#aussie bookblr

[books-and-strawberry-tea]

November Challenge Day 2: Currently Reading

I finally found kuromi!! I thought they’d all sold out but they must have restocked over night. Also, this is my current read 🥰

[laurasauras]

Want to read my book early and for free?

I'm releasing my debut novel on the 12th of July. I'm fucking stoked!

I've been calling The Fool a romantasy even though I think it's more accurately a fantasy romance. The queer romance is essential to the plot, but it isn't the plot. (It's also got a fade to black level of spice, which isn't the assumption with romance books these days.) It's got more politics and murder and stuff going on.

Really though, it's about family. How hard it can be to try and live up to their expectations. How it feels to love them. How it feels to hate them. How it would be so much easier if you could just feel one thing about them.

Also, the fool is just a silly little guy! God I love a good jester.

In order to build some hype, I'd love to give it to you in exchange for an honest review in the lead up to the release. It'll probably be on Goodreads etc on the 21st of June, when I put it on Amazon etc for preorder.

There's no obligation to like it, but if you hated it I'd ask you to hold off on reviewing until after it's released.

If you're interested, you can fill out this form or just DM me and I'll send a copy to your email address. I'm in the final stages of proofreading so there may be minor changes between now and publication, but it's very polished.

I'd really appreciate if you shared this post! This book is so important to me, I've spent 5 years writing it and I think it's the best thing I've written.

Happy pride! I hope you'll love these idiots as much as I do.

[bookshelvesandtealeaves]

5 star reads of 2024 ↳ empire of the damned by jay kristoff

[niamhs-reading-adventures]

Currently reading: Wandering Wild by Lynette Noni

Noni is an insta-buy author for me, but this isn't her usual YA fantasy so I'm mostly excited and a little bit cautious about starting this book.

[byoldervine]

I’ve been really keen on figuring out voice claims for the characters for some reason? But I’m really struggling to find ones for Connor and Kennedy because I don’t know where to find people with the right accents. If anyone could point me in the right directions, that’d be much appreciated!

Connor: While any Irish accent is likely worth looking into, at a brief scan Laois Irish is probably the area I’m imagining accent-wise; he was Irish when I came up with him pre-Byoldervine. Very emotive and inflective voice with a lot of energy and character behind it. Was made for voice acting. His voice is slightly high, but not too much so. Playful and chill for the most part

Kennedy: Aussie or maybe Kiwi accent, when I initially came up with her pre-Byoldervine she was Australian. She’d speak very formally with a more cultivated accent. Probably a slightly lower pitch. Closest I’ve heard to her voice is Cate Blanchett. Can handle the voice being a little flat and less emotive but not necessary.

[rebeccarosengrave]

Gumtree Gargoyles, an urban fantasy series set in Canberra, Australia. Read book 1 for free on Wattpad

[fairytalegirlie]

Today was stressful, but i got a new book and saw some kangaroos 🩷

[homerjacksons]

5 star reads of 2024 ↳ two tickets by ruby landers

[fullibooked]

Despite staring at these book covers every time I went into my high school library, it still took me to adulthood to read the Old Kingdom books by Garth Nix. As a kid I read and loved Nix's Keys to the Kingdom books, and had started reading Sabriel many moons ago, but never finished it. Until this year, when I was doing a lot of short trips by bus and needed an audiobook. I then simply Had to read the other two books in this trilogy. (And yeah I know there's more, I was just doing the og 3). Sabriel, Lirael and Abhorsen. The first about the daughter of the one good-guy necromancer in the whole Old Kingdom, a soldier out of time and a cat (?). The second about the one child of the Clayr who cannot see the future, a prince and a Disreputable Dog. And the third about the whole lot of them struggling to keep the world from ending, one lightning strike at a time. I genuinely enjoyed these books, even if I was older than our young protagonists. The world-building is iconic, the stories deep, the adventures strong. These truly are for all ages. Classic fantasy, so of course I got my sword out, and added my own Kibeth, (though I would so prefer her incarnate version rather than the bell version).

[denmark-street]

I had the loveliest gift by my sister: a box with a book, some tea, notebooks and highlighters.

