It is time you all learnt to be happy little Vegemites.
Because, as you’ve probably gathered: I AM AN AUSTRALIAN. And, shamefully, I don’t talk about Australian books nearly enough on this blog. Although I have reasons. And considering you are just desperate to know those reasons (I see it in your eyes) I’ll kindly enlighten you: it’s because (A) Australian publishers don’t readily have their books available internationally, ergo I say “read this grand Aussie book” and all non-Australians are like “but I can’t buy it anywhere Cait why do you do this to me” so I’d rather talk about widely available books, and also (B) I read like 70% American literature so odds are I want to talk about them instead, which leads me to (C) I don’t own a lot of Aussie books, ergo I can’t photograph them, ergo I DON’T TALK ABOUT THEM BECAUSE I’M JUST THAT SHALLOW.
Excuse me.
But today is aaaaall about vegemite and Aussie YA books you need to read immediately. Even if you have to construct a boat out of yogurt tubs and, using mainly spoons, paddle here to come buy these books — THEN JUST DO IT.
Although before we go on, OBVIOUSLY, we need to talk about vegemite. You need an education.
THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT VEGEMITE
- It is like a black salty spread that you put on toast, preferably with butter.
- It’s extremely salty.
- Hence you spread it EXTREMELY THINLY.
- If you eat a spoonful of vegemite: YOU WILL DIE.
- I haven’t had Vegemite in 79 years because (A) I don’t eat bread so that puts a damper on things, and (B) it has wheat in it and wheat hates me. #rude
- BUT 79 YEARS AGO WHEN I DID HAVE IT, I RECALL LIKING IT.
- People who say they hate vegemite are sad little dejected souls who clearly don’t have hearts as black as coal and I just don’t understand them. What do you eat instead?? Happiness????
- Also doooon’t say you don’t like vegemite if you haven’t tried it OR if you’ve been eating it wrong. Please. Sit down.
- Also, fun fact: not all Australians eat vegemite every day like the stereotypes would have you believe. I mean, look at my family. We’re allergic to it so it’s not even in the house.
- There are many ways to eat vegemite if you don’t want it on toast. Like vegemite chocolate for instance. Or vegemite…potato chips??????
- And here is a super creepy vintage ad that will explain why I say “Happy Little Vegemites”. Although I question why these kids are so happy when vegemite is like the coal spread of the dead. But whatever. You’re welcome for this education.
Today’s Top Ten Tuesday prompt is “Ten Books Set Outside The US“ and HALLELUJAH TO THE UNIVERSE for finally a non-American-centric prompt. Because, omg, I love Top Ten Tuesday, I truly do…but I get very frustrated with how USA focused it is. LET’S TALK ABOUT OZ. *
* That’s right people. We are in OZ now. Possibilities of me being secretly a wizard are in the high percentiles now.
Also I’m aware that there’s more than 10 books in this list. I CAN’T COUNT APPARENTLY.
First we’ll start off with the BEST of the BEST…well according to me. But when I am ever wrong? Barely never ever.
- EVERY BREATH: If you can only read ONE book off today’s list — THIS IS IT. Sherlock retelling. The best Sherlock retelling in the history of the ever. It’s so very Australian and clever and features people getting blown up and shot at and mysteries and tragic geniuses.
- THE INCREDIBLE ADVENTURES OF CINNAMON GIRL: This is about (A) a comic artist, (B) who is in love with her best friend but doesn’t know it, and (C) it’s set in a bakery. I ate my copy.
- ONE WOULD THINK THE DEEP: This is about a tragically violently sad cinnamon roll who surfs and I don’t know how much more convincing I can be. IT’S EVERYTHING. I flailed so wildly in my review. Also,Claire Zorn’s editor read my review (!!!!!) and liked it (!!!!) (omg!!!!)
- MY SISTER ROSA: Psychopaths. Psychopaths EVERYWHERE. THIS IS A GRAND BLACK-HEARTED VEGEMITE BOOK. Also boxing and sandwiches and seriously disturbing small children. Should you be worried about how much I like psychopath books??? Hahahaha.
Here are ones that are by Australians…but they’re not in Australia. Because there’s a whole world out there for our actiony adventures.
- ILLUMINAE: You know this super mega famous book? AUSTRALIAN AUTHORS, OH YEAH. I mean, it’s not set in Australian and it didn’t even feel Australian, but I feel it’s worth mentioning what country this awesome came from.
