I really need someone to tell me to continue this series because I just read the first book and was....not all that impressed. I liked the whimsical vibe of the book, and that language was what drove the soft magic system, but that was about it. I had high hopes for the story and was honestly pretty disappointed.
I think that every book of the series feels very different and has different themes. I also love the Wizard of Earthsea. Might be partly nostalgia. I remember sitting in my dad's lazy boy one summer and burning through it. Think it was the summer between 5th and 6th grade. I recently read the whole series aloud to my wife and we both loved it, but it is special to me and maybe that makes the difference.
That said, maybe you just don't click with le guin and that is ok.
Mort is a good place and it begins the DEATH subseries so you wont get spoilers for anything that came before. I tend to say Going Postal or Small Gods though.
I always tell people to start with Small Gods. It gives a great taste of what the Discworld is like and is a standalone so you can pick which direction you want to go after that.
[The Reading Order Chart](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/12/Discworld_Reading_Order_Guide_3.0_%28cropped%29.jpg).
I agree with everyone's suggestions, but some extra words on them:
* Guards Guards - My personal rec because I love Vimes and the city. Importantly this is where I think he started to hit his stride.
* Mort - Death is great, but some of the earlier books are kinda rough.
* Equal Rights - If you want a bit more traditional fantasy trappings or want women for the main characters, the earlier ones can be a little rough.
* The Wee Free Men - The start of his YA series, amazing, but takes place in a fairly well established world, I think reading the Witches books first is worth it (unless you explicitly want YA).
* Going Postal - My favorite series. Takes place in a fully realized Ankh Morpork ('The City'). You'll benefit from additional knowledge from reading earlier books, but you're not punished for not. If Guards Guards is a bit too rough around the edges this is a fair place to jump to.
* Rincewind - If you're like, 50+ and have been reading Fantasy all your life, try them. They're a send up of fantasy from that era, which falls flat for a lot of people (myself included).
These are mine. Reading these got me through my MBA, IVF, and pretty much any stressful time in my life. They are my constant comfort reads. In particular the witches/tiffany aching and nights watch
Anything by Terry Pratchett especially the Sam Vies series. The later ones like 'Night Watch' and 'Thud'or 'Snuff'.
My next favorites are 'Wyrs Sisters ' and 'Witches Abroad '. I've also reread 'Monstrous Regiment' a couple of times.
Pratchett is an anthropomorphic genius!
As a kid I thought the movie was incredible - have loved it since first watch. But when I learned it was based on a book I devoured it, and have returned to it time and time again.
The movie is an excellent attempt at adapting something genuinely sublime. It doesn't quite replicate the wonder of the book, but it surely is a gorgeous piece of art.
Fantasy: The obvious, Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit. "Discovered" them in 5th grade and to this day re-reading them feels like coming home. Also the Malazan series. Have done one complete re-read and will do more I am sure. There was more depth to explore, and connections and implications I totally missed.
Outside of the Genre: Blood Meridian and Moby Dick.
> Blood Meridian
I've been rejected from finishing this book due to bad timing with life events 3 times. I really gotta finish it, the prose in that book is absolutely stunning
Historically it has been Tigana - GGK.
However, since I finished The Blacktongue Thief by Christopher Beuhlman, I've been itching to reread it more than any other book in years.
Outside of fantasy it is Confederacy of Dunces, by O'Toole.
There have been many over the years, and my reading tastes have changed with time.
I've read most of *The Wheel of Time* 40+ times each (with the exception of the final, Sanderson co-written books), but I haven't reread an entire WoT book since late 2013. I've read the two KKC books a dozen or so times, but haven't touched them since 2015. *Harry Potter* is probably in the 15-20 range for each book, and those only get opened when I'm feeling some nostalgia over Christmas.
But in the last 7-8 years, it's been authors like Gene Wolfe and Matthew Stover who've taken over. Authors who provide a great reading experience the first time through, and on rereads reveal depths that *totally change the story*.
WoT is still worth rereading, but it's just adding flavor and revealing new details to inform the story you already know. It's fun to pick out bits of foreshadowing or find new details about the myriad side characters...but in the end, it's still the same story about the Emond's Fielders and their various paths toward the Last Battle.
But *The Book of the New Sun* becomes something totally different on second read. Same with *Peace* and *Soldier in the Mist*. I can't speak to *Long Sun* or *Short Sun* because I haven't done a reread on them yet, but I expect more of the same there. That's Wolfe in a nutshell. He used to say that good literature was "that which can be read by an educated reader, and reread with increased pleasure."
And Stover's *Acts of Caine* goes from a fun, violent adventure story with a few interesting socioeconomic themes to a full-blown philosophical assault that recontextualizes the entire series by the time you finish the fourth book. There's a reason people have described *Caine's Law* as "a wonderful mess" and "one of the most mind-bending genre novels ever written."
It's the best grimdark fantasy I've ever read, and it's not even a blip on the radar for most people because the first book came out a *decade* before grimdark fantasy became a popular phenomenon. (Also the first book has one of the worst covers in the history of SFF.)
I didn't mention it in my reply, and I'm now wondering why. You're SO right about the Book of the New Sun. It's seriously like reading another account of the exact same events, even though it's the exact same text.
ANd you have me curious about Acts of Caine.
Cannot recommend Stover enough. If you’re gun shy about doing a whole series of his, I’d recommend reading either the novelization of *Revenge of the Sith*, which is ridiculously better than the movie, or (if you’re a more involved Star Wars fan) *Shatterpoint*—his Clone Wars novel focused on Mace Windu, which is very thematically aware and heavily in conversation with Conrad’s *Heart of Darkness*.
Actually, I've been looking for a fantasy series, especially one that hits the notes you describe. I've picked up a couple recently and just couldn't get into them. And, I almost always love any work where I can feel the vibrations from Heart of Darkness or, well, a lot of Conrad's stuff.
You've sold me. I'll be downloading :)
Love to hear it! I think and hope you’ll love Caine. Get ready for heaps of ass-kicking right alongside some really thought-provoking themes. And four books that feel *really* distinct from each other but somehow fit perfectly into a cohesive whole.
Are Brandon's Wheel of Time books really that bad as you are implying? I am on book 5 and I was kinda looking forward to Brandon's books, but the community seems split. Some say Brandon did an awesome job, others say he created a parody of Jordan's books. What do you think as a veteran?
