20 Best Book Authors (2023 Update)

A new york times bestseller a good morning america, fabfitfun, and marie claire book club pick “in five years is as clever as it is moving, the rare read-in-one-sitting novel you won’t forget.” —chloe benjamin, new york times bestselling author of the immortalists ​perfect for fans of me before you and one day—a striking, powerful, and moving love story following an ambitious lawyer who experiences an astonishing vision that could change her life forever.where do you see yourself in five years? dannie kohan lives her life by the numbers. she is nothing like her lifelong best friend—the wild, whimsical, believes-in-fate bella. her meticulous planning seems to have paid off after she nails the most important job interview of her career and accepts her boyfriend’s marriage proposal in one fell swoop, falling asleep completely content. but when she awakens, she’s suddenly in a different apartment, with a different ring on her finger, and beside a very different man. dannie spends one hour exactly five years in the future before she wakes again in her own home on the brink of midnight—but it is one hour she cannot shake. in five years is an unforgettable love story, but it is not the one you’re expecting.

This exciting debut in graphic novel format tells the childhood stories of literary legends including maya angelou, roald dahl, and sandra cisnernos. perfect for fans of good night stories for rebel girls and brazen: rebel ladies who rocked the world.what makes a writer? what inspires them? where do their stories come from? striking illustrations and a popular graphic novel format bring to life this anthology of literary legends and their childhoods. featuring beloved authors such as maya angelou, c.s. lewis, gene luen yang and j.k. rowling, these stories capture the childhood triumphs, failures, and inspirations that predated their careers. children ages ten and up will see themselves in these humanized portraits and wonder if they, too, might have it in them to write. a celebration of creativity, this collective graphic biography is sprinkled throughout with writing wisdom and inspiring quotes.

Now a hit netflix series a new york times and usa today bestseller “hypnotic and scary.” —stephen king “i am riveted, aghast, aroused, you name it. the rare instance when prose and plot are equally delicious.” —lena dunham from debut author caroline kepnes comes you, one of suspense magazine’s best books of 2014, and a brilliant and terrifying novel for the social media age.when a beautiful, aspiring writer strides into the east village bookstore where joe goldberg works, he does what anyone would do: he googles the name on her credit card. there is only one guinevere beck in new york city. she has a public facebook account and tweets incessantly, telling joe everything he needs to know: she is simply beck to her friends, she went to brown university, she lives on bank street, and she’ll be at a bar in brooklyn tonight—the perfect place for a “chance” meeting. as joe invisibly and obsessively takes control of beck’s life, he orchestrates a series of events to ensure beck finds herself in his waiting arms. moving from stalker to boyfriend, joe transforms himself into beck’s perfect man, all while quietly removing the obstacles that stand in their way—even if it means murder. you is a compulsively readable page-turner that’s being compared to gone girl, american psycho, and stephen king’s misery.

Promising to be the debut novel of the season the silent patient is a shocking psychological thriller of a woman's act of violence against her husband'and of the therapist obsessed with uncovering her motive… alicia berenson's life is seemingly perfect. a famous painter married to an in-demand fashion photographer, she lives in a grand house with big windows overlooking a park in one of london's most desirable areas. one evening her husband gabriel returns home late from a fashion shoot, and alicia shoots him five times in the face, and then never speaks another word. alicia's refusal to talk, or give any kind of explanation, turns a domestic tragedy into something far grander, a mystery that captures the public imagination and casts alicia into notoriety. the price of her art skyrockets, and she, the silent patient, is hidden away from the tabloids and spotlight at the grove, a secure forensic unit in north london. theo faber is a criminal psychotherapist who has waited a long time for the opportunity to work with alicia. his determination to get her to talk and unravel the mystery of why she shot her husband takes him down a twisting path into his own motivations'a search for the truth that threatens to consume him….

From the award-winning, bestselling author of the circle comes an exciting new follow-up. when the world’s largest search engine/social media company, the circle, merges with the planet’s dominant ecommerce site, it creates the richest and most dangerous—and, oddly enough, most beloved—monopoly ever known: the every.delaney wells is an unlikely new hire at the every. a former forest ranger and unwavering tech skeptic, she charms her way into an entry-level job with one goal in mind: to take down the company from within. with her compatriot, the not-at-all-ambitious wes makazian, they look for the every's weaknesses, hoping to free humanity from all-encompassing surveillance and the emoji-driven infantilization of the species. but does anyone want what delaney is fighting to save? does humanity truly want to be free? studded with unforgettable characters, outrageous outfits, and lacerating set-pieces, this companion to the circle blends absurdity and terror, satire and suspense, while keeping the reader in apprehensive excitement about the fate of the company—and the human animal.

