What kind of books or what authors keep you coming back for more and more?

My favourite genre by far is comtemporary fantasy. Stories set in this world (or one similar to it) but with a fantasy/magical/supernatural twist.

I’m a big Anne Tyler fan. I haven’t read all of her stuff but I’m never disappointed.

I’m currently very drawn to Sarah Dunant – her novels contain such beautiful language, that they feel like pieces of art as you read.

I devoured all of Torey Hayden‘s non-fiction books – they ended up being a little formulaic, but then they were based on real life experiences, so that’s understandable. I loved her books in particular because they are about her as helper, so the stories are about the journey these very troubled souls take towards a better life, rather than wallowing in the pain that put them there in the first place.

The Millenium Trilogy by Stieg Larsson was un-put-downable for me – whether I would have liked more of his work I’ll never know…

Terry Pratchett, James P. Blaylock, Gene Wolfe, Michael Moorcock, Glenn Cook, Robert Sheckley.

I can’t get enough of philosophical stories, usually classics. I think I crave that kind of literature because I feel I need more guidence in my life, and well-established authors seem to be people I would trust with good, wise advice.

I’m embarassed to say I almsot always buy a new Stephen King novel, even though I’m almsot always disappointed by it.

@Austinlad I have a friend who buys all the Stephen King novels just because they’re so impressively big. I don’t think she reads them though, because she doesn’t like that genre. The last time I talked to her she said she just wanted to support him as a writer because of his ability to crank out such enormous works of writing.

@Austinlad & @Carly I’m currently tackling his latest, “Under the Dome”... so far it’s pretty good… I can’t quite remember though as I haven’t picked it up for several weeks! Perhaps it is a bit of a tome…

Now, Ken Follett’s tomes I just can’t put down! what a writer! v Great call below! v

Ken Follet, George R.R. Martin (when he gets around to actually publishing his books), Terry Pratchett, Fyodor Dostoyevsky

William Faulkner astounds me just about every time. And while I am ambivalent about David Foster Wallace, he keeps coming back to me in daily situations and I keep coming back to him for some kind of relief.

And I don’t want to sound pedantic or cliche, but then there’s Shakespeare, who honestly is appropriate regardless or where or when I am.

Patricia Cornwell
Iris Johansen
Alex Kava
Lisa Graham
James Patterson

I enjoyed the Hobbit by J R R Tolkien, I like Steven King, I like Anne Rice, I also enjoyed the Harry Potter series by J K Rowling. I have always enjoyed books about self improvement, spiritual books and paranormal books.

I like Mark Twain :)

True Crime – Ann Rule
Mystery – Sue Grafton and Patricia Cornwell
Romance – Maeve Binchy and Jane Austen
Weird/Futuristic – Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.
(I did the Stephen King and J.K. Rowling stint and overdosed on both.)

Ah, Pied Pfeffer filled in some for me-Grafton and Cornwell. I loved her Scarpetta series, and Grafton’s Kinsey Millhone is good.
The others are mystery/psychic/serial killer stuff. Can’t put them down.
Recently read a “Yalnorn” last name, and it was good, kinda fantasy/fairies type, but good.
I’ve also enjoyed Cook’s medical mystery books, and Dean Koontz is another fav as well as some of the early Stephan King.
Patricia Cornwell
Iris Johansen-psychic/murder/serial killer/and romance novels
Alex Kava-murder mystery
Lisa Graham-murder mystery
James Patterson- murder/romance

@downtide Could I convince you to send me your reading list? We could compare notes….

Sue Grafton
Sandra Brown love trying to figure out who done it
J.D. Robb futuristic cop
Stieg Larsson reading now
Dean Koontz when I want a little suspense
There are a lot more, but this is where I’ve been this year;-)

I can’t stop reading Tennessee Williams biographies and I enjoyed his memoirs.

Here is a list of my favorites in no particular order:
Ann B. Ross (the Miss Julia series)
Nancy Thayer (the Hot Flash Club series)
Gail Fraser (the Lumby series)
Anything by Amy Tan, Fannie Flagg or Charles Dickens.

All of the the books by these authors involve a mystery, gentle (often hilarious) humor, family situations and vivid detail with regards to the characters and the setting of the story. Enjoy!

@Kardamom ; I’ve been a Nancy Thayer fan since Three Women at the Water’s Edge. If you haven’t it, track it down. It’s worth it.

When I find a poet I like, I go out of my way to read their collections (the first poet to warrant this endeavor was Shel Silverstein.) I also adore children’s literature authors who inject nonsense into their literature (such as Lewis Carroll, Edward Gorey, Dr. Seuss, Jon Scieszka, and Lemony Snicket.) I’m writing two academic papers about the art of nonsense – one on Gorey and another on The Muppet Show.

Artwork also draws me into literature. Beatrix Potter’s watercolour paintings cried out “Read me! Read me!” when I was in second grade. I like browsing book stores and picking out books that look beautiful. Though I suppose this indulges the art historian in me moreso than the reader / writer.

Kundera and Vonnegut both have styles that work for me. They could have written about anything and I probably would have devoured it.

I love murder/ mystery books. James Patterson books are page turners. Once I start it’s hard to put it down. Mary Higgins Clark is also good.

I have a bit of a thing for cheesy romance novels, you know, the kind that no one else likes and all have the same basic plotline? Otherwise I enjoy virtually any historical fiction, and non fiction. I also like to read phsychology books, and books about human behaviour.

@muppetish I’d love to see you papers when you’re done.

Lately the only author I’ve been coming back to over and over again is Bertrand Russell. He’s a hoot and a half.

Fantasy, Science Fiction, Historical recreation novels, mysteries, National Geographic Magazine

Many of my favorites have already been named. I like a good mystery/thriller so I’ll add:
Kate Atkinson
John Grisham
Dick Francis
Ken Follett

No specific authors on my part. I love books about animals, biology, chess, geography, astronomy, physics, famous scientists/inventors, ghosts/paranormal, reincarnation and religion debunking.

I love biographies of eccentric folks, especially those who lived in the UK a hundred or so years ago. I like books about travel, how people manage when taken out of their comfort
zones. I also like books that explore differing spiritual paths.

Horror novels, especially Stephen King and Dean Koontz.

Can’t believe I forgot Jasper Fforde. The Thursday Next series was one of my all-time favorites.

Oh, and I wish Neil Gaiman would write more like American Gods and Anansi Boys.

I can’t believe I forgot this wonderful author Rosamunde Pilcher and her book Winter Soltice!

Jane Austen, Barbara Kingsolver, and Daphne du Maurier. So my literary taste is all over the map. :)

Jane Austen! One of my favorite books of all time is Pride and Prejudice and I’m currently reading Emma. I also like Gothic novels. However, above all others is the genre I write in: fantasy.