Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by The Broke and The Bookish where participants are challenged to make bookish lists. I won’t be taking part every week, but from time to time I’ll indulge my inner compulsive list-maker.
This week’s topic: Ten Authors I’ve Only Read One Book From But Need to Read More. It’s especially pertinent for me, since I have a depressingly large pile of unread book on my shelves – many by these authors!
I read Gladstone’s debut Three Parts Dead this summer and fell completely in love with his writing style. Alt Columb is a city full of life, its citizens loving, sinning, and doing their best to scrape by in truly trying times. All of my blogging friends adore this series and liked the second and third books a ton, so I really have no excuse for this one.
2. Naomi Novik
His Majesty’s Dragon was such a pleasant surprise for me! It was one of the first books I read for pleasure in 2014 (January’s a pretty heavy school month) and it set the bar for military fantasy pretty dang high. The beautiful friendship between Will and Temeraire made me smile and lifted me out of the second semester doldrums. I have books 2, 3, 4, and 5 (I KNOW!) sitting unread on my shelves for some inexplicable reason.
Unlike many books on this list, I only own one of her books – and I’ve read it. Phew! I thought The Demon King was fabulous and can’t wait to read more about the Queendom of the Fells. That’s right, the Queendom!! So cool. Plus swoon worthy male leads…just saying.
4. Laini Taylor
You guys, Taylor’s writing does NOT disappoint. Set in Prague, Daughter of Smoke and Bone has a wonderful mysterious quality and a history that reflects one of the oldest cities in Europe. It’s actually the book that first inspired me to plan my trip to Prague! I’ve had a copy of the sequel for ages, proving that I need to prioritize the books I already own over new releases.
Read Throne of Glass, they said. You’ll love it, they said. Celaena’s such a fun protagonist, they said. For once it was all true and now I NEED more! Especially now that I’ve heard how awesome Heir of Fire was.
I’ve only read one Hurley but it won’t be the last. God’s War was my introduction to this take-no-prisoners writer and I freaking loved it. I’ll definitely need to pace myself with her books because her writing really affected me – I was pretty shaken up afterwards. Not easy or happy books by any means but compelling and important.
McGuire is one of the authors who was introduced to me through book blogging, and I cannot thank y’all enough. I’ve always loved UF and a well-executed snarky protagonist, and McGuire does both perfectly. I’ve only read Discount Armageddon, book 1 of the InCryptid series and I also want to start reading her October Daye books. I’m gonna be a busy girl!
Okay so technically I’ve never read a book by Schwab, but I did read one of her short stories a while ago. Believe me when I say that I’m thirsty for more. Everyone and their nana loved Vicious and she has a series about LIBRARIES for gods sake! How have I not read that?!?!
9. Kate Elliott
I read Cold Magic last year with my BFF – she thought it was awful, I thought she was insane. Pretty much the only time we’ve ever disagreed on a book. Kate Elliott hits all the right buttons for me: alternate history, European setting, bookish but scrappy protagonist, well thought out magical system, three dimensional secondary characters. Look out, Spiritwalker trilogy – I’m coming for you.
10. Jo Walton
Among Others was incredible. I was so taken with it that I pretty much forced all my coworkers to read it – and I felt pretty damn smug when they grudgingly acknowledged its awesomeness. I vowed to read more of her books. And then I just…didn’t. I have a copy of Tooth and Claw on my bookshelf, so that’ll be next! Who can say no to a comedy of manners – with dragons?
So what do you think? Which one of these authors do I need to revisit first? It’s quite the list so I have no idea how I’m supposed to choose. HELP ME!