'We’re midway through the year – here are my top 8 books by Aussie authors so far.'

It’s past the mid-year point now (don’t worry, that fact sent me into a tailspin too) and, as per usual, my reading goal for the year was 100 books, which means I've read about 50 so far. 

This year my focus has been on reading Australian authors, and, boy, have they delivered! So, without further ado, here are my top books by Aussie authors that I’ve read so far in 2023.

1. Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder by Kerryn Mayne.

This novel follows our protagonist, Lenny Marks, who has, encouraged by her foster-mum, recently decided to embark on a quest to “get a life.” What follows is the gradual unspooling of Lenny’s carefully controlled world, and the re-emergence of memories long-hidden about her childhood. I devoured this amazing debut in a single sitting on a Sunday afternoon – I absolutely fell in love with the character of Lenny and simply could not put the book down. The writing is beautiful, the handling of neurodivergence wonderfully sensitive and empathetic, and the book masterfully balances tragedy and heartbreaking topics with moments of lightness, humour and hope.

Image: Goodreads.

 

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2. After Story by Larissa Behrendt.

The fictional story of two strong women – Indigenous lawyer Jasmine and her mother Della – who attempt to reconcile their fractured relationship and confront the tragedy of their past on a literary tour across England. Written by Larissa Behrendt, a Eualeyai/Gamillaroi woman whom I had the absolute pleasure of watching in a panel discussing this very novel, After Story wonderfully contrasts and blends the Eurocentric modes of storytelling with the ways in which Indigenous people tell and pass on their own stories. In turns heart-breaking, thought-provoking, enlightening and beautifully written, it’s an absolute must-read.

Image: Goodreads.

 

3. Late Bloomer: How an Autism Diagnosis Changed My Life  by Clem Bastow.

For something a little different, this memoir tracks Clem Bastow’s journey to being diagnosed as autistic later in life. It’s a coming of age memoir of a different kind that also delves into the history, societal perceptions, cultural implications and misconceptions that surround autism. This novel isn’t just for people with autism: it’s such an insight into the process of getting a diagnosis, the reality of living – both the struggles and the highlights – with autism and the systemic issues that surround autism diagnosis and treatment.

4. Little Plum by Laura McPhee-Brown.

On the cusp of turning 30, our protagonist, Coral, learns that she’s pregnant, and what follows is a visceral novel that engages every single one of the senses. It explores the darkness of motherhood, the nuances and challenges of obsessive-compulsive disorder and doesn’t shy away from taboo topics and challenging thought patterns. This was a novel that stuck with me for a while, both for the beauty of the writing and the moments of discomfort it produced. It’s a complex character study that doesn’t shy away from, well, anything.

Image: Goodreads.

 

5. Clarke by Holly Throsby.

Labelled by the author as an “anti-crime novel”, Clarke tells the story of Barney Clarke and Leonie Wallace, who fall into each other’s lives when Barney moves into the house next door. The twist? The house Barney moves into, shortly after his arrival, becomes a crime scene as police begin to excavate the yard in an attempt to find the buried body of the woman who lived there six years ago and went missing without a trace. This novel was inspired by the true story of the Lynette Dawson murder, but rather than it being a traditional crime novel, it’s a novel about people. Specifically, those left behind in the aftermath of a crime. This novel, despite the dark premise, is so wonderfully sweet, gentle and, in a way, wholesome. There are so many heart-warming moments, and equally as many heart-breaking ones.

6. The Seven Skins of Esther Wildling by Holly Ringland.

This novel follows Esther Wilding as she journeys from Tasmania to Copenhagen and then to the Faroe Islands in pursuit of the truth regarding her beloved older sister’s death. It’s as much a physical journey as it is a mental and emotional one, and the arc of the main character is painful, beautiful and profoundly moving. Outside of the true-to-life depiction of grief, there is something almost magical and certainly reverential in the way that Ringland depicts the landscapes in her novels that’ll have you utterly lost in the pages.

Image: Goodreads.

 

7. Madukka the River Serpent by Julie Janson.

When environmental activist, Thommo, suddenly goes missing in a rural town along the Darling River and the police ignore the issue, Aunty June, armed with her TAFE Certificate III in Investigation Services, takes it upon herself to uncover what happened. She soon finds herself immersed in a world of police and commercial corruption, bikies and racism. This novel by Australian Darug and Burruberongal writer Julie Janson finally brings a First Nations perspective to the crime genre. This is a novel that challenges the reader, subverts traditional crime tropes and is written in a way that feels incredibly authentic. 

Image: Goodreads.

 8. Five Bush Weddings by Clare Fletcher.

Wedding photographer Stevie has seen enough bush weddings to last a lifetime – she’s ready to have one of her own! Will it be her old uni mate Johnno West, or the mysterious Charlie Jones? I know I’m late to the game with reading this one, but with Clare Fletcher’s new novel coming out soon, I guess it works out that I’m just now discovering how good a writer she is! This novel felt so utterly and authentically Australian, and was a perfect feel-good, gentle romance, the perfect Sunday afternoon read to chase away those Sunday scaries.