Wow....looks like this has taken off like a rocket. I find it very interesting that everyone here enjoys reading. Usually, when I meet someone new that I click with we get on the subject of books, and I often ask who are your 2,3, 4 favorite writers?
Like sneakpete, I am a big W.E.B. Griffin fan. Years ago, I met a salesman for one of the tech companies trying to sell me something, and he was a West Point grad, and we got on the subject of books. He asked me if I was familiar with Griffin, I said no, he said you have to read him, he is great.
He suggested I read The Corps, a series of books by Griffin. I loved them. And I have read everything he has written to date, and I am sorry to say, he has not published anything in 2019 and 2020 is a blank so far too. He was publishing two books a year. And like Clancy, he had another working with him, in his case his son. I do not know why they haven't come out with anything over the last two years. I am afraid W.E.B. perhaps has health issues.
I love the characters he builds. My favorite series is a more recent one, By Order of the President, I believe is the first book in the series. Loved it. For me, perhaps more than any other writer, he is great at developing characters in his books, and he infuses humor in his books that has me laughing here and there through the book. His latest series is my least favorite, which covers the timeframe right after the end of the war in Europe, WWII.
Several folks mentioned they love historical fiction. Griffin is great, and I am so happy to see so many interested in the same here. Since this is a site dedicated to politics, it only makes sense we all would have an interest in historical fiction.
I would like to make another suggestion too. Since so many are interested in historical fiction, maybe we can also launch a book reading effort on historical fiction, where those interested, we all pick a historical fiction book and read it together and discuss it online. Let me know if any of you want to consider that as an idea!
Back to the list on this thread so far, there are a number of writers I loved mentioned. Griffin I mentioned. I also love Clancy, Baldacci, Child, Koontz, and others. One interesting note on Clancy. I loved Clancy, but as most of you may know, he died in October, 2013, and some of his best work, has been since he died. His ghost writers have taken over, and there are three I believe so far cranking out two books per year. I enjoyed almost all of them, but Command Authority sticks in my head from about five years ago or so. Great book.
I take on a new writer, I tend to read their books chronologically if I can. Several of you have mentioned Louis L'Amour, and I think he will be my next writer. He was prolific if I recall from looking in the past at his list of books. So a lot to read there. Plus, I am curious about Sharon Kay Penman. Never heard of her, so I will check her out too, and perhaps read her and L'Amour, alternating books as I go.
