Recommended Reading

[Jane]

Apparently we're not all Anne Bishop fans but a lot of the group do enjoy the same sort of reading.

What two authors / series would you recommend to people in this club?  Tell us a little bit about them so those of us with wimpy reading tastes don't get shocked!




Tamora Pierce

Hard to choose out of the best YA authors around, but she would be the one I'd recommend most strongly.  Fantasy, primarily girl-protagonists, two separate series, should be read in order.


Donna Andrews

Her 'Meg Langslow' cozy mystery series.  Even if you don't like the genre I'd still especially recommend reading 'Revenge of the Wrought-Iron Flamingos', 'Crouching Buzzard, Leaping Loon', and 'We'll Always Have Parrots'.  Light, funny, and they don't necessarily need to be read in order.

[Patrick]

First off I second Tamora Peirce.  Second, I'm having such a hard time picking just TWO authors to recommend, I have so many.  But anyway...

Diane Daune

All fantasy/science fiction.  Her books are about a girl and boy who become wizards in the modern world and their adventures.  Eight going on Nine books in all and a VERY filled in universe on her website.  One series.

James Gurney and Dinotopia

Yes his books are illustrated but the art is AMAZING and the story is good too.  But you should really read the other books set in Dinotopia, Dinotopia Lost and Hand of Dinotopia by Alan Dean Foster (VERY good and awesome for you older readers who can stomach picture books)  as well as the 16+ Digest Novels set there.  He's got three books out, and a fourth one do out this fall.  Yes good author and good universe to read about.

[Vix]

I enjoy Tamora Pierce, but never have read Donna Andrews.

My suggestions:

Juliet Marillier
I've only read her Sevenwaters Trilogy, but talk about dark childhoods!

Robin Hobb
Talk about a different type of world! Start with The Farseer series and then move on to Liveship Traders.

[Dana]

I recommend (besides Anne Bishop :love5:)...

Melanie Rawn
Her Dragon Prince/Dragon Star trilogies are some of the best fantasy novels I've ever read.  Her character development is wonderful, and her storylines and world are quite unique  

and

Kelley Armstrong
Her Women of the Otherworld series is a lot of fun.  Werewolves, witches, demons/half-demons, ghosts and clairvoyants--all with spunk and attitude!  What more could one ask for?  And they're all written in First Person POV, which makes it all even more fun  

[Dana]

Juliet Marillier
I've only read her Sevenwaters Trilogy, but talk about dark childhoods!

Oh yes, Vix!  I second her.  Her Sevenwaters Trilogy was excellent

[Jane]

Juliet Marillier
I've only read her Sevenwaters Trilogy, but talk about dark childhoods!

I bought these once, then was horrified by the sheer size of them and ended up selling them to somebody who had read her paperbacks to death and was ever so grateful to have all three, unread, in hardback.

After your 'dark childhood' comment, I'm even more certain I made the right decision!

[Patrick]

Oh Yeah I'm breaking the two only rule but I don't care

James Patterson

I read him mostly for his Maximum Ride series, but I heard his other stuff is pretty good to.  Max Ride is about a girl and her friends/family who have been grafted with avian DNA and have wings and can fly.  Its in first person (which is what Dana said that reminded me of them) from Max's POV (the protagonist/leader).  They are SO COOL!  Read them!

Done breaking the rule now.

[Clancey]

I recommend:

I cant narrow it just to TWO! DOH!  :verzweifelt:

Mercedes Lackey
Her Heralds of Valdemar books used to get me through the dentist.  I just went to Valdemar and didn't even know they were working on my mouth.  Its Fantasy Light, but still very good.   Her 500 Kingdoms books are good, the knockoffs of familair fairy tales are funny and well-written.   And I just read the Elemental Masters series.  AGain, familiar tales retold, but still good

Christopher Stasheff
The Warlock books were great, but his "Her Majesty's Wizard" series were quite wonderful as well.  

Piers Anthony
Split Infinity books and his Immortals

Tom Clancy
Who doesn't love his wonderful plotlines?

[Yvonne]

I'm more of a by-the-book gal than a die-hard read-anything-by-the-author type anymore - I've been disappointed too often when a favourite author started churning out stuff that *I* could have written better. In that vein, here are two books I've really enjoyed. Both are a little different but definitely worth checking out.

Thomas Wharton's 'Salamander' is a fantastic novel - challening, origional, beautifully written, well plotted, and gives you lots to think about. I enjoyed it despite myself - I once got a nasty email from Mr. Wharton and it sort of biased me against him for a while. I haven't picked up any of his other books yet but I'm looking forward to it.

Linda Medley's 'Castle Waiting' if you're more into fairy tales - it's a graphic novel, yes, but don't be scared. It has bearded ladies!![/b]

[Paula]

Depressing. I can recongize only about half of those authors. I don't think they are all available in Finland. :sigh: I live in back water country! :sob:

[Yvonne]

Depressing. I can recongize only about half of those authors. I don't think they are all available in Finland. :sigh: I live in back water country! :sob:

Thomas Wharton lives in the same city I do and I'd been meaning to read 'Salamander' for ages. However, I first picked up his novel when I found it in an English bookstore in Athens. What are they odds?! :P And if Greece can carry his books, there's hope for Finland!

[Devin]

Neil Gaiman

If you can get a hold of them, the Sandman series of graphic novels is one of the best things I've ever read. Urban fantasy is the best way to describe it, I guess. American Gods is good too, and his short story collection Smoke and Mirrors.

Christopher Golden

I just finished one of his books so he's on my mind. He's written and co-written several Buffy and Angel books, which is how I found him in the first place. I just finished Myth Hunters, and I need to see if the library has others. Golden writes urban fantasy too, and has a easy style.

[Rochelle]

Wow! I don't have to worry about narrowing it down too much now -most of my favorites have already been reccommended! (Mercedes Lackey, Neil Gaiman, Piers Anthony, Tamora Pierce, Diane Duane...)

So here's my suggestions:

Aaron Allston's Doc Sidhe and Sidhe Devil. I haven't read his other stuff, but I adore these two! It's kind of a homage to the Doc Savage pulp novels but set in an alternate universe roughly in the 1930s. and featuring people from our world who fall through and find themselves in this place where magic is considered science and half the poulation has an iron allergy. I hope he writes more!

Terry Prattchet's Discworld series. These are simply hilarious, and quick enjoyable reads. I pick them up whenever I need something entertaining that I can put down again without losing my place. He also cowrote a book with Neil Gaiman called Good Omens that should be picked up by anyone who likes him or Neil Gaiman.

And I can't resist a final nomination. Brian Jacques Redwall series. They're fun for all ages, and very comfortable reads. But don't ever read them without an empty stomach. He got his start in storytelling to blind kids, and describes at least one feast in every book that will drive you screaming into the kitchen if you aren't stuffed.

[Paula]

I just read the finish translation of Masquerade. I love granny Weatherwax!