Slightly desperate - can't find anything to read

[Inari Writer]

If I could only recommend one book O would suggest The Name of the Wind, which is a superb fantasy novel. Clever, great characters, interesting magic system and flavours of true myth.

Fair warning though. The author has admitted that he writes very slowly and fans have been waiting quite a few years now for the third book in the series.

 

[Parson]

Beagle yes, but I am not sure if I have read McKillip. Looking her up brought to mind R.A. McAvoy, and for some reason, Farmer's Dark is the Sun. I think I have matured too much to completely fall into books the way I used to, and that is the problem. I can still remember reading everything McCaffery wrote, but now I go back it seems less than what I remember.

I'll check out McKillip though

I'm not quite sure what to say. If you really feel like you've "matured too much" than I would suggest C. J. Cherryh. Her novels are deep, layered, and she writes the very best aliens you have ever read. The Faded Sun trilogy would be a good place to start. But if you are looking for the kind of book that just grabs you because you love the characters and the actions, but not necessarily so deep. I would suggest David Weber's On Basilisk Station. It is the first of a long series 14? but the first first 4 are cracker jacks I couldn't lay down. The later ones, not so much. Or Laurence Dahners (El Donsaii series) Quicker, Smarter, and Lieutenant are the first three and I really wanted to read them in one reading.

 

[Stable]

I can still remember reading everything McCaffery wrote, but now I go back it seems less than what I remember.

I had the exact same experience! If you're up for some weirdness I'd recommend Perdido Street Station by China Mieville, and its sequel The Scar. If you want less action and more politicing try The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison.

 

[Tsynn]

I actually thought I had read everything by Gemmell, but I had missed his Troy series. Have no idea how. On book two already, and have G.G. Kay on audiobook in the car.. and Ian Banks as backup.

 

[TheDustyZebra]

How about our very own Bryan Wigmore's new book, The Goddess Project? Very richly written, and it will definitely leave you beating him about the head to get the second one out so you can have more. Of course, you'll have to get in line for that.

 

[Tirellan]

Indeed there are several worthy authors who frequent these threads. If you are into Space Opera then Jo Zebedee's Abendau series - just published in omnibus form - is well worth considering. If you're a Gemmell fan then may I draw attention to the book in my avatar.

 

[TheDustyZebra]

If you're a Gemmell fan then may I draw attention to the book in my avatar.

Ohhh, that's who that is! Or who you are. You're him. Or he's you.

 

[vanye]

Maybe a fresh outlook is the way to go? Something different? If I think of books that kept me up nights, C.S. Forester's Horatio Hornblower books come to mind.

If you want to stay with SF, I second most recommendations in this thread but would add A Deepness in the Sky by Vernor Vinge. Great aliens and a gripping story.

For fantasy, Katharine Kerr is a safe bet. Her Deverry cycle is involved with characters that come alive on the pages. And it is already finished. So no pining for the next dose of a favorite drug.

 

[Parson]

A Deepness in the Sky.... That is a definite classic. A great book which I think has a lot of appeal for a lot of people.

 

[BAYLOR]

Time and Again by Jack Finney