Congratulations to all our historical fiction reviewers who participated in our Australian Women Writers Challenge for 2015 and to our wonderful Australian women historical fiction writers! We have doubled our books and reviews. Last year there were 105 reviews of 65 books. This year, wait for it:
245 reviews of 112 books by 91 authors! Who hoo! Very impressive.
To break it all down the top three books reviewed were:
The most reviewed book for 2015 was The Anchoress by Robyn Cadwallader with an amazing 14 reviews. In second place was Wild Wood by Posie Graeme-Evans with 12 reviews and in third place The Strays by Emilo Bitto with 10 reviews. 14, 12 and 10 very neat isn’t it? The Beast’s Garden by Kate Forsyth only just missed out for third place with 9 reviews. The award winning The Golden Age by Joan London garnered eight reviews.
Our top reviewer of 2015 was Brenda at Goodreads with a mind-boggling 25 reviews. Last month Brenda reviewed The Silk Thief by Deborah Challinor and The River House by Janita Cunnington.
In second place was Jennifer Cameron-Smith with 13 reviews and Shelleyrae @ Book’d Out with 10 reviews. A relative newcomer to the challenge Michelle at Beauty and Lace reviewed a very impressive six books in December. A Time of Secrets by Deborah Burrows, Heart of the Country by Tricia Stringer, Sweet Wattle Creek by Kaye Dobbie, Swimming Home by Mary-Rose MacColl, Tallowood Bound by Karly Lane and The Butterfly Enigma by Lorraine Campbell.
I can’t wait to find out what everyone will be reading in 2016. Our team of volunteers will keep you up to date every month/bi-monthly covering all the genres and yours truly will be reporting on historical fiction and writing it too. To see what was reviewed last year here is our book search.
About Me:
My name is Debbie Robson and I am a bookcrosser, booklover and author. I love researching the 20th century and finding those small but relevant details that can make the past come alive. You can find me on twitter: lakelady2282
There’s a Jennifer Compton-Smith as well? 😉 Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Sorry about that! Fixed now, Compton is family name lol.
What a great effort by all our readers and reviewers! I love historical fiction so will browse the database to find some new-to-me titles to try 🙂
Wasn’t it? Thanks so much Brona! 2016 is going to a great year.
I’m starting to develop a theory about historical fiction. It does seem to be on the rise – but I’m just not confident enough yet to say that as fact. I need to do more research.
Anyhow, thanks for the write-up Debbie. It’s great having you on our team.
Your theory sounds very interesting! Do you think there is a lot of us just needing an escape? Please let me know Sue and thank you for your comments. I definitely read it for an escape.
Thanks for the round-up, Debbie. Great to see more so many more reviews of historical fiction for the challenge – and thanks for all your efforts throughout the year.
My pleasure Elizabeth. I really enjoyed it and hope we have an even bigger year this year.