List #5: 5 Authors I'll Never Get Sick Of...

First off, I apologize for my blogging hiatus...like everyone else on the planet, I've been busy, busy, busy as of late, and unfortunately, blogging is usually the first thing to go when life gets like this. Sigh.

In the midst of all the deadline madness, though, I made my way to Colorado where we celebrated my Mom's 58th birthday with P.F. Chang's, shopping and some great live music (and bonus, I also got to hang with the  lovely Adelyn Grace and her two amazing parents!), so that was a pretty awesome reason to set my writing aside, no?

Now that I'm back in the swing of semi-normal life (or as normal as it gets when you're a full-time writer), it's back to all things list-worthy, and today, we're talking writers.

Ever since I've been old enough to read (and a big shout-out goes to my late Grandpa Buisker, who always read to me when I was a kid), I've absolutely loved, loved, loved books. Truth be told, some of my fondest childhood memories involve those trips to my local library where I read everything from Jane Austen to Judy Blume and yes, even a handful of Nancy Drew mysteries and Sweet Valley High books, too.

And while I graduated from reading Sweet Valley a while ago now (but I must say I'm thrilled that Diablo Cody is reviving it for the big screen), I'm still a very, very happy girl whenever I'm digging into a juicy new novel. So with no further blathering on and on, (and trust me, I could go on for days), I'm revealing my list of 5 Authors I'll Never Get Sick Of (in no particular order)...

Nick Hornby (yeah, he's the Brit in the picture)—While I probably would've hated dating any of his music-obsessed, man/boy protagonists with a John Mayer level of commitment (see High Fidelity, About a Boy, Juliet, Naked), I sure didn't mind hanging out with them for the few days. Maybe it's because his stories are usually set in my favorite city, London, or perhaps, it's because I've had crushes on my fair share of hopeless causes before I met and married my Prince William. But whatever the reason, Nick Hornby's novels (with the exception of A Long Way Down, which was just morbid and a complete drag) are an absolute kick. In fact, I wish he'd stop writing music with Ben Folds already so he could concentrate on writing something new...

Jane Austen—You know how Meg Ryan's character in You've Got Mail says she's read Pride & Prejudice like 100 times and gets lost in words like "thither" and "felicity?" Well, that's precisely why I like Jane's writing so much. It has that innate ability to completely transport you to another era, and yet, the themes are still relevant today. LOVE that.

A.J. Jacobs—I've probably never laughed so hard—or so much—while reading as when I plowed through A.J. Jacobs' The Year of Living Biblically. Sure, growing up in church definitely helped the cause, but trying to live out the Bible—literally speaking—in the modern age? Yeah, that's universally funny, especially when it involves one hideous beard, blood on your doorpost and being forced to stone someone with a small selection of pebbles. And in case you wondered, yes, Jacobs' other books are gutbusters, too. Case in point: the "outsourcing his life" chapter in Guinea Pig Diaries.

Judy Blume—Back in my elementary school years, we had "library day" once a week, and trust me, that was definitely one of the highlights of my school experience, especially when I discovered Judy Blume's Superfudge. I loved it sooo much that I checked it out faithfully—week after week. Finally at the end of the school year, probably exasperated by my enthusiasm for Peter Hatcher and that dreadful brother of his, the librarian finally just gave me the book, and I was thrilled beyond belief. Of course, all the other Judy Blume books I discovered later on (Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great, Blubber, Freckle Juice, Are You There God, It's Me Margaret, etc.) certainly didn't disappoint either. I liked them so much that I wrote her a fan letter and to this day, I remember how I thought if she could make up stories for a living and get paid for it, well, that's exactly what I wanted to do.

Sophie Kinsella—I'm on my gazillionth Shopaholic book and am still laughing at the looney antics of Rebecca Brandon (neé Bloomwood). Not only does Sophie have a flair for comedy, but she spins some pretty great tales under not one, but two names. Of all the chick-lit writers I love (and trust me, there are p-l-e-n-t-y!!!), her books are why I gravitate toward writing romantic comedies. With all that's bad in the world, it's good to escape (and laugh), and her books (especially Can You Keep a Secret? and Twenties Girl) always do the trick.

Comments

[Staci Frenes]

Fun, Christa! Thanks for posting this.

I'm with you on Hornby all the way. I heard him on NPR recently talking about his latest. He's an interesting guy--kind of a man of few words, oddly enough for a writer. I've also been intrigued by the Jacobs' book. I'll have to check that out.

[Christa]

Glad you enjoyed it, Staci! :) And I think you'd love the Jacobs' book...I laughed 'til my stomach hurt and thought his perspective on faith was interesting.

I've heard Hornby talk before, and I like the whole man of few words quality...you're right, complete surprise for a writer. :)