Tell Me Something Tuesday: 09.19.2023 (New To Me Authors)

 

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I'm pretty sure all the books I've read this year are new-to-me authors! I've been trying hard to expand my reading list and engage with new genres and authors. 

Some of my notable new-to-me authors this year are: 

• Lily Meade -- I absolutely loved her debut novel, The Shadow Sister.
• Josh Berk & Saundra Mitchell -- Their Camp Murderface duology was tons of fun.
• R.F. Kuang -- I devoured her book, Yellowface, and will more than likely reread it at some point. 
• Julie Murphy -- I found her newest book, Camp Sylvania at a thrift store and loved her writing style.

What new to you authors have you discovered this year? 

Who should I check out?

YELLOWFACE by R.F. Kuang: Worth the Hype?

Thanks for checking out my new blog feature, Worth the Hype? I'm hoping to have a new post every Wednesday where I'll discuss and sorta review books I'm reading. Up first...

YELLOWFACE 

by 

R.F. Kuang

This is very far out of my normal reading realm. I'm a hardcore YA reader, mostly paranormal, dystopian, and thrillers. On the adult spectrum, I tend to read a lot of horror and romantic suspense. So, for anyone who knows anything about YELLOWFACE, you know this doesn't tick any of those genre boxes. LOL. 

But, I've heard so much about this book on Twitter. Authors I love were tweeting about how amazing this book was and how, if you're in the publishing sphere, you must read this book. In fact, a thread by author Diana Urban, which can be found HERE is what ultimately made me go buy this book. 

When I tell you I was hooked from page one... this book takes you on one hell of a rollercoaster ride through publishing, social media, "cancel culture," representation, author jealousy, and the loneliness that is writing. So many times while reading, I was simultaneously nodding along and cringing. I laughed and gasped and for each new "thing" the protagonist faced, I was easily reminded of an actual Twitter dust-ups that've happened. The reality in this fictional tale is mind-blowing. 

So, is this book worth the hype?

I did feel like the pacing near the middle sagged a bit, but that didn't really alter my enjoyment of this book. I was too invested by that point, and I had to know what would happen. And I really did NOT see that ending coming! I'm left with quite a few questions, which usually bugs me in fiction, but I'm oddly okay with that this time. I know this is a book that will stay with me, and I'll think about for several days. I really hope there might be a sequel. *fingers crossed*  I'm going to be recommending this book to everyone I know, too. 

Have you read YELLOWFACE? If so, what did you think of it? If not, do you plan to? Share your thoughts in the comments :)