Sarah

Seventy-Seven Saturday: Percy Jackson and The Lightning Thief


Every Saturday we will bring you a short snippet from page 77 of a book. It might be a book one of us is reading or perhaps just the book closest to us.

The Rules:


  1. Pick up a Book (your current read, or the closest book to you, or your next read, etc)
  2. Turn to page 77(or 77% if you are on an e-reader)
  3. Find a Snippet, Sentence or Paragraph you like.
  4. Share it on your blog or Twitter or Instagram and link back to us (AusYABloggers) and use #77Saturday

28187Sarah's Choice

Title: Percy Jackson and The Lightning Thief
Author: Rick Riordan
Released: June 28th 2005
Publisher: Disney Hyperion Books
Add it to Goodreads

Percy Jackson is a good kid, but he can't seem to focus on his schoolwork or control his temper. And lately, being away at boarding school is only getting worse - Percy could have sworn his pre-algebra teacher turned into a monster and tried to kill him. When Percy's mom finds out, she knows it's time that he knew the truth about where he came from, and that he go to the one place he'll be safe. She sends Percy to Camp Half Blood, a summer camp for demigods (on Long Island), where he learns that the father he never knew is Poseidon, God of the Sea. Soon a mystery unfolds and together with his friends—one a satyr and the other the demigod daughter of Athena - Percy sets out on a quest across the United States to reach the gates of the Underworld (located in a recording studio in Hollywood) and prevent a catastrophic war between the gods.

Sarah's 77: To reach his goal, he must first demonstrate great courage by succeeding as a keeper, finding a new camper and bringing him safety to Half-Blood Hill.


Sarah's Thoughts

Rick Riordan is hands down one of the best YA/MG authors there is and he just seems like a top bloke - seriously read his books and follow him on twitter or goodreads and you'll come to think so too.

The Lightning Thief is the first book in his Percy Jackson series and it will forever hold a special place in my heart. I look forward to introducing my boys to his words and worlds once they are a little older.

Follow Sarah at Sarah Says, Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads



Seventy-Seven Saturday was inspired by The Friday 56 by Freda's Voice. If you decided to share your Seventy-Seven Saturday on your blog please link back  to us and tag us on Twitter of Instagram @AsuYABloggers and #77Saturday
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#LoveOzYA Throwback Thursday: Shadows of the Realm


Throwback Thursday edition is our way of spreading the love of backlist Aussie books that you might have missed. We'll hopefully be posting a new book every second week, and we'd love you to join us!

Sarah's pick

13626269
Title: Shadows of the Realm
(The Circle of Talia #1)
Author: Dionne Lister
Released:12th April 2012
Publisher: Dionne Lister
Add it to Goodreads
This is an epic fantasy adventure book with lots of action, intrigue, creaturas and dragons, for young adult to adult.

Bronwyn and Blayke are two strangers being drawn into the same war. Their world is facing invasion from the Third Realm. While they move unknowingly toward each other, they are watched, hunted, and sabotaged. When the Dragon God interferes, it seems their world, Talia, will succumb to the threat. Can they learn enough of the tricks of the Realms before it’s too late, or will everything they love be destroyed?

The young Realmists’ journey pushes them away from all they’ve known, to walk in the shadows toward Vellonia, city of the dragons, where an even darker shadow awaits.

This book's been given the Grub Street Reads seal of approval.

why i chose it

I’ve previously done a #77Saturday featuring this book on this blog. But as I owe getting into the online bookish community to Dionne Lister, I’m going to feature it again (and it fits the rules of our TBT’s since it was first published back in 2012).

I met Dionne when I attended a writing workshop that she was a panelist for back in 2013. She suggested that we all start a blog and just get writing.

She also introduced us to mammoth bookish beast that is Goodreads and Shadows of the Realm was one of the first books I added to Goodreads once I signed up.

It was Dionne's encouragement and enthusiasm that had me creating a Wordpress, Goodreads and Twitter account as soon as I got home! I followed a bunch of people within the indie author circuit, made some strong connections that I still have today and started my bookish blogging journey.

Thanks Dionne, I owe you one!!!!

Follow Sarah at Sarah Says, Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads


What's your pick for this week? Share on your blog, Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, or in the comments below! Make sure you tag your posts with #AusYABloggers so we can share the love.
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Seventy-Seven Saturday: The Last Kids on Earth


Every Saturday we will bring you a short snippet from page 77 of a book. It might be a book one of us is reading or perhaps just the book closest to us.

