Any good novels or series recommendations?

Question

I need a new book to read. A series would be nice. I recently finished reading the Dark Tower series by Stephen King, so I guess you could say I'm into the sci-fi/fantasy/horror genres. I'm not into romance, and I've never been a fan of John Grisham, Dean Koontz, or Dan Brown. If anyone has any recommendations, I'd love to hear them (and your reasons for the recommendation).

Please, for the love of God, do not suggest Twilight.

Answer 1

In SCIENCE FICTION, here are some I (Fittings Doc) would recommend:



"On Basilisk Station” (1993 / 448 pages) by David Weber

(the first book in the "Honor Harrington" series)

This Space Navy series has FEMALE lead character. Beyond the Technology of the spacecraft and weapons, the story revolves around interpersonal relationships with which you will be able to identify.

Read FREE online http://www.webscription.net/10.1125/Baen…



“Shards of Honor" (1986) by Lois McMaster Bujold

Set approximately 1 year before the birth of Miles Vorkosigan

“Barrayar” (1991) by Lois McMaster Bujold

(Won the Hugo and Locus SF Awards, and Nebula Award nominee.)

Both these prequels to the Vorkosigan Saga feature Cordelia Naismith, a FEMALE lead character.



"Sassinak" (1990) by Anne McCaffrey

(the first book of “The Planet Pirates trilogy”)

Has a FEMALE lead character.



"Hunting Party" (1993) by Elizabeth Moon

(first book of the "Heris Serrano” trilogy - a Space Opera)

It has a FEMALE lead character.



“Once a Hero“ (1997) by Elizabeth Moon

(first book of the “Esmay Suiza” trilogy)

Another Space Navy series with a FEMALE lead character.

Beyond the Technology of the spacecraft and weapons, the story revolves around a personal struggle for identify with which you will be able to identify.



“Rissa Kerguelen” (aka “Young Rissa”) (1976) by F. M. Busby

(the fist book of the “Rissa Kerguelen and Bran Tregare” series)

It has a FEMALE lead character.



"The Ship Who Sang” (1969) by Anne McCaffrey

(the first book of “The Brain & Brawn Ship” series)

It has a FEMALE lead character.



"The Planet Savers" (1958 / 91 pages) by Marion Zimmer Bradley

(the first book of the "Darkover" series)

It was first published in 1962, along with "The Sword of Aldones" (1962 / 164 pages).



“For Love of Mother-Not” (1983 / 256 pages) Alan Dean Foster

(the first book in the “Humanx” series - featuring Pip and Flinx)



“Dragonflight “ (1968 / 309 pages) by Anne McCaffrey

(the first book in the "Dragonriders of Pern" series)

(Won a Hugo Award for Best Novella for the first segment, called “Weyr Search”)

(Won a Nebula Award for the second segment, called “Dragonrider”.)

This Sci-Fi series is probably the most popular "Dragon" series.

In it flame breathing dragons team with human riders to burn "thread", an Alien organism that will destroy their world if it falls to the ground.



"Ender's Game" (1985 / 226 pages) by Orson Scott Card

"Speaker for the Dead" (1986 / 382 pages - the sequel to "Ender's Game") by Orson Scott Card

(Both won the Hugo and Nebula Awards.)



"The Left Hand of Darkness" (1969) by Ursula K. Le Guin CLASSIC

(won the Hugo Award 1970)



"Foundation" (1951) by Issac Asimov CLASSIC

(the first book of the "Foundation Series")

Postulates the societal change, which would accompany the expansion into the stars.

The seiries won the one-time Hugo Award for "Best All-Time Series" in 1966.

(One of the other books in the series also won a Hugo Award.)



“Dune” (1965) by Frank Herbert CLASSIC

(the first book of the “Dune Series)

(Won the Hugo and Nebula Awards.)



“I, Robot” (1950 / 272 pages) The book of early short stories by Issac Asimov on the subject of ROBOTS in which he postulates the "Three Laws of Robotics" should be read as a basis before reading the

"The Caves of Steel" (1954 / 224 pages) by Issac Asimov CLASSIC

(the first of the "Robot" series / Lije Bailey mysteries)

These books are the source from which the movie "I, Robot" is drawn.



