The Bookdragons Den

10/09/2026

✨ CURRENTLY READING ✨

🌱 Physically reading Seeds by Sarah L. Harris Author
🍄‍🟫Listening to The Reckoning by Vikki Petraitis

Two Aussie books that are both keeping me engrossed! Swipe to see the cover of each 💛💚

❓What are you currently reading?

09/09/2026

✨ REVIEW ✨

Rottenheart is the sapphic gothic horror novel from author Kat Dunn. It’s my first book by this author and I found this gender-swapping reimagining of Hamlet made for quite the intriguing read.

⬅️ Swipe for the full synopsis 

🕯️Dunn’s writing is gorgeous. I found it lush, atmospheric and beautifully crafted. It really leant into the gothic historical setting and was quite emotive, even though it was a slow paced read.

I was expecting more horror and darkness though, along with some good old feminine rage. But instead I found it focused more on grief and despair and the relationship the two women had with each other and their mothers.

Told from the dual points of view of Odette and Cecilia, Rottenheart will appeal to those who enjoy a slow paced, character driven narrative that is tense and atmospheric.

Thank you to Allen & Unwin for a copy to review.

4 Aug 2026 | AU RRP: $34.99 | 480 pages

❓Do you enjoy reading a retelling of a classic? Do you have a favourite retelling if you do?

08/09/2026

✨ BEAUTIFUL BOOKMAIL ✨

A lovely package arrived today from the fabulous team at Penguin Books Australia and I’m so very grateful 💛 I’m always blown away by the thought and care that goes into their bookmail packages!

The Featherwood Beekeeper by fi releases next week (September 15) and it sounds like it’s going to be a beautiful read! I cant wait to start reading!

🐝 ABOUT THE BOOK 🐝

Hives are failing up and down the NSW coast – but not in Featherwood. Government scientist Natasha Yarrington is sent to find out why, and the trail leads her to an off-grid beekeeper whose colonies are not just surviving but thriving. Isaac Stevens came to Featherwood to disappear, but a man who holds the secret to healthy bees is difficult to walk away from. For Natasha, he turns out to be the most compelling mystery in Featherwood.

Natasha is swept into the warm heart of the town alongside eighteen-year-old Birdie Vaughn, who has followed a postmark all the way from Sydney in search of her long-lost brother, and the irrepressible Molly Rogan – newly married and navigating a late-in-life pregnancy – who has a gift for drawing strays into her orbit and holding a town together. As Natasha’s relationships with the people of Featherwood grow, she starts to wonder if she’s stumbled onto something far more important than a scientific answer.

❓What is your favourite spread to have on toast? I’ve been loving my local Coastal Honey on toast lately!

08/09/2026

06/09/2026

✨ SUNDAY SHELFIE ✨

Happy Sunday my fellow bookdragons 💜

The end of each month requires a rearrange of my shelves to fit the read books in…as you can see I gave up at the end of Aussie August and just stacked books in front 🫣😂

❓Do you keep your to be read books and you read books separate…or are they all mixed in together?

05/09/2026

✨ REVIEW ✨

Lit is the debut novel of Anna Woods that explores the insidious charm of those who gaslight us, and examines the blurry line between love and control. It’s a twisty and suspenseful read, but one I found frustrating if I’m honest.

👷LIT, the Auckland-based practice Gin shares with her girlfriend, Clary, has been struggling since their third partner, Billy, disappeared, presumed dead.

Now, several years later, LIT’s financial problems and Gin’s personal debts are sn*******ng. Clary, who has been emotionally fragile since Billy’s disappearance is growing increasingly remote and elusive. When Gin begins to be haunted by glimpses of Billy, she blames stress and guilt. But could he be back, threatening to expose the past?

👷 Told from Gin’s first-person perspective, Lit centered on paranoia and suspense. I enjoyed the New Zealand and architectural firm settings. However, despite its intriguing premise and potential, it ultimately fell flat for me.

The pace was slow and frustrating. Gin’s immaturity and the narrative’s disjointed jumps made it difficult to connect with the characters. The ending was also disappointing and felt unresolved.

While this book wasn’t for me, it may be for you…so let me know if you decide to read it and how you found it.

