To kick-off #AWW2012, I thought I’d post a list of reviews we’ve previously posted for books written by Australian women. I’ve included a short except from each review to give you an idea of what we thought of each book.
If you’re on Twitter, I’ll also be retweeting links to these reviews because, in the era of e-publishing, there’s no reason why you can’t grab a copy of their books and try them yourself! Click here for a full list of our #AWW2012 reviews.
Ruthless Billionaire, Forbidden Baby by Emma Darcy (category romance)
But the biggest WTF moment for me was when an Australian character says, ‘we’re all rooting for you.’ Twitter heard me scream in pain. If you can get past page 100, you’ve done better than I have: DNF.
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To kick-off #AWW2012, I thought I’d post a list of reviews we’ve previously posted for books written by Australian women. I’ve included a short except from each review to give you an idea of what we thought of each book.
If you’re on Twitter, I’ll also be retweeting links to these reviews because, in the era of e-publishing, there’s no reason why you can’t grab a copy of their books and try them yourself! Click here for a full list of our #AWW2012 reviews.
Claiming The Courtesan by Anna Campbell
I’d be hard-pressed to recommend this book to someone I don’t know. If you have issues with forced seduction, you’re better off giving it a miss. But Campbell takes great risks in this book, and for that alone, I’d say try it—even if you have to buy it secondhand or borrow it from the library … or get a friend to read it first.
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Before we started this blog, my TBR (to be read) pile was almost non-existent. I could stack them up on my bedside table, and whenever I looked at them I would feel a thrill of anticipation.
But now I have two huge tubs of books waiting to be read or reviewed. At some point, the ARCs coming in outnumbered our ability to read books. Even with four of us reviewing on Book Thingo, we haven’t managed to get on top of the ARC pile.
Guys, the guilt is killing me! Every time I look at those piles of books my stress levels go up and it’s all I can do to even pick up a book. This is not fun and it doesn’t get books read or reviews done.
So today I’m granting amnesty to my co-bloggers and myself.
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Still Life 4 by nessguide (via Flickr)
Yes, it’s on again! For a chance to win some books, come and enter our Melbourne Cup sweep! Fancy hats optional.
Update: Numbers are up! We only got 14 entries this year, so I’ve doubled everyone up. Anyone who got a number over 24 won’t get a second horse, but they’ll automatically get a free book from our giveaway pile—lucky you! :-D Good luck, everyone!
Tomorrow we’re celebrating the Race That Stops The Nation and as has become our annual tradition at Book Thingo, we’re running a readers’ sweep.
Here’s how it works:
1. The first 24 people to comment here or tweet using the hashtag #btsweep are in. If you’re commenter #25, that’s okay—we’ll keep the comments open, and if we get another 24 people, we’ll run a second sweep.
2. Participants signing up via comments must do so before noon tomorrow (1/11/2011) AEDT to give me time to allocate your horses.
3. Participants signing up via Twitter must do so before midnight tonight (30/10/2011) AEDT to give me time to allocate your horses.
4. Only Australian participants are eligible, but overseas readers can wear fancy hats and join in spirit. (If you live overseas but can supply an Australian mailing address, that’s good enough.)
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Photo: svilen001 (via Flickr)
Australian Australian genre fiction readers’ calendar
In an effort to keep track of events that may be of interest to me or to readers who visit Book Thingo, I’ve created a Google calendar of Australian events celebrating readers who love genre fiction.
This calendar will include author appearances, book signings, award ceremonies and festivals. I’ve also included general book-related celebrations, such as #spbkchat, the NYOR book club and general literary events where genre fiction features in the program.
You can see a list of upcoming events in the right sidebar on the blog (under the picture of the dying fairy). If you’re reading this blog via a mobile device, click here to view the calendar. It’s a public, so anyone can see it.
If you’d like me to include your event, please send an email to calendar@bookthingo.com.au and include the following information:
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Tasmanian romance readers
ARRA has put out a call for Tasmanian romance readers to please contact the organisation. It might lead to a romance-related Tassie event. Please let them know you’re interested!
The Boomerang Bride in print
The Boomerang Bride by Fiona Lowe, featuring a fruit cake-toting Aussie bride-to-be, will be published in print through the Harlequin Reader Service in February 2012. (Unfortunately, this service isn’t available in Australia.) (Source: @FionaLowe)
Google ebook store coming to Australia
According to this article in The Bookseller, Google is planning to launch its ebook store in Australia ‘soon’. Not only will this provide competition, which is good for consumers, it may also help booksellers looking to get into the ebook market:
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September not only marks the beginning of spring, but also one the largest nationwide celebration of books: Get Reading! month.
If you’ve been to a local bookshop, you might have noticed the Get Reading! stickers on some of their books. These books are listed in the booklet 50 Books You Can’t Put Down, and if you buy a copy you’ll also get a free book!
Last year, the Get Reading! list included a few romance titles. This year, you’ll find Karly Lane’s romantic suspense novel, North Star, on the list. You might remember Lane as a panelist at this year’s Australian Romance Readers Convention.
Although not romance, the list includes titles that many genre readers will be familiar with, such as Suzanne Collins’s hugely popular The Hunger Games. This dystopian teen book is a fast-paced, unputdownable read and features a reality TV fight to the death. Be warned: it features a love triangle, which is not resolved until the third book.
As promised, we’re giving away a signed copy of this awesome book by Melina Marchetta. (My author crush. I’d ask you not to tell her, but she probably already knows, because I’ve spoken to her twice—very briefly—and was almost incoherent both times. I tried to compose myself, but it was just impossible.)
Aaaanyway. You want this book. You really do. Trust me.
BOOK GIVEAWAY: For a chance to win a SIGNED copy of THE PIPER’S SON, tell us your favourite song by a band and why. (Thanks to @SnarkyWench for suggesting the question!)
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Photo: svilen001 (via Flickr)
Kelley Armstrong events
Thu, Aug 11 — Sun, 14 — Romance Writers Conference
Mon, Aug 15 — Dymocks Collins St, 6.30pm
Tue, Aug 16 — Galaxy Bookshop, 5.30pm
Wed, Aug 17 — Dymocks George Street, 12.30pm
(Source: Media release)
Maria V. Snyder — Updated list of public events
Thu, Aug 4 — Byron Bay Writers Festival, 11am – 11.45am: Vampires VS Gritty Realism
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