Autumn Reading Challenge Roundup

I am part of an online group on Goodreads called Aussie Readers which has different reading challenges for both the month and also the season.
I had thirteen books to read for Autumn Challenge (see original post here Book list for Aussie Readers Autumn Challenge). You will notice my original list changed a bit from when I picked it to what I read, some of this was due to logistics (I had to pick a few more ebooks due to travelling) some was running out of time (I picked a couple of picture books from our School Library). I almost finished my list of books which was a pretty big effort since I kind of started late, then went away and was sick during the 3 months.

I've attached the link here to my reviews on Goodreads - it was a great collection of books - check them out soon:

1. Labor Day Book Nurses of the Outback by Annabelle Brayley
An amazing insight into the men & women who look after the people of the bush Review

2. St Patrick's Day The Tea House On Mulberry Street by Sharon Owens
A fun Irish read Review

3. Moomba No Biking in the House Without a Helmet by Melissa Fay Greene
A Funny insight into adoption Review

4. Canberra Day Mullumbimby by Melissa Lucashenko almost finished this one)

5. April Foods Day The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion (finished this one late)
If you love Sheldon in Big Bang Theory you will love this  Review

6. Easter (read 2 because they were short novella's)  The Kissing Season by Rachael Johns
You will never look at a furniture shop the same way Review
Chocolate Dreams at the Gingerbread Cafe by Rebecca Raisin
This is the second book in a great series - read them all! Review

7. ANZAC Day Memorial by Gary Crew Illustrations by Shaun Tan
An insight for younger people to Anzac Day with amazing illustrations  Review

8. Captain Cook The First Fleet by Alan Boardman Illustrations by Roland Harvey
A great look into convict life in early Australia with Roland's fun illustrations Review

9. Whaleshark Festival Safe Harbour by Helene Young
I love Helen's books - great mix of Romantic Suspense Review

10. Colours of Autumn House for all Seasons by Jenn J. McLeod
didn't get to read this one yet but can't wait to get to it.

11. TBR Pile Down Outback Roads by Alissa Callen
This is the third of Alissa's books I read (I loved all of them) at the moment this is only available as an ebook but given another of her books has just come out in print this one may be in print soon. Review

12. TBR Pile The Empty Nest by Fiona Palmer
A great short story by one of my favourite Aussie Authors Review

13. TBR Pile Mountain Ash by Margareta Osborn
Another one of my favourite Aussie Authors Review

Hope you enjoy these books as much as I did. I've already started my Winter Challenge - hoping to get through them all this time.

Hope your all staying dry and warm - preferably snuggled up inside with a great book!

Happy Reading













Gecko Girl Reads

Holiday Reading

I've had almost 3 weeks off work between surgery on my wrist and two weeks school holidays (advantage of working at a school - regular holidays!) but they have almost disappeared although after the surgery I did sleep ALOT.

So what have I been reading lately???

During my recent visit to Samoa to took my kindle (no room for lots of book as I was packing VERY lightly). As we took the 'bag & seat' only option with Air New Zealand we didn't get any Movies :(  but that was ok I got to read a whole book on the way over (its 8 hours flying time) and another one on the way back- which I finished by the light of my mobile phone in the bus on the way back home from the airport.

So here is the books I read in Samoa - they were all by Authors I had read (and loved) before and enjoyed all of them. These books were also part of my Autumn Reading Challenge Books.

On the flight over:
  Safe Harbour by Helene Young




Review:
A small town holds many secrets but what happens when a big storm blows them out in the open?

Safe Harbour, full of up-to-the-minute issues such as drugs in sport, organised crime and police corruption, will keep you guessing til the end. This book is also a 'Romantic Suspense' novel and flowing alongside the gripping storyline is a love story, one of missed opportunities, childhood friendships and the fact that the 'adopted' families we sometimes have to make for ourselves can be closer than blood.

Let this whale song carry you along on an amazing journey that you won't quickly forget.

Romantic suspense written just the way I like it! Another great effort Helene - can't wait to read more!

Two from cool of the hotel villa:
Down Outback Roads by Alissa Callen

Review: A moving story about a small Australian town that is down and almost out after years of drought, bad crops and too many young ones moving away but can a creative and caring big sister from America save this town like it saved her brother?
And what makes the small town of Glenalla so important to Kree anyway?

