Modern Good Reads discussion

I can still remember my dad giving me a copy of The Hobbit when I was in grade 5. I was entranced by the dragon on the cover and immediately ran up to my room to begin reading. But it wasn't to be. Alas, my young mind wasn't quite ready for it. I put it down, and it sat in my closet for a long time, Smaug looking up at me from the closet floor every time I opened that creaky old door. But later--much, much later--I picked it up again, and this time I couldn't put it down. It was like Tolkien had created some kind of gravity that sucked me right into his book.

Today, I wouldn't say that Tolkien is my top unputdownable fantasy author, but he was definitely my first! :)

Who is your top unputdownable fantasy author?

Right now I really love Brandon Sanderson and Brent weeks. I'm so addicted to all of their work.

The obligatory J. K. Rowling, and lately Joe Abercrombie. Good characters get me addicted to a book.

Suzanne Collins (The Hunger Games) had me totally hooked, like, COULD. NOT. PUT. DOWN. But now, I find that a lot of the novels didn't really stay with me. So definitely a lot of fun to read, but not so memorable. I mean, some parts, yes. But for three whole books, not so much.

I love Jacqueline Carey's fantasy/alternate history books, but to like those, you have to be comfortable with lgbt stuff and alternate lifestyles, so they aren't for everyone.

Sophia wrote: "Suzanne Collins (The Hunger Games) had me totally hooked, like, COULD. NOT. PUT. DOWN. But now, I find that a lot of the novels didn't really stay with me. So definitely a lot of fun to read, but n..."

I agree on Jacquelyn Carey--can't believe I forgot her! She helped get me into the alternate history genre and inspired me to create a culture of my own for my novel. I've been a little disappointed by her most current series, though (Kushiel's Scion, etc). It seems somehow lacking, sadly.

After literally years of not reading a thing, I picked up a Harry Potter book. J.K. Rowling got me reading again :-)

Moorcock for me, especially the eternal champion series. Made me want to be a writer myself.

Hmm... I have to admit, I've never read a lot of fantasy. When I read, I mainly read graphic novels, so while I love fantasy series' like Fable, Lucifer, Sandman, etc. I have little experience with fantasy novels.

I'm working on refining a fantasy project now, and have been doing research into the conventions of the genre. The top two names my wife(a huge fantasy nerd) recommended to me were Tad Williams' Memory Sorrow and Thorn(once you're past the first hundred pages or two, since it starts off REALLY slow.) I've seen that every time she picks up that series, she does not put it down for a week until she's finished all four massive books. She also swears by Sanderson, and I've seen her stay up all night reading him, as well.

Thomas wrote: I've been a little disappointed by her most current series, though (Kushiel's Scion, etc). It seems somehow lacking, sadly.

I felt that way about the first Imriel book (is that Scion?) but then I liked the second better, and absolutely loved the third. I thought the Moirin books had some good stuff (I enjoyed China mainly) and I liked thinking about how she handled the big evil in the Americas, but overall, they were definitely weaker, imo. The first trilogy is still my favorite. In fact, Kushiel's Dart is still my all-time favorite novel.

Two authors top my fantasy list: Neil Gaiman and Guy Gavriel Kay.

Sophia wrote: "Thomas wrote: I've been a little disappointed by her most current series, though (Kushiel's Scion, etc). It seems somehow lacking, sadly.

I felt that way about the first Imriel book (is that Scion..."

Dart was awesome. I think maybe that's the biggest problem with her later books. It's tough to measure up to the caliber of her first three.

Thomas wrote: "Sophia wrote: "Thomas wrote: I've been a little disappointed by her most current series, though (Kushiel's Scion, etc). It seems somehow lacking, sadly.

I felt that way about the first Imriel book..."

The first three I read more than once. Her work just seemed to get a little dry maybe? I discovered her and Anne bishop's

Daughter of the Blood at the same time. Those were good times friends ....good times..

I agree with Suzanne Collins. But I have to add Gregor the Overlander to the list of reasons. The entire series was amazing.

I also have to shout out to Brandon Sanderson. I started with Mistborn Trilogy Boxed Set and continued from there. He is an amazing author.

Terry Goodkind, I feel sad when a chapter ends and I am too tired to read anymore.

Mercedes Lackey. She's written so many stories that linger on in my mind.

Currently I'm grieving over having finished Sarah Monette's Doctrine of Labyrinths series.

Tolkien hands down but I'll put Guy G. Kay and Sanderson in the top 10 with him.

GEORGE R.R. MARTIN

Margaret Weis

A.F. wrote: "Two authors top my fantasy list: Neil Gaiman and Guy Gavriel Guy."

