[Saeru]

Hey! I really like to read fantasy books, but I hate libraries. I know it's stupid but I'd rather buy my books than borrow them, and I usually don't regret my choices. It would be easier, though, if anyone would recommend some books/authors to me, so I wouldn't have to spend 5000 hours in Borders browsing and reading the summaries and getting a major headache and going home empty-handed and getting bored and depressed 'cause I really love to read but it's really hard for me to get books often because I'm not sure of what to get and I end up spending 5000 hours in Borders browsing and reading the summaries and getting a major headach and going home empty-handed and getting bored and...
...Okies...I guess you get the point ^^;? Well, I'd be really grateful for any recommendations you could give. Thanks!!! ^_^

[Impact24]

Although I guess preferences in Fantasy/Sci-Fi really vary, there are some books and series that somehow seem to never disappoint the majority. That said, aside from a possible certain quirk here and there based on your preferences, I don't think you could ever go wrong with George Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire", Tad William's "Memory, Sorrow and Thorn" and Tolkien's Trilogy IMHO.

Anybody here familiar with AD&D? In case some don't know, the core of the Dragonlance novels, namely "Dragons of Autumn Twilight", "Dragons of Winter Night", and "Dragons of Spring Dawning" written by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman was based on an ACTUAL AD&D campaign were Weis was the Dungeon Master. It's a nice read, compounded by the fact that you can't help but marvel at how well these characters were role-played (especially if you're into rpgs), so check that series out to if you want something different.

If none of that works for you, try Jordan's Wheel of Time....until Lord of Chaos at least. I don't like to recommend Brooks directly since the Shannara series was my first Fantasy series, thus my views may be a bit biased. http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

[Rhaegar]

I would definitely suggest George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series. Its the best fantasy I've ever read. The third book in the series, A Storm of Swords, was recently nominated for a Hugo Award as best fantasy novel of the year 2000. Win or lose, a nomination is pretty impressive, and is a good indication that GRRM's opus is opening some eyes. Book four is due out late 2002.

[Duke_Sandre]

Yes I agree A Song Of Ice and Fire, if you read it you will not regret it. One of the best fantasy series currently being written.

[Asha'man]

definatly read A song of ice and fire, you might want to try Ray Fiest's Magician:Apprentice. That series is one of my favorites.

[e-Morgana]

Ditto!!!
I think you can say that GRRM is a definate!!
I certainly wasn't disappointed when I bought the first of the series in complete ignorance of how totally hooked I'd become on this previously unheard of (at least to me anyway) author and series.
Then there's the Weis/Hickman sets - Deathgate Cycle and Dragonlance books. And, of course, Ray Feist is great (at least for the first few books) - Magician and the Riftwar Saga series.

[allanon]

The "RiftWar" saga series, ofcourse.

[Saeru]

Whoa! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I guess I'll definitely try out A Song of Ice and Fire and any other suggestions. Thankz ^_~ !!!

[Gooch]

I agree with everybody, ASOIAF is a must. But, if you read through some older posts here, you'll see that the Dragon Lance Chronicles are a must too. Definitely wouldn't skip them!

[sueVee]

Check out Melanie Rawn's dragon series, Michelle West, the Jaran series (can't recall author), anything by Mickey Zucker Reichert, and Michelle West. Some of these are not the newest authors but are good reads. One of the best of the oldies is Joan D. Vinge's "Winter Queen" and "Summer Queen". Hope you like these.