Booked2022: A Litsy Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion

Questions? Suggestions? Resources? Please share.

I'd like to recommend any book by Vikki Wakefield, even if you don't usually read YA, or any book by Ambelin Kwaymullina or Melina Marchetta.

For crime lovers, step outside of the Jane Harper juggernaut and try Emma Viskic, who writes a great series featuring a Deaf protagonist, or Sarah Barrie (latest book Dead Man's Track), or Candice Fox. Cosy crime - Livia Day (Tansy Rayner Roberts), who writes a fun cake-heavy series set in Hobart. YA crime - Sarah Epstein. Jasper Jones, a modern classic. Bronwyn Parry or Helene Young for romantic suspense.

For F/SF, James Bradley is a great place to start - his latest book Ghost Species is high on my TBR and sounds great. (I'm just assuming it's at least partly set in Australia, though it's hard to tell from the blurb). Terra Nullius by Claire G Coleman is an absolute corker of a book (don't read blurbs/spoilers, but be aware of the content notes around colonisation grimdark). Charlotte Wood's The Natural Way of Things is very Australian. Lotus Blue, by Cat Sparks, set in post-apocalyptic desert. On The Beach (Nevil Shute), for a classic.

For Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander authors, as well as Kwaymullina and Coleman who I've already mentioned, try Anita Heiss, Alison Whittaker, Bruce Pascoe, Ali Cobby Eckermann, Jane Harrison, Melissa Lucashekno (love her, especially Mullumbimby).

Australian rural romance is huge here. Try Fiona Palmer, Karly Lane, Jennie Jones, Jennifer Scoullar, Charlotte Nash, Rachael Johns, Nicole Alexander, Loretta Hill, Alissa Callen, and Fiona McCallum.

Thanks so much for the awesome recommendations!!!

Lauredhel wrote: "I'd like to recommend any book by Vikki Wakefield, even if you don't usually read YA, or any book by Ambelin Kwaymullina or Melina Marchetta.

For crime lovers, step outside of the Jane Harper jug..."

Wow!!! Thank you so much for this amazing list!

I forgot horror! Kaaron Warren is the BOMB, though... I'm not actually sure that her books are set in Australia as such, at least not real-world Australia. Maybe try Day Boy or Trucksong, they're both Australian.

And I forgot Kristy Eagar - Saltwater Vampires is an Aussie vampire thriller with a great sense of place (Her other books are excellent too though not all horror - I love Raw Blue.)

And hot off the presses - Flyaway, Kathleen Jennings. The cover alone will sell you.

Lauredhel wrote: "I forgot horror! Kaaron Warren is the BOMB, though... I'm not actually sure that her books are set in Australia as such, at least not real-world Australia. Maybe try Day Boy or Trucksong, they're b..."

More great ideas! Thanks!

I had to readjust because All the Light We Cannot See is not the same as The Light Between Oceans sooo.... LOL, Big Little Lies it is!!!

Ooh thank you Lauredhel! I just picked up Flyaway on Libby 😊

Lauredhel wrote: "I'd like to recommend any book by Vikki Wakefield, even if you don't usually read YA, or any book by Ambelin Kwaymullina or Melina Marchetta.

For crime lovers, step outside of the Jane Harper jug..."

Thank you for all these author recommendations! There are so many to add to my TBR.

I was going to read The Thorn Birds because it's on my shelf, but I have bumped it for Flyaway and Emma Viskic is my backup.

I plan on reading The Rosie Project for this one!

Having trouble with this one. I might need to put it off until I’m in a different headspace. Tried to read Flyaway but I’m finding it too flowery. I made a pledge to myself of quality over quantity for 2021. I’d love to hear what you all have read and really enjoyed for this prompt!

I'm currently reading the light and, so far, hilarious The Women in Black for this prompt. I'm enjoying it!

I started reading The Yield by Tara June Winch yesterday and the writing is so lovely. I love how it weaves in the Wiradjuri language (and I'm glad I'm listening on audiobook so I can actually hear how the words sound rather than butchering them in my head).

I’ve already read it last year (unfortunately agh) but the girl in the mirror by rose carlyle is set in Australia

Also if me of the ARCs I read from BookSirens - a perfect likeness by Renee Kira is also set in Australia

I already read it as an ARC awhile back, but I thought it was really lovely and wanted to offer it as an idea for anyone looking to fill this category. The Fragments by Toni Jordan is a juxtaposition between time periods and places, bouncing back and forth between the US and Brisbane, so I think it would apply for this topic. I thought it was really well done.

I listened Isolated by Matt Rogers. It is a spy thriller. I didin't like it so much. Maybe I'll read Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty.

Alissa wrote: "Having trouble with this one. I might need to put it off until I’m in a different headspace. Tried to read Flyaway but I’m finding it too flowery. I made a pledge to myself of quality over quantity..."

I did a Compare Books with you to try to get a sense of what you might like, and I'm going to take a stab at recommending you might try Terra Nullius or Mullumbimby.