Everyone has their favorite authors, and I’m no exception. I have so many, but I’ve decided to whittle my list down to ten. So without further ado, here are my top ten favorite authors.
10. George Orwell
Orwell’s writings are largely politically satirical, which I find deeply fascinating. In truth, I’ve only read his books Animal Farm and 1984, but both of them really made me think about the state of our government and what would happen if it were left unchecked. The only thing that I would say is that there are some content concerns in his books, specifically 1984. I won’t go into much detail here, but if you have any intention of reading his books, proceed with caution.
9. Agatha Christie
I admire Agatha Christie’s art of examination of the human heart. I believe that what she reveals in her stories is the fallen condition of humankind as a whole and how this condition can twist their intentions and thoughts. I think this is best examined in her book And Then There Were None, which I listened to on Spotify (narrated by actor Dan Stevens, who did a brilliant job, I think). I fully intend to read more of her mysteries in the future, and I think if I had begun reading her sooner, she would be higher on my list.
8. Charlotte Brontë
My first encounter with the Brontë sisters was Charlotte’s Jane Eyre. I’m a bit far removed from my last reading of the book, but it contains some of my favorite themes: overcoming adversity and unconditional love. Jane is the embodiment of grace and kindness, and while the Brontë sisters are famous for exploring themes of femininity, these are the things that stand out to me about Charlotte’s novel.
7. Louisa May Alcott
Louisa May Alcott is the author of the novels Little Women and its sequel, Little Men. While I’ve only read the former, the thing that I admire in Alcott’s writing is how she wrote a story that reflected her real life (for those of you who don’t know, Jo March was the embodiment of Alcott herself). I love how real and raw her characters are, and how I can relate to each of them on some level.
6. C.S. Lewis
Lewis is who I would call a nostalgic author: as a young woman of the faith, I grew up with Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia, read by both my father and grandfather. Recently, I’ve had the joy of listening to his story The Screwtape Letters on Audible, which is very interesting in that it allowed me a glimpse into how Satan processes attacking his victims. I appreciate Lewis’s allegorical writing and his ability to examine Christianity through fictional means.
5. Lisa Bevere
I’m a bit new to reading Lisa Bevere’s books, and honestly, I’m kind of upset I haven’t started reading her work sooner. Lisa Bevere is the wife of author and speaker John Bevere, and she is very vocal about addressing women of all ages and calling them into their divine identity. If I had read more of her books, I would put her higher, but overall she is an incredible author.
4. Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle
I’ve always been fascinated with Sherlock Holmes, and I’ve found myself watching more and more movie and TV adaptations of the detective’s adventures. I think that is why I admire Doyle’s writing: he’s created such timeless characters like Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson that no matter what environment you put them in, they fit the mold. I hope that the same can be said of my characters and stories someday.
3. Andrew Peterson
Andrew Peterson is someone who can really do it all: an author, a singer, a songwriter, a husband, and a father. His series The Wingfeather Saga is a very cute and engaging story that I read in middle school, but I still find myself rereading it on occasion. He is able to blend themes of family loyalty and sacrifice with engaging storytelling and fun characters. While the age range of his writings is probably directed at elementary to younger middle school age kids, they are lovable and enjoyable books for the whole family.
2. J.R.R. Tolkien
This man is one of the most incredible writers I’ve ever had the privilege to read. I’ve always enjoyed fantasy books, but his works of the Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit have topped them all in my book. While he may be a little wordy for most readers (as I have been told), I think that once you gain an appreciation for the detail of the world-building, lore, and development that went into the creation of Middle-earth and its inhabitants, you begin to understand why this is one of the most beloved series in the world.
1. Suzanne Collins
Finally, we have the author of the Hunger Games and The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. These books had me on the edge of my seat for every chapter. Her characters and their motives all felt so real and relatable, to the degree that I wanted to either hug them or slap them in the face as hard as I could. Granted, I have a lot of mixed feelings about the way some of the plotlines went (if you’re a fan of the Hunger Games, you understand what I mean), but overall, I think that Suzanne Collins is one of the most talented and engaging authors I’ve ever read in my life.
That concludes my top ten list of my favorite authors. If you enjoy these authors or have any favorites that you’d like to share, please feel free to leave a comment below!
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