Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Top Ten Authors I've Only Read One Book From But Want to Read More

Today, the Top Ten Tuesday topic at The Broke and the Bookish is "Top Ten Authors I've Only Read One Book From But Need to Read More." Or, Let's Get Busy with the Backlist! (Or the front list, in a few cases! But you get the point.)

Sarah Waters: I have read only The Little Stranger, which I didn't absolutely fall in love with . . but it stayed with me in a weird way. Her newest novel The Paying Guests was released, today, actually--and I've got it loaded on the Kindle!

Philipp Meyer: Meyer's novel The Son, an epic saga about a family in Texas, kind of blew me away. I didn't expect it to, but it did. So I really would like to read something from his backlist.

Chimimanda Ngozi Adichie: I read Americanah this summer, and found it about equal parts fascinating and frustrating (my review is here). I've had a few people tell me it isn't her strongest work of fiction. I'd like to try Half of a Yellow Sun.

Roxane Gay: Well, Gay's debut novel An Untamed State is a gripping and powerful book (here is my review). I'd like to read her essay collection, Bad Feminist, and I will certainly be anxious to read her next novel.

Laird Hunt: I loved Laird Hunt's new novel Neverhome about a woman soldier in the Civil War (see my review here). It is gorgeously-written, and I've said a few times that I think it will be one of my favorite novels of the year. Of his previous novels, Kind One piques my interest the most.

Michael Chabon: I've only read The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Klay. Any suggestions for what other Chabon novels I should read? I have a copy of his latest, Telegraph Avenue, but haven't gotten around to it--and I've read mixed reviews. Any thoughts on whether I should read his most recent novel or go into his backlist?

Tom Rachman: I liked but didn't love The Rise and Fall of Great Powers, his sophomore effort (review here). I have heard so many great things about his first novel, The Imperfectionists.

Ann Packer: I loved The Dive from Clausen's Pier. Her new novel The Children's Crusade will be published in 2015, and I will certainly be reading that right away.

Amy Bloom: I always meant to read Away, but somehow never did. I did really enjoy Lucky Us, which was published this summer (my review here).

Ian McEwan: Ok, this is a bit of a cheat, since I've now read 3 McEwans. But up until last week, I had--somehow!--only read Atonement. Last Tuesday, on the day it was first published, I read McEwan's latest novel, The Children Act (see my review here) and then I needed more right away . . . so I read his 2007 On Chesil Beach. And now I very much need to read another. Thoughts on which one? I never read Amsterdam, so I added that one here.

Goodness, I don't know where I'll find the time to read all of these . . . but I'd definitely like to get to them at some point. Have you read any of these? If not, which authors do you hope to read more of?

10 comments:

  1. The Son has been on my wish list ever since it came out... your endorsement makes me want to get the kindle edition today!

    Sarah Waters' Fingersmith is excellent, Night Watch not quite as good. I need to read both The Little Stranger and her latest.

    Sweet Tooth will be my next McEwan (on Chesil Beach is my favorite), but I also have Amsterdam in my tbr pile.

    Sorry I missed TTT today... may do this tomorrow.

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    1. Yes, do your list tomorrow! Who cares if it's Wednesday?

      I just requested Amsterdam from my library, so that will probably be my next McEwan. I have been hearing so many people rave about Fingersmith . . . that has to go on my list. I need to create The Great Backlist Project!!

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  2. What a great list. I think Atonement is arguably McEwan's best. I really liked Enduring Love though (but not everyone did), and I agree with JoAnn, On Chesil Beach is pretty good.

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    1. I would definitely like to read Enduring Love. Maybe what I need is Big McEwan Backlist Project . . . .

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  3. I was not a fan of Telegraph Avenue, but I still haven't read anything other than Kavalier and Klay, so I don't have a better suggestion for you. American Rust is definitely on my list, too!

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  4. I read The Imperfectionists and enjoyed it; it's a bit of a heavy read, but very well-written and worth the time. I hope you like it!

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    1. Thanks! It's on the list . . . but who knows when I'll get through that list?!!

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  5. I really liked The Imperfectionists -- I hope you'll get to read it!

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    1. It must have been hard for Tom Rachman to follow that up . . . The Rise and Fall of Great Powers didn't quite meet the expectations of those who had read his debut, it seems. I suppose the 2nd novel is always difficult for authors when they've had great success with their first.

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