The Rules:


  1. Pick up a Book (your current read, or the closest book to you, or your next read, etc)
  2. Turn to page 77 (or 77% if you are on an e-reader)
  3. Find a Snippet, Sentence or Paragraph you like.
  4. Share it on your Blog, Twitter or Instagram and link back to us (@AusYABloggers) and use the hashtag #77Saturday

24611765Sarah's Choice

Title: The Last Kids on Earth (Last Kids on Earth #1)
Author: Max Brallier
Released: October 13th 2015
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Add it to Goodreads

Synopsis:

Ever since the monster apocalypse hit town, average thirteen year old Jack Sullivan has been living in his tree house, which he's armed to the teeth with catapults and a moat, not to mention video games and an endless supply of Oreos and Mountain Dew scavenged from abandoned stores. But Jack alone is no match for the hoards of Zombies and Winged Wretches and Vine Thingies, and especially not for the eerily intelligent monster known only as Blarg. So Jack builds a team: his dorky best friend, Quint; the reformed middle school bully, Dirk; Jack's loyal pet monster, Rover; and Jack's crush, June. With their help, Jack is going to slay Blarg, achieve the ultimate Feat of Apocalyptic Success, and be average no longer! Can he do it?

Sarah's 77: Every day since he came to live here he's been up at the crack of dawn, 'doing research'. He says we need to document the end of the world properly, like scientists..



Sarah's Thoughts

Riley and I both saw The Last Kids on Earth pop up on Netflix late last year and both thought it looked like an awesome series. It mentioned in the trailer it was based on a book series by the same name, so I told him we'd get the books and read them first.

I purchased books 1-5 and I am hoping/planing to start reading them with him soon.

Follow Sarah at Sarah Says, Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads



Seventy-Seven Saturday was inspired by The Friday 56 by Freda's Voice. If you decide to share your Seventy-Seven Saturday on your blog please link back to us and tag us on Twitter & Instagram @AusYABloggers and #77Saturday
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Summer Lovin' Book Tag


This tag has been doing the rounds since way back in 2015 but with summer about to begin in Australia, there's no better time for the Summer Lovin' Book Tag.

Feel free to share your answers in the comments or consider yourself tagged and post to your own blog.


1. Start of summer. Pick a book with an attention grabbing first sentence.

Kelly - Nevernight by Jay Kristoff. (Please note this is an adult title)
People often shit themselves when they die, did you know that?

 Sarah - Illuminae by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
So here's the file that nearly killed me, Director.

 Brooklynne - American Royals by Katherine McGee
You already know the story of the American Revolution, and the birth of the American monarchy. 

 Star - The Raven Boys by Maggie Steifvater
Blue Sargent had forgotten how many times she'd been told that she would kill her true love.

 Tash - My Sister Rosa by Justine Larbalestier
Rosa is pushing all the buttons.
2. Too hot to go out. Pick a book for a day inside.

Kelly - The Boys of Summer by C. J. Duggan

Sarah - These Witches Don't Burn by Isabel Sterling

Brooklynne - Crier's War by Nina Varela

Star - These Witches Don't Burn by Isabel Sterling

Tash - Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir


3. Summer Road trip. Pick a book you’d take with you on the road

 Kelly - What I Like About Me by Jenna Guillaume

Sarah - Alex, Approximately by Jenn Bennett

Brooklynne - The Toll by Neal Shusterman

Star - Tell Me How You Really Feel by Aminah Mae Safi

Tash - The Last Days of Us by  Beck Nicholas


4. Iced Tea Goodness. Pick a book with a cold setting

Kelly - Rain Fall by Ella West

Sarah - The Rift by Rachael Craw

Brooklynne - Wicked Saints by Emily A. Duncan

Star - Of Fire and Stars by Audrey Coulthurst

Tash - The Book Thief by Marcus Zuscak


5. Nasty Sunburn. A book you really disliked

Kelly - Puberty Blues by Kathy Lette and Gabrielle Carey

Sarah - Fallen by Lauren Kate

Brooklynne - Again, but Better by Christine Riccio

Star - Snow by Ondine Sherman

Tash  - Z is Zachariah by Robert C. O'Brien


6. Sizzling Read. Recommend one of your favourite books

Kelly - Monuments by Will Kostakis

Sarah - No Limits by Ellie Marney

Brooklynne - Darke (Septimus Heap #6) by Angie Sage

Star - Amelia Westlake by Erin Gough

Tash  - The First Third by Will Kostakis


You can find Kelly, Tash, Sarah, Star and Brookynne sharing their love of books here and on their own bookish blogs.

Kelly - Diva Booknerd | Twitter | Instagram
Sarah - Sarah Says | Twitter | Instagram
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Twenty Questions Booktag


I know lots, and lots of people have done the Twenty Questions Booktag, but the first place I (Sarah) saw it was over on Paper Fury. My apologizes for not know knowing who first created it, but I was going around in circles trying to figure it out - please let me know in the comments if you know where it originated.

