Hello guys! How are you? Did January treat you well? I’ve been busy with work but still managed to read some incredible books, yaaay me!
I’m back today with a list…damn I do love my lists! I’m going to talk about my top 10 favorite authors. In order to be able to put a writer on this list, I needed to have read at least 2 or 3 books by this author…it makes sense right? How can you tell if you like an author if you’ve only read one story? That’s just not possible. Also, this list is ONLY regarding their writing style, world-buildings and characters. I do not know these authors personally and I do not care. It’s all about books.
1) Marissa Meyer
I LOVE HER. With The Lunar Chronicles, she built a fantastic world with kick-ass characters. I actually became mute when I met her with my sister at a book trade fair in Paris…yeah not my proudest moment haha! Can’t wait to get into her next story.
? Favorite of mine ? Next one I’m reading
*****Â 
2) Scott Westerfeld
I fell in love with the dystopia genre thanks to him. The Uglies series is very dear to my heart. He managed to create an awesome world that I got into very easily. He knows what action-packed means without lefting out the characters development. He’s the only man in my list, that’s crazy right?? Where are all the men?!
? Favorite of mine ? Next one I’m reading
*****
3) J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter are THE books of my childhood and J.K. Rowling did an AMAZING job. I mean the world-building is brillant, the characters top-notch and this series tackles great topics like friendhsip, love and loyalty. I could forever re-read them . Just thank you for creating that world!
? Favorite of mine ? Next one I’m reading
4) Morgan Matson
For me, she’s the contemporary queen, I would buy anything written by her. I absolutely love her writing style and all of her characters. They are relatable, deep and they feel so real. I don’t think another book is in the works for now, so I’m patiently waiting…
? Favorite of mine ? Next one I’m reading
*****
5) Paula Stokes
I feel like this author is SO underrated. You guys REALLY need to read her stories. She always tackles important issues like PTSD, online shaming, drowsyy driving… Her writing is eloquent and her characters relatable. She’s a really great storyteller.
? Favorite of mine ? Next one I’m reading
6) Suzanne Collins
In my opinion, she’s the world-building goddess. I’ve never been so into a story than I was with The Hunger Games series. It was action-packed and thought-provoking. Plus, she’s got a great writing style! I don’t think she’s written anything else I’d like to read for now and to be honest I don’t think she can do better than what she did but if she ever publishes another story, I’m right here.
? Favorite of mine ? Next one I’m reading
7) Jenny Han
Her books aren’t really plot-driven but damn those characters, she sure knows how to make them feel real. The Summer I Turned Pretty and To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before are just perfect fun beach reads. I just couldn’t stop reading them. If you’re looking for some light reading that will surely put a smile on your face, just pick up a Jenny Han book. I need more!
? Favorite of mine ? Next one I’m reading
****
8) Lauren Oliver
I enjoyed all of the Lauren Oliver books I’ve read. She sure knows how to keep us on our toes. Her writing is full of suspens and her stories original. You can never get bored when reading one of her books. I had a hard time picking up my favorite between Vanishing Girls and Delirium…
? Favorite of mine ? Next one I’m reading
9) Sarah Dessen
Sarah Dessen has a gift, she can make us laugh and cry at the same time! Her books display adorable romances with her signature themes of family, self-discovery, and change. We can always see her characters growing and the secondary characters are never underdeveloped. Of course, she always follows the same type of “path”, but it’s great when you’re in a reading slump.Â
? Favorite of mine ? Next one I’m reading
10) Alice Oseman
How is she still so young and writes such amazing stories?! I’m so impressed by her work. If you haven’t read one of her novels yet, please do. Queen of the underdogs, she makes us feel understood. Her books are full of diversity and topics that other authors don’t dare talk about. Her stories are honest and powerful.
? Favorite of mine ? Next one I’m reading
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Who are your favorite authors? Any similarity with my list?Â
Do you pay attention to the author when choosing a book or do you focus solely on the story?
Let’s chat in comments ?
I love Morgan Matson and Jenny Han! I remember being so scared of starting high school in a new school and having to let go on my middle school friends when I picked up Since You’ve Been Gone. That book had such an impact on me… It really gave me courage to face that new school and to not doubt myself! For that reason, Matson is a very dear author to me. One of my instant-buy authors is Rainbow Rowell. I love her books because they made me feel less alone when I was switching schools and when I was deciding which degree to pursue at university. Lovely post, Nyx! It made me remember a lot of precious memories ?
