As I'm sure you are all aware, I am a proud Aussie. And with this title comes grave responsibilities, such as telling all non-Aussies the truth about koalas.
They have chlamydia.*
In all seriousness, I am very proud of being Australian. I am particularly proud of the level of awesomeness amongst Aussie YA authors.
I recently ordered a couple of Australian new releases, and when I added them to Goodreads, I noticed that most of my friends didn't have them on their lists.
Now this is totally fine. There is no hidden clause in the Jade Internet Friendship contract that says you have to like the same books as me. I obviously have fabulous taste, but whatever. The lack of adds on Goodreads did get me thinking, and I kept circling around one particular question:
How aware are non-Aussies of Australian books?
Now some Aussies are household names in the YA world. Melina Marchetta springs to mind. (And if you haven't read any of her stuff, get thee to a bookstore/library NOW!) But I wonder how many other authors are on the international radar?
(These questions are not meant to make anyone feel bad for their lack of interest in Australian authors. I am simply curious.)
Of course, lack of availability is probably a factor in this. A lot of my favourite Aussie books come from smaller, local houses, and aren't even available overseas. Some, like Graffiti Moon (which, by the way, is one of my all-time favourites!) have sold to American publishers. So there is that.
Sometimes it's even hard for me find local books in the stores, and I'm forced to go online.
Another factor is probably just a lack of awareness. Since a lot of these books are only published locally, there's not going to be a lot of hype on the internet. In fact, some of my favourite books I've found from trawling through publisher's websites. I hadn't heard of them until I came across them.
Many of my favourite stories are little Aussie books that could, and it makes me to sad to think that people are missing out on them. Like emo sad. So I'd love to hear from Aussies and non-Aussies on this topic. Have you read any amazing Aussie books? Is it something that you wish you had more access to? Could you not care less about my ramblings?
If you are interested, I am always happy to recommend books (actually, I'm happy to talk about any books, period.), and my favourite Aussie book blogger is Nomes. She's lead me to more amazing books than I can count.
* Yes, koalas really do have chlamydia.
I am very interested that you brought this up! I do not live in Australia, but I luuuuurve it. So while I'm stuck over here in the U.S., I love to read about it. And I've found -- at least for me -- that it IS hard to find Aussie authors here. I read and love Jaclyn Moriarty. I haven't even heard of Melina Marchetta -- and I've worked in New Jersey bookstores/libraries for the past 6 years! Graffiti Moon sounds awesome just by the title. Please recommend great Aussie books. :) Or ANY set there.
ReplyDeleteI can only think of two Aussie authors I've read off the top of my head--Colleen McCullough and Gary Corby. Both are amazing though!
ReplyDeleteMaybe you could do some Aussie author spotlight posts to point us all in the right direction!
One of my favorites is an oldy but goodie: the picture book WOMBAT STEW (ooey, gooey, yummy, chewy wombat stew).
ReplyDeleteJADE!!!! I have missed you, darling. How are you?? I love Aussie books but am afraid I don't know of nearly as many as I should. You are always welcome to drop some titles on me though. Always. :)
ReplyDeleteBruce does NOT have the clap! His mama raised him right! ;)
ReplyDeleteSince I get most of my book recommendations from book bloggers, it's 100% your fault that I don't know about more Australian book titles. Srsly.
Seriously seriously, I would love it if you wanted to do more posts on Aussie YA novelists. That would rock my world. At least the western half of it, anyway, lol.
You have a fabulous blog! I’m an author and illustrator and I made some awards to give fellow bloggers whose sites I enjoy. I want to award you with one of my homemade awards: Powerful Woman Writer Award. There are no pass along requirements. This is just to reward you for all the hard work you do!
ReplyDeleteGo to http://astorybookworld.blogspot.com/p/awards.html and pick up your award.
~Deirdra
Sadly, I think you are my main source for awesome Aussie book recommendations. So you should do more! Especially ones that are also available in the US. :)
ReplyDeleteI really do love this post
ReplyDeleteeven the extra info on koalas
I love the Aussie stuff. Have been so not keeping on top of it this year, though :/
Need to get right back on it.
Hope youre feeling loads better with your pregnancy!
x
(my two Aussie faves this year are Holier than thou by Laura Buzo and Free Falling by nicola Moriarty)
I just read an ARC of Love and Other Perishable Items by Laura Buzo, but I'm pretty sure they Americanized it for US publication (considering the title change, etc.) so it didn't feel incredibly Australian, which I was hoping for. I like feeling a part of other cultures and hearing (reading) the lingo. Thanks for the recommends! I'll have to check them out :)
ReplyDeleteI love every book by Marcus Zusak--he's Australian right? :)
ReplyDeleteI need to read more!