Total Men

So, in 2025, I read 44 books by men from around the world, with a focus on lesser-known Australian men. Yes, they get their own post because it’s much easier to split things up when you’ve read over 200 books, and make separate posts for things so people can find what they want in these posts easily. Each category also gets its own post. I also read stories that might not get the attention they deserve, that might fly under the radar for various reasons. And some of them wrote with women, so they belong on multiple lists.

I write roundups that are broad and focused, and split them into men, women, Australian, non-Australian, children’s, young adult, adult, LGBTQIA, Disabled and co-authored books. There is also a post with everything and a summary at the end. So if people want to look at something in particular, they can.

1. The Not-So-Little Tree by Marcus Addison
2. Caution! This Book Contains Deadly Reptiles by Corey Tutt, art by Ben Williams
3. The 113^th Assistant Librarian by Stuart Wilson
4. Tuckshop Terrors by Leo Baker
5. Spirit of the Crocodile by Aaron Fa’aoso and Michelle Scott Tucker with Lyn White
6. Bin Chicken Goes for Gold by Kate and Jol Temple, illustrated by Ronojoy Ghosh
7. The Hunt for the Tasmanian Tiger by David Webby
8. Finding Alfie: A D-Day Story by Michael Morpurgo
9. The Night Librarian by Christopher Lincoln
10. Stories from Magic Beach by Alison Lester and Robert Connolly
11. The Lost Notes of the Soul Spinners by Reece Carter
12. Frog Squad: Sink or Swim by Kate and Jol Temple, illustrated by Shiloh Gordon
13. Yildaan: Our Dreaming Track by Uncle Bud Marshall with Yandaara, artwork by Hannah Smith and Elaine Carmady
14.  Our Dance by Jacinta Daniher and Taylor Hampton, illustrated by Janelle Burger
15. The Happiest Man on Earth by Eddie Jaku
16. Earth Speak: Boodjar Wangkiny by Sean McCann and Jade Goodwin
17. Villain by Adrian Beck
18. The Foal in the Wire by Robbie Coburn
19. Quoll by Christopher Cheng and Cindy Lane
20. Who Might You Be by Robert Henderson
21. Find Me on the Coast by Jess McGeachin
22. Andromache in the Dark by Gabriel Bergmoser
23. Alpacas in Space by Matt Cosgrove
24. Gloam by Jack MacKay
25. Pirate Academy: New Kid on Deck by Justin Somper
26. Tiny Dancer by Patrick Guest, illustrated by Mateja Jager
27. Animals on Country: Let’s look after the animals with Uncle Kuu by Victor Steffensen and illustrated by Sandra Steffensen
28. Rainbow Street by R.W.R McDonald, illustrated by Kelly Canby
29. Bin Chicken Lights Up the Night by Kate and Jol Temple, illustrated by Ronojoy Ghosh
30. How Big Is Love? By Carl Merrison and Hakea Hustler, illustrated by Jade Goodwin
31. Mega Rich Guinea Pigs by Kate and Jol Temple
32. Runt and the Diabolical Dognapping by Craig Silvey
33. Worst Pets Ever: Locked Up by Eva Amores and Matt Cosgrove
34. The Legend of Jessie Hickman by Mark Greenwood, illustrated by Frané Lessac
35. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll
36. Dead Scary: Ghost Guitar by TJ Doom
37. Villain: Respawn by Adrian Beck
38. The Official Agatha Christie Detectives Club: 50 Mystery Puzzles for Children by Agatha Christie Ltd, Dr Gareth Moore, Laura Jayne Ayres
39. Underdog: #LoveOzYA Short Stories edited by Tobias Madden
40. Victorian Fairytales edited by Michael Newton
41. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
42. The 113^th Assistant Librarian: Lost in a Book by Stuart Wilson
43. The Kids’ Guide to Speaking Your Mind Without Losing Your Cool by Dr Matt Agnew
44. The Nutcracker by E.T.A Hoffman, illustrated by Valeria Decampo