I am soooo excited! I have been keeping a spreadsheet of the books that I have read since 2014. For a long time I would also use it to keep track of when and where I acquired books, what series I was reading and what the new books were in each series, for my reading challenges and more. These days though, it really is just my log of what I have read. But for a question like this, it really comes into it's own! Hello, pivot tables!
The question for this week's TTT is which authors have you read the most books by. I therefore have 14 years of worth of data to analyse. Sounds like fun right!
Nora Roberts/J D Robb - with a whopping 59 titles read published under either the name Nora Roberts or J D Robb, this is the author that I have read the most over the last 14 years. The interesting thing is that over the last 4 years I have only read three Nora Roberts books, and I haven't actually read a J D Robb novel since 2009. I am up to book number 17 in the In Death series. Given that book number 50 just came out I don't think I will be catching up any time soon. This cover is from Sea Swept, the first book I ever read by Nora Roberts
Janet Evanovich - This is another case of a reader who I have read a lot of books by that I don't really read at all any more. I have read 45 books which includes her standalone romances and a copy of the shortlived series. I did read 19 of the Stephanie Plum books, but I couldn't take it any more. I was a Morelli cupcake from the beginning, but I would be okay with Stephanie choose Ranger if it just meant that she was picking one of them!
Robyn Carr - This author comes in third place, mainly due to the fact that I have reread the entire Virgin River series more than once, and I would again. As much as I love the VR series, I haven't really been that impressed by the standalone books or other series.
Lisa Kleypas - I have read 34 books by this author. At one stage I was pretty much up to date but then I haven't read that much for the last few years and so got a bit behind. This book is one of the rare standalone books. You don't hear a lot about this book but it is one of my favourites.
Mary Balogh - This one surprised me in some ways, because I wouldn't have thought I had read so many books but according to my handy spreadsheet I have read 24 books by her. The interesting thing on this author is that I haven't rated any of these books at more than a 4/5 so her books are of a pretty consistent standard.
Jill Shalvis - This is another author I have read 24 books by. I read one earlier this year for the first time but it didn't blow my mind so not sure if that was just that book! I do have fond memories of several series so it isn't time to give up just yet.
Elizabeth Chadwick - Oh, I do enjoy Elizabeth Chadwick's medieval historical fiction. I loved her William Marshall books. Really I don't think there are any books I haven't enjoyed. It is therefore surprising that I am a few books behind. Need to get back to her books.
Alexander McCall Smith - AMS's books are always very soothing reads, so I don't think it is surprising that I have read so many of his books - at last count 21. Most of those are the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency books although I have read other books by him as well. I will say that these are still my favourite style of covers for this series.
Alexander McCall Smith - AMS's books are always very soothing reads, so I don't think it is surprising that I have read so many of his books - at last count 21. Most of those are the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency books although I have read other books by him as well. I will say that these are still my favourite style of covers for this series.
Elizabeth Peters - This was another that surprised me, and then I was reminded that it has been many years since I read any of the books in the Amelia Peabody series and I haven't finished it yet. I don't really know why because I did love this series.
Julia Quinn - Another surprise entry in the list as I wouldn't have thought I would have read 20 books from this author, and there are still plenty more available, although it has been quite some time since I read any of her books. I am wondering if the upcoming Bridgerton series on Netflix may inspire me to get back to reading her books.
My most read Aussie authors were just outside this top 10 and they were for Kelly Hunter and Rachael Johns. I have a Rachael Johns book on my bedside table right now so her numbers are still on the rise.
I do find it a bit curious that there are so many romance authors on this list, but I think it is because they often write series or linked books, and they publish regularly.
Which authors made your list!
I had Alexander McCall Smith on my TTT, I've ve read most of his No.1 Ladies' Detective books and some of his Scotland ones and I totally agree with you. While I usually prefer something with a bit more "bite", his books are very soothing.
ReplyDeleteNice list.
I've read a few of his Scotland books, a few of the myth books, and a couple of others as well Marianne.
DeleteJill Shalvis! So many bloggers adore her work, so she's one of those names i instantly recognise even tthough I haven't read her work (I should though!)
ReplyDeleteI saw her on quite a few lists Verushka!
DeleteWhat a great idea to keep a spreadsheet. Wow, 59 books by Nora Roberts and you know, I didn't know J.D. Robb was the same author. I always learn new things from you.
ReplyDeleteMary Blaugh was on my horizon after I saw her books highlighted at British Isles Friday event.
