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2024 Bookish Books Reading Challenge (Hosted by Yours Truly)

My Progress:


32 / 30 books. 107% done!

2024 Literary Escapes Challenge

- Alabama (1)
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My Progress:


51 / 51 states. 100% done!

2024 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge

My Progress:


49 / 50 books. 98% done!

2024 POPSUGAR Reading Challenge


36 / 50 books. 72% done!

Booklist Queen's 2024 Reading Challenge

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52 / 52 books. 100% done!

2024 52 Club Reading Challenge

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50 / 52 books. 96% done!

2024 Build Your Library Reading Challenge

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36 / 40 books. 90% done!

2024 Pioneer Book Reading Challenge


18 / 40 books. 45% done!

2024 Craving for Cozies Reading Challenge

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26 / 25 cozies. 104% done!

2024 Medical Examiner's Mystery Reading Challenge

2024 Mystery Marathon Reading Challenge

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22 / 26.2 miles (3rd lap). 84% done!

Mount TBR Reading Challenge

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41 / 100 books. 41% done!

2024 Pick Your Poison Reading Challenge

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97 / 109 books. 89% done!

Around the Year in 52 Books Reading Challenge

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52 / 52 books. 100% done!

Disney Animated Movies Reading Challenge

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130 / 165 books. 79% done!

The 100 Most Common Last Names in the U.S. Reading Challenge

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83 / 100 names. 83% done!

The Life Skills Reading Challenge

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10 / 80 skills. 13% done!
Tuesday, January 25, 2022

Top Ten Tuesday: New Authors to Love


I read lots of books every year written by authors I haven't read before. In fact, of the 203 books I read in 2021, 126 of them were by new-to-me writers. I've knocked out 12 novels so far this year; half of them are by authors whose books I've never explored before. I think it's safe to say I enjoy making new author discoveries. It's especially fun when they've got a nice, long backlist for me to check out! For today's list, I tried to highlight the new writers I found last year that I liked so much I read more than one of their books in 2021.

If you'd like to participate in Top Ten Tuesday (and you really should—it's the most fun weekly book event on the Internet), just hop on over to That Artsy Reader Girl for all the details.

Top Ten New-to-Me Authors I Discovered in 2021


1. Kate Albus—Okay, I actually only read one book by Albus this year, but only because that's all she's published so far. A Place to Hang the Moon is such a gem that I really, really can't wait to see what this debut author does next. 


2. Addison Armstrong—I'm the mother of two boys who were born at 29 weeks gestation. My experience with these tiny babies naturally drew me to Armstrong's debut, The Light of Luna Park, which tells the based-on-a-true-story of an innovative doctor in 1926 New York who saved the premature babies other physicians wouldn't by charging Coney Island visitors money to gawk at them. The admission fees paid for the infants' care, which helped many of them to grow and thrive. Armstrong's second novel, The War Librarian, sounds equally as fascinating as her first.


3. Elizabeth C. Bunce—Bunce is probably best known for her YA novels, but I found her because of her charming middle-grade mystery series. I listened to all of the books—Premeditated Myrtle, How to Get Away With Myrtle, and Cold-Blooded Myrtle—last year and loved every one of them. I am anxiously awaiting In Myrtle Peril, which comes out in October.


4. Amy Lynn Green—Green has written two historical novels for adults. I loved The Lines Between Us, a thought-provoking mystery about conscientious objectors who worked as firefighters in the U.S. during World War II.


5. Jocelyn Green—Another historical fiction author, this Green also writes books set in America's past. I enjoyed the first two novels in her Windy City saga—Veiled in Smoke and Shadows of the White City—in 2021. The third installment, Drawn by the Current, comes out in a week. I can't wait!


6. Jennifer L. Holm—I fell in love with The Lion of Mars, Holm's uplifting middle-grade novel set in space, when I read it last July. After that, I raced through her Boston Jane trilogy, which I very much enjoyed. 


7. Regina Scott—I've talked a lot about Scott's American Wonders series ever since I read A Distance Too Grand back in July. I also enjoyed the second book, Nothing Short of Wondrous, and am looking forward to reading A View Most Glorious sometime soon. 


