Your Aussie Author book recommendations

[Rachael]

Has anyone read I Came To Say Goodbye? I think it's one of my favourite Aussie fiction books

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Rachael wrote: "Has anyone read I Came To Say Goodbye? I think it's one of my favourite Aussie fiction books"

Yes I have Rachael, I quite enjoyed it:)

[Dale]

My review is now up of House for all Seasonshttp://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

[[deleted user]]

Not sure if these have been mentioned but SabrielLiraelAbhorsen also Kate Forsyth
And Tahlia Newland all wonderful fantasy books. If you haven't heard of Tahlia Newland and you like fantasy/magical realism I suggest you go check her out. The books are cheap and some of them are just gorgeous!

[Anthony]

I've just finished a splendid First World War novel. "Crucible" by J.P. McKinney, a loosely disguised account of service with the Australian forces in France 1914-18. First published in 1935, it's now out on Kindle. Highly recommended.

Jack McKinney served with the Australian forces in France during the First World War. A philosopher and bushman, he later married the celebrated poet Judith Wright.

The book could only have been written by somebody who was there: it has an immediacy and an authenticity that I found utterly convincing. It takes us from the trenches to the rest areas behind the lines; from hospital, to a cushy job as a billeting officer; from fear, apprehension and disgust with war, to love and new birth.

McKinney's use of language is supple and richly imaginative, as you'd expect. In his many descriptions of fighting on the battlefields, I barely came across a repetition. Highly recommended on this Anzac Day.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Anthony wrote: "I've just finished a splendid First World War novel. "Crucible" by J.P. McKinney, a loosely disguised account of service with the Australian forces in France 1914-18. First published in 1935, it's..."

Crucible by J.P. McKinney
Thanks for the recommendation Anthony:)

I notice you are a new member, welcome.... perhaps you'd like to head on over here http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/3... and introduce yourself, so everyone can say hi:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Anthony wrote: "Hello all
Thanks for having me in this group and allowing me to join your conversations.

My name is Anthony Hill, an Australian author of 17 books now for adults, teenagers and children. As a for..."

Hi Anthony, you will need to make your own thread in the Aussie Author Spotlight folder http://www.goodreads.com/topic/group_... (top right hand corner "new topic") as that's where our authors promote their work, and for your benefit, it's better to have your own thread. It will get lost in here....

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...

Thanks Anthony:)

[Anthony]

Thanks Brenda, will do. I'm very new to Goodreads and the social media scene generally, so it will take some time to get my bearings properly.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Anthony wrote: "Thanks Brenda, will do. I'm very new to Goodreads and the social media scene generally, so it will take some time to get my bearings properly."

That's fine Anthony, we don't mind helping to point you in the right direction;)

[Chantel]

What about Isobelle Carmody? I especially loved her ObernewtynChronicles. YA dystopian fantasy/sci-fi ... I'm not really sure which category it falls into but it's really excellent.

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

There's a VERY good review of Honey Brown's latest in the Sun Herald today.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Phrynne wrote: "There's a VERY good review of Honey Brown's latest in the Sun Herald today."

Do you have a link Phrynne?

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

No but I will quote a bit...
"Honey Brown is the best writer of psychological suspense in Australia....... Dark Horse is one of those books that has to be read again, from the beginning, to see how the author does it. Simply superb."

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Phrynne wrote: "No but I will quote a bit...
"Honey Brown is the best writer of psychological suspense in Australia....... Dark Horse is one of those books that has to be read again, from the beginning, to see how..."

Thanks Phrynne, I totally agree! I loved it:)

[Anthony]

G'day fellow Aussies,

My favourite Australian author is John Marsden. He is exceptional. I'm not sure how many of you would be interested, but my first book went #1 on the iBookstore. I'm representing the Aussies in the USA at the moment, so if you would like a free copy of any of my books to read, please let me know :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Anthony wrote: "G'day fellow Aussies,

My favourite Australian author is John Marsden. He is exceptional. I'm not sure how many of you would be interested, but my first book went #1 on the iBookstore. I'm represen..."

