May 2019 Round Up

I managed to read fifteen books in May, so I’m still keeping my monthly average. Of these, about 11 were by Australian women – one was for work, so I haven’t reviewed it, but have reviewed all the others, and some of the reviews were published in June, as I finished the books as the month of May ended, and I didn’t have time to get to the reviews between everything else. I am slowly getting there with my other challenges, and hope to have much more progress on them very soon. My book bingo is progressing, and all my posts are ready to go up to much later in the year.

Australian Women Writers

Life Before by Carmel Reilly – Reviewed
The Shelly Bay Ladies Swimming Circle by Sophie Green – Reviewed
The Monster Who Wasn’t by T.C. Shelley – Reviewed
The Lost Letters of Esther Durrant by Kayte Nunn – Reviewed
Lintang and The Pirate Queen by Tamara Moss – Reviewed
The Great Toy Rescue (Puppy Diaries #1) by Yvette Poshoglian – Work book, not reviewed
As Happy as Here by Jane Godwin – Reviewed
Women to the Front: The Extraordinary Australian Women Doctors of the Great War by Heather Sheard and Ruth Lee – Reviewed
Deltora Quest: The Shifting Sands by Emily Rodda – Reviewed
Deltora Quest: Dread Mountain by Emily Rodda – Reviewed
Mermaid Holidays by Delphine Davis and Adele K Thomas – Reviewed

Pop Sugar Challenge

A book becoming a movie in 2019:
A book that makes you nostalgic: The Lost Magician by Piers Torday
A book written by a musician (fiction or nonfiction): Best Foot Forward by Adam Hills
A book you think should be turned into a movie: Four Dead Queens by Astrid Scholte
A book with at least one million ratings on Goodreads:
A book with a plant in the title or on the cover: Bella Donna: Coven Road by Ruth Symes, Eliza Rose by Lucy Worsley
A reread of a favourite book: Beauty in Thorns by Kate Forsyth
A book about a hobby: The Bad Mother’s Book Club by Keris Stanton
A book you meant to read in 2018: Eliza Rose by Lucy Worsley
A book with POP, SUGAR, or CHALLENGE in the title: Poppy Field by Michael Morpurgo,
A book with an item of clothing or accessory on the cover:99 Percent Mine by Sally Thorne, The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer
A book inspired by myth/legend/folklore:Mermaid Holidays by Delphine Davis and Adele K Thomas
A book published posthumously: Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
A book you see someone reading on TV or in a movie:
A retelling of a classic: Enola Holmes: The Case of the Bizarre Bouquets (Enola Holmes #3) by Nancy Springer
A book with a question in the title:
A book set on college or university campus: Marvel Rising: Squirrel Girl and Ms Marvel by Devin Grayson, Ryan North and Willow Wilson
A book about someone with a superpower: The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl Volume One: Squirrel Power by Ryan North
A book told from multiple POVs: Four Dead Queens by Astrid Scholte
A book set in space: Captain Marvel: Higher, Faster, Further by Kelly Sue DeConnick
A book by two female authors:
A book with SALTY, SWEET, BITTER, or SPICY in the title: Australia’s Sweetheart by Michael Adams
A book set in Scandinavia: The Wolf and the Watchman by Niklas Natt och Dag
A book that takes place in a single day: Archibald, The Naughtiest Elf in the World Causes Trouble with the Easter Bunny by Skye Davidson
A debut novel: What Lies Beneath Us by Kirsty Ferguson
A book that’s published in 2019: Vardaesia by Lynette Noni
A book featuring an extinct or imaginary creature: Dragon Masters: Treasure of the Gold Dragon by Tracey West
A book recommended by a celebrity you admire:
A book with LOVE in the title:
A book featuring an amateur detective: All the Tears in China by Sulari Gentill
A book about a family: The House of Second Chances by Esther Campion
A book by an author from Asia, Africa, or South America: Children of the Dragon: Race for the Red Dragon by Rebecca Lim
A book with a zodiac sign or astrology term in title:The Seven or Eight Deaths of Stella Fortuna by Juliet Grames
A book that includes a wedding: The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer, Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen, A Dream of Italy by Nicky Pellegrino
A book by an author whose first and last names start with the same letter:Mermaid Holidays: The Talent Show by Delphine Davis and Adele K. Thomas, The True Story of Maddie Bright by Mary-Rose MacColl
A ghost story:
A book with a two-word title: Saving You by Charlotte Nash
A novel based on a true story: The Familiars by Stacey Halls – The Pendle Witches
A book revolving around a puzzle or game:
Your favourite prompt from a past POPSUGAR Reading challenge:

2016 – A book based on a fairy tale:

2017 – A steampunk book:

Prompt:

Advanced

A “cli-fi” (climate fiction) book: The Dog Runner by Bren MacDibble, Daughter of Bad Times by Rohan Wilson
A “choose-your-own-adventure” book:
An “own voices” book: Children of the Dragon: Race for the Red Dragon by Rebecca Lim
Read a book during the season it is set in: Archibald, The Naughtiest Elf in the World Causes Trouble with the Easter Bunny by Skye Davidson (Easter Season),The Shelly Bay Ladies Swimming Circle by Sophie Green (parts are set during Autumn)
A LitRPG book:
A book with no chapters / unusual chapter headings / unconventionally numbered chapters: Kensy and Max: Undercover by Jacqueline Harvey (Ciphers used to give the chapter headings)
Two books that share the same title: Deltora Quest: The Forest of Silence by Emily Rodda
Two books that share the same title: Deltora Quest: The Lake of Tears by Emily Rodda
A book that has inspired a common phrase or idiom:
A book set in an abbey, cloister, monastery, vicarage, or convent: Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

#Dymocks52Challenge

General/#Dymocks52Challenge

60. Life Before by Carmel Reilly

61. Alice to Prague by Tanya Heaslip

62. Upside Down Magic #5: Weather or Not by Sarah Mlynowski, Lauren Myracle and Emily Jenkins

The Shelly Bay Ladies Swimming Circle by Sophie Green
The Monster Who Wasn’t by T.C. Shelley
The Forgotten Letters of Esther Durrant by Kayte Nunn
Squidge Dibley Destroys the School by Mick Elliott
Lintang and The Pirate Queen by Tamara Moss
Alfie takes Action by Karen Wallace
The Great Toy Rescue (Puppy Diaries #1) by Yvette Poshoglian
As Happy as Here by Jane Godwin
Women to the Front: The Extraordinary Australian Women Doctors of the Great War by Heather Sheard and Ruth Lee
Deltora Quest: The Shifting Sands by Emily Rodda
Deltora Quest: Dread Mountain by Emily Rodda
Marvel Rising: Squirrel Girl and Ms Marvel by Devin Grayson, Ryan North and Willow Wilson
Mermaid Holidays by Delphine Davis and Adele K Thomas

BINGO!

