Tuesday, January 2, 2018

Top Ten Tuesday: Ten New-to-Me Authors

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week's topic is...

Top Ten New-to-Me Authors!

I read books from many new authors this year. Some were authors I had been wanting to check out, others were accidental finds. Here are some of the new-to-me authors I loved, who were not debut authors or already listed on my Best Books of 2017 which contained almost all new-to-me authors. I also want to add, that these are authors I want to read more from, because I loved their books so much.

Katrina Leno
Book Read: Everything All at Once
Publisher: Harper Collins

I loved this book so much! From the lovely family focus to the story within the story, I adored it all. This one packed quite an emotional punch, and I have already bought both her backlist books, as I am determined to read all her work.

Anna-Marie McLemore
Book Read: Wild Beauty
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

I came for the pretty cover, but it was McLemore's beautiful writing that kept me there. I was absolutely enchanted by this story and could not get enough of the gorgeous prose. I have heard so many wonderful things about The Weight of Feathers, and will try to struggle through the small print of the book, because I think it will deliver the kind of story I crave.

Riley Redgate
Books Read: Seven Ways We Lie, Noteworthy
Publisher: Amulet Books

When I read Noteworthy, I immediately knew I wanted to read more of Redgate's work. She has an interesting style and explores a lot of issues in an intriguing way. Both books contained a wide array of characters, who were different (in a good way) and I had no problem getting invested in their stories. I am really looking forward to Final Draft and anything else Redgate writes.

Abigail Johnson
Book Read: The First to Know
Publisher: Harlequin Teen

From the second I saw the description for The First to Know, I HAD to read it. It was one of my Can't-Wait Wednesday picks, and it was everything I thought it would be. Great characters, delicious drama, and so emotional! I loved every second of it. Now I need to get a copy of If I Fix You, because I need to experience more of Johnson's brilliance. *Come back on Thursday if you would like a chance to win this audiobook.  

Courtney C. Stevens
Book Read: Dress Codes for Small Towns
Publisher: HarperTeen

I loved this story of family, friendship, and finding one's identity. Billie was a phenomenal character, but she was also surrounded by an amazing set of friends and some interesting neighbors. There were so many issues explored, and I fully bought into to it all. I heard lots of good things about Stevens' previous books and look forward to reading them in the near future.

Ashley Poston
Book Read: Geekerella
Publisher: Quirk Books

This book! So cute. So Fun. Utter perfection, if you ask me. This book had some fabulous geek culture, and I adored the way Poston approached the re-telling. I thought the MCs were great, but the supporting characters added just as much to my enjoyment of this book. This was one of my favorite reads in 2017, and I will be first in line for Poston's next contemporary book.

Sara Barnard
Book Read: A Quiet Kind of Thunder
Publisher: Simon Pulse

I just finished my first Barnard book this weekend, and all I have to say is:


I was so in love with the characters, and I found the writing to be witty, thoughtful, and full of emotion. I am so glad this was my last read of 2017! 

Susin Nielsen
Book Read: Optimists Die First
Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books

Nielsen delivered feel after feel with this one. I laughed, I cried, I felt EVERY EMOTION! I actually experienced emotional whiplash, because one minute I would be laughing, the next, I would be crying. I think this may have started the Great Grief Book Search of 2017. It was the first book that dealt with loss that I read this year, and I sought more and more of the same type of book after reading this.

Lynn Weingarten
Book Read: Bad Girls with Perfect Faces
Publisher: Simon Pulse

Wow! Bad Girls with Perfect Faces just sucked me right in and did not allow me to escape until the very last page. And you know what? I totally loved the sick and twisted journey I took. I loved the story, but I would also say that I was captivated by Weingarten's writing. The way she ramped up the tension, and her use of a third POV elevated this story. My co-blogger has raved about Suicide Notes and after sampling Weingarten's storytelling, I think I will like that one too.

Emery Lord
Books Read: The Names They Gave Us, When We Collided
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's 

I wanted to kick myself for sitting on my Emory Lord books for so long, because both these books were so fabulous! Her characters tend to own me, and as a character driven reader, that is just the best feeling in the world. Great characters combined with an emotional story will always be a something I want to read, and that is exactly what Lord always delivers.




Who were some of you favorite new-to-me authors this year?
Let us know in the comments!

45 comments:

  1. I have Bad Girls With Perfect Faces on my TBR to read soon so I'll be trying Lynn Weingarten before long. Sounds like a fun read!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bad Girls was sick and twisted. It was delicious!

      Delete
  2. Sara Banard and Emery Lord are such amazing writers! I'm so pleased that you've found them!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Barnard's book totally knocked me out! Wow! So good. Need more. I think I own two more Lord books and hope to read them this year.

      Delete
  3. Emery Lord made my list too. Love her books so much! I'm also getting ready to read Sara Barnard this coming weekend so I'm excited to see you enjoyed her books too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lord is fabulous. I loved Barnard's book so much. I read it the other day, and it was just so lovely and thoughtful and sweet and hopeful and all sorts of positive feelie things.

      Delete
  4. I own Geekerella so I need to read that one, and I STILL need to read something by Emery Lord. Thanks for sharing!

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Read it! Read it! It's so cute! I sat on three books by Lord and the first one I read, I got from the library. There is something wrong with me. I hope to read the other two I own soon.

      Delete
  5. I haven't read Geekerella yet, but I love the cover for it.

    Here is our Top Ten Tuesday. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm so glad you loved Emery Lord! I adore her books so much! Courtney C. Stevens - I loved Faking Normal. Such a good read. I haven't read anything else by her yet though. I'll have to check out some of these other authors too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I still have one unread Lord book, but I hope to work it into my TBR soon. I was looking at Faking Normal. They have it on Overdrive. I will definitely check ito ut.

