My Automatic Authors (as of 2023)

[@WarMaker160]

You're the reason why I started reading Pierce Brown as well as Stephen King! Thank you for everything you do Mike!

[@ataridc]

bazed bazed bazed

[@alynam82]

A couple of mine: 1. Of course Stephen King 2. Joe Hill 3. Robert McCammon 4. Dan Simmons (if he will ever release any new work. There's supposed to be a new novel Omega Canyon I've been waiting for like 7 years) 5. Ken Follett (especially his Kingsbridge books, which one comes out this month!!)

[@nightmarishcompositions4536]

Never read Ken before but totally agree on all the others.

[@jaredschmidt8440]

Hot take: Brando Sando is not a good writer. Way of Kings was great, but every book could have been half the length and still told the same story. It’s great he is prolific, but I believe his quality suffers because of it.

[@jaycianfrini77]

For me it’s Stephen King Robert McCammon John Gwynne James S.A. Corey (I know it’s 2 ppl) Joe Abercrombie Ian Rankin Newer authors Fonda Lee Ryan Cahill Mike Shackle I’m sure there are more, but that’s a good list

[@xxprogressxx624]

Yesterday my six year old son asked me who my favorite KZbinr was. I told him "this guy Mike who likes to read books"

[@valerieramirez6446]

Stephen King has always been my favorite author. I’m reading Red Rising right now, really enjoying it.

[@BishopWalters12]

Stephen King is off my list after reading Holly, I'm not going to keep reading his books if he keeps crying about Trump and Conservatives. Not because I like Trump and I'm not even that political but it's boring. My list Jay Krissoff John Gwynne R.L. Stine Dean Koontz Christoper Pike Jack Caar Anne Tyler John Grisham

[@dwightbaldwin5500]

Mike, I’m attributing your removal of Jim Butcher as automatic to a temporary bout of insanity. Get well soon.

[@turtleanton6539]

Indeed😂😂😂😂😂

[@someothercharacter]

1.Nathaniel Hawthorne 2. Jane Austen 3. Stephen Crane 4. Mark Twain Not sure if Charles Dickens has anything new coming out but I will keep my eyes peeled.

[@RRW276]

For me, it's Ken Follett, Stephen King, Robert McCammon and a few others. I bought Holly but I put it down after 5 chapters, just didn't care to read all that mess and personally was disappointed. Anyway, I'm looking *very* forward to Armor of Light in less than 2 weeks!

[@nilulal545]

You are a HUGE PART of my reading growth, for example, introducing to authors like Joe Abercrombie, I'll read anything he writes. As is Mr. Kings' books🤴 halfway through Holly. It's just such a history we get to have with our authors. We love and defend their work 😊

[@abnushagnasty805]

Yeah I can’t wait for Empire of the Damned. Kristoff definitely made me like vampires again.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

An excellent list, Mike! A couple there I haven't tried yet, but I will be soon!

[@grzegorz_z]

Andy Weir. I know that Artemis is not rated as high as other two books, but after Project Hail Mary i'll instabuy his next book.

[@nazimelmardi]

It’s sad we don’t have anymore Terry Pratchett. But on the other note: Neil Gaiman is in this list. He just writes on a master level. So we had Three-Body Problem. Let’s see the other book series from Liu. Dan Simmons also knows things. And we have Commonwealth saga. Malazan world is getting bigger too.

[@Naimad319]

Richard Swan is one of my automatic authors, now. I am excited to read Red Rising and the Sun Eater series.

[@JackSte]

Andy Weir for me - Artemis wasn’t even *thaaat* bad. Project Hail Mary & The Martian completely blew me away, 2 of my favourite books of all time.

[@gammacell1261]

These are all really good choices. I would also through Andy Weir as well into this list. Even though Artemis was a bit of a let down. Both The Martian and Project Hail Mary were absolute masterpieces to the point that no matter what he comes out with next I will be pre ordering and buying day one.

[@henrycapuano7143]

My biggest automatic author was Cormac McCarthy so I unfortunately won’t be getting any more from him. If anybody has any suggestions of similar authors I would take them.

[@fithfath3615]

I think that I have managed to miss all your automatic authors so far, I'll have to try and remedy that in the near future and see how I go with them. My list would have to be Charles De Lint, Guy Gavriel Kay, Janny Wurts, Holly Black, Raymond E Feist, Adrian Tchaikovsky & Sergei Lukyanenko Terry Pratchett & Robert Holdstock would also have been on my list but for their sad passing.

