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Books you recommend

SheWolf

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Since we have a worst books thread, here is the greatest books thread.

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I want to read some fantasy books.. Can anybody recommend something, or something for a first time reader?

The only one I have read is Sword of Truth, and it was ok. I didn't really like the main character and I didn't like the flow of the story either...
 
I haven't read fantasy books in a while but I remember that I really enjoyed Hart's Hope by Orson Scott Card.
 
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I was thinking of a few book series that I had read years ago that were good contenders for consideration of rereading earlier this week

Raymond E Feist has multiple fantasy series, all base upon the same world(s) that is fairly easy to get into and not a super heavy read I particularly liked the Mistress of the Empire series, which was loaded with political intrigue in a fantasy world. It is a spin off from his main riftwar saga which is good as well, I would recommend reading Riftwar saga to familiarize yourself with the worlds, and then after that series reading The Mistress of the Empire trilogy.

Another great series I would recommend is superficially about vampires (yeah I know tired genre but it is a very unique take on it) was the Necroscope series by Brian Lumley. The vampire them is basically used as a scaffold to hang an intriguing page turning fusion of pseudo-fantasy (with very well developed alternate worlds as you get into the series) paranormal, and secret government agency themes that was very intriguing
 
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I want to read some fantasy books.. Can anybody recommend something, or something for a first time reader?

The only one I have read is Sword of Truth, and it was ok. I didn't really like the main character and I didn't like the flow of the story either...

Amazon.com: Black Unicorn (Ibooks Fantasy Classics) (9781596871625): Tanith Lee: Books

Technically a juvenile book, but really a magical book for adults that kids might enjoy. Lee is one of the great writers for setting tone, and this is a lighthearted adventure, and the tone is perfect, the dialog is perfect, the characters are great. This is possibly my all time favorite fantasy book.

Amazon.com: The Curse of Chalion: Lois McMaster Bujold: Books

Ms Bujold is the top award winning writer in SF, and this is her first major stab at fantasy. It is simply great in every facet. She has the ability to create characters you can care about, and draw you into their stories based on your caring for the characters. You want to find out how it all comes out not because you want to see how it all wraps up, but because you want the characters to succeed.
 
The Painted Bird by Jerzy Kozinski

Decline And Fall Of The Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon

The Dragons Of Eden by Carl Sagan

The March Of Folly by Barbara Tuchman

Rama Revealed by Arthur C. Clarke

Texas by James A. Michener

Mephistophles by Goethe
 
1) One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez-hauntingly beautiful book of the history of Columbia seen from a multi-generational expansion and compression of time

2) Nam-by Mark Baker-he interviewed hundreds of participants and each "chapter" is a 4-10 page perspective of a different individual

3) Fire in the Lake-Frances Fitzgerald-a definitive history of the Viet Nam war

For more escapist pleasures

The OUT OF THE ASHES Series by William Johnstone-post apocalyptic libertarianesque society

the Destroyer series by Sapir and Murphy-especially the first 30 or so where the original authors wrote these tales about a secret government cleaner trained by the world's greatest martial artist. well written, funny, etc.
 
1. Legacy of Ashes by Tim Weiner

2.Blank Check: The Pentagon's Black Budget by Tim Weiner
 
I want to read some fantasy books.. Can anybody recommend something, or something for a first time reader?

The only one I have read is Sword of Truth, and it was ok. I didn't really like the main character and I didn't like the flow of the story either...

I forgot one: Amazon.com: Bone: The Complete Cartoon Epic in One Volume (Vol 1) (9781888963144): Jeff Smith: Books

Bone is a graphic novel that collects a single story that ran for 13 years. The story reads like Tolkien if he was trying to write mild comedy. The art is simple but exceptionally well done. It's over 1300 pages for under 30 bucks. If I can get them to work, adding a couple images.

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Amazon.com: Black Unicorn (Ibooks Fantasy Classics) (9781596871625): Tanith Lee: Books

Technically a juvenile book, but really a magical book for adults that kids might enjoy. Lee is one of the great writers for setting tone, and this is a lighthearted adventure, and the tone is perfect, the dialog is perfect, the characters are great. This is possibly my all time favorite fantasy book.

Amazon.com: The Curse of Chalion: Lois McMaster Bujold: Books

Ms Bujold is the top award winning writer in SF, and this is her first major stab at fantasy. It is simply great in every facet. She has the ability to create characters you can care about, and draw you into their stories based on your caring for the characters. You want to find out how it all comes out not because you want to see how it all wraps up, but because you want the characters to succeed.

