November is shaping up to be an exciting month for Australian book lovers, with a great mix of fiction, memoirs, children’s adventures, and thought-provoking non-fiction hitting the shelves.
This month’s new releases feature stories from some of Australia’s best-known authors, along with books that explore topics like Australian wildlife, resilience, justice, and everyday cooking.
Whether you are looking for a great Christmas gift, something meaningful to read, or a fresh book to add to the bookshelf for younger readers, there is plenty to discover.
Table of Contents
Fiction
The Cross
In the final days of 1974, a mysterious stranger arrives in the quiet Riverina town of Gunnawah, driving a bright yellow sports car. At the local newspaper, young journalist Adelaide Hoffman is looking into plans for a new resort along the Murray River. Her boss, Valdene Bullark, and local figure Wayne Trevaskis, think there’s more to the story. Meanwhile, rookie officer Jack Overlund soon finds out the stranger has brought trouble with him. As big-city money comes in, old secrets start to surface, including a dark link to the Nugan Hand Bank. In a small town where everyone knows each other, some secrets were never meant to come out.
Set against a backdrop of football, meat pies, Gough Whitman, and shag-pile carpet, Ronni Salt’s The Cross is both dark and funny, blending small-town secrets, crime, religion, and revenge with a uniquely Australian sense of humour.
Release date: 24 November 2026
One for Sorrow
When Einar Halvorsen meets his new teacher, he doesn’t know how much this man will change his life. Set in Norway in 1939, Einar finds a love of words and learns how stories can bring comfort, even in hard times. As war comes to his hometown and the Nazis take control, Einar’s teacher helps him find pride and courage that no one can take away. But this influence also changes Einar’s family in unexpected ways.
In One for Sorrow, Miles Franklin-shortlisted author Favel Parrett explores family, love, and heartbreak that can last a lifetime.
Release date: 3 November 2026
Rebel Darling
Cammie Darling is a talented figure skater, but after being disqualified from a competition, her tough reputation has left her without a partner and struggling to return to the ice. Seth Walker, her brother’s annoying best friend, has been kicked off his hockey team and wants another chance. Even though they don’t get along, they agree to train together to fix their reputations. Their arguments slowly turn into unexpected feelings, making things complicated. Cammie then learns the real reason Seth was dismissed and faces a tough decision.
Rebel Darling is the newest clean, wholesome, low-spice romance in Alexandra Moody’s Darling Devils series.
Release date: 5 November 2026
Non-Fiction
Songs from the Firefront
In Songs from the Firefront, Tim Winton shares personal stories and reflections about family, friendship, and his strong connection to the Australian landscape. From paddleboarding out to see dugongs, being alone in a vast canyon, and watching bushfires destroy his neighbourhood, Winton also talks about his friendship with author Helen Garner, the travels that inspired Cloudstreet, and his experiences as a father and grandfather.
Tim Winton moves between childhood memories and worries for future generations, exploring the joys and heartbreaks of family life, our relationship with nature, and what we hope to leave behind.
Release date: 5 November 2026
Live Free
Former tennis champion Jelena Dokic shares the experiences and lessons that helped her rebuild her life after years of abuse, trauma, and public attention. She talks about her tough childhood, the abuse from her father, and the pressures of her tennis career, reflecting on how these shaped her confidence, mental health, and self-worth. Through stories, advice, and exercises, she shows how to break free from negative patterns, overcome shame, and let go of perfectionism.
Live Free is about learning to believe in yourself, finding strength in vulnerability, and moving past the experiences that have held you back.
Release date: 3 November 2026
Finding Justice
In Finding Justice, Larissa Behrendt uses her experience as a legal academic, author, and filmmaker to explore what justice means in Australia, especially for First Nations communities. She combines personal stories, Indigenous knowledge, and years of legal work to look at how different ideas about law, responsibility, and fairness have affected the country. Behrendt also shows how First Nations communities have practised sovereignty through self-determination, respect, and collective care, often working within systems that have not recognised their views.
By looking at Australia’s past and future, Finding Justice questions old ideas about power and justice, and considers how accepting different approaches could help build a fairer society.
Release date: 3 November 2026
Made Simple
In Made Simple, chef Danielle Alvarez shares over 80 recipes that make everyday home cooking easier without losing flavour. With years of experience in professional kitchens and at home, Alvarez removes unnecessary steps and complicated techniques to focus on what makes food taste great.
Keeping Alvarez’s approach of using familiar ingredients and bringing out their natural flavours, each recipe in Made Simple is designed to be achievable for home cooks, whether preparing a quick weekday meal or something special to share.
Release date: 3 November 2026
Wild Neighbours: Urban Nature Up Close
From noisy galahs and curious cockatoos to blue-tongue lizards and brush turkeys digging up gardens, Australian wildlife has found clever ways to live with us. In Wild Neighbours, Ann Göth and Darryl Jones look at the interesting lives of the animals and plants that share our cities, towns, and backyards. They answer questions you might have, like why magpies sing together, how cockatoos open wheelie bins, and why koalas sleep so much.
By exploring the habits, behaviours, and surprising capacity of urban wildlife, Wild Neighbours shows just how much is happening in the natural world right outside our doors.
Release date: 1 November 2026
Children’s books
Paris Dreams
Eleven-year-old Georgia dreams of being an international gymnastics star, and she’s just received amazing news. She’s going to Paris with her new squad for her first international competition. Georgia can’t wait to show her talents at the Paris Cup, but just as things are going well, disaster strikes and her dreams are suddenly in danger.
Laura Sieveking and Georgia Godwin tell Paris Dreams through Georgia’s diary, following her journey as she faces setbacks and finds out if she has the determination to keep chasing her gymnastics dreams.
Release date: 1 November 2026
The Girl and the Ghost: Spirited Travels (Book 4)
Josephine Eloise Thomas is going to Singapore to visit her best friend Harriet and meet her extended family for the first time. Her boyfriend Gabriel and the ghost of Louis XVII are coming too, and she’s excited for a memorable holiday. But things change when Josephine meets two more ghosts, bringing new mysteries. To make things harder, the dangerous Anastasia is still out there and wants revenge. As Josephine tries to protect her family and friends, she also has to learn from her new ghostly companions.
In The Girl and the Ghost: Spirited Travels, Jacqueline Harvey mixes supernatural mysteries, family adventures, and a bit of romance.
Release date: 10 November 2026
Hot Dog 21 – Island Time
Hotdog and his friends are having fun in the sun while visiting Kev’s mum, who works as a beach vet on a beautiful island. But their relaxing holiday changes when they find something strange happening in the water. The sea creatures are scared, and no one knows why.
In Hotdog! 21: Island Time! Anh Do gives readers another fun adventure full of friendship, laughs, and seaside excitement.
Release date: 1 November 2026
Find More Aussie Authors You’ll Love
If you’ve enjoyed exploring these new releases, there’s plenty more to discover. Our site is home to a growing collection of Australian authors across every genre. Take a look around, find your next read, and support our incredible writers.