Who Do You Read?

[Ladyslott]

My List:

Stephen King 23
Michael Connelly 15
Sandra Brown 13
Neil Gaiman 12
Elizabeth Berg 12
J.K. Rowling 10
Alan Bradley 10
Adriana Trigiani 9
Beatriz Williams 9
Kristin Hannah 9

Surprising to see how my tastes are changing. I had not read a Sandra Brown book since 2005, except for 2016 when I read one for a challenge and it was okay. Same for Elizabeth Berg - I read my last one in 2015 and again it was just okay. And my last Trigiani was in 2013 and have no interest in reading another.

The count for Stephen King is on the low side - mostly because I have read most of his books since Carrie (1974), and all those books are not reflected in the Goodreads total shown. I went through the list and there were 34 more books I have read by him, so the count is 57.
And there are many more authors that I've read many books by them that aren't reflected in this list including James Patterson, Dean Koontz, Sue Grafton, Fannie Flagg, Laurell K. Hamilton to name a few. I have spreadsheets dating back to 2000 with all my books read on them, I really should just take the time to enter them here, a few at a time.

[Anita]

Jason wrote: "This doesn't really lead to much conversation so I am not putting it on a Sunday Conversation Topic, but I'm curious.

What authors do you read whatever they put out? Also, a small link to the sid..."

Right now, there's only a one fiction author where I'm committed reading all their work and that's Elizabeth Strout. I really do not tend to read the same authors over and over . . .in terms of non-fiction, I will read anything Jon Krakauer writes.

T.C. Boyle is an author where I keep dipping my toe in the water and finding the water delightful. I could see making a concerted effort to read his books.

Khaled Hosseini is another author I really like, and right now, I'd definitely read a new book by him. Jonathan Franzen and Jhumpa Lahiri are two more where I'd probably read any new novel from them.

I never noticed that most read author link though! Very cool.

Authors where I've read four or more books are as follows, but I don't think they represent what I'd reach for now except as noted above:

Jon Krakauer 7
J.K. Rowling 7
Stephen King 5
James Herriot 5
James A. Michener 5
Jhumpa Lahiri 4
David McCullough 4
Elizabeth Strout 4
John Irving 4

It's really fun to see everyone's lists and how divergent we are as a group. You'd never really know it, lol.

[[deleted user]]

I don't know if this represents my current reading preferences .....
1 J.K. Rowling - 8 books
2 Winston Graham - 7 books
3 L.M. Montgomery - 6 books
4 J.R.R. Tolkien - 6 books
5 Jane Austen - 5 books
6 Alexander McCall Smith - 5 books
7 Lois Lowry - 4 books
8 Tracy Chevalier - 3 books
9 Willa Cather - 3 books
10 E.M. Forster - 3 books

[LibraryCin]

Nicole R wrote: "Cindy, Michelle Moran is another author I also really enjoy! I still have her latest on my TBR, and I still have some of her older books to read."

I think I've read most of them by her now, but there may be one or two more recent ones that I haven't gotten to yet!

[LibraryCin]

Jason wrote: "LibraryCin. I really thought this would be a post of lists.

I'm glad to see Harlan Coben on a few lists. Not the greatest, but amazing twist and he knows how to keep you on the edge of your seat."

Have you tried Linwood Barclay? I find him similar to Harlan Coben.

[Book Concierge]

According to Goodreads "Most-Read Author" list ... which would obviously be heavily weighted towards those who write series ...

Agatha Christie - 27 books
Alexander McCall Smith - 22
Donald E. Westlake - 17
Carl Hiaasen - 13
Elizabeth Berg - 12
Adriana Trigiani - 12
Sandra Dallas - 10
Edna Buchanan - 10
Stephen King - 10
Philip Gulley - 9


But, with the exception of Stephen King, none of the others make my "favorite authors" list.

