The Readventurer
  • Home
  • YA Reviews
  • Adult Reviews
  • Contests and Giveaways
  • Policies
  • About Us
    • Flannery's Challenges
    • Catie's Challenges
  • Contact Us

Wall of Books: 110+ Australian YA Books

10/8/2012

30 Comments

 
Earlier this week, we highlighted some of our favorite Australian young adult authors and books and many that we are excited to try in the future. While researching that post, I realized how very vast the choices were and how much we had left to explore. While I've included over 100 different Aussie YA books in this Wall of Books, there are hundreds more left out. If I've left out your favorite, leave it in the comments and I'll add it in. I'd like to thank Kat from Cuddlebuggery for helping me add in some of the data. I'd also love to recommend some other Australian blogs and reviewers that regularly feature Aussie fiction: Vegan YA Nerds, Belle's Bookshelf, Maree's Musings, Inkcrush, Trinity, Reynje, and Emily. I am almost certainly missing some very important people but it is late and my mind is mush. I know several people found some fun books in our Wall of Short YA Books so I hope some of you find one or two new Australian YA books to read from this post. I was/am surprised how many of them are available through Amazon US (and especially for Kindle!) There are a few which are not available on Amazon so I linked to Fishpond in those cases, though just a few seem to be sadly out of print. 
Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley cover
Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley, 264 pp, realistic, romance
[GR | Amazon]
Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta cover
Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta, 399 pp, fantasy, epic
[GR | Amazon]
A Straight Line to My Heart by Bill Condon cover
A Straight Line to My Heart by Bill Condon, 228 pp, contemporary, coming of age
[GR | Amazon]
The Bridge by Jane Higgins cover
The Bridge by Jane Higgins by Jane Higgins, 344 pp, fantasy, dystopia
[GR | Amazon]
Burn Bright by Marianne de Pierres cover
Burn Bright by Marianne de Pierres, 316 pp, sci-fi fantasy, dystopia
[GR | Amazon]
Winter by John Marsden cover
Winter by John Marsden, 160 pp, coming of age, contemporary
[GR | Amazon]
This is Shyness by Leanne Hall cover
This Is Shyness by Leanne Hall, 272 pp, sci-fi, fantasy
[GR | Amazon]
Beatle Meets Destiny cover
Beatle Meets Destiny by Gabrielle Williams, 291 pp, contemporary, coming of age
[GR | Amazon]
Stolen by Lucy Christopher cover
Stolen by Lucy Christopher, 301 pp, contemporary, kidnapping
[GR | Amazon]
Pink by Lili Wilkinson cover
Pink by Lili Wikinson, 320 pp, contemporary, musicals, LGBT
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
Guitar Highway Rose by Brigid Lowry, 208 pp, road trip, music
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak, 357 pp, mystery, realistic
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
Holier Than Thou by Laura Buzo, 291 pp, new adult , coming of age
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
Liar by Justine Larbalestier, 376 pp, fantasy, mystery
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
Obernewtyn by Isobelle Carmody, 256 pp, fantasy, dystopian
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff, fantasy, Japan, steampunk 
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
Shadows by Paula Weston, 388 pp, sci-fi, angels
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
Blood Song by Rhiannon Hart, 290 pp, paranormal romance, coming of age
 [GR | Amazon]
Picture
Pan's Whisper by Sue Lawson, 346 pp, coming of age, contemporary
[GR | Fishpond]
Picture
Silvermay by James Moloney, 448 pp, paranormal, romance
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
The Red Shoe by Ursula Dubosarsky, 192 pp, historical, coming of age
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
All I Ever Wanted by Vikki Wakefield, 202 pp, realistic, family
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
Black Painted Fingernails by Steven Herrick, 216 pp, road trip, coming of age
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
And All the Stars by Andrea K. Host, 193 pp, apocalypse, invasion
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
Days Like This by Alison Stewart, 302 pp, dystopian
[GR | Amazoaln]
Picture
Alaska by Sue Saliba, 185 pp, contemporary, romance 
[GR | Fishpond]
Picture
Little Sister by Aimee Said, 301 pp, romance, LGBT
[GR | Fishpond]
Picture
Only Ever Always by Penni Russon, 180 pp, fantasy, time travel
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
Eon by Alison Goodman, 531 pp, fantasy, dragons
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
A Brief History of Montmaray by Michelle Cooper, 304 pp, historical, WWII
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
Julia, My Sister by Bronwyn Blake, 256 pp, recovery, myth, music
[GR | Fishpond]
Picture
Blue Water High by Shirley Birse, 256 pp, surfing, high school
[GR | Fishpond]
Picture
The Comet Box by Adrian Stirling, 256 pp, realistic, male POV 
[GR | Fishpond]
Picture
Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar , 274 pp, realistic, surfing, abuse
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
Girl Next Door by Alyssa Brugman, 288 pp, realistic, humor
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
The Midnight Zoo by Sonya Hartnett, 192 pp, historical, fantasy
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
A Pocketful of Eyes by Lili Wilkinson, 311 pp, museums, mystery 
[GR | Fishpond]
Picture
The Brides of Rollrock Island by Margo Lanagan, 320 pp, fantasy, mermaids 
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
Dreamrider by Barry Jonsberg, 256 pp, male POV, fantasy
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
The Year Nick McGowan Came To Stay by Rebecca Sparrow, 208 pp, contemporary, romance
