Your end of year top 5 - 10 AUSSIE AUTHOR titles of 2018

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

With 2018 coming to an end it means that here in Aussie Readers it's time to reflect on all the books you have read during the year and try to come up with your top 5 - 10 Aussie author books for 2018.

The books didn't have to be released this year but only to be read.

For anyone who wants to have their memory refreshed, Here is the link to the mid year top 5 to 10 thread - see if any on your list then have made it to your list now.


My choices in no particular order

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
Whitsunday Dawn by Annie Seaton
Beneath the Mother Tree by D.M. Cameron
Nature Of The Lion by T.M. Clark
The Lost Valley by Jennifer Scoullar
The Lost Pearl by Emily Madden
The Lost Man by Jane Harper
The Queen's Colonial by Peter Watt
A Model Wife by Maggie Christensen

[Sally906]

My Aussie top 10 for 2018 is:

The Opal Dragonfly by Julian Leatherdale
Sanctuary by Judy Nunn
Three Gold Coins by Josephine Moon
Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
The Family Next Door by Sally Hepworth
Storm Clouds by Bronwyn Parry
Out of Reach by Kendall Talbot
Out of Mind by Kendall Talbot
Beneath the Mother Tree by D.M. Cameron
The Artisan Heart by Dean Mayes

My top read overall is a tie between: Sanctuary by Judy Nunn and Beneath the Mother Tree by D.M. Cameron.

BOTH these books should be added to your 2019 reading list

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I completely agree with you Sally - I've read both and they're good!!

[Odette]

My top 10 Australian books for the year are:

First Six Months
The Railwayman's Wife by Ashley Hay
The Portrait of Molly Dean by Katherine Kovacic
Castle of Dreams by Elise McCune
On the Java Ridge by Jock Serong
The Passengers by Eleanor Limprecht

Second Six Months
The Opal Dragonfly by Julian Leatherdale
Book of Colours by Robyn Cadwallader
Out of the Ice by Ann Turner
Diamond Sky by Annie Seaton
Scrublands by Chris Hammer

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Some great choices there Odette :)

[Odette]

Brenda wrote: "Some great choices there Odette :)"

Thanks, Brenda. Enjoyed reading them all.

[MaryG2E]

Sally906 wrote: "My Aussie top 10 for 2018 is:

The Opal Dragonfly by Julian Leatherdale
[book:Sanctuary|3521..."

I haven't read Beneath the Mother Tree but I agree that Sanctuary was an excellent read, Sally. It dealt with a controversial social issue with great delicacy in my opinion.

[MaryG2E]

This is a list of my 5 and 4.5 star ratings for Aussie authors read in 2019 (in no particular order). To my mind, Geraldine Brooks and Alex Miller are world-class writers, and their books really touched me deeply.

The Household Guide To Dying by Debra Adelaide
Coal Creek by Alex Miller
Caleb's Crossing by Geraldine Brooks
2028 by Ken Saunders
Bluebottle by Belinda Castles
Past the Shallows by Favel Parrett
The Last Painting of Sara de Vos by Dominic Smith
The Natural Way of Things by Charlotte Wood
The Unmourned by Meg Keneally and Tom Keneally
The Lone Child by Anna George

[Deb]

So many good ones... But the ones that came in at 4-5 stars and stayed with me (approximately in order of reading) are:
by Charlie Veron
by Sally Abbott
by Kate Morton
by Tim Winton
by Juliet Marillier
by Jennifer Mills
by Lauren Chater
by Emily O'Grady
by Tim Winton
by Kate Morton

[Deb]

MaryG2E wrote: "This is a list of my 5 and 4.5 star ratings for Aussie authors read in 2019 (in no particular order). To my mind, Geraldine Brooks and Alex Miller are world-class writers, and their books really to..."

Bluebottle was one I hoped to win an advance on and past the shallows is sitting on my bookshelf waiting for me to get to it; good reviews.

[Mell]

I didn't read many AA books this year, but these two were standouts for me:

In the Quiet
Am I Doing This Right? : Life Lessons from the Encyclopedia Bri-Tanya

[Kathryn]

My list of favourites has changed a bit with some excellent reads in the last half of the year - especially The Love That I Have by James Moloney and The Juliet Code by Christine Wells.

Forgotten by Nicole Trope - 5★
The Love That I Have by James Moloney - 5★
The Juliet Code by Christine Wells - 5★
Web of Deceit by Katherine Howell - 4.5★
A Hundred Small Lessons by Ashley Hay - 4.5★
Before I Let You Go by Kelly Rimmer - 4★
The Clockmaker's Daughter by Kate Morton - 4★
Table For Eight by Tricia Stringer - 4★

[Kathryn]

Sally906 wrote: "My Aussie top 10 for 2018 is:

The Opal Dragonfly by Julian Leatherdale
..."