Explore the fascinating lives and loves of the greatest novelists, poets, and playwrights. from william shakespeare and jane austen to gabriel garcía márquez and toni morrison, writers explores more than 100 biographies of the world's greatest writers. each featured novelist, playwright, or poet is introduced by a stunning portrait, followed by photography and illustrations of locations and artefacts important in their lives – along with pages from original manuscripts, first editions, and their correspondence. trace the friendships, loves, and rivalries that inspired each individual and affected their writing, revealing insights into the larger-than-life characters, plots, and evocative settings that they created. you will also uncover details each writer's most famous pieces and understand the times and cultures they lived in – see how the world influenced them and how their works influenced the world. writers introduces key ideas, themes, and literary techniques of each figure, revealing the imaginations and personalities behind some of the world's greatest novels, short stories, poems, and plays. a diverse variety of authors are covered, from the middle ages to present day, providing a compelling glimpse into the lives of the people behind the page.

“the good daughter is like law and order meets the good wife.” —theskimminstant new york times bestsellertheskimm book club pick! the stunning new novel from the international #1 bestselling author — a searing, spellbinding blend of cold-case thriller and psychological suspense.two girls are forced into the woods at gunpoint. one runs for her life. one is left behind…twenty-eight years ago, charlotte and samantha quinn's happy small-town family life was torn apart by a terrifying attack on their family home. it left their mother dead. it left their father — pikeville's notorious defense attorney — devastated. and it left the family fractured beyond repair, consumed by secrets from that terrible night.twenty-eight years later, and charlie has followed in her father's footsteps to become a lawyer herself — the ideal good daughter. but when violence comes to pikeville again — and a shocking tragedy leaves the whole town traumatized — charlie is plunged into a nightmare. not only is she the first witness on the scene, but it's a case that unleashes the terrible memories she's spent so long trying to suppress. because the shocking truth about the crime that destroyed her family nearly thirty years ago won't stay buried forever…packed with twists and turns, brimming with emotion and heart, the good daughter is fiction at its most thrilling.

“an extraordinary novel . . . a triumph of insight and storytelling.” —associated press“a true masterpiece.” —glennon doyle, author of untamed an extraordinary story set in the first century about a woman who finds her voice and her destiny, from the celebrated number one new york times bestselling author of the secret life of bees and the invention of wingsin her mesmerizing fourth work of fiction, sue monk kidd takes an audacious approach to history and brings her acclaimed narrative gifts to imagine the story of a young woman named ana. raised in a wealthy family with ties to the ruler of galilee, she is rebellious and ambitious, with a brilliant mind and a daring spirit. she engages in furtive scholarly pursuits and writes narratives about neglected and silenced women. ana is expected to marry an older widower, a prospect that horrifies her. an encounter with eighteen-year-old jesus changes everything. their marriage evolves with love and conflict, humor and pathos in nazareth, where ana makes a home with jesus, his brothers, and their mother, mary. ana's pent-up longings intensify amid the turbulent resistance to rome's occupation of israel, partially led by her brother, judas. she is sustained by her fearless aunt yaltha, who harbors a compelling secret. when ana commits a brazen act that puts her in peril, she flees to alexandria, where startling revelations and greater dangers unfold, and she finds refuge in unexpected surroundings. ana determines her fate during a stunning convergence of events considered among the most impactful in human history. grounded in meticulous research and written with a reverential approach to jesus's life that focuses on his humanity, the book of longings is an inspiring, unforgettable account of one woman's bold struggle to realize the passion and potential inside her, while living in a time, place and culture devised to silence her. it is a triumph of storytelling both timely and timeless, from a masterful writer at the height of her powers.

Hear a lecture given by young adult author alfred c. martino to high school students as he discusses the craft of writing and his novels, pinned, over the end line, and perfected by girls.

Hear a lecture given by young adult author alfred c. martino to high school students as he discusses the craft of writing and his novels, pinned, over the end line, and perfected by girls.

The san francisco chronicle’s best of the year list indie next pick "for reading groups"from new york times bestselling author joyce maynard, a memoir about discovering strength in the midst of great loss–"heart wrenching, inspiring, full of joy and tears and life." (anne lamott)in 2011, when she was in her late fifties, beloved author and journalist joyce maynard met the first true partner she had ever known. jim wore a rakish hat over a good head of hair; he asked real questions and gave real answers; he loved to see joyce shine, both in and out of the spotlight; and he didn’t mind the mess she made in the kitchen. he was not the husband joyce imagined, but he quickly became the partner she had always dreamed of.before they met, both had believed they were done with marriage, and even after they married, joyce resolved that no one could alter her course of determined independence. then, just after their one-year wedding anniversary, her new husband was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. during the nineteen months that followed, as they battled his illness together, she discovered for the first time what it really meant to be a couple–to be a true partner and to have one.this is their story. charting the course through their whirlwind romance, a marriage cut short by tragedy, and joyce’s return to singleness on new terms, the best of us is a heart-wrenching, ultimately life-affirming reflection on coming to understand true love through the experience of great loss.

