You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion

Alright you top blokes and sheilas. Time to don your best chesty bond, stubbies and thongs, or your boardies or your cozzie if you're heading to the surf. Throw a few snags on the barbie (or whatever you vegos want to burn and cover with 'mato sauce), help yourself to a longneck or a softie out of the esky (although if it's empty you're off to the bottlo and it's your shout) and pull up a pew for the January Challenge.

So no more beating around the bush before you all start carrying on like a pork chop. This month, in honour of the great sunburnt land who celebrates 'Straya Day on the 26th, you'll all have a read a you beaut, dinky-di Aussie book. And by that it has to fit either of these rules:

1.The book's set in 'Straya.

2.The author is Aussie born (don't care if they are from the bush or the big smoke). If they've pissed off overseas since then, well, they're a bit of a drongo but still count.

I know some of you lot have been talking about having a sticky beak at our Aussie writers, so now is your chance to check out some of our heaps good books. And fair dinkum, some of it is top shelf.

Now remember you don't have to go flat out like a lizard drinking, you do have all month to read (just so you don't knacker yourself). But make sure your not a bludger either and get it done on time (but I'm not encouraging any sickies to complete the challenge either).

Personally though, I reckon this challenge is going to go off like a frog in a sock.

Don't be a galah and make sure you follow the standard challenge rules:

General rules:
1. The book may be in any format - paperback, ebook, audiobook.
2. The book may NOT be combined with the Year Long Chunkster Challenge.
3. The book must be read between January 1 and January 31, 2014.
4. The challenge is for one book. You may read more books if you chose, but only the highest scoring book will apply.

Scoring: (Count all that apply)

Book is set in 'Straya. - 5 pts

The author is Aussie born – 5 pts

Author:
5 pts – Is Aboriginal or a Torres Strait Islander
4 pts – Has won a Booker Prize
3 pts - Is female
2 pts – Has won a Miles Franklin Award (Aussie book award)
1 pts – First name and surname start with the same letter

Title: (sub-titles do not count)
5 pts - Has an Australian town or city in it
4 pts – Has a number in it
3 pts – Has an animal in the title
2 pts - Has a person's name in the title (explain if not obvious)
1 pts – Is one word

Cover: (based on the issue you read)
5 pts – Author's name is larger than the title
4 pts – Has someone back lit with the blinding Aussie sun
3 pts – Has an Australian native animal on it
2 pts - Has a person with an obscenely large hat on it
1 pts – Has a body of water on the front

Pages:
5 pts - 600 - 1000 pages
4 pts - 500 - 599 pages
3 pts - 400 - 499 pages
2 pts - 300 - 399 pages
1 pts - 200 - 299 pages

Bonus points:
2 pts – One of the characters is Aboriginal or a Torres Strait Islander
2 pts – You encounter a kangaroo (or any other macropod http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macropod...) at any stage in your book. Only counts once.

TRANSLATION

Alright you great guys and girls. Time to put on your best singlet (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)], very short workman shorts (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] and flip-flops, or your board shorts or your swimming costume if you're heading to the beach. Place a few sausages on the outdoor barbecue (or whatever you vegetarians want to cook the traditional Australian way of cooking things on the barbecue and cover with sauce like ketchup but tastes very different), help yourself to a large bottle of beer or a soft drink out of the portable box-shaped drinks cooler (although if it's empty you're off to the take away alcoholic bottle shop and you are paying) and pull up a seat for the January Challenge.

So no more talking about things that don't matter before you all start getting upset and making a scene. This month, in honour of the great sunburnt land who celebrates Australia Day on the 26th, you'll all have a read a very good, honest to goodness Australian book. And by that it has to fit either of these rules:

1.The book's set in Australia.

2.The author is Australian born (don't care if they are from a rural town or a city). If they've moved overseas since then, well, they're a bit stupid but still count.

I know some of you lot have been talking about having a look at our Australian writers, so now is your chance to check out some of our very good books. And I'm telling you the absolute truth, some of them are excellent.

Now remember you don't have to go to fast, you do have all month to read (just so you don't wear yourself out). But make sure you don't go to slow like a lazy person either and get it done on time (but I'm not encouraging any fake sick days off work to complete the challenge either).

