Ursula K Le Guin (I read that her book, Left Hand of Darkness "is widely considered to be one of the greatest science fiction novels ever written." Haven't read it though : )
Verne, Jules - I haven't read any of his books since Junior High but I did listen to Rick Wakeman's piece based on Jules Verne's 1864 science fiction novel, countless times.
D. H. Lawrence (never read The Hunger Games but did read Battle Royale which came earlier and seems to be much the same idea but it has nothing to do with D. H. Lawrence or pickles.)