Only downside is that i spent most of my workday on Amazon browsing Le Livre de Poche editions of classics for future working copies to buy.

I guess i'll also need paperback editions of Harry Potter and Strike.

[books-and-strawberry-tea]

New Words this Year(ᴗ͈ˬᴗ͈)ꕤ.ﾟ

Thanks to my kindle, its easy for me to keep track of new words I come across while reading. I look at the definitions and keep the word highlighted for later. So here are some of the words I came across this year that I either have heard but dont know what they mean, or new words entirely.

Tumblr seriously hated me while I was making this post. Nothing but problems. Wouldn’t let me post it. Undoing all my formatting multiple times. So if you see any mistakes please let me know 🥹 (ugh it’s gotten rid of my numbered dot points too. I’m so sorry this post is a nightmare)

The Scarlet Veil ⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪

Egad

Expressing surprise, anger, or affirmation. First recorded in 1665–75; euphemistic alteration of oh God!

Herculean

Requiring great strength or effort. 1590–1600; < Latin Hercule ( us ) of, belonging to Hercules + -an. Digging the tunnel was a herculean task.

A Court of Thorns and Roses ⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪

Conflagration

an extensive fire which destroys a great deal of land or property. A destructive fire, usually an extensive one.

First recorded in 1545–55; from Latin conflagrātiōn- (stem of conflagrātiō ), equivalent to conflagrāt(us), past participle of conflagrāre “to burn up”; con- ( def ), -ate 1( def ), -ion ( def ). Latin flagr- of conflagrāre is akin to fulgur “lightning,” flamma ( flame ), Greek phlóx ( phlox )

A Court of Mist and Fury ⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪

Odious

Extremely unpleasant; repulsive. Deserving or causing hatred; hateful; detestable. Highly offensive; repugnant; disgusting.

1350–1400; Middle English from Latin odiōsus, equivalent to od(ium) “hatred,” odium + -ōsus -ous

House of Roots and Ruin ⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪

curlicues

A decorative curl or twist in calligraphy or in the design of an object. An ornamental, fancy curl or twist, as in a signature.

trellises

A framework of light wooden or metal bars, chiefly used as a support for fruit trees or climbing plants. late Middle English word dating back to 1425–75; trellis, -ed

Charm ⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪

compunction

A feeling of guilt or moral scruple that prevents or follows the doing of something bad. A feeling of uneasiness or anxiety of the conscience caused by regret for doing wrong or causing pain; contrition; remorse. Any uneasiness or hesitation about the rightness of an action.

An Education in Malice ⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪

proffered (Proffer)

Hold out or put forward (something) to someone for acceptance. Put before someone for acceptance; offered: Thanks for all the proffered advice. He concluded that something was better than nothing, and agreed to the proffered terms. Proffer = to put before a person for acceptance; offer.

milieu

A person's social environment. Surroundings, especially of a social or cultural nature: a snobbish milieu. Synonyms: setting, sphere, background

dour

sullen; gloomy:The captain's dour look depressed us all. Synonyms: moody, sour, morose

severe; stern:His dour criticism made us regret having undertaken the job.

Scot. (of land) barren; rocky, infertile, or otherwise difficult or impossible to cultivate.

bacchantes

A female bacchant. Bacchant -

a priest, priestess, or votary of Bacchus; bacchanal.

a drunken reveler.

First recorded in 1690–1700, bacchant is from the Latin word bacchant- (stem of bacchāns, present participle of bacchārī to revel). See Bacchus, -ant

matriculate

to enroll in a college or university as a candidate for a degree.

to register (a coat of arms), used especially in Scottish heraldry. 1480–90 for earlier sense; < Medieval Latin mātrīculātus (person) listed (for some specific duty), equivalent to mātrīcul ( a ) list ( matriculant ) + -ātus -ate

peaty

Of, pertaining to, resembling, or containing the substance peat.

Peat -

a highly organic material found in marshy or damp regions, composed of partially decayed vegetable matter: it is cut and dried for use as fuel.

such vegetable matter used as fertilizer or fuel.

equivocation

the use of equivocal or ambiguous expressions, especially in order to mislead or hedge; prevarication.

an equivocal, ambiguous expression; equivoque: The speech was marked by elaborate equivocations.

