#readaustralian

[thereadingchallengechallenge]

in the lead-up to Booklr Reads Australian, I'm going to share some Goodreads lists that have good selections of Australian novels for people to investigate and choose from 😊

[theomnilegent]

This month, I'm participating in Booklr Reads Australian, hosted by the lovely @thereadingchallengechallenge!

I have some pretty high goals for this month but my hope is to read my way through this stack. I've already started with Ellie Marney's The Killing Code and I'm loving it so far!

The books pictured here are also all sapphic in one way or another, to stick with my own goal of reading primarily sapphic stories this year.

Happy reading everyone!

[booksandwords]

The Kite by N.R. Walker

Read time: 1 Day Rating: 5/5 Stars

The Quote: “You and me; double hit. They want us dead. You’re a kite, and your government just cut you loose.” — Asher Garin

Warnings: N.R. provides two in The Kite. “on-page physical and gun violence. Reader discretion advised." and "This book is intended for an adult audience. It contains graphic language, explicit content, and adult situations.”

Let me say the story of Asher Garin and Tim “Harry” Harrigan is not cute and fluffy despite the grump/sunshine trope, okay it is cute. N.R. Walker provides readers of The Kte with two different warnings. "Caution: on-page physical and gun violence. Reader discretion advised." and "This book is intended for an adult audience. It contains graphic language, explicit content, and adult situations." Note the character's jobs before reading, an Australian government mercenary and a nomadic assassin. These are strong, hard, ruthless men, who have absolutely few qualms with taking lives for money and certainly none for self-preservation. Asher isn't entirely hard, Harry kinda is. They are great characters. Suiting their tropes, societal positions and feel like Walker's writing as I have come to know it. That said even if you like N.R Walker's writing this may not be for you. I do recommend this if you want your grump/sunshine dynamic with a little more bite. It's a pleasing take on assassins in love.

Asher Garin is an enigma. The more information he reveals about himself the less it feels like you know. His lack of history and his statelessness are both intriguing. Four is devoted to him, loyal to a fault. He almost feels like a prism, he shows you only what he or maybe you want to see. His natural charm and charisma are offputting, they prevent both characters and readers from thinking too much. I do have two favourite elements of him he was a language prodigy (be still my heart) and his guns are his family. There are two great moments of Asher with guns. “Hello, pretty baby,” he said. “Christ,” Harry mumbled. “You always talk to your guns like that?” (Asher and Harry). This is Asher talking to his MP7, which is a whole other thing, that is not a small gun. "He handled those weapons like a well-versed lover. It was hot." (Harry) I may not like guns, but I do love competency. I usually have a preferred hero in novels, in this one it was Asher, he made me think as such I can write much more on him than Harry. sorry not sorry

Tim “Harry” Harrigan (referred to nearly exclusively as Harry) is an Australian mercenary. He is angry, and hurting and just wants revenge. He wouldn't mind some answers as to why he's been doing the kills he's been doing for the last handful of years but he can take or leave them but he wants revenge on whomever he can get his hands on for making him work for the bad guys. He grew up in a decent family until the inevitable happened... homophobic parents + gay son = disowned and beaten son. The funniest moment to me as an Australian was the moment with Harry, Asher and the tattoo. “Is that some kind of kite tattoo?” Asher asked. Harry, with his permanent scowl, looked down at his chest. “It’s not a kite. It’s the Southern Cross, the stars on the Australian flag. And I’m not a kite. For fuck’s sake.” The Southern Cross made sense. “You are a kite,” Asher said. “Whether you like it or not.” Only an Australian author would write this. Southern Crosses are a big thing in Australia a sign of pride or rebellion (or both). Honestly, he kinda feels like everything an angry Australian fighter should, just with some brains and an eye for short-term strategy. told you this would be so much shorter than Ashers

