Hmm, The only author currently on my buy immidately list is Terry Pratchett.
However being a poor student
I usually check the supermarket (ASDA) for hardbacks. they are usually a couple of pounds cheaper then the book store or even Amazon.
The list used to contain
Tom Clancy, (but after Executive orders, can't really stand most of his new ones.)
John Grisham
Jeffery Archer
Ann McCaffrey
Robert Jordon
David Eddings (Untill the Elder Gods Series, Aaarg!)
David Gemmel
Michael Chrichton
J.K. Rowlings