It Must Be Mine! Or not.

[madbaker]

I was discussing "must-buy" authors at the Bujold signing. I don't have very many anymore, where I will buy whatever they write without reading a borrowed copy first. I've dropped some because I've gone off their writing (Terry Goodkind), their writing has gone off (Laurell Hamilton), or I just don't think I'll re-read all their books (Dan Simmons, Tad Williams).

This is not necessarily an indictment; there are still authors that I buy after reading a library copy (Christopher Moore, David Brin). And there are authors who I buy certain series unread (Stephen Brust, the Vlad Taltos books; George RR Martin, the Ice and Fire doorstops).

So, here's a quick list of authors I consider good enough and consistent enough that I'll buy whatever they choose to write. This year, anyway.

1. Lois McMaster Bujold

What can I say? She does excellent characterization as well as space opera.

2. Dave Duncan

I don't have many of his earlier works (and I don't plan to buy them), but his books in the last ten years have been outstanding. A Man of His Word quadrology, in particular.

3. Neil Gaiman

Um... yeah. Go read his blog.

4. Tim Powers

Someone who is not afraid to change genres (historic supernatural fantasy, supernatural thriller, supernatural horror) but whose voice stays consistent. (IE supernatural.)

5. Neal Stephenson

It'll be interesting to see where he goes next; the Baroque Cycle series was hard to read, but I got more into it as I re-read it.

How are your lists different? Or are there any similar authors on your list?
Discuss.

What I'm reading: Syne Mitchell, End In Fire (I still have library books to finish before I can devour Hallowed Hunt...

Comments

[loup_noir]

I had to think about this.

I used to buy a lot of authors obsessively. That was then. Now, it's Gaiman and I can't think of anyone else.

I do have most of the Discworld books, but they need to be read in bits and drabs. Luckily, I read them out of order; had I known that Rincewind showed up so often, I would have never gotten beyond the first one. The novels where his characters do stuff are great; his "concept" ones are dulldulldull.

At one time, Larry Niven was my favorite, but then he started writing with Pournell and I lost interest. Harlan Ellison is still a favorite, but he hasn't produced much for a very long time. CJ Cherryh, when she's writing from an alien's perspective, can't be beat, but she bored me with her big Merchanter sprawl. Maybe they got better? Probably won't know. Like Hambley's mysteries, but I think her fantasy/sf stinks. Far too precious for me. I like Bujold, but it's just a like, not a passion.