[Rob B]

This is THE catch-all recommendation thread.

Since many folks who visit the forums, especially the newer members, are looking for book recommendations, we at SFFWorld thought we would post this STICKY thread containing links to the majority of recommendation-type threads.

When a person starts a new recommendation thread, that thread will be closed and a redirect will be pointed to this thread. After a couple of days, the thread will be deleted.


The standard "what should I read?"
What to read? (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2629)
i need reccomendations! (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=200)
Detailed Reccomendation (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=176)
Recent Reads (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=174&highlight=Recent+Reads)
If you like ^^^^^ then you might like ##### (http://www.sffworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=285&page=3&highlight=%5E%5E%5E%5E%5E) if you are looking for something similar to a book you enjoyed
suggestions of books (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3157)
Please recommend my next book/author (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2790)
What To Read? (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2629)
What books should I read on holiday? (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3159)


And if you are looking for something off the beaten path of the standard WOT/SOT/aSoIF/Brooks/Eddings....
Blends of Sci-fi and Fantasy (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2541)
Are there any good fantasy books.... (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2620)
I think I'm tired of Fantasy/Sci-Fi (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2948)
Forgotten Classic Fantasy (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=243) for some older books.
Looking for a new twist (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3104)

Here is an ongoing tally of what's been read of the current year's releases: 2003 releases read (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4403)

The 2002 Monthly reading tallies:
Reading in December! (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4095), November Reads (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3880), Reading in October! (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3645), Reading in September (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3340), Reading in August (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3009), Reading In July (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2778), June Reads (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2423)/Reading in June! (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2423), Reading in May (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=302), Books Read in April (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=227), March Readings (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=115), February Readings (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2181)

Here are "THE BEST OF..." where you can find some members preferences
List of Completed Fantasy Series (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=239)
Best Sequel (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3150)
All time Fantasy top five (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2194)
Best Stand Alone Book (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2746)
How many times have you read... (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2894)
Alternative Fantasy (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2866)
funny fantasy recomendations (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=251)
Top ten fantasy novels (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=292)
the three greatest fantasy series (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=244)
Stand alone books?? (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=146)


Again, you should find some good books to consider in the above threads. If a new recommendation post is started, it will be redirected here and deleted days later.


Thanks and enjoy!!
The Staff of SFFWORLD.COM

[Rob B]

Just to bump the thread, here are some more links:
2003 Monthly Tallies:
Reading in March (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4899)
Reading in February (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4656)
Reading in January '03 (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4377)

Some more good threads to look in:
Gothic, "black" fantasy (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4170)
Introduced to Fantasy by... ? (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4274)
What book have you been long awaiting? (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4756)
Anti-Heroes in Fantasy (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2174)
help finding militaristic fantasy (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=211)
What are some of your favorite characters? (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2195)
How many times have you read... (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2894)
The First Fantasy Books You Ever Read? (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2177)
What books are you planning to buy? (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4535)
What books made you think? REALLY think? (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4357)
SFFW BEST READS OF 2002!!! The Votes are Tallied (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4806)

[Rob B]

Just thought I'd add more to the list:

More of the 2003 Monthly Tallies:
Reading in October (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6557)
Reading in September (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6332)
Reading in August (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6099)
Reading in July (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5897)
Reading in June (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5681)
Reading in May (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5430)
Reading in April (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5171&highlight=April)

You can always check out SFFWORLD's Official book reviews (http://www.sffworld.com/authors/official.html)

In our AUTHOR (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=1000&forumid=21) forums you'll find the big guns like: George R.R. Martin (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=24), J.R.R. Tolkien (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=23), Raymond E. Feist (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=29), Robert Jordan (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=22), Robin Hobb (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=26), and the three TerrysTerry Brooks (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=27), Terry Goodkind (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=25), and Terry Pratchett (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=28).

Check out the SFFW Fantasy Book Club (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=18) to see our monthly book discussions.

[KatG]

I appreciate the links, Fitz, but I don't have time to chase them down, or to go through all the entries in the what we're reading and why we like them sticky threads. What I wouldn't mind is what they have going in the Science Fiction section, which are lists of books and such that people think are really excellent. I may or may not end up agreeing with them, but it makes it easier to check them out. Brief plot descriptions are not amiss, but not absolutely necessary either.

To perhaps get the ball rolling in that direction, here are a few fantasy works/series I like a lot:

1. George R.R. Martin's Fire and Ice series. Okay, so everybody already knows about him, but his fantasy enactment of the War of the Roses can't be ignored either.

2. Neil Gaiman's "American Gods" and "Neverwhere." Both novels take place in the contemporary world and involve fantastic myths and beset heroes.

