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

My Brother Otto by Ingrid Laguna

Title: My Brother Otto Author: Ingrid Laguna Genre: Contemporary Publisher: Text Publishing Published: 3rd February 2026 Format: Paperback Pages: 176 Price: $14.99 Synopsis: Quinn’s not happy about all the fuss her mum and Alex are making about the new baby. She’s sick of their excitement. She likes things the way they are: just the three… Continue reading My Brother Otto by Ingrid Laguna

#AussieAuthors2026, animals, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Book Industry, Books, challenges, Children's Literature, Junior Fiction, literary fiction, Picture Books, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, The Nerd Daily

Blue: Dragon of the Sea by Aleesah Darlison, illustrated by Tamlyn Teow

Title: Blue: Dragon of the Sea Author: Aleesah Darlison, illustrated by Tamlyn Teow Genre: Fiction Publisher: Wombat Books Published: 1st February 2026 Format: Hardcover Pages: 32 Price: $26.99 Synopsis: Meet Blue, a Dragon of the Sea!He's also known as a nudibranch or sea slug. Blue's fleet roam the ocean, gliding on the currents, and dancing… Continue reading Blue: Dragon of the Sea by Aleesah Darlison, illustrated by Tamlyn Teow

#AussieAuthors2026, #LoveOZMG, adventure, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Book Industry, Books, challenges, Children's Literature, Crime/Mystery, Disney Reading Challenge, historical fiction, history, literary fiction, middle grade, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, series, The Nerd Daily

Harper Wells: Renegade Timeline Officer by Bethany Loveridge

Title: Harper Wells: Renegade Timeline Officer Author: Bethany Loveridge Genre: Fantasy Publisher: Wombat Books Published: 3rd September 2025 Format: Paperback Pages: 230 Price: $17.99 Synopsis: Harper Wells finally gets a room of her own, away from her annoying big brother. But on the first night in her brand-new bed, she wakes up in the past… Continue reading Harper Wells: Renegade Timeline Officer by Bethany Loveridge

#AussieAuthors2026, #AussieYAChallenge, #LoveOZMG, #LoveOzYA, animals, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Book Industry, Books, challenges, check in post, Children's Literature, Disney Reading Challenge, historical fiction, history, literary fiction, middle grade, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, The Nerd Daily, Young Adult

A Light on the Rocks by Helen Edwards

Title: A Light on the Rocks Author: Helen Edwards Genre: Historical Fiction Publisher: Riveted Press Published: 28th January 2026 Format: Paperback Pages: 224    Price: $17.99 Synopsis: In 1859, fourteen-year-old Daisy is travelling on the SS Admella from Adelaide to Melbourne, when the steamship is wrecked on a submerged reef near Cape Banks, in what became… Continue reading A Light on the Rocks by Helen Edwards

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

It’s a Twin Thing: The Break Up by Kristin Darrell

Title: It’s a Twin Thing: The Break Up Author: Kristin Darrell Genre: Contemporary Publisher: Penguin Australia Published: 3rd February 2026 Format: Paperback Pages: 208 Price: $14.99 Synopsis: Being a twin is forever, but for Abigail and Brooklyn, starting grade five is about to test their bond in ways they never expected.Book one in a fun,… Continue reading It’s a Twin Thing: The Break Up by Kristin Darrell

#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

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, 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

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

#AussieAuthors2026, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Book bingo, Book Industry, Books, Crime/Mystery, Dymocks Reading Challenge, humour, literary fiction, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, The Nerd Daily

How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates by by Shailee Thompson

Title: How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates Author: Shailee Thompson Genre: Thriller Publisher: Simon and Schuster Published: 28th January 2026 Format: Paperback Pages: 368 Price: $34.99 Synopsis: A hilarious, swoony and downright terrifying horror romance in which a cinephile gets caught in the middle of a murder spree at a speed-dating event and… Continue reading How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates by by Shailee Thompson

#AussieAuthors2026, adventure, animals, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Book bingo, Book Industry, Books, challenges, Disney Reading Challenge, Fables, Fairytales, Fantasy, Kate Forsyth, literary fiction, mythology, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, The Nerd Daily

Kate Forsyth’s Long-Lost Fairy Tales by Kate Forsyth, illustrated by Lorena Carrington

Title: Kate Forsyth’s Long-Lost Fairy Tales Author: Kate Forsyth, illustrated by Lorena Carrington Genre: Fairy tales/Fantasy Publisher: New Dawn Publishing Published: 4th April 2024 Format: Paperback Pages: 386 Price: $32.99 Synopsis: Fairy tales are as old as language itself. Long, long ago, storytellers all around the world told tales of wonder both to enchant and… Continue reading Kate Forsyth’s Long-Lost Fairy Tales by Kate Forsyth, illustrated by Lorena Carrington

#AussieAuthors2026, #AussieYAChallenge, Blog Tour, Book bingo, Book Industry, Books, challenges, Disney Reading Challenge, Dymocks Reading Challenge, The Nerd Daily

  2026 Reading Challenges

The reading challenges I am taking part in in 2026 are: Goal: 150 Disney:44 Disney Princesses: 4 Disney Heroes: 4 Furry Friends: 4 Sassy Sidekicks: 4 Pixar Pals: 4 Disney Destinations: 4 Magical Objects: 4 Villains: 4 Sensational Six: 4 Disney Songs: 4 Bonus – Disney Babies: 4 The Nerd Daily:52 Dymocks – total to… Continue reading   2026 Reading Challenges