This year I participated in a book bingo challenge with Amanda and Theresa, and we also all participated in the Australian Women Writer’s Challenge together, and many of the books I read filled both challenges.
During 2018, I managed to complete two cards of twenty-five squares each, with some books working for separate categories in each card. I had intended to do one, however, I got a little too enthusiastic in my first card and crossed off multiple squares. In my second one, I only did this at the end, and managed two cards with vastly different books in each one.
2018 Cards:
Here is the card used this year, and my two completed ones:
Card One Books List:
Challenge #3: Book Bingo
(Rows Across)
Row #1 – – BINGO
A book set more than 100 years ago: Rose Raventhorpe Investigates: Hounds and Hauntings by Janine Beacham – AWW2018
A book written more than ten years ago: Thunderwith by Libby Hathorn – AWW2018
A memoir: Skin in the Game: The Pleasure and Pain of Telling True Stories by Sonya Voumard
A book more than 500 pages: Miss Lily’s Lovely Ladies by Jackie French – AWW2018
A Foreign translated novel: Babylon Berlin by Volker Kutschner (translated by Niall Seller)
Row #2 – BINGO
A book with a yellow cover: Tin Man by Sarah Winman
A book by an author you’ve never read before: The Secrets at Ocean’s Edge by Kali Napier – AWW2018
A non-fiction book: Spinning Tops & Gum Drops: A Portrait of Colonial Childhood by Edwin Barnard
A collection of short stories: Australia Day by Melanie Cheng – AWW2018
A book with themes of culture: The Sealwoman’s Gift by Sally Magnusson
Row #3: – BINGO
A book written by an Australian woman: The Tides Between by Elizabeth Jane Corbett – AWW2018
A book written by an Australian man: The Opal Dragonfly by Julian Leatherdale
A prize-winning book: Miles Franklin: A Short Biography by Jill Roe – AWW
A book that scares you: The Good Doctor of Warsaw by Elisabeth Gifford
A book with a mystery: Olmec Obituary by LJM Owen – AWW2018
Row #4 – BINGO
A forgotten classic: Selected Short Stories by Katherine Mansfield
A book with a one-word title: Munmun by Jesse Andrews, Thunderwith by Libby Hathorn – AWW2018
A book with non-human characters: Monty the Sad Puppy by Holly Webb
A funny book: Grandpa, Me and Poetry by Sally Morgan
A book with a number in the title: Four Respectable Ladies Seek Part-Time Husband by Barbara Toner – AWW2018
Row #5 – BINGO
A book that became a movie: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
A book based on a true story: Mr Dickens and His Carol by Samantha Silva
A book everyone is talking about: The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris – AWW2018
A book written by someone under thirty: P is For Pearl by Eliza Henry Jones – AWW2018
A book written by someone over sixty: Eventual Poppy Day by Libby Hathorn – AWW2018
Rows Down
Row #1 – – BINGO
A book set more than 100 years ago: Rose Raventhorpe Investigates: Hounds and Hauntings by Janine Beacham – AWW2018
A book with a yellow cover: Tin Man by Sarah Winman
A book written by an Australian woman: The Tides Between by Elizabeth Jane Corbett – AWW2018
A forgotten classic: Selected Short Stories by Katherine Mansfield
A book that became a movie: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
Row #2 – BINGO
A book written more than ten years ago: Thunderwith by Libby Hathorn – AWW2018
A book by an author you’ve never read before: The Secrets at Ocean’s Edge by Kali Napier – AWW2018
A book written by an Australian man: The Opal Dragonfly by Julian Leatherdale
A book with a one-word title:Thunderwith by Libby Hathorn – AWW2018, Munmun by Jesse Andrews
A book based on a true story: Mr Dickens and His Carol by Samantha Silva
Row #3: – BINGO
A memoir: Skin in the Game: The Pleasure and Pain of Telling True Stories by Sonya Voumard
A non-fiction book:Spinning Tops & Gum Drops: A Portrait of Colonial Childhood by Edwin Barnard
A prize-winning book: Miles Franklin: A Short Biography by Jill Roe
A book with non-human characters: Monty the Sad Puppy by Holly Webb
A book everyone is talking about: The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris – AWW2018
Row #4 – BINGO
A book more than 500 pages: Miss Lily’s Lovely Ladies by Jackie French – AWW2018
A collection of short stories: Australia Day by Melanie Cheng – AWW2018
A book that scares you: The Good Doctor of Warsaw by Elisabeth Gifford
A funny book: Grandpa, Me and Poetry by Sally Morgan
A book written by someone under thirty: P is For Pearl by Eliza Henry Jones – AWW2018
Row #5 –BINGO
A Foreign Translated Novel: Babylon Berlin by Volker Kutschner (translated by Niall Seller
A book with themes of culture: The Sealwoman’s Gift by Sally Magnusson
A book with a mystery: Olmec Obituary by LJM Owen – AWW2018
A book with a number in the title: Four Respectable Ladies Seek Part-Time Husband by Barbara Toner – AWW2018
A book written by someone over sixty: Eventual Poppy Day by Libby Hathorn – AWW2018
Card Two Book List:
Challenge #4: Book Bingo Take 2
(Rows Across)
Row #1 – – BINGO
A book set more than 100 years ago: The Gypsy Crown by Kate Forsyth (Chain of Charms #1) – AWW2018
A book written more than ten years ago: The Nutcracker by Alexandre Dumas*
A memoir: No Country Woman by Zoya Patel – AWW2018