Their grump/sunshine dynamic is fun and goes to places I didn't expect. Asher knows how to push buttons and likes to do it just to provoke a response. Honestly, there is something seriously fitting though perhaps bizarre in his lovemap. Arguments and violence as foreplay and almost brutally violent sex, at least the first time he's with Harry. This is so confronting for Harry especially when he caves and just gives Asher what he wants, the guilt is immense. I appreciate the contrasts in support bases, family lives and backgrounds. With Asher, I'm not sure I've ever read a true nomad or stateless character, what we do see of his background is heartbreaking. Those who are close to him he trusts with his life. Harry similarly has few people in his life but trusts no one, his family are awful. I find the choice to make Asher the more measured one, the cold one, the distance shooter is right. Harry has the emotion to burn, is that an Australian thing? That passion we picked up over the years. He is suited to closer combat, not a brawler per se which implies a loss of control, but just a more personal style. Even their take on the endgame reflects their personalities.

Some quotes and comments and there are a lot of them.

It had been so long since he’d set foot on Australian soil, he’d almost forgotten what home felt like. He longed for a life that wasn’t his. Wasn’t this. At first the longing was fleeting, no more than a whisper, but it sang a little louder now. In the quiet darkness of night or the patient wait for a kill. — This is such pretty phrasing. Harry and his slight homesickness is one side of their home coin. But this is also quite an Australian vibe to me. (Harry)

Seeing his eyes flash with recognition, with steel, had been unexpected. Pressing him against the wall in the dark was another bonus. Dangerous, exciting. Hot. — This is Asher's response to Harry's reaction to being saved. He does admit he's always found Harry attractive (feeling mutual). Asher has a slightly seemed up lovemap. But to be honest Harry's was "The fact he was pointing a gun at Harry’s head didn’t help. Harry shouldn’t have found that so hot . . .". These are men who live around guns, who are comfortable with them. Honestly again on the whole competency thing that is what I find attractive.

“When we got old.” Harry’s gaze cut to Asher’s. “Old? I’m thirty-six. How old are you?” Asher shrugged. “Thirty-three.” More or less. “We’re not old.” “That’s retirement age in our industry.” “Is that why they’re retiring us?” “Probably.” Asher sighed. “Been in the game too long. Know too much, seen too much. We don’t move like we used to. We become a liability.” — I don't know why I like this line so much but I do. It just feels like a brutal truth that is hitting them. Though Asher feels older than he is, he doesn't even know how old he is. (Asher and Harry)

“Are you done checking me out?” Asher looked him over once more. “No. Damn.” Harry cocked his head. “You like what you see?” “The fuck is not to like?” — Asher is shameless and I love him. But seriously down boy. Inappropriate timing. (Harry and Asher)

And yet, there was Asher sampling every country’s culture that he visited. In between sniping people, that was. Harry was having a little trouble reconciling the two personas: touristy Asher, the guy who loved the food and the people, and the Asher who could pop a target from a mile away with a twenty-knot side wind. — The dichotomy of Asher. The gorgeous tourist and the seriously competent killer. Not to mention he can switch languages like most people change shoes. Honestly, it's all kinds of appealing to me as a reader. (Harry)

Harry was every bit his type. And he didn’t mind playing flirty games with Harry. He was easy to rankle, and it excited Asher to have Harry glare at him the way he did. He could just imagine Harry stalking toward him, furious and demanding . . . Asher had to wonder just how far he had to push Harry to make that happen. He was thinking it wasn’t far at all. — Asher's mind. I like the way in which Walker has chosen to write him. Light playful and loving life. Teasing. (Asher)

“To, čo by som ti dovolila, aby si mi urobil.” Harry fumed. “I don’t even know what fucking language that was, let alone what you said.” Asher grinned. “Want me to translate?” “No.” “I can.” “I want you to shut the fuck up.” — This is made so fun by the Slovak phrase Asher actually says. It translates as "What I would let you do to me". This after Asher has riled Harry up...again. Asher loves to say things like this in languages he knows Harry won't understand. (Asher and Harry)

