Author Obsessions in 2013

Author Obsessions in 2013

• Dec 17, 2013

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by The Broke and The Bookish. Every week they post a new topic/top ten list and invite everyone to share their own answers. I'm so obsessed with lists - so it makes perfect sense that I'd love this feature!

I've decided that this is one of my new favorite Top Ten Tuesday topics. What a perfect way to round out the year! I love listing my favorite books from the year, but I think I'm even more excited to highlight the authors behind the books. So much hard work and love went into the books before they ever found their way into my heart! Next to each author's name, I've listed the books I read by them this year. In many cases, I fell in love with more than one book by each author (which made it even easier to decide who was going to make it onto this list). Let's discuss!

Top Ten New-To-Me Authors in 2013

1. Julie Berry | All the Truth That's In Me

Of all the authors on my list, I think this one was the biggest surprise for me. I had no intentions of reading All the Truth That's In Me until a blogger I trust convinced me with her review that this book was worth my time. I ended up falling in love with this gorgeous and surprising novel! I'm so impressed with the fact that the book is in second-person and it totally and completely works for the story. I wish more people would give this book a chance, and I really look forward to more from Berry in the future! 

2. Lauren Graham | Someday, Someday, Maybe

I already loved Lauren Graham as an actress, but I'm really so excited that she gets to make this list as an author. I'm always skeptical of celebrity authors, but I was totally charmed by Someday, Someday, Maybe. It may not have been a favorite for everyone, but I just loved so much about these characters and this book! I cannot wait to fall more in love with Franny in her next book, and I can only imagine the trouble she'll get in as she struggle to catch her big break and make a name for herself.

3. Hannah Kent | Burial Rites

Oh Hannah Kent, my love for your book know no bounds! I fell in love with the cover of Burial Rites earlier this year, and then I was absolutely swept away by the words inside. This historical fiction book was unlike anything I've ever read before, and I want to push it on everyone I know. Kent's writing is lyrical and the research was phenomenal, and I only wish she'd written more books so I could devour her backlist while waiting for her next book. Alas, only in my dreams… 

4. Sarah J. Maas | Throne of Glass and Crown of Midnight

I saw people talking about Throne of Glass, and I immediately dismissed it in my mind. I'm always hesitant to read fantasy, but I think it's time to admit that this year has been the year of fantasy for me. Fantasy is the bomb! Once I decided to read Throne of Glass, I was amazed by how quickly I devoured it. From there I moved to Crown of Midnight and OH MY GOSH Y'ALL I JUST NEED MORE OF THESE BOOKS RIGHT NOW.  I may be new to the Maas love, but I consider myself a total fangirl now.

5. Katie McGarry | Pushing the Limits, Dare You To and Crash Into You

I need to apologize to Katie McGarry for ever thinking I wouldn't like her books. I'm not a romance novel reader, so I wasn't really interested in Pushing the Limits when everyone started buzzing about it because of the publisher. Cassie and Betty finally convinced me to give her books a shot, and now I'm hooked. I love the drama, action, characters and romance in these books! She keeps consistently writing such readable stories, and I can't wait for more!

6. Marissa Meyer | Cinder, Scarlet and Cress

While I admired the creativity of Cinder, I didn't fall in love with it like the rest of my blogging friends. I liked it, but I wasn't sure if I was going to continue with the series. Well, thank goodness I did because Scarlet had me totally changing my tune! Meyer's incredible characters and thoughtful storytelling took center stage, and I was able to lose myself in the world she'd created. I really admire the way she made these fairy tales and their heroines all her own. I love how big the world is in her books - and how well she manages all the characters within it. 

7. JoJo Moyes | Me Before You and The Girl You Left Behind

I read Me Before You at the very beginning of the year, and I wondered how any books would fare in comparison for the rest of the year. What a way to start off 2013! I adored her writing and was thrilled when The Girl You Left Behind came out earlier this year. I closed the book knowing for certain that Moyes was definitely one of my new favorite authors. The best part? She's got a pretty big backlist for me to go through! 

8. Liza Palmer | Nowhere But Home

I absolutely adored Nowhere But Home, and I made it my personal mission to make people read this book. Thankfully, I roped Cassie into the book love and she helped me push this book like nobody's business. I've already purchased two more books by Palmer, and I had the opportunity to interview her with Cassie. It just solidified our love for her! She's funny, smart and writes fantastic characters. Seriously, y'all, read her books!

9. Veronica Rossi | Under the Never Sky and Through the Ever Night

I started Under the Never Sky, and I wasn't really sure if it was the book for me. Thankfully, encouragement from Magan convinced me to keep reading. And within a few chapters, I realized I was starting to fall in love. Two books and a novella later, and I can confess to be obsessed with Rossi. I absolutely adore her characters and the way she writes. I got to hear her speak at a signing, and I left even more impressed with the thought she puts into her books. 

10. Rainbow Rowell | Attachments, Eleanor & Park and Fangirl

I'm just going to come right out and say it: I want to be best friends with Rainbow Rowell. First of all, her name is the bomb dot com. And her books? They're all smart, funny and quirky. So, basically, they're all amazing. I first fell for Attachments, and I knew from that book alone that I'd have to read anything and everything Rowell writes. Then, I attended her book signing and had to restrain myself from becoming a giddy, giggling mess. She's hilarious AND crazy talented! See why I want her as my friend?