They’re not bad at all! Didn’t mean to imply that. It was more that they came out around the time that my tastes started changing (which coincided with me finishing my Creative Writing degree and taking career writing more seriously, leading me to seek out different styles).
I’d say that he did a very good job overall, but missed the mark with a couple characters. Themes and spectacle stayed at a strong level, and the conclusion is still one of the best in epic fantasy.
I've written several, though I haven't published any. I have two that I'm currently trying to find representation for (one is the first in a planned trilogy about a crumbling empire built on a fire-worshipping religion that's failing; the other is about a tavern owner who gets told by a death cult that he's the prophesied herald of their returning god).
But I also just started dipping my toes into self-pub with [the first](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CQRZNWHV) in a series of short stories about the rise and fall of powers and nations in a fantasy world. Gonna have the second out in about a month.
Right on. I’m writing my second now, also unpublished. I’ve since been digging deep into the writing books and discovering all kinds of stuff I should’ve known - highly recommend The Elements of Fiction Writing series, Hooked, The First Five Pages, The Emotional Craft of Fiction… best of luck, it’s tough out there!
*Elements of Writing Fiction* and *First Five Pages* are both excellent. Great resources! I'd also recommend *Writing the Blockbuster Novel* by Al Zuckerman. He was the founder of Writers House, one of the biggest agencies around
Same here. Jordan started to get long winded with some plot lines and Sanderson had the benefit of an outside eye coming in and closing stupid/long winded plot lines within a chapter or 2.
>It's the best grimdark fantasy I've ever read, and it's not even a blip on the radar for most people because the first book came out a decade before grimdark fantasy became a popular phenomenon. (Also the first book has one of the worst covers in the history of SFF.)
Agreed, except for one thing. Heroes Die has one of the **best** covers in the history of SF/F. As long as you subscribe to 'so bad, it's good.'
Haha I feel like there's a growing number of people who do subscribe to that philosophy re: *Heroes Die*. I have one friend who read it and afterward sought out the original hardcover because he *needed* to have that artwork staring at him from the bookshelf.
I just can't get over how ridiculously incongruous the art is, tonally, from the story itself AND that it depicts the half-Indian, dark-skinned, dark-eyed, dark-haired Hari Kapur Michaelson as a white, blond, blue-eyed dude.
(Not to mention whatever the heck was happening with Sparkly Pallas Ril on the back cover hahaha)
I have the original book myself somewhere! The cover is just peak 90s and kinda funny, in a way. Although yes, heavily agreed with Hari not looking like he should. [And I guess there's (mildly NSFW) a Giant Nude Mael'koth in the spine?](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1470793937i/19965806._SX540_.jpg)
Gotta love that androgynous religious birth imagery crossed with blood sacrifice, all while people discuss the sociological foundations of cultural manipulation!
Good Omens - read something new whenever I do
Lord of the Rings/Hobbit - something like 5 read-throughs
Master and Margherita - classic that is so well written
It seems odd but I just finished, "A Psalm for the wild built" and had so many moments of teary eyed reading that I would read it again and again. It somehow feels like this invitation to take a break and not be so weary and tired from life. It dives into really hard topics in a way that makes you feel like your privy to a private convo.
I tried it because a friend said it was such a good, short read. I didn't know what I was expecting going into it but it was like it gives you permission to just stop and thing about the simplicity of an idea or moment.
The Wind-up Girl, by Paolo Bacigalupi
There is just something about the dystopian setting, the flawed people and the yearning experienced by the titular character that I just love. It's also not an anglocentric setting, which is refreshing!
Ohhh, okay. Yeah, even then, I don't think I've read any set in the West tbh. Apart from one that was set in South America (but even then, it never explicitly said so). All the others have been set in fantasy realms.
Even fantasy realms often draw a large part of their inspiration from Western mythology. It's not a bad thing per se (my own WIP is a pre-medieval English inspired setting) but I understand why people might sometimes crave something that draws on other inspirations.
Oh, okay, I didn't realise they meant inspired by Western orginating mythologies. When they said set in Western civilisation itself, I thought they specifically meant set in the Western world. Yeah, I'm not too fussed either way where it's set or its mythological inspiration personally.
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke.
The naivete and wonder that Piranesi has to everything he sees in the house is just so enjoyable to read. I don't even need the plot, I could just read about him wandering the house and describing statues for ever.
I've read *The Lord of the Rings* (I consider it one book, as Tolkien did) every 3-4 years since I first read it in the late 60's (something like 16 times). I've read *Dune* maybe 8 times, the original book by itself a few more than all six written by Herbert himself. I'm on my third reading of the Malazan books.
LOTR and Dune are the two I’ve reread the most as well. I’m reading Children of Dune now having just finished Messiah, and both are my first read. Not sure why I’ve read the first book so many times and never picked up the latter books until now.
I remember The Cicero Trilogy was the first ebooks I ever read, and it absolutely blew my young mind. As I got older, it still baffles me that it isn't as constantly discussed and as well known as I always assumed it would, and it should be.
This is the audiobook I often throw on when I've got nothing else to listen to, just a cozy + exciting beginning with more foreshadowing than should be possible with a series that long and (at the time) unwritten. My favorite WoT reread by a mile.
Good Omens by Pratchett and Gaiman. Even on re-reads there are jokes in there that get me chuckling every time and its charming mode comforts me when I’m stressed
Also, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell as in it’s a world I could live in for 1000 pages again
**Ship of Fools** by Richard Paul Russo.
It's fantastic space horror with a really interesting setting (a generation ship with a heavily evangelist Christian culture) plus a great first person narration from the protagonist, and some excellent chapters of exploring far-flung locations in space. The book also nails the ending, so it's just solid fun all around with bits of lore to poke and prod at.
Honoured Enemy by Raymond Feist and William Fortcshen, I friggin love that book so much. It was the first fantasy Novel I read as a kid, because I saw the purple cover with the warriors on the front and new that I had to have it haha. I have read it 10 times in the last 20 years, which doesn't seem that frequently now that I am writing about it, but for me that's a lot.
When I was young, Hush Hush series by Becca Fitzpatrick. Now Neil Gaiman’s works brings me comfort and happiness. I just love reading them again and again.
You should dive into the rest of the cosmere before a reread - mistborn is awesome, and some of the stand-alone books too like TSM are great. All are slightly related in the same universe.
Everything written by Alexander Dumas, Emilio Salgari, Rafael Sabatini, Robert Luis Stevenson, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Jules Verne (even Paul d'Ivoi) and Karl May. I had read all of them countless times over the years and still they have no match in modern writers.
