Blog Party Week: Our Favourite Authors of ALL TIME

July 13, 2018 by Jenna | Books, Chatterbox, Features

I’ve been in the worst reading slump for like TWO years. Like it’s been the actual worst. I read 200+ books in 2015 and 2016, but I only managed to hit 85 last year… and I’m currently on 30. Yep, I’m 19 books behind omg. Of course, this kind of coincides with the fact that I’m at the very final stages of my PhD and it’s literally all work and no play. But recently, I’ve started reading just a little bit more and this is mostly due to me rereading my all-time favourite books (you have no idea how many times I’ve relisted to the Harry Potter on audio because of how good the story is and how amazing Stephen Fry is as a narrator) and reading new books by my all-time favourite authors.

So we’ve decided to compile a list of our favourite authors of all time, tried and true, that will get you out of any reading pickle.

Jenna

1. Gayle Forman

My first experience with one of Gayle Forman’s novels was with Just One Day, which remains to this day one of my favourite YA contemporary novels of all time. I absolutely love this, along with the companion, Just One Year, and the short story sequel, Just One Night. I wasn’t as enamored with the If I Stay duology but I still really enjoyed it, and have really liked all of her books since then.

2. Rainbow Rowell

Rainbow Rowell is just one author that constantly puts out books that are relatable and enjoyable, no matter the genre. I have loved Fangirl, Eleanor & Park, Carry On, Attachments and Landline and I absolutely cannot wait for her next release. Rainbow is also so lovely in person, and is definitely one of my favourite authors of all time.

3. Cassandra Clare

I think The Infernal Devices were the first YA books that I ever fell in love with. The books in the trilogy just got better and better, and Clockwork Princess was heartbreakingly good. While I haven’t loved her other books as much as The Infernal Devices, I think that they have all been really enjoyable and still continue to be excited for her next books.

4. David Levithan

I think it was David Levithan’s books that really got me into reading LGBTQIA+ novels 3-4 years ago when I started reading YA again. His novels are incredibly diverse and I love being able to read from so many perspectives. My favourite of his books is Every Day and I can’t wait to one day watch the film!

5. Anna-Marie McLemore

I’ve read all of Anna-Marie McLemore’s novels so far and have loved all of them. In particular, The Weight of Feathers is one of my favourite novels of all time because of the characterisation, magical realism and beautiful writing. These aspects are also present in her other novels and I can’t wait for her next story.

Jeann

1. Seanan McGuire/Mira Grant

I pretty much pick my favourite authors if they’ve written multiple series and books that I adore, and when it comes to Seanan McGuire (who also writes sci-fi under Mira Grant), she can do no wrong. I absolutely love the Feed trilogy about zombies, the Parisitology series about…tapeworms, the Wayward Children novellas and have also read and loved the start of the October Daye series.

2. Rachel Caine

This also goes for Rachel Caine, who was one of the early authors that I met when I first started blogging! I haven’t read her most popular YA series, Morganville Vampires simply because I find the length of it intimidating (even though I own them all), but I absolutely love her Weather Warden urban fantasy series. I also adore the Great Library series as a diverse steampunk dystopian and Prince of Shadows as a Romeo & Juliet retelling.

3. Jay Kristoff

This one probably doesn’t come as a surprise to anyone, but obviously one of the co-authors of my favourite series of all time, the Illuminae Files has to be mentioned. I’ve read and loved most of Jay Kristoff’s books, including the Nevernight series, Lifel1k3 and even the first Stormdancer book. Being able to interview Jay in person and host his Lifel1k3 launch earlier this year was definitely a dream come true!

4. Amie Kaufman

Same goes for Amie Kaufman, not only did she co-author Illuminae, but I have loved her books for a long time ever since I read These Broken Stars trilogy. I just love her penchant for witty male characters and imaginative sci-fi worlds, including Unearthed! I was able to participate in Amie’s writing workshop which I found amazing and I’m also lucky enough to see her in Brisbane when she’s here for events regularly.

5. Leigh Bardugo

Ahhhh, I adore Leigh Bardugo with a passion, even though I haven’t finished the beloved Grisha trilogy yet (I’ve read the first one, but I’ve been meaning to go back and finish the series). I’m just way too caught up on my love for the Six of Crows duology, having to re-read it every year to relive the love and the pain. I cannot wait until King of Scars to be released in January 2019!

Aila

1. Emma Mills

I first discovered this contemporary author with her debut First & Then (review here), a Pride and Prejudice retelling with some Friday Night Lights mixed in. I absolutely fell in love! Her next book, This Adventure Ends (review here), solidified my love for her writing. While her books are an easy and quick read, they’re full of heart and wonderful character relationships. Her books are perfect for the summer.

2. Jenn Bennett

This is another contemporary author whose works I have to read. While I fell in love with her YA debut, The Anatomical Shape of a Heart (or Night Owls, internationally), I recently read her adult Urban Fantasy series, Arcadia Bell, in one go and knew I would read anything she wrote. Her most recent work, Starry Eyes (review here), was so fun and lovable. Her books always star diverse characters and sex-positive scenes.

3. Sandhya Menon

Is this a surprise? I will probably read anything Menon writes. She has such flawed and imperfect characters that you just want to protect at all costs. I reviewed her debut, When Dimple Met Rishi, over here and her second book From Twinkle, With Love over here. I love how both books have such resilient heroines who aren’t afraid to follow their passions (as well as adorkable love interests!). They’re always diverse and feminist, and I can’t wait for her next release.

4. Cindy Pon

Pon’s SFF reads are always so refreshing and delightful, and I’m here for whatever she writes. I really enjoyed her Serpentine series and just absolutely fell in love with her latest, Want (review here). I know Jeann recently enjoyed it too! She was one of the first authors I remember who published a YA SFF book with a Chinese model on her cover, yearsss ago. I’m so glad to see more and more POC covers, nowadays!

5. Ilona Andrews

But Aila! An adult book author? Yup. I discovered Ilona Andrews, an author team (they’re a couple irl!) a few years back with their Kate Daniels series, and I’ve been devouring every single on of their releases. They blend magic, dystopia, action, and romance so well into their books, and the diverse characters are written with care and sensitivity. I recently adored Iron and Magic (review here) by them and the Hidden Legacy series.

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Jenna is an Aussie blogger and reader who loves to indulge in great books and great food. She is a doctor (of philosophy) and can usually be found fangirling about something, devouring delicious food, or taking a nap. You can find her on Twitter @readwithjenna and on Instagram @readingwithjenna.

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6 responses to “Blog Party Week: Our Favourite Authors of ALL TIME

  1. So many amazing authors! I feel like everyone has authors that stick out to them or have in some way influenced their lives through their writing and it is so interesting to see yours! Thanks for sharing.

  2. The slump has hit me hard this year as well. I’ve just been so unmotivated to read. It’s frustrating but I’ve long accepted the fact that this is how it for the year. I adore Leigh Bardugo’s books. It was actually her Language of Thorns book that solidified her place as a favourite because her writing is just so evocative. I need to read more of Jenn Bennett and Anna-Marie McLemore’s books because I really enjoyed Night Owls and The Weight of Feathers.
    Lois @ My Midnight Musing recently posted…On the Road: OttawaMy Profile

  3. Ahh I loved seeing your list of favourites!! I LOVE so many of these omg. I’m with Jeann for Jay Kristoff, Amie Kaufman and Leigh Bardugo! And omg I feel like such a bucket right now but I didn’t realise Seanan McGuire and Mira Grant WERE THE SAME PERSON?! *facepalm* Anyway I want to read the Feed books at some point!

    I also adore Cassandra Clare and Rainbow Rowell.

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