I recently had a disastrous encounter with Nelson DeMille’s latest book, Radiant Angel. I’ll say it again on Tuesday for Show Us Your Books but this was a big fat DNF and I actually hated the book. It made me angry to read it. This is the second time in all my dealings with Mr. DeMille that I’ve put down a book without finishing it (the first was about 15 or 20 years ago and it was By The Rivers of Babylon. I’ve been reading him a looooooong time). But you know what? I’ll still read the ones I missed and I’ll read what he writes in the future because Mr. DeMille, I just can’t quit you.
He’s not the only author I can’t quit. There are a few that, not matter how much I’m disappointed in a particular book, I’ll still read what they write. Authors like:
Jodi Picoult. I’ve read all of her books and I’ll continue to read all of her books. Sure, they’re formulaic and predictable but they’re quick, easy, and she does churn out some good ones. I mean, The Pact and The Storyteller and Nineteen Minutes are all wonderful books and her research skills are on point. I have to give her props for that.
Emily Giffin. I won’t talk about her latest because it sucked balls but she’s chick lit and sometimes, in between all the literary fiction and nonfiction and memoirs, my brain needs a break. Brain sorbet, if you will. She provides that. And the movie adaptation of Something Borrowed has John Krasinski in it so that wins.
Jennifer Weiner. Her newest is on my nightstand (I won’t get to it in time for October but it’ll be on my November list) and she’s another one I’ve been reading for years. Her books, to me, have gotten better as time has passed and I think the fact that she’s such a champion for women writers and for giving her daughters a healthy sense of self makes me love her that much more.
Dean Bakopoulos. I’ve been pretty clear how I feel about him and his books, even if My American Unhappiness was not my favorite (if you’re going to read him, don’t start with that one. Do it last that way you realize how great he really is before you get to it). Not giving him up any time soon. See also: Rainbow Rowell (even if I have no plans to read Carry On any time soon, I will read it)
Joshua Ferris. His books are weird and bizarre and sort of circular in their storytelling but I am a huge fan of his and anxiously await his next book. See also: Wally Lamb.
I’m also currently enjoying reading the entire catalogs of Jojo Moyes and Liane Moriarty. Sarah Dessen and Matthew Quick are on my binge read list for 2016.
I feel that maybe at some point, I’ll stop enjoying what these ladies (and couple of gentlemen) have to offer but I don’t imagine that’s anytime soon. Because as I’ve learned being a reader for longer than I can remember, one book is not always indicative of what an author can do. And it’s also nice to have a list of authors I can count on to add to my TBR.
How about you guys? Who are some authors you always read, no matter how bad of an experience you have with one of their books?
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[…] Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Let me say upfront that she’s definitely on the list of authors I won’t quit. She reminds me of Jennifer Weiner in that she writes chick lit but does it in a way that makes you […]
I don’t think I could ever quit Rainbow Rowell. And Laurie Halse Anderson. I’ve been waiting for the third part of one of her YA trilogies since 2011.
I’ve only read one Giffin book (I liked it), and haven’t read anything by Jennifer Weiner, but I had a student named Jennifer Weiner a few years ago and that connection will forever be cemented in my brain.
Kristin recently posted…Stuff and Things 10/8
I just put a Laurie Halse Anderson book in my TBR jar. I’ve haven’t read her yet but I’m excited to.
HAHA! I do that with names, too.
Picoult, Jonathan Kellerman, Sue Grafton, Pat Conroy. I typically read everything they produce. There are other authors where I read or have read most of their stuff (Charlaine Harris, Janet Evanovich)_ but I don’t make it a point to read everything.
SMD @ Life According to Steph recently posted…Thursday Thoughts – back with a bang
I don’t think I’ve heard of Jonathan Kellerman and I’ve definitely never read Grafton or Conroy or Evanovich even though I have heard of them. Sigh. So many authors.
Two words: DAVID. SEDARIS. My absolute favorite author and I will read literally anything he writes.
Ali A recently posted…oregon.
You are the second person in two days to talk about his books to me. I think I need to read one.
Oh my god, YES. He’s hilarious and delightfully strange. Not that my blog is anything NEAR the caliber of his writing, but it’s definitely an inspiration in terms of sharing personal stories, quips and funny musings. He’s incredible.
Ali A recently posted…oregon.
>>>runs to put one of his books on hold at the library
Marian Keyes and Sophie Kinsella (or her other pen name) for chick lit. I agree with Jodi Picoult although I really did not like her last book. For non-fiction, I have to say Elizabeth Gilbert. It’s not even that I’m so in love with all her books but I like her writing. I hated her second book but I still want to give her two newer ones a chance. And I’ll probably read the new Jonathan Franzen for the same reasons.
