Tuesday 21 April 2015

Top Ten Tuesday: All Time Favorite Authors


Oh, boy. This is a tough one. It sure would be a lot easier to list my top 10 least favorite authors. I will never be satisfied with this list because it tends to change quite often but as of this April 21, 20015, here are my Top 10 favorite authors. Drum roll, please.


 1. Virginia Woolf: For those who follow my blog, the inclusion of Virginia Woolf at the top of the list should come as no surprise. She gets the edge for having written two of my favorite novels of all time: To the Lighthouse and Mrs. Dalloway. Will I ever read anything better than these two novels in my life-time? I highly doubt it. Not only was she an astounding novelist, capable of writing some of the most beautiful and mesmerizing prose I have ever encountered, but also a prolific literary scholar and influential feminist who helped to usher in the women's movement during the 1920's. She lived a fascinating but troubled life, battling mental illness which eventually lead to suicide. That reminds me, I recently finished her wonderful first novel The Voyage Out and need to write a review on that one soon.


2. William Shakespeare: The list did not specify that we had to only include novelists. As the most famous writer in the English language, the bard does not need any introduction. I adore his sonnets and his many plays, Hamlet being my all-time favorite. 


3. John Keats: Other than Shakespeare, Keats is my favorite poet so it was inevitable that he would show up on this list. It's fascinating to me that he was able to write some of the most brilliant poetry in the history of literature before his early death at the age of 25! The young man was a genius, hands down. There is no telling what he might have accomplished had he lived longer. As I have mentioned many times before, Ode to a Nightingale is indeed, my favorite poem of all-time but his letters also happen to be some of my favorite pieces of writing as well. The correspondence between himself and Fanny Brawne is breathtaking and probably the most romantic display of writing that I have ever read. ****swoons**** Time to go watch the movie Bright Star again for the 100th time.


4. Philip K. Dick: He may not be the most consistent of writers to appear on my list (some of his novels are pretty bad) but in my eyes, he still reigns supreme as the King of Science-Fiction. He is an ideas man and the concepts he comes up with for his stories are nothing short of mind-blowing. He constantly pushes the boundaries of science-fiction, often leaving readers to question the very fabric of reality. Reading PKD is often like stepping into bizarro world that is unlike anything you have ever encountered in literature before. He was a very prolific writer over the course of his life and while his novels tend to receive a lot of his attention, he tends to be underrated when it comes to short-stories: Check out "The Wub,"We Can Remember it For You Wholesale," "Pay For The Printer,"The Variable Man," "Second Variety." In fact, just get your hands on his volumes of short-stories. They are all great. As far as his novels go, A Scanner Darkly, Ubik and Valis are my favorites.


5. Saul Bellow: Another one of those authors who tends to be hit-or-miss but when Saul Bellow is on his game, there are not many writers who can match his sophistication, wit, and effusive writing style that is simultaneously compelling and challenging. I completely understand if his verbose and overwrought prose tends to drive reader's crazy but when he finds the right balance between heavy-handed philosophical discourse and didacticism, he is an absolute pleasure to read. I am still making my way through all of his writing for my "Saul Bellow Project" featured on this blog and Herzog would easily find its place at the top of all-time favorite novels list, right next to Woolf's To the Lighthouse and Mrs. Dalloway. His short-stories and letters have proven to be excellent as well.


6. Ray Bradbury: Everyone's familiar with Fahrenheit 451, which is a great novel in its own right, but Ray Bradbury should be receive a lot more attention for his short-stories. He is the master of the craft in my humble opinion, no one writes better short-stories than him. NOBODY. Don't believe me? Check out his famous collections "The October Country" and "The Illustrated Man." If you are still not convinced, be sure to read some of these stories: "Mars is Heaven!," "The Scythe," "The Lake" or "The Small Assassin." If you are not a convert by then, you might as well give up on Bradbury.  


7. Graham Greene:  I have been on a mission over the years to read everything by Graham Greene and he rarely disappoints. Some of his early works along with those near the end of his long writing career pale in comparison to his middle period when he was at the peak of his creative talents: The End of the Affair, The Quiet American, A Burnt Out Case, The Power and the Glory, The Comedians and Our Man in Havana are all solid. A lot of his novels have been turned into great films as well. I have been thinking about doing a Graham Greene reading event on this blog for a while now but keep putting it off for some reason or another. He's an author I wish more people would read.