Personally though, I think this challenge is going to be lots of fun and very lively.

Don't be an idiot and make sure you follow the standard challenge rules:
see above post :)

The fact that you added a translation had me laughing so hard. What a fun challenge-.

ROFL! My first reaction was, "HUH?" I'm so glad you added the translation. :)

I could read Tommo and Hawk. But I shall knacker myself out and scour my shelves.

Brilliant, by the way. I love your challenges.

Rusalka wrote: "


Alright you top blokes and sheilas. Time to don your best chesty bond, stubbies and thongs, or your boardies or your cozzie if you're heading to the surf. Throw a few snags on the barbie (or wha..."

Rusalka, thank you from the translation (LOL). I actually need it!!! The challenge sounds awesome. 8D

I needed the translation too - which is what I found so funny!

I've been meaning to read Dirt Music by Tim Winton for some time now. I own a copy, but the cover on the copy I own gets almost no points. The cover Amazon shows would be much better. I don't suppose I could use it? Maybe the library has a copy with that cover. Not that I'm competitive or anything.

Hilarious Rusalka - I loved the straight talk but needed some of the translation! Don't think I'm going to have time to join in the challenge but will be watching this thread for some chuckles.

I had way too much fun obviously and have so many sayings that I couldn't get to fit. Lucky I have all month!

Casceil - at risk of making you as mad as a cut snake, unfortunately it's cover version you read. Sorry.

I'll be back in a few, got lunch on the stove and I'm hungry enough to eat the arse out of a low flying duck!

Rusalka wrote: "I had way too much fun obviously and have so many sayings that I couldn't get to fit. Lucky I have all month!

Casceil - at risk of making you as mad as a cut snake, unfortunately it's cover versio..."

Hope you satiated that hunger - would hate to have you eat that arse out of a low flying duck ! I'll have to use that someday soon here and see what reactions I get!

G'day mates, avn a go at Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey, set in Dwellingup, Western Australia.

Rusalka, you are very funny! I guessed pretty well what you meant, but there were certainly some slang terms I've never heard before.

I'm glad we're highlighting Australian authors. I have a few favorites, but have read most of their books. So, I've ordered a new book that is just being released in the US in paperback in January. It's YA post-apocalyptic and sounds very interesting.

Of course, I may go ahead and read some of the others I already own as well. Hmmm...

My actual duck is happy he doesn't fly when that phrase is used. It's always a good one to use with people who have no idea.

I did notice some good names getting pulled out in the Chunksters lists. Just remember that if you read it for this challenge, it can't be counted for the Chunksters.

Janice wrote: "But I shall knacker myself out and scour my shelves."

lol good try. You could be knackered after you scoured your shelves. Ie, you be so tired the only place you are fit for is the knackery. The other meaning to that word is if you are male and take a hit to the crotch you would have knackered yourself. Like I said to Travis the other day, context is everything.

How funny and so true!!

I'm going out to my family's for our Christmas tonight, and all day tomorrow at Lexx's family's. So I may not be able to check much over the next 24 hours. Keep questions coming and I will get to them asap.

Merry Christmas everyone, and whatever you're doing tomorrow whether it's partying with friends or family, or having a lovely quiet one, have a wonderful and safe day!!!

But for now, I'm off like a bride's nightie.

Aaaah, I love love love the challenge!! And I love your introduction too, and I feel so proud I understood it :) One of my favourite Australian expressions is 'he's got kangaroos loose in the top paddock', I find that so funny!

Anyway, I'm looking so forward to this challenge as Australia is in my top 2 of favourite countries in the world and I have several books set in Australia that I want to read and I wish I could read books set in Australia all month. It's going to be hard to choose. *runs off browsing shelves*

I narrowed it down to three books, although I don't think they will earn me a high spot in the ranking.

Gifts of the Peramangk
Rabbit-Proof Fence: The True Story of One of the Greatest Escapes of All Time
Lighthouse Bay

I'm leaning more towards the first two, perhaps even both as the Rabbit-Proof Fence is a rather short one.


