7 Current Writers I’m In Love With

Melissa Says:

January 31st, 2008, 20:50 pm

I’m shocked that you didn’t include Stephen King. His writing sometimes strays into the gory, yes, but he is the only writer who can truly scare me. King does something with his characters that makes you believe that it’s possible aliens are carrying around scissors to cut the ribbons of our lives, or that there IS another dimension of life that co-exists on this planet.

McPanse Says:

January 31st, 2008, 20:55 pm

Check out Lethem’s dystopian “Amnesia Moon”. A very good read, but “Motherless Brooklyn” and “Gun with Occasional Music” are definitely my favorites. Along the same vein, you might enjoy Jonathan Franzen’s “Strange Motion”: unexplained Boston earthquakes, corporate malfeasance, anti-abortionists, and a compelling love story all wrapped into one.

If you haven’t read Michael Chabon, you should. “The Adventures of Kavalier and Clay” is fantastic, as is “The Yiddish Policemen’s Union.”

A little more off the beaten path, Jess Walter’s “Citizen Vince” is also a great read. It’s about a low-level wiseguy in witness protection in Spokane trying to outrun his past while wrestling with who to vote for in the 1980 Reagan-Carter election.

Zed Says:

January 31st, 2008, 20:56 pm

I suggest “Dresden Files”, and “Codex Alera” both by Jim Butcher. I enjoyed them immensely, and I’m eagerly awaiting the next books from both series.

Jasi Says:

January 31st, 2008, 20:59 pm

love love love love love love Gibson.

A minimalist, I only hold onto 10 books. Most are his.

Saw him in Philly during his Spook Country tour. He’s just fantastic. Mona Lisa Overdrive my favorite recently topped by Pattern Recognition. It’s brilliant.

I also read Tom Robbins and anything else that strikes me as interesting.

Poppy Says:

January 31st, 2008, 21:02 pm

You should try Diana Wynne Jones - she’s been around a lot longer than J. K. Rowling and is MILES better (in my opinion.) In particular, try Howl’s Moving Castle (which was adapated into a Japanese film) and the Chrestomanci series - they’re suitable for youngish readers. Her books are marketed towards children, but the subtleties and complexities of them appeal to older readers as well. She’s the person who inspired me to want to become a children’s author.

Dylan Says:

January 31st, 2008, 21:04 pm

If you like William Gibson you should check out Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson.

Charles Says:

January 31st, 2008, 21:09 pm

Definitely check out Neal Stephenson. He’s great. I’ve liked all of his books that I’ve read so far. Also read Perdido Street Station by China Melville. King Rat and The Scar are also very good, but PSS is excellent, although starts of slow. It’s a new style of science fiction I’d say. I just love the world he’s created.

Sassmifrass Says:

January 31st, 2008, 21:10 pm

I was just going to recommend Neal Stephenson, but I see I’ve just been beaten to the punch! He is a brilliant writer.

Neil Gaiman is another writer I absolutely adore. Sheri S Tepper, too. And Robert Rankin! He has the best book titles (like “Nostradamus Ate My Hamster”). And the Death Gate cycle and other series Margarett Weiss and Tracy Hickman have written.

I’ve only read one Kurt Vonnegut book (Cat’s Cradle). But it has made me want to read more!

There are many more. I love reading!

Jeremy Latham Says:

January 31st, 2008, 21:25 pm

Have you read Philip Pullman’s “His Dark Materials”?

Cory Huff Says:

January 31st, 2008, 21:26 pm

I’d have to recommend Terry Goodkind’s Sword of Truth novels. For those who are familiar with Ayn Rand, it’s fascinating to see her philosophies incorporated into a medieval world filled with magic. Absolutely intellectually engaging in the argument about free will and capitalism. good stuff!

Leo Says:

January 31st, 2008, 21:26 pm

Love the recommendations! Thanks guys.

Stephen King almost made this list. I love him too, but haven’t been reading him for awhile, so I can’t claim to be having a current love affair with him.

Neal Stephenson is going on my to-read list!

Julie Says:

January 31st, 2008, 21:30 pm

I second (or would that be third? or fourth?) the recommendation for Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson. I also liked The Diamond Age, also written by Stephenson.

