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9 / 30 books. 30% done!

2024 Literary Escapes Challenge

- Alabama
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- California (3)
- Colorado (1)
- Connecticut
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- Idaho (2)
- Illinois
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- Washington, D.C.*

International:
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32 / 165 books. 19% done!
Tuesday, December 09, 2014

TTT: Favorite New-To-Me Authors


It's been awhile since I've participated in Top Ten Tuesday (hosted by the lovelies over at The Broke and the Bookish), my favorite weekly bookish meme.  So, even though I should be catching up on reviews (not to mention folding laundry, cleaning house, writing Christmas cards, etc.), I'm going to join in the fun.  This week's topic is:  Top Ten New-To-Me-Authors I Read in 2014.  My list follows.  With the exception of #1, they are in no particular order:

Oh, wait!  Before you read on, check out the giveaway I'm hosting.  It's for one copy of The Halcyon Bird, the second installment in Kat Beyer's demon catchers series.  Since no one has entered it yet, you have an excellent chance of winning, so click over there right now and enter.



1.  Kate Morton—I read all four of this Australian author's novels this year.  Why?  Because I love her.  Her lush family sagas are filled with mystery, romance, drama, and history.  My only complaint about Morton is that she doesn't write fast enough!  (see my reviews of The Distant Hours; The Secret Keeper; The Forgotten Garden; and The House at Riverton)


2. M. D. Waters—I enjoyed both Archetype and Prototype.  The two-book series is action-packed and thought-provoking.  I'll be interested to see what this author does next.




3.  Ryan Graudin—If you haven't read Graudin's newest novel, The Walled City, then you're really missing out.  It's an exciting, provocative and compelling read, which easily became one of my favorite reads of 2014.  I haven't read All That Glows yet, but I definitely intend to.



4.  Dianne K. Salerni—I read all three of this author's novels this year and was impressed by the variety of her subject matter and the skill of her storytelling.  (see my reviews of The Eighth Day; The Caged Grave; and We Hear the Dead)


5.  Em Garner—Teen zombie novels are a dime a dozen these days, but Em Garner's struck me as different.  More sympathetic.  I enjoyed both Contaminated and Mercy Mode.



6.  Holly Black—Believe it or not, I'd never read anything by Black until a couple months ago.  Doll Bones intrigued me from the moment I heard about it.  The spooky middle grade novel did not disappoint.


7.  Liane Moriarty—Like lots of other readers, I adored Big Little Lies.  The warmth, the humor, the social commentary—I loved it all.  Her other novels are all on my TBR pile mountain mountain chain.



8.  Elizabeth Blackwell—I just finished While Beauty Slept, which I really enjoyed.  As its her first novel, I know we have much to look forward to from this promising author!



9.  Kate A. BoormanWinterkill, Boorman's debut YA novel, is another one of my favorite reads from this year.  Two more books in the series will be coming out and I can't wait.



10.  Julie Berry—Berry's debut, All the Truth That's in Me, is a powerful, lyrical read.  I enjoyed it and am looking forward to reading the author's new middle grade novel, The Scandalous Sisterhood of Pickwillow Place.

There you have it.  I didn't read too many debut authors this year, but these are the ones that stuck out to me.  How about you?  Find any awesome authors this year?  I'd love to check out even more new-to-me writers in 2015, so, please, leave me any recommendations.

Happy Top Ten Tuesday!

*All author photos from authors' websites.

**I can't think of anything more to say.  Does that mean I'm done procrastinating and have to do something productive now?  Aw, man!  Say it ain't so.

18 comments:

  1. I have several of these authors books, can't wait to read them! Currently reading The Darkest Part of The Forest by Holly Black it is great so far!

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  2. Two of these (The Walled City, While Beauty Slept) have been in my TBR stack for too long. I must get to them. Posts like this help me sort the stack, these two moved up.

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  3. I haven't read many of these authors. I'm glad you enjoyed them so much! Thanks for stopping by my blog!

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  4. I love Kate Morton though for some reason I've only read one book by her. I'm hoping to fix that next year. I want to read Holly Black and Liane Moriarty, Great list!

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  5. I've enjoyed Liane Moriarty books so far. I have Big Little Lies on my wish list right now. The Husband's Secret was a very good book and so was What Alice Forgot.

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  6. Ooh, most of these authors are new to me. I'll have to look into them!

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  7. God! I haven't read anything from any of this authors yet, but I really want to read The Walled City, Doll Bones and Big Little Lies. they all seem sooo good. The problem is there are many books in TBR pile. So many books, so little time. I loved how you refer to your TBR pile as a mountain chain. Sounds accurate.

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  8. I hadn't realised that Ryan Graudin was the author of both of those books. I think because when I saw her name on The Walled City I assumed it was a guy! I think of these authors I've only really Holly Black and I thought the story was pretty good. I hope you enjoy more from these authors in the future :)

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  9. Ryan Graudin made my list as well! A few of the ones you mentioned are totally new to me and I'll have to check them out! Winterkill has been on my list for agessss

    Here's my TTT

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  10. I'm not familiar with any of the authors, but I'm really curious to know what genre they mostly fall under :)

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    Replies
    1. LOL -- It's actually a really eclectic list. There's some supernatural, some family sagas, some contemporary ... not very helpful :)

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  11. I read Ryan Graudin for the first time this year as well! I have to read the two in her fae series next month for a tour. I think we all read her! She's come up a lot today :) DOLL BONES was SO GOOD. So glad it made you love Holly! Ack, I STILL need to read WHILE BEAUTY SLEPT! I was supposed to receive a review copy for Fairy Tale Fortnight earlier this year and it never happened, and I still have to pick up a copy. At this time, it will probably be around next year's FTF!

    Ohh, I'm going to have to read Kimberley's MG series next, thanks for telling me how good they are!

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  12. If you're interested in reading something else by Holly Black, I highly recommend The Coldest Girl in Coldtown. I finished it a couple of weeks ago and am still going through withdrawal.

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    Replies
    1. Good suggestion! I've actually checked it out from the library before -- just didn't manage to get to it before it came due. I think I'll put it at the top of my list for 2015.

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  13. I love Kate Morton as well, have read them all and can't wait for next one, hopefully in September 2015!

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  14. Yes, Holly Black made my list too! I cannot believe it took me so long to find her. And I am glad you loved Winterkill, I am so excited to read it (and I had thought it was a standalone, so this makes me even more excited!) and I really want to read All the Truth That's In Me too. I didn't love The Walled City, but everyone else did, I was definitely the black sheep there. Great list!

    Shannon @ It Starts At Midnight

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  15. So funny - I have all four Kate Morton books on my shelf, but haven't read any yet. I have a feeling I'll be like you and read them all in one year once I get started! I loved Archetype and Prototype as well (and didn't know about the prequel until yesterday - yippee!). Great list!

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  16. Oh my gosh if you loved Holly Black, you NEED to read her Modern Faerie Tale series! Tithe was my first Holly Black book, and it remains a favourite. And I love Kate Morton! All her books are just really fantastic.

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