Logic. a fallacy caused by the double meaning of a word.

Mephistopheles

Medieval Demonology. one of the seven chief devils and the tempter of Faust.

succinctly

In a concise or verbally brief manner: Students must demonstrate the ability to correctly and succinctly communicate research findings.

pedagogy

the function or work of a teacher; teaching.

the art or science of teaching; education; instructional methods.

tempestuous

characterized by or subject to tempests:the tempestuous ocean.

of the nature of or resembling a tempest:a tempestuous wind. Synonyms: stormy, violent

tumultuous; turbulent:a tempestuous period in history.

Temptest -

a violent windstorm, especially one with rain, hail, or snow.

a violent commotion, disturbance, or tumult.

subjugated

Subjugate -

to bring under complete control or subjection; conquer; master. Synonyms: overpower, reduce, vanquish, overcome

to make submissive or subservient; enslave. Synonyms: overpower, reduce, vanquish, overcome

magnanimous

generous in forgiving an insult or injury; free from petty resentfulness or vindictiveness:to be magnanimous toward one's enemies. Synonyms: kindly, charitable, big

high-minded; noble:a just and magnanimous ruler.

proceeding from or revealing generosity or nobility of mind, character, etc.:a magnanimous gesture of forgiveness.

wizened

withered; shriveled:

a wizened old man; wizened features.

impervious

not permitting penetration or passage; impenetrable:The coat is impervious to rain.

incapable of being injured or impaired:impervious to wear and tear.

incapable of being influenced, persuaded, or affected:impervious to reason; impervious to another's suffering. Synonyms: closed, invulnerable

Belladonna ⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪

mirth

gaiety or jollity, especially when accompanied by laughter:the excitement and mirth of the holiday season.Antonyms: gloom

amusement or laughter: He was unable to conceal his mirth.

First recorded before 900; Middle English mirthe, Old English myrgth. See merry, -th

Leather & Lark ⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪

pyroclastic

Geology.

composed chiefly of fragments of volcanic origin, as agglomerate, tuff, and certain other rocks; volcaniclastic.

First recorded in 1885–90; pyro- + clastic

Multifaceted

having many facets, as a gem.

having many aspects or phases:a multifaceted problem.

saccharine

of the nature of or resembling that of sugar:a powdery substance with a saccharine taste.

containing or yielding sugar.

very sweet to the taste; sugary:a saccharine dessert.

cloyingly agreeable or ingratiating:a saccharine personality.

exaggeratedly sweet or sentimental:a saccharine smile; a saccharine song of undying love.

nonplussed

completely puzzled or perplexed by something unexpected:She blows a hole in the wall and escapes, and the nonplussed aliens are left wondering what happened.

not dismayed; indifferent or unexcited; calm:I hadn’t yet told my girlfriend I was leaving—I didn't want to risk being crushed by a nonplussed response to the news.

First recorded in 1600–10; nonplus ( def ) + -ed 2( def )

flummoxed

Informal. utterly bewildered, confused, or puzzled:

When I walk into a store to buy video equipment and see the multitude of options, I’m befuddled and flummoxed.

The Thirteenth Child ⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪

wedgelette

I...I have no idea what this means and when I google it only the book comes up XD

perdition

a state of final spiritual ruin; loss of the soul; damnation.

the future state of the wicked.

hell ( def 1 ).

utter destruction or ruin.

Obsolete. loss.

The Pale Dreamer ⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪

mercurial

changeable; volatile; fickle; flighty; erratic:a mercurial nature.Synonyms: indecisive, inconstantAntonyms: steady, constant

animated; lively; sprightly; quick-witted.Synonyms: spiritedAntonyms: phlegmatic

pertaining to, containing, or caused by the metal mercury.

(initial capital letter) of or relating to the god Mercury.

(initial capital letter) of or relating to the planet Mercury.

milliner(s)

a person who designs, makes, or sells hats for women.

