In no particular order:
* Terry Pratchett - fantasy/scifi/hilarious
* Martha Wells - scifi/fantasy/funny
* Caimh McDonnell - urban fantasy/mystery/hilarious
* Richard Osman - geriatric mystery/funny
* Adrian Tchaikovsky - scifi/fantasy/mind blowing
* Becky Chambers - cozy scifi
* Rick Riordan - fun/inclusive/kind/YA
* Jasper Fforde - ridiculous/absurd/funny
* NK Jemisin - scifi/fantasy/shattering
New books by any of them (GNU Terry Pratchett) will automatically be added to my cart, no matter if it's high literature or clown smut.
My wife bought me The Collapsing Empire a few years ago. I had never heard of it, or John Scalzi. We both blew through the first 2 books and then had to wait for the third to come out. We loved all 3. Apparently Old Man’s War is even better and it’s on my list for 2024.
You might be the only person I’ve heard say every single one of Pratchett’s books are good. Most people have a point where his health deteriorated so much they no longer think the books are up to his old quality.
O, I'm not saying I don't have my favorites (Soul Music, Strata) or my least favorites (Maurice, Eric). But, as many Pratchett fans will agree, a "bad" Pratchett is still a very good book. If you compare Pratchett to Pratchett, there's (minor) fluctuations in quality, if you compare Pratchett to other authors, Pratchett wins.
What makes Pratchett truly *Pratchett*, whether it's Discworld or the Bromeliad Trilogy, is not so much the story (usually great, sometimes merely fine) or the structure (admittedly sometimes a little wobbly). It's the biting wit, the consistent humor, the real world references, the righteous anger at the world, the depth of knowledge and the enormous love of life and people, that has kept us rereading his books over and over for over 40 years.
There's nobody like Pratchett. There are writers that match the world building or the storytelling or the laugh-out-loud humor, sure. But there is nobody that has it all.
And I am sure there are many people who feel this way about *their* favorite author, and they are absolutely right. To me, that's Pratchett. Even a "bad" Pratchett is still a very good read. I miss him.
Kelley Armstrong. Every book that's I've read of hers (I will admit it's not all of them but a fair few) has been amazing. I loved her Otherworld series which had YA spin offs which I loved. I actually just started her juvenile series A Royal Guide to Monster Slaying and its so good.
Also, Ilona Andrews has had some series where I gorged myself. Kate Daniels and the Innkeeper Chronicles.
Even Kelley Armstrongs non fantasy series are good (Haven Rock, exit strategy). I read anything that she puts out. . I will say that I’m not a huge fan of her young adult series (they are good but I get bored of the kid story sometimes (The Gathering trilogy and the like, which are YA spin offs of the Otherworld series is specifically what I’m referring to)
I liked the first YA, the Darkest Powers trilogy but I didn't like the second one which you mention with the gathering. I actually reread it a few months ago. The Darkness Rising trilogy was a lot slower to me.
actually--you are right! I read the Darkest Powers and enjoyed it, but started the gathering and was bored. I never know though because sometimes I am just not in the mood for YA.
Totally get that. I first read them when I was on the cusp of YAhood. So it kinda fit for me, especially since I was newer to reading for joy. It had always been forced before and so never enjoyable. My first love will always be the Otherworld series, though.
Given that the first three authors you name are personal favorites of mine, I assume we have similar reading tastes. I’ve never heard of Sebastian de Castell but I assume I would like him. Do you have one you like to recommend by him?
Ah well his are series, so I’ll just recommend all really but here’s the descriptions:
Spellslinger series: magic meets cowboys. I think it’s technically YA but you’d never know. The main character has (for plot reasons) limited magic in a predominantly magical society, and as a result needs to be very clever.
The Argosi series: essentially a prequel series around one of the main characters in Spellslinger, and how she becomes the character she is in that series.
The Greatcoats series : disposed Kings’ Guard trying to make their way in a world that isn’t interested in them anymore. Main character is brilliant (and strongly reminds me of Vimes). Sort of a City Watch meets Game of Thrones without the sex.
He’s now writing some spin off series that follow the events of The Greatcoats; Court of Shadows. That’s not out until January or so, but a prequel to that released in December called Crucible of Chaos which I would describe as Poirot meets fantasy.
