Once upon a time I was a very avid reader and it's exactly as you say that everyone has their favorite author/s simply because they have had similar experiences, or an author is an answer to their long lost dreams. My favorite author was Wilbur Smith as he was full of adventures in the wild Africa, family dynasties, et al. But I grew out of Wilbur and although he is still popular today with his new books, I just stopped to read period.
Each of us progress over time on the journey from the cradle to the grave and some of us have a way of intertwining our journey with the minds of other faceless beings just by writing about our own progress on our journeys. Of course experiences will overlap as it is a work in progress that started in out childhood.
Just my 2 cents here.
I remember seeing a Wilbur Smith book on our shelf at home, one of my dad's. Growing up surrounded by books, reading was an important part of my childhood, but I have hardly read for pleasure in almost 20 years. I don't know why, but I guess it is time, as I have other things to do.
There is so much overlap between us, it should be surprising that we see ourselves as being so different.
Yes, I still read a morning newspaper every day, just an old habit, my shelves are filled with books, but our work and this PC demands 90% of my time. So reading has moved onto the back seat over the years.
What started my reading was that I was often banned to my room for the whole day and the enjoyment of reading led to a mental escape into other worlds and adventures.
The benefits of reading are manifold and sadly not many seem to realize this. It has even helped you to write the posts that you do today.