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