Aussie Readers discussion
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Who's your favourite Aussie author?
Rich wrote: "Nomes wrote: "I read a lot of the Aussie YA talent.Jaclyn Moriarty, Melina Marchetta, Sonya Hartnett, Markus Zusac, Steven Herrick and John Marsden are all faves."
The Book Thief was an incredib..."
Oh - sorry for taking so long to reply *hangs head in shame* I love a lot of Sonya's earlier work but her most recent ones are fabulous too. The most popular one would be 'Of A Boy' which is also published as a popular Penguin (the 100 most popular books from Penguin publishers).
I also think her book Butterfly is quite stunning.
Thursday's Child is very different and has been adapted for theatre and performed around Australia.
The Ghost's Child reads like a fable and has such beautiful language in it.
And Surrender was nominated for the Printz (can't remember if it won or not?) I really liked it but it was a bit bleak...
Hartnett's "Of a Boy" is a really superb book. Terribly sad, though, but the power of the writing is wonderful.
I read, Of A Boy last year, I think it was. It was very well written, but so depressing. I try to avoid these sorts of stories now.
I love Morris Gleitzman. He is such an original author, I especially love his books Once and Two Weeks With the Queen. Both were such beautifully written, and so touching.
Paul Jennings is also incredible-for his wit and un-predictability. But the winner, hands down would have to be Markus Zusak. I love his writing style: The Book Thief was beautifully written, and his ideas. He has such a brilliant imagination. I cant wait until his next book!
I absolutely adore Emily Maguire. She has written several novels, including Taming the Beast: A Novel. They are a bit more adult and heavy in content, but her writing style is very unique and poetic. I also read The Dark Part of Me recently and really enjoyed it. It is somewhat similar in content to Emily Maguire.
Mara wrote: "I absolutely adore Emily Maguire. She has written several novels, including Taming the Beast: A Novel. They are a bit more adult and heavy in content, but her writing style is very ..."Wow Mara! I hadn't heard of author Emily Maguire before. She is certainly not afraid of tackling controversial and even taboo topics. All the reviews of her books are fabulous. Certainly an author that will appeal to a lot of people. I've added her and Belinda Burns to our group bookshelf. Thanks!:)
I really like reading Gabrielle Lord. She writes crime fiction novels, she has the Gemma Lincoln Series which include titles ofFeeding the Demons
Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing
Spiking the Girl
Shattered
or
The Jack McCann Series which include titles of
Death Delights
Lethal Factor
Dirty Weekend
She also has stand alone novels.
Would recommend her to anyone that likes crime fiction. :o)
Amber wrote: "I really like reading Gabrielle Lord. She writes crime fiction novels, she has the Gemma Lincoln Series which include titles ofShe's also written a tremendous series for teenage boys (in particular, although it's very readable by everyone) - Conspiracy 365 / one book each month for the year of 2010 - very addictive.
Just thought of another great Aussie writer, apart from me of course ha ha, is Naomi Kramer. She's got a novella and a novel out and both are fantastic - totally different from each other but both really highly recommended reads
Karen wrote: "Amber wrote: "I really like reading Gabrielle Lord. She writes crime fiction novels, she has the Gemma Lincoln Series which include titles ofShe's also written a tremendous serie..."
I haven't read them yet. I live in a small country town so it's a little hard to get my hands on books sometimes, although I'm now on first name basis with the lady at the 2nd hand bookshop :)
Karen wrote: "She's also written a tremendous series for teenage boys (in particular, although it's very readable by everyone) - Conspiracy 365 / one book each month for the year of 2010 - very addictive...."I just added Gabrielle's books but I put the Conspiracy series in the crime mystery shelf. I'll add them to YA too. Thanks for the heads up Karen!:)
I love reading books by John Pinkney, I have read Australian Ghosts, and I have a lot of all of his books that I will be getting round to reading and I think he is brilliant. When he writes he tells the story well, and he really brings a visual into his words. I like that in a writer.
Murder wrote: "I love reading books by John Pinkney, I have read Australian Ghosts, and I have a lot of all of his books that I will be getting round to reading and I think he is brilliant. When he writes he tell..."Sweet!
I've got three of John's books, yet to read any though. Sounds like I'm in for a treat!
Thanks Murder.
anytime Shane, I think John is such a brilliant writer, i am collecting a lot of his books. I can't get enough of his writing, and the way he writes things just sends you such a visual.. its a amazing. I like how he puts pictures in his books too. A picture is worth a thousand words. I love how he does that.
