Awaywithfairies Reading List
Forum75 Books Challenge for 2014
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1awaywithfairies
An interesting challenge! I've been keeping track of the books I've read since 2005. Looking back on past years, I should be able to reach the goal of 75 books read.
I think I'll be posting the books read on a monthly basis in 2014.
I think I'll be posting the books read on a monthly basis in 2014.
3SqueakyChu
Welcome to the 75 Books Challenge from a fellow Bookcrosser!
I hope you find this group lots of fun.
I hope you find this group lots of fun.
4awaywithfairies
January Reads:
1. The Fence-Painting Fortnight of Destiny - Meshel Laurie
Biography of an Australian comedienne
2. Now I Can Dance - Tina Arena
Biography of an Australian singer, now based in France
3. Mastering the Art of Soviet Cooking - Anya von Bremzen
Combined biography/potted history of the Soviet Union
4. I Am Malala - Malala Yousafzai
Biography of the young girl standing up for education for girls
5. Ned Kelly and the Green Sash - Mark Greenwood
Children's book about a famous/infamous Australian criminal
6. Under a Mackerel Sky - Rick Stein
Biography of the Cornish restauranteur
7 I Want Earrings! - Dyan Blacklock
Delightful children's story
1. The Fence-Painting Fortnight of Destiny - Meshel Laurie
Biography of an Australian comedienne
2. Now I Can Dance - Tina Arena
Biography of an Australian singer, now based in France
3. Mastering the Art of Soviet Cooking - Anya von Bremzen
Combined biography/potted history of the Soviet Union
4. I Am Malala - Malala Yousafzai
Biography of the young girl standing up for education for girls
5. Ned Kelly and the Green Sash - Mark Greenwood
Children's book about a famous/infamous Australian criminal
6. Under a Mackerel Sky - Rick Stein
Biography of the Cornish restauranteur
7 I Want Earrings! - Dyan Blacklock
Delightful children's story
6awaywithfairies
February Reads:
8 Ugly : My Memoir - Robert Hoge
Biography of quite a remarkable Australian
9 Bless Your Heart Tramp - Celia Rivenbark
Humour
10 Everybody Poos - Taro Gomi
Quite a strange little book. Can't quite decide if it actually *is* a children's book - quite graphic illustrations!
11 Samuel's Kisses - Karen Collum
Delightful children's book
12 The Dirty Chef - Matthew Evans
Biography of a big city Sydney restaurant critic turned Tasmanian farmer
13 Bonkers: My Life in Laughs - Jennifer Saunders
Biography of the UK comedienne. Not quite as good as the biography of her comedy partner, Dawn French
14 Un Amico Italiano - Luca Spaghetti
Shameless band-wagon jumping from someone who was mentioned in someone else's (very successful) book!
8 Ugly : My Memoir - Robert Hoge
Biography of quite a remarkable Australian
9 Bless Your Heart Tramp - Celia Rivenbark
Humour
10 Everybody Poos - Taro Gomi
Quite a strange little book. Can't quite decide if it actually *is* a children's book - quite graphic illustrations!
11 Samuel's Kisses - Karen Collum
Delightful children's book
12 The Dirty Chef - Matthew Evans
Biography of a big city Sydney restaurant critic turned Tasmanian farmer
13 Bonkers: My Life in Laughs - Jennifer Saunders
Biography of the UK comedienne. Not quite as good as the biography of her comedy partner, Dawn French
14 Un Amico Italiano - Luca Spaghetti
Shameless band-wagon jumping from someone who was mentioned in someone else's (very successful) book!
7awaywithfairies
March Reads:
15 Season to Taste - Molly Birnbaum
Biography of an aspiring chef who lost her sense of smell.
16 There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Meerkat - P. Crumble
A children's book that reworks the well-known song.
17. The Knicker Bocker Glory Years - Martin Lampen
Humorous book about British food.
18. Take Me to Paris, Johnny - John Foster
Biography of a gay man in the early 80s. Very sad.
15 Season to Taste - Molly Birnbaum
Biography of an aspiring chef who lost her sense of smell.
16 There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Meerkat - P. Crumble
A children's book that reworks the well-known song.
17. The Knicker Bocker Glory Years - Martin Lampen
Humorous book about British food.