I agree, Sally - Sanctuary was fantastic!

[Kathryn]

Deborah wrote: "So many good ones... But the ones that came in at 4-5 stars and stayed with me (approximately in order of reading) are:
by Charlie Veron..."

I agree with your 2 Kate Mortons, Deborah! And I read The Lace Weaver this year as well, although it didn't make it into my top reads, but it was an interesting story. But I read it at about the same time as Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys and the 2 stories are somewhat linked in my mind (both about Stalinist oppression of smaller countries like Lithuania or Estonia and how people lived in WWII)!

[MaryG2E]

Deborah wrote: "MaryG2E wrote: "This is a list of my 5 and 4.5 star ratings for Aussie authors read in 2019 (in no particular order). To my mind, Geraldine Brooks and Alex Miller are world-class writers, and their..."

Deborah, Bluebottle is deceptively simple in its writing, and for me it held me in suspense regarding the disappearance of a school girl at Avalon. The recent screening of the ABC TV show "Barrenjoey Road" made it all feel more real too. And for anyone looking for a story set at Christmas time, this one fits the criterion.

[Trish L]

Here goes with my Australian selection of best and most enjoyable reads for 2018 - in no particular order of preference:

the Year of living dangerously by Christopher Koch The Year of Living Dangerously

The Dark Lake by Sarah Bailey The Dark Lake

Lunch with the Stationmaster by Derek Hanson Lunch With The Stationmaster

The Ship that never was by Adam Courtney The Ship that Never Was: The Greatest Escape Story Of Australian Colonial History

The fabulous Flying Mrs Miller by Carol Baxter The Fabulous Flying Mrs Miller

Scrublands by Chris Hammer Scrublands

Deception by Michael Meehan Deception

The Shepherds Hut by Tim Winton The Shepherd's Hut

[Kylie]

My Top 6 for the year are:

Bridge of Clay by Markus Zusak
The Three Secret Cities by Matthew Reilly
The Greater Good by Tim Ayliffe
The Lost Man by Jane Harper
The Book Ninja by Ali Berg
The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

[Krystal]

Here are the Aussie authors that scored the elusive 5 stars from me!!

The Three Secret Cities by Matthew Reilly
Graevale by Lynette Noni
Contest by Matthew Reilly (This was a re-read but it's still one of my favourite books of all time)
A Thousand Perfect Notes by C.G. Drews
Bitter Greens by Kate Forsyth



And an honourable mention to these 4 star books that stuck with me:

The Lost Man by Jane Harper
The Clockmaker's Daughter by Kate Morton
Cedar Valley by Holly Throsby
Beneath the Mother Tree by D.M. Cameron



Had such a great year for AAs and have much to thank A&U for! I'm also going to try and squeeze in before the end of the year so good to see it on a few lists!

[L A i N E Y (will be back)]

I didn’t read as many Aussie authors as I hoped this year (sad face here) but in my defense I did get pulled into a months-long reading slump so. This is my top reads:

▪️A Little Wanting Song by Cath Crowley
▪️The Dry by Jane Harper
▪️The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

[Brooke - One Woman's Brief Book Reviews]

Here are 10 Aussie Authors I gave 5 stars to this year in no particular order:

1) The Lost Man by Jane Harper (My review isn't up yet but will be soon :) )
2) The Clockmaker's Daughter by Kate Morton
3) After the Lights Go Out by Lili Wilkinson
4) The Nowhere Child by Christian White
5) The Sisters' Song by Louise Allan
6) The Ruin by Dervla McTiernan
7) The Paris Seamstress by Natasha Lester
8) The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart by Holly Ringland
9) Before I Let You Go by Kelly Rimmer
10) The Escape Room by Megan Goldin

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Some excellent reads there Brooke!

[Valerie]

Since I benefit from browsing this section to choose my Aussie books, I must add my own! Here are 10 that I really enjoyed this year:

The Choke by Sofie Laguna

Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty

My Beautiful Enemy by Cory Taylor

Cocaine Blues by Kerry Greenwood

Music And Freedom by Zoë Morrison

The Secrets She Keeps by Michael Robotham

Blood Moon by Garry Disher

The Life to Come by Michelle de Kretser

The Dry by Jane Harper

Bridge of Clay by Markus Zusak

[Brooke - One Woman's Brief Book Reviews]

Krystal wrote: "Here are the Aussie authors that scored the elusive 5 stars from me!!"

Hey Krystal, I just read Cedar Valley by Holly Throsby today and I'd definitely give it 5 stars and have to put it in my top Aussie Author reads of the year - what a read!

