My Favorite Writers

[@MrMedude77]

Thanks for introducing us to your favourite authors & I really appreciate the list in the description.

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Thanks for watching! 🤗📚

[@Cardenio2012]

Your love for Joyce Carol Oates is infectious! I recently got 10 of her books at a used book sale (I have never read her books). I hope she wins Nobel Literature tomorrow!!

[@EricKarlAnderson]

That's sooo wonderful! I hope you enjoy reading her. And wouldn't that be amazing? I'd die of happiness.

[@petic4302]

Thank you for this video! You are lucky to have had the opportunity to be with those two writers. Thank you for your comments about them. I have not read any of the books or writers you mentioned yet, except for Dostoyevsky. am reading The Karamazov Brothers for the second time.

[@haroldniver]

That’s an incredible story. Thanks for telling it. The rest of the video was insightful as well. I was unfamiliar with Mrs Engels but it’s now in my Amazon cart. Will be picking that up very soon. I’m new to this channel but I’m really enjoying it. Keep up the great work.

[@EricKarlAnderson]

That's great! Hope you enjoy Mrs Engels. And thanks for watching!

[@1zangelique]

Joyce Carol Oates--whatttt??? I never would have guessed you're a JCO fan! LOL. Mine too, more than 40 years. I love all her writing, but I think I really enjoy her poetry and wish there was a new collection. But there's plenty of Oates to read and revisit, isn't there? And very happily we don't have to wait long for new books!

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Haha! Yes, her poems are very haunting and I admire how she experiments in the structure of her poetry as much as she does in the structure of her novels and short stories.

[@sachingargme]

Lots of new books to pick. Thanks, Eric!

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Hope you discover some new authors that you love too!

[@jmmonaco5680]

First, just want to say how I love your vids. Your enthusiasm, energy and sincerity is so infectious and heart-warming, it's like meeting up with a friend over coffee and catching up on latest or favourite reads! Thank you for cheery me up this morning! I've responded before about our mutual love of Joyce Carol Oates's work - she just hits at something deep inside. It's her fearless ability to tackle dark themes and somehow create meaningful story from them, finding a space where hope is possible. Dostoyevsky too, a writer Oates herself mentions as an influence. I read Crime and Punishment I think when I was a very naive 19 or 20 and it was a key inspiration for my writing journey. Smith's playfulness is another inspiration and Adichie has been on my list for a while now - must move her up and read soon. Thanks again for lifting me up this morning Eric. I so appreciate your amazing work here!

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Thank you so much! I'm so glad you feel that way and happy you love those authors too. I hope you enjoy Adichie when you get a chance to read her. Have a great day! 📚

[@luke28]

A very interesting well-rounded list, in my opinion. Thank you Eric :) Lots of new things to discover!

[@drawntostories5940]

You are full of surprises! And what a nice story about you, Edmund White and Joyce Carol Oates. I would have been petrified too :D

[@EricKarlAnderson]

I mean, it was amazing and wonderful, of course. But yes, it was such an intimidating situation.

[@joniheisenberg6691]

“Writers that exude a certain sensibility that you connect to. “ Such an excellent way to frame your favorite authors. For me, it is a searing intelligence and powers of observation. As such, Philip Roth and James Baldwin are my top two. Having read all their books, I am blown away by their inability to miss the smallest detail of the human condition and mirror it back to the reader. As far as one of your favorites, Joyce Carol Oates, I found her memoir “ A Widow’s Story “ so raw and moving. I once read a criticism about her prolific writing “ turning out so many books “ and struggled with why this was deemed a flaw. The ability to create such a body of work as she has done should be admired in my opinion.

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Thank you! I value those qualities too and very much agree with you about Baldwin. Yes, that memoir by Oates was unusually candid and very powerful. I guess some people feel exhausted when they see an author producing so much and rather than engaging with them dismiss that author as "too prolific" but it's lucky for me that she is since it gives me so many books by her to enjoy.