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
Will by Maria Boyd, 304 pp, musicals, LGBT
 [GR | Amazon]
Picture
I'll Tell You Mine by Pip Harry, 264 pp, boarding school, contemporary
[GR | Fishpond]
Picture
Raincheck on Timbuktu by Kirsten Murphy, 251 pp, contemporary, romance 
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
Finding Cassie Crazy by Jaclyn Moriarty, 383 pp, contemporary, humor
 [GR | Amazon]
Picture
One Night by Margaret Wild, 240 pp, verse, romance 
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
Dear Venny, Dear Saffron by Gary Crew, 192 pp, epistolary, romance
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
Stray by Andrea K. Höst, 278 pp,  sci fi, adventure
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
Preloved by Shirley Marr, 272 pp, paranormal, romance
[GR | Fishpond]
Picture
The Red Cardigan by J.C. Burke, 192 pp, paranormal, ghosts
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden, 277 pp, dystopian, war
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
Friends Forever by Margaret Clark,  256 pp,  contemporary, friendship
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
Circles of Stone by Pamela Rushby, 216 pp, mystery, time travel
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, 550 pp, historical, WWII
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
Good Oil by Laura Buzo, 283 pp, contemporary, romance
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta, 243 pp, contemporary, depression 
 [GR | Amazon]
Picture
Borrowed Light by Anna Fienberg, 288 pp, contemporary, pregnancy 
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
Slice by Steven Herrick , 232 pp, humor, romance
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
Looking for Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta, 323 pp, realistic, coming of age
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
Leaving Jetty Road by Rebecca Burton, 256 pp, contemporary, eating disorders
 [GR | Amazon]
Picture
Flyaway by Lucy Christopher, 260 pp, contemporary, romance
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
Singing the Dogstar Blues by Alison Goodman, 336 pp, sci fi, music
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
Everything Beautiful by Simmone Howell, 304 pp, realistic, romance
 [GR | Amazon]
Picture
Fury by Shirley Marr, 277 pp, contemporary, mystery
[GR | Fishpond]
Picture
The Sweet, Terrible, Glorious Year I Truly, Completely Lost It by Lisa Shanahan, 304 pp, realistic, humor
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
When You Wake and Find Me Gone by Maureen McCarthy, 444 pp, contemporary, new adult
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
Joel and Cat Set the Story Straight by Nick Earls & Rebecca Sparrow, 240 pp, multiple POV, humor
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
Swerve by Phillip Gwynne, 228 pp, road trip, male POV
[GR | Fishpond]
Picture
Beautiful Monster by Kate McCaffrey, 288 pp, thriller, mental health
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
The Byron Journals by Daniel Ducrou, 340 pp, male POV, music
 [GR | Amazon]
Picture
Sleeping Dogs by Sonya Hartnett, 144 pp, mystery, contemporary
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
On the Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta, 419 pp, contemporary, mystery
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
Six Impossible Things by Fiona Wood, male POV, contemporary
 [GR | Fishpond]
Picture
After Summer by Nick Earls, 240 pp, contemporary, romance
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan, 436 pp, fantasy, fairy tales
 [GR | Amazon]
Picture
A Little Wanting Song by Cath Crowley, 272 pp, contemporary, music
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
Little Paradise by Gabrielle Wang, 314 pp, historical, China
[GR | Fishpond]
Picture
John Belushi is Dead by Kathy Charles, 320 pp, contemporary, mystery
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
Feeling Sorry for Celia by Jacylyn Moriarty, 288 pp, humor, contemporary
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
Saltwater Moons by Julie Gittus, 272 pp, contemporary, romance
[GR | Fishpond]
Picture
Uglies by Scott Westerfeld, 425 pp, dystopian, post apoc
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
Jarvis 24 by David Metzenthen, 264 pp, male POV, romance
[GR | Fishpond]
Picture
Loving Richard Feynman by Penny Tangey,  199 pp, epistolary, contemporary
[GR | Fishpond]
Picture
Suburban Aliens by Nicholas Carvan, 204 pp, male POV, moving
[GR | Amazon (OoP)]
Picture
Scout by Nicole Pluss, 240 pp, historical, sailing
[GR | Fishpond]
Picture
The Piper's Son by Melina Marchetta, 336 pp, new adult, grief
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
Girl Saves Boy by Steph Bowe, 288 pp, contemporary, cancer
[GR | Fishpond]
Picture
Notes from the Teenage Underground by Simmone Howell, realistic, film
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
The Beginner's Guide to Living by Lia Hills, 250 pp, philosophy, death
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
Suburban Freak Show by Julia Lawrinson, 224 pp, realistic, college
[GR | Fishpond]
Picture
Brown Skin Blue by Belinda Jeffrey, 228 pp, male POV, relationships
[GR | Fishpond]
Picture
Painted Love Letters by Catherine Bateson, 96 pp, contemporary, death/dying
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
Six by Karen Tayleur, 228 pp, thriller, coming of age
[GR | Fishpond]
Picture
Genesis by Lara Morgan, 464 pp, science fiction, mystery
[GR | Fishpond]
Picture
Noah's Law by Randa Abdel-Fattah, 326 pp, contemporary, male POV 
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
Five Parts Dead by Tim Pegler , 224 pp, realistic, romance
[GR | Fishpond]
Picture
Somewhere Around the Corner by Jacki French, 230 pp, historical, time travel
[GR | Amazon]
If Only by Sarah Walker cover
       