- THESE BROKEN STARS: This is only 50% Australian, but puh-lease. Clearly that’s the reason it’s so awesome. And the intense levels of sarcasm are definitely Aussie inspired. I just know it. It’s like an adventure/survival/Titanic/alien story and it’s brilliant.
- DISRUPTION: This is one of my favourite books of ever. AND one of my top OTPs. Why? Because they hate each other so so bad. #shipit ANYWAY! It’s a sci-fi universe (probably set in the US actually…you fail me Jessica Shirvington) where you can only marry people if you’re “compatible”. You might think it’ll be super mushy. BUT NO. It’s all action, guns, fighting, and incredible sass. Also this book is notoriously hard to find anywhere but I noticed it’s up on Edelweiss. You’re welcome.
Sometimes Aussie authors don’t write about Australia (LE GASP) but they’re still Aussie, so we claim their genius as our own.
- THE BOOK THIEF: If you haven’t read this absolutely perfect WWII story (narrated by DEATH) then you need to. Just….bring along some tissues and chocolate is all I’m saying.
- RANGER’S APPRENTICE: I grew up on this series!! Adventure! Archery! Horses! Magic! More archery! Sass! It’s brilliant, okay? Childhood fantasy obsession. I tried to do archery in my backyard and got whiplash on my face because I’m just that talented at it.
- ARE YOU SEEING ME: This is technically set in Canada…shhh. But Aussie author!! It’s about a girl and her Autistic brother out on their Last Hoilday Ever before their lives part. IT’S SUPER GOOD.
- FINNIKIN OF THE ROCK: Only my favourite fantasy book ever. Well mostly of ever. I haven’t read the rest of the series which is a heinous crime. But it’s got such complex and detailed world building and prisons and torture and bleeding and YOU WANT IT, I KNOW YOU DO. Plus these characters are very badass and would eat vegemite by the spoon to grow hairs on their chest, probably. (If you like Throne of Glass, you’ll like this one.)
Aussie books do SUPER WELL at diversity since we’re a fairly multi-cultural nation. Go us.
- WHISPER: This is about a girl who is deaf and starting a new school and it’s just generally awesome.
- DOES MY HEAD LOOK BIG IN THIS: I found this wildly marvellously informative about what it’s like to be Muslim…so much judging, wow. Plus it’s quite funnily written.
- HATE IS SUCH A STRONG WORD: This is about what it’s like to be a Lebanese immigrant. And the food in this book…THE FOOD IS ON POINT.
- LOOKING FOR ALIBRANDI: Is this like THE most famous Aussie book of ever??! More immigrant conversations (Italian this time) and complicated family histories and a girl looking for her father and a hate/love romance that I ship to Jupiter and back. Twice.
There’s nothing like a good SAD book to get those eyeballs liquefying. 10/10 would recommend getting your feels punched by these ones again.
- GIRL SAVES BOY: Dude, how long ago did I read this??? Like 2012 or something? BACK WHEN I WAS A SMALL IMPRESSIONABLE CHILD. Anyway. Steph Bowe wrote/published this when she was sixteen. Which is way too freaking talented and I am the envy. It’s really good though. VERY quirky. Garden gnome theft, adorable romance, lobsters and tragedy.
- ZAC & MIA: Humans refer to this as the “Australian TFIOS” and it has exactly zero similarities except for the fact it’s about caner. I mean??? C’mon!!! WORK ON YOUR COMPARATIVE TITLES, PEOPLE. Anyway. Mia is a bitter espresso and Zac is adorable. So read it.
- THE MINNOW: This is very, very whimsical and the ending had me drowning in a confused crab claw — but it’s still beautiful. There are floods and the most best friendships ever and teen pregnancy and drowning, probably.
For some bizarre reasons, the bulk of Aussie books seem to be contemporary…my least favourite genre. Woo. BUT AT LEAST THESE ARE GOOD CREATURES!
- PRELOVED: I read this back in 2012…which is a LONG LONG TIME AGO FOR MY SWISS CHEESE BRAIN. But it has (A) ghosts, which is my greatest weakness, and (B) it is built on a sturdy foundation of Princess Bride quotes. I will literally slap this book in your face forever. IT IS SO GOOD.