That was your one thing for yesterday then Tina!
DeleteI used to keep a spreadsheet, then life happened. I've read a few Mary Balogh books as well as Julia Quinn back in the day when I was reading more romance novels. I enjoyed a few books by Elizabeth Chadwick too.
ReplyDeleteI was glad Elizabeth Chadwick made the list Laura!
DeleteNora Roberts and Julia Quinn are on my list too.
ReplyDeleteThe authors I've read the most are either children's authors, mystery authors, or women's fiction authors.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't even think of the kids authors I have read Deb!
DeleteNora Roberts has written so many books! I have a few friends who love her work.
ReplyDeleteMy TTT.
I am hit or miss with her books Lydia!
DeleteI've seen Janet Evanovich on several lists today. I've only read a few of her books but I thought they were fun. Here is my Top Ten Tuesday.
ReplyDeleteI think my issue is that they are very similar so while they were loads of fun at the beginning I did get a big over them being same same.
DeleteThe Evanovich books are such fun reads!! Also, great to break up between fantasy reads!!
ReplyDeleteYou do know what you get with them Leslie!
DeleteOther than Peters and Carr, I haven't read any of your authors. I do love Carr, although I feel the same way you do - I love the Grace Valley and VR series, but not so much her other series and standalones that I've read. As for Peters, I've enjoyed a number of books in the Amelia Peabody series, but I haven't finished it. In fact, I'm not sure where I left off. At this point, I'd probably have to go back and restart it in order to remember who's who and what's what!
ReplyDeleteOn an unrelated note, I'm almost done with Tea Cooper's newest book. I'm LOVING it and can't wait to read more from her. I'm learning quite a bit about Australia's history and it's fascinating.
Happy TTT!
Going back to the beginning on the Amelia Peabody books would be fun though Susan!
DeleteI am so glad you are enjoying Tea Cooper's book!
I was a spreadsheet-logger wannabe for years, but after fizzling out in January too many times in a row, I gave up! Looking at LibraryThing on my phone, I discovered that it would give me how many books by each author I had added to my LT collections, so that helped me come up with my (inexact) list. Our only overlap is Alexander McCall Smith! I listened to most of them, and like the Sunday Philosophy Club and the 44 Scotland Street books, as well as the #1 Ladies'. But I have to catch up on all of them!
ReplyDeleteIt's an essential part of my process when I finish the end of a book Laurie!
DeleteI've always wanted to read those Elizabeth Peters books. they look like such mystery classics!
ReplyDeleteThey are so much fun Greg! I am beginning to think that I might need to start at the beginning again!
DeleteFourteen years of hard data! Nice. I haven't come across too many people who've been recording books as long as I have, so I really appreciate the super-accuracy of your list. Especially since you haven't read much of your top authors recently.
ReplyDeleteI've not read any of these, but it's nice to see some more traditional romance novelists on this list. I have a friend who really loves Jill Shalvis, and I've been thinking about giving Robyn Carr a try.
Also, everything I know about Stephanie Plum I learned from this week's TTT, but that many books of a love triangle?? That sounds exhausting.
I would definitely recommend starting with Virgin River RS!
DeleteAnd that's exactly my problem with the Plum books now.
I really should read a book by Janet Evanovich. She made the rounds on this week's TTT. You definitely gave me some inspiration here to discover new authors.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog earlier! Much appreciated. Here's my latest post: Wednesday Wisdom
There were so many good authors mentioned this week Elza!
DeleteI totally forgot to add Janet Evanovich, omg. Great list!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sarah!
DeleteHaha, I can relate to your spreadsheet obsession. I also meticulously track everything I read!
ReplyDeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
I am not obsessive about many things but this is one AJ!
DeleteHaha this topic was made for you, with your longtime spreadsheets and record keeping. I'm in awe of some of your numbers.
ReplyDeleteI knew that this spreadsheet would come in handy one day!
DeleteI use Good Reads to keep track of what I read (and what I want to read). I'm not sure I've read 24 books by any one author...I will have to think on that one. This was a fun challenge.
ReplyDeleteIt was fun Debra!
DeleteJanet Evanovich made my list too, although I never liked her Stephanie Plum books.
ReplyDeleteHave you read her other series Carol?
DeleteI don't know how Nora Roberts does it, write so many books. I'm at book 7 of In Death I think but I don't know if I ever will catch up in my life time if she keeps writing them haha.
ReplyDeleteShe can definitely write quicker than I can read Annemieke!
Delete