Fantasy/Sci-fi Books. Any Suggestions?

[LuckyClover95]

Terry Pratchett books, every one of them from the beginning. They get really good at 10...
Alsooo
Incarceron and sequel
Harry Potter
The Hobbit

But I beg you to read Terry Pratchett. Whatta ledge.

 

[Murray Kitson]

If you like science fiction, try the jumper series. If you haven't seen the movie... watch it, then pretend it had some substance and was good, then forget the plot/story line/characters (book only has about 3 or 4 character names that were used in the film). Once you have wiped the terrible film experience from your mind, pick up-

-Jumper
-Reflex (takes place 10 years after Jumper)
-Jumper: Griffin's Story (complete new set of characters and has no real link to first 2 other than the teleport ability)

The reason I like these books is because Steven Gould (author) puts the teleport ability into a real life situation. Also, he does not put any real effort into explaining where the ability came from. There are references where the characters try to figure it out on their own, but without any science background, they don't get far. The story itself is more about the path the protagonist walks and how he gets the sticky end of the shit stick many times.

The first book, in my opinion, would have made a fantastic film. Someone else didn't think so and rewrote it as... well, I try not to think about the film. I encourage everyone to take a look into this series.

 

[Blunderboy]

I'll second (and indeed third) Terry Pratchett, and also add Tom Holt if you enjoy your fantasy streaked with humor.

On the more serious side, I would strongly recommend the works David Eddings and David Gemmell.
I've just re-read both The Belgariad and The Mallorean, both five book series by David Eddings.
Wonderful characterization and a beautifully realized world. It's about the fifth time I've read the books, and each time I fall in love with the characters.
Especially Silk. This picture pretty much sums him up perfectly.

 

[TheRookie8]

Here are some authors/books:

Jim Butcher: "The Dresden Files"- A crime-drama which draws heavily from magic. Harry Dresden is one of the most exciting, sarcastic, and relatable characters in modern fantasy.

Jim Butcher: "Codex Alera"- Imagine Ancient Rome, except the humans can control the elements, which manifest as living creatures. Told from multiple perspectives, but never too confusing.

Joe Abercrombie: "The Blade Itself" trilogy, "Best Served Cold", and "Heroes"- A dark fantasy, with main characters you may not like but will still relate to. These books rock. Favorite characters: Logen Ninefingers, Whirrun of Bligh, Nicomo Cosca, and Monza Murcatto.

Scott Lynch: "The Gentlemen Bastards"- Truth be told, the first book had some really great moments, but the second truly shines because it draws alot from the first book. The main character, Locke Lamora, is too cocky for his own good, but I like the character Jean Tannen. Read the books to see why I like him to much.

 

[Matthew Valkanov]

Hmm...for Sci-Fi I'd suggest Alfred Bester's "The Stars, My Destination"(alternatively called "Tiger, Tiger."), a great relatively short book that has a Monte Cristo feel, but has a wonderful use of suspense and non-described action(sounds weird, but I love it ), and also at one point becomes a calligramme.
You could also try Matheson's "I Am Legend", which is almost completely different to that thing they call a film. A great feeling of solitude and pain, righteous anger and has one of the best "so what is truly evil?" turn arounds I've ever read.
I'd also suggest any sci-fi book by Stanislaw Lem. They're slow and ponderous, but they create a wonderful sense of unease.
And of course there's Isaac Asimov, who's foundation series I just love, and if you enjoyed Herbert's Dune, I think you'll like the Foundation series as well.

For fantasy, I could suggest Scarnight(can't remember the authors name), dark fantasy with really psychotic action sequences.
Terry Brooks' Shannara series is also good as a pretty classic but well written fantasy story, but I wouldn't go past the first trilogy (Sword of Shannara, Elfstones of Shannara, and Wishsong of Shannara), after that he kinda goes loopy.
David Farland's Runelord series is also fun, although that's mainly because of the intriguing "endowment" magic system.
Oooh! And I shouldn't forget anything by H.P. Lovecraft ; gothic cosmic horror fantasy greatest genre description ever.

 

[GrandmaFunk]

fantasy:

Night Angel trilogy by Brent Weeks
DragonCrown War & Age of Discovery series by Michael Stackpole

sci-fi:

Hyperion series by Dan Simmons
Snow Crash & The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson
Player of Games by Iain M Banks

 

[Wintermute_]

Did you like the matrix? well I sure as fuck didn't. SO! If your like me, and think Keono (keeono? Whatever...) Reeves fucked that shit up, go read the actual story of the REAL matrix. the first matrix.

