At Yarra Plenty Regional Library, we love celebrating Australian stories and the people who bring them to life.
The Indie Book Awards are a special part of that, recognising the best Australian writing, chosen by independent booksellers who are passionate about books, readers and local voices.
What are the Indie Book Awards?
The Indie Book Awards have been running since 2008 and highlight outstanding Australian books across a range of categories.
What makes them unique is that the winners are selected by independent booksellers, people who work closely with readers every day and have a deep understanding of what makes a great book.
These awards celebrate the depth and diversity of Australian storytelling, something we see every day across our collections.
From fiction and non-fiction to children’s and young adult books, the Indie Awards are a great way to discover new authors, explore different perspectives, and find your next great read.
These are this year's winners
Wild Dark Shore
It is a gripping and atmospheric novel set on a remote island near Antarctica, where a family protects a vital seed bank as the world faces environmental collapse. When a mysterious woman arrives after a storm, secrets begin to surface, testing trust, survival, and the bonds between them.
Always Home, Always Homesick
It is a reflective and beautifully written memoir about her first journey to Iceland and the experience that shaped her as a writer. Blending travel, memory and creativity, it explores identity, storytelling, and the deep connection between place and imagination.
When Sleeping Women Wake
It is a powerful historical novel set during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong, following three women from the Tang household whose lives are torn apart by war. As they face hardship, separation, and survival in different ways, their stories explore resilience, sacrifice, and the hope of finding each other again.
Wild by Design: naturalistic gardening for modern Australian landscapes
It is an inspiring guide to naturalistic gardening in Australia, encouraging a more relaxed, plant-driven approach that works with nature and climate. Blending practical advice with creative ideas, it helps gardeners design spaces that are both beautiful and supportive of wildlife.
Silverborn: The Mystery of Morrigan Crow
It follows Morrigan as she enters Nevermoor’s luxurious Silver District and becomes caught up in a dangerous murder investigation. As secrets unravel and her Wundersmith powers grow, she must solve the mystery while confronting truths about her own past.
Eleanor Jones Is Playing with Fire
It follows a teenage girl drawn into a dangerous mystery when suspicious fires and a possible murder shake her town. As she investigates, Eleanor uncovers secrets that put her—and those around her—at risk.