8. Sarah Stewart Taylor—I discovered Taylor's Maggie D'arcy series mystery series last year. I enjoyed the first two books in the series and am looking forward to The Drowning Sea, which comes out in June. Taylor has also penned a mystery series starring an art historian who's an expert in gravestone art, which sounds excellent. Unfortunately, my local libraries don't carry the books. Boo hoo.


9. Tessa WegertDeath in the Family, Wegert's debut, generated a lot of buzz when it came out in 2020. It lived up to the hype for me, so I read the second book in the series as well. I'm excited for the third, Dead Wind, which comes out in April. 


10. Elissa Brent Weissman—Weissman's heartfelt The Length of a String was one of my favorite books of 2021. I'm currently listening to her newest novel, The Renegade Reporters, which is a fun one.

There you go, ten new authors I found in 2021. Have you read any of them? Which writers did you discover last year? I'd truly love to know. Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog. 

Happy TTT!

77 comments:

  1. All female authors, how interesting. I haven't heard of any of them, so will have to explore them. Thanks.

    My TTT this week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, I realized belatedly that I only included white female Americans on this list. It wasn't intentional, although this is who tends to write the books I like to read...

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Marianne!

      Delete
    2. I read an article the other day about female authors and how much they were underrepresented and that we should read more books by them. So, well done!

      Delete
    3. Oh, good! Now I don't feel as bad :)

      Delete
    4. Oh, you definitely shouldn't. On the contrary!

      Delete
  2. More authors for me to investigate! LOL The only one I know is Regina Scott of course. I'm very intrigued by the gravestone art series. That sounds so 'me'!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Right? I wish I was having better luck finding the books in that series at my local libraries and bookstores. I may have to buy them if I want to read them...

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Cath!

      Delete
  3. I've only read a book from one of these authors, Elizabeth C. Bunce and the Myrtle books. Have you noticed all these authors are female? It's the same with me, most authors I have been reading are female, it seems a bit weird but probably not. Not that I've been noticing author's gender when I pick up a book.

    Have a lovely day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've always tended to read mostly female authors. I'm not sure why, except maybe that I tend to find their writing more emotionally resonant for me? I did read some new male authors as well as some who AREN'T white female Americans, but since I decided to highlight authors who I read more than one book by in 2021, none of them really worked for this list.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Lissa!

      Delete
  4. The Light of Luna Park sounds so good! Yeah, that’s a fascinating piece of history for sure. It boggles my mind to think that hospitals used to not bother to try to save premature babies. Thank goodness that changed!

    My post: https://lydiaschoch.com/top-ten-tuesday-new-to-me-authors-i-discovered-in-2021/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Times have changed, thank goodness! My boys would not have lived without advanced medicine and technology. I'm so glad I live in the time I do :)

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Lydia!

      Delete
  5. i haven’t heard of any of these authors but i feel like i have to read Jocelyn Green since we share the same name and also i love historical fiction haha

    WTTN: https://writethroughthenight.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, you definitely should!

      Thanks for popping in, Jocelyn!

      Delete
  6. I haven't read any books from the authors in your list. I will have to investigate. I don't need more books to add to the TBR, but alas.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL. Right? The best/worst thing about TTT is that it always gives me new books and authors to check out. My TBR mountain chain grows EVERY time :)

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Kami!

      Delete
  7. I haven't heard of many of these authors, so it was fun to find them on your list. It makes me want to look up some of their works. I'm glad you found some great ones last year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I did find some good ones. I found some not-as-good ones, too, but that's just how it goes. You never what you're going to get.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Deanna!

      Delete
  8. I'm a bit surprised that I'm not familiar with any of these authors. I'll have to check them out.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I didn't realize they were all so obscure, but I guess they are! No one seems to be familiar with any of them. That's the great thing about TTT—I can promote them so more readers discover their books.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Tanya!

      Delete
  9. I agree, I do love finding new authors to enjoy!

