Avid Reading

In conversation the other day, it was brought to my attention that I needed to really expand my reading horizons. How? Well, the conversation went something like this:

Me: Well, you know I read a lot. Whenever I get a chance. I've always been an avid reader.
Them: Oh? What do you read?
Me: I read lots of Stephen King. The first time I read IT was when I was eleven, in the course of one hot long summer day. I'm on my fourth copy of that book now.

(..also at the time of this conversation, I had just finished the newly released 'Richard Bachman' book, Blaze; and was starting IT again. Before the bachman book, I read Desperation.)

Them: What else do you read?
Me: *thinking* Uuuummm.. that's about it... Every time he puts out a new book I buy it, and in between I am reading the books that I either already have in my library or the ones that I find in consignment shops.
Them: You know, that doesn't make you an avid reader. You just read a lot of Stephen King.

I've been thinking about this conversation a lot over the last few days, and decided I need help! Well, we all knew that much.. but I need help expanding my reading repertoire.

So, Dear Reader... I need your suggestions!

What books do you find yourself gravitating towards the most?

Who is your favorite author?

What classics should find their way into my hands and my mind??

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