I love book lists – especially when they encompass an entire YEAR of reading. This week on Broke and the Bookish, rather than share our favorites from 2016 (although we will, soon!), we’re sharing our favorite new-to-me authors from the year. I’ve read my fair share of new releases and debuts this year, but a lot of my new-to-me authors have been around for a while, some I’ve put off reading for far too long and others I’m just now discovering. There are many, many more new-to-me authors that could be on this list, but here I’ve focused on the new-to-me authors that I’ve already read a follow-up novel from (or will soon!).

Lisa Lutz – The Passenger and How to Start a Fire

Lutz has a gift for bringing characters together in unlikely ways, creating an unbreakable bond between them even in the face of danger. I can’t wait to see what she does next!

Ray Bradbury – The Martian Chronicles

I read The Martian Chronicles as my first read for The Classics Club, but of course I couldn’t stop there! His writing is truly groundbreaking.

Neil Gaiman – Stardust

Does anyone read Stardust, and not love it? I think it’s impossible. His work is full of imagination and wonder, I have to read more!

Terry Pratchett (and Neil Gaiman) – Good Omens

I’ve also fallen down the rabbit hole of Terry Pratchett. While the novel is written by himself and Neil Gaiman, the humor is down-right hilarious, twisting the expected story line into a curious tale of absolute hilarity.

Marissa Meyer – The Lunar Chronciles

I’ve started quite a few YA fantasy series this year, but I knew from the start that if I was going to finish any of them, it was going to be The Lunar Chronicles. And, as expected, her latest novel, Heartless, is just as to be expected: AMAZING!

Amie Kaufman, Jay Kristoff – The Illuminae Files

The Illuminae Files are incredible, and I’m so excited to read more of their stand-alone novels in the new year. I’ve heard amazing reviews on Kristoff’s Nevernight and Kaufman’s These Broken Stars.

Mary Kubica – The Good Girl and Don’t You Cry

If you’re looking for a good mystery (that will keep you guessing) look no further. Always available on Hoopla and other digital library aps, Kubica was a name that kept popping up again and again in my feed – so I gave her novels a try, and boy am I glad that I did!

James Dashner – The Maze Runner

I’d already seen the first movie, but when it actually came time to watch the second I suddenly decided to start reading the books first. And OMG. I’ve never consumed a series this quickly with so much carried interest the entire way through. From the secondary story to the prequel, this series is a must read!

Gillian Flynn – Gone Girl and Sharp Objects

Ok, so Gillian Flynn was obviously new-to-me back in 2014 when the Gone Girl film was released, but it was only this year I actually picked up a second novel of hers. And a third, and a fourth. Sadly, I’ve read her entire collection, but here’s hoping for something new soon!

L.S. Hilton – Maestra

The second installment in Hilton’s Maestra series is set to release in March and I couldn’t be more excited! Her characters are dark and complex, and I can’t wait to read where they go next!

Who are your favorite new-to-me authors?