If Only by Sarah Walker, 208 pp, contemporary, romance
[GR | Amazon]
Wavelength by A.J. Betts cover
Wavelength by A.J. Betts, 236 pp, male POV, coming of age
[GR | Amazon]
No Worries by Bill Condon cover
No Worries by Bill Condon, 207 pp, contemporary, male POV
[GR | Amazon]
The Good Daughter by Amra Pajalic cover
The Good Daughter by Amra Pajalic, 224 pp, realistic, mental health
[GR | Amazon]
Fireflies by Jonathan Harlen cover
Fireflies by Jonathan Harlen, 216 pp, male POV, funny
[GR|Fishpond (OoP)]
Peeling the Onion by Wendy Orr cover
Peeling the Onion by Wendy Orr, 176 pp, realistic, disability
[GR | Amazon]
Sabriel by Garth Nix cover
Sabriel by Garth Nix, 491 pp, fantasy, magic 
[GR | Amazon]
The Never Boys by Scott Monk cover
The Never Boys by Scott Monk, 336 pp, realistic, male POV
[GR | Amazon]
One Whole and Perfect Day by Judith Clarke cover
One Whole and Perfect Day by Judith Clarke, 250 pp, realistic, family
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
Everything Left Unsaid by Jessica Davidson, 288 pp, realistic, death
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
Whisper by Chrissie Keighery, 256 pp,  romance, deafness
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
Past the Shallows by Favel Parrett, 272 pp, realistic, male POV
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
Merrow by Ananda Braxton-Smith, 197 pp, fantasy, mermaids
[GR | Fishpond]
Picture
Creepy & Maud by Dianne Touchell, 220 pp, multiple POV, contemporary
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
Wildwood Dancing (Wildwood, #1) by Juliet Marillier, 407 pp, fantasy, fairy tale
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
Darkwater by Georgia Blain, 288 pp, mystery, coming of age
[GR | Fishpond]
Picture
Thyla by Kate Gordon, 287 pp, paranormal, shapeshifters
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
The Raging Quiet by Sherryl Jordan, 264 pp, romance, historical, deafness
[GR | Amazon]
Picture
Winter's Shadow by M.J. Hearle, 424 pp, paranormal, romance
[GR | Fishpond]
Happy reading!
30 Comments
Andrea
10/7/2012 06:38:08 pm

That looks like an amazing amount of work to put together! But such nice eye candy.

Reply
Flannery (The Readventurer) link
10/7/2012 07:07:02 pm

It does take forever but it's worth it. Also, it is mindless so I just did the lion's share of it while I watched Dexter, Homeland, and a really crap Sarah Jessica Parker movie (I Don't Know How She Does It) I think that movie is supposed to be inspiring for mothers but all it made me want to do is never ever have children.

