Fantasy Buddy Reads discussion
Best Reads and Recommendations
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Historical fiction
I haven't read this myself but I hear a lot of good things about this series and somehow it seems something you might like:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4....
Books I have read are Gillespie and I and Fingersmith but I'm not sure if they are up your alley. However, if you decide to take a chance on the former, try to go in as blind as you can because that will give you the best reading experience.
Sci-fi
I don't read a lot of sci-fi but one of the two I read this year hit the spot: The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet. Admittedly, it's more a character driven feel-good-fest than an edge-of-your-seat action novel (although it has action mind you), but for me it was an immediate favourite regardless.
Another book I've had my eye on is: We Are Legion (We Are Bob). All my GR friends are rating it really high (but I'm still waiting for the price to go down a bit).
I'm not much of a non-fiction reader but for what it's worth these two books I have bought recently and cover your Biography and History genres:
Lab Girl
One Child: The Story of China's Most Radical Experiment
"Mayim wrote: Kushi, every month we have the best read of the month thread, check thos..."
Thank You, Mayim. I will surely check that out and I am sure my TBR which is now a list will soon become a mountain and then, a range. But reading never stops, right? So it is all right.
Thank You, Mayim. I will surely check that out and I am sure my TBR which is now a list will soon become a mountain and then, a range. But reading never stops, right? So it is all right.
@Mayim
No, actually, I don't cheat (usually). Just out of curiosity, how do you cheat on your TBR?
No, actually, I don't cheat (usually). Just out of curiosity, how do you cheat on your TBR?
Oh. I mark the whole series as TBR but still I bet I don't have that many books than you have. I have like over 100 but still you guys surely have more. I am actually a school student and these years of my school are the most important ones. So, I don't get a lot of time for reading books. Textbooks, yeah but not novels. But I Still read a lot.

I would highly recommend these as I loved them when I was younger and still do. They are high/epic fantasy but are quite PG in the sense there's no strong language or explicit scenes. Hope this helps! :)
Thank you so much, Siobhan. I would surely check these out. I am sure they would be awesome.
Dani wrote: "Hi Scott. I'll have a crack at recommending you a few things in the genres you mentioned.
Historical fiction
I haven't read this myself but I hear a lot of good things about this series and someho..."
I just signed on for an "Angry Planet" buddy read in January, and I've been hearing things about Bobiverse as well... but I hear it can be a bit confusing... especially on audio... I mean everyone is named Bob, right?...
@Mayim: I'm the same way... I usually don't get ahead of myself shelving series... unless I'm up-to-date, and shelving unreleased books for the next 2-3years... and now that I'm shelving Buddy Reads for the next 12 months (means a lot of Malazan/Temeraire mostly...
Historical fiction
I haven't read this myself but I hear a lot of good things about this series and someho..."
I just signed on for an "Angry Planet" buddy read in January, and I've been hearing things about Bobiverse as well... but I hear it can be a bit confusing... especially on audio... I mean everyone is named Bob, right?...
@Mayim: I'm the same way... I usually don't get ahead of myself shelving series... unless I'm up-to-date, and shelving unreleased books for the next 2-3years... and now that I'm shelving Buddy Reads for the next 12 months (means a lot of Malazan/Temeraire mostly...

When I started reading Rollins, I didn't have his first two books so I read Map of Bones which is a Sigma Force novel - #2. After that I read Black Order that's when I really got hooked on his novels. This book tapped into the kind of scientific discoveries that Nazi Germany was trying to achieve through their human science division, and I'm a sucker for everything WWII! They're fast paced and really entertaining so far. The only reason that I didn't continue reading the series is because I missed reading fantasy and now I'm trying hard to make up for lost time. And Amazonia is actually a stand alone novel that he did. But if you need a break after reading an epic fantasy novel, anyone of his books would surely give you the Rollercoaster that you're looking for!

I've only finished two of Rollins' books but they were great! You won't regret reading them!

Hey Khushi! In connection with Siobahn's recommendation, we're actually going to start a buddy read in a few days of a Trudi Canavan novel called Thief's Magic. She just recently released the third book in this trilogy. I'm about 100 pages in because I started early and it's a good read so far, if you're interested that is!