If you’re a Terry Pratchett fan, have you checked out Good Omens? It’s co-authored by Pratchett and Neil Gaiman, one of my favourite authors of all time. (I believe someone mentioned him above.)

Bruno Says:

January 31st, 2008, 21:35 pm

I would have to add Haruki Murakami’s “The Hard-boiled Wonderland and the End of the World”.

unstuffed Says:

January 31st, 2008, 21:36 pm

Oh, I love this topic! Books are a great joy and a great education, when they’re done right.

Of your list, I love Pratchett to death: his gift for poignant insight and social commentary are as great as his gift for wit. I’ve been evangelising his books to all my friends for years/decades (well, at least one). Just a minor correction: the name is Moist von Lipwig, not Lip von Moistwig!

I also like Hornby and Gibson, although I’ve not read anything of theirs for years. I’ve recently had a good friend recommend Tom Robbins, so that’s next on my list.

I second the recommendation for Neal Stephenson if you like Gibson, and maybe Neil Gaiman as well (he co-wrote Good Omens with Pratchett).

Other recommendations: Margaret Atwood would be first. She’s a sublime writer, actually a poet, and her prose spins a captivating web that you’ll emerge from hours later. Start with The Handmaid’s Tale (science fiction) or The Robber Bride (ordinary fiction). I’d also recommend C J Cherryh in the science fiction arena (start with Downbelow Station) and Sherri S Tepper (start with Grass, the first of a loose trilogy), although she can begin to sound preachy over time (she’s passionate about some social issues). Cherryh is one that I return to over and over again, particularly her Foreigner series: she’s talented in conveying alien ways of thinking, as expressed in language in that series and habits in others, but the aliens aren’t always non-human. She’s quite brilliant, and she’s written a couple of other novels, based on Russian legends.

If you like gripping crime fiction, you must read Out by Natsuo Kirino, a Japanese author. It’s the most intense and rivetting crime book I’ve read, ever. Another good Japanese author, in a dreamy vein, is Murakami Haruki, who wrote The Wild Sheep Chase, Hard-boiled Wonderland And The End Of The World, and Underground (a non-fiction about the sarin gas attacks on the Tokyo subway). But don’t confuse him with Murakami Ryu, another great author: Ryu wrote Coin Locker Babies, which is great but gruelling, where Haruki is soft and dreamy.

GraceAnne LadyHawk Says:

January 31st, 2008, 21:39 pm

Terry Pratchett’s Wee Free Men and its sequels are wonderful, especially for reading aloud with the young ones.

NEVER (sorry for shouting) say “I know they are kids’ books” in a way that sounds so deprecating. Rowling is a wondrous find storyteller, and so is Wynne Jones. I think some of the best writing happening today happens in books for young people.

Bobbi Says:

January 31st, 2008, 21:40 pm

Found your blog about 3 weeks ago and love it. You have a funny, gentle style. Can you please remove the extra blue column that showed up, I think, this week? I can’t read the words on the blue background. Is it just me? Glad to read the new writer’s blog too. I’ve recently got back into my own writing after a 4 year drought of work-related writing. So you showed up at a great time. Thanks.

Mario Says:

January 31st, 2008, 21:44 pm

Thanks for including Terry Pratchett, my all time favourite. I hope you don´t mind me to share the name this young genius with all your german speaking readers (unfortunately not translated yet):

Oliver Uschmann
Die “Hartmut”-Trilogie ist das grösste Lesevergnügen aller Zeiten.

Kristen Says:

January 31st, 2008, 21:47 pm

Adding on the Margaret Atwood recommendation — The Blind Assassin is sublime…

I also love Michael Ondaatje — Divisidero was excellent…

Nice to see a plug for the classics, too!

Brian Clark Says:

January 31st, 2008, 21:48 pm

Gibson is the reason I likely write anything, and you can see how badly he shames me.

Kristen Says:

January 31st, 2008, 21:48 pm

Adding on the Margaret Atwood recommendation — The Blind Assassin is sublime…

Divisidero by Michael Ondaatje was excellent…

Nice to see a plug for the classics, too!

Alex Says:

January 31st, 2008, 21:51 pm

I’d have to say that I agree with everyone above - all of these authors are absolutely brilliant, and a joy to read.