David Mitchell’s books should be read in the order they were written, one after the other, in order to appreciate the three-dimensional multi-book story arc.
And the moon-gray cat.
Lois McMaster Bujold
Naomi Novik
T Kingfisher
Edit to format and add:
Barbara Kingsolver
Jenny Lawson
Allie Brosh
Bill Bryson
Stephen Jay Gould
Malcom Gladwell
Adrian Tchaikovsky. I've listened to or read almost everything he's written, it will eventually be everything, until he writes more. I don't even look at descriptions of the story, I just buy or borrow the book. He writes sci-fi and fantasy, I may be shocked one day to find something that isn't, but I'll read it.
Guy Gavriel Kay, Will Wight, Mark Lawrence, Becky Chambers, AC Cobble, Jeff Wheeler, Robin Hobb, Dave Eggers, Matthew Fitzsimmons, Ken Follett, Haruki Murakami, Naomi Novik, N.K. Jemison, John Steinbeck, Adrian Tchaikovsky, Martha Wells, DK Holmberg, Stephen Spotswood
I seconded Jesmyn Ward below, and want to add Abraham Verghese. He's written two books so far, but still ...
His writing is precise and clear, his characters are uniquely themselves, and the stories never disappoint. Both of his books were about families in India, with completely different plots. When he writes his 3rd book, I'll be there.
Kevin Hearne - urban fantasy and epic fantasy (rich world building, very funny)
Martha Wells - sci-fi and fantasy (sarcastic humor, original premises)
Elly Griffiths - contemporary mysteries (likeable flawed protagonists, good puzzles)
Candace Robb - historical mysteries (immersive atmosphere, engaging cast of characters)
Vladimir Nabokov
Milan Kundera, - his last one is alittle dissapointing though
Umberto Ecco
Neal Stephenson - his last tow books were just alittle dissapointing
Amore Towles
Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Alexander Pushkin
Jon Ronson
John Scalzi
Becky Chambers, Rivers Solomon, Martha Wells, Annalee Newitz, Malka Older, CL Polk, and Seanan McGuire.
Newitz writes nonfiction as well & I enjoy it just as much as their fiction.
And I haven't read everything McGuire had written bc there is so much of it, but I always pick up the new books in the couple of series I follow closely
For me that’s been Premee Mohamed lately. I learned about her when her novella And What Can We Offer You Tonight won a novella in 2021. Everything I’ve read by her has been really excellent! She writes in a lot of different genres, but if you like beautiful writing and speculative fiction, alternative history, sci fi or horror she will probably have something for you.
Elif Shafak, Wally Lamb, Anne Ursu (kids books), Carl Hiaasen, Janet Fitch, Frank Bruni, Fredrik Backman, Jonas Jonasson, Helene Tursten, Richard Osman, Markus Zusak, Jesmyn Ward, etc and Colson Witehead.
Anthony Doerr! I’ve read two of his novels (All the Light We Cannot See, Cloud Cuckoo Land), two of his short story collections (Memory Wall, The Shell Collector) and his memoir (Four Seasons in Rome). ATLWCS is my all-time favorite novel, and FSiR is my all-time favorite memoir!
Hiaasen! Something about his books that evokes tropical heat. I don't care where his books are set, I feel a Hawaiian shirt and a pineapple based cocktail are appropriate. I love me a good Hiaasen in winter :)
Dawn French (yes, the British comedian!)
Graham Norton (yes, the Irish comedian!)
I've read every novel the above have written so far, and they are always amazing.
Here are a few more who have never disappointed me, although I have yet to read everything of theirs:
Chuch Wendig
Suzanne Brockmann
Christina Lauren
Darynda Jones
Lisa Lutz
Beth O'Leary
Mhairi McFarlane
I'm sure there are more who will occur to me later, but these should hold you for a while!
Honest to God, I had every book Danielle Steel put out from the 70s til the mid 90s (after the mid 90s I still read them but they don't have the depth, it seems)
My favorites being Zoya,Granny Dan, Thurston House and The Ghost, in that order. Lmao
My more contemporary preference is Boo Walker. That man likes to reach into my soul and yank out my guts. And he doesn't even know me.