I can also recommend Wildflower Hill, set in Tasmania, and has an aboriginal character in it. I thought it was a great book. It's just over 500 pages, but it's a very fast read. Or if anyone hasn't read The Light Between Oceans yet, this is your chance :)

Peggy - I have also read Lighthouse Bay, Wildflower Hill, The Light Between the Oceans and saw the movie Rabbit-Proof Fence and enjoyed all of them.

Have you also read A Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarity?

Great challenge Rusalka! I had better go and gopher my shelves :D

The crazy thing is, I actually understood 90% of what Rus was saying without the translation. I was laughing so much. Rus, you slay me!

Now where is that link for some good Aussie books?

I thought I had read all of my books by Australian authors but then I remembered The Thorn Birds which has been sitting on my TBR for over a year now. This is the perfect opportunity for me to finally read it :)

I'm getting I Am the Messenger on audio by Markus Zusak, author of The Book Thief. I've read it in print, but am up to a reread since it's set in Australia and Zusak is Australian.

I'm also considering Tim by Colleen McCullough. I've always loved the movie with Mel Gibson and Piper Laurie and have it on VHS. Had no idea it was based on a book!

Love this challenge Rusalka and I too understand most of what you said - possible misspent youth watching neighbours and home and away?!? Also love the translation!

I'm going to read Burial Rites by Hannah Kent who was born in Adelaide. This book will also count for "any other book in theme" group read as it was nominated for Goodreads Choice Award this year.

Oh and my two favourite phrases (so far) that you've used Rusalka are "I'm off like a bride's nightie" and "I'm hungry enough to eat the arse out of a low flying duck". Looking forward to hearing some more.

Sarah wrote: "Love this challenge Rusalka and I too understand most of what you said - possible misspent youth watching neighbours and home and away?!? Also love the translation!



Adding Heartbreak High and McLeod's Daughters!

And I think Australians are champions in thinking of awesome expressions :D

Peggy wrote: "Adding Heartbreak High and McLeod's Daughters!"

Forgot about Heartbreak High! Better add that to the list too although I've not heard of Mcleod's Daughters!

LOL. That message was reading I should not have attempted before coffee. Makes me think that's not only the accent that makes you hard to understand for me :) (I crossed path with only a few Aussies and had to read lips, really. Phone calls for work scares me silly.)

Now, what to read.....

I started reading the challenge instructions and was completely lost until I realized it was Rusalka talking and it started to make some sense. I still needed the translation, so thanks for including it. Aussie slang is so colorful, a complete language of its own. Frogs in socks, drinking lizards, low flying duck arses (there's an image), cut snakes, sticky beaks. I had to remind myself, though, that thongs are flip flops and not those other things. :D

I LOVE this! This is great and I LOVE the slang. Just love it. I know I have at least a couple of Aussie books on my tbr so I'll have fun going through my list and finding a couple to read. Thanks, Rusalka!

I have found this one on my tbr:

A Town Like Alice Which weirdly enough, I've been thinking about a lot this month, so no excuse now.

ROFL you guys make ME laugh!!

Peggy wrote: "One of my favourite Australian expressions is 'he's got kangaroos loose in the top paddock"
I love that one too. But to be a true Aussie you need to leave out some words and abbreviate. We rarely ever say kangaroo for example. So it would be "he's got a few roos loose in the top paddock."

Debra wrote: "Now where is that link for some good Aussie books?"
There's a few listopia ones that are not too bad if you get stuck. If anyone is in the mood for something specific I can always try and help with suggestions.

Sarah wrote: " - possible misspent youth watching neighbours and home and away?!? "
Peggy wrote: "Adding Heartbreak High and McLeod's Daughters!"
HAH! I knew about the Neighbours (which has been taken off the main channels now and just shown on some second digital channel you have to hunt for. They are only still making it for the UK) and Home and Away. But you guys got Heartbreak High?! That's too funny. McLeod's Daughters is also interesting! I never watched it, not my thing, but it was pretty damn popular here for a bit.

Sarah wrote: "I'm going to read Burial Rites by Hannah Kent who was born in Adelaide.
Adelaide is now being referred to as Radelaide by locals. Take that how you will.

Roz wrote: "I started reading the challenge instructions and was completely lost until I realized it was Rusalka talking and it started to make some sense."
I don't know quite how to take that comment... I have settled as taking it as the best compliment in the world!

