OnlineBookClub.org

What makes you select the authors you recommend most? Is it their story? Is it the way they write? Or is the the genre? Who is everyone's favorite author?

I read a wide variety of genres and authors, so I really can't pick a favorite. Probably the style of writing gets me the most though. I mean, you have to have a good story too, but there are people that can get away with having a mediocre story and carrying it with the writing. You don't see that the other way around very often.

When recommending an author I usually look at more of the person I'm referring them to. I also usually refer specific books, not just the author, because I have hardly ever found an author where I love every single book. For instance, I love Stephen King, but I wouldn't say EVERYTHING he's ever written is pure gold. I will say that an author that's never let me down is Brandon Sanderson. It doesn't matter what book of his I pick up; I have always enjoyed it.

Authors don't create a huge impact on me until I have read at least one of their books. It is nice if they have experience in an area, such as ex-military, as this leads me to believe that what they say will be realistic. However, this is not essential for me.

What really draws me to a book is firstly its title, then its cover (people do judge by covers, no matter what people say), its blurb, and finally I take a quick peek at the inside. I don't read very much at all - maybe a few sentences - because I believe that readers should read authors they do and do not like. This is especially true for me, as I am a writer, and so need to see what other authors are doing in different genres.

Cover draws me in, then title, and then the description. Author really comes last. Very rarely will I pick up a book simply because of who wrote it.

When I read a book and get hooked, I follow that author. It doesn't matter what genre it is. I am an avid reader of any book, any reading material. Be it fiction or not. And if I liked your material, I follow your other works.

Brutal honesty in their writing. I admire their guts, and despite the inevitable judgement at times from others, they stay true to their craft.

Plot that grabs me, style of writing, Language.

I don't really think that I have a "type" in regards to authors. There are different things that draw me to all of the different authors that I like, and in fact I have encountered some authors who are one-hitters for me. My introduction to their books is compelling and promising but I end up being unable to really get into others. For authors that I can get into again and again, things like writing style/tone and genre are big factors.

I agree with @Fluer, I really appreciate honesty within an author's work. That is key for me.

It's weird because many times in the past, when I finish reading a book I really like, I automatically end up picking up other books by that same author, and eventually feel disappointed, because their work starts to look the same (Jodi Picoult, Mitch Albom, Dan Brown...). They are all really good authors, but you can't help but notice certain formulaic patterns and styles in their writing.

But ultimately, some people are drawn to certain styles of story telling, and so that's when you discover your favorite authors--it's more of a personal preference.

Books, however, can be recommended individually and on their own--to whichever person you think would enjoy it.

Most the time it's a combination of elements. Such as how much research they put in to the work, how passionate you could tell they were, the topic of the book, and how well it is written.

I find that if the book isn't well written I have a harder time enjoying it, and if the information is off it's just annoying, if they lack passion the story is usually dry.

Their writing style and their sense of humor. Anne Lamott is by far my favorite author.

I don't think genre has much to do with it for me honestly. My book taste is like my music taste; it's all over the map. The key for me is that they can't be too pretentious. Like...you know those books where the descriptions are so thick that you can't even comprehend what's happening? I hate that. (Reasons I can't read anything by Babel or Hemingway). Also, they need to have something new and thought provoking to say. I guess it's a little scholarly of me, but I don't see the point of a story for story's sake.

In terms of people like Ray Bradbury (my favorite author) I dig his keen intelligence mixed with his connection to the inner child of all of us. In terms of people like Charles Bukowski and Ernest Hemingway, I can connect with the raw brutality laced with startling poetry in the language. And then there's the poets like Mary Oliver...their lines are breathtaking.

A combination of storyline and writing style. Genre is less important as I tend to read a variety of genres anyway.