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Tuesday, January 30, 2024
Top Ten Tuesday: New-to-Me Authors I Discovered in 2023
6:07 PM
I'm a little late to the TTT party today, but I hate missing out on this fun weekly event, so here I am! Today's prompt—Top Ten New-to-Me Authors I Discovered in 2023—is an easy one, at least for me. I counted it up and of the 223 books I read last year, 146 of them were by authors I had never read before. Many of them were debut authors, although a few were by authors who have been around for awhile that I've just never tried out before. I love discovering great new writers to love, especially when they have a long backlist for me to explore.
Before we get to my list, though, be sure to click on over to That Artsy Reader Girl and give our fabulous host, Jana, some love.
Top Ten New-to-Me Authors I Discovered in 2023
- in no particular order -
1. Brodi Ashton, Cynthia Hand, and Jodi Meadows—I realize this is three authors, but since I've only ever read the books they've written together, I'm going to count them as one. This creative trio pens a wholly entertaining YA series that I discovered last year with My Calamity Jane, an alternate history (with werewolves!) novel set in the Wild West. I enjoyed it so much, especially on audio, that I've since listened to My Plain Jane and am currently in the middle of My Imaginary Mary. The books mix history, sci-fi/fantasy, horror, humor, (a little bit of) romance, and lots of imagination to create funny, action-packed romps that are just all-over delightful. Bonus: they're PG rated, which is not always easy to find in YA.
2. Alice Feeney—Daisy Darker is, well, dark, but it's also engrossing and compelling. Even though I saw the Big Plot Twist coming, I still quite enjoyed the read (listen, actually). I'll definitely pick up more of Feeney's books.
3. Meg Shaffer—Shaffer's debut, The Wishing Game, got a lot of buzz when it came out and deservedly so. While it may not be the most unique or pulse-pounding read, it's wholesome and uplifting, a happy book that made me smile. I need more of those in my reading life, so hopefully Shaffer's next novel will have a similar vibe. (I just looked it up and The Lost Story, a "wondrous" novel about two boys' mysterious disappearance in a mysterious land, is coming out on July 4. Yay!)
4. Erin Bow—I loved Bow's latest, a contemporary middle-grade novel called Simon Sort of Says. Bow mostly writes fantasy, which isn't really my thing, but I'm definitely up for more realistic fiction by her.
5. Katherine Marsh—Speaking of realistic middle-grade fiction, I also really liked Marsh's moving historical novel, The Lost Year. As with Bow, I'm looking forward to reading more of her realistic fiction.
6. Nicole Deese—Christian fiction can be hit or miss for me. Before I Called You Mine was the former. You better believe I'll be checking out Deese's backlist and watching what she does going forward.
7. Peng Shepherd—The Cartographers is an imaginative adult portal fantasy that doesn't really feel like fantasy (if that makes sense). I enjoyed it, though, and plan to look for more books by Shepherd. Ooh, I just checked out her website and her forthcoming book, All This & More (available July 9, 2024), sounds super intriguing!
8. Carlene O'Connor—I enjoyed the first book in O'Connor's new County Kerry mystery series and am looking forward to the next one. The author also pens a couple of cozy mystery series set in Ireland that I want to check out.
9. Emily Inouye Henry—Henry's debut, a YA historical novel about discrimination against Japanese Americans during World War II, was inspired by her own family history. It's a beautiful, touching book that I loved. Henry's sophomore effort is a picture book biography about a Japanese American NBA star. I'm not really interested in that, but I'll be keeping an eye out for whatever Henry does next.
10. John David Anderson—Anderson's latest middle-grade novel, The Greatest Kid in the World, made me laugh out loud, but it also has a tender poignancy that touched me. I had never heard of the author before; obviously, I've been missing out!
There you go, ten new-to-me authors that I found last year. Have you read any of them? Which of their books are your favorites? Which awesome writers did you discover in 2023? I'd love to know. Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog. I also reply to comments left here (although I'm a little behind currently).
Happy TTT!
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2023 - Middle Grade Fiction
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Cynthia Hand is so funny. I laugh out loud at her books.
ReplyDeleteIt’s so fun to see photos of all of the authors you chose for this week. I wish I’d thought of that!
ReplyDeleteHere is my Top Ten Tuesday post.
Lydia
I agree that posting photos of the authors is a fun idea. Loved it. I've only read a book by one of the authors, Alice Feeney. I have met another of the authors at a mystery conference, Carlene O'Connor. Still haven't tried her books. Maybe this year. Thanks, Susan. Great post!
ReplyDeleteThe Wishing Game was one of my favorites last year, so beautiful with a bit of magic
ReplyDeleteNice list! I haven't heard of Deese before. I will need to check out her books. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI loved My Lady Jane!
ReplyDeleteI love Nicole Deese's books! That is amazing that you read THAT many new authors! I read 57, which I think is about what I read each year. I think I've only read one new to me so far this year.