18. Take Me to Paris, Johnny - John Foster
Biography of a gay man in the early 80s. Very sad.
8awaywithfairies
April Reads:
19 Are Youse the Comoydians? - Peter Green
A self-published book (via Lulu) that describes a group of comedians' trip cycling around Australia, performing stand-up shows wherever they stop for the night.
20 Beaten by a Blow- Dennis McIntosh
A biography of a young man learning to shear in the 1970s. A difficult life of hard work...
21 First Term at Malory Towers - Enid Blyton
A re-reading of a classic Enid Blyton book that I first read as a child.
22 Dare to Dream: Life as One Direction - One Direction
Had a flick through last night and had a bit of a chuckle. The autobiographies of five young men born in the mid 1990s - they haven't lived long enough to have much to tell!
23 The Little Penguin - Chris McEwan
A delightful little story.
24 C'mere Kitty - Alan Katz
Quick read. Some amusing suggestions, some repetitive (multiple suggestions involving Saren wrap) and some just a bit dubious. An appropriate author surname!
25 Alphabet Soup - Melissa Doyle
A TV presenter's "biography". Really just a collection of vignettes on family life, most not more than a page or two long. I can imagine the author banging one out on the laptop in half an hour after the kids have gone to bed at night!
26 Cadence - Emma Ayres
The author is an ABC ABC Classic FM radio presenter. An ex-professional musician and keen cyclist, this book describes a year-long cycling journey from the UK to Hong Kong, passing through countries such as Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, India and China.
It was interspersed with passages about classical music and her experiences learning and playing the viola.
I have to admit I enjoyed the cycling/travel descriptions far more than the music sections. These I found fairly incomprehensible. I felt I needed a separate book to explain it all!
19 Are Youse the Comoydians? - Peter Green
A self-published book (via Lulu) that describes a group of comedians' trip cycling around Australia, performing stand-up shows wherever they stop for the night.
20 Beaten by a Blow- Dennis McIntosh
A biography of a young man learning to shear in the 1970s. A difficult life of hard work...
21 First Term at Malory Towers - Enid Blyton
A re-reading of a classic Enid Blyton book that I first read as a child.
22 Dare to Dream: Life as One Direction - One Direction
Had a flick through last night and had a bit of a chuckle. The autobiographies of five young men born in the mid 1990s - they haven't lived long enough to have much to tell!
23 The Little Penguin - Chris McEwan
A delightful little story.
24 C'mere Kitty - Alan Katz
Quick read. Some amusing suggestions, some repetitive (multiple suggestions involving Saren wrap) and some just a bit dubious. An appropriate author surname!
25 Alphabet Soup - Melissa Doyle
A TV presenter's "biography". Really just a collection of vignettes on family life, most not more than a page or two long. I can imagine the author banging one out on the laptop in half an hour after the kids have gone to bed at night!
26 Cadence - Emma Ayres
The author is an ABC ABC Classic FM radio presenter. An ex-professional musician and keen cyclist, this book describes a year-long cycling journey from the UK to Hong Kong, passing through countries such as Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, India and China.
It was interspersed with passages about classical music and her experiences learning and playing the viola.
I have to admit I enjoyed the cycling/travel descriptions far more than the music sections. These I found fairly incomprehensible. I felt I needed a separate book to explain it all!
9humouress
Dropping by to say 'Hi'. Your name on the Threadbook caught my eye; it looks suspiciously like the title of the first Kerry Greenwood I ever bought / read.
10awaywithfairies
May Reads:
27 Storyteller - Zoe Daniel
A biography of an Australian Broadcasting Commission foreign correspondent. Zoe covered first Africa and then South East Asia (based in Bangkok). I'm not sure I would have the dedication to the job, especially with a young family in tow.
28 Love in the Age of Drought - Fiona Higginspan
City girl meets country boy and goes to live on his wheat farm. Country life doesn't quite pan out the way they planned...
29 Daisy Sunshine - Susanne Gervay
A children's book produced by the National Museum of Australia. One of a series. The story is inspired by an item held in the museum's collection.
30 The Red Camel - Kirsty Murray
A children's book produced by the National Museum of Australia. One of a series. The story is inspired by an item held in the museum's collection.