Yeees, they both are queens ? Aww, that’s amazing! Books really have a power to make you feel heard and understood and just less alone ? Oh yeees, I love Rainbow Rowell too! I’ve been meaning to read Fangirl for such a long time, damn I need to read it asap! Thank you so so much, that makes me really happy â¤ď¸â¤ď¸
Hi @Nyx, I’m new to the whole book blogging world – actually another fellow blogger (@TheRogueStoryTeller) gave me the push I needed recently to start writing about books and she recommended Drizzle and Hurricane Books to me. Sooooo y’all are actually my first comment via following a blog – can you tell how excited I am? Haha.
Right, I wanted to actually comment on the fact the J.K. Rowling is amazing, definitely goes without saying. I haven’t read much of the others you mentioned except Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games. I definitely appreciate the commentary on why you liked each author and examples of their books.
Have either you or your sister ever read V.E. Schwab? Her Vicious book (#1 in the Villians Series) is quite good and don’t even get me started on the “A Darker Shade of Magic” series she has. I’m personally very picky with books I “love” and I’m not one to just toss the term around but honestly after Harry Potter everything else felt like it was hard to live up to, but V.E. Shwab definitely does a superb job.
I’m looking forward to reading some of the authors on your post, thank you for sharing! =D
Hi Sadik! It’s a real pleasure to meet you and welcome to the book blogging world, you’re going to LOVE it ? Yeees, J.K. Rowling is a genius, that’s all there is to say haha! Thanks, I’m really glad you enjoyed reading my post ? Yeeees, I’ve read the first book in A Darker Shade of Magic series and I really enjoy it, I can’t wait to get back into that world! And I totally agree with you, V.E. Schwab is a queen ? Thank you for stopping by and all the kind words, talk to you soon ?
This is a hard question! JK Rowling would be on my list. I spent a lot of my life impatiently waiting for the next Harry Potter book to come out. Iâve reread that series more than any other series.
Right?! I had such a hard time picking! Yeeees, I was SO impatient, I don’t think I’ve ever been that impatient for a book to come out ? I don’t do re-reads but if I ever do, it’s Harry Potter than I’m re-reading, no doubt about that ?
Marissa Meyer is a new favorite author of mine. I finished her first book to The Lunar chronicles a while ago. However, I want to finish another books series I’ve been reading before I move onto the net one.
Yaaay, I absolutely love her! I had the chance to meet her at a book fair in Paris and even if I was totally mute in front her she seemed like a really nice person with such a crazy imagination! You’re going to LOVE it, it only gets better. The Lunar Chronicles is one of my all-time favorite series ??
Oh, I LOVE Sarah Dessen! Her books are incredible! *_*
YEEES! I’ve never been disappointed by her! ?
Great list! I really adore Jenny Han’s books too, even though I’ve only read the To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before trilogy. But they’re so cute and I’ve recently finished Always and Forever, Lara Jean đ I’ve been reading Marissa Meyer’s books for over a year now, because I’ve been buddy reading the Lunar Chronicles series with two friends and it’s taking us ages to finish because of life business, but I’m loving it and I can’t wait to finish Winter (I mean, kinda, I don’t really wanna say goodbye haha) <3 AND I really wanna read Alice Oseman's books – I've read lots of great things and would like to give them a try ^^
Thanks! To All the Boys Iâve Loved Before trilogy is SO cute and perfect ? Hope you’ll get the chance to read The Summer I Turned Pretty trilogy, I really loved it! Oh my…The Lunar Chronicles series is awesome, it’s one of my all-time favorite and I totally get that you don’t want to say goodbye to it ? Yaaay, Alice Oseman’s books are so honest and just really really good, hope you’ll enjoy them as much as I did ?
Some very good choices here that Iâd agree with! On my list would be Victoria Schwab and Neil Gaiman for sure!
Thank you ? Oh yeees, Victoria Schwab is such an incredible writer I agree! ?
Scott Westerfeld was a favorite when I was younger when I read the Uglies and Midnighters series đ I also read Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen and now I need to read more of her books. Renegades was also a shock for me with how much I loved it. Fantastic list!
Yeeees, I totally fell in love with Scott Westerfeld’s writing and world-building! ? Sarah Dessen never disappoints I can tell you that ? I can’t wait to get my hands on Renegades, I’m pretty sure I’m going to LOVE it ? Thanks for stopping by ??
No problem! I have a few ideas of what of Dessen’s work to read next so I’m stoked
Yaaay! ??
I agree with you on JK Rwoling (she really is a genius) and I love Morgan Matson too! In contemporary YA I also love Brigid Kemmerer!
Yaaaay! ? Oh, I haven’t read any books by her, I’ll need to check it out ?
