For sci-fi, it’s gotta be Dune, or at least the first four books.
Another good one is the recent one by Stephen R. Donaldson of Thomas Covenant fame…the first one is called The Real Story, or something close…anyone want to help me out here?
For fantasy, how about the Michael Moorcock’s Elric series, or the Champion Eternal books? And of course, Tolkein.
The Gap Cycle. Very good series. Very intense, but then - that’s Donaldson.
Oh, and AuntiePam - no need to thank us. Just spread the word.
I’m just going to respond to in this post to what’s been mentioned so far. I’ll do another post on my picks in a bit.
First, I’m going to lay two out on the line here that I hated that will probably get me banished. LotR. Loved the Hobbit. Got bored with Frodo’s adventures and stopped after book 1. Some others agree with me here, but…
Got bored with Dune too. I know, I know. I might come back to it one day. I just got to about page 120 and stopped. I don’t know why. It didn’t interest me all that much and I’m as confused as you all are about that.
I don’t think I need to tell anyone how good Ender’s Game is. I could write a manifesto on just how great it is and convert people to my own speaker for the dead society. Speaking of which, books two and three were great too. 4 dropped off a bit, but I really liked Ender’s Shadow. Anake, hate to break it to you, but Shadow of the Hegemon isn’t out yet. I wouldn’t doubt that it will be great though, I’ve read the first five chapters.
I agree with the choice of Hyperion. It is one of the slowest moving books that I thoroughly enjoyed. I read parts 1 and 2 about seven years ago and just picked up the second two begining of this year. What a great series. So worth the Hugo he won for it.
obfusciatrist, I was reading too. I’m sorry, but Mission Earth was like warm Diarhea spread across 8000 pages. I stopped after book 2. When two planets and an entire solar system are on the line and the cliff hanger is “Does his teacher fail him?” I just can’t go any further. And when I know damn well that he’s surviving for the next eight books, I don’t need some guy yelling at me in litterally every single page “Oh crap! Is he going to die! I hope he does. No wait, now I hope he doesn’t. No wait, let me scream at the reader a bit more.” SHUTUPSHUTUPSHUTUP!!!
Neroman, tell me about Demon Prince. I’ve read a great short story by Vance called “The men return” and an old novel called Space Opera which I would be surprised if nobody’s heard of. But never heard of Demon Prince.
Baraqiyal, Gateway by itself is one of the best books I’ve read. The series itself goes on a bit too far, even just in four books. I would recommend Man Plus to whoever has bothered to read this far.
And yes, I also loved Hitchhikers and the Dark Tower series (even Wizards and Glass). But for God’s sake Stephen, finish it already!!! We’re waiting…
Next up, when I get around it it, my recommendations.
I want to use my first post to put in a vote for Steven Brust’s Vlad Taltos novels.
Also I’d second the nominations of Zelazny’s Amber And Dickson’s Dorsai/Childe cycle novels.
Welcome to the board, eulalia. I hope your stay here is a pleasant one. Just remember, you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.
::fiddling::
from amazon.com:
I’ve read Space Opera, and about 40 or 50 other Jack Vance books. He is my dad’s favorite author, and we had scads of his paperbacks around my house.
Now I think I’ll sit back and enjoy the view while Rome burns. 
Jack Chalker’s “Well World” books, save the last couple. I found Midnight at the Well of Souls in an English bookstore in Paris on a school trip to France in 1978, devoured it on the plane ride home, and became a Chalker fan. Similarly, I enjoyed his Dancing Gods, Rings of the Master and Four Lords of the Diamond series. It’s only when I’m not reading him that I get tired of his pre-occupation with the theme of outward form/inner being.
Robert Asprin’s Myth Adventures. I still waiting anxiously for the one in which Skeeve finds himself cast as the villain…
I’m surprised no one has mentioned Terry Goodkind’s Sword of Truth books yet. Easily the equal of Jordan, although sent in a completely different direction. And I don’t spend half my reading trying to figure out which mythological figure or theme the author has filed the serial numbers off of this time…
Oh, yeah. The various Babylon 5 novels. Unlike, say, the innumerable Star Trek novels, they’re all well written, puls they’re canon for the TV series. When the show was still in production, you’d often find crosslinks and foreshadowing between the two. You didn’t need the books to enjoy the show, but if you had both, there was a very profitable synergy…
– Bob
obfusciatrist - There is a third Piper fuzzy book: Fuzzies and Other People. It was (at least according to the jacket notes) discovered in a trunk in his basement several years after his death. The whole series is one of my favorites. There are also two non-Piper books, Golden Dreams by Ardath Mahar (sp?) and Fuzzy Bones, can’t remember the author.