- YELLOW: See? More ghosts. I love ghosts. I freaking adore ghosts. Apparently many Aussie authors do.
- GRAFFITI MOON: This is one of those “it happened in a night!” sort of whirlwind adventures. There is much law breaking and paint.
- THE THINGS I DIDN’T SAY: So I’m currently reading this, ergo I have no idea how it ends, but shhhh I CAN CHEAT ON MY OWN LIST IF I WANT. I just am adoring this book and it’s A+ representation of social anxiety.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE VEGEMITE (even though I’m a new zealander shhh) I’ve read most of the books on this list– except the ones in the contemporary section and a few others. There are some fabulous Aussie authors out there. My favourites are Garth nix (READ OLD KINGDOM CAIT PLEASE) and Michelle Cooper (she is a Fijian Australian who writes fabulously historical fictional island princess books with Gothic elements and representation) I really wish that there were more Indian authors published in the genres I like to read, because a lot of Indian English books are TERRIBLE. There are some great New Zealand authors too like Fleur Beale and Rachael Craw.
BUT NOW YOU ARE HONORARY VEGEMITE TOAST BECAUSE YOU LOVE IT AND YOU’RE THE ONLY ONE HERE (besides me anyway) WHO LIKES IT. STAND WITH ME, SHANTI. WE SHALL STAND STRONG.😂 Ahem. Anyway. Yes, I haven’t read ANY Garth Nix. I’m beginning to think I’m failing in life, tbh. And I hadn’t even heard of Michelle Cooper, so I’ll put her on the eternally long list too!!
And I wish there was more Indian YA around too! Like, I’m sure there is, but like ones that are readily available for me to buy/read ahaha.
RACHAEL CRAW IS AWESOME FOR SURE. I can’t wait for the final Spark book!!
Well. ADDING MOST OF THOSE TO MY TBR. I mean, I’ve read Illuminae (FINALLY!) and These Broken Stars (my love for The Starbound Trilogy knows no bounds), but everything else? Nope. Not yet, anyway. THANKS CAIT.
Also is it weird that I can’t stop thinking “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, oy, oy, oy” which is about the only thing my cousins brought back from Sydney when they moved back? Yes, we’re a bunch of weirdos.
OH GOOD. I LIKE YOUR LIFE CHOICES RIGHT NOW. *nods* Basically Amie Kaufman is awesome though right?! Her sci-fi collaborations are PURE GOLD. Am in love. :’)
And nope, not weird, because if someone says “Aussie” I start thinking the “oi oi oi” part…hahaha.
Amie Kaufman is AMAZING. I want to read all her things all the time.
OH THANK GOD IT IS NOT JUST ME. (My family and I may or may not have started that cheer during a soccer match in Singapore that had nothing to do with Australia… LMAO.)
Every time I hear Vegemite I think of Men at Work. Tasted once & never again! But Bovril is delicious 🙂 And now I am hungry for Bovril and cinnamon rolls. I have read These Broken Stars, Book Thief & Rangers Apprentice. but not the others. do have one Aus book on my list though! *proud patting of shoulder* PS now I am hungry and singing Down Under!
And I have no idea what Bovril even is. hahahahah.😂 And YAY for mutual appreciation of These Broken Stars, The Book Thief, and Ranger’s Apprentice! *flails with you*
I definitely want to read My Sister Rosa. If you like books with psychos, I’d definitely recommend Frozen Charlotte. I’ve never tried vegemite. 😉 And I’m TERRIBLE at reading diversely. I’ll be honest, if I’m not looking for somebody specific, I don’t even look at the author. I just look at the cover and the blurb.
OMG. I actually have Frozen Charlotte. It’s lost somewhere deep in my kindle archives because I got it as an Amazon freebie at one point.😂 I SHALL DIG IT UP.
Why do people never eat vegemite properly the first time they eat it??? People always take a spoonful and I end up face-palming because, really. Do research first please. XD
YAYYYY for Aussie books!!! I am sooo going to grab some of these as soon as I can, especially the Sherlock one. My fave Aussie book right now though is “My Big Birkett” by Lisa Shanahan. (The author signed it for me! And gave me a gorgeous notebook because she heard I liked writing!!! *dies from happiness*)
As for finding books set in other countries…it’s super hard to find books set in Thailand (YA at least) or from the perspective of people like me; who are from one country but grew up in another (and are fine with it). 😀
I KNOW?!? IT’S SO ANNOYING. Like they do those youtube videos of people eating it all wrong and then saying Aussies are stupid and…gah. It’s really annoying actually. THEY are stupid for eating it like it’s peanut butter. IT’S NOT PEANUT BUTTER. LESS IS MORe, AMERICANS. *calms self*
The Sherlock ones are SO excellent omg. <3 They are my ultimate favourites tbh.
