Australian YA Bloggers & Readers discussion
2020 Reading Challenge
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2020 Reading Challenge
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Mod
1) What book did you pick for this month’s read?
Book: Ninja Kid #1 (from nerd to ninja) by Anh Do
2) Did you enjoy it?
Yes, very much and so did my son Riley – so much so we both were super excited to jump into the second book.
3) What rating would you give it out of five?
Five Ninjatastic stars.
4) Was there anything in your book that touched you /resonated with you in some way?
Hmmmm I think the underlying message in this book is to believe in yourself, practice makes perfect and that anything is possible – all valuable messages for both young and old.
5) What was your favourite part of the book?
The kooky inventor grandma character was good value.
6) Who would you recommend read this book?
1000 times yes, I'd recommend this book and not just for the kids 😊 for all ages.
7) Try to sum up the book in one sentence.
A boy with new Ninja powers, a forest full of deadly giant spiders, and a school trip no one will forget.
Reporting questions1) What book did you pick for this month’s read?
We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal
2) Did you enjoy it?
Very, very much
3) What rating would you give it out of five?
Five out of Five
4) Was there anything in your book that touched you /resonated with you in some way?
An absence of the cliche YA romance/relationships, discussion of trauma and the way it can shape people.
5) What was your favourite part of the book?
The entire thing to be honest, it took a while to get into but when I did it flowed nicely, characters were well written and the twists were mostly unexpected.
6) Who would you recommend read this book?
Fans of Rebel of the Sands, Children of Blood and Bone, Scythe and The Final Empire
7) Try to sum up the book in one sentence
A group of people fighting their own adversities working together for the greater good when the good is grey.
1) What book did you pick for this month’s read?Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
First book in a new series I'm starting. Also, in the book Morrigan starts a new, happier life.
2) Did you enjoy it?
Yes! I was a bit unsure at first but was totally swept away 1/3 through the book.
3) What rating would you give it out of five?
Four stars
4) Was there anything in your book that touched you /resonated with you in some way?
Not really.
5) What was your favourite part of the book?
The funny, deadpan interactions between Jupiter and Morrigan
6) Who would you recommend read this book?
Yes
7) Try to sum up the book in one sentence.
This is a funny, twisty and sometimes dark story full of magic and wit that will entertain children between the ages of 9 and 99.
Ok, it's 11:45pm on 31-Jan and I've just finished reading my book for Jan... not sure if I have the brain capacity to do justice to these Qs but here goes:1) What book did you pick for this month’s read?
Tin Heart by Shivaun Plozza #LoveOzYA
2) Did you enjoy it?
LoooooVED it!
3) What rating would you give it out of five?
4.5
4) Was there anything in your book that touched you /resonated with you in some way?
The way Pip (the protag's little brother) is just so very brave... I'm very shy just like the protag, Marlowe, is.
5) What was your favourite part of the book?
The last scene at the school assembly - gosh, I literally laughed out loud and cried all at the same time!
6) Who would you recommend read this book?
Everyone! Shivaun Plozza's books are amazing!
7) Try to sum up the book in one sentence.
Crazy loving family with a girl who just wants to be normal but first she has to find out what that means.
1) What book did you pick for this month’s read?Green Valentine by Lili Wilkinson because I wanted a fun book to read while holidaying near the beach.
2) Did you enjoy it?
Yes, very much!
3) What rating would you give it out of five?
4 stars
4) Was there anything in your book that touched you/resonated with you in some way?
In the book, the two main characters spend a lot of time gardening, which is something that I like doing as well. I was very often reminded of my father’s vegetable gardens in my childhood home and the yummy fresh produce that we had each year.
5) What was your favourite part of the book?
The witty conversations between Astrid, Dev and Paige.
6) Who would you recommend read this book?
Yes. This book has some great ideas for young people who are concerned about the current climate crisis and want to do something positive and practical to fight rising carbon emissions.
7) Try to sum up the book in one sentence.
A YA cli-fi book about first love, the importance of friendship and standing up for what you believe in.
1) What book did you pick for this month’s read?Esme's Gift (Esme Series #2) by Elizabeth Foster #LoveOzYA
2) Did you enjoy it?
yeah, it was a pretty fun adventure
3) What rating would you give it out of five?
⭐⭐⭐
4) Was there anything in your book that touched you /resonated with you in some way?
spoiler alert! (view spoiler)
5) What was your favourite part of the book?
as above but also the school setting! It sounds wonderful! Kinda remind me a bit of Akarnae. Different, of course, as this is not boarding school but still a magical school.
6) Who would you recommend read this book?
teens 13+
7) Try to sum up the book in one sentence
A follow up to Esme's Wish where Esme learns of her Gift and fought for her loved ones.
Mod
1) What book did you pick for this month’s read? The Boys of Summer by C.J. Duggan.
2) Did you enjoy it? Yes, I did.
