Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Authors Who Deserve More Recognition

Once again, I am participating in The Broke and Bookish's weekly fun with Top Ten Tuesday.  This week is authors who deserve more recognition.

This was a hard list for me to complete because, well, I don't know many non-popular authors.  I have had an obsession with reading classics that I have never read and catching up on some recommendations, which means that I tend to read popular authors.  This means everyone I read gets plenty of recognition. I really need to branch out more. I am more likely to come up with a list of writers that have received a lot of recognition that I thought were terrible. I even debating making a list of them.

I am not going to make a list of them. The truth is, as an aspiring writer, they have accomplished that which I can only dream.  Not to mention that my list of authors who "suck" for lack of a better word, is based entirely on my taste. And let's face it, my taste is strange at best. I would like to be far more well-read than I am currently and perhaps published myself, before I dole out the insults to those already accomplished.

So needless to say, here is the tiny list I have of underrated writers and that is it for this week. (Please note that I do know these authors are already quite popular but it's the best I have today).

The Unappreciated:
1. Matthew Quick
Works include: Boy21, Silver Linings Playbook, and Sorta Like a Rockstar

 Matthew Quick is not long for this list as he is growing wildly in popularity with the Hollywood award-winning movie based on his book.  But I have yet to be disappointed with one of his novels. I find his characters unique, but so real at the same time. He has a knack fro writing in the voice of his narrator. While not overly complex, it's true to the narrator and helps the reader feel linked and endeared to the character.  Kudos Mr. Quick.

2. Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Works include: The Shadow of the Wind, The Angel's Game, and The Prisoner of Heaven

While I am not always thrilled with Zafon's novels, I am always in love with his writing. His words are so beautifully pieced together, I feel like his books are more of a work of art than anything else. He is the writer I currently admire the most, washing as I read that I possessed a fraction of the talent he does.

3. Mary Roach
Works include: Bonk, Stiff, and Packing for Mars

My first introduction to Mary Roach was at a book reading a friend of mine asked me to attend with her. It was for the book Bonk, although she did discuss Stiff as well. She was hilarious. While being a non-fiction writer, a lot of research goes in to each novel.  She explores different topics in depth and then presents her findings in the form of a novel with quick wit and amusing stories.  She's like the teacher you wish you had in high school, taking seemingly boring topics and making them profoundly interesting.

4. Erik Larson
Works include: The Devil in the White City, Thunderstruck, and  In The Garden of Beasts

I read the book The Devil in the White City based on more than one recommendation and was blown away with how much I enjoyed the book. I was enthralled and could not put it down. I love that feeling. He captivated me with his writing style and talent for telling a compelling story, even though the book was non-fiction. I felt like I was there.  Brilliant!