One of the benefits of a massive reading challenge is that you get to read a lot of books by new authors. It was quite hard to pick just 10. I basically went and found the first 10 from my challenge. They’re not necessarily the same as my top 10 favorite books from this year, but that’s a topic for another day.

Isabel Allende: I wasn’t so sure about her when I read Zorro, but The House of Spirits was a revelation.

George Eliot: It’s nice to know there are other talented writers from the 19th century besides Austen and the Bronte sisters.

Gabrielle Zevin: I think her book was definitely on my favorites list this year.

Alice Walker: I mean what can you really say? She’s amazing.

Eleanor Catton: Her novel has such scope.

Kelly Link: Thank you for reigniting my love of short stories.

Iris Murdoch: To great books with unlikable characters!

Ursula K. Le Guin: Where have you been all my life?

Leigh Bardugo: great YA. I can’t wait to read the next one.

Naomi Novik:  Another book on the favorites list. I can’t wait to read her big series.

What authors did you discover this year?