1. How many books is too many books in a book series?
Kelly - Depends. I prefer a duology or trilogy but five books is my limit.
Tash -  5 is definitely the limit. I'm looking at you Harlequin
Sarah - These days I prefer a good duology, but I will say that I feel five is my max for a series.
Star -  I think as many books is needed is pretty good. Then again, I grew up reading the Sweet Valley High (and others) series, so there were never too many books for me.

2. How do you feel about cliffhangers?
Kelly - They're frustrating but I secretly love them.
Tash -  Love and hate them. I can't live with out them
Sarah - Love them if they're part of a series, that isn't the last book. Hate them in a stand alone.
Star -  It depends on whether or not I have the next book in the series. If I have to wait a year or more, I absolutely hate it, but if I have the next book right there, waiting to be read, then I am okay with them.

3. Hardcover or paperback?
Kelly - Paperback. Preferably with a matte cover.
Tash -  Paperback. Though Hardcover is easier to keep pristine.
Sarah - Hardbacks are more attractive, but Paperbacks are easier to read - Paperback for me.
Star -  Hardback, definitely. I am a perfectionist reader, and I can't stand creases, etc, in my book, and it's easier to keep books in better condition when they're in hardback. Also, they look prettier in my photos lol.

4. Favourite book?
Kelly - Favourite classic is Alice in Wonderland and modern, And I Darken.
Tash -  When Dimple Met Rishi.
Sarah - Favourite classic, Annie of Green Gables. Modern, Heartstopper series.
Star -  Amelia Westlake by Erin Gough. It's a book I will forever sing its praises.

 5. Least favourite book?
Kelly - Hush Hush. God that shit was horrible.
Tash -  Earthbound. I got rid of it soon as possible.
Sarah - Monstress. I read the first four volumes, really trying to get into the hyped series and I just couldn't.
Star -  Shauna's Great Expectations by Kathleen Loughnan.

6. Love triangles, yes or no?
Kelly - Not usually unless it's well written.
Tash - YES why choose and it's all the drama.
Sarah - Yes, but only when it's a female POV - they are my guilty pleasure.
Star - Absolutely not. I have read books that have that trope, and I have enjoyed the book, but on the whole, no thank you.

7. The most recent book you just couldn’t finish?
Kelly - The Girl King.
Tash - Gosh I usually stick it out but I couldn't finish AIM.
Sarah - Glow Book I, Potency.
Star - I haven't had one, I am someone who tends to push through regardless of how I feel. I need to let myself DNF a book.

8. A book you’re currently reading?
Kelly - Invisible Boys by Holden Sheppard.
Tash - Withering- By - Sea by Judith Rossell.
Sarah - Rocky to the Rescue (Rocky Lobstar #1) by Rove McManus - I'll have finished by the time you are reading this lol.
Star - This will probably change by the time this post goes up, but Yes No Maybe So by Becky Albertalli and Aisha Saeed.

9. Last book you recommended to someone?
Kelly - Rules for Vanishing by Kate Alice Marshall.
Tash -  Once and Future by Amy Rose Capetta and Cori McCarthy.
Sarah - My Father's Shadow by Jannali Jones
Star - The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid. You're welcome, Brooklynne. 

10. Oldest book you’ve read?
Kelly - Pride and Prejudice, published in 1813.
Tash -  Sense and Sensibility published in 1811.
Sarah - Pride and Prejudice, published in 1813.
Star - I have no idea? I don't read classics. Probably Little Women.

11. Newest book you’ve read?
Kelly - Starting Euphoria Kids by Alison Evans.
Tash -  Oasis by Katya de Becerra.
Sarah - Saga by Nikki McWatters.
Star - Yes No Maybe So by Becky Albertalli and Aisha Saeed.

12. Favourite author?
Kelly - Tahereh Mafi.
Tash - Jay Kristoff.
Sarah - Steven Herrick, Jenn Bennett, Alice Oseman, Rick Riordan and Will Kostakis - Sorry I was thinking of my fave books and can't narrow is down any further. Please don't make me.
Star - Fleur Ferris and Ashley Herring Blake.

13. Buying books or borrowing books?
Kelly - Both! Although books are lovely to buy and keep.
Tash -- Both though buying is a sickness at the moment.
Sarah - My head says borrowing because of my bank account, ouch, but my asshat of a heart wants those pretty pretties on my shelf at home to stay.
Star - Buying. I am a massive germaphobe, and I have severe anxiety, so going out is not a thing I do, so buying them is easier for me.

14. A book you dislike that everyone else seem to love?
Kelly - Red Rising and The Raven Boys.
Tash - The Hunger Games.
Sarah - The Hunger Games and Divergent series.
Star - Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon. 

