Happy Tuesday Bookworms!
This week the ladies of The Broke and the Bookish have come up with a fabulous topic as inspiration for me to get my list on. Today we’ll be exploring authors I’ve only read one book from and I need to read ALL THE THINGS. You know how it is. You read a book, you’re totally wowed, and you vow to plunge into the author’s back list. Then LIFE gets all up in the way and thwarts the best of intentions. Here are some fabulous authors I need to read more from!
1. Octavia Butler: I read Kindred
last year (review) and LOVED it. I know I need more Octavia Butler in my life, I need to make it a higher priority.
2. J. Maarten Troost: I really had no idea what to expect going into Headhunters on My Doorstep
(review), but I was pleasantly surprised. Troost is hilarious, yo. His adventures (and misadventures) amused me greatly. After checking out some other reviews of this book, I saw a lot of people complain that it wasn’t as great as his previous work. If this is mediocre, the other stuff must be INSANELY good. All the more reason for me to explore the back list!
3. Sherman Alexie: I bought Flight
during a sale (review) and wasn’t expecting a whole lot out of it. I knew it wasn’t his most famous novel so I went thought it would just be “meh.” I was eating some serious crow because WOAH. I need to read more Sherman Alexie, like yesterday.
4. Markus Zusak: Oh, The Book Thief
(review). I really loved this book, but maybe I’m too emotionally scarred by it to read more Zusak? I’m not really sure what the holdup is. I really need to work on this procrastination thing.
5. Kazuo Ishiguro: Funny/embarrassing story. I actually DID try to read another Kazuo Ishiguro novel after having my mind blown by Never Let Me Go
. Only, there was a mishap with me being a banana head and mixing up this Japanese name with a different Japanese name. I disgust myself on a regular basis, truly.
6. Christina Baker-Kline: I really dug Orphan Train
(review). I don’t know why I haven’t read more Christina Baker-Kline. I’m running low on excuses here.
7. Anne-Marie MacDonald: I talk about Fall On Your Knees
like it’s going out of style. I love that book SO much. Why, oh why have I not read any more Anne-Marie MacDonald? It’s shameful.
8. Liane Moriarty: I read What Alice Forgot
(review) a while back for book club and found it enjoyable. Now that everyone and their mom is all gaga over Big Little Lies
, I’m questioning my decision not to have read ALL THE MORIARTY.
9. Ursula Hegi: Stones from the River
is one of those books that constantly winds up on my lists of amazing books and yet I’ve only read the one Ursula Hegi novel. What gives, Katie?! Sheesh!
10. Gabrielle Zevin: I love-love-loved The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry
! I’m cutting myself a little more slack with Gabrielle Zevin because it hasn’t been all that long since I read my first of her books. Still. High up on the list. MORE ZEVIN!
That just about does it. Tell me, Bookworms. Who are some of the authors you’ve only read one book from, but you can’t figure out WHY?
*If you make a purchase through a link on this site, I will receive a small commission.*
Like this:
Like Loading...
Words For Worms
I don’t know why the comments are closed! Gah!
Words For Worms
I seem to have fixed the commenting problem… I think? If you have trouble, send me an email at wordsforworms@gmail.com. XOXOXO
Jennifer @ The Relentless Reader
You’ve listed a bunch that I would have as well. Good thing I rarely get myself together and do a Top 10 Tuesday, ha. Seriously though, what are we waiting for? Only one Butler? Zusak? We need to buckle down. As soon as there are more hours in a day, amirite?
Words For Worms
YES. More hours. This whole life thing really interferes with my reading time!
Monika @ Lovely Bookshelf
You listed a couple that I would have listed, too! I recently read Baker-Kline for the first time (review is on the blog today) and really enjoyed it. My sister gave me her copy of Orphan Train, so hopefully that won’t sit around for too long!
Words For Worms
It was a great review, and now I know my next Baker-Kline read!
kristin @ my little heart melodies
Ishiguro made my “honorable mentions” for my list… I’ve been waiting for Remains of the Day to come available on my library’s audio overdrive. I haven’t read any Troost, but The Sex Life of Cannibals has been on my radar for a while!
Words For Worms
I just got The Sex Lives of Cannibals on my library’s Audio Tumblecloud thingie (I normally use OverDrive, but some poking around introduced me to MORE FREE AUDIO BOOKS!) It is cracking me up!
Leila @ Readers' Oasis
Oh, I didn’t think of Ishiguro when doing my list–but I’ve only read The Remains of the Day, and would like to read more. Hahaha about mixing up names! When I was asking someone recently if they’d read Murakami, I said Mukarami . . . oh dear, the SHAME!!
