Favorite Authors (a list)

So with the passing of Robert Jordan I started thinking about favorite writers. Who are my favorites? Why are they favorites? What constitutes a favorite? First my criteria for a favorite writer is the following: do I reread their books? Do I like all of their books? Do I look forward to their new books? If I answer yes to all 3 of these questions then the writer is on the list. Now some of the writers are deceased so obviously the third criteria doesn't always apply, but in those cases I liked everything they wrote. So without further ado here is my Top 10 list (fiction writers only)

1. James Clavell: Author of Shogun, Tai-Pan, King Rat, Noble House, Whirlwind, Gai-jin. I love all of these books, own almost all of them in Hard back. He is unfortunately deceased so no new books coming.

2. William Gibson: Not going to give the whole list of his books. THe originator of the 'cyberpunk' genre. I have even liked his newer less futuristic books even better. And I am looking forward to reading the new one.

3. Robert Jordan: Just passed away on Sunday, author of the Wheel of Time Saga. I can only hope that his notes are good enough to complete the saga.

4. Simon Green: Author of my favorite science fiction 'space opera' books, Also writes some interesting fantasy.

5. Dan Jenkins: a Former Sports writer, most of his books are sports related. Just a fun bunch of books

6. Guy Gavriel Kay: Also a poet (I haven't read the poetry because I'm not a big poetry fan). His fantasy writing is just astounding stuff. Very lyrical amazing writing

7. Harry Turtledove: THe king of the alternate history fad that has hit fantasy recently. I can't possibly keep up with everything he writes as he is very prolific, but I have read most of his major series.

8. Sean Russell: Similar to Guy Gavriel Kay in that the books are fantasy, but it's a kind of low fantasy where the magic is there but very low key. Also very intricate plots, and very descriptive.

9. Steve Erickson: Writer of the Malazan book of the fallen saga, This is just amazing writing and plots. You have to read them to believe how amazingly different it is from any other fantasy.

10.Michael Crichton: I have enjoyed everyone of his books that I have read. They are not the most complex, although they appear so at first. But they are quick reads.

So that's my top 10, there are others of course, and some non-fiction writers I love too, but this is all for today.