3) What rating would you give it out of five? Hmmm I’m tossing up between 3 and 4 stars. I got swept up reading it and really enjoyed it, but it was just another teen romance, be it well written Aussie one. FOUR STARS.
4) Was there anything in your book that touched you/resonated with you in some way? Argh to be young again! This book made me long for the innocence of first loves and summertime school holidays mucking up with mates.
5) What was your favourite part of the book? The growth the main character Tess goes through. Although teenage me would have been swooning all over Toby (the love interest).
6) Who would you recommend read this book? Yes, I would, to anyone looking for a light and fun Aussie teen romance romp.
7) Try to sum up the book in one sentence. “Summer lovin had me a blast”
1) What book did you pick for this month’s read?The Wrath and the Dawn by Renée Ahdieh
2) Did you enjoy it?
Very much, I liked the more subtle magic influence, and the growth of the characters
3) What rating would you give it out of five?
5/5
4) Was there anything in your book that touched you /resonated with you in some way?
The realistic love interests part of the storyline, that love can change and grow and be unexpected
5) What was your favourite part of the book?
I am super keen to know more about this carpet :p
But also the acknowledgement of love of different forms. Bit of a theme here right :p
6) Who would you recommend read this book?
People sick of "love at first sight" tropes
7) Try to sum up the book in one sentence.
Realistic character development with a touch of magic.
February - Fun in the Sun1) What book did you pick for this month’s read?
It Sounded Better in My Head by Nina Kenwood
2) Did you enjoy it?
Yes! I couldn't stop laughing the whole way through. Natalie has so much going on in her head, but she knows how to crack a one-liner. eg:
"My eyebrows need to be sex ready. I don't know what that is exactly, but I know how they currently look is not that."
3) What rating would you give it out of five?
5/5
4) Was there anything in your book that touched you /resonated with you in some way?
Natalie has polycistic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) causing severe acne when she was a younger teen. It's only under control now due to medication. Acne might not seem like much, but it broke her self esteem in pieces. Natalie struggles with how she looks, including scarring on her back. I've never read a book that focused on acne and how badly it can effect body image. My brother had to take meds for acne when he was a teenager, and like Natalie, his dermatologist asked "Why did you let it get so bad?" Because doesn't every teenager get zits? And everyone tells them: clean your face, stop eating chocolate, they're only pimples. So much good advice (not)
The comments to Natalie from total strangers were appalling. Whether "well meaning" or abusive, they chipped away at her self esteem and led to her almost reclusive life. Her fear at the start of every school week, of what she might have to endure, broke me.
At the end of school she starts a tentative romance, and has to deal with years of negative thoughts about what others think of her and how she looks.
5) What was your favourite part of the book?
Despite the heavy issues, this is a comedy. The hilarious moments intermingled with the pain.
And there's two sets of very supportive parents. Even as Natalie's parents divorce, they are always there for her.
6) Who would you recommend read this book?
A teenager experiencing severe acne could find hope in this book that there's more to themselves than their mutinous skin.
And it's for older teens - there's lots of discussion of sex and some happening behind closed doors.
7) Try to sum up the book in one sentence:
When a hot guy asks you to a party, it will not turn out like you thought in your head.
Gill wrote: "1) What book did you pick for this month’s read?The Girl with the Gold Bikini..."
I want to read this.
March1) What book did you pick for this month’s read?
Every Breath (Every #1) by Ellie Marney
2) Did you enjoy it?
Yes, it was very easy to read. Characters are very engaging and I loved the bits dropped relating to Sherlock (eg. "the game is afoot" etc). Then again, mysteries were what I first loved as a child so it's always been a fave comfort read.
3) What rating would you give it out of five?
★★★★
4) Was there anything in your book that touched you /resonated with you in some way?
Rachel Watts is a country girl and is feeling like she does not belong in the city. I've always been a city gal but I can relate to feeling uprooted and strange in a new place etc.
5) What was your favourite part of the book?
the lions & the few pages before that... *suspense galore!*
6) Who would you recommend read this book?
Sherlockians who love YA
7) Try to sum up the book in one sentence.
A clever YA adaptations of Sherlock Holmes set in our own Aussie backyard with a good dose of sweet romance to spice it all up.
1) What book did you pick for this month’s read?“Stone Girl” by Eleni Hale. This book tells the story of Sophie, who loses her way after her mother dies and she is left to fend for herself in the merciless Australian foster system. Can she find her way back? Read the book the find out!
2) Did you enjoy it?
Yes.
3) What rating would you give it out of five?
3,5 stars
4) Was there anything in your book that touched you/resonated with you in some way?
The ruthlessness of the Australian childcare system touched me. It’s distressing to think that our society has no place for children who have no-one to care for them.
5) What was your favourite part of the book?
This is is quite a sad story so it feels a bit wrong to describe what my favourite part of the book is. If I have to choose something, I’d pick the way the author describes the downwards spiral that Sophie gets caught in. It really made me understand why some kids run away from that system and prefer to live on the street. This book will stay with me for some time.
