Aussie Readers discussion

Hello all,

Was just wondering of your reading so far this year, what's been the best book you've read? Or multiple if you can't quite pick one?

For me, I recently finished Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged and thought it was fantastic, quite the epic tale. Also read Mimi Latt's Ultimate Justice and really enjoyed that also.

Sadly, I've only given one 5/5 so far this year and now that I look back I think it was more because I was reading the series and 'in the moment'. I did quite enjoy 'Me before you' by Jojo Moyes, but gave my highest rating to 'The Darkest Passion' by Gena Showalter.

P.D. Martin's The Murderers' Club and Fan Mail. I read her first one late last year Body Count, and loved them all, so I have located the next three in the Sophie Anderson series. And funnily enough, the postie just arrived while I was in the middle of typing this with The Killing Hands and Kiss Of Death, and I downloaded #6 a few days ago...Coming Home as it's only on kindle!! Phew!! She's an Aussie author too:)

I also really enjoyed Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro and The Fine Colour of Rust by Paddy O'Reilly (another Aussie). My all time favourite so far this year though is Run to Me by Aussie Diane Hester which isn't released until 1/3/13!

So far I've loved The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides and a collection of contemporary short stories Black Vodka: Ten Stories (out next week) by last year Man Booker shortlister Deborah Levy

My favourites so far this year would be Into the Wilderness & The Girl in Steel Capped Boots

My favourite so far this year is The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. The other books I've read this year I've only given 3/5 to, so I was really happy to finally come across one I loved!

That one was brilliant Natasha:)

Loved this book...something a little bit different and makes you think...what if someone can remember a past life?

Melissa wrote: "

Loved this book...something a little bit different and makes you think...what if someone can remember a past life?"

Sounds really interesting!!

Melissa wrote: "

Loved this book...something a little bit different and makes you think...what if someone can remember a past life?"

Huge variation in the reviews Melissa...glad you enjoyed it!

The best book I've read so far this year, and because it was a lovely pleasant surprise because it was something quite, quite different to what I usually read was:

Then again, so far this year I have picked some really good ones. Not one has been a disappointment. I am on a lucky streak :)

Clyde wrote: "The best book I've read so far this year, and because it was a lovely pleasant surprise because it was something quite, quite different to what I usually read was: [bookcover:Queen of Kings|9684527..."

That's nice when that happens Clyde! I hope it continues for you:)

I have had a few excellent reads so far this year:

Sharp Objects Gillian Flynn
Autumn Manor Helen Goltz
Birdman Mo Hayder
Witness Cath Staincliffe
and one of my all time favourite books
The Sunne in Splendour Sharon Kay Penman

'Where Underpants Come From', by New Zealander, Joe Bennett, who bought a pack of cheap jocks, and decided to go on a quest to find out what it takes to make them, and so cheaply. His odyssey takes him on a fascinating journey into China to track down the various components of his pants.

Riem wrote: "'Where Underpants Come From', by New Zealander, Joe Bennett, who bought a pack of cheap jocks, and decided to go on a quest to find out what it takes to make them, and so cheaply. His odyssey takes..."

Where Underpants Come From by Joe Bennett

So far my fave by far is

Some great books here! My two favourites so far this year are two very different books. The Children's Hospital I loved because it was just so unique, andThe Dinner was so beautifully written.

A couple of favourites of mine so far this year:
Middlesex, which I read for my book club
Down Under, which I had to read after our epic drive across the Nullarbor in January.

That must have been some journey Kristy! We did it one the Indian Pacific a year ago, and it was an awesome trip!

It was a great trip Brenda. What I particularly enjoyed was taking my kids away from wi-fi for almost a month. Guess what...they survived the experience!

Haha! Extremely good point Kristy! And have they gone straight back to it, or not quite as much as before the trip?

Either Sea of Poppies orFledgling.

I have read a couple of great ones this year... they are being:
- this one was so good loved feeling like the 5 year old as its in his perspective.
- just finished this one a few days ago and just found it to be beautifully written and profound too.
Have just brought a couple new books too, but I will save them for the other forum to reveal what they are...

I loved There should be more dancing by Rosie Ham.

Jo wrote: "I loved There should be more dancing by Rosie Ham."

There Should Be More Dancing by Rosalie Ham :)

Rochelle wrote: "This year it would have to be City of the Falling Sky by Joseph Evans!! It was fantastic!! You should all check it out!!"

City of the Falling Sky by Joseph Evans

Hey guys, if possible, can you please link your books? It makes it easier for us to check them out! Thanks:)

Rochelle wrote: "Sorry i would've linked it but i'm on my ipod so i couldn't :/ :)"

That's ok, I know if you're using i-pods/pads or other i-thingys, you can't;) lol

I haven't given any books 5 stars this year yet but two I've read and thoroughly enjoyed were Gone Girl and A Beautiful Place To Die .

