Category: series

#AussieAuthors2026, #LoveOZMG, animals, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Book bingo, Book Industry, Books, challenges, Children's Literature, humour, literary fiction, middle grade, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, series, The Nerd Daily

Neeka and the Great Search (Wilder Zoo #3) by Tina Strachan, illustrated by Max Hamilton

Ashleigh

Title: Neeka and the Great Search (Wilder Zoo #3) Author: Tina Strachan, illustrated by Max Hamilton Genre: Contemporary Middle Grade Publisher: HarperCollins Australia Published: 28th January 2026 Format: Paperback Pages: 272 Price: $16.99 Synopsis: When you live in a zoo - things can get wild! The final book in the Wilder Zoo series. Eleven-year-old Neeka… Continue reading Neeka and the Great Search (Wilder Zoo #3) by Tina Strachan, illustrated by Max Hamilton

#AussieAuthors2026, #LoveOZMG, adventure, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Book bingo, Book Industry, Books, challenges, check in post, Children's Literature, Disney Reading Challenge, Fantasy, humour, Junior Fiction, Larrikin House, middle grade, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, series

18,000 Holes: Sand Trapped by Adam Wallace, Lisa Foley and James Hart

Ashleigh

Title: 18,000 Holes: Sand Trapped Author: Adam Wallace, Lisa Foley and James Hart Genre: Fantasy Publisher: HarperCollins Australia Published: 28th January 2026 Format:  Paperback Pages: 192 Price: $16.99 Synopsis: Will the GOLF Squad save the day?! Don't miss out on the final book in this series, of which the first book was awarded the K-zone &… Continue reading 18,000 Holes: Sand Trapped by Adam Wallace, Lisa Foley and James Hart

#AussieAuthors2026, #LoveOZMG, animals, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Book bingo, Book Industry, Books, challenges, check in post, Children's Literature, Disney Reading Challenge, Fables, historical fiction, history, Junior Fiction, literary fiction, middle grade, mythology, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, series, The Nerd Daily

Ludicrous Legends: Myths with a Twist by Jol Temple and illustrated by David Conley

Ashleigh

Title: Ludicrous Legends: Myths with a Twist  Author: Jol Temple and illustrated by David Conley. Genre: Fiction Publisher: HarperCollins Australia Published: 28th January 2026 Format: Paperback Pages: 112 Price: $16.99 Synopsis: Ludicrous Legends is a hilarious new junior fiction series that reimagines myths in a fun way for early readers, 7 to 10 years old.… Continue reading Ludicrous Legends: Myths with a Twist by Jol Temple and illustrated by David Conley

#AussieAuthors2025, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Book Industry, Books, Crime/Mystery, historical fiction, history, literary fiction, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, series

Black Silk and Sympathy by Deborah Challinor

Ashleigh

Title: Black Silk and Sympathy Author: Deborah Challinor Genre: Crime, Historical Crime Publisher: HarperCollins Australia Published: 3rd April 2024 Format: Paperback Pages: 384 Price: $32.99 Synopsis: A dazzling new series from bestselling historical fiction author Deborah Challinor, exploring the fascinating world of Victorian funeral customs and featuring Sydney's first female undertaker. 'Men have been undertakers… Continue reading Black Silk and Sympathy by Deborah Challinor

#AussieAuthor2025, #AussieAuthors2025, #AussieYAChallenge, #LoveOZMG, #LoveOzYA, adventure, Alice-Miranda, animals, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, biography, Blog Tour, Book bingo, Book Industry, Books, challenges, check in post, Children's Literature, Crime/Mystery, Dymocks Reading Challenge, Fables, Fairytales, Fantasy, Friday Barnes, historical fiction, history, humour, Indigenous authors, literary fiction, memoir, middle grade, non-fiction, Picture Books, plays, poetry, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, Scholastic, Sci-Fi, series, short stories, Speculative fiction, spies, The Nerd Daily, Young Adult

