I’m constantly yelling about my TOP favourite authors of all glorious time. I’ve listed authors who inspire me and authors who I need new books from and my favourite underrated authors. I’m completely predictable I know, I know. Maggie Stiefvater? Sarah J Maas? John Green? AG Howard? Suzanne Collins? AGH, SHUSH, CAIT. WE’RE SO BORED RIGHT NOW.
SO! I devised a marvellous plan. I’m wickedly genius like that. I’m going to list:
The Best Authors I’ve Discovered So Far In 2015
Not newbies. Just ones I’ve read for the first time in 2015 and though, “My, my, you are delightfully talented and I wish to eat all your books ASAP.”
Although despite having read 95 books this year so far…I HAVEN’T HAD A LOT OF FAVOURITES. Am I getting fussy in my old age? Yes. Are my expectations too ridiculously high after the gorgeous delicacies of last year? Peoples, I discovered Sarah J Maas last year. I’M DEAD. Maybe. Or else I’m picking sucky books. Who can know.
This Week’s Prompt: Top Ten ALL TIME Favourite Authors (‘cept I’m ignoring the “all time” bit)
\\ Click on the covers to go to Goodreads //
1. JANDY NELSON
She bypassed the whole “oh I mildly like this author, let me read more of her books” stage. Jandy Nelson went straight to the “THIS AUTHOR IS SO INCREDIBLY GENIUS THAT I CANNOT HELP BUT HUG HER BOOK AND CRUMPLE IN A CRIPPLING BOOK-HANGOVER” list. Her book is beautiful. That’s all I can say! It’s raw and artistic. It made me sort of despair of ever writing eloquently myself, but WHATEVER. I can always sob and reread it.
2. JULIE KAGAWA
I hadn’t read anything from this mega-famous YA author until this year. So far I’ve only consumed Talon but I. am. in. love with her writing. Talon had so much spunk and witty quips. ALSO DRAGONS. I won’t lie: my weakness is dragons. Seriously, you could probably even lure me off the internet if you promised a dragon.*
* I’m just kidding. Nothing lure me away, but you can have a go.
3. JOE ABERCROMBIE
For the last few weeks I’ve been bopping around like a witless pineapple frond, shrieking about how much I love and adore epic fantasy all of a sudden. Joe Abercrombie is partially to blame for my rekindled love of this genre! His book is HILARIOUS. And unique. It features one of my new favourite protagonists, Yarvi, whose wit is so dry and awesome I was choking. He only has one hand and is always mocking the fact.
‘As long as you don’t need two,’ said Yarvi.HALF A KING by Joe Abercrombie
4. GEORGE RR MARTIN
And while we speak of fantasy…
AGhhhh. I HATE THIS GUY. And by “hate” I mean “his books are freaking incredible”. Well book. I already have A Clash of Kings on reserve at the library though because I MUST KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT. And, also, this is an adult book, I hope you noticed. Little Cait is branching out! GO ME. I’m a notorious wuss when it comes to anything except YA. One reason I’m notoriously impressed is at how big and detailed his world is. I find a lot of YA fantasies rather lack for world-building.
5. TERESA TOTEN
This is such an incredible book I wrote a review without a negative. NOT A SINGLE ONE. And this is meeee we’re talking about: Miss Queen Snark! I’m softening up in my old age. Hmph. Needless to say, this author impressed me with her attention to detail and how she wrote anxiety so realistically.
6. DANIELLE PAIGE
I’m a sucker for a creepy retelling and snarky characters. SO THIS AUTHOR WINS THE UNIVERSE. Well at least a large island in the Bahamas because I love her books a lot. I’ve read two of her books and I’m addicted.
7. JAMES RICE
I literally finished this book last night so this is such a brand new favourite I’m still trying to gather coherent thoughts. OH BAH. You don’t care about coherent thoughts, do you? I’m just going to AFJDKLSAD and promise you this book is incredible. It’s written from the point-of-view of a teen with schizophrenia and it’s so extraordinary. It’s painful and scary and the prose is gorgeous.
You better believe it, folks.
8. ELLIE MARNEY
I’m quite embarrassed because I DOUBTED this author. I did! I thought, “That cover is awful and that title is meh, so the book, clearly, is likewise.” Oh gosh. Bury me in a hole of shame. THIS IS MY NEW FAVOURITE AUSTRALIAN AUTHOR. I speak truth! Her writing is so Australian and her character are adorable. And I mean scoop-this-adorable-puppy-like-character-up-and-hug-them-forever sort of adorable. Although the characters are kind of unhinged and scary at the same time.
Also THIS happened on my instagram picture of Every Breath:
Ohmigosh. If you need me I will be flailing/dying in the corner of fangirldom.
9. SARA RAASCH
More fantasy-author-love?! I TOLD YOU I WAS ON A KICK. I particularly love this one because it bases kingdoms off the four seasons, and that is cool. Call me a rainbow iced popsical but I am in LOVE with the Wintarians. And this author pulled off a fabulous plot twist that made me shriek. I know I’ve only read one of her books buuuut…
I shall buy and love and marry the sequel at dawn.*
* Well, whenever it’s published.