#1 national bestseller #1 international bestsellerwhat does everyone in the modern world need to know? renowned psychologist jordan b. peterson's answer to this most difficult of questions uniquely combines the hard-won truths of ancient tradition with the stunning revelations of cutting-edge scientific research.humorous, surprising and informative, dr. peterson tells us why skateboarding boys and girls must be left alone, what terrible fate awaits those who criticize too easily, and why you should always pet a cat when you meet one on the street.what does the nervous system of the lowly lobster have to tell us about standing up straight (with our shoulders back) and about success in life? why did ancient egyptians worship the capacity to pay careful attention as the highest of gods? what dreadful paths do people tread when they become resentful, arrogant and vengeful? peterson journeys broadly, discussing discipline, freedom, adventure and responsibility, distilling the world's wisdom into 12 practical and profound rules for life. 12 rules for life shatters the modern commonplaces of science, faith and human nature, while transforming and ennobling the mind and spirit of its readers.

#1 new york times bestseller from the new york times bestselling author of invisible girl and the truth about melody browne comes a “riveting” (popsugar) and “acutely observed family drama” (people) that delves into the lingering aftermath of a young girl’s disappearance.ellie mack was the perfect daughter. she was fifteen, the youngest of three. beloved by her parents, friends, and teachers, and half of a teenaged golden couple. ellie was days away from an idyllic post-exams summer vacation, with her whole life ahead of her. now, her mother laurel mack is trying to put her life back together. it’s been ten years since her daughter disappeared, seven years since her marriage ended, and only months since the last clue in ellie’s case was unearthed. so when she meets an unexpectedly charming man in a café, no one is more surprised than laurel at how quickly their flirtation develops into something deeper. before she knows it, she’s meeting floyd’s daughters—and his youngest, poppy, takes laurel’s breath away. because looking at poppy is like looking at ellie. and now, the unanswered questions she’s tried so hard to put to rest begin to haunt laurel anew. where did ellie go? did she really run away from home, as the police have long suspected, or was there a more sinister reason for her disappearance? who is floyd, really? and why does his daughter remind laurel so viscerally of her own missing girl?

Experience the internet's most talked-about book, now a major motion picture, from anna todd, the writer cosmopolitan called “the biggest literary phenomenon of her generation.” there was the time before tessa met hardin, and then there’s everything after… life will never be the same. #hessa tessa is a good girl with a sweet, reliable boyfriend back home. she’s got direction, ambition, and a mother who’s intent on keeping her that way. but she’s barely moved into her freshman dorm when she runs into hardin. with his tousled brown hair, cocky british accent, and tattoos, hardin is cute and different from what she’s used to. but he’s also rude—to the point of cruelty, even. for all his attitude, tessa should hate hardin. and she does—until she finds herself alone with him in his room. something about his dark mood grabs her, and when they kiss it ignites within her a passion she’s never known before. he'll call her beautiful, then insist he isn’t the one for her and disappear again and again. despite the reckless way he treats her, tessa is compelled to dig deeper and find the real hardin beneath all his lies. he pushes her away again and again, yet every time she pushes back, he only pulls her in deeper. tessa already has the perfect boyfriend. so why is she trying so hard to overcome her own hurt pride and hardin's prejudice about nice girls like her? unless…could this be love?

National book award finalistshort-listed for the man booker prizebrace yourself for the most astonishing, challenging, upsetting, and profoundly moving book in many a season. an epic about love and friendship in the twenty-first century that goes into some of the darkest places fiction has ever traveled and yet somehow improbably breaks through into the light. truly an amazement—and a great gift for its readers. when four classmates from a small massachusetts college move to new york to make their way, they're broke, adrift, and buoyed only by their friendship and ambition. there is kind, handsome willem, an aspiring actor; jb, a quick-witted, sometimes cruel brooklyn-born painter seeking entry to the art world; malcolm, a frustrated architect at a prominent firm; and withdrawn, brilliant, enigmatic jude, who serves as their center of gravity. over the decades, their relationships deepen and darken, tinged by addiction, success, and pride. yet their greatest challenge, each comes to realize, is jude himself, by midlife a terrifyingly talented litigator yet an increasingly broken man, his mind and body scarred by an unspeakable childhood, and haunted by what he fears is a degree of trauma that he’ll not only be unable to overcome—but that will define his life forever. in rich and resplendent prose, yanagihara has fashioned a tragic and transcendent hymn to brotherly love, a masterful depiction of heartbreak, and a dark examination of the tyranny of memory and the limits of human endurance.

