Top Ten Tuesdays is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl!

“Welcome to another TTT! This week’s topic is Authors You Wish Were Still Writing Today, and was submitted by Rebecca @ Top100Books. These could be authors who have passed away, are retired, or are taking a hiatus from writing. You could also spin this and share authors who have switched to a genre you’re not interested in.”

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I am using the theme this week to showcase some of my most beloved and inspiring authors I have had the pleasure of reading throughout my life!

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Diana Wynne Jones (Aug 16th, 1934 – March 26th, 2011) – She was an accomplished English children’s fantasy writer. One of her more popular works was the Howl’s Moving Castle trilogy, that I have read and reviewed here. She also worked with Hayao Miyazaki with his film adaptation of the first film. Another of her works Earwig and the Witch, was later adapted into film by Hayao’s son, Goro in 2020. She has been missed!

J.R.R. Tolkien (Jan 3rd, 1892 – September 2nd, 1973) – I feel like he needs no introduction, but he did write the AMAZING Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies. These books have been adapted several times over starting in the 1970’s with animated movies, then Peter Jackson’s epic movies, then an Amazon Prime series. His attention to detail and poetic nature of his writing, was some of the best.

Dr. Suess (March 2nd, 1904 – September 24th, 1991) – I grew up reading his more eccentric children’s books. My favorites including Green Eggs and Ham, Horton Hears a Who, The Lorax and Oh, the Places You’ll Go! His books have been adapted into numerous adaptations like movies and TV shows. I would be curious how his work would have changed to the more contemporary world nowadays.

A.A. Milne (Jan 18th, 1882 – Jan 31st, 1956) – Yet another childhood favorite, Milne created Winnie-the-Pooh and the whole Hundred Acre Wood. I have vivid memories of my mom reading these books to my sister and I, as well as having a big collection of all the movies and animated series Disney picked up. The live action movie Christopher Robin, made me cry like a baby the first couple times I saw it with all the nostalgia.

Lewis Carroll (January 27th, 1832 – January 14th, 1898) – He did not just create the world of Alice in Wonderland, but he was also a Victorian age photographer as well as an inventor. He also created original ink illustrations for his private manuscript of Alice’s Adventures Under Ground in 1864. The sheer volume of adaptations over the years, shows how much his creation effected the different cultures since his death.

C.S. Lewis (November 29th, 1898 – November 22nd, 1963) – I remember the first time I read The Chronicles of Narnia way back in elementary school. This series brought the children’s fantasy genre to my attention where I fell in love instantly. Besides that he wrote science fiction, Christian apologetics and non-fiction, and other novels including Til We Have Faces and The Great Divorce. I may have to read and review the Chronicles of Narnia series on here, just to get reacquainted with the series!

Edgar Allen Poe (January 19th, 1809 – October 7th, 1849) – Regardless of his darker past, he had a true gift for writing suspense and emotional works. He wrote a slew of short stories and poems including The Cask of Amontillado, The Pit and the Pendulum, The Tell-Tale Heart, and The Raven. Such an iconic writer still used as inspiration today.

Shirley Jackson (December 14th, 1916 – August 8th, 1965) – She was an American author who wrote horror, biographies and short stories. The first story I read of hers was The Lottery while in college. The premise blew me away and then I discovered she wrote The Haunting of Hill House which has been adapted into a Netflix series, both of which were extremely creepy mind you.

Jane Austen (December 16th, 1775 – July 18th, 1817) – Pride and Prejudice was one of the first adult novels I read as a younger child. I saw the movie adaptation and fell in love once again. I then discovered her other works of Sense and Sensibility, Mansfield Park and Emma. Her works continue to instill inspiration in many regency and Victorian works from modern authors today!

Roald Dahl (September 13th, 1916 – November 23rd, 1990) – He was another British children’s author whose works include Matilda, The BFG, Gremlins, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Fantastic Mr. Fox. I have read and seen most of the movie adaptations of these beloved classics. Matilda being my introduction to him when we read it in elementary school.

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Phew! I was not expecting this week to be so heavy on the research but I am honestly glad for it. I have some books I want to revisit from these amazing writers not just for nostalgia purposes, but to keep their legacies alive in my heart!

What authors do you remember fondly on?