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.
I adore your list! I read quite a few! Finnikin is one of my all time favorite fantasies! My son is named Finn (short for Finnian) and he gets called Finnikin a lot. 😀
Omg, that’s so cool though! I would name my kind actually the full name of Finnikin…so it’s probably good I don’t have a kid.😂 hahah
I have read Australian books, but I’ve never tried vegemite. I don’t even know if it exists in the rural western US where I live. I really want to read Does My Head Look Big In This? I’ve heard good things about that book.
Vegemite probably doesn’t exist in most places in America I would think.😂 It’s just an odd Aussie thing. HEH. And YES! I did like DMHLBIT a lot, although it does stray into the preachy side of righteous indignation a lot…but mostly it was grand. 😀
I really liked Zac and Mia and I agree, people should stop comparing it to TFIOS. I didn’t even really like TFIOS. Have you read Life in Outer Space? It’s by Melissa Kiel as well. It’s a lot of fun and I recommend it whenever I can – in fact, it made my list today.
It’s annoying when a book is about cancer so people are immediately like “omg it’s like TFIOS”….erm, no.😂 And YES, I have read Life in Outer Space! I LOVED IT SO MUCH TOO but I honestly can’t remember very much of it, hence it’s not on the list.😂 I will re-read it eventually though!
I included The Book Thief on my list this week, too. Of these I’ve read Illuminae, These Broken Stars, and Rangers Apprentice. There are so many others here that I want to read – Every Breath, Yellow, and I actually own a copy of Does My Head Look Big In This?
I’ve never had vegemite before, but I agree with you – that kid at the end didn’t look all that happy! I have tried marmite before (are they similar?), but it was a little too savory for me!
Yes marmite is actually very similar to vegemite!! I think it’s a little sweeter, from memory (although I haven’t had either in years😂)
And omg Every Breath is JUST SO GOOD. So I hope you get a chance to try it someday!
When I visited Australia with my schoolmates, if we were late returning to the bus our punishment was to eat vegemite spread on a cracker. I had to do it once and it was pure torture. I’m sure it was spread WAY to thick. But I will never forget it now! Wonderful post, Cait! I didn’t realize Zusak was an Aussie. *the more you know!*
What??!?! Vegemite as punishment? *righteous indignation*
The only one I have read is The Minnow and I loved and adored it! There are a few of these on my tbr, though. I have promised at least a million billion people I would read the Finnikin books. Have you read The Thorn Birds? I loved that book. We have Vegemite in the international section of our grocery store. If it came in a smaller cheaper jar I would buy some and try it. Ha ha. 😁
Ooh, I’m so glad you liked The Minnow!! It’s honestly not talked about enough! IT IS SO AMAZING. And I haven’t read The Thorn Birds. omg, I’ve never even heard of it. *trots off to google* 😂
Have I mentioned how much i love your posts, Cait? Because I DO! I’ve never tried vegemite but I’m not big on overly salty things so hmmm… not sure. I loved The Rosie Project – does that count? 🙂 And I very much want to read “Does My Head Look Big In This” after discovering it today on your blog. 😀
My TTT
THIS MAKES ME VERY HAPPY, CARRIE, THANKYOU.😂 And the Rosie Project totally counts as Aussie lit! I haven’t read it though (shaaaaame on me) but I will someday!!
Nearly all of these titles are new to me and they all sound fabulous! *scribbles furiously adding them all to my TBR list* and OMG YAY for the Fat Amy gif. I just love her!
AHHH I’M GLAD YOU LIKE THE SOUND OF THEM. *flails quietly* And omg Fat Amy though.😂She is hilarious and the best.
SO. MANY. RECS. OMG. I’m definitely checking all of these out! (Of course, I’ve already read some of them but still.) Thank you so much for this list! YOU ARE AWESOME. *o*
P.S.: I actually don’t know if Vegemite exists in my country… which also means I’ve never tried it. EVER. But I have heard of it. So it’s really as delicious as they say?? :O
Aww, thankyou, Mara! And I wouldn’t be surprised if you couldn’t get vegemite in what country you live at! It seems to be a pretty Aussie-famous thing?!😂
Obviously as an American, I’ve read very few books by Australian authors. But The Incredible Adventures of Cinnamon Girl, Looking for Alibrandi, and Whisper all sound super good – Whisper in particular because I’m always looking for more YA books with deaf protagonists. So now I’m off to hunt these down and hope that American bookstores or libraries have them. Thanks for sharing such a great list!
HAHahah, I find it funny that you said “obviously as an American” because actually as an Australian, I read SO many American books.😂 It confuses me why it’s not vice versa for the Americans!
Whisper is SO EXCELLENT. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
Personally, I haven’t read many Australian books because they’re harder to obtain. My local libraries rarely have them, and I honestly don’t see them on bookshelves either. I might have to take a chance on some of these and buy them through The Book Depository or Amazon, though.
I totally get that! I think it’s a dying shame how Australians rarely get their books published overseas. *cries* I want all my international friends to read this stuff BUT THEY CAN’T FIND THEM ANYWHERE. WHAT IS THIS LIFE.
This is the first list this week where I have read more than one book off of it! I am the worst about not paying attention to where books are set, or the nationality of the author. I was pleasantly surprised to see so many that I have read on here 🙂
My TTT.
Oh YAY I’m really glad about that!! *hi fives* We clearly have good reading taste. 😉
O.K.A.Y – and Cait stays the Queen. Poeff – I go up in smoke. BUT, I have tried very very hard to make a nice TTT post featuring books set in South Africa http://marelithalkink.blogspot.co.za/2016/07/ten-books-set-in-south-africa.html Seriously now – your post is magnificent (big english word not used enough anymore). Although it was not good for my TBR list AT ALL.
Vegemite, is that like Marmite without the meaty taste?? That I know in good old South Africa.
And I also loved loved loved The Book Thief. Also enjoyed I am the Messenger.
Okay, got to go now – need to go pick up the ashes.
Vegemite is kind of like marmite! I didn’t know marmite tasted meaty though? I used to have marmite (the Australian version at least) and it was always a bit sweeter than vegemite, but otherwise pretty similar.😂
YAY FOR BEING MUTUAL FANS OF THE BOOK THIEF!
Noo stop my TBR is too big already! Lol
But seriously though that ad was pure gold. Is it bad that now I want to write some sort of a twisted ’40s toyland fantasy book?
I’d say I’m sorry about your TBR and potential squashing by it…BUT I’M NOT BASICALLY. MWAHAHAH. 😂 And that ad, omg. Pure creepy vintage awesome.