[@josmith5992]

You’re so right about that often unexplainable connection you feel with an author even when you’ve only read one book by them, how with favorite authors you can read even a flawed book and enjoy it. I’ve just read my first Ali Smith, How to be Both and could see her making her way onto my own favorites list and also just picked up a copy of Fanny in a library sale primarily because I’d heard you talk about Edmund White. Look forward to see how your list changes over the years Eric.

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Oh that's great! So glad you enjoyed Ali and hope you enjoy the novel Fanny as well - it's about two really fascinating women!

[@JuanReads]

You've brought some contemporary writers I'd never heard about to my attention. I've been thinking about doing a similar video since I watch Alex's, but I think I'll leave it until my first year anniversary on KZbin.

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Oh that'd be a great way to celebrate your first year! I look forward to it.

[@johnhunt8388]

I really enjoyed your video. It was interesting to hear who your favourites are and the reasons behind those choices. As you said over time opinions and favourites do change. As we evolve so do our tastes in writing. We enjoy different stories and styles of writing. I personally haven't read anything by any of the authors you mentioned though I do own a physical copy of The Years but have yet to read it. I do want to get onto it soon as you have really made it sound good and worth a read. For me I find I prefer individual books rather than the same author time and time again. I love Sally Rooney's style of writing and think she is someone to continue to watch as the years go by. Kate Atkinson is an amazingly talented author who writes wonderful books. For me she is perhaps one of the greatest female authors of our generation. I love her contrast between her police novels and her stand alone novels. So different yet both so good. Zadie Smith is a really great writer who stands out for me as well but I haven't liked all of her books. The other author I love is James Baldwin. If Beale Street Could Talk is a brilliant book. Definitely the best book I have ever read. So powerful. The other author who really gets your mind thinking is Jeannette Winterson. Her writing is mind blowing. So different. Sarah Moss would be another to include in the mix. She is a stunning writer and again very different from the usual female authors out there today. This video has really got me thinking.

[@EricKarlAnderson]

thanks so much! I hope you enjoy and feel as enriched by reading The Years as I do when you have time to get to it. Your choices are great. I've only read one book by Atkinson so I'm aware I really ought to read more as I loved her writing. Baldwin is brilliant and I loved both Winterson and Moss' most recent novels.

[@johnhunt8388]

@@EricKarlAnderson The Stone Gods by Jeanette Winterson had me in tears. I was so moved by passages of the book. Her writing moved me more than anyone else and I felt emotional for days afterwards. Sarah Moss - Ghost Wall was an amazing book. I know you loved it also. For such a slim novel it really packed a punch. It was unnerving and I found for hours after I had finsihed the book I was still creeped out. Her writing has such an intensity to it. Really powerful and intoxicating. Kate Atkinson is just an amazing writer. When i first read her books I thought wow these are special. They really were emotional and beautifully written. I then read her detective novels and it was like reading a totally different authors work. These books were great and the characters were enjoyable but I could not marry the Kate Atkinson of the other books to these books. The styles were so different. I love all of her books and think it's a testament to her talents that she can write both styles so eloquently. A brilliant writer. Have you ever read The Doll Funeral by Kate Hammer? It is an intoxicating book so many senses come to life within its pages. It is creepy, beautiful, disturbing and really comes to life and off of the pages. Like Ghost Wall it is really well written and lingers on long after the last page.

[@henrikibsen6258]

After Dostoyevsky Virginia Woolf was my first literary love. I started with To The Lighthouse when I was about 18 and I would literally read it on walks. Then I read Mrs. Dalloway in one or two nights, captivated. Then Orlando, bored (but that's a matter of taste). Then The Waves, I remember my jaw literally dropping. I read half of it on the beach. Then I read Between The Acts, which VW considered a failure, but by this point I considered her a deity and couldn't see any flaws. My love for her is mad. Madder than for Joyce. It's nice to see that shared.

