My favorite authors. YMMV.

In no particular order...

As previously noted, Mary Stewart and some of Frank Herbert.

P.G. Wodehouse.  Much of what I thought, as a kid, of what was funny about National Lampoon in the 70's was, in hindsight, informed by Wodehouse.

Hal Goodwin writing as John Blaine.  The Rick Brant G&D books.  I always wanted to be Rick.

Rob White III.  He tends to repeat himself, but of his "orphans with sailboats" series "Sailor in the Sun" is worth seeking out.  And of course "The Lions Paw".  In his WWII series, I like "Silent Ship, Silent Sea" and "The Survivor".  "Down Periscope" is overrated.

Lester Dent writing as Kenneth Robeson. Doc Savage.  What else needs to be said?

Keith Robertson's Henry Reed books.

Heinlein.  As an adult, I am shocked to look back and  realize how much of my belief system was formed by his work.  "Have Spacesuit will Travel" and "Starship Troopers".

Arthur C. Clarke.  "The Star" always makes me sad.  "The Nine Billion Names of  God" has a lot of meaning for me; my sole purpose in life is to take care of my cats.  When they are gone, is there any need for me?

Ray Bradbury.  "R is for Rocket" is me as a young man; "The Man" is me as an old man (I'm the captain).

Bruce McCall.

P.J. O'Rourke.

More later, maybe.  I gotta go back and remember some of the others - D.S. Halacy, W.E. Butterworth (aka W.E.B. Griffin), etc.