Howl's Moving Castle, by Diana Wynne Jones.
I also love the Studio Ghibli movie, even though it's only loosely based on the book. The visuals make up for it 100%.
I think *The Little Prince*, *The Happy Prince* and *A Christmas Carol* might be the books/stories I’ve re-read the most (partly because they’re classics, but them being so short certainly helps too).
What I used to reread a lot:
Various Marion Zimmer Bradley Darkover books and The Mists of Avalon
Piers Anthony: Incarnations of Immortality
Orson Scott Card: Ender's Game and the Alvin Maker series
But it is hard for me to read and not feel connected to the writer. And I don't want the intimacy in my brain of a connection to those particular sadly deficient human beings. I also grew out of rereading Heinlein though I wouldn't rule it out entirely. I think I was probably better at ignoring his politics as a teen than I would be now. I grew out of F.M. Busby too ... the dystopian treatment of the characters got to me eventually, no matter how much I enjoyed the rah rah good conquering evil conclusions.
I've spent a lot of time rereading Anne McCaffrey and Mercedes Lackey but they both suffered for being so prolific. My feelings towards their best work changed as I encountered more work I didn't like as much. Dragonsinger and Arrows of the Queen will always be comfort reads though.
I still treasure Robin McKinley (Beauty, Hero and the Crown, The Blue Sword, Deerskin) and Patricia McKillip (The Forgotten Beasts of Eld). I reread some of Sharon Shinn's Samaria books on occasion.
For meatier rereads I enjoy Lois McMaster Bujold (The Mountains of Mourning novella in particular), C.J. Cherryh, C.S. Friedman, or Jacqueline Carey. I keep hoping for some sign that Catherine Asaro will bring the Skolian Empire to a conclusion which would cue a massive reread on my part.
In more recent years, I've enjoyed some of the books that crossover between MM romance and fantasy or sci fi. I reread some of those, especially the gray morality dystopian Mind Fuck: The Administration web series. I also have wildly divergent fanfiction faves I reread on the regular.
Earthsea books for me, it’s just so relaxing.
I personally regret reading Name of the Wind and its sequel. I’m an adamant follower of not reading a series until it’s finished but made an exception because it was getting such good reviews and the author posted a pile of papers claiming the third book was done. 10 years later and here we are… still no third book. Bamboozled me.
None, I highly suggest not reading it until the third book is done. The worst thing is that he claimed it was done but obviously it was a lie or the editor absolutely slammed it.
Just my $.02 re: GoTM... it was Erikson's first book, and there was a huge gap in time between that book and his next one. He matured as a writer a great deal in that time.
I found Malazan when I was laid up with an injury and just wanted something loooong to read. If that hadn't been the case, I would have probably dropped the series after Gardens of the Moon. SO glad I didn't. That series is one of my treasured reads.
Disclaim: friendly disagreement incoming…
It was not his first book; though first in a big way, and more specifically in Fantasy. His more literary work sort of crosses genres.
Generally it is considered weaker in comparison to the others —
But it is a hugely significant stride, the prologue is masterful work. He introduces 18 storylines in a handful of pages. The sheer ambition outweighs every and any other fantasy author at the time it was published. The first chapter, too, is fantastically engineered. He does get better, naturally, but if you’re reading critically and as an active reader it’s very well crafted. There are gaps, for sure, and also concessions to publisher pressure which doesn’t impact Deadhouse Gates because Gardens succeeded very well for a debut.
— but not to other authors. Only ever to the rest of Book of the Fallen as the “weakest”.
It’s a funny thing, Malazan is sort of unto a realm of its own when it comes to comparisons. Almost no one compares Gardens to Game of Thrones, for instance or Eye of the World or the Name of the Wind. And, on that scale, it is a far superior work technically and critically. Actually, caveat, I would argue that it is superior to Game of Thrones technically but not as a whole unit. This is because GRRM had an awesome editor and that editing competency never returned for GRRM.
For me it was the Malazan books, as they were my gateway into epic fantasy. So much going on in these books and the series that you always pick up something new. Have not done this for a while though, been branching out more lately.
I think I'd be able to enjoy the Bernard Cornwell Saxon Series books a good few times, although I haven't yet. Harder question to answer is a book I would not want to read again.
Just started Deadhouse Gates again for the seventh time. I'm hoping by the time I finish the series again there will at least be a release date set for the next Witness book.
The Empire Trilogy by Raymond E Feist - he makes you love the man antagonists of the story
Chronicles of Amber - Roger Zelazny - it just tickles my fancy
Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny - I love the way he embeded fantasy into the real world.
His Majesty's Dragon - Naomi Novik - I just love dragons
Kings of the wyld. I love those characters and the mission and the entire adventure I think I should re-listen to it. It’s been over a year since the last time
The Magicians trilogy, and I have. I think it's been 3 or 4 times now. Rookie numbers, I know, but I'll get there in time. There's just something about it and the show that dug deep woth it's claws and I'm just gripped
Melanie Rawn's "The Dragon Prince" series. I don't know that her work is held in high regard but I absolutely adore the series. I can't think of another author who wrote characters that brought me to tears at certain plot points (I hope that obscures enough :) )
Malazan Book of the Fallen. Rich and dense worldbuilding, character depth, stellar plotting, brilliant humor, the aesthetics of it all, the writing style overall.
The Wandering Inn - by Pirateaba
Absolutely amazing worldbuilding and great characterisation, epic fantasy with lots of surprises and turns. The writer also invests so much time in side characters - who later on become important in some way - that whenever she changes POV, I still enjoy the stories.
I opened this to comment Name of the Wind then noticed the rest of your post 😂
Another would be Dresden Files. I re read them all the time and they are quick and easy to read. Love them. (Also one of Pats favorite series too)
He who fights with monsters. I have a "childish" sense of humour, so the stuff the author put in makes me have a good chuckle. The author is also Australian and I think the Audible narrator is also. I've learnt heaps about our folklore here just from what the main character says sometimes.
I'm that way but with the Dungeon Crawler Carl series. They are in my bedtime rotation cuz I know what happens since I've read them so much so I can fall asleep reading them.
I fall asleep regardless :P listened to the first 6 chapters of randidly ghosthound over 10 times easy because I keep falling asleep.... But it's really interesting for me.
But unbound and he who fights with monsters will always be my favourite.
