Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl
Many of the books I read in 2022 were written by authors I hadn’t tried before. Here are ten of them.
Just like last year, I’ll also be including what books I read from them and whether I want to read more from them in the future.
1. Author: Marlene Campbell
What I Read from Them: Vintage Christmas: Holiday Stories from Rural PEI
Would I Read More from Them? Maybe. I liked some parts of this collection but found other sections a bit too repetitive. Then again, I am not a particularly sentimental person, so other readers might have a completely difference experience with it.
2. Author: Sonia Hartl
What I Read from Them: The Lost Girls
Would I Read More from Them? Yes. I loved the author’s tongue-in-cheek approach to the pitfalls of romances between vampires and teenage girls.
3. Author: Kate Nunn
What I Read from Them: The Only Child
Would I Read More from Them? No, and it pains me to say that. I loved the premise of this book but found the character and plot development thin and predictable.
4. Author: Riley Black
What I Read from Them: “The Last Days of the Dinosaurs: An Asteroid, Extinction, and the Beginning of Our World”
Would I Read More from Them? Yes. Not only was Ms. Black an excellent writer, she knew exactly how to translate often complex scientific information into something the average person can easily understand. That’s difficult to do but so meaningful when it does occur.
5. Author: Yah Yah Scholfield
What I Read from Them: “On Sundays She Picked Flowers”
Would I Read More from Them? Assuming her next work isn’t quite so violent, absolutely. I enjoyed her poetic writing style but can’t handle reading many of the types of scary stuff I loved before this pandemic began.
6. Author: Nice Leng’ete
What I Read from Them: “The Girls in the Wild Fig Tree”
Would I Read More from Them? Yes. She’s lived an interesting and useful life so far. I’m curious to see what she does with her talents next as she continues fighting to end female circumcision in Kenya.
7. Author: Julia Scheeres
What I Read from Them: “Listen, World!: How the Intrepid Elsie Robinson Became America’s Most-Read Woman”
Would I Read More from Them? Probably not. This was a neat peek at a portion of history I wasn’t aware of, but the writing style wasn’t my cup of tea.
8. Author: Carl Matlock, MD
What I Read from Them: “The Annals of a Country Doctor”
Would I Read More from Them? Yes. He was a great storyteller.
9. Author: Daphne du Maurier
What I Read from Them: “Rebecca”
Would I Read More from Them? Maybe. I understood why this novel is a classic and did enjoy the storyline itself, but I was exasperated with all of the characters for reasons ranging from how passive aggressive they were to how little regard they had for basic interpersonal boundaries to how much they relied on what other people thought of them when making every single decision in life. Let met take a break from Ms. Du Maurier before seeing if this is a pattern in her work or if her next book will be filled with characters I’d actually want to hang out with in real life. Ha!
10. Author: by Deesha Philyaw
What I Read from Them: “The Secret Lives of Church Ladies”
Would I Read More from Them? Yes. I connected beautifully with her characters and would love to see what she writes next. She was delightful.
I haven’t heard of any of these authors but I hope that you also enjoy the other books by these authors whenever you get around to reading them! 🙂
Thank you, Dini!
I haven’t read any of these authors yet, but I’m glad you found them!
Thank you!
Great list! The only one of these books on my TBR is Rebecca (though that dinosaur book sounds interesting and I might have to pick it up). I love that you provide your reasoning on why you would or wouldn’t read more by these authors.
My TTT: https://bookwyrmknits.com/2023/01/24/top-ten-tuesday-new-to-me-authors-in-2022/
Thank you. I hope you like that dinosaur book if you read it. It was so well done!
I loved Rebecca on audio but hated it when I tried to read so totally get your dislike of the characters attitudes.
I’m glad/sorry you understand that!
So neat you discovered Daphne du Maurier.
I suggest you also read Jamaica Inn, my favorite after Rebecca.
I actually listened to it, with the fa-bu-lous narrator (my favorite femal narrator) Barbara Rosenblat. If you like audiobooks, this is the way to go.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4905881288
Ooh, thanks for the recommendation. Yeah, I like audiobooks. That’s actually how I experienced Rebecca. I’m looking Jamaica Inn up now.