YES I LOVE VEGEMITE. People who don’t know how to eat it then say they hate it *sigh* (maybe they should put instruction on the packaging). YAY for Aussie books appreciation posts (of course we can’t limit this to 10 books). I’m glad I’ve read many of these “best Oz books”. I’m so excited to read My Sister Rosa. Somehow I’m really attracted to that book – it sounds amazing!! I love Melina Marchetta books and I do notice many Aussie novels or the ones that are most popular/well-known are contemporaries. I don’t pick them up often either 🙁 I’ve been trying to read more Aussie books – they need more recognition!!!
They should DEFINITELY put instructions on the packaging for those Americans anyway.😂 I feel like half the time when they do those youtube videos of Americans eating vegemite they PURPOSEFULLY put it on too thick to make the reaction wild. Gah. It’s giving vegemite a bad name! IT’S SO GOOD ACTAULLY. Ahem.
And limit to 10? Pfft. Rules are for mere mortals.
And it is interesting that most Aussie books are contemporaries…I mean, it’s okay, but I WISH we had more fantasy set here! Like when we do have fantasy, it’s just some fantasy-world and not even remotely Australian-fied. *sigh* I’d love to see more action/adventure Aussie books that’s for sure.
Most of these are new books for me. By that I mean 97.1% of the list, But nice that you have compiled a list of Aussie fiction. Very surprised to see The Book Thief on the list. I didnt think it was a book you would enjoy reading. You missed out a few titles (Hint : Your future books). Sigh. Was that a bad joke? Please tell me you smiled.
BAHAH MY FUTURE BOOKS. YES I’M SMILING. Like actually smiling and not just thinking about smiling😂 I will definitely amend this book when I get published someday. :’)
And omg why wouldn’t I like The Book Thief though?! I’m curious why you thought I wouldn’t!😂 I adored it, omg 5-stars and endless tears. BOOKS. DEATH. WHAT COULD BE BETTER. (The movie absolutely destroyed me too. I saw it first though. Shhh, don’t tell the avid bookworms.)
My favorite series by an Australian author (and featuring a native Australian character) is The Tribe Trilogy by Ambelin Kwaymullina. Currently books #1 & 2 are available in the U.S. (not sure about elsewhere, sorry) and #3 is still Aussie only.
OH OH I’VE GOT THAT SERIES!! I won it a while back but haven’t tried it yet.😂 The shame! I’ll get onto that too.
You should definite read them. Then you can help me push all my fellow Americans to read them. They don’t get enough love here. (And if we ever want to get more of your wonderful Australian books. then we need to support the ones we have.)
I have… never heard of Vegemite. O_O So thank you for the education. My mind’s horizons have been expanded…
I need to read Every Breath, except I’m a sad bean because I can’t find it anywhere! Oh well, I’ll just have to be radical and buy it someday when I’m a rich bookworm. XD
I’m avoiding The Book Thief because I hate feels. -_- DON’T LOOK AT ME LIKE THAT I’M A WEIRD BOOKWORM AHEM.
I see Ranger’s Apprentice #1 beckoning me from my bookshelf…
I NEED FINNIKIN OF THE ROCK TOO. *spontaneously raids library*
WHOA. A feels-punching kangaroo?? O_O I’m impressed.
I haven’t read a single book set in Australia which makes me sad… But I have read an Aussie author… once. I’M TRYING OKAY. XD Said author being Alison Croggon who I believe you have a book by currently.
ANYWAY LOVE THIS POST AND YAY AUSSIE THINGS. I love when you talk about Aussie stuff, it makes me happeh. <3
YOU ARE WELCOME. I’m here to throw Australian knowledge at you. *nods* I am so kind. And omg I wish Every Breath was more easily available! I’m guessing it’d be at Book Depository, but yeah, … when I’m a rich bookworm I’ll get all the books too. I own like maybe THREE of the ones on my list. *wails* FINNIKIN IS SO SO SO GOOD THOUGH. I’ve actually read it twice and am planning my 3rd re-read this year! BECAUSE OBSESSED.
Omg I’m reading the Alison Croggon book right as we speak. Have you read The Bone Queen? I only realised it was the prequel novel after I started. It’s really not making any sense. *weeps bitterly*
OH NOOO. D: I’m sorry it’s not making sense, that is an unfortunate thing about prequels. -_- I haven’t read it yet (it’s not even technically out here yet… *cries*) but YOU SHOULD TOTALLY READ THE REST OF THE SERIES. 😀 …So technically I’ve only read the first one (called The Naming over here… and The Gift where you are, I think?), but still. 😛
Woah, it’s not even out in the USA yet?!? Eeep. I feel special now since my library actually already has it.😂 Anyway. I FINISHEd. I WAS A MONSTER OF CONFUSION. I feel like I’ll probably try the actual first one eventually? Although I’m not so good with Tolkien and that appears to be the style. *hangs head in shame*
So many!! Thanks for sharing all of these. Also, all of Liane Moriarty’s books are set in Australia. All the ones I’ve read anyway and I’ve read 3, so I’m gonna go ahead and say that’s a fact. My Sister Rosa is constantly calling to me from my TBR, I’m going to get to it! I am. I pretty much only read backlist books so it’ll happen eventually.
Also, me and my roommates lived with an Australian exchange student once, and he didn’t eat vegemite as far as I saw, but he was all about Tim Tams. He also said that he thought us Canadians might have trouble telling when he’s sad because of his accent and think he’s constantly happy. And I couldn’t refute this. I did assume he was always happy. So congrats to Australians for having happy accents? Not sure where I was going with this, but I’m done now.
I haven’t read any Liane Moriarty…but I HAVE read Jaclyn Moriarty and they’re like sisters right?!?😂 So it’s sort of the same thing. Ahem. BUT YES YOU MUST TRY MY SISTER ROSA. I’m so glad that one at least is being published overseas!
Tim tams are WAY better than vegemite. I fully admit to that. But really?!? You think Aussie accents are happy?!😂 That makes me laugh because I never would’ve said that! I always sound like I’m about to stampede the darkness, probably.
No, I am sad to say, I do not like vegemite. I tried it in 7th grade. My English teacher had traveled to Australia and brought some back. I do like cake though. 🙂
For Australian fantasy, I would add Sabriel by Garth Nix. But, if I recall correctly, you have not read this series yet. 🙂
Liking cake is good…OMG WHAT ABOUT VEGEMITE CAKE!??!? I’m sure it exists.😂 And yes the SHAME, but I have not read any Garth Nix. (I’m really impressed that you remembered that though! *gives you all the cake*) I will someday, I swear!
I have not tried Vegemite. I might’ve tried Marmite, but I’m not sure. In any case, I think there’s something in those yeasty spreads that I’m probably allergic to, which is why they’re not in the cupboard. I don’t know if Canadians are that big on those things, anyway; I’ve seen them to buy in the store, though.
