#GreatStorySwap recommends: ten books to read in quarantine

Stories are what keep us connected. In these uncertain times, we believe that the magic and power of books and sharing stories will keep us united. With schools, organisations and our Foundation unable to hold events, and a feeling of isolation impacting most people, we have created the #GreatStorySwap, a virtual book recommendation challenge, where we ask people from all walks of life to share stories that they love.

Since we launched the #GreatStorySwap two weeks ago, we have been flooded with recommendations of people's favourite books! We've complied a handy list of some of our favourites - from books for kids, to fiction books and even a couple of classics, there's something for everyone. 

Join in on the #GreatStorySwap campaign and let us know one of your favourite books! 

1. Girls Can Fly by Sally Morgan and Ambelin Kwaymullina

Recommended by Professor Anita Heiss

"One of my favourite books is Girls Can Fly by Sally Morgan and Ambelin Kwaymullina. This is a fantastic book about young girls who are following their dreams, and being empowered."

2. Any Ordinary Day by Leigh Sales

Recommended by Gemene

"Any Ordinary Day is an amazing account of people who have been through some horrendous situations and experiences, and how they have shown true courage, strength and resilience during those times. It is incredibly inspiring and uplifting, as well as being incredibly poignant at this point in time."

 

3. Ruby Red Shoes by Kate Knapp

Recommended by Mabel, aged 7

"The book I recommend is Ruby Red Shoes. I love this book SO much! I love it, I love it, I love it so, so much!"

 

4. I Saw, We Saw by students of Nhulunbuy Primary School, with Ann James and Ann Haddon

Recommended by the Indigenous Literacy Foundation

"I Saw, We Saw is a fantastic visual journey around Nhulunbuy in the Northern Territory, amd provides a fascinating glimpse into the world of Yolngu students at Nhulunbuy Primary School. There's so much to see on every page page, and the opportunity to learn some Yolngu Matha words, the authors' first language, making this book a delight to read and explore."

 

5. Eucalyptus by Murray Bail

Recommended by David Gaunt, Gleebooks

"Eucalyptus is a cracker, and it deserves to be read and reread. It’s a great reworking of “Scheherazade”, it’s set in the Australian bush and it’s a tribute to all things Australian."

 

6. Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey

Recommended by Drew, aged 4

"My favourite book is Capatin Underpants, and it has lots of things in it. Captain Underpants saves the world and when he does that, a toilet monster comes!"

 

7. Moli det Bigibigi by Karen Manbulloo

Recommended by the Indigenous Literacy Foundation

"We love this classic story about Moli, the Weetbix eating pig who grew and grew and grew! Written in Kriol and English, this is one of our most popular books, and what’s more – you can hear it read in its original Kriol on our website!"

 

8. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

Recommended by Josh Pyke

"When I was about 11 years old, I read this book and it totally changed my life. At the time, my parents listened to a radio national show, and they asked people to write in about their favourite books. So I wrote in and I wrote about Huckleberry Finn, and they read my letter out on the radio. I’d written about how in Huckleberry Finn everyone values the small things – there are no screens, it’s all about adventure and appreciating the little things in life.

This amazing gentleman rang the radio station, said that he’d loved my letter and how I’d spoken about adventure, and invited my Dad and mr to his farm in Sydney. We went out to his farm, we went abseiling, and then we went out to Bankstown airport and flew in his Cessna, and as an 11 year old I flew the plane – I sat in the front seat and flew the plane.

That is why I love this book, not only because of the actual book itself, but because it offered me this experience that really did change my life. It’s also written in the slang of the time, which was incredible challenging to read, but also really amazing."

 

9. Too Much Lip By Melissa Lucashenko

Recommended by Rebecca Harcourt

"Melissa Lucashenko, Too Much Lip – what can I say? I’ve read so many of her books and they are all absolutely phenomenal."

 

10. A Town Like Alice

Recommended by Elizabeth

"A Town Like Alice is one of my absolute favourite books. This is a powerful story about a smart, tough, resourceful young woman, who is forced on a death march in Malay during the Second World War, and goes onto become the lifeblood of an Australian town ‘like Alice’. A must-read!"

 

Join in on the #GreatStorySwap, and tell us your book recommendations! Don't forget to tag us @IndigneousLF on Twitter and @IndigenousLiteracyFoundation on Facebook and Instagram. Share your stories and help us to stay connected during these uncertain times. 

• Posted 08 April, 2020