10. KATHRYN STOCKETT
I faltered as a Respectable Bookworm for a moment and I saw the movie first.
I KNOW. FORGIVE ME FOR BEING A BAD BOOKWORM.
The Help movie it’s one of my ALL TIME favourites. Could the book live up to that?! Um — yes, yes it could. I also discovered so much of the dialogue in the movie is exactly out of the book. Cue flailing! This author is so fantastic, I sort of cried when I found she only had one book. What is it with marvellous authors quitting after one book?! They break my delicate heart.
how about you?!! which new-to-you authors have you discovered in 2015 that you totally and wholly love?! SHARE IN THE COMMENTS! and link me up to your TTT posts so i can pop by to your lists!
Cait @ Paper Fury
…is currently mopping because she just read The 100 and it was — awful. It was bland as a chewing cardboard and she had SUCH high hopes. She’s still tempted to try the show, but…yay or nay? Besides moping, she’s been babysitting her nephew who convinced her there’s such a thing as Macaroni Penguins that live in Alaska. Ashamedly, Cait believed the 4-year-old’s lies.
Regarding Every Breath…can I just say I told you so? 😀 I could have pointed you to my review where I MENTIONED THE AWFUL TITLE AND COVER AND HOW IT’S STILL AMAZING. Gosh, child. Actually I can’t say that, you’re older than me. GOSH…YOU PINEAPPLE.
My new favourite authors of this year are Tommy Wallach (We All Looked Up) and Sona Charaipotra/Dhonielle Clayton (Tiny Pretty Things). OH ALSO MAGGIE STIEFVATER DID I MENTION I LOVED THE RAVEN BOYS BECAUSE I DID YOU WERE RIGHT *bows down*
YOU CAN SAY “I TOLD YOU SO” ALL YOU LIKE AND I WILL ACCEPT IT GRACIOUSLY. Because I'm a terribly humble person. *throws quiet tantrum* HA HA BUT REALLY. It's so good. And yes, respect your elders. I'm like a million years older than you. I'm like ANCIENT. Okay. No. But I think you're actually closer in age to Mime than me, eh? SO WEIRD. Life is weird. Im just gonna shut up now. Omg.YAAAAY FOR THE RAVEN BOYS. WE SHOULD BOTH JUST TRUST EACH OTHER 10000%, RIGHT? BECAUSE WE ARE SO SO RIGHT.
Great list! I’d really like to read something of Julie Kagawa’s this year because I’ve heard so many great things about her books. I’ve heard pretty mixed reviews of Talon, but I’d still like to check it out and I’d love to read her Blood of Eden trilogy, too. 🙂
I heard a lot of awful stuff about Talon, buuuut, I read it anyway and LOVED IT. So I'm a weird minority in this case. xD
I like rushed to comment because: THE 100 TV IS SOOOOO DIFFERENT FROM THE BOOKS. the book is borderline appalling. I think the TV show was optioned before the book was even officially released? Anyway, the stories are different, the characters are different — the TV is such an amazing blend of science fiction, AMAZING female characters (including a bisexual lead!), romance, SO MUCH ACTION AND SO MUCH SUSPENSE. granted the first three or four episodes of season 1 are pretty cheesy, but the show gets stronger and stronger as it goes on, and season 2 cemented it as one of the most surprisingly good shows on TV right now. SO DONT JUDGE THE SHOW FROM HOW ATROCIOUS THE BOOK IS. (I never thought I’d never say that sentence…) just my two cents!!! But the show is worth it, I swear.
OMG YOU HAVE TOTALLY JUST SOLD ME AND I'M GOING TO GIVE THE SHOW A CHANCE BECAUSE HOW COULD I NOT AFTER THIS RAVING ENDORSEMENT?!!! I'M EXCITED!! And that description sounds NOTHING like the book. Omg. XD
I have to confess… I saw this week’s post and was like, “NO WAY. NO WAY AM I ONLY CHOOSING MY TOP TEN AUTHORS.” I conceded defeat and skipped over it. >.> But I know that George R.R Martin would be on that list, because I am slightly (haha, kidding, a lot) in love with his Song of Ice and Fire series. They just so freakin’ brilliant that I don’t even have the words to describe them. Can’t wait to see what you think of A Clash of Kings. 🙂 A couple of my new faves would have to be Stephanie Oakes (THE SACRED LIES OF MINNOW BLY), Susan Dennard (SOMETHING STRANGE AND DEADLY). <3 <3
They areeeeee so brilliant. I'm still in kind of shock/recovery from GoT. And now Clash of Kings is staring at me in all it's like MILLION page glory from my bookshelf. Totally scaring me. I think I'm going to go for the audio again. XD haha. But still. omg, Susan Dennard is AWESOME. I want to read the rest of that series!!
Love the twist you put on the theme this week. I have only read Kathryn Stockett. I’ll Give You the Sun is on my TBR and looks like I will add The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B and Alice and the Fly. As far as authors I discovered this year and loved that would have to be Jenny Han – I adored To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before.
