Dymocks Reading Challenge 2025 Completed

And just like that, another year of the Dymocks Reading Challenge is over. I managed to fill in each prompt for this one, and may have ummed and ahhed about the Gothic Ruins prompt, because I read a couple of books that seemed to fit it well. I did focus on Australian books and authors as much as possible with a few exceptions for translated books, classics, and a banned book.

I did my best to be as diverse as possible, but many books were review books, and because I sometimes get surprises in my review packs, this diversity can be up and down. I was also strapped for time in finding things this year, so I did tend to take books from what came in for review, or what I already had to mark these prompts off. And, a couple of the ones I wanted to use for one prompt came after I had already filled that one in. There were some that I sought out as well, and as always, worked with what is published and released in Australia. I also did my best to feature authors that might not get as much attention as the ones that top all the bestseller lists all the time.

Anyway, that’s this challenge done for 2025, and now I am looking forward to see what it will be in 2026.

Volume 1: January to April

New Year, New Read (A book from your TBR list): Salty by Sandi Parsons

On the Rise (novel by a debut author): How to Be Normal by Ange Crawford

Nostalgia Trip (timeless classic): Heidi by Johanna Spyri

Sunscreen and Salt (A story that feels like sandy beaches, salty air and carefree days): Searching for Treasure by Johanna Bell and Emma Long

Love in all forms: Legend of the Lighthouse Moon by Helen Edwards

Top 101: The Happiest Man on Earth by Eddie Jaku

International Women’s Day: Epically Good Greek Myths by R.A. Spratt (Nanny Piggins)

Golden Hour (Colours of the rising sun): Panic by Catherine Jinks

Cicada’s Song (a book about transformation or growth): The Not-So-Little Tree by Marcus Addison

Volume 2: May to August

Read in Bed (Read a book entirely from the cosy comfort of your bed – morning, night or in between): Willow Bright’s Secret Plot by A.L. Tait

Dark Academia (Tweed blazers, old universities, grand architecture and rainy autumn days): Guilty by Definition by Susie Dent

Found in Translation (Discover the richness of other cultures through a book originally written in another language): The Autist’s Guide to the Galaxy: Navigating the World of ‘normal people’ by Clara Törnvall, translated by Alice E. Ossman

First Nations Stories (Celebrate the talent and culture of our original storytellers): Moonlight and Dust by Jasmin McGaughey

Golden Age (Travel through time with a story set in a different era): The Girls Who Changed the World: Ming and Maria Explore the Universe by Jackie French

Cover Lover (A Cover that commanded your attention with its stunning details):  Silverborn: The Mystery of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend

Read with Pride (Celebrate Pride Month in June with stories from the LGBTQIA Community): Lady’s Knight by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

Poetic Pause (Take a moment and read something poetic): The Foal in the Wire by Robbie Coburn

Rebel Reader (Embrace danger and pick up a book that’s been banned or challenged):  Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

Volume 3: September to December

Branching Out (Step out of your comfort zone with something different): Dinner at the Night Library by Hika Harada, translated by Philip Gabriel

Spring Cleaning (Read something that’s been sitting on your TBR for too long): Catch by Sarah Brill

Read Australian (A homegrown story from a local author): AGuide to Falling off the Map by Zanni L Arnot

Gothic Ruins (Crumbling castles, fog-shrouded moors and emotional extremes): Slashed Beauties by A. Rushby

Page to Screen (Immerse yourself in the original story inspired for the screen): Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll

Award-winning (Pick up a story nominated for an award): The Wintrish Girl by Melanie La’brooy

Long story short (Delve into a short and sweet story, under 200 pages): Mooshy Crackerjack’s Big Day by Suzanne Patterson and illustrated by Maia Batumashvili

Golden Days (Luxuriate in the warmer weather with a book that feels like a long holiday): Maisy Hayes is Not For Sale by Allayne L Webster

‘Tis the Season (Complete your year with a story filled with warmth, joy and heartfelt festive moments): The 12 Birds of Christmas by Jodie McLeod, illustrated by Eloise Short