February 2023 - Three authors who inspired you to read them again.

[Teri-K]

J_BlueFlower wrote: "After much (over-)thinking I have removed Isaac Asimov from my 3, and added Astrid Lindgren: In particular Pippi Longstocking. This one is on the World library top 100 ..."

Pippi is wonderful!

[Diana]

1. My most recently discovered author is E.M. Forster. I read A Room with a View and absolutely loved his writing, which I found charming and surprisingly funny. I immediately followed up with A Passage to India (which was also relevant since I am traveling to India for the first time in April) and I was fascinated by his description of Indian society under colonial rule. Both of the movie versions of these books are also excellent!

2. I accidentally discovered my favorite author so far, Haruki Murakami, when I borrowed A Wild Sheep Chase from a free neighborhood library. I really connected with that book as a result of some disillusionment I was feeling with my job at the time and I've read 7 more of his books since then. My next favorite novel from him is Kafka on the Shore and I'm planning to read Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World next.

3. Another author I adore is Dan Simmons. The first book I read of his is the science fiction novel, Hyperion, which kicks off what turned out to be my favorite series (The Rise of Endymion is my favorite). I love the different worlds that he builds in the series, its almost like a travelogue of a whole new universe! I also found out after this series that he's written books in a variety of different genres outside of science fiction, so I am excited to start The Abominable next.

[Diana]

Cynda wrote: "Jeanette Winterson. I have read three of her books, one a classic by our definition: The Passion. Thought-provoking quotes abound.

Euripides. Since joining..."

I recently also just read a Euripedes play and loved it! You might also want to try Sophocles, I read the three Theban plays of his (Antigone, Oedipus the King, and Oedipus at Colonus) and they are my favorite Greek plays so far!

[Kaisha]

Ohhhh this is fun! I’ll put the most recent authors which have inspire me.

Noah Gordon - I read his historical fiction novel The Last Jew which takes place in the 1400’s during the inquisition in Spain. Which brought me to ⭐️The Physician ⭐️which may be one of my new favorite historical novels!!! A young boy in 11th century England follows his dream to become a physician and ends up in Persia to study medicine under the Islamic masters. Incredible.

Anthony Trollope - I started with The Warden and literally didn’t stop until I had read 14 massive fat Victorian tomes. A man who can write like that is a national treasure!!

Norah Lofts - I found a cheesy paperback copy at a thrift store and was completely sucked in. Then I started scouring old bookstores to find more of her gems. She writes excellent historical fiction! Highly recommend!

[Sara, New School Classics]

I love Trollope, Kaisha, and started exactly where you did with The Warden. I have now added Gordon and Lofts (unknown to me up to now) to my TBR.

[Lori]

My list of authors looking back over the years changes in phases. When first joining GR in 2013 I was voraciously reading Kate Morton and Philippa Gregory. I hadn’t yet ventured very far into the classics then. More recently I’ve read everything by Fredrik Backman.

But since joining this group in 2020 I’ve gained a whole new world of authors that I’m inspired to read everything they’ve written.

Charles Dickens - I began with A Christmas Carol and then to Dombey and Son, David Copperfield and Little Dorrit plus loads of his wonderful short stories.

John Steinbeck - East of Eden really sealed the deal when I read it last year. Of Mice and Men and Travels with Charley: In Search of America were equally wonderful.

Larry McMurtry - Lonesome Dove - need I say more? I have McMurtry on my TBR for this year.

Wendell Berry - My love began with Jayber Crow and I’ve read at least one every year. My favorite of favorites.

[Lynn, Old School Classics]

Lori wrote: "My list of authors looking back over the years changes in phases. When first joining GR in 2013 I was voraciously reading Kate Morton and Philippa Gregory. I hadn’t ye..."

Very nice Lori. That was the idea - how as time goes by I keep finding new authors.

[Ila]

Darren wrote: "Teri-K wrote: "I want to read my first Balzac this year. Where would you recommend someone start?"

I would say you couldn't go far wrong with Père Goriot
"

Another support for Pere Goriot!

[Ila]

Lori wrote: "My list of authors looking back over the years changes in phases. When first joining GR in 2013 I was voraciously reading Kate Morton and Philippa Gregory. I hadn’t ye..."

Charles Dickens has always been special to me since I was a kid. In fact, his books were the first serious classics I read. I try to read a book of his every year.

Then there's Stefan Zweig. Ho boy, I'm currently reading his The World of Yesterday and it's a treat to read his carefully considered psychological musings. Ever since The Chess Story, I've never looked back.

Guy de Maupassant is another favorite. Bel-Ami is a wonderful novel and his short stories are always a delight to read.

I also highly regard Henrik Ibsen's plays. Hedda Gabbler and A Doll House are brutal but shocking dramas.

I recently read Hermann Hesse's Siddhartha and Demian and am glad to say that Hesse radically changed my outlook about so many things.

Of course, I can't leave out the great Oscar Wilde. His wit and keen observation are a source of unparalleled joy.

[Cynda]

@ Diana
Yes :-) I have read the Theban Trilogy and appreciated it much. If I have a moment in March, I will read the Electra with the group. Hope to see you there.

[Lynn, Old School Classics]

I am bumping this thread because I am repeating the question.

[Terry]

Great question, Lynn. From Old School to New School and Now: Charles Dickens, starting with Great Expectations, through many to A Tale of Two Cities in 2024. John Updike, all through the Rabbit series, and I am about to read The Witches of Eastwick. Finally, John Boyne is an amazing newer writer. I’ve read three so far. A quick way in is to read The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, and there are lots of others to look forward to.

[Sara, New School Classics]

I found Trollope very inspiring and made it through his Barsetshire series with nothing but praise for his writing. I am now reading the Pallister books and when that is done, I fully intend to read his stand alones. He will keep me busy for years!

One Dorothy Whipple was enough for me to know I wanted to exhaust all her writing. I have read two and have two waiting. Hopefully I can get my hands on the others without breaking the bank...they are Persephone Books and not cheap, though worth it. In fact, I have been discovering many great women writers from the 30s and 40s that I am hoping to read more of.

[Terris]

John Williams -- I loved Stoner so much that I signed up to read Augustus with the group next month. As far as I can tell, I don't think I'm interested in the subject of this book at all! But I think John Williams will get me through it! ;)
William Maxwell - I kind of stumbled onto Maxwell because he is an Illinois author and grew up close to where I live. I have read three of his books so far and absolutely love his writing! I am reading a fourth book by him this year in my Old/New Challenge!
Nevil Shute - Nevil Shute! What can I say?! He is just wonderful. I've hardly read a book by him that I wouldn't give five stars! I've read six of his and plan to read another one this year :)

I know these are all male authors -- I'll have to think of, and narrow down, my thoughts for three female authors!

[Teri-K]

I'll answer this again, but this time around with authors I first read in 2024.

1. Dan Jones - I read Powers and Thrones: A New History of the Middle Ages this year, and it was so good I can't wait to read more. I'm particularly eager to read Henry V, but I'm waiting for a pb copy so I can mark it up. In the meantime I have The Plantagenets to keep me going.

2. Patrick O'Brian - After trying Master and Commander in mid-December I immediately went on to read two more. And the next several books have been checked out. So I'm definitely reading more of him. lol

3. Horace - Odes and Epodes makes me want to read more, and deeper, into his poetry, so I have more of the background for the individual poems.

I'd give an honorable mention to another classic poet - Rumi. I read a short collection of some of his work and found I really want to try more.