6) Who would you recommend read this book?
Childcare workers, foster parents but most of all politicians whose decisions directly affect the lives of so many vulnerable young people.
7) Try to sum up the book in one sentence.
A heartbreaking story about a young girl who loses everyone and is left to fend for herself in a cold, merciless systems that is meant to protect her.
Mod
1) What book did you pick for this month’s read? Wolf Girl: Into the Wild (Wolf Girl #1) by Anh Do (Author) & Jeremy Ley (Illustrator).
2) Did you enjoy it? Yes, very much!
3) What rating would you give it out of five? FIVE.
4) Was there anything in your book that touched you /resonated with you in some way? Hmmmm not particularly it was just a really well rounded and enjoyable Aussie MG read filled with friendship, love and survival. Like a softer MG version of Tomorrow When The War Began with lots of DOGS!
5) What was your favorite part of the book? The was Anh Do snuck some useful tips for surviving in the wilderness in there – the kids won’t even release they’ve been taught a lesson.
6) Who would you recommend read this book? Definitely!
7) Try to sum up the book in one sentence. Perfect quarantine read for any 7-13-year-old in your life, and a perfect quarantine read for you too.
I had not posted about my March read! 1) What book did you pick for this month’s read?
The Art of Taxidermy by Sharon Kernot
2) Did you enjoy it?
Immensely, it was a very quick read but it drew me right in and I read the whole book in one sitting.
3) What rating would you give it out of five?
I think I gave it a 5/5, but it was a few weeks ago
4) Was there anything in your book that touched you /resonated with you in some way?
I will forever be drawn in by people who are different, outside of the norm :)
5) What was your favourite part of the book?
I love the style, I'm getting really into books written in prose
6) Who would you recommend read this book?
Fans of poetry, fans of unusual people (also awesome people)
7) Try to sum up the book in one sentence
Discovering a love for taxidermy early in life and all the judgement people can face for being outside of the norm.
April: ‘Spookalicious’1) What book did you pick for this month’s read?
Ottilie Colter and the Narroway Hunt by Rhiannon Williams. Ottilie is a girl who is always worried and easily spooked. She looks out for her adventurous, younger brother and when he suddenly disappears, she find the courage and determination to go looking for him in a mysterious and dangerous underworld.
2) Did you enjoy it?
Yes! I read it in one day.
3) What rating would you give it out of five?
4,5 stars
4) Was there anything in your book that touched you/resonated with you in some way?
I have to say that I had visions of victorious high-fives, glorious fist-pumps and excited shouts of ‘you go girl!’ when Ottilie gives Leo a piece of his mind, forcing him to rethink his manners and his biased belief around girls.
5) What was your favourite part of the book?
I quite liked the quirkiness, softness, love and friendship portrayed by the character Bill. I hope he returns in the second book in this series.
6) Who would you recommend read this book?
This is a book about a girl in a men’s world who is actively discriminated against because of her gender and involuntarily puts up with a lot of crap. Still, she defies the odds and secures a spot for herself in this world. Therefore, the most obvious recommendation would be to give this book to young girls, to show them that they can succeed, break through that glass ceiling, etc - if only they try hard enough. There’s something inherently wrong with that narrative though, because it implies that if you don’t succeed as a girl, it’s your fault. You just didn’t try hard enough. That’s obviously not true. If girls and women do not succeed or reach their full potential, then that is because boys and men are very reluctant to share their power. Therefore, I’d like to recommend this book to boys, particularly the ones who are unaware of these issues and might even be a bit resistant to giving girls a try. The type of boys who make comments like ‘you kick like a girl’. I hope that this book gives them a different perspective and makes them question their beliefs.
7) Try to sum up the book in one sentence.
Ottilie Colter goes on a magical, dangerous adventure where she has to fight for her life and that of her brother, forms unlikely friendships and digs deep to reveal the heroine that she really is.
April – Spookalicious1) What book did you pick for this month’s read?
Ballad for a Mad Girl by Vikki Wakefield
2) Did you enjoy it?
It was ok - probably wrong timing to read a protag full of grief and appears to be derailing in life
3) What rating would you give it out of five?
2.5 🙊
4) Was there anything in your book that touched you /resonated with you in some way?
I understand that sometimes the world is such a bad place, you just want to get under the blanket and live in your own make believe world.
5) What was your favourite part of the book?
the ending and I can't say anything about that because it's a bit spoiler
6) Who would you recommend read this book?
I'm not sure... I'm mostly just as confused as the protag as to what's actually real and what's not real.
7) Try to sum up the book in one sentence.
Grace Foley is disintegrating; she's lost her mum, she's losing her friends, and maybe she's also losing her mind. A novel of grief, of family & friendship, and of hope.
April Read finished!!1) What book did you pick for this month’s read?
The Wailing Woman by Maria Lewis
2) Did you enjoy it?
Very, very much.
