Which is better: Excitement over a debut author, or the glee that comes from learning that a treasured favorite has a new book out?
Fortunately, you don’t really have to choose which is better. (Though with the four fabulous books we’re giving away this week, it may be tough to choose which to read first.) This week, we’re giving away two debuts—The House Girl by Tara Conklin and The Drowning House by Elizabeth Black—and two novels from veteran writers—See Now Then by Jamaica Kincaid and The Tin Horse by Janice Steinberg.
The four stories take place in locales as diverse as a Virginia plantation in the 1850s; Boyle Heights, Los Angeles; the island of Galveston; and from inside a family’s home in New England. Each novel showcases strong writing, evocative descriptions and characters you won’t forget.
Want to win these books? Here’s how . . .
TO ENTER: In the comments, tell us the name of your favorite new novel you’ve read in 2013 (so far).
CONTEST DETAILS: One winner will be chosen by random.org from among entries received by 5 pm CST on Friday, February 15. The winner will receive copies of the four books listed above. Prizes must be shipped to a North American address, and Rhode Island residents are not eligible. (Full contest rules here.) Good luck!
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ETA: Congratulations to our winner, Alison! Her favorite new novel is The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey.
Thanks to all who entered! Contest is now closed.
I’m still catching up on 2012, but one of my favorite new(er) reads of 2013 is The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker.
By far, it has been White Dog Fell from the Sky by Eleanor Morse. It was my first “5 star” of the year and I think may be in my top 5 all time, ever best reads. However, Indiscretion by Charles Dubow is keeping me up late right now.
I loved Where’d You Go, Bernadette.
Definitely one of my favorites of the year!!!
Tenth of December!
The Intercept by Dick Wolf. It was a really great book!
Me Before You.
My favorite as well!
My favorite new novel of 2013 is Me Before You by JoJo Moyes. I am now reading all of her older books.
I don’t think I’ve read any 2013 novels yet. While my current library is very good about getting the books I want to read, the waiting list always seems too long. That being said I just finished Bring Up The Bodies which I enjoyed even more than Wolf Hall. Hope that counts as a new book.
Where’d You Go, Bernadette
Haven’t read any new “2013″ books yet.One of my projects this year is to add reading more classics. Determined to finish Great Gatsby before the movie comes out.
Looking forward to Jess Walters’ “We Live in Water” (admittedly not a novel, but stories by one of our most gifted contemporary writers), but like others here, I’m playing catch-up on previous years’ novels, and last month thoroughly enjoyed “Atticus” by Ron Hansen.
I’m still catching up on my TBR list from 2012. My most recent favorite novel is Lichgates by S.M. Boyce.
Finally finished Flight Behavior – so interesting!
“Gods Without Men” by Hari Kunzru
I’m reading The End of Life Book Club. Not a novel, but a beautiful story about a mother and son.
I got a chance to read an advanced copy of the wonderful MARGOT by Jillian Cantor which comes out this fall.
The Last Runaway by Tracy Chevalier
I loved The Round House by Louise Erdrich.
I loved Me Before You by JoJo Moyes. Such a good story.
I am very excited to start The 10th of December and House Girl…. oh and the new release by Woody Guthrie!
Although not a “new” book for 2013, just finished “The Kitchen House” by Kathleen Grissom. Terrific read!
Haven’t quite gotten to a 2013 release yet; however, I am reading THE ROUND HOUSE by Louise Erdrich and I am loving it!!!!
I can’t really say that I loved it but it was VERY thought provoking: We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver
That’s one of my all-time favorites, Robin!
I just finished reading The Snow Child, but Eowyn Ivey. It is gorgeously written, a lovely story, and perfect for these dreary winter days. I’m very excited about the House Girl.
It was Published in 2012, but I am really enjoying And When She Was Good by Laura Lippman.
I am reading and liking Truth in Advertising by John Kenney
I have read a few good ones already. I liked ‘People of the Book’ a lot, but I admit I Loved “Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore”. Both are good for bookworms
I enjoyed Cissy Houston’s biography of her daughter, Whitney – “Remembering Whitney.”
Best read this year is Wool Omnibus by Hugh Howey.
The Boiling Season by Christopher Hebert
Even though it is meant to be a middle school students book, Wonder by R.J. Palacio was exceptional for all.
