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Neharika Manjani profile imageNeharika ManjaniPublished on
6 first-time authors who will leave you wanting seconds

From an author who merges ambition with alchemy to another who tackles grief in a wonderfully weird way, here are the names you should add to your reading lists

I’ve found myself in this conundrum far too many times: I’ve bought a book on an impulse and quickly added it to my growing to-be-read pile because I don’t quite enjoy the author’s writing style. In an attempt to avoid this, I’ve added one more step to my book-buying process. Now, not only do I study the plot of the book but I also try to learn a little bit about the person writing the book. The biggest perk of this added step is that it often leads to the discovery of first-time authors with life stories just as compelling as their books. Here is a list of the ones I’ve loved recently. They come from different countries and master genres as varied as magic realism and feminism but have one thing in common–they will all leave you wanting seconds.

Bonnie GarmusIt was an enraging encounter with sexism at work that prompted California-born copywriter and creative director Bonnie Garmus to pen her wildly popular debut novel. Set in 1960s America,Lessons in Chemistry (2022) follows the life of Elizabeth Zott, an endearing scientist-turned-cook show host who challenges gender stereotypes by bringing her love for chemistry to the kitchen. The book, which was published just a few days before Garmus’ 65th birthday, is being adapted into an Apple TV+ series where Zott will be played by Oscar-winning actress Brie Larson.

Bonnie Garmus

It was an enraging encounter with sexism at work that prompted California-born copywriter and creative director Bonnie Garmus to pen her wildly popular debut novel. Set in 1960s America,Lessons in Chemistry (2022) follows the life of Elizabeth Zott, an endearing scientist-turned-cook show host who challenges gender stereotypes by bringing her love for chemistry to the kitchen. The book, which was published just a few days before Garmus’ 65th birthday, is being adapted into an Apple TV+ series where Zott will be played by Oscar-winning actress Brie Larson.

Abigail BergstromAbigail Bergstrom is no stranger to the literary scene. The Welsh author’s first job was at publishing giant Simon & Schuster. Today, Bergstrom runs a company that caters to aspiring writers and recently released her wonderfully weird debut novel titled What A Shame (2022), which tackles grief in a clever, comical and cautious way. At the centre of the zeitgeisty read is 20-something Mathilda Mannings who is attempting to move past two losses (a painful break-up and the death of her father) by employing unconventional and often amusing methods recommended by well-meaning friends.

Abigail Bergstrom

Abigail Bergstrom is no stranger to the literary scene. The Welsh author’s first job was at publishing giant Simon & Schuster. Today, Bergstrom runs a company that caters to aspiring writers and recently released her wonderfully weird debut novel titled What A Shame (2022), which tackles grief in a clever, comical and cautious way. At the centre of the zeitgeisty read is 20-something Mathilda Mannings who is attempting to move past two losses (a painful break-up and the death of her father) by employing unconventional and often amusing methods recommended by well-meaning friends.

Sanjana SathianAs an Indian-American, Sanjana Sathian often felt like she didn’t quite belong to a particular place and this feeling forges the foundation of her formative years as well as her book. In Gold Diggers (2021), Sathian, a Yale graduate who was raised in Georgia by South Indian immigrant parents, serves up a story about the sought-after American Dream with a side of magic. The traits of the central characters, childhood friends Neil Narayan and Anita Dayal, felt familiar to many readers including Mindy Kaling who is currently converting the book into a series.

Sanjana Sathian

As an Indian-American, Sanjana Sathian often felt like she didn’t quite belong to a particular place and this feeling forges the foundation of her formative years as well as her book. In Gold Diggers (2021), Sathian, a Yale graduate who was raised in Georgia by South Indian immigrant parents, serves up a story about the sought-after American Dream with a side of magic. The traits of the central characters, childhood friends Neil Narayan and Anita Dayal, felt familiar to many readers including Mindy Kaling who is currently converting the book into a series.

Julia May JonasBrooklyn-based author Julia May Jonas is also a seasoned playwright and mother, and she was inspired by both these roles when she began writing her first book. While Vladimir (2022) reads a lot like a gripping monologue, the dissatisfaction of its protagonist–an unnamed professor grappling with sexual misconduct allegations against her husband and her own desire for a younger colleague–draws from the anger around the self-sacrifice that’s expected of women as they age.

Julia May Jonas

Brooklyn-based author Julia May Jonas is also a seasoned playwright and mother, and she was inspired by both these roles when she began writing her first book. While Vladimir (2022) reads a lot like a gripping monologue, the dissatisfaction of its protagonist–an unnamed professor grappling with sexual misconduct allegations against her husband and her own desire for a younger colleague–draws from the anger around the self-sacrifice that’s expected of women as they age.

Anindita GhoseJournalist and author Anindita Ghose juggled writing her first novel with the demands of high-pressure journalism jobs–Ghose was the features director of Vogue India and the editor of Saturday magazine Mint Lounge. Her book, The Illuminated (2021), a result of five years of hard work, revolves around mother-daughter duo Shashi and Tara whose journey of self-discovery is suddenly set in motion by the unexpected death of a man who has long defined their lives.

Anindita Ghose

Journalist and author Anindita Ghose juggled writing her first novel with the demands of high-pressure journalism jobs–Ghose was the features director of Vogue India and the editor of Saturday magazine Mint Lounge. Her book, The Illuminated (2021), a result of five years of hard work, revolves around mother-daughter duo Shashi and Tara whose journey of self-discovery is suddenly set in motion by the unexpected death of a man who has long defined their lives.

Shakoor RatherNew Delhi-based journalist Shakoor Rather grew up in Kashmir during a particularly turbulent time and has spent close to a decade writing about various aspects of the conflict-ridden valley. In his book Life in the Clock Tower Valley (2021), Rather uses his experience and expertise to capture the uncertainty of everyday life in Kashmir through a series of love stories. One such story is about Samar and Rabiya whose relationship is complicated by curfews on the one hand and by parents with opposing political beliefs on the other.

Shakoor Rather

New Delhi-based journalist Shakoor Rather grew up in Kashmir during a particularly turbulent time and has spent close to a decade writing about various aspects of the conflict-ridden valley. In his book Life in theClock Tower Valley (2021), Rather uses his experience and expertise to capture the uncertainty of everyday life in Kashmir through a series of love stories. One such story is about Samar and Rabiya whose relationship is complicated by curfews on the one hand and by parents with opposing political beliefs on the other.

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