Top Ten Authors I Read For The First Time In 2016
1. Jojo Moyes (Me Before You): This year I finally read the much hyped Me Before You (still have to see the movie adaptation though), and it was every bit as depressing as I was told it would be. Heh. It was a good story though and I would like to read more from Jojo Moyes.
2. Charles Darwin (Voyage of the Beagle, Origin of Species): Of course I studied Darwin's ideas ad nauseam in school, but I'd never actually read his books until this year. Origin of Species was a bit dry, but Voyage of the Beagle - in which Darwin recounts his thoughts from his 5 year trip exploring the Southern Hemisphere and developing his theory of evolution - was honestly FASCINATING.
3. Barack Obama (Dreams From My Father): Turns out this guy can WRITE! I listened to the audiobook of Dreams From My Father - narrated by Obama himself - and it was interesting to learn so much about his backstory. Slightly off topic: PLEASE DON'T LEAVE US BARACK!
4. Colleen Hoover (Confess): I finally read my first Colleen Hoover book this year and experienced the full extent of her trademark emotional drama in Confess. I would definitely like to read more from Colleen!
5. Rae Carson (Fire and Thorns Trilogy): I was blown away by Rae Carson's Fire and Thorns Trilogy this year (read my full review here). Queen Elisa is for sure one of my all-time favourite fictional rulers!
6. Laura Ingalls Wilder (Little House Series): Looooved this autobiographical telling of tomboy Laura Ingalls growing up as a pioneer of the northern midwest US in the 1800s!
7. Brian K. Vaughan (Y: The Last Man, Saga): 2016 was also the year that I started to explore graphic novels and Brian Vaughan was easily my favourite graphic novel author I read this year. Completed series Y: The Last Man and ongoing series Saga are both excellent!
8. Catherynne M. Valente (Fairyland Series): Catherynne M. Valente is an author unlike no other... though it initially took a while to get into her writing in her Fairyland Series, I came to really love it for its uniqueness!
9. Douglas Adams (Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Series): I was inspired by Micheline to finally dig into the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Series by Douglas Adams on audiobook this year and while my interest definitely waned as the series went on, I loved my hilarious Douglas Adams experience!
10. Roald Dahl (The BFG, Esio Trot, Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Fantastic Mr. Fox): Okay, okay, Roald Dahl isn't a new author for me. BUT in some ways it felt like a new experience as I haven't read any of his books since devouring most of them as a wee child many, many years ago. I am about halfway through my Roald Dahl boxset that I got for Christmas last year and thoroughly enjoying every whimsical moment!
Me Before You made my list too!! I loved it!! and *Gasp* Roald Dahl is a new to you author!! haha XD
ReplyDeleteMe Before You <3 Such a good book! I'm so pleased that it lived up to your expectations!
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, the first 3 HHGTTG books are definitely the best!! I haven't read them in so long though...
ReplyDeleteAhh I love Roald Dahl too! I really want to reread his books eventually....just because they are pure magic and genius. And omg I read my first Valante book this year too, but I read Deathless and now I NEED to read the Fairyland books too. She's got such a beautiful writing style it's ridiculously wonderful. <3 Here's my TTT!
ReplyDeleteI finally read Me Before You this year too, but I'd read Jojo Moyes before. Colleen Hoover is one of my favorite authors ever. Her books always get me. Hope you have a great week!
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Sandy @ Somewhere Only We Know
Roald Dahl and Laura Ingalls Wilder were two of my favorite authors growing up, I'm so glad you enjoyed them.
ReplyDeleteMe Before You (the movie) was a pretty good adaptation of the book since the author herself wrote the screenplay. Some of my favorite moments weren't in the movie, but it's ok. YES! I'm thrilled you gave graphic novels a shot, Aylee! I know they take some time to get use to with the format and all, but it's definitely worth it. I still have to finish Y but I really enjoy Saga.
ReplyDelete:D I will have to get to a few more of the graphic novels that you recommended next year!
DeleteHa! I didn't know you read Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy too! Or maybe I did and I forgot LOL! Anyway, I've only read the first 2 books myself but I agree that the first one seems to be the best of the bunch! I'm happy you enjoyed Valente as well - you reminded me that I need to finish that series too! And I MUST read Rae Carson in 2017. I'm putting my foot down!
ReplyDeleteHmm, I guess I never explicitly told you haha
DeleteYou know, Danny was one of the ones that I never read growing up so when I read that one it'll be for the FIRST time and I'm excited :)
ReplyDeleteYay!! I'm so glad you enjoyed CONFESS, and I'm sooooo glad that you're hooked on graphic novels now, too!! Saga totally got me hooked too!!! And I'm a HUGE fan of Roald Dahl, too--whenever I haven't read anything by him for a while it feels new again, so I definitely know what you mean! Great list, Eilidh! I love seeing some new-to-you authors!!!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read Roald Dahl in a looong time so it might be time for a reread. I also need to read books 2 and 3 in the Fire and Thorns trilogy!
ReplyDeleteIt is so neat that you read Laura Ingalls Wilder for the first time this year. I absolutely loved her books growing up. I read "Me Before You" and loved it - definitely depressing at times, but such a great story, and maybe a little hopeful at times as well!
ReplyDeleteFinding new authors is so much fun. Especially when they're new to you. I tried reading the Saga, saga and I couldn't get into it. I think it's because graphic novels are just not my thing. I had a mini panic attack when I thought you'd never read Roald Dahl before- haha. I just love his books so much. I am currently rereading the BFG. It's one of my favourites. Anywho... I am glad you've had the chance to read so many great new authors.
ReplyDeleteI read and loved Me Before You - I need to read more by Moyes as well. I need to read Dahl again. I read a lot of his books in elementary school, but it's been forever so it would be fun to read again now that I'm older.
ReplyDeleteI read a lot of the Little House books when I was in elementary school, though I don't remember many of the details.
Yay for reading graphic novels this year! I'm loving the Saga series - I just need to read the 6th volume. I also want to read The Last Man.
-Lauren
Awesome post Aylee :D I have only read books by Rae, ack, but I love love love her books :) And her too. These other authors seems awesome too :) I'm curious about their books. Thank you for sharing. <3
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