Favorite Author(s)

So, today's question was who is your favorite author...and I, of course, find it hard to choose just one.

My fave fave is definitely Diana Gabaldon - I read her tomes (and if you have ever seen her books, they ARE tomes, not mere books - at least the ones in the Outlander series! Lord John does not garner so many pages at one time...) all the way through about every two years or so. Definitely when I know the next installment of the Outlander series is coming. I love the depth and detail she provides as well as the wealth of research she does - I've learned a lot from reading her books on all sorts of topics - botany, medicine, Native Americans, Quakers, the wars from 1743 to 1776 from other perspectives, pirates, sea travels, etc. I guess that is what I look for even in fiction - or perhaps especially in fiction - not only sheer entertainment, but edification and mild education as well. Reading has definitely expanded my horizons over the years...

Second fave is Laurell K. Hamilton - particularly her Anita Blake series. Through her words, Laurell has introduced me to worlds I'd never venture into on my own (although I've known folks who have) and ways of looking at things I'd never considered before.

Third fave is Charlaine Harris, mainly because although her Sookie Stackhouse/True Blood books are a foil of lightness compared to Laurell's, I still connect strongly with her characters and enjoy following their trials and tribulations. Also, her series is the only one current translated for the (relatively) small screen of television as an HBO series, and it is interesting to watch how close the translation is - particularly knowing the major differences between the two mediums and the audiences they serve. The changes made in the televised series do not stray or detract from the main stories/themes presented in the books - at least not thus far (we are only in Season Three of the series on DVD, however, not being an HBO subscriber) and, although I am disappointed with not seeing a particular character come out (Bubba, for those who read the series), I enjoy the TV series nearly as much as the books! The casting thus far has been pretty much spot on - kudos to the casting director for that!

As for other authors I'll read anytime - Mark Twain, A.A. Milne, Dr Seuss (I DO have grandchildren now, after all!), Michael Crichton and Stieg Larsson (RIP, both), and others - if I find I enjoy a book by a particular author, I'm likely to devour any others I find by them!