He risked a look at Asher, his face pressed against Harry’s shoulder. His olive skin, his dark lashes, his pink lips . . . God, Asher’s mouth was nothing but trouble. Beautiful, talented trouble. — I'm a woman of simple pleasures... this visual is one of them. *sigh of appreciation* (Harry)

As he watched Asher sleep, Harry could feel something under his ribs, something he’d never felt before. A need, an ember to begin with but beginning to burn a little warmer. The need to protect him. — This and the previous quote are actually one after the other. This protective side of Harry is something I didn't expect, they are solo workers. And given how we meet Harry? This was unexpected. (Harry)

Harry wasn’t sure if this was fun or insane. Maybe a little of both. It was also turning him on. The push and pull, the challenge. The physicality. The way Asher smirked, the way he seethed. The way fighting turned Asher on. It was all hot. So yeah, it was definitely both. Fun and insane. — I keep saying Asher's lovemap is a little warped, I think Harry's is too. But unlike Asher, I can't figure out the potential source for it. (Harry)

“Vigilantism, extortion, blackmail. Pretty sure that makes you the bad guys.” Asher laughed. “We’re all bad guys, Harry. You and me, we are the bad guys.” He shook his head, amused. “You kill for your government. I kill for anyone’s government. They might call it service or honourable duty, but it’s all murder.” — One of the two ethical quotes I've included. Both of them are kinda dark but still, the ethical questioning and the idea that they are human is a welcome near necessary inclusion. (Harry and Asher)

“You would let me go in by myself?” Asher almost sounded offended. “Solo. You’d be more solo than Han and the lemon drink combined.” — This is their couple humour, jokes and references and teasing. By this point, Harry is not letting Asher go. No matter what he says. (Asher and Harry)

“Do you think guys like us will ever be allowed to live a normal life? Do we even deserve it?” “What we deserve is up to our makers. It’s not for us to decide. Anyway, who is responsible for the puppet’s behaviour? The puppet or those who work the strings?” “We’re the ones who pull the trigger.” “If we didn’t, someone else would. Always. This game we play has been played for thousands of years. Only the field changes, that’s all. It’s political and dirty.” Asher sighed. “And there are rarely any winners.” — I like the voice Asher has been given. The mind he's been given it iare so appealing to me. These are the two sides of the coin in a way. That we all know this really happens makes me kinda depressed. (Harry and Asher)

🤦🏼‍♀️This review is a hot mess. Thank you to anyone who reads it. But suffice to say I adore this book and I think it may be my fave N.R. to date. 😘

[tinkershar]

Being the book before movie nerd that I am I think it's time I read these. #thedry #forceofnature #bookstagram #booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #janeharper #readaustralian https://www.instagram.com/p/CJDA6Isl4Vy/?igshid=wiier6s3ldgk

[therefugeofbooks]

Hello, bookworms!

I'm participating in the Booklr reads Australian challenge and I need some recommendation! Do you guys know any mlm or wlw book by an Australian writer? Or a book that includes queer characters?

Thank you 🖤

[the-bibliophiles-bookshelf]

Read Australian: Authors

I’m so happy there is a push for booklr to be reading Australian this month! I’m Australian so I have some recs. Some things to know about me: I’m very very picky with my #loveozya because I hate reading misrepresentations of Australia, and, over done slang absolutely shits me to tears (our accents are shit but we do not speak entirely in rhyming slang!!). 

Markus Zusak of course is the best. The Messenger is such a perfect portrayal of Australia and it’s a brilliant, funny, provocative book. 

Melina Marchetta is wonderful, I love her portrayal of high school and her descriptions of everyday things like the bus rides to school which are so vivid. She also speaks about so many important topics well.

Sophie Hardcastle I adored her book Breathing Under Water so incredible with so many important issues discussed delicately. Also very atmospheric with big time Byron vibes (minus the anti-vaxers). Here is my full review. 

