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Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl invited us to share “ten new-to-me authors I read in 2020.” I tend to read a lot of new-to-me authors and several books from my top ten books of 2020 would work for this prompt. I decided to list authors who didn’t appear on that list but whose works I did enjoy. Links either go to my review (if I wrote one), or the Malaprop’s bookstore website.
I discovered Grady Hendrix last year and quickly read most of his back catalog, which is almost unheard of for me. My favorite was My Best Friend’s Exorcism.
I don’t remember how I found Khalida Brohi‘s powerful memoir, I Should Have Honor, but I’m glad I did. She’s such a brave, passionate woman, fighting to make life better for all women in Pakistan.
I’m late to the Helen Hoang party but I finally arrived! I don’t read much romance but The Kiss Quotient‘s humor and the main character’s awkwardness appealed to me. I don’t have Asperger’s like she and the author do, but I’m not socially adept either.
David Wellington–I don’t typically read a lot of science fiction but something made me pick up The Last Astronaut. It was an intriguing take on the “first contact” trope. The audiobook, read by Megan Tusing, was very well done.
Veronica Henry–Yet another romance. But with a title like How to Find Love in a Bookshop, how could I resist?
James R. Benn–I read about WWII fairly often, but more from the civilian side. The first book of the Billy Boyle mystery series was a new look at the war for me.
I’ve had Rachel Hawkins on my radar for a decade but I just read her first book, Hex Hall, last year and enjoyed it immensely.
I first heard of Adrienne Young after I returned to book blogging in June but I quickly read two of her books (Fable was my favorite).
Mackenzi Lee is another author I discovered after returning to blogging. I loved The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue and can’t wait to read the second in the series.
Seanan McGuire–My sister recommended Every Heart a Doorway to me. We have remarkably similar taste so of course I liked it too.
That’s my list! Have you read any of these authors? What did you think? Which authors did/would you choose? Link up every Tuesday at That Artsy Reader Girl!
I have an affiliate relationship with Malaprop’s Bookstore/Cafe in beautiful Asheville, NC. I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you if you purchase merchandise through links on my site.
36 Comments
I also read The Last Astronaut and was very pleasantly surprised – although I tackled the ebook, rather than the audio version. I’m guessing there were some really creepy moments in there! I love the breadth of your list, Jan:)).
I’m afraid I haven’t read any of these authors or books, Jen, but I am pleased you discovered so many new authors that you enjoyed in 2020. I also took part in this TTT topic as I read 12 new authors last year – Some of my favourites were Robert Dinsdale, Hazel Gaynor and Natalie Jenner. 🙂
I read my first Grady Hendrix last year with Horrorstor, I must check out the rest of his catalogue.
I do like first contact stories, so will definitely try The Last Astronaut. Seanan McGuire’s October Daye series is my all-time favorite Urban Fantasy series (and highly recommend if you like UF). But Helen Hoang — seriously, I really need to read her work!
There’s something about Grady Hendrix I really enjoy. I still need to read The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires and We Sold Our Souls but looking forward to both this year! Kiss Quotient and The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue have also been on my list. Next time in the mood for some romance…Seanan McGuire’s series is on my radar. Need to get to it!
How to Find Love in a Bookshop—what a great title! Definitely checking that one out.
It was a cute book!
I also read my first Grady Hendrix last year, but for me it was The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires. I really enjoyed his sense of humor!
I read The Southern Book Club, Horrorstor, and My Best Friend’s Exorcism last year but My Best Friend edged out the others as my favorite. I’m glad you enjoyed The Southern Book Club too!
I have enjoyed Helen Hoang’s 2 books that I’ve read and I like Mackenzi Lee’s series as well, though I liked the first one best.
I accidentally started the second Mackenzi Lee book first then realized my mistake, luckily before I got very far. I’m eager to read the second books by her and Hoang!
I haven’t read any of these authors, but How To Find Love In A Bookshop sounds cute. I’m kind of jealous of anyone who loved Gentleman’s Guide…, because while the premise doesn’t appeal to me, they’re super cool covers and it must be nice to have additional books in that style. Hope you enjoy them.
Also, ten years on the radar, wow! Glad she was worth the wait.
How to Find Love in a Bookshop was definitely cute!
Great list! Seanan McGuire’s a favorite of mine.
I’ve noticed! 😉 That makes me eager to read more of her work.
😉 For what it’s worth, while I like her October Daye series it’s not my favorite of her work. She’s very prolific, though, so there’s lots to choose from!
I didn’t know how much she’d written until I started following your blog. “Prolific” almost seems like an understatement!
I haven’t read any of these, but I remember a friend reading (recommending?) Billy Boyle. I should see about getting that from my library!
Billy Boyle was a good mystery but the WWII setting added to the appeal for me.
Several of these are on my tbr list — Every Heart a Doorway, How to Find Love in a Bookshop, and I think Billy Boyle is buried in the list somewhere, too. And it looks like I’ll be putting Fable on the list as well!
Fable was really good!
I haven’t heard of The Last Astronaut, but it seems like one that’s right up my alley!
If you like science fiction at all, you should definitely give that one a try!
Hi there! Such a great list you have! I still want to read Fable and Every Heart a Doorway should really get off my TBR on my READ list now. Only hear good things about it.
Happy TTT!
Elza Reads
Every Heart a Doorway is a novella so it doesn’t take long to read at all. Does that help?
I’ve really enjoyed Mackenzi Lee’s books too, I’m looking forward to reading the final Montague siblings book when it comes out this year.
My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2021/01/26/top-ten-tuesday-300/
I didn’t realize another Montague book was coming out this year. I’d better get started on the second one soon!
It’s not due out till April I think, so you have plenty of time!
I’m pretty sure I have a copy of the Helen Hoang book.
The Kiss Quotient had a bit more sexytimes than I expected (I didn’t really expect any, which was ridiculous, given the synopsis), but it was really funny and relatable.
I haven’t read any of these! I need to get to Helen Hoang!
I was surprised by how much I liked The Kiss Quotient, given that I’m not typically a romance reader.
I’ve been hearing so many good things about Fable! I’ve only read one of Grady Hendrix’s books–Horrorstor–but I keep meaning to try more of his work, so I’m glad to hear you enjoyed My Best Friend’s Exorcism.
Fable was really good! And you should definitely read more of Grady Hendrix. I read Horrorstor as well. I did enjoy it but I liked My Best Friend’s Exorcism and even The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires even more.
How To Find Love In A Bookshop looks so good! Adrienne Young is one I’d like to try.
I’d obviously recommend both!