31 Turning the Page - Felicity Pulman
A children's book produced by the National Museum of Australia. One of a series. The story is inspired by an item held in the museum's collection.
32 Potty. Fartwell and Knob - Russell Ash
A list of amusing names from the UK over the past 400 years or so. How did these people live with such names? ;)
27 Storyteller - Zoe Daniel
A biography of an Australian Broadcasting Commission foreign correspondent. Zoe covered first Africa and then South East Asia (based in Bangkok). I'm not sure I would have the dedication to the job, especially with a young family in tow.
28 Love in the Age of Drought - Fiona Higginspan
City girl meets country boy and goes to live on his wheat farm. Country life doesn't quite pan out the way they planned...
29 Daisy Sunshine - Susanne Gervay
A children's book produced by the National Museum of Australia. One of a series. The story is inspired by an item held in the museum's collection.
30 The Red Camel - Kirsty Murray
A children's book produced by the National Museum of Australia. One of a series. The story is inspired by an item held in the museum's collection.
31 Turning the Page - Felicity Pulman
A children's book produced by the National Museum of Australia. One of a series. The story is inspired by an item held in the museum's collection.
32 Potty. Fartwell and Knob - Russell Ash
A list of amusing names from the UK over the past 400 years or so. How did these people live with such names? ;)
11awaywithfairies
June Reads:
33 Paper Tigress - Rachel Cartland
Received as part of Librarything's Early Reviewer programme. An autobiography of an English woman working in the Hong Kong civil service.
34 Holy See, Unholy Me - Tim Fischer
Tim Fischer's memoir of his time as the first Australian Ambassador to the Holy See. An interesting account of a politician's foray into the world of international diplomacy.
35 Father Bob : the Larrikin Priest - Sue Williams
A biography of Melbourne priest Father Bob Maguire.
36 Tiffany & Co. - Grace Mirabella
A largely photographic depiction of the history of the Tiffany store in New York.
33 Paper Tigress - Rachel Cartland
Received as part of Librarything's Early Reviewer programme. An autobiography of an English woman working in the Hong Kong civil service.
34 Holy See, Unholy Me - Tim Fischer
Tim Fischer's memoir of his time as the first Australian Ambassador to the Holy See. An interesting account of a politician's foray into the world of international diplomacy.
35 Father Bob : the Larrikin Priest - Sue Williams
A biography of Melbourne priest Father Bob Maguire.
36 Tiffany & Co. - Grace Mirabella
A largely photographic depiction of the history of the Tiffany store in New York.
12awaywithfairies
July Reads:
37 Secrets of a Webcam Girl - Annabelle T Baxter
Memoirs of a sex worker.
38 Hey Mum, I Love You - Corinne Fenton
Children's book.
39 Animalia - Graeme Base
Children's book.
40 Close to Flying - Cadel Evans
Biography of the professional cyclist and Tour de France winner. Written before he won the TdF so now a bit out of date.
41 Scared Weird Frozen Guy - Rusty Berther
Biography of one half of the Scared Weird Little Guys.
42 Penny the Pirate - Kevin Waldron
Children's book issued by the OPSM chain of stores. Designed to test young children's sight.
43 How to Traumatize Your Children - Unknown Author
Supposedly humourous. The writing's actually not very funny.
44 Cinderella - Traditional
Children's book.
45 The Gingerbread Man - Traditional
Children's book.
46 Pinocchio - Traditional
Children's book.
47 Three Little Pigs - Traditional
Children's book.
48 Jack and the Beanstalk - Traditional
Children's book.
37 Secrets of a Webcam Girl - Annabelle T Baxter
Memoirs of a sex worker.
38 Hey Mum, I Love You - Corinne Fenton
Children's book.
39 Animalia - Graeme Base
Children's book.
40 Close to Flying - Cadel Evans
Biography of the professional cyclist and Tour de France winner. Written before he won the TdF so now a bit out of date.
41 Scared Weird Frozen Guy - Rusty Berther
Biography of one half of the Scared Weird Little Guys.
42 Penny the Pirate - Kevin Waldron
Children's book issued by the OPSM chain of stores. Designed to test young children's sight.
43 How to Traumatize Your Children - Unknown Author
Supposedly humourous. The writing's actually not very funny.
