Who is your favorite writer and why?? I don’t know if I know them but I like to hear about them…

I love the Aubrey/Maturin series by Patrick O'Brian. If you're going to read the series, I recommend limiting yourself to 4 or 5 books per year and interspersing other books.

I'll happily read anything by John LeCarre; he writes great spy thrillers. I'll happily read anything by Alan Furst; he writes thrillers set in obscure corners of WWII.

I think Jane Austen would be my favorite author if there were more of her books available. Pride & Prejudice and Emma are two of my all time favorite rereads, and I just wish there were more books in that style, with those sorts of amusing observations and that mix of wonderful characters and absurd characters.

I read a fair amount of science fiction, and I will read anything by William Gibson. I also love the Radch trilogy by Ann Leckie and look forward to reading more by her. I've read a bunch by Neal Stephenson including the Quicksilver trilogy.

I love Douglas Adams; he presents a great mix of humor and clever science fiction ideas. I love Terry Pratchett; his Discworld series likewise mixes humor and clever ideas & observations.

And J.K. Rowling is a great author; both the Harry Potter books and her mysteries are great reads. I don't support all her politics, but that doesn't take away from the superb quality of her writing.