I second that, and would lie to add the Malazan Books of the Fallen by Steven Erikson, as well as anything by Orson Scott Card.MaxTheReaper said:
Book Suggestions for my Wife
- Thread starter Dirty Apple
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Wait there are people suggesting RA Salvatore on this thread? Fantasy writing has surely hit a low point then. If she wants to escape and if she actually likes fantasy then I recommend either the Earthsea series by Ursula LeGuin or any book by Patricia A. McKillip who is a brilliant high fantasy writer. I recommend McKillip even if she's not into fantasy.
Did you spell that right?cleverlymadeup said:
Wicked by Gregory Maguire is what I think you ment to say. He twists the Wizard of Oz story very beautifully. His other books include "Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister" [A Cinderella twist like no other]and "Mirror, Mirror" [which is Snow White I belive].
Wicked is followed up by "Son of a Witch" which is... interesting to read.
He's an interesting author, but I would suggest his books if you really wanna spice up your average Fairy Tale.
Edit: BTW, if your wife[or you] end up liking Wicked, there is a Musical Theater version of the book I suggest you both check out =P
ooops yeah sorry i did, he also has "Lion Among Men" which is part 3 of the Wicked yearsAschenkatza said:
better than King, Koontz or RiceFightgarr said:
Hmmm.
Personally, I don't read too much fantasy. For my pulp I tend to read hard-boiled. So I will heartily and totally and UTTERLY recommend Raymond Chandler. He blows my mind. The Big Sleep is brilliant. Also perhaps Dashiell Hammett. I love that sort of hard-boiled private eye detective novel. That's escapism, for me.
In terms of the 'literary fiction' genre, which I feel I ought to mention, as, you know, that's where classic fiction tends to be, might I recommend JD Salinger, my personal favourite author. Catcher in the Rye, if she hasn't read it. If she has, read it again. Then a book called 'Franny and Zooey'. In fact, anything by Salinger. Or, Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Everyone should try Marquez sometime in their life. Start out with Love in the Time of Cholera, and see how you go. I also just finished a book by Cormac McCarthy called All The Pretty Horses. Actually, maybe not. Every girl I know (apart from some literature professor) hated it. All the boys loved it though! Maybe you should read it!
Now, as far as I'm aware the majority of the books you mentioned were fantasy. So, I will recommend a fantasy novel (or author, really). Robin Hobb. Three related trilogies, and one new one, which I haven't read. But the Farseer trilogy is really really strong, and the second trilogy focusing on Fitz, the Tawny Man Trilogy. There was the Liveship trilogy in the middle, but it wasn't essential. I read ALOT of fantasy when I was younger, including people mentioned like Robert Jordan, Salvatore and Goodkind, but in my opinion they can't hold a candle to Robin Hobb. Her characterisation in amongst trying to get the Lore of a pretty engaging fantasy world are incredible. Go her!
Personally, I don't read too much fantasy. For my pulp I tend to read hard-boiled. So I will heartily and totally and UTTERLY recommend Raymond Chandler. He blows my mind. The Big Sleep is brilliant. Also perhaps Dashiell Hammett. I love that sort of hard-boiled private eye detective novel. That's escapism, for me.
In terms of the 'literary fiction' genre, which I feel I ought to mention, as, you know, that's where classic fiction tends to be, might I recommend JD Salinger, my personal favourite author. Catcher in the Rye, if she hasn't read it. If she has, read it again. Then a book called 'Franny and Zooey'. In fact, anything by Salinger. Or, Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Everyone should try Marquez sometime in their life. Start out with Love in the Time of Cholera, and see how you go. I also just finished a book by Cormac McCarthy called All The Pretty Horses. Actually, maybe not. Every girl I know (apart from some literature professor) hated it. All the boys loved it though! Maybe you should read it!
Now, as far as I'm aware the majority of the books you mentioned were fantasy. So, I will recommend a fantasy novel (or author, really). Robin Hobb. Three related trilogies, and one new one, which I haven't read. But the Farseer trilogy is really really strong, and the second trilogy focusing on Fitz, the Tawny Man Trilogy. There was the Liveship trilogy in the middle, but it wasn't essential. I read ALOT of fantasy when I was younger, including people mentioned like Robert Jordan, Salvatore and Goodkind, but in my opinion they can't hold a candle to Robin Hobb. Her characterisation in amongst trying to get the Lore of a pretty engaging fantasy world are incredible. Go her!
If she likes escapism, then she's come to the right place (or rather, you have...). Sorry, couldn't resist.Dirty Apple said:
I would definitely recommend the Three Worlds Cycle by Ian Irvine. Note that it is a lot to chew unless you are an experienced reader, there are eleven books so far each of around 600 large pages, split into two quartets and a trilogy. Each one sort of tells a different story, but they all affect each other and follow on from each other. It's definitely worth a look if you like heavy reading, and good for light reading if you're willing to spend a long time on it. Very well written and definitely worth it.
I give this a third!! Discworld (and anything else by Terry Pratchett) is AMAZING!!!!SidVicious said:
The Odd Thomas series by Dean Koontz.
Sorta fantasy/crime/mystery with dark comedy.
Excellent, excellent books.
That and the Dark Tower series by Stephen King.
That should take a little while to get through.
Sorta fantasy/crime/mystery with dark comedy.
Excellent, excellent books.
That and the Dark Tower series by Stephen King.
That should take a little while to get through.
Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein in 1961 it had 1/4 of the story removed for asking questions about religion, homosexuality, gender roles, and government while still being a fun read.
I'm in the middle of American Gods by Neil Gaiman. I recommend everything he's ever written, especially Neverwhere. Honestly, of someone can read Dean Koontz, they'll read anything. The man's work is garbage.
Oh, and Jennifer Government by Max Barry ...
... And Happiness by Will Ferguson ...
I could make a huge list, but those are some of my favorites.
... And Happiness by Will Ferguson ...
I could make a huge list, but those are some of my favorites.
I've read "Watchmen" but I don't think she'd be able to get past the whole graphic novel thing. She'd only see it as a comic.
Also I'm seeing alot of bile being sprayed on Koontz here. His book "Watchers" is one of my all time favorites, and I thought the Odd Thomas series was a nice diversion. I know his books will never be discussed in a lit class, but that doesn't make them drivel it makes them uncomplicated.
Also I'm seeing alot of bile being sprayed on Koontz here. His book "Watchers" is one of my all time favorites, and I thought the Odd Thomas series was a nice diversion. I know his books will never be discussed in a lit class, but that doesn't make them drivel it makes them uncomplicated.