Great list! I love Morgan Matson and Jenny Han and will read anything they write! On my list I’d definitely have Taylor Jenkins Reid and Jenn Bennett.
Thanks! Yeees, same here ? I’ve only read The Anatomical Shape of a Heart from Jenn Bennett but I’m really curious to read her other stories! I’ve been meaning to get Alex, Approximately for such a long time now, you make me want to buy it asap ? And I really want to read The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo! ? Thanks for stopping by ?
Oh I love your list, Nyx! I love how eclectic it is đ
I honestly tend to go for the story first, but I do pay attention to when a favourite author of mine releases a new book… Kind of like stalk them really xD Though I don’t always read their books right away. Especially series, since I hate waiting!
I don’t currently have any hardcore favourites but I’m loving V.E. Schwab, Neil Gaiman, Ilona Andrews, Maggie Stiefvater at the moment.
Thank you so so much ? Hahahaha, same here! The most important is the story but yeah if a favorite author releases something, I need to check it out ? That’s a great list!! ?
Ah glad to hear you like them too! <3
Morgan Matson is my go-to summer contemporary queen. Her books always get me in that summer vibe and I love how she finds a balance between the romance, friendship, and family dynamics. I can’t believe I’m still admitting this but I’ve never read a J. K. Rowling book.
YEEEES, that’s exactly it I totally agree ? Oh, that’s so rare ? Well…I can only recommend ?
Paula Stokes is so underrated and I am ecstatic to see her on your list. She successfully genre jumps and I just love her books. Matson is always a fun read, and I have read almost all Lauren Oliver’s books (I DNFed Rooms too dark for my mood at the time). Sarah Dessen is a goto for me. I have read and loved all of her books, and cannot wait for her new release later this year.
Totally underrated that’s crazy! She’s really talented, she deserves so much more love ? Yaaay, I’m so happy you agree with me choices ? Thanks for stopping by ??
I’m currently reading I Was Born for This because of all the love I’ve seen it get on this blog! It’s amazing so far! May favorite authors would have to include Rainbow Rowell and Maggie Stiefvater. I’m weird in that I don’t have to love all of an author’s books to consider them my favorite. As long as they wrote one or two that are dear to my heart, they get the status of favorite.
Yaaay, that’s awesome! Hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did ? I totally agree, both are amazing! Yeees, I mean we don’t have to love everything they write. Just need to check what the story is about and if it seems like something we would like ?
I keep wanting to re read Harry Potter books. I have not read Jenny Han books but loved the movie version of To all the boys I’ve loved
Me too!! I’m not really into re-reads but I feel like I need to get back into that world someday ? Aww, the movie version is pretty amazing, I absolutely loved it! Hope you’ll get to read the books someday, I can only recommend ?
Marissa Meyer is a really talented author! I havenât read any of recent books but I did love The Lunar Chronicles. Although, I admittedly havenât actually read Winter yet.
J.K. Rowling is definitely a favorite of mine as well! I love the Harry Potter books!
Yeeeees! Oh my…you need to read Winter asap, it’s really really good ?? Yaaay, it’s a must-read ?
Love all of them! xx
Yaaaay! ??
Great post! I have a few authors that I will definitely buy their books no matter what but I focus more on the story đ
Thank you so much! Same here, I will always check out what my favorite authors are releasing but in the end it’s the story that really matters ?
Maggie Stiefvater, Jay Kristoff and Holly Black are my top 3, but the rest are interchangeable…
Oh yeees Maggie Stiefvater, love her! There are so many great authors out there and more every year, it’s pretty impossible to choose ?
I know!!! Having a number limit is Terri me!! I could just list amazing authors for days!!!
Totally!! ?
I just finished Once And For All by Sarah Dessen and it reminded me how much I truly love her books and writing style! <3
Also Morgan Matson, not just for her amazing books but she is fun to follow on Instagram. đ
Yeeees, she’s really talented that’s for sure ? Ooooh, I don’t follow her on instagram, I’m going to like right now ? Thanks for the tip ?
You’re such a contemporary bookworm <3 Sadly, our favorites don't overlap. I am however a big fan of Morgan Matson and Marissa Meyer! I have enjoyed a lot of the books you mention but I'm more of a fantasy girl XD From YA contemporaries, I'll always love Over You by Gwen Hayes, and Cinder & Ella, by Kelly Oram.
Haha, totally! ? I’m trying to read more fantasy but yeah I’m a contemporary lover at heart ? Yaaay, at least something in common ? Oooh, I’ll need to check those out, thanks!!
