The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion

15.2 - Anzac Day
In Honor of Anzac Day which is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand, and is commemorated by both countries on April 25th every year to honour members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who fought at Gallipoli in Turkey during World War I let's read...
A. A novel that takes place in Australia or New Zealand, written by an author from one of those countries, or a non-fictional book about one of the two countries.
AND
B. A novel or non-fictional account of World War I.

If you need suggestions OR have suggestions for books to read for this task post them here.

Does anyone have any suggestions for part B. Does it have to be about the war itself or can the war just be a part of the story?

A novel by Thomas De Angelo, Between the Sword and the Wall: A Novel of WWI. I haven't read it yet, but it sounds interesting.

All Quiet on the Western Front

For Part B:

A Soldier of the Great War
A Farewell to Arms
All Quiet on the Western Front
Regeneration

Kathryn wrote: "Does anyone have any suggestions for part B. Does it have to be about the war itself or can the war just be a part of the story?"

The war should play a big role in the storyline.

Anyone know of any books published recently that feature WWI? I have read all the classic ones that I have any interest in.

Thanks!

Birdsong: A Novel of Love and War
Regeneration
A Very Long Engagement (loved this movie)
To the Last Man: A Novel of the First World War
Three Day Road

I haven't read any of them..so I can't vouch for them.

Nicole wrote: "Anyone know of any books published recently that feature WWI? I have read all the classic ones that I have any interest in.

Thanks!"


A Soldier of the Great War was published in 1991 and has been highly recommended to me.

Which part for Birdsong - Sebastian Faulks?

Fiona (Titch) wrote: "Which part for Birdsong - Sebastian Faulks?"

For part B. From the description and other reviews it looks like it would fit.

Thanks Jamie x

Cait wrote: "Nicole wrote: "Anyone know of any books published recently that feature WWI? I have read all the classic ones that I have any interest in.

Thanks!"


A Soldier of the Great War was pu..."


Cait, I've added this to my TBR list. It sounds good. Thanks!

Fiona (Titch) wrote: "Thanks Jamie x"

No problem!

Found this list of WW1 Literature:

http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/13...

Nice! Thanks!

You're welcome Petra, and thank you for the link!

I'm going to read The Guns of August. I was supposed to read it for a class I was taking my junior year of college but never got around to it. I think beer drinking was more important then. So I'll read it 15 years later....

Part A: A novel that takes place in Australia or New Zealand, written by an author from one of those countries, or a non-fictional book about one of the two countries.

The author has to be from this place as well as the book is to do with this place?

Fiona (Titch) wrote: "Part A: A novel that takes place in Australia or New Zealand, written by an author from one of those countries, or a non-fictional book about one of the two countries.

The author has to be from..."

No just one of the three options for part a.

Thanks hon, just seen I can read True History of the Kelly Gang: A Novel as this is an audio in my local library x

For Part A, I'm going to read The Ghost Writer by John Harwood. I'm so excited I was able to fit this book in!

I'm reading I Am the Messenger for part A. I loved The Book Thief so I'm hoping this is good too!

Jamie wrote: "I'm reading I Am the Messenger for part A. I loved The Book Thief so I'm hoping this is good too!"

I've read both x

LOVE I Am the Messenger! Don't expect the same kind of story or even STYLE as The Book Thief, though. They're COMPLETELY different. Like I would never have guessed they were by the same author...

Sara ♥ wrote: "LOVE I Am the Messenger! Don't expect the same kind of story or even STYLE as The Book Thief, though. They're COMPLETELY different. Like I would never have guessed they were by the ..."

Good to know going into it! Particularly because I was a huge fan of both the store and the style of the last one.

Cynthia wrote: "Fiona (Titch) wrote: "Part A: A novel that takes place in Australia or New Zealand, written by an author from one of those countries, or a non-fictional book about one of the two countries.

The a..."

Oh, I thought that it had to be set in and written by someone from Australia or New Zealand. That makes it a lot easier!

