I’ve read hundreds of books over the years, but there are 12 authors who have really made an impact on my life.
I have a lot of admiration for authors. It takes so much work to write a story, have it published, and then continue to create new content over the years. For those who end up “making it big” and having their books turned into television shows or movies, there’s even more pressure. People look up to them, and it’s tough to see long-time favorites lose credibility because of the way they present themselves to the world. I appreciate authors who take the time to not only release quality books, but also maintain relationships with their fans, keep themselves educated and informed, and continue to stay humble and honorable.
I’ve thought long and hard about my auto-read authors (I say “auto-read” rather than “auto-buy” because I tend to not purchase books until I’ve already read them and know I’ll read them again), and there are twelve that came to mind. These individuals have written books that changed my life, brought tears to my eyes, and allowed me to escape on my worst days. They’ve taught me valuable lessons and helped me feel understood. I can’t thank them enough for this!
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The 12 Authors I Consider My Favorites
John Green
Green’s books defined my life in high school and beyond. Paper Towns was my favorite novel for over 10 years. To this day, I’m still greatly impacted by his work and treasure his books on my shelf. I appreciate his humor – and my gosh, the man knows how to write a Tumblr-worthy quote.
Joanna Ruth Meyer
Though her work is relatively new to me, Meyer has quickly become my favorite author. Her writing style is the spectacularly unique and beautiful. I’m constantly in awe of her world-building ability and her talent for character development.
Abbi Waxman
The Bookish Life of Nina Hill made me feel so seen. I’d never associated with a character as much as Nina, and Waxman put her heart and soul into the telling of this story. I find her books to be almost painfully relatable and wonderfully comedic at the same time.
Justin A. Reynolds
Reynolds is not only an excellent author, but a wonderfully kind-hearted person. He writes about grief and loss in a beautiful way and creates thought-provoking stories that will stick with you for years to come. Opposite of Always is one of my favorite books of the year, and his newest title, Early Departures was just released!
Stephenie Meyer
There’s nothing quite as nostalgic for me as Twilight and the age-old tale of vampires and werewolves. I don’t even consider it a “guilty” pleasure, because I’m not guilty about loving it at all. This saga is very special to me, and Midnight Sun only made me love it more!
Nicola Yoon
After flying through both of Yoon’s novels in a matter of days, I knew I would purchase anything she writes in the future. She deals with challenging and emotional topics and has made me cry on more than one occasion (which takes a lot)!
V.E. Schwab
As I’m writing this post, I have yet to even finish the first series I’ve ever read by Schwab. However, I’ve already purchased a box set and merchandise because I love it that much. It takes a lot for me to fully join a bookish fandom, but I’m head over heels for the Shades of Magic trilogy, and plan to read everything else by this phenomenal author.
Beth O’Leary
Last year, I picked up The Flatshare on a whim, and it was one of the most unique and adorable romantic comedies I’ve ever read! Since I loved it so much, I was thrilled to receive an advanced reader copy of The Switch on audiobook (provided by NetGalley). I didn’t think I could love O’Leary any more, but I certainly do now. Such heartwarming stories!
Josie Silver
Silver’s books have made me laugh, cry, rage, and everything in-between. I don’t think there’s even a remote possibility of disliking her work. Everything is sweet with a touch of melancholy and I love it. If you’re looking for an excellent introduction into contemporary romance, I highly recommend her work.
Erin Morgenstern
Where do I even begin? You must possess a wild imagination to fully enjoy Morgenstern’s novels. While The Night Circus took some time to capture my attention, it left me with a massive book hangover on completion, and don’t even get me started on my love for The Starless Sea. Listen to the audiobook versions of these for a fantastic performance that will allow you to escape into wonderfully magical worlds.
Marissa Meyer
My love for Meyer started with The Lunar Chronicles. I read these books as they were released and found the classic fairytale retellings to be some of the most enjoyable ever! This past summer, I read the Renegades series and realized that in my eyes, she can do no wrong with her writing. I love the sci-fi and adventure. I can’t say a single negative thing about her work!
Stephanie Garber
There’s nothing quite as magical as the world that Garber created for her Caraval trilogy. I read each of these books as they were released (finishing Legendary in only a day), and immediately added her to my list of favorite authors. I barely knew what to do with myself after finishing the series – it was so fantastic! I need more from her!
Who are your favorite authors?
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Suprriyakauul says
I loved your book collection 😍 and pics are also super cool.
I would love to read book of Nina .
Stephanie Whitman says
The Bookish Life of Nina Hill is a really excellent story. There’s a reason why it’s one of my favorites. Abbi Waxman is an excellent author!
Lizzie says
This is such a great post! I love that you narrowed it down by author. I’m going to have to look into them more. I don’t have a specific favorite author but I have a lot of favorite books <3
Lizzie
http://www.lizzieinlace.com
Stephanie Whitman says
I’ve only recently begun paying attention to authors and why I like what they write. It’s helped me narrow down which I really consider my “favorites.”
Lanae Bond says
I am not familiar with any of these books or authors. But their books sound interesting. Thank you for sharing!
Stephanie Whitman says
Honestly, I’m glad to introduce you to some new names! I’m surprised you don’t know at least of John Green or Stephenie Meyer, as their books are best-sellers! But it’s fun to show off my favorites 🙂
Sumedha says
I’ve read all these authors and have enjoyed many haha. My auto-buys are Elizabeth Acevedo, Marie Lu, and R. F. Kuang 🙂
Stephanie Whitman says
That’s great to hear! I nearly added Acevedo to this list, but I still want to read the rest of her work before giving her the title of “favorite.” I love The Poet X and With the Fire on High!
