Brilliant Books You've Never Heard Of discussion

Since we're all about lesser known books, I thought it would be interesting to chat about the lesser known authors that pen them.

Who is your favorite hidden author?
How did you find them?
Why should more people read their work?
Have you read more than one of their books?
Do you follow them on social media?

Personally, my favorite is T.A. Pratt (Also known as Tim Pratt). I started following him because Blood Engines was free on Kindle. After reading it I immediately downloaded the next three in the series. Unfortunately, after the fourth book, his publisher dropped him. Since then he has self published six more books in that series through crowd funding. I've also read a few of his other books outside the series and I just adore his style.

Because I love him so much I follow him on Twitter and contribute to his Patreon. I actually have the last book in that series waiting to be read, but I don't want it to be over, so I've been procrastinating on reading it.

Looking forward to hearing more about your favorite diamond in the rough author!

I have two favorites that many people have never heard of.

Pamela Dean is best known for being one of the editors of the Fairy Tale series, created by Terri Windling. But she also wrote a volume for them, Tam Lin. It is a retelling of the Scottish fairy tale of the same name set in the Classics Department of an American University.

In Tam Lin, Dean's use of language is simply superlative. It makes you want to roll around on it, or wrap it around you in front of a fire on a cold night.

I blame this book for my own obsession with Classical Languages and Literatures. Without it, I might never have majored in either Classics or Linguistics.

My second favorite unknown is Rosemary Edgehill. She is best known for her collaborations with Mercedes Lackey, Marion Zimmer Bradley, and Andre Norton, but I love her little known (and unfinished) Twelve Treasures series (the first volume is The Sword of Maiden's Tears). The Twelve Treasures is an urban fantasy, as is her Bast series, but she also has a space opera series called the Hellflower series. If all you have ever seen is Ms. Edghill's collaborations, it is well worth checking out her solo work.

A.E. wrote: "In Tam Lin, Dean's use of language is simply superlative. It makes you want to roll around on it, or wrap it around you in front of a fire on a cold night. ..."

I love when a book makes me feel that way! I've had a few really good ones in the last few months. I'll definitely be adding that to my TBR list.

Just ONE favourite hidden author? You're kidding, right? Yeah, got to be. So, here are some of mine (and yes, they're both virtually unknown and brilliant):
J.C. Lillis - We Won't Feel a Thing (from my review: At about page 4: "They didn't hear the old floorboards creak in new places, like the spine of a well-loved storybook about to crack in half." The moment I read that, I knew I had a winner in my hands.)
Virginia Arthur - Birdbrain, Phat('s) Chance for Buddha in Houston:
Jeremy Neeley - Infinite Meat
S.M. Koz - Breaking Free, Love Me, Love Me Not

I suppose that'll do for now. As you can see my reading ranges fairly widely across genres, although I'm less keen on horror and supernatural.

David wrote: "Just ONE favourite hidden author? You're kidding, right? Yeah, got to be. So, here are some of mine (and yes, they're both virtually unknown and brilliant):
J.C. Lillis - ..."

Those look really intriguing. I'm particularly interested in Infinite Meat. It sounds like a crazy ride.

Thanks for sharing!

My favourite hidden author is John Llewellyn Probert. I found John because he's book Dead Shift was in my local bookstore. More people should read his work because Dead Shift was a well-written book with a good plot. I haven't read more than one of his books because I haven't been able to find them. I follow him on Goodreads but that's it.

Of course, I am my most favorite overlooked author. My biographies usually get decent reviews but, because they tend not to be about tremendously famous people, they don't get a lot of attention. My current book about the Craighead family of naturalists is one that may interest Goodreads members, especially those who are familiar with Jean Craighead George or her twin brothers who wrote all those National Geographic articles.

Here is a short trailer: https://youtu.be/8ROqbDlxs9g

Erik Larson in my opinion is far too overlooked.

Kristin B. wrote: "Since we're all about lesser known books, I thought it would be interesting to chat about the lesser known authors that pen them.