Reply
Jo [Wear the Old Coat] link
10/7/2012 07:01:27 pm

*dances around in all the Aussie glory*


LOVE THIS.

I need to make a tick list. I have read most of them, I think.

Reply
Flannery (The Readventurer) link
10/7/2012 07:08:06 pm

You've read "most of them"?! Holy heck, then you are some sort of Wonder Woman. There are some pretty obscure ones hiding in there.

Reply
Jo [Wear the Old Coat] link
10/9/2012 01:35:00 am

Whoops.... "heard of" most of them.

Sorry. Just lying to you for no apparent reason. :)

Reynje
10/7/2012 07:12:44 pm

One of you delightful ladies *needs* to read Creepy & Maud - I'd love to hear what you make of it. I've not reviewed it yet, but it's pretty unique..

Reply
Flannery (The Readventurer) link
10/8/2012 12:54:11 am

That one looked specifically interesting to me, Rey! I saw that it is available for Kindle and that you and one other reviewer I trust really loved it and that pretty much clinched it for me.

Reply
Maggie, Young Adult Anonymous link
10/7/2012 07:28:25 pm

Crikey! ;) Great work, Flann. The Kobo store has been my latest go to resource for Aussie ebooks. They have a ton of UQP titles. BN.com has a few too, like Brown Skin Blue and Loving Richard Feynman.

I want them allllllllllll.

Reply
Flannery (The Readventurer) link
10/8/2012 01:22:41 pm

We'll brainstorm Aussie book suppliers when I see you next. There are definitely a few I need to buy very soon, hard copy and ecopy.

Reply
Bonnie link
10/8/2012 12:52:31 am

Oh my. Look at all the goodies! Your last Aussie post definitely inspired me to read some of them... I read Saving Francesca and A Little Wanting Song and am currently on The Piper's Son. Aussie books really are fantastic. :)

Reply
Flannery (The Readventurer) link
10/8/2012 01:20:27 pm

I love all three of those and I'm jealous that you're experiencing them for the first time.

Reply
Megan@The Book Babe link
10/8/2012 03:59:35 am

I've read a ton of these books, and they're all terrific! I'm sure that you put a ton of time into this post. :)

Good Oil is gonna be published in the USA under the name 'Love and other Perishable Items' soon. :)

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13572835-love-and-other-perishable-items

Megan@<a href="http://thebookbabesreads.blogspot.com">The Book Babe</a>

Reply
Flannery (The Readventurer) link
10/8/2012 01:19:17 pm

Yeah, I'm interested to see what (hopefully nothing) is changed between Good Oil and Love & Other Perishable Items. Catie did a comparison of the US & Aussie versions of Graffiti Moon and there were loads of differences:-/

Reply
Jasprit link
10/8/2012 04:44:13 am

This is such a fab post! I've just discovered that my library has quite a lot of the older books by some of the authors you've recommended like Margo Lanagan! I will definitely be going on a bit of a request binge! :)

Reply
Flannery (The Readventurer) link
10/8/2012 01:26:29 pm

Collecting holds is one of the best joys in life. I currently have loads out for The Cybils. The piles are both overwhelming and absolutely beautiful:)

Reply
Maja
10/8/2012 04:45:34 am

Wow, there are so many I've read, and so many I've never even heard of! One thing is sure, I'll be coming back to check out this list very often! It's a good way to make sure I read at least one Aussie title every month. There are plenty to choose from.

Reply
Flannery (The Readventurer) link
10/8/2012 01:33:35 pm

Even as the maker, there are so, so many that I've yet to read. It's exciting to see how much there is out there.

Reply
Steph L link
10/8/2012 08:12:01 am

I have printed off the list so Miss 10 and I can see which ones we have already read/want to read.

Reply
Flannery (The Readventurer) link
10/8/2012 01:32:44 pm

Glad to help you find a few new books!

Reply
Sarah
10/8/2012 12:13:13 pm

As an avid lurker I finally feel compelled to comment. . . this is a fantastic list (I truly mean that, as a New Zealander I probably have more access to Aus YA lit than those in the states and have read quite a few of these), but Margaret Mahy is not Australian! . . .and quite possibly would have been quite offended to be called such

Reply
Flannery (The Readventurer) link
10/8/2012 12:28:49 pm

Ah! I had no clue. Will fix that now. I have to admit, there aren't tons of sources for of compiled information on this subject so I checked blogs, some Australian websites, and lots of people's Goodreads shelves. I'm kind of offended on her behalf as well that several people (including me!) have her books shelved as Australian when she is from New Zealand. Yikes. I'm duly embarrassed and apologize for the mistake.