Karen recently posted…Favorite Fall Printables
I have never read a Jonathan Franzen book even though I have one or two on my bookshelf. I have a plan for next year to read all the books I have on my shelf and on my Kindle but have never read.
stephen king. he’s written some amazing books and also some really crappy ones but i’ll always think of him as an amazing author.
kathy @ more coffee, less talky recently posted…can we please get a moment of silence
I haven’t read much by him but I did just put two books in my TBR jar and On Writing is on my list of books I need to finish (I got halfway through and then got distracted by all the other shiny books).
Yes to Jodi Picoult and Emily Giffin! Weiner is hit or miss for me and I haven’t read any books by Bakopoulos or Ferris. Kristin Hannah is another author that I try to read.
Nancy @ NY Foodie Family recently posted…How I Use My Bullet Journal
I don’t know that I’ve read anything by her but I feel like I have some of her books on my TBR. You must read Dean Bakopoulos!
I’m sad DeMille’s book wasn’t good this time, I really like him a LOT. My old boss turned me on to DeMille with Charm School.
I would add Elin Hilderbrand to my list, I love her beach setting books. She usually releases them at the beginning of summer which is perfect for beach books.
Kelli recently posted…The One Where She Confesses Some Big Things
I love all the John Corey books so this one made me extra angry. He’s the first crime writer I really got into and old habits die hard.
I have my first Emily Griffin book to read sitting on my guest room floor. I need to get to that. I seem to read everything Sparks puts out. I cant help it even if it is the most cliche thing ever. I have read a ton of Janet Evanovich. Love her! Jen Lancaster is another I have read lots from. Rainbow Rowell too!
Nadine recently posted…Confessions
OMG! Jen Lancaster! Cannot believe I forgot to put her on my list! But yes, I just can’t let her be even when she disappoints.
I have a special spot in my heart for Jennifer Weiner because I read good in bed years ago and love love loved it. I haven’t read all of her books, or Emily Giffins (or Jodi Picoults) though I do like everything of those 3 ladies that i’ve read so far.
kristen recently posted…Australian Stereotypes & Myths Busted
If you want to keep liking Emily Giffin, skip over The One and Only. Trust me.
okay, will do!
kristen recently posted…Australian Stereotypes & Myths Busted
I sat here and thought for a while and there’s no author I’d never quit. At least one I feel strongly about that’s jumping out at me. I seem to always read and enjoy Sarah Dessen books? That’d be the closest. But even with those I’ve noticed as I’ve gotten older, I still enjoy them but not love them like I used to.
Kati Rose recently posted…I’m Not Perfect
Agree 100% on Jodi Picoult. I would read her bar napkin doodles. But maybe I’m dense because I never predict the endings of her books; they get me every single time!
alyssa recently posted…Amazing October
I am with you on a lot of these authors. LOVE Jodi Picoult. I think she’s one of my absolute favorites.
I also really enjoy Sophie Kinsella. Her books always crack me up.
Amber recently posted…Things That Annoy Me Thursday: So Many Man Deodorants
John Sandford, Karin Slaughter, James Patterson (although I don’t read his entire catalog, but I do keep churning through his books), Jonathan Kellerman, Jonathan Tropper. These are the ones that come to mind as I’m sitting on the train (with Karin Slaughter’s newest book in my lap).
Erin @ TexErin-in-SydneyLand recently posted…#sometimeswhenimsittingonthetrain
What about John Green???
I’d have Rainbow Rowell on my list but other than that, I don’t have many must-read authors.
lisacng @ expandng.com recently posted…Asian cartoon characters I like and don’t like
So many authors, SUe Grafton, Lisa Jackson, Allison Brennan and Jojo Moyes will always be authors I will trust to knock out a good one even if one is less than stellar.
Kerry recently posted…Friday Favorites | Bring on the rest
I haven’t read any of these authors… I’ll have to be on the lookout for them! I love John Grisham, Sandra Brown, Sue Grafton… there are so many!
Amanda recently posted…Our Engagement Photos
Aw. Stumbling upon this list sure was a nice way to start the day. Thank you for reading!
Thank you for your books (and for stopping by which kind of made my day)! They quickly became some of my all-time favorites (my official review of Please Don’t Come Back From the Moon was “I want to crawl inside the book and live there”) and I pimp them whenever I can.