I haven’t read any of these books except for The Book Thief, although I’ve heard of a lot of them. I have read some Australian fiction, though. The experience has largely been positive.
I’m going to have to do this TTT, I think. I love finding books that aren’t set in the USA!
I don’t actually mind Marmite either! Although I haven’t had THAT in forever too…*sigh* oh the trials of we with allergies. And I’m glad you’ve had a good experience with Aussie books!! I honestly either LOVE them or absolutely loathe them.😂 there is strangely not much middle ground for me for some reason. bahah.
The Incredible Adventures of Cinnamon Girl is so cute! I’ve never had vegemite, never heard of it before, but the name makes me think of Lucille Ball in the I Love Lucy episode where she is trying to create a commercial for a vegetable mineral liquid called Vitameatavegamin, and she winds up getting drunk off of it!
Omg I haven’t seen that episode!😂 Which doesn’t surprise me, basically, because I’ve only seen like a few but LUCY IS SO FUNNY THOUGH.😂
I’ve read about 3 of these books … AM I AN HONORARY AUSTRALIAN YET?! I’ll even try vegemite to acquire the title (I’m desperate). Speaking of which, your brief history of all things vegemite is just glorious really; I wish people in the UK were as patriotic about their condimental spreads (marmalade needs to step up its game). *applauds Australia for its enthusiasm, and diversity*
This was truly hilarious though, and such a good take on this weeks TTT 🙂
YOU’RE LIKE 30% AN HONORARY AUSTRALIAN, SO YOU’RE GETTING THERE. GOOD JOB, MATE. I suppose we Australians get very enthusiastic about our condiments because we haven’t got much else to get riled up about. The heat? The kangaroos? Our villainous ancestors? *eats vegemite instead*
This is so great Cait! I have to be honest, I hardly EVER pay attention to the author when I read books *blushes from embarrassment* ( I am getting better at this though so please don’t be too mad ok? ), but you pointing out some popular books that were written by Australians really made me think about how I always assume ( at first ) that books I get in my country, come from my country, and how this is wrong probably more than I realize. So I am actually curious to go looking at some of my authors now see where it is they actually come from.
Also, I have never had vegemite, but my mom did when some Australians came over to our country. She says she didn’t like it, but I’m still going to try it for myself. I like foods that are as dark as my soul, too. XD But for now, it just makes me think of Down Under by Men at Work ( which is one of my favorite songs of ever for some reason ( I know, I’m kind of old school )).
Omg I’m not mad! hahah😂 you hilariously precious bean. Although I do kind of pay attention to authors because…I just like to know all the things. (Plus, I have a spreadsheet, so I note these things down. But omg my ratio of Aussie authors to, like, American? IT’S VERY SAD. SO MANY MORE AMERICANS. But they do write incredible books.)
Food from the dark side MUST BE TRIED. :’)
I’ve read The Book Thief which is one of my favourite books ever because it is just sheer genius and you should totally claim the genius even if the book isn’t set in Australia. I haven’t read any of the others but Every Breath is on my TBR, because Sherlock retelling=awesome!
I will absolutely claim the genius. One must always claim genius for the sake of their country. *proudly waves flag or something else patriotic like vegemite toast*
I love that you decided to focus on a specific country, that was fun. Also I think visiting Australia would be cool but very hot. I live in Canada and the summers are hot enough for me here. I think I’d die in Australia. BUT that means I get to read lots of Australian books so I can pretend I’m there. Right? Then I’ll be an honorary vegimite and if you read some Canadian books you can be an honorary poutine or maple syrup or something hehe. Sound good? Great list!
My TTT
Omg if you’re Canadian, you would probably die in Australia.😂 I think our winters are the same temperature as your summers. heh. And right now it’s like 26C and it’s FREAKING WINTER. I don’t even know what’s happening to this country sometime.
I’ve like barely read any Canadian books…SHAME ON ME, RIGHt?!? Although Are You Seeing Me? is set in Canada at least…oh and I read Hatchet by Gary Paulson and loved it!
Ooh, I’ve never had vegemite but it sounds interesting…I might want to try it sometime! Also I haven’t read most of those books, but I have read The Book Thief and Ranger’s Apprentice which I love and I also grew up on Ranger’s Apprentice and that loveliness. I didn’t know the author lived in Australia though! That’s awesome. Finnikin of the Rock sounds interesting though! I might try reading that one. (Also the cover reminds me of LotR so it must be amazingness.)
YAY. YOU SHOULD. 😀 For the true Aussie experience *nods* And Ranger’s Apprentice is SO GOOD, right?!? It totally helped me get into writing as a small human. And Finnikin is AMAZING. i’ve even read it twice and am planning my 3rd re-read this year and I like never re-read so this is big.😂
I have never tried Vegemite. I don’t really branch out from things I like, my family hates that. Plus I haven’t eaten toast in a long time, I’m more of an omelet person. I have not read any Australian books. Although, I did see you were reading The Things I Didn’t Say on Goodreads, and I might read that. I don’t find it hard to read book s in other countries. I really like to read books set in Europe *sigh* I wish I lived in Europe. I don’t read many real world books, I am mostly a fan of worlds that aren’t real. I really like to read books set in where I live, Washington, because I now it like the back of my hand, and the driving around in relation to what happens. I could be like *gasp* I know what their talking about I’ve been there before. Then I am pleased with a book 44831630%. One of my favorite Washington set books is I Was Here by Gayle Foreman. Have you read it? If not I recommend it.
I finished The Things I Didn’t Say and it was so so good. Definite recommend. *nods enthusiastically* And I totally get that with liking fantasy better. Meeeee toooo.😂 Left to my own, I’d probably read like 90% fantasy IT’S JUST SO GOOD AND EXCITING. Although honestly I’ve never ever read a book set in the town I live in! I’ve read like 2 set in places I’ve been, but it’s still pretty sad, haha.😂
I have read I Was Here…I preferred If I Stay by Gayle Forman though, whooooooops.😂
I’ve been thinking of reading Illuminae! And omg, vegemite sounds amazing.
Ellie | On the Other Side of Reality
AHHHH FINALLY SOMEONE WHO’S NOT TERRIFIED OF THE THOUGHT OF VEGEMITE.😂
I thought I hadn’t read any Aussie books (mainly because all the way on the other side of the world, I hadn’t been exposed to them), though I have Illuminae and it’s on my to-read list.
But I have read Does My Head Look Big in This?! And loved it! I have one with a different cover, though, more cartoony.