Who is your favorite hidden author?
How did you find them?
Why sh..."
I suppose this is rather late, but I had to respond, as I've found a hidden gem whose work makes me feel like I'm coming home every single time I read any of her books.

She's one of my favorite authors in general but I came across her on accident within my library - Rosamunde Pilcher. I found her by picking up one of her books 'Winter Solstice' that was featured for great winter books (tis the season!).
You should read her books if you're a fan of London, Cornwall, anywhere. She interwines people's lives so carefully and delicately; detailing everything that by the end of the book it's like saying goodbye to your own best friends. I've read two of her books now (and I don't want to read more, I don't want to have read them all so quickly) and they both have blown me away. She's an older woman and has retired from writing, which breaks my heart. BUT CHECK HER OUT!

Maya wrote: "I suppose this is rather late, but I had to respond..."

Threads are ongoing so it's never too late to reply!

With that glowing recommendation, I'm off to take a look at what she's written. :)

Maya wrote: "Kristin B. wrote: "Since we're all about lesser known books, I thought it would be interesting to chat about the lesser known authors that pen them.

Who is your favorite hidden author?
How did yo..."

Pilcher sounds like what I need right now. I'll check her out. Do you have a favorite to recommend?

Two of my favorites are Tarah Benner and Nicholas Sansbury Smith. I found both authors through looking at book recommendations on Amazon and just fell in love with their works.

I don't know if he's overlooked since he's pretty popular in the comic community, but someone who i just adore reading novels from is Warren Ellis.
His comic series other than Transmetropolitan that I just love/hate is Fell - Stadt der Verdammten. It's just so wonderfully done to me. Minus the fact that is doesn't have a (insert long string of expletives here) ending.
And his novel Crooked Little Vein that I don't hear anyone talk about at all was some of the most fun and intriguing books I'd read in a long time.

Another author who is very well known for other things than writing is David Cronenberg. His novel Consumed is as thought evoking and disgusting as his films. just wow.

And of course there's those indie authors that I just adore reading stuff from on any release they do:
Sarah Brocious a more romance based author, who i find to be really good at those feel good stories.
Oak Anderson less feel good, but the premise for his TOWY stories are just too real and darkly fascinating.
Quentin Wallace probably the most funny author i know, his comedy stuff tickles my funny bone. and he can do serious. i love it.
Stuart Keane pure horror, always busy, just such great ideas in his work.
Lily Author probably not the author for everyone, but her graphic novel series she's working on is probably one of my favorites of last year.

yeah a long list of authors. sorry lol

Michael wrote: "yeah a long list of authors. sorry lol..."

No need for apologies! We're here to find hidden gems. The more, the merrier!

I would recomend William James Sidis (btw, a child prodigy with IQ above 200!!!)

Gillian Flynn! She has writen three tremendously good books: Sharp objects, Dark places and Gone girl

Also Jose Samarago. He is a portuguese author who wrote the litterature Nobel prize "The gospel according to Jesus Christ" which is a compelling masterpiece. He has also written Blindness and Death with interruptions which I highly recommend as well.

Dorothy Dunnett. While she is known for her mysteries, it seems few people are aware of the Lymond Chronicles, which are definitely in my top five books (as a series).

Maybe Harry Stephen Keeler. His "murder mystery" "The Sharkskin Book" appeared on my desk out of nowhere one day, which is perfectly appropriate for that particular book. (Some) people who have read "The Sharkskin Book" say it makes no sense. I would say it is so weird and complex, it's very difficult to determine whether it makes sense or not. I have a feeling Harry Stephen Keeler was not much interested in sense. As an author myself, I like books that show me different attitudes/methods about/for writing novels--and Harry Stephen Keeler definitely does that.

Maybe not my favorite overlooked author, but definitely up there, is Martina Cole, a Brit who has written probably 20 +/- books, featuring a variety of characters on the psychopath spectrum. Her insights into the workings of their minds is almost scary.
As far as I can tell, none of her books have 5000 GoodReads ratings. AND, the movies made from her books are fabulous, especially "Close", staring Tom Hardy. His depiction of the main character"s descent into a life of life of crime and eventual ruin is epic.