Reply
Belle link
10/8/2012 01:19:22 pm

Awesome wall! There's quite a few on here I need to read!
I feel very honoured to receive a shout out too, thank you :)

Reply
VeganYANerds link
10/8/2012 05:47:40 pm

There are books on this list that even I haven't heard of... I need to make it my mission to read them all :D

Thanks for the shout out!

Reply
lalibrarylady86
10/9/2012 04:14:33 am

"The Power of One" is one of my favorite books. In order to read the sequels, I had to get them through inter-library loan. Perhaps it is not considered YA?

Reply
Flannery (The Readventurer) link
10/9/2012 04:13:41 pm

Do you mean Bryce Courtenay's Power of One? That is meant to be amazing, I agree, but he isn't Australian. I think he's South African?

Reply
Nomes
10/9/2012 10:45:29 am

man, this is amazing.

i had a peek earlier but only just now catching up on commenting.

i love this, and it
's such an awesome resource.

also, i am shocked to realise i have pretty much read every book on this wall, lol. only a few to do (well, a couple of them i have half read and are just not my genre)

some of my all time fave books are on here. forinstance, i crazily LOVE raincheck on timbuktu. also, will by maria boyd is awesome. i've read it three times, although i dont know anyone else who has read it.

i also liked the blue water high book, felt a bit like dance academy but for surfer nuts (instead of dancer nuts). how did you even find out about that book?

Reply
Anna link
10/11/2012 08:18:54 pm

I'd completely forgotten that I've read Winter (how could I forget John Marsden?). Nice work, Flann :)
Also, Girl Next Door - I got this out of the library in Brissy and it's been burnt on my brain ever since - fantastic read.

Reply
Brittany
10/14/2012 01:41:42 pm

You have just dramatically increased my TBR pile... all I can say to this is, THANK YOU! I even have a GR shelf dedicated strictly to Aussie authors. It's small now at 16 (including all of Melina Marchetta's books), but I have a feeling it will steadily continue to grow.

Reply
molly link
10/31/2012 02:18:21 am

Wow--thanks for putting such a comprehensive list together! Really appreciate it. Not only is it helping me put together a "down under" library display, I'll be adding some to my TBR list!

Reply
Andrew Lace link
8/31/2013 08:58:29 am

Interesting read.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Follow Us On:

    Facebook Twitter Feed

    Subscribe:

    Subscribe
    Follow on Bloglovin

    Subscribe via email:

    Delivered by FeedBurner


    What We're Reading:

    Blood of my Blood cover

    Flannery

    Goodreads
    Monstrous Affections cover

     Tatiana

    Goodreads
    Rules of Civility cover

      Catie

    Goodreads

    Archives 

    March 2014
    September 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011

    Categories

    All
    Author Spotlight
    Book Events
    Book Vs. Movie
    Catie's Adult Reviews
    Catie's Y.A. Reviews
    Contest Or Giveaway
    Flannery's Adult Reviews
    Flannery's Y.A. Reviews
    If You Like This Maybe That
    Library Quest
    Odds & Ends On The Web
    Randomness
    Readalong Recaps
    She Made Me Do It
    Tatiana's Adult Reviews
    Tatiana's Y.A. Reviews
    Three Heads Are Better Than One Or Two
    Year Of The Classics


    Blogs We Follow

    Angieville
    Anna Scott Jots
    Badass Book Reviews
    The Book Geek
    The Book Smugglers
    Book Harbinger
    Books Take You Places
    Bunbury in the Stacks
    Chachic's Book Nook
    Clear Eyes, Full Shelves
    Collections
    Cuddlebuggery
    For the Love of Words
    The Galavanting Girl Books
    Inkcrush
    Intergalactic Academy
    Ivy Book Bindings
    The Nocturnal Library
    Rainy Day Ramblings
    The Readers Den
    The Reading Date
    Realm of Fiction
    Sash and Em
    Stacked
    The Unread Reader
    Vegan YA Nerds
    Wear The Old Coat
    Wordchasing
    Wrapped Up In Books
    Young Adult Anonymous 

    Grab A Button

    The Readventurer
    <div align="center"><a href="http://www.thereadventurer.com" title="The Readventurer"><img src="http://www.weebly.com/uploads/7/8/9/9/7899923/custom_themes/149267861480723643/files/TheReadventurer.png?1321429794244" alt="The Readventurer" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

    Parajunkee Design
    SiteLock
    Since 2/4/2012

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States License.
Photos used under Creative Commons from savillent, vue3d, vue3d, ljcybergal