I also need to grab Every Breath at some point. 🙂
Definitely try Every Breath if you can! IT IS SO EXCELLENT. Basically my top pick of this whole pile I think.😂 Oh well, except for maybe Illuminae. *watches heart shatter again just thinking about it*
I keep saying this but there must be something in the water down under because so far all of the Aussie books I’ve read have been AMAZING. Melina Marchetta remains to be one of my all time favourite authors and Finnikin is my book husband!
Tarver Merendsen is another book husband of mine and if I could revisit the Starbound Trilogy, specifically Lilac and Tarver then I will be one happy lady. I just need more of those two in my life.
YES YES. The Aussie authors are spectacular…just generally not appreciated enough.😂 I wish these books were more easily available world wide omg. BUT MELINA MARCHETTA IS LIKE QUEEN. I’ve read Finnikin twice it’s so good. <3 ALSO TARVER AND HIS SASS IS EVERYTHING.
Wow. This is quite a list. If you can believe it I included two (or three?) Australian books on my list and you didn’t mention any of them. Ha! I should have added I AM THE MESSENGER by Zusak since that book is set in Australia. Have a look: My TTT
OMG REALLY?!? 😂 Bahah. That’s hilarious. I have read I Am The Messenger, but I didn’t like it so much. GAH. It didn’t live up to The Book Thief for me!
Oh dear, not Vegemite: wheat hates me, too, but I don’t like it anyway. And I’m Australian. Is this like an American disliking pumpkin pie?
My favourite Aussie YA is definitely Melina Marchetta’s Saving Francesca. I liked it more than Looking for Alibrandi. Clearly, however, I need to read more except, like, I’ve heard of a lot of these, I really just haven’t read them. Why do Australian libraries not stock more Aussie books? I’m definitely putting The Incredible Adventures of Cinnamon Girl and Illuminae on my to-read-right-now list.
I wish I did read more country-diverse books, but sadly … nope. I really really really want/need to! (Especially like British YA because the couple of those I read are funny and down-to-earth.)
Probably. *sighs* We non-Vegemite-eaters shame our country. Although I’m like only 50% shame because I DO like it I just can’t eat it.😂 Ahem.
aHHHH I need to read Saving Francesca yet! I actually am mortally ashamed I’ve only read 2 Marchetta books. 😛 OH OH DEFINITELY READ CINNAMON GIRL. And also Life In Outer Space (which is by the same author and is absolutely incredible). Basically Aussie authors can be SO TALENTED…and so underappreciated by the universe, omg.
I feel like this week’s prompt was meant to slap me in the face with reminders that I haven’t read Illuminae yet. I’m probably the only person who has yet to read it, so I’ll just sit here in my corner of shame until I read it and can finally join the party. That being said, I can’t wait to read it! I’ve seen maybe 3, definitely 2, of these books at my local library and book stores. That’s just so weird that Aussie YA tends to not be published in the US. I feel like I’m being deprived of amazing books!
Oh oh I hope you do get a chance to try it! And that the hype hasn’t terrified you TOO MUCH.😂 Tbh, the hype has been pretty wild, right?!?? And yes, it is sadness that Aussie YA doesn’t rarely leave Australia. *sighs* I mean, I think they’ve published Every Breath and Disruption at least. SO THAT’S GOOD.
I’M SO MAD BECAUSE I TRIED TO FIND THAT EVERY BREATH ONE AND I COULDN’T FIND IT
CURSE YOU AMERICA
CURSE YOU FOR NOT HAVING IT.
UGH.
*flails*
UGH, CURSE THE UNIVERSE FOR NOT MAKING BOOKS MORE WIDELY AVAILABLE. Did you try Book Depository though?? I could’ve sworn it was on there…
Yay an Australia post! I always like them. I have been planing on doing a post on the proper eating of vegemite because people who try it on a spoon that has got to be soooo grosss! There is quite an art to eating it. Someone in our family does eat it every day, spread thinly on bread (because it does not hates us) or on saos.
Omg you should definitely do that post!! I WANT TO READ IT. And then send it to all these deluded Americans who eat it wrong for…omg, I don’t even know why?! So they can make bad videos and laugh. Pfft. THEY NEED TO EAT IT RIGHT.
I’ve been meaning to read more Australian YA lately, so thank you for all of these wonderful recommendations! You know how much I love Illuminae and These Broken Stars Cait! The Things I Didn’t Say and The Book Thief amazing as well. Thanks for sharing Cait and, as always, fabulous post! <3
We so twinned on The Things I Didn’t Say! *hi fives* I ended up ADORING it (although it was a bit cheesy at the end there haha😂)
You know the funny thing with Vegemite is that I never have it on toast. Me no likely. But scrolls? Oh yes – rolled up pastry swirls lined with Vegemite? GIMME MORE.
And huzzah to Australian representation! I always feel oddly smug that Zusak is ours, OURS. *eats scrolls* the world really needs to represent more non-American stuff please. A while back I said I was waiting for a book set in Burma, GUESS WHAT CAIT, I found one. It’s called the Glass Palace *takes bow* life mission: accomplished.
Oooh, scrolls!! I mean, I like it, but then I feel bad about talking about it because I DON’T EAT IT VERY OFTEN MYSELF HAHAHA. But I’m curious about these vegemite potato chips….like how does that even work?
YES. ZUSAK IS OURS. MWAHHAAH THE FAMOUS BEAN. (Although I admit, I read I Am The Messenger and was like “wut wut” so I think The Book Thief was his true work of genius.😂)
WOW! So many great recommendations! I definitely need to pick up Every Breath because SHERLOCK retelling!! I loved These Broken Stars and The Book Thief is so tragically beautiful. I have a copy of Zac & Mia (still sadly haven’t read it), and now I’m VERY interested! Why is Mia a bitter espresso??? Haha
You will find out aaall the things when you read Zac & Mia.😂 She’s just such a prickly sort of person. ZAC IS A TRUE SWEETIE THOUGH. And omg Every Breath is just the BEST for Sherlock retelling-ness. I haven’t found anything that lives up to it yet!
That little girl did not like the Vegemite in that vid. Illuminae and These Broken Stars were really good books. Great topic!
I’m suspicious too, tbh. I think she was just like “ermagerd I’m getting paid, keep chewing”. 😂
The Adventures of Cinnamon Girl is SOOOOO good! I absolutely loved that book! I still need to read Illuminae! Better get on that before the second book comes out!
~Sara
ALL THE CAKES OF THAT BOOK WAS SO GLORIOUS. <3 And Alby was adorable and Grady...afjkdslad I just lvoed it all. :') And GEMINA. I'm sure it'll kill us. Or all the characters. Or both simultaneously.
IT’s HERE!!! I have been waiting for this post like… forever and ever and a little more ever.
