I set myself a target of 12 Scandinavian books to read in 2013, which I should hopefully have done by the end of the year. Next year I shall try and read as many again from "Down Under."I think this year I have read a meagre 4 books from this part of the world - a couple of Luke Preston titles, one from Andrew Nette and one from Michael Robotham. One of these was set in London anyway, so hardly qualified as an Australian novel in that respect.
What actually qualifies as an Australian book anyway? Author place of birth, author residency or the location of the book where the action takes place? On the basis of at least one facet of the above ticking a box, I should be able to meet this target.
Roll on 2014 and some Disher, Corris, Barrett, Temple, Whish-Wilson, Paul Thomas and Shane Maloney to mention a few!
Col - Oh, you've got some great, great reading in store! I'm very much looking forward to your reviews of these books. I can recommend the Savage, the Whish-Wilson, Peter Temple's work and Garry Disher's. Hope you'll enjoy.
ReplyDeleteThanks Margot, I will probably start this challenge off with Line of Sight.
DeleteGood luck! I have a few books by Disher to try, too.
ReplyDeleteI'll be interested to hear your thoughts on Disher, Keishon. Wondering if we have the same books, as there;s about 10 on the pile over here!
DeleteI have Wyatt and The Dragon Man in the pile here. I'll put him on my reading list for 2014.
DeleteThey figure somewhere. I'll try for Dragon Man then!
DeleteI haven't read any of these, so will look forward to being persuaded to try them....
ReplyDeleteMoira I'm sure your 2014 resolution will include reading more hard-boiled crime!
DeleteCol, I haven't heard of any of these authors and that is partly because I don't give much thought to where writers originate from. I just read the books. I usually discover their nationalities while reading their profiles. The closest I have come to reading anything from Australia are the novels of Nevil Shute. The British-born novelist and aeronautical engineer served in both the world wars and later settled down in Australia which is the focus of some of his fiction. I like the leisurely pace of his novels.
ReplyDeleteI think I tend to pay attention to setting the most, but I suppose I do categorise my books by country if you like. Despite having heard of Shute, who hasn't, I've never read anything by him.
DeleteIf you want any more recommendations for Kiwi crime novels Col, just let me know ... plenty to choose from beyond Thomas.
ReplyDeleteCraig that would be helpful, I don't want it to turn it a total Aus-love fest, but my knowledge of Kiwi crime is limited to Thomas and Ngaio Marsh who I have never read. Cheers,
DeleteThis is a good challenge. There is an Australian challenge I was considering... but hope I can reign myself in. I will continue reading Disher this year, and Andrew Nette and Angela Savage for sure.
ReplyDeleteHave you read much Disher already? Which ones?
DeleteTo date I have read Nette's only book, Ghost Money and have Angela's first on the shelf ready to go.I think Margot mentioned it so often, I felt I ought to have a look!
Only one Disher, the first in the Inspector Challis series. I have not yet found any of the Wyatt series, but definitely want to try that series. And the new one. Someday.
DeleteI have not read Ghost Money or any of Angela's books, but I have both and will definitely read them this year. I already have too many books planned for this year.
I think I could probably complete the challenge just by reading Disher books, but I'll maybe go for one from each of his two series.
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