Sarah Dessen all the way! I still found her books amazing even if I read it now which is rare since I grew up most of my YA books. But is Sarah Dessen’s books in YA genre lol
Yaaaay, she’s a queen ?
This is a great list!
I usually focus on the story more than the Author as their style can change from time to time. An author’s first couple of books aren’t going to have the same style as their more recent ones; and while I may like the Author there will be cases where I won’t like the story.
J.K rowling will always hold a special place in my heart. Harry Potter was the first series I read seriously when I was in Elementary school. While all the other kids where reading Captain Underpants (a great series mind you) I was stuck in hogwarts! <3
Do you mind if I participate in this tag on my blog?
Thank you so much!! That’s SO true, their style can really evolve and us too so we’re not as into them as we used to be. I totally agree with you, it’s the story that matters in the end. ? Same here!! It’s the Harry Potter series that really got me into reading! Hahaha Captain Underpants, it’s another level ? Not at all, it would be my pleasure ?
This is a great list Nyx, also I completely agree with what you said about needing to have read 2 or 3 books by an author before you can class them as a favourite. Itâs the same for me (with one exception being Erin Morgenstern because I love The Night Circus and so far itâs the only book sheâs come out with).
I love Marissa Meyer, so far Winter is my favourite book by her. I really hope you enjoy Renegades. Also when it comes to YA contemporary in my opinion there are no better authors than Sarah Dessen and Morgan Matson. They make the contemporary genre for me! đ
Great post, and youâve featured some great authors here too. đ â¤ď¸
Thank you Beth ? I feel like it’s hard to say that an author is one of your favorites after reading only one book! But yeah sometimes it’s love at first sight ? Can’t wait to get my hands on Renegades, I’m pretty sure I’m going to love it! Totally!! They are the contemporary queens ?
Alice Oseman is one of my favorite authors OF ALL TIME! I love seeing her get the recognition she deserves! đ And Scott Westerfeld is such an incredible author! I can’t wait to read the next Imposters book!
She’s so talented! ? Yeeees, can’t wait either ??
I used to love Sarah Dessen when I was younger. I think I might need to read more by her again. Rekindle my love. I also really love Marissa Meyer and Scott Westerfeld. April Henry is my favorite author currently. I’ve read 5 books by her already and can’t wait for more. Great list!
Ash @ JennRenee Read
You totally should, her stories are always so amazing with great characters developments! ? Yaaaay! Oooh, I’ll need to check her out ? Thank you ??
I need to read more from some of these, but I LOVE J.K. Rowling – not just Harry Potter either, but all of her adult books. So good.
-Lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.net
Yeeees, she’s just amazing ??
Great list! I am also a huge fan of Marissa Meyer her Lunar Chronicles series was SO good! I loved Cress and Winter the best! Jenny Han is also another amazing author whole really nailed YA contemporary on the head!! I havenât had the chance to read the Uglies series but have heard good things about it! Great post :))
Thanks! Yeeees, The Lunar Chronicles series is one of my all-time favorite ?? Jenny Han is actually the queen of YA contemporary I think haha ? Oh, I hope you’ll get to read it very soon, I absolutely LOVED it ?
Most of these I haven’t had the chance to read yet, but I loved the film adaption of To All The Boys so I’m excited to try the book!!
I also love Marissa Meyer’s novels. TLC is one of my all-time fave series. So sad it ended đ
To All The Boys movie adaptation is amazing!! Hope you’ll get to read the book soon ? Same here, it was such a good series ?
Great list, Nyx!
I haven’t carried on with the Uglies series, but I actually liked Scott Westerfeld’s writing as well. Considering that the series was written such a long time before most of the popular YA dystopians – like The Hunger Games, Divergent, etc -, it’s surprising that it still holds the same quality as the more recent ones. Plus, his concepts are always super interesting and have very important messages behind them.
I really like Jenny Han too, and I can not wait to read more from her in the future!
Rainbow Rowell is probably one of my favorite contemporary authors. She’s not the most unproblematic one, but I still adore her writing so much; I think she’s a very unique voice, that comes through all of her works. I love Rick Riordan a lot too; he’s my #1 auto-buy author!
Thank you so so much ? Yeeees, Scott Westerfeldâs writing is really really great. It’s actually the Uglies series that got me into YA dystopians, I guess that’s why it’s so dear to my heart ? Yeees, Jenny Han is the YA contemporary queen! Oh yeees, I love Rainbow Rowell too. I’ve been reading to read Fangirl for such a long time, I’ll need to buy is asap ?