A book more than 500 pages: The Clockmaker’s Daughter by Kate Morton – AWW2018
A Foreign translated novel: The Distance Between Me and the Cherry Tree by Paola Peretti
Row #2 – BINGO
A book with a yellow cover: Australia Day by Melanie Cheng – AWW2018
A book by an author you’ve never read before: If Kisses Cured Cancer by T.S. Hawken
A non-fiction book: Amazing Australian Women: Twelve Women Who Shaped History by Pamela Freeman and Sophie Beer – AWW2018
A collection of short stories: Fairy Tales for Feisty Girls by Susannah McFarlane – AWW2018
A book with themes of culture: Relic of the Blue Dragon (Children of the Dragon #1) by Rebecca Lim – AWW2018
Row #3: – BINGO
A book written by an Australian woman: Disappearing Act by Jacqueline Harvey (Kensy and Max #2) – AWW2018, The Clockmaker’s Daughter by Kate Morton – AWW2018
A book written by an Australian man: Captain Cook’s Apprentice by Anthony Hill
A prize-winning book: Chain of Charms series by Kate Forsyth – 2007 Aurealis Award for Best Children’s Fiction – AWW2018
A book that scares you: What the Woods Keep by Katya de Becerra – AWW2018
A book with a mystery: The Mitford Murders by Jessica Fellowes (Mitford Murders #1)
Row #4 – BINGO
A forgotten classic: The Little Fairy Sister by Ida Rentoul Outhwaite and Grenbery Outhwaite
A book with a one-word title: Wundersmith by Jessica Townsend – AWW2018
A book with non-human characters: A Home for Molly by Holly Webb, Beast World by George Ivanoff
A funny book: Archibald, the Naughtiest Elf in the World Goes to the Zoo by Skye Davidson, Illustrated by Ágnes Rokiczky -AWW2018
A book with a number in the title: We Three Heroes by Lynette Noni – AWW2018
Row #5 –BINGO
A book that became a movie: Victoria and Abdul: The Extraordinary True Story of the Queen’s Closest Confidant by Shrabani Busi
A book based on a true story: The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris – AWW2018*
A book everyone is talking about: Lenny’s Book of Everything by Karen Foxlee – AWW2018
A book written by someone under thirty: The Yellow House by Emily O’Grady – AWW2018
A book written by someone over sixty: Miss Lily’s Lovely Ladies by Jackie French – AWW2018
Rows Down
Row #1 – – BINGO
A book set more than 100 years ago: The Gypsy Crown by Kate Forsyth (Chain of Charms #1) – AWW2018
A book with a yellow cover: Australia Day by Melanie Cheng – AWW2018
A book written by an Australian woman: Disappearing Act by Jacqueline Harvey (Kensy and Max #2) – AWW2018
A forgotten classic: The Little Fairy Sister by Ida Rentoul Outhwaite and Grenbery Outhwaite
A book that became a movie: Victoria and Abdul: The Extraordinary True Story of the Queen’s Closest Confidant by Shrabani Busi
Row #2 –BINGO
A book written more than ten years ago: The Nutcracker by Alexandre Dumas*
A book by an author you’ve never read before: If Kisses Cured Cancer by T.S. Hawken
A book written by an Australian man: Captain Cook’s Apprentice by Anthony Hill
A book with a one-word title:Wundersmith by Jessica Townsend – AWW2018
A book based on a true story: The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris – AWW2018*
Row #3: – BINGO
A memoir: No Country Woman by Zoya Patel – AWW2018
A non-fiction book:Amazing Australian Women: Twelve Women Who Shaped History by Pamela Freeman and Sophie Beer – AWW2018
A prize-winning book: Chain of Charms series by Kate Forsyth – 2007 Aurealis Award for Best Children’s Fiction – aWW2018
A book with non-human characters: A Home for Molly by Holly Webb, Beast World by George Ivanoff
A book everyone is talking about: Lenny’s Book of Everything by Karen Foxlee – AWW2018
Row #4 –BINGO
A book more than 500 pages: The Clockmaker’s Daughter by Kate Morton – AWW2018
A collection of short stories: Fairy Tales for Feisty Girls by Susannah McFarlane – AWW2018
A book that scares you: What the Woods Keep by Katya de Becerra – AWW2018
A funny book: Archibald, the Naughtiest Elf in the World Goes to the Zoo by Skye Davidson, Illustrated by Ágnes Rokiczky -AWW2018
A book written by someone under thirty: The Yellow House by Emily O’Grady – AWW2018
Row #5 – BINGO
A Foreign Translated Novel: The Distance Between Me and the Cherry Tree by Paola Peretti
A book with themes of culture: Relic of the Blue Dragon (Children of the Dragon #1) by Rebecca Lim – AWW2018
A book with a mystery: The Mitford Murders by Jessica Fellowes (Mitford Murders #1)
A book with a number in the title: We Three Heroes by Lynette Noni – AWW2018
A book written by someone over sixty: Miss Lily’s Lovely Ladies by Jackie French – AWW2018
I tried to vary it across both cards, though had to use some previous ones in a different square when it came down to crunch time. It has worked out well and hopefully, next year, I will be able to fill the card with some interesting reads as well. In 2019, we have 30 squares to fill, so our posts will be going up fortnightly on a Saturday to ensure we get through each category, starting on the fifth of January. I will have to choose a different category for that day, as my crime book only comes out on the twenty-first and will have to be my third post of the year for this challenge. I’ll be aiming to go with books I own for as many as possible and have a couple of categories and books in mind for the first one or two posts.