[@mikeandtaramitchell]

Now I want to read Jay Krisoff's "Book of Photos I Have Taken Over My Life". I bet the footnotes would be epic. 😂

[@samanthalongshore9047]

Would love more standing subtitles throughout the videos so it's easier to catch up with what's being discussed if you miss the intro flash

[@ronroberson2325]

My list would be: Stephen King, Dean Koontz, John Grisham, Ernest Cline, Bill O'Reilly (killing series), Dan Brown, Andy Weir, and Robert McCammon (Peter Straub recently passed but I enjoyed his work as well). At your recommendation, I read Dark Matter and loved it. I need to read more Blake Crouch and might add him to my list too. Please do Part IV of "Ranking Stephen King".

[@aprilrich807]

I used to be a rabid Koontz fan…but I tired of his obsession with describing plants! I know that sounds dumb…

[@biankatoth1786]

@@aprilrich807 I love his old books but the recent ones are all missing something. I just read Elsewhere and it was okay but there were a lot of missed opportunities in it.

[@aprilrich807]

@@biankatoth1786 Yeah - The Bad Place, Watchers, and others were SO GOOD!!

[@fcsolis]

Anne Tyler. Believe it or not. RF Kuang. Most awesome. Blake Crouch, because he wrote The Wayward Pines Trilogy. AG Riddle, sci-fi for the masses, super entertaining. Thank you.

[@OrangeHand]

No Brent Weeks?!?! 😉

[@RedFuryBooks]

Stephen King, Robin Hobb, Joe Abercrombie, Michael Connelly and Justin Cronin would be mine. And I guess George if he finishes Winds of Winter!

[@PatentlyWillton]

Some of mine that aren't on your list: (1) Daniel Abraham (i.e., one half of The Expanse's James S.A. Corey; The Dagger and the Coin; Long Price Quartet; Kithamar Trilogy) (2) Michael Lewis (Non-fiction - I was initially hooked with Moneyball, the rest of his works provide excellent insight into subject at hand)

[@Kellen81]

Great list! Blake Crouch new releases will definitely be automatic for me. You mentioned Sanderson's Legion, you should give those a shot, they're fairly short might make a good palate cleanser.

[@coreyjay1660]

5. Graham Masterson 4. Michael Crichton 3. K d Robertson 2. Anthony Ryan 1. James Herbert

[@Ulmo90]

Great video Mike! Brown, Hobb, Erikson and Gwynne are some of mine!

[@heretic124]

No questions asked, huh? That's a tough one as for example I love The First Law but I doubt I will read Shattered Sea anytime soon. Like in this decade. And if he released something outside of First Law I'd think twice about it. Steven Erikson is definitely on my list, though. Ian C. Esslemont (as he's only writing Malazan books it's an easy pick) Andrzej Sapkowski František Kotleta (I imagine he's local Larry Correia based on what I heard about Larry; one day I will read Monster Hunter too) Glen Cook (as long as it isn't a detective novel) Christopher Ruocchio is getting there. Jay Kristoff possibly too, once I read Nevernight I will know for sure but I loved Empire of the Vampire. LOVED it!

[@sandy23stories40]

We have some common authors Mike, definitely Stephen king is my favorite author as well. I met Brandon Sanderson at the Tampa convention center, he is very nice guy and so his team. Michael J Sullivan, yes he is great definitely need to continue reading more of his books.

[@lisaoaks3262]

Terry Brooks and Stephan king are ones I buy all books of.

[@turtleanton6539]

Terry pratchett

[@wiebkeh.4394]

Book news: "There's new stuff by Neil Gaiman and/or Ben Aaronovitch coming out." Me: "Well, R.I.P. my wallet." 😅

[@nancywolf1467]

No order. King Hill Abercrombie Ruocchio Maberry Rothfuss Gaiman CJ Tudor Tchaikovsky HOBB Andy Weir Sager Preston /Child Sigler Jeremy Robinson Mark Lawrence Dan Brown Craig Alanson Mark Tufo Alice Feeney Walter Isaacson So many more. What can I say? I read a lot 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@EC_Vegas]

You got me to read Red Rising. I couldn’t be more thankful, because WOW. My favorite on going series at the moment. I have since purchased all of the Bound and Broken by Cahill. Can’t wait to get started on that one!!

[@Jordan-calver1993]

My automatic authors are: 1. John Connolly (A great crime writer) 2. The obvious choice of Stephen King 3. James Ellroy 4. A new pick in James Lee Burke 5. Dennis Lehane

[@JB-hq9yj]

I knew Stephen King would be on this list. Totally agree. However - with Holly just coming out and based on the Bill Hodges trilogy .. I haven't seen anything on your channel over the years about that trilogy. Do you plan to read those, The Outsider, and Holly?

