Recommended reading

[dwndrgn]

Little Miss you've reminded me of another series that I should recommend. It is by Alan Dean Foster and it is called "The Journeys of the Catechist". I liked this one because the main character is quite an unusual one for the genre, as are the supporting cast. The story itself is a little quirky but altogether a good read.

 

[Sci-fi_gEEk]

Which of Piers Anthony's books are you referring to, Sci-fi_gEEk? I never got into the Xanth books at all. However, the Incarnations of Immortality series was pretty good, especially the first two or three. And I liked the Bio of a Space Tyrant series, but from what I remember of them (it's been years since I've read them) I wouldn't exactly recommend that series for younger kids - there's some fairly rough scenes in some of them.

I haven't read any of those series yet, but I'm thinking I might have to because I keep reading about them. So far I've read three Peirs Anthony Series, The Aprentice Adept series, The Mode series, and my favorite the Xanth series. They were all pretty good, but I really liked the Xanth books. Did you know that originaly it was supposed to be the Xanth trilogy, it drove the editors nuts when Anthony kept coming out with more books.

Do you know where the Xanth name came from? I thought that was pretty interesting too.

I believe that the name came from the ingredient in gum, I remeber reading that some where, but I have been know to be wrong every once in a while....or more.

 

[dwndrgn]

I asked that question because it is one of the few tiny little facts stuck in my brain, I read it in one of his forwards or something of the sort. It comes from the way you pronounce his name: PierS ANTHony, hence Xanth.

Dawn "The font of tiny tidbits of silly knowledge" Dragon

 

[littlemissattitude]

I asked that question because it is one of the few tiny little facts stuck in my brain, I read it in one of his forwards or something of the sort. It comes from the way you pronounce his name: PierS ANTHony, hence Xanth.

Dawn "The font of tiny tidbits of silly knowledge" Dragon

dwndrgn...I'm so glad I'm not the only one who has all these random bits of useless knowledge knocking around in my brain. That is an interesting bit, though - since I'm not a fan of that series, it had never occurred to me to even wonder where the word Xanth came from. But it makes sense. I think the reason I never really picked up the Xanth series is becuase they are reputed to be so punny. I like puns in isolation, but too many of them in close proximity tends to get on my nerves.

I'm also glad I'm not the only one who reads his forewards and afterwards - sometimes I like those more than I do the actual stories. In fact, with any author, it makes me tend more towards reading a book if he or she has included some sort of foreward or afterward. Harlan Ellison does that a lot; Stephen King does sometimes; Orson Scott Card has done that occasionally. I like getting that little bit of personal insight into the writer and his or her process.

 

[dwndrgn]

dwndrgn...I'm so glad I'm not the only one who has all these random bits of useless knowledge knocking around in my brain.

You are not alone!!

I think the reason I never really picked up the Xanth series is becuase they are reputed to be so punny. I like puns in isolation, but too many of them in close proximity tends to get on my nerves.

Lots of puns - very tongue-in-cheek though. I would recommend this to younger readers just beginning to explore the genre.

I'm also glad I'm not the only one who reads his forewards and afterwards - sometimes I like those more than I do the actual stories. In fact, with any author, it makes me tend more towards reading a book if he or she has included some sort of foreward or afterward. Harlan Ellison does that a lot; Stephen King does sometimes; Orson Scott Card has done that occasionally. I like getting that little bit of personal insight into the writer and his or her process.

I love reading those, it's like having a conversation with them...which reminds me of the one time I sort of did have one with a favorite author. I had picked up this book called The Pyrates by George MacDonald Fraser while at a mock UN meeting in another city. I had never heard of him or the book but it had a wonderfully illustrated cover that made me want to open it up. Well, I finished it before I got back from the conference and immediately it became a favorite. I wrote to the author to tell him how much I had enjoyed it and to ask if there had been movie options purchased, that type of thing. Basically a letter that says "This book rocks. You rock." You know the type

. To my surprise he wrote back. A two-page, front and back, legal sized letter. In longhand. I think I almost fainted (was a freshman in college) from the complete amazement. I still adore him just for that. I still have the letter too.

 

[Brian G Turner]

Letters from authors are definitely good.

Last year I sent out my first Chronicles and encountered a lot of flat out rejection. Simply put, as I found out later, it was overwritten.

