Top Ten New To Me Authors From 2013
Friends, I know I’ve been on a little holiday hiatus around here–it’s been so incredibly busy this month!–but I will always take time out to make a list, especially one that lets me shout out new authors. Not debut authors, you understand, although there is one of those on my list. But rather new discoveries I made this year, some on my own and others at the recommendation of others. WOOT! I LOVED these authors’ books. So much so that I’ve read more than one book by a few of these authors this year, that’s how hard I love them now.
1. Brandon Sanderson
MISTBORN. I mean, honestly. This series is so good! The world-building is so unique and complete and awesome. I’m listening to these audio books and I find myself itching to get back into my car and drive places, just so I can hear more.
2. John Green
I know, I know. I’ve only just read my first John Green book, and it wasn’t THE FAULT IN OUR STARS. It was THE ABUNDANCE OF KATHERINES, and I liked it! Great humor, if his humor is your kind of thing. You know, cause people don’t laugh at the same things all the time. But I enjoyed it, and will read more of his books soon.
3. Sarah Ockler
SIGH. SWOON. I don’t know what took me so long to read Sarah Ockler’s books, but I’m glad I’m over it now. Perfectly sweet and emotional. My first Ockler was THE BOOK OF BROKEN HEARTS, but I’ve also read BITTERSWEET, and they were both adorbs.
4. Rick Yancey
I DEVOURED THE 5TH WAVE earlier this year, even though his Monstrumologist series has been on my radar for EVER. Thankfully, my darling dear Brittany from The Book Addict’s Guide gifted me the first book in that series for All Hallow’s Read, and it was excellent–creepy and philosophical. MOAR, PLEASE.
5. Holly Black
God, I am so horrifically behind on my reviews! I read my first and only Holly Black book–THE COLDEST GIRL IN COLDTOWN–over a month ago. EEEP! But it was a pretty singular take on vampires, a paranormal creature I’d basically given up on because of oversaturation. I enjoyed the CRAP out of it, though.
6. Rae Carson
I read all three of the books in her Girl of Fire and Thorns series this year, which was a treat for me because they were so good. I loved from the beginning the Spanish vibe to the world-building–so unique. And while I usually balk a little at religion in my books, this was a different animal and I had no bugaboos with it. BEYOND excited for her next series!
7. Scott Westerfeld
I listened to all three Leviathan books back to back to back and friends? THAT is a legit series. I’m not necessarily on the steampunk bandwagon, but Alan Cumming is a GENIUS narrator, and Derryn Sharpe is quite possibly one of the best female characters I’ve ever read in a book. I haven’t reviewed them yet because I keep toying with doing it a certain way and I haven’t worked it out yet. But trust me: If you haven’t read any Scott Westerfeld, as I hadn’t, these are an excellent place to start.
8. Rainbow Rowell
ELEANOR & PARK was one of my favorite books this year. So sad and hopeful and bittersweet and all of my favorite feelings. And I know some people didn’t love FANGIRL, but I did. A lot. Rainbow Rowell writes so well, it makes me crazy.
9. Lisa Kleypas
Umm, I am in the middle of a BIG historical romance kick right now. Like, HUGE. And I’ve just started reading some of the Kleypas books I’ve had on my kindle for a while and, OMG I LOVE THEM! In fact, let’s just speed this up here so I can read a little bit more before I go to bed.
10 (Or, you know, 0). Amy McNamara
I tried really hard to not put debut authors on my list because, well, of course they were new to me! They were new to everyone! But I still think about LOVELY, DARK AND DEEP, even though I read it nearly a year ago now. It’s so beautiful and solemn. I’m just dying for more books by Amy McNamara. *Dies*
Now I really must try Abundance since I read my first John Green this year (that I killed) and it wasn’t that one! Thank you for this list.
Here’s my Top Ten New-to-Me Authors.
An Abundance of Katherine’s was one of my first John Green novels too, and I thought it was great, I actually prefer it to TFIOS!
Yay another Rick Yancey!!! The 5th Wave was one of my favorite books this year. And I see yet again… Rainbow Rowell. She’s been on pretty much every list I’ve looked at so far. I guess I better read something of hers.. I’m taking it as a sign.
I hadn’t read John Green before this year either and he made my list, too! In fact, I’ve noticed him popping up on a couple of these top tens! 😉 Great list! I am going to have to check out some of these authors!
SO GLAD you’re on the Rick Yancey train! I loved The Monstrumologist.
And SANDERSON. I need to get on that game.
Oh and John Green. Obviously.
Oh man Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn trilogy is towards the top of my TBR list. I’ve heard great things and it totally sounds like my sort of book. I quite enjoyed The Fifth Wave too and am looking forward to reading Yancey’s Monstrumologist series…well, if I’m in a mood for creepy stuff. And the Leviathan trilogy? Seriously, your list of new favorite authors essentially doubles as a need-to-read-soon list for me. I’ll have to reference this when debating on what to read next. 🙂
John Green, Sarah Ockler, Rick Yancey, and Rainbow Rowell were all on my list as well! It seems like we read a lot of similar books this year. 🙂
Yay for discovering Rae Carson! Her books are pretty fantastic.
Great list. Quite a few authors on here that I know and love, and quite a few that I am still desperate to read myself. I am especially excited to finally read some Sanderson, Rowell and Black! New BL follower 🙂 My TTT.