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This week, share with us authors you had the pleasure of reading for the first time this year (and all the books you read by them). It doesn't matter when the books were released or how long the authors have been around.

Cixin Liu


Brandon Sanderson (I know, I know...)


Scott Lynch


OMG I forgot MALAZAN!!! I'll have to add a fourth:

Jacqueline Carey:

Alastair Reynolds:

Sherwood Smith:

1) John Boyne - The Heart's Invisible Furies and A Ladder to the Sky, two of the best books that I have read this year.

2) Robert Jackson Bennett - Divine Cities trilogy was one of the best fantasy series that I read this year.

3) Robert Jordan - WoT is great even though I have my complaints but no doubt he has created a fascinating magical world and a huge cast to compliment it.

From all 47 new authors I read this year, all these authors have five star books.
John Crowley with Ka: Dar Oakley in the Ruin of Ymr

Vina Jie-Min Prasad with A Series of Steaks and Fandom for Robots

Indra Das with The Devourers

1. Steven Erikson
I randomly joined the Malazan BR on January, and it took me until probably MOI to fully appreciate the greatness that is Malazan.

2. Adrian Tchaikovsky
Children of Time was superb!

3. Ursula le Guin
I’d never read any of her works, but after reading the Dispossessed I can understand why she’s very highly thought of.

Nicholas Eames


R.F. Kuang


John Gwynne

Mmmh, I have discovered quite a number a new (to me) interesting authors by reading lots of short stories but haven't found the time to get to their novels yet, apart from Rich Larson (Annex - not part of my top 3 but worth being mentioned if only for the very positive portrayal of a transgender girl).
In no particular order: (I'll include 4 'cause I can't choose)

- Pierce Brown


- Richelle Mead

I read the entire Georgina Kincaid with Diana, and this series finally reconciled me with the UF (borderline PNR) genre.

- Rachel Aaron

I've read the entire Heartstrickers series and the newly released first book of the DFZ series, and loved every second of it; all books I've read written by Rachel Aaron are TONS of fun, and I can't wait to start my binging of Eli Monpress in 2019

- Ilona Andrews
Yup. I didn't read any books by the super-writing-duo before 2018; Richelle Mead brought be back to reading UF, but Ilona Andrews cemented my love for the genre. I got fed up with UF degenerating into no-plot-only-orgies books (Anita Blake, I'm staring at you) but I'm really happy I let Diana & Iain drag me into binge-BR :D

Honorable mentions: Andrzej Sapkowski, R.F. Kuang, Nicholas Eames, Aliette de Bodart, Jo Walton and Ellen Kushner

1) Steven Erikson:

Continuing Malazan in 2019...

2) Adrian Tchaikovsky:

Such a great sci-fi / national geographic novel... trying Shadows of the Apt in 2019, and awaiting Children of Ruin

3) Michael J. Sullivan:

Let's just pretend Hollow World doesn't exist... I read that with CP in February, and it almost soured me to MJS, before I read all things Riyria from May to December...

@Iain: I think I was part of that Hollow World BR (although I didn't comment a lot - was really busy with work). I liked the concept, not so much the execution; the book still got me curious about Sullivan writing some SF. I know he's deep into his Riyria world (with the new series coming after Legends of the First Empire) but I hope he'll try again at some point.

Michael Sullivan -



(Plus a bunch of short stories)

James S.A. Corey -

(Plus a bunch of short stories)

Tomi Ayedemi -

It makes me so happy to see Michael Sullivan on your lists - Iain and Diana!

Mine are Ilona Andrews ( Everything except The Edge Book 1), Craig Schaefer and Juliet Marillier (esp The Blackthorn and Grim Series).

Honorary Mention - Naomi Novik - Uprooted, Spinning Silver and the first book of Temeraire only.

I've read a lot of new to me author's this year so it's hard to pick just three but I'll give it a go:

1. John Gwynne



Finishing this series is a top priority for 2019.


2. Mark Lawrence



Looking forward to moving onto the his other works at some point soon.


3. Sebastien de Castell



This is the series that has made me really excited to read The Three Musketeers in 2019.


Honourable mention:

Steven Erikson



Not quite a favourite yet but I have a feeling that once I get further into the series he will be.

Karishma wrote: "It makes me so happy to see Michael Sullivan on your lists - Iain and Diana!"