2025 Reading Summary

Ashleigh

I write roundups that are broad and focused, and split them into men, women, Australian, non-Australian, children’s, young adult, adult, LGBTQIA, Disabled and co-authored books. There is also a post with everything and a summary at the end. So if people want to look at something in particular, they can. My final reading stats for… Continue reading 2025 Reading Summary

#AussieAuthors2025, #AussieYAChallenge, #LoveOZMG, #LoveOzYA, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Blog Tour, Book bingo, Book Industry, Books, Dymocks Reading Challenge, Fables, Fairytales, Fantasy, historical fiction, history, Junior Fiction, literary fiction, memoir, middle grade, non-fiction, Picture Books, plays, poetry, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, series, short stories, The Nerd Daily, Young Adult

2025 reading round up

Ashleigh

In 2025, I read 270 books across every genre, style, and author identity I came across. Reviewing and judging activities meant a lot more reading, and until the end of the year, a lot less time to read the books I wanted to get through on my shelves. It was a delicate balancing act to… Continue reading 2025 reading round up

#AussieAuthors2026, #LoveOZMG, adventure, Alice-Miranda, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Book Industry, Books, Children's Literature, humour, Jacqueline Harvey, literary fiction, middle grade, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, series

Alice-Miranda Shows the Way by Jacqueline Harvey

Ashleigh

Title: Alice-Miranda Shows the Way Author: Jacqueline Harvey Genre: Mystery/Fiction Publisher: Puffin Published: 16th July 2019/1st August 2012 Format: Paperback Pages: 368 Price: $16.99 Synopsis: It’s a race to the finish as Winchesterfield gets set for the annual show. Alice-Miranda has a birthday to celebrate, and a village show to look forward to! One of… Continue reading Alice-Miranda Shows the Way by Jacqueline Harvey

#AussieAuthors2025, #AussieYAChallenge, #LoveOZMG, #LoveOzYA, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Blog Tour, Book bingo, Book Industry, Books, CBCA, check in post, Children's Literature, Crime/Mystery, Dymocks Reading Challenge, Fables, Fairytales, Fantasy, historical fiction, history, Jacqueline Harvey, Junior Fiction, Kate Temple, Larrikin House, literary fiction, memoir, middle grade, mythology, non-fiction, Picture Books, Publishers, R.A. Spratt, Reading, Reviews, Scholastic, Sci-Fi, series, short stories, Speculative fiction, The Girls Who Change the World, translated works, Verse novels, Wherewithal Way, Willa and Woof, Young Adult

Children’s and Young Adult Books Read in 2025

Ashleigh

In 2025, I read 198 children’s books, from picture books to middle grade books and young adult books. I covered every age range possible. I also have a separate post for young adult books. I covered a lot of different themes and ideas in this, as well as reading as diversely as possible. There seems… Continue reading Children’s and Young Adult Books Read in 2025

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Total Women

Ashleigh

Each year, I try my best to read as many books by women as possible, and to read as diversely as possible. In 2025, I read 234, participated in judging an award, and of course, continued to do my reviewing. Reading across as many styles and genres as possible, based on what I had from… Continue reading Total Women

#AussieAuthors2025, animals, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Book Industry, Books, Children's Literature, humour, Jacqueline Harvey, Junior Fiction, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, series, Willa and Woof

Best Idea Yet (Willa and Woof #8) by Jacqueline Harvey

Ashleigh

Title: Best Idea Yet (Willa and Woof #8) Author: Jacqueline Harvey Genre: Contemporary Publisher: Puffin Published: 8th October 2024 Format: Paperback Pages: 128 Price: $12.99 Synopsis: Adventure, imagination and loads of fun! When Willa accidentally learns that Sunset Views Retirement Village, home of her best old-age friend, Frank, is about to be sold, she has… Continue reading Best Idea Yet (Willa and Woof #8) by Jacqueline Harvey