[Jgrace]

I never thought I could say this BC, but I've read more than you have... At least I've read more Agatha Christie. As you say, the list is heavily weighted toward series writers. For me that means it's also weighted toward audiobooks. I listen to series because, having similar characters and plot formulas, they don't require as much attention. My 'favorite' authors are usually less prolific.

Agatha Christie - 47
Laurie R. King - 29
Anne McCaffrey -24
A. McCall Smith -20
Ellis Peters - 20

The first 16 authors on my list write series. The first one who did not was:

Shakespeare - 11

[Rachel N.]

I have a list of books I've read since long before I was online and I did enter them slowly into shelfari, which then got transferred here. I'm glad I entered them because I'm no longer sure where my written list is.

As with everyone else my most read authors is definitely tilted towards series writers. Agatha Christie should be on the list as I've read most of her books but I apparently haven't entered those into goodreads.


1 Mary Higgins Clark 34 (I like her early works but haven't read her most recent books)
2 Elizabeth Peters 32 (I want to finish the Amelia Peabody series by her)
3 Phyllis A. Whitney 30 ( a product of younger day, I haven't read her in years)
3 Joan Hess 30 (two mystery series)
5 Stephen King 26
6 Dorothy Gilman 22 (Mrs. Pollifax books, loved them)
6 Charlotte MacLeod 22
8 Carolyn G. Hart 21 (three series I'm still working my way through)
8 Ruth Rendell 21 (Love the inspector wexford books)
10 Sue Grafton 20 (Kinsey Millhone series)
10 Margaret Maron 20 (Deborah Knott mysteries)
10 Terry Pratchett 20
10 Nevada Barr 20 (Anna Pigeon mysteries)

[KateNZ]

Is this the time to confess that I have never read a single Stephen King book? I've seen a couple of the non-horror movies (Shawshank Redemption, and Green Mile) but that's it.

[JoLene]

KateNZ wrote: "Is this the time to confess that I have never read a single Stephen King book? I've seen a couple of the non-horror movies (Shawshank Redemption, and Green Mile) but that's it."


I only read my first one a couple years ago. It was 11/22/63 and really excellent. Since I don’t like horror, I stayed away (even though I knew he wrote some other stuff). I also made a bad assumption that because he was so prolific, he probably wasn’t a very good writer either. I was very wrong about that!

[[deleted user]]

KateNZ wrote: "Is this the time to confess that I have never read a single Stephen King book? I've seen a couple of the non-horror movies (Shawshank Redemption, and Green Mile) but that's it."

Same here, Kate! I haven't read any books by Stephen King. I saw the same movies as you did, plus Pet Sematary (not recommended).

[Jason]

LibraryCin wrote: "Jason wrote: "LibraryCin. I really thought this would be a post of lists.

I'm glad to see Harlan Coben on a few lists. Not the greatest, but amazing twist and he knows how to keep you on the edge..."

I have not read barclay. I only read Coben as a fluff, fun, entertaining read between more indepth books. I have his how bibliography on my phone and occasionally I open one up and read. They are fast, gripping reads too.

[Kszr]

OK - I have been trying to fill up my reading history, but I know I don't go back far enough to include all the books I have read (Sheldon, Steele, etal), but here are my top numbers:
Ernest Hemingway 11
J.K. Rowling 8
Jane Austen 6
Ken Follett 5
Anne Tyler 5
John Irving 5
Alice Hoffman 5
Chris Bohjalian 5
Marissa Meyer 4
Toni Morrison 4
John Steinbeck 4
Jhumpa Lahiri 4
F. Scott Fitzgerald 4
Kurt Vonnegut 4
Marge Piercy 4
Jeffrey Archer 4
Geraldine Brooks 4
Liane Moriarty 4
Jojo Moyes 4

[Amy]

Interesting list. Perfect for PBT.

[KateNZ]

I love how different our lists are. This group is amazing - I get introduced to books and authors I'd never heard of, and learn to love things I didn't think I'd like!

I think I'll stick with being the only person on the planet* who doesn't get on with Philippa Gregory books though ...

