I have been known as an avid reader.  Sometimes i read 3 books a week.  Do you like a good novel?
What a coincidence, I also enjoy reading books.  My favorite author is Stephen King.  I love his horror and supernatural fiction books.
I understand your sentiment.  I remember reading "Salem's Lot" in my younger years, and that book really frightened me.
I also enjoy a good fantasy book as well, such as the Harry Potter series.  While the novel is pure fiction, it brings about a lot of everyday social issues and religious debates .
I have not read that.  What makes King a great writer to me is his crystal clear descriptions of the settings.  Then i use my imagination to fill in any holes he leaves.  The effect is astounding.
That's the same reason why I truly enjoy J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter as well.  You think flying cars and wizards should be impossible to imagine - but she writes the story in a way that it brings it out to life.
I suppose all of the truly great writers have a similar style.  Even Edgar Allen Poe's poetry drew me a nice word picture that fed my imagination.
He was definitely in a class of his own - being the first well known writer to earn a living from writing alone.  He truly is a trailblazer for all those followed.