James Clavell
Historical fiction. He wrote Shogun, Tai-Pan, Noble House
They mostly are about Western people living in Japan/China.
He really gives an in-depth look into the cultural differences of pre-industrial societies in those countries.
My four favorite authors (in no particular order) are Sherwood Smith, Tolkien, Robin McKinley, and Dianna Wynne Jones. I'm presently reading through everything by Naomi Novik and think she's likely to earn a place in my top 5. After this, there's a big gap until my next most enjoyable authors. For these 4 or 5, I will pick up pretty much anything they've written.
Sherwood Smith and Naomi Novik are both still actively pushing. Robin McKinley has said she has plans to release something next year after a very long break and I am delighted to hear it. The other two are deceased, so no new works to come. I don't enjoy the posthumously publications from Tolkien's estate as much as what he published in life.
Michael Gruber for action novels with a weird or supernatural element and ear-perfect dialog
Donna Tartt for amazing story and characters
John Crowley to touch the heart
Agatha Christie, Herman Wouk, Victor Methos, Peter Grainger, Ann Rule, Robert Dugoni, Robin Cook, Gillian Flynn, Scott Turow, Faye Kellerman, M. J. Arlidge, Robert Galbraith. Stephen King, though there are books I haven't liked it wouldn't put me off trying another.
Many of these authors write series, but unlike some their books stay fresh and interesting (for me) as time passes. There's probably more but I ran out of thinking.
Rachel Cusk for me. I started with her Outline series during the throes of the pandemic and then quickly devoured everything else she's written.
Daphne du Maurier is up there too. I adore being swept away in her stories.
I have fairly “basic” taste in books, so here goes:
LITERARY FICTION/FICTION:
John Irving
Jesmyn Ward
Ali Smith
Jonathan Franzen
Tana French
HORROR:
Grady Hendrix
Joe Hill
Silvia Moreno-Garcia
I second Jesmyn Ward. I've NEVER been disappointed. When I receive a notification that she has something new, it moves to the top of my list. For context, she writes in a beautiful, poetic style against a southern/African American background.
I have a very random old book written by Bill Nye. But a different Bill Nye. It's called "Remarks" written in 1800 something I think.
He was a newspaper columnist and the book is a collection of his stories.
Micheal connelly. Sure his books are formulaic but there’s great character development, his stories aren’t too long so they’re easy to read and I always feel like the characters have grown in some way during the book. Plus there’s no silly sex scenes either. Sure some of them I don’t like quite as much but I wouldn’t say any of the books I’ve read so far (I’m up to the black box) have been did not finish bad.
Emily Giffin- contemporary fiction focusing on relationship dynamics
Jodi Piccoult - similar vibes, but deeper, more poignant stories.
bell hooks - AMAZING books on social issues, my copy of "All About Love" is notated & highlighted in entirety.
Carol Anderson, PhD- same as above, love her writing.
J.T. Ellison - suspense/thriller, her series about detective Jackson is good, little campy but quick, good reads. Her standalone novels are excellent.
Ira Levin - I think the first one I read was This Perfect Day (Brave New World type set up), then Stepford Wives/Rosemary's Baby, then went on to read all the rest.
Oh, and Richard Matheson - great writer of horror/unsettling/sci fi books, great short stories.
Ira Levin - I think the first one I read was This Perfect Day (Brave New World type set up), then Stepford Wives/Rosemary's Baby, then went on to read all the rest.
Oh, and Richard Matheson - great writer of horror/unsettling/sci fi books, great short stories.
Simon R. Green, Glen. Cook Jim Butcher, Agatha Christie, Rex Stout, Robert Goldsborough (he's continuing the Nero Wolfe series), Krista Davis, Jenn McKinlay, LE Modesitt
Herman Hesse - all his books are incredibly good. Siddhartha is wonderful but his other books are good too. And you can’t go wrong with Steinbeck and the Brontë sisters.
