Do You have a Favorite?

A library patron asked me a stumper of a question last week. Who is your favorite author? I can't pick just one, I have a list of favorites in many genres. Its like asking a mother who is her favorite child. If I feel liking reading science fiction I like Octavia Butler and Sherri Tepper. For mysteries I like James Lee Burke, Kerry Greenwoood, Elizabeth Peters, and Suzanne Arruda.Jonathan Kellerman and Jeffrey Deaver for thrillers. Jonathan Katz and Patricia McConnell for books about dogs. Carl Hiaasen, David Sedaris, and Lisa Lutz for humor. Don't even get me started on historical fiction, I have way too many favorite authors in that genre; Geraldine Brooks, Ken Follett, Rosalind Laker, Kathryn Harrison to name just a few.

I just can't limit myself to one author above all others. How about you; is there one author you prefer above all others? Who is it?