Another year has passed and with it, AWW challenge participants have read and reviewed dozens of general fiction titles. Broadly, the label of general fiction applies to any novel set in the time period from the mid 1900′s to the present. However, in terms of this summary of the challenge, we have assigned the label of genera fiction to apply to those works, set between the mid 1900′s and the present, which do not fit neatly into any single genre category, like crime, literary or romance.
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Lost and Found by Brooke Davis (16 reviews), What Came Before by Anna George (7 reviews), Simmering Season by Jenn J McLeod (7 reviews), Tiddas by Anita Heiss (11 reviews), Let Her Go by Dawn Barker (9 reviews) and Being Jade by Kate Belle (9 reviews)Â proved to be the most popular reads.
Controversial themes appealed to readers of Just a Girl by Kirsten Krauth, Can You Keep a Secret? by Caroline Overington, The Secrets in Silence by Nicole Trope, Through the Cracks by Honey Brown, Girl 43 by Maree Giles and The First Week by Margaret Merrilees.
Fiction focusing on domestic drama and family relationships were a draw including Mothers and Daughters by Kylie Ladd, Hello from the Gillespies by Monica McIerney, Lyrebird Hill by Anna Romer, Family Secrets by Liz Byrski, Wife on the Run by Fiona Higgins and The Eye of the Sheep by Sophie Laguna.
Titles earning acclaim from reviewers included Deeper Water by Jessie Cole, The Night Guest by Fiona McFarlane , Golden Boys by Sonya Hartnett, Mullumbimby by Melissa Lucashenko, The Golden Age by Joan London and The Grass Castle by Karen Viggers.
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty, Losing Kate by Kylie Kaden, Nest by Inga Simpson, Rachael’s Gift by Alexandra Cameron, Currawong Manor by Josephine Pennicott and The Lost Girls by Wendy James intrigued readers with their secrets.
Reluctantly Charmed by Ellie O’Neil, The Tea Chest by Josephine Moon, The Wrong Girl by Zoe Foster, The Wardrobe Girl by Jennifer Smart, Game Day by Miriam Sved and Cherry Bomb by Jenny Valentish made readers smile.
Rural fiction continues to prove popular and amongst the years releases Red Sand Sunrise by Fiona McArthur, Time Will Tell by Fiona McCallum, Crimson Dawn by Fleur McDonald, Tracking North by Kerry McGinnis and The Sunnyvale Girls by Fiona Palmer and Billabong Bend by Jennifer Scoullar were well read.
The diversity of general fiction in Australian literature written by women is evidenced by the wide range of titles read by the challenge participants. I have been able to showcase only a few in this post, and recommend you browse the list of general fiction reviews listed in our database and previous round-up posts, there will surely be something you are tempted to add to your reading list for the 2015 challenge, and each month through the year you can expect I will return to showcase more fabulous general fiction titles.
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About Me
My name is Shelleyrae Cusbert I am a mother of four children, aged 8 to 18, living in the mid north coast of NSW. I am an obsessive reader and publish my thoughts about what I read at my book blog, Book’d Out. In 2012 I read and reviewed a total of 109 books for the AWW Challenge and in 2013 a total of 117. I juggle caring for my family with a part time job and volunteer at both the town’s local library and the children’s school library.
Thanks for kicking off the round-ups for the 2014 titles, Shelleyrae. I know you’ve had a few hassles with formatting for the new site and your work for the challenge behind the scenes is much appreciated.
Great roundup as always Shelleyrae. Can’t help but notice all those Fionas writing rural fiction…they could form a club 🙂
I know ..weird coincidence or a conspiracy? LOL
Ha! Knowing those Fionas… definitely a conspiracy. 🙂
Thanks for the roundup, Shelleyrae. I always enjoy the roundups to find out what I’m missing out on. You list an amazing range of fiction by Australian women. I don’t know how to keep up with them all, which is very exciting and frustrating.
You are welcome Maureen, I’m glad you find them useful!
Great round up, and I read a few of those mentioned. Would be great to know which book was reviewed the most in 2014.
Updated the post for you Tracey – Lost and Found was the clear winner
Thanks for joining in, Brona, and good luck!
Shelleyrae I love to see the books you read and review I have also read many of the books in your roundup , mostly on your ratings
Thanks Robyn – I hope you enjoy those I recommend!
Lovely round-up Shelleyrae. Enjoyed your grouping of themes and styles, and particularly loved to see the books that garnered to most number of reviews for the year. That’s always interesting. My daughter has just read Lost & found on my recommendation, and she liked it too. It will be interesting to see what Davis does next.
Thanks, I added those in later – I always forget about stats 🙂
Hello, Shelleyrae – I am so happy to be in that company and to have given readers a chance to come back to Calingarry Crossing. Thank you.