Authors I Discovered in 2025 (And Would Recommend!)

In making this post, I have discovered my most concerning fatal flaw: I apparently don’t really discover new authors I love all that often! I rely all too much on the tried and true.

Which, of course, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with. I already know that I am going to read and love everything by authors like Fredrik Backman, T. Kingfisher, and Jenn Lyons. I named three here, but there are a lot of authors I’ve read in the past and enjoyed enough to keep reading their work, so it’s probably no surprise that the majority of my most enjoyed reads every year fall into that category.

BUT! That’s not what we’re here for today. And while it was challenging, I was able to scrounge up ten names for you today.

This week’s Top Ten Tuesday I want to introduce you to ten wonderful authors I discovered in 2025 that I think you absolutely should check out, too!

I may not have read all of these authors’ works, but the one(s) I read in 2025 I enjoyed enough that I will definitely be picking up future (or even past) works by them! Your mileage, of course, may vary. I wholeheartedly admit that my taste in books tends to be pretty niche, though if you’re here, I’m expecting you may relate to that. So welcome! I hope you discover a new-to-you author (or two or three).

Matt Dinniman

I decided to lead with this, because the Dungeon Crawler Carl series is one I’ve mentioned multiple times on this blog, so it should be no surprise that Matt Dinniman has made this list! While I am still working my way through this series (what can I say? The later books are absolute beasts), I can say for sure I will continue to read Dinniman’s releases! In fact, I’ve already started Operation Bounce House. Pretty sure he’s solidified a place on my favorite authors list. Not just mine, too. Behind Freida McFadden, he is probably the second most popular author amongst my library’s staff, and my husband has already beat me to reading all of his work (despite me being the one to introduce him to the series!).

B.K. Borison

I picked up Good Spirits on a whim at the end of last year because I was looking for a cozy season read, and boy did it deliver! Not only did I relate to the chaotic, good-hearted mess that is Harriet, but I loved the banter and adorable coziness of it. I’m really looking forward to the release of the sequel this year, but before that, I’m hoping to check out some of her other backlist books to tide me over in the meantime!

Mark Waddell

Colin Gets Promoted and Dooms the World was one of my favorite reads of 2025! I’ve recommended it to several coworkers already, but I will always take the chance to throw this at as many people as possible. It was quirky, utterly absurd, and ridiculously fun. Especially if you’ve ever had a really crappy corporate job that you’ve feel stuck at. Hopefully you’ve never unleashed an eldritch horror upon New York, but hey, not everyone can make such an impression on upper management.

Kat Hillis

Another queer cozy mystery! I fell in love with Arthur and Sal in Dead & Breakfast . . . but then again, who wouldn’t? Sal is unflappable and unapologetically punny, unbothered by the fact that no one seems to laugh at his corny jokes. Arthur is concerningly relatable—anxious, hopelessly in love with his husband, and the glue that plans everything and keeps things running smoothly. Together, they’re utterly adorkable, and I look forward to revisiting them this year with the upcoming book!

Sloane Brooks

This one’s a debut author, but her novel was so much fun! The Underachiever’s Guide to Saving the World is part romance and part chaotic portal fantasy. While the overarching plot was predictable, the characters were deliciously sarcastic, with interactions filled with banter, and the fantasy world was magical and fun.

Sarah Rees Brennan

Villains, rejoice! Finally, a book every bit as black as your shriveled heart, with a dark world where the only chance for survival is to become a villain in someone’s story. I absolutely loved Long Live Evil, and I’ve successfully foisted it onto several other people with similar tastes, who have also loved it! I’m eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.

Miyuli

I went on a pretty heavy WebToons spree for a while last year, and I discovered quite a few series that I really enjoyed. This one is certainly at the top of the list (and it’s also being physically published now, too). Morgana and Oz is a super cute ill-fated romance where witches and werewolves don’t get along, and Morgana doesn’t make matters any better when her uncontrollable magic accidentally turns Oz into a cat. It’s funny and super adorable, and the art style is charming and cozy.

Hidenori Yamaji

While I read a lot of new manga last year, this one is at the top of the list of new creators I’ve never read before. Saora and the House of Monsters instantly grabbed my attention with it’s very cute, beautiful artwork, but it’s also very unique! While being dark and full of adventure, it’s also cozy and heartwarming. After all, the main characters are actively trying to build a better world by creating custom houses for monsters, because having a home is a life-changing thing. It’s so wholesome, and gives a much-needed break between some of the darker things I read!

Julie Leong

The first thing that struck me about Leong’s books are how utterly gorgeous they are! Look at all those colors! They’re stunning. They’re also super cozy, with some very cute found family vibes, which I am completely here for. I enjoyed The Teller of Small Fortunes last year, even though I didn’t love it. But I started this year with The Keeper of Magical Things, which I did love, and it’s only solidified this author as one whose upcoming works I will definitely pick up without a second thought!

Cecilia Edward

I can hear you groaning, “Another cozy romantasy?!” And okay, fair. But last year, I did discover that I really enjoyed cozy romantasy, so it’s likely not a huge surprise that my new authors are largely that genre, considering I hadn’t read it much before. While I didn’t necessarily think it was groundbreaking, An Ancient Witch’s Guide to Modern Dating was very cute, full of banter, and included adorable fluffy sidekicks. This is another debut author, so I’m excited to see what else she comes up with!

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