I would, however, like to recommend one more: Matthew Stover. Especially his Acts of Caine series (Heroes Die and Blade of Tyshalle). These two books are my favorite out of an *immense* list of science fiction and fantasy that I have read over the years (Stover also ties with Douglas Hofstadter - the author of Gödel, Escher, Bach - for favorite author).

Kim Says:

January 31st, 2008, 22:00 pm

May I recommend Connie Willis “To Say Nothing of the Dog” and “Doomsday Book” and also everything by Jasper Fforde (but start with The Eyre Affair). Then consider Inkheart by Cordelia Funke. All of these books are great for people who like to read. They are all about literature and the love of reading.

Zack Says:

January 31st, 2008, 22:07 pm

This blog is really amazing. Wonderful work.

I love hearing other people’s opinions on authors and books. I agree with everyone above. Great post.

“Zack

Lorra Says:

January 31st, 2008, 22:11 pm

+ Storm Constantine - beautiful, interesting fantasy novels
+ Philip Pullman - wrote the best trilogy ever (in my opinion) - His Dark Materials
+ Diane Ackerman - writes about nature like no one else

unstuffed Says:

January 31st, 2008, 22:12 pm

Kim, I’ve not yet read To Say Nothing Of The Dog, but Doomsday Book was great. Another dog-titled recommendation would be The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night, but I can’t remember the author. It’s written from the point of view of an Asperger’s syndrome boy, and is really touching.

Another writer that I love (and have interviewed on radio, lucky me!) is Max Barry. So far he’s written 3 books: Syrup, Jennifer Government, and Company, all witty and incisive looks at various aspects of the corporate world. My favourite is Jennifer Government, but that may be because I read it first.

Barry is the perfect interview subject: funny, talkative, and absolutely enthralling. Editing that interview was a nightmare, because he was so good, and the gems came so rapidly, that I was loath to cut anything and was reduced to snipping fractions of seconds of pauses to get it down to size. I love funny articulate people, and it was great to find that he’s as good in person as he is on the page.

Nez Says:

January 31st, 2008, 23:10 pm

Hi Leo,

Thanks for providing a great list — I’ve read a number of them, and will be checking out the others you mentioned.

I’m also pleasantly surprised to hear you still read to your 14-year old. Perhaps in a future post, you can relate the experience of reading Harry Potter to an “older” child.

My oldest is 10, and while he makes his way through the book(s) at a slow pace, it appears to me he gets into them. Sometimes he stays up a bit too late, and we have to admonish him to get him to stop and go to bed.

Anyway, thanks so much for sharing.

Israel Says:

January 31st, 2008, 23:16 pm

you missed some good ones, but i guess you’re human

Jono Says:

January 31st, 2008, 23:23 pm

I made my new year’s resolution this year to read 1 book per month each by a different author, and I was stuck coming up with some, so this list will work great!!!

As for recommendations, have you read any Tom Robbins? He definitely has an off-beat style, but like these writers for you, he gets me wrapped up in the characters so much that I HATE to put it down. My favorite of his is ‘Fierce Invalids Home from Hot Climates.’
I feel weird suggesting books to a writer, but if you haven’t read it, give it a go…

Raphael Sisa Says:

January 31st, 2008, 23:25 pm

Read almost anything by Haruki Murakami.

mbear Says:

January 31st, 2008, 23:28 pm

Some guilty pleasures: Jasper Fforde, I’ve all the Tuesday Next books and loved them. The perfect set of books for the former English major who isn’t has a sense of humor and isn’t
a snob. I’ve been a Stephan King fan since I was very young, though I haven’t read much of him lately.

As for authors you don’t have to feel any guilt about reading. I’m currently in love with (in no particular order) Dave Eggers
“What is the What” is absolutely vital reading. Also look up Paul Auster, he is intense and will blow you away. I was hooked on him after reading “Travels in the Scriptorium” I was amazed after I read more of his book and realized that “Travels” references and is heavily in some ways about himself and the characters in his other books.

One last one. Jonathan Safran Foer’s book : “Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close” is the book about 9/11 that we didn’t know we needed. A tender and moving story about that day through a remarkable 9 year olds eye’s:Osker Schell.

ben Says:

January 31st, 2008, 23:31 pm

George R. R. Martin if you like fantasy…

Terry Goodkind as mentioned above; the series is masterfully done, and makes Atlas Shrugged not-so-dry. He only bludgeons you about the face with the philosophy in one book, but even that one was done well.

