Last week I posted: The Best Books of 2013? Part 1: Authors We Know and Love

This time it is the turn of new authors. Here are the 2013 releases that caught my eye:

Note: UK release month shown, date may be different in other countries.

The Twelve Tribes of Hattie by Ayana Mathis

Hutchinson, January

This book has been getting lots of praise in the US, with Oprah picking it as one of her books of the year. It is about one woman struggling to raise her children in 20th century America. It sounds like an emotional read.

Y by Marjorie Celona

Faber and Faber, January

This book follows a baby abandoned on the steps of the YMCA. It promises to uncover the true meaning of identity, family and the place we call home. I love books that provide more questions than answers!

The Universe Versus Alex Woods by Gavin Extence

Hodder and Stoughton, January

This quirky book about a teenage boy sounds very entertaining. It questions our moral judgement and claims to be “one of the funniest, most heartbreaking novels you’ve ever read.” I hope it lives up to my expectations!

The Mussel Feast by Birgit Vanderbeke

Amity & Sorrow by Peggy Riley

Tinder Press, March

A story about God, sex, and farming. It is described as having dark shades, similar to Room, and has been getting a lot of positive early reviews. I’m looking forward to giving it a try.

Butter by Erin Lange

Faber, March

This YA novel about an over-weight boy who pledges to eat himself to death live on the Internet sounds like a cutting edge analysis of our society. I hope that it has cross over appeal to the adult market as it sounds very intriguing.

The Coincidence Authority by JW Ironmonger

W&N, March

I’m always attracted to authors that are compared to David Mitchell. This book is said to combine Mitchell’s ideas with the warmth of David Nicholls. It also deals with coincidence. Sounds perfect for me.

Ghana Must Go by Taiye Selasi

Viking, April

Taiye Selasi is a protégé of Toni Morrison and Salman Rushdie, so this multi-generational drama spanning three continents has a lot to live up to. I hope it meets my high expectations.

Telling the Bees by Peggy Hesketh

Oneworld Publications, April

An eighty-something beekeeper discovers the murdered body of his neighbour. This sounds as though it could be a very entertaining book.

The Hive by Gill Hornby

Little, Brown, May

Set around a school this book concentrates on the relationship between the mums. It is said to be a fascinating and subtle story about group politics and female friendship. I see complex interactions taking place every time I drop my boys off at school so am interested to see how this story pans out.

Dirty Work by Gabriel Weston

Jonathan Cape, June

Last year I listened to (and loved) the dramatised version of Direct Red, Gabriel Weston’s memoir of the years she spent pursuing a surgical career. Dirty Work is her debut novel and it centres on a doctor who performs abortions. I can see this being controversial, thought provoking and emotional – just the way I like them!

Kiss Me First by Lottie Moggach

Picador, July

This book has an unusual concept that grabbed me straight away. It revolves around a woman who wants to commit suicide, but doesn’t want anyone to know she is dead. In order to keep her secret she hires someone to maintain her online profile. This person must first learn everything there is to know about her and then keep the secret for as long as possible. It isn’t going to end well, is it?!

Other books to look out for:

How To Be a Good Wife by Emma Chapman Picador, January

First Novel by Nicholas Royle Jonathan Cape, January

Intermission by Owen Martell William Heinemann, January

White Dog Fell From the Sky by Eleanor Morse Fig Tree, April

Letters from Skye by Jessica Brockmole Hutchinson, August

Do you like the sound of these books?

Which 2013 books are you looking forward to?

2012 has been an amazing year for fiction – I think the quality of the books published this year has exceeded that of 2011 by a long way. I’ve recently updated my list of the Best Books of 2012 and will continue to do so if I read anything worthy of inclusion in the final few weeks of the year.

Kim from Reading Matters is also compiling a list of blogger’s favourite books of the year. She’ll be adding new books each day so it is worth popping over to see the wonderful range of books selected.

Me and My Big Mouth also has a fantastic list of 2012 books, selected by bloggers, authors and readers.

I hope that these lists enable you to discover some wonderful new books to read! 

I’ve been flicking through publisher catalogues and asking booksellers and publicists about the most exciting books to be published in the UK in 2013. Next week I’ll let you know which debut authors I’m excited about, but this week it is the turn of the authors we are already familiar with.

Here are the 2013 new releases that caught my eye:

Note: UK release month shown, date may be different in other countries.

