Today’s Month of Faves topic is all about new authors encountered this year. I’m going to highlight the authors and audiobook narrators whose work I will definitely be checking out again.
Authors
1. Liara Tamani (book read: Calling My Name) — I just finished this yesterday. It’s Tamani’s debut and it’s exactly the kind of YA story I like best (realistic, slice of life, coming of age). Special shout-out to Sara Zarr for introducing me to the author’s book on Twitter.
(Sidenote: Sara Zarr and I are not actually friends, though it would be nice if we were. She mentioned the book in a tweet. I’m not sure I would have heard of it otherwise.)
2. Marie Lu (book read: Warcross) — I know Lu has been around for a while, but this is the first book of hers I read. I love the premise, and I’m interested to see where it goes next. She also wrote a YA Batman story that’s coming out next year and I am HERE FOR IT.
That picture has nothing to do with her writing, but I just wanted to share it again.
3. Angie Thomas (book read: The Hate U Give) — Another debut, another author I’m interested in seeing more from. I especially like that she wrote something that mirrors my experiences growing up–even if it was through the parents. (You know you’re an old who reads YA when…)
4. K.E. Garland (book read: The Unhappy Wife) — Hey, so the good thing about Kathy is that she actually has a blog, so I can read her writing, like, all the time. She writes nonfiction, which is not usually my jam, but it’s basically like reading fiction, which is.
5. Roxane Gay (book read: Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body) — Yes, yes, she is kind of a big deal and I have read some of her articles online, but this is the first time I’ve read one of her books.
6. Alyssa Cole (book read: An Extraordinary Union) — Now that I know Cole writes romance, I will be better prepared for the content of her books. That style of romance isn’t really my jam, but I love the historical elements and the commentary on race and class that she included.
7. Jeff Zentner (book read: The Serpent King) — This was a lovely book with really interesting characters (plus slice of life! realistic!), and I look forward to reading more from the author.
8. N.K. Jemisin (book read: The Fifth Season) — I had to edit to add her in! I cannot believe I forgot. The Fifth Season was so good. I can’t wait to read more of her stuff.
Audiobook Narrators
1. Priya Ayyar (book listened to: A Bollywood Affair by Sonali Dev) — I wound up quitting this book, but that was not the narrator’s fault. In fact, most of why I stuck with it as long as I did (and considered finishing) is Ayyar’s narration.
2. Robin Miles (books listened to: Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shatterly/Mr. Loverman by Bernardine Evaristo) — I would listen to Robin Miles read anything. I am not surprised at all that she is a Golden Voice. Also, she has narrated over 350 books so I actually can listen to her read pretty much anything.
The Englishist 
I should maybe try Alyssa Cole, too… and I could say again how much I appreciated Angie Thomas, though for me it was more like the kids I went to high school with. I’m super glad to hear that Hidden Figures has a good narrator – all of us except my daughter (who was in bed while we were watching) enjoyed the movie, and we’d all want to listen the audiobook.
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Alyssa Cole writes sexy romance–not super graphic–but graphic enough. I wasn’t prepared for that, so that’s why I need to prepare other people!
I have a hard time with nonfiction and prefer it via audio. Miles was the perfect narrator for the book. I was so invested.
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Yaay to Roxane Gay. That’s the only book I have read from your list. I loved it. 🙂
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