Thank you to Echo Publishing for a copy to review.

2 June 2026 | AU RRP: $34.99 | 336 pages

❓How are you spending your weekend? It’s AFL finals time in Australia so lots of football watching in our house and of course we will be celebrating Father’s Day tomorrow 🩵

03/09/2026

✨ REVIEW ✨

Louise Nealon’s Everything That is Beautiful is a lovely exploration of love, family and community, delving into the nuanced complexities they bring. It centres on a three female characters, examining the events that have shaped the women into who they are today.

🐦‍⬛For Niamh Ryan, the Foleys are family. Her childhood flew by on their farm, playing with her best friend Peter and his sister Kate - all the while being doted on by their mother Helen and coached by their father Liam, a legendary former hurling player.

Now, following a distressing series of events, the family ties are strained. With a family wedding looming, and the women find themselves face to face, the knotty love that still binds Niamh, Helen and Kate might just bring them back together again.

🐦‍⬛ I enjoyed the Irish setting, learning about the sport Hurling/Camogie and the everyday families and their messy,complex lives that we follow. It’s sensitive, intimate and community focused.

However, the movement between past and present felt a little jarring at times, and when teamed with the host of characters we are introduced to, it did get busy and confusing in places.

Overall though, I found it to be an enjoyable read centering around the events that shape us and the people we become after picking up the pieces.

Thank you to Allen & Unwin for a copy to review.

28 July 2026 | AU RRP: $34.99 | 304 pages

❓This story is centred in Ireland…what is a country you’d love to visit one day? I’d love to visit Norway.

03/09/2026

✨ REVIEW ✨

The Followers is the debut novel of Australian author Maree Spratt. It is an authentically Australian coming of age story, with a focus on childhood peer pressure, the dominant personality in the friend group and bullying. It is told from the perspective of Teresa’s character who is one of the ‘followers’.

✨ Swipe for the full synopsis ⬅️

I think my expectations based on the cover and synopsis didn’t match the story I read. I thought there would be more adult reminiscing about how their childhood shaped adulthood, but for the majority of the story we followed the girls through their schooling years. I felt the linkages of schoolyard dynamics translating to social media was more of a side story wrapped up at the end rather than the main focus of the storyline.

The writing style was enjoyable, and I liked the representation of how the person behind the social media (ie influencer) is not an accurate representation of the person they are in real life. It does give Mean Girl’s vibes in the teenage years, but overall I wasn’t pulled in to the story like I was hoping to.

Thank you to Allen & Unwin for a copy to honestly review.

❓What book did you start September reading? How are you enjoying it?

01/09/2026

✨ AUSSIE AUGUST WRAP UP ✨

My gosh! How fast did go 😱

Firstly a HUGE thank you to everyone who joined in reading books by Australian authors for the month. I appreciate you all so much 💕 I loved seeing your posts, reviews and the genuine support for our fantastic authors!!!!

I hope that with all of the posts and reels floating around that we’ve inspired you to pick up at least one book by an Australian author to try ☺️

I managed to read 20 books for the month and tick a few books off my own personal tbr…finally!

A big thank you to the authors and publishers who sent some books my way to read this month 💜 I’m so grateful and those I just couldn’t fit in, I will be prioritising this month, so there’s still lots of Aussie recommendations to come (as always with my bookish account 💛💚)

❓What was your favourite read for August?

30/08/2026

✨ TOP 100 AUSTRALIAN BOOKS ✨

Radio National’s Top 100 Books Countdown returns in 2026 to celebrate the Top 100 Australian Books (of all time!)

Last year, more than 250,000 votes were cast. Let’s beat that voting record this year!!!

Voting has officially opened this morning…31 August… and closes on 1 October.

The final countdown will be broadcast live on Radio National on 17 and 18 October 👏

📚HOW TO CAST YOUR VOTE:

Head to the Top 100 Books website (link is in my bio) and follow the links to the voting page.

If you need some inspiration swipe across and see some of my fav Aussie books or view a list on the website 💕

If your fav book isn’t listed, don’t worry…you can manually add it ☺️

❓Do you have a favourite Aussie book? Let me know in the comments!