In April, I read twenty-three books, and added to most of my challenges. No updates for my Jane Austen Challenge this month, but I am working on it. I have read 60 books towards my overall challenge and the #Dymocks52Challenge, and I’m at 28 books for the Australian Women Writer’s Challenge – 29 if I include my first read for May. I have completed most of my reads for my book bingo challenge and have scheduled all those posts as well. So I have the next eight months to fill the final squares and fill in the card.
I have several bingo rows ticked off and have also filled in many of my Pop Sugar categories – some with books I plan to read so I know what I’m reading. Some may prove to be a bit more of a challenge, but that’s half the fun, trying to find something that suits, that I will enjoy and that I have or will receive, saving time as I go through each challenge.
So that’s my month of reading for April – hopefully May will be just as productive as I work my way through these challenges, reviewing and reading kids books for work that also contribute to some of these challenge categories.
Pop Sugar Challenge
- A book becoming a movie in 2019: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
- 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:
- 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:
- A book published posthumously:
- 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:
- 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)
- 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
General/#Dymocks52Challenge
- Middle School: Born to Rock by James Patterson and Chris Tebbetts
- The Honeyman and the Hunter by Neil Grant
- A Dream of Italy by Nicky Pellegrino
- Archibald, The Naughtiest Elf in the World Causes Trouble with the Easter Bunny by Skye Davidson
- Poppy Field by Michael Morpurgo
- The Artist’s Portrait by Julie Keys
- Alice to Prague by Tanya Heaslip – Reviewed
- The Lost Magician by Piers Torday (Published 7th of May)
- The Suicide Bride by Tanya Bretherton
- The Bad Mother’s Book Club by Keris Stanton
- Rabbit and Bear: Attack of the Snack by Julian Gough
- Eliza Rose by Lucy Worsley
- Deltora Quest: The Forest of Silence by Emily Rodda
- The Seven or Eight Deaths of Stella Fortuna by Juliet Grames
- Deltora Quest: The Lake of Tears by Emily Rodda
- Children of the Dragon: Race for the Red Dragon by Rebecca Lim (Published 6th of May)
- Toto the Ninja Cat and the Incredible Cheese Heist by Dermot O’Leary
- The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary
- Christopher Robin: The Little Book of Pooh-isms: With help from Piglet, Eeyore, Rabbit, Owl, and Tigger, too! by Brittany Rubiano
- Daughter of Bad Times by Rohan Wilson (Published 6th of May)
- Deltora Quest: The City of Rats by Emily Rodda
- Fabio, the World’s Greatest Flamingo Detective: Mystery on the Ostrich Express by Laura James
- Life Before by Carmel Reilly (Published 6th of May)
Australian Women Writer’s Challenge
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Miss Franklin: How Miles Franklin’s Brilliant Career began by Libby Hathorn – Reviewed
- Archibald, The Naughtiest Elf in the World Causes Trouble with the Easter Bunny by Skye Davidson – Reviewed
- The Artist’s Portrait by Julie Keys – Reviewed
- The Suicide Bride by Tanya Bretherton – Reviewed, Interview
- Deltora Quest: The Forest of Silence by Emily Rodda – Reviewed
- Children of the Dragon: Race for the Red Dragon by Rebecca Lim – Reviewed
- Deltora Quest: The Lake of Tears by Emily Rodda – Reviewed
- Deltora Quest: The City of Rats by Emily Rodda – Reviewed
- Alice to Prague by Tanya Heaslip – Reviewed
Book Bingo:
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:
Themes of Science Fiction: The Lost Magician by Piers Torday*
Themes of Culture:
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: The Lost Magician by Piers Torday*
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:
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
April Round-Up – 21
| Title |
Author |
Challenge |
| Middle School: Born to Rock |
James Patterson and Chris Tebbetts |
General, #Dymocks52Challenge |
| The Honeyman and the Hunter |
Neil Grant |
General, #Dymocks52Challenge, book bingo |
| A Dream of Italy |
Nicky Pellegrino |
General, #Dymocks52Challenge |
| Miss Franklin: How Miles Franklin’s Brilliant Career began |