Jackie French I grew up on Jackie French and while she writes more to middle-grade / primary school aged kiddos her books are super fun and a great introduction into historical fiction. Highly recommend the Waltzing Matilda saga (the first ones at least).

Sarah Ayoub I loved her book The Yearbook Committee it dealt with so many important issues and it was so well written. Its everything I imagine the inner city rich kids at private schools experienced in high school some dark vibes which were done really well. 

Please add some books / authors you love that are Australian I want to hear what you love and why!! Or add me on goodreads and chat with me over there!

[aliteraryprincess]

#ReadAustralian Update 1

I finished Burial Rites on Thursday night, and it’s so amazing!  If you’re a fan of historical fiction, I definitely recommend checking it out.  It has a lot of similarities to Alias Grace (I think I actually found it on a read-alike recommendation list).  The writing is lovely and Kent does a great job building her characters.  5 stars from me!  Next up is The Witches of Eileanan, which I’m very excited for since I loved Kate Forsyth’s Bitter Greens. 

Burial Rites - finished (314 pages)

The Witches of Eileanan - not started

Sabriel - not started

[bibliophilecats]

August 25: Coming of age

Having to deal with the death of sibling or leaving the home you grew up in will give you quite a push in growing up.

[mermaid-reyes]

i like my morning coffee with french pastries and French Resistance fighters

Nancy Wake’s autobiography is in turns thrilling, horrifying, inspiring, hilarious, and completely nuts. i’m not usually one for historical, non-fiction, or biographies, but somehow this book that is all three has completely entranced me. Nancy Wake is the most famous australian wartime hero you’ve probably never heard of, and her life story is absolutely bonkers and entirely worth the read!

[storytime-reviews]

#ReadAustralian Autobiographies/Memoirs

The other day I reblogged a post about Aussie authors and added a few of my own suggestions for @thereadingchallengechallenge‘s #booklr reads australian challenge. But I realised that I only included authors that write fiction and some of my favourite autobiographical reads have been by Aussies! 

Yassmin’s Story by Yassmin Abdel-Magied – Perhaps most well known for the way in which she was harassed out of Australia, Yassmin is an author, mechanical engineer and activist; she started a non-profit and has worked for numerous community groups. She is 2007 Young Australian Muslim of the Year, 2010 Young Queenslander of the Year and 2015 Young Australian of the Year for Queensland. This memoir focuses on her lived experiences as a Sudanese-Australian Muslim woman, including how life changed after 9/11. My review. 

The Happiest Refugee by Anh Do – Anh is a Vietnamese-Australian comedian, artist and author. This memoir traces his family’s escape from war-torn Vietnam and arrival in Australia by boat, the hardships they faced in Australia, and how Anh became one of Australia’s favourite comedians. 

Equal Justice: My Journey as a Woman, a Soldier and a Muslim by Rabia Siddique – The daughter of an Indian Muslim father and a white Australian mother, Rabia joined the British Army as a military lawyer and was stationed in Iraq. This memoir explores her sex and race discrimination case against the British Army after she was taken hostage to negotiate the release of SAS soldiers, whereafter her colleague was awarded the Military Cross for the work and she was not. 

Autobiographies/Memories that are on my TBR:

Good Muslim Boy by Osamah Sami – Osamah is an Iraqi-Australian actor, comedian and writer. In 2016, he won the NSW Premier's Literary Prize Award for Good Muslim Boy, about his life as the son of a Muslim cleric in Australia after his family emigrated. His romantic comedy, Ali’s Wedding, was based on aspects of this memoir. 

The Family Law by Benjamin Law – Ben is a Chinese-Australian author and journalist; The Family Law is essentially a portrait of his family and growing up in Australia in a Chinese family. This memoir was adapted into a three season TV show, focusing on Ben in highschool. 

[thereadingchallengechallenge]

in the lead-up to Booklr Reads Australian, I'm going to share some Goodreads lists that have good selections of Australian novels for people to investigate and choose from 😊

[thelivebookproject]

Booklr Reads Australian Challenge: Discussion

Why do you think Australian fiction is not as widely known as American or British fiction?