The first two books that came to mind when I read this post were Dead Heat by Bronwyn Parry and The French Promise by Fiona McIntosh. To date, my fave this year is probably The French Promise :)

I gave it only 4 stars because I thought the begining was terribly slow, and I'm not sure I would have persisted except the trilogy was given to me, but it picked up once the girl with the tatoo showed up and I then found myself rushing through to see how the plot resolved itself ;)

So far this year I have given five stars to Touch & Go, The Homecoming of Samuel Lake, Life After Life and Wool books 1-8.Loved all of them!

Phrynne wrote: "So far this year I have given five stars to Touch & Go, The Homecoming of Samuel Lake, Life After Life and Wool books 1-8.Loved all of them!"

Those last two books have had a lot of attention lately. I have both of them on hold at the library. Just waiting for my turn . .

The Tiger's Wife

I loved this. Luscious and unique prose.

The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand

The Worst Desert on Earth by Charles Blackmore (With a mixed team of Americans, Brits, Aussies and reluctant Chinese officials, he remains the only explorer to have come out of the Desert of Death - the Taklamakan desert alive

Lit Bug wrote: "The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand

The Worst Desert on Earth by Charles Blackmore (With a mixed team of Americans, Brits, Aussies and reluctant Chinese officials, he remains the only explorer to have co..."

The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand

'My Family And Other Animals' by Gerald Durrell in January and I have just finished reading 'Life of Pi' by Yann Martel. These two would have to be my favorites so far.

I noticed that there was a couple of books mentioned that I read in late 2012 by others 'The Fine Colour of Rust' and ' 'The Book Thief' these were favourites of mine too.

'Reading Lolita in Tehran' by Iranian-American author Azar Nafisi


Her memoir chronicling her life in Iran before, during and after Khomeini's rule which flung the very modern Iran at least a century back, transforming a westernized (yes!!) progressive nation into a medieval patriarchal land. She talks about her mute yet significant rebellion both at the Tehran University where she taught English literature along with her secret literature classes then banned in Iran. Talks about her female students in those literary classes at home, of their changed lives, about the classic literary books like Lolita banned by the govt. which they discussed secretly in their class and how it affected them. And most of all, her heartbreak at seeing her beloved Iran being destroyed by a mad man's whims.

Deb wrote: "'My Family And Other Animals' by Gerald Durrell in January and I have just finished reading 'Life of Pi' by Yann Martel. These two would have to be my favorites so far.

I noticed that there was a..."

My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
The Fine Colour of Rust by Paddy O'Reilly
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Lit Bug wrote: "'Reading Lolita in Tehran' by Iranian-American author Azar Nafisi


Her memoir chronicling her life in Iran before, during and after Khomeini's rule which f..."

Sounds pretty amazing Lit Bug!

Brenda wrote: "Lit Bug wrote: "'Reading Lolita in Tehran' by Iranian-American author Azar Nafisi


Her memoir chronicling her life in Iran before, during and after Khomein..."

yeah... it's amazing, and makes us value things we take for granted... the freedom of thought and expression, of being able to read what we like... and reminds us, whenever we feel downcast, that there are millions living in conditions far worse than ours.

Lit Bug wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Lit Bug wrote: "'Reading Lolita in Tehran' by Iranian-American author Azar Nafisi


Her memoir chronicling her life in Iran before, during an..."

It makes us realize we certainly do live in "the lucky country" of Australia!

Deb wrote: "'My Family And Other Animals' by Gerald Durrell in January and I have just finished reading 'Life of Pi' by Yann Martel. These two would have to be my favorites so far.

I noticed that there was a..."

I read
My Family and Other Animals has always been one of my favourite books, Deb. Gerald Durrell was such a great writer, and he was quite prolific. His stories of his life collecting animals and initiating conservation projects are fascinating, and often hilarious.

He also wrote some novels as well. Rosie is My Relative (which is not on Goodreads!) is my favourite. I nearly exploded trying not to laugh out loud, while reading it in silent reading at school in the late seventies. The scene with the drunk elephant in the ballroom is etched in my memory forever!

Leonie wrote: "Deb wrote: "'My Family And Other Animals' by Gerald Durrell in January and I have just finished reading 'Life of Pi' by Yann Martel. These two would have to be my favorites so far.

...Rosie is My Relative (which is not on Goodreads!) is my favourite."


Here you go Leonie:)

Rosy Is My Relative

Thanks Brenda! I may have to write a review over the weekend - such a funny book.

And just realised that I already have ;P

Hmmmmmm - can't edit on my phone. Wonder why I couldn't link to it in my earlier post? Probably just some tiny glitch in the system.

Half Way Home by Hugh Howey

A.C. wrote: "Half Way Home by Hugh Howey"

Half Way Home by Hugh Howey