2011 Debut Author Challenge Wrap-Up

This year was my first year participating in the Debut Author Challenge and I have to say that I quite enjoyed it. At the end of last year I had set myself the goal of reading at least 15 books by debut authors and I am proud to say that I have met that goal. In the process I discovered some fantastic new authors and books, and since this is the end of the year I though I would showcase a few of my favorites. So here are some of my favorite 2011 books by debut authors, in no particular order.

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

Unearthly was definitely one of my favorite debut books, if not one of my favorite books this year in general. I loved the premise and the way Cynthia Hand made the angel story her own. It was definitely a great read and if you haven't read it yet I really recommend that you do so as soon as possible.

Witchlanders by Lena Coakley

I did not expect to enjoy Witchlanders nearly as much as I did which is why I'm including it on this list. High fantasy stories don't tend to be my cup of tea but with this one I found myself being drawn into the story and loving every minute of if. It was a truly fantastic read.

Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton

Everyone kept saying how good Angelfire was but I didn't end up reading it until quite a while after it released. And then I was kicking myself for having waited so long. I loved Ellie's story and everything about the world Courtney Allison Moulton created. This is definitely another book you want to read.

Wither by Lauren DeStefano

When I first heard about Wither, I wasn't really sure how I would feel about a story that involves polygamy. But then I started reading and couldn't put it down. And the dystopian world that Lauren DeStefano created felt completely realistic and her writing had me captivated the whole way through.

Divergent by Veronica Roth

I couldn't not include Divergent on this list. It was by far one of the best debuts and one of the best books I read this year. Despite its length, I read this one pretty much in one sitting because it was impossible to put it down. If you haven't read this yet, you absolutely need to because you are seriously missing out.

So these are some of my favorite 2011 debuts. There are many more that I enjoyed quite a lot as well, but none quite as much as I did these ones. And now I can't wait to read the sequels to many of these and find out what happens next.

2012 Debut Author Challenge and Sophomore Reading Challenge

Just like this year, next year I am planning on participating in The Story Siren's Debut Author Challenge. This year was my first year participating and I really enjoyed it, especially discovering all these new authors that I wouldn't otherwise have necessarily paid attention to.

This year my goal was to read 15 books for the challenge (which I have achieved and even have time to read more). So since this is a number I find manageable on top of school and work, that will be my goal again this year. After looking through all the debuts coming out next year, here is my tentative list for 2012.

- Everneath Brodi Ashton

- Everything You Need to Survive the Apocalypse by Lucas Klauss

- Incarnate by Jodi Meadows

- Cinder by Marissa Meyer

- The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg

- The Alchemy of Forever by Avery Williams

- Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

- Illuminate by Aimee Agresti

- Slide by Jill Hathaway

- Pretty Crooked by Elisa Ludwig

- Where It Began by Ann Redisch Stampler

- The Selection by Kiera Cass

- Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris

- Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins

- Reunited by Hilary Weisman Graham

This list is likely to change as the year moves forward but hopefully I will get to read all of these because they all sound really great.

Next year, and for the first time, Chick Loves Lit will be hosting the Sophomore Reading Challenge. Basically this challenge is similar to the DAC, but it means by participating you will be reading author's sophomore (or second) books. I thought this was a great idea, as I will be reading a lot of second books next year, many of them from the same authors I read for the DAC this year. So it just seemed logical to participate. 

The minimum number of books to read is 10, and so far my list is at 14. Though it will most likely increase as I read a few more debut books this year. So here is my tentative list of sophomore books for 2012:

- Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

- Wings of the Wicked by Courtney Allison Moulton

- Seven Clues to Winning You by Kristin Walker

- Insurgent by Veronica Roth

- Enshadowed by Kelly Creagh

- Dreamless by Josephine Angelini

- Arise by Tara Hudson

- Embers and Echoes by Karsten Knight

- The Wood Queen by Karen Mahoney

- Fever by Lauren DeStefano

- The Disenchantments  by Nina LaCour

- The Right & The Real by Joelle Anthony

- The Lies That Bind by Lisa & Laura Roecker

- Never Enough by Denise Jaden

So these are two challenges I am planning on participating next year, and depending on how much time I have and the offers out there I may take part in more. As it is, I am really excited for these two.