Aussie Readers discussion

Carmel wrote:
I purchased "I am number four" today Rachael, I'll be keen to know what you..."


I just finished it and liked it :) I liked that it was from a teenage boys point of view, with all the young adult books that are being punched out it's a bit of a relief not having the main character being female.

How cool! I got the postcard for this one at the Simon & Schuster bash at Sydney Writers Festival. We have the same publisher! I Heart S&S AUS.

Gail "cyborg" wrote: "Lia's Book is The Fortunes of Ruby White"

Daniella wrote: "How cool! I got the postcard for this one at the Simon & Schuster bash at Sydney Writers Festival. We have the same publisher! I Heart S&S AUS."

Oh, wow! Nice to meet you!

(Were you at the cocktail do at the Wharf Restaurant on the Pier? If so, I was wearing a gold dress and looking mildly freaked out. :-D )

Interesting Times by Terry Pratchett. Over 1/2 way and appreciating the coherence - unlike many of the Discworld novels I'm actually following along in this one, understanding most of what's going on.

I am re-reading (for the nth time) The Redemption of Althalus by Davis Eddings who sadly passed away fairly recently. It seems to have everything that typifies modern fantasy writing. Magic doors, war, improabably old men/wizards (who make the nice change of appearing young), gods, romance, you name it, it's here. It also has that fantasy tradition of bulk (about 900 pages). It's my favourite book and I'll come back to it as long as I have a passion for stories

I gave up on Mistress of Rome by Kate Quinn (http://www.africa-eu.com/review/show/...) a mere 100 pages from the end, but it was annoying me so much I couldnt bring myself to finish it. Stupid book!

Now I am reading The White Queen by Philippa Gregory, and I am already enjoying it immensely, even though I'm only at the 60 page mark. But Philippa Gregory is an amazing historical fiction writer, I love all her work, and not just because she sets so many of her novels during my favourite period in history: Tudor England. :)

~S.

Last night I started The Anniversary Man by R.J. Ellory but I've also just realised I should be reading Breath by Tim Winton as it's our f2f book for next weekend - so I'll have to juggle between the two :)

Am about to start Dane. The last one in the series for now. Two more to come.....I have enjoyed these.

November Calamity's Corner is now available. Contact calam@live.com.au for free download.
See what Perth crime writer, Carole Sutton, has to say about using the weather in writing.
Email your book and movie reviews to Calamity.
Read about Kerry Greenwood's latest Phyne Fisher mystery, Dead Man's Chest.
Interested in Aussie made short films. Visit the Harold Park Hotel in Glebe every Tuesday at 8pm.
Bunratty Castle, Cork, Ireland, the most visited tourist site in Ireland. Built in 1425 and restored in 1954 it shows how people lived in the 16thC.
And Spitzli attends Dog Obedience Training. Laurel

Nalini Singh's latest in the (paranormal romance) Psi Series is out: Play of Passion! I love her books, especially the Guild Hunter Series. She is one of those authors who I feel improves her stories with every book she writes. I just got home from work so I'm going to put my feet up and read it tonight.:D

Mandy wrote: "Nalini Singh's latest in the (paranormal romance) Psi Series is out: Play of Passion! I love her books, especially the Guild Hunter Series. She is one of those authors..."

Enjoy!!!

I am currently reading Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare and have just started Outback by Aaron Fletcher, which is set on a sheep station in Outback Australia.

Yes, loved her first trilogy and thoroughly enjoying this one so far.

Carmel wrote: "Marg wrote: "Yes, loved her first trilogy and thoroughly enjoying this one so far."

Jem or Will - have you made up your mind yet? LOL"

Hmmm - I am thinking Will but it might be too early to call!

Am reading 'At home with the Templetons' at the moment. Only on page 90,(started it 2 nights ago) with over 600 in total (!) and it's due back at the library tomorrow..:( What to do, what to do......

I finished Wolf Hall by Hillary Mantel a couple days ago.

Great book! Style confused me at first, slowed my reading down, and to be honest, I wasn't too familiar with that period of English history apart from what's presented in movies and pop novels (read: Philippa Gregory's books!). And for sure I am not at all familiar with Thomas Cromwell. But this book just brought to light what an enlightened person he was, and how he was so much ahead of his time. Hillary Mantel did a remarkable job redrawing this character. I heard there will be a sequel - this book definitely left me wanting more! Will post review in a few days.

Hubby is reading The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown so I'm trying to catch up with him! Brown is a master storyteller when it comes to weaving symbolisms, mysticisms and history into an action-packed thriller. The only thing is that, after having read a couple of his previous works, I must say that the story does become a little predictable! But I still enjoy the historical references nevertheless, and halfway through the book I find myself looking up all the places, art works and artifacts mentioned in the book.

I am over halfway through by Lara Morgan & LOVING it. I managed to get my hubby reading Gone, he wants Hunger lined up and ready to go when he's finished :)

Janelle wrote: "I am over halfway through by Lara Morgan & LOVING it..."

I've been reading Genesis as well Janelle and also really liked it. There's a thread in the individual book discussions in case you feel like writing some of your impressions!:) http://www.africa-eu.com/topic/show/4...

Janelle wrote: "I am over halfway through by Lara Morgan & LOVING it. I managed to get my hubby reading Gone, he wants Hunger lined up and..."


I just started reading this book too! I love the cover on this one..very cool :D

I'm reading Sara Dane as recommended in another topic in this wonderful group. Pretty good - as advertised it is mostly historical fiction, with some romance stuff in it, too. It's not quite grabbing me the way Tracy Chevalier's work does, but I'm glad to be learning about the early settlers of Botany Bay & Sydney.

Rachael wrote: "I just started reading this book too! I love the cover on this one..very cool :D ..."