15. Bookmarks or dog ears?
Kelly - Bookmarks!
Tash - Bookmarks!
Sarah - Bookmarks, old receipts, other books, my phone - I'm not a monster.
Star - Bookmarks! I can't ever dog ear books!

16. A book you can always reread?
Kelly - Alice in Wonderland.
Tash - Stormbreaker.
Sarah - Albert of Adelaide or Anne of Green Gables.
Star - Amelia Westlake by Erin Gough. Also The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater.

17. Can you read while hearing music?
Kelly - I need absolute silence. I'm easily distracted.
Tash - Give me the Tv blasting. I can read through it
Sarah - Yes, the kids make that much noise I've learnt to block it out. I need silence to be able to write reviews and such but.
Star - Only if it's instrumental. I can't have lyrics, I am too easily distracted otherwise.

18. One point of view or multiple point of views?
Kelly - Either but no more than three. I prefer either singular or dual points of view.
Tash -Either but not too many. It does get confusing when everybody has something to say.
Sarah - If it's evenly spread i'm down for multiple POV's. I think five is about the max before it starts to harder to keep track of what's going on to who.
Star - It doesn't bother me one way or another. If it fits and works with the story, then I am okay with it. What I do dislike is when I am reading a book that is in one point of view for, say, 90% of the book, and then suddenly there's another POV? Then I hate it.

19. Do you read a book in one sitting or over multiple days?
Kelly - Multiple days.
Tash - Depends on the time. If I have ample time, then one sitting.
Sarah - I prefer to be able to do it in one sitting, but life always gets in the way.
Star - I have far too of a busy life to be able to sit and read a book in one sitting. I have literally never done it (not even as a kid, I think), so I tend to read over multiple days.

20. Who do you tag?
Kelly - Everyone!
Tash - Everyone!
Sarah - Ya Mum.
Star - Sarah's Mum. =P

You can find Kelly, Tash, Sarah, Star and Brookynne sharing their love of books here and on their own bookish blogs.

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Seventy-Seven Saturday (#) Clancy of the Undertow


Every Saturday we will bring you a short snippet from page 77 of a book. It might be a book one of us is reading or perhaps just the book closest to us.

The Rules:


  1. Pick up a Book (your current read, or the closest book to you, or your next read, etc)
  2. Turn to page 77(or 77% if you are on an e-reader)
  3. Find a Snippet, Sentence or Paragraph you like.
  4. Share it on your blog or Twitter or Instagram and link back to us (AusYABloggers) and use #77Saturday


Sarah's Choice

Title: Clancy of the Undertow
Author: Christopher Currie
Released: November 16th 2015
Publisher: Text Publishing
Add it to Goodreads
I wrench open the screen door and it bashes against the cladding and I hear Mum's voice rising in the living room and I burst in ready to free Dad or throw my body in front of a bullet or lift a fridge off a baby or whatever it is you're meant to do in emergencies.


Sarah's Thoughts

Since I claim Clancy of the Undertow as the first book I actually saw myself in, I figured sooner or later I better do a 77 using it :-)

Banjo’s 1889 Drover and Christopher Currie’s 2015 lovable self-loathing newly out teen have nothing in common, other than my eternal love and a semi-unusual name.

Follow Sarah at Sarah Says, Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads



Seventy-Seven Saturday was inspired by The Friday 56 by Freda's Voice. If you decided to share your Seventy-Seven Saturday on your blog please link back  to us and tag us on Twitter of Instagram @AsuYABloggers and #77Saturday
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Author Interview: Bonnie Wynne



Debut #LoveOZYA author Bonnie Wynne took the time to answer some questions from @SarahSacaKat earlier in the week.


Firstly, thank you Bonnie for taking the time to answer my questions. Just reading the synopsis for The Ninth Sorceress gets me excited and I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy. 

Q: Where did the inspiration for The Ninth Sorceress come from?
A: It’s tricky to say exactly where the seed came from. I’m a bit of a bowerbird when I’m reading or watching TV or playing games, and when something strikes me as interesting then I always think ‘ooh, how can I use this in my book?’
So I’d say my inspiration for The Ninth Sorceress came from a lot of places over the years. But I definitely credit the authors I loved while I was growing up, like Robert Jordan and Isobelle Carmody and Frank Herbert and Anne McCaffrey. They were big influences on my work, and without them, The Ninth Sorceress probably never would have been written.

