It’s Tuesday again which means time for another round of Top Ten Tuesday; I like joining in on this meme because I have a set topic to work with. Top Ten Tuesday is a book blogger meme that is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish and this week the theme is: New-To-Me Authors I Read In 2013. This sounds like a great theme; I’ve discovered some great authors and never thought about doing an end of year list of newly discovered authors. I’ve decided to split this list into two; I want to highlight some debut authors as well.
- Italo Calvino – I feel in love with If on a Winter’s Night a Traveler and want to read it again and again. I probably should read some more of Calvino’s books and I’m sure I will but discovering this book was a big highlight of my year.
- James Smythe – The Machine was such a great book, I had to read more by this author. I’ve since read The Explorer and The Echo, both amazing and I will be a loyal follower of James Smythe from here on out. A dark literary science fiction author that writes about humanity and deserves more recognition.
- Sylvia Plath – I can’t believe it took me so long to read The Bell Jar, It was a fascinating books. I am not sure what her other works are like but this one novel was enough to put her on this list.
- Jane Austen – It has taken me so long to actually read Austen and I’ve only Pride and Prejudice but I’m planning to read the rest.
- Warren Ellis – now for something a little weird, Ellis writes some really odd crime novels but they were a lot of fun to read. I’m looking forward to the next one; whenever that is.
Debut Authors
- Anthony Marra – A Constellation of Vital Phenomena will definitely be on my “Best of 2013” list, I was very impressed with that novel and continue to sing praises about it.
- Hannah Kent – Burial Rites was possibly the best Australian novel I read this year. I was very impressed with the novel and happy with how successful she has been with such a great book.
- Gabriel Roth – If you haven’t read or heard of The Unknowns, then I suggest you get onto it right now. On the surface it’s a nerdy romance but there is so much more to this novel.
- Shani Boianjiu – I wasn’t sure what to expect from The People of Forever Are Not Afraid, I’m not normally into NA novels but as soon as I finished this book I turned back to page 1 and started it again.
- Maggie Shipstead – Something a little different, I call this novel chick lit but it has a male narrator. Seating Arrangements is a fascinating novel and I’m so glad I read it.
I also want to give an honourable mention to Margaret Atwood. She isn’t a new-to-me author but I have newly discovered her brilliance. I will have to go back and re-read The Handmaid’s Tale and see what I think of it. I’m looking forward to seeing what authors make people’s lists this week.
So glad you finally discover Austen – she is perfect at any age!
I’m hoping to discover Sylvia Plath & Hannah Kent next year as I work my way through my TBR abundance.
Still need to read more Austen. I hope you enjoy Sylvia Plath and Hannah Kent
Interesting list. Not familiar with most of them though I am pleased to say I’ve started reading Burial Rites which if I remember right I won on your blog so really looking forward to it.
Hope you enjoy it
Definitely agree with you regarding Burial Rites – fantastic debut. This was the year I finally read The Bell Jar too! Was just as fabulous as everyone said it was. Great list!
I’m very happy with the list, discovered some great authors