New-to-Me Authors I Discovered in 2023

New years mean different things to everyone. Sometimes new resolutions. Sometimes the marking of new opportunities. And sometimes just one step closer in the march to the endless, inevitable void that some call the future. But for bookwyrms? New years mean new books, which means new authors to discover!

Also, maybe (probably) some of the other things, as well, because bookwyrms are allowed to be well-rounded, developed people. You own that existential dread like your life depends on it!

This week’s Top Ten Tuesday is new-to-me authors I discovered in 2023. Sure, y’all probably already knew aaaaall about these authors and I’m the last one to discover them. But dragging myself out from under my rock is hard, okay? Don’t judge.

Sometimes I find it all too easy to stick with my tried-and-true authors, so I try to make an effort to venture out into unknown territory! Of course, NetGalley and seeing all the tempting new releases always help me add more authors to my must-read lists! So here are ten authors whose work you should definitely check out.

John Scalzi

John Scalzi has been sort of on my periphery this year, but Starter Villain was too perfect to pass up last year. Boy am I glad I gave him a try! Scalzi has a writing style that is sarcastic and witty while also being wildly tongue-in-cheek funny. He excels at creating likeable, relatable squads . . . assuming, of course, you relate to thirty- or forty-somethings who have absolutely no idea what they’re supposed to be doing with their lives, but they’re pretty sure it’s not whatever it is they’re doing at the moment. From what I’ve read of him so far, his books are fast-paced and action-packed, but it’s really the characters that shine the most. I’m not sure about his other work, but the two that I’ve read so far have slightly absurd plots, in a way that absolutely forces you to keep reading to find out what other wonky things are bound to happen next. There’s always more surprises to be had.

Travis Baldree

I absolutely enjoyed Travis Baldree’s slice-of-life, cozy mysteries that I read last year. They were absolutely heartwarming and left me with lots of warm fuzzies that left a smile on my face. What I read included queer romances—the charming slow-burn, hesitant sort that hinge on a payoff at the end (and boy do they have a payoff). Baldree is a master at creating charming squads, pulling in all sorts of different characters from all walks of life. There’s a focus on community that I particularly enjoyed too. Plus, I really enjoyed that the plots are basically a coming-of-age story for older protagonists. Because sometimes older people have a need to find themselves now and then and mature, as well.

Riley Sager

Riley Sager is an author that I’ve long recommended to patrons based on all the good things I’ve heard about their work. Embarrassingly, I’d never actually picked up any of their books, even though they’d been on my TBR forever! After a coworker basically threw The Only One Left at me last year, I finally tried a Sager book. Not sure why I waited so long. Sager is a master at weaving a creepy, suspenseful atmosphere that feels like something not-quite-right is lurking in the shadows. I only read one of their books last year, but there were plenty of surprising plot twists that kept me guessing right up to the end. The writing is also completely engaging, and I couldn’t put it down until I knew how it ended!

David Levithan

David Levithan is an author that I’d heard of in passing but had never given much thought to until I accidentally stumbled upon Answers in the Pages and absolutely fell in love with it! Levithan writes queer romance in a way that is completely heartfelt and adorable. His writing style isn’t always linear, and some of the joy exists when these well-threaded strings all finally tie together in such a satisfying way. Levithan also has a habit of making some thoughtful social commentary with his work, in a way that really makes you stop and think.

S. H. Cotugno

S. H. Cotugno’s art style may be familiar if you’ve seen Gravity Falls (and if you haven’t . . . why? Do you intentionally go around just not watching awesome shows?!) That was definitely what first grabbed my attention about this book. I have always had a sort of love for Cotugno’s cutesy but absolutely stunning art style. Cotugno’s book (much like the show) is filled with quirky, slightly abnormal characters. Werewolves and vampires notwithstanding, of course. The story is also fairly fast-paced and packed with action.

Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Assistant to the Villain may very well have been my favorite book of last year, which is even more impressive given that it’s Hannah Nicole Maehrer’s debut novel (but not her last, as it’s the first of a series). Maehrer has a writing style that doesn’t take itself too seriously. She relies heavily on tongue-in-cheek narration, often subverting expectations. The characters themselves are laugh-out-loud funny, sometimes without even meaning to be. This book in particular features a slow-burn romance that’s utterly adorable and swoony. What I particularly appreciate about this book are the strong female characters that grow into themselves over the course of the story.

K. J. Charles

I had the pleasure of reading two of K. J. Charles’ books last year, which helped me discover how much I enjoy romance! Also . . . apparently, I’m a bad judge of smut level? Charles writes queer steamy romance, but it’s a running joke in the book club I lead that I’m a bad judge of how much spice a book has. So I’ll just say these have some, and you can judge it yourself. Charles writes compelling, complicated characters that are just doing their best and inevitably making mistakes. The stories tend to be more slice of (historical) life, but engaging enough where I didn’t want to put them down.

Megan Bannen

Megan Bannen is a name that’s been on my TBR since before her first book was released. I’ve always loved the covers of her fantasy books, but ironically, it was her paranormal romance that I read first! The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy is a slightly smutty paranormal romance featuring some of my favorite things: a sarcastic narrator, adorable family bonds, and enemies-to-lovers. I confess I tend to skip most steamy scenes (hellooooo fellow aces), so I can’t comment on that. However, I enjoy the way Bannen writes her romance with strong romantic leads. It isn’t just the romance, though. Bannen also spins compelling, interesting worlds that I would absolutely love to get lost in for a while.

Becky Albertalli

This is a name that’s been recommended to me many, many times and took me waaaaay too long to finally get around to reading! Becky Albertalli writes queer romance in a really thoughtful way that examines queer identities and the way a person can belong in them. The first of her books I read was Imogen, Obviously, and it struck me how Albertalli allows her characters to discover themselves in a wholly relatable way.

Jason June

I have a bit of a complicated relation with Jason June. I want to love his work, but there are usually sticking points to every book of his I’ve read. However, I really enjoy his adorable queer romance that asks its characters to unapologetically be themselves. The stories themselves tend to be feel-good and cozy, with just enough at stake to be invested. A lot of the books focus around characters discovering who they want to be in a wide world that wants to tell them who they’re allowed to be. One thing I appreciate about all of June’s work is the way his characters get to be their authentic selves, even if it takes them some time to discover. Plus, if you’ve never checked out his Instagram, Jason June is simply a delight to follow in general, and will definitely brighten your timeline!

Liselle Sambury

I’ll admit I wasn’t completely sold on the idea of Delicious Monsters when I picked it up, but Liselle Sambury definitely won me over. Her writing is atmospheric and evocative, weaving together heartbreak and suspense in a very unique way. Her characters are flawed and realistic, each with their own secrets and baggage. Sambury writes a compelling social commentary that strikes at the heart of an issue that will absolutely have you feeling for the characters.

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