8. J.D. Salinger: I still think Franny and Zooey is J.D. Salinger's best work even though it tends to always be overshadowed by The Catcher in the Rye. His short-stories are also fantastic ("A Perfect Day for Bananafish" is absolutely brilliant). Salinger will always remain a personal favorite of mine for igniting my passion for literature.



9. Guy Gavriel Kay: The only author to appear on my list who is still alive. I have even met him once and he was a really cool, um...guy. His sweeping epics offer a unique blend of fantasy and history that are so absorbing, imaginative, richly detailed and beautifully written. I would highly recommend Tigana or The Lions of Al-Rassan.


10. Jane Austen: I am not ashamed to admit that Jane Austen is one of my favorite authors. To claim that her novels only appeal to women is ludicrous--they can be enjoyed by both sexes. I expected to get some odd looks from people while reading Persuasion on the subway but it didn't bother me. Austen is one of those few authors whose works are always a delight and grow in my esteem upon subsequent readings.

To be continued...

So, who are some of your favorite authors? Please let me know in the comments section!

12 comments:

  1. Well, I just want to commend you for being able to write such articulate and thoughtful explanations for your choices. I wish I could do that, but by the time I finish, it would be Wednesday; and Top Ten Tuesday would be over. Sometimes I make my choices b/c I know they are - but I cannot specifically say why at that moment. So good on you for having the ability to provide detailed supporting evidence.

    P.S. I enjoyed The Catcher in the Rye. I may have to look into more Salinger.

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    1. Thanks Ruth, I appreciate the kind words. Finding the right words tend to elude me as well when it comes to describing my favorite writers or books or movies, art, etc -- I never feel satisfied in doing said works justice.

      If you liked Catcher in the Rye, I don't see how you wouldn't love Franny and Zooey. One of those hidden literary gems that tends to be forgotten since Catcher always gets the spotlight.

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  2. Yes -- everything you said about John Keats Although my favorite by him is "To Autumn" :)

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    1. You're the only one I know who adores Keats more than I do. Can't argue against the awesomeness of "To Autumn" -- such a splendid little poem full of rich imagery and powerful emotions. I'm in the process of reading his letters again. So inspiring and a such great source of comfort!

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  3. Your number one choice doesn't surprise me. You'll be pleased to know that I really loved The Voyage Out. It would go before Mrs. Dalloway on my list ----- strange, I know. ;-)

    My favourite author would be C.S. Lewis, of course, but I'm puzzled as to who I'd put second ......??? Probably Homer and then I'm really not sure. There are so many wonderful authors who I love for a variety of different reasons. My list probably would take me until next Tuesday to figure out! :-Z

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    1. A little strange but I'm biased. The important thing is that you are warming up to Woolf! I finally got around to reading your review for 'The Voyage Out' and loved it. I am having a great deal of difficulty writing a review for that one.

      Gosh, I really need to read some C.S. asap. I'm slackin' so hard on that front. All i know is that your list would be epic.

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  4. I really want to read more Graham Greene! I loved The End of the Affair and have been really wanting to get to his other works. Austen is timeless of course and her works with never be old-fashioned or outdated. Love your idea of romance! Keats sure did know how to impress a lady with words. I just bought Bright Star the other day actually, I need to watch that soon!
    Also, I tagged you in The Classics Tag on my blog and would really love to see your answers! You can read it here

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    1. Yes! It's so rare to find others who enjoy Greene's novels. His literary output is quite extensive and I've read a bunch of his novels so far but 'End of the Affair' still remains my favorite and I doubt he can top this one. I am still hoping to come across another undiscovered masterpiece amongst his many novels though.

      I agree with everything you say about Austen. She's cemented herself amongst the pantheon of great writers who we will be studying for a long time to come.

      Oh yes, Keats knew exactly how to win a woman's heart with words. I'm tempted to use some of his poetry or writing to impress a girl on a date lol. Bright Star...amazing film. Watch it asap!

      Thanks for tagging me but am I too late to participate? I've been away for a while and only got to your comment now. :(

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  5. I'm actually trying to do a reread of all Kay's work in chronological order. I've been working on that since just before River of Stars came out, so I haven't got to read it yet... Gah!

    Great list!

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    1. A Guy Gavriel Kay marathon! I'd be down for that. How far did you get so far? I'm tempted to read River of Stars next since Under the Sun was pretty good.

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  6. Great list! Woolf would be at the top of mine, joint with Zola of course :)

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    1. Woolf-lovers unite! I am still making my way through my first Zola.

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