Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl. Each week a new theme is suggested for bloggers to participate in. This week’s prompt is New-to-Me Authors I Discovered in 2023.
Hello Readers! Today we’re talking about new-to-us authors we discovered in 2023, and every year when I do this post I only share authors who’ve published more than one book. No debut authors here! It might be their debut book I read, but they’ve since published something else. However, it was a little harder to stick to my guidelines this time because I only had a limited amount of authors that were new to me AND weren’t debut authors. But I made it happen!
Let’s see who I discovered (in no particular order)!
(Link to Goodreads author profile through author’s name.
Link to Goodreads synopsis through book title.)
1
Allison Ashley
When I saw several of my book blogging friends reading and loving The Roommate Pact, I couldn’t resist picking it up. My first book by Ashley, it will not be my last.
My review of The Roommate Pact
Also available: Would You Rather (a standalone romance that introduces readers to some of the characters in The Roommate Pact); Perfect Distraction; and Home Sweet Mess
2
Victor LaValle
While thriller/horror might be out of my comfort zone right now, I used to read it more often, and sometimes I can’t resist picking up one with a unique premise that grabs me. Lone Women by Victor LaValle fit the bill!
My Review of Lone Women
Also available: LaValle is a prolific writer with several published works, including a comic series, short story collection, and several novels. His most well-known are: The Ballad of Black Tom; The Changeling (a newly adapted tv series); and The Devil in Silver.
3
Linda Holmes
I’ve had Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes on my shelf for years. I finally picked it up in 2023 and unsurprisingly wondered why I hadn’t read it sooner. I adored this romance!
Also available: Flying Solo
Upcoming: Back After This (2025)
4
Mazey Eddings
I love a good travel romance, so I couldn’t say no to Tilly in Technicolor by Mazey Eddings, which is set during the summer while our characters are traveling around Europe. I adored this YA romance!
My review of Tilly in Technicolor
Also available: A Brush With Love; Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake; The Plus One;
Coming Soon: Late Bloomer (April 16, 2024) – I have the ARC of this one already, and I’m super excited to get to it!
5
Anthony Doerr
Another backlist book I’ve had on my shelf for years is All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. I finally crossed this historical fiction book off my list last year AND watched the Netflix adaptation. I highly recommend both!
Also Available: Memory Wall; The Shell Collector; About Grace
Most Recent Release: Cloud Cuckoo Land
6
Julie Murphy
And yet another backlist book that’s been sitting on my shelf is Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy. Set in a small Texas town, I identified with so much of this book having grown up in a small Texas town myself. I was so happy to have finally picked this one up.
Also available: 3 additional books in the Dumplin’ series; A Merry Little Meet Cute (with author Sierra Simone); If the Shoe Fits
Recent release: A Holly Jolly Ever After (with author Sierra Simone)
7
Andrew Rannells
I’ve been a fan of Andrew Rannells for years. He often stole the scenes he appeared in in the HBO series Girls, not to mention his Broadway appearances. So when I was invited to read his latest nonfiction book, I was excited. Witty and thoughtful, I enjoyed Uncle of the Year.
My review of Uncle of the Year
Also available: Too Much is Not Enough
8
Sarina Bowen
I’ve seen several fellow bloggers rave about Sarina Bowen’s books, and I finally picked up Bittersweet last fall. I adored the characters and setting, so I’m eager to pick up more by the author.
Also available: The Him Series (with author Elle Kennedy); the Brooklyn Bruisers Series; the Ivy Years Series; the rest of the True North Series (that starts with Bittersweet); and many other series.
Upcoming: The Five Year Lie (May 2024)
9
James Baldwin
The classic If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin has been sitting on my shelf for a bit. I finally read it and watched the film adaptation last year and I recommend both!
Also available: Giovanni’s Room; The Fire Next Time; Go Tell It on the Mountain; and many more!
10
Lynn Painter
I finally picked up a book by Lynn Painter when The Do-Over arrived in my quarterly book subscription box from The Strand Bookstore. Set on Valentine’s Day, it was a fun one to read around the holiday.
Also available: Better Than the Movies (waiting on my kindle); Mr. Wrong Number; The Love Wager;
Recent releases: Betting on You
Upcoming: Happily Never After (March 2024); Nothing Like the Movies (September 2024)
Who is the favorite author you discovered in 2023? Let me know in the comments!
Happy Wandering!
The Do-Over needs to go to my february tbr, perfect timing 🙂
Yes! I read it on Valentine’s Day and it was a lot of fun. <3
All the Light We Cannot See is a personal favorite and the author is so interesting as a person.
I’m happy I finally picked it up! I honestly don’t know much about the author. I’ll have to read up on him.
I haven’t read any of these authors. I keep meaning to read (or watch) All the Light We Cannot See.
Here’s my post for this week: https://portobellobookblog.com/2024/01/30/top-ten-tuesday-30th-january-2024-new-to-me-authors-i-discovered-in-2023-toptentuesday-bookrecommendations-amreading-tuesdaybookblog/
I hope you get to try it out soon–whether it’s reading the book or watching the series. And enjoy it, of course.
I have read six of these. I discovered most via their debuts, but have continued reading them all. Bowen is a long-time favorite, and Ashley really charmed me.
I need to read more of Bowen and Ashley, for sure!
Lone Women sounds good.
Here is my Top Ten Tuesday post.
It had my attention, for sure!
Great list, Dedra! Eddings made it onto my list this week as well 🙂 I can’t wait to read more by her! I’ve been eyeing my copy Beale Street by Baldwin lately and I started it a little bit ago but I know I really need to focus while reading so I’m holding off for now. I really enjoyed what I read though 😃 I hope you discover some amazing new authors in 2024!
Thanks Dini! You definitely have to be in the right frame of mind for Baldwin. It’s a hard read, but so good. <3
Great list! I think it’s fun that you stick to only authors who have written more than one book. I don’t usually pay that much attention when I’m making this annual list of new-to-me authors. 😉
Happy reading! Here’s my TTT post this week.
Since I read a lot of arcs, I read a lot of debut books. I guess I figure that would be too easy. 😂
You had a great year when it came to reading new authors! I love Bowen, Painter, Murphy, Eddings, and Ashley.
I’m so happy I discovered them!
The Do-Over was a fun read, as is Better Than the Movies! I have All the Light We Cannot See on my winter TBR; fingers crossed I can get to it. I hope you continue to enjoy these authors in 2024!
Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!
https://readbakecreate.com/authors-i-first-read-in-2023/
Hopefully I can pick up Better Than the Movies soon! I hope you get to pick up All the Light We Cannot See. It’s a perfect read for winter. <3
Victor LaValle is fantastic – I need to get caught up.
I need to read more by him!
Aw, I love seeing Sarina Bowen on your list. I adore her books and she is practically an auto-buy author for me.
It’s thanks to you and Deanna that I finally picked her up! <3
I love James Baldwin!! Giovanni’s Room is consistently in my top ten books. I still need to read If Beale Street Could Talk.
Oooh, that’s good to hear. I need to read that one.
I’ve read a couple books by Julie Murphy, but not her most popular ones. I really need to read DUMPLIN’ already!
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
Yes! I thought it was brilliant. Now I need to try some of her other books. 🙂
An eclectic list here! Try reading one of Doerr’s earlier books – About Grace – I think I liked it more than All the Light…
Oh ok! Thanks for the tip!
A very interesting list, Dedra. I have read a few of these authors, but not enough. I have had the Dumplin’ series on my TBR for quite awhile, so thanks for the reminder.