So now that we are here I've joined a group on Goodreads - my personal favorite social networking site (if that's what you want to call it) and joined a group of Australian readers. That group does the best thing in that they have reading challenges to help me get my reading back on, and wow, does it work! Their Winter Challenge, from June - July (funny since I'm used to that being summer) asked the readers to pick 12 books based on certain particulars and read them. Lucky for me I have SO many books on my To Be Read shelf, I was able to read everything on my list except for one! Fantastic! Reduces my bookshelves and gets me reading too! So in doing my homework picking the books for my challenges, I've learned that Australia does not import books. In order for them to be sold here (at MUCH higher prices than I'm used too) they must be printed and published in Australia. Not good for me since I'm not familiar with most Australian writers. The newest Challenge for my group is asking for us to read an Aussie writer's YA novel. Ok, first, I'm not overly excited about the whole YA phenomenon, yes I read Twilight and The Hunger Games, but I find that the overwhelming majority of most YA books involve vampires or werewolves, which frankly, just isn't my thing. Nonetheless, I've read one, creepy as it is, called Doll House by Anya Allyn. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13565822-dollhouse

On another note, I've just read one of my most all time favorite writers, Sarah Allen Addison's The Peach Keeper http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8546358-the-peach-keeper
and can not recommend it enough. It is a most magical book that is just an absolute beautiful read. She is an amazing writer and I can't wait for more. For some reason, the only reason I didn't devour her books as soon as they were released was because I always want to have a great book on hand! She is wonderful!
Happy Reading kids and hope to hear some suggestions from you soon!!!!
P.S. - This weekend is the first weekend of Spring in Australia - lookout beach, here we come!!!