Libby Hathorn |
General, #Dymocks52Challenge, #AWW2019 Book Bingo |
| Archibald, The Naughtiest Elf in the World Causes Trouble with the Easter Bunny |
Skye Davidson |
General, #Dymocks52Challenge, #AWW2019, Book Bingo, Pop Sugar |
| The Artist’s Portrait |
Julie Keys |
General, #Dymocks52Challenge, #AWW2019 |
| Poppy Field |
Michael Morpurgo |
General, #Dymocks52Challenge |
| The Lost Magician |
Piers Torday |
General, #Dymocks52Challenge,
Book Bingo, Pop Sugar |
| The Suicide Bride |
Tanya Bretherton |
General, #Dymocks52Challenge,
Book Bingo, #AWW2019 |
| The Bad Mother’s Book Club |
Keris Stanton |
General, #Dymocks52Challenge,
Pop Sugar |
| Rabbit and Bear: Attack of the Snack |
Julian Gough |
General, #Dymocks52Challenge |
| Eliza Rose |
Lucy Worsley |
General, #Dymocks52Challenge, PopSugar |
| Deltora Quest: The Forest of Silence |
Emily Rodda |
General, #Dymocks52Challenge,
Book Bingo, #AWW2019, Popsugar |
| Children of the Dragon: Race for the Red Dragon |
Rebecca Lim |
General, #Dymocks52Challenge,
Book Bingo, #AWW2019, PopSugar |
| The Seven or Eight Deaths of Stella Fortuna |
Juliet Grames |
General, #Dymocks52Challenge, Popsugar |
| Deltora Quest: The Lake of Tears |
Emily Rodda |
General, #Dymocks52Challenge,
Book Bingo, #AWW2019, Popsugar |
| Toto the Ninja Cat and the Incredible Cheese Heist |
Dermot O’Leary |
General, #Dymocks52Challenge, |
| The Flatshare |
Beth O’Leary |
General, #Dymocks52Challenge, |
| Christopher Robin: The Little Book of Pooh-isms: With help from Piglet, Eeyore, Rabbit, Owl, and Tigger, too! |
Brittany Rubiano |
General, #Dymocks52Challenge, |
| Daughter of Bad Times |
Rohan Wilson |
General, #Dymocks52Challenge, Popsugar |
| Deltora Quest: The City of Rats |
Emily Rodda |
General, #Dymocks52Challenge, #AWW2019 |
| Fabio, the World’s Greatest Flamingo Detective: Mystery on the Ostrich Express |
Laura James |
General, #Dymocks52Challenge, |
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Title: Lintang and the Pirate Queen
Title: Children of the Dragon: The Race for the Red Dragon
The second in an #OwnVoices and #WeNeedDiverseVoices series, I’m really enjoying reading a book about another culture, seen through the eyes of people connected to that culture, but also, to an Australian culture and how these intersect and come together. The combination of mystery, culture, magic and martial arts will have a broad range of appeal to many readers, hopefully of all ages. Working in children’s books as a quiz writer, I always like to see the various offerings out there, and this one did not disappoint at all – and added to the magical mystery that began in The Relic of the Blue Dragon. A middle grade book, I believe it can also be something that #LoveOzYa readers and supporters can get behind too – the fast-paced nature makes it a quick and enjoyable read because it is so engrossing, over half the book has gone by without realising it.
Title: Deltora Quest: City of Rats
Armed with the topaz and the ruby, Lief, Barda and Jasmine enter the City of Rats, where they face more dangers, and many more unknown threats as they seek out the next stone, a rainbow opal. But they must contend with rats, and people who live amongst rats who fear small, furry things, and will use this fear to attack the trio and Jasmine’s animal friends before they can get to the opal and slot it into place on the belt. The challenges they face will test them and their resolve as they work out what those living in the next realm fear and why, and what the consequences of their presence and actions will mean for those who try to stop them getting the opal. For a realm that has been under a dark power for many years, Lief, Barda and Jasmine are finding that the dark powers have created fears so deep, nobody knows who to trust.
Title: Deltora Quest: The Lake of Tears
This series by Australian author, Lynette Noni, published by Pantera Press, is the series that got me started in blogging, and concluded this year with the heart-stopping, fast-paced 
My second book for this week fits the themes of justice square. This one is by the debut author, Kirsty Ferguson, whose book I also had the privilege of copyediting, and then reviewing – an interesting venture, as I had to switch off my editor’s brain whilst reading and go into reader-reviewer mode – it’s not as easy a task as you might think!