*may be a slight exaggeration

[~*Kim*~]

KateNZ wrote: "I think I'll stick with being the only person on the planet* who doesn't get on with Philippa Gregory books though ... "

You're not alone. I tried reading The Other Boleyn Girl and just couldn't do it.

[annapi]

~*Kim*~ wrote: "KateNZ wrote: "I think I'll stick with being the only person on the planet* who doesn't get on with Philippa Gregory books though ... "

You're not alone. I tried reading [book:The Other Boleyn Gir..."

I tried it and couldn't get into it either! To be fair I didn't try very hard, and I haven't checked out any other book of hers ever since, so I might try again someday.

[Amy]

You guys are slowly killing me. But to be fair, did any of you watch my attempt at fantasy or Space Opera? Next up: this July I plan to read His Majesty’s Dragon with my friend the dragon hater.

[Book Concierge]

Amy wrote: "You guys are slowly killing me. But to be fair, did any of you watch my attempt at fantasy or Space Opera? Next up: this July I plan to read His Majesty’s Dragon with my friend the dragon hater."

Hope you like it, Amy. I was dragged kicking and screaming into reading it for my F2F book club ... and I LOVED it. I've gone on to read the second book in the series, and will keep going.

[annapi]

"Amy wrote: "You guys are slowly killing me. But to be fair, did any of you watch my attempt at fantasy or Space Opera? Next up: this July I plan to read His Majesty’s Dragon with my friend the dragon hater."

I liked His Majesty's Dragon. But around book 4 the series started to pall for me - slow pacing. I may yet go back to it, but there are so many good fantasy books out there! I liked very much better Novik's new book Uprooted, and am eagerly looking forward to its sequel, Spinning Silver, in July. These are fairy tale retellings.

HMD is not my favorite dragon story, I think there are better ones out there. Top on my list is Anne McCaffrey's Dragonriders of Pern, Mercedes Lackey's Dragon Jousters series, and Naomi Novik's Uprooted (which is really not about the dragon, but the girl). I HATED ERAGON - lousy writing.

[KateNZ]

Ooh I didn’t realise there was a sequel to Uprooted coming out! {{does a little happy dance}}

[Amy]

Yeah, talk to my friend Jason about the nuanced differences in dragons. I am just along for the ride. However, whatever you want to know about historical (and contemporary) fiction reads and the two world wars, I’m your gal.

[annapi]

KateNZ wrote: "Ooh I didn’t realise there was a sequel to Uprooted coming out! {{does a little happy dance}}"

After I posted that, I checked out the description on Amazon - it looks like a retelling of the Rumplestiltskin story, so not a sequel to Uprooted, sorry, but I expect it will be good. I hope she does a sequel to Uprooted in the future!

[KateNZ]

annapi wrote: "After I posted that, I checked out the description on Amazon - it looks like a retelling of the Rumplestiltskin story..."

That's fine - still Naomi Novik in fairytale mode :)

[Karin]

Great list--I didn't know it was there, so thanks. However, because I have recorded any book I remember reading for my information, my number one author is Carolyn Keene, but that is only because I read most of the Nancy Drew books when I was in grades 2 & 3. Then, of course, there are other disproportionate representations of book series I read with my kids when they were younger, but it is very interesting. Also, inaccurate as it said only 4 books by Robert Heinlein (I went to his page and added others I know I read in high school).

So, my list, without culling for that sort of thing, is as follows (10 books or more BUT NOTE that some of these authors didn't write as many books as it says I read by them and no doubt there are other authors where I've read 10 or more books):
Carolyn Keene 47 (7-9 year old Karin)
Alexander McCall Smith 28
Robert Ludlum 24 (but I haven't read him in YEARS--this was a younger Karin type thing)
C.S. Lewis - 17 Not really. All of the Narnia books and 2 others.
Laura Ingalls Wilder 16 Not really, but all of her books at least once
Ken Follett 14
Charles Dickens 14
Ellis Peters 13 - ironic since these are mostly 3 stars, but good for challenges
Alan Bradley 12
William Shakespeare 12 (not even a big fan, but I went to school)
Dr. Seuss 12
Jane Austen 11
L.M. Montgomery 11
Heather Vogel Frederick 10
Robert Heinlein 10 (ages 10-18 for most of those)

[Michael]

So fun to see people's addictions lined up.

