Top Ten Tuesday is a feature hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week’s theme is: Top Ten ALL TIME Favorite Authors (yeah, I’m mean like that! You could narrow it down to a genre if you it REALLY kills you…or just make your list a top 20 😛 )
I didn’t really know how to do this, because it is hard to pick authors as favorites! I have so many favorites, in different ways. So I am just going to do “Authors Who’ve Had the Most Impact On Me”. That’s nice and vague 😉
Images link to author’s Goodreads page, where I also got all the pictures from 😉
Shocking, I know. Basically, these books changed my life, so I have Suzanne Collins to thank and be eternally grateful toward. I had been really lost, without a hobby, without anything to call my own, and The Hunger Games came along and was a game changer. So yes, Suzanne Collins certainly did me a solid.
I have long said that I feel like Neal Shusterman is definitely a genius, and has one hell of an imagination. His books have been among my favorites for years. And then somehow, he did the unthinkable with Challenger Deep, and turned his genius into something that will not only entertain, but inspire and help so many.
While we’re on the subject of genius… Have you read Only Ever Yours? If not, off you go. This book is a game changer. It’s not a happy fun story, but it is an amazing story, and it will haunt you, and stick with you, and really make you rethink every damn thing you know. And have you added Asking for It to your TBR yet? Because I have no doubt it will be just as epic.
My inspiration from Paula is a bit different. Yes, I adored Liars, Inc but that isn’t why I added Paula to my list. I added her because she is relatable, and kind, and very willing to educate without ever being condescending. She knows how to make readers feel like equals, and that needs to be applauded. I love how real she is, how approachable she is, even in the midst of her success. She’s genuine, and we need more of that in this world. Also, her book is awesome, please don’t let that escape you 🙂
I wasn’t sure if I’d like historical fiction (which is retrospect is kind of stupid, since I like both history and fiction, but I digress). When I heard about The Cure for Dreaming, I was hesitant. But the thing is, I shouldn’t have been. Cat Winters took a situation that could have easily had women in the background, as the seemingly second class citizens that they were at the time, and she made a heroine who was not only strong and likable and courageous, but who was believable. And the takeaway message of Olivia’s strength has been with me since I read the book, which speaks volumes.
Patrick Ness has an uncanny ability to reel me into any story. And to make me feel things I never expected to feel. I have yet to make it through one of his books without sobbing, smiling, laughing, and having a major thought-provoking moment. Hell, that is sometimes all in one chapter. And, he has made me adore male POVs, which I really never had before, so it’s kind of a huge win all around.
Before the 2015 onslaught of mental health books, there was Don’t Touch. This was the first book about mental health that spoke to me, that made me so convinced that I was not alone, and that I never had been. The way Rachel wrote Caddie’s thoughts, I was certain she’d been in my own head at some point. The story and book were beautiful, but it is that connection that I had never before had that makes me so inspired by Rachel’s work.
Yes, I loved the entire Woodlands series. It was amazing and epic, and I was so sad when it was over. Again, not why Lauren made the list. First, she is just an incredibly sweet and kind person, but beyond that, she is really the first author who ever made me think that maybe, just maybe, I could follow my dreams too. She had this vision, and turned it into a beloved series, all while dealing with the daily struggles we all face. And when I realized that she did it with such grace and class, it kind of made me think “hey, maybe there is hope for me after all”.
Have you read Rites of Passage? Good, then you know why Joy made this list. First, to have a female protagonist in a military school is pretty groundbreaking in itself. But not only was Sam strong and inspirational, her story showed us all the intolerable cruelty women face in these situations, and that is never, ever okay. Joy brought to life a subject that I, and assume many others, were unaware of, hadn’t even considered, and made me care so deeply. And, the book itself was simply incredible, on top of it all. (Seriously, I am still petitioning for more!)
Ah, Lauren Oliver. I have said it before and I will say it again: I will read anything that she writes. Her words are freaking magic. Yes, I enjoy her stories, her plots, her characters, but her writing makes me want to put words onto paper myself. It’s just so beautiful, and always reminds me of why I love to read in the first place. Then, as if I didn’t love her enough, Kayla @ The Thousand Lives posted about how genuine and lovely and open she was in a panel at YALLWest dealing with authors and mental health, and well, she won me over again.
Patrick Ness is an amazing writer. I love his Chaos Walking trilogy so very much! The Cure for Dreaming was such an awesome read too. Nice list!
My TTT
I agree, that is one of my all time favorite trilogies- I am in need of a reread 😉 Thanks so much!
Ooh, yes. I could have put Louise O’Neill on my list too. I LOVED Only Ever Yours. Patrick Ness is on my list though. He is amazing!