And after all that flailing around, when I finally calm down and sit down to read… OMG WHAT IS IT… the title is definitely wrong, meant for some other post that you have scheduled for later because… THIS IS ABOUT VEGEMITE!
Hello patience and perseverance, where art thou?
And lo and behold, the title is right.
As I kept reading the mini descriptions, I kept thinking, OK, This will be the first in my list!
WT heck dude, I wanna read all of them! NOW. ALL TOGETHER! ALL IN A DAY.
Whewww… anyhow, I have some serious decision making to do here. I want to take your advice and start with the very first book, but I also wanna read Adventures of Cinnamon Girl, because it sounds freakin’ awesome. But I also kind of want to start with One Would Think the Deep, because well, I think I’ll like this book; specially after reading your review some time ago, I have been wanting to read it a lot. Like… a lot!
And then there’s Does My Head Look Big in This… I’m Muslim, but I only started wearing the head scarf pretty recently, and I wanna read about other Muslim girls out there who wear it too… and I want to know what’s like for Muslim girls who actually grew up wearing the head scarf…
And then there’s I Love Rosa… cause, you know… PSYCHOPATHS!
Omg I’m so glad you liked the post!!😂 BUT C’MON NOW…when do I ever do a post that doesn’t somehow include food?!? IT’S LIKE MY SIGNATURE THESE DAYS. Ahem. But I hope you do manage to find some!! And Does My Head Look Big In This is written by a Muslim, so I’m guessing it’s pretty on point, right?! I learned such a lot from it! TWAS GLORIOUS. And One Would Think The Deep is such precious angry book. <33 I'm still thinking about it and I read it a few weeks ago now!
aLSO PSYCHOPATHS. SO MUCH WIN THERE.
I’m in the middle of reading “The Book Thief” for the very first time, and OH MY STARS AND STOCKINGS AND GARDEN HOSES. It is just toooooooooooooooo amazing. I almost can’t believe it.
IT IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING AND I’M GLAD YOU’RE ENJOYING IT. Death is kind of nice. :’) And…I feel weird for typing that. AHEM. OKAY BUT WAIT FOR THE ENDING. *gives you chocolate in preparation*
Someone gave me a vegemite sandwich once. I think it was mostly for their amusement, however. I was for whatever odd reason was expecting it to be kind of fruity, like those green smoothies you can get at high end grocery stores that taste mostly of apples and strawberries and bananas with only the weird kale-y aftertaste, but it was….not fruity. Apparently the look on my face was priceless.
AND WHAT EVEN IS THAT COMMERCIAL?
DID THEY MAKE THE SANDWICH RIGHT THOUGH??? And I think vegemite for first-timers is best served on toast, tbh. (Although cold vegemite sandwiches aren’t bad, but toast = better.) And bahaah, fruit?! Noooooooo.😂 Try the “tears of the darkside”, probably. < -- accurate description
Ì am a Canadian bookworm slightly obsessed with Australia. The only Aussie author I know is Jaclyn Moriarty. So naturally when I saw this post, I was like OMG!!!
Thanks for all the reccommendations!
Ohhh, then I’m SUPER glad this list was handy for you!! *flings Aussie books in the air like confetti*
The only one I have read is Every Breath, I need to fix this.
YES YOU DO. *piles them all on your head*
I haven’t ever tried vegemite and I’m still not sure if I’ll like it 😛 I love Graffiti Moon! I read it a while back, so I barely remember the plot, but I remember it was really good! Just from this list, I have a whole load of new TBRs now! 😀
Never know till you try, right!??😂 And zomg I’m the same with Graffiti Moon. I LIKED it but I can’t remember it at all, gah. I need to re-read clearly….
I’ve only ever heard about vegemite and this USAian is terrified to try it.
Please don’t hurt me…I haven’t read any on this list. YET! I love reading books in different countries but I still need to diversify more. I support my reading habit through winning giveaways, review copies, and the library so my choices are chaotic and have stipulations.
I also really love how you set it up and displayed them all, so pretty.
HAHHAHHA IT’S NOT SO BAD. JUST THE BLACK TEARS OF THE SALT MONSTER.😂 Ahem. I mean. It’s wonderful. You’ll love it. BE BRAVE NOW, BROOKE.
Aww, thank you about the set-up! I’m glad you liked it. :’) I had fun putting this together!
I love vegemite. It’s basically the spread that is regularly in my sandwiches/rolls. I have tasted vegemite chocolate too. It wasn’t too bad. My Mum refused to taste i though. I think I can understand. I mean it does sound unusual. I haven’t read most of the books on your list. I feel that’s a bit sad since I’m an Aussie and all. I have read the first book in the Ranger’s Apprentice series though and the Book Thief (I had to wait for weeks to read it because the library list was sooo long. I watched the movie first.). I’ve definitely added a few more to my TBR. I pretty sure you’re one of the main influences for it getting bigger and bigger. Oh, well. I’m sure I well get through them one day. One day. Great list. I realised that I really haven’t read a lot of Australian books. I will have to peruse my bookshelf and see if there are any there.
I feel like I have tasted vegemite chocolate…BUT I CAN’T REMEMBER EXACTLY. Or maybe it was just in my house and I didn’t eat it because I was being good.😂 (That doesn’t sound like me at all, tbh. Ahem.) But vegemite potato chips kind of baffle me. I WANT TO KNOW HOW THAT WOULD WORK.
I am very pleased to hear your TBR is growing ginormously. If it falls on your head I SHALL COME DIG YOU OUT.
I am an American (FREEDOM, EAGLES, FIREWORKS), and I want to read basically every book on this list, BUT I CAN’T FIND MOST OF THEM WHICH INFURIATES MY FRAGILE HEART. Come on Australia, get it together. XD
UGH I KNOW AUSTRALIA IS QUITE BAD ABOUT GETTING THEIR BOOKS OVERSEAS. *sobs for your loss* The Book Depository does SOME but not all. *sad face*
*takes notes obediently*
Good job. Cake for you. :’)
I loved Every Breath, as you know, and I really enjoyed the blabla of Cinnamon Girl, and also Graffiti Moon! 😀 Also, obviously, Illuminae & These Broken Stars. I’ve been meaning to read a Melina Marchetta book for ages but I never get to them for some reason.
Aussie YA, huzzah!
YAYYYYY AUSSIE!! *flings Australian confetti everywhere* Also I haven’t read NEARLY enough Marchetta.😂 Although I’ve read Finnikin twice, so that counts, right?! Hehe
I will be looking for Every Breath! It looks awesome.