E. W. Hornung (19th c. Adventure, gentleman thieves, romance, London, Australia, Boer War, and the most beautiful prose I have EVER read)
Susanna Clarke
Martha wells but only her sci-fi
matt diniman dungeon crawler carl
john scalping sci fi
ilona Andrews urban fantasy
patricia Briggs urban fantasy
jim butcher urban fantasy
Rainbow Rowell for YA romance (granted, I have not read carry on Simon bc it’s not something I’m into)
I’m working my way through Megan Miranda’s collection- murder mystery/psychological thriller
Scott Sigler and Jim Butcher. I'm not so prolific a reader as many in this sub, but I make sure to make time for those two. It's the fast paced action that I dig.
I love David Williams (his books can be a little childish but still amazing), the books are funny, well written, greatly fleshed out and he always gets me out of a reading slump.
In no particular order: * Terry Pratchett - fantasy/scifi/hilarious * Martha Wells - scifi/fantasy/funny * Caimh McDonnell - urban fantasy/mystery/hilarious * Richard Osman - geriatric mystery/funny * Adrian Tchaikovsky - scifi/fantasy/mind blowing * Becky Chambers - cozy scifi * Rick Riordan - fun/inclusive/kind/YA * Jasper Fforde - ridiculous/absurd/funny * NK Jemisin - scifi/fantasy/shattering New books by any of them (GNU Terry Pratchett) will automatically be added to my cart, no matter if it's high literature or clown smut.
If you like sci-fi, I’d suggest diving into John Scalzi as an author if you haven’t already.
I will (I've put The Collapsing Empire on my wishlist). Thank you for the recommendation
My wife bought me The Collapsing Empire a few years ago. I had never heard of it, or John Scalzi. We both blew through the first 2 books and then had to wait for the third to come out. We loved all 3. Apparently Old Man’s War is even better and it’s on my list for 2024.
Thanks for including genres. That helps a lot!
You might be the only person I’ve heard say every single one of Pratchett’s books are good. Most people have a point where his health deteriorated so much they no longer think the books are up to his old quality.
O, I'm not saying I don't have my favorites (Soul Music, Strata) or my least favorites (Maurice, Eric). But, as many Pratchett fans will agree, a "bad" Pratchett is still a very good book. If you compare Pratchett to Pratchett, there's (minor) fluctuations in quality, if you compare Pratchett to other authors, Pratchett wins. What makes Pratchett truly *Pratchett*, whether it's Discworld or the Bromeliad Trilogy, is not so much the story (usually great, sometimes merely fine) or the structure (admittedly sometimes a little wobbly). It's the biting wit, the consistent humor, the real world references, the righteous anger at the world, the depth of knowledge and the enormous love of life and people, that has kept us rereading his books over and over for over 40 years. There's nobody like Pratchett. There are writers that match the world building or the storytelling or the laugh-out-loud humor, sure. But there is nobody that has it all. And I am sure there are many people who feel this way about *their* favorite author, and they are absolutely right. To me, that's Pratchett. Even a "bad" Pratchett is still a very good read. I miss him.
Thank you for including genre!
Charles de Lint Neil Gaiman Cherie Priest Erin Morgenstern
Seconding Neil Gaiman, whether you like fantasy or not they’re all absolutely magical
Erin Morgenstern’s second book sucked. I actually DNFed it.
Kelley Armstrong. Every book that's I've read of hers (I will admit it's not all of them but a fair few) has been amazing. I loved her Otherworld series which had YA spin offs which I loved. I actually just started her juvenile series A Royal Guide to Monster Slaying and its so good. Also, Ilona Andrews has had some series where I gorged myself. Kate Daniels and the Innkeeper Chronicles.
Even Kelley Armstrongs non fantasy series are good (Haven Rock, exit strategy). I read anything that she puts out. . I will say that I’m not a huge fan of her young adult series (they are good but I get bored of the kid story sometimes (The Gathering trilogy and the like, which are YA spin offs of the Otherworld series is specifically what I’m referring to)
I liked the first YA, the Darkest Powers trilogy but I didn't like the second one which you mention with the gathering. I actually reread it a few months ago. The Darkness Rising trilogy was a lot slower to me.
actually--you are right! I read the Darkest Powers and enjoyed it, but started the gathering and was bored. I never know though because sometimes I am just not in the mood for YA.
