1. Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey. This book beautifully encapsulates so much of Australian culture and what it's like to grow up in this country. It also has the most exciting description of a game of cricket ever. Like, it's actually exciting.
2. Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley. Two teens explore Melbourne over one night. I want to go there so bad (yes, I've never been and I know, it's terrible).
3. On the Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta. The isolated rural setting of On the Jellicoe Road is as beautiful as it is haunting. Pretty much all of Melina Marchetta's contemporary novels could go on this list, the Australian setting is so central to all of them.
4. The Reluctant Hallelujah by Gabrielle Williams. A roadtrip with a difference. It made me want to see Australia this way. Minus the surprise in the boot.
5. And All The Stars by Andrea K. Host. I haven't come across too many (read: any) sci-fi stories set in Australia so I was pleasantly surprised by this one.
6. Puberty Blues by Kathy Lette and Gabrielle Carey. This is an iconic Aussie book, putting a spotlight on the darker side of surfie culture.
7. I Came to Say Goodbye by Caroline Overington. This book showcases a variety of Australian settings and the main character, Med, is the epitome of an Aussie battler.
8. Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay. An Australian classic, this atmospheric and eerie tale explores the tension between European settlers and the harsh landscape.
9. Cinnamon Rain by Emma Cameron. This verse novel tells an Australian story that's not often told - teens who leave school before year 12. That's it. But it's also so much more.
10. Preloved by Shirley Marr. Aside from the 80s reference, ghostliness and general awesomeness, I love that the main character in this book has Asian heritage and highlights what it's like to grow up in a migrant family.
Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.
Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.
Oooo we did the same setting! But only a couple of books doubled up. Now I have a whole lot more to add to my TBR pile! Great list
ReplyDelete- Annette
Oh awesome, I will check out your list
DeleteAdding all of these to my wishlist because I love Asutralia so much and being in Norway I don't see many books with that setting. Thanks for the list! :)
ReplyDeleteI hope you get the chance to read some :)
DeleteAnd All The Stars sounds good! Sci-fi in Australia, I like it.
ReplyDeleteI can't think of a single book set in Australia, that is just sad! So great list, I'll have to try to find some of these.
It is really good! I know Australian books can be harder to track down overseas, but apparently fishpondworld.com has quite a few.
DeleteI haven't read any of these books! I like the look of most of them :-)
ReplyDeleteThey're all great
DeleteI'm surprised Jasper Jones made your list xD
ReplyDeleteReally? I looove that book!
DeleteI haven't read any of these, but I'd love to check out Cinnamon Rain.
ReplyDeleteMy TTT.
It's quite a lovely book.
DeleteI've been seeing a lot of YA books in the shop recently based in colonial Australia... I am really so not interested. I can deal with contemporary Aus and I've even read some on your list. I'd quite like to read On the Jellicoe Road one day.
ReplyDeleteI don't think colonial Australia is my thing, not a massive fan of Australian history. Love contemporary though. Jellicoe is amazeballs.
DeleteCome to Melbourne, Belle!! And then we'll go out to Hanging Rock :)
ReplyDeleteLove this list - so many great books here. I'm reading a book at the moment that is reminding me so much of Jasper Jones in terms of the setting, that dark, small town vibe. Love it.
That sounds like a brilliant plan! I really need to get to Melbourne.
DeleteI'm bookmarking all the lists that picked Australia because I need more Aussie books in my list <3 Jasper Jones sounds really good! My family are cricket mad so I'll have to check that out :) I love the sound of Cinnamon Rain! Thanks so much for sharing these books - I can't wait to check some of them out! :D
ReplyDeleteAh you poor thing. I come from a cricket crazy family too ;)
DeleteI don't think I've ever read a book set in Australia, but now thanks to your list I can rectify that! :) Great list!
ReplyDeleteAustralia is an awesome setting :D
DeleteI love books set in Australia, though I've never been there! Melina Marchetta is amazing.
ReplyDeleteYes, one of my fave authors!
DeleteI haven't read any of these books. I clearly need to read more books set in Australia. I have Jellicoe Road and Jasper Jones on my shelf so I will have to start there. Great list!
ReplyDeleteThey are great places to start! Both amazing books.
DeleteYou have got some great books set in Australia on your list. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteI enjoy so many books that are Australian imports, but are set in Australia. Sadly I haven't read any of these, but I will have to be on the look-out to see if I can get some of them here. They all look so good. Thanks for visiting my TTT.
ReplyDeleteLisaILJ @ I’ll Tumble for YA
I highly recommend them all - obviously ;)
DeleteAustralia seems to be a popular setting this week too! There are a couple here that I need to check out!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to see it get some love
DeleteI read and loved Jellicoe Road. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's such a fantastic read!
DeleteA very interesting choice of setting and a great list.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteGreat list, Belle. I can't believe I haven't read Jasper Jones yet. And I even got to meet Craig Silvey and have him sign my book. Bad blogger.
ReplyDelete-Maggie
I have a massive crush on Craig Silvey. So talented and cute!
Delete