Aussie Readers discussion

October – Halloween Spell-it-Out
Level: ?
0/?



SPOOKY: 5-6 books (at least 1 Aussie author)
SPOOKIER: 7 books (at least 2 Aussie authors)
SPOOKIEST: 9 books (at least 3 Aussie authors)

Choose at least one of the Halloween related words listed below and use the options
a) the first or last initial of the author OR
b) the first letter of the book title (you may exclude "a", "the", "an")

Remember that all books must meet our group guidelines HERE

Candy
Carve
Ghoul
Grave
Haunt
Skull
Spook
Treat
Trick
Witch

Fright
Potion
Scream
Spirit

October
Pumpkin
Vampire
Zombies

Halloween
Moonlight
Nightmare
Scarecrow

Participants


Amanda
Brenda
Carolyn
Cherie (Myst)
Clare
Erin
Jackmeister
Jane
Janine
Jennifer
Kali
Kerri_M
Krystal
Kylie D
Kylie H
Lainey
Li'l Owl
Lorraine
Mari
Nicola
Odette
Phrynne
Sally
Sarah
Sharah
Sharon
Teresa
TheMadHatter
Tien
Trish
Valerie
Zoey

October – Halloween Spell-it-Out
Level: Spookiest
9/9

S The Shape of Night by Tess Gerritsen 2★s 2/10/19
C The Life She Deserves by Maggie Christensen 5★s 7/10/19 AA
A Trouble on Teral by Andrew J. Harvey 5★s 1/10/19
R Cradle to Grave by Rachel Amphlett 5★s 3/10/19 AA
E The Haunting of Eagle Creek Middle School by Tara Ellis 5★s 15/10/19
C Cross My Heart by Pamela Cook 5★s 6/10/19
R Just One Wish by Rachael Johns 4★s 15/10/19 AA
O Missing in Wales by Jenny O'Brien 5★s 24/10/19
W Wearing Paper Dresses by Anne Brinsden 5★s 10/10/19 AA

Here is my list.

October – Halloween Spell-it-Out
Level: Spooky
0/5

C Say Goodbye for Now by Catherine Ryan Hyde
A Winter Journey by Diane Armstrong AA
N Dog Gone, Back Soon by Nick Trout
D The Ruin by Dervla McTiernan AA
Y The Years After You by Emma Woolf

October – Halloween Spell-it-Out
Level: Spooky
5/5

C - Captured by Neil Cross 3★
A - Gather the Bones by Alison Stuart AA 4★
N - The Ex by Nicola Moriarty AA 5★
D - A Donation of Murder by Felicity Young AA 4★
Y - Year One by Nora Roberts 5★

Snap you two!!! Both posted at exactly the same time, and both CANDY, and both have "year" for your Y...

October – Halloween Spell-it-Out
Level: Spookiest (3 AA)
9/9 Finished 18/10/2019

S - Starter for Ten by David Nicholls 4*
C - The Dunbar Case by Peter Corris AA 3*
A - A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess 2.5*
R - Celebrity in Death by J.D. Robb 4*
E - Captivated by Nicole Edwards 4*
C - The Memories That Make Us by Vanessa Carnevale AA 4*
R - Run by Blake Crouch 4*
O - Of Blood and Bone by Nora Roberts 4*
W - White Dog by Peter Temple AA 2*

Level: SPOOKY
6/ 6 books (1 AA)

✔ P The Place on Dalhousie by Melina Marchetta AA 4★
✔ O One Dark Night by Anna FavershamAA 3★
✔ T This Thing of Darkness by Harry Bingham 5★
✔ I Iron Lake by William Kent Krueger 4★
✔ O The Old Success by Martha Grimes 3★
✔ N Now You See Them by Elly Griffiths 4★

October – Halloween Spell-it-Out
Level: Spooky
Read 1/5 - 1/2 Aussie Author

G: Gemma's Bluff by Karly Lane AA Read 4*
H: Her Pretty Face by Robyn Harding AA Read 4/10/19 4*
O: The Ragged Edge of Night by Olivia Hawker
U: Under the Northern Lights by S.C. Stephens
L: The Lost Girls by Jennifer Spence

Brenda wrote: "Snap you two!!! Both posted at exactly the same time, and both CANDY, and both have "year" for your Y..."