But I did contact a number of published authors, by letter and e-mail, asking for submissions advice.

I'm sure Piers Anthony was one of those who sent me an e-mail - though it's almost a meaningless honour as I have read nothing by him.

I managed to get back a few postal replies: one from David Gemmell and one from Gene Wolfe (I've read one Gemmell, never any Gene Wolfe). Oh - also Stephen Lawhead (I read his Byzantium).

They all gave different points of advice, but I take it all with the respect it deserves.

Rather than rewrite Chronicles yet I started Emperor...and hopefully I will have a far far better understanding of the market, both in the my writing and my approach.

Asking authors for tips was simply the first step in gauging the markets - something I really should have done years before. But you learn.

 

[Sci-fi_gEEk]

I asked that question because it is one of the few tiny little facts stuck in my brain, I read it in one of his forwards or something of the sort. It comes from the way you pronounce his name: PierS ANTHony, hence Xanth.

Dawn "The font of tiny tidbits of silly knowledge" Dragon

I stand corrected, very kewl. I must admit that I'm guilty of not always reading the forwards. I guess I get alittle impatient. You know how it is when your waiting for a sequel to come out, and when it does your so exited, well I just get so crazed that I can't wait to get to the story.

 

[Brian G Turner]

I stand corrected, very kewl. I must admit that I'm guilty of not always reading the forwards. I guess I get alittle impatient. You know how it is when your waiting for a sequel to come out, and when it does your so exited, well I just get so crazed that I can't wait to get to the story.

Well, most people do get the books for the story.

 

[dwndrgn]

Well, most people do get the books for the story.

You must be joking! Really?

 

[Sci-fi_gEEk]

Well, most people do get the books for the story.

unless it's an I Spy Book, those things have the coolest pictures

 

[Brian G Turner]

You must be joking! Really?

I know - amazing, isn;t it?

Actually, I have bought a couple of novels simply as an exploration of the use of Third Person Omniscient viewpoints - so there are exceptions.

And, really, who wouldn't be drawn into a good picture book?

Which makes me want to add to this thread a recommended "graphic novel" with superb artwork and great story too - Neil Gaiman's "Black Orchid". Neil Gaiman has a great way with character and story, and Dave McKean's artwork is a rare talent - simply beautiful.

(I just did a search for online copies of any of the artwork, but couldn't find any.)

 

[Sci-fi_gEEk]

I know - amazing, isn;t it?

Actually, I have bought a couple of novels simply as an exploration of the use of Third Person Omniscient viewpoints - so there are exceptions.

And, really, who wouldn't be drawn into a good picture book?

Which makes me want to add to this thread a recommended "graphic novel" with superb artwork and great story too - Neil Gaiman's "Black Orchid". Neil Gaiman has a great way with character and story, and Dave McKean's artwork is a rare talent - simply beautiful.

(I just did a search for online copies of any of the artwork, but couldn't find any.)

I just thought of a childrens book my little brothers had, it was a whole series about a family dog named Carl and the young baby that he is ofter charged with caring for. The whole thing is done with out words, and while the story is simple (it is for kids) I still found it enjoyable. I always find it quite remakable when a story is told through pictures.

gEEk

 

[talldoubleicedcapp]

Ah, yes, the Carl books, I remember those, they're great, the pictures are beautiful, and I love the idea of a baby and a dog going off and having the time of their lives, unbeknown to the parent.

So far all my favorite sci-fi and fantasy authors have already been posted, Terry Brooks, Phillip Pullman, Peirs anthony, Orson Scott Carr....But two of my very, very favorite authors haven't been mentioned yet, so I'll post them! Medeleine L'Engle (wrinkle in time, and the lot, these were my gateway fantasy books, they're what got me started reading fantasy and Sci-Fi in elementary) and (a classical Author!) C.S. Lewis! And not just the Lion the Witch and the Warbdrobe series (which is great) There's also his Space Trilogy, Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, That Hideous Strength, its really good, and the main character, (his name is Ransom) is modeled after, Lewis's close friend J.R.R. Tolkein.

