What's the Name of That Book??? discussion

I'm looking for sci-fi or fantasy books that are standalones (or part of a SHORT series, like a trilogy) and are adventurous and fun. So many books in these genres are apocalyptic or war-torn and I don't want that. I'm open to basically anything that fits these requirements! High fantasy, full scifi, genre benders, any book that could be sci fi or fantasy and doesn't make me hate the world is fair game

Books I've loved: Persephone Station, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, A Psalm for the Wild-Built (and the Wayfarers series), A Taste of Gold and Iron

Bonus points for found family and/or queer characters.

Hi, fun reads that might interest you are:
Before and after by Matthew Thomas
Terrorfirma by the same author
Artemis fowl series by Eoin Colfer
A dirty job by Christopher Moore,

Good luck, I hope you find something that suits.

All judgment fled by James White might appeal to you .

Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson Snow Crash

The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi The Kaiju Preservation Society

Once Upon a Marigold by Jean Ferris is a children's book, but I remember it being very whimsical. Also anything by Eva Ibbotson for whimsical children's fantasy.

For adults there is Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman (now a hit TV series!)

A Natural History of Dragons is a lot of fun and although there are five books in the series they are all discrete adventures that can basically stand alone, and are very quick reads.

By the Sword could also be good.

Gillian wrote: "Once Upon a Marigold by Jean Ferris is a children's book, but I remember it being very whimsical. Also anything by Eva Ibbotson for whimsical children's fantasy.

For a..."
Yes I have read Good Omens! I've been meaning to try out some of Pratchett's other works but idk where to start honestly

I'd start with Guards! Guards! in Pratchett's Discworld series. It's much better than the first few books. Guards! Guards!

I'll second the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett. Each book is standalone, some with recurring characters.

If you like short stories, an older fantasy/scifi author I love is Zenna Henderson. She wrote many sci-fi stories about children, schools, and families. Her People stories, about an alien race that relocates to Earth, are collected in a book called Ingathering: The Complete People Stories

Diana Wynne Jones frequently writes standalones and even when they're considered part of a series usually don't require knowledge of the other books.

Dave Duncan also has a number of good standalone fantasy novels.

T. Kingfisher is also worth checking out.

Check out Walter Moers - his Zamonia books are set in the same world but are mostly standalones.

On a Sunbeam is a sci-fi graphic novel with plenty of found family and really lovely artwork.

The Golden Key
Sourdough
The Graveyard Book
The Fire's Stone
The Darkest Part of the Forest
Something Wicked This Way Comes
The Thief Lord

Definitely read Becky Chambers
Wayfarers Series first, if she is on your TBR pile. Those can be read as stand alones. You don't get a TON out of reading them in order. Mostly a spoiler for the first book which really spoils nothing.

Or Martha Wells The Murderbot Diaries #1-4: : All Systems Red, Artificial Condition, Rogue Protocol, Exit Strategy is also really good and quickly readable.

You could also look at Jasper Fforde's The Eyre Affair as he reminds me of Douglas Adams a little bit. Again, a series. When you are asking for a single.

You Might Like The Menagerie

Seconding that you put Wayfarers higher on your tbr list - I'm reading ig now and enjoying it so much!

Also Murderbot Diaries was my first thought. There are multiple books but most are novellas and they are so fun.

Reverie
The Storm Makers

Seems like The Martian hasn't been mentioned yet

Robert wrote: "Seems like The Martian hasn't been mentioned yet"
I have read that one! I greatly enjoyed it

Would love some more recs if anybody's got 'em

Maybe At the Table of Wolves by Kay Kenyon and The Auguries by F G Cottam

- Fun and funny sci-fi trilogy, with some apocalyptic backdrop: We Are Legion (We Are Bob)
- Fantasy without magic: practically anything by K J Parker. I love his style, he has series and standalones (like The Folding Knife) as well, some more war-related than others. AFAIK the Inside Man doesn't involve war.

I would highly recommend books by K.D. Edwards - lost of queer fun and found family, urban fantasy setting. First book is The Last Sun. There's three books at the moment, with the third wrapping up nicely (though there will be more published).

For sci-fi, Light from Uncommon Stars - also queer & found family.

Daphne wrote: "I would highly recommend books by K.D. Edwards - lost of queer fun and found family, urban fantasy setting. First book is The Last Sun. There's three books at the ..."

Ooo i havent heard of KD Edwards but I'll have to check them out!! Light From Uncommon Stars is on my list but i havent gotten around to it yet. Thanks!

Robert wrote: "- Fun and funny sci-fi trilogy, with some apocalyptic backdrop: We Are Legion (We Are Bob)
- Fantasy without magic: practically anything by K J Parker. I love his..."

these sound interesting, thank you!

Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree!!!

Danelle wrote: "Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree!!!"

read that a couple months ago and loved it! his other book is on my tbr as well

You might enjoy the Wayward Children series by Seanan McGuire (first book: Every Heart a Doorway). The series itself is long (going on nine books) but each book is under 200 pages so they’re quick reads. You don’t have to read each book either, the odd numbered books in the series focus on a single story line while the even numbered books focus on different characters.

Danelle wrote: "You might enjoy the Wayward Children series by Seanan McGuire (first book: Every Heart a Doorway). The series itself is long (going on nine books) but each book is under 200 pages so they’re quick ..."

I've heard really great things about that series!! Its on my tbr

I came for the Discworld books by Terry Pratchett and I'm pleased to see that others have added it as well. Very good choice for fun books, I've read them all so many times.

Well I have to suggest Peter S. Beagle

I won't list them all, but Tamsin and A Fine and Private Place are fully standalone and favorites of mine. The Last Unicorn is obviously his most famous, and he's recently revisited that a couple times with novellas and short stories (one direct sequel and a few set in the same world). The Innkeeper's Song is his own favorite that he has returned to the most with short stories (not really a favorite of mine, but I really enjoy his writing no matter what and read all of them). I also like The Folk of the Air but not nearly as much as a short story called "Spook" with the same protagonist.

I'm Afraid You've Got Dragons comes out in May and I've been waiting for it for *years*.

Rebecca wrote: "Well I have to suggest Peter S. Beagle

I won't list them all, but Tamsin and A Fine and Private Place are fully standalone and favorites of mine. [book:T..."

I'll check these out, thanks!

The Neverending Story

Station Eternity and its sequel, Chaos Terminal

Meddling Kids by Edgar Cantero is spooky but fun!
Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

Archer's Goon

The Big Sheep

Maybe try Harry Harrison – light, easy-to-read, very pacy plots. The only thing I'd say against him is that his male / female dynamics are sometimes a product of their time and feel a bit dated now. That aside, The Technicolor Time Machine is a super spoof of film-making and Hollywood, with some insane time-travelling thrown in.

Not to be obvious, but “Long Dark Tea Time of the Soul” by Douglas Adams also fits the profile :D