Murder wrote: "anytime Shane, I think John is such a brilliant writer, i am collecting a lot of his books. I can't get enough of his writing, and the way he writes things just sends you such a visual.. its a amaz..."John Pinkney's books are great. I have most of them, and nearly all the readers in my family are addicted to him now, too.
Yeah I too have almost all of them, I cannot wait to read the rest. I am reading The Restless Dead at the moment.. 10 short horror tales, I am just up to story number three. I love what I am reading so far.
Haunted is the only book I have read by John at the moment, But I can't wait to read Unsolved I think will be the next one I might read. Just depends.. Thanks for the uploads of the pictures. I have 6 out of the one you put up there Mandy.. :) I do not have the Key and The fountain or more puzzles and riddles.
I would say at the moment Nevil Shute is my favourite. On the Beach is an amazing book, despite now being over 50 years old. If you're into post-apocalyptic, it is one of the best.
Nevil Shute is one of my favourite authors too, I particularly like The Far Country, and A Town Like Alice is another one I enjoy.
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I'm not sure if there are any more, but I have all the above, and loved them. I haven't been able to find any information about him, or see if there are any more books by him. Haven't checked in awhile, but did maybe 12-18months ago.
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My recent favourites are Kerry Greenwood
Liz Byrski
and Marcus Zusak
so far, my favorites(having read very little aussie writers), are.... Peter Fitzsimons and Alan J WhittackerAlan J. WhitickerPeter FitzSimons
Shane wrote: "so far, my favorites(having read very little aussie writers), are.... Peter Fitzsimons and Alan J WhittackerAlan J. WhitickerPeter FitzSimons"
*Alan J Whiticker
Shane wrote: "so far, my favorites(having read very little aussie writers), are.... Peter Fitzsimons and Alan J WhittackerAlan J. WhitickerPeter FitzSimons"
I'm reading Peter Fitzsimons 'Kokoda' which is harrowing at times and frustrating to read about the incompetence of the military and civilian hierarchy. General D Macarthur must be turning in his grave at what P Fitzsimons writes about his incompetence and huge opinion of himself. I've yet to read what he has to say about the Aust General Blamey who from from I've read previously hasn't a good war reputation either. From what I've read I can recommend 'Kokoda' which Peter S has written in a very Australian style. Laurel
My favourite Aussie authors are Bryce Courtenay, Stephanie Laurens and I've read a few Di Morrisey.I know Stephanie Laurens wasn't born here, but she was raised here, moved to the UK, then came back to reside in Melbourne. I really like her Cynster series.
My favourite Bryce Courtenay book, would have to be "Jessica".
I'm checking out some of the authors you've all mentioned.
Nelle wrote: "I know Stephanie Laurens wasn't born here, but she was raised here, moved to the UK, then came back to reside in Melbourne. I really like her Cynster series."
Nelle that's good enough for us. :)
Welcome to the group.
Nelle that's good enough for us. :)
Welcome to the group.
Nobody has mentioned Dianne Blacklock (or did I miss it?) If you like Jodi Picoult, you'll like Diane's books even more! She is definitely on my "top 10 Aussie authors"
Nelle wrote: "My favourite Aussie authors are Bryce Courtenay, Stephanie Laurens and I've read a few Di Morrisey. I know Stephanie Laurens wasn't born here, but she was raised here, moved to the UK, then came b..."Stephanie Laurens is a great author of Historical Romance Nelle! She just had a book published this month i think. The Reckless Bride. Have you read that yet? I have put all her books on our group bookshelf. She's close enough to an Aussie for me.:)
Annalie wrote: "Nobody has mentioned Dianne Blacklock (or did I miss it?) If you like Jodi Picoult, you'll like Diane's books even more! She is definitely on my "top 10 Aussie authors""Thanks for the recommendation Annalie! I've put her books on our group bookshelf.:)
I'm not that much of a fiction reader, although I have read Elizabeth Jolley's work. I was curious to know if these two authors are at all well-known in Australia?Confessions of a Reformed Dieterby A. J. Rochester -- I listened to it as an Audible book.
Lydia Laube, an Australian nurse, is the author of several travel books, starting with her time in Saudi Arabia. I've read all but her most recent one about her trip to Madagascar, which I have as an e-book.
John wrote: "I'm not that much of a fiction reader, although I have read Elizabeth Jolley's work. I was curious to know if these two authors are at all well-known in Australia?[book:Confessions of a Reformed ..."
Hi John,
I've read a couple of Lydia Laube's books - one in Cambodia and one in the Middle east. If she also wrote about South America then I've read that one too (I'm pretty sure it was her).
Thanks, Maggie. I was going to post a list of the Australian authors (or Oz-set books) I've read in the past couple of years.