Hey Khushi! In connection with Siobahn's recommendation, we're actually going to start ..."
I totally didn't even think of this, thanks Chris! I'll head over to the thread and let you know where I'm up to with it!

Khushi wrote: "Zaara wrote: @Khushi and what a lovely name it is...I am foaming at the mout..."
Thanks, Zaara. My name means happiness in Hindi, which is my mother tongue. Sorry about the lack of information. I a..."
I have read and still try to make a point of reading a lot of classics, so here are a few suggestions.
I would recommend anything by Jules Verne for good adventures. The Anne of Green Gables series is really good too.
If you were looking at King Arthur, I would recommend The Legends of King Arthur and His Knights by James Knowles. Its an abridged take on some of the longer works. Don't jump right in to something like Le Mort d'Arthur- its a monster to get through.
Khushi wrote: "Okay. It's alright. So others out there in this thread, please anyone suggest me some fantasy books. I am a sucker for them. I love fantasy."
In terms of classics in the fantasy realm:
At 13 I totally adored A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle. To be honest, it is still one of my favorites. There are five books in the series.
The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald is another good one.
Maybe look at Inkheart by Cornelia Funke? Its young adult fantasy.
Author Gail Carson Levine has written a lot of young adult fantasy as well. Ella Enchanted was fun book, but might be a little young for you. Maybe Fairest or Ever would be better options.
Scott, one of my favourite historical authors is Sharon Kay Penman. You might like her Plantagenets series. When Christ and His Saints Slept. The books can be read as standalones though too.
If you want something completely different The Seeker by S.G. McClean is a good historical mystery good. It's heavy on the historical side which I really enjoyed.
Another series I've really enjoyed if you really want to mix it up is the contemporary mystery series Cork O'Connor by William Kent Krueger Iron Lake. It's the first of the genre I've read as it was picked as a monthly series read in another group I'm in and I've loved it. Definitely not something I would pick for myself and I've ended up rating a lot of the books 5 stars. It's also made me very interested in reading similar books.
If you want something completely different The Seeker by S.G. McClean is a good historical mystery good. It's heavy on the historical side which I really enjoyed.
Another series I've really enjoyed if you really want to mix it up is the contemporary mystery series Cork O'Connor by William Kent Krueger Iron Lake. It's the first of the genre I've read as it was picked as a monthly series read in another group I'm in and I've loved it. Definitely not something I would pick for myself and I've ended up rating a lot of the books 5 stars. It's also made me very interested in reading similar books.
Chris and Sara, thank you so much for recommending so many books
@Chris, I will check the book out. I am sure it is nice. Thanks a lot for suggesting.
@Sara, I have all the classics you mentioned on my TBR list and some of the fantasy books. I will check out the rest though. Thank you very much for suggesting.
@Chris, I will check the book out. I am sure it is nice. Thanks a lot for suggesting.
@Sara, I have all the classics you mentioned on my TBR list and some of the fantasy books. I will check out the rest though. Thank you very much for suggesting.

Hey Angela, I've checking out your tracker and Top 10s...I really like your slant towards historicals xcuz me, I'm the same.
Nom de la Rosa? Have you read?
Reco??
It is only my best mate's fave book EVVAAAAAAR and he has this fiendish sexy mind.


@Sarah, stick arnd me longer and you'll see...that was a fairly avg-sized post by my standards :-)))
See, I type fast and don't have the mental tendency towards conciseness. I wanna open that @Samir's head and learn how.
I just have these thoughts...and they all jezzt...
Its why I include an obligatory apo at the end of most of my whoppers. Xcuz ppl arent typically used to...the size of...
I assure you I'm annoying but harmless....


