Catching up on Classics (and lots more!) discussion

Name three authors that you enjoyed so much or who so inspired you that you want to read another book by that author. I have posted mine below as an example.

1. Ken Follett because I recently read and liked The Pillars of the Earth.

2. John le Carré because first I read The Spy Who Came In from the Cold which I loved. Then I read two others that I liked: Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and A Murder of Quality

3. Madeleine L'Engle. She is probably most famous for the five children's books that start with A Wrinkle in Time. Her Austin family series is also very popular and I have only read one of those. But the thing I am most interested in are some of her novels written for adults. I plan to read The Small Rain by Madeleine L'Engle for a Bingo square about art. It is often shelved as Young Adult, but a few of hers I have read work well for grown ups too.

The February question is open.

Lynn wrote: "Name three authors..."

From our shelf or in general?

J_BlueFlower wrote: "Lynn wrote: "Name three authors..."

From our shelf or in general?"

I would say in general. This could spark some nominations ideas. My thinking is showing. Last month was sort of a reading guide. This month could be a bit of a nominations guide. Next month I am sure the question will be short story related.

My first Alexandre Dumas book was The Count of Monte Cristo and every one of his books I've read has made it to my favorites shelf.

Likewise for Charles Dickens and Jules Verne. Their books don't always end up as a favorite of mine, but I always want to read another one by those two.

There are other authors I could probably come up with, but these'll do.

This is such a great question, and I can't wait to hear everyone's answers! For me, the most reliable authors have been:

1. Jane Austen. I started with Pride and Prejudice, and I went on to read all her novels and some of her juvenilia. Pride and Prejudice is still my favourite, but I'd also like to give a shout out to Northanger Abbey, which I think is her funniest and most underrated novel.

2. A A Milne. I started with the Winnie-the-Pooh books of course, and I've gone on to read 7 additional books by this author, a mix of plays, novels and books of short stories, all written for adults. I especially recommend Four Days' Wonder -- such a fun read, and full of his usual charm!

3. Andreï Makine. A French author who grew up in Russia (and usually writes about Russia), he is my most reliable still-living author. I started with Music of a Life, and I've now read 8 of his novels. I like most of them and love some of them. He writes with a slightly dreamy and strongly nostalgic tone. For me, his best book is The Life of an Unknown Man.

James Herriot: Beloved by the whole family even before the original (and best!) miniseries in 1978.

Lucy Maude Montgomery: Again, most beloved writer even before the original (and best!) miniseries. On an exactly even scale I would add Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Edna Ferber: I can't remember what I did first, read the novel or watch the movie, but Giant is on my top 10 list and cemented Ferber there, too.

I gotta add Louis L'Amour and Daphne du Maurier. sorry not sorry:)

Can you narrow it down a bit, please?

Starting alphabetically:
Scott Alexander: I have read everything on his first page (except Library of Scott Alexandria. I read Slate Star Codex Abridged instead).
Isaac Asimov More than 30 books.
Lois McMaster Bujold: As far I as know, I have read all her science fiction (except the newest), including all-the-way-down-on-page-3 The Flowers of Vashnoi)
Orson Scott Card: 26 books.
Ted Chiang: All of it! I have read everything published.
Michael Crichton: Almost everything published. (Jurassic Park and The Andromeda Strain definitely have nomination potential).
Haven't even started D yet (Diamond, Dostoevsky, Doyle)...

If I am to only name three with the most nomination-as-classic potential:
Feynman: "Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!" is for me probable the second most important book in my life, and the book I have gifted most times.
Edgar Allan Poe: I think I have read all the short stories, but I plan to read everything again systematically, just to be sure.
Isaac Asimov
Astrid Lindgren: In particular Pippi Longstocking. This one is on the World library top 100 list. I have read 6 of her books, but have had read more aloud as a child.

Jeanette Winterson. I have read three of her books, one a classic by our definition: The Passion. Thought-provoking quotes abound.