[@ChristyLuisDostoevskyinSpace]

Hi Eric! I just discovered your channel through your Booker vlog. How exciting! Thanks for sharing your favorites with us, despite your trepidation. What a great list of contemporary writers to check out. I think I've read a short story by Joyce Carol Oates, but that's it. I'll definitely pick up one of her novels! Take care! -Christy

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Hello! Thanks for watching. And yes, it's definitely worth trying a novel by Joyce Carol Oates as well. Hope you enjoy!

[@krc5210]

I read the Woman's Story when it was first translated into English I think and loved the writing so much that I read 3 others right after. There is something about Ernaux's writing that just so meaningful to me. Woolf and I have struggled and I know it is all on my side. I have not read The Waves but will try. TY for your recs.

[@kellygrant4759]

Such a great video. I've added some new books to my tbr, thanks to you. 😊

[@EricKarlAnderson]

That's great! Hope you enjoy them. 🤗📚

[@theaelizabet]

So nice to see Ionesco get some love! And John Cheever, too! It’s been awhile since I’ve read either of them; I should pull them both off my shelves this fall.

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Thanks! I've found they're really worth revisiting (even though Ionesco's writing isn't very fashionable anymore)

[@whatpageareyouon]

Wonderful! Woolf, Smith, & of course Joyce, I could have guessed : ) I never knew about Good Morning, Midnight's literary context, although Rhys has been an enigma to me--always heard of her but never have read her. What a wallop of a reputation she has! I have Cheever's collected stories, have read two or three and really like them, I'm glad to see him appear here as some nice re-ammunition to continue to read him. Wonderful selections Eric, the way you speak of them feel like well-crafted mirrors to you and your personhood as a reader and human being

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Thank you! Yes, Rhys had a really fascinating life. I'd love to know what you think of her books.

[@JasmineReads]

I'm loving these videos about people's favourite writers! Thank you for sharing yours (I totally get the hesitation to do so😅)

[@tumblyhomecarolinep7121]

In the section about Virginia Woolf the photo of her seems to be thinking about what you are saying. I am sure her eyebrows raised when you talked about To the Lighthouse

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Haha! Could you imagine criticising V Woolf to her face? Oh dear! I'd die.

[@iceberglettuce1129]

I'm very late to comment on this video but I recently read How to Be Both and it became one of my absolute favorite books of all time! My favorite writers are probably Virginia Woolf, Ali Smith, Maggie Nelson, Jeanette Winterson and Eileen Myles. I'm definitely going to check out the authors on this list they sound awesome.

[@CharlieBrookReads]

This was interesting ❤️ I love your story about JCO and Edmund White and the dinner.... I would have fan-girled so much if I was at the table with one of my favourite writers... so lovely ❤️!!!

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Thanks! It was such a great thing - wish I had bucked up the courage to speak more.

[@marinamaccagni5253]

Hi, eric! I became your follower few days ago. I love Virginia Woolf and Jean rhys. I read "the demons" twice. I dont know jessie and mardsen hartley. My absolute faves are david foster wallace, jeanette winterson "oranges are not the only fruit", Sarah kane, adichie, joan didion" the year of magical thinking" and carol oates, of course!

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Wonderful! Thank you! Have you read Winterson's most recent novel yet? It's really wild and clever.

[@marinamaccagni5253]

@@EricKarlAnderson , i read in 2013 "why be happy when you could be normal?" Wonderful! It's one of her latest novel/essay kind of thing, i suppose.

[@bookish.bulletin]

Nice to see that Adichie has made it to your list of likely favourites. I love her writing and am eagerly waiting for more from her. Hope she writes another novel soon :)

[@EricKarlAnderson]

🤞

[@robertkim5968]

Shakespeare, James Joyce, Dostoevski, Chekov, Kafka, Woolf, Paul and Jane Bowles, Jean Rhys, William S. Burroughs, Henry Miller, E.M. Forster, William T. Vollmann.

[@robertkim5968]

Have to add Dickens and Lawrence Durrell

[@MarcNash]

Didn't expect to see Ionescu on your list, but delighted that he is. Have you read the latest Ernaux on Fitzcarraldo - "I Remain In darkness"? I think it will only cement your love for her.

