I already wrote a post like this in December, where I talked about my love for authors like Tiffany D. Jackson and N.K. Jemisin, but I discovered quite a few new authors last year, so I figured since this was this week’s TTT why not just post a part two!? These are all authors whose backlist I want to explore and have plans to read from in 2021.
Julie Berry
Lovely War was a book that took me by complete surprise. Its not a book I would ever have picked up on my own, so I am so thankful for my buddy reads on Instagram. It reminded me how original historical fictions can truly be. Julie Berry has quite a long backlist, but the tree books I am most intesting in are All the Truth That’s in Me, The Passion of Dolssa, and The Amaranth Enchantment. I have the audiobook of The Passion of Dolssa, so I think I will start there. Looking forward to exploring more of her work!
Stuart Turton
The 7 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle is one of my favourite mysteries of all time. It is such a unique premise and could have been really confusing and hard to follow, but Stuart Turton handled it perfectly. The Devil and the Dark Water was one of my most anticipated books of 2020, and I cannot believe I haven’t read it yet! The premise is so intriguing and if it is half as good as his debut, I am going to love it.
Ann Patchett
Ann Patchett is an author I had been meaning to read from for years, so I am thrilled that I finally got around to one in 2020 (The Dutch House) and I ended up really loving it. Patchett is another author with an extensive backlist, but Commonwealth, Truth & Beauty, State of Wonder, and Bel Canto are the ones I have heard the most about. I would love to get to a couple of them this year!
Bianca Marais
Hum If You Don’t Know the Words is a book that I really thought was incredible but don’t talk about enough! I even participated in a discussion of the book with the author and she was so thoughtful and friendly. We had a really interesting discussion about the book, which made me appreciate it all the more. I actually have a signed copy of her sophomore novel, If You Want to Make God Laugh, which so many people have told me they loved even more. Definitely picking it up this year!
Grady Hendrix
I read The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires and My Best Friend’s Exorcism in 2020, and I really loved how campy they were. I partly have Grady Hendrix to thank for making me realize that I do actually enjoy horror. I have plans to read Horrorstor in October, and I am really excited about it!
Vivek Shraya
Vivek Shraya is an underrated author and I want to read everything she has written and make more of an effort to talk about her books. The Subtweet was so nuanced and had a lot of important and relevant conversations about race and gender, and I knew as soon as I finished it that I had found a new favourite author. It also doesn’t hurt that she is Canadian. I remember I’m Afraid of Men received some attention, so I am looking forward to reading it, but I am also intrigued by She of the Mountains, which is a re-imagining of Hindi mythology and is also illustrated. Even This Page is White is a collection of poetry, which I don’t often pick up, but I trust that I will enjoy it because Shraya wrote it.
Courtney Summers
I finally read Sadie last year and I completely understand the hype. It is one of the best audiobooks I have ever listened to! I cannot tell you how excited I am for the release of The Project, and I will definitely be listening to that on audio as well. I love the idea of books about cults, but I haven’t read many that I actually enjoyed, so I am curious to see what I will think! Cracked Up to Be is one of Courtney Summers older books, but it got a new cover and I am really intrigued.
Stephen Graham Jones
Much like Grady Hendrix, Stephen Graham Jones helped me to realize that I do indeed enjoy horror. The Only Good Indians continues to haunt me and I am so intrigued by the premise of Night of the Mannequins– there is something about Mannequins that really creeps me out! I didn’t realize that Jones had such an extensive backlist- it is overwhelming. If you have read any more of his work, I would love to know what you thought or where I should start.
Akwaeke Emezi
The Death of Vivek Oji is a book that I have come to appreciate more and more as time has gone on. Akwaeke Emezi is an incredible writer and they have thing exceptional abilities of creating memorable characters. It was one of the few books that made me cry in 2020. Pet is a book I included in my “Five Star Predictions” post, and Freshwater is high on my TBR- it received a lot of attention and praise the year it came out. Emezi has a memoir, Dear Senthuran, releasing this year, and it is one of my most anticipated books of 2021.
Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Mexican Gothic was one of the most talked about book of 2020, and I totally understand why. It was very atmospheric and creepy and one that haunts you for days after you finish it. Silvia Moreno-Garcia has a pretty big backlist, but Gods of Jade and Shadow and The Beautiful Ones are the two that have been recommended to me most and that I want to read this year!
