Thread: Books you recommend

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.

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

Originally Posted by SheWolf

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

Originally Posted by SheWolf

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.