The initiative – begun by Elizabeth Lhuede – aims to redress the gender imbalance in the way male and female writers are treated in this country. Male writers are reviewed more often and win prizes more often, even though they do not write more books than women.
I have to admit I've always had a strong bias towards women writers – my husband will growl, ‘don’t you have any books by men?’ as he searches my many bookshelves for something to read – yet I have noticed that the major literary papers do not review the type of books I really want to read.
So I decided to join in the AWW challenge by reviewing novels that I had read and loved on a blog which I began for that purpose. I have reviewed and interviewed both men and women, from Australia and elsewhere – and I have made an effort to read more books by Australian women writers.
In all, I read 95 books in 2012, 26 less than in 2011.
Less than one-third of these were written by men.
Of the 63 women writers, 35 of them were Australian. All of them were utterly brilliant. If you haven’t read their novels, read them in 2013 and discover for yourself the amazing talent of writers we have in this country:
Parallel Historical/Contemporary
1. Secrets of the Tides – Hannah Richell
A dramatic story of family secrets and lies, set in London & Devon. Hannah Richell is UK-born, but lives in Sydney so I have counted her as an Aussie.
A dramatic story of family secrets and lies, set in London & Devon. Hannah Richell is UK-born, but lives in Sydney so I have counted her as an Aussie.
2. The Secret Keeper - Kate Morton
A riveting read that moves between contemporary times and the early days of the Second World War
A riveting read that moves between contemporary times and the early days of the Second World War
3. Lighthouse Bay - Kimberley Freeman
One of my favourite books of the year, this book has romance, suspense, a dastardly villain, and a cast of strong, defiant women.
One of my favourite books of the year, this book has romance, suspense, a dastardly villain, and a cast of strong, defiant women.
4. In Falling Snow - Mary Rose MacColl
A fascinating look at the role of women nurses and doctors in the Second World War in France.
Historical
Set in Scotland in the reign of Mary, Queen of Scots, this novel is filled with unexpected twists and turns.
Romance
7. A Lady of Expectations - Stephanie Laurens
8. An Unwilling Conquest - Stephanie Laurens
9. A Comfortable Wife - Stephanie Laurens
Regency romance novels that are thin on story and thick on sex – but enjoyable nonetheless.
11. Bride by Mistake – Anne Gracie
12. The Perfect Waltz - Anne Gracie
13. The Stolen Princess – Anne Gracie
14. The Perfect Kiss – Anne Gracie
15. His Captive Lady - Anne Gracie
Sparkling Regency romances with just the right mixture of humour, pathos, intrigue and romance.
Fantasy
A haunting tale of love, betrayal and selkies by one of Australia’s most extraordinary authors.
17. Shadowfell – Juliet Marillier
The first in a romantic YA fantasy series by one of my all-time favourite authors.
The first in a romantic YA fantasy series by one of my all-time favourite authors.
18. Flame of Sevenwaters - Juliet Marillier
Another fabulous historical fantasy set in the otherworldly forest of Sevenwaters.
Another fabulous historical fantasy set in the otherworldly forest of Sevenwaters.
19. A Corner of White - Jaclyn Moriarty
A startlingly original book that moves between the parallel worlds of contemporary Oxford and the strange and magical Kingdom of Cello.
20. Poet’s Cottage – Josephine Pennicott
An intriguing murder mystery set in Tasmania, which moves between the present day and the tragic past.
A startlingly original book that moves between the parallel worlds of contemporary Oxford and the strange and magical Kingdom of Cello.
Crime/Mystery
An intriguing murder mystery set in Tasmania, which moves between the present day and the tragic past.
21. A Few Right Thinking Men - Sulari Gentill
The first in a series of murder mysteries set in 1930s.
22. The Golden Door – Emily Rodda
23. The Silver Door - Emily Rodda
24. The Third Door - Emily Rodda
A new trilogy of action-packed fantasy adventure novels for 8+, by the brilliant Emily Rodda
The first in a series of murder mysteries set in 1930s.
Children’s/Young Adult
23. The Silver Door - Emily Rodda
24. The Third Door - Emily Rodda
A new trilogy of action-packed fantasy adventure novels for 8+, by the brilliant Emily Rodda
25. The Forgotten Pearl – Belinda Murrell
A fabulous historical novel for 10+, set during the Second World War in Darwin and Sydney.
26. The River Charm - Belinda Murrell
A beautiful and very moving novel that moves between contemporary times and New South Wales’ early pioneering days, drawing upon the true life story of Charlotte and Louisa Atkinson, Australia’s first female novelists and journalists (and, I proudly must admit, my sister Belinda and my ancestors)
27. Bright Angel – Isabelle Merlin
A charming romantic suspense novel for 13+ set in the South of France.
A charming romantic suspense novel for 13+ set in the South of France.
28. One Long Thread – Belinda Jeffries
A fresh and unusual coming-of-age story that moves between Australia and Tonga.
A fresh and unusual coming-of-age story that moves between Australia and Tonga.
29. Moonlight & Ashes – Sophie Masson
A really brilliant retake on the well-known Cinderella story, set in a make-believe Prague.
A really brilliant retake on the well-known Cinderella story, set in a make-believe Prague.
30. The Madman of Venice – Sophie Masson
A romantic historical novel set in Venice, with lots of suspense to keep the pages turning.
31. The FitzOsbornes in Exile - Michelle Cooper
32. You’ll be Sorry When I’m Dead – Marieke Hardy
Next year I aim to read even more books by Australian Women Writers. What about you?
Memoir
Next year I aim to read even more books by Australian Women Writers. What about you?
Sign up for the Australian Women Writers 2013 Challenge now!
Comments