Like some others, I haven’t cracked open a 2013 novel yet. I just finished and absolutely loved last year’s The Orphan Master’s Son by Adam Johnson.
My favorite new novel of 2013 so far: The Last Runaway by Tracy Chevalier. Honor Bright is a wonderful character!
I haven’t read any 2013 books yet, but number one on my list happens to be The Drowning House. I had not even had a chance to go out and get it yet, so this will save me a trip to the book store (and probably some money since I always go there for one book and leave with three or four).
I’m still working on late 2012! Starting ‘Speaking from Among the Bones’ by Alan Bradley this weekend though, just picked it up!
I’m reading Beautiful Creatures, these four books are on my “to read” list … Fingers crossed
Also catching up but I liked “Gone Girl.”
The Last Runaway by Tracy Chevalier
Right now I’m loving The Good House by Ann Leary from 2013. But like most, I’m also still catching up on the 2012 reading!
The one I enjoyed was The Kashmir Shawl.
I haven’t read any 2013 books yet. I just finished “The Uninvited Guests.” I wanted to like it, but I just couldn’t get into it!
The plum tree
The Roundhouse by Louise Erdrich. It’s from 2012, but I’m still catching up!
I really liked Mr. Penumbra’s 24 Hour Book Store by Robin Sloan, but that was actually my last book read in 2012. I’ve read a few of the latest books by a well-know author, but the ones I’ve enjoyed most have been a couple in the Haunted Guesthouse Mystery series by E. J. Cooperman (aka Jeffrey Cohen), #1 Night of the Living Dead and #3 Old Haunts. I’m missing #2, An Uninvited Ghost – soon to be remedied.
Haven’t gotten to anything from 2013 yet, but I’m currently loving The Distant Hours by Kate Morton.
The Typewriter Girl is wonderful.
The Two Week Wait.
Don’t think I’ve ready any 2013 books yet, but Where’d You Go Bernadette is on my to read list.
Really enjoyed Me Before You, The Drowning House and The Round House. All three were excellent
I really loved Calling Me Home. Such a great read.
I haven’t yet finished The Paris Wife by Paula McClain but it’s my favorite so far.
I loved The Last Runaway. Can’t wait to start The Tin Horse.
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes. Get the tissues ready!
I will vote for Me Before You by JoJo Moyes, that’s the only new release of 2013 I’ve read so far! I enjoyed it.
I read “Home front girl : a diary of love, literature, and growing up in wartime America by Joan Morrison”. This book is a compilation drawn from numerous journals that were written between 1938 and 1942 (ages 15 through 19) by the author’s mother. She writes about typical teenage things like boys, school, and parents, but also about WWII, the meaning of life of life and death, and her personal philosophies on each. It was a great read. My mom also grew up at that time and I wondered as I read if she shared some of the author’s thoughts.
I’m still reading books from 2012 and older classics! But I can’t wait for Jodi Picoult’s new release end of this month, The Storyteller. That will be my first!
I read Me Before You recently. I enjoyed the humor, emotion and ease of the book. It is funny, I did not think I would like quite as much as I did. I was happy with the ending and it left me with vivid images and feelings of the characters in the book. Well Done! Would love the books listed above. Grateful for the chance!
My favorite 2013 read so far is Jonathan Dee’s newest, A Thousand Pardons (out in March). I also really liked Why We Write, a January title!
Just finished Light Between Oceans–I cried!
just finished “The Good House” by Ann Leary…(published 2012 though) great read!
“Ratlines” by Stuart Neville – fantastic!
I just finished “Her” by Christa Parravani and thought it was a very good memoir of identical twins and their tragic lives. I never realized how close twins could be.
I finshed “The Fate Of Mercy Alban” by Wendy Web.. Great story- almost modern gothic.
I just finished The Soldier’s Wife by Margaret Leroy. Loved it!
Above all things.
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes. A compelling, heartbreaking read.
Me Before You -
I’m still on 2012, so I’ve most recently finished Gone Girl and I’m currently reading The Racketeer. I’m looking forward to 2013′s new books!
The Gods of Heavenly Punishment, by Jennifer Cody Epstein. It is lovely.
I haven’t had a chance to read any 2013 releases…yet. I’m hoping to do so during spring break! I just don’t know which one to choose.
Loved Speaking from among the Bones by Alan Bradley.
Dust And Shadow.
The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton, but it may be a 2012 book.