Ohhh I REALLY want to read Jenny Han's book! Maybe my library has it by now *dashes off to check*
Arghh, how on earth could you see the movie before reading the book with The Help! Crazy girl! Haha. That was a really good book.
I agree with you about 1000% with Jandy Nelson. Not sure how she did not end up on my list. I just read I’ll Give You The Sun this year and it was my first book by the author as well. That book was AMAZEBALLS beautiful! I just got her book, “The Sky Is Everywhere.” I am so excited to read it!
I KNOW. MOMENT OF SHAME. But only a moment because afjdksla that movie is hilarious and wonderful and Emma Stone also. Ohhh I'm totally going to reserve The Sky is Everywhere really really soon! TELL ME IF IT'S AS GOOD, OKAY?!! You can be my guniea pig. ^-^
Fabulous list Cait! I’m start I’ll Give You The Sun really soon so it’s fantastic to hear you loved it 🙂 I really want to read more fantasy, so now I have a few more books to check out which is always a good thing. So far this year, Cynthia Hand and Jennifer Niven have been up there with my favourites!
Cynthia Hand is AMAZING, she neeeearly got on my list, but, eh, I break enough rules without having “Top 11 Tuesday” as well. XD What even is wrong with me?! I haven't actually done the prompt properly for MONTHS. -_-
I really like your idea for this week! Loved reading your list! For me my favourite author discovery of 2015 is Victoria Schwab.
I WANT TO READ HER SO BAD. I've got Vicious on reserve at the library. It looks intensely amazing. ^-^
I want to read the Game of Thrones books SO badly, because I love the series so much. NOW THAT IT’S BACK I’M SO EXCITED EVERY MONDAY. I’ll have to wait until the series ends before I pick up the books though. I don’t want the timeline to get spoiled. It’d kill me, I tell you. KILL ME
WHAT. YOU ARE WATCHING BEFORE READING. FOR SHAME. Although, ummmm…I maaaybe just admitted I sometimes do that (like aka The Help) but shhh. I'm wonderful and faultless.
I’ve only read Kathryn Stockett from your list, however thee a so many here that I plan to read soonish. I loved the gifs you used, especially the George R.R. Martin One! It made me giggle 😀
Thanks for visiting my blog 🙂
I LOVE the George RR Martin gifs out there. xD They're so cruel and he just loves being so mean. xD
I discovered Ellie Marney this year too! And she liked my review on goodreads. I love authors. Other great books I found this year
– Tiger LIly by Jodi Lynn Anderson
-The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
-Derek Landy
-Aristotle and Dante discover the Secrets of the universe
I am drowning in books and homework currently.turns out that it’s a bad combination. anyway, with books we will carry foward. (don’t think about the grammar of that sentence)
Omg, she liked your review?! WOW THAT IS SO AMAZING AND COOL. *fangirls with you* Tiger Lily is definitely amazing. And Derek Landy is INTENSELY wonderful. He's probably the author I've read the most from this year.
I saw the movie The Help first too, and then after reading the book I couldn’t pick which one I liked better. They both were amazing!
I knooooow right?! I loved how close the movie stuck to the book, except, of course, for the fact that Skeeter is supposed to be tall and blonde and gangly, but WHATEVER. Emma Stone still rocks.
Oh, nice twist on the list! So many of these are on my list to check out, sigh.
(Like I mind a never-ending to read list.)
The never ending TBR? ARGH. THE STRUGGLE IS REAL, MY FRIEND.
Favorite authors you discovered in 2015? CAIT, THAT WAS GENIUS. Always finding the loopholes.
Anyways, great top 10! It’s funny, because a lot of the authors you listed in the beginning were on my list. (and A.G. Howard will soon be a contender because Splintered was incredible. And MORPHEUS.)
That;s awesome that Ellie Marney saw your review! I’d be freaking out, too.
Also, Snow Like Ashed looks so good and I want to read it NOW. The world sounds so cool, with the four seasons thing and all. I’m always looking for new fantasy books.
And while we’re confessing, I saw The Help without reading the book too. I should read it though.
Anyways, marvelous list!
I know right?! I'm like the Loophole Queen. I seriously suck at following rules. SUCK AT IT. I don't even think I've done a TTT prompt properly all year?! UM. MY BAD. *cackles evilly though*MORPHEUS IS EVERYTHING. I keep seeing this book in my library called Morpheus Road and I simultaneously crack up because Morpheus would totally name a road after himself, and then cry because it's not by AG Howard and I miss reading Morpheus. :'(
I haven’t read any of these books or authors apart from Jandy Nelson. You should read The Sky Is Everywhere, it’s lovely. This is an interesting review…. I also liked the fangirl one but I’m too lazy to comment on it. I’ve read some good books in 2015. I can’t remember the author but The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her own Making was great, and so was Benjamin Ailre Saenz, and Jaclyn Moriarty and Alice Oseman and ransom Riggs and Jennifer Niven and ahhhh so many. I agree that I can’t choose a favourite author… it’s just took hard! This was an enlightening post 🙂
I WILL!! I just keep procrastinating it because I'm a little scared it won't live up to the gloriousness that is I'll Give You the Sun. I'm a horribly judgy little thing, aren't I? HMM. Omg, I want to read The Girl Who Etc…(yep, I'm lazy). I actually won it and STILL haven't touched it. What's even wrong with me. -_-
Can I just say that the George RR Martin gif was priceless? TRUST HIM TO HAVE AN ENTIRE *LIST* FOR CHARACTERS HE WANTED TO, AHEM, MURDER 😛
Okay. I shall call you a rainbow popsicle from now on. The name is rather befitting… :3 and YES ohmigosh Snow Like Ashes was freaking perfection and I NEED to reread it!
