Rhi. (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
rhivolution) wrote2011-08-12 07:59 pm
rhivolution) wrote2011-08-12 07:59 pm
NPR's pretty bullshit but okay SFF book list meme.
With thanks to ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
lesslikepie who posted it most recently, among others.
Unbelievably white! Also male! What else is new!
Bold for read
Italics for intending to read
Underline for partial read series/books
Strikethrough for never ever reading
1. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, by J.R.R. Tolkien
I tried this at age 12. Yeah, no. It was much easier to read after seeing the first film, particularly the fact that most of The Two Towers is And Then Frodo And Sam And Gollum Walked Places.
2. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams
This is probably the first one on this list that I ever read. I loved it then, I love it now.
3. Ender's Game, by Orson Scott Card
I have read all of these. No, seriously, all of them, Shadow books included. OSC is a massive fucking jackass, and the story goes places that I hate, but it was compelling, okay?
4. The Dune Chronicles, by Frank Herbert
My feelings about Dune are complicated, and I am so very frustrated with the massive Orientalism and misogyny, but...hm.
5. A Song of Ice and Fire Series, by George R. R. Martin
I know a bunch of you love ASOIAF. I know this well. I just...maybe it was the time I was reading it, but it bored me to shit. It was like Pillars of the Earth, but Pillars of the Earth didn't decide to smack me with the TERRIBLE THINGS WILL HAPPEN allusion stick quite so hard and then not deliver for ages.
6. 1984, by George Orwell
Picture a boot stepping on a human face, forever, and then you'll know my feelings about this book. Huxley did this better a decade before.
7. Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury
I had to read this in school. I actually rather like it, but find it to be dated in its methods of prediction.
8. The Foundation Trilogy, by Isaac Asimov
Another compelling but unrewarding series, tbh. It could go so many interesting places! And then it never does.
9. Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley
This was what Huxley did better a decade before. (see #6)
10. American Gods, by Neil Gaiman
I've tried this three times. Maybe someday. Though I may throw it across the room.
11. The Princess Bride, by William Goldman
Love this book, though I do think it works a bit better as a film.
12. The Wheel Of Time Series, by Robert Jordan
I have little interest in reading through the text bricks to get to the good parts.
13. Animal Farm, by George Orwell
School school school.
14. Neuromancer, by William Gibson
Another book that doesn't live up to its potential. Read Idoru or Snow Crash.
15. Watchmen, by Alan Moore
I tried but the art bugged me. Yes, I know. Maybe again someday.
16. I, Robot, by Isaac Asimov
After Foundation, I could NOT be arsed.
17. Stranger In A Strange Land, by Robert Heinlein
Did anyone else have a phase where Heinlein was like SUPER inspiring? At about age 16 or 17? I did.
18. The Kingkiller Chronicles, by Patrick Rothfuss
Eventually.
19. Slaughterhouse-Five, by Kurt Vonnegut
Things I've never got around to.
20. Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley
I feel like I might have read this. Perhaps. I know what happens in it and how it differs from the commonly understood narrative, at least.
21. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, by Philip K. Dick
College college college. Actually, I have all the feelings about Blade Runner and not so many about this book.
22. The Handmaid's Tale, by Margaret Atwood
File this in 'stuff I read in high school as a young feminist that utterly enraged me towards action'.
23. The Dark Tower Series, by Stephen King
Meant to read this for years.
24. 2001: A Space Odyssey, by Arthur C. Clarke
My disdain for Kubrick is legendary, and part of it comes from the fact that the book worked for me far more than the film.
25. The Stand, by Stephen King
There are not words for my love for The Stand. One of my favourite books ever. Again, stuff that scarred me in high school.
26. Snow Crash, by Neal Stephenson
Read this instead of Neuromancer. I like Neil Stephenson a lot, even though he fucks up.
27. The Martian Chronicles, by Ray Bradbury
Ultimately unsatisfying to me at the time.
28. Cat's Cradle, by Kurt Vonnegut
I'd rather read this than S5, truth be told.
29. The Sandman Series, by Neil Gaiman
Sorry, I really can't be particularly arsed. If I get handed the entire series, maybe.
