Title: The Surface Trials Author: HM Waugh Genre: Science Fiction Publisher: Allen and Unwin Published: 29th April 2025 Format: Paperback Pages: 336 Price: $18.99 Synopsis: An epic page-turner full of twists you won't see coming, set on an alien planet where, under the watch of a galaxy-wide TV audience, Ammy Antares and her fellow competitors… Continue reading The Surface Trials by HM Waugh
Category: Australian literature
Yildaan: Our Dreaming Track by Uncle Bud Marshall and Yandaarra, illustrated by Hannah Smith and Elaine Carmady
Title: Yildaan: Our Dreaming Track Author: Uncle Bud Marshall and Yandaarra, illustrated by Hannah Smith and Elaine Carmady Genre: Non-fiction Publisher: Allen and Unwin Published: 29th April 2025 Format: Hardcover Pages: 48 Price: $29.99 Synopsis: Featuring art and photographs from Nambucca Heads in the beautiful Gumbaynggirr Country, this stunning picture book tells stories of Gumbaynggirr… Continue reading Yildaan: Our Dreaming Track by Uncle Bud Marshall and Yandaarra, illustrated by Hannah Smith and Elaine Carmady
The Potion Experiment by Elle McFadzean
Title: The Potion Experiment Author: Elle McFadzean Publisher: Elle McFadzean Publication Date: 18 February 2025 Price: $21.99 Page numbers: 276 Genre: MG Fantasy Synopsis/Blurb: When thirteen-year-old scientist Ange is whisked from her home to the middle of a forest, she thinks she’s cracked teleportation. Until she hears Eva’s voice in her head, talking about magic… Continue reading The Potion Experiment by Elle McFadzean
Poppy’s Monster by Shelly Higgs and Francesca Costa
Title: Poppy’s Monster Author: Shelly Higgs, illustrated by Francesca Costa Genre: Fiction Publisher: Starfish Bay Published: 5th February 2025 Format: Hardcover Pages: 40 Price: $24.99 Synopsis: Poppy’s anxiety monster is making her miserable until one day she realises her monster might just be frightened too. Poppy’s very brave, but often she gets scared and needs… Continue reading Poppy’s Monster by Shelly Higgs and Francesca Costa
Books for ANZAC Day
ANZAC Day is coming up next Friday, and it marks two significant anniversaries: 110 years since the landing at Gallipoli of the first ANZACS, and 80 years since the end of World War Two, as well as commemorating all who have served Australia in war. The following list of books are about the ANZACS and… Continue reading Books for ANZAC Day
On Gallant Wings by Helen Edwards
Title: On Gallant Wings Author: Helen Edwards Genre: Historical Fiction Publisher: Riveted Press Published: 2nd April 2025 Format: Paperback Pages: 288 Price: $17.99 Synopsis: Thirteen-year-old Ava lives in Darwin with her family and their homing pigeons, of which Essie is Ava’s favourite. A Japanese family live next door and their son, Kazuo, is Ava’s best… Continue reading On Gallant Wings by Helen Edwards
2024 Aurealis finalists
Yesterday, the shortlist for this year’s Aurealis Awards, which is in its 30th year, was announced. It covers fantasy, horror and science fiction across novels, short stories, adult, children’s and young adult categories. I have read quite a few in some categories, whilst for others, this is the first time they have come to my… Continue reading 2024 Aurealis finalists
Into the Wild by Hayley Lawrence
Title: Into the Wild Author: Hayley Lawrence Genre: Adventure, thriller Publisher: Scholastic Australia Published: 1st February 2025 Format: Paperback Pages: 336 Price: $19.99 Synopsis: There are places in the world so remote, that if you get lost, you may never be found. Olive, Ted, Knox, Birdie and Silas enter a challenge to survive in the… Continue reading Into the Wild by Hayley Lawrence
Bitroux High Country by Jordan Harcourt-Hughes
Title: Bitroux High CountryAuthor: Jordan Harcourt-HughesPublisher: Digital Jazz CommunicationsPublication Date: January 2025 Genre: Fiction - science fiction, speculative fiction, metaphysical fiction. Format:Price (in Australian Dollars): Simple Print edition: $26.13, Illustrated version $42.37Page numbers: 234Synopsis:If Merouac ever thought his life’s work would culminate in leading the metal workshops of the Transcontinental Railroad Project, he was sorely… Continue reading Bitroux High Country by Jordan Harcourt-Hughes
The 2025 Stella Prize Shortlist
The 2025 shortlist for the Stella Prize has been announced this week, and it covers history, science nature, current affairs, memoir and much more across the six shortlisted books. Something notable about this year is that each book is by a woman of colour, in the 13th year of the award. I have only managed… Continue reading The 2025 Stella Prize Shortlist
The Book Muse 