Category: animals

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Neeka and the Great Search (Wilder Zoo #3) by Tina Strachan, illustrated by Max Hamilton

Ashleigh

Title: Neeka and the Great Search (Wilder Zoo #3) Author: Tina Strachan, illustrated by Max Hamilton Genre: Contemporary Middle Grade Publisher: HarperCollins Australia Published: 28th January 2026 Format: Paperback Pages: 272 Price: $16.99 Synopsis: When you live in a zoo - things can get wild! The final book in the Wilder Zoo series. Eleven-year-old Neeka… Continue reading Neeka and the Great Search (Wilder Zoo #3) by Tina Strachan, illustrated by Max Hamilton

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Ludicrous Legends: Myths with a Twist by Jol Temple and illustrated by David Conley

Ashleigh

Title: Ludicrous Legends: Myths with a Twist  Author: Jol Temple and illustrated by David Conley. Genre: Fiction Publisher: HarperCollins Australia Published: 28th January 2026 Format: Paperback Pages: 112 Price: $16.99 Synopsis: Ludicrous Legends is a hilarious new junior fiction series that reimagines myths in a fun way for early readers, 7 to 10 years old.… Continue reading Ludicrous Legends: Myths with a Twist by Jol Temple and illustrated by David Conley

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Silverbrook: Yumna and the Golden Horse by Yassmin Abdel-Magied

Ashleigh

Title: Silverbrook: Yumna and the Golden Horse Author: Yassmin Abdel-Magied Genre: Fantasy/Young Adult Publisher: Hachette/Hodder Children’s Books Published: 27th January 2026 Format: Paperback Pages: 230 Price: $16.99 Synopsis: Warm, funny, and zinging with imagination this thrilling MG fantasy adventure highlights the power of community. Perfect for readers of Tola Okogwu and Sharna Jackson, aged 9+.… Continue reading Silverbrook: Yumna and the Golden Horse by Yassmin Abdel-Magied

#AussieAuthors2026, adventure, animals, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Book bingo, Book Industry, Books, challenges, Disney Reading Challenge, Fables, Fairytales, Fantasy, Kate Forsyth, literary fiction, mythology, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, The Nerd Daily

Kate Forsyth’s Long-Lost Fairy Tales by Kate Forsyth, illustrated by Lorena Carrington

Ashleigh

Title: Kate Forsyth’s Long-Lost Fairy Tales Author: Kate Forsyth, illustrated by Lorena Carrington Genre: Fairy tales/Fantasy Publisher: New Dawn Publishing Published: 4th April 2024 Format: Paperback Pages: 386 Price: $32.99 Synopsis: Fairy tales are as old as language itself. Long, long ago, storytellers all around the world told tales of wonder both to enchant and… Continue reading Kate Forsyth’s Long-Lost Fairy Tales by Kate Forsyth, illustrated by Lorena Carrington

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2025 Reading Summary

Ashleigh

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. My final reading stats for… Continue reading 2025 Reading Summary

#AussieAuthors2025, animals, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Book Industry, Books, Children's Literature, humour, Jacqueline Harvey, Junior Fiction, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, series, Willa and Woof

Best Idea Yet (Willa and Woof #8) by Jacqueline Harvey

Ashleigh

Title: Best Idea Yet (Willa and Woof #8) Author: Jacqueline Harvey Genre: Contemporary Publisher: Puffin Published: 8th October 2024 Format: Paperback Pages: 128 Price: $12.99 Synopsis: Adventure, imagination and loads of fun! When Willa accidentally learns that Sunset Views Retirement Village, home of her best old-age friend, Frank, is about to be sold, she has… Continue reading Best Idea Yet (Willa and Woof #8) by Jacqueline Harvey

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Co-written/Anthologies Read

Ashleigh

In 2025, I read 23 books that were written by two or more authors, or that were anthologies. These books crossed into all the other categories: men, women, Australian, non-Australian, LGBTQIA, Disabled, children’s and young adult. There were all sorts of things here too, from picture books, novels, and non-fiction. There were some very good… Continue reading Co-written/Anthologies Read

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Total Men

Ashleigh

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… Continue reading Total Men

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Non-Australian Men

Ashleigh

This one is a small list. I only read8 books by non-Australian men, and A Christmas Carol is there because I try to read it every December as my Christmas read. Most of the books in this list are from the UK, and ones that I stumble across in reviewing, or read for reading challenges.… Continue reading Non-Australian Men

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December 2025 Reading Round Up

Ashleigh

In December 2025, I read 16 books. Some were for reviews that will appear later in 2026, whilst others were ones I read for my own interest. Some were review books or books I wanted to read and review. December was a slower review month, so I was able to catch up on some other… Continue reading December 2025 Reading Round Up