Category: history

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The Mushroom in the Sky by Jackie French

Ashleigh

Title: The Mushroom in the Sky Author: Jackie French Genre: Historical Fiction Publisher: HarperCollins Australia Published: 2nd July 2025 Format: Paperback Pages: 240 Price: $17.99 Synopsis: In the 80th anniversary year, Jackie French explores the dropping of the bombs at Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945, which ended World War 2. 1942 Japan has bombed… Continue reading The Mushroom in the Sky by Jackie French

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May 2025 Reading Round Up

Ashleigh

During May, I almost got caught up on my review reading, mostly completed all my reading for something else, and overall, I read 28 books. All these books were by Australian authors, which is a huge focus on my blog at the moment. That’s not to say there aren’t great books by authors not from… Continue reading May 2025 Reading Round Up

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The Girl in the Painting by Dee White, illustrated by Sarah Anthony

Ashleigh

Title: The Girl in the Painting Author: Dee White, illustrated by Susan Anthony Genre: History, Art, Narrative Non-fiction Publisher: Walker Books Published: 4th June 2025 Format: Hardcover Pages: 32 Price: $26.99 Synopsis: The surprising truth behind one of Australia's most iconic paintings, Tom Roberts' Shearing of the Rams.Susie lives on a sheep station and does all… Continue reading The Girl in the Painting by Dee White, illustrated by Sarah Anthony

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The Year We Escaped by Suzanne Leal

Ashleigh

Title: The Year We Escaped Author: Suzanne Leal Genre: Historical Fiction Publisher: HarperCollins Australia Published: 4th June 2025 Format: Paperback Pages: 352 Price: $17.99 Synopsis: For fans of Jackie French and Katrina Nannestad, The Year We Escaped is a heart-stopping and remarkable World War II story by talented author Suzanne Leal. Europe, 1940 With war on their… Continue reading The Year We Escaped by Suzanne Leal

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R.I.P. Nanny Tobbins by Lucie Stevens

Ashleigh

Title: R.I.P. Nanny Tobbins Author: Lucie Stevens Genre: Historical Fiction Publisher: HarperCollins Australia Published: 4th June 2025 Format: Paperback Pages: 304 Price: $18.99 Synopsis: A quirky and very funny middle-grade fantasy title that is perfect for fans of A Girl Called Corpse and Nevermoor. When Nanny Tobbins fell off a horse and broke her neck, the grown-ups told… Continue reading R.I.P. Nanny Tobbins by Lucie Stevens

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A Loo of One’s Own by Eleri Harris

Ashleigh

Title: A Loo of One’s Own Author: Eleri Harris Genre: Non-Fiction, Humour Publisher: Allen and Unwin Published: 3rd June 2025 Format: Hardcover Pages: 40 Price: $26.99 Synopsis: The fascinating (and sometimes hilarious) story of the first women elected to federal parliament and the rather pressing issue they discovered on their first day on the job:… Continue reading A Loo of One’s Own by Eleri Harris

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QBD Reading Challenge 2025 Completed

Ashleigh

I didn’t think I would complete this within the first three months of the year, but there you go! Given there were a few like the translated book I wasn’t sure what I would get to – I ended up having quite a few options for that one. Others I had decided to fill as… Continue reading QBD Reading Challenge 2025 Completed

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April 2025 Reading Round Up

Ashleigh

In April, between reviewing and other reading, I read 27 books, and most of them were Australian, which is a goal I have to help promote Australian authors and their books. I read quite a wide range of genres, audiences and styles to help me reach my challenges and goals. It’s always interesting to see… Continue reading April 2025 Reading Round Up

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Ming and Maria Explore the Universe (The Girls Who Changed the World #5) by Jackie French

Ashleigh

Title: Ming and Maria Explore the Universe (The Girls Who Changed the World #5) Author: Jackie French Genre: Historical Fiction Publisher: HarperCollins Australia Published: 30th April 2025 Format: Paperback Pages: 272 Price: $16.99 Synopsis: In this fifth and final book in The Girls Who Changed the World series, Ming Qong discovers who she is, and… Continue reading Ming and Maria Explore the Universe (The Girls Who Changed the World #5) by Jackie French

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Dymocks Reading Challenge Volume 1:  January to April Completed

Ashleigh

I have completed the first stage of my Dymocks Reading Challenge for 2025. Volume one had nine prompts, and I managed to fill all of them, though I admit the Top 101 prompt is getting harder every year, mostly due to the proliferation of series, and overly popular books being on there. To tackle this,… Continue reading Dymocks Reading Challenge Volume 1:  January to April Completed