What is your favourite Oz/NZ YA book of 2019? Why?
Star
Omg, such a hard question! That has to be How It Feels To Float by Helena Fox. It is such a beautifully written book, that deals with heavy mental heath topics. It drew me in from its poetic style of writing, and kept me captivated with its incredible plot. I love this book so much. /never shutting up about it.
Sarah
Kait"Okay Dammmmmmn. How? How can I narrow that down lol I've read 27 books this year, that were Five Star reads for me, 9 were OZ YA. I'm tossing up between saying Frankie by Shivaun Plozza (my first read of the year) or the Whisper duology by Lynette Noni which I read in November. Ultimately i'm going to say Frankie, as it's stuck with me all year!
Frankie is a compelling story and with lead characters you can’t help but fall for.
Frankie is full of sass, anger, hurt, heart and humour.
Frankie is pure awesome! (and so is Shivaun Plozza's writing).
How it feels to float by Helena Fox. I read it at a time I needed a character and story to relate to. To tell me focusing on my health is important. It's a beautiful story of friendship, lose, and hope.Kelly
It Sounded Better in My Head by Nina Kenwood.
It Sounded Better in My Head is a narrative that contains adolescent issues seldom mentioned in young adult literature, periods and the fear of bleeding through our underwear while in public, about polycystic ovary syndrome, painful acne, our confidence and worth. Even as adults, seeing a character like Natalie gracing our pages helps us to feel vindicated, that it's not just me who experienced this, Natalie is someone who understands the ache we carry through to our adult years, of our rattled confidence and the feeling of not being so alone
Brooklynne
This is really hard because I made a concentrated effort to read more OZ and NZ YA this year and even though I know I should be picking an NZ YA book since I'm the only Kiwi in the group I think I have to go with The Boy Who Steals Houses by C.G. Drews. This stunning retelling of Goldilocks is absolutely brilliant, raw and heartbreaking. I loved every single bit of it and really need to reread it as I miss Sam, Avery and De Laineys.
What Oz/NZ YA book are you sad that you didn't get to this year?
Star
Aurora Rising. I'll admit, I'm hesitant because I didn't enjoy Illuminae (I'm one of, like, 5 people who didn't), so it has made me apprehensive to go into Aurora Rising. I just need to realise that they're different stories and plots, and just get to it. Right? Right.
Sarah
ALL OF THEM!!!! haha But seriously I only managed to read a handful of OZ 2019 releases and no NZ 2019 releases and that's makes me sad.
But If I have to narrow it down to one - The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling by Wai Chim. I got to meet and have lunch with Wai, celebrating it's release and I still haven't read it yet - I will rectify this in early 2020.
Kait
Every one I didn't get too. There are so many still on my TBR that I'm definitely going to read next year. A few top ones are:
Obernewtyn series by Isobelle Carmody
Kindred
Relic by Bronwyn Eley
Lirael and Angel Mage by Garth Nix
Kelly
The Man in the Water by David Burton.
Brooklynne
Argh, there are heaps but I really wish I had gotten around to reading How It Feels To Float! Especially knowing how many people loved it and think it's a great book!
What Oz/NZ YA Author are you thrilled to have discovered this year?
Star
Helena Fox! Like above where I gush about How It Feels To Float, I am excited as heck to see what she brings out next!Sarah
Shivaun Plozza - I read my first book by her this year and intend to read more.Kait
Lili Wilkinson, C.G. Drews, Jenna Guillaume, Alison Evans,Kelly
Juliet Marillier.Brooklynne
New Zealand - I really enjoyed discovering Whiti Hereaka, while the topis of Legacy was one I was only vaguely interested in, I very much enjoyed her writing style.
Australia - Alison Evans, I love their style and just how queer they make sure to make their books!
What Oz/NZ YA book are you looking forward to coming out next year?
Star
I don't know of any new releases off the top of my head, but if Fleur Ferris brings something out, I'll be first to pre-order that baby!
Sarah
The Girl with the Gold Bikini by Lisa Walker. It's out February 1st via Wakefield Press. It sounds like it will be a super cute detective romp.Kait
All of them! I'm planning to read every Oz/Nz YA I can find. I don't really track books coming out so I don't know what there is.
Kelly
The Year the Maps Changed by Danielle Binks.
Brooklynne
I am really looking forward to Euphoria Kids by Alison Evans, I just can't get enough of their style!
It's so wonderful to see what everyone's answers were!
ReplyDeleteThe Boy Who Steals Houses was also a favourite of mine last year. That book was so good.
I'm looking forward to The Girl With The Gold Bikini by Lisa Walker, and also Taking Down Evelyn Tate by Poppy Nwosu.
💜
Thanks for sharing this, and your recommendations.
ReplyDelete