Q: Did much change from the first draft to the final copy of this book?
A: I wrote The Ninth Sorceress really, really slowly. There are parts I wrote over 15 years ago! So it’s safe to say a lot has changed between the first draft and the final copy.
My original concept skewed a lot more sci-fi (there was at least one scene set in space!) The characters changed, the world changed, the ending changed… It’s almost unrecognisable.
I also cut about 60,000 words before submitting to Talem, and trimmed another 20,000 words after that. It was tough to cut all that material I’d spent so long writing, but ultimately it was for the best.


Q: If you could go back to when you first started writing The Ninth Sorceress and give yourself any advice, what would it be?
A: I would advise myself to make an outline before I started writing! While I was working on this book, I took a ‘make it up as you go along’ approach, and I ended up wasting a lot of time pursuing plot threads that ultimately went nowhere and ended up getting cut.
These days, I try to leave room to experiment and make changes as I go, but also plan where I want to end up and what plot points I want to hit along the way. It saves a lot of stress.

Q: Did you always want to be a writer?
A: Being a writer is the only thing I can remember ever wanting to be. Even when I was in kindergarten I used to write ‘books’ (on printer paper, folded and stapled together) and try to sell them to my neighbours and friends.

Q: What advice do you have for young people who want to become writers?
A: Critique, critique, critique. Both giving and receiving. It’s really scary at first to have people reading your work and looking for problems, but it’s the only way to improve. You also learn a lot from reading other people and paying attention to what works and what doesn’t.
I think we’re all precious about our work at first, which is normal because writing is such a personal thing and it can be hard to separate a criticism of the work from a criticism of you as a person. But ultimately it’s not personal, and the faster you can get used to it, the better.

Q: Do you have habits/rituals to help you write – be it background music, a fave snack etc?
A: I don’t really have habits or rituals, but I do have a few quirks.
For starters, I need complete silence (I can’t write at all if there’s music playing). Even a ticking clock can annoy me. I admire all the mums and dads who can write in a house full of screaming kids! I could never.
I also prefer to write in really big chunks. I’m not somebody who can sit down and write 1,000 words and then head off to work. I need a six-hour stretch to write non-stop. There’s a cabin on the South Coast that I really love, and I try to get down there a few times a year so I can just get in my ‘zone’ and work without distractions. Although I’m always kind of weird and spaced-out when I come home from a week with no human contact!

Q: What are you reading at the moment (or what was the last book you read)?
A: I just finished Queen of Nothing by Holly Black – a great finish to the series, with some crazy twists and turns! I really want to read Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows duology next. I’ve been avoiding it because I normally hate ‘heist’ stories. But all her other books are amazing, so it might finally be time to take the plunge.

Q: The #AusYABloggers are all about promoting and supporting Aussie and Kiwi Authors. Do you have any favourite #LoveOzYA or #LoveNzYA books (other than your own of course)?
A: I really can’t give enough praise to my fellow Talem Press author Bronwyn Eley’s debut novel Relic. I gobbled it up in about two days when it came out last year, and it was such a fantastic start to the series. Bron has a real gift for dialogue, and I love that she gives all her scenes room to breathe. It never feels like she’s just sprinting from one plot point to the next. She won’t give me any spoilers for future books, so I have to wait to see what happens next!
Once again, thank you so much Bonnie for taking the time to answer my questions.
Keep your eyes on the #AusYABloggers blog on Feb 13, as Jade from @romanceanddragons will be sharing a review of The Ninth Sorceress.

THE NINTH SORCERESS, Bonnie Wynne's debut fantasy 

novel, is slated for release February 13.

48481720. sy475 Title: The Ninth Sorceress
Author: Bonnie Wynne
Publisher: Talem Press, Writer's Edit
Release Date: February 13th, 2020
View on Amazon
View on Goodreads

In the blackest dungeon of the Clockwork City, a prisoner lies bound in silver shackles. Who is she? And why are the wizards so afraid of her?

Seventeen-year-old Gwyn has no family and no past. Apprenticed to a half-mad herbalist, she travels the snow-blasted High Country, hawking potions in a peddler’s wagon. Her guardian hides her from the world like a dark secret, and she knows better than to push for answers.

But when she discovers she is hunted by the goddess Beheret, Gwyn is drawn into a deep and ancient tale: of chained gods and lost magic, of truths long buried and the rising of a war she never could have imagined.

Wizards and their magic-sniffing hounds pursue her – as does a stranger in a smiling mask, who calls her by an unfamiliar name…

But what really terrify her are the dangerous gifts she’s spent her life suppressing. Now, Gwyn must step out of the shadows and take charge of her destiny – even if the price is her own soul.

The Ninth Sorceress is the breathtaking first instalment of The Price of Magic, a sweeping fantasy saga full of rich storytelling and tangible magic.

