Your Aussie Author book recommendations

[D.M.]

I have just read Boy Swallows Universe byTrent Dalton. It is up there now as one of my favourite Australian reads.

[Mima]

Today I started a Listopia list of books about Deafness or Deaf characters that are specifically related to Australia/New Zealand. The majority are also AA's if you need one for a reading challenge.

You can check it out here: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Thanks Mima :)

[Sally906]

Mima wrote: "Today I started a Listopia list of books about Deafness or Deaf characters that are specifically related to Australia/New Zealand. The majority are also AA's if you need one for a reading challenge..."

The Aussie author Jessica White is deaf - she has a couple of books

[Cassandra]

One I'd like to recommend - Not On The Cards, by Cage Dunn. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

I've read it twice now, and will read it again. It's interesting in so many ways, different, and yet close to home. An indie author, too.

Sci-fi meets arcane in the Camberwell markets, Melbourne - you may never see your city in the same vein again!

[Chris]

I'm recommending Sold by Blair Denholm.

It's not my usual book to read, but I found it highly entertaining - sort of like watching the unlikely hero (more like an anti-hero) stumble through one predicament after another. :)

[PattyMacDotComma]

I liked this as much as The Dry - real Queensland Outback this time.
The Lost Man by Aussie author Jane Harper is a terrific standalone Outback story and mystery.
My review of The Lost Man

[Bronwyn]

Joe's Fruit Shop & Milk Bar by Zoe Boccabella. This is great read.

[Kerri]

My daughter and I both read this over the holidays and loved it. It’s our first read of Harper and picked up The Dry in an op shop soon after and will read it soon too.

[Tim]

I have so many great Aussie book recommendations, but I most often get asked for Fantasy/Sci Fi options from friends since that's what I normally read/write.

Here's a blog article outlining a few of the greats like Jay Kristoff Amie Kaufman Sara Douglass and Sean Williams
: https://www.timhawken.com/blog/2019/2...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Thanks Tim :) You might want to promote your blog in our blog section here - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

There are quite a number of others there too :)

[Heather]

I absolutely love Melina Marchetta
Not too sure if anyone has mentioned her but, she is queen!.

She wrote Looking for Alibrandi, Saving Francesca, Finnikin of the Rock

One of my favourite books of all time On the Jellicoe Road. All I did was read the first sentence and i loved this book.

[[deleted user]]

heather wrote: "I absolutely love Melina Marchetta
Not too sure if anyone has mentioned her but, she is queen!.

She wrote Looking for Alibrandi, Saving Francesca, [bo..."


I've never read any work by Melina Marchetta, but On the Jellicoe Road sounds so good! thanks for the recommendation, i will have a look for it at my library the next time i go :) x

[Heather]

Yes! Do it. Trust me, there will be no regret.

[Rita]

Just read Colleen McCullough's The Touch. Almost as good as The Thorn Birds! Highly recommended.

[Tim]

Tim wrote: "I have so many great Aussie book recommendations, but I most often get asked for Fantasy/Sci Fi options from friends since that's what I normally read/write.

Here's a blog article outlining a few..."

Thanks Brenda!

[Suz]

I am loving this one Any Ordinary Day: What Happens After the Worst Day of Your Life? by Leigh Sales the fab ABC journo! I feature one of my reviews in my work place's newsletter and this was my choice for the next issue. So interesting.

[Elizabeth]

Suzanne wrote: "I am loving this one Any Ordinary Day: What Happens After the Worst Day of Your Life? by Leigh Sales [bookcover:Any Ordinary Day: What Happens After the Worst Day o..."

I thought this was a really powerful book too.

[Suz]

Elizabeth wrote: "Suzanne wrote: "I am loving this one Any Ordinary Day: What Happens After the Worst Day of Your Life? by Leigh Sales [bookcover:Any Ordinary Day: What Happens After..."

Glad you enjoyed it too. I can't believe the level of research that went into it. All the statistical information..

[Matthew]

Wimmera - Mark Brandi

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Matthew wrote: "Wimmera - Mark Brandi"

Wimmera by Mark Brandi

[Carolyn]

Suzanne wrote: "I am loving this one Any Ordinary Day: What Happens After the Worst Day of Your Life? by Leigh Sales [bookcover:Any Ordinary Day: What Happens After the Worst Day o..."

I'm looking forward to reading that one Suzanne.

[Carolyn]

D.M. wrote: "I have just read Boy Swallows Universe byTrent Dalton. It is up there now as one of my favourite Australian reads."

I loved that too Donna and I loved hearing him talk about the book at this years SWF. Such a lovely man.

[Trevor]

Just finished Only Killers and Thieves by Paul Howarth, which I would highly recommend if you like Australian historic novels. It is a really good yarn, even if a bit gruesome in parts.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Thanks Trevor, that one sounds really good. I'll check it out :)

[Adrian]

Was initially blown away by Boy Swallows Universe but, quite frankly, I don't think he quite knew how to finish the amazing novel he'd created. Almost a classic and my review for those interested: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I still have Boy Swallows Universe to read :)

[marlin1]

Brenda wrote: "I still have Boy Swallows Universe to read :)"

I’m tempted to have this as my book club choice next year. I also have it on my Kindle and feel this could be the only way I’ll get it read!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Yes my copy is on my kindle as well - I'll get to it one day!