3) What rating would you give it out of five?
5/5
4) Was there anything in your book that touched you /resonated with you in some way?
Not really any touching/resonating, but I enjoyed the setting being Sydney and Newtown. Recognising things was fun
5) What was your favourite part of the book?
I enjoyed that as part of a series it was still a stand alone, as I hadn't realised it was part of a series when I picked it up as I did so as a "blind" pick up.
It was a little hard to get on board with the romance line of it because I felt like maybe there was some beginning to that in the other books that I was missing.
I love the inclusion of queer characters and that there was no questioning, it just was.
I'm loving the storyline and the way it's set up for more has me excited, so now I'll be hunting down the other books and stalking for the next one.
6) Who would you recommend read this book?
Fans of paranormal/supernatural fiction, people not after paranormal romance however
7) Try to sum up the book in one sentence.
You try to keep a banshee down and they will all come for you.
Mod
1) What book did you pick for this month’s read?
These Witches Don't Burn (These Witches Don't Burn #1) by Isabel Sterling.
2) Did you enjoy it?
Yes. It took me a little bit of time to warm up. My own fault, not the books.
3) What rating would you give it out of five?
This is hard. This book has three of my favorite things, magic, witches, and lesbians! But I was so up in my own head thinking about all the review books I needed to read, that it interfered with my enjoyment of reading a book just for fun. SO, while reading it I fluctuated between and 3 and 4 star reading experience, but on reflection after completing the book – I’m giving it 5 stars.
4) Was there anything in your book that touched you /resonated with you in some way?
Hmm not particularly. It was just an enjoyable read.
5) What was your favorite part of the book?
The queerness. We get a lesbian POV, a bisexual love interest. There is also a new friend who is Trans.
The magic. Love me a tale of witches and magic. I quite enjoyed the POV’s elemental magic.
6) Who would you recommend read this book?
Yes. To anyone after a fast and fun magic filled read.
7) Try to sum up the book in one sentence.
Magic fills the air in the queer tale of witch hunter vs witches, friend turned foe, heartbreak and healing.
Mod
1) What book did you pick for this month’s read? The Midwinter Witch (The Witch Boy #3) by Molly Ostertag
2) Did you enjoy it? YES!
3) What rating would you give it out of five? 5/5
4) Was there anything in your book that touched you /resonated with you in some way? It is a story of acceptance, love, and family. And that made me feel all warm and fuzzy.
5) What was your favourite part of the book?
I am super smitten with and am really enjoying this cute n’ inclusive witchtastic MG graphic novel series. I really love the way this series tackles social issues!!
My fave part was probably when the little girl came up and hugged Aster at end, telling him how she wanted to be shifter when she grows up.
6) Who would you recommend read this book?
Yes, I command you to read this series – ya know, if you’re info feel good comics about magic and family and breaking gender stereotypes.
7) Try to sum up the book in one sentence. Pure Awesomeness.
May – After Dark1) What book did you pick for this month’s read?
In the Dark Spaces by Cally Black -still not sure if this fits the prompt lol
2) Did you enjoy it? YES
3) What rating would you give it out of five? 4*
4) Was there anything in your book that touched you /resonated with you in some way?
The opening scene where protag was minding her toddler cousin and how she described him - I guess that reminds me when my boys were toddlers themselves :D
Also, the overall theme where humans just go & take for themselves what they want/need... reminded me of most recent TP debacle *eye-roll*
5) What was your favourite part of the book?
When Tamara was trying to explain the concept of money to the Crowpeople -yes, humans are kinda crazy
6) Who would you recommend read this book?
Fans of scifi & space stories
7) Try to sum up the book in one sentence.
In the Dark Spaces is about working together & making sure everyone has all they need for survival but most of all, it's about family and staying strong together.
May read complete, though I struggled a little with this one.1) What book did you pick for this month’s read?
All the Little Bones by Ellie Marney
2) Did you enjoy it?
It was ok, I had expected something a little darker from the description but it didn't really get there.
3) What rating would you give it out of five?
I gave it a 3 out of 5
4) Was there anything in your book that touched you /resonated with you in some way?
Not really, I was a little disappointed with this choice
5) What was your favourite part of the book?
Nothing stood out to me
6) Who would you recommend read this book?
Anyone looking for a quick and easy read, nothing overly complicated or dark
7) Try to sum up the book in one sentence.
Circus perfomers on the run from their actions.
1) What book did you pick for this month’s read?Monuments by Will Kostakis.
It might not seem an obvious choice for the theme “after dark” but I choose it after listening to an interview with Will Kostakis by Sarah L’Estrange on ABC’s The Book Show where Will explains how his career was affected by the hate that surrounded the fierce opposition against the Safe Schools Program in Australia a few years ago. Will had already established himself as a popular YA author and had just come out as gay when the whole polemic started. Soon his many school visits were cancelled and principals and teachers became very weary of inviting a gay author into their school. In the interview, Will explains how his career was saved by the many engaged teens who supported him and slowly got him back onto to scene. So, I guess you could say Kostakis went through a dark period and Monuments is his ‘After Dark’ book.
