This is a page dedicated to those authors whose books have been with me so long, or I think are so good, that I've grown to worship them. I adore these authors, and will therefore have incredibly biased reviews of their books. That is, not very critical. I can't help it. I know there are probably flaws, but I simply can't see past the light shining from the halos I've donned upon their heads. Forgive me in advance. They reside in order of undying love and gratitude for a grand childhood and/or adulthood.
Tamora Pierce
http://www.tamora-pierce.com/
I read the Immortals quartet when I was twelve and didn't stop until I'd finished every one of her books. Mastiff is probably one of my most eagerly awaited titles this year, and Beka Cooper isn't even my favorite of Tamora Pierce's girls. I adore her stories, her characters, and the way she taught me everything I needed to know about life as young girl through the power of fiction. I met her once, in October 2004, and was too star-struck to say anything. Luckily my boss has chatted with her a few times and has gotten me more signed books - and the best graduation present (that is, pins and a handwritten note from Ms. Pierce herself) - than I thought possible. You rock, Tammy.
Philip Pullman
http://www.philip-pullman.com/
To give you an idea about my love affair with Philip Pullman, I received The Golden Compass as a Christmas present in 2000, when I was ten years old. On Boxing Day I was battering down the bookstore's doors for book two, and I bought The Subtle Knife not even caring that it didn't match my copy of Compass. Do you hear that? I didn't even care! And I'm a person who needs things to match! The OCD kills me! My copy of Amber Spyglass is a different version than either of the first two, so my set is a little mismatched. It's my dream in life to buy the set that spells "His Dark Materials" across the spine when you put them together. I am that much of a nerd. For a bit more information on - and a rant about - the attention these books have been getting, check out my "A Word About Censorship" page.
Diana Wynne Jones
http://www.dianawynnejones.com/dwjflash.htm
"Mad about Harry? Try Diana!" was scrawled across the bottom of my copy of The Chronicles of Chrestomanci: Volume One. I also received it as a Christmas present in 2000. Good year. Skeptical at first - the cover didn't look like anything a kid would want to read - I instantly fell in love with Diana's enchanting new worlds. Christopher Chant has been on my list of "Fictional Characters I Would Marry If They Actually Existed" for a good eleven years now. After plowing through Chrestomanci - leaving my poor mother wondering if a 600 page book wouldn't stop me for a few days, what would - I found another annual favorite, A Tale of Time City, along with Howl's Moving Castle and sequels, Dogsbody, Deep Secret, and others. But Chrestomanci will always remain my favorite.
J.K. Rowling
http://www.jkrowling.com/
With so many childhood memories of dressing up in cloaks and making wands out of birch twigs and floss, I simply had to mention J.K. Rowling as one of my permanent favorite authors of all time. Without her, I wouldn't have gotten into fantasy they way I did. I might not have learned the virtue of patience, or bonded so tightly with new friends. She truly made my childhood what it was, and my life what it will be. My children and grandchildren will grow up knowing Harry like I did, and I can only hope that they will have the same fond memories they can share with a familiar friend.
Kristin Cashore
http://kristincashore.blogspot.com/
Graceling came to me as an advance which looked incredibly interesting, and ended up being incredibly well written. The plot was entertaining and the characters unique and lovable. Then I made a mistake. Fire came out, and no advance in sight - and I decided to wait. I wanted to wait for the paperback so that they would match. This was probably the worst decision of my life, because when I finally cracked open Fire, I found a book even more potent than the one that came before it. Kristin Cashore is challenging my love even for Tamora Pierce with her strong-willed female characters whose sense of right and wrong is just as muddled any real person's might be.
Patricia C. Wrede
http://www.pcwrede.com/
I came across Patricia C. Wrede in a peculiar fashion. As I understand it, most people come across her as younglings reading her Enchanted Forest Chronicles. I have never read these books, though they are on my list. It was Sorcery and Cecelia that first struck my fancy years and years ago. It was on my list to read roughly since its sequel was published in 2004. But I only ended up reading it last year (2010) due to various circumstances. I love her. I love her style. I love the tone she uses. She can transport me straight back to 1800s England, or alternate universe frontier America. I am convinced she can pull off anything, and as such, she has gained my eternal loyalty.
