Top Ten Tuesday: Authors I've Read the Most Books By (an exploration of reading tastes the last 20 odd years)

I have not done a Top Ten Tuesday since it has switched over to be on Jana's blog: The Artsy Reader Girl. This week's topic is Author's I've Read the Most Books By. There are a few that immediately jump to mind, but I am going to sort my GoodReads Read shelf by author to see which ones are the most prolific. This will be interesting because my reading tastes have changed quite a lot over the years, so I know there will be authors I do not actively read as much as I used to do, but for transparency sake I am including them on here. 

Nora Roberts--64 Books!!

This is not a surprise at all. Nora Roberts is prolific author and I "discovered" her while in college and I would look forward to reading her books during my breaks. I also remember reading her books when I moved to Northern Illinois with my husband after we married. I had taken my first "professional" library job and I was taking advantage of the interlibrary loan service (such a great service--use it if you do not already!). Some of her books are hits and some are misses with me.  I read her more "horror" style series, Chronicle of The One, but it was just an alright series for me. I am still reading Nora Roberts if her newest releases intrigue me. I do have her newest on hold at the library, as I find I do not buy her books any longer. 

Stephanie Laurens: 35 books!!

This is the one I thought would be most read author for the simple fact that she is responsible for me falling back in love with reading. Right after I got married (16 1/2 years ago), I discovered her books. I had not been reading as much because I was completing my undergraduate degree and I just did not have as much time to read. I read Nora Roberts during college but because I had so many required readings, I did not have many moments for pleasure reading. You will see a theme in which I mention that adult historical romance and adult contemporary romance are the two genres I turn to get me out of reading slumps. Stephanie Laurens is still writing and I have several of the Next Generation of Cynsters series to read yet.

Jennifer L. Armentrout: 11 books

I have to admit this one is surprising to me. I should have realized that she would have made the list because I have read a variety of her books. I am working through The Dark Elements series and The Harbringer series currently this year. I read Storm and Fury last year and have since gone back to read the first in The Dark Elements series, White Hot Kiss, this year. 

Sarah MacLean: 9 books

I know I have read more than nine books of Sarah MacLean--she is one of my favorite historical romance authors. I fell in love with her writing with her young adult book--The Season--when it came out. I wish she would be able to continue writing in this series, but she has switched publishers so I do not think she is allowed to do so. I am sad!

I love that her heroines are strong willed and do not simply roll over for their would be suitor or husband. I have multiple books on my Kindle by her that I need to read. Perhaps I will take a week or so and relive reading another set of her books later this summer or fall time. 

Laurie Halse Anderson: 8 books

She is by far one of my all time favorite authors. I am not surprised to see her on this list. Meeting her at my very first American Library Association's Annual Conference is one of the highlights of that conference and stands out in my mind to this very day. I am an introvert but I saw Laurie sitting by herself so I went over and talked with her a good 10/15 minutes between sessions. The photo to the left of this is from the first session. I do still actively read her books as she publishes them and I do actually need to read a couple still from her Ashes series. 

Jaci Burton: 7 books

As with other authors on this list, I read Burton's books when I am looking for pure escapism. I can really get lost in a sports romance series, and it is great at getting me out of a reading slump. If I have finished what I packed when traveling and I need to start something new but only have my Kindle with me, I will turn to a known author or particular genre that is escapism for me.  Jaci Burton's books would fulfill this need nicely. Her Play-by-Play series is one I can get lost in easily--but fair warning it is STEAMY so if you do not like that, I would avoid her books. I do not really read her any longer. 

Cora Carmack: 7 books

This one is once again not a surprise as I served on her author street team for the first Rusk University street team. :) These are always a delight and I LOVE recommending her young adult series Stormheart to my students. I did early reader feedback on Roar for her and her publisher about a year before it was published. I am as well as my students (and a few teachers) are all anxiously awaiting the third book in the trilogy--which is due out in August if it has not been delayed due to the pandemic. 

Josephine Angelini: 6 Books

  

I went through a phase when I loved reading series, especially young adult mythology inspired fiction. I have not read one in a couple years, but during that time, I read Angelini's Starcrossed trilogy. I liked her writing and ended up reviewing her Worldwalker trilogy for one the review journals.

The last two covers: What She Found in the Woods and Illustrated Girl are two books on my TBR. I have the latter one on my Amazon wish list and am thrilled the eBook is finally releasing for it in December. The other I just discovered as I write this--it is on Kindle Unlimited and since I am subscribed to it right now, I decided to download it. 

Sarina Bowen: 6 books

I admit, adult contemporary romances (along with adult historical romances) are like candy--completely consumable and enjoyable at the time and I will typically to turn to one (especially by favorite authors) if I am in a reading slump. I have read a number by her and I feel like there might be a few more that I read but I did not mark down--oops! I like sports romances so her Brooklyn series is a great one. I have not read her in awhile though I am not opposed to considering another one of her books in the future. I just have not been reading sports romances recently.

Ann Brashares: 6 books

Wow, this is one of the authors that I have not read in quite sometime. I devoured the Sisterhood series and read the companion/followup from when they are adults. I have not read anything since Sisterhood Everlasting but would probably be willing to give them a shot. If you liked one of her other books, please do let me know below. Otherwise, I do not have any of her books currently on my TBR.

Meg Cabot: 6 books

Another one that is a flashback, I have not really read anything current by Cabot. I have tried her chick lit books and they were alright, but not my favorite. I am not one of those who read her Princess Diaries series (loved the movies though and now my daughter does) because I was older when they started being published, but I did read her Abandon trilogy during the time that I was hooked on mythology-inspired young adult series. If you think I should give her any of her more recent adult chick lit titles a chance, please let me know your favorite. Otherwise, I once again do not have any books by this author on my TBR list. 

Runner Up Authors (5 books):

• Russell Freedman--multiple titles I have not read by him 
• Cynthia Hand--have one to read yet
• Deborah Harkness--have one to read yet
• Lauren Kate--none on my TBR currently
• Miranda Kenneally--I have the last two books in the Hundred Oaks to finish
• Kody Keplinger--I am not opposed to reading more by her, but I do not have any of her books on my TBR
• Katie McGarry--I currently am reading a book by her when I am writing this, it would bring up to 6 books by her if I finish it with one more left in the series PLUS a few others remaining. If I were to update this list next year, I believe she would be above six books read.

This was an interesting experiment for me because I can see how much my reading tastes have changed over the years. There are definitely some authors on there that I do really read or have any plans to continue reading...taste change and I think that is natural. 

So technically that is eleven authors listed above plus another five authors that just missed. Which authors are on your list. Be sure to link your list below so I can take a look at yours.