So a few days ago, Carl wrote a post listing his favorite authors. He's asking readers to write about their favorite authors and tell how they discovered them.
I have many favorite authors. Depending on my mood. Depending on my focus. (If I'm remembering back to earlier years--for example--I might list A.A. Milne, Lewis Carroll, C.S. Lewis, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Beverly Cleary.) I'll start with four of my current favorites and go from there.
Anthony Trollope.
Oh, how I love Trollope! I do. Honestly, from the very first chapter of my very first Trollope, I just knew. Knew without a doubt that Trollope and me were meant to be. It was just an instant click. Reading Trollope felt like coming home--if that makes any sense. Even though we'd just met, he felt like a good friend, a best friend even. I've reviewed the first three in the Chronicles of Barsetshire series: The Warden, Barchester Towers, and Doctor Thorne. And I've also reviewed The Way We Live Now, which is a stand-alone novel.
L.M. Montgomery
L.M. Montgomery and I have been friends for at least two decades now. I have loved her since first discovering Anne Shirley. (Which I read in part because of the movie. Though I'd like to believe that I would have discovered the books at some point anyway. But still. I'm being truthful. The movie helped me discover a love of reading.) Here are a handful of the Montgomery books I've reviewed: The Blue Castle, A Tangled Web, Chronicles of Avonlea, Emily of New Moon, Emily Climbs, Emily's Quest, Anne of Green Gables, Anne of Avonlea, Anne of the Island, Anne of Windy Poplars, Anne's House of Dreams, Anne of Ingleside, Rainbow Valley, Rilla of Ingleside, Kilmeny of the Orchard. She is one of those authors where reading just one book made me want to read every book they'd ever written.
Georgette Heyer.
I love, love, love Georgette Heyer. I've read seventeen Heyer romances so far! (They tend to make me giddy.) And it's my intention to read as many as I can get my hands on! Cotillion, Lady of Quality, Cousin Kate, Regency Buck, The Reluctant Widow, Charity Girl, Convenient Marriage, Frederica, The Talisman Ring, The Grand Sophy, The Corinthian, Arabella, These Old Shades, Devil's Cub, The Black Moth, The Toll Gate, and Sprig Muslin.
Heyer was a recommendation from my mom. (As it was to her from her mom.)
Elizabeth Gaskell
I've read Wives and Daughters. Mary Barton. Cranford. North and South. And I enjoyed each of those. Of course, North and South is my favorite of those. But all were good novels. (Though Mary Barton, if I'm being honest, took a bit of patience on my part.)
What all four have in common is great characterization and a writing style that makes me enjoy the journey, the experience.
© Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews
7 comments:
Love this post :)
L.M. Montgomery and I go way back as well, Anne has been my kindred spirit for many years now.
I'm also a big Gaskell fan. North & South is (by far) my favorite too. It might even be my favorite classic. Definitely high on the list. The BBC miniseries based on it is also a favorite of mine.
Montgomery is wonderful. I'm in the midst of Cranford, my first of Gaskell's work. I haven't read any of Trollope, I know, for shame. What should I start with of his?
Allison, I love the BBC miniseries too! I just discovered it a month ago, but I've already watched it twice!
Avid Reader, I hope you're enjoying Cranford! As for what Trollope to start with, you might go for The Warden. It's the first in the Chronicles of Barsetshire series. And it is a short book. It should give you a feel for his works.
Have you read Ain't She Sweet by Susan Elizabeth Phillips? She quotes Georgette Heyer at the beginning of each chapter. I had to google Georgette Heyer to find out more about her. Ain't She Sweet is a light romance, but well written and funny. Seems like she quoted a lot from Devil's Cub.
What a great post - you have really reasoned well with these writers and reminded me of why I like them too!
Perfect, thanks Becky!
Montgomerie is very good, I can also reccommend. Thanks.
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