One of the (many) great things about reading, is that the more you read, the more you realize what your sweet spots are and what authors are the most likely to deliver what you’re looking for when you pick up your next book. That’s not to say that every author writes the same book over and over again (although, to be fair, some of them certainly do have a specific flow to their work), but rather you develop a feeling for what you’re going to get, depending on what you’re in the mood to read.
I certainly have a few “go-to” authors who have never let me down. Here’s a quick glimpse into the authors I trust to deliver me at least a good, if not great, read every time I pick up one of their books:
When I’m in the mood for some fantasy-heavy good-vs-evil but are you sure who the bad guy is? And, I mean – maybe the “bad guy” has a point?
- V. E. Schwab, 100%. I fell in love with her writing with the Darker Shades of Magic trilogy (which is also on my list of series I’d like to read again for the first time), and her Villains series is absolutely about good vs. evil but the lines are blurred…
For when I need some historical romance where it’s all going to work out in the end:
- My old-school go-to for this genre are Julie Garwood and Judith McNaught – I’m pretty sure I read everything they ever wrote back when I was in high school. My favorite Garwood series is The Lairds’ Fiancés series (particularly The Wedding). For McNaught I loved The Westmoreland Saga
Fantasy that’s not going to make sense until it does but is beautifully written:
- First prize to Maggie Stiefvater – I have a very clear memory of texting Jae while listening to All the Crooked Saints going, “What the hell is happening here?” (In defense of this one, the author had an undiagnosed chronic illness at the time she wrote it). And for as much as I loved The Raven Cycle I wasn’t sure where it was going until it got there. (Gansey Forever.)
- Erin Morgenstern. My love for The Night Circus cannot be overstated, and even though for 90% of The Starless Sea I had no idea what was going on, the ride was beautifully written and vivid.
For when you’re willing to go on a really long adventure that might break your heart more than once:
- Sarah J Maas. Every time things are starting to look up for a character you care about they’re definitely about to go really, really wrong. Her books have stressed me out enough that I’ve had to pause the audiobooks back when I was a commuter. But, man – I love the Court of Thorns and Roses series, and the Throne of Glass series is so worth the 7-book read.
- Cassandra Clare can make your heart break with happiness and sadness all in the same chapter of a book (says the girl who ugly-cried while listening to Clockwork Princess). I love, love, loved the Infernal Devices, and recommend starting there (even though it was the second trilogy) so you can fall in love with the more developed world. All the pain and angst is worth it to get to know Will, Jem, and Magnus Bane (my second favorite book-boyfriend). Then you can start back at the beginning of the Mortal Instruments and get to know the original series that started the Shadowhunter Chronicles.
Turns out I have a lot of authors I turn to when I’m looking for a specific mood. What about you? Who are the authors you turn to because you know they’re going to consistently hit a specific sweet spot for you? I’d love to get your recommendations in the comments, below!