Alissa's moving story about guilt, missed changes and redemption will move you and her realistic characters and storyline will make you fall in love with Kree, Ewen, the twins and all the characters that make small town Australian life what it is. This book will bring you some smiles as well as some "I'm going to smack this character if they don't get it" moments. With just the right blend of tenderness and genuine romance this is one for all ages and Alissa leaves the 'details' up to your own imagination!

I can't wait to read more from Alissa.

The Empty Nest by Fiona Palmer

Review: A quick novella about the very real hardship faced by many country families - what happens when the nearest school is over 3 hours away and there is no other option but to send your child off to boarding school.

Sandi is faced with a lonely Mother's Day after her 'baby' girl Gracie has to join her brother at boarding school. But Sandi soon learns that the best surprises are those which we least expect.

I was reading this on my kindle and totally forgot that it was a novella when I started, I was so getting into it and then it was over - I just wished the story kept going - but I did love the way Fiona handled this heartbreaking issue.

A great little 'taster' to keep Fiona Palmer fan's happy til her next book is out!
(NOTE THIS NOVELLA (short book) IS ONLINE AVALIABLE AS AN EBOOK AT PRESENT)

On the flight home
Mountain Ash by Margareta Osborn

I saved Mountain Ash for my long plane ride home recently and I finished it off by the light of my phone on the bus ride from the airport to home at 11pm. It held my attention all day. Margareta's new book finds us in East Gippsland, with the struggling single mum Jodie Ashton and her lovely little daughter Milly. She has worked hard and gone without to support her daughter and when she is offered the protection and security of marrying her late father's friend Alex McGregor she decides this is p...more Review: I saved Mountain Ash for my long plane ride home recently and I finished it off by the light of my phone on the bus ride from the airport to home at 11pm. It held my attention all day. Margareta's new book finds us in East Gippsland, with the struggling single mum Jodie Ashton and her lovely little daughter Milly. She has worked hard and gone without to support her daughter and when she is offered the protection and security of marrying her late father's friend Alex McGregor she decides this is probably the best decision she can make for her future, and that of Milly. But even sensible single mum's need to let there hair down and Jodie lets her best friend Stacey talk her into a girl's weekend at the rodeo, even if she does plan on spending at least one day at a quilting class. But little does she know the trouble that one weekend can do to her secure life she has worked so hard to build. Nate McGregor is a hardworking cowboy who has been away from home for a long time, working in the Northern Territory. But when he latest boss causes problems and his estranged father demands his presence at home he decides maybe its time to hit the road. And what harm can stopping off at the rodeo do? What happens next neither Nate or Jodie could of imagined but the consequences are long reaching. This moving book has lots of twists and turns and parts of it will keep you on the edge of your seat. Its full of moving characters and Margareta's vivid imagery of rural Australia. Mountain Ash held me from beginning to end. How about you - do you love reading on holidays, on the plane? Happy reading

I'm still here!

Sorry I haven't updated here for a little bit - life had got a bit hectic! Since I last posted I have been sick with a chest infection, flown to Samoa for my little "sister's" wedding, got back, had GAFFA (its a performing art's night at the school I work at), got tonsillitis and conjunctivitis and getting an operation next week. Oh and two more crochet baby blankets for friends.

I have managed to read just a 'few' books in that time - four while I was away (amazing how much reading you can do with 8 hours of flying and no movies!) and I'm hoping to post them here very soon for you all.

So until then hope your all going well and having lots of reading,

Be back really soon

Gecko Girl Reads

Not to be read in public ... or why do I keep doing this to myself??

Most people that know me know that it doesn't take much to make me cry ... someone dying on a TV show (yes I know its not real - it doesn't make any difference!), the TAC commercials, that Quit Smoking one with the little boy lost at the train station (every time), listening to that sad song on the radio ... the list is endless but what gets me every time is reading something sad - to the point that (especially if I have been pre-warned they are sad) there are books I refuse to read in public to avoid the strange stairs and worrying glances as I sit there reading with tears pouring down my face.

This happened to me last year on a flight back from New Zealand when I watched a 'feel good' movie called 'Still Mine' starting James Cromwell and Genevieve Bujold as an older couple who just want to build their retirement home. Well by the end I had tears streaming down my face and the flight attendant (a guy) looking at me thinking "what is wrong with girl???" So needless to say I have learnt from experience that unless I am in a very dark cinema with people I trust I do not see sad movies in public - or read sad books.

