Category: Australian women writers

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September 2025 Reading Round Up

Ashleigh

In September, I read 20 books for review, and some reviews will be appearing at later dates for various reasons. I mostly read Australian authors, and focused on children’s and young adult books. I also made progress on reading challenges, and am almost done with my last few. Most books were by women authors, and… Continue reading September 2025 Reading Round Up

#AussieAuthors2025, #LoveOZMG, animals, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Book Industry, Books, Children's Literature, Fables, Fairytales, Fantasy, literary fiction, middle grade, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, Speculative fiction

The Keeper of the Octopus by Neridah McMullin

Ashleigh

Title: The Keeper of the Octopus Author: Neridah McMullin Genre: Fantasy, Magical Realism Publisher: Walker Books Australia Published: 1st October 2025 Format: Paperback Pages: 272 Price: $17.99 Synopsis: Engaging, heartfelt and imaginative - magical realism from the award-winning author of Evie and RhinoSince her father sailed away, Uncle Isaac is the only family Pippy has left.… Continue reading The Keeper of the Octopus by Neridah McMullin

#AussieAuthors2025, animals, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Book Industry, Books, challenges, Children's Literature, Christmas, Dymocks Reading Challenge, Junior Fiction, literary fiction, middle grade, Picture Books, Publishers, Reading, Reviews

The 12 Birds of Christmas by Jodie McLeod, illustrated by Eloise Short

Ashleigh

Title: The 12 Birds of Christmas Author: Jodie McLeod, illustrated by Eloise Short Genre: Christmas Publisher: Wollemi Press Published: 1st October 2025 Format: Hardcover Pages: 32 Price: $26.95 Synopsis: From the award-winning author and illustrator of The Black Cockatoo With One Feather Blue comes this original rhyming read aloud about giving, community and sharing the… Continue reading The 12 Birds of Christmas by Jodie McLeod, illustrated by Eloise Short

#AussieAuthors2025, adventure, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Book Industry, Books, Children's Literature, Fables, Fairytales, Fantasy, historical fiction, history, Indigenous authors, Junior Fiction, literary fiction, Picture Books, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, Scholastic

Naynay and the Mermaid by Tasma Walton, illustrated by Charmaine Ledden-Lewis

Ashleigh

Title: Naynay and the Mermaid Author: Tasma Walton, illustrated by Charmaine Ledden-Lewis Genre: Fantasy Publisher: Scholastic Australia Published: 1st October 2025 Format: Hardcover Pages: 24 Price: $19.99 Synopsis: 'With long tendrils of seagrass for hair, her body is blue green like the sea, and her tail sparkles with iridescent scales ...' Naynay and her family… Continue reading Naynay and the Mermaid by Tasma Walton, illustrated by Charmaine Ledden-Lewis

#AussieAuthors2025, adventure, animals, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Book Industry, Books, Children's Literature, Junior Fiction, literary fiction, Picture Books, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, series

The Messy Bath Monster by Tina Wilson, music by Matt Ottley

Ashleigh

Title: The Messy Bath Monster Author: Tina Wilson, music by Matt Ottley Genre: Fiction Publisher: One Tentacle Publishing Published: 1st October 2025 Format: Hardcover Pages: 32 Price: $25.99 Synopsis: Monkey knows there’s a MONSTER hiding in the bathroom because it leaves a HUGE MESS behind. Will Monkey discover who the bath monster really is? Monkey… Continue reading The Messy Bath Monster by Tina Wilson, music by Matt Ottley

#AussieAuthors2025, #AussieYAChallenge, #LoveOZMG, #LoveOzYA, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Book Industry, Books, Children's Literature, middle grade, non-fiction, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, Writing, Young Adult

The Story Writer’s Handbook: Adventures in Creative Writing by Katrina Nannestad, illustrated by Cheryl Orsini

Ashleigh

Title: The Story Writer’s Handbook: Adventures in Creative Writing Author: Katrina Nannestad, illustrated by Cheryl Orsini Genre: Language Arts, Composition and Creative Writing Publisher: HarperCollins Australia Published: 30th September 2025 Format: Paperback Pages: 192 Price: $26.99 Synopsis: Learn how to write with the multi-award-winning Katrina Nannestad! There is so much about writing that I love… Continue reading The Story Writer’s Handbook: Adventures in Creative Writing by Katrina Nannestad, illustrated by Cheryl Orsini

#AussieAuthors2025, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Book Industry, Books, Children's Literature, Junior Fiction, literary fiction, Picture Books, Publishers, Reading, Reviews

The Peach King by Inga Simpson, illustrated by Tannya Harricks

Ashleigh

Title: The Peach King Author: Inga Simpson, illustrated by Tannya Harricks Genre: Fable Publisher: Hachette/Lothian Children’s Books Published: 30th September 2025 Format: Hardback Pages: 32 Price: $24.99 Synopsis: A contemporary fable about the resilience of nature from Inga Simpson, one of Australia’s leading nature writers, with paintings by acclaimed illustrator Tannya Harricks. When Little Peach… Continue reading The Peach King by Inga Simpson, illustrated by Tannya Harricks

#AussieAuthors2025, #AussieYAChallenge, #LoveOzYA, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Book Industry, Books, Children's Literature, Dymocks Reading Challenge, literary fiction, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, Young Adult

Catch by Sara Brill

Ashleigh

Title: Catch Author: Sarah Brill Genre: Contemporary Publisher: Allen and Unwin Published: 30th September 2025 Format: Paperback Pages: 304 Price: $24.99 Synopsis: A unique and irresistible YA coming-of-age story about sixteen-year-old Beth, who discovers she has a life-saving gift. A superb novel about finding out what it takes to be an unlikely hero. Sometimes people… Continue reading Catch by Sara Brill

#AussieAuthors2025, animals, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Book Industry, Books, challenges, Children's Literature, Junior Fiction, non-fiction, Picture Books, Publishers, Reading, Reviews

Dogs with Jobs by Max Hamilton

Ashleigh

Title: Dogs with Jobs Author: Max Hamilton Genre: Contemporary Publisher: Allen and Unwin Published: 30th September 2025 Format: Hardcover Pages: 32 Price: $19.99 Synopsis: From beekeepers to brave rescuers, dogs have the most amazing jobs! A delightful exploration of the many careers of our canine companions. Dogs may be our best friends, but sometimes that's… Continue reading Dogs with Jobs by Max Hamilton

#AussieAuthors2025, #AussieYAChallenge, #LoveOzYA, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Awards, Book Industry, Books, challenges, check in post, Crime/Mystery, Fantasy, literary fiction, Publishers, Reading, Reviews

Into the Mouth of the Wolf by Erin Gough

Ashleigh

Title: Into the Mouth of the Wolf Author: Erin Gough Genre: YA Mystery Publisher: Hardie Grant Published: 1st May 2024 Format: Paperback Pages: 384 Price: $22.99 Synopsis: Part thriller, part queer romance, Into the Mouth of the Wolf is a stunning, CBCA Notable YA novel from the award-winning author of Amelia Westlake. Dear Iris, If all goes well I will be… Continue reading Into the Mouth of the Wolf by Erin Gough