He's one of my new favorites. I love the way he writes. And the audiobook narrator, Tim Gerard Reynolds, is now my favorite narrator, too.

David Gemmell- I can still feel the adrenaline from that book in my veins

George Orwell- Ho boy I loved 1984 and Animal Farm

Jk Rowling - Loved the first 2 need to get back on track soon

Runner up

Brian Stavely- Fantastic but just missed out

Isaac Assimiv- Brilliant but also missed out


Yeah I know but I read some good books this year although not too may unfortunately

Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Karishma wrote: "It makes me so happy to see Michael Sullivan on your lists - Iain and Diana!"

He's one of my new favorites. I love the way he writes. And the audiobook narrator, Tim Gerard Reynol..."

He came very close to making my list as well. I'm definitely going to get to at least the last two books in The Riyria Revelations in 2019

Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Karishma wrote: "It makes me so happy to see Michael Sullivan on your lists - Iain and Diana!"

He's one of my new favorites. I love the way he writes. And the audiobook narrator, Tim Gerard Reynol..."

I really liked the narrator too! I only used a bit of audio for the shorts though.

Diana Stormblessed wrote: "He's one of my new favorites. I love the way he writes. And the audiobook narrator, Tim Gerard Reynolds, is now my favorite narrator, too. "

Tim Gerard Reynolds is definitely my favorite narrator! Beyond the Riyria books, I loved the way he narrated the Red Queen's War series (by Mark Lawrence).

Virginie wrote: "Diana Stormblessed wrote: "He's one of my new favorites. I love the way he writes. And the audiobook narrator, Tim Gerard Reynolds, is now my favorite narrator, too. "

Tim Gerard Reynolds is defin..."

He also narrated the Red Rising series and did a great job there as well.

Jeff Noon

A Man of Shadows The Body Library

Jeff Salyards

Scourge of the Betrayer Veil of the Deserters Chains of the Heretic

R.F. Kuang

The Poppy War

Not shockingly all 6 books are dark.

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss



Hmm. Looks like I only have one!

In no particular order & more than 3:

Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff




Alexander Kane


Neal Shusterman


Tim Powers


Matthew Woodring Stover

Ohh, I'll have to think about this one... I think my top three new author discoveries this year have been (not in any particular order):


Becky Chambers



I really loved this series, and the way it's written. Makes me feel all cozy and warm inside � it's like a hug in the form of a book.


Leigh Bardugo



I read the Six of Crows/Crooked Kingdom duology first and loved it. The original Grisha trilogy wasn't as good, but I loved the premise of the story and the world and its magic – can't wait for King of Scars next year!


Ursula K. Le Guin



I'd heard a lot about her and am happy to say that I absolutely loved her fantasy classic, Earthsea. Le Guin is a fantastic writer, and I can't wait to explore more of her worlds.

The top three authors I discovered this year would be:

1. Stuart Turton . I was very impressed with this book. I liked the combination of the time loop and the mystery.

2. Carol Berg . I really enjoyed this book and it made me want to read more of Berg's works in the future.

3. Rebecca Muddiman . Even though I wasn't surprised by everything in this book, this mystery really threw me. All I can say is wow.

Kathrine wrote: "Ohh, I'll have to think about this one... I think my top three new author discoveries this year have been (not in any particular order):


Becky Chambers

[bookcover:The Long Way to a Small, Angry ..."

Main reason I didn't include Becky Chambers was because of the disappointing 3rd book in the series... me and Niki read it in October/November... Niki may still be reading it, to this day ;)

Timelord Iain (Eeyawn) wrote: "Main reason I didn't include Becky Chambers was because of the disappointing 3rd book in the series... me and Niki read it in October/November... Niki may still be reading it, to this day ;)"

Oh no, I haven't read it yet D: I'll be so sad if it's disappointing but then again, I didn't enjoy the second as much as the first...

Tammie wrote: "The top three authors I discovered this year would be:

1. Stuart Turton . I was very impressed with this book. I liked the combination of the..."

I just finished this last week and really liked it as well. Murder mustrry thrillers aren't normally my thing but I loved the sound of this one and I wasn't disappointed.

I just counted it up the other day and read 41 new to me authors this year.

1. Jacqueline Carey - I'm out and haven't looked through my list yet but know she is number 1. I read her entire Kushiel series this year and her standalone starless. Her Phedre and Imriel trilogies were definitely the highlights but all her books were good at the very worst.