A landmark in american literature (chicago sun-times) stephen king s #1 national bestseller about seven adults who return to their hometown to confront a nightmare they had first stumbled on as teenagers an evil without a name: it. welcome to derry, maine. it s a small city, a place as hauntingly familiar as your own hometown. only in derry the haunting is real. they were seven teenagers when they first stumbled upon the horror. now they are grown-up men and women who have gone out into the big world to gain success and happiness. but the promise they made twenty-eight years ago calls them reunite in the same place where, as teenagers, they battled an evil creature that preyed on the city s children. now, children are being murdered again and their repressed memories of that terrifying summer return as they prepare to once again battle the monster lurking in derry s sewers. it, paperback book.

A new york times 100 notable books of 2019 selection from #1 new york times bestselling author stephen king, the most riveting and unforgettable story of kids confronting evil since it.in the middle of the night, in a house on a quiet street in suburban minneapolis, intruders silently murder luke ellis’s parents and load him into a black suv. the operation takes less than two minutes. luke will wake up at the institute, in a room that looks just like his own, except there’s no window. and outside his door are other doors, behind which are other kids with special talents—telekinesis and telepathy—who got to this place the same way luke did: kalisha, nick, george, iris, and ten-year-old avery dixon. they are all in front half. others, luke learns, graduated to back half, “like the roach motel,” kalisha says. in this most sinister of institutions, the director, mrs. sigsby, and her staff are ruthlessly dedicated to extracting from these children the force of their extranormal gifts. there are no scruples here. if you go along, you get tokens for the vending machines. if you don’t, punishment is brutal. as each new victim disappears to back half, luke becomes more and more desperate to get out and get help. but no one has ever escaped from the institute. as psychically terrifying as firestarter, and with the spectacular kid power of it, the institute is stephen king’s gut-wrenchingly dramatic story of good vs. evil in a world where the good guys don’t always win.

Why was thomas hardy's first novel never published? why did heinrich böll abandon his paradise lost? these and many other intriguing mysteries are uncovered in this comprehensive guide to literature's lost and unfinished masterpieces. – from a creative crisis to a dissatisfied editor, and from a bizarre twist of fate to an untimely death, behind each unpublished book lies a unique and compelling story. one of the giants of modern literature, ernest hemingway, saw three years of work, including a novel and several short stories, vanish when his wife's suitcase was stolen in the gare de lyon in paris. evelyn waugh, on the other hand, burned the manuscript of his first novel and attempted to drown himself after a friend gave it a bad review. – covering an eclectic range of international authors, both living and dead, the greatest books you'll never read unearths an alternative literary history that is fascinating and heartbreaking in equal measure. – each ill-fated book, from karl marx's comic novel scorpion and felix to stephenie meyer's twilight spin-off midnight sun, is examined in an in-depth essay, with selected entries featuring manuscript extracts. – specially commissioned covers by acclaimed designers illustrate each entry, bringing to life these lost literary wonders. – at once entertaining and enlightening, the greatest books you'll never read will be loved by bookworms everywhere. – erica jarnes worked as an editor at bloomsbury for eight years before becoming literature programmer at the south bank centre. she is involved in organizing port eliot festival, a prestigious literary gathering that attracts authors from around the globe, and is passionate about promoting translated fiction. she lives in london.

To commemorate its 50th anniversary, signet is proud to present "the best of the best"–a one-of-a-kind collection of all-original stories by some of the biggest names in fiction, including stephen king, joyce carol oates, joy fielding, nancy taylor rosenberg, lisa alther, erica jong, ed mcbain, joan hess, and e.l. doctorow, among others.

According to bowker, there are over 150,000 books published in the u.s. every year. less than 1 percent of the books published make the bestseller list. people are fascinated by bestselling authors who have become every bit as much celebrities as rock musicians or film stars. through some mysterious process, these individuals take blank pages and turn them into gold. and many authors do this over and over again. for authors, earning a spot on the bestseller list is the grand, often elusive prize at the end of many years of work. but what makes a bestseller happen? brian hill and dee power interviewed over 50 successful authors, publishers, editors, agents, book reviewers, and other experts to find the answer. authors and would-be authors, individuals in the publishing industry, and passionate readers will learn: * how bestselling authors approach the craft of writing and marketing their books. * the many different paths authors take to the top of the list. * the impact a first bestseller makes on an author's life. * the workings of the selection process, from the query letter to the decision to publish. * how publishers know a book has bestseller potential. * the agent's role in helping create a bestseller. * factors and events that influence whether a book makes the bestseller list, including tv "reading book clubs," the review process, publicity, marketing programs, and timing. * how hollywood impacts the reading public. to provide a broad spectrum of experience, interviews are included with authors of nonfiction and fiction, as well as first-time novelists to serial bestsellers. in addition, avid readers will find fascinating stories behind some of their favorite authors' works.