ReplyDeleteThe Cartographers is still on my TBR. Hopefully I'll get to it soon! It sounds really good.
ReplyDeleteSo many wonderful writers! I love that you included photos…I should have done that! Hopefully I’ll remember next year. ~Carol @ ReadingLadies
ReplyDeleteIt is so much fun to discover new authors! I'm glad you found these---I am especially interested in looking for The Cartographers.
ReplyDeleteI've not read any of the authors, but I do agree that it's such a good feeling to discover an new (to you) author that resonates with you. Especially when they have a lengthy backlist! :)
ReplyDeleteI love Brodi, Cynthia Hand, and Jodi Meadows. They're so funny and have such great ideas.
ReplyDeleteI was going to say I just read Emily Henry, myself, but I realized she's not the same as Emily Inouye Henry, lol.
I still need to check out Alice Feeney. I’m glad to know Daisy Darker is a good one to go with!
ReplyDeleteThe trio that write the "My..." books are so fun!! I have enjoyed most of them. :)
ReplyDeleteOoh nice picks! These are all new to me ones except for the first trio! I know of them, I haven't read this series of theirs but I think I've read a book or two from each of them solo! Loved Hand's YA angel trilogy, Unearthly, I think it was called? Been too long and too many books! Lol.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my TTT!
I read Darker by Alice Feeney too this last year and I totally agree, it was dark and compelling! Like you, I enjoyed the audio. I'd like to read more by here! Great list, Susan! :)
ReplyDeleteI love that you posted pictures of them! :)
ReplyDeleteI haven't read these authors. I hope you get the chance to read more by them in 2024
ReplyDeleteNice list this week! I actually haven't read any books by any of the authors on your list, but have Alice Feeney on my TBR, and had to add My Lady Jane to my TBR.
ReplyDeleteYour trio in the #1 spot is so much fun! I've only read one of their books (the first Janie book), but I do want to read more!
ReplyDeleteI did enjoy Peng Shepherd, nice to know she has a new one coming out.
ReplyDeletePeng Shepherd sounds very interesting, I will look into The Cartographers.
ReplyDeleteYes to the Janie and Mary books! I missed Calamity Jane and maybe one other one, but I've read several of the others. They're so much fun. I also love Erin Bow, though I haven't read her MG yet-- it looks so good. The Lost Year was great also. I'm going to look up Emily Inouye Henry. I haven't read her debut, and it sounds like something I would find compelling. Great list! Happy TTT! (on Wednesday...) :)
ReplyDeleteI've not read books from any of these but I shall keep my eye out. I read lots of new authors too due to my love of participating in Blog Tours 🤣
ReplyDeleteHave a great week!
Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog
Feeney is one I've been meaning to try myself. I'm glad you enjoyed her books.
ReplyDeleteI love Alice Feeney! And I'd love to try Peng Shepherd at some point.
ReplyDeleteWow, I haven't read any of these. I'll have to check them out.
ReplyDeleteEvery time I visit your blog I end up adding to my TBR 😃.
ReplyDeleteI have not read any of these authors, AND the add to my TBR is Daisy Darker, it looks so good.
I've had the Janies and Marys books on my shelf to read forever and haven't yet, but I think you've convinced me that 2024 is going to be their year. xD I feel like I'm missing out!
ReplyDeleteI've had Peng Shepherd's debut on my shelf for years now and I don't know why I still haven't read it yet. Maybe it'll finally happen this year :) I hope you discover some great new authors in 2024!
ReplyDeleteThe only one I've read is Alice Feeney but I really enjoyed Daisy Darker. I have Calamity Jane and The Cartographers on my TBR so hopefully I'll get to a few of these authors in 2024!
ReplyDeleteThe book you single out by Nicole Deese was a favorite of mine the year I read it. SO. Good. I read another by her too that I thought was good (A New Shade of Summer) and look forward to reading more by her, too! :) Thanks so much for visiting my website this week.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to trying out Meg Shaffer's novel for sure, so I'm thrilled to see you highlight her. Just placed a hold at the library. And I was undecided about Alice Feeney, but the fact that she landed on your list of new faves is definitely a point in her favor.
ReplyDeleteI'm excited you got to Nicole Deese last year (and that title, in particular!). Reminding me I didn't end up getting back to her in 2023...but certainly still plan to at some point.
I had the same conundrum thinking if I should add the authors of the Jane series on my list, and ended up not going with them. Lol! To be fair, Jodi Meadows isn't new to me, but the other two were. I'm glad you found so many good new authors in 2023!
ReplyDeleteThe Cartographers sounds interesting, I'll have to look it up. Great list!
ReplyDeleteOh, I also loved the Janie books by the trio. I still need to read the Mary ones. Happy reading in 2024!
ReplyDeleteOh my.. now i have way too many authors (and hence many more books) on my to read list.. the only one I am familiar with here is Meg Shaffer and I enjoyed the wishing game as well.
ReplyDeleteMy post is here