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Thanks! Have you ever seen any of his plays produced? In my younger years I acted in the Bald Soprano and I saw it performed at the Huchette theatre. I also saw a good production of The Chairs and a couple productions of Exit the King. I've got a copy of "I Remain in Darkness" but not read it yet.

[@MarcNash]

@@EricKarlAnderson I've only seen student productions of Rhinoceros & The Chairs, but both were really good. I need to read The Bald Soprano as I don't know it

[@EricKarlAnderson]

@@MarcNash It's the one he wrote mimicking a guide to learning English. The characters all make banal statements as they do in those sorts of books where the characters introduce themselves and make out of context remarks to demonstrate principles of language and vocabulary. But as the play progresses logic completely breaks down. It's very funny and clever.

[@MarcNash]

@@EricKarlAnderson sure I read a novel in which that device is used? I know Batuman's "The Idiot" uses it in a limited way, but there was another

[@malexander4094]

I've had such a strange relationship to Woolf. She was one of my first favorite writers. But in the last 10 yrs or so, I hadn't actually revisited her novels & mainly devoured many of her essays, which I still love. So this year I said, I'd revisit those novels! And would start with one I'd never read: "The Years." I understand its flaws, but I think it's got strengths that are unsung (and yet it was the bestseller in her lifetime). With this good will, I headed into my re-reads...and something strange happened: the flaws I was patient with in "The Years" are front & center throughout her novels. And I wanted to love "The Waves" so much, but it always felt too ethereal to make me feel anything. And now, it's almost like she's one of my least favorite writers. It's so weird! I've really struggled with it. I won't wait another 10 yrs to re-evaluate, though!

[@brittabohlerthesecondshelf]

Some I expected choices but there were some surprises as well. I would have never guessed Ionesco, I'd thought you consider him too 'absurd'. I find coming up with favorite authors really difficult, favorite books yes, but favorite authors, I just dont know how to do it.

[@EricKarlAnderson]

I have a real affection for the absurd. Sometimes I just spin around in my library reciting lines from Ionesco. Yeah, it's definitely a different kind of challenge coming up with a list of fav authors rather than fav books! But I'd love to see you try. 😄

[@ejazhusseini1888]

I was wondering if you've read Khaled Hosseini? Because the way you so deeply relate to your GOAT writers, Hosseini is one of those most favorite writers for me. Please let me know if you've him, and what do u think of him if u have? Ps: Virginia's Woolf is a darling! ❤️

[@EricKarlAnderson]

I haven't read Hosseini yet unfortunately - which I know I should have! So thanks for reminding me I should.

[@mspaula0509]

@@EricKarlAnderson I've only read The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns. Though both were wonderful, I liked A Thousand Splendid Suns slightly more.

[@ejazhusseini1888]

@PaulaA I've read all three of this, and Splendid Suns is my most beloved as well. Tho the Mountains Echoed is a morally questioning one.

[@marlenecabada8731]

My favorites include Jane Austen,Thomas Hardy,EM Forster,Virginia Woolf, The Brontes, and contemporary authors are Simone St James,Stephen King and in romance, Kathleen E. Woodiwiss.

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Wonderful!

[@bearlincs]

My favourite writers would include Mary Shelley, Charles Dickens, George Eliot, Thomas Hardy, J.R.R. Tolkien, H.G. Wells, and later ones like Daphne du Maurier, Ray Bradbury, Brian Aldiss, Ursula le Guin, Susan Cooper, Gene Wolfe, and Robert Holdstock.

[@acajudi100]

James Baldwin, Studs Terkel, Malcolm X, Alex Hailey, Herman Hesse, Toni Morrison, George Orwell, William Faulkner, Maya Angelou , and Amy Tan, Oscar Lewis,etc.. etc. Only a few off the top of my head,

[@fergalohearga9594]

William Gaddis, author of my favourite book of all time and just a tiny smattering of other fantastic, unmatcheable books; Roberto Bolano, author of my second favourite book and quite a few other brilliant, compelling books that leave you amazed when they're over; Sebastian Barry, a lyrical writer of extraordinary beauty, although sometimes overly so; Marilynne Robinson, the Gilead trilogy (for lack of a better term) a thing of bare wonderment; Javier Marias, who can make 400 pages about nothing compelling reading ...

