I'm not sure why...

but Joyce Carol Oates gets me every time. I love the way she writes. I was introduced to her in a college literature class through some of her short stories (which I loved) and I later read "Them" (also good). I've encountered her again twice recently. I listened to "We Were the Mulvaneys" on my commute to work and I almost couldn't wait to be in my car so I could listen to it. It is an incredibly heartbreaking story, but I found the writing to be very compelling and the language simple, but in a way beautiful. I also recently read her novella "I Lock My Door Upon Myself" over a few lunch breaks. It was unlike anything I have ever read and was written in a unique voice and from quite an interesting perspective. It had a very tragic feel to it. Come to think of it, everything I've read of hers has a sort of a tragic/heartbreaking element... maybe that's why I like them. Her characters always seem like very real people. I hope to read many more of her books, as she has quite a vast body of work. Any Joyce Carol Oates recommendations?