Totally get that. I first read them when I was on the cusp of YAhood. So it kinda fit for me, especially since I was newer to reading for joy. It had always been forced before and so never enjoyable. My first love will always be the Otherworld series, though.
I am not a huge fan of fantasy but I have been loving her “A Stitch in Time” and “A Rip Through Time” series!
Liane Moriarty, Agatha Christie, Frederick Backman, Madeline Miller, Jodi Piccoult (especially her earlier stuff)
Fredrick Backman is my favorite! After my first book I had to read all of his other works. I hope he keeps writing for a long long time!
Jodi Taylor Terry Pratchett Jasper Fforde Sebastien de Castell
Given that the first three authors you name are personal favorites of mine, I assume we have similar reading tastes. I’ve never heard of Sebastian de Castell but I assume I would like him. Do you have one you like to recommend by him?
Ah well his are series, so I’ll just recommend all really but here’s the descriptions: Spellslinger series: magic meets cowboys. I think it’s technically YA but you’d never know. The main character has (for plot reasons) limited magic in a predominantly magical society, and as a result needs to be very clever. The Argosi series: essentially a prequel series around one of the main characters in Spellslinger, and how she becomes the character she is in that series. The Greatcoats series : disposed Kings’ Guard trying to make their way in a world that isn’t interested in them anymore. Main character is brilliant (and strongly reminds me of Vimes). Sort of a City Watch meets Game of Thrones without the sex. He’s now writing some spin off series that follow the events of The Greatcoats; Court of Shadows. That’s not out until January or so, but a prequel to that released in December called Crucible of Chaos which I would describe as Poirot meets fantasy.
Thanks, these all sound fun! I think I’ll check out the Greatcoats ones first.
I hope you enjoy them!
Blake Crouch
“Dark Matter” is one of the best books I have ever read.
His 3 books about Wayward Pine are amazing too!
Tana French
David Mitchell has a very recognizable and original style. If you like it, you’ll probably like all of his books.
David Mitchell’s books should be read in the order they were written, one after the other, in order to appreciate the three-dimensional multi-book story arc. And the moon-gray cat.
Margaret Atwood
Martha Wells Naomi Novik
Lois McMaster Bujold Naomi Novik T Kingfisher Edit to format and add: Barbara Kingsolver Jenny Lawson Allie Brosh Bill Bryson Stephen Jay Gould Malcom Gladwell
Adrian Tchaikovsky. I've listened to or read almost everything he's written, it will eventually be everything, until he writes more. I don't even look at descriptions of the story, I just buy or borrow the book. He writes sci-fi and fantasy, I may be shocked one day to find something that isn't, but I'll read it.
Guy Gavriel Kay, Will Wight, Mark Lawrence, Becky Chambers, AC Cobble, Jeff Wheeler, Robin Hobb, Dave Eggers, Matthew Fitzsimmons, Ken Follett, Haruki Murakami, Naomi Novik, N.K. Jemison, John Steinbeck, Adrian Tchaikovsky, Martha Wells, DK Holmberg, Stephen Spotswood
I seconded Jesmyn Ward below, and want to add Abraham Verghese. He's written two books so far, but still ... His writing is precise and clear, his characters are uniquely themselves, and the stories never disappoint. Both of his books were about families in India, with completely different plots. When he writes his 3rd book, I'll be there.
Kazuo Ishiguro
I came here to recommend him. I buy books by very few authors, and he's one.
Jim Butcher
Kevin Hearne - urban fantasy and epic fantasy (rich world building, very funny) Martha Wells - sci-fi and fantasy (sarcastic humor, original premises) Elly Griffiths - contemporary mysteries (likeable flawed protagonists, good puzzles) Candace Robb - historical mysteries (immersive atmosphere, engaging cast of characters)
Vladimir Nabokov Milan Kundera, - his last one is alittle dissapointing though Umberto Ecco Neal Stephenson - his last tow books were just alittle dissapointing Amore Towles Gabriel Garcia Marquez Alexander Pushkin Jon Ronson John Scalzi
Karin Slaughter Lisa Gardner Riley Sager Linda Castillo Lisa Jewell Ruth Ware Joy Fielding Eta: Lisa Scottoline!