@Chris, I will check the book out. I am sure it is nice. Thanks a lot for suggesting.
@Sara, I have all the classics you mentioned..."
You're welcome :)
Happy reading!
Zaara wrote: "Sarah wrote: "@Zaara, breathe girl!"
@Sarah, stick arnd me longer and you'll see...that was a fairly avg-sized post by my standards :-)))
See, I type fast and don't have the mental tendency toward..."
haha, its all good :)
Zaara wrote: "And @Sarah thanks for the additional suggestions for Khushi. That was big of you...I think your list will be more tailored to her taste than mine."
:)
We're all here to share our love of books! And there's nothing better in the book world than introducing someone to a book you love and having them love it too.
Zaara wrote: "Angela wrote: "Scott, one of my favourite historical authors is Sharon Kay Penman. You might like her Plantagenets series. When Christ and His Saints Slept. The books can be read as st..."
Thanks Zaara, no I haven't. It's one of those books I keep meaning to read. One day!
Thanks Zaara, no I haven't. It's one of those books I keep meaning to read. One day!

Historical fiction
I haven't read this myself but I hear a lot of good things about this seri..."
I always just put the first in series on my shelves and that goes for all genres. Just makes life easier ya know.

Heyyyy, @Mayim does that too!
My GR shelves are such a colossal mess, Dan, I've given up hope of making any sense...there are books marked as "to read" that I've deffo read more than 1x and more than half my physical shelves aren't logged + on;y abt a tenth of my
And the series...just...*wild incoherent flailing*
(@Sha didn't know she gave me a life mantra that one time)
Mebbe I can just delete all my shelves? :-O oh thazz a big INCIDENT just waiting to happen...with the status updates and...yeah...
Honestly, I should just delete my profile and start all over again but I like my friends too much so the goshawful shelf mess just goes awwwwwnnnn and onnnn...
#CelineDion

If you will have me, Angela, shall we buddy read it together? The Name of the Rose, I mean. Sometime in the latter half of 2018...you choose when since you're sure to be busier than me...since we keep putting it off we can just keep it on hold till then.
:-D
Dunno if it'll count for tourney points in this group since...but we do have a Pillars thread and we can make that folder do? Or we can just chat on each other's status updates if nobody else wants to come...
I hope you'll say yes. It'll be good to finally collar the beast.

Zaara wrote: "Angela wrote: "Thanks Zaara, no I haven't. It's one of those books I keep meaning to read. One day! "
If you will have me, Angela, shall we buddy read it together? [book:The Name of the Rose|61148..."
Sounds great Zaara. Remind me during the year as I don't think I can read it before August next year. That sounds crazy even saying that, but I've dedicated a lot of next year's reading to getting through a lot of Malazan.
If you will have me, Angela, shall we buddy read it together? [book:The Name of the Rose|61148..."
Sounds great Zaara. Remind me during the year as I don't think I can read it before August next year. That sounds crazy even saying that, but I've dedicated a lot of next year's reading to getting through a lot of Malazan.


So here's the thing: I love Thrillers, but really do not enjoy Horror. At all. And unfortunately in literature the two genres very often become mixed together.
I'm trying to broaden my scope in 2018 to include some more books from other genres. I've always read books from all over the spectrum, but this past year my main "diet" has been Fantasy, and I'm feeling like I want to mix it up just a bit. I have several classics lined up to read, along with a bunch of contemporaries and Sci-fi that caught my attention, and now I'm trying to find some Thrillers to throw into the mix as well.
Any recommendations? I know this is a fantasy group, but you never know =].


And there's Pines. Another completed trilogy that I'd call thriller. I've only read the first one, but it was pretty good. It's by Blake Crouch, who has a lot of promising looking stuff.

Oh yes. Wonderful book.