Some people may say - "but why read them if they are sad?" To tell you the truth I have no answer to this, perhaps because the story interest me, because often despite being sad they are also heart warming and positive (I know that sounds like a contradiction but it's true), and maybe a bit of 'at least my life isn't that bad' thrown in. Whatever the reason I know despite the tears I will keep reading them. But if they are too sad or heartbreaking (like Cathy Glass' books) I usually try to lift things up by reading something funny (Louise Rennison is great for this!)

This brings me to the latest tear jerker I just read. I probably shouldn't of read this straight after Fault in their Stars but I was lulled into a false sense of 'dry eyes' because that wasn't as sad as I thought it would be (although thankfully I did read it at home - only strange looks from my family but that's ok!)

I first came across the name Zac Sobiech probably over a year ago when a friend from America posted a YouTube clip on Facebook of his song with his band "A Firm Handshake" called "Clouds". Followed by a 1/2 hour clip of a show on the Soul Pancake channel about Zac's life, and him saying goodbye to his family and friends. The song and video made me cry, and yes I downloaded the song (and his others) on iTunes. Zac was diagnosed with a rare cancer and when it became terminal he decided to use his talent (singing & song writing) to raise awareness and funds for cancer research.

I have to say it was hard to reading this moving book through all the tears but after seeing Zac's videos when the book came up on NetGalley I had to request and read it.

Fly a little higher by Laura Sobiech

This book is the heartfelt memoir of Zac's mother Laura from his diagnoses to the end of his battle. It is honest, heartfelt and doesn't try to gloss over anything or make it 'fluffy'. Even if you aren't religious in any way you will appreciate how both her and Zac's faith helped them through this trial and it shouldn't put you off reading.

There were a lot of tears (from me) and I often read with a lump in the my throat but I'm glad I read it.


I, like most people have lost family members to various forms of cancer, I've also seen friends struggle through it including a darling little boy who, a lot like Zac, handles it with an maturity far beyond his years. Some people may struggle to read this because of the topic.

Even if you don't read the book check out the Video of Zac's song "Clouds", the Soul Pancake Video and the book trailer at the website http://flyalittlehigher.com/

To read or to watch... that is the question!

When I got back to work this year (at a high school library) we were immediately swamped by requests of "do you have the blue book?". Sure - what blue book??? Of course the book everyone was asking for was The Fault in our Stars by John Green. Thankfully we did have 1 copy, which we quickly obtained an extra copy (along with 3 other John Green books and book that The Fault in our Stars was based on). So I decided to jump the reserve line (perks of the job!) and read this book. I immediately expec...more When I got back to work this year (at a high school library) we were immediately swamped by requests of "do you have the blue book?". "Sure" I said - then asked - "What blue book???" (Picture from http://www.pinterest.com/librarydoctor/) Of course the book everyone was asking for was The Fault in our Stars by John Green. Thankfully we did have 1 copy, and we quickly obtained an extra copy (along with 3 other John Green books and This Star Won't Go Out: The Life and Words of Esther Grace Earl by Esther Earl, Lori Earl, Wayne Earl - Esther was the real life inspiration for John in writing The Fault in our Stars). So I decided to jump the reserve line (perks of the job!) and read this book. I immediately expected this book to be very sad given that it starts in a cancer support group for young people but having read books like My Sisters Keeper I have to say it wasn't as sad as I was expecting which was a nice changed. I found this an easy book to read (despite the topic) and it flowed quickly. The topic of childhood cancer and death was dealt with in a matter of fact way. This book is written from a teenagers point of view and I felt it was true to that voice. The debate at school is now - do we want to go see the movie when it comes out - or wait for the DVD so we can watch it while crying in the privacy of home???? If you want a sneak peek at the movie here is the Trailer on YouTube There are so many YA books that are being made into movies right now and there is always a debate between readers and movie lovers as to what is better - the movie or the book - and if you have read the book was the movie true to the book or just 'very loosely' based on the book. Also did the actors they picked match what you envisaged in your head that the character's look like. I would have to say that there are very few movies which have lived up to their books in my opinion but a few I thought did well were Jessica by Bryce Courtenay, The Help by Kathryn Stockett (I will admit I actually saw the movie first, but in this case it helped because I had that Southern African-American voice in my head as I read), and most Nicholas Sparks books. There have been some I really hated - the one that comes up most often in these discussions is My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult the ending in the movie was totally ruined (one 'explanation' I read was that this polled better with the test audience but obviously they hadn't read the book!) One TV Series which isn't 100% true to the Book Series, but that I don't mind is the Heartland Series by Lauren Brooke. Among some changes the Books are set in Virginia, America and the TV series is set in Canada but its such a great series and the main points of the book are kept that I really don't mind. Plus the senery in Canada is just AMAZING! Scholastic published the book series and you can buy the DVD series from ABC. I think they are up to Series 7 or 8 in Canada but while they have stopped showing it on TV over here ABC is thankfully still releasing the DVDs, I just picked up Series 6 part 1 today and Series 6 part 2 is due next week! So how about you - do you have a favourite adaption or do you prefer books to films?? (As a side note - this was also my Aussie Readers - March Challenge "Coming of Age Books"

