Authors you want to shout about

TerriBull
The Children’s book is lovely, very different, but definitely worth reading.

I haven't noticed anyone mentioning Donna Leon's wonderful Inspector Brunetti books. Beautiful descriptions of Venice and Venetian life, an intelligent hero who actually has a happy home life and interesting plots which don't always lead to a conviction.

Yes I will get round to reading that too. I imagine you know this, because you mentioned, Margaret Drabble up thread, she and AS Byatt are sisters. Although don't get on I gather.

TerriBull
Yes, I have heard that, I wonder why? Maybe it’s a competitive thing, whose books are the best?
Seems a shame though, they must have a lot in common.

Deedaa

I haven't noticed anyone mentioning Donna Leon's wonderful Inspector Brunetti books. Beautiful descriptions of Venice and Venetian life, an intelligent hero who actually has a happy home life and interesting plots which don't always lead to a conviction.

I love her books as well.

Nanny27

I'm loving this thread and looking forward to trying some of these suggestions.
For my part I have two to recommend, Alexandra Sokoloff 's Huntress Moon series, a detective series that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The other is one I want to ask other gransnetters, has anyone else ever read Neil White? Again he' s a crime writer but to my mind utterly brilliant. No-one else seems to have ever heard of him.

I used to read Neil White's books and I enjoyed them and went to a talk by him as he's a local author, but the last one I read frightened me so much by the method he used for killing someone that it put me off for life .

There are so many good recommendations here, I’m going to be on Waterstones website for hours looking them all up.

Froglady You do realise I'm going to have to read that now just to know what it was...

Thank you so much all.
I have wondered about mentioning this: www.thefeelgoodbookclub.com/

It is a subscription service, all profit to The Samaritans, every month you get a book, usually with notes by the author and a few little 'feelgood gifts' connected to the book. I know it won't seem like a sensible use of precious pennies to some, but it may hit the spot for others.

So many authors whose books cover all kinds of genres and are excellent reads are those who have self published or used small independent publishers. I independently published my first book and it was almost harder than writing the thing int he first place. Very complicated. Authors like myself know we will never make money but also like myself, are just overjoyed to see people enjoying all your hard work. If you like memoire type books set in France, check out my book French Dreams, Dogs and a Dodgy Motor on Amazon.

Bill Bryson... he makes me want to shout out about how wonderful all his books are.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading this post - thanks for starting it off NellG.

It’s reminded me of some old favourites which I’d like to read again, and I now have a list of new (to me) authors to explore. I can’t wait!

A few current writers that I enjoy, off the top of my head and in no particular order:

Lisa Genova - not for the faint hearted but so well researched and written

Anthony Doerr

L.J.Ross - DCI Ryan

Clare Chambers

Imogen Clarke

Geraldine Brooks - Year of Wonders - a novel for our times

Love Ian Mckewan as well, love Stephen King ( very different) Hilary Mantel ( got the mirror and the light for Christmas) Phillipa Gregory, Dickens for classics , but have eclectic tastes will read anything if it’s interesting

That sounds like a lovely idea Nannarose I'm sure the Samaritans need al the help they can get at the moment.

I would also like to give a shout for Julie Myerson, really worth reading, especially The Stopped Heart, and Home, a multi layered sad and candid book.

Tim Pears West Country trilogy is lovely.

I’m loving this thread, best read I’ve had on GN. I’m surprised no one’s mentioned Santa Montefiore, I’ve loved all her books especially the Deverill Cronicles. I also discovered Harriet Evans a few years ago and have enjoyed them, except for the first couple she wrote. I read her books in reverse order as you do when discovering a “new” author and I really noticed a change in writing style!
I’m just working my way through Marcia willett, have found her very comforting in lockdown, beautiful descriptions of countryside, set in Devon and Cornwall

Just downloaded a couple of Marcia Willet’s - thank you Purpleknight49.

Coming back to this thread again! can't keep away A blast from the past, I loved reading the Cazalet Chronicles by Elizabeth Jane Howard, anyone remember those, they were very popular at the time.

Of late, I think I mentioned her up thread, I absolutely love Kate Morton's books, and as an Australian she writes incredibly well about an England she has never lived in. Not everyone's cup of tea but personally I like narratives that unfold in two time frames, sometimes seemingly unconnected, but cantilever together eventually. Lucinda Riley often writes in the same vein, I like her books too, particularly some of the "Seven Sister" series.

I've read 4 debut novels in the past year, which I would recommend, "Where The Crawdads Sing" most people seem to have read that now, also "American Dirt". More recently "Such A Fun Age" and "My Dark Vanessa"

Sarah - I seem to be shadowing you, I read a very good Julie Myerson quite a few years ago called "Something Might Happen" yes it was quite sad. I think I read an article about a book she'd written a few years ago, where she drawn on a troubled relationship with her son and that had proved quite controversial. This thread has thrown up several reminders of authors that I might otherwise have forgotten.

TerriBull
Yes I think it was quite controversial, if I remember correctly, she had a son with drug problem, they eventually, asked him to leave for the sake of the younger children.
I may not have got that quite right, but I think they got a lot of bad press for it.
I hope everyone who jumped on them had actually read the book.
This is a lovely thread, I was thinking how lovely it would be if we were all in the same room, but I don’t suppose anyone would get a word in edgewise

I think I must be one of the few people who haven’t read Where the Crawdads sing, it’s on my wish list

Terribull If you've enjoyed Kate Morton and like dual timelines you might like Kathleen McGurl's books.

Sara1954 I haven't read it either.

Thanks Nell, off to Google Kathleen McGurl, I hadn't heard of her. A friend said, to me "if you like Kate Morton, you will like Rachel Hoare", I didn't! similar book covers but Kate's so much better imo. Always happy to have a recommendation though.

TerriBull hence the 'might'! The Look Inside bit on Amazon is a good help even if you don't buy books from there.

I’m re-reading CJRansom’s Shardlake novels. I read one then something different then back to a Shardlake. I’m reading Dark Fire at the moment.

I have them all, and as an aside I remember that they were Jings favourite

I quite agree, self publishing to Amazon can be a massive thing to take on for the first book. Peter and I took a long time doing it together, though we were supposedly well prepared with the answers to all the questions! Now it's easier every book (that's three till the summer!) I hope you belong to ALLi the Alliance of Independent Authors - fantastic group of helpful people and resources! Worldwide, doesn't matter where you live. (drop Peter's name, Turnham) And a Facebook page. Keep writing/publishing!!