Category: history

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#AussieYAChallenge Nix Level Completed

Ashleigh

I managed to complete my Nix level early this year, as I have already had quite a few young adult books cross my path in my reading and reviewing. They’ve covered quite a wide range of genres and stories so far, and it’s going to be interesting to see what else I come across over… Continue reading #AussieYAChallenge Nix Level Completed

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February 2026 Reading Round Up

Ashleigh

This February I read 27 books. Most were review books, and most were by women. I reviewed 23 of the books I read, and there are some other reviews coming in the next few months. I’m also getting through my reading challenges for the year, and ticking off thing as I go or as I… Continue reading February 2026 Reading Round Up

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Anna’s War by D.J. Taylor

Ashleigh

Title: Anna’s War Author: D.J. Taylor Genre: Historical Fiction Publisher: Riveted Press Published: 2nd July Format: Paperback Pages: 192 Price: $17.99 Synopsis: Holland, 1943: In the last eighteen months of World War II, 14-year-old Anna’s life is thrown into a perilous world of secrets and danger. Her once-ordinary town in German-occupied southern Holland is transformed… Continue reading Anna’s War by D.J. Taylor

#AussieAuthors2026, #AussieYAChallenge, #LoveOZMG, #LoveOzYA, animals, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, biography, Book Industry, Books, challenges, Children's Literature, history, Junior Fiction, literary fiction, memoir, middle grade, non-fiction, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, Young Adult

Treeshape by Trace Balla

Ashleigh

Title: Treeshape Author: Trace Balla Genre: Memoir Publisher: Allen and Unwin Published: 3rd March 2026 Format: Hardcover Pages: 136 Price: $32.99 Synopsis: An extraordinary, inspiring and hope-filled graphic novel from the multi-award-winning creator of Rivertime, Rockhopping, Landing with Wings and Leaf-light, Trace Balla's stunning memoir reveals her personal and life-changing experiences of place, her understanding of the natural… Continue reading Treeshape by Trace Balla

#AussieAuthors2026, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Book Industry, Books, Children's Literature, historical fiction, history, Junior Fiction, literary fiction, Picture Books, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, Scholastic

ANZAC Biscuits (Special Edition) by Phil Cummings, illustrated by Owen Swan

Ashleigh

Title: ANZAC Biscuits (Special Edition) Author: Phil Cummings, illustrated by Owen Swan Genre: Historical Fiction Publisher: Scholastic Australia Published: 1st March 2026 Format: Hardcover Pages: 32 Price: $26.99 Synopsis: Rachel's in the kitchen, warm and safe. Her father's in the trenches, cold and afraid ... When Rachel makes biscuits for her father, she adds the… Continue reading ANZAC Biscuits (Special Edition) by Phil Cummings, illustrated by Owen Swan

animals, Book Industry, Books, Children's Literature, historical fiction, history, Junior Fiction, literary fiction, mythology, Picture Books, Publishers, Reading, Reviews

Kupe and and the Great Octopus of Muturangi by Mat Tait

Ashleigh

Title: Kupe and and the Great Octopus of Muturangi Author: Mat Tait Genre: Fiction Publisher: Allen and Unwin Published: 24th March 2026 Format: Hardcover Pages: 36 Price: $29.99 Synopsis: Kupe's voyage to Aotearoa, told and illustrated by award-winning author Mat Tait. Kupe's voyage to Aotearoa!Kupe found that a huge, fearsome wheke (octopus) was taking all… Continue reading Kupe and and the Great Octopus of Muturangi by Mat Tait

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Poster Boys by Scott Woodward

Ashleigh

Title: Poster Boys Author: Scott Woodward Genre: Contemporary Publisher: Lothian Published: 24th February 2026 Format: Paperback Pages: 360 Price: $19.99 Synopsis: A jock, a try-hard and a space cadet. Highview Grammar will rue the day it put 'History' on the curriculum - because this unlikely trio is starting a revolution. Edward Heffernan wants one thing:… Continue reading Poster Boys by Scott Woodward

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February: Fall in Love With Stories Completed

Ashleigh

Screenshot I completed my February prompts early, as I used books I had read throughout the first few weeks to fill things in. So far, so good. 100% of the prompts complete so far, and another 30 to go, which appear each month. It’s a little different and I do miss having the prompts all… Continue reading February: Fall in Love With Stories Completed

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Romeo v Juliet by R.A. Spratt

Ashleigh

Title: Romeo v Juliet Author: R.A. Spratt Genre: Fiction Publisher: Penguin Australia/Puffin Published: 3rd February 2026 Format: Paperback Pages: 224 Price: $16.99 Synopsis: The OG enemies-to-lovers story gets the R.A. Spratt treatment! Selby does not want to be in the school play. She is much happier behind the scenes painting sets – anything to avoid standing on stage in… Continue reading Romeo v Juliet by R.A. Spratt

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January 2026 Reading Round-Up

Ashleigh

This year, I am working on balancing my review books with my other reading, so I can get through some of the books I have been wanting to read for a while. In January, I managed to read all my review books for the beginning of 2026, and some reviews are still coming, and there… Continue reading January 2026 Reading Round-Up