My Top Ten Authors Of All Time

The authors I’ve read the most books from

I’ve read hundreds of books in my lifetime. But, I’ve read some authors more than others.

I decided to make a list of the top ten writers I’ve currently read the most books from. This way, I can see if they are actually a favorite author of mine.

Let’s dive right in!

10. Miranda Kenneally

Genre: Contemporary Number of Books Read: 9

I read all of Miranda Kenneally’s books back-to-back in 2020. I had just been sent home from college for an “extended spring break” in March when I had zero clue how much Covid-19 would change the world. I was looking for something quick and mindless to read, and I saw that these books were available to read from the library.

I’ve read nine books from her. They include:

• The Hundred Oaks series (8 books)
• Four Days of You and Me

Overall, I think Miranda Kenneally’s books are okay. I gave most of them 2 or 3 stars. Her most popular series is the Hundred Oaks series. Each book follows a different main character and love interest, and centers on a specific sport (football, baseball, etc.). My favorite book is Breathe Annie Breathe, which is the fifth book in the Hundred Oaks series. I gave that one four stars.

Though I have read a ton of Miranda Kenneally’s books, I don’t consider her a favorite author. They were fun to read at the time, but not super memorable.

Would I recommend?

Maybe? If you want light-hearted sports romances you can read quickly, this could be a good option.

9. Sophie Kinsella

Genre: Contemporary Number of Books Read: 9

Sophie Kinsella writes funny contemporary stories mostly centered on women navigating life in their 20s and 30s.

I’ve read nine books from her, which accounts for most of her standalone novels. They are:

• Can You Keep a Secret?
• The Undomestic Goddess
• Remember Me?
• I’ve Got Your Number
• Twenties Girl
• My Not So Perfect Life
• Finding Audrey
• I Owe You One
• The Party Crasher

My favorite novel from her is I’ve Got Your Number. I loved the banter between the two main characters and laughed multiple times while reading. However, though I have enjoyed most of her books, there are a few which I didn’t like. Two examples are I Owe You One and Love Your Life (which I couldn’t actually bring myself to finish).

I do plan on reading more books from her in the future. If you go in expecting a light and fluffy story, you will probably enjoy her books. I have yet to read her Confessions of a Shopaholic series, which is her most popular.

I plan to read a few more books by Sophie Kinsella in order to do an author ranking article, like what I have done for some of the other authors on this list.

Would I recommend?

Most of them! You have to be in the mood for a funny writing style and a (sometimes) ridiculous premise.

8. William Shakespeare

Genre: Classic, Plays Number of Plays Read: 11

Through high school and various college classes, I’ve managed to read eleven Shakespeare plays (and tons of his sonnets). I’ve ranked his plays here if you’re curious:

In general, the Shakespeare plays I enjoy the most are his comedies. I like to laugh and watch characters in ridiculous situations. My favorite play from him (that I’ve read so far) is Much Ado About Nothing.

I’m open to reading more Shakespeare plays in the future, but I’m taking a break now that I’m not forced to read them for class.

Would I recommend?

If you’re able to, I would watch the plays instead of reading the scripts (as you can get a better sense of what is going on). But, most of the plays are still interesting to read if you’re in the mood.

7. Rick Riordan

Genre: Fantasy, Greek mythology Number of Books Read: 11

Rich Riordan (or, as the fandom calls him, Uncle Rick) writes great children’s and young adult retellings of Greek mythology in the modern day.

So far, I’ve read eleven books by him:

• Percy Jackson and the Olympians (5 books)
• Heroes of Olympus (5 books)
• The Trials of Apollo: The Hidden Oracle

These books only skim the surface of Rick Riordan’s backlog, including books about Egyptian and Norse mythology.

Rick’s books are always fun to read. I definitely want to read more of his books in the future, it just hasn’t been a big priority for me right now. I would like to finish The Trials of Apollo series, as I’ve only read the first book. I’d also like to read his newest release for the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series when it comes out later this year.

Would I recommend?

Yes (most especially for younger readers).

6. Richelle Mead

Genre: Paranormal Number of Books Read: 12

Do not look at the covers for these books. They are atrocious and false marketing for what is actually a great series.

I’ve read twelve books by Richelle Mead, which are all books in the Vampire Academy and Bloodlines series respectively. They’re addictive paranormal romance books that I devoured. I read both series back-to-back in the span of a few weeks.

Even though I have read a ton of books by Richelle Mead, I would hesitate to call her a “favorite author.” I’ve only ever read her vampire books, and I haven’t ever felt the need to pick up her other novels. In the future, I could see myself rereading Vampire Academy, but I don’t consider them to be a favorite of all time.

