Aussie Readers discussion

Our March challenge incorporates the 2013 Adelaide Writers’ Week from 2nd to 7th March, and also International Women's Day March 8th.

For this month, choose a Non-Fiction or Biography with a female as the main focus. With the Adelaide writers' week in mind, try for an Australian woman from South Australia...but if that proves too difficult, honouring an international woman would work just as well.







Memoirs by Women
Women's Journals and Diaries in History
Biographies of Significant Historical Women
Women in Public
Female Biographies




Relax with a special book this month, and enjoy!

I'm in. There are a couple of books I'd like to read but I'm not sure at this stage which one to choose.

Shattered Dreams: My Life as a Polygamist's Wife by Irene Spencer

Affection by Krissy Kneen

Not Your Ordinary Housewife: How the man I loved led me into a world I had never imagined by Nikki Stern

Well done Mish!

I picked up a book today written by a local women here in Darwin - so well timed.

It is:
And now I want to live by Judy McKerr

Michael wrote: "I will go with this one Madness by Kate Richards."

Sounds good Michael. Well as good as the subject matter can get :)

I'm going to read The Story of My Life by Helen Keller ...I remember reading a kid's version when I was very young, and have great admiration for this lady.

Thanks for the invite Brenda. I'm going to try my best to get a copy of I Have Life-Raped, Stabbed & Left for Dead: Alison's Inspiring Story of Survival as Told to Marianne Thamm.

I haven't had a look yet to see whether it's available in Australia.

I still lived in South Africa when this horrific incident occurred and I've always promised myself that I will read her story.

Marcia wrote: "Thanks for the invite Brenda. I'm going to try my best to get a copy of I Have Life-Raped, Stabbed & Left for Dead: Alison's Inspiring Story of Survival as Told to Marianne Thamm.

I haven't had a..."

Good luck then Marcia...you might be able to get it on ebook?

I've chosen two books for this challenge and I'm thinking I could use either one for the Autumn challenge as well. They are Women of the Land and Christina Stead. Do they qualify, Brenda?

Elaine wrote: "I've chosen two books for this challenge and I'm thinking I could use either one for the Autumn challenge as well. They are Women of the Landand Christina Stea..."

They both qualify Elaine:) Well done!

Brenda wrote: "Elaine wrote: "I've chosen two books for this challenge and I'm thinking I could use either one for the Autumn challenge as well. They are Women of the Landand..."

Thanks Brenda.

Ohh. I'm going to give this a go. Not sure how many I will read for it, but I plan to read The Diaries Of Ethel Turner and possibly A Passionate Life.

A Passionate Life would be good Jess!

I am going to try and read The Tale of Beatrix Potter by Margaret Lane. I think it's the only female one I have, the others are male. I may have to rectify this in the future.

Amy wrote: "I am going to try and read The Tale of Beatrix Potter by Margaret Lane. I think it's the only female one I have, the others are male. I may have to rectify this in the future."

That would be really interesting Amy!! I hope you enjoy it.

A favourite genre, so I'll have a go at fitting one in that will match up with the category. Books in my stack waiting TBR which might suit: The Complete Persepolis, The Writing Life, A Writer's Diary - but so many on the stand next to the bed!

Zenmoon wrote: "A favourite genre, so I'll have a go at fitting one in that will match up with the category. Books in my stack waiting TBR which might suit: The Complete Persepolis, The Writing Life, A Writer's Di..."

Good luck Karen!

Two genres I hardly ever read are horror and biography. Horror because I am a scaredy cat and biography because they are frequently terribly dull. Maybe I have just read the wrong ones. Can anyone suggest something brilliant I can try for this challenge? If it is your favourite genre perhaps you can tell me the best one you have read!

Phrynne wrote: "Two genres I hardly ever read are horror and biography. Horror because I am a scaredy cat and biography because they are frequently terribly dull. Maybe I have just read the wrong ones. Can anyone ..."

Have a look at the above links Phrynne...I know there are a huge variety there. You might find something you will like/love....

I have always enjoyed the books about Anne Frank, and there are quite a lot of them. The last one I read was exceptionally good...
Anne Frank Remembered: The Story of the Woman Who Helped to Hide the Frank Family by Miep Gies

I only read this at the beginning of this year.

