Thursday, December 4, 2008

Booking Through Thursday


1. Do you have a favorite author?

2. Have you read everything he or she has written?

3. Did you LIKE everything?

4. How about a least favorite author?

5. An author you wanted to like, but didn’t?


I have two favorite authors- A.S. Byatt and Margaret Atwood. I haven't read everything either woman has written- I haven't read Atwood's short stories, and I haven't read all of her novels yet (still two or three to go); I haven't read all of Byatt's novels either although I have read all of her short fiction. I haven't liked everything either woman has written- some of Byatt's novels I've found dull, and I felt the same way about a couple of Atwood's. I think A.S. Byatt is a better short story writer than novelist in general; her Possession is my favorite novel of all time (followed by Atwood's Alias Grace), and while her other novels pale in comparison, her short fiction is luminous. I also have a lot of respect for Iris Murdoch although I've only read three of her many books.

I don't have a least-favorite author; if I'm not enjoying someone's work I probably wouldn't bother to continue to read him/her- what's the point, right? An author I'd like to like? Michael Chabon, but I haven't read any of his books yet. I know I should, I know everyone loves him etc. etc., and I have a couple of his books hanging around the house, but I just never seem to get to them. Oh well!

13 comments:

Kathy W said...

Margaret Atwood is an author I haven't read yet. My husband keeps telling me I should read The Handmaidens Tale that it was really good book.

JonJon Rosaleen said...

Heard much about Michael Chabon but me either haven't read any of his books.
Happy Reading!!!

Beth F said...

Atwood is an excellent choice! I haven't read all her work, though.

SmilingSally said...

Even though we would like to, we can't read every author. Please come visit to see my answers.

jlshall said...

Me, too - I'm not likely to go on reading something I don't like. I guess all the authors on my "dislike" list are ones I was forced to read in college. I really enjoyed "Possession," too, but it's the only Byatt I've read.

Anna said...

I like Margaret Atwood, too. I've read The Handmaid's Tale and another but I can't remember the title right now. I have Alias Grace in my TBR pile.

--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric

Brooke from The Bluestocking Guide said...

Hey Marie. Long time no see! I haven't read either of these authors.

Anonymous said...

I love Margaret Atwood. I think she's such an amazing writer and keep hoping she'll publish something new even though I'm not even halfway through her work!

Chabon is on my TBR list...

Alyce said...

I haven't read any of the authors you mentioned. Seeing everyone's answers makes me realize all the more, that there are many great books out there I haven't had a chance to read yet.

Candy Schultz said...

Well my favorite author is Rowling but I love Byatt. Have you read her quartet? I believe I have all of her work but haven't yet read it all. Atwood is more problematic for me. I have a lot of her stuff but so far everything I have read is so dark that I don't feel inclined to pursue her. I hated The Handmaid's Tale.

I have a least favorite author and he is Dan Brown. I have read all four of his books and they are exactly the same. Not very imaginative.

Anonymous said...

I haven't read Michael Chabon even though he's a local author. For some reasons the long titles of his books don't interest me much. I should at least pick up a copy and see for myself.

Literary Feline said...

Margaret Atwood was an author I was hoping to get acquainted with this year, but it wasn't meant to be. Maybe next year. I'd like to try Michael Chabon's work too. My husband liked the one book he read by him and so many others have recommended him. One of these days I'll get around to it!

jessi said...

I took an Atwood class in college, and I think we read almost everything she wrote. After a while, it all starts to run together. I love Alias Grace, The Blind Assassin, and (of course) The Handmaid's Tale. I haven't read any Byatt, but I love Chabon and have read a few of his books.