 

[Sci-fi_gEEk]

But two of my very, very favorite authors haven't been mentioned yet, so I'll post them! Medeleine L'Engle (wrinkle in time, and the lot, these were my gateway fantasy books, they're what got me started reading fantasy and Sci-Fi in elementary) and (a classical Author!) C.S. Lewis! And not just the Lion the Witch and the Warbdrobe series (which is great) There's also his Space Trilogy, Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, That Hideous Strength, its really good, and the main character, (his name is Ransom) is modeled after, Lewis's close friend J.R.R. Tolkein.

I went through a little period of reading only Madeleine L'Engle books, they were great. Though the primary audiance is the young adults, I think that even adults will enjoy. She had some of the coolest charaters, and some of the strangest.

And C.S. Lewis is also pretty great, I find that a lot of people are turned off of his books because of biblical referencing, and theological concepts. I think that that they would be plesntly surprised if they read them though. I didn't even pick up on the whole religous thing till years after I had finished the Lion the Witch and the Warbdrrobe. His Space trilogy was also pretty good, but I got a little hung up on some parts in the first and second books, the third book though was great.

And I didn't know that Ransom was modeled after Tolkein!! Thats pretty cool.

gEEk

 

[dwndrgn]

I really have to read the Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe one of these days! Maybe I'll put it on my wish list since the library doesn't have it (funny isn't it? classic young adult novels not in the library - but they have several copies of each Harry Potter...)

I enjoy reading young adult fantasy every once in a while. There are several good authors of note...

Diane Duane "So You Want to be a Wizard" series - this is an interesting series with young protagonists who go through 'wizard training' almost by accident. The concept is a 'good vs evil' one but I really enjoy the thought behind it. These kids have to help save the world in their spare time and keep it all a secret. Fun stuff.

Susan Cooper "The Dark is Rising" - I haven't read this one yet as I can't ever find a copy in a library of the first book - they have the others but not number one. Sigh. I've heard good things about it though.

Tamora Pierce (mentioned in the author interview posted earlier this month)

Terry Pratchet has the Diggers series (which strangely enough, for a huge Pratchett fan, I didn't like and put it down unfinished). He also has a new one called 'The Wee Free Men' which sounds more my style so I'll probably read that one sooner or later.

Those are some that come to mind immediately that haven't already been mentioned in this thread.

 

[fallenstar]

Trust me, Lord of the Rings is the classic of classic in the fantasy world. The prequel, The Silmarillion is a great book as well. as for other books, I would recommand Ivanhoe, by Walter Scotts, it's a Knight novel and has Robin Hood in it!! Those are good books

 

[Zero]

I have all the books and The Hobbit I have only read the Hobbit but i love it LOTR Rocks.

 

[jerchar]

The Belgariade saga by David Eddings
The Dragonriders of Pern by Ann McCaffrey
The Valdemar saga by Mercedes Lackey
The Battlemage saga by Irene Radford
The Tigana serie by Guy Gavriel Kay

 

[dwndrgn]

Since I'm unfamiliar with her work, I'm going to see if I can get a copy of something by Irene Radford. I looked her up in the library database but they don't have anything. Maybe sometime (hopefully for my birthday!) I'll have some credit at Amazon to get something by her - the books sound intriguing.

 

[tonic]

Traditional Fantasy

In No Particular Order

a) American Gods By: Neil Gaiman
b) Malazan Books of The Fallen By: Steven Erikson
c) A Song of Ice and Fire By: George R R Martin
d) Dark Tower Series By: Stephen King
e) Swan's Wars By: Sean Russell
f) Chronicles of Blood and Stone By: Robert Newcomb
g) Sword of Truth By: Terry Goodkind
h) Symphony of Ages By: Elizabeth Haydon
i) Farseer Series By: Robin Hobb
j) Wheel of Time By: Robert Jordan
k) Runelords By: David Farland
l) Harry Potter By: J.K Rowling
m) The Redemption of Althalus By: David Eddings
n) Riftwar Series By: Raymond E Fiest
o) The Briar King By: Gregory Keyes
p) The Lord of The Rings By: J.R.R Tolkien
q) Earthsea Series By: Ursula K Leguin
r) The Last Herald Mage By: Mercedes Lackey
s) Otherland By: Tad Williams
t) The Dark Elf Trilogy By: R.A. Salvatore​

Hmm looks like im not making it to Z

Fell free to add if you'd like, though not books by the same author...I was looking for a varitety. Anywayz those are some of the series I've read and I've loved them all though I can't remember the full list.

*The Bolded ones are my all time favourites