Euripides. Since joining Goodreads, I have read a couple of his plays. I reread The Trojan Women which tells something of the aftermath of the Trojan War. Euripides so understood women. Before Goodreads, I read a couple of other of his plays too. More. . . . .More!

Isabel Allende. Recently some of us read Daughter of Fortune in which worlds were described in a different yet important to those of us who live in or who appreciate various elements of the hispanic New World.

CindySR wrote: "James Herriot: Beloved by the whole family even before the original (and best!) miniseries in 1978.

Lucy Maude Montgomery: Again, most beloved writer even before the original (and best!) miniserie..."

Herriot and Montgomery are two of my favorites.

1 Walter Scott - As a girl I loved Ivanhoe, Waverly, Lady of the Lake, and maybe some others. But I've not read Scott in decades, so I plan on rereading those soon, and hopefully going on to Guy Mannering.

2 Elizabeth Gaskell - I love her! I'm rereading North and South, then I want to revisit Cranford and Wives and Daughters. But I've not read her other works. I understand there are some other Cranford stories, and I think I'd like to try Mary Barton.

3 Marilynne Robinson A few years ago I read Lila and loved it. I didn't know at the time that it was number three in the trilogy. This year I want to go back and read at least the first, Gilead.

I have had about a dozen authors where the first three books I've read by them I've rated 4 or 5 stars (there are quite a few on two that I have high hopes for mind!), so picking three from those:
Honoré de Balzac (doubt I'll ever get through all the Comedie Humaine, but I'm enjoying having a jolly good go!)
Thomas Bernhard (tbf started buying up his entire catalogue after reading just one book - not waiting for three)
Charles Portis (why is this guy not more widely read other than True Grit?!?)

CindySR wrote: "James Herriot: Beloved by the whole family even before the original (and best!) miniseries in 1978.

Lucy Maude Montgomery: Again, most beloved writer even before the original (and best!) miniserie..."

Oh yes, Lucy Maude Montgomery and Laura Ingalls Wilder! <3

Wobbley wrote: "This is such a great question, and I can't wait to hear everyone's answers! For me, the most reliable authors have been:

1. Jane Austen. I started with [book:Pride and Prejudice|1885..."

Pride and Prejudice was my first Jane Austen book as well. :) I haven't read Emma yet or her juvenilia. Right now, I am reading Sense and Sensibility, and so far, it has not taken Pride and Prejudice's favorite place.

I have one of Andrei Makine's books: Dreams of My Russian Summers. I haven't read it yet.

Darren wrote: "I have had about a dozen authors where the first three books I've read by them I've rated 4 or 5 stars (there are quite a few on two that I have high hopes for mind!), so picking three from those:
..."

I want to read my first Balzac this year. Where would you recommend someone start?

Teri-K wrote: "I want to read my first Balzac this year. Where would you recommend someone start?"

I would say you couldn't go far wrong with Père Goriot

Darren wrote: "Teri-K wrote: "I want to read my first Balzac this year. Where would you recommend someone start?"

I would say you couldn't go far wrong with Père Goriot
"

I've had my eye on that one. Thanks for the input!

This happens all the time, so it is hard to choose! I think I'll limit it to classics, and authors I've met relatively recently, and ones I sort of fell in love-at-first-read with. With these three, I just knew I'd love anything they wrote.

Zora Neale Hurston, starting with Their Eyes Were Watching God
D.H. Lawrence, starting with Sons and Lovers
and
Elizabeth Taylor, starting with A View of the Harbour

Ernest J. Gaines
Isak Dinesen (I want to read her various Tales)
Margaret Laurence

Janice wrote: "I have one of Andrei Makine's books: Dreams of My Russian Summers. I haven't read it yet."

While this isn't one of my personal favourites by him, it is good, and it's definitely won more prestigious awards than his other books. I hope you'll enjoy it!

