I couldn’t resist joining in with this week’s TTT after seeing some others’ lists. To help narrow mine down, I limited myself to authors who have written a fair number of books that I have read multiple times over many years and know that I will return to again. This eliminated some childhood favorites and some recent discoveries, as well as certain authors who have written just a few books that I really love — maybe a good subject for another list!
So here are ten of my all-time favorites, in approximate order of my discovering their books:
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| from The House of Arden by E. Nesbit |
E. Nesbit
The magic of Nesbit never grows old.
Elizabeth Goudge
Obviously, since I’m about to devote a whole week to her work, I’m a fan!
Diana Wynne Jones
I also took a week to celebrate this dazzlingly imaginative fantasy author.
P.G. Wodehouse
For a reliable dose of laughter, I turn to Wodehouse.
Robertson Davies
Davies opened worlds to me through his rich imagination and encyclopedic knowledge.
Elizabeth Gaskell
Gaskell was unaccountably left out of my college English courses, but I’m making up for that now.
Jane Gardam
A contemporary author that I think will stand the test of time.
Willa Cather
Simply beautiful writing that doesn’t feel forced or contrived.
Terry Pratchett
It took me too long to discover this seriously funny writer.
Georgette Heyer
Impeccably constructed entertainments, far above the romantic fluff of her imitators.
The Emerald City Book Review Archive 
I love this list, Lory! And I like the way you strategized for today's TTT! E. Nesbit is another one of my favorites–I really could have included her. I have read Five Children and It so many times. And P.G. Wodehouse is also great–I discovered him when I was 20 and living in London! I think I might have to peek in on your Elizabeth Goudge reading week because I haven't been exposed to her books. 🙂
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I hope you do, I think you would love her books.
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I haven't read many of these authors, but I used to LOVE Diana Wynne Jones. Terry Pratchett is one I've long been told I should read and only just started reading, so I'm looking forward to reading more of his work!
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I'm still reading my way through Terry Pratchett myself. It's to great to find a prolific author to love!
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As I am fond of saying, I love reading this lists. This is a indeed a great list though I have not read every author listed. In particular I not yet read Elizabeth Gaskell but I need to get to her sooner rather then later.
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I would love to know what you think of Elizabeth Gaskell. Cranford is a good short one to start with.
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Yes! E. Nesbit! I'm hoping to snag a library copy of one of her books to read to the kids I nanny since I don't have mine any more – I think they'd love her! And I can't BELIEVE I left DWJ off my list this week! (Ok there were a few authors I left off. Even after I made those strict restrictions!) And I only discovered Pratchett about a month before he died, but I am 100% certain he's a favourite. Or will be. He's like DWJ and Douglas Adams all wrapped up into one and it's BRILLIANT.
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That's a great way to describe Terry Pratchett!
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For some reason E Nesbit wasn't an author I read as a child. My kids and I recently discovered her Dragon Tales (I actually quoted one in today's post) and loved them! I'm planning to read at least one of her longer works in August for a birthday challenge that I'm doing – we share a birthday!
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You have a lot of wonderful reading in store.
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Davies, Cather, and Gardam are among the authors I've enjoyed reading. Your list suggests others worth exploring, especially if they are as good.
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Based on those preferences, I think you could like Gaskell and Goudge in particular. So many great books to explore out there.
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So glad you're joining in the Little, Big read-along! Who knows, John Crowley may become one of my favorite authors after hearing all the accolades about this book! 🙂
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I'm embarrassed that I've never read anything else by him. I hope to try another title soon too.
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Nice list! Someday I'm going to get around to Georgette Heyter's books. 🙂
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Don't wait too long, she is super.
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I have only read three of these. E. Nesbit and Willa Cather were a long time ago, though. I can't even remember which books I read!
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That happens to me all the time. Often I have to reread books to remember them!
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Excellent list, peopled with some authors I would love to read but haven't gotten around to yet! Georgette Heyer almost made my list–definitely in the top 20! And I enjoy Willa Cather too.I never read Gaskell as an English major in the 1970s, which still ticks me off. What an overlooked author–at least she is finally coming into her own, thanks to the BBC.
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The BBC knows a good storyteller when it sees one.
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I like your criteria for your list. That certainly helps narrow things down a bit. I've only read Gaskell's North and South, but I really liked it. I started watching the BBC show based on the book. It was pretty good. It has Richard Armitage in it. He's a fantastic actor and pretty easy on the eyes ;). I need to read more Gaskell, but I haven't gotten there yet. I've wanted to read some of Willa Cather, but, again, I haven't gotten there yet. So many books, so little time…
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The eternal quandary!
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Great list! It's reminded me that I desperately need to read E. Nesbit and Terry Pratchett! My boyfriend just bought "The Color of Magic" yesterday, so I'll have to read it when he's done.
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Isn't that the first Discworld book? I understand the series really hit its stride later on, but I haven't read them all — yet!
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Oh, I agree with so, so many of these! Although I MUST read some more Jane Gardam. I can't remember what I read, but I remember I liked it!
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She's so inventive and surprising and human. I can't think of any other contemporary author I love so much.
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Wonderful list! I need to read Nesbit and Wodehouse, and I need to read more Pratchett and DWJ. Aaagh! I'm with Ardelia: too many books, too little time!
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We just do what we can.
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I'm so happy to see Willa Cather on this list. 🙂
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She deserves more recognition, I think.
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