Instructions for a Heatwave by Maggie O’Farrell

February, Tinder Press

Maggie O’Farrell is an author I discovered through blogging. I enjoyed The Hand That First Held Mine and The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox so am looking forward to trying her new book about a father who unexpectedly disappears. It is already getting a lot of buzz from the blogging community so it is definitely one to look out for.

A Hologram for the King by Dave Eggers

February, Penguin

Zeitoun is one of the best books I’ve read this year and I think Eggers could become one of my favourite authors. A Hologram for the King has already been a big hit in the US. It makes its UK debut in 2013 and I’m looking forward to reading Egger’s take on an American business man struggling to make a life for himself in Saudi Arabia.

The Childhood of Jesus by JM Coetzee

March, Harvill Secker

I have a love/hate relationship with Coetzee’s writing, but I’m hoping his latest book about a man and boy arriving in a mysterious desert camp will be more similar to Disgrace than his autobiographies.

Benediction by Kent Haruf

March, Picador

Haruf is one of those authors I’ve always wanted to try. I own a copy of Plainsong and will probably try to read that first, but I’m sure a lot of you will be excited to learn that he is releasing a new book about life and death, family and community, set out on the high plains of Colorado.

The Last Runaway by Tracy Chevalier

March, Harper Collins

Chevalier is famous for writing The Girl with the Pearl Earring. She returns in 2013 with a new book set in a Quaker community.

How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia by Mohsin Hamid

March, Penguin

I loved The Reluctant Fundamentalist so hope this new book about a man’s journey from impoverished rural boy to corporate tycoon will be just as compelling.

The Hired Man by Aminatta Forna

March, Bloomsbury

The Memory of Love was shortlisted for the 2011 Orange Prize and, although it was a bit too slow for me, the quality of the writing was enough to persuade me to give her another try. Her latest book is set in a quiet Croatian town, but again looks at the effects of war on a community. I’m sure this is one to watch when the prize lists start to be announced.

Raven Girl by Audrey Niffenegger

May, Abrams Comicarts

I think this book wins premise of the year:

 A postman encounters a fledgling raven while on the edge of his route and decides to take her home. The unlikely couple fall in love and conceive a child – an extraordinary raven girl trapped in a human body.

A Place in the Country by WG Sebald

May, Hamish Hamilton

Sebald is another author I’ve always wanted to try. His new book fuses biography and essay to reflect on six of the figures who shaped him as a person and as a writer, from Jean-Jacques Rousseau to Jan Peter Tripp.

In by Natsuo Kirino

June, Harvill Secker

Out by Natsuo Kirino is my favourite thriller so I’m very excited that her new book is going to be published here later this year. In contains an investigation into a best-selling author and promises to question the differences between life and literature. I hope it lives up to my exceedingly high expectations.

Untitled Novel by Diane Setterfield

May, Orion

I couldn’t find any details about this book, but if it as compelling as The Thirteenth Tale it will be a great book.

Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

May, 4th Estate

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Half of a Yellow Sun and Purple Hibiscus were both outstanding. Her new book sees a slight change in that it is moving away from Africa and spanning three continents, but I am sure it will be just as good. I am very excited about this one.

And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini

May, Bloomsbury 

I loved The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns so was excited to hear about Hosseini’s third novel. This one investigates the relationships formed between brothers and sisters and promises to be equally compelling. I can’t wait to read it!

Grace and Mary by Lord Melvyn Bragg

May, Sceptre

I only discovered Melvyn Bragg’s writing this year, but I am shocked he isn’t more widely read. I’m going to continue reading The Soldier’s Return Trilogy, but this is one to keep an eye out for too.

A Suitable Girl by Vikram Seth

Date TBC, Penguin

I have been saying it for months/years, but I really am going to read A Suitable Boy soon! It’s much anticipated sequel is going to be published next year so that should give me the incentive to start now!

Untitled Novel by Rohinton Mistry

December, Faber

Saving the best for last! I know nothing about this book, but I am still more excited about it than any other 2013 publication. Rohinton Mistry is my favourite author and it doesn’t really matter what it is about – Mistry’s writing is so amazing that I guarantee this book will be fantastic!

Which 2013 books are you most looking forward to?

Come back next week to see which books by debut/lesser known authors I’m looking forward to!