Tag: book review

#AussieAuthors2025, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Book Industry, Books, Children's Literature, Junior Fiction, literary fiction, Picture Books, Publishers, Reading, Reviews

The Friendship Book by Zanni Louise, illustrated by Nicky Johnston

Ashleigh

Title: The Friendship Book Author: Zanni Louise, illustrated by Nicky Johnston Genre: Fiction Publisher: Walker Books Australia Published: 1st November 2025 Format: Hardcover Pages: 32 Price: $24.99 Synopsis: A joyful look at the friendships we make and how to nurture them from award-winning author Zanni Louise and illustrator Nicky JohnstonFriends can come from anywhere! From school,… Continue reading The Friendship Book by Zanni Louise, illustrated by Nicky Johnston

adventure, Books, Children's Literature, Crime/Mystery, humour, literary fiction, middle grade, Publishers, Reading, Reviews

The Official Agatha Christie After School Detectives Club: 50 Mystery Puzzles for Children by Agatha Christie Ltd, Dr Gareth Moore, Laura Jayne Ayres

Ashleigh

Title: The Official Agatha Christie After School Detectives Club: 50 Mystery Puzzles for Children Author: Agatha Christie Ltd, Dr Gareth Moore, Laura Jayne Ayres Genre: Crime, puzzle Publisher: Hachette Australia Published: 28th October 2025 Format: Paperback Pages: 154 Price: $26.99 Synopsis: Bringing the thrilling and mysterious world of Agatha Christie to a new generation of… Continue reading The Official Agatha Christie After School Detectives Club: 50 Mystery Puzzles for Children by Agatha Christie Ltd, Dr Gareth Moore, Laura Jayne Ayres

#AussieAuthors2025, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Book Industry, Books, Children's Literature, Fables, Junior Fiction, literary fiction, Picture Books, Publishers, Reading, Reviews

Being Indy by Zoe Gaetjens, illustrated by Estee Sarsfield

Ashleigh

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

#AussieAuthors2025, #LoveOZMG, adventure, animals, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Awards, Book bingo, Book Industry, Books, CBCA, challenges, check in post, Children's Literature, DANZ, Dymocks Reading Challenge, Fables, Fairytales, Fantasy, literary fiction, middle grade, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, series

The Wintrish Girl (Talismans of Fate #1) by Melanie La’Brooy

Ashleigh

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

#AussieAuthors2025, adventure, animals, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Book Industry, Books, Children's Literature, humour, Junior Fiction, literary fiction, Picture Books, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, series

Spud and Snowball and the Fancy Fish by Judith Rossell

Ashleigh

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

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September 2025 Reading Round Up

Ashleigh

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

#AussieAuthors2025, adventure, animals, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Book Industry, Books, Children's Literature, Junior Fiction, literary fiction, Picture Books, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, series

The Messy Bath Monster by Tina Wilson, music by Matt Ottley

Ashleigh

Title: The Messy Bath Monster Author: Tina Wilson, music by Matt Ottley Genre: Fiction Publisher: One Tentacle Publishing Published: 1st October 2025 Format: Hardcover Pages: 32 Price: $25.99 Synopsis: Monkey knows there’s a MONSTER hiding in the bathroom because it leaves a HUGE MESS behind. Will Monkey discover who the bath monster really is? Monkey… Continue reading The Messy Bath Monster by Tina Wilson, music by Matt Ottley

Book Industry, Books, Crime/Mystery, literary fiction, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, Young Adult

Oxford Blood by Rachel Davis Featherstone

Ashleigh

Title: Oxford Blood Author: Rachel Davis Featherstone Genre: Mystery, Dark Academia, Young Adult Publisher: Walker Books Published: 1st September 2025 Format: Paperback Pages: 352 Price: $22.99 Synopsis: For fans of A Good Girls Guide to Murder and The Secret History, this riveting murder mystery thriller from a brilliant new voice in YA fiction explores themes of privilege, prejudice… Continue reading Oxford Blood by Rachel Davis Featherstone

#AussieAuthors2025, #AussieYAChallenge, #loveozya, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Book Industry, Books, challenges, Dymocks Reading Challenge, humour, literary fiction, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, Young Adult

Maisy Hayes is Not For Sale by Allayne L Webster

Ashleigh

Title: Maisy Hayes is Not For Sale Author: Allayne L Webster Genre: Contemporary YA Publisher: Text Publishing Published: 2nd September 2025 Format: Paperback Pages: 336 Price: $22.99 Synopsis:  I often sit and dream with all my might, but nothing’s happened. Yet. Maybe I’m not wishing hard enough. Maybe I’m not very good at believing it.… Continue reading Maisy Hayes is Not For Sale by Allayne L Webster

#AussieAuthors2025, adventure, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Book Industry, Books, Children's Literature, Fantasy, literary fiction, middle grade, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, series

The Hidden Forest (The Callers #2) by Kiah Thomas

Ashleigh

Title: The Hidden Forest (The Callers #2) Author: Kiah Thomas Genre: Fantasy/ Science Fiction Publisher: HarperCollins Australia Published: 26th August 2025 Format: Paperback Pages: 272 Price: $16.99 Synopsis: Return to the world of the Callers in this exciting middle-grade fantasy series that explores the amazing power of summoning objects into being and the ominous consequences… Continue reading The Hidden Forest (The Callers #2) by Kiah Thomas