About the author:
Bonnie Wynne studied Writing and Cultural Studies at UTS, and completed her law degree at the University of Sydney. After a brief stint in legal publishing, she now works for the Australian government, deciphering ancient law tomes.
She lives in Sydney with her cocker spaniel, Percival Hector (Canine Inspector). When she's not reading or writing, she can be found playing video games, booking her next holiday, or elbow-deep in flour.
THE NINTH SORCERESS is her debut novel and the first book in her series, THE PRICE OF MAGIC.
Bonnie’s Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

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Seventy-Seven Saturday (#14) The Simple Gift


Every Saturday we will bring you a short snippet from page 77 of a book. It might be a book one of us is reading or perhaps just the book closest to us.

The Rules:


  1. Pick up a Book (your current read, or the closest book to you, or your next read, etc)
  2. Turn to page 77(or 77% if you are on an e-reader)
  3. Find a Snippet, Sentence or Paragraph you like.
  4. Share it on your blog or Twitter or Instagram and link back to us (AusYABloggers) and use #77Saturday

Sarah's Choice

Title: The Simple Gift
Author: Steven Herrick
Released:01 May 2004
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Add it to Goodreads
...
he talks about this girl he's met
and how friendly she is
and i have half a mind to tell him
to get her to go to work with him
and leave me alone
...


Sarah's Thoughts

Verse novel The Simple Gift by Steven Herrick is one of my all time feel good reads.

The Simple Gift is a story of friendship and second chances, of healing and new love. Caitlin, Billy & Old Bill; three people from different walks of life brought together by circumstance with the result being that they all end up making each other’s life better.

It is beautiful. I promise you will want to hug the book at the end.

Follow Sarah at Sarah Says, Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads



Seventy-Seven Saturday was inspired by The Friday 56 by Freda's Voice. If you decided to share your Seventy-Seven Saturday on your blog please link back  to us and tag us on Twitter of Instagram @AsuYABloggers and #77Saturday
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OZ/NZ YA Best of 2019

A few of us here at the AusYABloggers team thought it would be cool to get together and share some of our highlights from Australia and New Zealand in 2019. What our favorite books were, who we were thrilled to discover and what we were sad we never got around to reading.

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
"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).
Kait
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!

Thanks for taking the time to read our thoughts on 2019, what about you what was your favourite Oz or NZ book from 2019? Did you discover and new favourite authors?

You can Find us all at our blogs: Star, Sarah, Kait, Kelly, and Brooklynne


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Seventy-Seven Saturday (#12) Black Panther: The Battle For Wakanda


Every Saturday we will bring you a short snippet from page 77 of a book. It might be a book one of us is reading or perhaps just the book closest to us.

The Rules:


  1. Pick up a Book (your current read, or the closest book to you, or your next read, etc)
  2. Turn to page 77(or 77% if you are on an e-reader)
  3. Find a Snippet, Sentence or Paragraph you like.
  4. Share it on your blog or Twitter or Instagram and link back to us (AusYABloggers) and use #77Saturday

Sarah's Choice

Title: Black Panther: The Battle For Wakanda
Author: Brandon T. Snider
Released: 16th January 2018
Publisher:  Marvel Press
Add it to Goodreads
Cheers erupted from the hills as the White Gorilla Cult descended on the Great Mound. Shuri was flanked by two Dora Milaje, Ayo and Aneka. Nakia and Okoye, an additional pair of fighters, stood ready for Shuri's direction.
"Be careful, warriors. Repel these invaders at all costs," Shuri commanded.


Sarah's Thoughts

Riley (my son) is really into super hero's at the moment and we have been read Marvel Chapter Books. Our current read is Black Panther.
The art on page 77 shows a battle between the Dora Milaje warriors and the White Gorilla Cult.

Follow Sarah at Blog, Twitter, Instagram and Goodreads



Seventy-Seven Saturday was inspired by The Friday 56 by Freda's Voice. If you decided to share your Seventy-Seven Saturday on your blog please link back  to us and tag us on Twitter of Instagram @AsuYABloggers and #77Saturday
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Seventy-Seven Saturday (#9) Shadows of the Realm (Book 1 of the Circle of Talia)


Every Saturday we will bring you a short snippet from page 77 of a book. It might be a book one of us is reading or perhaps just the book closest to us.

The Rules:


  1. Pick up a Book (your current read, or the closest book to you, or your next read, etc)
  2. Turn to page 77(or 77% if you are on an e-reader)
  3. Find a Snippet, Sentence or Paragraph you like.
  4. Share it on your blog or Twitter or Instagram and link back to us (AusYABloggers) and use #77Saturday

Sarah's Choice

Title: Shadows of the Realm (Book 1 of the Circle of Talia)
Author: Dionne Lister
Released: 24 April 2012
Publisher: Dionne Lister
Add it to Goodreads 
Gabrielle wandered around the garden, pretending to admire the trees that were sprouting new growth. She headed towards a large maple and stood where she could enjoy the sunset. Hermas silently appeared at her shoulder. "Good evening, my queen." He executed a small bow.