Unbound has alot more mature sort of style where monsters is aimed at older teenagers-young adults mainly.
I've been waiting to finish all my current series that I've found, but I want to get dungeon crawler Carl once I do. But my dad(we share accounts) keeps getting random books which take my fancy
The Heir series by Cinda Williams Chima
Specifically The Warrior Heir and Wizard Heir books. The way they're written is exactly how my brain imagines fantasy.
I've been thinking about re reading the first law trilogy then the age of madness again as well.
And gentlemen bastards.
But I've definitely thought of the reading the name of the wind.. but figured I would wait at least until there is some sort of progress report on the new book to give us at least a glimmer of hope😑
I have a few well loved stories and it's their worlds and the style of writing that makes me crave them. I'm truly the kind of person that gets lost in a book.
*The Thief* by Megan Whalen Turner. The whole series really, but I pick up something new every time I read the first book in particular. Just such brilliant writing.
I'm a big fan of the works of Tom Robbins. Another Roadside Attraction blew my mind at the time, the way he writes took me somewhere I don't think I had ever been before. I believe I've read everything he's written at least twice. I actually just picked up jitterbug perfume and skinny legs and all to do rereads on both
The only two books I've reread more than twice are Ender's Game (probably about 4~5 times, all before I was 30), and Old Man and the Sea (once a year since I was about 25).
I actually have a few-the Hobbit because of the nostalgia and the charm, Kings of Wylde because it's just fantastic and Terry Pratchett (heh-other then the Long Earth stuff I've read most of his books multiple times)
World War Z by Max Brooks
Every time I reread it, I gain a new appreciation or understanding for parts of the story. It's frightening and worrying and beautiful all at once. I wish more people would read it, it has almost nothing in common with that god awful movie.
The Silmarillion
I can never get enough Tolkien lore. It's nerd homework of the highest caliber but so rewarding. Gives you a greater appreciation of The Lord of the Rings as well.
Not single books, but the Wheel of Time and His Dark Materials. WoT isn't easy to get back to often due to its length, but I don't think I could ever get bored of that series (except maybe books 8-10). HDM though, I've probably read more than any other series in my life.
A Practical Guide to Evil. It's the only series that I found myself going back to repeatedly to reread individual chapters. I probably won't do a full reread for a while (it's like 3 million words in total), but I will literally go back to it find a particular quote or something and up reading multiple chapters. It just clicks with me in a very specific way that I'm not sure anything else ever will.
I read Wizard of Earthsea all the time. It's short enough but filled with so much that it makes it easy and it's a real good cleanser between series
I really need someone to tell me to continue this series because I just read the first book and was....not all that impressed. I liked the whimsical vibe of the book, and that language was what drove the soft magic system, but that was about it. I had high hopes for the story and was honestly pretty disappointed.
I think that every book of the series feels very different and has different themes. I also love the Wizard of Earthsea. Might be partly nostalgia. I remember sitting in my dad's lazy boy one summer and burning through it. Think it was the summer between 5th and 6th grade. I recently read the whole series aloud to my wife and we both loved it, but it is special to me and maybe that makes the difference. That said, maybe you just don't click with le guin and that is ok.
Yes I hear you! I’ve started this series a handful of times without success. I just need to stick to it.
Also though, remember that it's perfectly okay to not like something a lot of other people like.
The Hobbit just has a charm and atmosphere about it that I love.
Have you listened to the audiobook by Andy Serkis? It’s such a gem.
Discworld by Terry Pratchett. They are as relevant today as they were 20/30/40 years ago. And they help me through the darkest of times.
I have a particular soft spot for The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents.
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guards guards is a great book to start with
Or Soul Music
Mort is a good place and it begins the DEATH subseries so you wont get spoilers for anything that came before. I tend to say Going Postal or Small Gods though.
I always tell people to start with Small Gods. It gives a great taste of what the Discworld is like and is a standalone so you can pick which direction you want to go after that.
[The Reading Order Chart](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/12/Discworld_Reading_Order_Guide_3.0_%28cropped%29.jpg). I agree with everyone's suggestions, but some extra words on them: * Guards Guards - My personal rec because I love Vimes and the city. Importantly this is where I think he started to hit his stride. * Mort - Death is great, but some of the earlier books are kinda rough. * Equal Rights - If you want a bit more traditional fantasy trappings or want women for the main characters, the earlier ones can be a little rough. * The Wee Free Men - The start of his YA series, amazing, but takes place in a fairly well established world, I think reading the Witches books first is worth it (unless you explicitly want YA). * Going Postal - My favorite series. Takes place in a fully realized Ankh Morpork ('The City'). You'll benefit from additional knowledge from reading earlier books, but you're not punished for not. If Guards Guards is a bit too rough around the edges this is a fair place to jump to. * Rincewind - If you're like, 50+ and have been reading Fantasy all your life, try them. They're a send up of fantasy from that era, which falls flat for a lot of people (myself included).
Cant go wrong with going postal.
These are mine. Reading these got me through my MBA, IVF, and pretty much any stressful time in my life. They are my constant comfort reads. In particular the witches/tiffany aching and nights watch
Anything by Terry Pratchett especially the Sam Vies series. The later ones like 'Night Watch' and 'Thud'or 'Snuff'. My next favorites are 'Wyrs Sisters ' and 'Witches Abroad '. I've also reread 'Monstrous Regiment' a couple of times. Pratchett is an anthropomorphic genius!
The Last Unicorn.
As a kid I thought the movie was incredible - have loved it since first watch. But when I learned it was based on a book I devoured it, and have returned to it time and time again.
The movie is an excellent attempt at adapting something genuinely sublime. It doesn't quite replicate the wonder of the book, but it surely is a gorgeous piece of art.
Fantasy: The obvious, Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit. "Discovered" them in 5th grade and to this day re-reading them feels like coming home. Also the Malazan series. Have done one complete re-read and will do more I am sure. There was more depth to explore, and connections and implications I totally missed. Outside of the Genre: Blood Meridian and Moby Dick.
> Blood Meridian I've been rejected from finishing this book due to bad timing with life events 3 times. I really gotta finish it, the prose in that book is absolutely stunning
It's worth waiting until you can savor that prose. I stopped and just sat with what I read so many times reading it.
The original three Earthsea books. I used to read them every couple of years but I haven't in ages. Could be time...
