you've read most of or the entire works of which authors? briefly, what do you think that says about you?

Question

i'm curious what people read and what it is that captivates them about the authors' minds.

interesting answers, some intriguing auhtors i will investigate, but please tell more about why and what they "do" for you!

Answer 1

I generally read fantasy novels, thrillers, and mysteries. When an author has something out that I like, I tend to want to read more of their books, getting everything they have. But I'll read anything. I think the genres define me more than the authors. Most people who meet me think that I will enjoy romances, Jane Austen and the like. I tend to shock them when they find out what I am interested in. People assume those kinds of things because they fit my personality and style. But I like things that are different than my life. I like fantasy as an obvious break from reality. I like mysteries, because uncovering dangerous secrets tends to liven things up a little. And I like thrillers because they give me the adrenaline rush that I don't get otherwise. Thrillers especially seem a little like wish fulfillment, like living through the characters in the book. That may seem pitiable, but it has kept all my limbs attached firmly to my body, and kept my family very happy. So finding adventure between the pages of a book is not bad.

Answer 2

J. R. R. Tolkien
Frank Herbert
Robert Heinlein
John Steinbeck
John Conrad
Ken Kesey (prodigies that give up writing, not to hard to finish)
J D Salinger( ditto)
Hemingway
Irvine Welsh (OK next week or so)
Roger Zelazny
H Beam Piper & about 40 other sci-fi authors
Kipling
Mark Twain
Arthur Conan Doyle (well the stuff that gets reprinted)
most likely about a gross of other authors that don't spring instantly to mind because they wrote less than three books.

It just says I have a library card. It has nothing to do with being captivated, it has to do with there being a lot poorly written, boring books out there. You don't stop reading an author till he disappoints you repeatedly or till you grow tired of the author's style. For instance Ellis writes ennui and jaded boredom so well, that I find myself growing tired of his novels. So I've never finished all of his works. Others start to repeat themselves to a point that you know the author has nothing new to tell you.

Answer 3

I read a lot of mystery, suspense, adventure, some Sci Fi, and selected horror.

I am an author, and do reviews, so I do read a lot, I have covered all of HP, all of Janet Evanovich's mysteries, lots of Koontz, lots of King, and Jack Ketchem, lots of Patterson, Dan Brown, and many many many more scattered authors. Right now I'm (pleasure reading not for review) reading Lawrence Block's mysteries, just finishe his three books about the life of a hit man (Hit Man, Hit List, and Hit Parade).

And I read a lot of research books, my own novels and some of my short stories are set in the Civil War era and I try very hard to keep the historic events in line with my characters lives.

What does this say about me? That I enjoy good reading that takes me WAY beyond where I am, and these authors teach me how to be a better writer.

Answer 4

Well, I love to read so when I find an author I enjoy, I tend to pick up everyting they've written.

I love Dean Koontz, Bryce Courtenay, Robert Ludlum, Jack Whyte, Melanie Rawn, Anne Rice, JK Rowling, Stephenie Meyer, Nora Roberts, JD Robb, Rudolfo Anaya, Jane Austen, Shakspeare, Cormac McCarthy, Terry Goodkind, Nicholas Sparks, George R. R. Martin, Tolkien, and many more.

I guess this says that I love to read. Period. Doesn't really matter what genre as long as the author grabs my attention and doesn't let go until the end of the story.

Answer 5

I've read everything or almost everything written by:
Albert, Susan Wittig
Alexander, Lloyd
Baum, L. Frank
Benchley, Peter
Blume, Judy
Braun, Lilian Jackson
Butcher, Jim
Chevalier, Tracy
Douglas, Carole Nelson
Duncan, Lois
Fforde, Jasper
Harrison, Kim
Kemelman, Harry
King, Laurie R.
Lasky, Kathryn
Lawrence, Martha C.
Lowry, Lois
Pearl, Matthew
Perez Reverte, Arturo
Rees, Celia
Sellars, M. R.
Tiernan, Cate
Tooley, S. D.
Vaughn, Carrie

This list has authors from every genre, from mystery to fantasy to romance to horror to sci-fi and many of them are series authors. I think what it says about me is I love to read and when I find an author I like, especially one with series, I like to read everything they have written especially the complete series.

Answer 6

I've read all Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories, pretty much all of Elizabeth Peters' books (although I haven't read her work under other pseudonyms), J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, basically all of J.R.R. Tolkein (The Hobbit, and The Lord of the Rings), and all of Jane Austen's works except Northanger Abbey. I like these authors for different reasons, Sherlock Holmes stories are great fun, Holmes and Watson are wonderful characters, and it's always fun to try and figure out the mystery. Elizabeth Peters' Amelia Peabody series is also a fun mystery series that I like because you really get into Amelia's character, and she is so funny. The Harry Potter books are well written I think, they're very engaging. Tolkien's works are just masterpieces, I love to read them. Jane Austen is just incredibly witty, you never know when you're going to get one of those satirical comments. So, that's all that I can think of.

Answer 7

When I read an author I enjoy, I do tend to set out and read everything they have written. I have read every Michael Connelly, every Nelson de Mille, every Daniel Silva, most Dean Koontz and other authors I cannot even remember. On the classic side, I have read every Faulkner, Steinbeck, Dickens, Hemingway, Fitzgerald and a lot of others too.

What it says about me is that I recognize greatness and dive into it wholeheartedly. I cannot get enough of a great author. Pax - C

Answer 8

I've read all of Ken Kesey's books. I found 'Sometimes a Great Notion' and 'Sailor Song' to be quite similar in basic plot, but both good. His others couldn't be more different. 'Demon Box' is his least-known work, a collection of short stories. What does it mean? I just like Ken Kesey.

I've also read most of Tom Wolfe's books, but he hasn't actually written very many - it's just the ones he does write are huge. In his case it is the acclaim and controversy that draws me. 'Bonfire of the Vanities' I didn't think too much of, but 'A Man in Full' has a serious claim to being the best American book of the Nineties.

Answer 9

While I have read many works by Stephen King, I am amazed at his creativity. On the other hand, I sometimes find him to be wordy (verbose) and using the same same theme over and over.

Robert Ludlam can spin a spellbinding tale, but sometimes his endings are just too far-fetched.

John Steinbeck was a master of American literature from comedy (Cannary Row, The Short Reign of Pippen IV) to powerful social commentary (The Grapes of Wrath) to spellbinding tales (East of Eden).

Tom Clancey's creative tales are quite spellbinding in their right.

Answer 10

For a relaxing, easy read I enjoy all of Sophie Kinsella's work. I also really enjoy Dan Brown's work - especially the Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons. I have no idea what this says about me as these authors could not be more different!