I thought it was about time I made another list, but since I mostly do the same kind of lists over and over again (sorry), I wanted to do one that was a little different. 'Tis not groundbreaking, but I'll get to talk a little more about books I've enjoyed a lot and my thoughts on different authors.
In this list, I will tell you about authors whom I've read only one or two books by and whom I want to read more by. The reason for this is that it's rather obvious I want to read more by an author when I've already read four or five of their books.
They're listed in chronological order, meaning the more time that has passed since I last read the author's book(s), the earlier you'll see them on the list. We'll work towards the author I read most recently.
1. Iain Banks
1954-2013
Read: The Wasp Factory
Most popular: The Wasp Factory, Consider Phlebas (Iain M. Banks)
Motivation: I read "The Wasp Factory" back in 2015 at the recommendation of my father. This is one of his favourite authors, so I wanted to give him a try. I found that book to be very strange and interesting, almost a bit unsettling. Banks also goes under the name Iain M. Banks when he writes sci-fi. He's a bit more known for his science fiction works rather than the other weird books, and I'm interested in trying more of both. My dad owns a bunch of his books, and I'm sure I'd be allowed to borrow one or two.
2. Laini Taylor
Most popular: Daughter of Smoke and Bone
Motivation: The one with the pink hair! Laini Taylor is known for her beautiful writing style and widely popular "Daughter of Smoke and Bone" trilogy. I've read the first two books in the trilogy. I want to finish that and then also read her duology "Strange the Dreamer". I actually met Laini Taylor back in 2015 at the annual Swedish Book Fair in Gothemburg. I'd dyed my hair extra blue to match Karou from "Daughter of Smoke and Bone". This is definitely an author I want to explore more.
3. Marissa Meyer
Read: Cinder, Scarlet
Most popular: Cinder
Motivation: Meyer was one of the most hyped authors on BookTube back when the "Lunar Chronicles" series was being released (2012-2015). I read the first two books in that series together with a group of friends in 2017 and 2018. I loved "Cinder", but "Scarlet" fell very flat to me. Sadly, I kind of gave up after that, which is not the way I want things to end between Meyer and me. While I might not continue that particular series very soon, I do own her standalone novel "Heartless". It has me intrigued, and I hope I will be able to get to it soon.
4. Mikhail Bulgakov
1891-1940
Read: The Master and Margarita
Most popular: The Master and Margarita, Heart of a Dog
Motivation: I was pretty much blown away my how much I liked "The Master and Margarita" when I read it in late 2018. It was full of wit, imagination, satire, and strange characters. Bulgakov is the first Russian author I ever read, and I'm interested in reading both more by him and by other Russians. Other works by him that I want to read are "Heart of a Dog" and maybe "The White Guard".
5. John Williams
1922-1994
Read: Stoner
Most popular: Stoner, Butcher's Crossing
Motivation: I was incredibly impressed by Williams' ability to portray an ordinary life in "Stoner" when I read it in late 2018. So impressed, in fact, that it quickly climbed the list of my most favourite novels of all time. Unlike most other books, "Stoner" is one that I would gladly re-read many times. He's written two other books that I'm most interested in. These are "Butcher's Crossing", which is more a study of isolation and survival, and "Augustus", which is described as one of the most well written ever historical/biographic novels, telling the story of Julius Caesar's successor. I expect them both to be of the same high quality as "Stoner", albeit different in theme and style.
6. Rainbow Rowell
Read: Carry On, Wayward Son
Most popular: Eleanor & Park, Fangirl, Carry On
Motivation: Rowell is an author who tended to write contemporary for young adults and adult readers alike. She's switched over a little bit to tell the story of Simon Snow in dazzling fantasy adventures. That's what I've ended up reading by her, but I must admit that I'm temped to try some of her acclaimed contemporary novels. One of them I own already; "Fangirl". I think it had potential to be a lighthearted romance with some wisdom woven into it. If I like "Fangirl", I can be persuaded to try even more of her books as well.
7. Madeline Miller
Read: Kirke (Circe)
Most popular: Circe, The Song of Achilles
Motivation: I was wonderfully lucky to get an early arc of the Swedish translation of "Circe" last summer. It was a book that I truly enjoyed reading and the feminist message was one I appreciated. I also learnt a lot about Greek mythology, which is always a plus! I've heard great things about her other popular book, "The Song of Achilles", and I'd love to try it out. More Greek mythology from Miller, please!
8. Samantha Shannon
Read: The Priory of the Orange Tree
Most popular: The Bone Season, The Priory of the Orange Tree
Motivation: I'll start by saying that "The Priory of the Orange Tree" held some nice surprises for me when I read it last December. It was one chunk of a book, but I had a fun time reading it and delving into the complex world and politics. It's also one of my most beautiful covers! Shannon is previously known for her successful series "The Bone Season", which I now own the first book in (in Swedish). It's a series that some love and others find bland. I of course hope I'll belong to the first group.
9. Taylor Jenkins Reid
Read: Daisy Jones & The Six
Most popular: Daisy Jones & The Six, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Motivation: Jenkins Reid has recently become known for her fictional biographies about made up celebrities. Earlier this year, I listened to the audio book for "Daisy Jones & The Six". While it had it's flaws, I greatly enjoyed it as a whole. I have high hopes for "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo" to be even better, and I'm certain I'll read it eventually since I already own it (in Swedish). Her books have gotten a lot of praise and I believe in her talents as a writer.
10. Naomi Novik
Read: Spinning Silver
Most popular: Uprooted, His Majesty's Dragon, Spinning Silver
Motivation: Novik has written a fair amount of books, most of them belonging to her series "Temaraire", which is about dragons. I've just recently read one of her standalone fairy tale retelling novels; "Spinning Silver". It was highly recommended to me by a friend, and that friend was kind enough to lend me their copy so I could read it. Luckily, I really enjoyed it! The atmosphere was well described and immersive, and I appreciated that the story was focused on following the success and lives of young women without the story getting clouded by romance. I'd love to read more by Novik after this.
So there you have it! Have you read any books by these authors? Would you recommend any to me? Feel free to write a comment! <3
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