School Holidays means 2 weeks of reading & sleeping!!

Well here in Victoria today was the end of Term 1 which for me means 2 weeks school holidays!! Now I can hear the sigh of parents everywhere at the thought of 2 weeks at home with their darling children but for me it means two weeks I can read, sleep, eat, read (rinse and repeat).

I have a TBR pile that just keeps growing with all the great new releases that just keep coming (not that I'm complaining) and trying to pick which book to read next isn't easy. So after finishing the 3 I'm currently reading (yes 3 at once I know) I think I'll pick the next one on my challenge list to make things easier.

I was very happy to see how many of the students this week wanted to borrow books to read over the holidays - always makes me happy to see kids read.

On another point my little blog has been long listed for the Peoples Choice Awards for AWC Best Blogs for 2014. You can vote following the button on the side or from this link. Don't worry if there is more than one blog on the long list you like, you can vote for as many as you like (but only once)

www.surveymonkey.com/s/BAB2014

 

 

The other weekend I read Fault in our Stars by John Green. This is 'that' book - the "do you have that book with the blue cover?" book.  We have a waiting list of 7 students for 2 copies of this book - which isn't as long as our local library which has a wait list of 44! The advantage of being the Librarian is you can jump the line! I will try and post a review early next week.

 

And for all those parents wondering what to do with the kids over the school holidays - why not check out your local public library - many have great FREE activities for kids of all ages. If your in Geelong this is the link to their holiday activities

http://www.eventbrite.com.au/o/youth-programs-12-2041312861

 

Happy Reading,

Gecko Girl

 



 

 



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Junior Books

I've loved reading since I was very young and still have a soft spot for junior books. Working in a High School Library allows me the perfect excuse (as if I need one!) to read these books.

When I say 'junior books' I'm talking about those aimed at 10-15 year olds, bit old for those little basic readers but not quite at that Young Adult (YA) levels. They are fun, friendly and for good readers, a quick read. They are a great way to get back into the swing of reading if you have had a bit of a dry spell.

This week we had the lovely pleasure of getting the first new books for the year in our Library (its so nice to get new books, even better when they don't actually have to pay for them out of your own pocket!) Among them we some great deals we got from BigW and also Scholastic Books (great sale - got some picture story books for $1!!!)

This meant I finally got to read the latest instalment in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series - Book 8 "Hard Luck". If you have been hiding under and adult size rock and haven't seen these books, or even the movies these are a great fun series which mixes words and pictures in an almost graphic novel style. These books are really great for those reluctant readers because they are fun and about things school kids deal with - friendship, weird family, 'rules' of school. We have multiple copies of each book at school and they are always borrowed out - usually with a waiting list. While they are immensely popular with the boys even the girls like these books and have been published in 41 languages! If you are ever stuck for a gift idea for boys these are definitely a good idea (if they don't already have them) - another popular series in a similar style are the Capitan Underpants series.

The other book I read today was a fun light-hearted collection by Michael Morpurgo called Mudpuddle Farm: Six Animal Stories. Michael, a former school teacher is known for his many children books such as War Horse, one of five which have been made into movies. Along with his wife they also have 3 farms in London which are open for city children to come for a work stay. These six stories centre about life on Mudpuddle farm with animals who can talk to each other and Farmer Rafferty. These short stories are complemented with cute illustrations along with crazy, expressive print (think round in circles) which make for a fun read. This is a perfect book for parents to read along with their younger stories, and then for them to read on their own when they are older. This book is split into 6 short stories - perfect to stretch it out for a week of bedtime stories (even if I did read it all in under an hour!)

