Category: challenges

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July 2025 Reading Round Up

Ashleigh

In July, I read 22 books, and am keeping on track with maintaining reading mostly Australian authors, and reading as diversely as I can between what I have already and what I am being sent for review. I’m also focused on certain styles and genres, so there might be some that are, say, translated, that… Continue reading July 2025 Reading Round Up

#AussieAuthors2025, #AussieYAChallenge, #loveozya, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Blog Tour, Book Industry, Books, challenges, literary fiction, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, Young Adult

The Lies We Tell Ourselves by Maura Pierlot

Ashleigh

Title: The Lies We Tell Ourselves Author: Maura Pierlot Genre: Contemporary Young Adult Publisher: Big Ideas Press Published: 1st August 2025 Format: Paperback Pages: 352 Price: $22.99 Synopsis: The biggest lies are the ones you tell yourself. When gorgeous new student, Carter, struts into class, Harley knows it's time to reinvent herself. Before long, she's… Continue reading The Lies We Tell Ourselves by Maura Pierlot

#AussieAuthors2025, #AussieYAChallenge, #loveozya, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Book Industry, Books, challenges, literary fiction, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, Young Adult

Weaving Us Together by Lay Maloney

Ashleigh

Title: Weaving Us Together Author: Lay Maloney Genre: Contemporary Publisher: Lothian Children’s Books/Hachette Published: 30th July 20025 Format: Paperback Pages: 297 Price: $19.99 Synopsis: A sharp and insightful coming-of-age story about all the ways we find home from an exciting debut author and 2022 black&write! Fellow. When I look back, I realise everything I needed… Continue reading Weaving Us Together by Lay Maloney

#AussieAuthors2025, animals, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Book Industry, Books, challenges, check in post, Children's Literature, humour, Junior Fiction, literary fiction, Picture Books, poetry, Publishers, Reading, Reviews

Hedgehog or Echidna: Animals who are the same . . . but different! by Ashleigh Barton, illustrated by Amadine Thomas

Ashleigh

Title: Hedgehog or Echidna? Animals Who are the Same but Different Author: Ashleigh Barton, illustrated by Amadine Thomas Genre: Non-fiction Publisher: Lothian/Hachette Australia Published: 30th July 2025 Format: Hardcover Pages: 32 Price: $24.99 Synopsis: A fun rhyming picture book with bright and engaging illustrations that teaches children about animals who look similar, but have unique… Continue reading Hedgehog or Echidna: Animals who are the same . . . but different! by Ashleigh Barton, illustrated by Amadine Thomas

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

Oceanforged 1: The Wicked Ship by Amelia Mellor

Ashleigh

Title: Oceanforged 1: The Wicked Ship Author: Amelia Mellor Genre: Fantasy Publisher: Affirm Press Published: 29th July 2025 Format: Paperback Pages: 240 Price: $16.99 Synopsis: The realm of Aquinta has fallen into a dark age. And no one knows that better than thirteen-year-old Cori, who is fighting for her life in a pirate crew more… Continue reading Oceanforged 1: The Wicked Ship by Amelia Mellor

#AussieAuthors2025, #LoveOZMG, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Book bingo, Book Industry, Books, challenges, Ella at Eden, humour, Junior Fiction, literary fiction, middle grade, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, series

Ella at Eden: The Missing Piece by Laura Sieveking

Ashleigh

Title: Ella at Eden: The Missing Piece Author: Laura Sieveking Genre: Mystery Publisher: Scholastic Australia Published: 1st July 2024 Format: Paperback Pages: 192 Price: $15.99 Synopsis: The Eden College musicians have been given an amazing opportunity to play in a concert at the Sydney Opera House! Not only will they be on a world-class stage,… Continue reading Ella at Eden: The Missing Piece by Laura Sieveking

#AussieAuthors2025, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Book bingo, Book Industry, Books, challenges, Crime/Mystery, Dymocks Reading Challenge, Fables, Fairytales, Fantasy, historical fiction, history, literary fiction, mythology, Publishers, Reading, Reviews

Briar Book of the Dead by A.G. Slatter

Ashleigh

Title: Briar Book of the Dead Author: A.G. Slatter Genre: Mystery, Fantasy Publisher: Titan Books Published: 13th February 2024 Format: Paperback Pages: 400 Price: $27.99 Synopsis: Ellie Briar is the first non-witch to be born into her family for generations. The Briar family of witches run the town of Silverton, caring for its inhabitants with… Continue reading Briar Book of the Dead by A.G. Slatter

#AussieAuthor2025, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Book bingo, Book Industry, Books, challenges, Crime/Mystery, humour, literary fiction, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, The Nerd Daily

The Paradise Heights Craft Store Stitch-Up by Kate Solly

Ashleigh

Title: The Paradise Heights Craft Store Stitch-Up Author: Kate Solly Genre: Cozy Crime Publisher: Affirm Published: 31st December 2024 Format: Paperback Pages: 320 Price: $34.99 Synopsis: Meet Fleck Parker: Mother, Crafter and Amateur Detective.Fleck loves a good puzzle. She spends most of her time feeling invisible, caring for three small children, and that's fine, really.… Continue reading The Paradise Heights Craft Store Stitch-Up by Kate Solly

#AussieAuthors2025, #LoveOZMG, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Book bingo, Book Industry, Books, challenges, Children's Literature, literary fiction, middle grade, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, Scholastic

Secret Keeper by Di Walker

Ashleigh

Title: Secret Keeper Author: Di Walker Genre: Contemporary Publisher: Scholastic Australia Published: 1st June 2025 Format: Paperback Pages: 240 Price: $17.99 Synopsis: Change was coming. Possibly sooner than any of the friends were prepared for. Nell and Eden have been best friends forever. But now they are at the end of Year 6 and on… Continue reading Secret Keeper by Di Walker

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

Vesper Jones and Marshmallow by Karen Hendriks

Ashleigh

Title: Vesper Jones and Marshmallow Author: Karen Hendriks Genre: Fiction Publisher: Starfish Bay Books Published: 5th August 2025 Format: Hardcover Pages: 40 Price: $24.99 Synopsis: Vesper Jones and her cat use a dream controller to banish Scary Things from their dreams. Vesper Jones has grown tired of Scary Things entering her dreams. So, with the… Continue reading Vesper Jones and Marshmallow by Karen Hendriks