June has been Australian Fiction Month here at Readings, so of course, we want to share some of the wonderful Australian books we've been reading this month! We've got staff recommendations, plus some special contributions from members of The Readings Teen Advisory Board!
Baz has been reading…
Stone Yard Devotional
Charlotte Wood
I’ve been curious about this novel since it came out – it sounded like my kinda thing. And I’m happy to report that it was. In fact, I loved it; it’s one of my favourite books so far this year.
Needing a break from the world, the narrator leaves her city life, marriage and work in activism, and moves to an abbey near the small town where she grew up. There she grapples with everything: her understanding of her mother, memories of her childhood, the wrongs of society and failures of humanity – the unstoppable, inevitable harm people inflict. It’s a searching book that wrestles with ego, hatred, pride, death and atonement, and it’s beautiful.
What elevated the novel for me was Wood’s Alice Munro-like ability to reveal the seemingly ordinary stuff of life for what it is: obscure, strange and baffling. To me this book felt a little like Elizabeth Strout at her best, except imagine Strout going beyond human relationships and contending more intensely with the too-muchness of the world.
A gorgeous, melancholy novel of rumination that holds doubt, resists conclusion, and confronts futility without feeling utterly bleak.
Pauline has been reading…
Locust Girl: A Lovesong
Merlinda Bobis
Winner of the Christina Stead Prize, the Philippine National Book award and shortlisted for the ACT Book of the Year Award, this magnificent novel preceded the current ‘cli-fi’ trend; but as well as dealing with drought and hunger, this book deals with exclusion and greed, injustice and violence and advocates for kindness and humanity.
While avoiding all didacticism, this is a book that speaks directly to the heart. It is impossible not to be moved by the plight of Amadea as we journey with her from the first, memorable opening line: 'I was nine when the stars went out.'
This story that bridges genres is ultimately a book of hope: uplifting, magical and unforgettable.
Lian has been reading…
Clarke
Holly Throsby
Holly Throsby's Clarke is one of my favourite Australian books. Taking place in the margins of a small-town murder investigation, Clarke is the story of what lies in the hearts of those left behind when a life is taken; the grief that weighs them down, the dashed hopes and broken hearts of the living. It's a keenly depicted portrait of human nature, and of the need for love, connection, and community.
This gorgeous, big-hearted novel is also a pretty compelling mystery, with a wonderfully satisfying ending.
Amelia has been reading…
A Murder Is Going Down
Kate Emery
A Murder Is Going Down by Kate Emery was the cosy mystery I had been waiting for! The dual timeline creates room for a mystery inside a mystery. The plot centres on Heidi who comes back from exchange when she learns her brother Felix has died. With nothing to do but accepting condolences for a brother she doesn’t particularly miss and avoiding her former best friend and boyfriend who are now together (a fact she can’t overlook) she somehow gets convinced by her (ex?) sister-in-law’s brother Patrick that Felix’s death felt a little too sudden.
Two bored teenagers with bicycles and an unhealthy obsession with detective shows … what could they possibly find out?
This has quickly become one of my favourite mysteries with its sarcastic humour and a little sprinkle of romance hidden between the pages.
Amelia Tant is a member of the 2026 Teen Advisory Board
Amanda has been reading…
Once Upon Tomorrow
Karen Comer
If you are looking for a story that stays with you long after the final page, look no further than Karen Comer’s Once Upon Tomorrow. This was my first experience reading a verse novel, and I was completely blown away by the style. Comer masterfully weaves together three distinct timelines, creating a narrative that feels both complex and deeply intimate. What I love most is how the heartfelt triple timeline structure allows for such raw, unfiltered emotion; every line feels intentional and poignant.
As an avid reader, it is rare to find a book that feels like a total discovery, but this one completely captured my heart. It is a stunning, lyrical exploration of connection that showcases the very best of Australian fiction.
Amanda Nagel is a member of the 2026 Teen Advisory Board
Faith has been reading…
Everyone In This Bank Is a Thief
Benjamin Stevenson
The fourth instalment in the Ernest Cunningham murder mystery series, this latest work is a beautifully crafted addition in which Ernest uses his unique larrikin intellect to solve a multi-faceted whodunnit that masterfully blends dark Australian fiction, wry comedy and a fast-paced plot.
Maintaining the stylistic rules of the 'Golden Age' of detective fiction, Stevenson simultaneously introduces a blend of contemporary settings and cultural cues to produce a read that is both thrilling and familiar. Recounting the story retrospectively from the confines of a locked vault in the Huxley Bank and with a finite amount of time and air, readers are left guessing whether Ernest will deduce the truth before his demise or escape and solve the mysteries that abound in the Huxley Bank.
Recommended for fans of ‘Golden Age’ detective fiction and all lovers of a good mystery that will hold you hostage until the very end. It does not disappoint!
Faith Finn is a member of the 2026 Teen Advisory Board
Talia has been reading…
Shadow Reaper
Lynette Noni
In the perilous city of Aravell, where reapers kill innocent children to steal their magic, hunter Viridia Solace must bargain with her enemy to avenge her parents’ deaths and save the city from an ancient magical ritual.
Shadow Reaper is a new and delightfully dark YA romantic fantasy from one of my favourite Australian authors, Lynette Noni. The worldbuilding in this novel is incredibly detailed and unique, and I quickly fell in love with its colourful cast of characters (particularly the fluffy dwarf bunny named Walnut). The romance is laced with tension and banter, the relationship around it genuine and heartwarming. What continually amazes me about Lynette Noni’s books are her plot twists and they had no less of an impact here! The twists in Shadow Reaper are shocking, relentless and addictive.
Overall, I thought this was a fantastic opening to an emerging duology and would recommend it to any young romantasy reader looking for something fast-paced, multi-layered and immersive.
Talia Hoskins Green is a member of the 2026 Teen Advisory Board