Sarah's Thoughts

Shadows of the Realm was one of the first books I added to Goodreads. It was actually the author, Dionne Lister who told me about Goodreads.
I met Dionne when I attended a writing workshop she was apart of the panel for in 2013. It was after that workshop that I created my blog!
It was Dionne's enthusiasm that had me creating a Wordpress and Goodreads account as soon as I got home!
Thanks Dionne, I owe you one!!!!

Follow Sarah at Blog, Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads



Seventy-Seven Saturday was inspired by The Friday 56 by Freda's Voice. If you decided to share your Seventy-Seven Saturday on your blog please link back  to us and tag us on Twitter of Instagram @AsuYABloggers and #77Saturday
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Top Five Tuesday - Sarah’s top five YA Comics



This week Sarah brings us her Top 5 YA Comics

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Heartstopper by Alice Oseman (Author & Artist)
I doubt anyone is surprised by this being the top of my list.
It is cute, queer, heartwarming and entertaining! 
Two teen boys meet, grow as friends, one openly gay, the other not so much, and the ending leaves us with the hope they could be more.
The art is adorable, the characters are adorable, the plot is adorable - the whole darn thing is adorable.
[View on Goodreads]

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Fence by C.S. Pacat (Author) & Johanna the Mad (Artist)
Fabulous fellows, intense fencing tournaments and even more intense friendships. 
The first issue perfectly set up the tension between Nicholas and Seiji. And I even enjoyed the fencing, a sport I previously hadn’t given much thought to.
The artwork is beautiful! Clear, detailed and flows wonderfully.
[View on Goodreads]

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Ms. Marvel, Vol. 1: No Normal by G. Willow Wilson (Author) & Adrian Alphona (Artist)
A Jersey teen, who happens to be Muslim, is suddenly and supprisingly bestowed with the mantel of Ms Marvel. Cue identity crisis, struggling to handle strange and strong new powers and the hijinks that come from teenagers trying to hide things from their parents.
I loved meeting Kamala Khan, who I think makes a fantastic Ms. Marvel.
[View on Goodreads]

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Runaways, Vol. 1: Find Your Way Home by Rainbow Rowell (Author) & Kris Anka (Artist)
Rowell’s reboot of Vaughan’s original series and what a fantastic reboot it is!! As soon as I finished reading it I went and ordered the next two collections!
I don’t think you would need to have read all the previous series by Vaughan to enjoy Rowell’s reboot, she does summarise a little, but It makes it all that much more epic if you are already invested in the characters.
[View on Goodreads]

And of course we can’t have the start of the reboot without the start of the original!
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Runaways, Vol. 1: Pride and Joy by Brian K. Vaughan (Author) & Adrian Alphona (Artist)
A group of teens who discover their parents are the villains, not the superheroes (of the marvel universe) and subsequently end up on the run for their lives.
Pride and Joy is the strong start of what turns into stellar series.
Runaways gets queerer as the series goes on, oh and did I mention there is a psychically linked Velociraptor! - oh yeah!
[View on Goodreads]

Follow Sarah at her Blog, Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads


What's your pick for this week? Share on your blog, Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, or in the comments below! Make sure you tag your posts with #AusYABloggers so we can share the love.
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The Spooky Scary Book Tag




Today we thought we would bring you something fun, a book tag! While Halloween isn't that big in Australia and New Zealand we know it is elsewhere, also our former American bullied us into it. This isn't a new tag, it has been around for a few years now!

1. What goes bump in the night? Name a book that has legitimately scared you while reading it.


Sarah: Well I tend to stay away from any books that I think will scare me. I'm not a fan of horror movies and such. But the last book I read that gave me nightmares was Ballad for a Mad Girl by Vikki Wakefield. And I loved it. 
Brooklynne: I'm not sure many books legitimately scare me that often, I think the closest would have been Wilder Girls, by Rory Power. I'm not sure if I had any fingernails left at the end of this book.
Tash: Honestly, I more then  likely to get scared by someone tapping me on the shoulder then reading a book. If I had to name a book, hmmm  You ? I haven't gotten scared reading a Young Adult book  
Star: Small Spaces by Sarah Epstein - that book was so eerie and creepy and SO hecking good. It's a book I STILL think about to this day. 
Brooklyn: Risk by Fleur Ferris. It scares me that they're such disgusting monsters in the world that relentlessly take the lives of young girls without a second thought. 
Kait: What the Woods Keep by Katya De Becerra

