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January 2026 Reading Round-Up

This year, I am working on balancing my review books with my other reading, so I can get through some of the books I have been wanting to read for a while. In January, I managed to read all my review books for the beginning of 2026, and some reviews are still coming, and there… Continue reading January 2026 Reading Round-Up

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Pirate Academy: Missing at Sea by Justin Somper

Title: Pirate Academy: Missing at Sea Author: Justin Somper Genre: Fantasy Publisher: Allen and Unwin Published: 3rd February 2026 Format: Paperback Pages:256 Price: $16.99 Synopsis: A weekend's adventure at sea turns into a terrifying test of true mettle for Jasmine, Jacoby and Neo, and the rest of the Pirate Academy crew in this fast-paced and… Continue reading Pirate Academy: Missing at Sea by Justin Somper

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Red Star Rebels by Amie Kaufman

Title: Red Star Rebels Author: Amie Kaufman Genre: Science Fiction Publisher: Allen and Unwin Published: 28th January 2026 Format: Paperback Pages: 288 Price: $24.99 Synopsis: From the NYT bestselling co-author of Illuminae and Aurora Rising comes a high-stakes, high-chemistry sci-fi romp filled with witty banter and clever high jinks about a stowaway girl and the richest boy in the… Continue reading Red Star Rebels by Amie Kaufman

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Total Women

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

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The Invocations by Krystal Sutherland

Title: The Invocations Author: Krystal Sutherland Genre: Crime/Mystery Publisher: Penguin Australia Published: 30th January 2024 Format: Paperback Pages: 400 Price: $24.99 Synopsis:  From the author of New York Times bestseller House of Hollow comes a darkly seductive witchy thriller where, though both men and demons lurk in shadows, girls refuse to go quietly into the night. Three girls, one… Continue reading The Invocations by Krystal Sutherland

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Australian Women Read

In 2025, I read 210 books by Australian women, and may not have read as diversely as I wanted based on a focus for judging reading. That said, I did manage to get in as many diverse books as possible, where I could see or knew that the author was disabled, Indigenous or LGBTQIA, or… Continue reading Australian Women Read

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Readings Book Bingo Completed-ish

 One final challenge I took part in this year was the Readings book bingo. I managed to tick every prompt apart from the cookbook prompt off, which probably had more to do with time than anything else. 2024 Prize Winner:  A Gift from the Birds by Caroline Stills (Text Prize 2024) A debut author: Earth… Continue reading Readings Book Bingo Completed-ish

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The Wondrous Tale of Lavender Wolfe by Karen Foxlee

Title: The Wondrous Tale of Lavender Wolfe Author: Karen Foxlee Genre: Fantasy Publisher: Allen and Unwin Published: 18th November 2025 Format: Hardback Pages: 400 Price: $24.99 Synopsis: An inventive and playful fantasy-adventure about an abandoned girl, a friendly ogress and a terrible curse from the multi-award-winning and bestselling author of Dragon Skin and Lenny's Book of Everything. 'A… Continue reading The Wondrous Tale of Lavender Wolfe by Karen Foxlee

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Dymocks Reading Challenge 2025 Completed

And just like that, another year of the Dymocks Reading Challenge is over. I managed to fill in each prompt for this one, and may have ummed and ahhed about the Gothic Ruins prompt, because I read a couple of books that seemed to fit it well. I did focus on Australian books and authors… Continue reading Dymocks Reading Challenge 2025 Completed

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October 2025 Reading Round Up

In October I read 18 books, covering picture books to young adult, with some poetry, mystery and time travel thrown in. It was an eclectic bunch of books this month, and most of them were Australian authors. I managed to review most, and have also been keeping on top of my review books as much… Continue reading October 2025 Reading Round Up