Looking over the books that I read in 2018, I was surprised to find so many new-to-me authors on my list. It’s so easy when we’re in the middle of a reading drought to think that things aren’t going well, yet progress is built little by little. In fact, though I’d set my reading goal at 50 books, I was able to double that by the year’s end, so that’s another win there!
Following are 10 new-to-me authors whose work I enjoyed in 2018.
New in YA
Sabaa Tahir: An Ember in the Ashes (Review | Goodreads)
I’d heard great things about An Ember in the Ashes but hadn’t picked it up because I was hesitant about the ancient-Rome inspired setting. Despite my distaste for multiple first-person POVs, I ended up being really entertained with this book. There’s a lot of potential to expand the world.
Brandon Sanderson: Steelheart (Review | Goodreads)
I picked up this one because I read and loved Mistborn, which I discuss below, but I ended feeling meh about this one, though I have an interest in reading the sequel to see what happens. Sanderson has great imagination; the concept is fascinating.
Marie Rutkoski: The Winner’s Curse (Review | Goodreads)
I went blind into this one. I confess that I’m not a huge fan of books advertised as having a huge romance focus, but Marie Rutkoski handles the societal issues with grace.
New in Fantasy
Brandon Sanderson: Mistborn (Review | Goodreads)
When researching good fantasy books to read, Sanderson’s name kept coming up. I am SO glad I picked up Mistborn. It is one of my new favorite books, and Sanderson is a new favorite author! (I confess that I purchased some of his other works as soon as I finished Mistborn, so now I have a whole shelf of Sanderson books waiting to be read! Have you ever done this with an author?)
Patrick Rothfuss: The Name of the Wind (Review | Goodreads)
I picked this one up because of the epic line that opens the synopsis (and is actually a part of the book too!). This book was as epic as I hoped it would be. I wish there was a pub date out for book three, but I may just read book two regardless because I love this book so much.
R.F. Kuang: The Poppy War (Review | Goodreads)
The Poppy War is a solid debut novel. While there are elements that dragged for me, I never lost interest in the plot. I’m looking forward to reading the sequel The Dragon Republic in 2019!
New in Children’s
Marie Campbell: Adrian Simcox Does NOT Have a Horse (Review | Goodreads)
This is hands down one of my favorite reads of 2018. I love the illustrations and the message to be kind. I will definitely keep an eye out for more from Marie Campbell!
New in Nonfiction
Gretchen Rubin: Happier at Home & Better Than Before (Review | Goodreads)
Gretchen Rubin is a name that kept popping up this past year, so I finally gave in and checked out the audiobooks for these books from the library. While I don’t agree with everything that she says, I do like what she does and have an interest in the ideas that she brings up. I’m eagerly awaiting a copy of The Four Tendencies from the library and will be reading her latest work Outer Order, Inner Calm when it release next year.
Marie Kondo: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up (Review | Goodreads)
Marie Kondo’s work has inspired me to tidy my home. I love the changes that I’ve been able to make in my life. Organizing my outer life has also helped bring more peace to my inner life. If you love this book, I recommend the manga edition, which teaches the same concepts in a fun, story-based manner, and the companion book Spark Joy, which teaches the same concepts without as many anecdotes as Tidying Up with added expansions like illustrations on how to fold clothes.
Andy Crouch: Culture Making (Goodreads)
I read this book for a class. Previously, I had never really stopped to think about how culture is created; it turned out to be a very fascinating subject once I started thinking about it. I’ve heard good things about some of Crouch’s other works, most notably The Tech-Wise Family, and I also have a copy of Playing God, which I had purchased not realizing it wasn’t required reading for the class.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Life Together (Review | Goodreads)
Life Together isn’t one of my favorite books. Though I love how it talks about the importance of community, it was a bit of a dry read. However, I’ve heard so much about Bonhoeffer this past year that I’m definitely interested in reading more from him.
Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard says
It seems you discovered some wonderful authors this year! I love Patrick Rothfuss. And Sanderson is on my TBR list, both Mistborn and Steelheart.
Crystal says
Thanks, Lark. I hope you enjoy Sanderson’s work. I’m currently reading and loving Mistborn #2 🙂
Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction says
I won Mistborn a long time ago, but I still haven’t read it. I really need to read it. So far, I’ve only read one Sanderson book, but I loved it.
Crystal says
I hope you enjoy Mistborn as much if not more than I did! I’m currently reading book two and wondering why it took me so long to get started 🙂 I also read Skyward early this year and loved it. (I ended up dedicating a whole day to it just so I could finish it.)
Lindsi says
People keep telling me I need to read something by Brandon Sanderson, but I haven’t had a chance! Hopefully I can find the time this year. I always love finding new authors to follow! Happy reading!
Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear? 💬
Crystal says
I hope you do, Lindsi. Sanderson is fantastic!
Melliane says
So many great authors I love Sanderson and the Rutkoski trilogy was awesome!
Crystal says
Sanderson is fantastic. I’m glad to hear you enjoyed the Rutkoski trilogy. I need to read book three 🙂
Joy // Joyousreads says
I have read most of the authors you mentioned, except for R.F. Kuang. Need to read that soon! I’ve discovered quite a few authors last year as well so now I’m working through some of their backlist. 🙂
Thanks for sharing!
Crystal says
That’s great to hear, Joy! I’ve been working my way through Brandon Sanderson and Gretch Rubin’s backlists. I hope to get to some others as well.