44 Cinderella - Traditional
Children's book.
45 The Gingerbread Man - Traditional
Children's book.
46 Pinocchio - Traditional
Children's book.
47 Three Little Pigs - Traditional
Children's book.
48 Jack and the Beanstalk - Traditional
Children's book.
13awaywithfairies
August Reads:
49 Danny Wallace and the Centre of the Universe - Danny Wallace
Audio book. A short, easy listen of about 90 minutes
50 Sleeping Around - Brian Thacker
A humorous tale about couchsurfing around the world. The author certainly seemed to have lucked out with his couch surfing hosts - they were all very interesting and took a great deal of trouble to entertain him during his stay. I wonder if they did it with all their guests or whether they took particular trouble with *this* guest because they knew he was a writer.
51 Men In This Town - Giuseppe Santamaria
A photographic book. The author took photos of well-dressed men (or men *he* thought were well-dressed) on the streets of London, Tokyo, Sydney, Milan and New York.
52 Mutt Dog! - Stephen Michael King
Children's book about a stray dog.
53 I, Migrant - Sami Shah
Memoir of a Pakistani immigrant to Australia who ended up in regional Western Australia. It was mostly focused on his life in Pakistan but I guess you need to know where he came from to see the contrast with his life now.
54 Gaz - Mark Gaznier & Andrew Webster
Memoir of a professional rugby league player. I have to admit that I didn't even know he retired!
55 Charlie at Last! - Janise Beaumont
Memoir of a journalist/social writer. Considering the title of the book, I would have thought there would have been more written about her son, Charlie, but he was barely mentioned.
56 She Left Me the Gun - Emma Brockes
Memoir about a woman's journey investigating her mother's past and family in South Africa.
57 Living With the Laird - Belinda Rathbone
Memoir about an American woman marrying a minor Scottish aristocrat. I have to admit that I didn't quite expect the ending!
58 The Boy's Own Manual to Being a Proper Jew - Eli Glasman
A Young Adult book about a Orthodox Jewish teenager's struggle with homosexuality and his religion.
59 "What Should I Wear?" Said Polar Bear- Kathy Fredriks
Children's picture book.
49 Danny Wallace and the Centre of the Universe - Danny Wallace
Audio book. A short, easy listen of about 90 minutes
50 Sleeping Around - Brian Thacker
A humorous tale about couchsurfing around the world. The author certainly seemed to have lucked out with his couch surfing hosts - they were all very interesting and took a great deal of trouble to entertain him during his stay. I wonder if they did it with all their guests or whether they took particular trouble with *this* guest because they knew he was a writer.
51 Men In This Town - Giuseppe Santamaria
A photographic book. The author took photos of well-dressed men (or men *he* thought were well-dressed) on the streets of London, Tokyo, Sydney, Milan and New York.
52 Mutt Dog! - Stephen Michael King
Children's book about a stray dog.
53 I, Migrant - Sami Shah
Memoir of a Pakistani immigrant to Australia who ended up in regional Western Australia. It was mostly focused on his life in Pakistan but I guess you need to know where he came from to see the contrast with his life now.
54 Gaz - Mark Gaznier & Andrew Webster
Memoir of a professional rugby league player. I have to admit that I didn't even know he retired!
55 Charlie at Last! - Janise Beaumont
Memoir of a journalist/social writer. Considering the title of the book, I would have thought there would have been more written about her son, Charlie, but he was barely mentioned.
56 She Left Me the Gun - Emma Brockes
Memoir about a woman's journey investigating her mother's past and family in South Africa.
57 Living With the Laird - Belinda Rathbone
Memoir about an American woman marrying a minor Scottish aristocrat. I have to admit that I didn't quite expect the ending!
58 The Boy's Own Manual to Being a Proper Jew - Eli Glasman
A Young Adult book about a Orthodox Jewish teenager's struggle with homosexuality and his religion.
59 "What Should I Wear?" Said Polar Bear- Kathy Fredriks
Children's picture book.
14awaywithfairies
September Reads:
60 The World's Strongest Librarian - Joshua Hanagarne
A memoir about Tourette's Syndrome.
61 Early Bird - Rodney Rothman
A 28-year-old man takes early retirement and moves to Florida.
