Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, featuring a different top 10 theme each week. This week’s topic is Top Ten All-Time Favorite Authors. I had a really hard time narrowing it down, and changed my mind about half a dozen times, but finally decided to focus on living writers whose works I continue to read (and hope to keep reading for a long time to come).
Here we go:
1. Diana Gabaldon (like there was any doubt about this one!)
2. Mary Doria Russell
3. Stephen King
4. Patricia Briggs
5. Jim Butcher
6. Susanna Kearsley
7. Christopher Moore
8. Neil Gaiman
9. Bill Willingham
10. J. K. Rowling
[Note on images: Author photos scavenged from the interwebs; book photos taken by moi!]
I hate having to stop at just 10. This is just scratching the surface — and doesn’t even include some of the late greats, such as Douglas Adams, Kurt Vonnegut, and J. R. R. Tolkien. Ah well, I suppose that’s a list for another day!
Looking forward to seeing everyone else’s lists this week.
Share your links, and I’ll come check out your top 10!
If you enjoyed this post, please consider following Bookshelf Fantasies! And don’t forget to check out my regular weekly feature, Thursday Quotables. Happy reading!
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
Do you host a book blog meme? Do you participate in a meme that you really, really love? I’m building a Book Blog Meme Directory, and need your help! If you know of a great meme to include — or if you host one yourself — please drop me a note on my Contact page and I’ll be sure to add your info!
Bookshelf Fantasies 
I’ve only read Stardust, but I would want to check out more of Gaiman’s audiobooks. JK Rowling I love because what she has been through really shows in her stories that makes her stories really comforting. Here is my link: https://cksreadingcorner.wordpress.com/2015/04/21/top-ten-tuesday-my-top-ten-favorite-authors/ I loved the pics you used by the way =)
Thank you! And I realized that my Gaiman book pile is missing a few… my copy of Stardust is somewhere in the house, I just have no idea where! And I picked up his new story collection when I heard him speak last month. I actually haven’t listened to any Gaiman audiobooks — do you recommend Stardust on audio? Thanks for stopping by!
I am so excited to read Diana Gabaldons books and i want to read more of Neil Gaiman.
I hope you enjoy both! 🙂
Great list! Neil Gaiman made my list too – he’s fantastic, isn’t he? – and there are plenty of authors on here I have yet to check out. That’s something I’ll definitely have to change soon!
Thanks! I want to reread The Graveyard Book, and I have Gaiman’s new story collection, but I’m pretty averse to stories usually, so I keep procrastinating. 🙂
We have just J.K Rowling in common , I’ve tried so many times to read a Stephen King book I just could never get into them , although the only one I ever finished was Misery. Great list 😄
My TTT: https://lifewithcassandra.wordpress.com/2015/04/21/top-ten-tuesday-favorite-authors-of-all-time/
Some of Stephen King’s more recent books are really different, but I suppose he’s not for everyone! 🙂 Thanks for sharing your link!
I recently read Outlander and really enjoyed it! And J.K. Rowling of course. Actually, I’ve only ever read one Stephen King book -which is a shame I know- so I should definitely read more.
I’m glad you enjoyed Outlander! Are you continuing the series?
I think I will! I read the premise for Dragonfly in amber but it sounded a bit weird to me…
Funny how each of us has our very own favorite authors.
Here’s mine!
Yes, and that’s why I love these lists! It’s always so interesting to see what other readers are passionate about.
Great list! I have some of the same on mine
Great, can’t wait to see yours!
Such an awesome list! So good to see some love for Diana, Neil and Rowling on there! Definite favourites!
My TTT
I always have love for Diana, LOL. I tend to ramble on about my favorites — too often, probably! 🙂 Thanks for sharing your link!
What a great list! I’ve been dying to try Jim Butcher for ages now. And I love your collection of Christopher Moore’s books!
Jim Butcher is so great! I really love the Dresden books, and his Codex Alera series is terrific too. Thanks! (I love my Christopher Moore books too…) 🙂
I’ve heard LOADS on the Codex Alera, it’s very high on my series to get to as soon as possible!
I’ve actually just put in a request at my library for the 1st Codex Alera audiobook. I’m looking forward to revisiting that world!
Stephen King and Jim Butcher! This is a great list!
Hurray, someone else who loves S King and J Butcher! Such great writers — I’m never disappointed. Thanks so much for stopping by. 🙂
I would have been immensely shocked if Diana Gabaldon did not make your list this week 😛 Yay for Bill Willingham being on your list…and oops, forgot to add Neil Gaiman to my list this week…I’m also pretty excited to read Susanna Kearsley’s books this summer (sort of scheduled it out in my head that summer is the best time to read her books, haha) xD
My TTT
Ha ha, I guess you’ve got me all figured out! Wouldn’t want to destroy my streak and NOT include Diana Gabaldon on a favorites list. 🙂 I just finished the new Susanna Kearsley book. I’ll be interested in hearing what you think! (And I agree, now that you mention it — her books seem great for summer!)
I knew I would see Diana Gabaldon on your list! She’s on mine too! My TTT
Gee, I guess I’m getting predictable! 🙂 Can’t help it, I just love her books so much. Thanks!
I’ve only read two of these authors – J.K. Rowling (who’s on my list this week too!) and Neil Gaiman, who I do love.
I’m seeing both of them on a lot of lists this week — and with good reason! 🙂 What’s not to love?
Awesome way to show just how much you love the authors! Very cool!
My TTT: http://bookclubbabe.net/2015/04/21/my-top-ten-all-time-favorite-living-authors/
Aw, thanks so much! Off to check out your link…
I have no idea how I managed to leave J.K Rowling off my list. I adore Harry Potter! Great list Lisa!
Funny, JK Rowling was a last minute addition for me! HP had also slipped my mind, and at the very end, I bumped someone else so I could include JKR. Harry Potter is awesome, even after countless re-reads. 🙂
I’m so afraid to read It, but also strangely curious. Neil Gaiman is such a great writer and of course, J.K. Rowling. Great list this week!
My TTT
Thanks!
Meant to say – have you read other King? “It” is good, but not actually one of my favorites.
I’ve read Carrie and Misery. The latter wigging me out so much!
We only have JK Rowling in common but I’m sure the other authors on your list are great.
Thanks! Looking forward to seeing who your favorites are too. 🙂
I love that you have a good mix of male and female authors — I’ve been seeing quite a few lists overrun by dudes, and it’s discouraging!
I love so many people on your list; Neil Gaiman and JKR both made my list too (hope this html works, I’m on mobile) TTT!
Thanks so much! Interesting about male vs female authors — I think I do tend to read more female authors these days, but when I put together a follow-up list of favorite authors no longer living, it’ll probably be heavily male.
Ah, I love Jim Butcher too! 🙂 He’s definitely in my Top Ten, along with Christopher Fowler, Terry Pratchett and Roald Dahl.
I don’t know Christopher Fowler, but I do love Terry Pratchett and Roald Dahl too! Can’t wait for Jim Butcher’s new series to be released.
I haven’t read anything by Stephen King or Neil Gaiman! I should probably rectify this someday!
Definitely! 🙂