While scrolling through my reviews from the year that's just been, I had a heart-sinking realisation. In my quest to cover old classics and novels from around the world, I'd read only three Australian books all year. And since they comprised Michael Gerard Bauer's Don't Call Me Ishmael trilogy, which I read back to back, that can arguably be compressed into one. I instantly knew what I'd felt to be missing in 2024, and I kicked myself. As an Aussie author myself, I'm well aware that our excellent stories, and those of our close neighbours, the Kiwis, tend to fly beneath the radar of most of the world. To make amends for last year, I've created my own monthly reading challenge, which includes some quintessentially distinctive categories. And I'm adding the stipulation that they must all be set in Australia, rather than merely having an Australian author.
If you'd like to, please join me for any or all, making your own choices for the categories. Or at least watch mine as they fill out. These can be ticked off in no particular order.
1) Time Travel
2) Fan Fiction
3) Memoir/Autobiography
4) Cosy Mystery
5) Convict Story
6) Bushfire Story
7) Migration Story
8) Romantic Fiction
9) Historical Fiction
10) Modern Fiction (or at least set in the 21st century)
11) A Name in the Title
12) Nature in the Title
Hi Paula,
ReplyDeleteThis is a fantastic idea and I would love to join along! I haven't any reading goals for this year and this one is so lovely that I am sure I can read along. I am already thinking of a few that fit the categories! If you don't mind, I'd love to share along over on my sleepy blog to keep myself accountable?
Happy New Year!
Kirsty
Hi Kirsty,
DeleteYay, I'd be thrilled to have you as a challenge companion! I'm sure we'll be able to trade great book recommendations with each other.
I did look at some other book challenges around, and some seemed a bit cumbersome so I thought I'd design my own.
12 Aussie books should be well and truly do-able, right :)
Hi Paula,
ReplyDeleteNot sure if my other comment went through or not, but I just thought I'd let you know again that I would love to join in with this fun reading challenge. I also asked if you would mind if I share the challenge over on my blog.
I wish you and your family a very Happy New Year!
Kirsty
Yep, all good :) I was getting heaps of spam, so set up moderation to check once or twice a day.
DeleteI did forget to say that yes, I'd be very happy for you to share this on your blog. We may even get more takers.
(I'm thinking the only time travel set in Australia would have to be Playing Beatie Bow, which I'm going to pick, but I might be wrong.)