Indigenous Authors Read

Every year, I try to read as many Indigenous authors as possible, and these are often Australian First Nations authors and books, primarily because this is what I have access to. This year, it has been focused on what has come my way for review, and I am enjoying seeing how these authors work in different genres and styles, telling stories that have deep meaning. They can be enjoyed by anyone in the target readership, and where I have learnt so much about the various cultures and nations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This year, there was a large focus on children’s books, but there are some adult ones out there I would like to read. Out of everything that came my way, I read 13 books, and I used my metric of how the authors identified in their biographies so I wasn’t making assumptions.

In reading these books, I feel like I expanded my knowledge, and I loved the picture books that shared knowledge and language in an accessible way for everyone. It’s a great way to learn about cultures and allows readers to start exploring things that they may not know about. As someone who went to school when a lot of this history was either not taught, or taught in generic ways, I have loved reading things that open my eyes and give me a chance find ways to expand my understanding. I am hoping to read more and want to see more awesome books coming next year.

I write roundups that are broad and focused, and split them into men, women, Australian, non-Australian, children’s, young adult, adult, LGBTQIA, Disabled and co-authored books. There is also a post with everything and a summary at the end. So if people want to look at something in particular, they can.

1. Caution! This Book Contains Deadly Reptiles by Corey Tutt, art by Ben Williams

2. A Good Kind of Trouble by Brooke Blurton and Melanie Saward

3. Spirit of the Crocodile by Aaron Fa’aoso and Michelle Scott Tucker with Lyn White

4. Tubowgule: A Sydney Opera House History by Melissa-Jane Fogarty, illustrated by Dylan Finney

5. Yildaan: Our Dreaming Track by Uncle Bud Marshall with Yandaara, artwork by Hannah Smith and Elaine Carmady

6. Our Dance by Jacinta Daniher and Taylor Hampton, illustrated by Janelle Burger

7. Earth Speak: Boodjar Wangkiny by Sean McCann and Jade Goodwin

8. Moonlight and Dust by Jasmin McGaughey

9. Weaving Us Together by Lay Maloney

10. Animals on Country: Let’s look after the animals with Uncle Kuu by Victor Steffensen and illustrated by Sandra Steffensen

11. How Big Is Love? By Carl Merrison and Hakea Hustler, illustrated by Jade Goodwin

12. Naynay and the Mermaid by Tasma Walton, illustrated by Charmaine Ledden-Lewis

13. giwang by Belinda Bridge, illustrated by Peta-Joy Williams