It’s incredibly difficult to shortlist brilliant books by First Nations authors – there are simply far too many must-read recommendations to name here. The following list is just an offering of excellent starting points to your ongoing journey of reading, enjoying and learning.
This collection is part of our Reconciliation Week Toolkit, where, in honour of this year’s Reconciliation Week theme, Bridging Now to Next, we are sharing a rich array of resources to celebrate the talent, truth, traditions and enterprises of First Nations people across the continent today, while remaining focused on embedding a fairer future.
After Story by Prof. Larissa Behrendt | Click to learn more
‘After Story has everything I want in a book: a lawyer who loves literature; the norms, falsehoods and shame created by our colonised histories (including the literature of the coloniser); and the messy, messy love that ties families together. It’s painful, warm and utterly beautiful.’ – Shankari Chandran
Professor Behrendt offers a comprehensive presentation of the book in this video.
The Queen is Dead by Stan Grant | Click to learn more
‘Stan Grant’s The Queen is Dead is the most profound and interesting book I have read in a long time. It will be regarded as a seminal work on the path of Australians coming to terms with their history.’ – The Newtown Review of Books
Living on Stolen Land by Ambelin Kwaymullina | Click to learn more
‘If you want to know how to be a good ally to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, Living on Stolen Land, is the perfect primer.’
– Marjorie Lewis-Jones, The South Sydney Herald
Day Break by Amy McQuire & Matt Chun | Click to learn more
The story of a family making their way back to Country on January 26, drawing strength from being together by sharing stories as they journey through a shifting landscape.
Welcome, Child! by Sally Morgan | Click to learn more
Sally Morgan’s beautiful and heartfelt celebration of the love we feel for a new child.
Young Dark Emu – A Truer History by Bruce Pascoe | Click to learn more
‘This is an important book in the study of Australian history – it provides a new perspective to be read and discussed. It needs to be on every teacher’s reading list and in every school library.’ – Helen Eddy, ReadPlus
Butterfly Song by Terri Janke | Click to learn more
‘Butterfly Song moves from the pearling days of the Torres Strait to the ebb and flow of big-city life, with a warm and funny modern heroine whose story reaches across cultures.’ – Penguin Books
Carpentaria by Alexis Wright | Click to learn more
‘Hailed as a “literary sensation” by The New York Times Book Review, Carpentaria is the luminous award-winning novel by Australian Aboriginal writer and activist Alexis Wright.’ – goodreads
Too Much Lip by Melissa Lucashenko | Click to learn more
‘Too Much Lip is tough, unflinching, warm and funny. As much as it is centred around a funeral and loss, it’s also a story of family and land and history.’ – ABC Radio National, The Bookshelf
The White Girl by Tony Birch | Click to learn more
‘The White Girl manages to be a thing of beauty even while it showcases a period of great horror and shame in Australia’s recent history’ – Melbourne Writers Festival
The Yield by Tara June Winch | Click to learn more
‘Nothing short of a landmark Australian novel, simultaneously timeless and yet urgently a story for now, with sentences that’ll knock the wind out of your gut.’ – Benjamin Law
Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray by Anita Heiss | Click to learn more
‘There are books you encounter as an adult that you wish you could press into the hands of your younger self. Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray is one of those books – a novel that turns Australia’s long-mythologised settler history into a raw and resilient heartsong.’ – Guardian
Talking to My Country by Stan Grant | Click to learn more
‘The acclaimed national bestseller – moving, passionate, deeply felt and powerful.’ – Harper Collins
Growing Up Aboriginal in Australia (Anthology) | Click to learn more
‘This groundbreaking collection from the Growing Up series will enlighten, inspire and educate about the lives of Aboriginal people in Australia today.’ – Black Inc. Books
Walk With Us: Welcome to Our Country by Adam Goodes and Ellie Laing | Click to learn more
‘Inspired by the Uluru Statement from the Heart, Walk With Us is an invitation to go on a journey of learning and appreciation – with family, with friends, and with our nation – together.’ – Allen & Unwin
Tell Me Why: The Story of My Life and My Music by Archie Roach | Click to learn more
‘One of the most powerful and highly anticipated life stories to be told in Australian history. A breathtakingly powerful memoir by beloved Australian music legend Archie Roach – stolen child, musical and lyrical genius and the beating heart of our country.’ – goodreads
Guwayu – For All Times (36 First Nations poets) | Click to learn more
‘The Australian literary landscape needs this bold, brave intervention to wake it up from the 232-year slumber and the dream of the settler mythscape. Guwayu breaks the silence—feel the beauty—hear our words.” – Dr Jeanine Leane
For more ideas, Amnesty staff love exploring Magabala Books because it’s a First Nations-owned and led publishing house offering a wide range of amazing books to lose yourself in.
Remember, sharing is truly caring – in this case, for the process of reconciliation. If you’ve loved something, say something to as many friends, family, colleagues, community members and members of your network as possible. A quick social media post is an easy way to spread the word!
For more resources including must-see films, music, podcasts and more, check out our Reconciliation Week 2025 Toolkit.
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