AND DRAGONS ARE AMAZING. I HOPE TO ABDUCT TOOTHLESS AND MAKE HIM MY OWN SOMEDAY. Someday. *sighs dreamily*
HE IS THE CRUELEST. I CAN'T EVEN WITH THAT GUY. SOMEONE NEEDS TO TAKE HIS CHARACTERS OFF HIM UNTIL HE PROVES HE CAN BE NICE AND GIVE THEM HAPPILY EVER AFTERS. *dies laugh at self* Omg. Let me cry. Oh I agree. I totally feel like a Rainbow Popsicle. I DO.
Great list! Yay for GRRM, haha, his books…Yeah. I’ve been meaning to read Joe Abercrombie’s books for years but until now I still haven’t picked any of them up. Alice and the Fly sounds really interesting, I’m going to check it out on GoodReads 🙂
I think George RR Martin should just change his initials a bit, because they nearly spell GRIM and that'd be perfect for him.
I haven’t read any books from the author from your list, but I want to read Snow Like Ashes and Dorothy Must Die. It sounds awesome!
Snow Like Ashes was PERFECTION. I feel like I waited a century to read that book, aah, okay, I just am really bad at waiting, but iT WAS WORTH IT.
Can I just say I love your snark?! Don’t let it go away 😉 And how in the world did I forget Sara Raasch on my list? I adore that book!!! And the twist?! I kinda saw it coming but didn’t know what it would be (does that even make sense?). Cannot wait for October and book two, it makes me giddy just thinking about it!
Now don’t shoot me…I tried….I REALLY tried to read Game of Thrones and just stopped at halfway through. I couldn’t make it, plus at the time I was reading it a book I’d been waiting on for a year came out. I set it aside to read Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi and never went back to it. Like you I tend to balk at the adult epic fantasy that’s out there…and I’m older, I should really probably move away from the young adult, but it’s just SO GOOD!!!
In 2015 I discovered not one but two fantastic authors: Sarah J Mass (why did I wait so long to read her?!) and A.G. Howard (again why did I wait?!). I’ve only read Throne of Glass and Splintered so far but I’m in love and waiting for my library to get the next books in. So you were right. I can’t believe I ever doubted 😉
I forgot to add…since like me you like snarky you should really check out Laura Thalassa. Her books are relatively short and quick to gobble up. And the characters are all snark. I adore her!!
I PROMISE TO STAY SNARKY FOREVER. *pledges allegiance to the snark* OH YOU MAKE SENSE! I saw the twist coming with who-Miera-really-is, but it was still done so so well that I was still gobsmacked at the end. Clutching the book, shrieking, insanely fangirling … aaaaaall the above. XDI WON'T SHOOT YOU. I listened to the audio while I went walking, so it just sunk in really well fo rme. xD I'm, so far, not a fan of the show though. haha. ERP. It's scary. WHY MOVE AWAY FROM A GOOD THING?! I drafted a whole post on why I don't want to read adult and then found myself reading GoT and didn't post it. XD haha. But aside from mega-famous books (like The Help or Game of Thrones) I really really just stick to YA. Ya is my life.NEVER DOUBT ME. I AM WONDERFUL.
Soooo I haven’t read any of the authors or books on your list ::cowers:: BUT I do have Game of Thrones on audiobook, and I’m hoping that I’ll be able to get into the books that way because I love the tv show 🙂
*lays aside ax* It's okay. I promise I'm nice even if you don't read the books I command you to read. AREN'T I BEING NICE? Yes, yes I am. But also: the audio book is spectacular and the narrator has awesome accent/voices. 😉
I haven’t read…any of these. o.0 Well, except for Dorothy Must Die but that wasn’t my favorite. xD But I reaaaaalllyyyyy need Half A King. I just DO. *grabs it*
I’ve discovered….Jay Kristoff (Stormdancer was right up my alley even though that’s not a new book, and the author himself is quite hilarious), MAGGIE STIEFVATER ASDFGHJKL, Brandon Sanderson and his brilliance, and…Jason Aaron, but he does Marvel comics. (I’m reading Wolverine and the X-Men right now and it’s pretty hilarious.)
