Author Obsessions in 2017
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by The Broke and The Bookish. Every week they post a new topic and invite everyone to share their answers. I'm so obsessed with lists - so I obviously love this feature!
Top Ten New-to-Me Authors I Read in 2017
1. LARA AVERY | The Memory Book
I hadn't heard much about The Memory Book until the end of 2016, and then I noticed it popping up on several "Best of" lists. When I finally picked it up, I fell in love with Avery's writing. The heroine's voice was unique, and the novel's journal format worked perfectly. I'm definitely planning to read A Million Miles Away - and look forward to more from Avery!
2. BRIT BENNETT | The Mothers
The Mothers didn't appeal to me at all, but Cassie convinced me to give it a try. The first line was all it took for me to bring the book home from the library with me! Bennett's writing is what helped me overcome my dislike of the cover and my hesitation over the subject matter. It's hard to believe it's her debut because she writes with such maturity and depth!
3. KATHLEEN A. FLYNN | The Jane Austen Project
There are a million ways this story (time travel + Jane Austen) could have gone wrong, but somehow Flynn made it work. The futuristic part of the novel was fascinating, and I could tell how well researched the 1815 portions were. Plus, I loved that the Austen aspect never felt like a gimmick. I want a companion novel with The Brontë Project!
I'm cheating a tiny bit with Gracie because I read The Perfect Rake in November 2016. I'd considered putting her on my 2016 author list, but I wasn't yet sure if that book was the exception or the rule. Well, I read 8 Gracie books in 2017, so I think it's safe to say I'm a huge fan. She writes such compelling historical romances - I can't get enough!
5. KATHERINE HEINY | Standard Deviation
I never imagined that I'd love Standard Deviation as much as I did! It was an odd, quirky book with a pretty slow pace and not a lot of plot... and yet, I was completely entranced while reading it. The dry humor, the metaphors, the perfect phrasing - I'd love to read more from Heiny if this book is representative of her writing style!
I'm just going to say it: I think Kristan Higgins is my favorite new-to-me author of 2017! I read On Second Thought in June, and I then proceeded to read 14 more books by her. My first read of 2018? The newest Higgins book, Now That You Mention It. I love her heroines, love interests, secondary characters, settings, sense of humor - you name it!
7. JOSHILYN JACKSON | The Almost Sisters, gods in Alabama & Backseat Saints and A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty
As with Gracie, I'm cheating with Jackson because I didn't discover her this year. Technically, I read my first book by her in 2014. I wasn't a huge fan of that one, but I gave her another shot this year and found a new favorite! I enjoy how she depicts the South and the blending of serious subject matter with a sharp wit. She's got such a unique style!
8. KATE QUINN | The Alice Network
THIS BOOK. I haven't stopped raving about (and strongly recommending) The Alice Network since I finished it, and it makes me so excited to read Quinn's Rome series soon! I may not gravitate toward that time period, but I have a feeling Quinn will make me so invested in the characters and the emotions that I'll forget I ever hesitated over the setting.
9. SAMANTHA SHANNON | The Bone Season, The Mime Order and The Song Rising
I'm so glad I waited to read this series until this year, even though I bought the first book back in 2013. It took me a long time to get invested this story because the world is so confusing, but it also gives me so much respect for Shannon's creativity when it comes to world building. But once I was hooked, I was so thankful I had three books to binge!
10. HELEN SIMONSON | The Summer Before the War
I debated on whether or not to include Simonson because there are a few other authors that I read more or enjoyed more in 2017. But, I felt like her writing stood out to me in a way that others didn't! I loved so much of the dialogue and the cozy, quaint feeling that she communicated with her tone. Plus, I will absolutely read more from her in the future.
What authors did you fall in love with in 2017?
I also fell in love with Kate Quinn and Brit Bennett. I LOVED both The Alice Network and The Mothers. I hope to read more of them in the not to distant future!
ReplyDeleteYAY! I'm so excited that you loved those authors, too. I'm REALLY hoping they'll have new releases soon!
DeleteI always enjoy seeing these posts! It makes me happy that Samantha Shannon and her Bone Season series made the list <3
ReplyDelete