Haha very observant, Brenda. And we both have A&D as Aussie authors :)

October – Halloween Spell-it-Out
Level: Spooky
Read 6/6

F - The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell READ 9/10/19 4*
R -Vendetta in Death by J.D. Robb READ 4/10/19 4*
I - Messy, Wonderful Us by Catherine Isaac READ 6/10/19 4*
G - The Body in the Beach House by Grace York(AA) READ 6/10/19 4*
H - Heart of the Cross by Emily Madden(AA) READ 8/10/19 5*
T - The Model Wife by Tricia Stringer(AA) READ 2/10/19 4*

Everyone is linked to here :)

Teresa wrote: "October – Halloween Spell-it-Out
Level: Spooky
Read 0/5 - 0/1 Aussie Author

G: Gemma's Bluff by Karly Lane AA
H: Her Pretty Face by ..."

Teresa, your "L" is an AA as well :)

Sharon wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Snap you two!!! Both posted at exactly the same time, and both CANDY, and both have "year" for your Y..."

Haha very observant, Brenda. And we both have A&D as Aussie authors :)"

So you do!

Janine wrote: "October – Halloween Spell-it-Out
Level: Spooky
Read 0/6

F - The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell
R - The Roadhouse by Kerry McGinnis(A..."

I'm reading The Model Wife at the moment and enjoying it.

October – Halloween Spell-it-Out
Level: Spookiest
9/9 (3/3 AA)

M - Naked Cruelty (Carmine Delmonico #3) by Colleen McCullough AA -Read 03/10
O - The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton -Read 8/10
O - The Obelisk Gate (The Broken Earth #2) by N.K. Jemisin -Read 21/10
N - Dear Martin by Nic Stone -Read 07/10
L - The Long Quiche Goodbye (A Cheese Shop Mystery #1) by Avery Aames -Read 08/10
I - In Her Blood (Catherine Berlin #1) by Annie Hauxwell AA -Read 22/10
G - Good News, Bad News (A Scout Davis Investigation #2) by Maggie Groff AA -Read 2/10
H - The Man of Feeling by Henry MacKenzie -Read 09/10
T - The Yield by Tara June Winch AA -Read 16/10

You're linked Tien :)

Thanks, Brenda :)

Brenda wrote: "Teresa wrote: "October – Halloween Spell-it-Out
Level: Spooky
Read 0/5 - 0/1 Aussie Author

G: Gemma's Bluff by Karly Lane AA
H: Her Pretty Face by ..."
Ooh thank you Brenda, I didn't realise she was Aussie 😊

October – Halloween Spell-it-Out
Level: Spookiest
9/9

N The Novice's Tale by Ann Swinfen 3 stars
I Sapphire Flames by Ilona Andrews 5 stars
G M is for Malice by Sue Grafton 4 stars
H The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas 4 stars
T Dead Man Switch by Tara Moss AA 4 stars
M Murder on Trinity Place by Victoria Thompson 4stars
A Before Nightfall by Rachel Amphlett AA 4 stars
R Read and Buried by Eva Gates 4 stars
E The Yellow House by Emily O'Grady AA 3 stars

October - Halloween Spell-It-Out
Level; Spooky
Read 2/5

T - The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware ✅ ****
R - Wolfhunter River by Rachel Caine ✅ ****
E - Kill the Queen by Jennifer Estep ✅ ****
A - Scared to Death by Rachel Amphlett AA ✅ ***
T - The Shape of Night Tess Gerritsen ✅ ***

Looking forward to this!! 😁

✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅

Please count me in. Tried to pick some spooky books as well!

October – Halloween Spell-it-Out
Level: Spooky
5/6

F The Falls by B. Michael Radburn 3.5★ AA
R Rose Scented Murder by Jill Paterson AA 4★ AA
I The Ice Twins by S.K. Tremayne 4★
G The Girl in Kellers Way by Megan Goldin AA
H The House of Frozen Dreams by Seré Prince Halverson 4★
T Tidelands by Philippa Gregory 4.5★

All linked to here :)

Teresa wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Teresa wrote: "October – Halloween Spell-it-Out
Level: Spooky
Read 0/5 - 0/1 Aussie Author

G: Gemma's Bluff by Karly Lane AA
H: [book:Her Pretty Fac..."

You're welcome - and it's a good book!