Would I recommend?

Maybe? You have to really like vampire stories and dramatic romance plots

5. Marissa Meyer

Genre: Sci-fi, Retellings Number of Books Read: 12

I love Marissa Meyer’s books! She writes young adult science fiction and fairytale retellings. I’ve read twelve books from her:

• The Lunar Chronicles (6 books)
• Wires and Nerves (2 books)
• The Renegades series (3 books)
• Heartless

My favorite series is Renegades. I love the characters and the plot and I’ve reread the books multiple times. She does have a few books I haven’t read yet, like Gilded and Instant Karma. I’m interested to try them out, but I do have a feeling I won’t connect with them as much as her other series.

Would I recommend?

Yes! Her books are good for all ages.

4. Christina Lauren

Genre: Romance Number of Books Read: 12

Christina Lauren is the pen name for best friends Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings.

They are one of my favorite romance authors and I have read all twelve of their standalone books. You can read my ranking here:

Though there are some books I dislike, I have enjoyed the majority of their books. My favorite book from them is Love and Other Words.

I would read more of their books in the future because I find the stories so addicting and entertaining. However, I plan to stick to their standalones, as I’m not interested in their series.

Would I recommend?

Yes! If you like romance with well-written characters, Christina Lauren has some fantastic books.

3. Sarah J. Maas

Genre: Fantasy Number of Books Read: 13

Sarah J. Maas is the author of very popular Young Adult and New Adult fantasy series, such as Throne of Glass (TOG)and A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR).

I have read all of the books currently out in both of those series, which accounts for thirteen books in total. I really enjoyed both ACOTAR and TOG. They are fantasy romance books with exciting plots and big casts of characters. Her books are huge, but I always fly through them in a few days.

She also has the first two books out in a series called Crescent City, but I haven’t read them (yet). For some reason, I don’t think I will enjoy this series as much as her others, so I’ve held myself back. I do intend to pick them up at some point though.

Would I recommend?

Yes (but be warned the books have a lot of romance).

2. Sarah Dessen

Genre: Contemporary Number of Books Read: 14

Sarah Dessen is the author of one of my favorite books of all time, Just Listen. She writes young adult contemporary stories and is one of the authors that got me into reading as a teen.

I’ve read all fourteen books she currently has released. You can read my ranking of her novels here:

In addition to Just Listen, I also love The Truth About Forever and This Lullaby. I’ve reread her books multiple times, and each time, I find something new.

I have enjoyed pretty much all of her books and would consider her a favorite author. I love her writing style and how introspective and reflective her characters are. When she comes out with another novel, I will be first in line to read it.

Would I recommend?

Yes! They are amazing coming-of-age novels.

1. Cassandra Clare

Genre: Fantasy Number of Books Read: 19

Cassandra Clare typically writes young adult fantasies. Most of her books are set in the ‘Shadowhunter Chronicles’, a fantasy world where half-human half-angel warriors fight demons.

I’ve read nineteen books from her, which makes her my most-read author of all time. Here are the books I’ve read from her:

• The Mortal Instruments (6 books)
• The Infernal Devices (3 books)
• The Dark Artifices (3 books)
• The Last Hours (3 books)
• The Bane Chronicles (short story collection)
• Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy (short story collection)
• The Eldest Curses (2 books)

As you can see by the sheer number of books I have read, Cassandra Clare is one of my favorite authors. I love the fantasy world of the ‘Shadowhunter Chronicles,’ the characters, and the exciting plots.

My favorite books from her are The Dark Artifices series. Cassandra Clare publishes more books every year, so I definitely see myself continuing to read from her in the future.

Would I recommend?

Yes! If you want to get sucked into a fantasy world, no world is better than the Shadowhunters Chronicles!

Honorable Mentions

I thought I would note some authors at the end here who I’ve read quite a few books but did not make it to the top ten. Some of those are:

• John Green (8 books) — Contemporary/Nonfiction (You can read my ranking of his books here.)

• Wendy Mass (8 books) — Contemporary
• Kasie West (8 books) — Romance
• Amie Kaufman (7 books) — Sci-fi
• Jennifer E. Smith (7 books) — Contemporary
• Tahereh Mafi (7 books) — Sci-fi/Dystopian/Contemporary

Who are your top ten authors?

I’m curious to know who your top ten authors/favorite authors are (and if any of them are the same as mine)! Let me know in the comments.

If you liked this article, you can sign up for free emails whenever I publish something new. You’ll get all my book recommendations, reviews, and ramblings in one place.