Author Obsessions in 2014

Author Obsessions in 2014

• Dec 9, 2014

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!

Top Ten New-to-Me Authors I Read in 2014 

As I said last year, this is one of my favorite Top Ten Tuesday topics. It's so much fun to end the year by reflecting on my favorite new-to-me authors! I've listed the author's name and just the books I read by them this year. For a number of them, I fell in love with several of their books. And for most of these authors, their books will also make my top reads of 2014 list, too!

1. Sarah Rees Brennan | Unspoken, Untold and Unmade

I'm sure it's no surprise that Sarah Rees Brennan has made the list! I fell in love with The Lynburn Legacy series when I read it earlier this year, and I was shocked that I hadn't heard more about this author. She's so talented! I love the well-developed characters, the romantic tension and the witty banter the most. And I'm beyond excited about her next book, too, so it needs to hurry up and get a cover already.

2. Erika Johansen | The Queen of the Tearling

I hadn't heard of The Queen of the Tearling before BEA, but I was intrigued when I started hearing some of the hype. I'd recently realized that I was falling for fantasy, and this seemed like something I would enjoy. I'm so glad I have it a shot because it ended up being one of my favorite reads of the year. Despite a few minor issues with the world, I loved Johansen's writing and characterizations. I can't wait to see what happens next!

3. Emery Lord | Open Road Summer and The Start of Me and You 

I absolutely adored Emery Lord's debut, Open Road Summer, and I knew immediately that she would be on my favorite new-to-me authors list. There's something about her writing and characters that just won't let me go! Lord creates characters that feel like people you know and places them in situations where you're anxious to see them succeed. And I love how much emotion there is in her writing!

4. Emily St. John Mandel | Station Eleven 

Emily St. John Mandel also wasn't on my radar prior to BEA. I decided to take a chance on Station Eleven, even though the summary didn't appeal to be, because the book was getting a lot of buzz. I heard her speak on a panel, and I became really curious about the story and its inspiration. Now that I've read it, I'm dying to read more from her. The thoughtful story and poetic writing combined to create something magical.

5. Juliet Marillier | The Sevenwaters Series

Of all the authors I discovered this year, Juliet Marillier is the one that makes me the most excited. She's been writing for years and has a very extensive backlist, which means there are a ton of her books left for me to read. I've already started trying to plan out what I will read next from this incredible author, and I'm so happy that there are so many options! Marillier will be on my lifetime list of favorite authors.

6. Erin Lindsay McCabe | I Shall Be Near to You

I read Erin Lindsay McCabe's debut novel earlier this year, and I was absolutely delighted. It was such a powerful story, and I found myself so invested in and emotionally attached to the characters. McCabe isn't just a favorite author because of her book (although I am a huge fan), but also because she's such a delight to chat with online. She's talented and kind, and I cannot wait to read and rave about more by her in the future!

7. Katja Millay | The Sea of Tranquility

Oh, this book. This was one of my earliest reads in 2014, and I still haven't stopped thinking about it. I'd written it off before and thought it just might not work for me. Talk about a stupid assumption! I cannot get these characters out of my mind, and I am already dying to re-read this story. And I'm so sad that Millay doesn't have more books for me to read! Fingers crossed there will be some news in 2015...

8. Taylor Jenkins Reid | Forever, Interrupted and After I Do

I fell in love with Taylor Jenkins Reid when I read Forever, Interrupted earlier this year, but it was After I Do that just sealed the deal. Her stories are so emotional and her are characters real and flawed. I can't say enough wonderful things about these books, and they are now some of my most-recommended reads. I want to push them on everyone! The writing, the characters, the themes... I'm obsessed with all of it. 

9. Marie Rutkoski | The Winner's Curse

As soon as I started The Winner's Curse, I knew I'd discovered a new favorite author. There were so many things about this book that just worked so perfectly for me, and I'm anxiously awaiting the rest of the series. I loved the way Rutkoski sets the stage for what promises to be an epic series! I haven't read anything else by her yet, but I absolutely will! But I don't know how I'm even going to wait for the rest of this series. GIMME!

10. Sharon Biggs Waller | A Mad, Wicked Folly

I love historical fiction, but I don't feel like it's as popular in YA. So, I was thrilled when I discovered Waller's debut. This story of art and suffragettes was right up my alley, and I just loved this read. One of the things that most impressed me was Waller's research. You could just how much she'd done to familiarize herself with this time period! I hope she continues to write historical fiction in the future.