I have many favorite authors, which is probably a result of reading way too much.  Here are some of them, as well as links to their websites.

• Author of many children’s books, Lloyd Alexander is always a good choice.  His Chronicles of Prydain series includes two Newbury-Award-winning books: The Black Cauldron and The High King.  For young adults I would recommend the Westmark Trilogy, starting with Westmark and the Vesper Holly series.
• A more recent favorite of mine is Tamora Pierce.  Her Circle of Magic series, about four young mages whose magic is tied to everyday crafts, is a wonderful story about four children who become friends despite their very different backgrounds.  The Protector of the Small series follows the adventures of Keladry of Mindelan, as she becomes the first female knight in almost twenty years.
• Patricia C. Wrede is sometimes hard to find, but her books are well worth the effort.  Her children’s books consist of The Enchanted Forest series, the delightful story of the improper Princess Cimorene and her adventures with fairy tales turned upside down.  Wrede’s adult books include the Lyra stories, and Mairelon the Magician.  All of her work comes highly recommended.
• Do you ever wonder where the myth of a flat world resting on the backs of four elephants who are standing on the back of a giant turtle that is swimming through space came from?  Probably from Disc World!  This hilarious series by Terry Pratchett is recommended for anyone who enjoys jokes about everything from Australia to organized crime to voting (One man, one vote.  Ventiniri is the man so he gets the vote).
• What would any list of fantasy books be without mentioning J. K. Rowling?  This recently famous author has had three of her books on the New York Times bestseller list, and it is likely she will have more, as she continues to write her Harry Potter series.
• If you like Harry Potter, you will love Diana Wynne Jones.  The Lives of Christopher Chant (the first book of hers I was exposed to) is the story of another young boy who finds out he has unexpected magic.  Instead of going to a magic school, Christopher goes to live with the most powerful enchanter in his world (a world where magicians are as common doctors).  It doesn’t matter which DWJones book you pick up, I guarantee that they all are extraordinary, and extraordinarily good reading.  
• For all you J. R. R. Tolkien fans, read David Eddings, starting with The Belgariad.  Ordinary Garion is swept up in a strange adventure when the old man known as Wolf leads him and his Aunt Pol from the farm where Garion grew up.  This five-book-series is engrossing and exciting, a must-read. 

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