Think about your favorite authors, your favorite books . . . what is it about them that makes you love them above all the other authors you’ve read? The stories? The characters? The way they appear to relish the taste of words on the tongue? The way they’re unafraid to show the nitty-gritty of life? How they sweep you off to a new, distant place? What is it about those books and authors that makes them resonate with you in ways that other, perfectly good books and authors do not?
That's a good question. I like to read various genres and my list of favorite authors is ever-growing. Why I like a particular book is a combination of various factors. But one thing I can say with certainty - a book has to speak to me, connect with me and make me, in turn, connect with it - either through its story or characters or its execution etc - for me to love it and through it, its author.To put in another way, the author's story must resonate with me on some level. Humans are very complex beings have different facets to their nature. If the story I'm reading appeals to some of these facets, then it's a winner in my book.
For example, take Jane Austen or Georgette Heyer - these wonderful authors create simple romantic stories that are made complex by the characters who themselves are sparkling and full of life, even the villains.
Janet Evanovich I like for her Stephanie Plum novels. She doesn't use complicated words or create complex situations. Rather, Evanovich's genius lies in presenting her readers with extremely visual scenes and then infecting them with an ample dose of humor. This kind of double whammy is apt to leave the readers rolling on the floor, laughing.
Michael Crichton is another fave author and I like him for the healthy mix of fact and fiction he provides. His stories often have a worst-case, world-ending kind of scenario which is then diffused after some nifty scientific detection. The real fascinating aspect is, that worst-case scenario may very come true in real life one day.
Sherrilyn Kenyon (Dark-Hunter series) and Kelley Armstrong (Women of the Otherworld) are two of the best paranormal writers, in my book. They appeal to me on various levels. Both have stories with a strong common thread running through them, their characters are all complex with a lot of angst, and the suspense is also pretty good. The best part is they feature supernatural beings who exist in contemporary times and struggle to balance anonymity with normalcy.
Lilith Saintcrow and Kim Harrison appeal to me for many of the same reasons above, only their stories are set a little in the future.
Jeffrey Deaver for his complex plotting and Dean Koontz for never failing to surprise.
Douglas Preston and Dan Brown for combing history and mystery to create unforgettable books.
Enid Blyton for her unbeatable stories that are primarily for children but have an appeal that transcends generations.
R.K.Narayan, P.G.Wodehouse and Firoozeh Dumas for their wit and evergreen charm.
Sophie Kinsella and Jane Green for their light and fun reads that are a perfect antidote to life's frustrations.
Mary Janice Davidson for making even vampires funnier than fun! and J.F.Lewis for creating a vampire anti-hero who can crack rib-cracking one-liners even when being mauled to death.
Kristin Hannah and Luanne Rice for books that celebrate women, through inter-personal relationships.
I could go on and on - Charles Dickens, Jules Verne, Charlotte Bronte, Alexander Dumas, William Shakespeare, .... like I said, my list is endless :)
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Good first BTT. You wrote an impresive list!
ReplyDeleteMan, you read as widely across the spectrum as I do!
ReplyDeletesmilingsal - oh, thanks! I would have gone on and on if Hubby hadn't taken to switching off the lights to indicate the late hour :)
ReplyDeleteSusan - again, thanks! I loved that Bobby Faye review you wrote. Sounds like another humorous work!
I love Janet Evanovich, too. I've only recently discovered her, and am now trying to get caught up! I like Grandma Mazur and Lula especially.
ReplyDeleteI discovered her late as well, koolaidmom! She was well into her 8th book or some such when I caught the Plum mania. Yes, Grandma Mazur's a hoot, as is 'fudge' Sally and so many others. Best read it in order to get the complete flavor :)
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