Hi Anthony, yes John Marsden has a lot of talent! I notice you are a new member. Welcome! Could you pop over here http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/3... and introduce yourself so everyone else can say hi...don't mention your books though, cos you can head to the Aussie author spotlight folder http://www.goodreads.com/topic/group_..., make your own thread, and promote your books there! That way we can check them (and you) out!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Michael wrote: "Dang you beat me too it Brenda."

Great minds Michael:)

[Liam || Books 'n Beards]

I just finished reading the Strange Threads duology by Sam Bowring, a Sydnian (Sydling? Sydneyer?) author. Fantastic short fantasy series.

[Leonie]

Sydneysider? :)

[Liam || Books 'n Beards]

Time's Long Ruin by Stephen Orr is a part-cold-case, part-historical fiction, part-alternative history telling of the kidnapping and disappearance of the Beaumont children in Glenelg. Full disclosure, I haven't actually read it (though I have a signed copy from a library function), but I hear nothing but god things. If you're an Adelaidian who is familiar with the story, it's very compelling.

Dissonance is his other novel, re-telling the story of Percy Grainger, the pianist.

[Carol]

Brenda wrote: "Marie wrote: "My most loved Aussie books
'Thorn Birds'
'For the term of his natural life,'
'The sound..."

The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough
For the Term of His Natural Life by Marcus Clarke
..."


My all time favourite book is The Thorn Birds too :)

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Two of my favorites are:
Come in Spinner Come in Spinner Dymphna Cusack & Florence James.
Australia Street Australia Street Ann Whitehead.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I very much enjoyed Australia Street when I read it some time ago:)

[Angela]

Not sure if anyone has mentioned him yet but Shane Maloney and the Murray Whelan books starting with Stiffare amazing! Witty and fast paced :)

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Brenda wrote: "I very much enjoyed Australia Street when I read it some time ago:)"

So did I Brenda, it's very close to my old stamping grounds and I have a lot of early family history in that area so those streets..including Australia street, which is still there btw.. have much sentimental pull :-)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Julie wrote: "Brenda wrote: "I very much enjoyed Australia Street when I read it some time ago:)"

So did I Brenda, it's very close to my old stamping grounds and I have a lot of early family hist..."

It always means a lot more when that happens Julie:)

[Binari]

On the Jellicoe Road
I'd be very surprised if this book isn't already on here. Love Melina Marchetta

[Neil]

Put in a Christmas book request to my wife Shantaram A Novel - by the size of this book it will keep me going for awhile. Has anyone read and enjoyed this book? Choose this as a want to read book as have an interest in India from watching the movie Slum Dog Millionaire.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Neil wrote: "Put in a Christmas book request to my wife Shantaram A Novel - by the size of this book it will keep me going for awhile. Has anyone read and enjoyed this book? Choose this as a want to read book a..."

Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts

[L.J.]

You'll love Shantram Neil, it's a wild, unput-downable read - good choice! I've been to India and let me say that this book really takes you there. Merry Christmas!

[B the BookAddict]

The Street Sweeper by Elliot Perlman.

[Neil]

Thanks L.J just hope my wife tells Santa to bring the book on Christmas Day. Hope it doesn't get stuck in the chimney!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Neil wrote: "Thanks L.J just hope my wife tells Santa to bring the book on Christmas Day. Hope it doesn't get stuck in the chimney!"

Lol!!

[[deleted user]]

I can't praise Night Singing enough. It's aimed at ages 10-12, but it's one of the most enchanting books I've read. It's about a Japanese woman and magic tricks, and a lonely boy, and a few folk tales. The descriptions are just gorgeous and the characters are drawn with a touch of whimsy.

Adults should read this too. When you're at the library, pick this up and give it a go.

[Mish]

Dale wrote: "Thought people might be interested in the review of

Dale, I've just checked the Authors Spotlight section and there doesn't seem to be a thread for yourself or your books.

Would you mind setting up a thread because I'm sure members here would love to hear more about your books.

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...

