B is for Books
Nothing beats a good book underneath a warm blanket on a grey, blistery day. Or maybe that's just me and the fact that those kinds of settings tickle my muse.
Whatever your favorite reading setting is, you probably have a list of favorites to go with it. Mine changes slightly as I read new books, delve into old ones, and continue to develop my own reading - and, by extension, writing - style.
Today, I chose my top six faves from my science fiction and fantasy must-read list. These are the books I would - and have! - read again and again.
Fantasy
1. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. TolkienThe king of all fantasy, admired by thousands and emulated by thousands more. Originally written as one huge book, Tolkien was told that no one would ever buy a book that large and had to split it into three parts. If you've never read it, do so. I can't begin to cover the depth and layers that this man went into to create Middle-earth.
2. Peter Pan and Wendy by J.M. BarrieMy favorite children's book of all time. Once again, this book is more than it seems at face value. It's not just a child's playtime - it's about the innocence of imagination and the sadness that comes from the fact that humanity only truly experiences it when we are children. Poignant and beautiful.
3. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. LewisUnlike The Lord of the Rings, this was not published as one book, but as seven. So, technically, I'm cheating. Whatever. C.S. Lewis himself said that this was an allegorical series but, again, I think he covers so much more than that. He had a keen insight into the mind of man which comes out even through his children's stories.
Science Fiction
1. Ender's Game by Orson Scott CardI've tried to move on from this book. I've done my best to put more classical choices in this top spot. I can't. From the moment I first read it, Ender's Game has held my imagination hostage. OSC says that he has found that his readers either love it or hate it. There are few in-betweens. I'll leave it to you to decide which one you are.
2. A Wrinkle In Time by Madeleine L'EngleAmazing children's book and an amazing woman behind it. I can't get enough of Madeleine L'Engle. She had so many keen insights and such an intelligence about her. This is another children's story that isn't just for children.
3. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas AdamsThere were many choices I could have put here. In fact, the runner-up for this position was Firebird by Kathy Tyers (amazing, by the way). But, in the end, I had to admit that "thanks for all the fish" will always haul me back to it, laughing as I go. And that is priceless.
What are your favorite science fiction and/or fantasy books?
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Tomorrow is the first day of my 12 flash fiction posts! Stop on by to see what awesome universe I've prepared for you all!
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Hello. I found you from iWriteNetwork. Nice blog. I loved a Wrinkle in Time when I was first introduced to it in the sixth grade. A lot of great books here and out there. sigh
ReplyDeleteHi Renae! Thanks for stopping by and for the lovely compliment.
DeleteI agree - so many books, so little time!
The only one I haven't read is Enders Game. I'll have to check it out.
ReplyDeleteHI Sherry! Definitely check it out and tell me what you think when you do.
DeleteOoo, great list! I could never get into Ender's Game, but I love all the rest of your selections. I have a special place in my heart for the Dragonlance series, probably just because it was really the first fantasy series that I ever read. I read the Pern books again recently as an adult, having read them the first time when I was probably 11-ish years old. They were far more sexual than I had ever known! lol
ReplyDeleteJo
In Which We Start Anew
What was it about Ender's Game that didn't catch your eye?
DeleteOoh, I love Dragonlance, as well. It was the first fantasy series I read after falling in love with Tolkien. It also has a special place in my heart because it's based off of D&D.
I don't really know... It's been several years (I think) since I tried it, but I remember that I eventually put it aside about a third of the way through and never went back to it.
DeleteI love Wrinkle In Time. Madeleine L'Engle is a great writer.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read Ender's Game or Hitchhiker's Guide, but they're on my to-read list.
One of my favorite sci-fi books is the C.S. Lewis space trilogy. They're eally good books.
Let me know what you think of them when you do get around to it (especially Ender's Game)!
DeleteI love his space trilogy, as well. Though I have to say, in terms of his fiction, it would be Narnia, Until We Have Faces, then the space trilogy.
Good choices! I read less sci-fi than I do fantasy, so I've only read Hitchhiker's, but I would like to read the other two you mentioned. I loved The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings series.
ReplyDeleteAside from that, I'm your co-host for the A-to-Z! If you didn't get an email from me the other day, it may have gone in your spam box. Please feel free to contact me via my profile or reply to that email if you need anything or have any questions.
Shannon at The Warrior Muse, co-host of the 2012 #atozchallenge! Twitter: @AprilA2Z
Hi Shannon! Thanks so much for stopping in and saying hi! I did get your email - thanks so much for sending it.
DeleteYou know, in putting together this list, I realized that I've read more fantasy than sci-fi, as well. It's funny, since I thought I was more into sci-fi until now.
Thank you very much for your comment :)
ReplyDeleteI want to read every single one of those books, especially Peter Pan. I've read the Narnia books and absolutely love them :)
This was a great post, thank you for reminding me of some great books I want to read! Looking forward to your next post :)
Nikki – inspire nordic
Of course!
DeleteI'm glad you enjoyed it. Let me know when you think of them when you get the chance to read them!
Good picks.
ReplyDeleteI like The Wheel of Time series. Stranger in a Strange Land is also excellent.
HMG
My husband's reading the first book in the Wheel of Time and, I think, dislikes it (if groans of protest are any indication). It's on my to-read list.
DeleteI LIKE the Wheel of Time... but it's very long, and the story arcs just get wider and wider. I took a break from it about halfway through Book 7, and by the time I tried to go back to it, I couldn't remember what happened. So now I have to go back to the beginning... but have put off the 1,000,000,000 page project. lol
DeleteI've heard that about the series, lol. I think, though, he has a problem with the storyline itself.
DeleteGreat post! I don't read much sci-fi but fantasy is my favourite genre with The Lord of the Rings being my favourite book :) Totally agree with the Chronicles of Narnia too! I love your header btw.
ReplyDeleteI'm your newest follower, so that I can follow your posts and I love fantasy so your blog is the perfect one to follow :)
My theme for the challenge is The Lord of the Rings btw if you'd like to check it out :)
Thanks for the lovely comment on my blog. I watched The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy the other day it's a good film. I've never read the book though, might have to go on a search for it!
ReplyDeleteThe Lord of the Rings - check
ReplyDeletePeter Pan and Wendy - check
The Chronicles of Narnia - check
And I've been told by a friend that I need to read Ender's Game!
PS - Thanks for checking out my blog and my books :-)
Rachel Morgan Writes
Ah, I adored the Madeline L'Engle books. I was just contemplating pulling those out again! I came across some when I was going through my attic yesterday. I'm new to the vampire genre, but have been reading books by my writing friends, who are lesser-known authors. I almost prefer their work. Otherwise, I haven't delved much into the world of sci-fi.
ReplyDeleteSee what I'm reading during A to Z: http://andisbookreviews.blogspot.com