And honestly I don't think I've ever read a YA book set in Thailand...that's really sad. Gah. I wish there were more readily available YA books set in more countries.
Some of these are my favorites, but most of them I have yet to read! This post is a gold mine! I’ll read Preloved first because I actually own a copy, but Disruption will be right behind it because it’s your favorite. And there are so many more! I loved Graffitti Moon beyond reason. And you didn’t mention Good Oil, which I also adored. Wonderful post as usual!
How come Stolen: A Letter to My Captor is NOT THERE? The book is awesome… *checks goodreads* Oh, Right, Lucy Christopher was born in the UK. Alright then, dragon rhage down. It will be on my TTT – when I have the chance to write it, since life has been a demanding one and basically only blog posts are TTT lately.
Anyway, Aussie authors…. I love Juliet Marillier – SHE’S THE MASTER OF RETELLING – just saying. Actually my favorite from hers are not retellings, I think. I still have Heart’s Blood unread. Beauty & the Beast by the master *bows*
I also am quite a fan of Daniel O’Malley’s The Rook. It has espionage and back stabbing and conspiracy theories and chess analogies and super-powers. Have Stiletto (book #2) yet to read, bad harpie. Can I use RL as excuse again? No? Can I bribe you with homemade brownies?
I also eat anything N.R.Walker writes by spoonfuls – not that her books are proper for a YA book blog, but hey, I’m a sucker for mm smutt romance books, so yeah, sue me :P.
Anyway… I had no idea what vegemite was. I’m Portuguese, We eat little snails and beer. And other tasty things 🙂
HAHA. YES. Well, I mean, technically Stolen still could’ve worked on the post since it’s set here but *whispers* I actually didn’t like the story because I’ve been to the middle of Australia and Stolen kind of gets the descriptions all wrong. :/
Omg I haven’t read Juliet Marillier. SHAME ON ME AND MY FAILURE HERE.
Snails and beer, eh? I think I’ll stick to my vegemite.😂
You haven’t read Juliet Marillier?! *gasps in shock* But it has fairies. And bad witches. And curses. And dangerous trips. (Wildwood dancing also has vampires)
Well… Stolen was my first outback book, so no idea how weather was. I kinda focused more on the red dirt than the heat. And the snakes. And the pain. And the creepiness of the story. And I kinda felt sorry for Ty in the end.
Well.. not everyone likes snails… it’s a summer thing.
I totally feel you about not being able to recommend books by local authors!! Although I have it worse than you since we don’t speak English and people wouldn’t even understand what the book is about without it being translated first!! Sad story of my life… I have so many recommendations 🙁 There are wayyy more than 10 books in this list hahaha but that’s okay because it’s fun to read 😛 Every Breath sounds awesome! Sherlock is the best and the retelling would probably be awesome too. Oh and Amie Kaufman is from Australia? That’s fantastic! I never really thought which author is from where… also, those diverse books seem great! Love this post (like always) <3
Agh, you definitely have it worse than me. *sigh* It is annoying though, right?!? I wish countries were better able to share books and get translations out and just have them more readily available world wide! I feel like I’d learn SO much more about the world if I could read books from more countries!!
YESSSS Amie Kaufman is an epic Australian. <3
I live in New Zealand, which has as much Vegemite as it. I hate it (yes I have tried it) unless it it in sandwich alongside side trips. Also, we have some great novels, which I feel I’m good at reading. I love kiwi books. Even if they’re sit in Australia (glares at nonexistence copy of ‘When we Wake’. “What’s wrong with us.” I wisper “Why did you have to go based in…. Melbrone!!!) Also I looove rangers apprentice.
*Gasps* TRAITOR. Okay except your NZ so I’ll forgive you. #amsokind OH I’ve read a few NZ books! One I cannot remember the title but can clearly picture the cover 😂 SO MUCH FAIL, CAIT. And the other is the Spark trilogy by Rachael Craw!!
