Category: short stories

Books, Reading, Reviews, Book Industry, Publishers, #LoveOzYA, literary fiction, history, Crime/Mystery, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Fairytales, non-fiction, Fantasy, Young Adult, Verse novels, short stories, animals, series, adventure, historical fiction, humour, Fables, Book bingo, check in post, biography, The Nerd Daily, Aussie authors, Dymocks Reading Challenge, #AussieYAChallenge, #AussieAuthors2026, Disney Reading Challenge

Aussie YA Challenge Completed!

Ashleigh

Well, I pledged to read 40 YA books this year, and I did! Some crossed over from middle grade into YA, or would be suitable for lower YA, and the rest seemed to cover as much of the spectrum as possible. Most were fiction and I reviewed nearly all of them, and I did have… Continue reading Aussie YA Challenge Completed!

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July 2026 Reading Round Up

Ashleigh

What a month July was. I read 21 books this month and reviewed as many of them as possible, and others were read for fun. I also didn’t have time to review everything. And what I did read was chosen for various purposes to fit in with reviewing and challenges. Some books were longer or… Continue reading July 2026 Reading Round Up

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The Festival of Ice and Snow by Angie Cui, Anna Wilson

Ashleigh

Title: The Festival of Ice and Snow Author: Angie Cui, Anna Wilson Genre: Non-Fiction Publisher: UQP Published: 4th August 2026 Format: Hardcover Pages: 40 Price: $26.99 Synopsis: Based on the author’s treasured childhood memories of attending the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival in China, this bilingual picture book is a spectacular celebration of family, cultural… Continue reading The Festival of Ice and Snow by Angie Cui, Anna Wilson

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Bring it Back by Deborah Kelly

Ashleigh

Title: Bring it Back Author: Deborah Kelly Genre: Contemporary Publisher: Wombat Rhiza Published: 1st May 2026 Format: Paperback Pages: 100 Price: $14.99 Synopsis: It's the last term of primary school and Liam is bored with the same faces, places and lunches even basketball. When a new student named Clint arrives, things become much more interesting.… Continue reading Bring it Back by Deborah Kelly

#AussieAuthors2026, #LoveOZMG, adventure, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Book Industry, Books, Children's Literature, literary fiction, middle grade, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, Scholastic, series, short stories

1000 Minutes of Danger by Jack Heath

Ashleigh

Title: 1000 Minutes of Danger Author: Jack Heath Genre: Mystery Publisher: Scholastic Australia Published: 1st May 2026 Format: Paperback Pages: 528 Price: $19.99May release Synopsis: 30 stories. 30 dangerous situations. 1000 minutes. 3 books in 1 volume. Liliana is trapped in a burning building with no way out. Zak is stuck in a shipping container… Continue reading 1000 Minutes of Danger by Jack Heath

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March 2026 Reading Round Up

Ashleigh

During March, I read 24 books, and reviewed most of them. Two reviews are coming from Sisters in Crime soon. One review is for much later in the month, so all up, I reviewed 23 of the books I read in March. All but three of the books I read were by Australian authors, and… Continue reading March 2026 Reading Round Up

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Ayaiga: Neighbour and Hero by Thomas Higgs with Colin Hall, illustrated by Wally Wilfred

Ashleigh

Title: Ayaiga: Neighbour and Hero Author: Thomas Higgs with Colin Hall, illustrated by Wally Wilfred Genre: Non-Fiction Publisher: NLA Publishing Published: 15th February 2026 Format: Hardcover Pages: 48 Price: $24.99 Synopsis: In the remote Roper River region of the Northern Territory more than 120 years ago, an Alawa man committed an act of such exceptional… Continue reading Ayaiga: Neighbour and Hero by Thomas Higgs with Colin Hall, illustrated by Wally Wilfred

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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

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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

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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