Authors I'll read just because
My copy of Katabasis came through on my library app - I went into the queue at number nineteen however many weeks ago. Today I got the notification. I told my wife I was excited the book had come in. "Cool," she said. "What's it about?" I realised I did not know. It's the new RF Kuang, end of.
Which got me thinking about authors I'll read just because it's them. No matter the reviews or the plot. Not typically something I consciously do.
Sarah Waters. Everything Fingersmith and onwards I have in hardback so that shows something.
Emma Donoghue. Okay so I haven't gotten around to Haven yet, but I will, no questions asked.
Richard Powers. Even though Bewilderment did not do it for me I loved The Overstory so much I'll read anything, just in case it's that good.
Kiran Millwood Hargrave. I know I'll get along with her (adult) stories and I'll be reading the next one, Almost Life, when it comes out no matter what.
Gregory Maguire. As I know I will always relish a Gregory Maguire book.
RF Kuang. However I feel about the books themselves I know I'll always get something provoking and I'm always excited to see what that is.
Andrea Wulf. A biographer and all the better for not knowing anything about the subject going in.
Carlo Rovelli. I just do as Carlo Rovelli tells me, as regards science.
This list may not be exhaustive. I've probably forgotten people.
Three notes about apparent omissions:
- There are authors where I've read their entire output but I couldn't guarantee I'd definitely pick up a new release
- Sometimes I do a thing where if I really like a book I avoid reading others by the author - I have read only three Margaret Atwood books just because I loved Handmaid's Tale so much
- Many of my favourite authors are no longer in a position to be putting out new books
Thinking about this in other realms is interesting. Music? Absolutely I will give almost anything by almost anyone a listen if I've enjoyed anything they've done before. Films? There's one director I would watch no matter what she put out, from sheer stubborn loyalty. Actors? I don't think so. TV? Yes I'd probably extend this to a few writers, for old times sake.