What was the last Junior or YA book you read? Its nearly school holidays - why not check out your local library to see what they have planned!

Happy reading

Something Different

I can't remember where I heard about this book first - I think it may have been from Oprah's Book Club Email. I tried to get a copy through my local library and the lovely staff there were able to find it through Inter-library loans (thanks Geelong Regional Library http://www.grlc.vic.gov.au/!)

This Is Not The Story You Think It Is: A Season of Unlikely Happiness by Laura Munson


This is an interesting book. Its not a novel but a diary like account of a tumultuously few months in the life of New York Times columnist Laura Munson when her husband of 20 years told her he might not love her anymore and wants to leave.

Laura tries to face this upheaval in a grown up and mature manner, using various methods she has learnt to try and help her husband find his way through this crisis. Her realistic and honest writing is a refreshing change and her description of her life in Montana made me want to visit.

With some level headed honest advice this book is easy to read and will help many see how the best way to happiness is taking control for yourself.

Details about Laura can be found on her website  http://www.lauramunson.com/ or blog http://blog.lauramunson.com/

Review of Don't Fence Me In - Grassroots Wisdom From a Country Girl

Don't Fence Me In: Grassroots Wisdom From a Country Girl
by Rachael Treasure

This is truly a 'treasure' of a book (pun intended!) Rachael Treasure who, to quote an incident from this book is the 'godmother' of Aussie Rural Authors, has branched out from her usual brilliant Rural Novels to impart us with some home grown, grassroots Aussie Cowgirl wisdom. Even if your not a farm girl (or even one at heart) this little gem of a book has something for everyone. I have to admit when I finally got a copy of this book my mum actually borrowed (stole) it off me and read it first,...more This is truly a 'treasure' of a book (pun intended!) Rachael Treasure who, to quote an incident from this book is the 'godmother' of Aussie Rural Authors, has branched out from her usual brilliant Rural Novels to impart us with some home grown, grassroots Aussie Cowgirl wisdom. Even if your not a farm girl (or even one at heart) this little gem of a book has something for everyone. I have to admit when I finally got a copy of this book my mum actually borrowed (stole) it off me and read it first, I had to keep telling her to stop 'spoiling' it for me by reading out tasty titbits but its just that kind of book. With everything from sustainable farming to hugging your kids (something we practice in my family!) this is the kind of book you will go back to time and again. This book will make a perfect present for your daughter, your mother, sister, your best friend.... yourself. Just do yourself a favour and get a copy! This was also number to on my list for the Aussie Readers Challenge 2014!

Aussie Readers Autumn Challenge starts this Saturday!

Yep another month is about to end and for us here an Australian this means Autumn starts this Saturday 1st March!! For me this means I get to start on my reading list for the Aussie Autumn Reading Challenge. With 13 books to pick from my dilemma was which to pick first??? To solve that I used Random.org which also has a Sequence Generator option so this will be the order I read the books in:
1 Nurses of the Outback by Annabelle Brayley
9 Safe Harbour by Helene Young
3 No Biking in the House without a Helmet by Melissa Fay Greene
5 The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
11 Firestorm by Tamara McKinley
7 Daughters of Mars by Tom Keneally
6 The Never Never Sisters by L. Allison Heller
8 The Secret River by Kate Grenville
2 The Tea House on Mulberry Street by Sharon Owens
10 House for all Seasons by Jenn J. McLeod
13 Saving Grace by Fleur McDonald
12 Silver Clouds by Fiona McCallum
4 Mullumbimby by Melissa Lucashenko

For the Goodreads links see my initial enter at http://geckogirlreads.blogspot.com.au/2014/02/book-list-for-aussie-readers-autumn.html

Can't wait to start reading. I have already read almost 2 off my Aussie Author Challenge (goes for the whole year).

Happy Reading

1st Book for the Aussie Reading Challenge

The Rabbits

by John Marsden, Shaun Tan (Illustrator)

 

I chose this book as part of the  Aussie Author Challenge 2014 (Fantasy Book) as Fantasy really isn't my genre to read and I knew we had this in our school library. I had seen it before I actually never read it.

This was an 'alternative' telling of the immigration of Australia, with the 'Rabbits' invading the territory of the native animals. Not only do they come, but the ruin the land and leave it barren.