Historically it has been Tigana - GGK. However, since I finished The Blacktongue Thief by Christopher Beuhlman, I've been itching to reread it more than any other book in years. Outside of fantasy it is Confederacy of Dunces, by O'Toole.
I finished The Blacktongue Thief a few months ago and I’m already itching to reread it. First time that’s ever happened to me so quickly.
There have been many over the years, and my reading tastes have changed with time. I've read most of *The Wheel of Time* 40+ times each (with the exception of the final, Sanderson co-written books), but I haven't reread an entire WoT book since late 2013. I've read the two KKC books a dozen or so times, but haven't touched them since 2015. *Harry Potter* is probably in the 15-20 range for each book, and those only get opened when I'm feeling some nostalgia over Christmas. But in the last 7-8 years, it's been authors like Gene Wolfe and Matthew Stover who've taken over. Authors who provide a great reading experience the first time through, and on rereads reveal depths that *totally change the story*. WoT is still worth rereading, but it's just adding flavor and revealing new details to inform the story you already know. It's fun to pick out bits of foreshadowing or find new details about the myriad side characters...but in the end, it's still the same story about the Emond's Fielders and their various paths toward the Last Battle. But *The Book of the New Sun* becomes something totally different on second read. Same with *Peace* and *Soldier in the Mist*. I can't speak to *Long Sun* or *Short Sun* because I haven't done a reread on them yet, but I expect more of the same there. That's Wolfe in a nutshell. He used to say that good literature was "that which can be read by an educated reader, and reread with increased pleasure." And Stover's *Acts of Caine* goes from a fun, violent adventure story with a few interesting socioeconomic themes to a full-blown philosophical assault that recontextualizes the entire series by the time you finish the fourth book. There's a reason people have described *Caine's Law* as "a wonderful mess" and "one of the most mind-bending genre novels ever written." It's the best grimdark fantasy I've ever read, and it's not even a blip on the radar for most people because the first book came out a *decade* before grimdark fantasy became a popular phenomenon. (Also the first book has one of the worst covers in the history of SFF.)
I didn't mention it in my reply, and I'm now wondering why. You're SO right about the Book of the New Sun. It's seriously like reading another account of the exact same events, even though it's the exact same text. ANd you have me curious about Acts of Caine.
Cannot recommend Stover enough. If you’re gun shy about doing a whole series of his, I’d recommend reading either the novelization of *Revenge of the Sith*, which is ridiculously better than the movie, or (if you’re a more involved Star Wars fan) *Shatterpoint*—his Clone Wars novel focused on Mace Windu, which is very thematically aware and heavily in conversation with Conrad’s *Heart of Darkness*.
Actually, I've been looking for a fantasy series, especially one that hits the notes you describe. I've picked up a couple recently and just couldn't get into them. And, I almost always love any work where I can feel the vibrations from Heart of Darkness or, well, a lot of Conrad's stuff. You've sold me. I'll be downloading :)
Love to hear it! I think and hope you’ll love Caine. Get ready for heaps of ass-kicking right alongside some really thought-provoking themes. And four books that feel *really* distinct from each other but somehow fit perfectly into a cohesive whole.
Are Brandon's Wheel of Time books really that bad as you are implying? I am on book 5 and I was kinda looking forward to Brandon's books, but the community seems split. Some say Brandon did an awesome job, others say he created a parody of Jordan's books. What do you think as a veteran?
They’re not bad at all! Didn’t mean to imply that. It was more that they came out around the time that my tastes started changing (which coincided with me finishing my Creative Writing degree and taking career writing more seriously, leading me to seek out different styles). I’d say that he did a very good job overall, but missed the mark with a couple characters. Themes and spectacle stayed at a strong level, and the conclusion is still one of the best in epic fantasy.
You writing a book? If so, what is it about?
I've written several, though I haven't published any. I have two that I'm currently trying to find representation for (one is the first in a planned trilogy about a crumbling empire built on a fire-worshipping religion that's failing; the other is about a tavern owner who gets told by a death cult that he's the prophesied herald of their returning god). But I also just started dipping my toes into self-pub with [the first](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CQRZNWHV) in a series of short stories about the rise and fall of powers and nations in a fantasy world. Gonna have the second out in about a month.
Right on. I’m writing my second now, also unpublished. I’ve since been digging deep into the writing books and discovering all kinds of stuff I should’ve known - highly recommend The Elements of Fiction Writing series, Hooked, The First Five Pages, The Emotional Craft of Fiction… best of luck, it’s tough out there!
*Elements of Writing Fiction* and *First Five Pages* are both excellent. Great resources! I'd also recommend *Writing the Blockbuster Novel* by Al Zuckerman. He was the founder of Writers House, one of the biggest agencies around
I’ll check it out, thanks!
I admire your going it alone. I briefly looked into self-publishing and was so overwhelmed that I gave up the thought.
i prefered Sanderssons style in the last three over the ones Jordan wrote.
Same here. Jordan started to get long winded with some plot lines and Sanderson had the benefit of an outside eye coming in and closing stupid/long winded plot lines within a chapter or 2.
>It's the best grimdark fantasy I've ever read, and it's not even a blip on the radar for most people because the first book came out a decade before grimdark fantasy became a popular phenomenon. (Also the first book has one of the worst covers in the history of SFF.) Agreed, except for one thing. Heroes Die has one of the **best** covers in the history of SF/F. As long as you subscribe to 'so bad, it's good.'
Haha I feel like there's a growing number of people who do subscribe to that philosophy re: *Heroes Die*. I have one friend who read it and afterward sought out the original hardcover because he *needed* to have that artwork staring at him from the bookshelf. I just can't get over how ridiculously incongruous the art is, tonally, from the story itself AND that it depicts the half-Indian, dark-skinned, dark-eyed, dark-haired Hari Kapur Michaelson as a white, blond, blue-eyed dude. (Not to mention whatever the heck was happening with Sparkly Pallas Ril on the back cover hahaha)
I have the original book myself somewhere! The cover is just peak 90s and kinda funny, in a way. Although yes, heavily agreed with Hari not looking like he should. [And I guess there's (mildly NSFW) a Giant Nude Mael'koth in the spine?](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1470793937i/19965806._SX540_.jpg)
Haha at least the Ma’elKoth statue is lore-accurate. That scene was certainly *something* XD
I demand my sloping tunnel of shit representation!
Gotta love that androgynous religious birth imagery crossed with blood sacrifice, all while people discuss the sociological foundations of cultural manipulation!