Neil Gaiman if you like to read. He’s my favorite currently-living author.

Emily Says:

February 1st, 2008, 0:08 am

Anything by Ayn Rand (Atlas Shrugged, The Fountainhead, We the Living, Anthem), Daniel Quinn (Ishmael, The Story of B, My Ishmael), James Redfield (The Celestine Prophecy), Pat Conroy (Beach Music, The Prince of Tides) and of course, who can forget George Orwell?

Mianthrope Says:

February 1st, 2008, 0:13 am

I very much agree with many of the choices above, notably Gibson, Gaiman, Stephenson, Mieville, and Pullman.

To that list I would add Tim Powers, who is probably the best author you’ve never heard of. All his books are great, but I have special regard for “Last Call” and “Declare.”

Mianthrope Says:

February 1st, 2008, 0:16 am

Oh, and how I could I forget to mention Gene Wolfe? Another great and underappreciated genius.

swhale Says:

February 1st, 2008, 0:19 am

For me, the best Neal Stephenson is Cryptonomicon. Easily the best in my opinion.
Tom Robbins is a lot of fun. I love David Foster Wallace’s work. I fell into Infinite Jest and was never the same since. See also Nabakov (Pale Fire, Invitation to a Beheading) and John Barth (Lost in the Funhouse).
Douglas Coupland! Jpod and especially Shampoo Planet — much heavier and affecting than I was expecting.
Joyce Carol Oates…makes me want to hide under my bed at night. …writes some scary, way too real stuff.

VeeBee Says:

February 1st, 2008, 0:48 am

A few of my favorite fiction books are:
The Magus by John Fowles (this guy happens to be my favorite author)
The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood (awesome awesome book)
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
These are just a ‘few’ of my favorites.
In Non-fiction, you’ve got to got to read Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman, its brilliant. So is his other book Working with Emotional Intelligence (I take them as one entity, somehow)

Kristy Says:

February 1st, 2008, 0:51 am

Books are my greatest weakness! I read such a variety of topics that my favorites list would be hard to create.

It’s cool that you are reading Harry Potter with your children! I did that, too and very much enjoyed it, but I don’t think I could read the entire series twice. Now, Shel Silverstein on my coffee table, I could read those all day long.

Thanks for opening up this conversation; I like all the suggestions. Thank goodness I’m now in library-card-training vs weekly bookstore visits. :)

Kristin Says:

February 1st, 2008, 1:10 am

Once again encouraging me to do something I’ve been putting off….

Will definitely start making leisure reading more of a priority!!!

Mary Says:

February 1st, 2008, 1:12 am

I haven’t read through all the comments, but Richard Powers should be on the list. Galatea 2.2 and The Time of Our Singing are two books I’ve grabbed both times I’ve done the wildfire evacuation packing. Oh, and David Mitchell’s Cloud Atlas was brilliant!

As for what to read after HP, if you still want magic and fantasy, try Eva Ibbotson or Diana Wynne Jones. I’m a children’s librarian, so I’ll restrain myself and stop there:) Oh wait, I can’t–all the boys at my school love Emily Rodda’s Deltora books, and so do I. There, I’m done.

erin Says:

February 1st, 2008, 1:31 am

My all time favorite author is Charles de Lint. He write “urban fairy tales”. “Dreams Underfoot” is a book of short stories that is a nice way to introduce you to his characters and style. I always feel very inspired when I read his stories. They are very uplifting and make me want to create (write, paint, sing, dance). If you don’t like short stories, I would try “Moonheart.” Happy reading!

Warren from Zen Problog Says:

February 1st, 2008, 1:49 am

I’ve been on a James Patterson binge lately. The Alex Cross series is amazing!