2. Nalo Hopkinson - her Caribbean influence woven throughout her stories are unlike anything else I’ve read.

3. Patricia A. McKillip - her books always feel hopeful to me even when bad things happen.

Top 3, new to me:

1. Josiah Bancroft (Senlin Ascends) - really beautiful writing :-)

2. R. F. Kuang (The Poppy War) - completely absorbing!

3. Jonathan French (The Grey Bastards) - unapologetically crude and hilarious!

Bill wrote: "I just counted it up the other day and read 41 new to me authors this year.

1. Jacqueline Carey - I'm out and haven't looked through my list yet but know she is number 1. I read her ..."

Yay! I'm so happy you liked Jacqueline Carey. She's one of my favorite authors, even though I couldn't get through her Moira trilogy.

In terms of how many books by new-to-me authors I read there are two clear winners (and yes, I'm to lazy to type in all the book titles):

- Lynn Flewelling: The Nightrunner series (7 books) and the Tamir Triad

-Agatha Christie: 8 books

Additionally: I can't decide between Michael R. Fletcher (Manifest Delusions), Joe Abercrombie (First Law Trilogy) and David Hair (Moontide Quartett), so I name them all :)

Helene Wecker: I found The Golem and the Jinni recently and I've been wanting to get to it. It sounds like a good concept.

Brian K. Vaughan: The writer of the graphic novel series Saga. I started reading said series and I love it, it lives up to the hype.

Philip K. Dick: I don't know if he counts, because I've known about him for a long time but never really read any of his work. This year, I read Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? and loved it.

Diana - I’m pretty sure I started it because I saw how many points you got for it in the team competition.

Saul - Vaughan’s Paper Girls and Y: The Last Man series are fantastic too.

New to me this year:

1. Peter Clines


He's my new scifi thriller go to! Hope he keeps writing in this world.

2. Angus Watson


Quite enjoyed the first one and absolutely loved the second one. Such a bonkers, over the top story that just worked for me. This series is not for everyone!

3. Leigh Bardugo


I also read the Grisha trilogy but she hooked me with Six of Crows back in March.

14 was my intro to Clines. I loved that book!

Soo, any suggestions for other books similar to those? I can always use a good scifi thriller fix now and then.

Since most of this year was dedicated towards zeroing out series I'd already started, I didn't read a lot of new authors. But I still managed to find 3 standouts:

Brian Staveley - The Emperor's Blades
Brian McClellan - Promise of Blood
Michael Mammay - Planetside

Narilka wrote: "Soo, any suggestions for other books similar to those? I can always use a good scifi thriller fix now and then."

Hm. That's a toughie if you want a story that's similar to 14 & the Fold.

Recs:
Dark Matter
The World Walker
Virtual Mode
Where the Hell is Tesla?
Daemon
Rosewater
The Three-Body Problem


Other
Paradox Bound - Great but not like 14 & Fold.
Patient Zero
The Silent Corner
The Lives of Tao
The Last Days of Jack Sparks

Niki Hawkes wrote: "Since most of this year was dedicated towards zeroing out series I'd already started, I didn't read a lot of new authors. But I still managed to find 3 standouts:

Brian Staveley - [book:The Empero..."

That was what I did this year too. I hardly started any new series. That's why my 3 were all authors that wrote stand-alones.

E. William Brown


I found these perusing the "rationalist fiction" list here on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ. The first four are fantasy/mythology. The last is more SF.

Martha Wells

The Murderbot Diaries

Eliezer Yudkowsky


Hilarious spoof of common fantasy trope.

Thanks Soo! I have some books to check out :)

Narilka wrote: "Thanks Soo! I have some books to check out :)"

Oh, one of my all time favs is the Amber series by Roger Zelazny. That's a mix of fantasy & dimensional traveling.

Love Murderbot. Definitely a highlight of my year. I’d already read cloud roads though so I couldn’t count it lol.

I read and loved all the books of the Raksura by Martha Wells. How are the Murderbot books?

Without spoiling anything, I enjoyed most the bot's dry, self-reflecting humor. The plot is good, but the character is the best part. In this case the character being a bot.

Quick, entertaining reads. Highly recommended!

I would have to say...

Nicholas Eames


Jesse Teller


Rob J. Hayes

If you liked Eliezer Yudkowsky then you should give J.J. Pavlov a try.

My 3 are...

M. H. Ryan


Elliott Kay


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