Only Ever Yours was just the kind of book that everyone should read. And not the kind of book that comes around often! And yes, Patrick Ness seems to be making a lot of lists today!
I know Louise O’Neill is only a debut author, but she is one of my favorites. She almost made my list, but there were just so many to choose from!
She is one of mine too! And that’s why I didn’t just do “favorites”- it almost seems unfair to all the AMAZING debuts that have made an impact on me 🙂
Cat Winters, Neal Shusterman and Suzanne Collins could have easily made my list (and probably should have!). I’m happy with who I picked though. I haven’t read anything by a few of these authors, but I think that should change. I really want to read Don’t Touch and Liars, Inc. I have come so close to meeting Lauren Oliver so many times, but we’re like two ships passing in the night or something. One day I will tell her how much her books mean to me. Great list!
Michelle @ Michelle’s Minions
It is HARD to pick only 10! I did mine a bit differently, just because I could NOT just pick 10! I would LOVE to meet Lauren Oliver- I hope you have the chance to sooN!
Love your take on the topic!
I am a bit ashamed to admit that I’ve only read Suzanne Collin’s books from your list.But I have some of them in my TBR,and you just gave a lot of recommendations to check out:)
Aw thanks! It’s okay, I haven’t read quite a few authors on other people’s lists- and I agree, SO many more to add to the TBR 😉
Oh, Only Ever Yours was soooooo good – how could I forget Louise O’Neill? But I’m excited about her new book, so thank you for letting me know about that!
Beth x
You’re welcome! I adore her too, she just has such a unique way of writing, it’s just fabulous!
Great list, Shannon! I love the way you’ve set your list out this week. 🙂 I still have yet to read anything by Patrick Ness or Neal Shusterman – I really need to get on that! Lauren Oliver does write beautifully, doesn’t she? I’ve only read the Delirium trilogy by her so far, so I should check out some of her other stuff. I think I’ve just been a bit hesitant because I wasn’t all that impressed with the way Requiem ended…
Aw thanks! You must get on that 😉 I know what you mean about Requiem- I may never fully forgive haha, but her other books haven’t been like that, thank goodness! Maybe someday, she’ll give us an epilogue!
This is a really great list – I love Suzanne Collins and Joy N. Hensley as well. I had Only Ever Yours on my TBR but I removed it before because I thought it might be boring, I added it back seeing it on your post xD Thank you.
Aw thanks! Only Ever Yours is a great many things, but boring… not so much 😉 Go read my review of it- it is…. well, it is a book that will make you think, that’s for sure!
Suzanne Collins made my list too. YAY HUNGER GAMES! Great list 🙂
Thanks! I agree, my all time favorite books 😀
Such a great list with so many wonderful authors on it! Thank you so much for sharing them!
My TTT
Aw thank you so much!! 🙂
Totally agree about Paula Stokes, she is always so friendly on Twitter! Loved Rites of Passage so much, I can’t wait to read more by Hensley 🙂
She is! And she has taught me a lot about writing and stuff in general, which I am forever grateful for! And seriously I need Joy to write more NOW. If I had money, I’d give her a contract myself 😉
Ooh, nice list. I haven’t read anything by most of these… clearly I’ve got homework to do.
My list.
I do recommend them all 😀 If you read them, I hope you enjoy!
Love your list! Patrick Ness, Suzanne Collins, and Cat Winters are fantastic!
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Aw thanks so much! I agree 😀
Lauren Oliver and Suzanne Collins are definite insta-buys for me too!
I really need to read Patrick Ness’ Chaos Walking series, it sounds so good.
Awesome picks! 🙂
Thanks! I agree, they are insta-buys for sure! And definitely read Chaos Walking- it’s a little confusing for the first few chapters, but it is SO worth it!
WOW LOOK AT THAT SUZANNE COLLINS WOW I WOULD’VE NEVER GUESSED THAT.
Also I need to read Patrick Ness and also more of Neal Shusterman. I do like Lauren Oliver, but I just never got past Delirium. ONE DAY
Shocking, right? And you must read these authors I love! You must! And now you will be reading Patrick Ness, so YAY!
I love your graphics!
So many of these authors I haven’t read… yikes!
Lauren Oliver I’ve read one book by, and her writing is so pretty!
Neal Shustermen is one I definitely hope to try someday. 🙂
Aww thanks so much! Definitely try Neal Shusterman, his writing is incredible, and his ideas are SO unique!
I’ve already been meaning to read most of these authors and this just made me even more excited for it! And of course I already read and loved Delirium and can’t wait to get to Lauren Oliver’s other books soon. Besides her and Suzanne Collins I haven’t read anything from the other authors, but the ones I’m most excited about are The Chaos Walking trilogy and Don’t Touch!