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DISCLAIMER: Authors are not placed upon this page to be remarked upon in general unless I consider myself to have read a fair to average representation of their works. Usually this means I have read upwards of five books, unless the author has published fewer, but in many times my avid reading will have already pushed the number of books completed to something far higher than five. Do take comments with a grain of salt, however.
Agatha Christie has been a murder mystery legend for years, in both Britain and abroad. She is known for her creations of such detectives as Hercule Poirot, the prim Frenchman; Miss Marple, the clever busybody; and Tommy and Tuppence, the brilliant romantics and some of the most vivid characters ever set in black and white. Christie displays a genuine and interested knowledge of humanity and a nearly morbid fascination with the law and murder, making her stories a delightful blend of humor, intelligence, and the intriguing.
While Arthur Conan Doyle is probably best known for his Sherlock Holmes stories (five books of short stories and four longer novels), his writing prowess extends beyond this into the realm of some excellent historical fiction. Since he predates most contemporary mystery and fiction writers, his work is almost totally devoid of any questionable matter. Some of the events, particularly in the mysteries, may get a little gruesome at times, but otherwise, most of Doyle will be a fun read for anyone old enough to keep up with the plots. Also, experienced mystery fans will become disappointed quickly because Doyle never reveals the clue to the reader until the case is solved.
Okay, I'm biased here. From the first time I read Rebecca, I was hooked on this writer. However, it is to be admitted that she has some absolutely stunning novels, and then some that just don't flow quite as well, or that just can't hold my interest. Her characterizations are usually brilliant, but the plots vary in interest. However, she is still an excellent writer; at her worst, she is mediocre; at her best, she can hold h00er own with just about any writer in the world.
I held out against Zane Grey for twenty-three years of my life, simply bcause I thought I would find Westerns banal and simplistic, like a sappy romance novel with guns. I was wrong. Grey is able to convey the beauty of Southwestern America in ways that I have previously seen only in photographs. His characters are flawed and temperamental, as all humans, rather than appallingly perfect. His descriptions of terrain are exquisite. Indeed, his one flaw as a writer is probably his overt sentimentality (nearly everything I have read has had a happy and romantic ending), but, really, what's the flaw in that? His morals are upstanding, and he proves that there is something to be learned from not merely the heroes and heroines he portrays, but from their rivals and enemies as well. Be forewarned: his books are addictive!
Grisham has a flowing and enjoyable style. There are a few physical scenes and swear words, which should be manageable for most adults, although it is advised that children and youths seek adult guidance or advice for a few of the books. For the most part, however, his books are excellent and fun to read, and can provide an enjoyable break from a hectic day. Some of his legal thrillers seem a little simplistic, especially after one has read several, but his more serious pieces are brilliant.
See also notes on A Painted House from my 2003 summer reading.
C. S. Lewis has proven his literary genius in both fiction and nonfiction, having written everything from children's fantasy to adult allegory and science fiction and profound theological treatises. Lewis' brilliance stems from his soul-searching and honesty, as well as his incrediby astute philosophies. Read anything of his you ever see.
The man is a brilliant writer with an easy flowing style that most writers would do well to emulate. However, the majority of his books are full of material that many readers, whether children or adults, might find incredibly disturbing. Christian readers should also be aware that Pullman is very fond of rewriting the Bible, but other questionable elements include the presentation of premarital sex as something acceptable and without ramifications, homosexual angels, "good" witches and witchcraft , and explicit incest/rape. Younger children may be terrified by many of the more frightening scenes in the land of the dead, with demons in the forest, or when small clockwork mechanisms attack and kill children.
See also: The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, The Amber Spyglass.
Anthem, probaby Ayn Rand's shortest novel, was among my top two books from high-school American Literature. When, in pursuit of a thesis topic, I read the other three of her novels, I was repeatedly struck with the depth of her writing and characterizations, especially of her women. While some parts of her novels do contain some hefty chunks of straight, dry, and very incorrect philosophy, mature readers should be able to either enjoy or skip them, as necessary. Parents will probably want to read these first for discussion value, and all readers should be forewarned that all four of her novels contain some sexual scenes and/or references. For the nonfiction, I cannot speak: I have not yet read that.
See also: Atlas Shrugged, The Fountainhead, and We the Living in my summer reading notes.
Okay, so I have this wierd fascination with murder-mysteries and love nothing better than an afternoon curled up with Agatha Christie or Dorothy Sayers. That's fact. What's also fact (okay, plus a little opinion) is that Dorothy Sayers writes nonfiction, and good nonfiction, as well. One of her books on God is one of the most clear and succinct theologic00al works I have ever read, and the others aren't far behind. Perhaps I'm slightly biased by the fascination of her detective stories-- after all, she is the creator of Lord Peter Wimsey, who joins Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot, and Miss Marple in the ranks of most-memorable private detectives in literature-- but she knows how to present a convincing argument or fascinating and intricate plot, and her skills as a writer only add to the mix. I have nothing unflattering to say.
This Elizabethan playwright is one of the most renowned authors of all time, if not the most renowned author. His 37 plays, over a hundred sonnets, and other poetry are read worldwide even 400 years after his (presumed) death. However, much uncertainty surrounds the identity of this famous man, with people attributing the canon of Shakespearean literature to everyone from the uneducated Shakespeare of Stratford to the Earl of Essex and Sir Walter Raleigh. The plays can get b00awdy in spots, and younger children will miss many of the sexual innuendoes, but there is a point at which the play is better with parental discussion and the necessary explanations.
See also: Shakespeare Blurbs.
William Styron has been greatly lauded over the years for several books, the best-known of which is probably Sophie's Choice. While the literary world seems to adore his style and characterizations, in my very unhumble opinion, his greatest personal achievement is that once, in Set This House on Fire, Styron twice manages to go for fourteen pages without mentioning anything blatantly sexual--a feat unrivaled by any other book of his I have read. His books are decidedly ugly, possess no redeeming qualities or characteristics, and reduce humanity to a sexual level like nothing else I have ever read. They should sell him in pornography shops, not in bookstores.
See also: Set This House on Fire and Sophie's Choice in my summer reading notes.
One of the few American authors I actually enjoy reading, Mark Twain is one of the most frequently-assigned authors in the American canon. While his best-known work, Huckleberry Finn, is not really as impressive as some of his less-well-known works, he still stands as an influential literary giant and should be read if only for that.
T. H. White is one of those writers that makes me very, very jealous. He has a humorous style that incorporates itself brilliantly into just about everything he writes. His books are most fun when read aloud (though sometimes the reader will be unable to continue due to excessive and prolonged mirth), but are also fun for a Saturday afternoon curled-up-in-the-shade read. He is always tactful, and can deal with even the most difficult subjects in an entirely undisturbing manner. Highly recommended.