Scott
First, a few addendums and stuff.
Neuroman, thanks for the info. It took me quite awhile to figure out what the ::fiddling:: meant. Still, be thankful I didn’t call you techchick like I did Falcon last night.
Saltire, I’ve read Rings of Saturn by Hogan and I found it to be just OK. Certainly good as far as the Hard Sci-Fi aspect of it, but the characters weren’t that interesting, and the plot didn’t seem to move me. Have you read it? I think he’s a good author, but I’m reluctant to pick up a series by him yet.
Now for a few of my picks.
BobSchroeck beat me to it this morning. The Sword of Truth series is excellent. The first book is 800 pages, but you just whip right through it. He sweeps you into this imaginative world filled with so many colorful characters. He understands that bad guys aren’t cliches; they’re people who have motives and desires just like the good guys. The series deals with Richard Cypher’s journey from being a simple woods guide to the most powerful warrior, wizard, and person in history. The endings to each book may seem a tad short, but the stories were never about the conclusion, they were about the journey. Goodkind just came on the scene 6 years ago and this book was his first.
A few more of Orson Scott Card’s series are great reads. Alvin Maker is great, although I really did not like the lastest book out. I’ve tried reading alternate history through Turtledove and just found it boring. This series, though, is so captivating. It’s the story of the seventh son of the seventh son who has the powers of “making.” Doing positive things for the world, whether that be fixing a fence or creating life. It takes place in the early 1800s and throws in historical characters in alternate professions.
OSC’s Homecoming series is also a fabulous read. Maybe a bit of warning. The series is based loosely off the book of Mormon (Card is Mormon). However, this should in no way distract you from your enjoyment of this series if you aren’t religious. I was captured by the storyline. Unlike a few of OSC’s series, this one didn’t fizzle at the end. I left the last book still hungering for more. Basically, it’s the tale of Nafai, and others with a gift, and their struggle to leave a planet guarded by a computer system that cares for them and oversees activities. They must gather a group together, find a ship, and travel back to their home, Earth.
I have two questions for those that have are still reading. What do you think of Anne Rice’s Vampire series? I read Interview with the Vampire about two months ago and I thought it was just OK. Someone I know said that you had to get through that book before the series really starts to get good. Is this true?
Also, I’m finishing up my latest book today, The Sleeping Dragon which is book 1 in Joel Rosenberg’s Guardians of the Flame series. Anyone who has read this want to comment on it? I’d like to reserve my comments until after I’ve finished (30 pages to go) and until I can hear other people’s opinions.
Fantasy: The Belgariad and Mallorean sagas you don’t really read for the plot, I read it and loved the characters. I laughed myself silly in parts of those books.
Loved Tolkein, haven’t read it in years, tho.
I’ve got Tad Williams Memory Sorrow and Thorn. Loved it.
And The Sword of Truth series.
Oh, and SciFi… anyone read Neuromancer? Loved it and the
c64 game. 
Sci Fi or Fantasy series?
I’d vote for the Old and New Testaments. Where’re they coming out with the third volume in that trilogy, anyway?
Yes this is true. Interview with the Vampire is just a primer to introduce you to the rules of the game. Starting with “The Vampire Lestat” and on through, the series is much better.
Edding’s books are GREAT! I’ve re-read the Belgariad and Mallorian series and they hold up time after time. Sure, the plot is formulaic, but the writing is fantastic!
Other end of the spectrum, Piers Anthony’s Incarnations of Immortality. The plot captured me, but the writing was hard to slog through. Yes, I’ve re-read all of this at one time or another, but it isn’t nearly as well done as Eddings.
Another series I don’t know WHERE to place are the Chelsea Quinn Yarbro St. Germain/Atta Olivia Clemons/Madeline vampire series – the St. Germain’s being the best. She’s got a great sense of historical times and knows just which touches to add to make it feel authentic. I highly recommend them!
obfusciatrist, I apologize for my snotty tone. I loved the Dragonriders of Pern series when I was a young teenager, but was deeply embarrased when I re-read them as an adult.
