Author Obsessions in 2019
This is typically an end-of-the-year topic for Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, but I didn't notice it on the schedule this December. I missed the recent freebie day, so I decided to just post it whenever I wanted. I try to save most of my recap posts until the last week of the year, but this one fit best here. Hopefully I don't discover any new favorite authors in the next two weeks! I've done this post every year since 2012 and have included links to my past posts at the bottom of this one. It's always interesting for me to look back and see what's changed.
1. KATE CLAYBORN | Beginner's Luck, Luck of the Draw and Best of Luck
I loved my binge read of Clayborn's A Chance of a Lifetime series, which Estelle recommended. For relatively short books, I felt like Clayborn accomplished so much. She created friendships that I believed in, romances I was rooting for, and realistic conflicts that didn't drag on too long. I'm so excited for her upcoming release, Love Lettering!
2. JEN DELUCA | Well Met
Based on the summary of her debut, I never would have expected Jen DeLuca to make my list! I'm not much of a costume or Renaissance fair person, so Well Met didn't really appeal to me. But this just goes to show what a talented author can do. I really enjoyed this contemporary romance and am excited for the next book.
3. ALIX E. HARROW | The Ten Thousand Doors of January
Harrow was the first author that came to mind when I started making this list. Her debut was one of the most memorable books I read this year, and her writing was the reason it wowed me. The concept was so creative, and I thought the world came to life beautifully. I eagerly await more from Harrow in the future!
4. GREER HENDRICKS & SARAH PEKKANEN | The Wife Between Us and An Anonymous Girl
Neither of Hendrick and Pekkanen's thrillers will make my 2019 favorites list, but I've still found myself discussing and recommending them throughout the year. They definitely earned a spot on my list since 1) I read more than one book from them in a year and 2) I've already got their next release saved on Goodreads.
5. ABBY JIMENEZ | The Friend Zone
The Friend Zone was one of the funniest and most emotional books that I read all year, so Jimenez was an automatic addition to this list. I loved her sense of humor! But, more than that, I appreciated the way she addressed infertility with such sensitivity. Her next book, The Happy Ever After Playlist, can't get here soon enough!
6. SHELBY MAHURIN | Serpent & Dove
As someone who wants nothing to do with books about witches, Mahurin gets points for the fact that I read all 500 pages of her debut in a day. I couldn't put it down! She won me over with a compelling enemies-to-lovers dynamic and a conflict that had me racing to the last page. I can't wait to see what happens next in Blood & Honey.
7. KATHARINE MCGEE | American Royals
I'm not sure if I'll read McGee's backlist, so she's probably not a new overall favorite author. However, I loved American Royals so much that I had to include her on this 2019 obsessions list. This story was so creative and fun – the perfect dramatic escape! McGee had me hooked, and I'm impatiently waiting for the sequel.
8. MADELINE MILLER | Circe
When I think about the most beautifully written books that I read this year, Circe is definitely on the list. It was just stunning! I don't know very much about mythology, but Miller made me fall in love with this heroine and story. Listening to it was an absolute delight, and I know that I'll be reading The Song of Achilles in the future.
9. BETH O'LEARY | The Flatshare
Reading The Flatshare reminded me of the feeling I had when I first discovered Mhairi McFarlane. That's one of the highest compliments I can give because McFarlane's an all-time favorite for me! I adored O'Leary's characters and premise, am already looking forward to re-reading it, and can't wait to get my hands on her 2020 release.
10. ROSAMUNDE PILCHER | The Shell Seekers
I wasn't sure if Pilcher would made my list since The Shell Seekers wasn't a new favorite. But, in the end, I decided that she did since I've already added three more of her books to my To Be Read pile. There was something so cozy and comforting about her writing, and I think I'll find myself reaching for more from her when that mood hits me.
I haven't gotten to The Ten Thousand Doors of January yet, but I loved Harrow's short story A Witch's Guide to Escape (Here if you haven't read it yet! https://www.apex-magazine.com/a-witchs-guide-to-escape-a-practical-compendium-of-portal-fantasies/)
ReplyDeleteOh, thank you! I hadn't read it yet, so I appreciate the link :)
DeleteI definitely enjoyed Circe when I finally read it this year! And I would totally read anything else Madeline Miller writes. I'm also super happy to see Jen DeLuca on this list because Well Met was an utter delight!
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