Wil Perforce Says:

February 1st, 2008, 2:11 am

Frankly I haven’t read anything by him in a while so I don’t remember what I thought of his prose, but I was taken with Bruce Sterling about the same time I fell into Gibson. My personal favorite Sterling is Heavy Weather. None, however, hold a candle to Philip K. Dick. He is the young master (to Ray Bradbury, the old master) of melancholia. Many don’t know Dick or, rather, only know the movies made from his books and short stories. Blade Runner and Total Recall, for example. I once saw Ray Bradbury speak about writing fiction. He was honestly a little peeved about being referred to as a science fiction author … not that he thought that there was anything wrong with that … he just felt that all authors were illustrating the human condition. Labeling an author, by definition, limits their appeal as some readers have decided they don’t like this or that genre. Anyhow … if you really dig the cyber in cyberpunk, try Sterling. If you like bleak, find something by Dick. (There is a huge, three or four volume collection of his shorts, by the way. Don’t read them all at once, especially if that’s where you start! Break it up with a novel. That sounds funny, but they really are huge.)

shiroh Says:

February 1st, 2008, 2:13 am

I really do love Oscar Wilde. His way with words is unique and i believe he is the greatest writer ever lived.

TeeBee Says:

February 1st, 2008, 3:10 am

I love the books written by James Michener, he is a master in the way he describes places and people. In every list i’ve ever made (concerning books), he is in the top 3.

unstuffed Says:

February 1st, 2008, 3:15 am

I’ll second the Philip K Dick recommendation: he’s bizarre and tragic and inimitable. Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep, which was the starting point for Bladerunner, is a great book, and both book and film are favourites of mine, despite the fact that the film bears little resemblance to the book (something I often get cranky about).

Daisy Says:

February 1st, 2008, 3:37 am

Great list of suggestions, especially Terry Pratchett and William Gibson.

A nice one to read with your daughter (or just by yourself) is the Bartimaeus Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud (The Amulet of Samarkand, The Golem’s Eye and Ptolemy’s Gate).

A very witty fantasy story about a young boy who wants to be a magician. It’s set in modern London, but the whole world is different than we know it. It’s a very exciting story with lots of magic, action and tons of humor.

jetobe Says:

February 1st, 2008, 3:44 am

That’s a great list of favourites, and agree with the Jasper Fforde recommendation too. As a post-literature student, Fforde helped put the magic back in ‘Jane Eyre’ after I’d studied it too long and hard.

I’ve just discovered ‘History of Love’ by Nicole Krauss, an incredibly layered story that weaves in first-person narrative through several characters, times and places to unravel the central mystery. It’s the most elegant story I’ve read in a long time and reminds me of TS Eliot’s poetry. Can’t wait to read more from her.

Other lyrical authors I like are Milan Kundera (”The Unbearable Lightness of Being”) and A.S. Byatt (especially her short stories).

Kelly Rigby Says:

February 1st, 2008, 3:45 am

Ah Leo, a post after my own heart. Where or where would we be without books? My recent favorite discovery is a memoir; EAT PRAY LOVE by Elizabeth Gilbert. I wrote a post about this today actually. I LOVE this book. It came to me at just the perfect time in my life - don’t you love it when that happens?

Looking through my book shelf I see I have quite eclectic taste in books. Generally I would say I don’t read “important” literary work - a lot of it bores me to tears because there is too much focus on pretty writing rather than a strong story structure. I like great dialogue, short, evocative narrative, simple but beautiful language.

I have many books (over a hundred at least in my house and then there’s my dad’s garage and my mother-in-law’s garage and oh, crap I forgot about the attic…)

But the authors who make my living room shelf are special, loved with an intensity that can bring me to tears. they are:

George Orwell, Ernest Hemmingway, Michael Chabon, Paullina Simons, Ben Elton, Patricia Cornwell, James Paterson, Marian Keyes, Leigh Redhead (great Aussie crime writer), Dr. Seuss (my excuse is I have a young son, but he’s my camouflage) and the master of terror, Stephen King

:) Kelly

Eugene (Editor, Varsity Blah) Says:

February 1st, 2008, 4:07 am

I first discovered Terry Pratchett back in high school and really love his work! Just looking at the cover makes you laugh!

I recently decided to stop reading non-fiction (which can sometimes be a yawn) and instead take the time to read the 100 greatest books of all time. The plan is to do it over the next 100 months, which will take me right up to my 30th birthday! Sounds like a great goal to me!

sean Says:

February 1st, 2008, 4:11 am

Flannery O’Connor is fantastic. Her stories have the ability to make you smile and cringe - all at the same time. Check out the collection ‘A Good Man is Hard to Find’.

