Last year, my reading record sucked majorly. I read 60 books, but the vast majority of them were either re-reads or series that I’m really invested in (Rachel Morgan or Mercy Thompson for example). Of those 62, only 8 of those books were new-to-me authors/series. That just seems unacceptable to me. There are so many coming out, that at least a third of what I read should be new to me.
I’ve accepted the fact that I’ve been really out of it for the past year. I’ve been reading, but books I knew I was going to enjoy from series I’ve been a part of for awhile. But I also haven’t been reviewing what I’ve read because I’ve been with those series for so long. I mean, how often can I say that Chloe Neill’s Chicagoland Vampires are exceptional or Nalini Singh just rocks when it comes to angels or shifters? I need to get back out there and trying all those fabulous authors whose stories I keep hearing about.
On top of that, there are so many series that I’ve let slipped that have continued to evolved into phenomenal pieces of fantasy (or so I keep hearing). And that makes me sad as well. I loved Larissa Ione’s Demonica trilogy; but then it wasn’t a trilogy and there have been seven books released since then. Seven! Yeah, I clearly need to find out what all the fuss is about Reaver. Not to mention, I loved Anita Blake, but I haven’t visited St. Louis since Bullet, which means I have at least three books there to catch up with (although that doesn’t seem as bad).
Needless to say, I need to get my reading groove back and branching out again with my reading. So that’s what I’m going to do for February. I’m challenging myself to read at least 6-12 new authors and/or to rediscover some of the fabulous series I’ve read in the past. I’m slowly making a list of what titles those should be, but I could use some help. I’ve been so out of it, that I’m not sure where to start. This is what I have so far:
- Immortals After Dark by Kresley Cole (A Hunger Like No Other)
- Lords of Deliverance by Larissa Ione (Eternal Rider)
- Colbana Files by JC Daniels (Night Blade)
- Written in Red by Anne Bishop
- Endgame by Ann Aguirre
- Iron Druid by Kevin Hearne (Hounded)
- Jessica McClain by Amanda Carlson (Full Blooded)
- Vampire Queen by Joey W. Hill (The Vampire Queen’s Servant)
- Black London by Caitlin Kittredge (Street Magic)
I know this list is far from being complete of all the fabulous series I’ve missed out on, so I would like to ask – what authors/series should I read if I’m out of date? Are you out of date as well? When was the last time you picked up a new-to-you author? In fact, I CHALLENGE YOU to read 2 new authors this month. Can you do it?
Jackie…you made my day. I thought I was the only book blogger who felt way, way behind on the books and series I “should’ve” read. I don’t think one can ever get caught up, but I have my target series for this year, too. And to finish up a series a month. And to catch up on all of the novellas…bleargh.
Anyways, you can’t go wrong with Anne Bishop’s Written in Red, and it would get you up to speed for the March release of Murdrer of Crows. I love Kresley Cole, too, and you can usually fly through her books since they are so addictive. I like Larissa Ione’s books, but they never made it to the love level for me. It looks like you will be having some fun. Good luck with the list!
I love novellas. I found I was reading more of those last year than actual novels. They’s so quick and easy to read. That’s the only way I managed as many books as I did last year. I have no illusion to ever being caught up on all the series I “should” read, but I’m hoping to at least make a step in that direction. *grin*
I’ve been noticing quite a few older bloggers going through hiatuses or burnouts lately. I think we get so caught up in the business end sometimes, that we forget to relax with it as well.
For the previous two years, I actually had challenges to read new-to-me authors. I accomplished it both years – reading an average of 2 per month. But, like you, I’m falling behind on my TBR pile. So this year, I’m actually challenging myself to say NO to new series and new-to-me authors. Sadly, I’m not doing a great job of it. I’ve read at least 2 in January… wait, make that 3! LOL!
Sadly, I’m the opposite. I feel like I only managed 2 new authors total in 2014. I know I did more, but I like finding new series to obsess over. It helps with the time between novels. I’m feeling in the funk again, trying to read the NH books, so I think I’m going to pick something else up to try and break it now.
Remember the good old days when there were about 7 or 8 main series to follow, and the rest was kind of what you were reading in between?
Have you been reading Thea Harrison? Devon’ Monk has a new spinoff series featuring Shamus -unnffff, book 1 was sooo good. You might give Rebekah Turner a try if you want something a bit more under the radar. Had some issues with it, but the world is intriguing.
I know! It was so much easier to remember when new books were coming out. And to try new authors. *grin* Ahhh…the good old days.
I haven’t tried any of those authors yet. Thea Harrison is definitely on my list. I think Nicole and Casey would be upset if she wasn’t. As is Devon Monk’s Allie Beckstrom series. I think I’ll start there before I get to her Shamus. *grin*