Love the intro! I was actually able to follow it all. As for the book to read, I have Burial Rites by Hannah Kent on my TBR list, so I may join Sarah on that one.

Another good one for this challenge is The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough, which I read when it first came out.

My first choice was Oscar and Lucinda but I'll count that book for the Chunkster challenge and for this one I'm going to read Delusions of Gender: How Our Minds, Society, and Neurosexism Create Difference

Rusalka wrote: "Alright you top blokes and sheilas."

What a fantastic challenge description! I loved it.

Burial Rites is on my TBR list and it's at my library so I'll choose this one but it's been fun to check out all the "Aussie books!" I'm seeing lots of good ones.

Anna wrote: "My first choice was Oscar and Lucinda but I'll count that book for the Chunkster challenge and for this one I'm going to read [book:Delusions of Gender: How Our Minds, Society, and N..."

Oh that's going straight to my TBR!! I'm surprised I haven't heard of her before. Looks like she was in the Psych department at my Uni while I was doing my Psych undergraduate degree... And she's got an ARC grant which is a big deal in Australian academia.

Thanks Anna. I am stupidly excited on that book. That's my pet soapbox topic.

So many great book choices being posted for this challenge! My first thought was
Rabbit-Proof Fence: The True Story of One of the Greatest Escapes of All Time, which I have had on my TBR list for a long time, or the I Am the Messenger, but since I loved the Beryl Markham book, West with the Night, I might go with Judy's suggestion of The Road from Coorain. I have already read many of the suggestions and can 2nd The Thorn Birds and A Town Like Alice. I have never forgotten either of them. After reading the Nevil Shute book, I read everything my school library had by him - which was a lot. I loved his writing style.

I really should read some of his...

On my shelf here i have Picnic At Hanging Rock, The Secret River or The Rook that would all count. As much as I want to read The Rook, it would only get me the author's point as it set in London. Decisions, decisions...

That's a ripper of an idea, Rusalka!

Kat wrote: "That's a ripper of an idea, Rusalka!"

Too right, mate!
(P.S. Hope you're enjoying being home)

@Rusalka, Picnic At Hanging Rock has been on my radar for a couple of years. I'll be interested to hear what you think if you end up reading that one.

Casceil wrote: "I've been meaning to read Dirt Music by Tim Winton for some time now. I own a copy, but the cover on the copy I own gets almost no points. The cover Amazon shows would..."

I'm not above checking out the library version if it earns me more points ... go for it!

I'll be reading Remembering Babylon by David Malouf to avoid the galah award this month. :)

"Off like a bride's nightie" ... well, okay, then.

*wink* you know what I mean!

Galah is always an Aussie phrase that slightly bothers me to be honest. Yes, they are stupid. Yes, they are noisy. Yes, between them and cockies they destroy everything. But look at them!! How could you not love them?

Actually, to be fair. That bird totally personifies the word "frumph" to me.

*$^%^# Goodreads!! I had a post here, but it disappeared - very frustrating.

Love the challenge! And I understood most of Rusalka's description (I agree, it was a lot easier when I saw it was from Rusalka ☺). I think I'm going to read True History of the Kelly Gang. Not a lot of points, but it looks really intresting.

I am laughing so hard, this is quite a fun challenge, Rusalka! I loved the spoilers :-).
I´ll give it a go with The Rosie Project.

Ah ha! I'm sorted. Year of Wonders has finally arrived from the library, having got lost in the reservation system. And it seems the author, Geraldine Brooks is a native Aussie. Hurrah.

She is indeed. She's just one of the drongo ones. Be interested in what you think. I have to read it in the next 5 days.

I just finished S.783536306 This is my review. www.goodreads.com/review/show/783536306

I received a copy of "S." for Christmas, so I read your review with some interest. The presentation is beautiful, but I have less than wonderful vision, and I have some concerns about how difficult it may be to make out all the marginalia. How tiny does the handwriting get?

Lol love the description of this challenge! I think I'm going to try Carpentaria by Alexis Wright or might save that for Chunkster and go with one of the suggestions here. Decided to save Carpentaria for Chunkster and read Gifts of the Peramangk for this challenge.