Book Bingo

48987121_1508329715968294_4870693570241101824_n

Rows Across:

Row One:

A book with a red cover: Children of the Dragon: Race for the Red Dragon by Rebecca Lim – #AWW2019

Beloved Classic: Seven Little Australians by Ethel Turner – AWW2018

A novel that has more than 500 pages:

A novella no more than 150 pages: Deltora Quest: The Forest of Silence by Emily Rodda – #AWW2019

Prize winning book:

Row Two:

A book by an author with the same initials as you:

Non-Fiction book about an event: The Suicide Bride by Tanya Bretherton – #AWW2019

Fictional biography about a woman from history:

Memoir about a non-famous person: Australia’s Sweetheart by Michael Adams

Book written by an Australian woman more than 10 years ago: Deltora Quest: The Lake of Tears by Emily Rodda – #AWW2019 (2001)

Row Three: BINGO

Themes of Science Fiction: Daughter of Bad Times by Rohan Wilson

Themes of Culture:The Lost Magician by Piers Torday

Themes of Justice: What Lies Beneath Us by Kirsty Ferguson – AWW2019

Themes of Inequality: The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer – AWW2019

Themes of Fantasy: Vardaesia by Lynette Noni – AWW2019

Row Four:

Book with a place in the title: The French Photographer by Natasha Lester -AWW2019

Book set in the Australian Outback:

Book set on the Australian Coast: The House of Second Chances by Esther Campion – AWW2019

Book set in the Australian Mountains: The Orchardist’s Daughter by Karen Viggers – AWW2019

Book set in an exotic location: Four Dead Queens by Astrid Scholte – #AWW2019

Row Five: Bingo

Written by an Australian Man: The Honeyman and the Hunter by Neil Grant

Written by an Australian Woman:Zelda Stitch Term Two: Too Much Witch by Nicki Greenberg – AWW2019

Written by an author under the age of 35: Archibald, The Naughtiest Elf in the World Causes Trouble with the Easter Bunny by Skye Davidson – #AWW2019

Written by an author over the age of 65: Miss Franklin: How Miles Franklin’s Brilliant Career began by Libby Hathorn – #AWW2019*

Written by an author you’ve never read: The Dog Runner by Bren MacDibble – #AWW2019

Row Six: Bingo

Literary: Zebra and Other Stories by Debra Adelaide – AWW2019

Crime: All the Tears in China by Sulari Gentill – AWW2019

Historical: The Familiars by Stacey Halls

Romance: Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

Comedy: Best Foot Forward by Adam Hills

Rows Down:

Row One: –

A book with a red cover: Children of the Dragon: Race for the Red Dragon by Rebecca Lim – #AWW2019

Book by an author with the same initials as you:

Themes of science fiction: Daughter of Bad Times by Rohan Wilson

Book with a place in the title: The French Photographer by Natasha Lester -AWW2019

Written by an Australian man: The Honeyman and the Hunter by Neil Grant

Literary: Zebra and Other Stories by Debra Adelaide – AWW2019

Row Two:

Beloved Classic: Seven Little Australians by Ethel Turner – AWW2018

Non-Fiction book about an event: The Suicide Bride by Tanya Bretherton – #AWW2019

Themes of culture: The Lost Magician by Piers Torday

Book set in the Australian outback:

Written by an Australian woman: Zelda Stitch Term Two: Too Much Witch by Nicki Greenberg – AWW2019

Crime: All the Tears in China by Sulari Gentill – AWW2019

Row three:

Novel that has 500 pages or more:

Fictional biography about a woman from history:

Themes of justice:What Lies Beneath Us by Kirsty Ferguson – AWW2019

Book set on the Australian coast: The House of Second Chances by Esther Campion – AWW2019

Written by an author under the age of 35: Archibald, The Naughtiest Elf in the World Causes Trouble with the Easter Bunny by Skye Davidson – #AWW2019

Historical: The Familiars by Stacey Halls

Row Four: – BINGO

Novella no more than 150 pages: Deltora Quest: The Forest of Silence by Emily Rodda – #AWW2019

Memoir about a non-famous person: Australia’s Sweetheart by Michael Adams

Themes of inequality: The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer – AWW2019

Book set in the Australian mountains: The Orchardist’s Daughter by Karen Viggers – AWW2019

Written by an author over the age of 65: Miss Franklin: How Miles Franklin’s Brilliant Career began by Libby Hathorn – #AWW2019*

Romance: Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

Row Five:

Prize winning book:

Book written by an Australian woman more than ten years ago: Deltora Quest: The Lake of Tears by Emily Rodda – #AWW2019 (2001)

Themes of fantasy: Vardaesia by Lynette Noni – AWW2019

Book set in an exotic location: Four Dead Queens by Astrid Scholte – #AWW2019

Written by an author you’ve never read: The Dog Runner by Bren MacDibble – #AWW2019

Comedy: Best Foot Forward by Adam Hills

May Round Up – 15

Title	Author	Challenge
Life Before	Carmel Reilly	General, #Dymocks52Challenge, #AWW2019
The Shelly Bay Ladies Swimming Circle	Sophie Green	General, #Dymocks52Challenge, #AWW2019, Popsugar
The Monster Who Wasn’t	T.C. Shelley	General, #Dymocks52Challenge, #AWW2019
Lintang and The Pirate Queen	Tamara Moss	General, #Dymocks52Challenge, #AWW2019
The Forgotten Letters of Esther Durrant	Kayte Nunn	General, #Dymocks52Challenge, #AWW2019
Squidge Dibley Destroys the School	Mick Elliott	General, #Dymocks52Challenge,
Alfie Takes Action	Karen Wallace	General, #Dymocks52Challenge
The Great Toy Rescue (Puppy Diaries #1)	Yvette Poshoglian	General, #Dymocks52Challenge, #AWW2019
As Happy as Here	Jane Godwin	General, #Dymocks52Challenge, #AWW2019 – published 23rd July
Women to the Front: The Extraordinary Australian Women Doctors of the Great War	Heather Sheard and Ruth Lee	General, #Dymocks52Challenge, #AWW2019 – read in May, review posted June
Deltora Quest: The Shifting Sands	Emily Rodda	General, #Dymocks52Challenge, #AWW2019 – read in May, review posted June
Deltora Quest: Dread Mountain	Emily Rodda	General, #Dymocks52Challenge, #AWW2019 – read in May, review posted June
Marvel Rising: Squirrel Girl and Ms Marvel	Devin Grayson, Ryan North and Willow Wilson	General, #Dymocks52Challenge, Popsugar
Mermaid Holidays	Delphine Davis and Adele K Thomas	General, #Dymocks52Challenge, Popsugar #AWW2019 – Due out 2nd July 2019, review to be posted then,

