I’ve recently signed up at a much bigger library (my home town one seems aimed mainly at teens and romance novel addicts) and would like suggestions for authors I might not have heard of/read, along these lines (in order of genre preference):
1. Humour, or Humourous Fantasy.
I already read Terry Pratchett, Harry Harrison and Robert Rankin and I’ve just become interested in Tom Holt’s work. What I mainly like is the absurdity of the plots and the humour value. I’d love to find more authors on that kind of level.
Also pure humour novels. Something just funny. Even parodies (though they’d want to be good. I find most parody novels start well but get boring halfway through and limp along to the end when they should be shot and put out of their misery. Bored of the Rings would be a good example of a parody novel that should never have been published.).
2. Dramatic Fantasy/Historical novels
It’s been ages since I’ve been particularly taken with a fantasy author. I really liked Robin Hobb’s Farseer Trilogy, and was fairly taken with Melanie Rawn’s *Dragon Prince * Sunrunner series. Also didn’t mind Katherine Kerr’s Deverry books for light reading.
I *don’t like * science-fiction of the particularly science-y variety (you know, the sort where they go into depth on the mechanics of spacecraft, etc…or where every character has a ridiculous name). I didn’t mind Stephen Donaldson’s ‘Gap’ series (though I can’t imagine re-reading it ever again) but even then I skimmed over the technical pages.
3. Fiction aimed at 30something women.
You know the sort - light comedies centering around relationships and work, etc etc. I don’t like the sort that are dark or edgy, I like the sort that are light and frothy and preferably have some hilarious situations. Something like Single White E-mail or stuff along those lines. I’d be more helpful, but it’s the only one I can remember at the moment (I’m a bit tired. Been up since the wee small hours).
I don’t mind lightly romantic novels provided the plot comes first and the romance is relevant but not the be-all-and-end-all. Frankly, I don’t care if they end up happily ever after as long as it’s amusing.
4. Other
I’m open to trying anything, but please bear in mind the examples given and don’t suggest anything that’s going to be too technical. I read to relax and escape, and really dislike anything that is too complex.
I don’t like war novels and can’t stand Tom Clancy, with all his in-depth descriptions of everything from the artillery used to the weapon to the layout of the troops to … you name it. I don’t like horror and will not read it. If it’s scary, I don’t want it. (On the other hand, I’ve been meaning to read the Anita Blake vampire stories, because I’ve been given to understand that they’re not particularly ‘horror’.) However, I** don’t mind murder mysteries/crime thrillers** like James Patterson etc (I don’t recall names well as these are books I’ve read of my mother’s, not stuff I own).
I’m partial to the occasional autobiography/biography - modern or historical - as long as they’re well-written and contain actual interesting content. I don’t read a lot of these, because I dread the thought of wading through an ocean of waffle. I enjoyed Jacky Chan’s autobiography (the name of which escapes me, but was probably ‘Jacky Chan’ 
) and didn’t mind Richard Branson’s - though I thought it could use some hard editing.
Hope that’s helpful and that any Dopers with similar tastes can provide me with some new authors to hunt down. 