I recently read a bunch of books by S.G. Redling and I really enjoyed them! I got one of the two Dani Britton books for free, so I read them both (The Widow File and Redemption Key) in a week. Then I read Flowertown, and finished Damocles a few weeks ago.

While the first 3 are excellent thrillers (in my opinion), Damocles is an amazing science fiction story that depicts an alien encounter from two points of view, one of the arriving aliens and one of the planetary natives. Unlike other sci-fi books, this one does not feature an intergalactic battle to save humanity. Rather, it takes you into the minds of the two leads as they attempt to communicate with each other and learn each other's languages.

If you find you enjoy sci fi, don't miss reading Seveneves by Neal Stephenson. Wow-brilliant book. The book won the goodreads award and it looks like it will be a movie soon. Seveneves

Patty wrote: "If you find you enjoy sci fi, don't miss reading Seveneves by Neal Stephenson."

I actually just purchased Seveneves yesterday & can't wait to start reading it!

Mikayla wrote: "My favorite most overlooked author is V.C. Andrews"

I loveeee the Flowers in the attic series. It's so bittersweet.

Hari wrote: "Maybe not my favorite overlooked author, but definitely up there, is Martina Cole, a Brit who has written probably 20 +/- books, featuring a variety of characters on the psychopath spectrum. Her in..."

any particular book you'd recommend of hers?

Who is your favorite hidden author?
Lily Markova. I've discovered lots of quality literature from unknown authors but Lily is the one. Another class.

How did you find them?
Quite by chance, reviewing random independent novels. I'm an indie book reviewer at the Having Faith Book Blog, if you want to look me up.

Why should more people read their work?
It is soulful and intelligent. There are extraordinarily beautiful images and descriptive elements, but sadness too.

Have you read more than one of their books?
I've read all her books (The Loneliest Whale, Immortown, Joy Cancer and Saskia's Skeleton) and recently hand delivered a copy of Saskia's Skeleton to the film director Tim Burton because I thought he had to read it.

Do you follow them on social media?
No, I don't use social media but have spoken to the author on Goodreads.

Pearl wrote: "Hari wrote: "Maybe not my favorite overlooked author, but definitely up there, is Martina Cole, a Brit who has written probably 20 +/- books, featuring a variety of characters on the psychopath spe..."

I'd recommend "Close" first, and then "Lady Killer". And definitely also see the movie based on "Close", but after you read the book.

Frances Hardinge. I mean, she's won awards, so she's not totally overlooked, but I think she should be up there with J. K. Rowling.
I particularly love Gullstruck Island and A Face Like Glass. Well-written and original.
(Her books are classified as children's books, probably because of the young protagonists, but there's nothing juvenile about them.)

I don't know how 'hidden' he is, but I'd say Christopher Buehlman. I read "The Necromancer's House" years ago and still remember it as one of the most colorful stories I've ever read. His use of nuance is superbly subtle...it's easy to miss tiny connections scattered all throughout, until you get to the very end, mull the story over, and find a bunch of formerly-loose threads snapping together in your brain.

I think my TBR just tripled from reading this thread.

I would add Judith Merkle Riley. Her books are a little older, but they're great reads if you like solid world-building and a deeper read, not to skimmy.

Two of my favorite little known authors from recent years are Michael McDowell and Robert McCammon. Both are Southern U. S. writers have produced what I like to call Southern gothic horror. McDowell, who wrote the screenplay for the movie Beetlejuice, also wrote Cold Moon Over Babylon. This book reminded me stories that children used to tell around a fire or a single flashlight. McCammnon wrote a coming-of-age story in his book Boy's Life. Both I would not recommend for the faint of heart.

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show..., a Goodreads author with a remarkable talent. Her work includes a series, For Their Country's Good https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3... and Touching the Wire. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... Rebecca's characters are so real you feel you are there with them, living the story and her writing is absolutely beautiful.