All you need to do is click 'New Topic' on the right hand side and go from there. PM me if you need any help :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

The Grass Castle by Karen Viggers which I recently finished and is released 1/2/14 is excellent...well worth recommending:)

[Rochelle]

Brenda wrote: "The Grass Castle by Karen Viggers which I recently finished and is released 1/2/14 is excellent...well worth recommending:)"

I won this through Goodreads and will be reading it this weekend, looking forward to it :)

[Kathryn]

I've just finished The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough and I loved it! I'd like to give it 4.5 stars, but am undecided whether to round down to 4 or up to 5 for the GR rating system - decisions, decisions! Highly recommend it to anyone who likes historical fiction that spans the generations.

So now I have a question. I want to read another Colleen McCullough (sometime) - I have The Independence of Miss Mary Bennet on my list already, and there was a preview of Angel at the end of The Thorn Birds which sounded interesting - has anyone read either or both of these? Or other McCullough's that they would recommend?

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Rochelle wrote: "Brenda wrote: "The Grass Castle by Karen Viggers which I recently finished and is released 1/2/14 is excellent...well worth recommending:)"

I won this through Good..."

Congratulations Rochelle. Fabulous book!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Kathryn wrote: "I've just finished The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough and I loved it! I'd like to give it 4.5 stars, but am undecided whether to round down to 4 or up to 5 for the GR ..."

Loved Angel (I read it as Angel Puss) gave it 5 stars. Another one I gave 5 stars to was On, Off but I haven't read Independence Kathryn:) I haven't read The Thorn Birds in a heck of a long time, but I loved it!

[Kathryn]

Brenda wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "I've just finished The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough and I loved it! I'd like to give it 4.5 stars, but am undecided whether to round down to 4 or up ..."

Oh yes, I did look at On, Off and thought that sounded good - except I've got 8 series that I'm more or less actively in the middle of, at the moment! Not sure I should start another!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

It's a stand alone really Kathryn. You wouldn't need to read the others..

I mean, I know it's part of that particular cop series, but you don't have to read them in order, or indeed any of the others:)

[Kathryn]

Brenda wrote: "It's a stand alone really Kathryn. You wouldn't need to read the others..

I mean, I know it's part of that particular cop series, but you don't have to read them in order, or indeed any of the oth..."

Yes, I'm sure that's technically true, but if I start the series, and it's good, I'll more than likely want to read the rest! And if I'm reading the rest, I'll "need" to read them in order - I've read things out of order accidentally before, but it annoys me!! :-)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well, On, Off is the first so I guess you can make the decision after you've read it;) Sorry, I know that doesn't help!

[Kathryn]

Brenda wrote: "Well, On, Off is the first so I guess you can make the decision after you've read it;) Sorry, I know that doesn't help!"

True - or just read the other stand alones I'm interested in first - by then I might have finished (or be up to date with) the other series I'm reading. Then I might feel justified starting on this series!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Kathryn wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Well, On, Off is the first so I guess you can make the decision after you've read it;) Sorry, I know that doesn't help!"

True - or just read the other stand alones I'm i..."

Haha! A couple of "mights" in there;P

[Kathryn]

Brenda wrote: "Haha! A couple of "mights" in there;P..."

Yes, I know! :-/

[Dale]

Kathryn wrote: "I've just finished The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough and I loved it! I'd like to give it 4.5 stars, but am undecided whether to round down to 4 or up to 5 for the GR ..."

Sorry Kathryn. I haven't read any of those. Would like to read her newest oneBittersweet and one I liked from years ago was Tim. It is a shorter book. For some reason it doesn't show up on the list. Published 1974. It was also made into a movie with Mel Gibson, I think.

[Dale]

Brenda wrote: "Rochelle wrote: "Brenda wrote: "The Grass Castle by Karen Viggers which I recently finished and is released 1/2/14 is excellent...well worth recommending:)"

I won ..."
You should enjoy it Rochelle.

[Kathryn]

Dale wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "I've just finished The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough and I loved it! I'd like to give it 4.5 stars, but am undecided whether to round down to 4 or up ..."

Thanks, Dale - I did look at Tim, and thought it sounded good - it was her first, I think. And yes, Bittersweet does sound interesting too! She's a prolific writer, isn't she?!