Count me in please for SPOOKY 5/5 AA 2/1


✅ T - The Novice by Trudi Canavan AA 21/10/19 ★★★★
✅ R - Vendetta in Death by J.D. Robb 28/10/19 ★★★★
✅ E - Half-Built Houses by Eric Keller 17/11/19 ★★★★
✅ A - Mercy by Jussi Adler-Olsen 14/10/19 ★★★★☆
✅ T - The High Lord by Trudi Canavan AA 13/11/19 ★★★★★

T R E A T

You're linked Kerri :)

Brenda wrote: "You're linked Kerri :)"

Thanks Brenda, looking forward to all of these books!

It'll be a TREAT Kerri ;)

Hi Brenda, I'd love to sign up. These lists are getting trickier as I'm trying to tie up three Annual Challenges and the Spring Challenge as well, but I'll attempt Spookiest (I have back-up plans for Spookier and Spooky, if need be!).
Progress: 9/9, AA: 3/3

N: Never Have I Ever by Joshilyn Jackson (5/10) 5*
I: The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro (12/10) 4*
G: Great Expectations by Charles Dickens (20/10) 4*
H: The Turn of the Screw by Henry James (24/10) 3*
T: Cloudstreet by Tim Winton AA (20/10) 4*
M: What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty AA (25/10) 4*
A: The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood (17/10) 4*
R: Redemption Point by Candice Fox AA (7/10) 4*
E: Ready Player One by Ernest Cline (12/10) 5*

Going for SPOOKY (Author Names)
6/6

S - Where the Dead Go by Sarah Bailey 4★ AA
C - Dissolution by C.J. Sansom 4★
R - The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More by Roald Dahl 3★
E - The Secret, Book & Scone Society by Ellery Adams 4★
A - The Cold Cold Ground by Adrian McKinty 3 ★
M - Cold Fear by Mads Peder Nordbo 4★

October- Halloween Spell-It-Out
Level: Spooky

6/6

F- You Don't Know Me by Sara Foster AA 3 stars 21/10/19
R- Longstone by L.J. Ross 4 stars 15/10/19
I- Knots and Crosses by Ian Rankin 4 stars 25/10/19
G- Death at the Dog Show by Grace York AA 4 stars 13/10/19
H- Bruny by Heather Rose AA 2.5 stars 11/10/19
T- The Shape of Night by Tess Gerritsen 3 stars 2/10/19

Brenda wrote: "All linked to here :)"

Thank you, Brenda!

October – Halloween Spell-it-Out
Level: Spookier
7/7 books: 2/2 Aussie Authors

✅V - This is How We Change the Ending by Vikki Wakefield AA
- read 1/10/19 - 5 stars
✅A - The Whisper Man by Alex North
- finished 4/10/19 - 2 stars
✅M - The Nanny by Gilly Macmillan
- finished 5/10/19 - 2 stars
✅P - The Passengers by John Marrs
- finished 6/10/19 - 4 stars
✅I - Imaginary Friend by Stephen Chbosky
- finished 13/10/19 - 4 stars
✅R - The Rook by Daniel O'Malley AA
- finished 16/10/19 - 1 star
✅E - Elevator Pitch by Linwood Barclay
- finished 18/10/19 - 4 stars

Another slow start 5 out of 5 as of 31 Oct

Going for Spooky - five letters for this one.

C A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... (4 Stars)
A Aurora Rising by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman AA
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... (4 Stars)
R Renegades by Marissa Meyer
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... (3.5 Stars)
V The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... (4 Stars)
E Einstein's Dreams by Alan Lightman
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... (4 Stars)

Everyone is linked to here :)

October – Halloween Spell-it-Out
Level: Spooky
5/5

W- Wakenhyrst by Michelle Paver 5+* https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I- Invisible Boys by Holden Sheppard AA 5* https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
T - There Was Still Love by Favel Parrett AA 5* https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
C - The Juliet Code by Christine Wells AA 4.5* https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
H - The Ballroom by Anna Hope 5*

Here are my selections:

October – Halloween Spell-it-Out
Level: Spooky
0/5

C - Ciao Bella by Serena Giuliano 4★
A - The Testaments by Margaret Atwood 4★
N - Surface by Olivier Norek
D - Dark Emu by Bruce Pascoe AA 4★
Y - Les yeux couleur de pluie by Sophie Tal Men
(ignoring the word "Les")

Kali and Valerie, you're both linked :)

I'll have a go at Spooky :)

5/5

G - The Shelly Bay Ladies Swimming Circle by Sophie Green
H - Department Nineteen by Will Hill
O - On the Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta AA
U - The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson
L - Legend by Marie Lu

Sarah wrote: "Hi Brenda, I'd love to sign up. These lists are getting trickier as I'm trying to tie up three Annual Challenges and the Spring Challenge as well, but I'll attempt Spookiest (I have back-up plans f..."