I started to read Rebecca a couple of years ago, and surprisingly did mostly like it. But I think I watched an adaptation before I finished reading it (never a good idea) which then meant I lost interest in the book. Maybe I’ll give it another chance though. 🙂 Glad you found some new authors you enjoyed! Thanks for visiting my website today.
You’re welcome. I didn’t know there were adaptations of Rebecca out there. Interesting.
I did read Daphne du Maurier many years ago but never been back for more. All your other authors are new to me. It’s always so good to find one you love.
It’s cool you’ve read her work!
Hi Lydia! I really enjoy Sonia Hartl, but I haven’t read THE LOST GIRLS. I bet I’d like it. The book you read about dinosaurs also sounds really good. I’m going to check to see if my library has it. Thanks for sharing your list!
Thank you, Kasey. I hope you like that dinosaur book. It reads like fiction but it’s based all on facts!
I’ve never read anything beyond Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier. While I love that story, I fully understand where you’re coming from and wonder if that’s why I never picked up any of her other works?
Interesting. It could be! I’m glad you loved that book in general.
I like how you included your reasons why you would or wouldn’t (or maybe) read something else by the authors you featured here. I have only read one of the authors on your list before- Julia Scheeres. I read her A Thousand Lives about Jonestown years ago. I haven’t tried anything else by her. I have been wanting to read Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier for quite some time now. Especially having just finished reading The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams. Thank you for sharing!
You’re welcome, Literary Feline. I’m glad my reasons were meaningful to you.
A Thousand Lives sure sounds interesting. May you enjoy Rebecca!
Glad to see you’ve discovered so many great new authors! I haven’t read any of them yet, so I’ll need to check them out.
Thank you. 🙂
I’ve read one book from Sonia Hartl and liked it. Nice list. I like how you told us if you would read more or not.
Thank you, Wendy!
What a wonderfully eclectic list! (That’s a compliment; I like a broad range of genres myself.)
Re du Maurier: Give Frenchman’s Creek a try. Of the three du Maurier books I have read, it’s my favorite, hands down. (The other two I have read are Rebecca and Jamaica Inn, neither of which I am likely to reread. But I would reread FC.)
Thank you very much, Lark! It’s cool that we both like bouncing around genres.
I’m looking up Frenchman’s Creek now. Thanks for the suggestion.
I love that you took the topic a step further and said whether or not you would read from them again!
Thanks! 🙂
Oooh, you have me interested in that Vintage Christmas book, and Lost Girls sounds funny!!! Cool list. I like how you mentioned whether or not you would read more by them, and why.
Thank you. I hope you love both of those books.
I like how you broke down your list. Some of these I was familiar with, but most not. Here’s hoping you discover more great authors this year.
Thank you very much!
I liked Rebecca for the writing style, though I do completely see where you’re coming from on frustration with the characters! 😀
Glad to hear it. She was a great writer, though.
I really enjoyed the writing style/voice in The Lost Girls too!
That’s awesome.
Vintage Christmas and Lasy Days of Dinosaurs both sound great! Both probably going on my list 🙂
Awesome! Hope you like it.
Great list. A few I may look into myself. I love how you added if you would read more or not. Thanks for sharing
You’re welcome. I’m glad you liked my post. Happy reading!
I have avoided Rebecca for years and this has me thinking I should just move it off my TBR 😅
Heh, I wouldn’t blame you if you did!
I’ve only read Kayte Nunn & Daphne du Maurier from your list. I have another Kayte Nunn on my TBR – actually I think it’s the one you read, haha. I hope I enjoy it more than you did.
My fingers are crossed that you will. 🙂
I read The Secret Life of Church Ladies and found it very entertaining. I’m glad you did as well, Lydia.
That’s awesome, Carla!
On this list I’d only heard of Daphne DuMaurier. I’m very interested in the book about dinosaurs, thanks for the recommendation!
You’re welcome. I hope you love it as much as I did.
Good, interesting list. Keep enjoying your reading.
Thank you. 🙂
These would all be completely new to me! My daughter read the Church Ladies book recently and really liked it, so I hope to check it out soon. Great list!
