Strappin' on my springs........

because it's time for the Book Blogger Hop!!!!   Every week, I discover some great new blogs -- and have a lot of fun!!!    Jennifer over at Crazy for Books hosts this weekly hop --- and now, there's a little something extra -- As she explains:  This week's question:  Tell us about some of your favorite authors and why they are your favorites!

 Um..... ok!   I have a bunch of favorite authors, but I'll just put a few down here (and try to keep it short):
Margaret Atwood -- because her writing style is beautiful and artistic, and her stories sometimes make me a little uncomfortable (but that's ok - they make me think).
Alice Hoffman -- I like some of her books so much that I not only have read them more than twice, but I have extra copies so I can give them away!  Blue Diary and Ice Queen are my favorites.  Like Atwood, the stories sometimes have surprising (and occasionally, disturbing) twists, but she writes beautifully.
Ray Bradbury -- again, another author whose writing I just love.   There are sentences in Something Wicked This Way Comes that I savor --- I kind of roll them around in my mind -- like eating a wonderfully rich dessert.  He's a fantastic storyteller.
Neil Gaiman -- another amazing storyteller.  I have never disliked one of his books, and he's wonderful to hear in person.  I've been lucky enough to have gone to a few signings over the years -- he is really awesome.  And he's very cool.  And kind of cute, too.

and last, but certainly not least --- is China Mieville.   His stories take me to a completely weird, disturbing, compelling place every time I read his books.  I have been hooked on his books ever since I discovered The Scar a few years ago.   His book, The City & The City has won several awards, and his newest book, Kraken, was a book I just couldn't wait for -- so I treated myself at Book Depository UK.... and then gleefully danced around my house when it arrived.   He's an extremely smart man --- reading his political essays is just as good as reading his fiction -- he writes that well.


Whew!   I'm looking forward to seeing who everyone else lists!   :)