3. Glen Cook's Garrett P.I. series -- comic fantasy with private detective

4. R.A. MacAvoy's "Tea with Black Dragon" -- a woman searching for her daughter with the aid of an Asian gentleman battles computer wizardry

5. Barry Hughart's Chronicles of Master Li and Number Ten Ox trilogy -- comic adventures in a China that never was, the first: "Bridge of Birds" won the World Fantasy Award

Of course, there are lots of other people I like too, but I'm always looking for new authors and titles to try out, so if anyone wants to post a top ten list or such, as this is the catch-all rec thread, I'm all ears.

[Rob B]

Hey KatG, good idea. I like how the SF recommendation thread is going too, that is why I've had this topic unlocked for some time, but didn't want to necessarily broadcast it so that it wouldn't get swamped.

Anway, I think keeping tallies in this thread would be great as long as we kind of keep some minimal guidelines:

1. We don't repeat ourselves Once a person throws a recommendation, other members don't simply post to say "I like Martin too." Or else the thread will get unnecessarily long.

2. With every recommendation, we tell why it is good and should be read, etc.. A couple of sentences summarizing why, as KatG has done.

3. THIS THREAD WILL NOT DETERIORATE INTO A MARTIN-VS-JORDAN-VS-GOODKIND type of thread. If it does, those posts will immediately be deleted, there are forums dedicated to this authors at SFFWorld. If you want to discuss them, go there.

[KatG]

Okay, I'll just keep posting stuff as I remember it. :) And hopefully some other people will weigh in.

For instance, I forgot Tim Powers. Just about anything by him is good, especially "The Anubis Gates" and "Expiration Date." He has the most intricately plotted books I've ever encountered -- everything leads to everything else. Plus, good characters, in my opinion.

[Alex]

I'll have a go at this I think=)

John Marco-Tyrants and kings trilogy: Great militaristic fantasy in a rather original setting. Superbly written.

K.J Parker-Scavenger trilogy: Mysterious plot that just grabs a hold of you, good characterisation and lot's of action!

R.A salvatore-Darkelf trilogy: Most ppl into fantasy have already read this one, but for any of you who haven't... READ IT! Nuff said!

David Gemmell- All of his books=) Although ppl who like epic fantasy will get dissapointed. But on the other hand, all of you who like heroic fantasy will love Gemmell!!!!

And my last recommandation goes to.............

James Barclay-Raven series: Very, very impressive first book.... Lot's of action and a great setting. Allthough a bit stereotypical Barclay has a certain "touch" that makes his books a very worthwhile read=)

That's all from me!!

"I once thought I was wrong, but I was misstaken"

[Lani]

Here is what I would recommend:

Roger Zelazny has many great books. Many of them are a mix of sci-fi and fantasy and are full of mystery and plotting. The series I would recommend the most is Amber, where the first book is called Nine Princes in Amber, which has a lot of really interesting characters.

C.S. Friedman would be my second recommendation. Though technically her Coldfire books might be called sci-fi, it is practically dark fantasy for all purposes with magic and swords etc. I would note her Coldfire series for many cool characters and great action.

Jacqueline Carey is my third recommendation. She is new to fantasy and noted for her books Kushiel's Dart, Kushiel's Chosen, and Kushiel's Avatar. It is a great series with a strong heroine and an interesting world, but a warning goes to those who cannot stomach sexuality in fantasy works. These books've got a lot of that going on.

Dave Duncan is one of those authors whose every book I liked. So if you see anything at all by him - it's great. Especially I would recommend his stand alone novel Cursed and his latest series A Tale of King's Blades.

[gswahla]

The Dragonlance books by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman are for those who enjoy worlds with good and evil gods vying for power, dragons of all colours and of course your normal humans, elves and dwarves. This series provides some very interesting characters, such as Raistlin, and the long stretched out series also provides some great stories.

[KatG]

Another thread complained about the lack of comic fantasy out there, a complaint I've heard before and find confusing, as there are a great many comic fantasy writers out there. So I'm copying my little list culled from reading lists. No doubt others can add more. Just some writing comic fantasy:

Robert Asprin
Terry Pratchett
Esther M. Friesner
Glen Cook (Garrett P.I. series)
Pamela Wharton Blampied
Jerry Jay Carroll
James Blaylock
George Alec Effinger
P.N. Elrod
Diana Wynne Jones
James Morrow
Jeremy Pascall

There are also quite a few writers whose work is more serious in focus but who are known for having a lot of humor in their style, such as Mary Brown, Stephen Brust, Neil Gaiman, Barbara Hambly, and Diane Duane.