[Kerri_M]

My favourites this year (4 to 5 star reads)
- Jessica Townsend (5*)
- Sofie Laguna
- Dervla McTiernan
- Meg Keneally
- Meg Keneally
- Meg Keneally
- Garry Disher
- Garry Disher
- Geoffrey McGeachin
- Heather Morris

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I like the look of your three Meg Keneally in there Kerri! I'm starting with #1 in January :)

[Kerri_M]

Brenda wrote: "I like the look of your three Meg Keneally in there Kerri! I'm starting with #1 in January :)"

Yes, they were a good find for me this year, hope you enjoy also :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Thanks - lots of my friends have loved them, so I'm pretty hopeful :)

[Andrea]

I've read loads of really good Australian books this year, but my top picks are:

On the Java Ridge by Jock Serong
The Fragments by Toni Jordan
Chromatopia: An Illustrated History of Color by David Coles

[Krystal]

Brooke - One Woman's Brief Book Reviews wrote: "Krystal wrote: "Here are the Aussie authors that scored the elusive 5 stars from me!!"

Hey Krystal, I just read Cedar Valley by Holly Throsby today and I'd defini..."

Yes I thoroughly enjoyed that one! More than I was expecting, if I'm honest!! Glad you enjoyed it, too!

[cherryjellybeans]

My top 5 Aussie books this year are:

The Extremely Inconvenient Adventures of Bronte Mettlestone by Jaclyn Moriarty
2028 by Ken Saunders
His Name Was Walter by Emily Rodda
Akarnae by Lynette Noni
Ida by Alison Evans

[Kylie]

This was even more difficult to narrow down than the international reads!

These were my favourite reads by Aussie authors in 2018, and again I have put them in no particular order, except for separating them into what was read in the first half, and then the last six months. :)

First Six Months:

Mackenzie Crossing by Kaye Dobbie
A Letter from Italy by Pamela Hart
Malicious Intent by Kathryn Fox
The Inaugural Meeting of the Fairvale Ladies Book Club by Sophie Green



Second Six Months:

The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton
The Memories That Make Us by Vanessa Carnevale
Dane Swan: My Story by Dane Swan
Three Gold Coins by Josephine Moon
The Secrets She Keeps by Michael Robotham
Deadly Obsession by Karen M. Davis



Honourable Mentions:

The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton
Thornwood House by Anna Romer
Forgotten by Nicole Trope
A Hundred Small Lessons by Ashley Hay
A Kiss from Mr Fitzgerald by Natasha Lester
The Lost Pearl by Emily Madden
The Jade Lily by Kirsty Manning
Working Class Boy by Jimmy Barnes

[Lee at ReadWriteWish]

My top ten:

Five star reads:

Suspect by Michael Robotham
Lost by Michael Robotham
Life or Death by Michael Robotham
The Right Place by Carla Caruso
The Art Of Preserving Love by Ada Langton
The Way Back by Kylie Ladd
Beautiful Messy Love by Tess Woods

4 star reads:
The Sunday Girl by Pip Drysdale
The Secrets at Ocean's Edge by Kali Napier
The Memories That Make Us by Vanessa Carnevale

[Carolyn]

My top 10 picks for the year are:

Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalton
Scrublands by Chris Hammer
Bridge of Clay by Markus Zusak
Redemption Point by Candice Fox
The Nowhere Child by Christian White
Into the Night by Sarah Bailey
Book of Colours by Robyn Cadwallader
Beneath the Mother Tree by D.M. Cameron
The Ruin by Dervla McTiernan
The Lost Man by Jane Harper

With honorable mentions to:
Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I have a few of those to look forward to in 2019 Carolyn :)

[MaryG2E]

Brenda wrote: "I like the look of your three Meg Keneally in there Kerri! I'm starting with #1 in January :)"

I hope you will enjoy them Brenda. I thought the series was excellent and gave insights into our early colonial history as well as being good mysteries.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I'm looking forward to #1 in January Mary, have #2 eyed off at the library, and own #3 on kindle :)

[Carolyn]

Brenda wrote: "I like the look of your three Meg Keneally in there Kerri! I'm starting with #1 in January :)"

I'll be joining you in starting this series this year Brenda :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Great - I'm looking forward to the first one :)

[marlin1]

My Aussie top 10 for 2018 in no particular order

The Memories That Make Us by Vanessa Carnevale
Bittersweet by Jacquie Underdown
The Right Place by Carla Caruso
Second Sight by Aoife Clifford
The Trouble With Choices by Trish Morey
Bloodtree River by Sarah Barrie
The Family Next Door by Sally Hepworth
Wintering by Krissy Kneen
The Lost Man by Jane Harper
Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Some great reads there Marlin :)

[Kim Marie]

I think I've ended up with quite an interesting mix of Aussie favourites for 2018.

Beauty in Thorns by Kate Forsyth
City of Lies by Sam Hawke
Bridge of Clay by Markus Zusak
The Ruin by Dervla McTiernan
Hangman by Jack Heath
The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
The Dry by Jane Harper
Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
Beyond the Orchard by Anna Romer
The Opal Dragonfly by Julian Leatherdale