Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Top 10 Tuesday: Favorite Authors


Top 10 Tuesday is hosted by the wonderful ladies over at The Broke and The Bookish.
This week’s topic is… Top Ten ALL TIME Favorite Authors.
That is one of the hardest questions you can ask a bookish person.  For me, there is a difference between an author you really like and a FAVORITE author.  “Favorite” is a pretty high title.  For an author to be a favorite, I need to have read all or most of their books, and even reread a couple of times.  Of course, there are always exceptions.  Sometimes when I read a new author, I’ll just get this feeling.  And that’s how I know if they will become a favorite or not.  It’s sort of a gut feeling.  So, all of the authors on this list, I consider to be “favorites”.  I’ve read and liked them for quite a while.  That being said, there are a lot of other amazing authors that couldn’t make this list.  It was very close competition and not everyone can qualify to be an “all-time” favorite author, even if I do love them. 
Okay, so without any more procrastination, here’s my Top 10 Favorite Authors.  (also, please note that I did not list ALL of the books published by that author. For more into, click on their names to go to their websites.)




Books by Ally:
I’d Tell You That I Love You, But Then I’d Have To Kill You (Gallagher Girls book 1) Amazon • Goodreads
Heist Society (Heist Society series book 1) Amazon • Goodreads
All Fall Down (Embassy Row book 1) Amazon • Goodreads
Why is she my favorite? 

I’ve been reading her books since I was pretty young.  Her Gallagher Girls series were some of the first YA books I’d ever read.  I feel like I grew up with the Gallagher Girls and it’s just very nostalgic.  To this day, she continues to amaze me and I love her books even more with every reread.  I’ve probably read the Gallagher Girls series (at least) 10 times and Heist Society around 5 times.  I feel such a connection with both of these series and am a hardcore Ally Carter fangirl. 
To see what I thought of her new book, see my All Fall Down review
Also, you all should check out her FREE Novella, Double Crossed.  It’s a crossover between her Heist Society and Gallagher Girls series, and is great to introduce people to both of her series.  Amazon


Books by Rick:
Haha.  There’s no way I’m linking all of his books.  And you all know what he writes anyway.
So, I’ll just say…PERCY JACKSON.  




Why is he my favorite?
Is there really any more explanation needed for this one?  Despite the fact that I am rather “new” to the Percy Jackson fandom, I’ve never felt so passionate about a book series before.  I honestly don’t know what I read before Percy Jackson.  Rick is amazing at making characters and mythology really come to life.  I’d recommend his books to anyone, whether you’re 9 or 99.  



Books by Sarah:
Throne of Glass (ToG series book 1) Amazon • Goodreads
A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR book 1) AmazonGoodreads



Why is she my favorite?
Before I started reading Sarah J. Maas, I didn’t read fantasy.  Once I read the Throne of Glass series, I fell in love.  Throne of Glass is incredible and keeps getting better and better with each book.  Fantasy is one of my favorite genres now.  Her writing is so beautiful and her characters (especially Celaena) are so amazing and kick butt.  When I read a Sarah J. Maas book, it’s an experience.  I feel immersed in the story, and the characters and places feel so real.  Every time I pick up one of her books, I can expect a new favorite and a 5-star review for sure.  



Books by Marissa:
Cinder (Lunar Chronicles book 1) AmazonGoodreads





Why is she my favorite?
Cinder is a book that I loved from the first page.  From the first time I read it, I was obsessed.  I knew that the series (and Marissa Meyer) would become one of my favorites.  I love her world she has created, the mixture of sci-fi with fairytale retellings.  I am continually amazed by her how her storylines weave together into this saga she has created.  Marissa Meyer creates wonderful characters that I love, and characters I love to hate.  I have no doubt that she has many, many more spectacular book ideas in the works, and I will read them all.  



Books by Veronica:
Divergent (Divergent book 1) AmazonGoodreads





Why is she my favorite?
I consider Divergent to be one of my all-time favorite books, even if the sequels (in my opinion) in no way matched the brilliance of the first book.  I love the Divergent world that Veronica has created, and her story and characters are something that really stays with you.  Divergent itself is such an inspiring book and has so many amazing things you can take away from it (see my top 10 inspiring quotes from last week) I think that she is a great author, and will continue to read whatever she writes.  I am currently very excited about the new series she has in the works. 



Books by John:
The Fault In Our Stars  AmazonGoodreads
Looking For Alaska  AmazonGoodreads
Paper Towns  Amazon Goodreads
An Abundance of Katherines  AmazonGoodreads



Why is he my favorite?
Not to sound cliché, but ultimately, John Green had to make this list.  I feel like John Green belongs on this list because I really do like him as a person.  I’ve read all four of his main books, and was not without complaint.  I have had problems with his books, and even though I am happy for his recent movie success, I have mixed feelings about that too.  Despite that, I really do love John Green and am really happy for his success.  Overall, I just really like John Green as a person and always enjoy watching all his YouTube videos.  However, I just know that whatever book he writes, movie he makes, or thing he does, I will support him.


Books by Jennifer:
She has SO MANY books.  So, I’ll just link you to the Lux series and say click on her name to go to her website for more books.
Obsidian (Lux series book 1)  AmazonGoodreads




Why is she my favorite?
I feel kind of silly saying she’s one of my favorite authors, since she has so many other books that I haven’t read.  But, you know what?  I LOVE the Lux series and JLA is a genius.  So I really don’t care.  JLA is brilliant and she creates such amazing characters that make you fall in love with them.  The Lux series is all romance and action.  There is never a dull moment, and you’re on the edge of your seat the whole time.  It excites me to think of all of the JLA books I haven’t read.  I have so much more of her wonderful writing yet to experience.  



