Aussie Author Challenge - Book 1

A Long Way Home is the true story of Saroo Brierley. After being separated from his older brother and getting lost far from home in one of India's largest cities as a five year old, Saroo lived on the streets for a short, dangerous time.  When authorities intervened to help, at such a young age, he had difficulty remembering where he came from, the name of his hometown, or his last name.  He was labeled "lost" and ultimately adopted and raised in Australia. After being loved, nutured, and provided for by his family in Tasmania, Saroo still felt the pull to search for his long lost family.  Twenty plus years later, through the wonderful, wacky world of the world wide web, he found his home based on his personal memories as a five year old.  He embarked on a personal journey and was reunited with his Indian family.  He describes himself having two families but only one identity.  His story is nothing short of a miracle.

L to R - Saroo with his family - the Brierleys and his adopted brother, Mantosh

Saroo with his mother in India

I read this book as part of the Aussie Author Challenge 2015:

Since moving to Australia, I've discovered bands and music that I love as well as books and authors that I knew nothing about before moving here.  Why not join a challenge that promotes those discoveries?  (Because I'm already in three other challenges, and I host one of them)  I can do it!

I'm diving in to this challenge with the hopes of reaching "Kangaroo" status.  I'm really liking my list, so I'm happy to find yet another the challenge.

KANGAROO
– Read and review 12 titles written by Australian Authors of which at least 4 of those authors are female, at least 4 of those authors are male, and at least 4 of those authors are new to you;
– At least 6 fiction and at least 2 non-fiction, and at least 2 titles first published in 2014 or 2015.

Female authors:
Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta
Frantic by Katherine Howell
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty (published 2014)
Girl, Defective by Simonne Howell

Male authors:
I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak
The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion (published 2014)
The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan
A Long Way Home by Saroo Brierley (non-fiction) - Completed 10 Feb 2015

Authors new to me:
Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley
Strange Places by Will Elliott (non-fiction)
All That I Am by Anna Funder
Stolen: A Letter to My Captor by Lucy Christopher

Have you read any of these?  What did you think??