SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion

I just finished my first Neil Gaiman book - Neverwhere. It was a good change of pace after finishing numerous hard SciFi books. Now I am looking for another Gaiman book to put on my To-Read list. I'm using the search feature to find his books but almost everything I find is some kind of comic book or short story - can someone recommend another of his novels? I typically look for books with 4.0 rating or higher and I'm sticking with ebooks for now (Kindle, Overdrive or Adobe ADE) on iPad.

None of my ebooks books either had or displayed much in the way of illustrations. I would love to read a book of his with illustrations to go with his wonderfully descriptive characters and settings. Are illustrations dropped from Kindle and Overdrive displays (text only) or have I just been reading text-only books?

Start with Stardust. It is a great read.

Most aren't really illustrated much. Ocean at the end of the lane is a brilliant read.

I have to agree that The Ocean at the End of the Lane is a great read, since it's one of my favorite books! Stardust is very much enjoyable too, if you are in the mood for a fairy tale-ish book. And there are of course American Gods and Good Omens. You really have plenty of options!

Really not a fan of him myself but American Gods was at least halfway interesting.

I'll second Stardust. I haven't come across illustrations in his novels and short stories, but if you haven't read it yet, you should check out the Sandman graphic novels (they start with The Sandman, Vol. 1: Preludes and Nocturnes). I just checked Amazon and Comixology, and they both have them digitally. I'm not sure if your Overdrive will have them.

I just added The Ocean at the End of the Lane and will check out these others recs too. Thanks!

I love you Neil Gaiman :D

I really liked American Gods, and Anansi Boys which is a sort-of sequel. They're not illustrated... but if you want illustrations and not comics, I'm not sure what to suggest! I think The Graveyard Book might have had some sketches.

I second the recommendation of SANDMAN, which is unquestionably his best work and made his reputation.

Rachel wrote: "I really liked American Gods, and Anansi Boys which is a sort-of sequel. They're not illustrated... but if you want illustrations and not comics, I'm not sure what to sugges..."

Graveyard Book definitely has sketches, but it also for a younger audience - which I personally don't have a problem with, but some people do.

Also, the US and UK art is done by different people, and I personally have a soft spot for Chris Riddell who did the UK artwork.

I Sandman a single book or a series (many) of comic book editions all together?

Sandman is a series. There are 10 trades which collect the whole series.


ETA: There are also Absolute editions which redo a lot of the artwork, and are freaking gorgeous, but they're hella expensive and only something to invest in after you've already been sucked into the series. ;)

Each volume tells a story, and all the volumes form a loose arc. But if you want to just dip into one, read DREAM COUNTRY, which is four separate stories collected.

Sandman is a graphic novel and/or a collection of comic books, right? Is there an equivalent text novel?

No. Although there are short stories written by others, when he invited others to come play in his sandbox.

Good Omens (with Terry Pratchett) is well worth a read as well.

I'm currently enjoying Ocean at the end of the lane!

Waddill wrote: "I'm currently enjoying Ocean at the end of the lane!"

that is an excellent read.

If you like Neil Gaiman and illustrations, I would think the ideal book for you would be The Art of Neil Gaiman: The Visual Story of One of the World's Most Vital Creative Forces. It seems like you want more of an illustrated fictional narrative though, so I'd go with the Sandman graphic novels.

Darn, just finished the Ocean book. I think it could have been much longer and could have been an epic journey like King's The Stand if Gaiman had put more content. Now I need another Gaiman book to put on my list! .???

I don't think I have ever seen Ocean compared to The Stand before. That's definitely a first, and I'm not sure why they'd have anything at all in common. LOL

Anyway, Waddill, I personally love Gaiman's short story collections. Fragile Things: Short Fictions and Wonders is fantastic.

I also loved American Gods, which I think has that has more in common with The Stand than Ocean would - though it's not post-apocalyptic or anything. It is more epic though. ;)

I also love Gaiman's short stories and novels. There's also the brand new, but so new I haven't gotten around to it yet, Trigger Warning: Short Fictions and Disturbances .

But I'm so gaga over Gaiman I don't think I need to read it before suggesting it.

I have decided to listen to American Gods. This is my first ever audiobook and I'm wondering if I will have the same experience as reading a Gaiman book. One thing I have come to enjoy in the 2 Gaiman books I read is the dreamlike flow. Not sure the audiobook is going to convey that but figured I have to try one sooner or later.

I haven't listened to American Gods, but I have heard very good things about it. I love audiobooks, and highly recommend anything that Neil reads himself (which, coincidentally, includes Fragile Things!) because his voice is amazing.

Hope you enjoy the audio AND the book. :)

I just started reading "American Gods" and it's awesome! I'm almost blown away by the visualizations in many scenes. It's quite fantastic and surreal.

American Gods

American Gods is hands down my favourite Neil Gaiman book.

I've just read Anansi Boys. Its very light, very funny and very good.

Its part of the American Gods series and it has a much different tone.

There's a lovely illustrated version of Stardust out there but I don't know if it's available as an ebook. I also highly recommend the Sandman series! And Good Omens, written with Terry Pratchett, is a lot of fun as well.