[@turtleanton6539]

And if it bleeds

[@andreamiller3578]

While you have introduced me to many new writers, I'm a slower reader. Heh. My list: 1. Jim Butcher--i like all of his books, including Codex Alera, and I know what my birthday present is this year! Perfect timing, Jim! 2. Michael J. Sullivan 3. Philip Chase--love his books 4. Robert Crais And I used to include Elizabeth Peters but she died. Most of my favorites are dead unfortunately

[@paulelliott3220]

James Lee Burke George Pelecanos Tad Williams Peter Hamilton Neil Gaiman Mike Carey Stephen King

[@AlexNitsu]

I'd add Nicholas Eames (he has only two books, but I love them so much). Other than him, you've mentioned all the rest of my automatic athours

[@xxprogressxx624]

I have bought and read every Pierce Brown and Michael J Sullivan book. Sanderson is basically too prolific to read them all and I love Abercrombie but haven't read the young adult series.

[@PhoenixBooks27]

I know I'm late to the party, but just catching up on some of your videos. I've seen you talking about Jay Kristoff, and you convinced me to start Empire of the Vampire. And now I just go to check him out on goodreads and realize this is the guy that wrote The Lotus War that Asian Steampunk series, I read that back in 2015 and loved it. Oh I'm definitely in now!!

[@dpeady78]

My list is similar with a few additions Pierce Brown John Gwynne Ryan Cahill Joe Abercrombie S.A Cosby Eli Cranor

[@biankatoth1786]

For me Adrian Tchaikovsky, Blake Crouch, Lőrincz L László (Hungarian author), Lucinda Riley is bekoming one - I really like her writing. Margaret Atwood - slowly I'm trying to read everything she has written - I don't like everything but she has really interesting themes.

[@giants8585]

I looked up Jay Kristoff during this video and for some reason I mustve googled Dave Grohl. Cuz that was the only man I saw in those pictures...

[@BioPhoenixReviews]

blake crouch is up there for me to now thanks to you covering him.

[@larkwyll7351]

Appreciate this one. Its nice to hear different takes. I personally couldn't get past the first chapter of Empire of the Damned by J. Kristoff. The resounding repeated line to start that book; I got to the point quickly where I said to myself 'Oooooooh, give it a break'. Odd mix of corny and pretentious writing style. Not for me.

[@tuuksgray6938]

Stephen King Blake Crouch Andy Weir Jack Carr

[@misternegative4918]

I have like 20 pages left in Malice, and can’t wait to continue reading his books. Best book I’ve read so far this year

[@currangill430]

1. Abercrombie 2. Hobb 3. Gaiman 4. Brown 5. Naomi Naovik

[@jthespiceoflife]

For me Andy Weir I’ll buy instantly and Malcom Gladwell

[@windblownleaf6450]

We share some tastes but I personally am not a huge fan of Steven King. I feel his stories depend heavily on their timespan (the total time it takes for the story to take place. a week, a year etc.). When he writes longer stuff, I feel he struggles to either keep up the tension (which his stories rely heavily on), or if he does, it's heavily time-skipped. The two most notable examples of this are IT and The Dark Tower, which I feel don't compare to the stand-outs in their categories. If you're looking for a compact, self-contained story, Steven King is one of the best, but those kind of novels happen to not be my taste. Granted, I haven't read everything of his, so if there's something not in his usual thriller, drama, suspense thing, recommendations would be appreciated.

[@Talking_Story]

You have got me on the automatic train with Pierce Brown. I bet you get me thinking the same thing with Ryan Cahill before long.

[@ptannous27]

George Martin is my 🐐 forever and always. Game of Thrones was the first thing I read since Tolkien to say out loud “this is the greatest thing I’ve ever read” and the series just kept getting better.

[@rhahnabunaid]

Same for me. What was the book or series that you read since that came the closest to A Song of Ice and Fire?

[@Fenix-lr6ez]

​@@rhahnabunaidfor me, Stormlight Archive. Not there, but close-ish

[@ptannous27]

@@rhahnabunaid Honestly, nothing has came close. Some of my favorite series though are Red Rising and first law and memory sorrow and thorn. I just started Ryan Cahill’s The Bound and the Broken with high expectations. Mikes usually spot on and he compares it to ASOIF so I’m exited to give it a go. Hbu?