First recorded in 1520–30; variant of obsolete Milaner “native of Milan, dealer in goods from Milan” ( Milan was formerly accented on the first syllable); -er 1

haberdasher(s)

a retail dealer in men's furnishings, as shirts, ties, gloves, socks, and hats.

Chiefly British. a dealer in small wares and notions.

1275–1325; Middle English haberdasshere, of obscure origin; compare Anglo-French habredache haberdashery, hapertas perhaps a kind of cloth

trepidation

tremulous fear, alarm, or agitation; perturbation. Synonyms: disquiet, apprehension, panic, alarm, fright, fear, dread, anxiety

Archaic. trembling or quivering movement; tremor.

craven

cowardly; contemptibly timid; pusillanimous.

Synonyms: timorous, fearful, dastardly

assent

to agree or concur; subscribe to (often followed by to ):to assent to a statement. Synonyms: acquiesce

to give in; yield; concede:Assenting to his demands, I did as I was told. Synonyms: acquiesce

perfunctory

performed merely as a routine duty; hasty and superficial:perfunctory courtesy. Synonyms: uninterested, thoughtless, heedless, negligent Antonyms: diligent, careful

lacking interest, care, or enthusiasm; indifferent or apathetic:In his lectures he reveals himself to be merely a perfunctory speaker. Synonyms: uninterested, thoughtless, heedless, negligent Antonyms: diligent, careful

Spark of the Everflame ⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪

raucously (raucous)

harsh; strident; grating:raucous voices; raucous laughter. Synonyms: raspy, rough Antonyms: dulcet, mellow, soft

rowdy; disorderly:a raucous party.

Glow of the Everflame ⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪

reticence

the state of being reticent, or reserved, especially with regard to speaking freely; restraint:

His natural reticence seemed to disappear under the influence of alcohol.

apoplectic

of or relating to apoplexy or stroke.

having or inclined to apoplexy.

intense enough to threaten or cause apoplexy:an apoplectic rage.

extremely angry; furious:He became apoplectic at the mere mention of the subject.

Hopefully you learnt some new words! I definitely have!

(These words have been collected since May 2024 when I got my kindle and are whats listed in my kindle as of posting on the 29th Dec 2024.)

[bookshelvesandtealeaves]

✨ BOOK REVIEW ✨

More by Abra Pressler

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

QOTD: What’s a book you’ve loved set in Australia? If you haven’t read one, I have many handy recs!

[instagram]

Review below cut

This was such a lovely, wholesome read! I always love an Australian setting, especially for a romance.

I love the way Anse and Luciano meet, like a proper old fashioned meet cute between a food delivery driver and a customer. It was so sweet the way they were instantly drawn to each other and I loved the progression of their relationship.

I LOVED the inclusion of AFL. So much fun reading that. Just made me want an AFL romance even more to be honest.

There’s a whole lot of wonderful side characters in this one and they all came together so well.

[books-and-strawberry-tea]

This is exactly what I think 🤣

Write those books people!! Do it!! I DARE YOU!

Booktok books and Colleen hoover are the only reason why I actually might write my book because wtf do u mean I can write better than people who are like twice my age??

If you ever want to write a book but feel demotivated about making it big just remember Colleen hoover exists

[homerjacksons]

5 star reads of 2024 ↳ dancing barefoot by alice boyle

[fullibooked]

Is a group of stuffed-toy crows called an attempted murder? The crow folk in the previous Warrior Bard novels were intriguing, deadly, and very much left to their own devices or avoided, but the finale of the Warrior Bard trilogy: A Song of Flight has a whole lot more of the dark-winged creatures and their story. which I loved. Very much.

As always Juliet Marillier's writing is impeccable, exciting and full of beautiful mythology and magic. Her characters are deep and human (even when they're actually not human at all) and I may have gotten overly excited to see the return of Blackthorn and Grim, even if it was only a brief hug and hello.

The families and found families in this series are so wholesome and awesome that I was very sad to see the series end. But knowing Juliet, there'll be more where this came from, and I will be So Ready.

[books-and-strawberry-tea]

IMMA HAVE TO READ THE BOOKS FOR SURE NOW

HELL YEAH LETS GO

LET'S GOOOOOOOO