I’m very much in love with this post *starts adding all the books to tbr* I love books set in different countries, bc USA YA AINT ALL THAT SPECIAL. Gimme all the books that are set in Europe, Asia and Australia. like NOW.
I actually got send vegemite once from a friend who lives in Aussie (I live in the Netherlands). Have to be honest, and say I didn’t like it that much. Maybe it’s something you need to have an Australian DNA for IDK.
Anyway, great post! As always! Love your posts!
Check out my TTT here: http://www.bookbabblesandblues.com/top-ten-tuesday/top-ten-tuesday-ten-books-set-outside-the-us/
HAHAH. YES! 😂 I mean the US is all fine and good, but there are a gazillion other countries out there toooooooo. I swear, basically ever USA dystopian forgets that there are any other countries.
Bahha, Australian DNA.😂 Well I’m like 1/4 Italian…but still. Maybe it’s all the Aussie air that makes us like it?
Yeah exactly, that’s why the lunar chronicles is so great, NO AMERICA YAY!
Hahahaha. But you have tim tams! So it’s not all bad food over there down under hahaha.
Well I think ALL our food is awesome.😂 TIM TAMS PARTICULARLY OMG. And Smiths chips. <3
And yesssss the Lunar Chronicles is so winning by actually remember the WHOLE WORLD EXISTS.😂
Hooray, some Australian recs! But, I have to confess… I prefer marmite… 😍 Marmighty goodness and all that!
I loved the Ellie Marney books, just finished those. 😊💕 And I’m pretty obsessed with Kirsty Eagar. My fav from her is Summer Skin and I recently read Raw Blue.
*whispers* I actually love Marmite a lot too so NO JUDGEMENT FROM ME.😂 It’s a bit sweeter isn’t it? I can’t remember, it’s been like YEARS since I had that too. OMG NOW I HAVE A CRAVING.
ohhh, I have to read Summer Skin yet! I’ve only heard good things about it honestly. :’)
Love your commitment to an Australian theme for this post! My aunt brought some Vegemite home for us a few years ago and we couldn’t understand the taste. Since it was salty I think we used it in place of soy sauce or as a dip for something but we didn’t get close to finishing the tube, haha. I’ve only read The Book Thief and Finnikin of the Rock and liked both of them. Your descriptions make me want to read The Incredible Adventures of Cinnamon Girl and Does My Head Look Big In This. I’m from the Philippines, and most of the books available for us are from other countries, so I think it’s easy for us to read more diverse books.
Oh that’s awesome that you can get tons of country-diverse books where you are! HUZZAH!!! When I go into bookshops here, it’s like 80% american books hahha.😂 (okay, well, I do live in a small town with a small bookshop so I guess that probably makes a difference.)
I’m going to read all of them but I’m going to read Cinnamon girl first.
Ty for adding more books to my tbr pile, Cait.
You are MOST WELCOME. It’s like my job in this universe to make sure your TBR is dangerously close to squashing you flat.
The Book Thief is my favourite book of all time! I’m definitely gonna check out some more books on this post!
YAYYY I AM GLAD. And I’ve only read one other book by Markus Zusak but I think The Book Thief was his best. :’)
Love how your post is ended with such a gorgeous picture, Cait! I’m interested in Finnikin of the Rock because I love Throne of Glass, thanks for that. Haha. And oh, Ten Things I Didn’t Say sounds promising, can’t wait to hear your thoughts about it 🙂
Aww, thanks, Clara!! *flails happily* And omg YES definitely try Finnikin! There are tons of similarities there (it’s older though😂) and I just finished The Things I Didn’t Say a few minutes ago and zomgggg SO SO GOOD. :’) Although the ending was a tad cheesy, but I’ll forgive it because the rest was so good!
Since I lived in England for a few years, I’m slightly more versed in Australia than many Americans. But I agree that if you’re not geographically or historically close to a certain country (for example, it used to be your homeland’s colony), finding out more about its culture, including literature, can be really hard. I’ve read a few Australian contemporaries, but it wasn’t on purpose — meaning I was interested in the book when I found it at the library, then as I was reading it, discovered it was set in Sydney/Queensland etc. Much prefer to set out to read a book based on all of what the book is – including its location and culture of origin.
