Young adult

2024 young adult highlights

2024 was a wonderful year for young adult fiction! Here are just some of our favourites ...

Contemporaries to fall in love with ...

Wrong Answers Only by Tobias Madden

Marco should be at university, studying biomedicine. Instead, he’s been sent to live on a cruise ship in the Mediterranean with his estranged uncle, all because of a ‘blip’ everyone else is convinced was a panic attack. (Which it most definitely was not.)

And even though Marco’s trip is supposed…

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The Teen Advisory Board's favourite books of 2024

It's nearing the end of 2024, so we asked the Readings Teen Advisory Board to share their favourite reads of the year!

Ellie Fisher loved:

I’m Not Really Here by Gary Lonesborough

I'm Not Really Here is an excellent book that follows the journey of Jonah, a young queer Aboriginal boy, as he moves to a country town. Harvey is a young rugby player who befriends Jonah at school and convinces him to play Rugby for the local team. Perfect…

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Relive your favourite concerts with these books

by Alicia Vu

For the past year Australia has been busy, with artist after artist bringing their world tours to our stadiums and arenas. From hosting the biggest grossing tour in history, to first-time visitors to Australia and to some returning after years – music lovers and concert goers have been loving it. Now that we have reached the end of this big year of music, let’s close off this chapter with the perfect book that resonates with your favourite concert of the…

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Our November 2024 children's and young adult bestsellers

At the top of the list for November is the latest diary from everyone's favourite Wimpy Kid! Following closely behind is an instant favourite from the duo behind The Green Sheep, Mem Fox and Judy Horacek. And coming in at 3rd place is the adorable wombat who won the hearts of the judges of this year's Children's Prize.

Also making the list are a new middle grade adventure from Emily Rodda, the Jolly Postman, of course, and the…

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What to read, based on your favourite character from Wicked

by Aurelia Orr

If you’ve just watched the new Wicked movie, you’re probably like me and itching to either rewatch it again, create a time machine to skip forward to next year for part 2, or immerse yourself in all things Wicked! You also may be interested in reading Gregory Maguire’s Wicked, the inspiration behind the Broadway musical and the movie. However, if you’re a parent whose kids are keen to read the novel, you may be surprised to hear just…

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Best young adult books of 2024

Every year our staff vote for their favourite books of the past year. Here are the best young adult books of 2024, as voted by Readings' staff!

Titles are displayed in alphabetical order by author.

A Way Home by Emily Brewin

A Way Home is an emotional and empathetic book about a teen girl facing homelessness in Melbourne while her mother struggles with mental health and addiction. 

Grace lives under a bridge in the CBD, trying to stay safe…

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A teen's introduction to Shakespeare

by Alicia Vu

You've probably heard of Shakespeare, but if you don't know where to start reading, never fear! Alicia Vu from the Readings Teen Advisory Board has an easy guide to figure out which of his many plays to read first.

William Shakespeare was an English playwright, poet and actor who is widely regarded as one of the greatest writers in the English Language and the world’s preeminent dramatist. He authored 39 plays, 154 sonnets, and two narrative poems, blending timeless themes…

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What to read based on your star sign

by Bella Mackey

Looking for a new book but your TBR is so long you don't know where to start? Turn to the stars, and let your astrological sign decide for you!

If you're an Aries you should read:

The Dagger and the Flame by Catherine Doyle

Aries are typically fiery, passionate, competitive and more than a little impulsive. If you think that sounds like most romantasy heroines, then I agree! Which is why The Dagger and the Flame is a great read…

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Our October 2024 children's and young adult bestsellers

Coming in at number one this month is the lastest adventure with everyone's favourite Demigod, Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Wrath of the Triple Goddess.

Also making the list is the winner of The 2024 Readings Children's Prize, a beautiful picture book about baking with grandma and the finale of the Bad Guys.

Finally, all three of the Wild Robot books have made the list after the success of the movie adaptation.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Wrath of

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The November young adult review

Discover the new books for young adult readers that our booksellers are excited about this month! From a gothic fairytale to a complex YA dystopia, a classic fantasy favourite, and more.

Don’t Let the Forest In by C.G. Drews

Reviewed by Bella Mackey, digital content lead

C.G. Drews’ return to young adult fiction is a gloriously gothic exploration of fairytales, isolation and obsessive friendship, set in an elite boarding school and a dark, untouched forest.

Andrew feels too fragile…

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