Book Perfume

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again (if I can stop eating Christmas cookies long enough to get it out): There’s nothing I love more than a great debut novel.

As I sat down to write my “Favorite Books of 2016″ post, I found that I just couldn’t do it because there were so many books that I loved this year, and so many books in my to-be-read pile that I know I will love and will kick myself for not including once I get around to reading them.

My sidekick had a similar struggle, so he merely offered emotional support and suggested the following title, which I can only imagine must be some avant-garde sci-fi novel?

Having said that, I couldn’t let 2016 end without giving a special shout out to three new voices in fiction that I absolutely fell in love with this year. These debut novels were not only some of my favorite books of the year, but some of my favorite books period. If you follow me on social media, you’ve probably heard me sing the praises of these novels to no end, but if you haven’t scooped them up yet, do yourself a favor and move them to the top of your reader resolution list for 2017.

The Two-Family House by Lynda Cohen Loigman

Lifelong secrets, family drama, unforgettable characters, and a cover this gorgeous—what’s not to love about The Two-Family House? Lynda Cohen Loigman beautifully weaves together the stories of two brothers and their wives raising their families under one roof in 1940s Brooklyn. Following a fateful event during the blizzard of 1947, The Two-Family House reveals how one secret can set a fracture in the course of the lives of everyone it touches. From the first moment I entered the door of The Two-Family House, I knew that Lynda Cohen Loigman was an author whose books would consume for years to come. If you’re snowbound in 2017, there’s no better book to have on hand to weather the storm with than this one. Read full review

For more on Lynda:

Visit her website

Connect with her on Facebook and Twitter

 

Modern Girls by Jennifer S. Brown

When I picked up this mother/daughter story, I had no idea where it would take me, and after finishing it, all I wanted was more, more, more. Set in 1930s New York, Modern Girls introduces us to a mother and daughter whose lives seem vastly different until they both find themselves dealing with unplanned pregnancies under incredibly difficult circumstances. Dealing with societal pressures, cultural values, sacrifice, family obligations, and never-forgotten dreams, Jennifer S. Brown gives us the gift of two extraordinary protagonists who are impossible to forget. I’m so looking forward to meeting the next set of characters Brown has up her sleeve. Read full review

For more on Jennifer:

Visit her website

Connect with her on Facebook and Twitter 

 

The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living by Louise Miller

The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living was the perfect fall read for me, but honestly, this delicious delight will tickle your literary taste buds no matter what time of year you devour it. Filled with everything magical about life in New England, The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living tells the story of a renowned Boston pastry chef who, in a fit of embarrassment, flees her city life and finds comfort and new beginnings in the small town of Guthrie, Vermont. With warm, memorable characters, a setting that will have you smelling maple syrup and crisp autumn leaves, and an out-of-this-world apple pie recipe you need to make, Louise Miller wins a blue ribbon with this wonderful debut, and I can’t wait to read more from her—or find out what she’s baking up on Instagram. Read full review

For more on Louise:

Visit her website

Connect with her on Facebook and Twitter 

 

Did you read any unforgettable debut novels this year? Let us know if there’s a new author we must read!