That is it! I would love to know what authors you discovered in 2020!
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I’ve heard so many good things about Pet and Sadie, and I want to read more from Grady Hendrix, too! I loved All the Truth That’s in Me and all of Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s backlist is so good–I highly recommend her debut, Signal to Noise.
That is so good to know! I have not heard much about Signal to Noise, but adding it to my TBR as we speak. Thanks!
I’ve heard great things about The Dutch House.
My post.
A must listen! Tom Hanks is an incredible narrator.
I also cannot wait to listen to The Project, as I absolutely LOVED Sadie as an audiobook!
I’m hoping to pick up Lovely War this year, I keep seeing it around and it seems interesting, but I keep pushing it aside. Must make it a priority this year!
I have such high hopes for The Project!!
I think you will really love Lovely War. It is great on audio!
Me too, my library already got the audio of The Project and I’m #1 on the list so I CAN’T WAIT!
And I’m so glad to hear Lovely War audio is great, thanks for letting me know! ^_^
I keep hearing great things about Lovely War 💗 I’ve only read one book by Ann Patchett and did not like it 😬 I also wasn’t a big fan of the Grady Hendrix I read last year either. The new author I read last year that I most want to read more from is TJ Klune.
I definitely think you will enjoy Lovely War. It is one I have recommended to so many people!
I can see why Grady Hendrix wouldn’t be for everyone!
I am reading The House in the Cerulean Sea in February, so I have a feeling TJ Klune will make my list in 2021!
I’ve read Bel Canto by Ann Patchett and loved it. Would love to read more of her work
Love hearing that!
I’m super desperate to read Sadie, I found a sample of the audiobook on Spotify and have been wanting to finish reading the book since
It is a must listen for sure!!
Great list! I love Silvia Moreno-Garcia books!
I cannot wait to read more from her!
Such a good list 😊 I particularly agree with Stuart Turton, I think he’s fantastic!
Right?! I am blown away by his creativity. Where does he come up with these ideas? Too good!
I hope you get to enjoy some of these books this year! Stop by if you get a chance:
https://collettaskitchensink.blogspot.com/2021/01/top-ten-tuesday-2020-new-to-me-authors.html
Colletta
Thank you!! I definitely will!
Great list! I really want to read Lovely War! I have it but haven’t picked it up yet. Ugh, story of our lives, huh?!
My Top Ten
#readerproblems
It is really great though!!
I’ve not read any of Stuart Turton’s books yet, but Evelyn Hardcastle is waiting for me on my shelf.
My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2021/01/26/top-ten-tuesday-300/
It is definitely worth reading! It is confusing as first but a fun ride for sure!
I will definitely try and get around to it at some point!
The Passion of Dolssa was so good- I need to read more by Julie Berry. Sadie by Courtney Summers slayed me so I can’t wait to read The Project that is coming out soon.
I love hearing that you enjoyed The Passion of Dolssa. I don’t hear about the book often!
The Project will be here so soon. Can’t wait!!
New authors in 2020:
1. V.E. Schawb
2. Phillip Pullman
3. Thomas Hardy
4. Howard Schultz
5. Ariel Lawhon
Well- not all of them are on my top favorites list. I know V.E. Schawb is: Shades of Magic was my favorite series of 2020.
Thomas Hardy was a brand new classic author to me, and I now want to read more of him
I have never read the His Dark Material series! I feel like I am missing out.
Ariel Lawhon is an author I want to read from for awhile. I have had I Am Anastasia on my shelves for ages!
Thanks for sharing!
I only just found I Was Anastasia last year
Here is the review of I Was Anastasia
https://megsmagicalmusings.wordpress.com/2020/12/21/i-was-anastasia-review/
Awesome. Thank you. I will check that out today!
One more review:
https://megsmagicalmusings.wordpress.com/2020/10/23/overall-review-of-his-dark-materials/
Great choices. I was fascinated by State of Wonder–maybe because I had so many 40-something friends trying for babies, lol. Good authors here.
That is not a subject you see talked about a lot in fiction! I have only read one book by her so it is too early to say for sure, but I have this feeling that Ann Patchett has a special ability of creating very real characters and storylines.