I couldn't agree more that Guy Gavriel Kay is amazing although very little of his stuff is pure fantasy (Fionavar Tapestry series notwithstanding).

Two other fantastic writers are Michelle Sagara/West and Tad Williams.

J.K. Rowling. Her books helped me discover my love of reading in high school. She also inspires me to push the limits of my creativity on every page.

S.M. Boyce's Grimoire series begins with book one, The Lichgates. Trust me. ;-)

I'm gonna have to go with Robert Jordan. Nuff said.

defiantly Christopher paolini I love he's books and the inheritance cycle is still my all time favorite series and it has held its ground for 5 years. :)

Weston wrote: "defiantly Christopher paolini I love he's books and the inheritance cycle is still my all time favorite series and it has held its ground for 5 years. :)"
Thanks, Weston, I'm looking to read more fantasy fiction so it's good to have a recommendation.

Titus Groan, Gormenghast and Titus Alone by Mervyn Peake I found totally absorbing, not just because of his fine tale, with odd characters with strange names, like Irma Prunesquallor, Flay, Steerpike, Lord Sepulchrave and Barquentine, but because of his wonderful command and use of the English language. It was The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien which first revealed to me what magic words on a page can create. The Fate In The Box by Michelle Lovric is a book I plan to read soon. It a tale rooted in her fantasy vision of Venice.

C.L. Wilson - she's the female version of Tolkien.

Robert Jordan and David Eddings

Antoinette wrote: "C.L. Wilson - she's the female version of Tolkien."
I've never heard of her but your description is VERY interesting. Thanx.

Clive Barker

J.R.R. Tolkien and J. K. Rowling - in that order.

Try Mary Stewart, The Crystal Cave

Dan Brown, Nicholas Sparks and Wilbur Smith, (not to mention many fabs from the past.)

Jim wrote: "J.R.R. Tolkien and J. K. Rowling - in that order."
A hearty 'Amen'!!!

I agree with Robert Jordan! & I like Laini Taylor/Roger Zelazny (if I'm trying to be different than just proclaiming my literary love for J.K.. Rowling :)

Tad Williams, Michael Kanuckel and Mark Lawrence.

J.R.R. Tolkien, Mary Stewart, J.K. Rowling, and Meyer.

Cassandra Clare and Julie Kagawa. I have not read all of their books but The Mortal Instruments and The Iron Fey are AWESOME! I am huge fans of both and follow both authors' blogs.

A.F. wrote: "Two authors top my fantasy list: Neil Gaiman and Guy Gavriel Guy."

Do you mean "Guy Gavriel Kay"?

Wow...I had to really think about this. C.S. Lewis when I was a child; Michael Moorcock as a teen; I discovered Madeleine L'Engle in my twenties; Rowling's Harry Potter about eleven years ago; and The Hunger Games trilogy last year. I've really enjoyed a lot of other fantasy (my favorite genre) but all of these were unputdownable and still memorable for me.

Danny wrote: "A.F. wrote: "Two authors top my fantasy list: Neil Gaiman and Guy Gavriel Guy."

Do you mean "Guy Gavriel Kay"?"

Oops. Yes I do, all fixed now.

I have to put in a vote for David Eddings, especially the Belgariad/Mallorean series. It was this series that first got me hooked on the world of fantasy fiction. Also, Raymond Feist- pretty much anything, but notably Magician and the books that follow.

Oh, and a special mention for Robin Hobb too!

Jacqui wrote: "I have to put in a vote for David Eddings, especially the Belgariad/Mallorean series. It was this series that first got me hooked on the world of fantasy fiction. Also, Raymond Feist- pretty much a..."

I haven't heard of Eddings or Feist. But I'd forgotten about Robin Hobb. I always wanted to read his books. :)

Robert Silverberg, Terry Brooks, C.S.Lewis, Anne Mc Caffrey, Julian May, George R. Martin, Tolkien of course. J.K. Rollins, and by the way a lot of you have fantasy mixed up with hard science fiction and horror. Not the same. For me, above all else there must be a quest with at least four seekers, magic and a mythical creature. There are other hard core rules that are evolving in the world of fantasy writing but no machines please this takes away from the idea of fantasy you know not real as in Unicorns, Dragons, Orges and Hobbits.

Tamora Pierce is just fantastic. I love her series, especially the ones about knights, (I'm a little iffy on the ones about magic). She writes amazing books.

CS Lewis' Narnia series was always a favourite with me.

Terry Pratchett without a doubt. I love his discworld series.