With amazingly detailed drawings by Shaun Tan this is a great retelling of what happened to Australia, even if hopefully we don't ruin Australia as bad as the Rabbits did

Review of Silver Rain by Jan Ruth

Silver Rain

by Jan Ruth

While Silver Rain is set in Wales it could easily be set anywhere in the world. Silver Rain tells overlapping stories of middle life Kate and Al who find themselves in very different situations in their lives. Kate's second husband has recently died and she goes to visit her sister-in-law while trying to get her head around whether or not she actually loved her husband, what she is going to do about her hopeless sister and who is going to look after her ageing mother. Poor Al couldn't be more different, while he is still finalising his divorce this ladies man has found himself a young professional girlfriend and thinks life is all good. They cross paths in the ramshackle farm her sister-in-law calls home, which happens to be Al's family home 'Chathill Farm' but his (adopted) brother George is none to happy to see him. Will these too opposites become friends (or even more) or are they just too different (I'm not going to spoil it and tell you!)

Jan skilfully tackles many issues faced by middle-aged people everywhere such as dealing with aging parents, downsized jobs, failing marriages, and awkward dates in Silver Rain and she does this so realistically, even with a few well placed laughs as well as some heart in your throat moments.

This story does change between Al & Kate's stories but there is no overlapping boring bits like some in this style do and flows quiet easily. I wanted to sit and just read it but kept getting rudely interrupted, but it was quiet easy to just pick up where I left off.

If you haven't read any of Jan's other books check out my reviews:
Wild Water Review



Midnight Sky Review



Jan also has three other books which I am looking forward to reading,Her Novel :
White Horizon
And two collections of Short Stories:
The Long and the Short of it. A Long Way From Home

Another Challenge - Aussie Readers - Aussie Authors Challenge 2014

Well going to add to my challenge list this year by also doing the Aussie Author Challenge 2014  - since I do already read a lot of Aussie Authors I thought this shouldn't be too much of a stretch (although I did struggle to find a fantasy book to read - not my genre at all!). I've started with the bronze level which means 12 books for the year within the categories:

1. Female Author: Wings of Fear by Helene Young
Actually I really want to read this whole series this year. Helene's books are great! I have her new book in my Autumn Challenge List.
2. Female Author: What Alice Forgot by Laine Moriarty
Had this one in my TBR pile for a while - really looking forward to reading this.

3. Male Author: Bereft by Chris Womersley
I'm pretty sure we have this one at school - will have to check but it sounds interesting.

4. Male Author: Cloudstreet by Tim Winton
This will be my first attempt at reading Tim Winton since I was in year 12 (just a 'few' years ago!) I'm not really looking forward to this one but this is a new book for our year 12's this year so I thought it would be a good idea to select it.
5. Debut Novel: Cicada by Moria McKinnon
This one sounds quiet interesting - I'm looking forward to it coming out.

6. 2014 Release: Rocking Horse Hill by Cathryn Hein
LOVE Cathryn's books - can't wait for this one to come out in April!

7. 2014 Release: Time Will Tell by Fiona McCullum
Same with Fiona's new book (did I mention I love Aussie Rural books?)

8. Classic: They're a Weird Mob by Nino Culotta & John O'Grady
Ok so I picked this one because even my DAD (who isn't a big reader) has read this - I think it was a TV show at one stage. It sounds really funny.
9. Fantasy: The Rabbits by John Marsden & Shaun Tan
I struggled with this category because Fantasy really isn't an area I read or want to but I remembered we had this book at school so I thought I could give it a go.

10. Historical Fiction: Elianne by Judy Nunn
I have a few of Judy's books but haven't had a chance to read them yet - looking forward to this one.

11. Favourite Genre (Rural Romance): Don't Fence Me In: Grassroots Wisdom From a Country Girl by Rachael Treasure. My mum pinched this off me when I brought it home and loved it. I can't wait to read it myself!
 
12. Favourite Genre (Rural Romance): The Farmer's Wife by Rachael Treasure
I LOVE Rachael's books. Her first book Jillaroo (this is the sequel) was my first taste of 'modern' Aussie Rural Fiction (after Tony Parsons) and I'm really looking forward to reading the sequel. If I have time I might re-read Jillaroo first (it was released in 2002 - read just a 'few' books since then)

Since I have all year to read these books I decided to pick different books from my Autumn Challenge List to add some variety. Looking forward to ticking off these ones - I might make a dint in my TBR pile!    

Happy Reading