New Author crushes?

piscesgirl80 · Apr 18, 2009

Granted I am a book slut, but recently stumbled across Carol Goodman...and am absolutely in love. Adore the way she combines art, history and myth/folktale references in her stories, creating brilliant touching characters.

What other authors have folks here recently become fans of? (Can be any author, if you just read Shakespeare for the first time, counts too.)

maestrowork · Apr 18, 2009

I never read Ian McEwan before but I fell in love with the way he uses words. And it's not like he uses long, difficult words; just the way he uses them. It's like you know all the ingredients that go in the dish, but the result is nothing short of scrumptious.

AnonymousWriter · Apr 18, 2009

I've recently become a fan of Markus Zusak. I love his style of writing.

WildScribe · Apr 18, 2009

I have recently begun to devour everything I can find by author Catherine Asaro. She is BRILLIANT. Literally some kind of rocket scientist, she combines hard sci fi with romance in a totally wonderful way. **crush**

scarletpeaches · Apr 18, 2009

Haruki Murakami.

I've only read one of his books - the slight After Dark but I have another on the shelf (Norwegian Wood) and know I'll buy and read more.

Trouble is, I don't know how 'true' the translations are!

Cath · Apr 18, 2009

Tom Robbins - who spookily given Scarlet's comment was introduced to me as an American Haruki Murakami. I'm not sure the comparison is accurate, but he's good nonetheless!

Fulk · Apr 18, 2009

My sig, and the occasional post, will reveal my new-found love of new author Brent Weeks. There's just something about the way he manages to create a real dark fantasy world but still manages to pepper in humor. And nearly all of the characters--even some downright rotten ones--are sympathetic and likable. I think he does a great job of making it seem as if everything is finally going to work out for the characters, and then throws a massive wrench at them.

I've also become a fan of Kafka, Voltaire, and several other masters of the literary tradition in the past year or so.

dgiharris · Apr 18, 2009

I Just blazed through George R. R. Martin's "A Song of Fire and Ice" series in the last month or so.

Unfortunately, it takes him 4yrs to write each book and he is a year overdue for the next in the series.

Also, went through Peter F. Hamilton's books like a hot knife through something soft and squishy

As for talented newcomers (new being the last five years)

THere is an author named Tony Ballantyne. I read his book "Recursion" and was blown away. Futuristic story about mankinds expansion and artificial intelligence. Well done.

Lastly, just finished all the books by an author named David Feintuch, unfortunately, he died a few years ago so there will be no more from him.

Mel...

dgiharris · Apr 18, 2009

On to a literal interpretation of your post.

I am by no means, enamored by celebrities. I've met a few and pretty much don't care. For some reason, I view actors as nothing more than the puppets of writers and can't get worked up because Tom Cruise is across the street.

But I do love writers and directors. I feel a deeper 'bond' with them.

There is a writer, C.S. Friedman, who was among the first Sci-Fi / Fantasy authors to blow me away. Something about her Cold Fire Trilogy just resonated with me and is on my top five books of all time list.

Anyways, back to crushes.

I have fantasies about showing her just how grateful of a reader I am. They involve me taking her out on a night out on the town, some nice dinner, dancing, and a romantic walk along the riverwalk.

Then we retire to a five star hotel room where I rock her world until the sun comes up.

Mel...

SPMiller · Apr 18, 2009

Well, that counts as a crush, all right.

Fulk · Apr 21, 2009

dgiharris said:
I Just blazed through George R. R. Martin's "A Song of Fire and Ice" series in the last month or so.

Not to derail, but I really want to read this series. It sounds like something I would like.

dgiharris · Apr 21, 2009

Fulk said:
Not to derail, but I really want to read this series. It sounds like something I would like.

I recommend George R.R. Martin's series for several reasons

1) It is good
2) It is the next evolution of story telling
3) He does some unconventional things (won't spoil it here)
4) He makes a mistake in the fourth book of the series that should be required reading for all writers (won't spoil it other than to say it is not really a mistake but rather he breaks a writing Taboo. I'm hoping he is able to make it work in his fifth book due this September)

Books 1 - 3 will blow you away. Book 4 is more of a place holder to rebuild the platform for book 5. If he doesn't recover in book 5, his series is lost.

But it is definitely worth reading. Read the first book 'Game of Thrones', and you will be hooked.

Mel...

SPMiller · Apr 22, 2009

4) He makes a mistake in the fourth book of the series that should be required reading for all writers (won't spoil it other than to say it is not really a mistake but rather he breaks a writing Taboo. I'm hoping he is able to make it work in his fifth book due this September)

I hate to butt in yet again, but don't get your hopes up. Read:

- http://www.georgerrmartin.com/if-update.html
- http://grrm.livejournal.com/74995.html

This has happened repeatedly over the years. Martin creates goals for himself and misses them. Martin's publisher announces fake dates while Martin denies those dates. I wouldn't hold my breath.

emilycross · Apr 23, 2009

AnonymousWriter said:
I've recently become a fan of Markus Zusak. I love his style of writing.

Totally agree!! The Book Thief is one of the best books i've ever read

shawkins · May 3, 2009

I really liked Soon I Will Be Invincible by Austin Grossman (superhero spoof) and Let the Right One In (vampires in Sweden) by John Lindqvist. I'll pick up whatever they come up with next in hardback.

New Author crushes?

piscesgirl80

Friendly Neighborhood Fish

maestrowork

Fear the Death Ray

AnonymousWriter

WildScribe

Slave to the Wordcount

scarletpeaches

Cath

The mean one

Fulk

Occasional Contributer

dgiharris

Disgruntled Scientist

dgiharris

Disgruntled Scientist

SPMiller

Prodigiously Hanged

Fulk

Occasional Contributer

dgiharris

Disgruntled Scientist

SPMiller

Prodigiously Hanged

emilycross

is away with the fairies

shawkins

Ahhh. Sweet.