      Delete
  7. Emery Lord made my list and I LOVE her books. I forgot Katrina Leno but enjoyed her book this year. I really like Riley Redgate and Courtney Stevens ad glad you enjoyed them too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lord does those open ended endings, but I can forgive them, because the characters and the rest of the story is so amazing. I bought two of Leno's backlist. Now I just need to make time for them.

      Delete
  8. SO many book on your list that I want to read :) And so many amazing authors to discover. Thanks for sharing!

    My TTT: http://flippingthruthepages.com/2018/01/top-ten-tuesday-11-new-authors-read-2017/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. All their books were fabulous and when I look at the list, there is a mix up there too. A lot of different things to enjoy

      Delete
  9. I haven't read books by any of these authors, but I'm glad you enjoyed them all!
    My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2018/01/02/top-ten-tuesday-140/

    ReplyDelete
  10. Bad Girls with Perfect Faces was the last book of the year I read, so unique!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was much darker than what I normally read, but I found myself so engrossed in the story and entranced by the writing.

      Delete
  11. I really want to read something by Emery Lord. Also need to pick up Geekerella. So many books, so little time. Loved your list!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think you would enjoy a Lord book. I loved both the ones I read, but I hear a lot of raves for Open Road Summer, which I have, but have not read yet. Geekerella was a made-me-happy book. Absolutely adorable.

      Delete
  12. I read a book by Lynn Weingarten years ago and it was so different. I habe this new one on my tbr to read. I really like Emery Lord too. Happy 2018!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lord is great. Don't know what I was waiting for there. My co-blogger loved Suicide Notes, so I gave Weingarten a try and really enjoyed her writing.

      Delete
  13. I still need to read Geekerella. It sounds like one I'd enjoy. Happy New Year Sam!

    My TTT: http://www.momwithareadingproblem.com/2018/01/ttt-129-new-authors-read-2017/

    ReplyDelete
  14. Geekerella was fun! I should really try Redgare

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That book was so fun! Redgate writes some interesting books. They have a fun side, but also touch on some heavier topics. I'm a fan.

      Delete
  15. I've yet to read any of the authors you shared in your TTT post this week... Time to explore some more new to me authors!!

    Here's a link to my TTT post this week:
    http://captivatedreader.blogspot.com/2018/01/top-ten-tuesday-top-ten-new-to-me.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope you get to read one of their books. I loved them all.

      Delete
  16. My goodness, Anna-Marie McLemore looks so young! I'm not familiar with A Quiet Kind of Thunder. Will have to check it out.

    Julie Buxbaum is one I read for the first time this year and I definitely want to read more from here.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A Quiet Kind of Thunder has been out in England, but is just getting a US release. A wonderful book! I read Buxbaum for the first time in 2015. I got her book at YallFest and simply loved it. Her two adult books are excellent. I absolutely recommend them.

      Delete
  17. So many of these authors are on my TBR list. I especially need to read an Emery Lord book.

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I want to kick myself for buying Lord's books and not reading them. I really enjoyed the two I read and need to giddy up on the other two.

      Delete
  18. I'm so glad we both discovered how amazing books by Courtney Stevens and Katrina Leno are in 2017! I just ordered one of Katrina Leno's backlist books from my library and I can't wait to start it! The First to Know also sounds fantastic. I actually read a book Lynn Weingarten a couple of years ago (Wherever Nina Lies) and thought it was good but it didn't blow me away. You have me sold on checking out her newest though.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aren't Leno and Stevens awesome? I bought Leno's last book and want to get Molly Pierce too. The library has a few of Stevens' books, so I will try and work them into my TBR. The First to Know was fabulous! I heard Johnson's first book is wonderful too. I have not read Weingarten's older books, but I loved Bad Girls and Keirsten thought Suicide Notes was great.

      Delete
  19. I read SO few new-to-me authors this year that I couldn't even make the list! Though Susin Nielsen would have been on it! I *must* read Anna-Marie, Sara, Emery, and Ashley Poston this year. MUST! I have so many of their books, what is my problem!?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Emery Lord had been on my list for sooooooo long, and I had purchased two of her books. I am really glad I finally read some of her books. McLemore's writing is so beautiful. I was totally drunk off of it. Barnard was such a lovely find. I can't wait to read more of her books, as was Poston. I actually had Molecules on my TBR, and it was serendipity when Kiersten got an ARC of Nielsen's book. I get not taking chances, especially if you were reading a lot of duds, but since I DNF a lot, I take a lot of chances.

      Delete
  20. I am so excited to read more Riley Redgate novels. Noteworthy is up there as one of my favourite reads from last year. I hope that you find lots of new authors to add to your favourites list next year! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The new Redgate sounds awesome. I can't wait to get my hands on it

      Delete
  21. Oh this is such a great list! I loved Riley Redgate's books as well and can't wait to read First Draft :)
    I really want to read some of Katrina Leno's books, I have a feeling I could love these :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes! I want the new Redgate NOW! I have only read the one Leno book, but I got the other two and hope to read them soon

      Delete
  22. Great list! I haven't had the chance to read any of these authors yet. So many books to read :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lots of great YA contemporaries out there. I want to read them all

      Delete
  23. Oh I was hoping to read Emery Lord last year! And somehow I completely spaced on that! She has a short story in a book I'm hoping to pick up soon, Meet Cute: Some People Are Destined to Meet, so fingers crossed I love her stories as much as you!

    ReplyDelete