I ordered both of those books, and I am reading "Something Wicked this way Comes" right now... I like it so far

Thanks for the recommendations
 
I want to read some fantasy books.. Can anybody recommend something, or something for a first time reader?

The only one I have read is Sword of Truth, and it was ok. I didn't really like the main character and I didn't like the flow of the story either...

If you're just starting to get into fantasy, my biggest recommendation to you is to read works by David Eddings, in particular the series of books known as the Belgariad, which is made up of 5 books.

Amazon.com: belgariad series: Books

Eddings is very good for new readers of fantasy because he makes great use of fantasy tropes, so he doesn't really subvert tropes, making them excellent works for new fantasy readers. His writing isn't very dense, and the way he plots his stories the reader gets a comprehensive look at pretty much the entire world.

This way you get a "Tolkien-lite" kind of experience, without too much burdens, but it's still fun and interesting.



Another good series for readers new to fantasy, I think, is the Death Gate Cycle, written by Margaret Weiss and Tracy Hickman.

Amazon.com: death gate cycle: Books

The whole series is pretty unique, which is why I enjoy it so much. It makes use of fantasy tropes, but there's not a really good analogue to anything else - there's nothing really to compare it to. Lots of action and drama in this work, but it's easy to follow. I suggest this series if you want to read fantasy but don't want to read anything too derivative from other works.
 
I want to read some fantasy books.. Can anybody recommend something, or something for a first time reader?
The only one I have read is Sword of Truth, and it was ok. I didn't really like the main character and I didn't like the flow of the story either...

My wife who is not a huge reader really enjoyed this book (and the series).
Robin Hobb - Assassins apprentice (Farseer-Trilogy)

I don't want to cloud it why my own experience, but I read the entire series, and the next one, and I typically do not enjoy women authors.
Basically it's got nothing to do with "assassins", don't be fooled. It's story flow is very easy to follow, and I'd be shocked if you didn't like the characters. Her writing is really all about the characters and their interaction...not a lot of swords and magic (except as plot/setting). And while that may sound boring (to me it does) it was a serious page-turner for me...she's good at what she does.

If you like it, you've got 2 more in that series, and 3 more in the Tawny Man series to keep you going.
 
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My wife who is not a huge reader really enjoyed this book (and the series).
Robin Hobb - Assassins apprentice (Farseer-Trilogy)

I don't want to cloud it why my own experience, but I read the entire series, and the next one, and I typically do not enjoy women authors.
Basically it's got nothing to do with "assassins", don't be fooled. It's story flow is very easy to follow, and I'd be shocked if you didn't like the characters. Her writing is really all about the characters and their interaction...not a lot of swords and magic (except as plot/setting). And while that may sound boring (to me it does) it was a serious page-turner for me...she's good at what she does.

If you like it, you've got 2 more in that series, and 3 more in the Tawny Man series to keep you going.

You don't like women authors? That is strange... I have never noticed a real difference in the way they write
 
James Q. Wilson's-Bureaucracy (1989) and Political Organizations (1973).
 
Most definitely "The Song of Ice and Fire" series from George R.R. Martin. If the next book doesn't come out soon, I may go nuts!
 
Triple Detente by Piers Anthony
 
Most definitely "The Song of Ice and Fire" series from George R.R. Martin. If the next book doesn't come out soon, I may go nuts!

That's a dark, grim series of books, though.
 
On the lighter side, the "Earth's Children" series from Jean Auel is amazing!!!!
 
I got this book for Christmas and as a film lover and early Star Wars films fan, I have truly loved reading it. It is very well researched and the photography in the book is spectacular. I am enjoying it so much I may go ahead and buy the book about the making of the first film. My favorite Star Wars film is Empire with the first one following behind it. Sadly I just could not stand the rest of them, but if they put out books like this one by the same author I might have to check them out from the library.

When did books get trailers?
 
outliers: the story of success
Gladwell
not fiction (rarely exposed to it)
but an excellent, provocative read which may then prompt you to seek out the tipping point, blink and what the dog saw
 
My vote: 1984 (George Orwell, the best political author of all time)
Pure gem
 
I am reading Daniel Boorstin The Discoverers A History of Man's Search To Know His World and Himself.

I am pretty busy person so just a chapter or two each week. It is fantastic.
 
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