And now we begin the series of posts that has had me curled up in the fetal position, whimpering in the corner. When you read around 350 books in one year, these ‘best books of the year’ posts can easily cover 100 books. Not joking. And that’s just too many books to feature in one post. SO… I had to narrow it down. Slash titles that I really did love. Cut a book here. An author there. Whimpering all the way. (All that to say – if your book isn’t on a list in the next few days, it’s not because I didn’t love it. It’s because I HAD TO LIMIT MYSELF! Argh. Lol.)
Don’t forget – there’s also ALL the books I haven’t read yet. Books whose authors have been infinitely patient with me when life imploded. Books I hope to catch up on in the first couple of months of 2018. (All that to say – if your book isn’t here, I might not have even read it yet. It will probably be on next year’s list lol.)
Today’s Top Ten Tuesday post is all about the authors we read for the first time in 2017 – whether they released their first novel or we finally got around to reading their books. I’ve divided mine into those two categories to make life a little easier. And… don’t bother counting. There are way more than 10 here. But I behaved myself on the rest of the week’s lists đ
Let’s start with the debut authors! (because they were new to everybody!)
Patricia Beal
Lindsey Brackett
Heidi Chiavaroli
Mikal Dawn
 
Angie Dicken
Susanne Dietze
Aubrey Grayson
Carolyn Miller
  
Erynn Newman
Joanna Davidson Politano
Karen Sargent
Laurie Tomlinson
 
Bethany Turner
Confession: I haven’t actually read Sarah Hollenbeck yet BUT so many of my bookish friends have been raving about it so I know I will muppet-flail love it when I get a chance to catch up!
Teresa Tysinger
Jaime Jo Wright
oops… I haven’t read this one yet either but I know I’m going to love it!
And now for the new-to-me authors that I finally got around to reading – and I’m so glad I did! (just book covers in this section because there’s a lot! And this is the condensed version lol)
 
Whew! I just love good books, don’t you? đ
What about you? What were some of your fave new-to-you authors this year?
Drew bows gracefully over your hand and thanks you most sincerely for including him.
Lol! I feel your pain and I only hit 200! Quite a few in common with my list, too… đ
Yay! Sending you a great big hug from sunny, summery Australia! ???
I had the privilege to read Bethany Turner’s book! I really enjoyed it. Brandy Bruce was new to me as well. I also read Jocelyn Green’s The Mark of the King. And several others this year. Altogether I read 12 new-to-me authors in ’17. I am surprised to see Jennie B Jones was new to you in 17.
Aw, Carrie. So honored to be on your list and blessed to have debuted in 2017 with so many talented new authors.
Yay! Thank you! I love this list. I love it because there are so many awesome books, but also because I know so many of the debut authors. We spent time in the trenches together – blood, sweat, and tears. One nagging question always haunting us: What if this never happens? What if after all these years, we never get published? It happened! I’m so proud of all of us for not giving up, for holding each other up, and for learning to be more like Jesus in our season of waiting. Much love. Thanks, Carrie, for this post đ
WOW! What a great collection of new authors/books, Carrie. Of course I adore Julianna’s, and Kasie’s books, and Jenny’s, too! I’ve heard amazing things about Mikal’s novel (must read in 2018) and I’m really liking Jaime’s. Almost done and so good – lot the mystery vibes. đ
Happy 2018 reading!!
Such an honor to be included among all these great writers. Thanks so much, Carrie.
Carrie, thank you so much for including me on this amazing list! Look at all these beautiful books! I have to get reading. đ Happy New Year!
Okay, so how have I never seen Aubrey Grayson and her book before? đ
Thank you so much, Carrie. I seriously can’t figure out how any of you bloggers can make lists of favorites (But I’m glad you do!). Thank you for promoting and supporting and giving us all a heads up on what we might be missing!
Exceptional list, Carrie! I’ve enjoyed several of these awesome books! đ
I was getting worried that I hadnât read ANY of these, but I kept scrolling. I read so many new-to-me authors this year. Ahhhh, how it adds to my TBR piles (yes, definitely plural). I have Bethany Turnerâs book and Joanna Politanoâs books on my January list!!!
Great list!!!
Soooo many great books! I was very pleased to be on three of these authorâs Influencer teams. And I have read several more of these books and most are on my huge TBR pile! I need to get cracking! Thanks for your best of newbie lists! New Years blessings!
Carrie,
Great job! I loved the list so far. There were many I’ve read, and a few I’ve yet to read. Thanks for always being a FANTASTIC source of info into the wonderful world of Christian authors and books! Take care my friend! Rest a bit!
I loved both Heidi Chiavaroli and Karen Sargent’s books.
I’m so proud of you! This is a completely manageable list, nothing like the hive-inducing monstrosity you showed me yesterday đ
What a great list. I’ve read a couple of these authors, have purchased a few more (who are still on my TBR list) and will have to look into others on your list. I really enjoyed Teresa Tysinger’s debut. I’m also happy to see some personal author faves on your list -Jenny B Jones, Kasie West and Kara Isaac.
Great list – I’m seeing many I hope will be favorites of mine for 2018. đ
Seeing Heather Day Gilbert on your list made me want to list her as well, but I read her Vikings of the New World Saga books in 2016! I’ll have to try her suspense fiction this year.
Shelley Shepard Gray, Pam Hillman, Jocelyn Green, Michelle Griep, Michele Phoenix, Rachel Linden, and James Markert were my top favorite new-to-me authors for 2017.
So many great debut books this year! I found some new favorites too. Love trying out new authors!
All new to me authors to explore!!
Here’s my TTT post for this week: https://captivatedreader.blogspot.com/2018/01/top-ten-tuesday-top-ten-new-to-me.html?showComment=1514915871093#c5665488240840941833
SO many great ones!! And a few to add to my TBR pile:)
Kasie West is one of my favorite YA contemporary writers. I’m so happy you got to finally read her stuff!
I will never understand how you make your lists, I’m just very glad you do.
So many good books. I’ve loved reading several on this “new” list.
A Season to Dance was FABULOUS. Looking forward to more from Patricia!
Honored to be included on your list, Carrie!
“Muppet flail!” Lol! Do you have a GIF of that? ?
My favorite “new to me” authors are Carolyn Miller, Kristi Ann Hunter, Lisa Wingate and Ronie Kendig.
Oh Ducky, thank you SO much!!! To be included among such incredibly talented authors is a HUGE honor. <3 THANK YOU!!!!
You are most welcome, dear Ducky â€
Aren’t Kasie West’s books fun? I like to sandwich her light, fluffy romances in between weightier reads when I need a break. I read FREEDOM’S RING and THE HOUSE ON FOSTER HILL last year. I really liked the former, but wasn’t impressed with the latter even though I really, REALLY wanted to be. Oh well.
Yes! Kasie’s books are perfect for the lighter break
Wow what a list! I love these authors and am so thankful to be up here with them. Patricia is right. It feels like our graduation class. Now someone just needs to read a quote from “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!”
Thanks so much for including me. Now to figure out where to squeeze in the time to READ all of these.
đ the struggle is real lol
My friend, I am just thrilled to be on your radar! (And also, I adore you. Whether you ever read my book or not!) đ Thank you!
haha! I WILL read your book one of these days … soonish đ lol I adore you too