March Round Up 2019

I read twelve books in March, and like previous months, some reviews are yet to go up, whilst others were just work books or books I did not review. Below is my progress for each challenge:

Overall/Dymocks 52 Challenge

#Dymocks52Challenge

27. The Incredible Hulk by Alex Irvine

Four Dead Queens by Astrid Scholte
The Wolf and the Watchman by Niklas Natt och Dag
The Deep: Selkie Warrior by Finn Black
Zebra and Other Stories by Debra Adelaide
Captain Marvel: Higher, Faster, Further by Kelly Sue DeConnick
Free Rein: The Steeplechase Secret by Jeanette Lane
Esther by Jessica North
Mermaid Holidays: The Talent Show by Delphine Davis and Adele K. Thomas
Cuddles by Ellen Miles
The True Story of Maddie Bright by Mary-Rose MacColl
Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

Jane Austen Challenge

Jane Austen Reading Challenge 2019

First book read for this challenge – Northanger Abbey

20181124_140447

Book Bingo

Book set in an exotic location: Four Dead Queens by Astrid Scholte – #AWW2019

Literary: Zebra and Other Stories by Debra Adelaide – AWW2019

Romance: Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

Australian Women Writers

Four Dead Queens by Astrid Scholte – Reviewed
Zebra and Other Stories by Debra Adelaide – Reviewed
Esther by Jessica North – Reviewed
Mermaid Holidays: The Talent Show by Delphine Davis and Adele K. Thomas – Reviewed
The True Story of Maddie Bright by Mary-Rose MacColl – Reviewed

Maddie Bright

Four Dead Queens

Zebra

Wolf and Watchman

Esther

The Talent Show

Northanger Abbey

March Round-Up

Book	Author	Challenges
The Incredible Hulk	Alex Irvine	#Dymocks52Challenge, General
Four Dead Queens	Astrid Scholte	general, #AWW2019, #Dymocks52Challenge, PopSugar, Book Bingo
The Wolf and the Watchman	Niklas Natt och Dag	general, #Dymocks52Challenge, PopSugar
The Deep: Selkie Warrior	Finn Black	general, #Dymocks52Challenge
Zebra and Other Stories	Debra Adelaide	general, #Dymocks52Challenge, #AWW2019, Book Bingo
Captain Marvel: Higher, Faster, Further	Kelly Sue DeConnick	general, #Dymocks52Challenge,
Free Rein: The Steeplechase Secret	Jeanette Lane	general, #Dymocks52Challenge
Esther	Jessica North	general, #Dymocks52Challenge, #AWW2019
Mermaid Holidays: The Talent Show	Delphine Davis and Adele K. Thomas	general, #Dymocks52Challenge, #AWW2019, PopSugar
Cuddles	Ellen Miles	general, #Dymocks52Challenge.
The True Story of Maddie Bright	Mary-Rose MacColl	general, #Dymocks52Challenge, #AWW2019, PopSugar
Northanger Abbey	Jane Austen	General, book bingo, #Dymocks52Challenge

Challenge Check-In: February

What-Lies-Beneath-Us-Cover-sample-copy-197x300

In February, I didn’t read or review as many books as I did in January. I managed to read twelve books this month, bringing my yearly total to twenty-six, and have made some progress on my challenges. Some reviews are yet to go up, but this will wrap up what I have done:

#Dymocks52Challenge

General and #Dymocks52Challenge

Beauty in Thorns by Kate Forsyth
What Lies Beneath Us by Kirsty Ferguson
The Dog Runner by Bren MacDibble
The House of Second Chances by Esther Campion
The Familiars by Stacey Halls
The Orchardist’s Daughter by Karen Viggers
The French Photographer by Natasha Lester
Harry Potter: A History of Magic, The Exhibition Guide by British Library, JK Rowling
D-Bot #8: Dino Corp by Mac Park
Kensy and Max: Undercover by Jacqueline Harvey
The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer
52 Mondays by Anna Ciddor

pb history of magic

#AWW2019 Challenge

Beauty in Thorns by Kate Forsyth – Reviewed/Revisited post
What Lies Beneath Us by Kirsty Ferguson – Reviewed
The Dog Runner by Bren MacDibble – Reviewed
The House of Second Chances by Esther Campion – Reviewed
The Orchardist’s Daughter by Karen Viggers – Reviewed
The French Photographer by Natasha Lester – Reviewed and Q&A
Kensy and Max: Undercover by Jacqueline Harvey – Reviewed
The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer – Reviewed
52 Mondays by Anna Ciddor – Reviewed

20181124_140447

Book bingo:

Themes of Justice: What Lies Beneath Us by Kirsty Ferguson – AWW2019

Themes of Inequality: The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer – AWW2019

Book with a place in the title: The French Photographer by Natasha Lester -AWW2019

Book set on the Australian Coast: The House of Second Chances by Esther Campion – AWW2019

Book set in the Australian Mountains: The Orchardist’s Daughter by Karen Viggers – AWW2019

Written by an author you’ve never read: The Dog Runner by Bren MacDibble – #AWW2019

Historical: The Familiars by Stacey Halls

Some of these have posts up, and some don’t – this is based on my reading log.