Yes, will kill 2 birds with one stone with this challenge. Choosing Dawn: One hell of a life from my Aussie author 2013 challenge.

Neil wrote: "Yes, will kill 2 birds with one stone with this challenge. Choosing Dawn: One hell of a life from my Aussie author 2013 challenge."

Dawn: One Hell Of A Life by Dawn Fraser

Good idea:)

Sorry Brenda, I have too much going on at present. :)

Suzanne wrote: "Sorry Brenda, I have too much going on at present. :)"

No problems Suzanne...maybe next challenge:)

Will put myself downs as a maybe for this challenge as it will depend how I am going with the Autumn Challenge. Have picked a couple big books for that (first to be read 1100 pages!!!) so will see how I am going. If I do get time I will be reading Anne Boleyn by Carolly Erickson

Zoey wrote: "Will put myself downs as a maybe for this challenge as it will depend how I am going with the Autumn Challenge. Have picked a couple big books for that (first to be read 1100 pages!!!) so will see ..."

Good luck Zoey:)

I have just finished Mama Jude: An Australian nurse's extraordinary other life in Afica. I take my hat off to this lady who gave up so much time away from her country, her husband and family in order to help others in dire need.

(I read this for a challenge but I keep getting lost in Goodreads so I am probably posting this in the wrong place!) JB :-)

No JB you have the right place:) NonFiction/Biography is March:) I love those sort of books, they are amazing! I thoroughly enjoyed On Radji Beach by Ian W. Shaw which was about our Australian nurses in the war, and the atrocities they faced with the Japanese. Have you read it?

I've been meaning to read Ann Frank for years! Even have it sitting on my shelf. I'm in this one for sure.

Amanda wrote: "I've been meaning to read Ann Frank for years! Even have it sitting on my shelf. I'm in this one for sure."

Wonderful books Amanda! I've read The Diary of a Young Girl, Anne Frank: The Biography and the last one I read, just at the beginning of this year Anne Frank Remembered: The Story of the Woman Who Helped to Hide the Frank Family was wonderful. It was written by Miep Gies who helped hide Anna and her family. A completely different perspective, and really interesting.

Brenda wrote: "No JB you have the right place:) NonFiction/Biography is March:) I love those sort of books, they are amazing! I thoroughly enjoyed On Radji Beach by Ian W. Shaw which was about our Australian nurs..."

Wow, I didn't get lost after all. Thanks Brenda. No, I have not read On Radji Beach but will look out for it. I have read White Coolies and I have told (in my role as oral storyteller) the stories of Vivian Bullwinkel who was on Banka Island, Sister Ellen Savage who was awarded the George Medal, Sister May Hayman who was in Papua during WW2 and other nurses.

Their courage and dedication to others is mind boggling.

J.B. wrote: "Brenda wrote: "No JB you have the right place:) NonFiction/Biography is March:) I love those sort of books, they are amazing! I thoroughly enjoyed On Radji Beach by Ian W. Shaw which was about our ..."

It is, a lot about them is in On Radji Beach...it's well worth a read:)

I'm in. I just read one actually but not an adelaide writer. I can't link it as I'm on my phone but it was shattered silence. By Melissa Moore. It's about Melissa finding out her dad was a serial killer. It was a bit disturbing being an animal lover but the rest was ok. Not something I loved reading

Shattered Silence: The Untold Story of a Serial Killer's Daughter by Melissa G. Moore

It doesn't have to be an Adelaide writer Kadi. I think that you'd be pretty lucky to find that:)

It was a great pleasure to read the story of Aunty Joan Cooper - Through The Front Door, a lovely lady who has quietly worked towards reconciliation in the Blue Mountains community. I'd now like to learn more about the Darug and Gundungurra history.

Kim Marie wrote: "It was a great pleasure to read the story of Aunty Joan Cooper - Through The Front Door, a lovely lady who has quietly worked towards reconciliation in the Blue Mountains community. I'd now like ..."

Great that you enjoyed it Kim:)

I have finished my challenge book:

And now I want to live by Judy McKerr

It is about being an abused child - not something I have ever experienced, but I think this book would be good for those who might have.

I am donating my copy to the Darwin public Library as the author is a Territory woman.

Well done Sally!

I have finished my book for this month The Story of My Life by Helen Keller

Review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...