Haven’t read any 2013 books yet but all four in this contest look great! I especially want to read The Drowning House. Right now I am reading some mysteries and currently Love You More by Lisa Gardner.
Tracy Chevalier’s The Last Runaway. I’m always looking forward to her next book.
Just finished a new YA novel, Origin, by Jessica Khoury. Very good!
“Son” – though it is a 2012 book!
We need to talk about Kevin….
The Expats by Chris Pavone
I’m pretty sure it’s new. The Lincoln Letter by William Martin
The Good House by Ann Leay
Ann LEARY!
I’m not sure if you mean New~ new or if new-to-me will do; however I’ve just finished One Day by David Nicholls… Talk about emotional roller coaster!
I just finished “Where’d You Go Bernadette?” and loved it! Very funny! I’m probably a little late reading “The Paris Wife”, but I enjoyed that, too.
The Light Between Oceans, by M.L. Stedman. I had been looking forward to this one since I first read on BookPage of its pending release. I kept finding all copies checked out from my library, so I finally put myself on the wait list. It was SO worth the wait.
Almost finished with Barbara Kingsolver’s Flight Behavior. These concerns about global warming are very scary and very real. Great Read.
Like many, I haven’t gotten around to any 2013 books yet. However, the first two books I’ve read this year were Arcadia and The Sisters Brothers (which I LOVE). I will start The Twelve Tribes of Hattie next.
I just finished reading HOME FRONT by Kristen Hannah – I could not put this book down even though I needed a box of tissues next to me while I was reading it. It made me really think more about military personnel , their families, and what they have to endure.
Just finished The Death of Bees, and I enjoyed it.
I don’t believe I have read any books published in 2013 so far, but am currently reading Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard for my book group.
I’m currently reading The Aviator’s Wife. Lindbergh was kind of a cad. I just finished Mr Penumbra’s 24 Hour Bookstore, and enjoyed it lots.
I haven’t read anything published in 2013 yet. I tend to not be very current on my books. However, my favorite author, Edward Rutherfurd, has a book coming out in April and I’ve already pre-ordered it.
Too hard to pick one.
I really liked The Cat’s Table by Michael Ondaatje – also The Yellow Birds by Kevin Powers.
Divergent!! Although it wasn’t published this year
Crystal Cove by Lisa Kleypas
Reading The Aviators Wife……a huge fan of the writings of Ann Morrow Lindbergh so am curious to read this version of her story!
The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe. I was slightly hesitant to read it at first because it was about the end of someone’s life and I don’t like to think about the “end of life”. BUT, I read it and loved it — it is so inspiring — and made me renew my pledge to “live the moments”! Will’s mother, Mary Anne, is an amazing woman, and Will an amazing writer!
I am reading The Jake Collings Band and the Fading Silence by Rob Krabbe
I loved Me before You by Jojo Moyes. I read it in one day!
I’m currently working my way through Justin Cronin’s second novel in his vampire series – The Twelve – which was published in 2012. I look forward to reading the new Bridget Jones novel in 2013.
NOS4A2 by Joe Hill (advance reader’s edition) — my favorite Joe Hill novel so far.
Great choice: We agree! Hoping to talk to him for our May issue.
I am finishing up reading the Beautiful Creatures series with the The Kitchen House ready to start tonight or tomorrow.
The Panther by Nelson DeMille
Me before you
The first new book I’ll read this year will be The Death of Bees by Lisa O’Donnell or Vampires in the Lemon Grove by Karen Russell. I’ve been reading backlist for the Tournament of Books but am very excited about these ones.
I’m waiting for a copy of Man in the Empty Suit by Sean Ferrell.
I really enjoyed The Twelve Tribes of Hattie! Pick me!
Like many of the others here, I haven’t read any 2013 books yet — long waiting lists for the newest books at the library! But I LOVED “Mr Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore”!
I work in a library and still haven’t had a chance to read any 2013′s yet! So much to catch up on from last year and many titles I would want to read are on hold for months. I’ve heard Me Before You is the one to read first when I can finally get my hands on it. So many good books, so little time!
I am a different person for having read “Me Before You” by Jojo Moyes. Cried, laughed out loud and couldn’t put it down and am thinking about new places to visit! Great book for book groups.
Just started ‘The Marlowe Papers’ by Ros Barber……looks so interesting, love the verse format!
