Most bookworms have that list of authors that are their go-to “must buy.” It took me a while to have such a dedicated list since I was burned by book hype and reads that disappointed me. Also, I tend to read a lot of classics, so contemporary authors never met my interests or radar.
That is until I encountered the following authors.
I fell in love with their books, and I haven’t looked back. The authors have introduced me to new ideas and fantastic storytelling, and I consider them the best of the best. I have a rule where I have to read at most three books by the same author for me to think of them to be part of my must-buy crew. So, if you are looking for a new author to add to your TBR pile, the following ones will lead you in the right direction.
Don’t worry. This is always an ever-growing list. The next time around, you will see a new group of authors that make the list. So keep on the lookout!
Catherine Ryan Howard
After reading 56 Days, I was captivated by how twisty and engrossing the books was. I knew that had to look to see what other books she has written and since then, I always on the look for new titles by Ryan.
Sara Barnard
I credit Barnard for getting me interested in rereading YA. After reading Goodbye Perfect, I discovered that YA can be written beautifully and realistically. Barnard doesn’t try to sound like a teenager; she writes from the heart. And it made me I believe that there could be believable YA out there.
Laura Bates
The first book I read by Bates was Everyday Sexism, and from then on, I had to get my hands on everything she had written. The way she writes, whether it is an essay or fiction book, the way she writes is so insightful and enlightening that you can’t help but Feel empowered by her words. If am you haven’t read anything by Laura Bates, now is the perfect time to begin.
Holly Jackson
Sara Barnard got me rereading YA fiction, and Holly Jackson got me rereading YA mysteries. A Good Girls Guide To Murder series was exciting and completely different from what I’ve previously read before and from then on. Every book in the series didn’t disappoint, so I am always anticipating what latest thriller she comes up with, and so far, like with A Good Girls Guide…, Jackson hasn’t disappointed.
Nadine Matheson
It’s so rare to read a BIPOC main character in a mystery, let alone by a BIPOC author. So, discovering Nadine Matheson was a godsend for me. Not only reading the Inspector Anjelica Henley series was exciting and new , it was also compelling and suspenseful to read and its been awhile for me to be excited for a mystery series. Matheson has created a series that is both realistic and thrilling that makes you want more after you hit the last page.
Manjeet Mann
Run Rebel left an emotional punch, The Crossing had me enthralled. Every book that I buy from her has always been a winner and has left me with a different outlook on life. The innovative way she wrote The Crossing cemented Mann for me as one of my favorite authors.
John Allison
Giant Days was one of the books, in this case, series, that saved me during the COVID lockdown. When there wasn’t anything on TV, reading this series in one sitting was like having a TV show in my head! After reading the last issue, Giant Days, I couldn’t get enough of John Allison’s wit, humor, and creative storytelling. I had to read everything that he had created. If I am ever in a funk or need a break from reading dark and mysterious stories, Allison’s comics are always a good pick-me-up.
Laura Purcell
Agatha Christie is the Queen of Mystery, and Laura Purcell is the Queen of Gothic Fiction. Purcell has the gift of creating dark and atmospheric gothic stories that are not only profoundly researched but also enriched with captivating storytelling and mysterious writing with stories that leave you with a satisfying chill down your spine.
Sarah Crossan
I consider Crossan to be the Queen of Novels in Verse. The reason that I now read novels in verse. Crossan’s work is always so captivating and emotional that towards the end of her novels, eyes are always left with tears. If you are not a fan of novels in verse, then you should definitely pick up one of Crossan’s award -winning novels to change your perspective.
Matt Haig
Another award-winning author that leaves such an emotional impact through their writing. Haig creates inspirational writing through both fiction and nonfiction works. You always find yourself rereading it over and over because you need to read something moving and uplifting to get you through the rest of the day. That is what Matt Haig’s works does for me.
Nikita Gill
I was never a big poetry person. That is until I read Nikita Gill’s works. She took poetry (and combine it with a beautiful artwork) to a whole different level. Here is another author who provides inspirational and motivational words that are helpful when dealing with mental health issues and matters. If you are having trouble reading poetry, I highly recommend reading Gill’s beautiful work.
Jojo Moyes
I credit Jojo Moyes for getting me out my reading funk years ago. After reading Me Before You, I not only wanted to read everything else by Moyes, but this was also a time where I fell in love reading British and Irish contemporary books. Moyes doesn’t just write romantic stories. She writes stories that are seeped with emotional and realistic storytelling that just stay with you always. I always feel enriched when I read another Moyes novel and in awe of the different stories that she can tell. That’s why she is one of my favorite authors of all time.
- Quote of the Day – September 4, 2026
- Problems of an Overworked Librarian #338
Marching in with a purpose this month…
- Quote of the Day – September 3, 2026
- Quote of the Day – September 2, 2026
- Quote of the Day – September 1, 2026
- The Winner of the 2026 YA Book Prize is…
The winner of the YA Book Prize has just been revealed:
Congratulations to Josh Silver for his book, TraumaLand!
Synopsis
Welcome to your worst nightmare.
Seventeen-year-old Eli has been in a near-fatal car crash. As the anniversary looms, his therapist and family struggle to help him deal with the fall out. The accident has left him emotionally numb, with no memory of the months following the crash.
Desperate to feel something again, Eli winds up at an underground club called Traumaland. But this is no ordinary nightclub. Here he joins crowds of other emotionally numb people, all seeking to experience a new thrill by entering virtual reality simulations of nightmarish scenarios through the points of view of various characters.
When he enters the story of a boy called Jack, he discovers a darker truth to the club. A truth that sets Eli on a dangerous journey to find the source of his own trauma. (Credit: Oneworld Publications)
Get It From:
Add To Your TBR Pile:
Congratulations again to the winner and to the shortlist authors!
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