"Warriors Apprentice" (1986) by Lois McMaster Bujold

(the first book of "The Vorkosigan Saga")

After being genetically "damaged" by a bio weapon in his mother's womb, Miles Vorkosigan overcomes prejudice to claim his birthright.

(FOUR other books in the series Won Hugo Awards.)



"The Cross Time Engineer" (1993) by Leo Frankowski

(first book of the "Cross Time Engineer" / "Conrad Stargard" series)

Twentieth-century Polish-American engineer Conrad Schwartz is accidentally and mysteriously dumped in thirteenth-century Poland. (Just before the Mongol invasion of 1241.)

This was an eye opening look at how technology could transform a society, and gave some very good descriptions of simple improvements that lead to our own industrial revolution.

I guess you can tell I loved these books.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leo_Frankow…



“1632” (2000) by Eric Flint

(first book of the “Ring of Fire” alternate history series)



"Island in the Sea of Time" (1998) by S.M. Stirling

(the first book of the "Nantucket" series)

The island of Nantucket is transported by an unknown phenomenon (called "The Event" in the series) back in time into the Bronze Age circa 1250s BC (corresponding to the late Heroic Age of Greek mythology).



In FANTASY here are some I (Fittings Doc) would recommend:



"Polgara the Sorceress" (1997/ 768 pages) by David Eddings

(a prequel to his masterwork series "The Belgariad" and "The Malloreon")

It

Answer 2

I liked the Abhorsen series by Garth Nix (Magic, Death, and a fascinating Cat named Mogget and Dog named the Disreputable Dog) I just re-read them and really enjoy them every time I go through them. Oh and I just saw that there will be two more oh that is so exciting to me.



and the Terry Pratchett's Disk World books, they're funny though I tend to just read the ones that have characters in them that I want to follow like Granny Weather Wax, Tiffany Aching and Moist Von Lipvig.



Anne McCaffrey's Dragon's of Pern Series. The very first is a great Sci-fi adventure greed of the individual vs good of the group dynamics plus super awesome genetically engineered Dragons. Then I skip all the medieval society exploration books and read the last 10 chronologically in series starting with Dragon Harper. Of course you don't have to skip the books I skip but I do recommend reading them in either publication date order or Pern in world order.



Maybe the Dune series will strike your fancy I only read the first one and loved it started the sequel but it didn't grab me the same way so never read the others. Dune was/is one of the best books I've ever read though.



The Bartimaeus Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud is the best book series ever definitely. It's full of funny footnotes and great alternate reality history and the nature of good and evil.



I really enjoy Hard Science Fiction and along those lines I'd suggest anything by Asimov, and any Elizabeth Moon's series. I could go on and on and on but I'll stop now.



Wikipedia can explain more deeply.

Answer 3

The Blackstone Chronicles. It is one of the best books I have ever read. It is a six part book. It is about a small town with a an old psychiatric hospital that sits on a hill (may sound cliche but it inst) it is about six different people and how the hospital has effected their family and lives directly even if they didn't know it. It is also written fabulously with good attention to detail and plot direction. You don't find books like these of often but when you do it is important to keep em.

Answer 4

Harry Potter Series

The Immortal Instruments- City of Bones, City of Ashes, City of Glass

Eragon, Eldest, Brisingr

The Host

Through Violet Eyes

Answer 5

Terry Goodkind's The Sword of Truth series (First one is Wizard's First Rule). It's fantasy and it's very good. No book is less than 500 pages and the series is long. I couldn't put them down.



You didn't say if you were into mysteries, but I would also recommend Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum novels (First one if One for the Money). Mystery and Romance. Very good.

Answer 6

I love Meg Cabot (Heather Wells [upcoming movie]& Queen of Babble [upcoming movie], and tons of others), Sophie Kinsella's (AKA: Madeleine Wickham) (Shopaholic [movie based on her books] & Remember Me), Jennifer Weiner (Good in Bed & Certain Girls), Jane Green (Mr. Maybe) Emily Giffin (Something Borrowed & Something Blue), Lauren Weisberger (Devil Wears Prada, Chasing Harry Winston), and Candance Bushnell (Sex and the City) books.They are all great authors!



For a young adult/teen Meg Cabot's young adult books. She is the best author. Also best selling. She wrote tons of books including the Princess Diaries (Movies based on her books), Mediator (upcoming movie), 1-800-Missing (TV show based on her books), All-American Girl (up coming movie), Jinx, Airhead and more. She has adult books too, so you can grow with her.



