Author Obsessions in 2018
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. 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!
It's been a while since I participated in this feature, but I couldn't resist this topic because I've done it every year since 2012. It's always fun to look at what I read and see which new-to-me authors I revisited throughout the year and which I'm most looking forward to more from in the future. Here are the ten that topped my list:
Technically, I read my first three Mary Balogh books on the last three days of 2017. But I had to include her because I went on to read 15 more of her books in 2018. Talk about a Balogh binge! I really enjoy her style and the variety in her romances because all the characters/couples feel very different.
I don't think I'll binge Hilderbrand's entire backlist, but I still felt like she ought to be included because I devoured The Identicals and Winter in Paradise and look forward to checking out more from her. Not every summary appeals to me, but enough of them do that I know she deserves a spot on this list.
3. GAIL HONEYMAN | Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine
This was Honeyman's debut, and what a book to introduce yourself to the world! I have no idea if what she writes next will live up to the perfection of this book. But this heroine made it impossible for me to leave her creator off the list! I had no interest in reading this based on the cover and summary, but oh I'm so glad I did anyway.
4. LISA KLEYPAS | The Ravenels and The Hathaways
I read the Wallflowers series at the very end of 2017 and had already decided on my top ten new-to-me authors of the year at that point. But after reading nine more books by Kleypas in 2018, it seemed fair to say that she's a new favorite for this genre. She's at her best when she's writing about strong friendships and families!
5. CHRISTINA LAUREN | Roomies, Dating You / Hating You, Love and Other Words, Josh & Hazel's Guide to Not Dating, and My Favorite Half-Night Stand
I won't read everything in their backlist because some of their series aren't the right fit for me, but I totally binged their standalones this year. Roomies was my favorite by far, but most of the others were pretty fun, too. Their books always make me laugh and swoon. Plus, I can usually expect some great friendships, too.
7. DELIA OWENS | Where the Crawdads Sing
Want to talk about the biggest surprise of 2018? THIS BOOK. Nothing about it really appealed to me, but I gave in the hype and read it anyway. And what I found inside was gorgeous writing, a character I deeply loved, and a world that I wanted to explore. I hope Owens will write more fiction in the future because I'll be waiting for it.
One of the first authors that came to mind when I was making my list! I'm so glad this random Kindle purchase was such a winner for me. Parker's romances feature some of my favorite tropes, have just the right amount of drama, and definitely deliver on the swoon. I want more contemporary romances like the ones she writes!
I'll be honest – I debated including Penny because I don't seem to love this series yet with the intensity that I've seen from other readers. But I decided in the end that she deserved a spot on here because I do love the main character and find her writing very soothing. I'm hoping the series will continue to grow on me with time!
9. J. COURTNEY SULLIVAN | The Engagements
Although it just barely missed the cut for my favorite books of 2018, The Engagements was definitely a memorable read for me. I'm not typically a fan of dual timeline historical novels, but Sullivan somehow made me invested in all five storylines. I'm looking forward to exploring her backlist and am most excited to try Saints for All Occassions.
10. K.A. TUCKER | The Simple Wild
I'm definitely cheating with this addition because I read my first book by Tucker back in 2013. It didn't work for me, but I was curious enough about her newest book to give it a shot. It ended up being one of my favorites of the year and made want to try more from her backlist. I hope I end up loving some of those, too!
What authors did you fall in love with in 2018?
It makes me so happy that Lisa Kleypas is on this list! While I don't consider everything she's ever written an absolute favorite, I always enjoy her books :) And I read Lucy Parker partly because of you, so you can absolutely take the credit for that one!
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