I need to read 15 more Fantasy / Sci Fi books this year

[William]

I need to read 15 more books this year. 2015 goal is 100. (It is getting a bit expensive - so I will be going to the library a lot) 2 Questions for discussion:

1. what are 5 or so best "one of" "standalone story" books?
2. What series of 5+ would be great to finish out my year?

I am using ideas from

https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/... and
https://www.goodreads.com/genres/scie... for 2015.

[William]

Cold Days will be my next book.

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

Here are a few that I really enjoyed (I'm assuming you aren't restricted to your lists for a challenge). I don't have very many stand alones. *sigh* I feel your pain. Those are rare anymore! These are either Sci-fi, Fantasy or Urban Fantasy. While there may be occasional romantic undertones, it is not the main plot of the book(s).

The Martian by Andy Weir. The movie's out. I'm sure you know about this one! ; )

The Aeronaut's Windlass by Jim Butcher is the first in his Cinder Spires series. I personally loved it. Stick with it. The first couple of chapters are a little slow for some people, but the characters are very good and the airship battle scenes are amazing. My library already has both Audio and ebook. I get most of my books from the library and buy them later when they go on sale.

Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews. I think we are up to book eight? Again, some world building in book one, but the writing is amazing and Kate is a kick butt heroine. Love her snarky attitude and independence. Lots of magic and a neat dystopian world here.

Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire, first in her October Daye series. October is a Changeling who works as a private investigator. The first book is a little angsty (well...a lot angsty), but it's very fast paced. I really liked it and I've been told the books get better and better. The author has a fresh view on the Faerie realms, too. It's very unique when compared to what's already out there.

Written in Red by Anne Bishop. First in her "Others" series. Book 4 is due in March. Again, a very unique series. Elementals, vampires, shifters, blood-prophets, etc.

I hope this helps! I adore the Dresden Files, too. Just finished re-reading the series with my husband. It's even better the second time around.

Good luck and happy reading!

[William]

Becky, my you are the book worm. LOL. So many good details. Thank you.

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

You're most welcome! Feel free to plunder my "read" shelves if you'd like. Best of luck to you!

[William]

Hyperion only half done reading but know already it will be in my top 10 for this year

[Armand]

here are a few sci-fi/ fantasy books I recently enjoyed:

Ready Player One, which is really a geeky love letter to the 1980's,

2001 Space Odyssey, although very slow going, I found the book deep, expansive, and haunting.

Hitchhiker's Guide to Galaxy is a nice antidote to heavy-handed novels and a very fast read if you are really trying to read 15 more books in less than 2 months.

If you like Hitchhiker's, then try "Mort" by Terry Pratchett.

I read the song of Fire and Ice Series (AKA Game of Thrones) this year and found it amazing although terribly depressing in spots. File this under, "Very horrible things can happen to great and good people". Not sure this is for everyone.

Finally, Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny has some amazing writing and it shines a sci-fi lens back onto the psychedelic 60s' which was when it was written. I did not know what to expect, but it grabbed me.

Good luck with your reading goal.

[William]

thanks Armand. I did all of game of thrones a while back I probably will try Player One

[William]

Oh. I finished Hyperion. It was good. It goes slowly up to the middle then goes quicker and quicker. I will read the 2nd one, The Fall of Hyperion.

[Bill]

The Great Book of Amber will take care of 10 books in one shot. The entire series is a classic.

Another excellent series is Michael Moorcock's Elric novels. It starts at Elric of Melniboné and goes through 6 relatively slim volumes. Elric is a fascinating character, well worth reading about.

There's also Fritz Lieber's Lankhmar novels, with Fafhrd and Grey Mouser. Very entertaining.

[William]

Thanks Bill