I would also recommend Joyce Carol Oates. Her story ‘Where are you going, where have you been?’ must have one of the scariest characters that I have ever read (Arnold Friend). You can read this story online here - http://jco.usfca.edu/works/wgoing/text.html

Scramblejam Says:

February 1st, 2008, 4:21 am

What a great topic!

I wish there was a book recommendation service available which works the same way as Last.fm, would be awesome!

I have to back up all those who mentioned Jasper Fforde - excellent offbeat literature.

For really good sci-fi, read “Altered Carbon” by Richard Morgan - world-class fiction.

I also recommend Oliver VII by Antal Szerb - He’s a Hungarian author, translated into English and it’s a marvelous book.

Loy Okezie Says:

February 1st, 2008, 5:13 am

I love reading fiction…it’s food for my mind. And I wouldn’t recommend any better author than John Grisham - he’s just a master of thrilling fiction. Like Leo, I’ve read most of his books and planning to grab The Appeal off the bookstore this weekend.

Jimmy Says:

February 1st, 2008, 5:19 am

Just recently got into Gibson, Neuromancer, myself after having visited a excibition at a local museum and I am facinated. Word of note for the non-english; Neuromancer (or Gibson entirely?) is not the easiest of reads if English is not ones mothers tounge.

I also noted that you are seemingly into the Fantasy genre. I’d recomend Ian Irvine and his Well of Echoes-series. Got the tip from an old time mate and now I can’t stop reading. Three times already I’ve nearly missed getting of the underground to work cause I’ve been to into the book. Let us know if you decide to try him out–first volume is Geomancer.

CK Says:

February 1st, 2008, 6:00 am

Philip K. Dick. One of the best SciFi-Writers ever. He’s the author of Blade Runner, Minority Report and several other books of which films were made, but the books are far better and often describe strange people in a strange world (it’s not classic Star-Trek-SciFi). His books always has one of his key questions:”What is Reality?” and “What makes a human being human?”. Very cool.

John Says:

February 1st, 2008, 6:12 am

Good post.

William Gibson and Bruce Sterling collaborated on the excellent “Difference Engine” (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Difference_Engine). if you haven’t read it - go for it.

Like a few others here, I love Phillip K. Dick - there’s a sort of uneasy edginess about his writing.

My favourites have to be German writer Herman Hesse and Greek writer Nikos Kazantzakis, both responsible for beautiful, thoughtful work.

amypalko Says:

February 1st, 2008, 6:47 am

I’m going through a phase where I can’t get enough of short stories particularly by Modernist female authors such as Virginia Woolf, Katherine Mansfield, Jean Rhys and Katherine Anne Porter. Beautiful words used in surprising ways.

Greg Says:

February 1st, 2008, 6:49 am

I know my comment probably won’t even get read, buty I recommend The Time Traveler’s Wife. loved it.

Lee Ann Says:

February 1st, 2008, 7:08 am

This post makes me feel a bit guilty because I haven’t been reading for leisure enough lately. Thanks to you guys, I have a huge list to check out. Two of my favorites are Chuck Palahniuk and Paulo Coelho.

Hannes Says:

February 1st, 2008, 7:10 am

John Steinbeck is my favorite writer of beautiful novels. He uses such a nice language.

Will Says:

February 1st, 2008, 7:11 am

Great topic and responses. I was interested that you found Douglas Adams funnier than Pratchett but didn’t include his work. I found both delightful, but there is a bitter and cynical tinge to Adams where Pratchett is informed by an enthusiasm and empathy for our foibles.

Con’t possibly give a rounded response, but here are a few I didn’t see above…

For full on Science Fiction being written today, I’d go for Charlie Strosser. Who could resist Accelerando, a heartwarming tale of family breakup, dirty deeds and reconciliation set across a galactic scale and with a very special role for a tribe of Russian lobsters? (Halting State just out).

Russell Hoban. He has written a dizzying variety of stuff, often for children, often challenging but always speking clearly and directly to something deep, important and true. The Mouse and His Child, (I think his first) is a good place to start. La Corona and the Tin Frog is a great collection of short children’s stories, each beautifully weighted and targeted.

And still for children, Kipling’s Just So Stories are perfect jewels.

PG Wodehouse.

And Greg, I read your post: thank you.