I do plan to read more by her–I just never remember in time when I’m out of audios.
I’m glad you found so many new authors that you loved.
Thank you!! I am hoping to find just as many this year!
You’re welcome! 🙂
Brilliant list! I love Stuart turton and I’ve always wanted to try Ann pratchett little daunting!). I seem to be really bad at following the ttt prompts lol so this week I tried top ten bookish things that annoy me. Although there could have been SO MANY MORE 😫 Here’s my post in case you’re interested 🙂 https://hundredsandthousandsofbooks.blog/2021/01/26/ttt-26-1-top-ten-bookish-things-i-hate/
Stuart Turton is so imaginative!
I definitely recommend The Dutch House on audio. Tom Hanks is the narrator, so it doesn’t seem as dense because he has the perfect voice!
I will have to check out your post!
Great list! Silvia Morena-Garcia is also on mine!
I really want to read Grady Hendrix!
I cannot wait to read more from Silvia Morena-Garcia! I am so glad that she is getting more attention.
Grady Hendrix’s books are great if you are looking for something horror but a little campy!
You’ll love If You Want To Make God Laugh 🙌👍
I remember you saying you loved it. Looking forward to it!!
I haven’t read any of these yet but Courtney Summers is on my list to read this year.
You must read Sadie!! I just know you’re going to love it.
Yay! Hopefully get to it soon (she says staring at a huge tbr!!)
“Sadie” made it on my list too and I totally agree! It was worth the hype! I listened to the accompanying podcast and it was so eerie and haunting! A great book but it broke my heart! Glad it made it on your list too! =)
I think you might also like The Female of the Species by Mindy McGinnis! It is YA with similar themes to Sadie. A tough read but a good one!
Thanks for the recommendation! 🙂 I’ll take a closer look at it.
Courtney Summers is an amazing author!
She really is! I cannot wait to read The Project.
This is a great list! I’ve had my eye on The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires for a while. Mexican Gothic is ready on my Kindle and I’ve been meaning to try Ann Patchett for years. Love Stuart Taunton too! And I’m adding a few more of these to my list now too…thanks for sharing 🙂
That makes me happy. I hope you enjoy them!
Mexican Gothic also made my TTT today – really excited to read it, and I’ve heard great things about Sadie, too! Great list 🙂
Loved both of those books on audio!
I bet MG would be really intense on audio!
I’m rather new to all of these names. But I’m very intrigued to expand my reading list. thank you for sharing! 🙂
B| http://www.mindbeautysimplicity.wordpress.com
I’m so glad. Thank you!
I definitely want to read more from Grady Hendrix! I also read him for the first time in 2020.
His stuff is so unique!
I’ve heard good things about Hardcastle, and Southern Book Club Guide sounds like a blast! I love Courtney Summers’ stuff too.
Some of my favourite thrillers!
Great list! I haven’t read from any of these authors (shame!) but I do have quite a few of these books on my digital and physical shelves. I also just realised the author of Freshwater is the same author of Vivek Oji! How did I not connect that?! 😂 I’m especially keen to read Lovely War this year cos I’ve heard so many great things.
Yes! Emezi is amazing!
I really think you’d love Lovely War. It’s a special book!
We’re not going to be getting any work done due to these amazing suggestions! 🤣
😂😂😂
Absolutely Stuart Turton! And I really, really need to read something by Silvia Moreno-Garcia 🙂
This is such a great post, I can’t wait to start looking in to all of these. Thank you for sharing!
A couple of years ago I went to a book reading of Grady Hendrix’s book Paperbacks From Hell and I’ve never laughed so hard in my life at a book. He is a great author!
I really want to read Paperbacks From Hell! His book are surprisingly funny. I can’t imagine how great he would be at a reading!
I want to read his other books too! The book reading was at Recycled Books in Denton, TX. I know in 2020 he did a virtual book club discussion with the store.
Great list! Would be following this for my this years goal to read books.
I read Grady Hendrix’s Slaying Guide as well for an online book club. It was good, but very creepy! I’m not always up for that!
What a fantastic selection! I can’t wait to add some of these to my reading list. Thanks for the recommendations. 🙂
Yay! That makes me happy!