But it’s super easy to get American books in Australia! and I feel like I know soooo much about America (and England, actually) so sometimes I think it’s about the publishers and how much they promote books? I’ve heard Australian publishers don’t have as big of a budget. *wails*
YESSSSSSSSS I LOVE THIS POST. Loved reading so many of these books – especially Ranger’s Apprentice! Some of my best book memories are with that series! And ahh, The Book Thief??? EXCELLENT CHOICE – rewards with cake-
Also, My Sister Rosa is a book I’ve been DYING to read – it sounds fantastic!! 😀
Just when I think Australia doesn’t have enough authors….it really does! Thanks for sharing 🙂
*eats all the cake* WHY THANKYOU.😂 And you totally must try My Sister Rosa sometime! IT IS CHILLING AND FANTASTIC. And omg yes Australia has a ton of authors! I just forget to talk about them a lot…shame, the shame. 😉
I would love to visit Australia one day and if I do I’ll be sure to try vegemite (though thank you for the tip on spreading it VERY thinly. It would be typically me to spread it on thick and then die).
Also, great list! So many new books to try, but I think I’ll start with Disruption. I didn’t know it yet, but I love shipping people who hate eachother and lots of action, so it sounds perfect 🙂
Disruption is a GLORIOUS place to start…even though it’s actually set in the USA.😂 But it’s still so sooooo good I won’t hold that against it. :’)
No Garth Nix?! Dude!
Read Shade’s Children by Garth Nix. People forget about Shade’s Children because of the Old Kingdom and all the other awesome books he’s written but Shade’s Children is such an incredible book – so much the dystopia and unique narrative style!
Also, I read/listened-to Underdog by Markus Zusak on audiobook. I still don’t have the slightest idea what it was actually supposed to be about but it was *so good*!!!!!!!!
I KNOW. AREN’T I SHAMEFUL?!? I’ve never read a Garth Nix.😂 But I am told to frequently, so hopefully I remedy that this year?! Eeep.
And I still need to read Underdog! I’ve only read The Book Thief and I am The Messenger by Markus Zusak so far. I NEED TO GET BUSY.
Gosh. This list, though! Cait, you’re insane. So many books. I only knew of maybe…two or three of these? Eek -hides- But I want to read ALL the ones you mentioned in diversity. Especially ‘Whisper’. I haven’t read a deaf book…ever. I think. Hmmmm. We should rectify this
Well I didn’t read all of these recently.😂 heheh YES DO TRY WHISPER!! And if you’re looking for other books about deaf characters, I have a goodread shelf for them here. Bahhahah…of course I do.😂 #organisationismylife
I’ve attended a talk by A.J. Betts before. Zac & Mia sounded like a good read from the way she was telling us about it and we do have copies in my school library, I was thinking of giving it a read but given my tbr, that doesn’t seem likely for now.
AGh, I HEAR YA with the TBR woes. That is basically me when everyone piles recommendations on my head. I want to read them but…*runs away from TBR howling* 😂
I was shocked that Garth Nix didn’t make your list and then I read in the comments that you’ve not read any Garth Nix!?! His Old Kingdom / Abhorsen series seems like something you’d be all over! I’ll second the Shade’s Children rec as well.
One of my earliest bookish memories is of my dad reading aloud to my mom while I played on the floor (we didn’t have a TV when I was little). The book that stands out most vividly is Fortress by Gabrielle Lord. It’s about a young Australian teacher and her students being kidnapped, escaping, and fighting back against their kidnappers (I think it’s loosely based on a true story). It was shocking and gruesome, especially for a 4 year old! But, hey, at least my parents were reading diverse books. 😀
I agree with you about the US centric TTT challenges (and I’m American). I tend to read a lot of British and Canadian books, so I went with books set in non-English speaking countries (although, unfortunately, they are mostly written by English speaking authors).
I’M SO SORRY. BUT YES. THE SHAME IS UPON ME. I have read 0 Garth Nix books. *hangs head* I will though!! I promise!!