30. A Clockwork Orange, by Anthony Burgess
Meh. Burgess, incidentally, did the best translation I have ever read of Cyrano de Bergerac. Find it if you can.
31. Watership Down, by Richard Adams
I liked this but have never read it again, as the copy I had access to was my dad's.
32. Starship Troopers, by Robert Heinlein
I keep meaning to see the film. I could not read Heinlein again and be mostly okay with this.
33. Dragonflight, by Anne McCaffrey
SO MANY PLACES this series could have gone, and it all turned to shit and garbage.
34. The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, by Robert Heinlein
The women in this need some agency. I like the language extrapolation, though.
35. A Canticle for Leibowitz, by Walter M. Miller
I liked this conceptually but read it when I was really depressed, in high school. Maybe I need to try again.
36. The Time Machine, by H.G. Wells
Do people actually like this as a book or like it more as a classic? Enquiring undergrad me wants to know.
37. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, by Jules Verne
Actually, I might have read this before H2G2. My favourite Verne, love it.
38. Flowers for Algernon, by Daniel Keys
It's Keyes, ffs. I'd like to see how I feel about this now from a disability standpoint. I'd also like to compare it to The Speed of Dark.
39. The War of the Worlds, by H.G. Wells
I don't know if I could read this. I know what happens!
40. The Chronicles of Amber, by Roger Zelazny
These start really good and then descend into incomprehensible. Like Gene Wolfe to the nth degree.
41. The Belgariad, by David Eddings
Again, cannot be arsed.
42. The Mists of Avalon, by Marion Zimmer Bradley
This was one of my formative books. That is all.
43. The Mistborn Series, by Brandon Sanderson
Is this one of those books where there's a 'strong female character'? I read Elantris and it was okay. Hm.
44. Ringworld, by Larry Niven
Complete with damsels in distress. Bored now.
45. The Left Hand of Darkness, by Ursula K. LeGuin
Please to be reading this.
46. The Silmarillion, by J.R.R. Tolkien
I don't know if I can be bothered to read histories about elves, man.
47. The Once and Future King, by T.H. White
I...hate to say this, because I know some of you will be upset, but I was ruined for most Arthurian stuff after reading Mists of Avalon.
48. Neverwhere, by Neil Gaiman
[sighs] Really compelling reading, but I did not give a fuck about any of the characters, and this spoiled Gaiman for me.
49. Childhood's End, by Arthur C. Clarke
I may be biased towards Clarke, but this is one of the better 'classic SF' reads, from a philosophical standpoint.
50. Contact, by Carl Sagan
If you can manage the science, read this. It's heartbreakingly lovely.
51. The Hyperion Cantos, by Dan Simmons
I'm assuming most of you haven't read these, but DO, as they are brilliant.
52. Stardust, by Neil Gaiman
See #48.
53. Cryptonomicon, by Neal Stephenson
I love this, and it's probably my fav Stephenson, but it is not fucking science fiction or fantasy. It may vaguely be alternate history, but it's not presented that way.
54. World War Z, by Max Brooks
I need to read this before the movie comes out and everyone gets all the library copies. I'm slightly irritated though, as they are filming in Glasgow City Centre and specifically didn't want Scottish people as extras due to it not being multicultural enough. Apparently they didn't realise that there are Scottish people who aren't white.
55. The Last Unicorn, by Peter S. Beagle
I keep meaning to see the film? I am off on fantasy at the mo.
56. The Forever War, by Joe Haldeman
This book is great, but I didn't finish it at the time and have not been able to get a library copy since.
57. Small Gods, by Terry Pratchett
Mebbe someday.
58. The Chronicles Of Thomas Covenant, The Unbeliever, by Stephen R. Donaldson
This is the first of these I've not heard of. What is this? Apparently it is a classic fantasy trilogy, who knew? I knew of Donaldson, I think?
59. The Vorkosigan Saga, by Lois McMaster Bujold
I underline because I am a few short of the whole series, but these books are FABULOUS FUN and the ONLY MILITARY SF I really like.
