Top 5 Authors New To Me This Year

Top 5 Authors New To Me This Year and What Books Of Theirs I Will Be Picking Up Next!

 Louise O' Neill

Louise O' Neill is from Clonakilty, in west Cork. After graduating with a BA in English Studies at Trinity College Dublin, she went on to complete a post-grad in Fashion Buying at DIT. Having spent a year in New York working for Kate Lanphear, the senior Style Director of ELLE magazine, she returned home to Ireland to write her first novel.
She went from hanging out on set with A-list celebrities to spending most of her days in pyjamas while she writes, and has never been happier.

Books I Read By Her This Year:

   

Louise O' Neill is definitely the author I enjoyed most in 2015. I received her first book "Only Ever Yours" for review from netgalley.com and the publisher before it was released in the US. I was taken aback by the message and the execution of this story. I don't want to go into too many details but it talks about impossible beauty standards and pressures on women to be what men want but is set in a dystopian future. I know that sounds a bit crazy but she just does a phenomenal job of presenting this in a way that is thought provoking and gut wrenching.

After reading her debut I quickly ordered her 2015 release "Asking For It." From the title alone I think anyone can summarize that this story is another hard hitting look about rape culture and slut shaming. It depicts a girl who is gang raped at a party and the images of the occurrence are publicized on social media and the repercussions of that which includes elements of the trial, portrayal of the female vs. the males in media, and the reactions of the victims families.

This was a tough read but completely enlightening. She doesn't currently have anything on goodreads.com in terms of upcoming releases but whatever she puts out you can bet I will be picking it up and devouring it.

 Caroline Kepnes

Caroline Kepnes is the author of You and Hidden Bodies. She splits her time between Los Angeles, California and Cape Cod, Massachusetts. 


Book I Read By Her This Year:

This is my first book by this author although she has a few additional things published. I first heard about this book while watching some reviews on youtube,com. I picked it up from www.bookoutlet.com on the cheap (best website ever) and immediately devoured it. Told from the perspective of a man named Joe as he stalks a girl he meets when she comes into the bookstore where he works. This is told as if Joe is recounting his story to his audience and goes into detail about the way his twisted and obsessive mind works.

Very difficult to read as it illustrates how he uses social media and other tools to infiltrate every corner of his victims life. Scary as fuck. Seriously. If you ever wondered what people could do with the information they find about you on the internet this will open your eyes. Amazing. Highly anticipating the much buzzed about sequel to "You" which is set to come out in 2016 and is titled "Hidden Bodies."

  Sarah J. Maas

Sarah J. Maas is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Throne of Glass series (Queen of Shadows, Book 4, will be out in September 2015), as well as the A Court of Thorns and Roses series (out 5/5/15).

Sarah lives in Bucks County, PA, and over the years, she has developed an unhealthy appreciation for Disney movies and bad pop music. She adores fairy tales and ballet, drinks too much tea, and watches an ungodly amount of TV. When she's not busy writing, she can be found exploring the historic and beautiful Pennsylvania countryside with her husband and canine companion.

Books I Read By Her This Year:

   

I approached Sarah J. Maas wide range of books by starting with book 1 from both of her active series. I read "Throne of Glass," book 1 in what I believe will be a 6 book series with 4 books and a collection of novellas already published early in the year. Needless to say, I loved it. It is a high action fantasy novel with a lead character who has both a feminine and bad ass side. With a twisted past and the heart of an assassin Celaena has a lot going on in this book. It has some court intrigue as well as a love triangle with two swoon worthy lead males and although I have only read book 1 I will definitely be continuing the series.

After "Throne of Glass," I dove into Sarah's other book series "A Count of Thorns and Roses;" often affectionately referred to as ACOTAR on the internet. This was pitched as a "Beauty and the Beast" retelling and I definitely see elements of that story but it also does an amazing job of being fresh and standing on it's own. It includes fairies, some more court intrigue as well as a very steamy new adult-esque romance.

I hope to kick of the new year by continuing/catching on the Throne of Glass series and being able to pick up book 2 of ACOTAR as soon as it is released. Definitely a lot of S.J. Maas in my 2016.

 Tana French

Tana French grew up in Ireland, Italy, the US and Malawi, and has lived in Dublin since 1990. She trained as a professional actress at Trinity College, Dublin, and has worked in theater, film and voice-over.

www.facebook.com/tanafrench

Book I Read By Her This Year:

I had heard so much buzz about French's Dublin Murder Squad series and I happened across a used copy at my local book store and decided to give it a try. I had been looking for something to fill by Gillian Flynn hole in my reading and thought something else psychological would help. It did and now I have such a huge appreciation for Tana's story telling ability. I have only read book one but I was captivated and continuously kept on my toes throughout the read.

If you like cop themed mystery/psychological thrillers then I would consider picking up this series. I plan to dive into "The Likeness," which is book 2 in the series early in 2016. I almost felt like I needed a break because her writing is so detailed and intense. It is like an extreme episode of SVU that just sticks with you.

 Andy Weir

Book I Read By Him This Year:

The only male to make the list should not be discounted. Weir's "The Martian" was everywhere this year. After seeing a trailer for the hugely popular and positively received movie version starring Matt Damon I decided to pick up with audio book and live the hype.

I was actually pleasantly surprised by how this book made me feel. I don't think a book has ever made me more happy about being alive of the triumph of the human spirit. I know that sounds cheesy but damn if isn't the 100% truth.

I laughed, I cried, a waited holding my breath in anticipation of death or survival and I just loved this. It sometimes comes off a bit too scientifically accurate for a novice but it didn't distract from the story. The audio book is above and beyond the best I have ever listened to and I can't suggest it enough. 

I couldn't find where Weir has anything else coming out in 2016 but because how heavily researched his book was I am sure we can expect something brilliant from him in the coming years and I can not wait.

****All author pictures and bios were obtained from www.goodreads.com****