I've noticed quite a few SFF fans here, so I thought I'd start a thread.

I guess I'll get things started with my favorite authors (if I listed my favorite books, I'd be here all night!):
Clive Barker
Catherine Asaro
Lois McMaster Bujold
Jane S. Fancher
Robin McKinley
Joan D. Vinge
Sheri S. Tepper
Debra Doyle and James D. Macdonald
Ursula K. Le Guin
James Patrick Kelly
and many more

gosh, favourite authors...

I haven't read all the authors you mentioned, but these I have:
[list]Clive Barker - Loved Weaveworld, haven't read any of his other books
Sheri S. Tepper - Read Beauty, loved the writing, hated the ending
Ursula K. Le Guin - Loved the first three Earthsea-books, thought the fourth was okay, haven't read the fifth.
Robin McKinley - The Hero and the Crown meant so much to me as a teenager
[list]

Apart from those, these are some of my favourite authors
[list]Neil Gaiman (I all his work basically)
Dan Simmons (Hyperion-saga, blew my mind)
Diana Wynne Jones (What's not to love?)
George R. R. Martin (A Song of Ice and Fire - the best historical fantasy ever imo, if only he would finish book no. four soon...)
[list]

Weaveworld is still my favorite Clive Barker book, even though I've read nearly everything he's written.

I had the same reaction to Tepper's Beauty. It was the first book I read by her and I'm glad I didn't let it stop me from reading her other books because I a few of them.

I need to re-read the first four Earthsea books sometime. I remember liking them a lot, even Tehanu, but I don't remember the details very well. Then I'll read the sixth book and probably re-read the Earthsea anthology as well.

The Blue Sword, The Hero and the Crown, and Beauty all meant a lot to me when I was growing up and they remain comfort reads.

I haven't read any of the other authors you mentioned, except Neil Gaiman. I've read Neverwhere, which I loved, and Coraline, which I thought was just okay. There was just something about the writing style that didn't engage me and I have yet to figure out what it was.

Well, Coraline is written in a very economical language - maybe that's it? I loved the way she just dealt with things coming her way, no whining or "I can't do this". Generally I would recommend reading everything by Neil Gaiman, but the thing he's written that really changed my view on anything was the Sandman-comics. They are some of the best things ever to come out of the comics-scene imo, and they completely made me rethink what I thought of comics. He also has an on-line journal that's good. His sense of the absurd and his humour just cracks me up.

If I want to read any more of Tepper's books I'll have to buy them - they're not translated, so the library doesn't have them Which ones in particular would you recommend? I did love her way of writing, I just thought the moral was a bit heavy.

Hmm,
Neil Gaiman - American Gods, very good.
My all time fave - Terry Pratchett and the Discworld series. Can't beat a bit of Pratchett.

Have you read Good Omens? It's by both Gaiman and Pratchett! Every bit as funny as the Discworld books, with just a hint of darkness about it...

Haven't seemed to get round to that one yet. I got a 'Book of Sandman Quotes' tho, which I enjoy reading quite a bit.

Then I can only recommend Good Omens even more - it's got an Archangel, a Demon, the Antichrist and the end of the world... and a witch called Agnes Nutter.

Well, looks like I've got my next purchase planned for me.

I liked the character of Coraline too- and I loved the cat. I haven't gotten to read too many of the Sandman comics yet, but what I've read, I've liked a lot. I have Gaiman's journal syndicated on my Live Journal friend's page.

All of Tepper's books can get somewhat preachy, but there are some with happier endings than Beauty. My favorites are The Family Tree, Grass, Sideshow, and After Long Silence.

Yay, Gaiman!
I've loved everything I've read by him except for "Stardust. "

Stardust... really needs to be read with the gorgeous Charles Vess pictures. I've got the text-only version, and I kinda wondered what all the fuss was about until my uncle (who also turned me on to Sandman) lend me his copy. It's just gorgeous, and the pictures and the words go really well together.


Preachy, yes, that was the word I was looking for! It just made me really angry, when the book was so well written, that it had to get all preachy and holier-than-thou at the end

I've been thinking of reading some of Neil Gaiman's books, any ideas which one to start with?

Depends on what kind of book you like, really.

Neverwhere is a good place to start, though, not as long as American Gods, but full of well-written characters and some twisted ideas about what reality is. And it's got the best villains ever.

If you're already a Terry Pratchett fan Good Omens is a nice introduction to Gaiman's ideas.

If you like short stories and poems I really recommend Smoke and Mirrors, his short-story collection. There's a story called Snow, Glass, Apples that'll change your view on Snow White forever.

Coraline is good if you like books like Alice in Wonderland (though it's not the same, it's just got the same theme of a girl going into another place).

If you prefer your books to be long I'd go with American Gods. (Not that it feels too long, it's just a bit daunting to look at the size of it).

And if you like fairy-tales, Stardust is one (though I'd recommend getting the illustrated version, it's so much better).

And when you've gotten hooked on Gaiman reading the Sandman books is really a huge must. You can start there as well (I did), but they can be a bit confusing at first. And since they're comics (or graphic novels) they can be a bit harder to get hold of.

