I’ve always felt strongly about reading debut novels…I love to support these authors and I’ve traditionally had great luck with the debut novels I’ve read.
Last year, two out of eight of my Best Debuts of 2017 also made my overall Best Books of 2017 list.
I haven’t completely finalized my Best Books of 2018 list, but one of these debuts will for sure make it and a couple others are on the bubble.
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I made a grave mistake with this post…
Y’all, I can’t believe I did what I’m about to tell you I did. I have no idea how this happened or what came over me, but I omitted one of my MOST favorite debuts of the year from this list…Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens (my glowing review). Not only did I forget to include it here, but I DID include it in my Instagram picture for this post that’s going up later this afternoon. And not only that…but, in my caption for that post, I called out Goodreads for “tragically” leaving Where the Crawdads Sing off their Best Debuts nominee list for the Goodreads Choice Awards. Pot, meet kettle.
I kind of feel like I should send Delia Owens flowers or something. Delia, if by some off chance you’re reading this, I’m SO SO sorry. I loved your book and you’ll see it on another, even better, list soon.
And, if you haven’t read this one yet, it’s my #1 Go-To Recommendation on my 2018 Holiday Gift Guide!
On to the rest of the list…
Best Debuts of 2018
Bad Blood
Though I got lost in some of the science and engineering details, I was fascinated / horrified at the arrogance of Elizabeth Holmes, Theranos’s young CEO who viewed herself as the next Steve Jobs, and the lengths Theranos went to to create a “unicorn” despite the absence of a viable product.
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Educated
Imagine if you had to choose between getting an education (both the traditional kind and an education about life in general) and having a relationship with your family. That’s what happened to Tara Westover. This one is topping a bunch of Best Books of 2018 lists!
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From the Corner of the Oval
This quarter life crisis memoir set in the world of politics might be my favorite audiobook of the year! It’s like listening to your fun friend who happens to have a job in the White House with access to the President give you all the very best anecdotes (plus, a good dose of her love life) over a glass of wine!
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I’ll Be Gone in the Dark
The best true crime books put themselves on another tier by telling the story in a compelling, engrossing way and avoiding getting bogged down in overly dry details. I’ll Be Gone in the Dark
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Laura & Emma
The key to loving Laura & Emma is loving Laura’s voice and the writing style (which I obviously did). Laura is offbeat, but likable and funny in an awkward way (she reminded me of a less damaged version of Eleanor Oliphant).
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Tangerine
The story of a fraught, obsessive friendship and all the wreckage it leaves behind. It’s kind of a page turner, but not in the traditional sense. It’s taut with emotional and psychological tension…my kind of “thriller.”
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The Book of Essie
The Book of Essie is the type of brain candy I love…a story about weighty topics that reads quickly and easily. Bonus: you get an interesting behind-the-scenes look at reality TV and image management in the media spotlight.
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The Ensemble
I almost skipped this book and I’m so relieved I didn’t! It’s about a musical quartet (which I’m not interested in at all…hence the “almost” skip) and is one of those character-driven novels that I couldn’t put down. It’s all about the simmering dynamics of this group and it explores the implications of having an essentially business relationship that supersedes all other relationships in these characters’ lives. And, the writing is drop dead gorgeous…especially for a debut.
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What are your favorite debuts of 2018?
I just picked up The Ensemble from the library after seeing how much you liked it! Looking forward to it 🙂
I hope you love it! It’s not super fast, or for everyone, so I’m nervous!
Really interesting list, Sarah. You have a few I haven’t considered, and a few that are on my debut list as well. I have one big question though: What about Crawdads? Was she out of contention because of the NF book she co-wrote?
Biggest mistake of the year. Embarrassing way I had to fix it – AAHH!
I didn’t give 5-stars to any 2018 debut. I’m a cold-hearted witch. Educated, I’ll Be Gone In The Dark, and The Book Of Essie are on my TBR list. Hopefully I’ll like them as much as you did. 🙂
Hahahahaha….
I guess because I primarily read mystery’s and thrillers mostly, I have only read one of the books on your list “The Book Of Essie”. I tried “I’ll Be Gone In The Dark” I really wanted to read it but just couldn’t get into it. Great list though.
I haven’t even thought of my best of books yet. I thought Educated was terrific but didn’t love Tangerine the way you did.
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi is one of my top debut authors this year! Great list. I’ve read I’ll Be Gone in the Dark and Educated. Both top-notch.
I’ll Be Gone in the Dark is totally on my wishlist for Christmas!! I haven’t read a true-crime book in a LONG time and I miss them!!
Where The Crawdads Sing & Sometimes I Lie were two of my favorite books this year.
I have been wanting to pick up Educated. I will have to do that now. I agree with you about Book of Essie. It really was a fast and entertaining read. Can’t wait to see your best of list!
We have some overlap, but not as much as previous years. And big disagreement on two of your faves that I didn’t like at all.
Somehow, the majority of my favorite debuts were smaller books that got very little buzz. I may have to do a combo post of favorite debuts/no hype!
Educated by Tara Westover was by far my favorite read this year. I also read I’ll Be Gone in the Dark.
But t was just OK for me.