Thank you. I hope you like the Church Ladies book.
I haven’t heard of any of these, but so many sound really intriguing. I also really liked how you discussed the way your reading preferences have changed since the pandemic, because that isn’t something that I see mentioned too often, but I think it affects a lot of us in some way.
Thank you, Leah! I’ve been quietly wondering who else has changed their reading habits. If only it were discussed more often.
Great post!
Thank you.
I hadn’t heard of any of these books before reading your list.
Thanks for visiting my TTT list earlier!
You’re welcome.
I wonder if your issues with Rebecca have to do with when the book released. Like that was just normal for characters in that social class maybe? I’ve never read it, but it’s been on my TBR for longer than I want to admit. Have a great week.
That is an excellent question and it could very well be the truth. I don’t know much about how wealthy people were expected to act back then.
I hope you like it if you read it!
I liked your “would I read more from them” comments – very helpful and a good way for a baby review. I love finding new authors and this week is certainly adding to my TBR with every visit! Thanks for the visit.
Terrie @ Bookshelf Journeys
You’re welcome. Thank you for your kind words.
I wasn’t a big fan of Rebecca either. The Hitchcock movie adaptation was much better. Nice list and thanks for visiting my TTT!
I’ll have to check out that film sometime. Thanks for the recommendation.
Dont’ think I’ve read any of these apart from a couple of books by Du Maurier, and I have a copy of My Cousin Rachel which I might get to at some point.
Glad you’ve found new authors to enjoy.
Thank you. I hope you like My Cousin Rachel.
Interesting list, Lydia! Those are all new authors to me. I think I’ll read The Secret Lives of Church Ladies first. Thanks for stopping by my blog!
You’re welcome. Happy reading!
Like with all the other bloggers, these authors would all have been new to me. And I think everyone has ten different ones. What a great week to find new authors. Thanks a lot.
And thanks for visiting my TTT this week.
Yes, it’s been a wonderful week for that for sure! You’re welcome.
I’ve not read books by any of these authors but I’m glad you mostly enjoyed them. I like your idea of sharing whether or not you’d read more from them, I just shared the ones I know I’d like to read more from!
Thank you!
Yeah, that’s another good way to do it.
Interesting thoughts on Rebecca! It’s been a while since I’ve read it, so I don’t remember many of the details…maybe it’s time for a reread. I think my favorite Du Maurier book is Frenchman’s Creek, if you’re interested in giving her another try!
I’m looking it up now. Thanks for the recommendation.
I’d like to read Rebecca someday! Here is our Top Ten Tuesday. Thank you!
I hope you enjoy it.
These are all new to me. Hope you discover more great authors this year! 🙂
Thank you!
This is a great list, I’ve never read anything by any of these authors but I’m glad you discovered so many new ones. Here’s to finding more great authors in 2023!
Aww, thanks!
I love Rebeca, but yeah, the characters are not easy to empathize
I’m glad you love that book and understand my annoyance with the characters. Hehe.
Didn’t make my list, mainly because I forgot, but I also read Daphne du Maurier for the first time last year. 🙂
Oh, neat! Good for you.
I’ve only read Rebecca, but I did enjoy it. I have several more books by the author waiting on my shelf. Happy reading in 2023!
Glad to hear it. I hope you like the rest of her work, too.
I have to say, I like how you say if you’d read more by a new to you author or not and why.
Thank you. 🙂
I only know and have only read Daphne Du Maurier on your list.. and Carl Matlock’s book sounds interesting..
thanks for visiting
You’re welcome. Matlock’s book was a good read. Hope you like it if you pick it up.
I haven’t read any of these, but they look good.
I have wanted to read Rebecca for a while though.
Have a great weekend!
I hope you like Rebecca if you pick it up. Happy weekend to you as well.
I love this!! I haven’t heard or read about any of these authors. I’ll have to check them out 😉
Thank you. Happy reading!
Am happy to hear that you read a lot of authors you enjoyed! May 2023 also bring a lot of enjoyment.
Thank you very much!
Hah, #2 sounds hilarious. You mean there are DOWNSIDES to being turned by your vampire beloved as a teenager?? Why, I never.
😀