Here are the Ozbooks I’ve read in the past couple of years, aside from ones by Jolley, Laube and A. J. Rochester (previously mentioned):With the Kama Sutra Under My Arm: My Madcap Misadventures Across India by Tricia Bernard – Aussie author and friend tour India
Bad Karma by Tamara Sheward -- ditto
Blue Latitudes: Boldly Going Where Captain Cook Has Gone Before by Tony Horwitz – American husband of Geraldine Brooks, book partly set in Oz
Rascal Rain: A Year in Papua New Guinea by Inez Baranay – Aussie author’s memoir of time in Papua-New Guinea as an aid worker.
In a Sunburned Country (a/k/a Down Under) by Bill Bryson – his story of traveling through Oz
Hanoi Stories by Pamela Scott – Australian expat’s tales of living there
Sean & David's Long Drive by Sean Condon – Aussie author’s Oz road trip
Vroom with a View: In Search of Italy's Dolce Vita on a '61 Vespa (and other books) by Peter Moore – Aussie author’s trips through Italy on a Vespa
Playing Chopsticks: Travels Through China by Sally Hammond – Aussie author in China
Land of a Thousand Eyes: The Subtle Pleasures of Everyday Life in Myanmar by Peter Olszewski – Aussie working in Burma falls in love with local woman
Fat,Forty,Fired: One Man's Frank,Funny,and Inspiring Account of Losing His Job and Finding His Life by Nigel Marsh -- Sydney executive rebuilds his life after being suddenly fired.
There’s also Phillip Scott’s three gay crime (mystery) series books set in Sydney … and elsewhere.
I realize most are expat adventures, but it's always nice to have an author who uses one's own cultural references in telling their story.
John wrote: "Here are the Ozbooks I’ve read in the past couple of years, aside from ones by Jolley, Laube and A. J. Rochester (previously mentioned):[book:With the Kama Sutra Under My Arm: My Madcap Misadvent..."
Thanks John! Those books look fantastic. I love travel stories and I will definitely be adding some of those to my TBR as well as adding them to our group Bookshelf. Ta!!:)
More than welcome - I have another Ozzie author on my TBR pile: Good Morning Hanoi - funny the title as I've not seen the film Good Morning, Vietnam! - nor Robin Williams in any movie whatsoever!
John wrote: "Here are the Ozbooks I’ve read in the past couple of years, aside from ones by Jolley, Laube and A. J. Rochester (previously mentioned). I realize most are expat adventures, but it's always nice to have an author who uses one's own cultural references in telling their story..."John here is link to the Goodreads Listopia list Best Australian Travel Guides & Stories if you feel like adding some of your excellent examples to the list!
Wanted to follow up that with Kobobooks current 30% off sale I just picked up the e-book versions of The Best Australian Essays 2010 and Is That Thing Diesel? at quite reasonable prices -- looking forward to them very much!
Mandy wrote: "Annalie wrote: "Nobody has mentioned Dianne Blacklock (or did I miss it?) If you like Jodi Picoult, you'll like Diane's books even more! She is definitely on my "top 10 Aussie auth..."I like Jodi Picoult, so will check out Dianne Blacklock. Thanks for the tip.
John wrote: "More than welcome - I have another Ozzie author on my TBR pile: Good Morning Hanoi - funny the title as I've not seen the film Good Morning, Vietnam! - nor Robin Williams in any movi..."Will try to find a copy as I was in Hanoi last year. Also maybe the one by Pamela Scott altho I'm a bit hit and miss with travel stories.
Wow, you know..I keep trying to think of my fav Aussie author and I keep coming up blank.I really enjoy John Marsden but I wouldn't consider him my favorite Aussie author though.
Ah, I feel a bit glum I can't think of one.
No pressure Laura. We will still talk to you anyway. :)
I would have to say the my favourite Australian author is Isobelle CarmodyShe has written the Obernewtyn series:
This Thread has put me on to so many other Aussie authors. It's great :)
Another Australia author I have read that I forgot to mention in my first emails when I was introducing myself was Malina Marchetta who wrote "Looking for Alibrandi", "Saving Francesca" and "On the Jellicoe Road" - she writes for young adults but I really enjoyed these 3 books.
I loved Looking for Allibrandi but could not for the life of me get in to Jellicoe Rd - and I gave it a few goes. The voice she used for it jangled me somehow.
Aussie Readers
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City of Secrets (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
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Anna Romer (other topics)
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Joy Dettman (other topics)
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Well you're certainly in the right place to get some advice Lillian. Check out our bookshelf or if you want you could always post a question in the 'Looking for Recommendations' thread.:)