I feel like you'd REALLY like Half a King! SO YES GO READ IT. And we're even because I didn't have an excellent time with Stormdancer. >_< BUT OMG. Have you seen the new book by Jay Kristoff and Amy Kaufman?! LOOK IT UP. I can't remember the title (something like Illuminae? Or Illuminate?) and it's soooooo awesome looking. SCI FI.
I haven’t read ANY of these yet! A couple are on my Goodreads TBR though 😉 I’m sure I’ll get to them at some point in my life…
Best writers I’ve discovered so far this year… I’ve only read Heart-Shaped Bruise so far, but I definitely want to get my hands on some more books by Tanya Byrne. I literally sat in the library and finished it in three hours straight, it was that good. Also, I’m reading Half Bad by Sally Green right now and it’s looking like a definite five star. She does a bunch of things that I’ve always been told are classed as “bad writing”. Turns out, the people who think that are WRONG. I’m currently working my way through all of Ally Carter’s books too, since I adored All Fall Down in January. I’ve only given three five stars all year so far (although that’s definitely going up to four if Half Bad stays this good! 🙂 ) but apparently it’s been a good year for trying new authors 🙂
YAYAYA THIS PLEASES ME, FOR SURE, ABOUT HALF BAD. I cried in that book because everyone is so mean to poor baby Nathan. He's just a kiiiiid and they're so CRUEL. *hyperventilates* Of course I KNEW you'd say Ally Carter. 😉
I WILL get to Game of Thrones at some point. I plan to watch the series first and if I like it I might tackle those encyclopedias that are pretending to be novels!
Omg, they're huge right?! I've started watching the show, and it's cutting out a lot of details and backstory but it's not too bad! The book is isn't quite as sexual though, so I did prefer the book. >.>
Jandy Nelson! I have heard so many wonderful things about that book, I really need to pick it up! Also, I am now adding Alice and the Fly to my TBR because that sounds really, really good.
YOU WON'T REGRET IT. Alice and the Fly is GOOD.
If nothing else, this post has taught me a fabulous new phrase: “I’ve been bopping around like a witless pineapple frond.” I’ll let you know if I ever use it in casual conversation.
But there are other things, of course… like dragons. And your (re?)discovery of how wonderfully awesome fantasy is. I’ve added Talon to my TBR list, thanks to you, and though I live in fear of A Game of Thrones, I may someday overcome this and read it. Also, the Help is sitting on my shelf at home and needs to be read, because I loved the movie and you have convinced me that the book equally awesome (not fantasy, I realize, but it’s relevant because it’s on your list).
Have you read The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss? If not, you should, because this man is a genius. I can’t believe I haven’t gotten my hands on book two yet. (He’s my favorite author from last year, but my favorite author this year–so far–you’ve already read.)
You must pop that into conversation, casually for sure, yes. LET ME KNOW HOW IT GOES. My family is usually 100% done with how I talk. They just roll their eyes and move on. Yes, REdiscovery. XD I used to be an epic fantasy nut and then…got lazy? Idek. I think I read a lot of dodgy ones and sometimes I find fantasy is so so much into world-building and the characters suck. Whereas I LOVE good characters. HA. Once you climb over your fear of GoT…the sequel is even bigger. 0_0I HAVEN'T. I haven't read anything by him yet! Although I have heard his name (I sometimes mess it up with Patrick Ness though, but come ooooon. Can you blame me? PATRICKS.) I'm going to look that one up right now!!
The gif for number 9 is the best!
Just reading about these authors inspires me to write. I need to write NOW! Why is my flash drive at home?! *sobs*
Louis Lowry’s The Giver is amazing. I recently started “The Lightning Thief.” I don’t often read MG, but since I teach clogging to kids in that age range, and a lot of my siblings are at that age too, I’d like to say Riordan is probably the King of MG. I still love Veronica Roth though. And Meyer’s Cinder. And Rachel Hartman.
I need to read more. . .
I WANT TO WRITE NOW TOO. I've been watching writing lectures and I just feel the neeeeed to write. xDLois Lowry is INSANELY TALENTED. I love The Giver, and also Messenger. afjdkla So. Many. Feels. Riordan is amazing and I'm going to start his secondary series ASAP.
Alot of these authors on your list I really want to read!! The Help I love so much.
Isn't it just THE BEST? And so quotable! I think I saved #3950 quotes from it. xD
I love your list! Most of these are new to me but OMG Jandy Nelson is incredible! IGYtS is just WOW!
Oh and I’ve seen The Help but and never read the book. I’m a bad bookworm too.
IT WAS TOTALLY JUST WOW. I'M STILL IN SHOCK ABOUT HOW IT'S POSSIBLE TO WRITE SO WELL.
I also discovered Sara Raasch this year! I really enjoyed Snow Like Ashes and can’t wait for the second book to come out. But my favorite authors I’ve discovered in 2015 have also got to be: Melissa Grey, Benjamin Alire Saenz, Laura Thalassa, and Jasmine Warga. Their books were awesome and I can’t wait to read more of their work.
