Top Ten Tuesday, as always, is hosted at my other blog — The Broke & the Bookish.
This week’s topic is: Top Ten Favorite New-To-Me Authors I Read in 2012
1. Sarah Zarr : I loved Sweethearts and I cannot to scour her backlist as she writes just really great contemporary that is just so realistic & authentic. I’m also really excited for The Lucy Variations coming out from her in 2013 as you might have guessed from my Hachette Spring/Summer 2013 edition of Catalog Creepin’. (my review of Sweethearts)
2. Jennifer E. Smith: I JUST read The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight and will be reviewing it soon. Let me just tell you — ALL OF THE SWOON. I’m excited to read her backlist and am SO read for This is What Happy Looks Like in 2013! How have I not read her before this??
3. Robin Benway: I read & reviewed Audrey, Wait! this year and it was HILARIOUS! I know that she has a new book coming out and I don’t know if it it’s going to be as funny as Audrey,Wait! but I am definitely a fan!
4. Sarah Jio: This is a new adult fiction author that I discovered this year. Blackberry Winter is the first book I’ve read from her and I love the blend of mystery & historical fiction she brought to the table with incredibly storytelling that keeps the pages turning!
5. Siobhan Vivian: I FINALLY read Not That Kind of Girl and loved the kind of open discussion Siobhan Vivian brings to the table. Really great contemporary YA that’s bold & fresh. I can’t wait to tackle The List next!
6. Veronica Rossi: Just when I thought I was needing a little dystopian hiatus, Veronica Rossi swoops in to the rescue with Under The Never Sky. Then I read Through The Ever Night (review to come soon!) and fell in love with this series even more. I will eagerly be awaiting book #3 in this trilogy but also so excited to see what she writes next!
7. Diana Peterfreund: For Darkness Shows The Stars was such an unexpected read for me and was one I picked up solely based on a recommendation. This book was beautiful and unique and I hear her killer unicorn series is awesome too. So excited to delve into more of her works!
8. Kirsten Hubbard: My foray into the writing that is Kirsten Hubbard was through Wanderlove — a book that was definitely on the top of my favorites list. Combine travel, romance, swoony moments, amazing writing into a contemporary story with memorable characters and you’ve got yourself a Jamie Book! No doubt she is on my radar for LIFE.
9.Sarah Ockler: This is one of those authors that I felt like I should have read as a contemporary YA lover but never did. Thankfully Twenty Boy Summer did not disappoint and I’m definitely in need to binge on some of her backlisted books!
10. Jenny Han: Everybody in the WORLD has talked about The Summer I Turned Pretty and you know me…late to the bandwagon but hey…at least I’m hitched to it now, yes? I must finish up the series and then onward to Burn For Burn!
Had to add this because I’m me: I also discovered John Green’s solo works this year. I don’t know if that counts since I had already technically discovered him via Will Grayson, Will Grayson last year BUT if you will let it count..than that would be my numero uno. Paper Towns & Looking For Alaska are incredible!
Who are some new favorite authors YOU have discovered this year? Are any of these authors that I’ve shared any of your personally favorites??
Alice in Readerland says
I love Robin Benway’s books and I reserved The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight at the library (This is What Happy Looks Like sounds so good too)! My TTT list: http://aliceinreaderland.wordpress.com/2012/12/10/top-ten-favorite-new-to-me-authors-i-read-in-2012/
Alice @ Alice in Readerland
Lucy @ The Reading Date says
We have Jennifer E. Smith in common- yay us! Glad you picked up the Summer series and Audrey, Wait – they are both tops with me too. Blackberry Winter sounds wonderful and I hope to read it soon. Awesome list 🙂
Melissa @ Writer Grrl Reads says
I should have put Jennifer E. Smith on my list too — whoops! I have a Sara Zarr book on hold at the library, and I’m excited to see what her work is like … been hearing way too many good things about her lately! And I totally think that John Green counts as a new-to-you discovery this year … and because John Green should just be on EVERY top ten list for ALWAYS.
Belle says
Most of these authors are in my TBR pile, with the exception of Jennifer E Smith (I read TSPOLAFS when it came out). I should dig them out soon! They’ll have to be new-to-me in 2013.
Lola (Reading by Lamplight) says
I LOVE Robin Benway and Sarah Ockler! I need to read Sarah Zarr and Jennifer E. Smith!
Jac @ For Love and Books says
Ahh man! I forgot to put Kristen Hubbard on my list!! I LOVED her book!
Sarah Ockler, Veronica Roth and Jenny Han are HIGH on my list of must-reads! Hopefully I can get to a few of them before the end of the year.
Stop by and see my Top Ten New {to me} Authors!
Kate @ Musings says
I have heard many good things about Wanderlust, and am looking forward to reading it next year!
Here are my favorite new authors of 2012.
Lilian says
I haven’t read any of these authors…and I suspect it’s because I avoid YA contemporary like the plague. SAVE ME.
Leela says
Of course, John Green counts 🙂
I’ve read An abundance of Katherines and I loved it. I recommend you if you want to read more books by him.
Lori says
You have some great ones on your list! I loooove Diana Peterfreund! Have you read her Killer Unicorn books yet? I love them so much!
