I discovered some amazing new authors this year; many of them debut novelists even. I had to cheat a little on this one because all of them (plus many more I sadly left out) were deserving of attention.
Did you read any of these this year? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Night Film by Marisha Pessl {My Review}
This one completely captivated me. It was nothing like I had anticipated and that ending left me questioning everything. I couldn’t read a book for days after because I couldn’t stop thinking of it.
Burial Rites by Hannah Kent {My Review}
Burial Rites was so beautifully written and it was Hannah Kent’s debut novel. A heartbreaking and compelling tale, I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for more from this author.
Tampa by Alissa Nutting {My Review}
This one was a strange read for me and completely out of my comfort zone but I was impressed nonetheless. It’s an extremely controversial subject and felt a bit gratuitous at times but the author still impressed me with her writing.
The Shining Girls by Lauren Beukes {My Review}
This book felt like a nightmare that grabs you and won’t let you free. The Shining Girls was your basic suspenseful mystery with a time travel twist that I completely loved.
Winter’s Bone by Daniel Woodrell {My Review}
Daniel Woodrell created one of the most incredibly and unforgettable heroine’s with Ree Dolly. The story itself is dreary and dismal but is a powerful story of survival.
The Devil All the Time by Donald Ray Pollock {My Review}
Completely enthralling yet so incredibly shocking, reading The Devil All the Time felt like I was watching a train wreck yet couldn’t tear my eyes away. Thanks Rory, for making me read this.
Life After Life by Kate Atkinson {My Review}
A strangely twisted tale of a girl given a chance for a re-do after each time she dies. It was captivating seeing what she did with her second chances but the ease the author had with words took center stage.
The Beautiful Indifference: Stories by Sarah Hall {My Review}
I rarely read short stories but something about this one caught my attention. Each story is raw and thoroughly gratifying while possessing some of the most amazing prose.
How to Love by Katie Cotugno {My Review}
This book gave me the worst book hangover ever. I couldn’t pick up another book for days after. It’s a seemingly average contemporary romance tale (and is not even a genre I normally read) but this one completely overwhelmed me in the best way possible.
The Waking Dark by Robin Wasserman {My Review}
The Waking Dark is incredibly dark and distressing with one of the most shocking first chapter openers I’ve ever read. YA Horror isn’t quite so common but I’d love to see a tale like this spur more like it.
This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales {My Review}
This was an empowering story about finding happiness in life and learning to love yourself for exactly who you are. Incredibly charming. I especially loved how a romance wasn’t at the forefront of this ‘finding yourself’ story.
In the Shadow of Blackbirds by Cat Winters {My Review}
A wonderful historical fiction focusing on the Spanish influenza with a gothic (and ghostie) spin. Cat Winters is a debut author whose writing left me breathless.
We don’t share any authors this week, but I really enjoyed reading Leila Sales- This Song Will Save Your Life. I read it so quickly and thoroughly enjoyed it! I really liked Burial Rites from Hannah Kent too. Great list!
Chrissi Reads recently posted…Top Ten New-To-Me Authors I Read In 2013
This Song Will Save Your Life was a quick read for me as well. Definitely interested in checking out Leila Sales other books!
Bonnie recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday – Top Ten New-To-Me Authors I Read In 2013
I’m glad to see How to Love and This Song Will Save Your Life on your list Bonnie. There were so many fabulous authors that I had discovered this year, that I forgot to mention Cotugno. I loved Wasserman’s The Book of of Blood and Shadow last year so can’t wait to read The Waking Dark. Also Night Film I’ve never heard about it before, but books which leave you thinking about it for days afterwards are always my favourites!
Jasprit recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday #15: Top Ten New to me Authors I read in 2013.
How to Love BROKE me. I can’t wait for Cotugno to write more!
Oooh I’ve been trying to make time to read The Book of Blood and Shadow after loving Waking Dark so much but it hasn’t happened yet. 🙂
Bonnie recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday – Top Ten New-To-Me Authors I Read In 2013
I like how you have a short little blip about each book, nice blog post. 🙂
Yeah, it looks like I actually put some effort into today’s post rather than just book covers. *pats self on back* lol It’s only because I actually did it a week in advance rather than the night before.