February Round Up

Book	Author	Challenges
Beauty in Thorns	Kate Forsyth	AWW2019, #Dymocks52Challenge, PopSugar, General
What Lies Beneath Us	Kirsty Ferguson	#AWW2019, #Dymocks52Challenge, PopSugar, General, Book Bingo
The Dog Runner	Bren MacDibble	#AWW2019, #Dymocks52Challenge, PopSugar, General, Book Bingo
The House of Second Chances	Esther Campion	#AWW2019 #Dymocks52Challenge, PopSugar, General, Book Bingo
The Familiars	Stacey Halls	#Dymocks52Challenge, PopSugar, General
The Orchardist’s Daughter	Karen Viggers	#AWW2019 #Dymocks52Challenge, General, Book Bingo
The French Photographer	Natasha Lester	#AWW2019 #Dymocks52Challenge, General, Book Bingo
Harry Potter: A History of Magic, The Exhibition Guide (paperback)	British Library, JK Rowling	#Dymocks52Challenge, General
D-Bot #8: Dino Corp	Mac Park	#Dymocks52Challenge, General
Kensy and Max: Undercover	Jacqueline Harvey	#AWW2019, #Dymocks52Challenge, PopSugar, General,
The Things We Cannot Say	Kelly Rimmer	general, #AWW2019, #Dymcoks52Challenge, PopSugar
52 Mondays	Anna Ciddor	general, #AWW2019, #Dymcoks52Challenge

Challenge Check-in: January 2019

In an effort to keep on top of my check in posts this year, I’m hoping to do monthly wrap ups, and break downs every fifteen books where possible. These Challenge check-ins will allow me to track my progress and determine how many books I read each month to make my end of year posts easier to write.

#AWW2019 – Australian Women Writers: six books so far

All the Tears in China by Sulari Gentill – Reviewed
Seven Little Australians by Ethel Turner – Reviewed
Vardaesia by Lynette Noni – Reviewed
Saving You by Charlotte Nash – Reviewed
Zelda Stitch Term Two: Too Much Witch by Nikki Greenberg – Reviewed
99 Percent Mine by Sally Thorne – Reviewed

General challenge: Fourteen books completed.

All the Tears in China by Sulari Gentill
Bella Donna: Coven Road by Ruth Symes
Seven Little Australians by Ethel Turner
Bella Donna: Too Many Spells by Ruth Symes
Dragon Masters: Treasure of the Gold Dragon by Tracey West
Vardaesia by Lynette Noni
Best Foot Forward by Adam Hills
Saving You by Charlotte Nash
Zelda Stitch Term Two: Too Much Witch by Nicki Greenberg
Australia’s Sweetheart by Michael Adams
The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl Volume One: Squirrel Power by Ryan North
99 Percent Mine by Sally Thorne
Enola Holmes: The Case of the Bizarre Bouquets (Enola Holmes #3) by Nancy Springer
Enola Holmes: The Case of the Peculiar Pink Fan (Enola Holmes #4) by Nancy Springer

#Dymocks52Challenge

#Dymocks52Challenge: Fourteen books read so far.

All the Tears in China by Sulari Gentill
Bella Donna: Coven Road by Ruth Symes
Seven Little Australians by Ethel Turner
Bella Donna: Too Many Spells by Ruth Symes
Dragon Masters: Treasure of the Gold Dragon by Tracey West
Vardaesia by Lynette Noni
Best Foot Forward by Adam Hills
Saving You by Charlotte Nash
Zelda Stitch Term Two: Too Much Witch by Nicki Greenberg
Australia’s Sweetheart by Michael Adams
The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl Volume One: Squirrel Power by Ryan North
99 Percent Mine by Sally Thorne
Enola Holmes: The Case of the Bizarre Bouquets (Enola Holmes #3) by Nancy Springer
Enola Holmes: The Case of the Peculiar Pink Fan (Enola Holmes #4) by Nancy Springer

PopSugar Challenge: Nine categories ticked off so far.

x99-percent-mine.jpg.pagespeed.ic.eft0zzx-3g

A book written by a musician (fiction or nonfiction): Best Foot Forward by Adam Hills

A book with a plant in the title or on the cover: Bella Donna: Coven Road by Ruth Symes

A book with an item of clothing or accessory on the cover: 99 Percent Mine by Sally Thorne

A retelling of a classic: Enola Holmes: The Case of the Bizarre Bouquets (Enola Holmes #3) by Nancy Springer

A book about someone with a superpower: The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl Volume One: Squirrel Power by Ryan North

A book with SALTY, SWEET, BITTER, or SPICY in the title: Australia’s Sweetheart by Michael Adams

A book that’s published in 2019: Vardaesia by Lynette Noni

A book featuring an extinct or imaginary creature: Dragon Masters: Treasure of the Gold Dragon by Tracey West

A book featuring an amateur detective: All the Tears in China by Sulari Gentill

A book with a two-word title: Saving You by Charlotte Nash

Book Bingo: Seven read, and four squares ticked off.

48987121_1508329715968294_4870693570241101824_n

Beloved Classic: Seven Little Australians by Ethel Turner – AWW2018

Memoir about a non-famous person: Australia’s Sweetheart by Michael Adams

Crime: All the Tears in China by Sulari Gentill – AWW2019

Comedy: Best Foot Forward by Adam Hills

January Round Up

Book	Author	Challenge
All the Tears in China	Sulari Gentill	#AWW2019, Book Bingo, overall, PopSugar, #Dymocks52Challenge
Bella Donna: Coven Road	Ruth Symes	PopSugar, general, #Dymocks52Challenge
Seven Little Australians	Ethel Turner	#AWW2019, Book Bingo, general
Bella Donna: Too Many Spells	Ruth Symes	general, #Dymocks52Challenge,
Dragon Masters: Treasure of the Gold Dragon	Tracey West	general, PopSugar, #Dymocks52Challenge
Vardaesia	Lynette Noni	#AWW2019, general, #Dymocks52Challenge, book bingo, PopSugar
Best Foot Forward	Adam Hills	Book Bingo, general, PopSugar, #Dymocks52Challenge
Saving You	Charlotte Nash	#AWW2019, #Dymocks52Challenge, general, Book Bingo, PopSugar
Zelda Stitch Term Two: Too Much Witch	Nikki Greenberg	general, Book Bingo, #Dymocks52Challenge, #AWW2019,
Australia’s Sweetheart	Michael Adams	General, Book Bingo, #Dymocks52Challenge, PopSugar
The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl Volume One: Squirrel Power	Ryan North	General, PopSugar, #Dymocks52Challenge
99 Percent Mine	Sally Thorne	General, PopSugar, #AWW2019, #Dymocks52Challenge
Enola Holmes: The Case of the Bizarre Bouquets (Enola Holmes #3)	Nancy Springer	General, PopSugar, #Dymocks52Challenge,
Enola Holmes: The Case of the Peculiar Pink Fan (Enola Holmes #4)	Nancy Springer	General, #Dymocks52Challenge

2018 Reading Wrap Up Post

cropped-Readings-and-Musings-on-all-things-books-Aussie-authors-and-everything-in-between.jpg

In 2018, I had the aim of reading 120 books throughout the year. This was my general reading goal from the first of January to the end of December, and included review books, books I had to read for work as a quiz writer with Scholastic Australia, and my other challenges – The Australian Women Writer’s Challenge, the Pop Sugar Challenge (which I came close to finishing, but several categories were too hard to fulfil when it came to it), and Book Bingo 2018 with Theresa and Amanda, which we will be attempting again in 2019.