Lily Says:

February 1st, 2008, 7:25 am

If I stick to the contemporary,
• Joyce Carol Oates yes!
• Ruth Rendell for her realistic and fun thrillers
• Jonathan Coe a unique blend of melancholy and irony
• Stephen King because he’s SK :)
• Ian McEwan sharp and heartfelt
• A.M. Homes a provoking or just plain good narrator
• Kazuo Ishiguro especially for “Never let me go”, the weirdest sci-fi novel
• Dennis Lehane fab thrillers, not only “Mystic River”

Rando Says:

February 1st, 2008, 7:49 am

I used to love to read MARY HIGGINS CLARK. When she first hit the scene, her books were page-turners. I couldn’t wait to get the next one. Now, her books are all alike. Change the characters and change the setting and you’ve got the same old book… over and over and over. I stopped reading her work several years ago and recently read one of her newer books. Yep! Same old thing. Same way with Stephen King. I do plan to read Duma Key, but his older works: Salem’s Lot, Cujo, The Shining … oh, man! Those were page turners. Some of his more recent work, I just never got. I can’t remember which book it was, but it was so far out there, I finally put the book down. I’m a very eclectic reader going from Yeats to Frost to Grisham to Koontz. If it catches my attention, I’ll read it!

Henrik Says:

February 1st, 2008, 8:16 am

I must join the chorus of voices that recommend Stephenson and Gaiman, both are examples of intelligent speculative fiction and a very good read.

Gabor Says:

February 1st, 2008, 8:28 am

Since you seem to like sci-fi/fantasy, so I’d like to recommend Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series (warning : start at the beginning, The Eye of The World). Couldn’t stop reading it since I picked up the first book. It’s storytelling on a scale I haven’t seen before.
The last book in the series was half finished when he passed away last autumn, but I’ve read it’ll be finished by a young and talented writer (can’t recall name right now), based on the extensive guidelines and notes he left behind.

Keith Says:

February 1st, 2008, 8:31 am

Steve Jobs recently said nobody reads anymore. Bull. I read at least two books a month. Some fiction some non-fiction. My wife reads probably about the same. My 19 yr. old son reads a lot and writes. My 15 yr. old daughter always has a book going. Thank God for a good library system. I have to go back through the posts and make a library list. So many good suggestions.

Recently got hooked on Terry Pratchett and have read about 10 of his books. Adams is great, but I like Pratchett more.

I also like to read about the Napoleonic period. I have read every Sharpe novel by Cornwell, most Aubry novels by O’Brien and every Hornblower book by Forester.

Walter Mosley, Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett are the greats of detective genre. My guiltiest pleasure is the Spenser series by Robert Parker. I can read one in 3 hours. Try Nelson deMille for thrillers.

Have not read much science fiction lately. Heinlein’s Moon is a Harsh Mistress, Herbert’s Dune series, Niven’s Ringworld and the fun Stainless Steel Rat stories by Harrison have to have been my favorites

I still go back to Joseph Conrad for description. Heart of Darkness is a masterpiece. Also Steinbeck’s Cannery Row. I take lot of writing style inspiration from Hemingway.

Samantha Says:

February 1st, 2008, 9:01 am

I’ve only read Monstrous Regiment by Terry Pratchett and it was hilarious! This was several months ago but I still find myself recalling parts of the story; such an amazing book. I can’t wait to read more of his works.

Jeniffer Says:

February 1st, 2008, 9:12 am

I just love Stephen King’s older books, like Cujo and Salem’s Lot. Scarey! Love it! He has such a great gift, for immersing you so totally in the story. You can actually feel and see and smell everything that is going on. Awesome writing!

UKSam Says:

February 1st, 2008, 9:19 am

If you like JK Rowling, try Philip Pullman and His Dark Materials trilogy (first book filmed as The Golden Compass). More sophisticated than the Potter books, but just as enjoyable - although persevere with the first one as it takes a while to get going….,

Christi Says:

February 1st, 2008, 9:24 am

When I think of my favorite books, two pop into my head: ‘Jitterbug Perfume’ by Tom Robbins and ‘Lamb: The Gospel According To Biff’ by Christopher Moore.

The first author weaves a story about beets, love, and immortality. Robbins knows how to turn a phrase and leave you to stare off into the distance, trying to wrap your head around the last sentence.

The second is a hysterical, thought-provoking expose on, well, the life between the birth and 33rd year of Christ. Moore did a fantastic job of reaching out beyond the norm - and had me laughing out loud.