Bonnie recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday – Top Ten New-To-Me Authors I Read In 2013
I haven’t read any of these authors! How sad! These books look awesome; I will definitely have to add some of them to my TBR list. I also love your blog design! 🙂
Cait @ Book Love recently posted…Throne of Glass
Thank you, Cait! 🙂
Bonnie recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday – Top Ten New-To-Me Authors I Read In 2013
I still need to read Life After Life and The Shining Girls! I’ve heard so many good things about Burial Rites as well, and I know I’ll want to get to that one too. You really have some great choices here! Sounds like you had a terrific reading year in 2013!
Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten New-To-Me Authors I Read In 2013
It was a fantastic reading year and I think 2014 is going to be even better. Hope you enjoy those if you do get around to them! 🙂
Bonnie recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday – Top Ten New-To-Me Authors I Read In 2013
Life After Life keeps showing up on my “recommended for you” feed. I’ll have to give it a try now!
I thought it was pretty spectacular.. definitely made me want to check out more from that author!
Bonnie recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday – Top Ten New-To-Me Authors I Read In 2013
I really like The Shining Girls too! I’m going to have to look at her backlist. 🙂
Lindsey recently posted…Review: Palisades Park
I did as well but her two other books seem very different but will still have to give them a shot someday. 🙂
Bonnie recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday – Top Ten New-To-Me Authors I Read In 2013
I loved The Book of Blood and Shadow by Robin Wasserman, so I’m hoping to add this book by her to my list as well. Good list!
Violet
Violet recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday – Top Ten New-to-Me Authors I Read in 2013
Ever since reading and loving Waking Dark I’ve been trying to make time to read that one too but it hasn’t happened yet. Very eager to soon though hopefully!
Bonnie recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday – Top Ten New-To-Me Authors I Read In 2013
Very happy to see The Waking Dark and How to Love on your list, and i couldn’t agree more about the book hangover, and about wishing there was more quality YA horror. This is a wonderful list overall, thanks for sharing!
Lauren recently posted…Interview: Kathleen Hale, Author of NO ONE ELSE CAN HAVE YOU
Yes, I’m hoping YA horror is the next big thing definitely!
Bonnie recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday – Top Ten New-To-Me Authors I Read In 2013
You always have such an eclectic mix on your blog, Bonnie. I have read a few and there are several on my list. I am most curious about that Life after Life book. I have got to read that. I really liked In the Shadow of Blackbirds as well!
Heidi recently posted…Tell Me Something Tuesday #38: Stocking Stuffers
That’s me: a total oddball. 😀
In the Shadow of Blackbirds was a total surprise but can’t wait for more from that author.
Bonnie recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday – Top Ten New-To-Me Authors I Read In 2013
What a great list, I’ve probably said it before but I’ll say it again, Donald Ray Pollock needs to hurry up and write more books.
Michael @ Literary Exploration recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday: New-To-Me Authors I Read In 2013
Absolutely. Although I still need to read Knockemstiff but I’m saving that for a rainy day.
Bonnie recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday – Top Ten New-To-Me Authors I Read In 2013
TAMPA was amazing, and I’m totally with you on Leila Sales, Robin Wasserman, and Cat Winters, too. It’s funny, I don’t think I’ve been as wowed by as many books this year, but it’s definitely been a solid one. Are you going to do an overall best of 2013 list? Ours goes up on December 31st!
Wendy Darling recently posted…Dickens Christmas Séance: event recap
I’m always a little scared to profess my love for Tampa because it is a bit out there but it was extremely well-done. I might do an overall best of 2013 list because there were many that were left out… we’ll see. Looking forward to seeing yours though! 🙂
Bonnie recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday – Top Ten New-To-Me Authors I Read In 2013
Ummmm yessssss. Night Film. I love seeing this one on lists. I know we agree on the book, Bonnie. It was epic!
Kara @ Great Imaginations recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten New-To-Me Authors I Read In 2013
Night Film was so fantastic I’m so glad it was as well received as it was.
Bonnie recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday – Top Ten New-To-Me Authors I Read In 2013
I haven’t read any of the books here but who knows I might read them next year! 😀 Life After Life is on my TBR though. Happy reading 🙂
My Top Ten Tuesday
Farzy @ Boooks Keep Me Sane recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday #2: “New To Me” Authors of 2013
Hope you enjoy them if you do get around to them!
Bonnie recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday – Top Ten New-To-Me Authors I Read In 2013
Katie Cotugno and Leila Sales are both very high up on my TBR list. I have heard amazing things about both of them and can’t wait until I finally read their books that everyone else is raving about!
Great list! 🙂
Hannah recently posted…Review “Under the Never Sky” – Veronica Rossi