My Favorite Authors

This entry has been a long time coming but I've finally polished my main list of favorite authors. Trust me, I could go on a lot longer about authors I adore than this exclusive list but these are just the main ones- the ones whose books I will always support and read no matter what genre or age I am in.

So without further ado, here are my favorite authors (in no particular order except the first two are my top):

1) Rick Riordan

This should be a surprise to absolutely no one, but he's literally been my favorite author for five years at this point and I don't think there's any chance of him being demoted anytime soon. No one writes characters like Uncle Rick does. He introduced me to my first gay character, my first male/male relationship, my first Native American character, my first gender-fluid character, and probably a lot more. He is changing the game for children's fiction and I'm so glad that so many kids will be able to see themselves in his books. He's truly a legend.

2) Leigh Bardugo

Ah, Leigh Bardugo, the queen of my heart. She's tied as my top favorite author but obviously she's a favorite- she wrote my favorite books ever, the Six of Crows duology. The way she writes is like heaven personified and her stories and characters always steal my heart. I also love how she doesn't shy away from the heavier themes and messages. Her portrayals of the darkness of people and of the world are so amazing to read. I'll never stop reading and supporting her books and I cannot wait for Ninth House (five starred reviews already!!)

3) Cassandra Clare

She's almost tied with the previous two for the top spot and who knows, maybe one of these years she'll be promoted, but that doesn't mean I don't already adore her. She's a fantastic author and her shadowhunter world has gotten me through a lot of tough times in the past. She also created William Herondale, the love of my life, so obviously she's on this list. I will always read her work, shadowhunters or not. I'm so glad she's written so much for the shadowhunter world though, don't get me wrong, she could do amazing things outside of it, but I love this universe and I selfishly never want to leave.

4) Marissa Meyer

She captured my heart with the Lunar Chronicles series (one of all-time favorites) but everything she's written I've really enjoyed (even Fairest which I had *many* issues with. I love the way she writes and her characters are always easy for me to root for whether they're good, evil, or in between. I was also really impressed with the morality analysis in her last book, Archenemies.

5) Susan Dennard

She's so underrated and I don't know why. Everyone needs to read (or at least try) the Witchlands series: YA fantasy that reads like adult fantasy, complex worldbuilding, amazing characters and relationships (romantic and platonic), girl power, and one of my favorite slow burn romances EVER. Anyway, enough of that- she's a fantastic writer and world-builder and her monthly newsletters are a HUGE help to any aspiring author. I've never seen an author so determined to help other aspiring authors and it's amazing.

6) Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games was a complete game changer for me. It introduced me to the YA world and showed me how revolutionary the ideas people have and decide to write about could be. She has been instrumental in inspiring me, myself, to write my own stories. Her writing is incredible. Her characters are incredible. Her portrayal of a dystopian world is incredible. Just incredible. And I cannot wait for her to release the new Panem novel (a prequel!!) next year.

7) Jandy Nelson

The two books I've read from her were both masterpieces, especially I'll Give You the Sun, absolute masterpiece. I really hope she writes something new because I know I'll love it.

Now for a speed round:

8) Markus Zusak

The Book Thief. Need I say more? I didn't enjoy Bridge of Clay quite as much but he's still a spectacular writer and I'll always read his books (even if they take a decade to write).

9) Morgan Matson

Her books always put me in a good mood and I can't wait for whatever she writes next because I know it'll be the perfect, summery read that will put a smile on my face,

10) Sabaa Tahir

An Ember in the Ashes is AMAZING. That is all. Well, actually no- it's amazing to read about (and actually see on the cover) people of color kicking ass, now that's all.

11) Holly Black

I'm dying in my wait for the Queen of Nothing. She created Jude and Cardan and I've never loved enemies-to-lovers as a trope as much as I have ever since.

12) Emma Mills.

Foolish. Hearts.

Gideon. Prewitt.

She's also fricking hilarious.

13) Jenny Han

Lara Jean and Peter K will always be in my heart :)

14) Taherah Mafi

The Shatter Me series (even if I thought Defy Me was a disappointment) and A Very Large Expanse of Sea = perfection.

15) Becky Albertalli

16) Adam Silvera

17) Kerri Maniscalco

(dying because Capturing the Devil came out recently and I still haven't read it!!)

Okay, that seems to be it for this (very exclusive) list. There are countless other authors I adore and eventually I'm probably going to have to make an updated list but until now these were the top of the stack authors I love.

Until next time folks,

No Mourners, No Funerals,

-SureenaWrites