Used to be an avid reader before life has gotten in the way and wanting to get back into it/start reinforcing the habit again.
I'm looking for something that has a strong start, and isn't a super challenging read, as I'll be starting and stopping frequently.
Bonus points for being part of a finished series (3-7 books?), as I like the closure and continuuity but don't want it to drag on forever either.
I'm pretty open on genre, though I definitely enjoy sci-fi and fantasy. Favorites include classics like LOTR, Harry Potter,The Dark Tower, a Song of Ice and Fire, Ender's Quartet. Wilbur Smith's Egyptian series. I enjoy Stephen King, but sometimes he takes a while to really get into it, I might take another crack at Dune later, when I'm less burnt out, it's too much to read in short stints.
A good example is Joe Abercrombie's The First Law, which I feel like is a good example of the type of series im after, being less verbose, and a brisker pace, without a glut of similarly named characters. Procedurals seem like they might be interesting, so I was considering some Michael Connelly, or maybe just going back to some Michael Crichton.
Hit me with your best shot!
by stevo911_
4 Comments
*The Expanse* series by James S.A Corey. It’s a 9 book series with some novellas sprinkled in. It has a strong start and a brisk pace and the world is very well-developed.
* Red Rising by Pierce Brown. I only read the first three books because I felt they told a good self-contained story, but I believe the story is complete. Sci fi fantasy.
* Chrysanthe by Yves Meynard. Finished fantasy series, published as three separate books or as one big volume.
* The Player of Games by Iain M. Banks. Sci fi. Part of a finished series where the books can all be read out of order. Not as fast paced as Red Rising, but if you liked the Ender’s Game series you will probably like this.
Gaiman’s Smoke and mirrors collection is so very good. It was one of the initial books I tackled in English and in spite of how hard it was at the start, I devoured it. Joe Hill’s 20th century ghosts also got me in a rush to end it just because I wanted to know what story came next, how they all ended.
I think short stories really fan the I want to read fire 🤣
Novel-wise I remember reading Kindred (Octavia Butler) and The left hand of Darkness (Ursula K Le Guin) so quickly, the later quicker than the other one. Left hand has such a stupendous world building and very well done characters that catch you when you least expect. Kindred has an amazing lead character, also great secondary characters and an antagonist so terrifying imo, that boy terrified me to no end (because real life probably) and the entire struggle of time traveling….. It’s chef’s kiss.
The Empire Series by Feist and Wurts
Children of Time Trilogy Adrian Tchaikovsky
Broken Earth Trilogy by NK Jemisin