60. Going Postal, by Terry Pratchett
I will read Pterry some day, I swear.
61. The Mote in God's Eye, by Larry Niven & Jerry Pournelle
Not touching anything Jerry Pournelle.
62. The Sword of Truth, by Terry Goodkind
I don't give a shit about Terry Goodkind. More generic fantasy.
63. The Road, by Cormac McCarthy
I...don't know whether I want to read this or not. I feel like I should, but I feel like it won't go places I like.
64. Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, by Susanna Clarke
I read this. I found it really dull, and that it could have been several hundred pages shorter. Maybe it's because I have a hard time with Victorian novels?
65. I Am Legend, by Richard Matheson
The end is very different, and apparently that is good.
66. The Riftwar Saga, by Raymond E. Feist
What's a Riftwar? I don't think I've heard of this. Feist, yes.
67. The Shannara Trilogy, by Terry Brooks
Lord, moar generic fantasy.
68. The Conan the Barbarian Series, by R.E. Howard
I saw the movie and rather like it, but that doesn't mean I'm gonna go find 20s pulp fiction.
69. The Farseer Trilogy, by Robin Hobb
I know I should read this but I have never had the opportunity.
70. The Time Traveler's Wife, by Audrey Niffenegger
Firstly, I hate this kind of heartbreaking stuff, and secondly, I am told that the male lead is Too Stupid To Live. No.
71. The Way of Kings, by Brandon Sanderson
Read Elantris and it was okay, as noted previously.
72. A Journey to the Center of the Earth, by Jules Verne
College reading again! Actually, not bad, but no Captain Nemo.
73. The Legend of Drizzt Series, by R.A. Salvatore
I have heard things about RA Salvatore.
74. Old Man's War, by John Scalzi
Another one I started and will go back to. As noted, I have issues with military SF, even when it's presented in a new way.
75. The Diamond Age, by Neil Stephenson
Axe that, this is my fav Stephenson. Unfortunately it also brought steampunk to the masses, most of whom don't get how to engage with it. (There are a few who are quite good at it, though, cheers to Beyond Victoriana!)
76. Rendezvous With Rama, by Arthur C. Clarke
I don't like Clarke THAT much.
77. The Kushiel's Legacy Series, by Jacqueline Carey
I like these. I like the world-building. I like the kinky sex. They are quite white, though.
78. The Dispossessed, by Ursula K. LeGuin
You should read this, it pays off in the long run.
79. Something Wicked This Way Comes, by Ray Bradbury
Never got around to this.
80. Wicked, by Gregory Maguire
Damn, this book is depressing, almost needlessly so.
81. The Malazan Book of the Fallen Series, by Steven Erikson
This one I haven't even heard of the author. What is this?
82. The Eyre Affair, by Jasper Fforde
I don't get why we have some full series listed but not this one. I like the rest of the first Thursday series better, especially Lost in a Good Book.
83. The Culture Series, by Iain M. Banks
These are good but very dry. I need to read Matter at some point as it's one of the few SF books that you can find in nearly every UK library at the moment.
84. The Crystal Cave, by Mary Stewart
Hm, feel like I should read Mary Stewart, but never have and have never been told why I should.
85. Anathem, by Neal Stephenson
This should have won the Hugo. Sorry. It was definitely the strongest novel that year, imho.
86. The Codex Alera Series, by Jim Butcher
I tried Jim Butcher and was unimpressed. Fantasy, meh.
87. The Book of the New Sun, by Gene Wolfe
See the bit about Zelazny's Amber. This is very good but very hard to understand, and also all about manpain.
88. The Thrawn Trilogy, by Timothy Zahn
I think I read the first one when I was young. I cannot be bothered to read the rest, especially as I have gone off Star Wars.
89. The Outlander Series, by Diana Gabaldon
Not interested. I live in Scotland, I don't need to hear someone's idealised version of it.
90. The Elric Saga, by Michael Moorcock
I've never really had a reason to read Moorcock.
91. The Illustrated Man, by Ray Bradbury
I think Martian Chronicles soured me on Bradbury, now that I consider it.
