Well, Stephen King has been my favourite favourite for years now.
He might not be to everybody's taste but I think his writing is thoughtful and has a lot to say about people. He's often dismissed because he looks at them through horror or supernatural settings but I think that's unfair. Ultimately I believe that reading his books from a young age gave me a moral framework and a tolerance to diversity that I might not have had as strongly otherwise.
The Stand is my favourite of his, and IT, but Insomnia and Buick 8 are particular favourites too. As is the entire Dark Tower series, and more recently Duma Key (following a reread as it's not a recent release).
Anne Tyler has been a favourite for some years too, I think that she looks at difficult situations or family issues quite uniquely, and of her books I think The Clock Winder and Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant are particular favourites. As with Stephen King, I think she really sees people and likes them, faults and all.
Carol Shields is another favourite, for similar reasons to Anne Tyler, she writes about women and families in a believable way, and again, I think she sees people.
Zina Rohan is an underrated author who deserves to be better known. She wrote The Book of Wishes and Complaints and it's completely lovely, and another good study of people.
I think I have a list of favourite authors as long as my arm really, and I do enjoy the authors you've mentioned as your favourites.