62 A Dog's Life - Paul Bailey
Short stories from the author's life during the time he had his beloved dog, Circe.
63 Everything I Need to Know I Learned From a Little Golden Book - Diane Muldrow
Amusing. I remember many of the old Little Golden Books from my childhood!
64 I Can Has Cheezburger? - Professor Happycat & Icanhascheezburger.com
Cat humour. I think you need to be familar with the website to really "get" this.
65 Highgrove: a Garden Celebrated - Bunny Guinness
A coffee table photography book about Prince Charles' garden at Highgrove.
60 The World's Strongest Librarian - Joshua Hanagarne
A memoir about Tourette's Syndrome.
61 Early Bird - Rodney Rothman
A 28-year-old man takes early retirement and moves to Florida.
62 A Dog's Life - Paul Bailey
Short stories from the author's life during the time he had his beloved dog, Circe.
63 Everything I Need to Know I Learned From a Little Golden Book - Diane Muldrow
Amusing. I remember many of the old Little Golden Books from my childhood!
64 I Can Has Cheezburger? - Professor Happycat & Icanhascheezburger.com
Cat humour. I think you need to be familar with the website to really "get" this.
65 Highgrove: a Garden Celebrated - Bunny Guinness
A coffee table photography book about Prince Charles' garden at Highgrove.
15awaywithfairies
October Reads:
66 Birdsville - Evan McHugh
Entertaining read about life in an outback town. I hadn't realised that Birdsville was *quite*so isolated!
67 Hitchy Feet - John Card
A man gets tired of the rat race, jacks in his job and goes travelling...
68 Ratatouille - Glenn Dakin
A surprisingly detailed picture book about the animated film of the same name.
69 Ladybugs - Jason Cooper
Insect information for junior entomologists!
70 The Coat-Hanger Horse - Kym Lardner
Lovely picture book.
71 Merry Christmas, From Biscuit - Alyssa Satin Capucilli
Sweet children's book.
72 Kenya ABCs - Sarah Heiman
Children's book about Kenya.
73 More Fool Me - Stephen Fry
Third volume of Stephen Fry's autobiography. I don't think it's as entertaining as the first two.
74 - On the Road... With Kids - John Ahern
Interesting but not entirely original. I'm sure I read a very similar book several years ago.
75 - Confessions of a Qantas Flight Attendant - Owen Beddall
Hmm... I wonder what Qantas thinks of this book!
Goal achieved - 75 books read!
Some books were children's books so will add a few more adult books to the total.
66 Birdsville - Evan McHugh
Entertaining read about life in an outback town. I hadn't realised that Birdsville was *quite*so isolated!
67 Hitchy Feet - John Card
A man gets tired of the rat race, jacks in his job and goes travelling...
68 Ratatouille - Glenn Dakin
A surprisingly detailed picture book about the animated film of the same name.
69 Ladybugs - Jason Cooper
Insect information for junior entomologists!
70 The Coat-Hanger Horse - Kym Lardner
Lovely picture book.
71 Merry Christmas, From Biscuit - Alyssa Satin Capucilli
Sweet children's book.
72 Kenya ABCs - Sarah Heiman
Children's book about Kenya.
73 More Fool Me - Stephen Fry
Third volume of Stephen Fry's autobiography. I don't think it's as entertaining as the first two.
74 - On the Road... With Kids - John Ahern
Interesting but not entirely original. I'm sure I read a very similar book several years ago.
75 - Confessions of a Qantas Flight Attendant - Owen Beddall
Hmm... I wonder what Qantas thinks of this book!
Goal achieved - 75 books read!
Some books were children's books so will add a few more adult books to the total.
17awaywithfairies
November Reads
76. I Can Read With My Eyes Shut - Dr Seuss
A Dr Seuss book that wasn't around when I was a kid!
77 Funemployed - Justin Heazlewood
Advice for professional artists/musicians trying to earn a living in Australia. Much too long and repetitive. Unfortunately, took on a tone of "Poor me. I'm outrageously talented but nobody will pay me what I think I'm worth".
78 Making Soapies in Kabul - Trudi-Ann Tierney
Fun insight into a totally different world. A very resilient woman!
79 The Very Hungry Caterpillar's Christmas 123 - Eric Carle
A classic children's book character.