Or you could just start with his journal.

I wouldn't go for Smoke & Mirrors - I personally didn't like it, but I suppose it's down to personal choice.
I really enjoyed Neverwhere - first Gaiman book I read.
But my favourite, American Gods, is a MUST, thought probably not for a first. You do need to read it through a couple of times to really get the story right.

Soooo right. Who are your fave characters? (Can't ask you to pick a favourite book - that's impossible.)

I like Death (and Binky), Vimes, Errol, Cohen and the Silver Horde and the Luggage. (I want one to carry my school stuff. I would feed it first-years.)

Anybody read Philip Reeve's Mortal Engines and its sequel Predator's Gold? I recently finished the second one and it's amazing (despite the crap title). Also, Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy. That's a work of art.

Carrot is really my all time favourite. And Death. And Binky. And ... oh, the list is too long.


It's amazing, yes. I have it on my computer (read by the author with actors acting the parts) - it's such an awesome experience hearing it.

I can't cope with audio books, I can't concentrate on them. I hear there's a film version in the works though.

I adore audio books when they're well done. I have Coraline on CD, read by Neil Gaiman - it's just perfect for train-rides.

I heard about His Dark Matters being made into a film, too. I'm not too sure I'll like it, though. It's such a rich book that I don't really need the film - I've already got it in my head

If they do it well (and don't hype it too much) it'll be spectacular. If not... ...don't get me started.

Favourite Pratchett characters - number 1 gotta be Granny Weatherwax, then Death, Vimes, the Librarian, Vetinari, I could go on all day at this you know as different parts of the differents books come back to me. Oh, Casanunda too!

It's a common criticism of Tepper's work, but I think it's less noticeable in some of her books. My favorite is The Family Tree, and while it does deal with Tepper's pet causes of environmentalism and feminism, I think it does so in a less preachy (and sometimes more amusing) way. Her earlier (but mostly out of print) books are less preachy as well.

I'm about to start Anne Bishop's Fae trilogy. I waited two years so all of the books were out before I started the books and now that I have all three in my hands, I can't wait any longer to read them.

I love the David Eddings series The Belgaraid and The Mallorean - I could read them again and again. I'm also a big fan of Terry Brooks (Shannara series), Marion Zimmer Bradley (Mists of Avalon is a classic!) and Roger Zelazny (Amber series). Issaac Asimov is also a fun read (Xanth is hilarious and I loved is Incarnate series) - and, of course, Tolkien!

Egads there are so many that I have read that it's hard to remember them all!!

Loved it - and "The Firebrand" about Cassandra and the fall of Troy. That book got me through my Greek/ancient-history exam with a very good grade

Asimov - love The Foundation-series (the first three books, anyway) and the Robot-stories.

Another very good writer is Jonathan Carroll. He has a way of turning your world upside down in a funny but creepy way.

Just read Pratchett's latest Discworld offering. Very good, introduces some new characters and very cynical view of armies and war. Loved it.

I'm reading Paladin of Souls by Lois McMaster Bujold now and I it! This was definitely worth postponing the Anne Bishop series to read.

SSSHHHH! I haven't got it yet!!!!

I tried my best not to be spoilery, sorry. But I definitely recommend it!!!

I'm reading Skyfall by Catherine Asaro now. I love her Saga of the Skolian Empire series.

Has ANYBODY else out there read the Book Of The Crow series by Catherine Fisher? I know, "kid's stuff" again, but they're good. Not deep or complex or anything intelligent-sounding like that, but well-written with some interesting ideas and cool characters!

It's okay, flamegirl, I was being stoopid. I do that occcasionally, I'm sorry. I think Pratchett's view of war is fairly cynical anyway - see Jingo.
"We won. On penalties." - Captain Carrot.

I saw a production of Guards! Guards! (as adapted by Stephen Briggs) by a local amateur theatre company recently. I was quite impressed. The play leaves out a lot of detail, but I guess that couldn't be helped.

What other books do you guys think would make good films/plays, if they were done well?

Hehe - I think Pratchett has a cynical view of pretty much everything, thats why I love the books so much - love the way he equate's the running of cities with Organised Crime (Ankh Morpork's Thieves Guild), and can get away with it, coz it all fiction anyway

Terry Prachett is amazing I love his work. the guilds are so funny...I loved teppic? is that his name? the assassin who has to go back to the pyramids in book six or seven....
but I have to admit I could not read Good Omens at all...I might have to try tackling it again cos it was a good six seven years ago when I first read it that's probably why I couldn't read it...

I think my fave SFF writers would have to be Raymond E feist, David eddings, Trudi Canavan, Maggie furey, Tolkien, er...er..Terry Brooks...there's a whole load of authors that I love but I cannot for the life of me remember their names...

Ahhh, good old Pteppic, and his sister Ptracy

I never posted my final thoughts on Paladin of Souls or Skyfall.