2) Did you enjoy it?
Yes
3) What rating would you give it out of five?
3 stars
4) Was there anything in your book that touched you/resonated with you in some way?
Not really
5) What was your favourite part of the book?
There’s lots of humour throughout this book.
6) Who would you recommend read this book?
Teenagers looking for an entertaining read.
7) Try to sum up the book in one sentence.
A funny story about three young adults who are caught up in a surreal quest to save the world.
June – Coming Out1) What book did you pick for this month’s read?
Going Off Script by Jen Wilde
2) Did you enjoy it?
Yes, easy read
3) What rating would you give it out of five?
3 of 5
4) Was there anything in your book that touched you /resonated with you in some way?
Too spoiler-ish so I'm going to refer to protagonist growth in the story and that bad ass ending.
5) What was your favourite part of the book?
The ending!
6) Who would you recommend read this book?
Readers who loved tropes & a novel which sounds a lot of fangirling squeals
7) Try to sum up the book in one sentence.
Going Off Script is a novel of finding your voice and speaking up for yourself & others despite haters.
June - Coming OutReporting questions for the @ausyabloggers #2020ReadingChallenge
What book did you pick for this month’s read?
'Invisible Boys' by Holden Sheppard
2) Did you enjoy it?
Yes, very much! One of my favourites this year.
3) What rating would you give it out of five?
Five stars
4) Was there anything in your book that touched you/resonated with you in some way?
The horrific bullying scenes and abuse that Charlie has to endure at school and at home really touched me. Especially the scene at the Summer Dance was breathtaking. Even though I don’t identify as LGBTQI+, I’ve been at the receiving end of some minor bullying at school and that was a bad time in my life. I can’t even begin to imagine how kids like Charlie must feel in the circumstances described in the book.
5) What was your favourite part of the book?
I loved the different points of view of dealing with the same issue: being gay in a remote, conservatie part of Australia. The three main characters have different journeys in discovering their identities and deal with it in various ways: concealing it, completely denying it, experimenting with it.
6) Who would you recommend read this book?
Everyone. Bit of a content note though: I’m not necessarily in favour of setting minimum age limits on books but I would advise potential readers that there are some explicit scenes in this book so it might be best suited for 16+ readers.
7) Try to sum up the book in one sentence.
Not possible to do it in one sentence, but I will say this: This is a fantastic book for all the reasons I mentioned above. It’s one of the few that get a 5 star rating from me this year and I hope it will be read widely and goes on to win many prices. Also, Holden if you’re reading this: when’s the next book coming up? I want more!
May - After Dark (I forgot to post this in May)And I'm not sure it counts because it's middle grade.
1) What book did you pick for this month’s read?
The Year We Fell From Space by Amy Sarig King
2) Did you enjoy it?
Yes! But it made me cry in between laughing.
3) What rating would you give it out of five?
★★★★
4) Was there anything in your book that touched you /resonated with you in some way?
Liberty's love of the stars and her remapping of the constellations. It's heartbreaking when things get so bad for her, she can't draw her maps anymore.
5) What was your favourite part of the book?
The meteorite. Who doesn't love a talking rock. I still don't know the difference between a meteor and a meteorite.
6) Who would you recommend read this book?
Children 10-13 whose parents are divorcing
7) Try to sum up the book in one sentence:
When your world falls apart, the stars will always be above us, returning to the same place in the sky a year after we fell from space.
Mod
And I'm not sure it counts because it's middle grade..."
MG & NA, are totally acceptable as they both cross over into YA a fair bit :-)
July – Indigenous Voices1) What book did you pick for this month’s read?
Catching Teller Crow
2) Did you enjoy it?
YES!
3) What rating would you give it out of five?
5 + 💗💗💗
4) Was there anything in your book that touched you /resonated with you in some way?
I did cry - full on sobbed at the end; beautiful as it is!
5) What was your favourite part of the book?
The father-daughter relationship
6) Who would you recommend read this book?
Everyone!!
7) Try to sum up the book in one sentence.
A police officer, who is also a father, solves a mystery along with some ghostly teen assistants, one of which is his daughter.
1) What book did you pick for this month’s read?Out of Salem by Hal Schrieve
I read this early June and then had issues getting into my Goodreads (Facebook log in broke?)
2) Did you enjoy it?
It was ok, I was really quite excited for it and it kind of fell flat for me. Not sure if it was because I went with audiobook instead of an ebook/book, but I had trouble getting into it and it just felt meh.
3) What rating would you give it out of five?
I think I gave it a 3, I totally spaced on doing this part.
4) Was there anything in your book that touched you /resonated with you in some way?
I was really hoping it would speak to me regarding queer representation but it didn't do that.
5) What was your favourite part of the book?
I don't have one, it was just a book that I finished.