Yeah I love the cover art as well. I wonder if they put the cover artists name on the inside of books? I've never thought about that till now...
Rachael check out the Individual Book Discussion thread on Genesis and you can write your thoughts if you like.:)

Cheryl, how is it holding up? I think it was the 70's I read Sara Dane

I'm reading A Darker Music which I won through First Reads - it's an aussie book and I'm liking it so far

Carmel I think I am going to have that problem very soon. I might need to start hiding my kindle from my daughter.

I'm a snail reader as well. :) So what is the last exam?

I finished The Lost Symbol - It's typical Dan Brown story and style, extremely fast-pacing and is really one cliffhanger after the other. Reading this feels almost like gulping instant noodles, it sates you quickly but it doesn't last.

Pleas find my review here http://www.africa-eu.com/review/show/...

Mandy wrote: "Janelle wrote: "I am over halfway through by Lara Morgan & LOVING it..."

I've been reading Genesis as well Janelle and also really liked it. There's ..."

Thanks for the thread link, I have left a comment there :)

Sara Dane is interesting, but it reads like an historical narrative. The vignettes that make moments & characters come alive are scarce. It feels authentic and relevant, and is probably still a good read for fans of historical fiction, and should be retained by libraries rather than sold as too old.

Just started reading by Lauren Kate

I starting The House on the Strand by Daphne du Maurier last night. Good so far.

I'm reading Poison Kissed by Australian author Erica Hayes.
And speaking of Australian authors, anyone interested in spec fiction which is anything from paranormal and fantasy and all things in between, there is a new blog called DarkSide Down Under (Australian and Kiwi authors) with heaps of giveaways which launched on Halloween!!

Love to see you there! =)
Mel

Mel wrote: "I'm reading Poison Kissed by Australian author Erica Hayes.
And speaking of Australian authors, anyone interested in spec fiction which is anything from paranormal and fantasy and all things in be..."

Thanks Mel

Mel wrote: "And speaking of Australian authors, anyone interested in spec fiction which is anything from paranormal and fantasy and all things in between, there is a new blog called DarkSide Down Under (Australian and Kiwi authors) with heaps of giveaways which launched on Halloween!!..."

Thanks Mel, I'm always looking for info on upcoming Aussie Speculative Fiction books. I find it hard to locate new release announcements especially in hard scifi. I'll check out the blog.

Mandy wrote: "Mel wrote: "And speaking of Australian authors, anyone interested in spec fiction which is anything from paranormal and fantasy and all things in between, there is a new blog called DarkSide Down U..."

No problems Shelley and Mandy! =)

NYT best selling author, Keri Arthur is doing a giveaway at the moment with three of her fabulous books - *signed*- and one of Kelley Armstrong's unsigned books (Both fav author's of mine). All a reader has to do is comment on what they'd like to see on the blog (interviews, information, author bios etc)
I'll be doing an e-book giveaway in a few days time =)

Ingrid Betancourt's remarkable story of kidnapping and escape Even Silence has an End could not have been better written. The writing is brilliant and propulsive and absolutely addictive. When I read Out of Captivity about the three U.S. government contract workers taken prisoner by FARC, I realized just how incredibly difficult it is to write about being bored. However, I do see that fellow captive, Clara Rojas, had issues with Betancourt. Frankly, it's amazing they are not both completely jelly-brained after all that time.

The Name of the Wind - because my son, who has the author as a professor, recommends it, and I see so many other people, incl. cyborg here, reading it. It has engaged me right from the start, even though I'm not used to epic fantasy.

Cheryl wrote: "The Name of the Wind - because my son, who has the author as a professor, recommends it, and I see so many other people, incl. cyborg here, reading it. It has engaged me right from t..."

Yay, glad you are enjoying it Cheryl. :D

I'm reading Shiver.
It's awesome!!!

Fall of Giants - Ken Follett

True Spirit, Jessica Watson....

Matilda wrote: "I'm reading Shiver.
It's awesome!!!"


Wait till you read Linger!!!! And then you will have to wait with the rest of us for Forever. Sigh. I hate having to wait for the next book in a series. :)

I'm reading Truth by Peter Temple

Really enjoying it so far.

I am reading "Absolution" by Jennifer Laurens. Book 3 in her Heavenly series. :O Totally luv this series.

Angela wrote: "I am reading "Absolution" by Jennifer Laurens. Book 3 in her Heavenly series. :O Totally luv this series."

I just finished reading that series...It was a bit like a marathon. I'd finish one then pick the next one up, and so on. Fun fun :D

Rachael wrote: "Angela wrote: "I am reading "Absolution" by Jennifer Laurens. Book 3 in her Heavenly series. :O Totally luv this series."

I just finished reading that series...It was a bit like a marathon. I'd..."

I love marathon reads. I did that with Cassandra Clare's "Mortal Instruments" trilogy. It's like living another life isn't it?

Mercy its by an Aussie Author Rebecca Lim ;) have it sitting here have read first chapter ;) Rebecca is from Melbourne ;) and is yes an Aussie !!!!! Yaya..... Harper collins are the publishers !! ;)

Pobby & Dingan
Short & sweet!

Good to know you're enjoying Shiver, Matilda. I considered buying that but wasn't sure.

I've just started a spooky one: Apartment 16. So far so good.

Katrina wrote: "Mercy its by an Aussie Author Rebecca Lim ;) have it sitting here have read first chapter ;) Rebecca is from Melbourne ;) and is yes an Aussie !!!!! Yaya..... Harper collins are the publishers !! ;)"

I found it Katrina and it looks great. I've added it to our group bookshelf.


An electric combination of angels, mystery and romance, MERCY is the first book in a major new paranormal series.

Just finished Glamour by Louise Bagshawe