The Forgotten Garden: A Novel by Kate Morton

The setting is in Australia and the author is from Australia. I just picked this up yesterday. Another book by Morton, that has received good reviews from my friends is The House at Riverton. I also own it, but haven't read it.

Would Geraldine Brooks work as an author from Australia?

Kathryn wrote: "Would Geraldine Brooks work as an author from Australia?"

Yes, as she is there as well x

Cait wrote: "For Part A, I'm going to read The Ghost Writer by John Harwood. I'm so excited I was able to fit this book in!"

I'm reading this one too. I found it by accident at the library last night.

Jamie wrote: "I'm reading I Am the Messenger for part A. I loved The Book Thief so I'm hoping this is good too!"
i loved it!

I am reading Eucalyptus: A Novel by Murray Bail right now. It is set in Australia and by a Australian author I think. I probably should have read this one later but I wanted to use this one for the winter challege.

Julie wrote: "I'm going to read The Guns of August. I was supposed to read it for a class I was taking my junior year of college but never got around to it. I think beer drinking was more importan..."

Barbara Tuchman also wrote The Zimmermann Telegram which talks about how the US was actually drawn into the war. I have this sitting on my bookshelf. It's a toss-up for me between this one, and Birdsong: A Novel of Love and War

I think The Last Town on Earth: A Novel might also work for Part B.

Part A, I know that Australian author Kerry Greenwood has written a mystery series set in Australia starring Phryne Fisher (pronounced Fry-knee, to rhyme with briny). Cocaine Blues is the first book in the series. I haven't read the series yet, but I've heard good things about it.

Colleen McCullough is Australian

Krista wrote: "Part A, I know that Australian author Kerry Greenwood has written a mystery series set in Australia starring Phryne Fisher (pronounced Fry-knee, to rhyme with briny). Cocaine ..."</i>

Right now I am debating between [book:The Thorn Birds and People of the Book.

For Part A I am going to read March by Geraldine Brooks, but I am still looking for one for Part B. Hopefully I can find something I already own.

I recommend Geraldine Brooks... I have read People of the Book and March and they were both 4-star reads for me.

For WWI I am much less helpful. :(

I started The Thorn Birds and I am really enjoying it. Someone pointed out that Australia is part of the Asia Pacific countries, so I will be able to read both! I am super excited about this!!!

For WWI, Deafening

Kathryn wrote: "I started The Thorn Birds and I am really enjoying it. Someone pointed out that Australia is part of the Asia Pacific countries, so I will be able to read both! I am super excited abou..."

Nice! This solves my problem too!

Lisa wrote: " The Forgotten Garden: A Novel by Kate Morton

The setting is in Australia and the author is from Australia. I just ..."

Oh I'm glad you mentioned this! I really enjoyed The House at Riverton so I may read The Forgotten Garden for the first part of this task.

Melissa wrote: "I recommend Geraldine Brooks... I have read People of the Book and March and they were both 4-star reads for me."

How important is it to have read Little Women before reading March? (I'm supposed to read March for my real-life book group....)

Sara ♥ wrote: "Melissa wrote: "I recommend Geraldine Brooks... I have read People of the Book and March and they were both 4-star reads for me."

How important is it to have read Littl..."

I read it like 2 books before I read March and I was glad I did..but I think that's just my preference. I like making the connections and what not and having it fresh in my mind.

Hmm on WWI books. Digging around for ideas.

I ran across a nifty book for Part A for those who like fantasy! Guardian of the Dead is set in New Zealand. And hm people could try any LoTR making of the movie books since the set was in New Zealand.

I'm going to try The Guns of August for Part B

An Ice-Cream War by William Boyd is set in first world war.

Would either of these work for Part B?

Crossing Stones by Helen Frost

The House at Riverton by Kate Morton

For Part A:
Emily Perkins (born 1970 in Christchurch) is a New Zealand author.

Novel About My Wife by Emily Perkins which sounds interesting!

On the Beach was set in Australia

I also thought of I Am the Messenger :) Good book, but I loved the Book Thief so much I was slightly disappointed..