My brain just exploded as it attempted to answer this question.

My favorite author is...

Okay, well my husband's favorite author is Isaac Asimov.

And my favorite author is...

Okay, let me think. If one author put out a new book, or something was found in an attic somewhere, some undiscovered treasure, which author would make me the most excited?

According to that measure, whose new book would I be most excited to see, it's:

Harper Lee.

I don't know if that's a reasonable way to approach it, but it's the only method that managed to produce a name!

Julie

Chalk me up as an Isaac Asimov fan; I enjoy both his fiction and non-fiction. There are many, many other authors that I enjoy reading but I've probably read at least 200 books by Asimov.

--Bob

Tolkien. Especially if you apply Julie's test. Imagine finding a sequel to LotR in some dusty attic.

-Andy

Yes, but as far as I know he only wrote a handful of pages (before LotR was even published) and abandoned it. He even came across it later but still felt no interest in finishing it.

Which may be just as well. Because any sequel to LotR would necessarily be a very different book, taking place as it would in the Fourth Age, the age of Men when the other races retreat, taking with them the sense of wonder that defines fantasy.

It could be interesting, but it would be more along the lines of a historical novel, reflective probably of the actual Anglo-Saxon world.

-Andy

Tolkien is high on my list...it's so hard to just choose *one* favorite author! If pushed, I'd probably have to say either C.S. Lewis or Jane Austen.

Beth

no doubts.

If we're talking about standard, classic authors, then Charles Dickens rates at the top of my list. (though I love CS Lewis and Tolkien, too.)

Dickens was a master in knowing and portraying human character and his droll humor has cracked me up so many times. I love his stories and the movies that have been made from them.

Yes, put me down for Dickens

Lorace

Good choice. The unveiling of Uriah Heap by the seemingly impotent Micawber is one of the most powerful moments in literature, and well worth reading the whole book for.

I can't believe how many monogamous readers there are here. Or maybe you all just know your own minds well - hats off to you. I, on the other hand, have rarely been faithful to a writer in my life - there's so much out there, it's impossible for me. I just kind of mosey up to what's shoved in my face and decide if it's a masterpiece, a flop, or something in between. But for the sake of answering the question...In children's books: Laura Ingalls Wilder, Christian Fiction: Frank Peretti (but just his early work), Secular Fiction: John Grisham, Christian Romance: Tracie Peterson, Classic literature: Louisa May Alcott...okay get this keyboard away from me, I'm revealing too much sappy nostalgia. Told you how unfaithful in reading I am. Sorry, couldn't pick just one. A lot of you have steadfast, excellent taste and you're to be congratulated.
-Valetta

Forgot to add Davis Grubb and I also forgot that my recent plunge in Oliver Twist has me feeling like a copycat, but I have to add Dickens. I'd better stop...ask a hard question, get an insanely long answer...

-Valetta

It's hard for me to describe. I thought "This Present Darkness," "Piercing the Darkness," "Prophet," The Coopers Kids Adventure Series, and "Tilly" were phenomenal, while his books that followed fell to way off the deep end (even for me), and weren't as spiritually insightful as his first works. In all fairness though, I kind of gave up and haven't read his latest few books to see if they've recaptured the things I loved so much when I first fell in love with his writing. He is my inspiration for trying to be a writer, more than any other author (although I'm not writing in his genre), so regardless of what he does in the future, I'll always be loyal to his abilities, his potential, and many of his books, more than I am to any other writer. Just answering you does inspire me to investigate his latest books to see if I might be of a different opinion. So, thanks for asking :).

-Valetta

I have to wonder if part of it is that those first few books were written before the genre was firmly established. The later stuff of his that I've tried to read have felt very formulaic to me.

You do have a point there. At first he was breakthrough and incredible and insightful and then his stuff seemed to start trying too hard to fit into and sometimes break his own mold just a little, instead of simply using the talents he possessed to write the best story he could write. I finished "The Oath" with a bad taste in my mouth and I gave up after reading "The Visitation" (which I hear they've turned into a movie, although I can't imagine why). A crying shame, truly.

-Valetta

I have lots of Peretti's books, but I keep hearing stuff like this, so I haven't read them.

I did read THIS PRESENT DARKNESS when it was all the rage and loved it. And the first four Cooper Family Adventures (which were all that were out at the time) were fantastic as well. Don't know why I haven't read more of him.

Gotta ask, have you ever read Bodie Thoene?

Mark

read Bodie. "Piercing the Darkness" is definitely worth your time, though, although I'd recommend a reread of "This Present Darkness" first. "Prophet" had a whole different theme and caliber but was still pretty decent. Anyway, let me know more about this Bodie please (is the author a he or she? sounds like a she...). I've been reading a lot of your book reviews lately and I think you have good taste, so I'm interested in this Thoene.

-Valetta

Bodie Thoene writes some books on her own and some with her husband Brock officially listed as a co-author. They write historical fiction and have tons of books out. Their current series is fictional retellings of the life of Christ. Nothing anti-Biblical, but really enjoyable. They've also written series about European Jews during WWII and the formation of Israel in 1948.

Mark

Thanks for letting me know, Mark. I think my parents have recommended them before but I never really looked into it. I wonder if my tiny town's library might contain a few...worth checking out, definitely. Sounds very interesting.

God Bless,
Valetta