#AMonthofFaves2016: “New to Me” Author Discoveries

#AMonthofFaves2016, hosted by Andi, Tanya Patrice, and Tamara continues today with author discoveries. As it turns out, I read a lot of new authors this year, but these are the standouts:

Author Discoveries 2016

Graham Swift (Mothering Sunday)

Without a doubt, Swift is my top author discovery of the year. Mothering Sunday was a favorite of 2016 and I want to read his entire backlist. (my review)

Thrity Umrigar (The Story Hour)

Why did it take me so long to read Ms. Umrigar? So many of you have raved about her for ages. I'll try The Space Between Us next.

Garth Risk Hallberg (City on Fire)

This guy can write! I chose his debut novel (a doorstopper by any standard) for my 2016 First Book. The non-ending was incredibly frustrating, but nearly twelve months later I'm still thinking about those characters. And did I mention the writing was excellent? I'll read whatever Hallberg writes next, but hope it comes in under 500 pages. (my review)

Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney (The Nest)

This book got SO much hype... and while I really enjoyed the novel, I'm not sure it was warranted. Still, I love the fact that she is a 50-something debut author. (my book brief)

Jung Yun (Shelter)

This book just blew me away! It's darker than my usual fare... and in the running for my #1 novel of the year. (my book brief)

Bryan Stevenson (Just Mercy) 

My favorite nonfiction read of 2016...here's my book brief.

Which authors have you discovered this year?
The complete schedule for #AMonthfFaves2016 is here.

#AMonthofFaves2016: 5 Books on My Winter Reading List

#AMonthofFaves is back! It's taken me nearly half the month to figure that out, but better late than never, right? Andi, Tanya Patrice, and Tamara are rotating the daily hosting duties once again. The best part of this event (besides reading all the posts, of course) is that it's perfectly fine to come and go... play along one day or every day, whatever fits your schedule. The complete schedule is here.

5 Books on My Winter Reading List

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

This is a 2016 must read that I just couldn't get to in time. I only managed to read one chapter before the library book was due, but it was amazing. Hopefully Santa will bring me a copy for Christmas.

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

This book is waiting for me in Florida! Towles' debut, Rules of Civility, was a favorite a few years ago and I can't wait to dive into his new novel.

Can You Forgive Her? by Anthony Trollope

I had so much fun reading the Barsetshire novels with Audrey and a few others last year, that we've decided to test the waters for a #PalliserParty! I'm not committing to the entire series just yet, but plan to begin this first book in mid-January.

The Mothers by Brit Bennett

My daughter is reading this now and will bring her copy home for me at Christmas. It sounds like a book I'll love.

Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea by Barbara Demick

I'm not going to forget about nonfiction just because November is over. This book has been on my wish list for a long time, but now I own both the ebook and audiobook (thanks to those daily deals!) and am ready to go.

What books are on your winter reading list?

#AMonthofFaves: 5 New-to-Me Author Discoveries

#AMonthofFaves, hosted by Traveling with T, Estella’s Revenge, and GirlXOXO, continues. The prompts this month cover a wide variety of fun, end-of-the year-ish topics. Today's prompt asks about authors we discovered this year.

With all the talk about Anthony Trollope and his Chronicles of Barsetshire  on the blog this year, you might expect him to top my list. But while Mr. Trollope has  been added to my list of favorite authors, he's not a new discovery. I first read The Warden  over a decade ago and, shortly afterwards, began reading The Way We Live Now  with an online book group. Unfortunately, I fell behind schedule (it's 800 pages long) and put it aside. It remains on my shelf ... with a bookmark at page 322.

 5 Fave “New to Me” Author Discoveries, 2015

Elena Ferrante

The Neopolitan Novels  are beautifully written and intense, but her identity remains a secret.

Atul Gawande

Being Mortal  caused me to think about important end-of-life issues.

Nickolas Butler

Shotgun Lovesongs is unusual because the focus is on male friendships. 

 Bill Clegg

Did You Ever Have a Family is a debut novel that lived up to the hype. I loved it.

Ta-Nehisi Coates

Between the World and Me, a National Book Award winner, is one of powerful book!

Julie Mulhern

Let's make this 6 favorite author discoveries. I never knew cozy mysteries could be so much fun! 

Tell me  about your favorite author discoveries of 2015.

#AMonthofFaves: Unique and Memorable Books

#AMonthofFaves, hosted by Traveling with T, Estella’s Revenge, and GirlXOXO, continues. The prompts this month cover a wide variety of fun, end-of-the year-ish topics. Today we're talking about the most unique or memorable book(s) read this year. Those are two very distinct categories for me... especially this year.

Most Memorable Book(s)

The six novels making up Anthony Trollope's Chronicles of Barsetshire have been my most memorable books of the year. In fact, they have provided one of my most memorable reading experiences ever.  Along with a small group of blogging friends, I read one book every two months. We compared notes on twitter (#6Barsets) as we went along... an activity appropriately dubbed "Trolloping with friends" by Audrey. In the process, I acquired a new favorite author.

Perhaps we'll throw a #PalliserParty in 2016.

Most Unique Book

This honor goes to The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo (my review). Her basic principles of organizing and decluttering are sound, but eventually the book got a little too weird for me. Talk to my possessions? Thank them for serving my needs? Be considerate of their feelings? I don't think so.

Still, the book inspired me to get rid of all the clothes in my closet that I no longer wore, were out of style, or simply did not fit. And that really made me happy. I'm not so sure about the life-changing part though...


What were the most unique or memorable books you read this year?

#AMonthofFaves: 5 Popular Books Worth the Hype

#AMonthofFaves, hosted by Traveling with T, Estella’s Revenge, and GirlXOXO, is back for a second year! The prompts will again cover a wide variety of fun, end-of-the year-ish topics. I plan to participate a few times throughout the month of December... you know I can't resist a good list.

5 POPULAR BOOKS WORTH THE HYPE

The Story of the Lost Child by Elena Ferrante

The hype surrounding The Neopolitan Novels  even has its own name, #FerranteFever! This fourth and final book deserves every bit of it. 

Did You Ever Have a Family by Bill Clegg

I didn't read much contemporary fiction this year, but am so glad I made time for this title! (my review)

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Everyone should read this book. Better yet, listen. (my book brief)

Yes, that's only three.

I didn't read nearly as many new releases this year... probably because I spent so much time "Trolloping with friends" in Barsetshire. If I absolutely had to come up with two more titles, I would add

• Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul Gawande
• Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant? by Roz Chast

These book pair nicely, making them good companion reads, but they weren't really hyped like the first three.

Or... I could add two hyped books which I purchased, but haven't read yet.

• Purity by Jonathan Franzen
• The Nightingale by Kirstin Hannah

I'll read them in 2016. I promise ;-)

Have you read any books that lived up to their hype? How about some that didn't?