How about Wen Spencer's https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
non-series book "A Brother's Price" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5... ?

I read this probably 10 years ago and she immediately became one of my favorite writers. I feel that she is vastly overlooked in the fields of fantasy and sci-fi (some have called one of her series "urban sci-fi").

I see that "A Brother's Price" was a "James Tiptree Jr. Award Honor List (2005)." Yet only 2000 people have rated it here on goodreads.

I think she is one of the best writers I have read in a while. I'm getting ready to read "A Brother's Price" again, would anyone like to join me??

P.S. I don't know her, either on the internet or otherwise. :-)

"... a variety of characters on the psychopath spectrum."

Swell. I should quit writing.

John wrote: "Two of my favorite little known authors from recent years are Michael McDowell and Robert McCammon. Both are Southern U. S. writers have produced what I like to call Southern gothic horror. McDowel..."

McCammon's SWAN SONG is wonderful. I think of it often...up there with the best of the post-apocalyptic type genre....

Two of my favorite authors who were enormously popular, but are not often read today are Irving Stone, biographical/fiction writer and Jane Seton, historical fiction.
I'd love to find more recent authors of this quality to read.

Sounds like something I' d like. Saved it in my To read folder.
Captain wrote: "I have a hardcore... love, or something for Planetfall Origins It is a complete unknown but SUCH GOOD SCI-FI WORLD BUILDING and really outstan..."

I would say Buan Boonaca is my favourite little known author. His debut novel was the best book I read last year. If you are into mystery books that are also deep and spiritual, and with a good dose of black humour, (think Pahlaniuk meets Kafka) I definitely suggest his book.

Petronius Jablonski! I don't think his books will be for everyone, but he's an excellent writer and one of the rare hilarious authors that made me consistently laugh. "The Annals of Petronius Jablonski" was one of five books I gave five stars to last year...if that means anything lolz

Margot Benary-Isbert. Found her out of print book "The Ark" on a used books bookstore. I didn't know if the story would be good, but the summary at the back plus the fact that it's a postwar YA novel grabbed my attention.
The story follows young Margret Lechow and her family in postwar Germany. Written in 1953, the book is still very relevant up to now. I found myself crying and being joyful with Isbert's realistic sketch of refugee life, city life, and farm life in this era. We see how faith and the human spirit triumphs over poverty and hopelessness. I love the book's tension on life and death, and the theme of how, when everything seems hopeless, life must still go on.

The characters are very human and the writing is sincere and compassionate. Death and life in a coming of age novel is a hard topic to write about, but I think Isbert has done it excellently, maybe because she herself has experienced much of what she written.

Unfortunately, Isbert doesn't have a social media page dedicated to her memory. This book, including the sequel "Rowan Farm" is hard to find. This is one of my best rare book finds to date. My favorite YA novel written in the same vein was "The Book Thief", but the Ark has now definitely taken the top spot.

Dorothy Dunnett. Her Lymond series is one of my favorites, yet I rarely come across anyone who has read them. Nor do most libraries seem to carry them (that I have lived near).

Gillian wrote: "Another author who probably isn't as well known as they should be is Kirsty Logan. Hailing from Scotland, like me :-)

Again I can't remember how I came across her work, I just somehow did. I'd gue..."

I enjoyed The Gracekeepers too.

I'd like to recommend not an author, but a publishing house. Peirene Press publish contemporary European literary fiction that has never previously been translated into English. They are often novellas and are usually award-winning or bestsellers in their original countries. The books provide an amazing insight into other cultures, histories and time periods. Two titles that I've particularly loved have been The Mussel Feast, which I read in one sitting - the entire story takes place during a single meal, and the ominous tension around the father's absence from the table is compelling. I also recently finished Soviet Milk, which is written from the perspective of a mother and a daughter (the chapters alternate), and reveals life under Soviet rule in Latvia. I highly recommend checking out the publisher's website: https://www.peirenepress.com/