6) Who would you recommend read this book?
I think this might be better for some younger readers who are learning about queer representation/identities.
7) Try to sum up the book in one sentence.
Queer supernatural beings and crimes to investigate.
July: “Catching Teller Crow” by Ambelin Kwaymullina & Ezekiel Kwaymullina1) What book did you pick for this month’s read?
“Catching Teller Crow” by Ambelin Kwaymullina & Ezekiel Kwaymullina
2) Did you enjoy it?
Yes
3) What rating would you give it out of five?
4 stars
4) Was there anything in your book that touched you /resonated with you in some way?
The pain that Beth Teller’s father feels after his daughter passes away was described in a visceral way.
5) What was your favourite part of the book?
I find it really hard to pick my favourite part of this book because I just thought all of it was brilliantly beautiful.
6) Who would you recommend read this book?
Advanced readers.
7) Try to sum up the book in one sentence.
A haunting story told in beautiful prose.
August – Tropes-ahoy1) What book did you pick for this month’s read?
Amelia Westlake by Erin Gough
2) Did you enjoy it?
Mostly, yes
3) What rating would you give it out of five?
★★★½
4) Was there anything in your book that touched you /resonated with you in some way?
not particularly
5) What was your favourite part of the book?
Will's un-co-ness which got me to laugh out loud for realz
6) Who would you recommend read this book?
Teens who enjoy contemporary fiction with political oomph
7) Try to sum up the book in one sentence.
Harriet and Will are on the opposite sides of popularity scale at Rosemead Grammar and one chance encounter sees them carrying off the hoax of the year.
August - Tropes Ahoy1) What book did you pick for this month’s read?
“Amelia Westlake” by Erin Gough which is set in a prestigious private girls’ school in Sydney.
2) Did you enjoy it?
Yes, very much
3) What rating would you give it out of five?
4 stars
4) Was there anything in your book that touched you/resonated with you in some way?
I found Harriet’s transformation from a compliant, perfect private school girl into a bit of a rebel great to see. She finally realises that life is unfair and she decides to take action, rather than raise her shoulders, say ‘oh well’ and move on as if nothing happened.
5) What was your favourite part of the book?
I find it hard to pick just one section of the book because I genuinely enjoyed every bit of it.
6) Who would you recommend read this book?
The trope would suggest that teenage girls will enjoy this book most but I read it as an adult and I enjoyed it, too.
7) Try to sum up the book in one sentence.
A fluently written and enjoyable book about defiance and standing up for what’s right in an environment that would prefer to see things unchanged.
September – Awesome Anthologies1) What book did you pick for this month’s read?
The Wilful Eye (Tales from the Tower) edited by Isobelle Carmody & Nan McNab
2) Did you enjoy it?
Mostly, yes.
3) What rating would you give it out of five?
★★★½
4) Was there anything in your book that touched you /resonated with you in some way?
There were 6 stories overall and each accompanied with author's notes on their choice of fairy tale and the reason why they wrote the retelling as they did. The first one really gripped me especially since author's note stated that she pulled inspiration from soldier's PTSD etc. Such a gritty hard core retelling of The Nutcracker.
5) What was your favourite part of the book?
The author's notes!! So interesting get insight of their writings.
6) Who would you recommend read this book?
Those who love gritty retellings (Angela Carter's fan may enjoy this)
7) Try to sum up the book in one sentence.
6 fairy tale retellings by well-known prolific Aussie writers -be prepared to be gripped into their stories and astounded by author's talents and their writing insights.
Reporting questions for the @ausyabloggers #2020ReadingChallenge. This month’s theme is ‘Awesome Anthologies’.1) What book did you pick for this month’s read?
“Begin, End, Begin, A #LoveOzYA Anthology” by Danielle Binks (ed) with contributions of Amie Kaufman, Will Kostakis, Alice Pung, Michael Pryor, Melissa Keil, Ellie Marney, Lili Wilkinson, Gabrielle Tozer, Danielle Binks and Jaclyn Moriarty.
2) Did you enjoy it?
Because this is an anthology, the book contains 11 different short stories. I liked some, but not all of them.
3) What rating would you give it out of five?
3 stars
4) Was there anything in your book that touched you/resonated with you in some way?
Not really.
5) What was your favourite part of the book?
My favourite short stories were ‘Sundays’ by Melissa Keil and ‘In a Heartbeat’ by Alice Pung.
6) Who would you recommend read this book?
Anyone wanting an introduction to what Australian Young Adult literature has to offer.
7) Try to sum up the book in one sentence.
A great introduction to Australia’s YA literature scene.
So I've fallen off reading in a big way lately so I haven't logged in because the number of books I have read was kind of depressing. Covid is starting to impact me in my 7th month of self isolation because immuno-comprimisation, and I still can't bring myself to read much of anything.
Love You Two
I haven't finished my book for July, not even started my book for September or October either. But I did get August finished.
1) What book did you pick for this month’s read?