I read Dark Matter by Blake Crouch and loved it, so Pines seemed like a natural choice. And I've never read anything by Dean Koontz, so I'd like to see if his writing fits my tastes =].
Thanks you guys!
Liam wrote: "Hey Friends!
So here's the thing: I love Thrillers, but really do not enjoy Horror. At all. And unfortunately in literature the two genres very often become mixed together.
I'm trying to broade..."
So, I don't read a lot of thriller novels, but it was always one of the most requested genre's when I was a bookseller. Based on customer feedback and sales, these are the authors people raved about the most (with their respective first books in descending order):
Lee Child
Killing Floor<-This is where I personally, would start based on how many people came in on new release day and loooved this series (before it was adapted to film).
Dan Brown
The Da Vinci Code
John Grisham (legal thrillers)
A Time to Kill
Dean Koontz
Odd Thomas <-since someone's already recommended him, I thought I'd throw out the one that always interested me the most.
James Patterson
1st to Die
John Sandford
Rules of Prey
Catherine Coulter
The Cove
Jonathan Kellerman
When the Bough Breaks
Fun stuff. :)
So here's the thing: I love Thrillers, but really do not enjoy Horror. At all. And unfortunately in literature the two genres very often become mixed together.
I'm trying to broade..."
So, I don't read a lot of thriller novels, but it was always one of the most requested genre's when I was a bookseller. Based on customer feedback and sales, these are the authors people raved about the most (with their respective first books in descending order):
Lee Child
Killing Floor<-This is where I personally, would start based on how many people came in on new release day and loooved this series (before it was adapted to film).
Dan Brown
The Da Vinci Code
John Grisham (legal thrillers)
A Time to Kill
Dean Koontz
Odd Thomas <-since someone's already recommended him, I thought I'd throw out the one that always interested me the most.
James Patterson
1st to Die
John Sandford
Rules of Prey
Catherine Coulter
The Cove
Jonathan Kellerman
When the Bough Breaks
Fun stuff. :)

Funny, I always list Life Expectancy and Odd Thomas as my 2 all time favorite Koontz books.
I’m happy to see Odd Thomas getting recommendations here. I picked it up and plan on reading it next year.
I’m actually reading Jurassic Park right now (it’s about time) and loving it so far, so yay Crichton!
I’m actually reading Jurassic Park right now (it’s about time) and loving it so far, so yay Crichton!
I need to read Odd Thomas...
I really liked Jack Reacher... I'm a little behind now, but people don't seem to have been enjoying the newer ones as much... Reacher is getting old now, and they keep squeezing in prequels back in his military police days...
I've also read a few Mitch Rapp books, but it's been years... and Michael Connelly's Bosch series and the Lincoln Lawyer spin-offs...
I really liked Jack Reacher... I'm a little behind now, but people don't seem to have been enjoying the newer ones as much... Reacher is getting old now, and they keep squeezing in prequels back in his military police days...
I've also read a few Mitch Rapp books, but it's been years... and Michael Connelly's Bosch series and the Lincoln Lawyer spin-offs...

I'm looking for some good reads to add to my growing "bed time stories" shelves fir the kiddos to work through.
Books we have read:
Witch of Blackbird Pond
Ella Enchanted
Howl's Moving Castle
The Hobbit
My father's Dragon series
Winnie the Pooh
Mother Goose Tales
Books we are working on:
Illustrated Harry Potter #1-3.
(will start Sabriel after Prisoner of Azkaban)
I would love to read them Lord of the Rings but I don't think Lilly my oldest is truly ready to step off into that mystical world just yet. (She is 6).
If you guys have any reccomendations that you have either read to your children or good books you would suggest that are age appropriate. We don't really do short books. Chapter books are our go to!
Thanks so much!

I'm looking for some good reads to add to my growing "bed time stories" shelves fir the..."
I'm in the middle of reading Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians and it's written by the amazing Brandon Sanderson! It's quite funny and each chapter starts with a summary and humour making it a good bedtime read. My son loves it and actually asks for it, he's 8.


So here's the thing: I love Thrillers, but really do not enjoy Horror. At all. And unfortunately in literature the two genres very often become mixed together.
I'm try..."
Saw this thread come up, and I totally thought I replied to this comment, Niki haha! I added "Killing Floor" to my TBR because that definitely seems up my alley. Thank you for the suggestions ^_^.

I'm looking for some good reads to add to my growing "bed time stories" shelves fir the..."
I can't recommend Narnia enough for kids within that age range =]. If you're working your way up to LOTR, this is way to lead up to it as it is fantasy but not quite the hefty load that you'll have in Tolkein's series.
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I like steampunk. I thought this was already on my TBR but either through my own fault or a GR glitch it isn't, thanks.