This week’s installment of Top Ten Tuesday (hosted by the Broke and the Bookish) asks us to pick our ten favorite authors. Not always an easy thing to do, but I’ll do my best. And probably come up with ten more after I’m done with this list.
1. Stephen King — He’s been one of my favorites for a long time now and I always find myself looking forward to anything new he publishes.
2. Garrison Keillor — Another long time favorite whose works I enjoy a great deal. He’s great as a writer, but I think the best way to experience his stories of Lake Wobegon is to hear him perform them.
3. Peter David — Or as he calls himself on his blog, “Writer of Stuff.” I discovered him when he published his first TNG tie-in novel many, many moons ago and have been working my way through his back catalog since. He’s written for just about every character in the Marvel universe and he’s created the spin-off Star Trek: New Frontier. His original writings are also great — especially his Sir Apropos of Nothing series.
4. Elizabeth George — I look forward to each new book by her for an entertaining mystery and to see what Lynley, Havers and company are up to.
5. Laura Lippman — She was originally recommended to me by Stephen King (not personally, in a magazine column) and I instantly became a huge fan. I’ve still got a couple of more of her back catalog to read, but I am trying to spread them out and savor them a bit.
6. Harper Lee — Yes, she’s only published one novel, but when that novel is To Kill A Mockingbird, you get an automatic inclusion on my list. My favorite book and I have to admit I’m nervous about the upcoming sequel.
7. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle — I discovered the Holmes canon in my middle school reading class and have been a fan ever since. A re-read of the Holmes stories could be in my future.
8. Charles de Lint — Urban fantasy doesn’t get much better than de Lint’s novels.
9. Jim Butcher — The Dresden Files is the best on-going fantasy series on the market today and I eagerly look forward to the next installment.
10. Donald Miller — He writes about Christian living in a way that feels totally authentic, real and raw. In many ways, Miller reminds me of C.S. Lewis. His books always touch me and give me a lot to think about long after the final page is turned. I’ve heard him speak several times as well and he’s fantastic.
Honorable Mention: Terrance Dicks. A former script-editor during the Jon Pertwee era of Doctor Who, Terrance Dicks adapted a large number of the original Doctor Who serials for the printed page. I’ve read more of them than I can count and going back through and hearing them again as audio adaptions has only increased my respect for what Dicks did so well. He helped fans experience the original serials when they weren’t always repeated or readily available in other forms and he helped instill a love of reading in an entire generation of young adults.
Nashville Book Worm 
I love Garrison Keiillor! But like you I agree it is better to listen to his work than read. There’s just something lost when it isn’t being narrated.
I have a confession…I’ve only read one Stephen King book “Under the Dome.” I loved it! But I haven’t been able to read any of his other work. Any suggestions?
I would recommend the Shining.
We have King and Butcher in common — and I really need to read Charles de Lint! I’ve only read one of his books so far (The Mysteries of Grace) and loved it — but he’s one of those authors who’s written so much that it’s hard to know where to start. Any suggestions?
Well, you’ve already read Mystery of Grace, which may be my favorite de Lint book.
His Newford series is nice because you can drop in and out without missing too much. Memory and Dream is a good place to start or a collection of Newford short stories.
How could I forget Sir Arthur Conan Doyle?! Great picks here 🙂
Wonderful list! I should of thought to add Harper Lee and Doyle to my list.
Thanks for stopping by!
Nice list Michael – I was convinced they’d all be new to me authors but in fact I’ve read four of your authors.
Lynn 😀
Now I’m curious to know which four you’ve read. 🙂
Never read Stephen King, but he’s on my list. Something not horror.
I’ve only read four of these writers: Harper Lee, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Charles de Lint and Jim Butcher.
Thanks for reminding me about Charles de Lint. I read some of his years ago and then he sort of fell off my radar. I’ve got the first Dresden Files, but haven’t had a chance to read it yet.
It was hard to stick to just ten, wasn’t it? I’m still thinking of authors for my list. 🙂 I’m with you when it comes to the Dresden Files and Jim Butcher. it’s one of my all-time favorite series.
I really like Laura Lippman and Elizabeth George, although I haven’t read many of their books. And Peter David I should read by as well. I read one of his books a few years ago and loved it.
Great list! Thank you for sharing.
You gave me two new authors for my TBR list, so you’re not doing to bad! Stephen King was a favorite of mine through high school, though I confess that I haven’t read anything of his other than a reread of Carrie in the last decade+. Elle @ Erratic Project Junkie