Book Geeks and Bookniks discussion

I was just reviewing my top 10 for 2011 and 8 of the 10 were authors I have not read before this year!!! Over half of all the books I read this year were new to me authors.

Do you have a stand out "new to you" author this year? Who?

How many books did you read this year?

Does goodreads do a challenge every year in regards to how many books you will read?

Stand out author for me would be Kate Atkinson. I've decided to listen to these on audio. I do keep a pad and pen handy while listening so I can keep track of all story lines though. I find Jackson Brodie so endearing as well as the setting. Stories lines poignant and charming.

I read 48 this year. I know some of you are way in to triple digits. Amazing! How do you do it???

I found Paul Magrs this year. I fell in love with Brenda and Effie series set in Whitby!

I think all the books I read this year were by new-to-me authors! The stand-outs are Tom Perrotta, Chris Bohjalian, Donna Tartt, Justin Cronin, and Lev Grossman. Love them all and absolutely will read more by them!

I have to agree with Gretchen on Kate Atkinson. She was not technically "new" to me this year, but I just started the Jackson Brodie series, and can't wait to read more.

If I hadn't joined Goodreads, I doubt I'd have ever heard of Andersen Prunty. His horror stories are beyond creepy and he scares the hell outta me. I'll be reading more by him in 2012.

Caroline wrote: "I think all the books I read this year were by new-to-me authors! The stand-outs are Tom Perrotta, Chris Bohjalian, Donna Tartt, Justin Cronin, and Lev Grossman. Love them all and absolutely will r..."

I can not wait to read The Leftovers by Tom Perrotta!

Melki wrote: "I have to agree with Gretchen on Kate Atkinson. She was not technically "new" to me this year, but I just started the Jackson Brodie series, and can't wait to read more.

If I h..."

What you recommend of Andersen Prunty to someone who has not read him before?

Gretchen wrote: "Caroline wrote: "I think all the books I read this year were by new-to-me authors! The stand-outs are Tom Perrotta, Chris Bohjalian, Donna Tartt, Justin Cronin, and Lev Grossman. Love them all and ..."

The Leftovers is on my list for sure. It looks really good, and Perrotta is such a talented writer.

New-to-me stand-out authors (in my paltry, barely breaking DOUBLE digits, as usual list!) were Tatjana Soli, Laura Dave, Sara J. Henry, J. Courtney Sullivan, and Chandra Hoffman -- nearly half of the ones I read this year. It's hard to pick a favorite among them, but I would definitely read more books by all of these authors!

I've actually only read Hi I'm a Social Disease: Horror Stories by Prunty. I'm planning to start Sunruined: Horror Stories later today. I would only recommend his works to true horror fans, as he can get pretty gruesome. His stories are quite imaginative, though.

If you have an e-reader, his titles are very inexpensive on Amazon.

Melki wrote: "I've actually only read Hi I'm a Social Disease: Horror Stories by Prunty. I'm planning to start Sunruined: Horror Stories later today. I would only recommend his ..."

I'll proceed with caution with Prunty but do love a good gruesome horror story every once in awhile.

I also read quite a few new authors this year. My favorites were Ann Patchett, Jennifer Egan and Jennifer Haigh. The best thing about discovering a new book I love by a "new to me" author is adding all of his or her previous work to my TBR list.

Heather wrote: "I also read quite a few new authors this year. My favorites were Ann Patchett, Jennifer Egan and Jennifer Haigh. The best thing about discovering a new b..."

Be sure to add Patchett's The Patron Saint of Liars. It's really good. I tried her Bel Canto and couldn't get into it, but I know that book has plenty of fans.

The first time I tried to read Bel Canto I couldn't get into it. After reading State of Wonder and The Patron Saint of Liars I tried it again. I did enjoy it, but I did not think it was Patchett's best book. I also really liked The Magician's Assistant and I am just finishing Run today.

New to me authors in 2011 include: George R R Martin, Laura Hillenbrand, and Brian Freeman

Annika wrote: "New to me authors in 2011 include: George R R Martin, Laura Hillenbrand, and Brian Freeman"

I'm hoping to try Song of Ice and Fire series by George R. R. Martin this year. Least the first.

I've watched a few of the shows and now read 3 of the books. The books are really good and not over-the-top fantasy. They are loosely based on The War of the Roses and definitely has the feel of great historical fiction. However - if you found the show graphic - the books are equally graphic- sex and violence. I feel like the sex has settled down as the books have gone on but the violence is still there since there's at least one epic battle in each book along with some other episodes throughout. I never discout fantasy, but it's not a genre that I gravitate towards. This series has been very enjoyable.

Vicky wrote: "Annika wrote: "New to me authors in 2011 include: George R R Martin, Laura Hillenbrand, and Brian Freeman"

Are you watching Game of Thrones? I wasn'..."

Vicky I totally agree on being able to watch Fantasy series, but have a lot of difficulty reading it. My son loves this genre, but it just doesn't grab me.

Hillary Jordan & Chevy Stevens were two that impressed me.

Loved Kathleen Grissom's first novel, The Kitchen House. One of my favorites this year. Others worth noting that were new to me were Laura Hillenbrand (Unbroken), Jo Jo Moyes (Me Before You), Julie Cantrel (Into the Free), Lawrence Hill (Someone Knows My Name), Hillary Jordon (Mudbound) and Jennifer Haigh (Faith). Some are from this year as well

I am challenging myself to read 50 new authors to me this year - 2013.....have managed 3 so far just in the last week or so!

James Ellroy. I ignored his books all through the college in the 90's up until about 6 months ago. Now I raced through his LA Quartet and on the final pages of the last book in the Underworld USA trilogy. It all "NEW TO ME".