Books I Love That Take Place in Australia | #LoveOzYA
Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. Each week they post a new Top Ten list that members at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone join as you please. This week’s topic is Ten Books That Took Place in Another Country.
I took a little liberty with this weeks topic. If I went books that didn’t take place in Australia, I could talk about 90% of YA. So I thought I would share some of my favourite books set in Australia. Anyway, here we go.
Every Breath by Ellie Marney: I adored this series. It’s one of my favourite #LoveOzYA books of all time and better yet, it’s set in Melbourne, Australia. It’s such an intense, fun and emotional book, but I also recommend it to everyone and anyone.
Secret Science of Magic by Melissa Keil: The Secret Science of Magic is an adventure. It’s a beautiful story of coming of age, growing up, and learning. It’s about letting go, and not just finding yourself, but believing in who you can become. It deals with the notion of first love, leaving high school, friendship, family and so much more. It’s one of those books that you pick up and just fall in love.
The Yearbook Committee by Sarah Ayoub: The Yearbook Committee is enchanting, you will be torn apart and put together over and over again. You will be taken on a ride with 5 students in their class year of high school – so be prepared.
The Last Days of Us by Beck Nicholas: The Last Days of Us was a raw and emotional read. It tells a story of death and grief. What it’s like to lose someone at a young age and have your whole life change. It’s about friendship, family, and the good and bad. The Last Days of Us explores life at it’s best and worse.
Zac and Mia by A.J Betts: This book broke my heart into so many pieces. I loved it so much. It’s such a beautiful novel that is very real. It doesn’t shy away from death or sickness. Plus it’s set in Perth, Australia, which is very rare.
Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley: Words in Deep Blue is a poignant, beautiful story with fleshed out characters, gorgeous writing and a concept that is for every book lover. It’s about love, friendship, family and grief. You are taken on a journey through up’s and down’s and pulled into pieces.
When Michael Met Mina by Randa Abdel-Fattah: When Michael Met Mina should be on every high school book list in the country. The younger generations need to know that sometimes the government and media lie and manipulate the sense of asylum seekers. They need to know that most of these people are not illegal or jumping the queue, they are just simply people looking for freedom, safety, and peace. It’s an important story to write and share.
Life in Outer Space by Melissa Keil: Life in Outer Space by Melissa Keil explores friendship, first love, family and what it is like to keep everything bottled in. It shows that sometimes love needs to start off as a friendship and that the bonds of friends are not always broken – even if there is some turbulence on the way. In a beach-side Australian town it’s fun to see things that are similar to how I grew up.
Frankie by Shivaun Plozza: A brilliant debut novel that captured my heart. It’s a story of heartbreak, belonging, finding yourself and what it is to be a family. It captures Melbourne as Melbourne from the language to the setting, it brings to light that sometimes when you think that you are alone, you are not alone and all that you need to do is let them in. Frankie by Shivaun Plozza is a must read.
And that is it! What are some of your favourite books set in Australia? Do we share any that’s the same? Is there a book that you love set in another country? Let’s Chat!