I recently finished 11/22/63 by Stephen King, and loved it.
Me Before You and
Hard Country.
The Colour of Milk by Neil Leyshon, Wow, was it good! All four of these books are on my to-read list!
The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton
Would be a toss up between Heads in Beds, Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker, and The Last Runaway. And the book I’m reading now is pretty good too – The Lucky Dog Matchmaking Service. Too many books, too little time!
Crossing to Safety
I haven’t started a new book yet in 2013, finishing the Distant Hour (Kate Morton) and then reading the comments here to decide what to read next. Maybe I’ll win some and then I have 4 to choose from!
The Courtesan by Dora Levy Mossanen was an exotic journey through Persia, Paris and South Africa.
My favorite book that I have read so far from 2013 is Unbearable Lightness by Portia de Rossi. Soooooo good!!!
American Wife by Curtis Sittenfield.
I am way behind on my reading, currently finishing up:
Blood Bones and Butter (2011).
You should see my “to read” stack!
Murder Below Montparnasse, by Cara Black
My favorite so far would have to be Sea Change by Karen White.
The only 2013 books that I have read so far are Intercept by Dick Wolf and Ratlines by Stuart Neville. I have heard good things about the books that are being given away and wouldn’t mind winning them.
Me Before You
Wicked Plants
“Me Before You”…Jojo Moyes…I absolutely loved it.
2012 book: The Black Box by Michael Connelly. Great police procedure book.
Not sure if this qualifies…but I. Loved. The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb by Melanie Benjamin. I was new for ME in 2013!
Is is 2013 already? Gone girl
“The Winter Witch” – I love any book set in Wales.
Just finished News from Heaven by Jennifer Haigh. Not a lover of short stories, but theis collection was wonderful.
Polar opposites in story and style; loved them both but “White Dog Fell From The Sky” edged out “Me Before You.”
Still catching up on 2012, reading Gone Girl, Gone currently with The Round House to follow and then it is 2013, here I come! My first will be A Week in Winter by Maeve Binchy.
I haven’t read any 2013 books yet…though I just finished an amazing collection of short stories called Natasha, by David Bezmozgis. Jamaica Kincaid’s See Now Then is on my reading list (here’s hoping!).
“Have You Seen Marie?” by Sandra Cisneros
Two really good authors this year, one a debut the other seasoned. A Light between Oceans by M.L. Stedman and The Runaway Slave by Tracy Chevalier.
Sorry, that’s The Last Runaway by Tracy Chevalier.
Tenth of December by George Saunders
It would be “Rules of Crime” by L.J.Sellers. I haven’t read the author before and really enjoying this novel.
Eleanor morse’s white dog fell from the sky. Terribly under reviewed and probably one of the best novels i have read since a.m. Home’s may we be forgiven.
The Last Runaway
I’m enjoying Dick Wolf’s Intercept,good read
I’m reading The Burgess Boys by Elizabeth Strout. It’s fantastic!
My favorite new novel is actually a collection of short stories – Manuel Gonzales’ “The Miniature Wife.” It’s a quirky, Bradbury-esque group of stories.
I haven’t yet read a book that’s new out in 2013, but two of my favourite books I’ve read this year from 2012 are Y by Marjorie Celona and The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey
My favorite 2013 book so far is Me Before You by Jojo Moyes. Really loved it!
I am currently reading an advanced reading copy of Palisades Park by Alan Brennert, on sale in April. I am enjoying it.
Light Between Oceans is my best so far,but reading some books I’d had for a time too..Happy Valentines to all…give me a book over candy/flowers
Light Between Oceans by ML Stedman, tears of happiness at the end.
Vengeance by Benjamin Black, love Quirke
The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey, different kind of fairytale.
The Orchardist / Amanda Coplin
I’ve only read a couple of 2013 books but so far, my favorite is Until the End of Time by Danielle Steel.
My favorite read for 2013 so far is The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce. A wonderful new author!
My new favorite is The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce.
My favorite read so far this year is Before I Go To Sleep by S.J. Watson
The aviator’s wife by Melanie Benjamin was a great read!
My favorite is 100-Year-Old Man: Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson.
Oh Wow! Mostly non-fiction but maybe Whispers by Belva Plain.
Between Shades of Grey…I was completely blown away and can’t believe I had it sitting on my shelf as long as I did!