92. Sunshine, by Robin McKinley
This is a fun book, but it's hardly the strongest of McKinley's books. I like that the main character runs a bakery/coffee shop, and that that's part of the worldbuilding instead of just an aside. I enjoyed that for some reason.
93. A Fire Upon the Deep, by Vernor Vinge
This was recommended to me in the process of my dissertation, but I've not got a copy of it yet.
94. The Caves of Steel, by Isaac Asimov
Eh, Asimov.
95. The Mars Trilogy, by Kim Stanley Robinson
I might have tried this? I don't remember. I may try again, but I don't know if I'd italicise it.
96. Lucifer's Hammer, by Larry Niven & Jerry Pournelle
See previous comment about Pournelle.
97. Doomsday Book, by Connie Willis
Good stuff, but I find Willis works a lot more effectively in short form writing.
98. Perdido Street Station, by China Mieville
I read this in high school and wasn't overly impressed. I should really try again, but I have complex feelings about Mieville.
99. The Xanth Series, by Piers Anthony
Oh gag. I don't think these'd be very good for me as someone over the age of 15.
100. The Space Trilogy, by C.S. Lewis
I would rather not be subject to Lewis' form of Christianity, sorry.
I'd rec some stuff to you, but that took an hour to do, so...leave a comment if you want a recommendation JUST FOR YOU.
lesslikepie who posted it most recently, among others.Unbelievably white! Also male! What else is new!
Bold for read
Italics for intending to read
Underline for partial read series/books
1. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, by J.R.R. Tolkien
I tried this at age 12. Yeah, no. It was much easier to read after seeing the first film, particularly the fact that most of The Two Towers is And Then Frodo And Sam And Gollum Walked Places.
2. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams
This is probably the first one on this list that I ever read. I loved it then, I love it now.
3. Ender's Game, by Orson Scott Card
I have read all of these. No, seriously, all of them, Shadow books included. OSC is a massive fucking jackass, and the story goes places that I hate, but it was compelling, okay?
4. The Dune Chronicles, by Frank Herbert
My feelings about Dune are complicated, and I am so very frustrated with the massive Orientalism and misogyny, but...hm.
5. A Song of Ice and Fire Series, by George R. R. Martin
I know a bunch of you love ASOIAF. I know this well. I just...maybe it was the time I was reading it, but it bored me to shit. It was like Pillars of the Earth, but Pillars of the Earth didn't decide to smack me with the TERRIBLE THINGS WILL HAPPEN allusion stick quite so hard and then not deliver for ages.
6. 1984, by George Orwell
Picture a boot stepping on a human face, forever, and then you'll know my feelings about this book. Huxley did this better a decade before.
7. Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury
I had to read this in school. I actually rather like it, but find it to be dated in its methods of prediction.
8. The Foundation Trilogy, by Isaac Asimov
Another compelling but unrewarding series, tbh. It could go so many interesting places! And then it never does.
9. Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley
This was what Huxley did better a decade before. (see #6)
10. American Gods, by Neil Gaiman
I've tried this three times. Maybe someday. Though I may throw it across the room.
11. The Princess Bride, by William Goldman
Love this book, though I do think it works a bit better as a film.
12. The Wheel Of Time Series, by Robert Jordan
I have little interest in reading through the text bricks to get to the good parts.
13. Animal Farm, by George Orwell
School school school.
14. Neuromancer, by William Gibson
Another book that doesn't live up to its potential. Read Idoru or Snow Crash.
15. Watchmen, by Alan Moore
I tried but the art bugged me. Yes, I know. Maybe again someday.
16. I, Robot, by Isaac Asimov
After Foundation, I could NOT be arsed.
17. Stranger In A Strange Land, by Robert Heinlein
Did anyone else have a phase where Heinlein was like SUPER inspiring? At about age 16 or 17? I did.
18. The Kingkiller Chronicles, by Patrick Rothfuss
Eventually.
19. Slaughterhouse-Five, by Kurt Vonnegut
Things I've never got around to.
20. Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley
I feel like I might have read this. Perhaps. I know what happens in it and how it differs from the commonly understood narrative, at least.
21. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, by Philip K. Dick
College college college. Actually, I have all the feelings about Blade Runner and not so many about this book.
22. The Handmaid's Tale, by Margaret Atwood
File this in 'stuff I read in high school as a young feminist that utterly enraged me towards action'.
23. The Dark Tower Series, by Stephen King
Meant to read this for years.
24. 2001: A Space Odyssey, by Arthur C. Clarke
My disdain for Kubrick is legendary, and part of it comes from the fact that the book worked for me far more than the film.
25. The Stand, by Stephen King
There are not words for my love for The Stand. One of my favourite books ever. Again, stuff that scarred me in high school.
26. Snow Crash, by Neal Stephenson
Read this instead of Neuromancer. I like Neil Stephenson a lot, even though he fucks up.
27. The Martian Chronicles, by Ray Bradbury
Ultimately unsatisfying to me at the time.
28. Cat's Cradle, by Kurt Vonnegut
I'd rather read this than S5, truth be told.
29. The Sandman Series, by Neil Gaiman
Sorry, I really can't be particularly arsed. If I get handed the entire series, maybe.
30. A Clockwork Orange, by Anthony Burgess
Meh. Burgess, incidentally, did the best translation I have ever read of Cyrano de Bergerac. Find it if you can.
31. Watership Down, by Richard Adams
I liked this but have never read it again, as the copy I had access to was my dad's.
32. Starship Troopers, by Robert Heinlein
I keep meaning to see the film. I could not read Heinlein again and be mostly okay with this.
33. Dragonflight, by Anne McCaffrey
SO MANY PLACES this series could have gone, and it all turned to shit and garbage.
34. The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, by Robert Heinlein
The women in this need some agency. I like the language extrapolation, though.
35. A Canticle for Leibowitz, by Walter M. Miller
I liked this conceptually but read it when I was really depressed, in high school. Maybe I need to try again.
36. The Time Machine, by H.G. Wells
Do people actually like this as a book or like it more as a classic? Enquiring undergrad me wants to know.
37. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, by Jules Verne
Actually, I might have read this before H2G2. My favourite Verne, love it.
38. Flowers for Algernon, by Daniel Keys
It's Keyes, ffs. I'd like to see how I feel about this now from a disability standpoint. I'd also like to compare it to The Speed of Dark.
39. The War of the Worlds, by H.G. Wells
I don't know if I could read this. I know what happens!
40. The Chronicles of Amber, by Roger Zelazny
These start really good and then descend into incomprehensible. Like Gene Wolfe to the nth degree.
41. The Belgariad, by David Eddings
Again, cannot be arsed.
42. The Mists of Avalon, by Marion Zimmer Bradley
This was one of my formative books. That is all.
43. The Mistborn Series, by Brandon Sanderson
Is this one of those books where there's a 'strong female character'? I read Elantris and it was okay. Hm.
44. Ringworld, by Larry Niven
Complete with damsels in distress. Bored now.
45. The Left Hand of Darkness, by Ursula K. LeGuin
Please to be reading this.
46. The Silmarillion, by J.R.R. Tolkien
I don't know if I can be bothered to read histories about elves, man.
47. The Once and Future King, by T.H. White
I...hate to say this, because I know some of you will be upset, but I was ruined for most Arthurian stuff after reading Mists of Avalon.
48. Neverwhere, by Neil Gaiman
[sighs] Really compelling reading, but I did not give a fuck about any of the characters, and this spoiled Gaiman for me.
49. Childhood's End, by Arthur C. Clarke
I may be biased towards Clarke, but this is one of the better 'classic SF' reads, from a philosophical standpoint.
50. Contact, by Carl Sagan
If you can manage the science, read this. It's heartbreakingly lovely.
51. The Hyperion Cantos, by Dan Simmons
I'm assuming most of you haven't read these, but DO, as they are brilliant.
52. Stardust, by Neil Gaiman
See #48.
53. Cryptonomicon, by Neal Stephenson
I love this, and it's probably my fav Stephenson, but it is not fucking science fiction or fantasy. It may vaguely be alternate history, but it's not presented that way.