Love You Two by Maria Pallotta-Chiarolli
2) Did you enjoy it?
I enjoyed it quite a bit, I love breaking the whole love triangle trope by screaming about polyamory so having a fiction book portray poly, and discuss the difficulties in having people you care about accept it in a world where monogamy is so highly valued was fantastic.
3) What rating would you give it out of five?
I rated it 4 out of 5
4) Was there anything in your book that touched you /resonated with you in some way?
As someone who is polya and with a family who values traditional relationships it really hit hard in terms of acceptance. It was interesting to see things from the daughter's point of view and the way she grew in terms of poly vs mono and also the LGBT community
5) What was your favourite part of the book?
I really enjoyed the whole thing
6) Who would you recommend read this book?
Anyone interested in learning a little more about polyamory and alternative relationships, anyone who wants to read about coming out experiences as well.
7) Try to sum up the book in one sentence.
A spotlight on alternative relationships and family
Mod
Covid is starting to impact me in my 7th month of self isolati..."
Oh Gotherella, I’m sorry to hear you’ve been having such of sucky time of it. I hope the world gets its 'ish' together quickly. It seems around my area people just don't care anymore - you'd think the flare-ups would wake people up :(
I'm late for October but here 'tis :)October – Mental Health
1) What book did you pick for this month’s read?
Between Us by Clare Atkins
2) Did you enjoy it?
In between the pain, yes... mostly.
3) What rating would you give it out of five?
★★★★★
4) Was there anything in your book that touched you /resonated with you in some way?
there are 3 perspectives in this novel and one of them is Kenny who is a father of one of the POVs. He is also a Vietnamese immigrant. I relate so much of him wanting to fit in. And also of his son not speaking Vietnamese. My kids speak only English and so far, are resisting my push to go Chinese school. I don't speak Chinese well and grandparents aren't successful in teaching -so I can really relate to this bit in the book.
5) What was your favourite part of the book?
Auntie Minh! She was secondary character in the book but I really think she's quite a powerful (in a quiet way) supportive character.
6) Who would you recommend read this book?
Everyone!!
7) Try to sum up the book in one sentence.
iasklusghdfvboiausdfrvas - *wails* I Can't!!! Here's a link to my review instead: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
November – Glorious Graphics1) What book did you pick for this month’s read?
Fabled Kingdom (Fabled Kingdom #1) by Queenie Chan
2) Did you enjoy it?
Yes
3) What rating would you give it out of five?
★★★★
4) Was there anything in your book that touched you /resonated with you in some way?
Not really - it was just a fun read.
5) What was your favourite part of the book?
I loved how author picked up elements of different fairy tales and weaved them all together cleverly in this one story.
6) Who would you recommend read this book?
Fantasy lovers -even if you're not a fan of graphic novels as there was a lot more text than I expected and a lot less illustrations.
7) Try to sum up the book in one sentence.
Red Riding Hood's grandmother told her that she's not her true grandmother but they are waiting for her to find them so she went on a quest to find them.
“The Singing Bones” by Shaun TanReporting questions for the @ausyabloggers #2020ReadingChallenge
1) What book did you pick for this month’s read?
“The Singing Bones” by Shaun Tan
2) Did you enjoy it?
Yes
3) What rating would you give it out of five?
3 stars
4) Was there anything in your book that touched you/resonated with you in some way?
Not really
5) What was your favourite part of the book?
Rediscovering some fairy tales that I had forgotten about, such as The Wolf and the Seven Young Kids.
6) Who would you recommend read this book?
Probably older teens and young adults
7) Try to sum up the book in one sentence.
A retelling of Grimms’ fairytales consisting of short text fragments and focusing on the accompanying beautiful photos of the clay figures that Shaun Tan created.
I am now caught up!I never did pick a book for the December challenge so I kind of have some options for that but I'm gonna mix three books in at once here.
1) What book did you pick for this month’s read?
Growing Up Aboriginal in Australia by Various authors
Fresh Ink: An Anthology by Lamar Giles
Neverland by Margot McGovern
Blue Is the Warmest Color by Julie Maroh
2) Did you enjoy it?
I enjoyed Growing Up the most, followed by Fresh Ink. Neverland felt rushed and Blue is the warmest felt a bit offputting. Fresh Ink was good but it felt like something was missing.
3) What rating would you give it out of five?
Growing up: 5/5
Fresh Ink: 4/5
Neverland: 3/5
Blue is the Warmest Colour: 3/5
4) Was there anything in your book that touched you /resonated with you in some way?
Growing up was my favourite of the four books and I got the most out of it. It was nice to read something that wasn't fictional, though I wish the experiences of systemic and personal racism were fiction at this point.
The other three books were ok, but nothing resonated.
5) What was your favourite part of the book?
I can't say I had favourite parts from any of the books. I will be keeping Growing Up Aboriginal in Australia and re-reading it because I think it's overall an important read.
