Australia's favourite books revealed! Celebrating Radio National's Top 100 countdown
See where our books landed in ABC Radio National's Top 100 Australian Books.
Were you listening? We certainly were and we spent the weekend on the edge of our seats to see which of our books would make the ABC Radio National Australia's Top 100 Books.
From literary classics to contemporary bestsellers, gripping crime novels to treasured childhood favourites, memoirs, and even a few iconic cookbooks, the list was a brilliant reminder of just how diverse our reading tastes are.
After thousands of Australians cast their votes, Tim Winton's Cloudstreet took to the top spot, followed by Markus Zusak's The Book Thief and Trent Dalton's Boy Swallows Universe.
We were especially delighted to see seven books from Allen & Unwin authors make the list. Have you read them all?
#15 The Slap by Christos Tsiolkas
One slap at a suburban barbecue sets off a chain of events that exposes the tensions, prejudices and secrets simmering beneath the surface of family and friendship. Bold, provocative and impossible to forget, The Slap continues to be a powerful portrait of contemporary Australian life 18 years after it was first published.
#19 Magic Beach by Alison Lester
This is one of my favourite books which I loved reading to my kids and encapsulates the great Australian beachside holiday, sandy beds and all. Join a group of children as an ordinary day at the beach becomes a magical adventure filled with pirates, sea creatures, castles and endless possibilities.
#29 The Happiest Refugee by Anh Do
From a perilous journey to Australia on a tiny boat to becoming one of the country's best-loved entertainers, Anh Do's extraordinary memoir is a moving, funny and uplifting story of courage, family, resilience and the power of optimism.
#53 Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood
Shortlisted for the Booker Prize, this is a deeply thoughtful novel from one of Australia’s greatest writers. A woman retreats from the world to a small religious community on the plains of New South Wales, seeking solitude and meaning. But as the past intrudes on her quiet existence, she is forced to confront questions of forgiveness, grief and what it means to live a good life.
#73 Scrublands by Chris Hammer
In a drought-stricken rural town, a priest inexplicably opens fire on his congregation, killing five people. A year later, journalist Martin Scarsden arrives to write a story about the tragedy, only to discover that nothing is quite what it seems. A gripping, atmospheric Australian crime novel packed with secrets and twists.
#76 The Natural Way of Things by Charlotte Wood
This is the second book in the list for Charlotte and one of her most acclaimed. Ten young women wake to find themselves imprisoned in a remote property in the Australian outback, punished for their involvement in public sexual scandals. Written 10 years ago, this book seems even more relevant in our world right now than when it was first written.
#95 The Museum of Modern Love by Heather Rose
Inspired by artist Marina Abramović's extraordinary performance The Artist Is Present, this beautiful novel follows a group of strangers whose lives intersect at New York's Museum of Modern Art. This is a moving exploration of art, love, connection and the ways creativity transform our lives.
Did your favourite book make the Top 100? Check out the full list HERE.
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