Which authors are must reads for you?

[MelC]

In compiling this list I discovered that the only ones I am certain about are no longer writing (it's easy to be certain in a closed field).

Douglas Adams
James Herriott
Stieg Larsson

A few were once "must reads" but have petered out over the years due to various factors - I've changed, they haven't changed, they have changed for the worse etc.

Anne McCaffrey
Pat Conroy
Janet Evanovich
William Gibson
Stephen King (haven't entirely given up but I pick and choose now)
Jen Lancaster

Happily a few are still going strong:

Audrey Niffeneger
Bill Bryson
Douglas Coupland

And I have my eye on a few newcomers to my experience:

Mil Millington
Joe Hill

I'm sure there are more, but that is what leaps to mind.

Mel

[mediax]

I've tried to restrict myself to authors who are still alive and active - hope I've succeeded!

Iain Banks / Iain M Banks (literary and science fiction respectively)
Neal Stephenson
William Gibson
John Le Carre
Frederick Forsyth
Robert Rankin
Jasper Fforde

[cvkemp]

For me it is
Steve Martini
Tom Clancy
John Eldredge
Mark Twain
H.G. Wells
Jules Verne

[StarryUK]

I've been lurking for a little while, but this topic has tempted me out of hiding

My must-reads are
Sarah Waters
Jasper Fforde
Linda Gillard
Sue Grafton
J K Rowling

And a couple of authors that I haven't read everything by yet, but want to:
Ian McEwan
Barbara Kingsolver

[David Marseilles]

Science:
Matt Ridley (Honestly, one of the best science writers of our time--if you have any interest in genetics or evolutionary biology, do yourself a favor)
John Gribbin

Science Fiction:
Peter David
Timothy Zahn
Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens

Humor:
Bill Watterson
Douglas Adams

Originally Posted by Latinandgreek

Banana Yoshimoto

Originally Posted by Moejoe

Banana Yoshimoto

I've only read three of her books, but she's definitely an interesting read.

Originally Posted by Tessie6

David Weber and his Honor Harrington series. His other books are good but these are the best.

I'm about half-way through the first Honor book. I was looking to start with a new author, trying to figure out which of Weber's series to try, and realized all 3 of the ones I was looking had their opening book on the baen free library.

[TC Beacham]

For me that changes over time. These days I look forward to anything written by John Hart, and I recently discovered Diane Chamberlain (with The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes) and intend to read more from her this year.

[weatherwax]

Terry Pratchett, Ian Rankin, Dorothy L Sayers, Christopher Moore, Robert Crais

[bigtymer]

I can't say these are must reads in that I have to read them immediately after they release something but I tend to get around to all these authors' works:
Dave Eggers
David Sedaris
Tom Perrotta
Kurt Vonnegut
Nick Hornby

[Vector]

I would have said Pynchon, but I found his latest to be disappointing.

Sparrow mentions McEwan. My impressions of him are mixed. I listened to the audio version of Amsterdam, which was an unsual experience. I liked it early on, as I found the characters and situations interesting. About half way or so through, I started to think "O no, I hope this isn't going where I think it is." Unfortunately, it was. It had the gimmicky ending I saw coming a mile away.

I haven't read, or listened to, anything else by McEwan. I saw the film Atonement and loved it. So I'm willing to give him a second chance.

Sparrow also mentions Trevor. I've read very little of his work but based on that little he strikes me as being a master craftsman.

Ea mentions A.S. Byatt. I regret to say I have read only Possession which is superb. Thanks to Ea for reminding me I need to read the rest of her work.

To kennyc, and several others: What's with all these dead guys? That hardly seems responsive. Are you trying to hijack this thread?

[Acreo Aeneas]

Hmm, tough one...guess my short list from memory will have to do.

1. Tad Williams (Otherland series amongst his other fantasy works)
2. L. E. Modesitt Jr. (loved his The Ethos Effect)
3. David Weber (Honor Harrington series)
4. David Drake
5. Christopher P. Lydon

Other more well-known ones have already been mentioned like: Alastair Reynolds, Isaac Asimov, Stephen King, etc.

[m-reader]

1. Neal Stephenson
2. Peter Hamilton
3. Alastair Reynolds

and many many more ...

[kenm]

Wow, I got quite a response on this topic. There are quite a few authors suggested here that after a little research I am going to try reading. The only problem is, sadly, too many books not enough time.

[schroedercl2]

Originally Posted by jabberwock_11

There are just a few authors out there that when I see they have something new I have to have it, even if it is only in hardback. They are:
Neil Gaiman
Terry Pratchett
Harlan Ellison
Charlie Huston

Neil Gaiman...is he the one who wrote American Gods? Weird book. Good...but weird.

[schroedercl2]

Originally Posted by ficbot

Douglas Coupland
Margaret Atwood
Nora Roberts/J.D. Robb
Connie Willis
Charlaine Harris
Stephen King
J.M. Coetzee
Neil Gaiman
John Irving
Cory Doctorow

I will at least investigate books by these authors and usually will buy them.

Seconded on Margaret Atwood and Stephen King

[m-reader]

Originally Posted by m-reader

1. Neal Stephenson
2. Peter Hamilton
3. Alastair Reynolds

4. Kage Baker, how could I forget her!