I like books. Duh, that's pretty obvious. I read a lot...generally at least 2 books a week.
Often I stick to my favorite authors, but I also like to experiment. This summer I've been experimenting a lot. And I've discovered a lot of GREAT new authors...not necessarily "new" authors, but new to me, at least.
Some of my new faves that I've discovered so far this year, by genre:
YA:
Laurie Halse Anderson...yeah, I know. It took me long enough. But I heard her speak (OK, that wasn't supposed to be a pun) at a conference in April, and she totally rocked, so I ran out and bought SPEAK. Wow. Just, wow. All I can say. If you haven't read this book, you need to. Now. Since then I've also read TWISTED and PROM. She doesn't disappoint.
Mitali Perkins...I've been on an India kick lately, and I'm so glad. Her MONSOON SUMMER is amazing, and had me smiling for hours after I finished.
Liz Rettig...Her MY DESPERATE LOVE DIARY is best described as "teenage Bridget Jones." Hilarious!
Chick Lit:
Jenny Gardiner...There's a reason she won American Title III. SLEEPING WITH WARD CLEAVER is laugh out loud funny.
Regency Romance:
Sophia Nash...I've been remiss in putting off reading her for so long. She's a local chapter member of mine, and I won a signed copy of A DANGEROUS BEAUTY at a meeting last year, and somehow it got buried in my to-be-read pile for over a year. I'm so glad I pulled it out last month. I simply devoured it, and immediately ran out to buy THE KISS. I can't wait until her next one comes out next year.
So, have you tried any new authors lately? Add anyone to your auto-buy list from now on? Whatcha reading this summer?
Ohhhhh good question! I have several new books in my TBR pile that I haven't plunged into. Maybe I'll be able to answer this better after that!
ReplyDeleteWithin the last few months, in YA, Nico Medina (Fat Hootchie Prom Queen). I LOVE his writing. I also love Elizabeth Scott (Bloom is SOOOO good), Jay Asher (Thirteen Reasons Why made me bawl), and Ellen Wittlinger (Hard Love drew me RIGHT in!).
I've been recommending Josie Bloss (Band Geek Love), Susane Colasanti (When It Happens) and Piper Banks (Geek High and Geek Abroad).
ReplyDeleteI make it a point to try one new author a month. I keep discovering fantastic new voices that way! =)
ReplyDeleteThis past month, I read Marjorie M. Liu's Iron Hunt and Wow! What an imagination (urban fantasy genre). She had some of the most beautiful, vividly unexpected imagery that I often stopped and re-read a passage just to take it in.
I judged Colleen Gleason in the RITA and discovered I love her. So she's a must buy now. Also I was late to Emily Giffen but I love her, too. Believe it or not, I'm going to read my very first Jane Austen novel this summer. I'll let you know what I think...
ReplyDeleteI've really loved everything I've read by Jordan Sonnenblick--Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie (bought it because of the title!); and Notes From The Midnight Driver. I also really liked Beige by Cecil Castelluci.
ReplyDeleteThe Printz award winners this year were all great--and so different from one another: One Whole Perfect Day by Judith Clarke; Repossessed by A.M. Jenkins; and The White Darkness by Geraldine McCaughrean. All of these authors were new to me, but I'll be watching them from now on.
I read some really good stuff by this up and coming author, Amanda Brice.
ReplyDeleteLOL, Gwen. I could say the same about a certain Gwen Hayes...people are going to devour her books when they come out.
ReplyDeleteUm...I've read NONE of the ones you mentioned. Where have I been?!
ReplyDeleteAuthor I've "discovered" this year are:
ReplyDeleteHistorical Romance:
Joanna Bourne (Spymasters Lady), Sherry Thomas (Private Arrangements)
I'm not normally a big historicals gal, but LOVED these books. So fresh and different.
Chick Lit:
Eileen Cook (Unpredictable)
Paranormal/Urban Fantasy:
Okay, neither of these authors are new, but were new to me recently and changed my mind about the genre. Or maybe blew my mind in terms of what's possible and achievable in the genre...
J.R. Ward and Marjorie M. Liu
Maureen, I read Bourne and Thomas this year too and really loved them.
ReplyDeleteMmm and now with my addiction, I'll be reading and reading and reading all these new authors. I just read Lisa Schroeder's "I Heart You, You Haunt Me" and loved it.
ReplyDeleteBeverly
I'm about 3 years behind the rest of the US I think - I just discovered David Sedaris.
ReplyDeleteI did jump on Bourne (spymasters lady) right away though. Good stuff!
I've been finding a lot of new authors through ebooks. I can't think who I've read recently... I've been reading... Oh wait! I just finished Nalini Singh's books (I need the fourth) and those were new! I 'membered! LOL
ReplyDeleteMy recent YA finds are Claudia Gray, EVERNIGHT, and Caridad Ferrer, ADIOS TO MY OLD LIFE.
ReplyDeleteGreat suggestions, everyone! Some authors I've never heard of, so that's great!!!!!
ReplyDeleteSome Authors I really like are:
ReplyDeleteTamora Pierce (All of her books are great)
Jennifer Rardin (Kinda have vampires and other creatures)
Allison Van Diepen ('Snitch' is an awesome book)
Susan Hubbard ( The Society of S and its sequel, again, vampire books but with a different spin)
Richelle Mead (The Vampire Academy series)
Ellen Hopkins (Her books are written in verse)
Mostly all those re YA books..
I just discovered Laurie Halse Anderson too, so you're not alone Amanda. She is amazing. I also jumped onto the bandwagon a bit late regarding Melissa Marr's Wicked Lovely. I'm thinking Sophia Nash might be a good one for me. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI'm a bit behind, as you will see. Some of my "new" favorites:
ReplyDeleteLibba Bray - I finally got to A Great And Terrible Beauty in my TBR pile and couldn't wait to read the rest of the trilogy. Literally. I was in London and searched until I could find a bookstore carrying US authors.
Melissa Marr - Ink Exchange was captivating.
Lisa Unger - Beautiful Lies won me over. I have another favorite in the Thriller category!
Thanks for all the great book recommendations, everyone! (I did an Amazon order this afternoon, all thanks to this post!)
ReplyDeleteAuthors I've become a fan of recently include E. Lockhart, Megan Whalen Turner, and Tyne O'Connell...with, of course, a zillion more on my TBR pile. (Okay, it's actually a TBR bookcase...)
Cara
You are SO sweet to mention Sleeping with Ward Cleaver! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI too read Jo Bourne because there was such buzz about The Spymaster's Lady. Damn, she's a very talented writer. She's amazing in writing dialect. And I rarely if ever read historical romance. This book is more James Bond in the Napoleonic era.
Also I URGE you all to try Anthony Cappella. I just read his 2nd, THE WEDDING OFFICER because I LOVED his first THE FOOD OF LOVE and happened to discover this latest was out. He's a British food writer and I find food writers are so good at description. His books do make you hungry ;-)
Gerb, I'm slow, too. I've got A GREAT AND TERRIBLE BEAUTY in my to-be-read pile. I can't wait!
ReplyDeleteI'm scrolling through, looking for some new books I haven't heard of and there's MY book. Wow! Thanks Beverly! :)
ReplyDeleteThe Class of 2k8 has so many great new authors. I'm making my way through the list. SHIFT by Jen Bradbury AND THE OPPOSITE OF INVISIBLE by Liz Gallagher are two of my favorite YAs so far. Can't wait to read more from those two.