I also second the nomination for Stephen Brust’s Vlad Taltos series. Great stuff for those who are tired of unicorns and wee folk in their fantasy.
It start’s out with this young man living on a farm in some backwater middle-of-nowhere place. This mysterious old guy shows up telling the kid he has to come with him on a journey, during which the old man will teach him all the things the kid shold be able to do, but doesn’t know yet… Y’all following so far? Then they meet some scruffy guy whos actually some kind of fighter or somethin’. Then they pick up a princess, she falls in love with the kid, then the kid learns what he needs to know, then they attack the evil stronghold…good guys win, bad guys die…
Wait… Whaddaya mean?
Sure I’ve heard of Lucas, Eddings, Jordan, Shannara, etc. What’s your point?
Regarding the Sword of Truth series. Aren’t you who like it disappointed by the most recent book? It is just a screed against communism. Nothing wrong with that but Goodkind wasn’t very subtle or creative in doing it.
And the whole climax to the most recent book was just complete crap.
I will however second any motion to create a Mord-Sith TV show where every weekend we get to see warrior women in tight red-leather outfits torturing people. Mmmmm…
Jekeira: I didn’t find your response snotty, I thought it made a good point I hadn’t considered. I will have to reread them soon and see if my opinion has changed.
Seriously, though, I knew if I started posting I’d find some SF fans to hobnob with. <Settles in comfotably with a sigh.>
Let’s recap:
Dad got me to read LotR, Foundation & Dune books in my teens. Most of them went over the head & I haven’t gotten back around to them.
caircair, et al., Eddings is still my favorite when I want something light & fun.
-Oh!- Just remembered the Narnia series from kid-hood. Good memories.
Actually I’m having trouble finding good stuff, though I haven’t done classics like Zelazny or Moorcock yet.
Honestly, lately I’m hesitant to get involved in ANY sf/fnatasy series that isn’t completely finished. I just got fed up with Jordan. I read Book five wherein nothing happened. It had a good start, but if yer gonna write a series with an indefinite number of volumes, and make each book >1000 pages, well eventually I’m gonna get tired.
I’ve got a similar beef with Piers Anthony. Read “On a Pale Horse” and enjoyed it. The first couple 'a Xanth books were fun too. But the more of his stuff I read, the more it all blurred together. He’s constantly coming out with new books that don’t have much substance. P’haps he should take a breath and work at writing somthing good.
Anybody read the Chung Kuo series by Wingrove? Somewhat brutal in places, but an interesting premise.
I do remember liking Asimov’s robot stories.
Oh, and Saberhagen’s Berserker books, particularly once other writers added to the series.
Whoops, somebody wants me to do some work. (Bastards…)
I disliked the Sword of Truth series, to much of the ‘Somehow the hero did the impossible, and after the fact I’ll tell you why he could.’ in it.
I disliked the Guardians of the Flame series enough that it turned me off of Rosenburg for some time, I am told his other works are pretty good. (The first book in the series was ok, but the rest just got worse and worse.)
Piers Anthony can often start off with a good premise, but he can’t seem to get it beyond one book or so.
I second/treble Brust’s works.
I enjoyed the first several books of Daniel Hood’s Fanulah series.
Am told it looks like Asprin’s writing block might be terminal, he just can’t shake it, so don’t hold your breath for a new Phule’s Company or Myth Adventures alas.
If you liked Black Company try finding Glen Cook’s Garrett series. A P.I. who’s ‘partner’ is a deadman. I know, partner isn’t exactly the right word, but I’m not sure what is.
Can’t stand W. Gibson’s writing style.
Oh, I know it hasn’t been out yet. But since the information of the book has been released, I added it. It comes out on January 2, 2001 people!
I think it’ll be a good book, but then I’ve only read chapter 1 because I didn’t want to spoil it too much for myself.
From,
Anake
I am finishing To Green Angel Tower. After that I am picking up the Sword of Truth series again. I left off with Temple of the Winds. I LOVE these series!
After I finish those, I am going to finish the series by Gayle Greeno, The Ghatti’s Tale. With cats being the main characters, how can you go wrong?
Michi
The Sword of Truth books suck. The first couple were all right, but Richard kept getting smarter and more powerful, while everyone else got more dumb.
As for a good fantasy series, I’m suprised nobody has mentioned the Recluce series by L. E. Moddest Jr. or for that matter, the “A Man Of His Word” series by Dave Duncan.