Book Loving Kiwis discussion

Wow! Am I on to it for September!
I want to get the group reading challenges sorted early on, so that you can all source the books required before September starts.
Please send through your suggestions for the following challenges...
Challenge 1: A New Zealand book - that is a book set in New Zealand or about a New Zealander, or written by a New Zealander or a combination (you get my drift).
Challenge 2: Any other book you would love to read or promote - biography, classic, a favourite, historical fiction etc
Get your suggestions in to me by August 15. You will then get five days to nominate a book from each Challenge. I'll announce the winners on August 21.
Get thinking and nominating. Remember to tell your friends about Book Loving Kiwis!

My nominations...
Challenge 1: The Larnachs by Owen Marshall (historical fictional about the Larnach family of Larnach's Castle, Dunedin. Written by a well-known NZ author.

The Larnachs

Challenge 2: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (I read this in high school and am really keen to re-read it).

Jane Eyre

Hi Angie,
May I suggest Weeping Waters for Challenge 1. Feels vaguely topical as there's a film about Tangiwai on TV next Sunday. Not sure about Challenge 2 tho; will ruminate on it a bit more.

Hey Angie
Anything by Deborah Challinor is a great read - especially the Tamar trilogy and Kitty trilogy - really enjoyed 'Fire'by her too as it is based on the Ballentynes fire but set in Auckland. Easy reads but very informative too.

Cheryl wrote: "Hey Angie
Anything by Deborah Challinor is a great read - especially the Tamar trilogy and Kitty trilogy - really enjoyed 'Fire'by her too as it is based on the Ballentynes fire but set in Aucklan..."

I agree. I loved Tamar, but have only read the first one. Have read Kitty and Amber and Fire, but no others. Thanks for your suggestions, Cheryl :)

Darkpool wrote: "Hi Angie,
May I suggest Weeping Waters for Challenge 1. Feels vaguely topical as there's a film about Tangiwai on TV next Sunday. Not sure about Challenge 2 tho; will ruminate on it ..."

Weeping Waters sounds interesting. Thanks for your suggestion.

Only four more days to get your nominations in. What will we be reading next month?
Also, don't forget that Greg is happy to answer any questions about 'The Spanish Helmet'. If you haven't picked this book up yet, I encourage you to do so - it's a goody!

Get those suggestions in by tomorrow!

Ok, Just to give Jane Eyre something to compete with, I'll suggest The Man in the Queue for challenge 2

Which book will be getting your vote? One vote for each challenge please.

Challenge 1: NZ
The Hut Builder
The Larnachs
Weeping Waters
Tamar
Fire

Challenge 2: Other
Jane Eyre
The Man in the Queue

Please have your votes in by 20 August.

Have just worked out how to do the whole 'Polls' voting thing. So, scroll down to the bottom of the home page OR click on 'Polls' in the menu on the right of your screen.

Hmmmmm, so I feel a bit silly announcing the winners of the group reads for September, as I was the only person who voted.
The group reads are The Larnachs and Jane Eyre.

Have just done some shopping around and the best deal out there for 'The Larnachs' is through the Whitcoulls website. $29.99 with free postage.

Good sleuthing. Just had a quick look on the Auckland Library site - they have close to 50 copies, and a waiting list of nearly 200 people!!!
Not sure if I'll be able to fit this in - only just started The Spanish Helmet. We'll see. As for being the only voter... I don't know if you tried messaging everyone in the group, but I can say I didn't get a message to say there was a poll to be voted on, although apparently the email notifications have been a bit erratic lately. I've missed several from various groups in the last few months. That may have been a reason for low turn-out.

No I didn't send out emails. Thought about it but didn't want to seem like I was hounding people. Assumed that people would be checking Goodreads regularly but maybe this isn't the case. Thanks for bringing this to my attention. Would you prefer an email in the future?

In this case where there was a poll, yes I think I'd prefer that. I go through alternating phases of checking my groups compulsively and ignoring them, so something time-bound like a poll I'd probably want a nudge about.

Not long to go until 1 September. For those of us in NZ = the first day of spring! Have you tracked down the group reads for September? Don't forget to ask Greg questions about his book before August disappears.

1 September tomorrow! Join the September group read challenges.

May I humbly offer my time-travel novel, Isabelle's Locket, for consideration.
It is set in Foxton, NZ in 1919/2010.
I live in Levin, NZ, and this is my first serious novel. Available on TradeMe for $10 with free postage within NZ.

Hi Colleen. First of all, congratulations on your first 'serious' novel. It sounds intriguing. We have decided upon the books for our September challenges already. However, I will make this one of our October group reads, as it is always a real treat to have authors share their books with us. I look forward to discussing this with you. Thanks for joining our group.