Not sure I can limit my response to three authors, but I’ll try. I decided to go with one author no longer with us and three current authors of different genres, all classics in my book.

1) Pride and Prejudice-Jane Austen. My first Austen and the one that sucked me into her other works. Still my fav.

2) The Stand-Stephen King. Not my first King, but his Masterpiece that got me into reading his other works, even if they don’t hold a candle to this one.

3) Jake Burt-Greetings from Witness Protection. AMAZING book that had me foaming at the mouth for more. I have read all of his works thus far, but while they are good, this is his best IMHO. I’m still hoping for a sequel!

4) The Touchatone Trilogy by Andrea K Host. Best series ever. Can’t see if what I am typing makes sense, GR app is not working, but I hope this makes sense.

Like Kathleen said, It's hard to limit it to three. I'll limit mine to classics and ones where I've actually read 3 or more from the author.

1. Their Eyes Were Watching God Zora Neale Hurston. I was so blown away by it and could not believe that this talented woman had a hard time getting published while she was alive. I plan to make my way through all of her books and short stories. I've read 3 others so far.
2. Bleak House byCharles Dickens This was so crazy good. I couldn't put it down. Since that I've read 6 other of his novels and some short stories
3. East of Eden by John Steinbeck. I was completely mesmerized by the beauty of his writing. I've read 8 other of his books since.

I find this question interesting, and I have given it some thought. For me it’s easy to get bogged down over thinking it. When I first think about the question, I am flooded with authors that I have read dozens of their books. Was I inspired to read more by the authors greatness or did I become invested in the books characters. Most of these multiple reads are by authors that write series books. Nevada Barr’s Anna Pigeon, Stuart Woods’ Stone Barrington, James Patterson’s Alec Cross, and Clive Cussler’s Dirk Pitt among others, are characters I enjoy reading about. I think I would still be interested even if the author changed. If the characters remain in character based on passed stories I have already read, I think I would be satisfied.

When I think about the meaning of the question and discount these series authors. There are several that after reading the first book I wanted more. While there are more than three, the question only asks for three. The first three that come to mind are:

Larry McMurtry, back in 1990 I was stuck away from home for several months and to save money I ate at McDonald’s most meals. I did splurge on reading. I could only get books at the local grocery store. The first book I bought was Anything for Billy. I was stunned by McMurtry’s wit, humor, and writing style. I immediately bought another. It was Lonesome Dove. Since then, I have read almost everything book he has authored.

Nevil Shute, several years ago I decided to read the top ten bestselling books for the year I was born, Shute’s On the Beach was apart of that list. Again, I was hooked and have been seeking his books ever since.

Elizabeth Gaskell, her book North and South started me on my journey and to date I have not been disappointed. I hope to read all that has been published.

1. I read Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont by Elizabeth Taylor nine years ago and knew right away that I found a favorite author. I've since read many of her books (when I can find them) and have enjoyed every one. Most recently I read Blaming.
2. I read Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier first in junior high (I know that dates me) and then I think I read it twice more before I finished high school. I've since moved on to her other books and The House on the Strand is one of my all-time favorites.
3. I read Beachcombing for a Shipwrecked God by Joe Coomer about ten years ago with many books following that one. The stories and characters are a bit quirky but everything he writes is entertaining with much meaning for me.

Many of my favourite authors I’ve already read the bulk of their work so I’ve chosen three authors I still have much of their books to read.

1. Honoré de Balzac Colonel Chabert is my favourite so far

2. Elizabeth Bowen The House in Paris was the first of her books I’ve read. I’ve since read another novel and a couple of short stories.

3. John Steinbeck The Grapes of Wrath is one of the best books I’ve ever read. I’ve read more of his books but I still have a lot to go.

I probably could’ve added many more authors!

1. Italo Calvino - I read his Invisible Cities and was amazed beyond measures.
2. Virginia Woolf - No body can write like her in my opinion. Her work transports me to an ethereal world.
3. Fyodor Dostoevsky - I love his philosophical outlook and the psychological portrayal of characters.