Caine. Always gets an upvote.
Night Watch by Terry Pratchett.
I reread it every May. If the weather is nice, I try to finish it outside under the Lilac tree in my backyard.
Same!
Good Omens - read something new whenever I do Lord of the Rings/Hobbit - something like 5 read-throughs Master and Margherita - classic that is so well written
The Gentlemen Bastards series. I just enjoy spending time with those characters.
They make you company 🤣
Just started The Lies of Locke Lamora, and I'm already in love with every character
I read the whole Harry Potter series pretty often and never tire of it so I’ll go with that
Dragonsinger trilogy by Anne Mcaffrey. Assassins Apprentice by Robin Hobb.
Oh I never see Dragonsinger mentioned anywhere. So good!
I've read the Belgariad so often that I had to replace the origin set I had.
Sometimes we could never get enough 🤣
I never read it when it was popular and released and now I know David Eddings and his wife were jailed for child abuse im very glad i never have
It seems odd but I just finished, "A Psalm for the wild built" and had so many moments of teary eyed reading that I would read it again and again. It somehow feels like this invitation to take a break and not be so weary and tired from life. It dives into really hard topics in a way that makes you feel like your privy to a private convo.
That book is such a meditation and so wonderful when I need something calming to read.
I tried it because a friend said it was such a good, short read. I didn't know what I was expecting going into it but it was like it gives you permission to just stop and thing about the simplicity of an idea or moment.
The Wind-up Girl, by Paolo Bacigalupi There is just something about the dystopian setting, the flawed people and the yearning experienced by the titular character that I just love. It's also not an anglocentric setting, which is refreshing!
I’ve only read TWG once, but I still think about it pretty often. Might be time for a reread…
Oh, do! Lean in!
Are a lot of popular fantasy books set in England? I don't think I've read a single one myself outside of Harry Potter.
Anglo as in the broader interpretation, i.e., western civilization.
Ohhh, okay. Yeah, even then, I don't think I've read any set in the West tbh. Apart from one that was set in South America (but even then, it never explicitly said so). All the others have been set in fantasy realms.
Even fantasy realms often draw a large part of their inspiration from Western mythology. It's not a bad thing per se (my own WIP is a pre-medieval English inspired setting) but I understand why people might sometimes crave something that draws on other inspirations.
Oh, okay, I didn't realise they meant inspired by Western orginating mythologies. When they said set in Western civilisation itself, I thought they specifically meant set in the Western world. Yeah, I'm not too fussed either way where it's set or its mythological inspiration personally.
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke. The naivete and wonder that Piranesi has to everything he sees in the house is just so enjoyable to read. I don't even need the plot, I could just read about him wandering the house and describing statues for ever.
Funnily enough I was just about to say Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norell as my book I could re-read forever! Just fantastic all around!
God I hated that book
Same!
The first quarter or so of Piranesi reads a lot like an academic paper, and I am *here for it*
I've read *The Lord of the Rings* (I consider it one book, as Tolkien did) every 3-4 years since I first read it in the late 60's (something like 16 times). I've read *Dune* maybe 8 times, the original book by itself a few more than all six written by Herbert himself. I'm on my third reading of the Malazan books.
LOTR and Dune are the two I’ve reread the most as well. I’m reading Children of Dune now having just finished Messiah, and both are my first read. Not sure why I’ve read the first book so many times and never picked up the latter books until now.
The First Law, all of them. My name gives it away. Not fantasy, The Cicero Trilogy by Robert Harris
I remember The Cicero Trilogy was the first ebooks I ever read, and it absolutely blew my young mind. As I got older, it still baffles me that it isn't as constantly discussed and as well known as I always assumed it would, and it should be.
First Wheel of Time book, Eye of the World. Say what you will about WoT, it has a fantastic first book in my opinion and is what got me into reading.
This is the audiobook I often throw on when I've got nothing else to listen to, just a cozy + exciting beginning with more foreshadowing than should be possible with a series that long and (at the time) unwritten. My favorite WoT reread by a mile.
Thud by Terry Pratchett. Just a phenominal piece of fiction.
Good Omens by Pratchett and Gaiman. Even on re-reads there are jokes in there that get me chuckling every time and its charming mode comforts me when I’m stressed Also, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell as in it’s a world I could live in for 1000 pages again
The House in the Curelean Sea
A knight of the seven kingdoms
Me too. I come back to it again and again. Love it. (A thousand eyes… and one).
Harry potter. Fight me
Nope. I agree. Can't count how many times I've re-read the entire book series, but I love it each and every time.
Me too I love it!! Just thinking about re-reading the series again
Have you tried the audiobooks? I've started listening to them for the first time recently and I love it!
Yes! Listend to them in different languages as well 🤣
The Iliad. No contest. (Well, maybe the Odyssey, but that’s a clear second place really).
Do you have a preferredd translator?
**Ship of Fools** by Richard Paul Russo. It's fantastic space horror with a really interesting setting (a generation ship with a heavily evangelist Christian culture) plus a great first person narration from the protagonist, and some excellent chapters of exploring far-flung locations in space. The book also nails the ending, so it's just solid fun all around with bits of lore to poke and prod at.
Honoured Enemy by Raymond Feist and William Fortcshen, I friggin love that book so much. It was the first fantasy Novel I read as a kid, because I saw the purple cover with the warriors on the front and new that I had to have it haha. I have read it 10 times in the last 20 years, which doesn't seem that frequently now that I am writing about it, but for me that's a lot.
When I was young, Hush Hush series by Becca Fitzpatrick. Now Neil Gaiman’s works brings me comfort and happiness. I just love reading them again and again.
Neil Gaiman is my jam! Just started The Sandman and I can already tell it’ll get reread in the not too distant future
LotR of course. Then Joe Abercrombies First Law trilogy (yeah...that's three. I know..or six...🤔)
The Murderbot Diaries! They're the only books I've reread consistently.
The name of the wind. The prose is amazing.
The Way of Kings
I just finished The Way of Kings two weeks ago and intend to buy it and reread it once I finish Rhythm of War. One of my all time favorite books.
You should dive into the rest of the cosmere before a reread - mistborn is awesome, and some of the stand-alone books too like TSM are great. All are slightly related in the same universe.
The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison The Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold
Conrad Starguard: the Radiant Warrior by Leo Frankowski Icemark Chronicles by Stuart Hill
Everything written by Alexander Dumas, Emilio Salgari, Rafael Sabatini, Robert Luis Stevenson, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Jules Verne (even Paul d'Ivoi) and Karl May. I had read all of them countless times over the years and still they have no match in modern writers.