Words For Worms
…. Murakami is the name I mixed up with Ishiguro. They’re not even close. Don’t be ashamed, Leila!
Charleen
I think the “why” of it is actually pretty easy… TOO MANY BOOKS!
I’ve also noticed that the longer an author’s backlist, the more intimidating it is to get started. I can’t tell you how many authors have remained in this category for years, to the point where I can’t even remember details of the first book I read from them and they all blend together, and now that my tastes have evolved, am I still excited about them? I ended up scrapping about half of my list this week for this reason, and just stuck with five authors I KNOW I need to read more from… as opposed to a bunch of authors that I’d probably enjoy if I continued but I just don’t feel that same urgency.
Words For Worms
You are absolutely right. There are just too many damn books. I want to read them all, and it’s simply impossible! I agree that the longer a backlist is the harder it is to crack into. When I read a sophomore tome I love and then only have the debut to tackle, I’m much more likely to try it out. Weird phenomenon!
Amy @ Read a Latte
Kazuo Ishiguro, Sherman Alexie, and Gabrielle Zevin! How did I forget them all! The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian is a great one by Sherman Alexie, if you’re looking for another one!
Words For Worms
I’m reading it now!!! It’s awesome so far, but of course, I expected nothing less.
Sarah Says Read
Yes, Octavia Butler! I don’t know how I’ve gone this long between reading Kindred and anything else by her. I’m thinking I need to pick a book by her or Sherman Alexie as a Diversiverse read…
Words For Worms
Read a Butler, because I’m reading an Alexie right now. Then we can report back :).
Missie
Markus is on my list too! Totally need to read anything and everything he puts out!
Missie @ A Flurry of Ponderings
Words For Worms
I’ve heard great thinks about I Am Messenger. I think that’ll be where I start.
Megan
Great list! There’s a bunch that easily could have made my list. I mean, I read Kindred ages ago and can’t believe I haven’t gotten back to Butler yet. There’s a bunch I’ve been meaning to read a first book from, too. For shame. There are just too many books to read!
Words For Worms
Oh, we’re all sitting in the shame corner today, Megan. It’s okay :).
Cait @ Notebook Sisters
I’ve got Markus Zusak on my list too!! But I definitely know what you mean…how much pain do I want in my life?! >_< But still, The Book Thief was so amazing and I want to read I Am The Messenger! Here’s my TTT!
Words For Worms
Yes! I was so BROKEN at the end of The Book Thief. I think my avoidance is a self preservation mechanism.
Sarah @ Sarah's Book Shelves
I was stupid, stupid to leave Zevin off my list…I loved AJ Fikry so much and definitely want to read more of her as well.
Moriarty is not my cup of tea…I’ve read 3 of her books now and keep thinking I should like them b/c everyone else does, but I just don’t. I’m throwing in the towel on her 🙁
Words For Worms
No sense in reading what you don’t like, Sarah. Throw in that towel if you have to!
Isi
It’s a great idea for a list, I agree! We all know how it is 😉
I have only read Zusak from your list, and yes, I have not read any other book by him, so I wonder why.
Words For Worms
I’m glad I’m in good company.
ThatAshGirl
Oooo I have to think about this one.
Alice Sebold – I didn’t read anything she wrote after the Lovely Bones
Holly Black – I read the Coldest Girl in Coldtown but haven’t read any of the Spiderwick Chronicles
Gillian Flynn – I read Gone Girl (of course) but haven’t read any of her others although Sharp Objects is on my To Read list
John Green – I have yet to get around to reading his other stuff although I have Paper Towns and Looking for Alaska
Nick Hornby – I’ve only ever read High Fidelity.
Words For Worms
I haven’t read any Nick Hornby. Now I shall hang my head in shaaaaaaaaaaaaame.
Andi (@estellasrevenge)
I’m just gonna say “amen” because SO MANY of these authors.
Words For Worms
YES. A to the Men. Or, something.
Jenny @ Reading the End
Aw you should most definitely read more Markus Zusak. Read The Messenger! It’s not emotionally wrenching the way most of Zusak’s books are, but it’s still really good. Fighting Ruben Wolfe and Getting the Girl made me cry stupid tears.
Words For Worms
Hmmmm… I think I’ll go for the one that doesn’t involve stupid tears. At least for now 😉
Kim (Sophisticated Dorkiness)
Good list! I want to read more Octavia Butler too — she’s great.
Words For Worms
Isn’t she, though?
Akilah
I, too, need to read more Octavia Butler since I’ve only read Kindred.
Also, I read two of Moriarty’s books, but I’m sure I put that Alice book on my TBR list a long time ago, so…yes. I need to get on that.