When Em first proposed the challenge, my brain immediately blacked out. Did I even know Australian authors? Surely I had read some, right? Then why couldn't I remember more than two?

If the challenge had been about American or British authors, I would have had no problem: I literally can name author after author, even within different genres, with no problem. But Aussie authors? Phew, that's way harder.

And that got me thinking as to why Australian fiction is not exactly famous across the world. It surely can't be the language and/or the need for translation, because it's plain, old English! Then why? Is it because of geographical location? But why should it matter in our globalized world? Spain is not exactly next to the USA and still I read a lot of American authors.

What do you think?

[booksandwords]

The Curse of the Vampire Robot by Graeme Base

Read time: <1 Day Rating: 5/5 Stars

The quote: The night that Voltoid rose again the moon was waxing red. The software-wolves were howling, loud enough to wake the dead.

If I see a new Graeme Base book I will nearly always read it. But The Curse of the Vampire Robot exceeded my expectations. There are some perfect jokes in this. Jokes that I just didn't see coming. Jokes based on typefaces, coding and programs. Everything is computers, old computers, new tech and expressive creatures. Graeme Base has a charming style used so well here, particularly if you want to read it out loud. His illustrations for this book are so different from so many others I have seen. More reminiscent of gothic plates than his regular style. While still suiting the story to a T, much like the illustrations for Moonfish. The little character to find on every page is just cute, I will admit my adult eyes didn't find him easily on every page. Gertie and the ware-wolf pup are adorable, MacSpam is perfectly chaotic (I'm not sure I've ever laughed as much at a single illustration). The story is one of adventure, friendship and perhaps unlikely ways to end a villain. Honestly, it may be one of my favourite Base works for its sheer creativity.

As a picture storybook by Base this inevitably gets shelved in the children's section of libraries and bookshops. I question that choice. While it is a cute story that sends a child-friendly message the characters and background almost are definitely for adults. Much of the tech directly referenced, alluded to and illustrated are generation old, tech-wise and beyond even some twentysomethings. I feel it would be better filled with graphic novels or comics. While that does have its own issues and potential stigmas I think it would be a better fit for the potential audience. As beloved as Graeme Base is people who may get a decent laugh out of this are likely to never find it, they will be unaccustomed to and societally biased against browsing that section. Not to mention browsing the children's section of the library as an adult, particularly an adult male can be uncomfortable. This book is too good and potentially too widely enjoyable to hide in the children's section. This is also why I used my adult rather than children's style for this review.

[arisanareads]

For anyone that wants to tackle the #YearLongReadingChallenge @dymocksbooks have put on this challenge and some of the items in the list are uniquely #Australian Feel free to give it a go. You have 12 months to complete it! #DymocksReadingChallenge #2020ReadingChallenge #ReadAustralian #booklover #booksaddict #booklife #books #readingaddict https://www.instagram.com/p/B7DZT2MB6k0/?igshid=felesc3nrgkr

[therefugeofbooks]

Still in the Booklr reads Australian challenge, I've finished reading On the Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta. She's in many lists about Australian writers so I decided to give it a try! It's not exactly my cup of tea but it's a light book to read.

[thereadingchallengechallenge]

I’ve been trying to find more female-written epic fantasy lately too ^.^ here are some series I’ve found:

the Obernewtyn Chronicles by Isobelle Carmody

the Witches of Eileanan series by Kate Forsyth

the Memoirs of Lady Trent series by Marie Brennan

the Queens of Renthia series by Sarah Beth Durst

the Black Magician trilogy by Trudi Canavan

The Extraordinary Adventures of the Athena Club by Theodora Goss

The Gospel of Loki duology by Joanne M Harris

the Lumatere Chronicles by Melina Marchetta

the Children of the Black Sun trilogy by Jo Spurrier

Does anyone have any good recommendations for high fantasy/epic fantasy by female authors?