GO read the Sprawl Trilogy: Neuromancer, Count Zero, and Mona Lisa Overdrive. 3 sci-fi books that are to this day my favorites. William Gibson was the basic founder of the cyberpunk genre, these being the first books that launched the cyperpunk sub-genre into popularity.

They kick ass. Can't begin to describe. If you liked the very stylized writing of Dune, you'll like Gibson's writing.

Go. Fly. Be swift. Read.

 

[KingsGambit_v1legacy]

I'm looking for some new before-sleep reading material and was hoping you guys could give me some suggestions.
Now what I want is a grand sci-fi/fantasy saga, the likes of my three favourites

I've recommended them before and will again and again. Jennifer Fallon is a fantastic writer and if you can find them, her "Tide Lords" series of four books is some of the best fantasy I've ever read. The writing is top notch, the world is a fascinating one but the characters steal the show.

The story revolves around the Tide Lords (funnily enough) who are immortal in the truest sense of the word. They can wield "Tide" magic whic like the literal tide comes in and goes out. The story begins with the tide having been out for centuries and one immortal, Cayal is suicidal and desperate to end his eternal life. He is an incredibly interesting and detailed character with a rich, troubled history and the very concept of a suicidal immortal is pure genius.

There's much more I could suggest such as the same author's "Second Sons" trilogy or Fiona McIntosh's "The Quickening" or "Percheron" trilogies. But I can't recommend the Tide Lords stories enough. I absolutely guarantee you'll love them.

 

[King Toasty]

Bartimaues trilogy.
Vaguely alternate-universal, if this universe had magicians that could summon genies. Well, djinn and other spirits.

It's really, really great, very funny, great gloomy atmosphere. A gloomy atmosphere that Bartimaeus laughs at.

 

[mountie218]

"A Song of Ice and Fire"

I also enjoyed "Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell" but others I've spoken to didn't seem to enjoy it quite as much as I did...

 

[RheynbowDash]

As much as I hate the source material, the first 4 "Halo" paperbacks are really good reads.

 

[Rechi Jackson]

wow awesome thread... may have to look into some of these myself.
I would recommend 'The sword of Truth' series and possibly
Robert Reed's Sister Alice

 

[schiz0phren1c]

David Eddings' The Belgariad and Mallorean series, a la the 'Garion books'. My fav fantasy books ever!

Seconded,
also The Sparhawk novels by David Eddings too.

 

[Carbonyl]

Any of the Discworld books by Terry Pratchett, they are original, hilarious, and quietly thoughtful. Good Omens is also a great book which he co-authored with Neil Gaimen. Who also writes excellent fantasy. Try Neverwhere.

In terms of SciFi, I suggest The Left Hand of Darkness, by Ursula K. Leguin. Quite an excellent book about the politics of a planet inhabited by intelligent beings that are genderless. Quite dark in tone.

 

[Hal10k]

2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke
Here lies one of the early cautionary tales about relying too much on artificial intelligence. It's another quick read and one that you will not soon forget!

That is seriously the message that you took away from the book?

OT: "I, Robot" by Isaac Asimov. It's a classic of science fiction; one of the first books to treat robots as a literal piece of technology rather than a metaphor for the working class.

 

[Blunderboy]

David Eddings' The Belgariad and Mallorean series, a la the 'Garion books'. My fav fantasy books ever!

Seconded,
also The Sparhawk novels by David Eddings too.

And I will also second that.
Sir Ulath is my favourite.

 

[Carbonyl]

Oooh! And I shouldn't forget anything by H.P. Lovecraft ; gothic cosmic horror fantasy greatest genre description ever.

It's much better to actually listen to the radio plays than read the stories by themselves. I think you can get them on iTunes. But it is really chilling to hear the voices and sound effects. The old-timey feel is pretty fun too.

 

[sniddy_v1legacy]

Tad Williams - Otherspace and memory sorrow and thorn series especially

Raymond E Fiest - The original Riftwar series particularly

David Gemmel - Anything by

Stephen Donaldson - Depending on your taste heavy reading but very rewarding, the Gap series is some of the best sci-fi I've ever read and the mirror of her dreams double act is fantastic - the Thomas covenant series I'd research first

Saga of the Seven Suns is kinda light Space Opera if that's your kind of thing, can't recall author off top of head

And yeh, game of thrones BUT the author is gonna die before he finishes and David eddings early work AVOID THE ELDER GODS SERIES (mind you as it's a rehash of old books not SO bad to newer readers but still actually BAD rehash)

Sword of truth is a great first 3 books, but TBH I don't know if it's worth the effort to read through the series it's not a satisfying series IMHO

 

[MightyRabbit]

Anything by Neil Gaiman. As for sci-fi, try Philip K. Dick.