Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly linkup of book bloggers hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl! This week, we’re talking about debut novels we love. I don’t think of myself as much of a debut person, but when I was tracking it, it turns out I read more than I think. Here are ten that especially stand out in my mind.
The Virgin Suicides: Of course this one is on the list given that it’s one of my very favorites of all time. Beautiful storytelling and characterization, such a well-established sense of place.
Homegoing: Knitting together centuries of history without leaning too far into feeling like a greatest hits collection.
The Kite Runner: It is just mind boggling to me that anyone could be so smart as to be an entire medical doctor before giving it up to write and this being your first book.
Stay With Me: I don’t think this is a perfect book. But it’s one that stayed with me long after I read it and I think that’s one of the most impressive tricks a book can pull off.
The God of Small Things: Just dazzling use of language and an incredible poignancy to the story.
The Bear and the Nightingale: A fantastic kick-off to a series that managed to maintain its momentum throughout, a tricky feat for anyone but especially a first-timer.
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao: I have not forgotten about the reports of abusive conduct by Junot Diaz, but his first novel is wildly inventive and surprising and a real knock-out.
The Last One: One of those books I found myself saying “just one more chapter” about until it was 2 AM and regretted nothing.
Love Medicine: I usually hate books told as interconnected short stories but this one is just so gooooooood.
The Age of Miracles: This book could have been just another exercise in dystopia but Walker found a new perspective on a very common scenario, which takes not inconsiderable talent.
I’m so happy to see The Bear and Nightingale on your list. 😀 I haven’t read any of the other books but I do have some of them on my TBR. Hopefully, I’ll enjoy them as much as you did. Thanks for stopping by my blog!
This is an excellent list. I especially loved Homegoing and The Bear and The Nightingale, and I’m a long-time fan of Louise Erdrich. Thanks for the recommendations!
I’ve been meaning to read Homegoing for a while. I must get to it soon. Happy reading! My TTT https://readwithstefani.com/the-10-best-books-i-read-in-the-last-10-years/
Stay With Me was so memorable. I need to pick up the author’s new book.