[@garylevine5698]

How could you leave out Count Tolstoy???!!! As far as Woolf,I really liked Lighthouse & I could stand Dallaway. Consequently,you have persuaded me to give" The Waves" a try

[@angim6750]

I need to read more widely before i can have a comprehensive list. So far its Ngugi wa Thion'go, Chimamanda, Trollope, Dickens and lots of fantasy! 👯 Great story at the end 🐉

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Great picks!

[@michaeldornan7737]

Totally agree with Ali smith, Dostoyevsky and Edmund White ... all brilliant writers. Try Gogol. He may become one of your favourites too!

[@EricKarlAnderson]

I will do! Thanks for the suggestion.

[@locutusdborg126]

John Fowles, Virginia Woolf, Jane Austen, Raymond Chandler, E.M. Forster.

[@andyiswonderful]

Have you read any Victor Hugo?

[@mantisamygdala]

Dostojewski's "Idiot" is my favorite by him. Puschkin and Tolstoi are great, too. And have you ever read Zola? Tschechov? And where have you lost Nabokov? And, and, and... :) H is for Hawk - one of the best books the last years, I guess.

[@EricKarlAnderson]

I've not read The Idiot but it's one I really want to read. I love Émile Zola's The Earth. I've read lots of Nabokov's novels and there are some scenes and lines of his which really stick with me. I loved his novel The Defense, for instance. And yes, H is for Hawk is such a brilliant book. Did you know it's being made into a fictional film?

[@majdoulineelaasemi79]

We have the same taste Mantisamygdala. Idiot is one of my favorite books, Zola is my favorite french author and I love Nabokov :). I have never read Tschechov, which book would you suggest from him ?

[@andrewrussell2845]

In spite of following your channel for the last 18mths or so, I had not the slightest inkling that you liked...JCO? 😂😂😂

[@joelalvarez5150]

I’d like to read a lot of your picks your interest are similar to mine

[@seonarella]

I totally agree with you about Jean Rhys, you put it so beautifully. However, Wide Sargasso Sea does nothing for me! The three melancholy novels you talk about to me are so 👌. I adore them.

[@EricKarlAnderson]

I guess the disappointing thing about Wide Sargasso Sea is the idea is somewhat better than the execution of it. And I reread it a few years ago when I helped organize an online Jean Rhys reading group and reading it next to her other novels it really faded into the background.

[@seonarella]

@@EricKarlAnderson I find it somewhat baffling that her trio of melancholia is less well known! However, I am pleased she is known at all because I would be without Good Morning, Midnight otherwise! X

[@TootightLautrec]

So much for my budget. Suddenly I'm down a significant amount of coins, with three new books in the mail! McLaughlin, McCrea, and Hartley. I'll let you know if I blame you or thank you later.

[@EricKarlAnderson]

I have a real thing for the Irish. I hope you love them as much as I do - if not I'll buy you that chalet by the sea and rustle up a manservant for you from the back alleys of Soho. 😉

[@TootightLautrec]

@@EricKarlAnderson Tootight's "pen name," which I'll be announcing as we draw closer to December, is Irish in origin, so yes, I too have a thing for them. Oh, the back alleys of SoHo!

[@AtelierAhb]

The novel that made people realize she wasn’t dead! That was perfect!

[@EricKarlAnderson]

😂📚

[@drawyourbook876]

I also love chimamanda!!

[@EricKarlAnderson]

🙌

[@joelalvarez5150]

What do you recommend for a guy who’s stuck in bed for hrs and hrs to keep them interested ?

[@EricKarlAnderson]

I’d recommend a really engrossing novel I just read called The Eighth Life

[@jontalbot1]

None of these for me. Not one. In fact some l really hate!