Top 10 Tuesday: 10 All-Time Favorite Authors
This was not an easy post to write. This week’s Top 10 Tuesday, hosted by The Broke & the Bookish, is all about our favorite authors. Ten of them. That’s it. I could easily add another fifty names to the list that follows, but I don’t want to keep you here all day.
1. GREGORY MAGUIRE
This will come as a surprise to absolutely no one. Most people have trouble choosing one favorite author, but Gregory Maguire is absolutely mine. If he writes it, I will buy it. I haven’t been super happy with all his books, but Wicked will always hold a special place in my heart—and there are a few others that I also cherish.
2. ANGELA CARTER
This woman writes the best short stories. She knows how to manipulate fairy tales, and her books have the most important messages. The Bloody Chamber is my go-to Carter collection, but she also has fantastic novels.
3. ZADIE SMITH
On Beauty took my breath away. Zadie Smith’s use of language is unreal, and she has an arsenal of books about important things. There’s an honesty in her writing that I can’t quite put my finger on.
4. MICHAEL CHABON
I think Chabon’s novels are fun, above all else, even when dealing with sensitive subjects. The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay is enough proof that this guy is a fantastic writer.
5. J.K. ROWLING
Rowling is going to end up on practically everyone’s list this week, but there is no denying the impact that the Harry Potter series had on readers around the world. She created a world that is so immersive and welcoming and magical and… I’m going to stop now otherwise I’ll talk about Hogwarts all day.
6. KENNETH OPPEL
I never grow tired of Kenneth Oppel’s books. I’m a long-time fan of his Silverwing series. He has written multiple middle grade and young adult books that are timeless and deserving of praise.
7. KYO MACLEAR
So I am 100% in love with Kyo Maclear’s picture books. They just keep getting better as they are published.
8. BRIAN K. VAUGHAN
This guy has written some of the best comic book series. He’s responsible for Y: The Last Man, Runaways, and Saga (and more, but those ones are particularly fantastic). He was also a writer for three seasons of the Lost television show.
9. RAINBOW ROWELL
I haven’t read all of Rowell’s books yet (I will—I’m trying to make them last), but I already know that she’s one of my favorite writers. I don’t know how she does it. When I pick up one of her books, I can’t put it down. She flawlessly depicts the world as it is today.
10. ERNEST HEMINGWAY
Yes, I know he is a dick most of the time… but I still really like Hemingway’s novels and short stories. His writing style drives some people crazy, but it works for me.
Bonus: RYAN MURPHY & JOSS WHEDON
I didn’t include these two writers above because I was trying to focus on books, but these two screenwriters have created some of my favorite television series. Ryan Murphy’s campy shows are something else—and certainly not for everyone: Popular, Nip/Tuck, Glee, The New Normal, and American Horror Story. And then there’s Joss Whedon, who is practically King of the Geeks: Buffy, Angel, Firefly, Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog, and Toy Story.
