Title: What Have They Done to Liza McLean? Author: Amy Doak Genre: Mystery, Dark Academia, Young Adult Publisher: Penguin Australia Published: 28th October 2025 Format: Paperback Pages: 336 Price: $19.99 Synopsis: Dark academia meets The Stepford Wives in this new YA mystery thriller from the bestselling author of Eleanor Jones is Not a Murderer. Meg McLean is a… Continue reading What Have They Done to Liza McLean? by Amy Doak
Category: literary fiction
Juniper’s Painting by Catherine Bauer, illustrated by Jennifer Horn
Title: Juniper’s Painting Author: Catherine Bauer, illustrated by Jennifer Horn Genre: Fiction Publisher: NewSouth Books Published: 1st October 2025 Format: Hardcover Pages: 32 Price: $26.99 Synopsis: Juniper is stuck in her beachside home. All she wants is to play on the sand, collect shells, and look for mermaids in the shallows. But it's too wet… Continue reading Juniper’s Painting by Catherine Bauer, illustrated by Jennifer Horn
Being Indy by Zoe Gaetjens, illustrated by Estee Sarsfield
Title: Being Indy Author: Zoe Gaetjens, illustrated by Estee Sarsfield Genre: Fiction Publisher: WestWords/WestWords Children's Published: 1st October 2025 Format: Hardcover Pages: 40 Price: $29.95 Synopsis: There was no finer place to live than on the Mountain. Folks came from everywhere wanting to live there – including Indy. But the mountain was ruled by Percival,… Continue reading Being Indy by Zoe Gaetjens, illustrated by Estee Sarsfield
Do We Deserve This? by Eleanor Elliott Thomas
Title: Do We Deserve This? Author: Eleanor Elliott Thomas Genre: Fiction Publisher: Text Publishing Published: 14th October 2025 Format: Paperback Pages: 336 Price: $34.99 Synopsis: Bean had no intention of taking the money. Not at first… Bean Halloway, lone nobody in a family of ambitious somebodies, is still figuring out what she wants from her… Continue reading Do We Deserve This? by Eleanor Elliott Thomas
The Wintrish Girl (Talismans of Fate #1) by Melanie La’Brooy
Title: The Wintrish Girl (Talismans of Fate #1) Author: Melanie La’Brooy Genre: Fantasy Publisher: UQP Published: 30th August 2022 Format: Paperback Pages: 440 Price: $17.99 Synopsis: On Talisman Day in Arylia, every child receives an object that gives them special powers and reveals their destiny. Every child except for the Wintrish girl, Penn, that is.… Continue reading The Wintrish Girl (Talismans of Fate #1) by Melanie La’Brooy
Wilderness Awards 2025
The 2025 Karajia and Environment Award Winners, stories that connect kids to Country and nature have been announced. They were announced at 11am on the 11th of October on Love Your Bookshop Day, which is also the start of Nature Books Week. These awards celebrate authors and illustrators who have written and created stories to… Continue reading Wilderness Awards 2025
Stonewitch (Hedgewitch #4) by Skye McKenna
Title: Stonewitch (Hedgewitch #4) Author: Skye McKenna Genre: Fantasy Publisher: Hachette Australia Published: 30th September 2025 Format: Hardcover Pages: 448 Price: $22.99 Synopsis: Cassie and her coven compete in challenging games at the Covenmoot while menacing forces haunt the moors and rumours of the Stonewitch swirl through the camp. Step into the magical world of… Continue reading Stonewitch (Hedgewitch #4) by Skye McKenna
Spud and Snowball and the Fancy Fish by Judith Rossell
Title: Spud and Snowball and the Fancy Fish Author: Judith Rossell Genre: Humour Publisher: HarperCollins Australia Published: 30th September 2025 Format: Paperback Pages: 128 Price: $15.99 Synopsis: Meet two cheeky cats in this brand-new illustrated fiction for emerging readers from the bestselling, award-winning creator Judith Rossell. Every day, Spud and Snowball lie on the couch… Continue reading Spud and Snowball and the Fancy Fish by Judith Rossell
September 2025 Reading Round Up
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
The Keeper of the Octopus by Neridah McMullin
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
The Book Muse 