Books by Veronica:
Under the Never Sky (Under the Never Sky series book 1)  AmazonGoodreads




Why is she my favorite?
I feel like not enough people have read Veronica Rossi’s books.  Her Under the Never Sky series was one of the first (maybe even the first) YA Sci-Fi/Dystopian series I had ever read.  I fell in love with the world and the characters.  Her characters develop so much throughout the series, and seeing how much they change was incredible.  She is an amazing author, and I would recommend her to anyone who enjoys YA Sci-Fi or Dystopian.  


Books by Morgan:
Amy and Roger’s Epic Detour AmazonGoodreads
Second Chance Summer  AmazonGoodreads
Since You’ve Been Gone   AmazonGoodreads




Why is she my favorite?
As you can probably tell from this list, I usually prefer Sci-Fi or Dystopian books to Contemporary novels.  They usually just stick with me and have more impact than contemporary books.  However, Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson blew me away.  It was exactly what I had been looking for, it made me feel so many different emotions.  I adore Since You’ve Been Gone, and it’s definitely in my top 5 contemporary books of all time.  She just writes such beautiful stories and I felt so attached and invested in the characters’ lives.  I have also read the Top 8 series by Katie Finn (her pen name) and, while it wasn’t incredible or emotional like her Morgan Matson books, found it to be a really quick, fun read.  I have no doubt that my love for Morgan Matson will only continue to grow. 



Books by Suzanne:
The Hunger Games (Hunger Games book 1)  AmazonGoodreads





Why is she my favorite?
I don’t think this list would have felt right without including Suzanne Collins.  She has written an amazing book series that has gone on to become a huge franchise.  The Hunger Games revolutionized YA and pretty much started the Dystopian trend.  Katniss  was the original girl on fire, and paved the way for future kick ass female protagonists.  The Hunger Games started my love for YA Dystopian, and really kick started my YA passion.  Before I read the Hunger Games, I didn’t really read popular YA books.  Afterwards, all that changed.  After the Hunger Games, I read Divergent, then Shatter Me, and well….the rest is history. 


Thank you so much for sticking with me through this (very) long Top 10 Authors.  Please feel free to comment and leave me a link to your Top 10.  I read and (try to) respond to every comment, and seeing your guys’ comments makes my day.  So thank you!  J







12 comments:

  1. Oh, I forgot about Morgan Matson! I really enjoyed Since You've Been Gone... oh well. I'm not at all surprised to see John Green on so many lists today - he's not my cup of tea, but I can understand why so many people love his characters!
    Beth x
    www.thequietpeople.com

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    1. There were a lot of authors I probably forgot, too. Yeah, I had heard so many great things about Morgan Matson, and for me, she definitely lived up to the hype. Everyone has different opinions about John Green, but overall, I always really enjoy his books.

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  2. John Greens books is so good.

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  3. YOUR LIST IS SO PERFECT I CANNOT EVEN RIGHT NOW. Seriously, I agree with like 80% of this. Ohhhh Suzanne Collins is INCREDIBLE. She got me started on YA and just reading vivaciously in general. And John Green? Omg I love John Green. His books aren't perfect (like Sarah J Freaking Maas' books...omg can she do no wrong?!) but I love how down to earth John Green is and all the other stuff he does with charities and whatnot and HE'S JUST AN EXTRAORDINARY HUMAN.
    Here's my TTT!

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    1. THANK YOU! It was really hard to narrow it down, and I'm sure I forgot someone. That's the way it was for me, too. Once I read The Hunger Games, it was the beginning of end. John Green's books aren't perfect, but I always really have a lot of fun reading them. And that's why I like him - he is an extraordinary human being. (except for the fact that he doesn't like Batman. WHAT?)
      Also, yes, Sarah J. Maas is queen. Everything she does is perfect, so I can't wait to get my hands on A Court Of Thorns And Roses.

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  4. Great choices. John Green made my list, too. I think the topics he writes about are interesting.

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

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    1. Thanks! I always enjoy reading his books and think that he's just a great person in general.

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  5. I absolutely enjoyed reading your list!! I loved Under the Never Sky, Lux, Percy Jackson, Cinder, Throne of Glass, oh my just everything here! haha. I still have to read Heist Society though. Welcome to the Percy Jackson fandom!!! Have you read PJO and Heroes of Olympus? Did you hear that Jennifer L. Arementrout was coming out with a book on Daemon's point of view?!?!

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    1. Thank you :)
      Wow! It seems like we've read a lot of the same books.
      Heist Society is really good - you should give it a try. It looks like we have similar taste in books, so you might like it!
      I've read PJO and Heroes of Olympus. And I love them all so much! I'm still working on the Kane Chronicles, though.
      And, YES. I am SO EXCITED to have more Daemon! I was kind of late on the Lux series, too. By the time I read them, they were all out. Another Lux book is such amazing news and seriously the best thing i've heard in a while. I'm still fangirling about it.

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  6. THIS LIST IS PERFECT. I agree with all your choices here. All these authors have really helped to form YA into what it is today. Suzanne Collins and Veronica Roth were two of the first authors that really brought me in to the young adult genre, and I'm forever thankful for that. And Rick Riordan is hilarious & his books (and his ships) are absolutely perfect. Thanks for sharing and fabulous post! ♥

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    1. THANKS :)
      I feel the same way. I've always LOVED reading, but the Hunger Games really started it all, as far as really getting into YA. After that, I really started getting into reading book blogs and watching book vloggers...and two year later, here I am. (I was late to the bandwagon) RICK IS THE BEST.
      You're welcome!! Thank you!

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