OH GOODIE. I promise it is the most deliciously awesome of ever. :’)
I LOOOOOOVE VEGEMITE WITH ALL OF MY SOUL. And wheat loves me (or I love wheat) so we get along well. Also, yay for Aussie books!! *party emoji* I definitely don’t talk enough about Aussie YA either, except maybe on Twitter :’)
LUCKY YOU. *cries for lack of vegemite in life* But omg I feel like ALL the other Aussie blogs do so well championing our literature and here I am like “the only word I can say now is Stiefvater”…*sighs for my neglect*
WHOA I DID NOT KNOW Every Breathe AND These Broken Stars WERE AUSSIE. I seeeeeeeeem to remember The Book Thief and Illuminae were written by Aussie authors. I LEARNED THINGS TODAY, CAIT. YOU ARE THE BEST EDUCATOR OF EVER. (also I had never ever in my life ever heard of Vegemite so I definitely learned a lot of things today and it’s only 8:03 am)
I AM HERE TO EDUCATE. *twirls majestically* But Every Breathe is like the most Aussie of Aussiest things in the world.😂 The slang is strong with that one hahhaahh.
I think MAYBE I had heard it was Aussie, but I forgot XD I NEED TO READ IT FOR SO MANY MORE REASONS NOW AHHHHH
There was one, seedy, back alley shop that sold Vegemite and they don’t have it anymore and it drives me up walls because I can’t have any delicious toastees (tomato ketchup, butter, cheese and Vegemite) anymore!!! *much sadness* 🙁
I have read Graffiti Moon and it was so different it really struck, whereas all contemporary I read tends to meld together in my brain often. 😀
Thanks for the recs, Crocodile Queen 😀
Okay, woah, tomato sauce and vegemite?!?? I’ve never heard of that.😂 OH OH BUT I’M GLAD YOU LIKED GRAFFITI MOON!! For some reason I’ve forgotten 99% of the details, but I did buy it for like 20cents at a library sale so I shall reread asap.
CROCODILE QUEEN?? EXCUSE YOU. DRAGON QUEEN.
Al you trying to say I’m not a real Australian? Cause i have heard of a few of those books, and read none.
But I’ve read Seven little Australian’s and The Silver Brumby Series and heaps of older Australian books.
Ant then there’s the Georgie Tanner Books. Crazy, ridiculous allegorial fantasy, written my an Australian. Orpans falling though puddles? Check. Talking secret agent bat? Check. A mad Wizard who makes your hair go rainbow coloured? Check. Creepy monsters, a dark lord, a nasty prince, a skinny, incompetent, but still plucky boy named Thomas Finnigan? Check, check, check. Or and a dragon named smoking the terrible and a talking magic book. And Combat croquet, which is almost as lethal as Australian polo. These books really cannot be adequately explained. The first one is The Magician’s Daughter, though it seems to have been renamed to The Wanderer’s Daughter.
Oh and the author’s name is Justyn Walker.
DUDE. YOUR AUSTRALIANNESS NEEDS A LITTLE TENDING TO HERE. *throws books at you* Omg I love the Seven Little Australians. <3 And by "love" I mean, I was emotionally damaged BECAUSE OF JUDY OMG. I used to re-read it a gazillion times as a kid, but only go up to before she died.😂
I have not heard of Georgie Tanner before!
Georgie Tanner is brilliant.
I’ll admit to not reading popular book from any part of the world. Old books and Christian Indie books are my thing. Particularly those written by homeschoolers. And I hate most contemporary. Unless it’s mystery/thriller, then there’s a chance I’ll like it. Especially if the characters are exploring interesting questions.
It really all comes down to the characters. And I don’t relate well to a lot of modern society.
Ohhh, okay, I’ll keep that in mind! Because I’m like the exact opposite to you then and I don’t really read Christian and/or indie books. 😂 Ahh, but it’s good we’re all different. KEEPS THE WORLD EXCITING.
But Cait, isn’t vegemite actually really gross? I’ve never had it myself, but that seems to be the general opinion and I don’t know if I WANT to be seen as honorary vegemite ANYTHING. Anyway, I haven’t read any Aussie fiction (that I know of) other than These Broken Stars and The Book Thief. I actually had NO IDEA The Book Thief was written by an Australian author??? Speaking of Australian authors, when are we going to see YOUR books on shelves, Cait? Because I would read those in a heartbeat.
NO IT’S NOT REALLY GROSS. DIDN’T YOU READ THIS POST????? IT’S REALLY GOOD!! I think Americans purposefully eat it wrong because they like the dramatic “ew” reaction. Gah. It’s MEANT to be eaten sparsely not like by the spoonful like all those “watch me eat vegemite” youtube videos. *climbs off soapbox* I JUST HAVE A LOT OF FEELINGS ABOUT VEGEMITE.
Aww. *blushes* Hopefully one day you’ll read a book by me.😂
Fun post, Cait! I had no idea that the authors of Illuminae, These Broken Stars, The Ranger’s Apprentice, and The Book Thief were Australian. How cool.
I didn’t even know that vegemite existed much less what it was before I read this post. Honestly, when I read the post title, I thought you’d made the word up. 😀 It sounds good . I live in the US though so I doubt my supermarket has it but I will try it sometime if I ever come across it.
We are a seriously cool nation. *flips hair majestically* I mean, I’m just going to take partial credit for those Australian authors genius BECAUSE I CAN. Ahem.
Omg you hadn’t heard of vegemite?!? Bahah, well I’m glad you have been officially educated!😂
I’m sure the Aussie greatness just runs through all Aussie authors. 🙂
Haha, yep, I’m official now.
I agree with The Adventures of Cinnamon Girl. It actually recently released in the US in April! And I know Disruption is also coming out…in October I think? I am so very excited to read Disruption 🙂
AHHHH I’m so happy the US is picking up some of these excellent books. I AM SO VERY VERY HAPPY ABOUT THAT.
Disruption will be out in the US in October, for anyone who cares, yay! And Corruption in March 2017, but if you are impatient like me after Cait makes you read DIsruption… you can order it from Australia again, finally! It re-pubbed on July 1 I think. Anyway. I neeeed to read Every Breath, clearly. I have it, so in due time, my friend. I just finished The Book Thief. I am doing pretty well with my Aussie books/authors, is what I am saying. I am trying to be patient and wait for My Sister Rosa to come out in the US because it comes out in November and that isn’t *too* far? I would have bought it long ago, but it’s REALLY expensive- $17 for the Australian paperback versus $11 for the US Hardcover… kind of not even a close call.
Illuminae is also brilliant of course! And I want to read pretttty much all the other books, especially These Broken Stars, One Would Think the Deep, and Cinnamon Girl! Also, I have no idea what vegemite is. Does it have onions? One can never be too careful when they hate onions as much as I do. OMG IT DOES! I just googled it because of course I did, and it DOES. Therefore I can honestly say NO to vegemite. Be gone, oniony miscreant.