In 2019, I will be participating in each of the above challenges again – The Australian Women Writer’s Challenge, Book Bingo and the Pop Sugar Challenge. My main aim will be to complete the 2019 Book Bingo, and to see how I go with the 2019 PopSugar Challenge – which will be addressed in a separate post. Below is my list of books I read in 2018:

Reading Log

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (Illustrated) by JK Rowling (Newt Scamander)
The Tides Between by Elizabeth Jane Corbett
Where’s Jane? Find Jane Austen Hidden in her Stories by Rebecca Smith and Katy Dockrill
Rose Raventhorpe Investigates: Hounds and Hauntings by Janine Beacham
Four Respectable Ladies Seek Part-Time Husband by Barbara Toner
Mr Dickens and His Carol by Samantha Silva
Smile:The Story of the original Mona Lisa by Mary Hoffman
The Secrets at Ocean’s Edge by Kali Napier
Differently Normal by Tammy Robinson
The Endsister by Penni Russon
The Last Train by Sue Lawrence
Graevale by Lynette Noni
Eventual Poppy Day by Libby Hathorn
The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Olmec Obituary by LJM Owen
The Passengers by Eleanor Limprecht
The War I Finally Won by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
The Wicked Cometh by Laura Carlin
Draigon Weather: The Legends of Arnan – Book One by Paige L Christie
Miss Lily’s Lovely Ladies by Jackie French
The Sealwoman’s Gift by Sally Magnusson
Surf Rider’s Club #2: Bronte’s Big Sister Problem by Mary van Reyk
Before I Let You Go by Kelly Rimmer
Jorie and the Magic Stones by A.H. Richardson
The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton
Skin in the Game: The Pleasure and Pain of Telling True Stories by Sonya Voumard
Babylon Berlin by Volker Kutschner
Spinning Tops & Gum Drops: A Portrait of Colonial Childhood by Edwin Barnard
Tin Man by Sarah Winman
Mayan Mendacity by L.J.M. Owen
The Opal Dragonfly by Julian Leatherdale
Grandpa, Me and Poetry by Sally Morgan
The Paris Seamstress by Natasha Lester
The Freedom Finders Series: Touch the Sun by Emily Conolan
The World Goes On by László Krasznahorakai (translated from the Hungarian by John Bakti, Ottilie Mulzet and Georges Szirtes
The Book of Answers: The Ateban Cipher Book 2 by A.L. Tait
Munmun by Jesse Andrews
Little Gods by Jenny Ackland
Leaving Lucy Pear by Anna Solomon
I am Sasha by Anita Selzer
Heidi by Johanna Spyri
The Good Doctor of Warsaw by Elisabeth Gifford
Thunderwith by Libby Hathorn
Monty the Sad Puppy by Holly Webb
The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
Lovesome by Sally Seltmann
Egyptian Enigma by L.J.M Owen
The Ship that Never Was by Adam Courtenay
Other Worlds: Perfect World by George Ivanoff
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
The Enchanted Places by Christopher Milne
The Beast’s Heart by Leife Shallcross
Eleanor’s Secret by Caroline Beecham
Australia Day by Melanie Cheng
The Most Marvellous Spelling Bee Mystery by Deborah Abela
Other Worlds: Beast World by George Ivanoff
Circe by Madeline Miller
Miles Franklin: A Short Biography by Jill Roe
The Book of Colours by Robyn Cadwallader
The Jade Lily by Kirsty Manning
The Burning Chambers by Kate Mosse
Jane Seymour: The Haunted Queen by Alison Weir
Ready to Fall by Marcella Puxley
A Home for Molly by Holly Webb
My Girragundji by Meme McDonald and Boori Monty Prior
Burning Bridges and Other Hobbies by Kitty Flanagan
Bluebottle by Belinda Castles
Selected Short Stories by Katherine Mansfield
The Upside of Over by J.D. Barrett
P is for Pearl by Eliza Henry Jones
Into the Night by Sarah Bailey
The Seventh Cross by Anna Seghers, translated from the German by Margot Bettauer Dembo
The Yellow House by Emily O’Grady
The Notebook of Doom #10: Snap of the Super-Goop by Troy Cummings
Embassy of the Dead by Will Mabbitt
Dragon Masters: Search for the Lightning Dragon by Tracey West
Ella and Olivia: A Wild Adventure by Yvette Poshoglian
Kensy and Max: Breaking News by Jacqueline Harvey
Captain Cook’s Apprentice by Anthony Hill
Swallow’s Dance by Wendy Orr
We See the Stars by Kate van Hooft
The Far Back Country by Kate Lyons
Beneath the Mother Tree by D.M. Cameron
The Peacock Summer by Hannah Richell
Harry Potter – Diagon Alley: A Movie Scrapbook by Warner Brothers and Jody Revenson
Strange Meeting by Susan Hill
The Desert Nurse by Pamela Hart
The Gypsy Crown by Kate Forsyth (Chain of Charms #1)
The Silver Horse by Kate Forsyth (Chain of Charms #2)
If Kisses Cured Cancer by T.S. Hawken
The Herb of Grace by Kate Forsyth (Chain of Charms #3)
Bookshop Girl by Chloe Coles
The Cat’s-Eye Shell by Kate Forsyth (Chain of Charms #4)
Children of the Dragon: The Relic of The Blue Dragon by Rebecca Lim
The Legacy of Beauregarde by Rosa Fedele
The Lightning Bolt by Kate Forsyth (Chain of Charms #5)
The Botanist’s Daughter by Kayte Nunn
Ninjago: The Mystery of the Masks by Kate Howard
Spirit by Ellen Miles (The Puppy Place)
The Butterfly in Amber by Kate Forsyth (Chain of Charms #6)
The Mitford Murders by Jessica Fellowes
Scrublands by Chris Hammer
When the Lights Go Out by Lili Wilkinson
The Last Firehawk: The Crystal Caverns by Katrina Charman
Hey Brother by Jarrah Dundler
The Magic School Bus Rides Again: Satellite Space Mission by AnnMarie Anderson
Amazing Australian Women: Twelve Women Who Shaped History by Pamela Freeman and Sophie Beer
The Honourable Thief by Meaghan Wilson Anastasios
Early Riser by Jasper Fforde
The Psychology of Time Travel by Kate Mascarenhas
The Brink of Darkness by Jeff Giles
Mouseford Academy: Lights, Camera, Action by Thea Stilton
No Country Woman by Zoya Patel
The Extremely Inconvenient Adventures of Bronte Mettlestone by Jaclyn Moriarty
Disappearing Act by Jacqueline Harvey (Kensy and Max #2)
A Kitten Called Tiger by Holly Webb
Fairy Tales for Feisty Girls by Susannah McFarlane
The Distance Between Me and The Cherry Tree by Paola Peretti
The Clockmaker’s Daughter by Kate Morton
Sisters and Brothers by Fiona Palmer
The Note Book of Doom: Battle of the Boss-Monster by Troy Cummings (#13)
Mission Alert: Island X by Benjamin Hulme-Cross
Time Jumpers: Stealing the Sword by Wendy Mass
Archibald, the Naughtiest Elf in the World Goes to the Zoo by Skye Davidson, Illustrated by Ágnes Rokiczky
We Three Heroes by Lynette Noni
The Christmas Tale of Peter Rabbit by Emma Thompson
The Colours of all the Cattle by Alexander McCall-Smith
Frieda by Annabel Abbs
Secrets Hidden Below by Sandra Bennett
The Shelter Puppy by Holly Webb
The Case of the Missing Marquess (An Enola Holmes Mystery #1) by Nancy Springer.
The Case of the Left-Handed Lady (An Enola Holmes Mystery #2) by Nancy Springer
What the Woods Keep by Katya de Becerra
The Cat with the Coloured Tail by Gillian Mears
Bright Young Dead by Jessica Fellowes
Total Quack up by Sally Rippin and Adrian Beck
Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
Have Sword, Will Travel by Garth Nix and Sean Williams
Let Sleeping Dragons Lie by Garth Nix and Sean Williams
Stormtrooper Class Clowns by Ace Landers
Lenny’s Book of Everything by Karen Foxlee
The Slightly Alarming Tale of the Whispering Wars by Jaclyn Moriarty (Kingdoms and Empires #2)
Storm troopers: Class Clown by Ace Landers
The Turn of Midnight by Minette Walters
Victoria and Abdul: The Extraordinary True Story of the Queen’s Closest Confidant by Shrabani Busi
The Nutcracker by Alexandre Dumas
Lethal White by Robert Galbraith
The Little Fairy Sister by Ida Rentoul Outhwaite and Grenbery Outhwaite
Hogwarts: A Movie Scrapbook
Goodbye Christopher Robin by Anne Thwaite
Talking as Fast as I Can by Lauren Graham
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald by J.K. Rowling
Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers
Edward by Ellen Miles
Clementine Rose and the Bake-Off Dilemma by Jacqueline Harvey
All the Tears in China by Sulari Gentill
Last Woman Hanged by Caroline Overington
The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #1: Squirrel Power by Ryan North
The Rescued Kitten by Holly Webb
The Au Pair by Emma Rous
Dear Santa, edited by Sam Johnson OAM
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
The Night Before Christmas by Clement C Moore
A Very Murderous Christmas by Cecily Gayford
Wiser than Everything by Lorena Carrington
Time Jumpers: Escape from Egypt by Wendy Mass]
Henry VIII and the Men who Made Him by Tracy Borman