My selves don't include registration of a completist reading attitude from rhe ditant past of John McDonald, Robert Parker, Len Deighton, Tom Clancy, and Robert Ludlum. Thousands of hours that good have gone to more nutritious fare.

Registered obsessive targets include:
Larry Niven--38
Larry McMurtry--30
James Lee Burke--29
Michael Connelly--29
Patrick O'Brian--22
Lee Child--22
Bernard Cornwell--21
Robert Heinlein--20
C.J. Box--17
Lois McMaster Bujold--17
John Sanford--17

I guess a lot of people go for Connelly and Sanford. Good club to be in.

Currently, I would like to go complete for Hampton Sides, Nathaniel Philbrick, Mary Doria Russell, Marylnne Robinson, Louise Erdrich, ans Alan Furst.

[Book Concierge]

Karin wrote: "Great list--I didn't know it was there, so thanks. However, because I have recorded any book I remember reading for my information, my number one author is Carolyn Keene, but that is only because I..."

Your counts may be off because you have duplicates or different editions of the same book shelved. Goodreads is just counting what is on your shelves.

[Caprice]

i love reading
Stephan king
Cassandra Clare
Richelle Mead

[Cheryl]

I have to admit, I'm not particularly enchanted by that list. I read a lot of picture-books, so prolific authors there will be listed, but other favorites won't make the cut because they weren't prolific and now their books are hard to find. So anyway.

Off the top of my head, I will read just about anything by
Kevin Henkes
Clifford D. Simak
Michael Perry
Anne Ursu
Kathi Appelt
Eleanor Farjeon

GR assumes that I'm best fans of:

1 Kevin Henkes 20
1 Kathi Appelt 20
3 Daniel Pinkwater 17
4 Astrid Lindgren 15
4 Jon Agee 15
6 Anthony Browne 14
7 Margaret Read MacDonald 13
7 Doreen Cronin 13
9 Paul Fleischman 12
9 Cynthia Rylant 12

They're all good, and I will *consider* everything by them.

[Jgrace]

Cheryl wrote: "I have to admit, I'm not particularly enchanted by that list. I read a lot of picture-books, so prolific authors there will be listed, but other favorites won't make the cut because they weren't pr..."

After 30+ years in primary education, my list would look much like yours. Those picture books and especially the illustrators are important to me, as a professional and for personal enjoyment. But, even back in Shelfari days, I stopped adding them to my shelves. There are so many of them that they skewed all of the data collection. I've thought about starting a second account with a different screen name just to catalog children's books. But with retirement, it's become less of a necessity.

[Sushicat]

Over the years my taste in books has shifted significantly from bodice rippers to fantasy to crime fiction finally to a much richer variety of books - and also better quality. What Goodreads lists as my most read does not fit my current taste.

The ones I’ll pick up immediately are new entries into favorite series: the Dresden Files and Peter Grant audios. And any Neil Gaiman stand a good chance of getting read.

Above all else I like variety in my reading.

[Karin]

Book Concierge wrote: "Karin wrote: "Great list--I didn't know it was there, so thanks. However, because I have recorded any book I remember reading for my information, my number one author is Carolyn Keene, but that is ..."

Sure, I actually knew that, but was in full migraine so didn't add that :).

[Jason]

Amy wrote: "Yeah, talk to my friend Jason about the nuanced differences in dragons. I am just along for the ride. However, whatever you want to know about historical (and contemporary) fiction reads and the tw..."

I alternate between looking forward to this and dreading it

[KateNZ]

With Amy on board, you’ll have a great time Jason - even if you hate the book 😁 🐉

[Amy]

Kate speaks the truth. Preach it Sistah! No matter what we’re going to have a great time!