Me too!! I need book #2 asap. Has she written anything else?! I really need to go check it out becuase her style is afjldksaf delicious. SAENZ IS INCREDIBLE.
I haven’t read that many books this year, and I was really only blown away by one: All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill. So I had to go with my all-time favourites for this week’s meme… or my list would’ve been really short!
I want to read that so so badly! And I've had it recommended to me like a MILLION times, so I should really get onto that, eh?!
Macaroni penguins? *Snort* This I must hear.
I was actually believing him. 0_0 But then the story evolved to include penguins-come-from-Madagascar…and I figured someone has been watching too much TV. -_-
It’s so cool to see George R.R. Martin and Joe Abercrombie on your list! Martin’s worldbuilding, as you said, is ridiculously great and his characters are so complex. You should really try some of Abercrombie’s adult books too, they’re amazing. His First Law trilogy is famous (in the fantasy world anyway) for putting a spin on traditional fantasy clichés. The dialogue is also funny as hell. Adult fantasy is in a great place at the moment and if you ever want recommendations feel free to let me know! Great post with some great authors!
Omg I WILL!! I didn't realise Abercrombie had a bunch of books. I'm looking them up ASAP because I enjoyed Half a King so so much. x) FUNNY?!! OMG YOU HAVE SOLD ME 100%.
Okay – I’m adding nine of these books to my tbr! The only one I have already read is The Help. Both the book and the movie alike are great, aren’t they? 🙂
AHHH!! I Can't even pick a favourite, I really can't. xD It's one of the rare instances where the movie is just as good as the book. x)
I haven’t read any of these, but I really want to read the unlikely Hero one. The Help movie was so funny, and inspiring , and it had Emma Stone who is always fabulous no matter what she does.
EXACTLY. I think Emma Stone could do anything and be anyone and I'd still watch the movie and love it. x)
Great list! I really want to give Joe Abercrombie’s books a try at some point!
HE IS SO INCREDIBLE. It's so rare that epic fantasy is funny, that I just totally fell in love with Half a King!
CAIT CAIT CAIT DID I TELL YOU THAT DANIELLE PAIGE HAS A SNOW QUEEN RETELLING COMING OUT NEXT YEAR I AM SO EXCITED ASDFGHJKL. *clears throat* Thanks for the great post! I really like Jandy Nelson (although I still need to read The Sky Is Falling) and Sara Raasch. I really want to read Teresa Toten’s book as well!
YES I KNEW THIS AND I AM DYING OF EXCITEMENT.
Great list! I feel this way about Veronica Rossi. I haven’t read a few books on your list and will definitely be checking them out now. Thanks 🙂
I've only read one Rossi book…ahhh what have I been doing with my life?! XD
I….have only read George R.R. Martin on this list. Speaking of, if you like his books (and don’t mind lots of sex) you might like Jacqueline Carey’s Kushiel series. I find it’s got just as amazing world building, but more overt female power (let’s be real – Cersei and Danarys might not have ideal situations, but they gots the power. So far anyway – I haven’t read the whole series yet either) and it doesn’t get as bogged down when it lays out all the world building. But again…you’ve gotta be ok with the sex (and some people aren’t and that’s totally ok – this series is just definitely not for them haha)
Cercei and Danaerys are like the true backbone of the country anyway. I LOVE 'EM. ohhh I'll look up the Kushiel series! It sounds scary because I usually don't read books with sex buuut, what is life without a challenge?! I'M GAME.
Ooh! Sara Raasch is new for me this year too. I’m very excited for Ice like Fire! I also discovered Marie Rutkoksi. The Winner’s Curse was so cool. My inner classics/Latin student was squeeing over the Roman-and-Greek-like culture.
I’ve also been reading the manga series Full Metal Alchemist; the author of those books is really funny (i can’t remember her name though. I have trouble rembering Japanese names). She has hilarious little extras and side-stories in the back of her books. And the books themselves…gosh, either I’m laughing, squeeing, inwardly crying, or just gaping at the awesomeness of the plot.
Marie Rutkoski totally won my heart this year. xD THE WINNER'S CRIME IS SICKENINGLY WONDERFUL. I LOVE IT! LOVE IT!
*adds them all to TBR* What are you trying to do to me?! Now I must read ALL THE BOOKS. Especially Talon. I must needs have dragons.
I AM TRYING TO INFLICT HORRIFIC PAIN ON YOUR POOR TBR. #sorrynotsorry
Well. I have only read two of these, but I agree with the two I’ve read! Jandy Nelson is AMAZING. And so is Sara Raasch! Let me see… this year? This has been a hard year for me too! I am also getting elderly and picky, apparently. We can be grumpy old ladies together, okay? ALSO, I have read fewer than HALF the books you have, so that’s another problem.