Great selection of books, Sarah! I especially enjoyed Cloudstreet, Redemption Point and The Handmaid's Tale!!

Thanks Brenda - I've read both Cloudstreet and the Handmaid's Tale previously, but way back in the early 90s, so thought it was time for a re-read as a "proper adult reader"!

Thanks for another great challenge.

October – Halloween Spell-it-Out
Completed 28th October
Level: Spookiest
9/9

🎃 S - The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides 16/10 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

🎃 C - The Cottage at Rosella Cove by Sandie Docker *AA* 05/10 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🎃 A - Any Ordinary Day: Blindsides, Resilience and What Happens After the Worst Day of Your Life by Leigh Sales *AA* 03/10 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

🎃 R - Runaway by Peter May 11/10 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

🎃 E - Anything Is Possible by Elizabeth Strout 26/10 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🎃 C - Conspiracy in Death by J.D. Robb 07/10 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

🎃 R - Resurrection Bay by Emma Viskic *AA* 18/10 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🎃 O - The Overdue Life of Amy Byler by Kelly Harms 02/10 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

🎃 W - The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead 28/10 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Cherie and Mari, you're both linked!

Sarah wrote: "Thanks Brenda - I've read both Cloudstreet and the Handmaid's Tale previously, but way back in the early 90s, so thought it was time for a re-read as a "proper adult reader"!"

Haha! I know what you mean. And also how our tastes change over the years - mine certainly have.

Forget to post my completed challenge! Better late then never!

October Halloween Spell-it-Out
Level SPOOKIER: 7 books —2 Aussie Authors
🎃 7/7

October
O Terrified by Kevin O'Brien10/16/19 4★'s
C The Night Stalker by Clare Donoghue 10/8/19 5★'s
T Twisted by Steve Cavanagh 10/7/19 4.5★'s
O The Other Wife by Michael Robotham 10/25/19 5★'s
AA
B Cat's Eyewitness by Rita Mae Brown 10/30/19 4★'s
E Escaping from Houdini by Kerri Maniscalco 10/31/19 5★'s
R Close Your Eyes by Michael Robotham 10/17/19 5★'s
AA



Booooks..... Good one Brenda! Haha! x

I'm in. I think I will start with spooky level. The Save the Children book fair is on in Perth for the first week of this month and I will be busy volunteering. If anyone is near Cannington WA this from 28th Sept - 2 Oct you should pop in and grab a bargain :)

level: Spooky
Books 5/5

W - Wicked Wings by Keri Arthur AA 5 Stars
I - In Her Blood by Annie Hauxwell AA 2 stars
T - Truthwitch by Susan Dennard 5 stars
C - Spider Game by Christine Feehan 5 stars
H - The Lost Man by Jane Harper AA 4 stars

Jennifer and Owl, you're both linked :) Did it scare you Owl?? lol

October – Halloween Spell-it-Out
Level: Spooky
0/5

T - Tin Men: A Gripping Chrissy Livingstone Novel by Linda Coles
R - The Return Man by V.M. Zito
I - In The Night Room by Peter Straub
C - Nemesis by Agatha Christie
K - The Roadhouse by Kerry McGinnis AA

You're linked Jackie :)

Here is my list.
Level: Spooky

G - Stay Sexy & Don’t Get Murdered: The Definitive How-To Guide - Karen Kilgariff & Georgia Hardstark 4 stars - 02/10/19
H - Heart: A History - Sandeep Jauhar (author) 3 stars - 04/10/19
O - Ohio - Stephen Markley - 3 stars - 13/10/19
U - The Unwinding of the Miracle: A Memoir of Life, Death, and Everything That Comes After - Julie Yip-Williams 4 stars - 06/10/19
L - Soon - Lois Murphy - AA 3.5 stars - 09/10/19