54. World War Z, by Max Brooks
I need to read this before the movie comes out and everyone gets all the library copies. I'm slightly irritated though, as they are filming in Glasgow City Centre and specifically didn't want Scottish people as extras due to it not being multicultural enough. Apparently they didn't realise that there are Scottish people who aren't white.
55. The Last Unicorn, by Peter S. Beagle
I keep meaning to see the film? I am off on fantasy at the mo.
56. The Forever War, by Joe Haldeman
This book is great, but I didn't finish it at the time and have not been able to get a library copy since.
57. Small Gods, by Terry Pratchett
Mebbe someday.
58. The Chronicles Of Thomas Covenant, The Unbeliever, by Stephen R. Donaldson
This is the first of these I've not heard of. What is this? Apparently it is a classic fantasy trilogy, who knew? I knew of Donaldson, I think?
59. The Vorkosigan Saga, by Lois McMaster Bujold
I underline because I am a few short of the whole series, but these books are FABULOUS FUN and the ONLY MILITARY SF I really like.
60. Going Postal, by Terry Pratchett
I will read Pterry some day, I swear.
Not touching anything Jerry Pournelle.
62. The Sword of Truth, by Terry Goodkind
I don't give a shit about Terry Goodkind. More generic fantasy.
63. The Road, by Cormac McCarthy
I...don't know whether I want to read this or not. I feel like I should, but I feel like it won't go places I like.
64. Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, by Susanna Clarke
I read this. I found it really dull, and that it could have been several hundred pages shorter. Maybe it's because I have a hard time with Victorian novels?
65. I Am Legend, by Richard Matheson
The end is very different, and apparently that is good.
66. The Riftwar Saga, by Raymond E. Feist
What's a Riftwar? I don't think I've heard of this. Feist, yes.
67. The Shannara Trilogy, by Terry Brooks
Lord, moar generic fantasy.
I saw the movie and rather like it, but that doesn't mean I'm gonna go find 20s pulp fiction.
69. The Farseer Trilogy, by Robin Hobb
I know I should read this but I have never had the opportunity.
Firstly, I hate this kind of heartbreaking stuff, and secondly, I am told that the male lead is Too Stupid To Live. No.
71. The Way of Kings, by Brandon Sanderson
Read Elantris and it was okay, as noted previously.
72. A Journey to the Center of the Earth, by Jules Verne
College reading again! Actually, not bad, but no Captain Nemo.
I have heard things about RA Salvatore.
74. Old Man's War, by John Scalzi
Another one I started and will go back to. As noted, I have issues with military SF, even when it's presented in a new way.
75. The Diamond Age, by Neil Stephenson
Axe that, this is my fav Stephenson. Unfortunately it also brought steampunk to the masses, most of whom don't get how to engage with it. (There are a few who are quite good at it, though, cheers to Beyond Victoriana!)
76. Rendezvous With Rama, by Arthur C. Clarke
I don't like Clarke THAT much.
77. The Kushiel's Legacy Series, by Jacqueline Carey
I like these. I like the world-building. I like the kinky sex. They are quite white, though.
78. The Dispossessed, by Ursula K. LeGuin
You should read this, it pays off in the long run.
79. Something Wicked This Way Comes, by Ray Bradbury
Never got around to this.
80. Wicked, by Gregory Maguire
Damn, this book is depressing, almost needlessly so.
81. The Malazan Book of the Fallen Series, by Steven Erikson
This one I haven't even heard of the author. What is this?
82. The Eyre Affair, by Jasper Fforde
I don't get why we have some full series listed but not this one. I like the rest of the first Thursday series better, especially Lost in a Good Book.
83. The Culture Series, by Iain M. Banks
These are good but very dry. I need to read Matter at some point as it's one of the few SF books that you can find in nearly every UK library at the moment.
84. The Crystal Cave, by Mary Stewart
Hm, feel like I should read Mary Stewart, but never have and have never been told why I should.
85. Anathem, by Neal Stephenson
This should have won the Hugo. Sorry. It was definitely the strongest novel that year, imho.