Mehsi says
Great list of authors! My fav authors would be Colleen Hoover, Lemony Snicket, Terry Pratchett, Chris Riddell, Darcy Coates, Gina Damico, Sibéal Pounder. 🙂
Stephanie Whitman says
I only recognize a couple of those names, so I’ll have to do some research on the rest!
Mini Bhati says
Some of my favorite authors are Fredrik Backman, Jhumpa Lahiri and Arundhati Roy
Stephanie Whitman says
Phew, those names are totally unfamiliar to me! I’ll have to check them out.
Serena says
Some fantastic choices here! I absolutely love John Green, Stephenie Meyer and Nicola Yoon too! I’ve only read one book by Beth O’Leary, Stephanie Garber, Erin Morgenstern and Abbi Waxman, but I’m sure I’ll be picking up their other books in the future!
Stephanie Whitman says
I sure do hope you get a chance to read some of the ones you don’t know! There’s definitely a reason why I listed these. I’m quite picky with my favorite authors and books, but these made the cut for sure hehe. Glad to see you love some of the same ones I do 🙂
Lee says
Such a cool post! I loved John greene books in high school, but you’ve shared a few I’ve never heard of! I need to go and read them, I feel like they’ll be both good and nostalgia inducing!
Stephanie Whitman says
John Green is an excellent author. I know his most popular is The Fault in Our Stars, but the rest of his work is just as phenomenal (and I’m personally a huge fan of Paper Towns)!
Amanda says
I love John Green as well. Mine are more romance authors. I love Colleen Hoover! Awesome list 🙂
Stephanie Whitman says
I’ve heard that name a million times and never read their books. I’ll have to try them out at some point!
rebeccaq says
thanks for sharing, as always! whenever I need ideas for a new book I always come to your blog and I haven’t heard of some of these authors so I will have to check them out!
xx reb // http://www.rebeccapiersol.me
Neely Moldovan says
Huge fan of both Josie Silver and John Green. Josie Silvers books are some of my very favorites!
Kileen says
I recognize a few of these authors but most of them are new for me which makes me excited! My fall reading list is getting crazy at this point!
Kileen
cute & little
Charity says
This is such a great list of authors. I’ve been enjoying Kristin Hannah and Liane Moriarty here lately!
Lily says
I definitely need to read more! I’ve only read books from Stephanie Myer!
Melissa says
I do the same hahah I tend to not purchase books until I’ve already read them and know I’ll read them again. I have a few authors that I know I will like the book no matter what. Those authors are the best since you know you are going to enjoy it or at least give it a try without thinking.
Greta says
I love John Green and Stephanie Meyer as well! Still waiting on my copy of Midnight Sun!
Jenny in Neverland says
Love your photos in this post – so beautiful! John Green is one of my auto-buy authors as well. Markus Zusak and Stephen Chbosky as well!
Anna English says
I’ve been loving Elin Hilderbrand this summer! Her books are so fun and easy to read.
Sarah Lindner says
This is a great resource for someone looking to explore a new author. Sound like some great options, and always love your photos, so dreamy! xoxo, Sarah
Jennifer Prince says
Yes to John Green! I actually picked up Paper Towns at a yard sale, and it’s my next read, which means March, maybe? Lol! 🙂 I’ve also seen you talk a lot about Beth O’Leary. I need to read her books sometime! Abbi Waxman’s covers are so pretty, too. Fun choices!
Laura Leigh says
oh I loved this post gal! I loved fault in our stars so much but haven’t read any of this other books. going to order turtles all the way down right now for my next read. thanks again for sharing such amazing recommendations!
xo Laura Leigh
https:/louellareese.com
Becky says
Great choices! I enjoy John Green’s novels, especially Paper Towns and Turtles all the Way Down. Funny story – I briefly met John Green and had a conversation with him before realizing he was John Green! We were waiting in line for an early showing of a Harry Potter movie (it was at Universal Orlando) and everyone was waiting around for hours so you got to chatting with other people in line. I don’t remember what we even talked about, I think Harry Potter haha, and then it wasn’t until later that I overheard people talking about it that I realized it was him!
Gayathri says
I love Abbi Waxman and Beth O’leary too. This is a great list!
Raji says
Great selection! There are so many familiar names here, bit also a few new ones. A Darker Shade of Magic has been on my TBR forever, and I’m hoping to get to it this year!
I'm All Booked Up says
John Green is one of our favorites. Looking For Alaska is our favorite of his. We’ll read anything by Cassandra Clare, Karen McManus, Jennifer Armentrout, Kasie West and Jenn Bennett.
Rachel says
Love, love, love this post, Stephanie! I am a huge John Green and Josie Silver!
Rachel
http://www.hello-her.com
Tara Fuller says
The past few months were so nuts with school I totally neglected my reading. That being said, I love SO many of these books and read the entire Caraval series because of you! I added Renegade to my kindle just now!
Deborah says
I love this list! I LOVED Bookish Life of Nina Hill (though I recently read Other People’s Houses and I don’t think it was Abbi Waxman’s best work). I recently read “The Fault in Our Stars” by John Green and I think it was one of those situations where everyone talked about how amazing it was and it fell short of expectations because of it because it wasn’t my favorite. That said, I want to read more of his other books because I like John Green as a person 🙂
Lauryn Hock says
I love John Green! I taught an English class to struggling readers and they practically gobbled up Paper Towns when we read it as a class. It was so fun to see them learn to love reading!
Anita says
Really interesting books, you have a pretty good collection of books.
Hillary Conheady says
I have to be totally honest, I’m not a huge reader. BUT my mom is so I’m definitely going to share this with her!