True Australian Stories

Australians are renowned for great storytelling, reflected in the plethora of true stories released in recent times by Aussie authors. The Book Chook has been busy collecting the best of these and making them available in the Newcastle Region Library collection. The topics are as diverse as the authors themselves - from an irreverent dissection of Tony Abbott's tenure as Prime Minister by journalist Andrew P. Street, to a compelling account of a young Muslim woman's experience working on a remote oil and gas rig. There is sure to be something in The Book Chook's list to take your fancy.


Yassmin's Story by Yassmin Abdel-Magied

Written by a former Young Australian Muslin of the Year and Young Queenslander of the Year, Yassmin's Story tells how a young Australian Muslim woman went from working on a remote Queensland oil and gas rig to founding Youth Without Borders, an organisation helping young people work for positive change in their communities.






A Mother's Story by Rosie Batty
also available as an e-book

 A moving account of Rosie Batty's relationship with her ex-partner, who would one day murder their son. It details the emotional abuse inflicted on her by Greg Anderson and culminates in her worst nightmare when he kills their 11 year old son, Luke Batty, at cricket training.







Warrior: A Legendary Leader's Dramatic Life and Violent Death on the Colonial Frontier by Libby Connors
also available as an e-book

An historical account of a group of Aboriginal warriors fighting back against the European settlers invading their traditional lands. Libby Connors details the struggle of legendary warrior Dundalli and his willingness to die to protect his country.







Aussie Grit by Mark Webber
also available as an e-book

Mark Webber reveals the behind-the-scenes struggles of being a Formula One legend and the true Aussie grit needed to win the pinnacle prize of the F1 circuit, the Monaco Grand Prix.






Other Aussie true stories recommended by The Book Chook...

Enemy by Ruth Clare
Stop at Nothing: The Life and Adventures of Malcolm Turnbull by Annabel Crabb^
Thicker Than Water: A Memoir of Family, Secrets, Guilt and History by Cal Flyn
Flesh Wounds by Richard Glover*^
Talking To My Country by Stan Grant*
Avalanche by Julia Leigh
The Convict's Daughter: The Scandal That Shocked a Colony by Kiera Lindsey
The Long Run by Catriona Menzies-Pike*
Allegedly by Sarah Monahan
Of Ashes and Rivers That Run to the Sea by Marie Munkara
Chasing Asylum by Eva Orner
Hello Beautiful! Scenes From a Life by Hannie Rayson
Bad Hair Year: Beating a Brain Tumour, Breast Cancer and Healing a Broken Heart by Bambi Smyth
The Short and Excruciatingly Embarrassing Reign of Captain Abbott by Andrew P. Street*
Reckoning: A Memoir by Magda Szubanski^
The Ice Age: A Journey Into Crystal-meth Addiction by Luke Williams

*also available as an e-book
^also available as an e-audiobook
Visit our eLibrary for access

Visit Newcastle Region Library's Catalogue and Website.