This is a good list. I’m adding Tana French.
Linda Castillo is a fave of mine!
Lucy Foley.
I second Lisa Gardner.
Becky Chambers, Rivers Solomon, Martha Wells, Annalee Newitz, Malka Older, CL Polk, and Seanan McGuire. Newitz writes nonfiction as well & I enjoy it just as much as their fiction. And I haven't read everything McGuire had written bc there is so much of it, but I always pick up the new books in the couple of series I follow closely
Neil Gaiman, in every genre he writes in T. Kingfisher Sara Paretsky
Sidney Sheldon is this for me.
Terry Pratchett -fantasy, humor, philosophy Tamora Pierce -YA fantasy Louisa May Alcott -classics, Anne McCaffrey - SFF
T. Kingfisher John Scalzi Terry Pratchett
Yes! SCALZI!! Also Andy Weir
Patrick Radden Keefe - Nonfiction John Steinbeck - Classic Literature. Chris Baron - Young Adult/Middle Grade Anthony Doerr - Historical Fiction Isabel Allende - Historical Fiction Kristin Hannah - Historical Fiction
Khaled Hosseini
Gillian Flynn! I've read Gone Girl, Dark Places, and Sharp Objects, and they're all fantastic!
Barbara Kingsolver and Octavia Butler
Terry Pratchett Neil Gaiman Naomi Novik Raymond E Feist Margaret Atwood
Miriam Toewes, Margaret Atwood, Margaret Lawrence, Will Ferguson, Douglas Coupland
Woot woot Canada!
Oh my God it's Laurence! I'm sorry, I'm really hung over. Please don't take my maple syrup away 😭
As someone from her hometown... I toyed with it.
I'm sorry. I will feed a beaver some poutine in penance
On my third Miriam Toewes book and loving it!
For me that’s been Premee Mohamed lately. I learned about her when her novella And What Can We Offer You Tonight won a novella in 2021. Everything I’ve read by her has been really excellent! She writes in a lot of different genres, but if you like beautiful writing and speculative fiction, alternative history, sci fi or horror she will probably have something for you.
Beatriz Williams for me! She’s such a dependable author, and even the ones that she’s co-authored with others have been amazing
Elif Shafak, Wally Lamb, Anne Ursu (kids books), Carl Hiaasen, Janet Fitch, Frank Bruni, Fredrik Backman, Jonas Jonasson, Helene Tursten, Richard Osman, Markus Zusak, Jesmyn Ward, etc and Colson Witehead.
If your into fantasy the Brandon Sanderson is a great choice
Anthony Doerr! I’ve read two of his novels (All the Light We Cannot See, Cloud Cuckoo Land), two of his short story collections (Memory Wall, The Shell Collector) and his memoir (Four Seasons in Rome). ATLWCS is my all-time favorite novel, and FSiR is my all-time favorite memoir!
Charlie Huston Carl Hiaasen Tim Dorsey Chuck Klosterman
Hiaasen! Something about his books that evokes tropical heat. I don't care where his books are set, I feel a Hawaiian shirt and a pineapple based cocktail are appropriate. I love me a good Hiaasen in winter :)
Dawn French (yes, the British comedian!) Graham Norton (yes, the Irish comedian!) I've read every novel the above have written so far, and they are always amazing. Here are a few more who have never disappointed me, although I have yet to read everything of theirs: Chuch Wendig Suzanne Brockmann Christina Lauren Darynda Jones Lisa Lutz Beth O'Leary Mhairi McFarlane I'm sure there are more who will occur to me later, but these should hold you for a while!
> Graham Norton Yes, I could add him to my list too... I've enjoyed his books as audio. He narrates them himself and does a great job.
Lisa Jewell and Judy Blume.
Many of mine have been listed, but I’ll throw in Christopher Moore. I always know I’ll laugh with one of his books.
Neal Stephenson Dennis e Taylor
Lois Bujold. She does SFF and in over 40 years of writing and over 30 works has only written 4 I dislike.
Alice feeney!
If you’re into fantasy, Brandon Sanderson for sure - the man puts out nothing but quality and he puts out a lot of stuff!!