80 The Final Curtsey - Margaret Rhodes
A posh woman (the present Queen's cousin) who has lived a privileged life. Never had an education and never really had a job. How the other half lives!
81 What Westerners Have For Breakfast - John McBeath
Foreigners living in Goa in the 1980s. Not as idyllic as the author hoped...
82 Benedict Cumberbatch: The Biography - Justin Lewis
An unauthorised biography of the actor. At least, I think it was unauthorised. The author gave the impression that he'd never met the man and just cobbled a book together using quotes from newspaper articles.
83 Spinifex Baby - Karen Harrland
Life in the outback while pregnant and also with a new baby. I could never stand the 40°+C heat!
76. I Can Read With My Eyes Shut - Dr Seuss
A Dr Seuss book that wasn't around when I was a kid!
77 Funemployed - Justin Heazlewood
Advice for professional artists/musicians trying to earn a living in Australia. Much too long and repetitive. Unfortunately, took on a tone of "Poor me. I'm outrageously talented but nobody will pay me what I think I'm worth".
78 Making Soapies in Kabul - Trudi-Ann Tierney
Fun insight into a totally different world. A very resilient woman!
79 The Very Hungry Caterpillar's Christmas 123 - Eric Carle
A classic children's book character.
80 The Final Curtsey - Margaret Rhodes
A posh woman (the present Queen's cousin) who has lived a privileged life. Never had an education and never really had a job. How the other half lives!
81 What Westerners Have For Breakfast - John McBeath
Foreigners living in Goa in the 1980s. Not as idyllic as the author hoped...
82 Benedict Cumberbatch: The Biography - Justin Lewis
An unauthorised biography of the actor. At least, I think it was unauthorised. The author gave the impression that he'd never met the man and just cobbled a book together using quotes from newspaper articles.
83 Spinifex Baby - Karen Harrland
Life in the outback while pregnant and also with a new baby. I could never stand the 40°+C heat!
18awaywithfairies
December Reads
84 The Jolly Christmas Postman - Janet & Allan Ahlberg
Children's Christmas book.
85 Kattertonia - Russell Marks
A collection of Bob Katter's "best" quotes.
86 The Never, Um, Ever Ending Story - Ian Molly Meldrum
Molly's autobiography.
87 60 Postcards - Rachael Chadwick
A girl's quest to commemorate her mother's life. Very sentimental.
88 Auntie Claus - Elise Primavera
Children's Christmas book.
89 Flanimals of the Deep - Ricky Gervais
Gobbledegook that somehow makes sense!
90 Santa is Coming to Sydney - Steve Smallman
Children's Christmas book.
91 Back Story - David Mitchell
David Mitchell's autobiography.
92 The Ant Book - George Smilovici
A bit perplexing. It feels like a lot of hard work for such a small book.
93 You Are Here - Chris Hadfield
A series of photographs taken from Commander Hadfield's time on the International Space Station.
94 Santa is Coming to Tasmania - Steve Smallman
A variation on the "Santa is Coming to Sydney" book.
That's my total for the year - 94 books. Not quite a round 100 - perhaps next year!
84 The Jolly Christmas Postman - Janet & Allan Ahlberg
Children's Christmas book.
85 Kattertonia - Russell Marks
A collection of Bob Katter's "best" quotes.
86 The Never, Um, Ever Ending Story - Ian Molly Meldrum
Molly's autobiography.
87 60 Postcards - Rachael Chadwick
A girl's quest to commemorate her mother's life. Very sentimental.
88 Auntie Claus - Elise Primavera
Children's Christmas book.
89 Flanimals of the Deep - Ricky Gervais
Gobbledegook that somehow makes sense!
90 Santa is Coming to Sydney - Steve Smallman
Children's Christmas book.
91 Back Story - David Mitchell
David Mitchell's autobiography.
92 The Ant Book - George Smilovici
A bit perplexing. It feels like a lot of hard work for such a small book.
93 You Are Here - Chris Hadfield
A series of photographs taken from Commander Hadfield's time on the International Space Station.
94 Santa is Coming to Tasmania - Steve Smallman
A variation on the "Santa is Coming to Sydney" book.
That's my total for the year - 94 books. Not quite a round 100 - perhaps next year!
