16 Australian books to look out for in the second half of 2025
My top picks for Aussie fiction and non-fiction still to come this year
There’s a lot of great books still to come this year, but I particularly wanted to shine a light here on books by Australian authors. It’s tough to get any book noticed at the best of times, and local books can be overwhelmed by the big-hitters released in anticipation for Christmas.
When it comes to fiction bestsellers, Australia’s charts this year have been dominated by international names: Taylor Jenkins Reid, Suzanne Collins, Sarah J. Maas, Michael Collins, Stephen King, Rebecca Yarros, Freida McFadden. How does anyone compete with these big guns, or the romantasy juggernaut? Actually scrap that, we do have one name who can take them on: Trent Dalton. His new book is out in late September.
In non-fiction Aussies are faring better, particularly when it comes to cookbooks – the Nagi v Brooki scandal seems to have only boosted both their sales. Recently in publishing there’s been a lot of talk about the difficulty in selling memoirs, so I am pleasantly surprised to see the number of memoirs still to come in 2025 – many from very impressive women.
Here are 16 titles (half fiction/half non-fiction) that you should consider adding to your TBR list this year. Pre-order/buy from indie bookshops when you can, or order from the library, and share these recommendations with friends!
Fiction
In no particular order…
Gravity Let Me Go by Trent Dalton, September
Brisbane’s homegrown literary hero needs no introduction. This will be the biggest book of the Aussie summer, featuring in every bookshop window, table and bestseller list. The novel’s protagonist is Noah Cork, who has published a true crime book that sets off a chain of events in his life and marriage. The publisher calls it ‘dark, gritty, hilarious and unexpected’.
The Underworld by Sophie Laguna, October
Like her Miles Franklin-winning novel The Eye of the Sheep, Sophie Laguna’s The Underworld also tells the story of a child, or in this case a teenager, 14-year-old misfit Martha Mullins. The publisher says it’s for ‘readers seeking a happy ending and anyone ready to feel’. I love Sophie’s writing so can’t wait for this one.
The Good Losers by Meg Bignell, July
Meg Bignell follows up her successful novel The Angry Women’s Choir with another funny and heartfelt book, this time about the world of rowing. When Callie March signs up her screen-addicted son for a season of rowing, she doesn’t realise she has volunteered for ‘a season of pre-dawn parenting, endless fundraising, and pandering to insufferable dickheads.’ Love the sound of this.
A Great Act of Love by Heather Rose, September
Award-winning author Heather Rose is back with a historical fiction novel about a young woman who arrives in Tasmania in 1839 with a young boy in her care and a secret. She leases a house next to an abandoned vineyard and sets out to make a life for herself in early colonial Australia. The publisher calls it ‘an enthralling tale of legacy, love and the making of champagne’ which sound right up my alley!
The Worst Thing I’ve Ever Done by Clare Stephens, September
Clare Stephens is a Sydney-based writer and podcaster well known for her work at Mamamia (I particularly enjoyed her podcasts Cancelled and But Are You Happy?). Drawing on these experiences, Clare has written her first novel about online media, cancel culture and appearance v reality. Her writing is always funny, smart and incisive, so I expect nothing less from her novel.
Your Friend & Mine by Jessica Dettman, July
Margot is an exhausted middle-aged woman who gets another chance at travelling to Europe, a trip she was meant to take with her friend Tessa decades earlier. I love a sliding doors novel, especially when it traverses themes like friendship, love, regret and second chances. One for readers of Liane Moriarty and Marian Keyes.
Do We Deserve This? by Eleanor Elliott Thomas, October
Nina is a coma and her three adult children discover that the lottery ticket she had bought before her accident is worth a lot of money. Should they wait until Nina wakes up to cash it in? It’s billed as a family drama about luck, misfortune and privilege. I do love a dysfunctional family novel so count me in!
Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth, October
Bestselling Melbourne author Sally Hepworth is back with another book filled with secrets, twists and mysteries. I’m intrigued by the sound of the protagonist Mabel, a curmudgeonly 81-year-old with a dark past that is catching up with her thanks to a young girl who becomes her neighbour. This will do doubt be a huge book over the summer.
Non-fiction
Average at Best by Astrid Jorgensen, October
Anyone who has taken part in Pub Choir knows the hilarious force of nature that is Astrid Jorgensen. The blurb promises a ‘memoir about embracing mediocrity if you want to get anything done’ and if the book is anything like Astrid herself, it will be funny, honest and creative. It’s been amazing to watch Astrid – a former music teacher from Brisbane – take Pub Choir around the world and I can’t wait for all the behind-the-scenes goss. I’ll be reading and then passing on to my teenage daughters.Guts by Melissa Leong, September
I’ve long been a fan of Melissa Leong back to when she was blogging as Fooderati. And while her career and profile have soared – she is the host of Masterchef, a fashionista and writer – I’m most interested in what she has to say about racism, mental health, the hospitality industry and her dreams of becoming a concert pianist.Destination Moon by Kate Reid, September
Talk about a dramatic career move: F1 engineer to baker behind the world-famous Lune Croissanterie. Kate Reid’s life has taken her in unexpected directions and as a fan of both F1 (thanks to my teenage son) and croissants, I’m looking forward to reading this memoir about ‘passion and finding purpose’.
Better Things Are Possible by Jack Toohey, September
At a time when the news often seems bleak, the title of this book immediately cuts through. Jack Toohey is a creative director whose viral video about housing inequality in 2023 has led him to a new career as an activist. Here, he makes his case for hope over apathy, for re-making systems and innovative solutions.
Fashion Critical, October
My go-to critic of red carpet lewks, Fashion Critical is a hilarious, anonymous Australian influencer who has developed a lexicon all of her own when it comes to analysing farshun. This looks like a fun compilation of all her best work, the hits and misses from celebrities, Met Galas, award shows and more.
Conspiracy Nation by Cam Wilson & Ariel Bogle, August
Written by two young Australian journalists, this is an examination of uniquely Aussie conspiracies – how and where they flourish, the people behind them and the victims left in their wake. This debut book has some fantastic endorsements from the likes of Benjamin Law, Richard Glover, John Safran and Marc Fennell, who call it ‘compelling’, ‘strangly entertaining’ and a ‘rollicking read’.Baking and the Meaning of Life by Helen Goh, September
It wouldn’t be a list of mine without a cookbook recommendation! Helen Goh is a Malaysian-Australian chef who has risen to prominence as a recipe tester and co-author for Yotam Ottolenghi (what a job!). This book naturally promises fantastic recipes, but it also draws on Helen’s psychology training to explore how baking brings meaning and jot to our lives.Linger by Hetty McKinnon, August
Any new cookbook from Hetty is a source for celebration and an automatic purchase for me. Expect more of her signature salad and vegie recipes, this time with seasonal menus, smaller bites and sweets. Yum.
Upcoming event
This month at Books on Bywong I’m talking with Brisbane author Kimberley Allsopp about her new novel Rise and Shine, what it’s like to go from publishing insider to author, and which books have inspired her writing.
There’s no need to have read the book, just come along for the bookish chat and reading recommendations!
6.30 for 7pm, Thursday 24 July at West Toowong Bowls Club
Tickets available here.
I’d love to hear what you’re looking forward to reading in 2025?
Thanks so much for reading The Booklister. Feel free to forward on to your book-loving friends!