We’re all creatures of habit, usually unconscious habit. At your favorite restaurant, do you always go to the same table or booth? Do you try for the same parking spot when you buy your groceries? Do you dress sock-shoe, sock-shoe or sock-sock, shoe-shoe? I think there are so many decisions that we have to make in the course of a single day that we rely on habit as a way to relieve our busy minds of some of these decisions.

  This may explain why we find ourselves choosing the same writers over and over. There’s an element of comfort because it removes the unknown factor. But where do you go if you’ve exhausted all the books by a favorite author? Or what if your favorite author (gasp) dies? So now we’ll list some well-known authors and come up with a few read-alike suggestions. Although these may not be identical, I’ve tried to group authors by subject, “feel,” or ambiance. So here we go. 

  Louis Lamour had 101 titles, mostly old-fashioned westerns.  Try Max Brand, Elmer Kelton, Loren D. Estleman, or William Johnstone.

  Jodi Picoult has so far produced over 25 novels. These are dramatic tales of complex family ties, moral dilemmas, and medical or legal ethics.Also try Lisa Genova, Kristen Hannah, and Anna Quindlen.

  Georgia’s own Mary Kay Andrews is known for her light-weight “beach books” — yes, that’s a real category. Try Elin Hilderbrand, Dorothea Benton Frank, and Nancy Thayer. 

  Guys, Tom Clancy is not the only writer of military science and espionage. Also try Stephen Coonts, Dale Brown, Vince Flynn, Len Deighton, and Craig Thomas.

  Many readers like the jokey, satirical style of Carl Hiassen. Also try Tim Dorsey, Dave Barry, and Elmore Leonard.

  If you enjoy the gentle stories of human spirituality and small-town life by Jan Karon, then sample Philip Gulley, Melody Carlson, Ann B. Ross, Thomas Kinkade, and Jennifer  Chiaverini.

  James Patterson writes wildly popular thrillers that are gritty and suspenseful. His fans also like David Baldacci, Harlan Coben, John Sandford, Jeffrey Deaver, and Michael Connelly.

  Mention romance and you’ll think of Danielle Steel. Her characters, usually rich and sometimes famous, are always in crisis. Also sample Barbara Taylor Bradford, Nora Roberts, Fern Michaels, Barbara Delinsky, Mary Higgins Clark, and Debbie Macomber.

  One of my favorites is Joshilyn Jackson, who deals with southern families and sometimes adds a hint of the supernatural. Her read-alikes are Sarah Addison Allen, Karen White, and Fannie Flagg.

  Lee Child, best known for his Jack Reacher character, specializes in the crime thriller. You may also enjoy Robert Ludlum, Daniel Silva, David Baldacci, Vince Flynn, and Michael Connelly.

  Now we come to “master of horror” Stephen King, who’s been scaring us since the 1970’s with the supernatural and sometimes a little science fiction thrown in. Also try Dean Koontz, Dan Simmons, John Saul, and Clive Barker.

  I hope this will give you some choices when you next visit the bookstore or library. Happy reading!   

  Kaye West recently retired from the Henry County Library System. She enjoys reading, taking daily walks, and spending time with friends.  She lives in McDonough with her husband.