SmallLogo

As you can see, I have read kids’ books, young adult books, fiction and non-fiction books and everything in between for quiz writing and reviewing, and my own reading that I was able to do in between the books sent to me as a reviewer and quiz writer.

In wrapping up my 2018 reading, there are definitely some books I wanted to get to but didn’t, and that I hope I can get to in 2019. With similar goals for 2019, I hope to achieve similar numbers, more books read, and hopefully more reviews coming your way for the next twelve months.

Pop Sugar Challenge Round Up

One of the challenges I did during 2019 was the PopSugar Challenge. It had forty categories, plus an additional ten advanced ones – a couple of which I managed to check off, and I filled most of the main categories, some with multiple books. It was a good challenge, but one thing I think lets it down is that it is overly prescriptive – and I think this made it too hard to fill in – almost impossible for some, in fact.

One was an author with the same first or last name as you – and this could let many people down, as there will be many names, not just mine, that do not appear as any part of an author’s name. Some I didn’t fill due to lack of time, but there were some that relied on accessibility as well – being able to get the book, or something being available in a library, bookstore or your collection. The point of a challenge is to challenge you and your reading – but perhaps not in a way that lets you down when you find you can’t fill a category.

Still, it was a fun challenge and I’ll be doing it again this year – but I feel that the categories get too prescriptive and specific each year, and rely too much on the accessibility of books – just because you can find a title in a Google search does not mean that book will be readily available for you – and my plan is to fill as many as I can with what I have.

Challenge #1

A book made into a movie you’ve already seen: Victoria and Abdul: The Extraordinary True Story of the Queen’s Closest Confidant by Shrabani Basu Victoria and Abdul (2017)

True crime: Last Woman Hanged by Caroline Overington

The next book in a series you started: Mayan Mendacity by L.J.M. Owen, The Silver Horse by Kate Forsyth (Chain of Charms #2)

A book involving a heist: The Book of Answers: The Ateban Cipher Book 2 by A.L. Tait, Bright Young Dead by Jessica Fellowes (Mitford Murders #2)

Nordic Noir:

A novel based on a real person: Mr Dickens and His Carol by Samantha Silva

A book set in a country that fascinates you:

Country: Scotland
Book: The Last Train by Sue Lawrence

Country: England
Book: The Silver Horse by Kate Forsyth (Chain of Charms #2)

A book with the time of day in the title: early – Early Riser by Jasper Fforde

A book about a villain or anti-hero: The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley and The War I Finally Won by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley and Babylon Berlin by Volker Kutschner, The Ship that Never Was by Adam Courtenay