If you want more info or any of the authors website's email me.



You should use the website, What Should I read Next. This website will make perfect suggestions based on what you have read.

Answer 7

Hunger Games and Catching Fire are both by the same author as Gregor and the Overlander .. Suzanne Collins Also try Maria V Snyder books in this order: Poison Study -After she is given a reprieve from her death sentence, Yelena faces mounting disasters as rebels plot to seize Ixia, her life is once again threatened, and the chief of security is attempting to poison her. Magic Study Fire Study Storm Glass Sea Glass And The Gemma Doyle Trilogy by Libba Bray A Great and Terrible Beauty -After the suspicious death of her mother in 1895, sixteen-year-old Gemma Doyle returns to England, after many years in India, to attend a finishing school where she becomes aware of her magical powers and ability to see into the spirit world. Rebel Angels The Sweet Far Thing

Answer 8

The Sword of Truth Series(Legend of the Seeker) Series by Terry Goodkind. They made it into a TV show.

It is REAALLY good! It fits all of your requirements and each book is pretty meaty.

I highly recommend these books for you, although it does involve some romance.

The first book is Wizards first rule.

You will love it.!.! =)

Answer 9

normally i watch a great deal of television but i really do love a good reserve if i get into the reserve i wont put it down and i love that i get to use my imagination so much more than with a tv

Answer 10

As far as books that have movies, the catalogs aren't limited to a set timeframe and so can go into a lot more depth then a feature period movie could. Movies wrap up very different from the book sometimes

Answer 11

Neal Stephenson's Snow Crash is an excellent fast-paced sci-fi novel. I haven't read Anathem, one of his other books, but I've heard excellent reviews.

Answer 12

i really enjoyed "Lavinia " a retake on virgils the aeneid by ursula k le guinn terrific writer and splendid storytelling.

for horror monster of florence was creepy, phenominal and based on a true crime

i know its mystery but mary higgins clark's loves music loves to dance very chilling and suspenseful my favorite works by her are you belong to me, on the street where you live, stillwatch,nighttime is my time

patricia cornwall write terrifically creepy and graphic mysteries.. i ve always been a true beliver of the old saying humans are the scariest thing of all

the twelve kingdoms series relased by viz media in the manga section is terrific( they were novels in japan and translated for our enjoyment) and nothing to do with twilight(fantasy)

v.c andrews writes some good horror as does anne rice( great writer and much better than twilight)

monster which is a shonen manga (graphic novel) if u like horror isnt it great to see it while reading it? its about this doctor who saves the life of a boy destined to be a serial killer

death note which is in a manga and novel form is about light yagami a teenage student who finds a book that can kill a person if thier name is written down another chilling series

remote a manga( for adults) is also perfect

for sci-fi i loved planetes and aria and aqua mangas about space

planetes is very realistic , in the year 2070 man has explored into the depths of space and has space colonies and all the trash we left behind is picked up by a group of astronauts whose specialty is cleanign up space debri

aqua and its sequel aria are about mars which in the future has been terraformed and the humans who live on it now live on islands each based on a nation or city on earth, well in one named neo venezia a city of canals, akari mizanushi trains to be the epitome of the city... a undine!

i also loved margaret george's tellign of the fall of troy through her novel helen of troy .... told through the face that launched a thousand ships... beautiful and i read it all in one sitting even though ... its longggggg about 800 pages very lovely

jo graham's black ships a fantasy about a oracle who accompanies the young prince aeneas in his travels and her hand of isis about fall of cleoatra told through the eyes of her handmaiden charmian a little explicit on sexual issues but its integral to the story no sappy love stories here

i still love shakespeare's midsummers nights dream

i love articles and storys based on jack the ripper there are some very explicitly drawn graphic novels about him that gave me nightmares ...

the lovely bones is about this girl who tells the story of her family dealing with her murder from heaven..

of course the harry potter series but its not for everyone

christopher pike rites horror novels

innocent mage was a terrific fantasy first in a series

slammerkin by emma donahue a bit adult ... but is about a case in the 1800's about this prostitute who killed her employer ....

the ice queen by edna buchanan

Answer 13

Lord of the Rings or anything by Shakespeare.