You met Marissa Meyer?! :O I’m sooo jealous right now. I would love to meet her and get my books signed. The Lunar Chronicles was the first sci-fi series I became obsessed with.
I really need to read a Morgan Matson book. I started Since You’ve Been Gone, but got distracted by To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, which did become my beach read when I was on vacation last year. It was the perfect atmosphere for it!
Yeah, at a book fair in Paris. It was surreal ? Hope you’ll get the chance to meet her too, The Lunar Chronicles series is one of my all-time favorite, I totally fell in love with that story and those characters ? Oh yeees, you need to read a Morgan Matson book! You’re going to love her writing style and stories ? To All the Boys Iâve Loved Before is totally the perfect beach read! Thanks for stopping by ?
Fantastic list of authors!! I really love everything by Marissa Meyer, her books always speak to me ? I hope you end up liking Renegades, it’s such a great book and I feel like it’s a bit underrated compared to the Lunar Chronicles! đ
Thank you! Yaaay, I’m so excited to read it ??
yayyyy im so happy to see marissa meyer starting off this post! i love and adore her books so much (especially the lunar chronicles) renegades was an alright book for me but i found the sequel to be WAYYYY more exciting and gripping so i cant wait to hear your thoughts on the series.
morgan matson is such a feel good author, i enjoy reading her contemporaries so much and i cant wait for her newest book (i didnt even know she was WRITING ANOTHER BOOK FHDIAFHA)
this is such a great post!! <3 <3
Yaaaay, she’s awesome!! The Lunar Chronicles is one of my all-time favorite ? I can’t wait to read Renegades ? You’re so right, Morgan Matson is totally a feel good author! Yeeees, I’m so excited!! ? Thank you so so much ??
Your list looks like one that I would totally write myself! So many of my favourite authors are her. Definitely love Meyer, Han, and Matson. I would love to have the opportunity to meet Marissa Meyer. Her books are phenomenal! You are so lucky! đ
Aww, that’s awesome high five ? I really hope you’ll get the chance one day soon ? Thanks for stopping by ??
My favorites are Leigh Bardugo, Jay Kristoff, Sarah J. Maas, Renee Ahdieh, Tahereh Mafi, Marie Lu, and Brigid Kemmerer.
Oh my…that’s an awesome list!! I adore Leigh Bardugo, Tahereh Mafi and Marie Lu ? Thanks for stopping by ?
I love Marissa Meyer and Morgan Matson (gotta love those M names) so much â¤ď¸â¤ď¸
YEEES! ??
Nyx!! This is SUCH a wonderful list! I adore it so much! Marissa Meyer was has been one of my favorite for ages! When I first read the Lunar Chronicles all those years ago, I remember being in awe of her writing! Iâm also a huge fan of Morgan Matson, Suzanne Collins, and Sarah Dessen! ?
Awww, thank you so so so much ? Yeeees, same here! Her writing is just amazing and her characters feel so real ? Yaaay! ??
Yessss so many amazing authors here your picks are so great!! xx
Grace Louise || http://www.gracelouiseofficial.blogspot.co.uk/
Thank you so so much! ??
Okay, so I have read only J.K. Rowling and Jenny Han from this list till now and I can’t wait to explore more of these authors, especially Alice Oseman. This is such a great list. Now that I am thinking, I can’t name 10 such authors đ
Yaaay, that’s great! I hope you’ll enjoy their stories ? Thanks! ? Haha, it wasn’t an easy task ?
I love Marissa Meyer! The Lunar Chronicles is my favourite! Ah I remember reading The Uglies series years ago. I’ve only read Save the Date by Morgan Matson but I loved it and want to read more of her books!
YEEEES! ?? Yaaay, The Uglies series is such a must for me ? Morgan Matson is really great, her characters are always on point, I hope you’ll enjoy more of her stories ?
Loved this post! There are a couple of authors on here that I’ve never heard of before and will definitely have to check out. Of course 100% agree with Suzanne Collins, Morgan Madson and JK Rowling <3
Thanks, I’m so happy it made you discover some new voices ? Yaaaay! ??
Such a wonderful list! I love Marissa Meyer’s books đ And rowling basically goes without saying đ I love matson and lauren oliver as well!
Thank you so much ? Yaaay, they are all amazing ??
I just finished up The Lunar Chronicles and I’m definitely ready to move on to Renegades now. Marissa Meyer is fantastic!! And Paula Stokes is an author I’ve been meaning to read FOREVER, but I still haven’t. Soon!!
Yeeees, I LOVE her ?? Well..I can only recommend! I hope you’ll enjoy her books as much as I did ?