    My TTT: https://bookwyrmknits.com/2022/01/25/top-ten-tuesday-new-to-me-authors-i-discovered-in-2021/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's so fun when I discover an author that just really clicks with my reading interests and writing style. Especially if they have already published lots of other books for me to read! I love that.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Nicole!

      Delete
  10. I haven't heard of any of these authors. I need to look into them. :) Thanks for stopping by my blog!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope you enjoy them if you read them!

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Jenni!

      Delete
  11. I totally agree, I love when authors you really enjoy turn out to have written lots previously! Glad you’re enjoying your reading so far this year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Right? I'm always a tad disappointed when they've only written the one because then I have to WAIT for another one and I'm not always patient enough for that! LOL.

      Thanks for stopping in, Rabeeah!

      Delete
  12. several of my faves on your list! yay! My TTT

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, good! I know you love Christian fiction and I've been delving into that genre lately. It's nice to read clean, uplifting books that also tell a great story. Definitely hit me up with other recs in the genre!

      Thanks for popping by, Carrie!

      Delete
  13. I often discover authors from your reviews. On this list, I've enjoyed books by four of these authors. What surprises me is that I read them before you published your reviews of their books. I plan to read more from them!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so happy to hear that! I'm always finding new ones that I want to promote here. I'm not actually surprised that you're reading them before I review their books because I am ALWAYS behind on reviews and, starting last year, I finally gave myself permission NOT to review every book I read. It was getting overwhelming, so now I just pick and choose which ones I want to/have time to review.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, T!

      Delete
  14. All these authors are new to me, and many of the books sound amazing. I love historical fiction and enjoy middle grade fiction.

    Thanks for sharing and for visiting my blog.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Same. Along with mysteries, those are my favorite genres!

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Cheryl!

      Delete
  15. I haven't heard of any of these, but the books sound really interesting.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They've been fun authors to discover. I'm excited to read more from all of them.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Leah!

      Delete
  16. I read my first Elizabeth C. Bunce, Myrtle story this year and do want to read the rest, it was well done. I also liked the first Windy City book I read, but haven't gotten to the second one, thanks for the heads up that there is a new once coming out shortly. Of course, I now have some new authors to check out.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I'm not familiar with any of these, exciting to see some new name appearing. Happy reading! My TTT https://readwithstefani.com/2021-reading-year-in-review/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, I thought these ladies were more widely known, but apparently not! I'm glad they're getting some love this week :)

      Thanks for popping in, Stefani!

      Delete
  18. The Lines Between Us sounds interesting! I've read about COs during WW1, but never during WW2...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is really interesting! I hadn't read much about conscientious objectors before and I think the author did a good job showing why COs did what they did, how others reacted and how they were treated because of it, as well as the internal turmoil some of them felt being torn between what they saw as their duty to their principles vs. their duty toward their country. It's a very thought-provoking novel.

      Thanks for stopping by, Stephen!

      Delete
  19. I haven't yet read any of these authors, but I do have a few of their books on my Kindle or on my TBR. One day I'll catch up (it's a little song I sing), but I won't, of course. LOL

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha ha. I've given up on ever catching up! It's just not going to happen in this life. Maybe in the one beyond, I'll be able to just sit on a cloud and read all day. One can always hope...

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Kay!

      Delete
  20. It was so hard to pick my 10 because I love reading new authors too!! I have not read any of these authors before though! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I had the same problem. That's why I narrowed the prompt down to authors I read more than one book from in 2021, although I did cheat a little of course :)

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Leslie!

      Delete
  21. These are all new authors to me! I didn't do this week's TTT because I read so many new authors last year I didn't know how to limit my list to just ten. So I didn't even try. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They're not ALL new to you since I heard about Regina Scott BECAUSE of you! LOL. I'm always grateful for your recommendations. I've found lots of great new books and authors because of you.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Lark!

      Delete
  22. I found that a third of my books were new-to-me authors, but I have not read any from you list. It's great you try so many new authors (almost half?)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, I'm all about new authors, apparently! I love reading my old favorites, but I also enjoy finding new ones.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Sam!