Ohh, I’ve read a Gabrielle Lord book before! And my mum used to read out loud to me as a kid too…epic childhoods we clearly had. 😉
And it IS good when TTT prompts acknowledge that we’re not all American.😂 I just get frustrated with all the “summer” themed ones. IT’S NOT SUMMER DANGIT. Hheeh. 😉
I’ve never tried Vegemite before but if I ever get the chance to, I’d definitely give it a go! I guess it’s sorta like the equivalent of Nutella for Italians. I mean, that’s what Italians have been brought up on and a lot of people have no idea what it is (it’s a chocolate-hazlenut spread). You can spread it on toast, spread it on cookies, bake with it, spread it on pizza (seriously, you can), etc.
I never realized just how hard it is to get a hold of Australian books in North America (I live in Canada)! The only place I’ve been able to find some of the less popular ones is Book Depository (books like The Book Thief can be found anywhere). Thanks for this great post and for your Aussie recommendations!
Duuuuude, doesn’t everyone know what Nutella is??! It’s huge in Australia!😂 I’ve never had the store-bought stuff but my mum used to make it (before I discovered I couldn’t eat nuts because allergies dangit) and OMG SO SO GOOD. I WOULD EAT IT BY THE SPOON IF I COULD.
And YES. Unless they’re mega famous (hello Illuminae and The Book Thief) it seems like they never really get out of Australia?! It’s super sad. The world needs more uuuuuus.
Back when I was growing up in the 80s not a lot of people knew what Nutella was (gasp!). I think it’s only been recently that Nutella has started to become a worldwide “thing.” My Dad used to hide jars of it beneath his bed when he was little and eat it with a spoon haha!
Ah, okay! Well I’ve known about nutella all my life and it’s been pretty constant in Australia for…well, ever since I can remember.😂
YES to everything. You know my love for Aussie YA , hence why half my list in today’s TTT is set in Australia haha. And yes everyone in the words needs to read Ellie’s books.
Thanks for the post.
YAY FOR US REPRESENTING AUSTRALIAN BOOKS! *hi fives*
Actually I really don’t like vegemite that much, even though I can eat it (a bread less house just sounds so hard! What if you want toast? 🙁 ) but hey, that’s okay. (I mean, why would you waste a toast with vegemite when you could have honey or jam or peanut butter? It’s tolerable and the rest are divine). I’ve read at least one book from every section you made except the last *congratulates self* I’ve hardly seen ‘does my head look big in this’ around the blogosphere at all, and I thought it was really good, so I’m glad you mentioned it (although I got it from the library of my american school in india…wut?) I totally agree about the ameri-centricness of most YA books. I mean, it’s rich and has a lot of people (therefore potential authors/readers) but hey, it’s nice to see new settings, just for a change. For some reason I keep confusing zac&mia and Girl Saves Boy. I think I read them about the same time, and they both have cancer, but untangling their plots from each other doesn’t work in my munchkin mind. *nods, pretends to be sage, falls awkwardly off sage stool*
If I want toast….I JUST GET NO TOAST. 😂 It’s kind of the “normal” though if you’ve lived this way for like most of your life, hahah. And you would skip peanut butter if you were, tragically, allergic. Like me. *cries for self* BUT JAM IS GOOD. I LIKE JAM. Strawberry particularly.
And YES. I mean, it makes sense that American books are everywhere. I think their publishers have really good budgets for promotion too. And they’re just so widely available…but it is nice to talk about OTHER books because the world is huge.😂 And I think Zac & Mia and Girl Saves Boy have so many similarities so I totally get confusing them. 😉 GSB is definitely odder though. I found a super battered copy at a library sale and I’ve been meaning to re-read it. But also I’M SCARED because I loved it so much and I don’t want my feelings to change on it!
I have only heard of like 4 books on this entire list!! This is vaguely problematic. Can I also casually admit that I prefer Marmite to Vegemite… I don’t know that’s just an English thing, but I find Marmite so much better ..:
You can casually admit that. *nods* Marmite is still awesome.😂 AND OMG *piles all these books on your head* THEY CALL TO YOU, LAUREN, THEY DO.
I tried Vegemite once when I was in Aussie, and well… I didn’t like it (hides behind a couch). I only read The Book Thief AND I LOVED IT. I think you should create extremely sad vegemite category and put The Book Thief in it. I didn’t like TFIOS so I’m nervous to start anything that has similarities with TFIOS, but since you recommend it I would definitely read it xD
BUT DID YOU EAT IT *RIGHT*???? That’s the real question.😂
And it’s true…The Book Thief should’ve been in The Extremely Sad Vegemite section because omg my mangled heart and soul and feels.