I gave three classic authors above, so now I'm going to go with three authors from my lifetime.

Stephen King. No surprise really. I read The Shining in 1981 and have tried to keep up with his output. I may not have read them immediately, but I've always bought his books when they came out.

Michael Moorcock. I read his original 6-book Elric Saga in 1978 and have collected paperbacks and his Eternal Champion series as I found them. The problem is that he has reworked his stories and novels, changing characters and events to make them fit into a series or trilogy. Sometimes it's hard to tell if something is new or not, but I'm always on the lookout for something of his that I may not have read.

Ronald Kelly> First read him in 2010?11? His short story "Forever Angels" in a collection called Midnight Grinding was the creepiest and is still my favorite horror story of all time. I read it a second time years later and then told myself never again. But I will. At the time, Kelly's 8 Zebra paperbacks of the 1990s were being published in new editions with their original titles by Thunderstorm Books (Undertaker's Moon, Fear, Blood Kin, Twelve Gauge, Hindsight, Burnt Magnolia, The Dark'Un, Pitfall) and I was able to collect those. His collection After the Burn is still one of my favorites. A new Kelly anthology or book is always welcome.

Bob wrote: "Nevil Shute, several years ago I decided to read the top ten bestselling books for the year I was born, Shute’s On the Beach was apart of that list. Again, I was hooked and have been seeking his books ever since."

Which of his books is your favorite?

We still have not read any here. Both On the Beach and A Town Like Alice seems like a good place to start.

There is a similarity between McMurtry and Shute. The interplay between a man’s outlook, values and idealism and his actions.

My list

Ben Elton - his humourous take on the bigger questions in life makes me love his works. I have read my way through his entire backlist. But I'm still missing a few of his newer works (e.g. Upstart Crow)

Ken Follett - another author where the entire backlist has been read. Whatever he takes on it is always thoroughly researched. The Pillars of the Earth and the rest of the Knightsbridge series is what drew me in, but he has touched many other genres with great succes.

Malene Sølvsten - danish author of a very well researched YA series based in Norse Mythology. With each new book she has me wanting more.

Julie wrote: "My list

Ben Elton - his humourous take on the bigger questions in life makes me love his works. I have read my way through his entire backlist. But I'm still missing a few of his new..."

I like Follett, too. The Knightsbridge books are good though my favorite is Eye of the Needle. I recently found Night Over Water at a used bookstore and was amazed at how good it was.

This is hard.

Clive Cussler I am listening to Black Wind now.

Elizabeth Peters and her books on Egypt. I am reading The Serpent on the Crown. I have also read books under her real name Barbara Mertz and when I was in Egypt last year, I bought Temples, Tombs & Hieroglyphs: A Popular History of Ancient Egypt.

Jules Verne. I have been reading his books since I was in school in the 1950s.

It is so hard to pick but I chose authors that I plan to read all of their novels.

1. Charles Dickens - A Tale of Two Cities was my favorite book when I was in high school and his books still delight me today.
2. George Eliot - I read Middlemarch and I was simply blown away. I am slowly working my way through the rest of her novels.
3. Elizabeth Strout - I avoided Olive Kitteridge for years because interconnected short stories didn't interest me. But then I finally read it and I fell in love. I've read every book she's written after Olive Kitteridge and I've loved them all.

Always so difficult to narrow down to three. I will choose:

Wendell Berry whose Port William books are marvelous. I have also read some of his essays and poems. I started with Jayber Crow, one of his best.

Elizabeth Taylor - I picked up At Mrs Lippincote's on a whim and knew immediately that I wanted to read everything she had written. I have eight yet to read.

Wallace Stegner - Started my love affair with Stegner with Crossing to Safety and determined to read them all. I have subsequently read half of his canon and still going strong.

