What I Read in September 2025

What did I read in September? A LOT of manuscripts for a prize I’m a judge for and which, though book-length, don’t count for my total here.  So, only four books to report.

Books for Children Stuff I’m (Not) Sorry For: 99 more poems for young people, by Maxine Beneba Clarke (Hardie Grant, 2025).  The world needs more poetry, and fresh poetry for young people. This book delivers that in spades. Trapped, by Julia Lawrinson (Fremantle Press, 2025).  At least 10 years ago I started a file labelled with the name Varischetti.  I’d stumbled across  n old news story about a trapped miner, and thought one day I would write a book about him. I didn’t – but I am very glad that the tale has now been told, deftly, by a writer I admire, and in verse novel form. Bindi, by Kirli Saunders, illustrated by Dub Leffler (Magabala Books, 2020). Not my first read of this book, but it’s been a while. Loved rediscovering this one, when I taught a class about the wonders of verse novels.Books for Adults The Ghost Walk: A psychological medical thriller, by Karen Herbert (Fremantle Press, 2025). Went to the launch of this one and, of course, came home with the book which took a little while to get through just because of busyness, but glad I read it.

 

This brings my 2025 total to 73 so far, with more to come, especially as the judging comes to an end.

I’d love to hear what you’ve been reading.