A book about death or grief: Before I Let You Go by Kelly Rimmer, Embassy of the Dead by Will Mabbitt

A book with your favourite colour in the title: Bluebottle by Belinda Castles

A book with alliteration in the title: Rose Raventhorpe Investigates: Hounds and Hauntings by Janine Beacham
Olmec Obituary by LJM Owen
Mayan Mendacity by LJM Owen

A book about time travel: The Psychology of Time Travel by Kate Mascarenhas, Time Jumpers: Stealing the Sword by Wendy Mass

A book with a weather element in the title: Draigon Weather: The Legends of Arnan – Book One by Paige L Christie, Dragon Masters: Search for the Lightning Dragon by Tracey West

A book set at sea: The Passengers by Eleanor Limprecht, Bluebottle by Belinda Castles, Captain Cook’s Apprentice by Anthony Hill

A book with an animal in the title: The Sealwoman’s Gift by Sally Magnusson, The Opal Dragonfly by Julian Leatherdale

A book set on a different planet: Graevale by Lynette Noni

A book with song lyrics in the title: The Last Train by Sue Lawrence (Last Train Out of Sydney)

A book about or set on Halloween: Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend

A book with characters who are twins: The Paris Seamstress by Natasha Lester, Other Worlds: Beast World by George Ivanoff

A book with a female author who uses a male pseudonym: Lethal White by Robert Galbraith (JK Rowling)

A book with an LGBTQ+ protagonist: The Wicked Cometh by Laura Carlin, Tin Man by Sarah Winman

A book that is also a stage play or musical:

A book by an author of a different ethnicity to you: The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton, Grandpa, Me and Poetry by Sally Morgan

A book about feminism: Olmec Obituary by L.J.M. Owen, No Country Woman by Zoya Patel

A book about mental health: Differently Normal by Tammy Robinson (mental disabilities, dealing with grief and loneliness)

A book you borrowed or that was given to you as a gift: The Enchanted Places by Christopher Milne, Goodbye, Christopher Robin by Anne Thwaite

A book by two authors: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

A book about or involving sport: Surf Rider’s Club #2: Bronte’s Big Sister Problem by Mary van Reyk

A book by a local author: The Secrets at Ocean’s Edge by Kali Napier (AU author), Grandpa, Me and Poetry by Sally Morgan, Olmec Obituary by LJM Owen, Mayan Mendacity by LJM Owen, Four Respectable Ladies Seek Part-time Husband by Barbara Toner

A book mentioned in another book: Heidi by Johanna Spyri, mentioned in Little Gods.

A book from a celebrity book club:

Book Club:
Book:

A childhood classic you’ve never read: Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers

A book that’s published in 2018: Four Respectable Ladies Seek Part-time Husband by Barbara Toner

A past Goodreads Choice Awards winner: Talking as Fast As I Can by Lauren Graham

A book set in the decade you were born: Little Gods by Jenny Ackland

A book you meant to read in 2017 but didn’t get to: Miss Lily’s Lovely Ladies by Jackie French

A book with an ugly cover: Skin in the Game: The Pleasure and Pain of Telling True Stories by Sonya Voumard

A book that involves a bookstore or library: Bookshop Girl by Chloe Coles

Your favourite prompt from the 2015, 2016 or 2017 POPSUGAR Reading Challenges:

2015: A book with a one-word title: Thunderwith by Libby Hathorn, Lovesome by Sally Seltmann.

2016: A book based on a fairy tale: The Beast’s Heart by Leife Shallcross

2017: A novel set during wartime: Eventual Poppy Day by Libby Hathorn

TOTAL READ: 61 in 37 categories
ADVANCED

A bestseller from the year you graduated high school (2004):

A cyberpunk book:

A book that was being read by a stranger in a public place:

A book tied to your ancestry (Scottish):

A book with a fruit or vegetable in the title: Leaving Lucy Pear by Anna Solomon

An allegory: Munmun by Jesse Andrews

A book by an author with the same first or last name as you:

A microhistory: Spinning Tops & Gum Drops: A Portrait of Colonial Childhood by Edwin Barnard

A book about a problem facing society today: When the Mountains Roared by Jess Butterworth – poaching. No Country Woman by Zoya Patel – Racism.

A book recommended by someone else taking the POPSUGAR Reading Challenge:

TOTAL READ: 5

As you can see, some categories were easier to fill than others, some I didn’t manage to find anything for aforementioned reasons, and some had multiple entries. Some were filled in with a stretch – perhaps this is why I like looser themes, rather than ones that dictate what must be in a title or part of the authors name – you still get the challenge of finding a book that fills it, without causing panic because nothing fits in – this takes the fun out of it. So in 2019, my goal is to fill whatever categories I can. And if there are some where I don’t find a book, or a book does not appeal to me, I will give it a miss – and just let it happen as it happens.

In my mind, a challenge like this whilst fun, can also be inhibiting, which is why in the group that does this challenge, I’ve suggested a list of other challenges in case others want to take those on as well as this one or instead of – something I might do, or tweak them for my individual needs.

So ends another year of reading challenges.

Australian Women Writers Challenge 2018 Completed Post

This year I pledged to read fifteen books – which I had completed by at least March, if not earlier. I read a total of seventy-nine books and reviewed seventy-eight – one review is due to go live in January and as a result, also counts towards my 2019 challenge. One book from this year was read in 2017, but reviewed this year, and so counts towards both years, as discussed with other AWW participants. Of these books, the majority came out this year, with a few older ones, and some that were published in new editions, such as Mary Poppins.

THE_LEGACY_OF_BEAUREGARDE_BOOKCOVER_1024x1024

I read a broad range from general fiction to kids, young adult, fantasy, crime, historical fiction, non-fiction and some that mixed genres eloquently to create stories that would find a diverse audience.

Cyan Magenta Yellow Black

I read picture books, entire series and some books that were just one in a series that was continuing this year. One series had two books come out, and the final book comes out next year – as I wrote this post, my reviewer copy of this book arrived, and I am now torn between diving in or saving it for January and finishing everything else first.