So. 2015 new finds. Melinda Salisbury, Sarah J Maas (just squeezing her in, hoping no one notices that it took me til 20freaking15 to read her books….), Megan Shepherd, Victoria (technically as V.E.) Schwab, Sally Green (seriously Cait, I am going to give you a heart attack here). I guess that’s a pretty good list, right? ::Tiptoes away before Cait yells at me for just reading these people’s books now…::
We are getting elderly and miserable together. **sigh** What has life become. Last year I couldn't list ENOUGH favourites and this year i'm having a record of 1-stars. **hangs head in shame** Omg. HOW DID YOU WAIT SO LONG TO READ SARAH J MAAS??!! SHANNON. REALLY. Although I'm pleased you liked ToG and the hype didn't ruin it or anything. YIPPPPEEEE. Sally Green is life. And death. Mostly death. Omg. I'm so pleased you're reading all my favourites. :')
Do yourself a favor and get Julie Kagawa’s Blood of Eden series. It’s my favorite vampire series of all time, and it’s so beautifully kick-ass, and I say GET IT.
I WILL!! It's on my TBR! Is the faerie series good too?
Jandy Nelson is brilliant, isn’t she? 😀 I loved I’ll Give You the Sun SO much, and I’m so glad you did too. It was such an amazing exploration of what it means to be a sibling, and that’s something that there definitely needs to be more of in YA. (Although, I have to say, I didn’t really like The Sky is Everywhere, her other novel, as much as I did I’ll Give You the Sun. I’m curious to see what you think of it if you end up reading it though).
And SARA RAASCH IS AMAZING. Snow Like Ashes is absolutely fabulous. Plus an unannoying love triangle that doesn’t take over the plot? YES PLEASE! It’s going to be torturous waiting for the second book. *cries*
Thanks for sharing, and great choices Cait! ♥
Ohhh, now I'm wary of The Sky is Everywhere. XD I will stilllll try it, but yes, I'm already nervous that it won't live up to the amazingness that is IGYTS. OMG I AM DYING FOR ICE LIKE FIRE. ALTHOUGH I WILL CRY IF MY SHIP SINKS. JUST WARNING YA.
Ok, now I really need to read Talon. 0_0. I love The Help too! Great list of amazing authors. <3
Yessss, TALON IS GOOD. I mean, mostly everyone hates it, but my opinion is the best, obviously. #humble
ha ha, don’t worry I saw HALF of The Help, and umm I’m yet to read the book *hides*
Thanks for sharing Cait! I must confess the only new authors I’ve discovered this year are Sarah J Maas and Jane Austen. Other than that I knew all the authors and had them on my TBR shelf for ages of the books I’ve read this year.
BUT YAY RACHAEL CRAW!!! I knew of her and her books, but I read them this year, (so does this count?)
ONLY HALF??! WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU. GO BACK AND FINISH IT, ASAP, GO GO GO. Although my little sister is just as bad…I was quoting the Help the other day and she's just staring at me like a punched starfish going, “Huh?” -_-
Is it sad that I haven’t read most of these authors? It is, isn’t it? I actually have Snow Like Ashes and Talon, and I borrowed I’ll Give You the Sun from the library recently. I just…haven’t read them yet? Many of these books are also on my TBR list. This post is convincing me that I should change that soon, though…
We just need more tiiiiime to read all these gorgeous books. xD
I really like how you changed this week’s prompt. IT’S TOO HARD TO JUST CHOOSE TEN. And a lot more authors need to be recognised ;).
I actually quite like the cover of Every Breath though…but I haven’t read it yet :/ The synopsis is intriguing enough to convince me to read it, aha. After reading your TTT I decided that I need to read Half A King. Fantasy! And that humour!
That last bit though. “Cait @ Paper Fury…is currently mopping.”
I always like to read your little self intro at the end of the post and know what you’re currently doing. And I really appreciate the typo (or is it done intentionally?) XD You’re the best. (No sarcasm. I mean it, don’t be sad.)
RECOGNISE ALL THE AUTHORS! HUZZAH! *tosses cake in the air* Yesss, you need Half a King and also Every Breath. (Every Breath is pretty limited to Australia though.. I think? Eh. MAYBE NOT. Maybe it's being published elsewhere, I can't remember.)OMG. TYPO. **cringes and hides** I'm the typo queen, tbh. I will try not to be sad and continue being the best. XD HAHA And I was actually considering dropping that ending bit so maaaybe I should keep the little bios?! 😉
NO DON’T DROP IT THAT ENDING BIT IS EPIC I LOVE IT DON’T DROP IT AHHHH. (unless you don’t like it…you’re the blogger after all. 🙂 )
Danielle Paige, yes! I loved Dorothy Must Die and really enjoyed The Wicked Will Rise as well. I cannot wait for the trilogy. I have heard such great things about I’ll Give You the Sun.
PS. Where do you make your headings? They are unbelievably gorgeous and I am insanely jealous.
THE CLIFFHANGERS HUUUURT FOR THAT TRILOGY. Be still my hyperventilating soul*The picture-y thingies? It's a combination of freebies from creativemarket.com (seriously sign up for their newsletter because they give free graphic design stuff out EVERY WEEK!! **flails**) and picmonkey.com and random fonts from everywhere. hehe.