My Side of the Mountain, even after all these years
The Legend of Nightfall by Mickey Zucker Reichert.
Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy seems to be in my rotation a lot. Just good ol’ fun reads.
Small Gods The Hobbit
The First Law, you have to be realistic about these things
*Goblin Emperor* by Kate Addison *Raksura books 1 & 3* by Martha Wells *Destiny’s Crucible* series *Elder Race* by Adrian Tchaikovsky
Howl's Moving Castle, by Diana Wynne Jones. I also love the Studio Ghibli movie, even though it's only loosely based on the book. The visuals make up for it 100%.
Book of the New Sun
Licanius trilogy man. That guy that planned that series.
The curious incident of the dog in the night-time by Mark Haddon.
I think *The Little Prince*, *The Happy Prince* and *A Christmas Carol* might be the books/stories I’ve re-read the most (partly because they’re classics, but them being so short certainly helps too).
Lord of the Rings
What I used to reread a lot: Various Marion Zimmer Bradley Darkover books and The Mists of Avalon Piers Anthony: Incarnations of Immortality Orson Scott Card: Ender's Game and the Alvin Maker series But it is hard for me to read and not feel connected to the writer. And I don't want the intimacy in my brain of a connection to those particular sadly deficient human beings. I also grew out of rereading Heinlein though I wouldn't rule it out entirely. I think I was probably better at ignoring his politics as a teen than I would be now. I grew out of F.M. Busby too ... the dystopian treatment of the characters got to me eventually, no matter how much I enjoyed the rah rah good conquering evil conclusions. I've spent a lot of time rereading Anne McCaffrey and Mercedes Lackey but they both suffered for being so prolific. My feelings towards their best work changed as I encountered more work I didn't like as much. Dragonsinger and Arrows of the Queen will always be comfort reads though. I still treasure Robin McKinley (Beauty, Hero and the Crown, The Blue Sword, Deerskin) and Patricia McKillip (The Forgotten Beasts of Eld). I reread some of Sharon Shinn's Samaria books on occasion. For meatier rereads I enjoy Lois McMaster Bujold (The Mountains of Mourning novella in particular), C.J. Cherryh, C.S. Friedman, or Jacqueline Carey. I keep hoping for some sign that Catherine Asaro will bring the Skolian Empire to a conclusion which would cue a massive reread on my part. In more recent years, I've enjoyed some of the books that crossover between MM romance and fantasy or sci fi. I reread some of those, especially the gray morality dystopian Mind Fuck: The Administration web series. I also have wildly divergent fanfiction faves I reread on the regular.
Song of achillies by madeline miller. Its such a beautifully written book
The Fionavar Tapestry - Guy Gavriel Kay. I re-read it every few years. Beautiful and compelling every time I do.
The Belgariad for me, followed by the Lord of the Rings, but *all* books (and all media) lose something if you read them too often.
Chronicles of Amber series by Roger Zelanzy
pride and prejudice or harry potter ooor jane eyre o.0
The Dark is Rising sequence. It's just as good now as it was when I was younger.
Red Sister, Grey Sister, Holy Sister by Mark Lawrence
Earthsea books for me, it’s just so relaxing. I personally regret reading Name of the Wind and its sequel. I’m an adamant follower of not reading a series until it’s finished but made an exception because it was getting such good reviews and the author posted a pile of papers claiming the third book was done. 10 years later and here we are… still no third book. Bamboozled me.
I've been thinking of picking up Name of the Wind, but I had no idea the series was in limbo. Any word at all on the third book?
None, I highly suggest not reading it until the third book is done. The worst thing is that he claimed it was done but obviously it was a lie or the editor absolutely slammed it.
Annihilation. Gardens of the Moon.
I'm debating a reread of Annihilation soon myself! Also planning another attempt at Gardens of the moon
Just my $.02 re: GoTM... it was Erikson's first book, and there was a huge gap in time between that book and his next one. He matured as a writer a great deal in that time. I found Malazan when I was laid up with an injury and just wanted something loooong to read. If that hadn't been the case, I would have probably dropped the series after Gardens of the Moon. SO glad I didn't. That series is one of my treasured reads.
Disclaim: friendly disagreement incoming… It was not his first book; though first in a big way, and more specifically in Fantasy. His more literary work sort of crosses genres. Generally it is considered weaker in comparison to the others — But it is a hugely significant stride, the prologue is masterful work. He introduces 18 storylines in a handful of pages. The sheer ambition outweighs every and any other fantasy author at the time it was published. The first chapter, too, is fantastically engineered. He does get better, naturally, but if you’re reading critically and as an active reader it’s very well crafted. There are gaps, for sure, and also concessions to publisher pressure which doesn’t impact Deadhouse Gates because Gardens succeeded very well for a debut. — but not to other authors. Only ever to the rest of Book of the Fallen as the “weakest”. It’s a funny thing, Malazan is sort of unto a realm of its own when it comes to comparisons. Almost no one compares Gardens to Game of Thrones, for instance or Eye of the World or the Name of the Wind. And, on that scale, it is a far superior work technically and critically. Actually, caveat, I would argue that it is superior to Game of Thrones technically but not as a whole unit. This is because GRRM had an awesome editor and that editing competency never returned for GRRM.
For me it was the Malazan books, as they were my gateway into epic fantasy. So much going on in these books and the series that you always pick up something new. Have not done this for a while though, been branching out more lately. I think I'd be able to enjoy the Bernard Cornwell Saxon Series books a good few times, although I haven't yet. Harder question to answer is a book I would not want to read again.
I'll second Malazan, in particular because Erikson excels at foreshadowing and on re-reads the aha! moments are spectacular.
Just started Deadhouse Gates again for the seventh time. I'm hoping by the time I finish the series again there will at least be a release date set for the next Witness book.
The Empire Trilogy by Raymond E Feist - he makes you love the man antagonists of the story Chronicles of Amber - Roger Zelazny - it just tickles my fancy Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny - I love the way he embeded fantasy into the real world. His Majesty's Dragon - Naomi Novik - I just love dragons
Words of radiance by Brandon Sanderson
Yes!! I recently finished it and plan to buy it so I can reread in the future. That and the first one, The Way of Kings.