2. Jack O’ Lanterns and Classic Costumes: A book you always reach for during Halloween time.

Sarah: I don't have a go to book, but I have a go to movie: Hocus Pocus. 
Brooklynne: Without a doubt The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, I grab it every year and it is just so perfectly atmospheric. 
Tash: I don't have a particular book that I . I try to read more paranormal/horror around this time of year like Carry On, or V.E. Schwab books for example   
Star: I don't reach for a book, but I do enjoy re-watching The Craft movie every year.
Brooklyn: Not so much nowadays, because I don't really have the time to reread as much as I'd like - but I used to always reread Halloween Party by Agatha Christie! 
Kait: Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake 

3. Black Cats and Magic Mirrors: A book you love that is laced with superstition and/or magic.

Sarah: Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins - Actually the whole Hex Hall series, but Demonglass was my favourite.
Brooklynne: City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab, has so much fun ghost and spirits mythology. 
Tash: Lady Helen and the Dark Day club -without going into too much detail. There is a lot of superstition and magic involved.  It gets dark really fast and honestly scandalous....
Star: These Witches Don't Burn by Isabel Sterling. It's the first one in hopefully a series, I know she's writing book 2. It's witches like I've never really seen them before and it's super queer, which is even more awesome. AND it's set in Salem - what more could I want?
Brooklyn: I assume Harry Potter is acceptable? I mean, it was the first story completely laced with all the wondrous magic throughout! 
Kait: The Diviners by Libba Bray 

4. Witch’s Brew: Favourite witch character in any book/series.

Sarah: I went through a binge of reading the Charmed Comic Series's last year and no other witches thus far have taken the spot of the The Charmed Ones in my heart. I grew up wanting to be Pure, until she died, then to having the biggest crush on Phoebe. (I still need to watch the TV reboot that came out last year) 
Brooklynne: Oh This one is hard because part of me wants to instinctively say Hannah from These Witches Don't Burn, but on second though I really love Danny from The Lost Coast. I think I have to go with Danny. 
Tash: The Witch Who Courted Death - Casper is feminist as hell and I love her kick ass characters who support Casper.
Star: Hermione Granger, hands down. She's the most powerful witch and I am so in love with her.
Brooklyn: There's so many! But for this answer I'll choose Manon and The Thirteen from Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas.
Kait: Tea from The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco 

6. Haunted Graveyard: You’re all alone in a haunted graveyard, you get ONE book to give you comfort, which is it?

Sarah: I'd want something completely opposite from my surroundings, and something from my TBR list to keep my mind occupied. Ummm...lets go with...Making Friends with Alice Dyson by Poppy Nwosu.
Brooklynne: Hmm do I go dark, or light hearted. I think I'm going to have to go with something like Sky by Ondine Sherman, especially as it's on my TBR. 
Tash: The Bone Season, as I can use to whack anyone that comes my way and have Warden to keep me company.  
Star: One that will hopefully teleport me the eff out of there!! Hmm, if that doesn't happen, then probably The Princess Diaries book 1 - those books never fail to make me laugh.
Brooklyn: Can I choose all 7 Harry Potter books? ;) 
Kait: Nevermore by Jessica Townsend  

7. The Undead: Favorite supernatural creatures to read about (i.e. vampires, zombies, werewolves, etc).

Sarah: Werewolves - shapeshifters for sure! Zombies scare the crap out of me.
Brooklynne: I love reading about the various mythologies behind vampires, like heir orgin stories etc. I love books that specifically have unique takes on vampires. 
Tash: Werewolves- They are alphas, don't mind a good fight . Plus you can find them in Young Adult to Adult. There is a werewolf out there for everyone, you just need to read the right book.  
Star: Witches. There's SO much that can be explored and interpreted with witches. The magic systems alone are so fascinating to read about. Both Harry Potter and These Witches Don't Burn have magic and witches and couldn't be more different from each other. It's awesome.
Brooklyn: Witches, all the way! Though all of the above will always be enjoyable for me too! 
Kait: Vampires! I love reading about vampires, especially the scary kind.

8. In the dead of night: Pick a book with a black cover.

Sarah: Right To Silence (Paranormal Detectives #4) by Lily Luchesi 
Brooklynne: My version of The Knife of Never Letting Go has not only a black cover but black sprayed edges so it's the blackest black! 
Tash: Ninth House, as the aesthetics and snakes are hot right now. The foiling makes the title stand out more.
Star: Twilight by Stephenie Meyer.
Brooklyn: Serpent & Dove was the first choice that came to mind :) 
Kait: The Island by M. A. Bennett

Thanks for taking the time to read the tag and get to know us all a bit better. Please let us know if you do the tag, we would love to come read it. Or you can post your own answers down in the comments!
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