[@ptannous27]

@@Fenix-lr6ez I like Sanderson but his writing style is very basic and almost teen like lol I kind of gave up on Stormlight when Kal started to get super OP and almost everyone have powers now it makes it a little corny to me idk..

[@Fenix-lr6ez]

@@ptannous27 agree, I find some things too "superhero movie". Kal being op, every character turning into a radiant, no important character dying, etc etc. But I also love everything surrounding the Heralds and such, and the worldbuilding is awesome too. But yeah, I said close-ish, but as you say it doesnt reach asoiaf's excellency in any way, least of all the characters. Cheers!

[@nevaidos]

My auto-buy authors so far would be Josiah Bancroft, Seishi Yokomizo (he's no longer alive, but his books are slowly being translated and all have been great so far) and Robin Hobb

[@PageTurnersbooktube523]

BTW just started dune for the first time. I'm excited.

[@benja6902]

Robert McCammon is the first writer that comes to mind for me.

[@benconlin3557]

If you fancy another step outside ASOIAF I’d highly recommend Armageddon Rag. Bit of a Stephen King style, Lots of reference to old rock music and fantasy elements

[@lukepuke5541]

I’m sure you get this a lot Mike and I don’t know if you already talked about it but are you ever going to talk about infinite jest

[@Mrjacharles]

Credit for supporting your favourite authors. :)

[@OnMeds1]

Sounds a little like sheep behavior..sorry no shade

[@jf6822]

Was hoping for a Mike Shackle nod after that first trilogy

[@arthur8013]

Stephen King and Robert Charles Wilson are like my go-to authors at the moment, though I'm testing the waters with Pierce Brown and Blake Crouch. I'm a big fan of socialogical storytelling (which is why I love Robert Charles Wilson) and when Brown and Crouch dabble with it, they excel in my eyes.

[@ShadyConductor]

I’m on book 5 in the expanse so far and I haven’t been into a series like this since song of ice and fire. Yes, completely different genre, but I haven’t felt this way since then. Those guys are definitely my #1 on my list.

[@andrew4437]

John Gwynne is at the top of automatic buys for me.

[@ChristopherStern]

Surprised you didn’t add Robin Hobb to the list.

[@walternate2914]

I love King too, but his new book is CRINGE

[@angelaholmes8888]

Love Joe Abercrombie work but I would only want to reread the age of madness trilogy and best served cold and red country

[@currangill430]

People think you don't like Sanderson? Weird. I thought you were like the booktubers who love him to death. He never hit for me 🤷‍♂️

[@mikesbookreviews]

I think he's very good at what he does. But not all of his storytelling devices work for me.

[@thepapertraveler1122]

Several you mentioned are still on my to read someday list but for now my auto buy authors are: Dan Brown and Scott Lynch. Thanks for the video! It’s fun to watch how your tastes change with time and further reading.

[@wolfborn3973]

I've got SO much to read still it's insane and great at the same time.

[@turtleanton6539]

Indeed. Try spme manga to. Start with BERSERK 😊😅😅😅

[@joshstone444]

got to the point where if you like a book its an automatic read for me

[@bigaldoesbooktube1097]

Great list. Your videos always blow up my TBR’s 🙈

[@BIackEmpire]

Please list the authors 🙏 Watch your videos as you give good recommendations so really helpful to be able to quickly see the names and find good books to read.

[@rhettdw144]

Mike don’t u know that red zone is the plainest form of witchcraft. Once u hear “7 hours of commercial free football starts now” u physical CANT stop lol

[@mikesbookreviews]

It was my first time ever watching and holy hell I kept saying "after the next play" and I watched until the end of all the afternoon games. That shit is dangerous.

[@jacknixon2812]

all my automatic authors are dead,but then, I'm not very well read

[@AuthorJohnADouglas]

Some authors are just that good

[@mandyhuybregts3235]

So i was planning on buying the Ryan Cahill books. Now i also want thr Empire of the Vampire series. I blame you for an empty bank account 😂😂😂

[@mikesbookreviews]

I regret nothing.

[@mandyhuybregts3235]

@@mikesbookreviews 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@shilohjohnson6920]

Do you like Brent Weeks?