Skin-in-the-Game_cover-for-publicity-600x913

NJ1802-ETP-Archibald-book-1-pdf-1030x824

Below is a list of the books I read and reviewed for the challenge this year,

The Sister’s Song by Louise Allan – Reviewed in 2018 but read in 2017.
The Tides Between by Elizabeth Jane Corbett – Reviewed
Rose Raventhorpe Investigates: Hounds and Hauntings by Janine Beacham – Reviewed
Four Respectable Ladies Seek Part-Time Husband by Barbara Toner – Reviewed
The Secrets at Ocean’s Edge by Kali Napier – Reviewed
The Endsister by Penni Russon – Reviewed
Graevale by Lynette Noni – reviewed
Eventual Poppy Day by Libby Hathorn – Reviewed
Olmec Obituary by LJM Owen -Reviewed
The Passengers by Eleanor Limprecht – Reviewed and Interviewed.
Miss Lily’s Lovely Ladies by Jackie French – Reviewed
Surf Rider’s Club #2: Bronte’s Big Sister Problem by Mary van Reyk – Reviewed
Before I Let You Go by Kelly Rimmer – reviewed
Skin in the Game: The Pleasure and Pain of Telling True Stories by Sonya Voumard – Reviewed
Mayan Mendacity by L.J.M. Owen – Reviewed
Grandpa, Me and Poetry by Sally Morgan – Reviewed
The Paris Seamstress by Natasha Lester – Reviewed
The Freedom Finders Series: Touch the Sun by Emily Conolan – Reviewed
The Book of Answers: The Ateban Cipher Book 2 by A.L. Tait – Reviewed
Little Gods by Jenny Ackland- Reviewed
I am Sasha by Anita Selzer – Reviewed
Thunderwith by Libby Hathorn – Reviewed
The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris – Reviewed
Lovesome by Sally Seltmann – Reviewed
Egyptian Enigma by L.J.M. Owen – Reviewed
The Beast’s Heart by Leife Shallcross – Reviewed
Eleanor’s Secret – Reviewed
Australia Day by Melanie Cheng – Reviewed
The Most Marvellous Spelling Bee Mystery by Deborah Abela – Reviewed
Miles Franklin: A Short Biography by Jill Roe – Reviewed
The Jady Lily by Kirsty Manning – Reviewed
The Book of Colours by Robyn Cadwallader – Reviewed
Burning Bridges and Other Hobbies by Kitty Flanagan – Reviewed
Bluebottle by Belinda Castles – Reviewed
The Upside of Over by J.D. Barrett – Reviewed and Interviewed
P is for Pearl by Eliza Henry Jones – Reviewed
Into the Night by Sarah Bailey – Reviewed
The Yellow House by Emily O’Grady – Reviewed
Ella and Olivia: A Wild Adventure by Yvette Poshoglian – Reviewed
Kensy and Max: Breaking News by Jacqueline Harvey – Reviewed
Swallow’s Dance by Wendy Orr – Reviewed
We See the Stars by Kate van Hooft – Reviewed.
The Far Back Country by Kate Lyons- Reviewed
Beneath the Mother Tree by D.M. Cameron – Reviewed
The Peacock Summer by Hannah Richell – Reviewed
The Desert Nurse by Pamela Hart – Reviewed
The Gypsy Crown by Kate Forsyth (Chain of Charms #1) – Reviewed
The Silver Horse by Kate Forsyth (Chain of Charms #2) – Reviewed
The Herb of Grace by Kate Forsyth (Chain of Charms #3) – Reviewed
The Cat’s Eye Shell by Kate Forsyth (Chain of Charms #4) – Reviewed
Children of the Dragon: Relic of The Blue Dragon by Rebecca Lim – Reviewed
The Legacy of Beauregarde by Rosa Fedele – Reviewed
The Lightning Bolt by Kate Forsyth (Chain of Charms #5) – Reviewed
The Botanist’s Daughter by Kayte Nunn – Reviewed
The Butterfly in Amber by Kate Forsyth (Chain of Charms #6) – Reviewed
When the Lights Go Out by Lili Wilkinson – Reviewed
Amazing Australian Women: Twelve Women Who Shaped History by Pamela Freeman and Sophie Beer – Reviewed
The Honourable Thief by Meaghan Wilson Anastasios – Reviewed
No Country Woman by Zoya Patel – Reviewed
The Extremely Inconvenient Adventures of Bronte Mettlestone by Jaclyn Moriarty – Reviewed
Disappearing Act by Jacqueline Harvey (Kensy and Max #2) – Reviewed
Fairy Tales for Feisty Girls by Susannah McFarlane – Reviewed
The Clockmaker’s Daughter by Kate Morton – Reviewed
Sisters and Brothers by Fiona Palmer – Reviewed
We Three Heroes by Lynette Noni – Reviewed
Archibald, the Naughtiest Elf in the World Goes to the Zoo by Skye Davidson, illustrated by Ágnes Rokiczky – Reviewed
Secrets Hidden Below by Sandra Bennett – Reviewed
What the Woods Keep by Katya de Becerra – Reviewed
The Cat with the Coloured Tail by Gillian Mears – Reviewed
Total Quack Up by Sally Rippin and Adrian Beck – Reviewed
Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend – Reviewed
Lenny’s Book of Everything by Karen Foxlee – Reviewed
The Slightly Alarming Tale of the Whispering Wars by Jaclyn Moriarty (Kingdoms and Empires #2) – Reviewed
Archibald, the Naughtiest Elf in the World Visits Santa by Skye Davidson, illustrated by Ágnes Rokiczky – Reviewed
Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers – Reviewed
Clementine Rose and the Bake-Off Dilemma by Jacqueline Harvey – Reviewed
All the Tears in China by Sulari Gentill – Reviewed for 2019 (to be counted as part of 2019’s challenge as well)
Last Woman Hanged by Caroline Overington – Reviewed

NJ1828-ETP-Archibald-Santa-book-cover-300x240

During the course of the challenge, I completed the Chain of Charms series, and did four check in posts across the year, charting my progress every fifteen books – the way I do this may change next year but here are the four check in posts, where you can access all but one of the reviews, as that one is only going live in the new year. There are a handful of books I know I will be reading towards this and other challenges next year, as they have already landed with me as early copies for review, but typically go up on release day as per publicity instructions. My initial goal of fifteen blew out to seventy-nine – being conservative in my goal means I can plan some reads and any others that come across are a bonus – it also lessens the pressure on trying to find that many books given I get so many from publishers, and they’re not always Aussie authors, even though I do my best to make sure this is the focus of my blog.

Check in posts: