Which is your favorite book by a Debut Author? (a debut author is one publishing his or her first book)
USC80@aol.com
My favorite book by a Debut Author is The Justus Girls by Slim Lambright. This book was well-written with excellent character development and shocking plot twists and turns. Lambright took me down memory lane and made me feel that I was right there with the characters as events unturned. I recommended this book to everyone I knew and all who read it enjoyed it.
Pmboyer55@aol.com
I still am in love with Wilton Barnhardt's, Emma Who Saved My Life. I've read it three times. Wonderful.
PamMacHig@aol.com
White Oleander by Janet Fitch
GDurisin@aol.com
My favorite book by a debut author --- and one of my favorite books by ANY author --- is Jonathan Hull's Losing Julia. I've heard he's working on a second book, and am eagerly awaiting its release, without even knowing what he's writing about!
LadyVolz@aol.com
I have two..... Open Season by C. J. Box (who now has a second book out) and The Edge of Justice by Clinton McKinzie (just published)
Sportmom61@aol.com
Nicholas Sparks first novel was wonderfully written and moving as was James Waller's first novel.
Grandmareadme@aol.com
I have just started reading Hamlet's Dresser by Bob Smith. It is amazing. I am laughing out loud and then I am crying and physically feeling his pain (hurt) that he is going through. No book, even an established author has
touched me like this has.
CBailis@aol.com
"Interpreter of Maladies" by Jhumpa Lahiri. Others must've agreed with me since it won a Pulitzer.
CShank1246@aol.com
My favorite book by a debut author is The God of Small Things, by Arundati Roi. Fabulous. I understand it will be her last book. I read this in an interview some time ago. I certainly hope she changes her mind.
Pjajwa@aol.com
Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt
BigAlvis41@aol.com
The Book Reporter finally asked a question that for me only has one possible choice. My favorite book by a debut author without a doubt had to be Linda Dimick's Red Diamond. This self published soft covered book came out in the spring of 2001. It dealt with a young female advertising executive struggling to build her own business. Her significant other is involved in counterterrorism activities for this country. Throughout the book Muslim fundamentalist terrorists wreak havoc and mayhem from the East to the West coast in this country. Surely the events of 9-11-01 made this rather unknown novel even more plausible and this writers shoo in for the best debut novel of 2001.
vitale@grantsburgtelcom.net
Househusband by Ad Hudler is my favorite. It's terrific!
HOSTBKPGKrew@aol.com
Clay's Quilt by Silas House
House is a postal delivery man in rural KY, and his book features the location he knows intimately, and obviously loves.
Young Clay lost his mother in a horrible fashion, was raised by the extended family, and comes to terms with who he is, where he lives, and why it is all so important to him.
Lovely, spare prose, yet totally evocative of place and person.
NCBengt@aol.com
My favorite book by a debut author is "The Red Tent" by Anita Diamant.
karen4191@attbi.com
Hands down, Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier.
sthring@sympatico.ca
Timothy Taylor --- Stanley Park. A brilliant first novel about restaurants, cooking, love, family and desperation.
Bookwo7875@aol.com
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky.
annemsnell@earthlink.net
My favorite book by a debut author is "Girl with a Pearl Earring" by Tracey Chevalier.
June528@aol.com
The best I read by a debut author was "A Time To Kill" by John Grisham.
KFlor1214@aol.com
My favorite book is one I've just finished reading: The Good Men by Charmaine Craig. Not only is it well written, it's about the Cathars of southern France in the 14th century, a relatively obscure subject. The author brings the time and the area into focus --- it has heresy, religious conflict, romance, priests committing unreligious acts, and the Inquisition to boot. I'm planning to do it with my book group, and we should have a wonderful
discussion. None of us are Catholics.
colapins@hotmail.com
Several years ago, I was walking through my favorite book store, Barnes and Nobles, when I saw this large display of a little child's book called Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J. K. Rowling. I generally would have walked past this type of display and headed for my usual destination of the murder-mystery section. However, I remembered reading something about this author awhile back. I thought this author might be worth reading since I could remember reading a positive review and that even though it is a child's book, adults were reading it too. (Kinda likeThe Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien.) So on a lark, I bought a copy and thought if I didn't like it, I could always salvage it by giving it away to my nephews and nieces. (My fall back plan.) Well, it has been some years but I have all four paperback, hardcovers, CDs, the toys from this author, and the DVD from the first movie. My parents, siblings, nephews, nieces, friends, my friends' kids love the books and the good lessons mixed in with the fantasy story line. And I am planning to spend more money when the next movies, books and DVDs come out. Will it ever end?
Gemtaur66@aol.com
Melissa Bank, author of The Girl's Guide to Hunting and Fishing.
harrises@bayou.com
It has to be Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden.
bookworm51us@yahoo.com
Favorite is The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd.
craisieone@yahoo.com
One of my favorite books last year was CJ Box's Open Season. The way he created and brought such depth and life to the characters and setting was incredible. And his storyline kept me glued to the chair till the last page was turned...in the wee hours of the morning. But well worth the time!
PrisJane@aol.com
Lisa Gardner's "The Perfect Husband" It was great.
RNolan1933@aol.com
I only read debut authors if the book is about our locality or about one of my favorite subjects; as this book is!
The book is "Dice Angel," authored by "Brian Rouff" It happens to be an easy read, but is well written and holds your interest through out the story....
Mimiklein43@aol.com
My favorite book by a fairly new author is "My Secret History" by Donna Tartt. Am so looking forward to her next, entitled "Little Friend.
burnisetuck@yahoo.com
Without a doubt the strongest debut novel I've ever read, from an author who just keeps getting better in the mystery field, Michael Connelly, is his novel, "The Black Echo," a beautifully written, haunting novel with antecedents in the Vietnam War. Thanks!
LMorris804@aol.com
One of my favorite "debut novels" continues to be The Eight by Katherine Neville. I've also read her following two and wish she had a fourth coming soon. If she does, I don't know about it.
jg@piar.ch
My favorite was Audrey Shulman --- The Cage --- which I first read in German (my mother tongue, where the title is The Color of Ice) then bought in English and read it again. Another favorite David Guterson Snow Falling on Cedars A big thank you for your site from Switzerland.
SWeeaks@aol.com
I recently discovered and devoured all of the Stephanie Plum books by Janet Evanovich. Wow!
Wthrguessr@aol.com
Just finished reading OPEN and SHUT, by David Rosenfelt. This is a quick but deep novel. Rosenfelt has been compared to John Grisham, but I believe his debut is more compact with better terms than Grisham's, which I believe was A TIME to KILL.
GERBAM@aol.com
Favorite new author book --- THE SECRET HISTORY BY DONNA TARTT.
anneg@tsps.org
I have two:
Blindsighted by Karin Slaughter
The Dark House by John Sedgwick
neverbluffs@hotmail.com
David Benioff. The 25th Hour was terrific. I can't wait for his next one.
loonytoons101@hotmail.com
I LOVED CATHY KELLY'S SOMEONE LIKE YOU!
purepuregood73@hotmail.com
I loved Emily Barr's debut novel Backpack; I hope she writes another. Tansy was a lot of fun to travel with.
justajoker27@hotmail.com
David Searcy, Ordinary Horror. I heard about this book when it won an award from the IHG, and picked it up. A great novel, full of surprises and clever turns. I saw that he was a part of the Horror Round Table that you did last fall, too. More people should know about David Searcy.
thunderbam@excite.com
Hi, my favorite debut book by an author is BURNING GROUND, by Pearl Luke. She is a promising new voice and I look forward to reading her next book, and her next, and her next.
Mjlp@aol.com
I just read Tryin' to Sleep in the Bed You Made by Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant. The subtitle is "a novel by and about best friends." It was a good story, flowed well, and had believable characters. I really enjoyed it. It would be a good beach read.
stevenpace@hotmail.com
Hi, I would say that Peter Moore Smith's "Raveling" would be my favorite. He wrote a beautiful tale of a struggling family. Not only was is beautifully written, but it was extremely suspenseful. Amazing that this was his first novel, in that it was very intricate. Hopefully he will continue to write more?
GeoBarb636@aol.com
The Blue Edge of Midnight by Jonathan King. Very interesting first novel, hard to put down.
Buttercupmlm@aol.com
My favorite book by a debut author is White Oleander by Janet Fitch.
Senseidonna@aol.com
Undressing The Moon. I thought this book was very good I believe it is the author's first book, but unfortunately I cannot remember her name.
jhwinfrey@bbc.net
My favorite book by a debut author: Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier.
rjdicke@yahoo.com
Bridges of Madison County.
juliecbarnard@yahoo.com
Right now I'm reading "In the Fall" by Jeffrey Lent --- it's his first and wonderfully written!
RHode99@aol.com
Found Boy Still Missing by John Searles a great read.
mwinegardner@english.fsu.edu
Invisible Man.
brickwood@mindspring.com
A mystery fan, I enjoyed "Death of a DJ" (1995, reprint in 1997), which even PW called a "zinger debut." Excellent cast of characters and a fine, lively use of the English language.
Ferrellac@aol.com
A Drink Before the War by Dennis Lehane!!
kari18@earthlink.net
My favorite book by a debut author is Some Things That Stay by Sarah Willis.
merved@mail.tdcadsl.dk
Robert Littell: The Defection of A. J. Levinther.
lin111@juno.com
I would have to say White Magnolia. First of all the cover was entrancing. I found her writing to be poetic and some of her sentences just blew me away! The story was disturbing, infrequently predictable and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I hope she writes many more books.
MARYFD@aol.com
My favorite is Sullivan's Island by Dorothea Benton Franks. It was one of the wittiest and most acerbic books I ever read and it wowed me!
Barbyb333@aol.com
I actually have two favorite debut books, both perfect in its own way. The lighter one is "The Would-Be-Widow" by Mary Jo Putney. The longer one is "Outlander" by Diana Gabaldon.
SkiDaily@aol.com
"The Notebook" by Nicholas Sparks. No and, ifs, buts or hesitations. No one else comes close.
maureene@kc.rr.com
My favorite debut author is Terry Elton. His novel is called "The Journey." It's a historical romantic story which takes place in old New York and England in the 1700s.
PattysLuv@aol.com
Meely la Bauve by Ken Wells.
alison@acenet.net.au
I have three "favorite" first books; it's too difficult to chose between them:
"After you'd gone" by Magie O'Farrel
"Drowing Ruth" by Christina Schwartz
"Meet Me Under the Ombu Tree" by Santa Montefiore
erisabob@aol.com
Mcgory, author of Incumbent.....also writer for the Boston Globe....great first book, of the thriller/political intrigue variety....scene is set in Washington.....believe he has another book coming out in the fall.
JBitowt@aol.com
It's actually quite ironic, with the unfortunate passing of her father, John Gotti this past week, but I must say the novel, "The Senator's Daughter," was quite an impressive piece of work. Victoria Gotti, the "Dapper Don's," little girl, proved to the world with this novel that she was not going to ride her father's coat tails or depend on her flunky ex-husband. She took a chance with writing, after having a few articles regarding breast cancer and other illnesses plaguing the female gender in reputed American Medical Association magazines, Victoria went on to write her book. One might assume because of her name that it would be an organized crime/Mafia book, but those small minded individuals who chose not to buy it or read it because of that missed out on a good mystery. Although there was a touch of the underworld among the many characters in the book, ranging from a Senator to a Mafia chieftain, her main scope was that of a murder mystery. For a first time writer I must say, she really is talented when it comes to originality and style. Coming from someone who usually doesn't purchase books by women authors, with this book I'll honestly say that I only bought it because of her father and the Gotti name! But afterwards, I was stunned at the pace in which the book flowed, literally finishing it in three to four days it was hard to put down. I have no reason, in particular, to explain why I don't often buy books written by women, but since reading this book, I've purchased a few more lady authored novels and to be honest, I couldn't tell the difference. Some where better than others, but now I don't dismiss a book just because it's author happens to be a female, so for me, Victoria Gotti opened up my mind to the talents of women authors. This book is a quick read with a smack in the face beginning and an ending that will leave you baffled! So put my vote down for Victoria Gotti and her novel, "The Senator's Daughter," as a top Debut Novel and Author!! Much thanks to all and it's always a pleasure answering and giving my opinion, no matter if certain people may disagree, that's all part of life!!
PARISFRANZ@aol.com
For me, hands down, no contest, has to be: Another Roadside Attraction by Tom Robbins. Good question. I look forward to the responses!!
KBWOW@aol.com
Favorite so far: Mindwalks by Mary H. Frakes.
AndreaCarter3270@aol.com
Well, she's not a "debut author" any longer, but I think one of my favorite first novels was The Beans of Egypt, Maine, by Carolyn Chute. Her prose was distinctive, the voice unique, and vision something readers rarely even peek at, her command of language impressive, and her characters completely believable.
At the time the book was published, which I believe was 1985, there was much debate about whether or not people and places "like that" actually existed, or whether Chute was "making it all up" to get attention. I would like once and for all to end that debate by confirming that people like that DO actually exist, because I've met a great many of them, and places like that actually DO exist, because I've visited a great many of them.
To a lot of folks, Chute is still a largely unknown author, although for the most part her work has received acclaim from The New York Times Book Review to Publishers Weekly to numerous other reputable review publications. So if you haven't read her yet, make her your "debut author" of the summer and READ this book. You won't forget it.
DDobrjansk@aol.com
One of my favorite debut authors was T. Jefferson Parker with his initial work entitled "Laguna Heat." It was a well crafted detective story with many plot twists and it was so well written that I read the follow on work "Little Saigon." The fact that it takes place in one of my favorite places (Southern California) was an added bonus.
rodgersvictoria@hotmail.com
"Vintners Luck" by Elizabeth Knox.
cwenz@carmel.lib.in.us
"The Rich Part of Life" by Jim Kokoris.
VABryden@aol.com
Snow Falling on Cedars.
jbaldwin@sisna.com
Unfortunately I do not know if many of my favorite books were written as debut efforts by the author, but two books that are my all time favorites would fit in this category. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is the first and only novel written by this author to the best of my recollection. I read this American classic as a sixth grader many years ago and it remains one of my all time favorites if not "the" favorite.
The other is Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier. As I "listened" to this novel read by the author I was hypnotized by the beauty of his writing. The authors soft spoken southern voice was mesmerizing as he read his tragic and poignant novel. I love both books dearly.
