- Philip Pullman (fantasy)
Pullman is my very favorite author! My reading experience started with the His Dark Materials trilogy. The Golden Compass/Northern Lights ended on such a cliffhanger that I have never wanted to read a sequel more. Pullman writes in such a way as though he were taking my dreams and putting them on paper. His writing is so finely tuned that I feel that I am experiencing these adventures along with the characters.
Pullman has a commitment to quality writing that I have found unparalleled. On April 28, 2022, The Imagination Chamber hit the shelves. It is a collection of “streams of light”, little glimpses into His Dark Materials, showing just how Pullman could take his series in one hundred different directions and tell so many different stories. Which ones will make it into the final book of the series and whose stories will be left behind forever (or at least until Pullman writes another short story or series)?
Recently, I have been reading Pullman’s Daemon Voices which is a collection of essays on storytelling. This is a must-read for anyone with an interest in writing.
- May Cobb (mystery)
This author is more accurately described as steamy mystery. Her debut novel is The Hunting Wives. In the acknowledgments, I read that she is friends with fellow mystery author, Riley Sager. Cobb’s latest steamy mystery was published May 17, 2022 entitled My Summer Darlings (which I highly recommend).
- Alex Michaelides (mystery)
Alex Michaelides wrote the best debut novel that I have ever read, The Silent Patient. Not only is the book page turning, it has a certain depth to it as well. Michaelides proved that he is not a one hit wonder by following up The Silent Patient with The Maidens, another stellar novel. Now, I’m just waiting for Book #3….
- Neil Gaiman (fantasy)
Neil Gaiman is like the new Philip Pullman. He writes more realistic fantasy. I started off by reading The Ocean At The End of The Lane and loved it so much that I read Neverwhere just a few days later. Then, I devoured Coraline. Needless to say, I’m looking forward to more from Mr. Gaiman.
- Frank Herbert (fantasy)
Dune! Need I say more? Dune is an incredible epic story of valor, bravery, courage, and even environmentalism. None of the characters are safe, and the story is completely unpredictable. Although I have only read Dune and Dune Messiah (the first two books in the series), Frank Herbert has never disappointed.
- Rachel Hawkins (mystery)
My first exposure to Rachel Hawkins was when Book of the Month offered her book, The Wife Upstairs, as a selection. I could not put the book down! Ms. Hawkins really knows how to increase the suspense. On January 4, 2022, Ms. Hawkins published Reckless Girls. I stayed up until the wee hours of the morning reading it!
Exciting news! Hawkins has a new book coming out. The Villa is slated to be published January 3, 2023! Keep on the lookout for my review of this book!
- Patrick Rothfuss (fantasy)
Rothfuss is the man responsible for The Name of the Wind. It is an epic story about Kvothe who goes on all kinds of grand adventures. It feels like someone telling you a bedtime story around a campfire. Rothfuss continued Kvothe’s story in The Wise Man’s Fear, and he also authored a story called The Slow Regard of Silent Things which tells the story of a side character in The Name of the Wind. Rothfuss keeps the action flowing with short paragraphs and earns him a spot on my list of favorite authors.
- Fredrik Backman (humor)
The funniest books that I have ever read were written by Fredrik Backman, Anxious People and A Man Called Ove. When I listened to the audiobook for A Man Called Ove, the book was so spellbinding that someone sat next to me to listen, transfixed. Backman actually enchants! Backman also writes some more serious pieces of literature such as The Deal of a Lifetime and And Every Morning the Way Homes Gets Longer and Longer.
- Andy Weir (fantasy)
Andy Weir writes fantasy books filled with science, but he writes them in a funny, conversational way. Project Hail Mary is one of the best audiobooks ever! Weir writes in such a way that the main character seems like your best friend, and his books are highly addictive. His books also seem to be getting better and better.
- Paula Hawkins (mystery)
Paula Hawkins authored The Girl On The Train and A Slow Fire Burning. Her endings get me every time! I never seem them coming.
However, in April 2022, Hawkins published Blind Spot, a short story. Unfortunately, the book seems to be very similar to Mother May I by Joshilyn Jackson. So time will tell if Paula Hawkins can maintain her position on my list of favorite authors.
Honorable Mention
- Riley Sager (mystery)
The first time that I read Riley Sager was his The Last Time I Lied. The audiobook was so amazing that I would linger in my car, transfixed, needing just a few more minutes. The twist made sense, and I never saw it coming! Home Before Dark is also another page-turner (although the ending is really lame). However, Sager’s last two books, Survive The Night and The House Across the Lake, were terrible, bordering on silly. If Riley Sager were a stock, I would sell (or at least hold).
Sager’s latest books honestly feel like he wrote a contract to write so many books, and he is just pushing out books to fulfill a contract. Sager can absolutely write, but his latest works are not a reflection of quality. I would be open to buying more of his works in the future based on more favorable reviews.
Leave me some comments below about who your favorite authors are! Or do we have some favorite authors in common?!
With a little shame I have to admit to have read none of these authors! I have read a number of your reviews, respect your recommendations, and will pump up my TBR list now. (Neil Gaiman’s “The Graveyard Book” is waiting on my shelf). Thanks!
Thanks, Michael! When I created this list, I was thinking, “I bet everyone has these same authors listed.” It is good to know that it is at least a little bit unique! American Gods is on my short-term TBR list (by Neil Gaiman). It is much longer than his other books that I have read so hopefully I won’t be disappointed. There is nothing worse than reading a 1,000 page book that is boring.
Hi, Lisa… If I may digress for a moment, I’m wondering if the “Bill” author that your cat was named after refers to “The Bard” himself, William Shakespeare. (I can see a feline easily playing peekaboo behind one of his works).