Probably won't see me in the servers for a while

I'm not big into reading novels written before I'd say the 1900's just because I typically don't like having to decrypt what the author is trying to get at (i.e. Shakespeare). I will not argue, however, that he is most definitely the best play writer of all time, I just don't like that style of writing.

You and me both, the only authors that I'd consider are Charles Dickens, Robert louis stevenson and Herman melville.

I'd say my favorite authors are Kurt Vonnegut, Richard Wright, Cormac McCarthy, Truman Capote, JRR Tolkien, CS Lewis (both his chidlren's books and his adult books). I read a lot of military history books as well but I can't really name many specific authors in that genre.

I really like it when I'm reading a book and you can tell that the author labored over making every sentence the perfect sentence. McCarthy and Capote are brilliant in that regard. McCarthy can be a tough read at times but to me his books are very rewarding. The same is true of Richard Wright at times. That's a guy who really blew my mind when it comes to looking at the world through the eyes of black men in 1930's and 40's America. Native Son is a must-read IMO.

Someone mentioned The Fountainhead earlier - I really can't stand Ayn Rand's writing. I think she's a horrible author and her books read like pulpy fiction. I think she originally got the most fame for her objectivist philosophy. I can't imagine those books being best sellers if it weren't for that.