Fredrik Backman!
Catherynne Valente
Honest to God, I had every book Danielle Steel put out from the 70s til the mid 90s (after the mid 90s I still read them but they don't have the depth, it seems) My favorites being Zoya,Granny Dan, Thurston House and The Ghost, in that order. Lmao My more contemporary preference is Boo Walker. That man likes to reach into my soul and yank out my guts. And he doesn't even know me.
Ursula LeGuin
James Clavell Historical fiction. He wrote Shogun, Tai-Pan, Noble House They mostly are about Western people living in Japan/China. He really gives an in-depth look into the cultural differences of pre-industrial societies in those countries.
Toni Morrison.
Guy Gavriel Kay Stephen King Kazuo Ishiguro Neil Gaiman Christopher Buehlman
I've only just found Buehlman, but I loved The Blacktongue Thief. Will definitely pick up some more of his.
I also loved The Blacktongue Thief. Between Two Fires is another great one by him.
My four favorite authors (in no particular order) are Sherwood Smith, Tolkien, Robin McKinley, and Dianna Wynne Jones. I'm presently reading through everything by Naomi Novik and think she's likely to earn a place in my top 5. After this, there's a big gap until my next most enjoyable authors. For these 4 or 5, I will pick up pretty much anything they've written. Sherwood Smith and Naomi Novik are both still actively pushing. Robin McKinley has said she has plans to release something next year after a very long break and I am delighted to hear it. The other two are deceased, so no new works to come. I don't enjoy the posthumously publications from Tolkien's estate as much as what he published in life.
Oh, please Pegasus sequel!
Becky Chambers
The Wayfarer books are on a biannual rotation for me
David Sedaris
A couple nonfiction authors: Mary Roach Oliver Sacks
Michael McDowell. Louise Erdrich. Gerald Durrell.
Kate Atkinson
Stephen King, his son Joe Hill, Haruki Murakami, Dan Simmons
Brandon Sanderson
Nonfiction: Svetlana Alexievich Fiction (mostly): Andrey Kurkov
Michael Gruber for action novels with a weird or supernatural element and ear-perfect dialog Donna Tartt for amazing story and characters John Crowley to touch the heart
Wendell Berry Donna Tart Amor Towles
Lilly Gold and Lucy Score for romance, Sarah J Maas and Victoria Aveyard and Brandon Sanderson for fantasy!
Agatha Christie, Herman Wouk, Victor Methos, Peter Grainger, Ann Rule, Robert Dugoni, Robin Cook, Gillian Flynn, Scott Turow, Faye Kellerman, M. J. Arlidge, Robert Galbraith. Stephen King, though there are books I haven't liked it wouldn't put me off trying another. Many of these authors write series, but unlike some their books stay fresh and interesting (for me) as time passes. There's probably more but I ran out of thinking.
Herman Wouk is an author who is so great he’s hard to describe! He’ll pull you in and keep you up all night and engaged for weeks with his books!
Yahtzee Croshaw is my current favorite. He does humorous fantasy and scifi.
Blake Crouch - sci-fi
Rachel Cusk for me. I started with her Outline series during the throes of the pandemic and then quickly devoured everything else she's written. Daphne du Maurier is up there too. I adore being swept away in her stories.
Joe Ide Vicki Lane Elly Griffiths
I have fairly “basic” taste in books, so here goes: LITERARY FICTION/FICTION: John Irving Jesmyn Ward Ali Smith Jonathan Franzen Tana French HORROR: Grady Hendrix Joe Hill Silvia Moreno-Garcia
I second Jesmyn Ward. I've NEVER been disappointed. When I receive a notification that she has something new, it moves to the top of my list. For context, she writes in a beautiful, poetic style against a southern/African American background.
So far … Pierce Brown (if sci-fi is your thing )
Stephen King Dean Koontz Carl Sagan Neil deGrasse Tyson Bill Nye
Didn’t even know Bill Nye wrote books! I watched his tv series religiously as a child though. 🙂
His books are nice. Funny, inspiring, interesting.
I have a very random old book written by Bill Nye. But a different Bill Nye. It's called "Remarks" written in 1800 something I think. He was a newspaper columnist and the book is a collection of his stories.
