaide Show. Good times.

1. Spring clean your bookcases by reading a much loved, but yet unread book.
1984 by George Orwell

2. Choose a book that features a new life.
*TBA*

3. Choose a book for it's cover - a spring image with all it's colour.
*TBA*

4. A book about a show/carnival rides/handicrafts/cookery/livestock..anything to tie into the event.
*TBA*

5. Choose a book written by an Aussie author, released somewhere in the 3 months of Spring.
*TBA*

6. Pick a book with either a red or yellow cover.
*TBA*

7. Pick a Young Adult book, not necessarily by an Aussie author, for this event.
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

8. A book about horses/horse racing/betting/money won and lost.
*TBA*

9. How about a book with the title beginning with the first letter of your name...
*TBA*

10. A book with a garden connection for spring or a non-fiction/biography, again with a spring connection!
*TBA*





Ah, Hard challenge. I'll have to think on this.

★ Jess wrote: "1. Spring clean your bookcases by reading a much loved, but yet unread book.
1984 by George Orwell

2. Choose a book that features a new life.
*TBA*

3. Choose a book for it's cover..."

It is actually a little difficult....thinking caps on all over the place at the moment;D And here I was thinking it'd be easy....lol

Hard challenges are great every once and a while I say..Makes your hair grow curley..Or was that eating you bread crusts?! ;p

Yes it's tricky alright. No. 8 re racing/horses/money has got me completely stumped! I need ideas!

Sally906 wrote: "I'm in - still holidaying in NZ - finished my last winter challenge book today. Will make a list of books for the spring challenge when I get back next week - see you all then!!!!"

Are you snowed in in NZ? Everyone is snowed in over here in NZ! It even snowed in my city for the first in decades!

Lesley wrote: "Yes it's tricky alright. No. 8 re racing/horses/money has got me completely stumped! I need ideas!"

Have a look through what people have already put up Lesley, and check back now and then, as the lists go up, and I'm sure you'll come up with something in the type of book you enjoy. I was looking through my bookcase, and reading blurbs, trying to find something, so when it said 'gambling scandal' I thought....aha!! That's the one I'm reading:)

Laura wrote: "Hard challenges are great every once and a while I say..Makes your hair grow curley..Or was that eating you bread crusts?! ;p"

I think that's crusts Laura;D LOL

Lesley wrote: "Yes it's tricky alright. No. 8 re racing/horses/money has got me completely stumped! I need ideas!"

I've got two books-

Binge Trading: The Real Inside Story of Cash, Cocaine and Corruption in the City or Repeat Until Rich...Both are set in RL as well. I guess any books you read about crime usually has things to do with money.

Megan wrote: "Sally906 wrote: "I'm in - still holidaying in NZ - finished my last winter challenge book today. Will make a list of books for the spring challenge when I get back next week - see you all then!!!!..."

Wow Megan, where are you? I saw it on the news tonight, and was amazed! It looked so pretty:)

Thanks Brenda & Laura.

Brenda wrote: "Laura wrote: "Hard challenges are great every once and a while I say..Makes your hair grow curley..Or was that eating you bread crusts?! ;p"

I think that's crusts Laura;D LOL"
Oh! Well there we go!!! lolol

Oooh Carmel, that's a good one...great suggestion:)

Brenda wrote: "Paula wrote: "OK, here's the best I can do (and Brenda, I really did A Thousand Splendid Suns on my list before I saw yours!)

1. Wuthering Heights (Emily Bronte)
2. Brave New World (Aldous Huxley ..."

Paula wrote: "OK, here's the best I can do (and Brenda, I really did A Thousand Splendid Suns on my list before I saw yours!)

1. Wuthering Heights (Emily Bronte)
2. Brave New World (Aldous Huxley -it has a baby..."

Thanks Brenda - open to suggestions on #4!

Michael wrote: "Now my turn to come up with a list and try to get a full list together wich by the looks of it aint easy. =/"

Think outside the SQUARE and then you're fine ;) I mean take the words and look further!!

My choices are all crime fiction novels. Finding one with spring depicted on the cover could be a challenge on its own :)
1. Spring clean book - The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler
2. New life book - Blood Born by Kathryn Fox
3. Spring Image Cover - TBA
4. Royal Show - Carnies by Martin Livings
5. Written by Aussie Author during Spring - The 3rd Victim - Sydney Bauer (Sept 2011 release)
6. Red or yellow cover - Visions of Sugarplums by Janet Evanovich
7. Young Adult book - Virals by Kathy Reichs
8. Spring Racing - 5th Horseman by James Patterson
9. First Letter of Name - D-E-D Dead by Geoffrey McGeachin
10. Garden Connection - Garden of Betrayal by Lee Vance

Paula wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Paula wrote: "OK, here's the best I can do (and Brenda, I really did A Thousand Splendid Suns on my list before I saw yours!)

1. Wuthering Heights (Emily Bronte)
2. Brave New World ..."

Carmel had a suggestion with horses in her book, which would certainly cover it...post #46 Paula...then if that doesn't suit, check some of the other suggestions, and maybe keep coming back to check, as new lists will be going up all the time. You should be able to find something to suit your reading style:)

Brenda wrote: "Megan wrote: "Sally906 wrote: "I'm in - still holidaying in NZ - finished my last winter challenge book today. Will make a list of books for the spring challenge when I get back next week - see yo..."

I'm in Nelson so it's pretty boring here comparatively but facebook has gone crazy! My friend got off her bus this evening to watch it side across the road and into a truck! I heard a rumour though that our mail truck never made it today cos of the snow.

I'm looking at the Australian new release one and wondering how easy that will be to get over here - do you think I could switch it for NZ one instead?