2019 Card:
Text List of Card categories for 2019 Across and Down:
Rows Across:
Row One:
A book with a red cover:
Beloved Classic:
A novel that has more than 500 pages:
A novella no more than 150 pages:
Prize winning book:
Row Two:
A book by an author with the same initials as you:
Non-Fiction book about an event:
Fictional biography about a woman from history:
Memoir about a non-famous person:
Book written by an Australian woman more than 10 years ago:
Row Three:
Themes of Science Fiction:
Themes of Culture:
Themes of Justice:
Themes of Inequality:
Themes of Fantasy:
Row Four:
Book with a place in the title:
Book set in the Australian Outback:
Book set on the Australian Coast:
Book set in the Australian Mountains:
Book set in an exotic location:
Row Five:
Written by an Australian Man:
Written by an Australian Woman:
Written by an author under the age of 35:
Written by an author over the age of 65:
Written by an author you’ve never read:
Row Six:
Literary:
Crime:
Historical:
Romance:
Comedy:
Rows Down:
Row One:
A book with a red cover:
Book by an author with the same initials as you:
Themes of science fiction:
Book with a place in the title:
Written by an Australian man:
Literary:
Row Two:
Beloved Classic:
Non-Fiction book about an event:
Themes of culture:
Book set in the Australian outback:
Written by an Australian woman:
Crime:
Row three:
Novel that has 500 pages or more:
Fictional biography about a woman from history:
Themes of justice:
Book set on the Australian coast:
Written by an author under the age of 35:
Historical:
Row Four:
Novella no more than 150 pages:
Memoir about a non-famous person:
Themes of inequality:
Book set in the Australian mountains:
Written by an author over the age of 65:
Romance:
Row Five:
Prize winning book:
Book written by an Australian woman more than ten years ago:
Themes of fantasy:
Book set in an exotic location:
Written by an author you’ve never read:
Comedy:
I am looking forward to this challenge alongside the rest of the blogging I will be doing in 2019, and hope you enjoy what I do.
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continue with the second book in the series, Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow– where Morrigan, or Mog as Jupiter North calls her, finds out what her knack is. There is something unique and special about this series – it has all the magic we got with Harry Potter, but there are whole dimensions to this that are entirely different and work really well together. It has amazing characters, and nods to our world, and more. I loved this book because I love fantasy stories, and it provided an escape from reality. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series to see where Morrigan takes us.
I had lots of books set during World War Two that I enjoyed and stuck out, but this one seemed to be the one of the two that screamed out to be placed here because it has spies, fashion, twins, resistance and a family story that needs to be uncovered slowly, thread by thread using a dual storyline – one of my favourite devices because it allows the past and present to intersect through the discovery of clues and evidence, whilst still holding back in each section until the climax and the threads start to be tied together. The Paris Seamstress also has a touch of romance. What I liked was that the mystery of the past was the focus, as well as the war, family and the identity of the main character. All these threads made it a very good read.
In what is likely my final Check in for 2018 for the Australian Women Writers Challenge, I’m making my list a little longer as it did not make sense to make another post for one or two books, given I did this in blocks of fifteen – and am debating whether to do monthly, or blocks of ten for next year to increase my content output. Most books are already out, but the seventy-sixth book is only out in January, and based on challenge rules and discussions with a fellow participant, counts in both years – as the review goes up in 2019. This is one of my wrap up posts for the year – still to come, my overall challenge, my Australian Women Writer’s Challenge, my overall reading log and number books read over the past twelve months, and my wrap up post for book bingo, which in theory, should include the intro for next year and that means I need to pick a book to read for the first square I’ll be marking off on the fifth of January, 2019 for book bingo with Theresa and Amanda.
Yesterday, I followed Word of Mouth TV and Jacqueline Harvey on Twitter as they tweeted and chatted about and at the Colin Simpson Memorial Lecture, with the Australian Society of Authors and the Children’s Book Council of Australia, on the issue of gendered books and reading, and how adults in the lives of children – whether implicitly or explicitly, in schools and libraries, guide children towards books “for girls” or “for boys”. Which brings me to the question – just what are boy books versus girl books? Well, apparently, if you’ve been following the discussions, a few things boys won’t read, or are said to be discouraged from reading:
