Cormac McCarthy
Blood Meridian, The Crossing (also, All the Pretty Horses, Suttree, and The Road.)
McCarthy is a master of prose, and probably my favorite on this list, if I had to pick one. If you haven't read him, do it before Jesus comes back. You will not regret it.
Tim O'Brien
The Things They Carried, In the Lake of the Woods
An extremely talented writer, he captures an understanding of war that is as closely relatable to a non-soldier audience as possible. After reading his work, I feel as if I can relate to Vietnam veterans, even though I know I never will. His writing is so fluid and hypnotizing.
Nick Hornby
About A Boy, High Fidelity
British, witty, and wonderfully accurate is a way I would describe his style. He gives his characters (Hauntingly real people) quirks and characteristics that makes you believe every word he writes.
Kevin Brockmeier
Things That Fall from the Sky
Okay, technically I have read multiple works by Brockmeier, I never specified novels. If I could write like any writer, it would be one half McCarthy, and the other half Brockmeier. His stories are so enchanting and wonderfully imaginative. Details are spot on, and settings are awesome.
Writers who narrowly missed the cut (as in just died, or are victims to my lack of reading):
Brian Jacques (Died Feb. 5, 2011)
Redwall, Mossflower, The Outcast of Redwall
I grew up in his fantasy world of mice, squirrels, badgers, ferrets, stoats, and otters.
Martin Amis
Time's Arrow
I sincerely plan on reading another Martin Amis novel, all I hear are good things. Time's Arrow is one of my favorites
Kurt Vonnegut (Died April 11, 2007, and I only read one)
Slaughterhouse-Five
I feel like a literary wimp when I say I have only read Slaughterhouse-Five. But, it was great.
David Mitchell
Black Swan Green
I plan on reading Cloud Atlas sometime in my life, Black Swan Green was terrific.
In making this list, I realized just how horribly under-read I am. I really am embarrassed.
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