The best 9 Australia books

A Long Way Home is a memoir by Saroo Brierley that tells the incredible true story of his journey from being lost in India as a young child, to being adopted by an Australian family, and finally using Google Earth to track down his birth family. It is a heartwarming and inspiring tale of resilience, determination, and the power of love.

A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute is a captivating novel that tells the story of Jean Paget, a young Englishwoman who becomes a prisoner of war in Malaya during World War II. After the war, she returns to Malaya and Australia in search of a man who showed her kindness during her captivity. The book explores themes of love, resilience, and the power of community.

Cloudstreet is a novel by Tim Winton that follows the lives of two working-class Australian families, the Pickles and the Lambs, as they come together to live in a large house in Perth. Set against the backdrop of post-World War II Australia, the book explores themes of family, community, and the search for meaning in life. With its rich characters and evocative storytelling, Cloudstreet is a celebrated Australian classic that delves into the complexities of human existence.

Picnic at Hanging Rock is a haunting mystery novel set in 1900s Australia. When a group of schoolgirls and their teacher vanish during a picnic at the enigmatic Hanging Rock, the community is left in shock and confusion. As the search for the missing girls unfolds, dark secrets and hidden desires are revealed, leaving the reader questioning what really happened on that fateful day.

The Harp in the South is a novel by Ruth Park that delves into the lives of the Darcy family, who live in the poverty-stricken area of Surry Hills in Sydney, Australia. Through vivid storytelling, Park explores the struggles and resilience of the family as they navigate the challenges of their environment while holding onto their dreams and love for each other. It is a poignant and captivating portrayal of urban life in mid-20th century Australia.

True History of the Kelly Gang by Peter Carey is a novel that reimagines the life of the infamous Australian outlaw, Ned Kelly. Told in the form of a journal written by Kelly himself, it offers a unique perspective on his experiences and the events that led to his notoriety. Blurring the lines between fact and fiction, this gripping book delves into the complexities of Kelly's character and the harsh realities of 19th century Australia.

The Dry (2016) by Jane Harper is a gripping mystery novel set in a small Australian town. When Federal Agent Aaron Falk returns to his hometown for the funeral of his childhood friend, he is drawn into investigating the shocking murder-suicide of the friend's family. As Falk delves into the dark secrets and betrayals of the past, the story unravels with tense and compelling twists.

The Songlines (1987) by Bruce Chatwin explores the concept of songlines, the invisible pathways that crisscross Australia and are believed to have been created by ancestral beings during the Dreamtime. Chatwin delves into Aboriginal culture and delves into the ways in which these songlines serve as a means of navigation, storytelling, and connection to the land.

The Thorn Birds is a compelling novel by Colleen McCullough that delves into the lives of the Cleary family in the Australian Outback. Spanning several decades, it tells the story of forbidden love, ambition, and sacrifice, centering around the complex relationship between the beautiful Meggie Cleary and the charismatic priest, Father Ralph de Bricassart.