I only hope and pray to be as good as they are one day. We have a lot to learn from them and just think, they started out in our shoes. (feeling a tad bit intimidated) hehe It’s awesome to find out about new authors (and I feel like a slacker to say that I only knew two or three of the authors. 🙁
Also have never *cough, cough* tried the Game of Thrones, mainly for how big it is and the fact that there is zero romance in it. Is it any good?
This list has so many authors on it that I haven’t tried yet… but really need to. Especially when it comes to Snow Like Ashes and Every Breath… I AM BEYOND DESPERATE TO READ THESE. I have owned Snow Like Ashes since Christmas so I really have no excuse not to get to it. Alice and the Fly sounds rather awesome too!
Oh take the plunge for SLA. JUST DO IT. It's incredible. x) I put it off because the hype was high but I WAS NOT DISAPPOINTED IN IT.
Last year I read a nice amount of books but did not discover as many favorites so that made me sad but this year, I’ve read 85 books so far (AS COMPARED TO YOUR 95!!!) and I discovered 9 favorites! THATS A BIG DEAL TO ME. It just seems like this year has been great in terms of putting out amazing books. It’s the year were diversity is making its stand and making itself known and that makes me happy.
A lot of your new favorites books are on my TBR and I just need to get around to reading them. EXCEPT FOR THE EVERY BREATH SERIES. Gosh Cait. I am so disappointed in you *flips hair* HOW COULD YOU DOUBT ELLIE? I’ve only read book 1 (and have book 2 waiting) and fell head over heels in love with it’s awesomeness! ITS SO GOOD.
One author I will say that is new to me but not new to the world is Courtney Summers. I read All The Rage by her recently and I was dead. :’) I NEED TO READ MORE BOOKS BY HER.
k, bye.
*waves and heads off into the sunset.. towards the rainbow*
OMG YOU ARE CATCHING UP TO ME. XDXD 9 favourites is excellent though, I'm jealous. 😉 I think I have…5. hah. And mostly are from authors I've already read/loved.
I, ahem, actually haven’t read any of these authors. Yes. Shameful. But I’m especially interested in reading The Unlikely Hero of Room 13 B, especially after reading your review of it!
OMG I HOPE YOU DO READ IT. It's perfection really, and mean and horrible to the feels. Go read it for sure.
Oh, good idea to change it up a little, Cait! You’ve read 95 books this year ALREADY? Cait. How is this even possible. Are you sure your minions aren’t reading and relaying the plot information to you? Otherwise you are one proactive reader.
I am so ready to read I’ll Give you the Sun, especially after what you wrote about it. It seems like it’s going to be an excellent, heartbreaker of a read.
I tried to listen to the audio of GoT but freaked out that it was going to be too violent and didn’t get 10 minutes in, but I WANT TO READ IT AGAIN. I mean, really just for Daenerys. Because I love her without having read or watched the thing she comes from. So I think I’ll be trying and hope the violence doesn’t rupture something.
I didn’t think Danielle Page was actually the writer of the Dorothy books, but a pen-name; there was a big thing last year, when the book was about to come out, because the series wasn’t actually going to be written by one person but by a bunch of different people all using the one name. I don’t remember all the details, but it was an unhappy time and discussion. I’ll have to check back in to see what’s going on with it.
Can I presume you’ll be reviewing Snow like Ashes and Alice and the Fly? PLEASE?
Xx
I DOWNLOAD BOOKS INTO MY BRAIN. THAT'S HOW I DO IT. I'm hopefully reviewing I'll Give you the Sun sometime soon, too. xD I have too many reviews atm because I, um, read…too… much. -_-Oh the first 10 minutes of GoT was like the worst! The rest is sooo good. I mean, it's slow, but I loved the narrator and his voices. Um, really??? I knew there was a THING behind the Dorothy books, but…it felt like one person writing it? If that makes sense…I'm going to go google. 0_0
Ohhhh, so many great ones, and some that I’ve never heard of?? I need to check them out asap! I’ve heard some really good things about Sara Raasch though, have to get my hands on Snow Like Ashes 😀
Sara Raasch is as good as they say. I PROMISE. XD I was wildly worried before starting SLA because my expectations were suuuuper high. But it was perfect. x)
I simply LOVE The Help! Although I’ve only seen the movie so far. So many of these books are also on my tbr. ^-^
You clearly have the BEST TBR.
I will have to look for Alice and the Fly. If it is done well (and respectfully), maybe I will do a post contrasting it and the travesty of that other book about Schizophrenia I found seriously lacking in insight. The bundled ebooks of Game of Thrones were on sale and I didn’t have the money because of heating bills (it actually was snowing again today and I had to turn the furnace back on), I hope they are still on sale when I have some book money because I seriously need to read them. Is still adding to the series?
Alice and the Fly is my first schizophrenia read, so I don't know if it was done “right” per se, but I felt like it was really tasteful and totally delved deep into the psychology which was GREAT TO READ. I always want to know more about stuff like that. Omg, GoT set?!! SO COOL. I'm addicted to the audios atm, though, they really keep me focused on the story. x)