AUSSIE YA MONTH: Guest Post & GIVEAWAY - Naomi from Ink Crush

So, Naomi is one of my favourite bloggers, and not just because she is Australian.  She writes the most enthusastically compelling reviews and you can tell she likes to have fun with her blog, that it's something she loves to do and it is INCREDIBLE.  Her blog was the first place I went when I decided to do this theme month, because she gives the BEST book recommendations.  So, when she agreed to do a guest posting talking all about her favourite Aussie books, well I was like AYAYAYAYAYAYAY!!!! Here she is!

Lately is seems Aussie YA has raised it’s international profile. Everyone’s buzzing with the brilliance that is Aussie YA and the belief that there is something in the water down here :) I kind of feel like Aussie YA must have been one of our best kept secrets and now I am so thrilled to see it held in such high regard internationally. So. Cool.

In tailoring my post here I wanted to smish up all kinds of goodness for you guys ~ so here is an eclectic list covering some of my fave Aussie gems: a mix of ten of (some of) my most personal fave Aussie YA titles (of the past and present). My tastes lean towards contemporary, the whimsical, the funny and the brilliant :D 

The Brilliant Jaclyn Moriarty
Jaclyn Moriarty is my absolute favourite author for grinning, gorgeous characters and complete creative genius. I flip-flop between which book of hers is my fave (depending on which one I am currently reading). She writes nostalgic, whimsical, gorgeous, sexy and hilarious stories ~ and her teen characters are the best kind ~ teens that you would love to be friends with, that make you proud of young people, hey. I’m going with ‘Finding Cassie Crazy’ (The Year of Secret Assignments) as my fave, with ‘Feeling Sorry For Celia’ a tiny smidgen behind :)

On the Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta
is messy and complicated, funny and sorrowful, sexy and smart, heart-breaking and ground-breaking. I do not think there is any other book in the YA scene quite like it... It’s one of those books you have to put on your bucket list.

Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar
truly astounded me. It is really something else, all surf and sorrow and brokenness and sexiness. It’s an achey read and immensely powerful and a life-changing read. Truly, absolutely, love this book, every single page. 

Good Oil by Laura Buzo
funny and true and sophisticated and charming and completely Australian, Good Oil is full of angsting. And I crazily love it so. Even when Chris is being a douche, I ached for him, hey. Good Oil truly hit the sweet spot for me and I completely recommend it to all fans of contemporary fiction

My Big Birkett by Lisa Shanahan
For fans of (quirky) Aussie humour. Gosh, I love this book so, I really do. It’s snort out loud funny/ridiculous, but then terribly achey and real just in the perfect moments. Also, the love interest is called Raven DeHead (say that out loud...). It’s cool for younger readers too, with our 14 year old protagonist.

Tomorrow When the War Began by John Marsden
which remains my favourite series OF ALL TIME. This series is so Australian, even my non-literary friends get all nostalgic and misty-eyed for these books which took the country by storm back in the 90’s. Ellie and Homer and the gang remain among my most favourite characters. Ever. It’s still a strong series for now, especially with the current trend of post-apocalyptic style reads in YA. The series gets better as it progresses.

All I Ever Wanted by Vicki Wakefield
This is one of my fave books of the year. I adore Mim, she’s tough and brave and bold despite her fears and failures. She’s smart and funny and fierce and looking at her world through her eyes was just gorgeous. The prose is absolutely, genius-like, divine.  It’s gritty yet full of hope. It’s also been named in the top ten best YA books of the year and I predict it’ll take out a bunch of awards when award time starts rolling in :) 

This Is Shyness by Leanne Hall
for some crazy-beautiful writing and something completely bizarre. (urban fantasy, contemp mash-up, defying all genres kind of book) It’s wild and gorgeous and I love how Aussie publishers embrace and take chances on stories that are different. This is one wild ride, just go along with it :)

Six Impossible Things by Fiona Wood
You guys! This book made me grin, smile and grin again. It rates at the top of my all-time fave feel good books. Charming, brilliant dialogue, quirky situations and a sweet, genuine cast of characters. This book is one I think all of you should read :)

Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley
Somehow this book perfectly captures how I felt as a teen - that big dreaming scheming place in my head, a place where night time is magical and when boys can make you tingle just by looking at them across the room. I have rarely read such beautiful, compelling prose - poetic and lyrical and funny and smart. This is one Aussie YA must-read: funky and romantic and fun and a little bit crazy... 

This is not a top ten list :) It’s more of some of my absolute faves and few that fly under the radar... I keep thinking of more I’d like to rave about, because the Aussie YA goodness just keeps going.A few quick recommendations (more books I love):


For verse novels: the brilliant (amazing) Steven Herrick. ‘The Simple Gift’ and ‘By The River’ are a fab place to start.
For something insanely different, a gothic dystopian: Burn Bright by Marianne DePierres. Will blow your mind.
For light fantasy: Blood Song by Rhiannon Hart. Swoony and fun and a little bit spooky (with paranormal elements)
For fantasy: The Obernewtyn Chronicles by Isolbelle Carmody
For something funky, fun and quirky: Beatle Meets Destiny by Gabrielle Williams
For major award winning brilliance: anything by Sonya Hartnett (my faves: ‘Thursdays Child’ ‘Sleeping Dogs’ ‘Of A Boy’
For a wild, funny and unforgettable murder mystery: Fury by Shirley Marr
For futuristic sci-fi/dystopian: The Rosie Black Chronicles by Lara Morgan (so much fun)
For a psychological, tense ride: Stolen by Lucy Christoper

Okay, I really am going to stop here (haha)... Thanks so much to the brill Carla for having me (this entire Aussie YA month has been beyond awesome) &; I hope you guys continue to find amazing Aussie reads, hey. x Nomes

And guess what guys!! LOOK!! Right below!! See that amazing button? Well Naomi has offered to do a giveaway for a Jaclyn Morarity book! I'll let the comp run for a week, so you have until Sunday 4th December! As long as the book you want is on book depo, then you can WIN IT BECAUSE NAOMI IS AWESOME.  So hit me up in the comments if you want a chance to win! Make sure you check back next Sunday, where I will announce the winner and get your address!! <3