LuoQi says
YAY we have Jennifer E. Smith in common! Loved The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight! I absolutely can’t wait for This is What Happy Looks Like too! Nice selection of authors, definitely going to check them out 🙂
Here’s my TTT
Cheers,
LuoQi
Helene says
Robin Benway and Jenny Han are on my TBR pile! Can’t wait to read them! Definitely agree with you on Veronica Rossi! I absolutely loved Through the Ever Night 🙂
My TTT
Anna says
Soooo many good ones on your list!
Ginger @ GReads! says
I’m so glad Robin Benway finally made her way into your bookish life 😉 Also.. JENNY HAN! it was about time Jamie! 😛
Cecelia says
I’m seeing Diana Peterfreund on a lot of lists, and I LIKE IT. She’s awesome, and her books are so emotional/terrifying/wonderful. Thanks for sharing your picks!
Christina says
Yay! I love Jenny Han and I’m glad you enjoyed her as well. I have Hubbard on my list and I really want to read Under the Never Sky and For Darkness Shows the Stars- they are both on my holiday wish list. 🙂 Great list, Jamie!
Christina (A Reader of Fictions) says
Sara Zarr: So I’ve been meaning to read her for months now since I got into darker contemporaries. I picked up Sweethearts this week, but just was not in the mood, because I’d just finished The Sky Is Everywhere and needed something a bit different, as in not the same sort of dark. I read a thriller instead.
Jennifer E. Smith: I have heard nothing but good things. Also, ALL OF THE SWOON? WANT!
Robin Benway: All of her books sound hilarious and amazing. I own Audrey, Wait! so that definitely needs to happen.
All right, I’ll stop giving you the rundown, because most of these are on my I’ve-been-meaning-to-read-this-for-ages-but-totally-haven’t list.
I have read UTNS and FDSTS, so…yes. I did not love them as much as I was hoping to, but they were still really good. I thought Rossi just debuted though?
Candice @ The Grown-Up YA says
Haven’t read a lot of these authors but REALLY want to! They’ve been on my radar for quite some time now! Maybe the new year will be just the push I need to get them read!
Susan Raber says
I didn’t read YA even when I was a YA, but now I am reading what my kids are reading, and finding some very well-written and thoughtful books. I have yet to tire of the dystopian though. What is it about the world as we know it ending that is so fascinating?
Loni says
I’ve been on a dystopian hiatus. Maybe Rossi is just what I need!
Jen says
Yay to all of these, Jamie! I’ve read the majority and some of them I really NEED to read, because so many of my lady friends have loved them. Perhaps in some perfect world, we can read them all together in our book and wine club with fun slippers and pajamas <3
Brandy @ A Little of the Book Life says
We have Sara Zarr in common… and I have Sweethearts on the way from my library. 🙂 John Green totally counts as a discovery. Some of these are on my TBR list; I’ll have to look at the ones that aren’t.
My Top Ten
Brandy
Michelle says
I could not agree more with your list!!! Esp. Sara Zarr, Robin Benway, Siobhan Vivian, Jenny Han, and Sarah Ockler. Those are some of my all-time fav YA authors!!
My TTT
Bonnie says
Gosh, I haven’t read ANY of these… but I’ve been dying to squeeze Wanderlove in to read because it sounds fantastic. I’m glad to see another Sarah Jio lover, she’s such an amazing author. I’m definitely going to have to check out some of these other authors though, great list!
My Top Ten Tuesday!
Jenni Elyse says
I’ve been meaning to get around to reading Sara Zarr. I hear so many good things about her and her books.
Bethany Farwell says
Great list! I agree on Veronica Roth! She’s amazing. Definitely have to check out some of your other picks!
-Beth
YA Vixens Top Ten Tues!
Mel@thedailyprophecy says
Veronica Rossi, Diana Peterfreund, Siobhan Vivian & Jennifer E. Smith; I can’t wait to read one of their works! Great picks! 🙂
Mel@thedailyprophecy.
Allison says
I’m very intrigued by Sarah Jio. I’ve never heard of her before but for some reason the picture of Blackberry Winter is catching my eye. Maybe I’ll have to give her a try? 🙂
Molli says
EEE. V Rossi is of the awesome! I cannot wait to get my greedy little hands on EVER NIGHT. It’s going to be amazing – I just know it.
I see several authors on your list that I need to read – definitely looking forward to checking out Sara Zarr and Robin Benway!
My Top Ten
Nancy @ Tumbling Books says
I haven’t read anything by any of those authors yet, though I’ve been meaning to. I’m glad to know that you really enjoyed their books!
Alexa @ Alexa Loves Books says
I totally LOVE Jennifer E. Smith! I’ve only read two of her books so far, but I love the way she writes. It’s so beautiful!
Sara (of the Page Sage) says
Kirsten Hubbard is on my list, too, because of Wanderlove. That book is amazing! I’m so glad you discovered Robin Benway and John Green- they’re fantastic. (I put down David Levithan for Every Day on my TTT, even though I had read Will Grayson Will Grayson and Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist before, so I think John Green counts. (:)
Rebecca says
John Green always counts :). I haven’t read any of the others, but they are all on my tbr list. Glad to know you like them! Here’s Ours