[@andrewhanson405]

I don't really many auto buy authors outside Stephen King, R Scott Bakker, and George RR Martin and Thomas Pynchon. Maybe China Miéville

[@reneenospam]

I read a variety of genres, so some of these are not SFF. Pierce Brown has been an automatic for me since I red Red Rising. I haven’t finished the Realm of the Elderlings, but what I’ve read so far places Robin Hobb on my list. Ann Patchett and Sue Monk Kidd are two literary authors I love. Their prose is chef’s kiss. Nnedi Akorafor writes African Futurist novels and novellas. She’s an automatic for me. The only book I’ve read by Michael J. Sullivan is a sci-fi thought experiment called “Hollow World.” It was quite intriguing and I enjoyed it. I haven’t tried his fantasy series yet. Emily St. John Mandel is another literary automatic. I love her prose. Like you, I think Blake Crouch is the new Michael Crichton. I’m also working on his back list, but as soon as a new title hits I’m so there. Finally, N.K. Jemisin is a goddess. I wept with joy when I started reading The Fifth Season, from The Broken Earth series. She brought emotions out of me I haven’t felt since reading Toni Morrison’s work. Toni was my favorite author for years and years. I’m comfortable that N.K. can fill those shoes.

[@russellwilson6388]

Great t shirt brother....

[@celestialdemon1316]

My automatic authors In no particular order: 1. Stephen King 2. Joe Abercrombie 3. Brandon Sanderson 4. John Gwynne 5. Jim Butcher 6. Fonda Lee 7. Mark Lawrence 8. Brian Staveley

[@HORITO_gaming]

~If your heart beats like a drum, and your leg’s a little wet, it’s ’cause the Reaper’s come to collect a little debt.~ Funny you put this out. I started Red Rising two weeks ago. About halfway through Morning Star now. It's so good. But yeah Brandon Sanderson is my current favorite with the Cosmere books.

[@ArchlordZer0]

For me it's Joe Abercrombie, Mark Lawrence, Brandon Sanderson, and Tad Williams. (haven't read Stephen King yet, so can't put him on the list.)

[@BooksWithBenghisKahn]

I’m right with you on GRRM, Abercrombie, Sando, Gwynne, Brown, and Sullivan! I have you to thank for bringing me to Faithful and the Fallen and Red Rising for which I’m eternally grateful, and I have a bunch of Crouch books on the shelf ready to try hoping he becomes a new auto-buy!

[@Michael_L_Morrison]

Great list. Number 1 for me as well is Stephen King. And as of now, whatever Mike Shackle, Peter McLean, and Jay Kristoff releases will be automatic read. I would probably say the same for Pierce Brown. Oh, if Joe R. Lansdale puts out any more Hap and Leonard books, I’m there. I love that series. I know I’m forgetting some, but these are what I thought of for the time being.

[@Scimitar55]

Great T-shirt.

[@MarcCareyBooks]

Cool video Mike.

[@TraumaticTomes]

Joe is my guy

[@csd8204]

Yes, lauding a book's profanity is extremely juvenile.

[@scottferris2686]

My automatic buys - Stephen king, RA Salvatore and Raymond Feist.

[@MichaelRSchultheiss]

A great big thank you for everything you've done to convince me to give Christopher Ruocchio and Pierce Brown a chance! Sun Eater is mind-blowing, and I completely agree with your assessment of Ruocchio. I truly think he will go down with Gene Wolfe, Frank Herbert, Dan Simmons, George R. R. Martin, and R. Scott Bakker (my favorite author of all time) as one of the all-time greats. I'm also absolutely loving Red Rising, and I intend to finish the series. Cheers, and thanks again!

[@Will.the.book.dragon]

Sai King is an automatic author for sure...I'd like to see you check out my number 2 automatic Richard Chizmar...next not really a specific author but series called remixed classics. Authors take a classic and reimagine it with a LGBTQ+ characters. There's 8 so far. Couple of titles my dear Henry (Dr. Jekyll), a clash of steel (treasure Island) and travelers along the way (robin hood) and self made boys (great Gatsby) are among my favorites. Ruby Dixon is automatic... James Aquiline (even his unleased series where he serves as editor is awesome stuff)

[@caewing85]

Michael J Sullivan I’d definitely an auto buy for me. Brandon Sanderson also. A dead author whose books are difficult to find is George MacDonald.

[@moonbot7613]

Basically a butt kissing list for authors you clearly have ties with along with being most popular the general public currently.

[@chrisbutterworth3063]

Hi Mike. I read lots of genres. James Lee Burke is my all time favourite. There's just something that strikes a chord with me every time probably in the same way that Steven King does with you. 45 novels and counting.. Greetings from the UK

[@wnctube1]

I'm officially a Crouch potato ever since you interviewed him

[@radudumanovschi3387]

I don't think I have such an author. These days I like light reading that doesn't make your mind think.