I did giggle about the writing with the Aboriginemo experiences.
Fresh Ink felt like something was missing from the stories. Short stories are, well, short, but it still felt like something had been left out and I went in excited about diverse heroes and it fell short.
Blue is the warmest colour felt like it leant on the "queer death" trope/tragedy. I'm still very much processing thoughts on this one.
Neverland had a decent build up but it rushed through the ending which was disappointing.
6) Who would you recommend read this book?
Growing Up I would recommend to everyone wanting to understand some of the experiences of Aboriginal people, including the impacts of the Stolen generation and other horrible, racist regimes.
Fresh Ink was a quick read that I would recommend to someone in the beginning stages of seeking diverse fiction.
I'm not sure I would recommend Neverland and Blue is the warmest colour, again still processing some thoughts/feelings here.
7) Try to sum up the book in one sentence
Growing up: A glimpse into the impact of racism and racist regimes from the past to the present.
Fresh Ink: Diverse super heroes and powered people
Neverland: The impacts of trauma and mental illness and the connections you build.
Blue is the Warmest Colour: Discovering your sexuality and the importance of supportive networks
1) What book did you pick for this month’s read?December I had not planned but looking at my shelves i picked Future Girl by Asphyxia
2) Did you enjoy it?
I absolutely did, it was a really good story set in a pretty bleak future thats not too far fetched.
3) What rating would you give it out of five?
5/5
4) Was there anything in your book that touched you /resonated with you in some way?
It was both entertaining but also a little terrifyingat this potential future.
5) What was your favourite part of the book?
I loved that I learnt more about the Deaf community, I liked being able to also support an Aussie YA author and also supporting diverse books and Own Voices.
I loved the story and I loved the visuals throughout the book as well.
6) Who would you recommend read this book?
Everyone, there is something to be learned by all as well as a great storyline
7) Try to sum up the book in one sentence.
Finding your voice and finding your fight in a bleak future.
1) What book did you pick for this month’s read?‘Aurora Rising’ by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff. I doesn’t have a holiday theme but I read it as we were all preparing for Christmas.
2) Did you enjoy it?
Yes
3) What rating would you give it out of five?
3 stars
4) Was there anything in your book that touched you /resonated with you in some way?
Not really. This is a science-fiction book which is a genre I don’t normally read. I had heard great things about the book and the authors, so I thought I’d give it a try.
5) What was your favourite part of the book?
The humour. Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff are very good at writing funny scenes.
6) Who would you recommend read this book?
Teenagers who love reading big books with lots of twists.
7) Try to sum up the book in one sentence.
A funny, suspenseful science-fiction story.
Australian YA Bloggers & Readers
Books mentioned in this topic
Future Girl (other topics)Fresh Ink (other topics)
Neverland (other topics)
Blue Is the Warmest Color (other topics)
Growing Up Aboriginal in Australia (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Asphyxia (other topics)Lamar Giles (other topics)
Jul Maroh (other topics)
Margot McGovern (other topics)
Queenie Chan (other topics)
More...
For our Reading Challenge in 2020 we are doing things a little different, in the hope that we can get our non Goodreads using friends and followers to join in on the fun.
Each month we will have a theme that participants will pick a book to fit. So a minimum of 12 books to be read all up, there is no maximum.
A Chat Post will go live on the group blog http://ausyabloggers.blogspot.com/
on the first Monday of the month, with a reminder of the months theme and questions. We ask that you do not read ahead, but you can always go back and report for a month you missed later on.
To report your months reads participants are asked to comment and answer the questions either on the group blog Chat Post or on the Goodreads 2020 Challenge discussion post [that's this one right here].
There will be two prizes up for grabs, but to be eligible all twelve prompts have to be completed by the 31st December.
1st prize - $50.00 Booktopia Voucher (Aus & NZ only).
2nd prize - a book up to the value of $20 from The Book Depository (international).
* You do not have to comment on both the blog Chat Post and the Goodreads post, the idea of having the two platforms is so our non Goodreads using friends can still join in - pick whichever platform is easiest for you.
** Our aim of getting you to answer questions to report your read, is to open up conversations and get us all talking about the books we’re reading in 2020.
*** So this year to be eligible for a price, all you have to do is read 12 books that match the 12 months prompts, and report them via answering the set questions on your read book either via Goodreads or the group blog.
MONTH – THEMES
January – New Beginnings
February – Fun in the sun
March – Lost and Found
April – Spookalicious
May – After Dark
June – Coming Out
July – Indigenous Voices
August – Tropes-ahoy
September – Awesome Anthologies
October – Mental Health
November – Glorious Graphics
December – Happy Holidays
Reporting questions
1) What book did you pick for this month’s read?
2) Did you enjoy it?
3) What rating would you give it out of five?
4) Was there anything in your book that touched you /resonated with you in some way?
5) What was your favourite part of the book?
6) Who would you recommend read this book?
7) Try to sum up the book in one sentence.