I can’t believe the year is almost gone already! Goodness! This week’s and next week’s Listed feature are going to be more wrap-ups than anything else since the year is almost done. This week, I’m listing my top ten new (to me) authors of the year.

1. Pierre Berton. As a Canadian, I feel like I should’ve read his books a very long time ago, but at least I’ve now had the chance to experience his writing, right? This year I read Vimy.
2. Max Brooks. I have gotten into a bit of a zombie kick the past year and a bit – mainly in movies and whatnot, but it carried over to books in the case of Brooks (and one or two other authors). This man doesn’t just write brilliantly, but it is also no-ends of fun to see him live. (If you get the chance to, do it.) This year I read World War Z and The Zombie Survival Guide
3. Terry Pratchett. Yet another “I feel like I should’ve read his books a long time ago!” How have I never read Pratchett before, if I’m a fantasy fan? This year, I read The Hogfather (review coming soon!). Will DEFINITELY be reading more of the Discworld books!
4. Tim Bowler. If all of his books are anything like the one I read earlier this year, I know I am going to LOVE everything he’s done. He knows how to hook a reader at the very beginning of the book, and how to keep that reader’s attention until the last page. This year I read Frozen Fire.
5. Gideon Defoe. One of the funniest authors I came across this year, whether it’s in books, or online (though nothing online seems to be very current, argh). This year I read The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists.
6. Mindy L. Klasky. I had been meaning to read something by this author for a very long time, but you know what it’s like, right? There are just so many books out there and a person only has so much time. I am so happy that I finally got around to discovering Klasky’s writing though. Will definitely be reading more. This year I read The Glasswright’s Apprentice.
7. Ellen Kushner. If it weren’t for Rachel, I wouldn’t discover half of the books I love. I cannot wait to read more of Ellen Kushner’s stuff – rollicking regency fantasy adventure! This year I read The Privilege of the Sword.
8. Michael P Spradlin. My favourite new juvenile fiction author of the year. Have a second book waiting for me in la TBR pile, which I am very excited to get started with next year. This year I read Keeper of the Grail.
9. Cathy Marie Buchanan. I really do love finding new Canadian authors – I was so impressed at how Buchanan was able to make a historic fiction story so exciting and readable! This year I read The Day the Falls Stood Still.
10. Kate Griffin. *cough* I am TOTALLY counting this as a new author because (a) pseudonym and (b) being aimed at a completely different age group (i.e. adults instead of teens). I love love LOVE the way Griffin narrates things. She conveys so much through just how the words flow. Love it! This year I read The Resurrection of Matthew Swift.

What were your biggest finds this year??