I CARE. I’M GLAD IT’S COMING OUT FOR YOU FIENDS SO YOU CAN EMBRACE THE AWESOME.😂 Although I’m sorry it was too slow for you and you already bought the expensive ones haha. Dude. Your hardcovers are $11? *cries* I pay like $32 for a hardcover. THIS IS WHY I’M ALWAYS BROKE.
I didn’t know vegemite had onions??! Are you sure??
Oh my goodness, I’m so happy! I’VE ALWAYS WANTED TO BE A LITTLE VEGEMITE. Although, tbh, that Vegemite commercial is really creepy, and the girl at the end looked like she was pretending to like Vegemite. But hey, I’m sure Vegemite is delicious.
All these books look so good! I’ve only read a few of them, and those ones were great, so I trust your judgement on all the others. Also, since you already like two of Melina Marchetta’s novels, you should really read On the Jellicoe Road because it is SO GOOD and it’s also set in Australia and it will stab you in the feels and leave you for dead. #fairwarning
I really need to read The Things I Didn’t Say. I saw that you were reading it on Goodreads, and it looks so good. *snatches*
yaY YOU ARE NOW AN HONORARY LITTLE VEGEMITE. But hopefully that doesn’t mean you’ll eat it with the kind of reaction as the girl in the video. I’m sure she was trying very hard with her acting. I just hope she didn’t run off screaming after they called cut, because, seriously that face?? She wasn’t having a good time.
ANYWAY! Marchetta! YES. SHE IS QUEEN. I’m actually super ashamed I haven’t read Jellicoe Road yet. And I’m ashamed I haven’t finished the Finnikin series. I mean, gawsh, what have I been doing with my life??? *sends self off to read them*
Also The Things I Didn’t Say was GLORIOUS. I finished it and fajdkslad it was such a good representation of Social Anxiety. The best I’ve ever read probably. <3 DEFINITELY SNATCH IT IF YOU CAN.
+JMJ+
This is an amazing list! And I love your photos and images. You have a beautifully formatted blog. =)
By the way, I’m the one who tweeted you about marmite. I hope this comment goes through!
Here’s my own Top 10 for the week!
Aww, thank you so much! That’s so kind of you to say! *flails* And YES FOUND THE COMMENT! I hope, now that I’ve unspammed this one, that my blog will figure out you’re a human.😂
‘These Broken Stars’ is really good. But for some reason I’ve yet to read the rest of the books in the series. The covers sure are gorgeous though. 🙂
THEY ARE SO GORGEOUS. *pets all the covers* I felt the middle book was a bit draggy, but the finale is sooo worth it. <3
First up, yes to Vegemite. I’m vegetarian so, weirdly enough, it’s perfect for me. I can remember a couple years back I was staying at a friends’ house and we put Vegemite on pizza, but I didn’t realise to do it thinly… long story short it was a sure way to ruin two perfectly delicious things in one go.
Okay so The Book Thief is incredible, definitely one of my 45 favourite reads (and that’s honestly saying something, all sassiness aside). Also GirlI’m sorry!!).
Also, on a sidenote, how’s Australia right now????? 35 degrees celsius in London and it’s b r u t a l – are you laughing in the distance about how weak I am right now or..
Amy;
Little Moon Elephant
OMG YAY A VEGEMITE LOVER! *goes to stand next to you* Like about three people have said they even like vegemite here and it’s breaking my soul. But omg yes thin is key or else it’s not pleasant at all.😳
THE BOOK THIEF IS AMAZING. I want to re-read it, but also: do I want that kind of rekindled pain in my life??? *sobs*
Omg, yes I’m laughing in the distance.😂 Would you believe that it was 29C today?!? THAT IS OUTRAGEOUS. Okay winter is pretty pathetic for us probably by your standard (like it averages around 18C) but 29 in the middle of winter is bizarre. I think the world is getting hotter. (But seriously I’m a miserable wreck when it’s below 18 so you’re probably laughing at my weakness too…😂😂)
You haven’t finished the Lumetere Chronicles yet!!!!?! Your black heart NEEDS to read Froi of the Exiles. oh my gosh, so needs to. I was waiting to see where Melina Marchetta would pop up on your list. I love her 🙂
Speaking of unfinished series, I LOVE these Broken Stars. Just finished This Shattered Workd but can’t bring myself to start Their Fractured Light because I do t want it all to be over. Amie Kaufman and Meghan Spooner are so much fun!
I’ve also read Elizabeth Knox in my Aussie reading. Dreamquake and the first one in that duology I can’t think of now and one other by her. I enjoyed them though they definitely have a different feel to them than American novels. Or maybe it’s just Knox’s style.
I KNOW. I’M LIKE SO SHAMED ABOUT THAT. But I DO have Finnikin on audiobook so I’m going to re-read this year (my 3rd time!! So maybe I haven’t read them all, but I’ve read Finnikin enough times to make up for it.😂) and then I’m going to devour the rest of the series. Honestly I’m ashamed at how little Marchetta I’ve read. SHE IS AMAZING.
And omg Amie Kaufman is SUCH an amazing writer. And I need to read some of Megean Spooner’s solo books now.
I haven’t actually heard of Elizabeth Knox, but I need to look her up clearly.😂
I’ve never had vegemite so I can’t say whether I like it or not BUT I’d love to try it.
Also, I thought that I’d be trying to be invisible because I believed I didn’t read any australian book but I’ve These Broken Stars and it was amazing! So at least one, even if it’s 50% australian. It’s true though that my TBR is bigger again. And I want to read Iluminae sooo much and it will be translated into Slovak…or Czech… I’m not sure but it’s super exciting anyway! 🙂
THAT’S THE SPIRIT. *nods enthusiastically* I hope you do try it someday.😂
And yay for These Broken Stars!! But pfft, you don’t have to hide.😂 Like I said… I don’t feel like Australia is very good at promoting their books?! They tend to just STAY in our country instead of being published worldwide and that’s such a shame!
Vegemite = THE BEST. Vegemite + chips/chocolate? nooooo thank you. I DID try both… and they were just as disgusting as each other, honestly. I think Jessica Shirvington HAS to be my favourite Aussie writer (fun fact: her mother-in-law worked as a teacher at my primary school. I didn’t have her as a permanent teacher but she did teach sections of our class maths at one time.) But, yeah, there’s just something about her writing I love so much!