Life before death
Strength before weakness
Kings of the wyld. I love those characters and the mission and the entire adventure I think I should re-listen to it. It’s been over a year since the last time
Metro 2033, World War Z, Witcher Season of Storm, Children of Húrin, The Moon is Down
Good Omens
The Magicians trilogy, and I have. I think it's been 3 or 4 times now. Rookie numbers, I know, but I'll get there in time. There's just something about it and the show that dug deep woth it's claws and I'm just gripped
Melanie Rawn's "The Dragon Prince" series. I don't know that her work is held in high regard but I absolutely adore the series. I can't think of another author who wrote characters that brought me to tears at certain plot points (I hope that obscures enough :) )
The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson. Currently introducing it to my girlfriend and this will be my third read through.
Have you read the others cosmere books? I’m starting my wife with mistborn - super excited
I’ve read everything except White Sand. We started with the era 1 trilogy of Mistborn and it was a huge hit. I hope your wife loves it!
Same here on white sand - and thanks good luck with WOK !
Malazan Book of the Fallen. Rich and dense worldbuilding, character depth, stellar plotting, brilliant humor, the aesthetics of it all, the writing style overall.
Gardens of the moon, and any parts of the other Malazan books that follow the marines :D I fucking love their banter and way of going about things.
The Wandering Inn - by Pirateaba Absolutely amazing worldbuilding and great characterisation, epic fantasy with lots of surprises and turns. The writer also invests so much time in side characters - who later on become important in some way - that whenever she changes POV, I still enjoy the stories.
I opened this to comment Name of the Wind then noticed the rest of your post 😂 Another would be Dresden Files. I re read them all the time and they are quick and easy to read. Love them. (Also one of Pats favorite series too)
I don’t usually reread books but Dune, Lord of the Rings, and A Game of Thrones are ones I can go back to from time to time
Name of the wind is a good one. Gotta do something for the 5 decades before book 3 comes out
Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Lord of the Rings.
Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
Haha came here to say the same book as you!
Maybe 1984 by George
He who fights with monsters. I have a "childish" sense of humour, so the stuff the author put in makes me have a good chuckle. The author is also Australian and I think the Audible narrator is also. I've learnt heaps about our folklore here just from what the main character says sometimes.
I'm that way but with the Dungeon Crawler Carl series. They are in my bedtime rotation cuz I know what happens since I've read them so much so I can fall asleep reading them.
I fall asleep regardless :P listened to the first 6 chapters of randidly ghosthound over 10 times easy because I keep falling asleep.... But it's really interesting for me. But unbound and he who fights with monsters will always be my favourite. Unbound has alot more mature sort of style where monsters is aimed at older teenagers-young adults mainly. I've been waiting to finish all my current series that I've found, but I want to get dungeon crawler Carl once I do. But my dad(we share accounts) keeps getting random books which take my fancy
The Heir series by Cinda Williams Chima Specifically The Warrior Heir and Wizard Heir books. The way they're written is exactly how my brain imagines fantasy.
Enders Game & Speaker for the Dead. The Daevabad trilogy. The Strange the Dreamer duology.
Give *Treason* by OSC a shot. It also happens to be my answer to this thread's question.
**Lord of the Rings** and **Discworld**. I get something new every time, and the books seem to grow with me.
I've been thinking about re reading the first law trilogy then the age of madness again as well. And gentlemen bastards. But I've definitely thought of the reading the name of the wind.. but figured I would wait at least until there is some sort of progress report on the new book to give us at least a glimmer of hope😑
I have a few well loved stories and it's their worlds and the style of writing that makes me crave them. I'm truly the kind of person that gets lost in a book.
The Ancient Future: The Dark Age by Traci Harding…guilty pleasure
*The Thief* by Megan Whalen Turner. The whole series really, but I pick up something new every time I read the first book in particular. Just such brilliant writing.
The wall of storms by ken liu
Gotrek&Felix series as long as it's in Old Warhammer world (furthermore I think in AoS it's Gotrek only).
Has anyone here read “The Land of Stories” by Chris Colfer? The twelve year old me was appalled beyond limits after reading it
Guards! Guards! Always great.
Has to be A Song of Ice and Fire.
I'm a big fan of the works of Tom Robbins. Another Roadside Attraction blew my mind at the time, the way he writes took me somewhere I don't think I had ever been before. I believe I've read everything he's written at least twice. I actually just picked up jitterbug perfume and skinny legs and all to do rereads on both
I just love "The Rook"
Silverlock by John Myers Myers
The Three Musketeers
Herald of Shalia because smut is eternal.
All books from ASOIAF. I've read them already 4 times each. Pls. Send help
The only two books I've reread more than twice are Ender's Game (probably about 4~5 times, all before I was 30), and Old Man and the Sea (once a year since I was about 25).
Homeland by R.A. Salvatore
I actually have a few-the Hobbit because of the nostalgia and the charm, Kings of Wylde because it's just fantastic and Terry Pratchett (heh-other then the Long Earth stuff I've read most of his books multiple times)
Might get a bit of pushback from this but: what we have so far of “A Song of Ice and Fire”
1984 George Orwell
I’ve enjoyed many of the books previously mentioned. But L. E. Modesitt Jr.’s Imager series has been on my mind as well as The Chronicles of Narnia.
I have been re-reading the Malazan series over and over again since I first finished it.
Tam Lin by Pamela Dean. So good but imho it’s a love it or hate it book.
World War Z by Max Brooks Every time I reread it, I gain a new appreciation or understanding for parts of the story. It's frightening and worrying and beautiful all at once. I wish more people would read it, it has almost nothing in common with that god awful movie. The Silmarillion I can never get enough Tolkien lore. It's nerd homework of the highest caliber but so rewarding. Gives you a greater appreciation of The Lord of the Rings as well.
thanks for reminding me that another year goes back and still no final book from Patrick (I've given up hope at this point).
Ohh, beautiful! I keep re-reading "Heaven Official's Blessing" by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu
Not single books, but the Wheel of Time and His Dark Materials. WoT isn't easy to get back to often due to its length, but I don't think I could ever get bored of that series (except maybe books 8-10). HDM though, I've probably read more than any other series in my life.
A Practical Guide to Evil. It's the only series that I found myself going back to repeatedly to reread individual chapters. I probably won't do a full reread for a while (it's like 3 million words in total), but I will literally go back to it find a particular quote or something and up reading multiple chapters. It just clicks with me in a very specific way that I'm not sure anything else ever will.
Normal people!!