Poll: America's Favorite Author Is . . .

Poll: America's Favorite Author Is...

Stephen King, the "king" of horror and suspense with such classics as "The Shining," "Carrie," "The Tommyknockers" and well over 100 others.

That's the word from a Harris Poll, which asked 2,775 U.S. adults to name their favorite writers. Following close on King's heels is mystery writer James Patterson, author of "I, Alex Cross" and "The Postcard Killers," among many others.

The top 10 favorite authors:
1. Stephen King
2. James Patterson
3. John Grisham
4. Nora Roberts/J.D. Robb
5. Tom Clancy
6. Dean Koontz
7. Danielle Steele
8. Dan Brown
9. J.K. Rowling and J.R.R. Tolkien (tie)

What fiction do we most enjoy?
Among those who read, 79 percent said they have read at least one fiction book in the past year. The favorites:

* Mystery, thriller and crime: 48 percent
* Science fiction: 26 percent
* Literature: 24 percent
* Romance: 21 percent
* Graphic novels: 11 percent
* Chick-lit: 8 percent
* Westerns: 5 percent
* Other fiction: 36 percent

What non-fiction do we most enjoy?
Among those who read, 78 percent said they have read at least one non-fiction book in the past year. The favorites:

* History: 31 percent
* Biographies: 29 percent
* Religion/spirituality: 26 percent
* Politics: 17 percent
* Self-help: 16 percent
* Current affairs: 14 percent
* True crime: 12 percent
* Business: 10 percent
* Other non-fiction: 29 percent