YES VEGEMITE IS GLORIOUS I AM GLAD WE’RE IN AGREEMENT. I feel like I vaguely have tried vegemite chocolate? Like I distinctly remember we had some in the house but I can’t REMEMBER if I ate it or not. How tragic is that? My memory = an abomination. *cries*
Zomg you KNOW PEOPLE WHO KNOW FAMOUS PEOPLE. So that makes you famous by default! Except, well, PFFT, you’re a published author SO FAMOUS ALL ON YOUR OWN. :’)
I’ve never read a book that was primarily set in Australia. (Only a few that visited for a quick plot related reason.) But I have read books by Australian authors, so I guess that counts some.
“It’s so very Australian and clever and features people getting blown up and shot at and mysteries and tragic geniuses.” Well….if I hadn’t already bought this book to read soon, I’d want to read it now. You should write blurbs for books. XD
Sadly, I haven’t heard of most of these. Guess I have a date with Goodreads.
YES IT STILL DEFINITELY COUNTS. *nods* Although it amuses me when Aussie authors set their books in America. *cough*Jessica Shirvington*cough* I MEAN, PLEASE. WE NEED MORE EPIC AUSSIE BOOKS WUT R YOU DOING. *cries* Ahem.
I honestly should be a book marketer. :’) I would be so good at it. “Here read this book, IT HAS BLOOD AND GUTS AND GLORY AND OCCASIONAL PICNICS FOR CAKE.” #winning
My favorite aussie author is Jen Marie Wilde. Her books are AMAZING. I highly recomend all of them. I remeber this one series i read when i was a smoll hobbit called The Silver Stallion, and it’s about this wild Brumby horse, and it follows his life, and then the lives of his kids, and it’s also a movie. I ADORE it. It is out of print, though, so you might have some trouble finding it. But you really should read them. They are fantastic. And sad.
I’ve never had Vegemite, but i would like to try it one day. I’ll probably like it, simce I’m not a very picky eater. Also i like to read books written in different countries, and/or set in another country.
I’ve heard of the Silver Stallion! But haven’t read it.😂 I was somehow never really into horse books when I was a Small Human Child? STRANGE OF ME. I was busy reading all the dog books like Old Yeller and zomg traumatised for life. Whyyyy do they always kill the animals? *sobs*
Omg GOOD. Mostly everyone here is adamantly opposed to Vegemite. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS WORLD. Vegemite is delicious!
Okay I have never heard of vegemite, but it sounds a bit like marmite and is a love it or hate it kind of food?!? I have rarely heard of any Aussie authors, in fact the other day I stumbled across one (Maria Lewis) and did a little double take to confirm it said Australian rather than American. So interesting books here that I will have to check out, some of which I have heard of and totally didn’t realize where written by Australians, woops!
Yup, vegemite is definitely a bit like marmite! I think marmite is sweeter though? I’m terrible and haven’t had either for a while.😂 BUT BOTH ARE TASTY THOUGH. And omg I wish Aussie books were easier to get overseas. We have SUCH good writers here and they just kind of get lost.
It’s quite odd how Aussie authors aren’t more world wide, I mean the book industry is worldwide and can sell on the WORLD WIDE web so I don’t see why it is an issue. I guess there might be postage cost but people are often willing to pay for that, especially I they were buying in bulk for national bookstore etc. It really has bamboozled!
Oh well it’s not about postage.😂 It’s more about rights! Like for a lot of books they’ll be published in several different countries by different publishers. But for many Australian books, they just aren’t picked up by American publishers. I’m not sure why. I guess the Americans don’t understand us. *sobs* I’m assuming Aussie books are often published in a lot smaller quantities too and international booksellers (like Book Depository) don’t take risks on them because they’re not big enough? That’s just a guess though.
Ahhh, that makes more sense 😆 it still such a shame though 😢.
Preloved, did you say Princess Bride quotes? I AM THERE! I want it now. I need it.
I’ve read a few books on this list like Finnickin of the Rock. WHICH IS GLORIOUS! The world building was very on point. Oh, and I”ve read some of The Ranger’s Apprentice, but I haven’t finished the series yet which is sad. I must do that. And The Book Thief ALDKALKDFJS! It’s the most quotable book, second to The Princess Bride.
I still want to read Every Breath so badly. And One Would Think the Deep. And just about all of these. *nods* Yep, I need to move to Australia. I’ll be building myself a raft like Tom Sawyer. Oh, but that didn’t go down well. . .
Awesome post!
YES. I mean, what book could be more perfect if it uses tons of Princess Bride quotes?!? *hugs Preloved* I SO BADLY NEED TO FINISH THE FINNIKIN SERIES OMG. I have such feelings over that world. <3 But yes, definitely just come to Australia and devour all our books. And raft? Pfft. Please. COME BY DRAGON.
Yippeee, I have read and loved a lot of these books and many are on my TBR! I keep hearing about how amazing Finnikin of the Rock is, which I’m excited about and Graffiti Moon as well. I absolutely LOVE Disruption, These Broken Stars and My Sister Rosa! I will be seeing some of them at BWF which is really exciting!
OHhh you MUST try Finnikin at some point Jeann!! IT’S SUCH A STUPENDOUS EPIC FANTASY. With like actual real amazingly detailed world building for once. <33 I am in love with a book. ajdflksadjk
I love love love this post!
I’ve read a few Aussie authors over the years, but especially in the past two years, I find myself preferring them when it comes to contemporary. No one gets us like another Aussie and our experiences here as teens are so far removed from life in the US even. And they don’t dwell on drama either.
No vegemite on toast? NOOOOOOOOO. Can you have it on other non bread snacks like salada or crumpets? I still have vegemite everyday for breakfast, having grown up on it I can still eat it by the spoonful 😀
Ohhh SO TRUE. I mean the American schools and everything are just bizarre, sheesh. Give me an Australian contemporary any day.😂 And I do feel like there’s less clique dramas and stereotypes in Aussie contemporaries for some reason? Plus they seem basically guaranteed to be diverse. It is glorious.
OH YES, KELLY, JUST WAIT WHILE I GET SOME VEGEMITE FOR MY LETTUCE.
I’ve always wondered what vegemite is – it seems to be in every Australian book I’ve ever read, so I probably should have looked it up by now. But I guess I was enjoying basking in my ignorance until you educated me. 🙂
Thanks for the Aussie recs! I’ve only read a few of these, so I have lots of books to check into now!
YOU ARE WELCOME FOR THIS EDUCATIONAL POST. *flails majestically* Now all that’s left is to try some.😜
I can’t even with Vegemite. I stand next to an open jar of it and the scent of it makes my nose burn. Nods. LOVELY LIST, that I as a fellow Aussie blogger that mostly reads crime and need more YA authors to follow, can appreciate. YUP. (Also My sister Rosa: SHUDDERS)
My Sister Rosa was wooooonderful and TOTALLY DISTURBING.😂 And omg, you’ve offended vegemite all over the world HOW COULD YOU.😂