I’m staring at my bookshelf wondering, “If this author came out with a new book this month, would I skip a meal or two to purchase the book, knowing it would be expensive as heck?” And I came up with 4 authors.

Daphne du Maurier - Gothic, creepy, clever.
Alexandre Dumas- The Count of Monte Cristo is my favorite book ever, and some of his other books are in my top 20.
Fyodor Dostoyevsky- I have a thing for Russian writers, and he’s the best in my opinion.
Kazuo Ishiguro- He can do no wrong in my eyes. His last book (Klara and the Sun) was one of my absolute favorites of the past few years.

J_BlueFlower wrote: "Bob wrote: "Nevil Shute, several years ago I decided to read the top ten bestselling books for the year I was born, Shute’s On the Beach was apart of that list. Again, I was hooked and have been se..."

I love your last line
There is a similarity between McMurtry and Shute. The interplay between a man’s outlook, values and idealism and his actions

I own copies of books by both these authors and just haven't read them yet...time.

J_BlueFlower wrote: "Bob wrote: "Nevil Shute, several years ago I decided to read the top ten bestselling books for the year I was born, Shute’s On the Beach was apart of that list. Again, I was hooked and have been se..."

Landing a book on our bookshelf is not an easy task. On the Beach and A Town Like Alice are Shute’s most read and most popular as judged by Goodreads ratings. I think that both are worthy of a place on our bookshelf. That said, they both have been to the poll enough times without winning that I doubt it will happen in the future.

The one thing the first two questions in this thread has proved is they are hard to answer. You ask, “Which of his books is your favorite?” I am glad that your wording allows for an answer in the plural. I have liked and enjoyed every book by Shute I have read and would happily reread them. In addition to the two mentioned above, Trustee from the Toolroom and Pied Piper are well worth reading. Perhaps his most poignant is Requiem for a Wren or The Breaking Wave as published in the U.S. It is a deeply insightful look at the mental anguish that can occur to an individual as a result of war.

In my opinion, any book by Shute one fines on a shelf will prove to be a worthy read.

I wholeheartedly agree, Bob. Shute is another author I set out to read "all" of. I still have Trustee from the Toolroom on my TBR and slated for this year, but every other book you have mentioned, I have read, and I could recommend without any reservation.

Lynn wrote: "J_BlueFlower wrote: "Bob wrote: "Nevil Shute, several years ago I decided to read the top ten bestselling books for the year I was born, Shute’s On the Beach was apart of that list. Again, I was ho..."

I own copies of books by both these authors and just haven't read them yet...time.

Lynn, the next time you find yourself stand at your bookshelf seeking your next read. Simply grab the first book by either author that your eye falls on. I will bet money you won’t be disappointed.

Thirty-some years ago I read Rebecca and started working my way through Daphne du Maurier, who was my mother's favorite author.

Recently I have become enamored with mid-century British female authors:
1. Elizabeth Taylor - Thank you to whoever suggested the A View of the Harbour buddy read.
2. Barbara Pym started with A Glass of Blessings.
3. Rumer Godden started with The Greengage Summer.

Bob wrote: "Landing a book on our bookshelf is not an easy task...."

Nah, do not say that. I remember The Return of a Soldier. However, Plato agrees with you....

As far as I remember A Town Like Alice was almost tied once.

Edit: Yep: July 2019 New School Poll
Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel, 71 votes, 24.8%
* A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute, 69 votes, 24.1%

There are quite a few scenes from On the Beach that are unforgettable – on way or an other. (I am being a little cryptic here to avoid even mini-spoilers). One of them is the “captain” who feels a duty to.... towards the end of the book. To me that felt like a character Larry McMurtry could have written. The same sort of conflict taken to an extreme.

Intriguing: Nevil Shute: Vinland the Good "A fictional story about Leif Ericsson's finding of North America."

