Favorite authors

[DisneyDog]

I love John Irving (except for his more recent novels -- I think he's getting repetitive (or obsessive?) with his themes), Maeve Binchy, Jennifer Weiner, Geraldine Brooks and Katie Fforde (who is apparently an in-law of Jasper Fforde). Other than that, I am lucky enough to be a librarian and read whatever strikes my fancy that crosses my desk. And, yes, I love romance novels, even the "cheesy" ones. LOL.

[Phantod]

Okay, here are a few:
Elizabeth Peters - Amelia Peabody series (Egyptian Archaeology at end of 1800s and beginning of 1900s)
Terry Brooks - Shannara Series
James Rollins - Earlier works are my favorites (Amazonia)
Chris Paolini - Eragon
Dean Koontz - Especially his early works
Nicholas Sparks - Okay, I've only read a couple, but his book on him and his brother growing up had me laughing out load and crying as well - Three Weeks with My Brother. What made it specially poignant was that he grew up near me, and I had friends who must have lived extremely close to him

[meldan98]

I enjoy Sue Grafton, James Patterson, Dean Koontz, Dan Brown, Mary Higgins Clark, Janet Evanavich and Nicholas Sparks. I'm also from the Sacramento area and find it really interesting that Sparks was from this area. I think I attended Sac State when his sister and father were there. Another good local author is Karen Kijewski. She hasn't written anything in years, but what she did write was really good. Most of her stories are based in the Sacramento area. Another author I really like is Steve Martini.

[MNNHFLTX]

I read all types of fiction by different authors, but my favorite author is definitely Jodi Picoult. She has a way of relaying extraordinary situations in a totally believable way.

[Diznee4Me]

Jack Whyte - a great Camelot series
Diana Gabaldon - Her Outlander Series (Jamie and Claire)
Morgan Lewellyn - everything she has written
Patricia Cornwell - The Scarpetta Series

just to name a few.

I also read a lot of non-fiction. Anything about history, archaeology, historical shipwrecks are my thing right now, biographies, auto-biographies, magazines, newspapers, newsletters, flyers on windshields, cereal boxes.....I read it all.

[PopPhan]

Isaac Asimov - Foundation series/Robot series
Emma Bull - "War For The Oaks"
Stephen King - any (Including the Bachman books) [although his more recent prose has been a bit lacking]
Anne MacCafferey - Dragonriders series/Hive series
Spider Robinson - Callahan's series primarily, but pretty much anything he has written
Roger Zelazny - Amber series

I am predominantly a scf-fi/fantasy reader, but will read pretty much anything....

If you like a more historical type of story - try to find anything by Thomas B. Costain! These books all look at historical events from a different perspective.

I can also second any of the Dan Brown books, as well as the "Scarpetta" books mentioned in an earlier post.

[Mickey'sGirl]

Mark Haddon (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time), and Rohinton Mistry (A Fine Balance) wrote the two best books I have ever read.

But my all time favourite author is John Irving .... followed closely by Dickens. Very similar styles. I've read everything I could by each of them.... and have several copies of Owen Meany in case I need to lend one out!

I also love the Janet Evanovich books for a fabulous quick read.

[TheVBs]

DisneyDog, what are Katie Fforde's books like?

I enjoy reading Janet Evonovich's series too. They're so funny.

If anyone enjoys historical fiction, give Bernard Cornwell a try. I've only read a couple of his books, but they were both amazing. He does extensive research and his stories feel like they just transport you back in time. The Gallows Thief was excellent.

[offwego]

Hmm what don't I read??

Phillapa Gregory, Heinlen, LM Montgomery Helen Fields, Jennifer Cruisie, John Irving, Stephanie Myers, JK Rowling, Dan Brown, John D MacDonald, Lawrence Saunders, David Eddings,

It's a big fat list if I kept thinking about it...I love to read all kinds (including romance of the not going to change the world but hey I bet you like it variety, other wise known in my house as I won't make you read these if you don't make me watch those movies books)

[The Reservoir Dog]

James Herbert

[brownie]

Terry Brooks, David Eddings, Tolkien, R.A. Salvatore, and Weis & Hickman are among my favorite authors. I also enjoy reading Michelle Paver and John Flanagan.

[princessgirls]

Sad but true...I like light and fluffy when I finally do get to sit down and read...

Nicholas Sparks is my favorite. I also enjoy Susan Wiggs, Nora Roberts, Kristin Hannah, and if you get a chance check out my friend...
Patti Callahan Henry
She has written two really good summer books...
Driftwood Summer
The Art of Keeping Secrets

Happy Reading!
Julie

[comicguy]

My favorite authors are:

Clive Cussler (only his Dirk Pitt books)

Vince Flynn

Dan Brown (not so much with his latest, The Lost Symbol)

James Rollins

Lincoln Child

Wade Barker

Max McCoy

Rob McGregor

Max Allen Collins

[Phantod]

After re-reading this, I realize I forgot one of my favorites, F. Paul Wilson and his repairman jack series. Actually I got started on him after watching "The Keep" at the movies, and have read all of his.

Just a side comment. We were on St. Maarten in the Caribbean and there is a shop there called "That Yoda Guy". The owner worked on Yoda and quite a few of the old monster movies. He had a wall of pictures showing some of his work, and there were some pictures from The Keep. Anyways, the owner was there that day and we had a chance to talk about the making of that particular movie. He said it was one of the worst experiences. Apparently the director was a jerk, and in fact there were a couple of nervous breakdowns during the filming. My kind of story.

Anyways, if you like some horror, I recommend Mr. Wilson.

I'm still waiting for The Keep on DVD...I haven't seen it in ages.

[Jeff G]

I was surprised to see my favorite, Terry Brooks, on here a couple times. The original Shannara trilogy is my favorite. The Elfstones of Shannara was the first novel I ever read and is also my favorite. The funny thing is it was forced on me by a teacher in study hall because I was goofing off.

I also enjoy Terry Goodkind. I'm on book eight of his series and can't find enough time to get through all eleven books.

[Lisaj13]

I definitely love Terry Pratchett!

Some of my other favourites are: Isaac Asimov, Alexander McCall Smith, Emma Lathen, Arthur Ransome, Donald E. Westlake (especially the Dortmunder books), and Sharon Wildwind.

[JRocker]

John Steinbeck - For myself, his characterization of the setting and the people provides an intimacy that brings me into his world.

Robert Jordan - His ability to keep me involved with a giant cast of characters over an epic storyline is something that I admire and envy.

John Grisham - Fast paced and entertaining. Good for a quick read.

R. A. Salvatore - A master at writing from the omniscient point of view while maintaining a level of intimacy with the characters. His story lines of political intrigue and his ability to write a battle sequence in a voice that puts you right in the action are also things that keep me reading.

There are plenty of others, but those are top four at the moment.

[TheVBs]

I definitely love Terry Pratchett!

Some of my other favourites are: Isaac Asimov, Alexander McCall Smith, Emma Lathen, Arthur Ransome, Donald E. Westlake (especially the Dortmunder books), and Sharon Wildwind.

Great to see another Terry Pratchett fan! His books can make me laugh out loud.

[Pongo]

Nelson DeMille (other than latest), Jonathan Kellerman, Stepen King,