This week I was supposed to speaking at the CBCA Clayton’s Night, where I along with other guest judges were going to talk about our favourite Australian books from the 2019 year. Sadly, due to Covid-19, this event was understandably canceled. However, I still want to share the books that I was going to talk about on the night in the older readers category. 

So today, I’m sharing those books with you the books I was going to speak about at the CBCA Victoria event. Over the past few months, I’ve read more and more #LoveOZYA, and it has just made me so happy. I always go out of my way to read as much as I can. But I really tried to read even more over the past couple of months. One of the things that did come from reading all these books was the fact that I love Aussie Young Adult. There is something about it that just makes me so happy while reading. The talent we have here in Australia is phenomenal, and I really wished more people will pick up some #LoveOzYA. Anyway here are the six books that turned out to my favourite #LoveOzYA of 2019. 

What I Like About Me by Jenna Guillaume: A fantastic debut novel that explores coming of age in a time where looking ‘perfect’ is in everything that we do. It explores that being yourself is so much more important than looking a certain way that appeases everyone in life. What I Like About Me follows Maisie Martin, whose last thought this summer was entering a beauty pageant. And that isn’t the last outlier this summer. Her best friend is going out with the guy she has always had a crush on; her dad is behaving strangely. Plus, her older sister is back. Throw in unexpected feelings for a guy she has always disliked. Well, it’s going to be an interesting summer. 

Maisie goes through many ups and downs throughout the novel, but they all make her who she at the end. It’s a fluffball of a book that is both adorable and so timely. If you are looking for a new book about body positivity and coming of age, then this one is for you. It had to make my CBCA list. You can check my full review now. 

 

It Sounded Better in My Head by Nina Kenwood: Nina Kenwood writes an honest, heartwarming coming of age novel. It Sounded Better In My Head follows Natalie as she tries to navigate life after high school and what’s it like to be an adult. After Natalie’s parents announce that they are planning on divorcing. Her two best friends get together, and everything that Natalie understands is falling apart. Throw in an unexpected romance that leaves Natalie trying to figure out what to do with her life.   

This novel truly captures all those feelings of leaving high school and the anxieties of what to do with life as an ‘adult.’ It explores family breakdowns, friendships out of high school, and pure romance that everyone needs to read. While doing all this, It Sounded Better In My Head is also fun, charming and will leave the reader with a smile on their face. You can read my full review here. 

 

The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling by Wai Chim: An empowering novel that explores family, mental health and trying to find your own feet. Anna Chiu has a lot going on in her life. She is looking after her younger brother and sister, helping in her dad’s restaurant and trying to make it through school. While this all happens, her mother hasn’t moved from her bed. But when her mum finally gets out of bed, things go from bad to worse. This novel captures what it’s like trying to live with mental illness. And while it explores the very dark times of living with a mental illness, it also shows that there is light in the darkness. There are ways to heal, but it’s not easy, it’s not instant. And it’s not forever.

And while there is darkness in this novel and sometimes you feel like there is no hope. There is also warmth. It has one of the cutest romances every. Anna and Rory were absolutely adorable together. They made my heart scream it was so beautiful. 

 

This is How We Change the Ending by Vikki Wakefield: A powerful read that explores the low socioeconomic communities in Australia and how it impacts daily lives, especially teens trying to make their way through school. This novel follows Sixteen-year-old Nate McKee as he tries to hide from most of the world. And he is worried about a lot of things, especially the way that his dad treats Nance and his half-brothers. To get away from it all, Nate escapes the local youth center. There he fills his notebook with this he can’t say aloud. I want to say that I loved this book, but it’s also hard to say because of everything that it explores. And while This is How We Change the Ending is hard to read at times it is also such a powerful read. 

This book made me feel so many things from anger to hope. From sadness to being proud. This poignant coming of age story that captures the lives of those that struggle day by day. That tries to make the best of what they have. There was no doubt that this was making my CBCA list. 

How It Feels to Float by Helena Fox: Is an honest, heartbreaking and beautiful novel that explores grief, mental illness and the struggles that everyday life brings. How It Feels to Float follows Biz as her life around her unfolds. After an incident on the beach, her friendship group falls apart. And that includes the one person that Biz needed her in life. Her stability is now gone. And everything becomes too much. Biz just wants to float away. But there is some light in the darkness, her twin siblings, her mum, and Jasper, the new boy. Helena Fox provides a harrowing but also hopeful novel that will take the reader on a heartbreaking journey.

How It Feels to Float is about the ups and downs of friendships, living with mental illness, and how sometimes we just need that shoulder to lean on. It’s an honest novel that doesn’t shy away from the things that might hurt us. It’s a candid representation of mental illness and grief that will leave the reader feeling heartbroken yet so hopeful.  

Making Friends with Alice Dyson by Poppy Nwosu: You know those books that just put a smile on your face, this is one of those. This is a beautiful, adorable, and honest novel that explores the highs and lows of the last year of high school. This novel follows Alice Dyson in her last year of high school. Her plan? Focus on her future! Head down, do her homework, and nothing is going to stop her. Expect maybe a dance-off with troublemaker and delinquent Teddy Taualai. Alice is thrown into the spotlight when rumours start flying around. Teddy is a flirt, and Alice is a shy bean, and while at first, they seem like total opposites. As the novel goes on, they are able to connect with one another. 

Making Friends with Alice Dyson is a sweet story that looks at friendships, the most adorable romance, and the strength of opening up. Everything about this book is tender and sweet but also packs a punch. This is a fantastic debut that is brilliant and soft, and I finished it with a massive smile. 

The notables for 2020 CBCA awards have been announced, and it’s really exciting seeing a great range of books on there. The shortlist for the CBCA will also be announced at noon on March 31. Definitely keep your eye out for that.  

While you are here, a few weeks ago, my Beta Reading services became live! I’m so excited to have started this new adventure. So if you are looking for someone to beta read your current work in progress, you can check out more information.

Thank you so much for checking this post out. I would like to thank everyone at the CBCA Vic Branch and those responsible for the CBCA Clayton’s Night. While we couldn’t have the night, I still got to share all my love for these Aussie YA authors. I would also like to say in these hard times, please support your local bookstores. We booksellers are doing everything in our power to support #LoveOzYA. Especially those coming out the past couple weeks and months to follow.