The Errant Dreams Author Meme

My fellow blogging friend, Heather came up with this great meme. I thought I would jump on the bandwagon and give it a try.

• Answer the questions as you see fit. Although they’re all phrased to ask about a singular author, feel free to respond with multiples, or even a list.
• Where possible & convenient (you don’t have to go as crazy as I did!), include a link here or there to an author’s website, your review of one of their books, or a review that inspired you to try the author(s), so your readers can get more information on anyone that sounds interesting.
• Tag five people and drop by their blogs to let them know you tagged them, or open-tag your readers.
• It would be nice if you included a link back to your tagger.

I struggled with this meme for several reasons, the biggest being that I am no good at singling out one or two or three authors as favorites, and add to that all-time favorites! That's a tall order. Then I start wondering if I can count an author as a favorite when I've only read one of his or her books. After hemming and hawing, I finally decided the best way to approach this meme was to start with the last question first.

Who’s your all-time favorite author, and why?

Jane Austen's writing warms my heart. Her novels appear simple on the surface and yet they are quite complex. Jane Austen's writing is beautiful, so easy to lose myself in. Of the books I have read by he so far, they each have left me with a satisfied smile on my face as I finish reading that last paragraph.

I met and fell in love with Harry Dresden, modern wizard extraordinaire, long before the television series came out (and yes, I finally did get to watch it). Jim Butcher can do no wrong in my mind. I am always out of breath when I finish one of the Dresden Files' books--oh, the suspense!--I don't know how Harry does it! He's such a good soul, even when the darkness threatens to cave in around him. I haven't yet read Jim Butcher's more traditional fantasy series, but you can bet I have the books in my TBR room waiting their turn.

Sue Grafton never strays far from the top of my favorites list. Her hard-boiled Kinsey Milhone series has been a favorite of mine since I picked up the first book. While many mystery novels tend toward being over the top, I can count on Sue Grafton to offer up a reality check. The author has gotten some criticism in recent years for straying from her usual formula, but I think her books keep getting better and better. Kinsey Milhone herself is a protagonist after my own heart--she's tough, edgy, and independent while still being vulnerable.

Charlaine Harris quickly became one of my favorites when I started reading her Southern Vampire series featuring her mind reading heroine, Sookie Stackhouse. After reading the first book in the author's Lily Bard series, Charlaine Harris' spot on my all-time favorites list was cemented. For me, these books fall into the comfort reading category--they are fun, light, and yet also have surprising depth to them. And I love the characters. Love them!


Who was your first favorite author, and why? Do you still consider him or her among your favorites?

The first names that come to mind are Beverly Cleary and Judy Blume. I could not get enough of their books when I was growing up. Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing and Blubber were my favorite Judy Blume books. Beverly Cleary won be over with Otis Spofford and her Ralph S. books. And who can forget Ramona Quinby? These two authors were not only entertaining to read, but they also took on issues that were important to me when I was growing up. I could relate to the stories and felt a real connection to the characters.

I still think of both authors fondly. I have read one of Judy Blume's adult books, but it was years ago. I enjoyed it quite a bit. I consider both to be childhood favorites to this day.


Who’s the most recent addition to your list of favorite authors, and why?

Two authors in particular that I was introduced to this year have caught my fancy. One of them is Craig Johnson who is the author of the Sheriff Walt Longmire series set in Wyoming. I took an instant liking to the sheriff and I am quite drawn to the rural setting, which is kind of surprising considering how much of a city girl I am. Adrian Hyland is the other author. His first novel, set in the Australian Outback, is rich in culture and character. I look forward to reading more by both of these authors.


If someone asked you who your favorite authors were right now, which authors would first pop out of your mouth?

Other than those listed above: Jodi Picoult, Karen E. Olson, Elizabeth Kostova, Diane Setterfield, Mark Bowden, Amulya Malladi,, Kelley Armstrong, Minette Walters, J.R.R. Tolkein, J.K. Rowling, Lisa See, Ian McEwan, Stephanie Kallos, J.A. Jance, Anne Bishop, Charlotte Bronte, P.D. James, Susanna Clarke, Thrifty Umrigar, Anne Rice, Alice Hoffman, Clea Simon, and Carrie Vaughn just for starters. I really could go on and on if you let me.

Truth be told, I always feel inadequate when answering questions like these, especially when reading other people's lists. I am reminded of just how little I have read. There are so many books and authors that I still want to explore.

I have lost track of everyone who has taken part in this meme. If you haven't yet, consider yourself tagged!