[Rey]

Best 3 Aussie books read this year


Peter Fitzsimmons; Mutiny on the Bounty
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...
Paul Cupitt; Jack Carroll and the Rise of Australian Boxing
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...
Grantlee Kieza; Banjo
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

[Danni]

I just finished small spaces by Sarah Epstein. I borrowed this from the library when going through the cbca notable winners and winner from this year. It’s a YA thriller, based in a beach coastal town in NSW.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Danielle wrote: "I just finished small spaces by Sarah Epstein. I borrowed this from the library when going through the cbca notable winners and winner from this year. It’s a YA thriller, based in a beach coastal t..."

Small Spaces by Sarah Epstein

Thanks Sarah, that sounds really good :)

[Bec]

Brenda wrote: "Danielle wrote: "I just finished small spaces by Sarah Epstein. I borrowed this from the library when going through the cbca notable winners and winner from this year. It’s a YA thriller, based in ..."
I really want to read this - i think i have the school libraries copy at home (when your the librarian there is no overdue notices!)

[Kim]

Just finished The Glad Shout by Alice Robinson. It's shortlisted for The 2019 Reading Prize.
If you like Dystopian fiction speculating about what could happen with sea level and climate change in Australia, this might be one for you.

[M.N.]

I recently read The Rip by Mark Brandi.
Loved it. Beautifully written.
I've now marked his other book, Wimmera, to read.

[Debra]

Hi All,
I just wanted to let you know about 2 new Aussie authors I have read recently. The first one is by Damian William Tauschke called 'What Was Once Lost'. Looks like it is a western but it isn't. It's a good exciting read that keeps you enthralled, right up to the explosive end. The other is by Sarah Thornton called 'Lapse'. Country with a mix of drama and thriller thrown in. Both great books and well worth a read.

[M.N.]

Debra wrote: "Hi All,
I just wanted to let you know about 2 new Aussie authors I have read recently. The first one is by Damian William Tauschke called 'What Was Once Lost'. Looks like it is a western but it isn..."

Thanks Debra. Lapse appeals.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Debra wrote: "Hi All,
I just wanted to let you know about 2 new Aussie authors I have read recently. The first one is by Damian William Tauschke called 'What Was Once Lost'. Looks like it is a western but it isn..."

What Was Once Lost by Damian William Tauschke

Lapse by Sarah Thornton - I really enjoyed this one :) Thanks Debra.

[PattyMacDotComma]

I recently enjoyed Aussie author Toni Jordan's new mystery novel, The Fragments. Double timeline: 1930s New York, 1986 Brisbane. Both believable and both well done!
4★ Link to my review of The Fragments

[PattyMacDotComma]

Liane Moriarty’s first novel, Three Wishes, Is an enjoyable introduction to the author of the world-famous Big Little Lies (which I loved).
4★ Link to my review of “Three Wishes”

[PattyMacDotComma]

I think Aussie author Heather Morris's popular The Tattooist of Auschwitz, based on a true Holocaust survivor story, has probably introduced a new generation of readers to the reality of Hitler's Nazis.
Link to my Tattooist review

[Tim]

I often get asked for horror/dark recommends from friends who know I read a lot of that stuff, so here are three ones from Australian horror writers ---





I've also put together a post of the Best Aussie Horror Writers working right now, for those who are interested... https://www.timhawken.com/blog/best-a...

[M.N.]

That’s helpful, Tim. Thank you 👍🏻

[Rita]

Just finished reading The Clockmaker's Daughter by the wonderful Kate Morton. Long, complicated, good!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Rita wrote: "Just finished reading The Clockmaker's Daughter by the wonderful Kate Morton. Long, complicated, good!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3..."

The Clockmaker's Daughter by Kate Morton was all of those things and more Rita...a great read, and I loved the cover as well.

[PattyMacDotComma]

One of my favourite authors is Aussie Sulari Gentill who writes the delightful Rowland Sinclair historical mystery series. I’ve enjoyed them all. This is #4 and I hope everyone discovers her

In Paving the New Road, Rowley and his friends are in Munich in 1933, watching the frightening rise of Hitler and Fascism.
5★ Link to my review of "Paving the New Road

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Sorry Jesse, no. The only place you can post your own books is in the Author Spotlight section. If you head there and create your own thread (check what others have done for ideas) then we'll be able to check out your work.

[PattyMacDotComma]

I loved Aussie author Tabitha Bird's debut novel A Lifetime of Impossible Days. It does cover a lifetime, and it is impossible, but I was happy to suspend disbelief and enjoy her fine character/s!
4.5~5★ Link to my Impossible Days review

[Jodi]

I'm approaching the last quarter of Melanie Cheng's Room for a Stranger and loving it! I've read several Aussie authors lately and, so far, she's one of my favourites. I hope she publishes another soon!

[Deb]

I just finished The Midnight Dress, and really enjoyed it.It is by Australian author Karen Foxlee

I think she perfectly captured the feeling of small towns, sea and rainforest in far North Queensland
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...