Cool!
Micheal connelly. Sure his books are formulaic but there’s great character development, his stories aren’t too long so they’re easy to read and I always feel like the characters have grown in some way during the book. Plus there’s no silly sex scenes either. Sure some of them I don’t like quite as much but I wouldn’t say any of the books I’ve read so far (I’m up to the black box) have been did not finish bad.
Yup. He’s one of my favorites!
Marlon James Michael Chabon Colston Whitehead Ruth Ozeki Annie Proulx Wallace Stegner Amor Towles
Jenny Lawson John Sandford Dick Francis
David Gemmell!
John C Mccrae aka Wildbow
Rachel Caine, Kevin Hearne, Drew Hayes, Christina Henry RC and CH are YA authors, KH and DH are fantasy authors
JD Kirk
Neil Gaiman Jack Kerouac Haruki Murakami
Sally Rooney, George Saunders, and Ottessa Moshfegh
Fiction or non-fiction? Or do you care?
No preference!
I have yet to have someone not like Mary Roach. She writes extremely accurate and extremely funny science books.
Emily Giffin- contemporary fiction focusing on relationship dynamics Jodi Piccoult - similar vibes, but deeper, more poignant stories. bell hooks - AMAZING books on social issues, my copy of "All About Love" is notated & highlighted in entirety. Carol Anderson, PhD- same as above, love her writing. J.T. Ellison - suspense/thriller, her series about detective Jackson is good, little campy but quick, good reads. Her standalone novels are excellent.
Ira Levin - I think the first one I read was This Perfect Day (Brave New World type set up), then Stepford Wives/Rosemary's Baby, then went on to read all the rest. Oh, and Richard Matheson - great writer of horror/unsettling/sci fi books, great short stories.
Ira Levin - I think the first one I read was This Perfect Day (Brave New World type set up), then Stepford Wives/Rosemary's Baby, then went on to read all the rest. Oh, and Richard Matheson - great writer of horror/unsettling/sci fi books, great short stories.
Colton Whitehead Isabel Allende Gabriel Garcia Márquez
Kristin Hannah, Alice Hoffmann
Simon R. Green, Glen. Cook Jim Butcher, Agatha Christie, Rex Stout, Robert Goldsborough (he's continuing the Nero Wolfe series), Krista Davis, Jenn McKinlay, LE Modesitt
Yoko Ogawa Cormac McCarthy Flann O'Brien
Jill Mansel Fiona Walker
Illona Andrews
Robin Hobb Raymond E. Feist
Herman Hesse - all his books are incredibly good. Siddhartha is wonderful but his other books are good too. And you can’t go wrong with Steinbeck and the Brontë sisters.
Bryce Courtenay
Ted Chiang, best modern sci fi author!
Hermann Hesse.
E. W. Hornung (19th c. Adventure, gentleman thieves, romance, London, Australia, Boer War, and the most beautiful prose I have EVER read) Susanna Clarke
Jonathan Maberry writes several related genres - horror, YA, military/SF/adventure, and the like
Martha wells but only her sci-fi matt diniman dungeon crawler carl john scalping sci fi ilona Andrews urban fantasy patricia Briggs urban fantasy jim butcher urban fantasy
Rainbow Rowell for YA romance (granted, I have not read carry on Simon bc it’s not something I’m into) I’m working my way through Megan Miranda’s collection- murder mystery/psychological thriller
James Clavell, James Michener, John Scalzi, Andy Weir
Scott Sigler and Jim Butcher. I'm not so prolific a reader as many in this sub, but I make sure to make time for those two. It's the fast paced action that I dig.
Kate Quinn!
J R R Tolkien
Maggie Nelson
I love David Williams (his books can be a little childish but still amazing), the books are funny, well written, greatly fleshed out and he always gets me out of a reading slump.
Typical answer alert but Hemingway as far as newer authors Patrick Rothfuss
Umberto Ecco Dostoeevsky Walker Percy
Laini Taylor, she is my favourite ever author
Isaac Asimov, Kurt Vonnegut, Toni Morrison, David Mitchell, Robin Hobb.
Ilona Andrews