Guilty pleasures: Harlan Coben, Robin Cook, and Stephen King. Everyone must have a vice, so thank goodness mine is reading.

Chris Says:

February 1st, 2008, 9:40 am

I have to second (third?) the recommendation for China Mieville. His typical style is an engrossing fantasy/steampunk blend (for steampunk, check out [Wikipedia|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steampunk] for a more complete definition, but think what writers would have considered science fiction back when steam-powered locomotives were new exciting technology.) He’s won multiple awards for his writing, but what really draws me in is the fascinating imagery that leaps out of his prose. He makes every location and every scene interesting and vivid. His takes on old fantasy standards are unique and imaginitive, too.

Ok, I know it’s time to stop writing if I can’t say what I mean without resorting to a thesaurus for every other word. :) As mentioned above, Perdido Street Station is a great place to start, or Looking for Jake if you prefer short stories.

Dave Says:

February 1st, 2008, 9:41 am

I like Dean Koonz and recently have been reading Ted Dekker who is awesome. They just know how to spin a tale without bogging it down with too much detail-King. A must read by everyone is Dale Carnegie-How to Win Friends and Influence People.

Beth Says:

February 1st, 2008, 10:04 am

I’m reading Deathly Hallows at the moment too! For me it’s the third or fourth time I’ve read it, though. Great series.

I also love Anne McCaffrey, Norah Jones, and Tamora Pierce. If your kids like the Harry Potter books, you should tell them to try a Tamora Pierce book if they can get one. :)

Susan Says:

February 1st, 2008, 10:05 am

I like John Irving, A. Huxley, Ha Jin. Everything Jin writes is pretty phenomenal in both style and structure, I could read him all day.

http://www.theinnovativetraveler.com

Bruce Says:

February 1st, 2008, 10:35 am

Reading this is like meeting a room full of people and discovering that you all have old friends in common.

I’d like to add Annie Dillard to the roll: Her novel _The Living_ is one I return to every few years (along with Robertson Davies’) to experience the bittersweetness of the passage of time and the aching wonder of life.

Also, John Irving (who has been “current” for a long time now). Garp, Owen Meany, and Cider House Rules are classics of a sort, and all are terrific reads, to boot.

Cleo Says:

February 1st, 2008, 10:36 am

Haruki Murakami. I get so involved in his novels hours will slip by and I won’t notice. My favorite is still Wind-up Bird Chronicles.

Sable Says:

February 1st, 2008, 10:39 am

I love to read John Irving. My favorite is a Prayer for Owen Meany. He is an imaginative writer who makes the reader become part of his world. I can’t put his books down until they are done, and once they are I wish I hadn’t read so fast.

Becky Says:

February 1st, 2008, 10:49 am

Check out Vikram Seth’s “A Suitable Boy.” It’s wonderful!

racketboy Says:

February 1st, 2008, 11:01 am

I’m all about Seth Godin.
http://www.sethgodin.com/sg/books.asp

I’ve read all of his books at least once (except for the brand new one that I haven’t got to yet.

His blog is top-notch as well.

--Deb Says:

February 1st, 2008, 11:27 am

I noticed you left out the one book of Ann Patchett’s that I have no taste for, either–LOVE her.

Ooh, yes to Diana Wynne Jones, Connie Willis, Jasper Fforde, PG Wodehouse… Then, how about Sean Russell, also, who’s sadly overlooked, I think. Carol Berg writes great, layered fantasy. Ioin Doig is a new favorite. And Dorothy Dunnett is fantastic for amazing historical fiction. Martin Davies’ Conjurer’s Bird was wonderful….

Wade Says:

February 1st, 2008, 11:32 am

I recently finished Terry Pratchett’s Going Postal and plan on reading more of his work. I too enjoy the Harry Potter series, I listen to a lot of books on tape and Jim Dale does an excellent job with the Harry Potter books. I’m surprised no one mentioned Orson Scott Card - I like everything I’ve read of his.

May Says:

February 1st, 2008, 11:39 am

God, I LOVE Lethem! I just bought Wall of the Sky, Wall of the Eye and can’t wait to start it.

Pratchett, though I just can’t stand reading because he tries so hard to be funny that I just don’t find him amusing most of t