Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Authors That Deserve More Recognition

I’ve been thinking long and hard about this week’s Top Ten Tuesday (hosted by The Broke and the Bookish). Which authors do I love, but don’t see people discussing? Who deserves more recognition?

Some of you might disagree with a few of my choices, but I’ve tried to pick authors who the average reader might be unfamiliar with, that I happen to love.

1. Sarra Manning:
Sarra Manning is like a British version of Sara Dessen, mixed with a dash of Stephanie Perkins. Her Diary of a Crush trilogy in particular is a must-read if you like contemporary YA romance, and hot English boys! I can’t believe more people don’t know who she is!

2. L.J. Smith:
Yes, we all know she wrote the Vampire Diaries series. But she also has quite a few other amazing trilogies under her belt. Her works (along with Christopher Pike) pretty much defined my pre-teen reading years back in the early 90’s. Two of my favorite all time series, written by her are The Forbidden Game, and The Secret Circle (which The CW has optioned as a pilot!).

3. Kelly Creagh:
Nevermore (Kelly’s debut!) is one of my absolute favorite books of all time. It’s long, descriptive, and dark. And features one of the most realistic portrayals of an unexpected high school romance I’ve ever read. It might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I think it’s amazing, and one of the most well-written YA books out there.

4. N. K. Jemisin:
Single handedly responsible for me reading adult fantasy novels once again. NK managed to create a unique world, with strong female protagonists in a genre that at times, feels like it’s survived on tropes and has been done to death. See The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms to find out what I mean.

5. Kim Gruenenfelder:
Author of hands down the most laugh out loud “chick lit” books I have ever read. A Total Waste of Makeup is another of my absolute favorites. Years after first reading it, I’m still cracking up over an especially eccentric character naming their pet elephant “Cinderellephant”.

6. Franny Billingsley:
My Chime review is still to come. But it’s safe to say based on that book alone, Franny is a new favorite. The fact that the book took her over a decade to perfect is evident on every single beautifully written page. Chime is my favorite 2011 read so far, which leaves me shocked that I haven’t heard more people talking about it.

7. Jandy Nelson:
Author of The Sky is Everywhere–a book that most bloggers seem to either love or hate. I’m waiting for the day when Sky breaks through the internet barrier and becomes a worldwide bestseller. I’m also anxiously awaiting the release of her second novel, The History of Luck.

8. Chloe Neill:
Not very widely known outside of die-hard urban fantasy circles, Chloe Neill has the potential to be the next Kim Harrison, and earn a place on the NY Times bestseller list. In the Chicagoland Vampires series, Neill manages to make tired subjects (vampires! werewolves! witches!) and settings (the big city) new again. She also writes one of the best ass-kicking heroines of any series I’ve ever read.

9. Richelle Mead:
Some of you might be wondering what the author of the Vampire Academy series is doing here. Most of my friends who read YA have heard of Richelle. But not all of them have read her adult works. They are in my opinion, even better than the VA series. Only Richelle could make a soul stealing succubus sympathetic. Check out her Georgina Kincaid and Dark Swan series, and prepare to be blown away.

10. Honestly, I can’t pick a #10!

Who are your favorite, underrated authors?