      Delete
  23. Replies
    1. I enjoyed all of them and am looking forward to reading more from each of them.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Suey!

      Delete
  24. Replies
    1. She's great, isn't she? I'm not interested in reading all of her books (the Baby Mouse series, for instance), but I really like her historical fiction. And, like I said, THE LION OF MARS was one of my favorite reads of 2021. More like that, please, Jennifer!

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Deb!

      Delete
  25. These authors are all new to me, too! More authors to investigate... thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You can never have too many authors to check out, right? I love finding great new ones to love!

      Thanks for popping in, JoAnn!

      Delete
  26. I haven't read anything by these authors, but I am interested in reading some of their work. Addison Armstrong in particular as her books sound so good! Oh, and The Renegade Reporters is on my to read list. Thank you for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. THE RENEGADE REPORTERS is a fun one! It's a quick, easy read, but it teaches some great lessons about online privacy, going for your goals, learning from your mistakes, etc. I really enjoyed it.

      Thanks for stopping by, Literary Feline!

      Delete
  27. I've actually not read any of these but will definitely have to check them out, especially the historical fiction authors.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm always on the lookout for great hist-fic authors! I hope you enjoy these :)

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Suzanne!

      Delete
  28. Wow! You sure do read a lot of new-to-you authors. As much as I love reading my favorite authors, that sense of home when reading their familiar cadence, I wish I had read more new authors last year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I definitely have my comfort authors, those I turn to because their writing style, themes, and vibes are just so familiar. Unfortunately, though, they don't have endless backlists to keep me entertained so I have to branch out sometimes...LOL.

      Thanks for stopping in, Cheri!

      Delete
  29. So many new to me authors! I love this topic this week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Same! I've discovered a ton of new authors I want to check out.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Wendy!

      Delete
  30. I like that you used author photos instead of the book covers, the authors never really get the exposure they deserve. You are so good at reading new authors!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wouldn't recognize most of my favorite authors if I saw them walking down the street. So sad since they're my rock stars!

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Helen!

      Delete
  31. Bunce is the only author I've even heard of from your list! I read her book A Curse Dark as Gold last year. I hope you find even more new favorites this year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I haven't read Bunce's YA books. I need to. A CURSE AS DARK AS GOLD has been on my TBR list for way too long...

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Jen!

      Delete
  32. I can't believe I haven't read any of these authors!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've been thinking the exact same thing as I've checked out everyone's lists this week. I read SO much and yet, there's still SO much out there to read!

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Marg!

      Delete
  33. I haven't read any of these books so will keep an eye out for them in the future!

    Happy TTT!

    Emily
    https://budgettalesblog.wordpress.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope you like them if you do read them!

      Thanks for popping in, Emily!

      Delete
  34. I adored Bunce's Myrtle series as well!!!! And I have Addison Armstrong's The War Librarian on my want to read list.. The others are new to me so will be sure to check those authors out

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Isn't the Myrtle series fun? It's so entertaining! Myrtle just makes me smile :)

      Thanks for stopping by, Lady in Read!

      Delete
  35. Sarah Stewart Taylor and Tessa Wegert are both on my TBR but the rest are new to me!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope you enjoy Taylor, Wegert, and whichever other authors you try!

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Katherine!

      Delete
  36. Lots of great picks, though the only one I've read from is Holm -- Our Only May Amelia and Penny From Heaven back when they were new, and based on those two, I would probably like the Boston Jane books because she's a super engaging writer and makes history come alive. I'm also OBSESSED with her "Middle School is Worse Than Meatloaf" book, less story than work of art. I'm not sure how universally appealing it would be, but as someone who loves to pore over scrapbooks (real or fictional) of any variety, it's the dream.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I need to read OUR ONLY MAY AMELIA AND PENNY FROM HEAVEN. The Middle School book is not one that appeals to me, but I love that you love it!

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, RS!

      Delete
  37. I've not heard of any of these authors. I'll have to dig into them!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope you enjoy them if you do!

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Carrie!

      Delete
  38. I haven't read any of these authors, but it's a very interesting list. :-)

    ReplyDelete

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