86. The Codex Alera Series, by Jim Butcher
I tried Jim Butcher and was unimpressed. Fantasy, meh.
87. The Book of the New Sun, by Gene Wolfe
See the bit about Zelazny's Amber. This is very good but very hard to understand, and also all about manpain.
88. The Thrawn Trilogy, by Timothy Zahn
I think I read the first one when I was young. I cannot be bothered to read the rest, especially as I have gone off Star Wars.
89. The Outlander Series, by Diana Gabaldon
Not interested. I live in Scotland, I don't need to hear someone's idealised version of it.
90. The Elric Saga, by Michael Moorcock
I've never really had a reason to read Moorcock.
91. The Illustrated Man, by Ray Bradbury
I think Martian Chronicles soured me on Bradbury, now that I consider it.
92. Sunshine, by Robin McKinley
This is a fun book, but it's hardly the strongest of McKinley's books. I like that the main character runs a bakery/coffee shop, and that that's part of the worldbuilding instead of just an aside. I enjoyed that for some reason.
93. A Fire Upon the Deep, by Vernor Vinge
This was recommended to me in the process of my dissertation, but I've not got a copy of it yet.
94. The Caves of Steel, by Isaac Asimov
Eh, Asimov.
95. The Mars Trilogy, by Kim Stanley Robinson
I might have tried this? I don't remember. I may try again, but I don't know if I'd italicise it.
See previous comment about Pournelle.
97. Doomsday Book, by Connie Willis
Good stuff, but I find Willis works a lot more effectively in short form writing.
98. Perdido Street Station, by China Mieville
I read this in high school and wasn't overly impressed. I should really try again, but I have complex feelings about Mieville.
Oh gag. I don't think these'd be very good for me as someone over the age of 15.
I would rather not be subject to Lewis' form of Christianity, sorry.
I'd rec some stuff to you, but that took an hour to do, so...leave a comment if you want a recommendation JUST FOR YOU.
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TBH, I love Jacqueline Carey's books but considering the make-up of the rest of the list, I was really shocked to see the Kushiel books make it on there because I thought that would be the sort of thing these lists shun.
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(Primary reason I moved away from SFF: no longer having the time to read super long books that are all part of a super long series (that have to keep being reread when each new book comes out).)
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46. The Silmarillion, by J.R.R. Tolkien
Okay. You know what. I am a die-hard Silmarillion fangirl. It was my first proper fandom and I still get nostalgic for it sometime.
I would never ever in a million years put it on a list of recommended SFF books. It's a history book, it was Christopher Tolkien compiling a bunch of his father's notes to give an overview, it is NOT meant to be read like an average fiction book and if you try sitting it down and reading it from cover to cover oh dear lord. I mean there are some fantastic stories hidden in there but the operative word is "hidden". I tell people that if they want to try to read it, I recommend reading fanfic alongside it so that you can manage to keep track of the characters and events. I. just. What.
73. The Legend of Drizzt Series, by R.A. Salvatore
WHAT. WHAT. NO. NOOOOOO. (I, uh, read a few more of these than I really should have because I could see the *potential* in the series and kept thinking "maybe in the next book he'll actually do something with it!" be warned - he doesn't. He really, really doesn't.)
99. The Xanth Series, by Piers Anthony
I tried rereading these a while back because I remember liking the first book when I was 15 and was so disgusted by the misogyny that I couldn't get through the book at all.
100. The Space Trilogy, by C.S. Lewis
*boggles*
Okay, look. When I read these books, I'd read and loved Narnia - and completely failed to notice that there was any Christian allegory in there at all.
In this one? I was choking on the damn religious content because it was just. That. Blatant. If you think Narnia hits you over the head with Lewis's form of Christianity, this is like getting a damn skyscraper dropped on you. I also remember being totally unable to follow the plot in the third book and it being completely incoherent, but that may be because my brain had decided to withdraw for self-protection after getting battered with CHRISTIANITY.
I would love to hear your recs, though! I'd like to read more fantasy, but I'd also like to read less white male fantasy and don't entirely know where to start.
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