Paladin was excellent and I'm convinced that Bujold is a genius. She can write fantasy and SF equally well. I love her Vorkosigan series and I thought I might resent the time she took away from writing that to write the Chalion series. But that hasn't been the case. The Curse of Chalion and Paladin of Souls are amazing and have become two of my favorite fantasy novels.

Skyfall was also great. I was hesitant about it because it's a prequel and I've been frustrated that the series hasn't progressed much over the past few books (events keept getting retold from different characters' perspectives), but it helped clear up a few things that confused me and she managed to drop a bombshell or two along the way. So now I can't wait for the next prequel, which comes out next year.

Next up is Robin McKinley's Sunshine, which I hope to start reading tomorrow.

I love fantasy and Sci-fi books my favorite authors are:
Annie McCaffrey - her brainship series is great, too Talent series
Terry Pratchett and his discworld amaizing stuff
Ursula Le Guin - very good earthsee books, "We are a dream" readed last time was to good, but I've got problems with "Left hand of darkness"
Lois MacMaster Bujold - I just can't wait for her another that Barrayarr series books to read in translation.
Harry Harrison hmm don't know how to write this in English - adwentures of James Bolivar DiGriz
Well some other autors too, but can't remember who write what...

Welcome Hypatia. I'm also a Le Guin, Bujold, and McCaffrey fan.


I finished Sunshine by McKinley and I was disappointed. If it had been book one of a series, I'd be a lot less frustrated right now, but she says there's only a small chance that she will write a sequel.

Now I'm reading The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.

My reading tastes usually err towards fantasy rather than sci-fi, but that's not to say I haven't been known to pick up a s-f book every so often. My favorite authors/ books are probably:

-Guy Gavriel Kay: The Fionavar Tapestry, Tigana, currently working on The Sarantine Mosaic duology
-Phillip Pullman: the prevously mentioned His Dark Materials trilogy
-Robin McKinley: I have yet to dislike a book by McKinley. I just finished Spindle's End and the first books I read by her were The Blue Sword and The Hero and the Crown--still on my favorites list.
-Meredith Ann Pierce: the Darkangel trilogy

Right now I'm reading GGK's Sailing to Sarantium; T.A. Barron's The Lost Years of Merlin (Which I, thusfar, have an "...eh" sort of opinion on); and Tolkien's LotR: The Fellowship of the Ring--my first time picking it up if you can believe that ^^

Does anyone know if you can get a Blake 7 book that takes off after the series ends?

My friend is looking for this book and if anyone could help me, I'm sure he would be greatful.

Thanks

A book I thought was really good was Timeline by Michael Crichton. Reeeallly good.

You know what, I can't believe I missed JRR Tolkien off my fave Sci-Fi/Fantasy authors list. I am such a dumbass.

hey Quaisior
I read The Lord of the rings, once so far, maybe I should read once more before go to cinema
Fine book, but sometimes to much ladnscapre describes for me, by my first attempt to read it I stoped on Bilbo birhtday party... too much...

It's easier to do the second time round. You can gloss over the flowery descriptions and get into the action of it. I love the trilogy with a fiery passion, but I also love the films, even when they aren't true to the book, but lets face it, if they were, we'd still be watching the Fellowship film right now.

I never got through all of LOTR on my first attempt either. I read The Hobbit and The Fellowship of the Ring, but couldn't finish The Two Towers. But this time through, I'm 100 pages from the end of The Return of the King, so I'm definitely going to finish this time.


I've also had some problems reading the overly descriptive parts, plus I get all confused with location so I have to keep referring to the maps (and Karen Wynn Fonstas's Atlas of Middle-earth), and at first the songs would throw me right out of the story, but I'm used to them now.

With Hobbit was funny, I've saw first LOTR movie, read book and at end thougt about Hobbit.... well nobodys perfect... I use to read Fellowship with my freind in a contest, who will read first... we even readet on pause between classes

*shuffles feet* I did that. I saw the first film and then read the three books. In about two days.
Tom Bombadil came as a bit of a shock. I was like, 'he's so cool, I can't believe they left him out!'
Frodo is too young and too thin in the films. And the Ents are too small. Sam is perfect though. As is Gollum. Prolly my favourite character in both.

I love this genre of books. I really recommend anything by Guy Gavriel Kay or Stephen Donaldson - particularly Tigana, The Fionavar Tapestry novels, or the Chronicles of Thomas Covenant.

Tolkien is a favourite. I first read LOTR 18 or 19 years ago and I have been hooked ever since.

Has anyone read The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams? I love that series. It's hysterical, I don't think I have ever laughed as much ever when reading something.

Very amusing. The BBC TV show was pretty good as well.

I think I've read most of them...the last I recall reading was Mostly Harmless.

I finished ROTK, except for the appendices, which I'm reading now. I'm really glad I decided to give LOTR another chance (hey, what did I know when I was 13 anyway?) because it's now one of my favorite fantasy stories of all time.

Hi all. Anther sci/fi-fantasy place to post at.

I just finished reading Monstruous Regiment by Terry Prachett. It was good. A little more 'uncomfortable' than most of his books but I really, really enjoyed it.

Now I'm going to start on Exile's Honor by Mercedes Lackey.