The most recent three authors I can think of where I felt compelled to read more of their work:

W. Somerset Maugham
Erich Maria Remarque
Clive Barker

The three authors I notice I have been reading more of are:

Elizabeth von Arnim- The first book I read by her was Father and so I went on to read The Enchanted April and now I'm actively seeking more books written by her and the latest I read is Vera.

Kate Chopin - I started with her short stories which I really enjoyed and then read The Awakening. I'm still looking for more stories written by her.

Jules Verne - I read a Verne a year and always look forward to it so much so that this year I started my year with a Verne. He always takes me on interesting adventures.

Shaina wrote: "The three authors I notice I have been reading more of are:

Elizabeth von Arnim- The first book I read by her was Father and so I went on to read [book:The Enchanted ..."

I really enjoy Enchanted April, too. Try Elizabeth and Her German Garden and Solitary Summer. They are semi-autobiographical, and especially fun if you are a gardener. Though I understand she didn't have much of a garden in real life.

@Shaina, I too really enjoyed reading the Enchanted April. I found it very comforting and cozy. A perfect vacation read. And I've had 'Vera' on my mind for a while now.

My authors:
1. Tolstoy. Currently about 90% through War and Peace and it's already my favorite book (unless something real bad happens towards the end). I love his writing because of how realistic and how rich in experience it is. He writes like someone who has lived a hundred lives.

2. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. The little prince is the most charming, gentle, tender book I ever read. And it has done me so much good. I look forward to reading his books about his experience as a pilot. (I love aviation too).

3. Emily Brontë, but unfortunately there's not more to be read (except her poetry)...

Radhya wrote: "Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. The little prince is the most charming, gentle, tender book I ever read. And it has done me so much good. I look forward to reading his books about his experience as a pilot. (I love aviation too). "

Why not nominate Wind, Sand and Stars? I will second that.

J_BlueFlower wrote: "Radhya wrote: "Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. The little prince is the most charming, gentle, tender book I ever read. And it has done me so much good. I look forward to reading his books about his expe..."

Thanks for the suggestion, J_BlueFlower. I just did.

My three authors are pretty easy to pick.

Ernest Hemingway is my favorite author. While in high school I read The Sun Also Rises and fell in love with Hemingway. I have read most of his major works at least one time. I have read The Sun Also Rises at least 5 times - I absolutely love it. I also love The Snows of Kilimanjaro. More recently I have undertaken a quest of reading all of his works in order of publication. This has taken me into his short stories, which are not my forte, but I'm coming around to the short story.

Philip K. Dick is probably my favorite Sci-Fi writer.
Again, I read Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? in high school, or early college and loved it. I immediately went out and found a bunch of Dick's other works. I have not read all of his stuff, but still find myself going back to him when I am in need of a good work of science fiction. I imagine I will try to read all of his work at some point.

Stephen King is an easy 3rd. I read The Eyes of the Dragon in 10th of 11th grade. I remember finding an old copy in a stack of my mom's books. It was so different than what I was expecting, but I absolutely loved it. I remember flying through it. As a result, I couldn't wait to read more King. I started with some of his older stuff, but eventually moved into his more recent stuff. Some of his works are on my favorite shelf- The Stand, Hearts in Atlantis and Misery to name a few. There are quite a few of his works I have not read, including his Dark Tower Series. I know I will get to the remainder of his works.

An honorable mention to Kurt Vonnegut Jr. and Hunter S Thompson

I have a number of other authors, but they did not seem to fit this thread - they include Nelson DeMille, Mitch Albom, Jeff Pearlman, Bob Woodward and Chuck Klosterman.

Keeping it to the classics.

I love Charles Dickens, Jane Austen and I recently read Thomas Hardy's Tess of D'Urberville and loved the writing and want to read more of his novels.

After much (over-)thinking I have removed Isaac Asimov from my 3, and added Astrid Lindgren: In particular Pippi Longstocking. This one is on the World library top 100 list. I have read 6 of her books, but have had read more aloud as a child.