Autumn draws me back to reading classic fantasy books where it feels like snuggling within a warm blanket or visiting some dear old friends. Join Rediscovered Realms as we power through one of our piles of TBRs and reveal my next fantasy dirty dozen. Maybe you’ll even be inspired to join me in cracking open some of these very covers this season.
Oh man! These are all excellent recommendations. I actually just recently started re-reading the Dragonlance Chronicles stuff. Dragons of Autumn Twilight was *hugely* influential to my development as a fantasy reader ever since I read it around 5th-6th grade, and it's so much fun to go back and revisit those characters / that world.
Also, for some inexplicable reason, I'd never read the Ursula K LeGuin's Earthsea novels, and a big deluxe omnibus edition illustrated by Charles Vess convinced me It Was Time. Now almost done with Tales of Earthsea and I can see why people have been bugging me for decades to read these things :D.
Thanks for sharing Andy Aquarius' solo Celtic harp album link! That would be good for reading. Giving a quick listen, I like "Dream of the Rood" the best.
I still haven't read Earthsea either! Sounds like I'll have to hunt down that omnibus edition you have. Thanks Travis!
I tried re-reading the Xanth books several years ago and was stopped dead by all the misogynistic themes I had missed as a kid in the very first book. Considering that and, ah, other predilections of the author, I think I leave my fuzzy memories of the series lie where they are :(
Not trying to keep you from reading and enjoying your old faves at all, but rather lamenting my trouble with doing so. It’s just how things are with time plus the internet these days!
I hope you enjoy The Princess Bride when you get there. It is meta like the movie and then an extra layer on top! I always thought that the Peter Falk narration was a, perhaps unnecessary, 80s Hollywood storytelling device on the the top.
You have inspired me to check out some of the others on your list...
Sorry I missed your comment, Henry! I still haven't gotten to the Princess Bride book yet. Time is not wanting to cooperate with my reading appetites!
Growing up with the Princess Bride movie, Colombo is embedded in my psyche for that movie. So I never questioned it and think back on it fondly. It will be interesting to see how meta the book is!
Hope you got to reading some fantasy since this old post!
Great list/pile! I can't believe I have never read The Neverending Story. It's on my TBR list now! Another fav of mine is Piers Anthony. You've inspired me to add another one or ten books to my TBR as well! Thanks for the recommendations!
Got back to Middle-Earth a couple of months ago and it was a trip back to my younger days!! Although reading it now in English (as it's not my native language) was quite illuminating, especially the songs which in the Portuguese translation didn't make any sense!! Also I'm currently reading a very big book with all the Conan stories (although a very ugly edition, where basically it looks like someone printed some PDF's and put them with a cover) but it's good to read for the first time in English!!! On my list I have quite a few Stephen King's books to read plus some graphic novels like Y: The Las Man and Sandman (the omnibus collections)!!!
That sounds like a great reading list, MetalHordeZine! Apologies for missing your comment here. I bet it would be quite strange to see Tolkien's songs translated into another language!
BTW: Did you see the new Conan comic book omnibuses put out by Titan? They are incredible! Expensive, but it looks like Amazon regularly puts them on massive sales. They are totally worth it in my opinion. Extremely high quality - you'll just need to clear out a lot of space on your bookshelves!
I just started The Coming of Conan the Cimmerian yesterday and there is a pretty solid essay, I guess would be what to call it, that starts the book. Talks about Howard and his writings and I loved the way this collection of stories was described. They were intentionally NOT put into a timeline of Conan's existence, meaning they start when he arrives on the scene and follows him in a progression through to his later years. Instead they wanted this collection to feel like an adventurer telling stories, where the stories jump around in the timeline as they pop into the head of the story teller. I really appreciate that viewpoint and reminder because too often I get stuck in a linear format where I need the beginning/middle/ending to all be building towards something. It's nice to have that mental picture to reference, just sitting back and listening to someone tell me stories of their life.
How interesting! Thanks for sharing that, Dave (and so sorry for not seeing your comment). The "linear" reading debate is always one I have in the back of my mind when reading a series I've never read before. This campfire retelling style definitely appeals to me.
I got into Dragonlance relatively late but it's one of my favourite series even though I've only read Chronicles and Legends. I have the War of Souls trilogy (and a few others) on my bookshelf, waiting for the time when I can re-read and finish all of them at one go.
David Eddings' Belgariad and Malloreon series are also twoof my favourites, together with Terry Pratchett's Discworld. For a time, I thought that Piers Anthony's Xanth and Terry Pratchett's were somewhat similar in nature but Discworld became more attractive to me (the writing seems more polished and funnier, and the themes are clearer and better explored). I do have Piers Anthony's Incarnations of Immortality and Apprentice Adept series on my bookshelf though (7 books for each series). For the former, I feel that For Love of Evil (6th book) is the best and for the latter, I feel he should have just left the initial trilogy as such before expanding it into 7 books.
Your list has either books I have read multiple times, or I have never heard. I will be searching my local used book store for those new titles! Thank you.
You're a better man than I when it comes to Tolkien, J.Q. Twice I tried to read Fellowship, twice I stopped around page 125 because it was *dull*. This is a person who made himself read Moby Dick, mind you, and is forever grateful for what LotR has inspired over the years, but I just couldn't take it.
I’ve read a few of these but I was so excited to see Shannara on this list! I had read Tolkien first, like most, but it was discovering the world of Shannara in around 7th grade that absolutely cemented a lifelong love of fantasy!
That's a really cool fantasy backstory, Dave! Though I read them before LOTR, the first 3 books of the Shannara series for me was also part of the canon that calcified a lifelong love for fantasy. Thanks for sharing!
The first Shannara book I read was Wishsong of Shannara which I followed up with Elfstones and then Sword. It worked remarkably well, but it also meant that I wasn't as critical as the "it's just a Tolkien ripoff" crowd were. There were some really wonderful ideas about reality and power in Wishsong and the post-apocalyptic hints really hit hard with me as a reader.
Wow, that's a unique reading order, Christian. Did you do that by design or providence? In envisioning if I would have read them in that order - they would probably make a lot of sense without stepping on each other at all!
I have not read the Shannara books in a long while. However, I seem to recall The Elfstones being my favourite as well
Dragonlance, particularly the start of that first book, is my safe place. The one book
I can pick up and read and I’m immediately content
However, Dungeon of Dread takes me back to the start of my role playing adventures and, for that reason alone, will always contain its own unique magic
Enjoy reading these wonderful autumn/winter tales 🙂
+1 to "Dragonlance, particularly the start of that first book, is my safe place." I love that expression, Dan. Along with Dragons of Autumn Twilight, that's what the beginning of The Fellowship of the Ring, The Hobbit, and few other books do for me.
It's actually part of a personal contention I've had in recent years as well. Even though I love & respect action & drama, I so much appreciate the "cozy" aspects of certain tales - even if it's a single downbeat in a story. I find those sections magical, meaningful & renewing - and something sorely missing in most other works & movies.
Some great books and series here! The fall is synonymous with cracking open the epic fantasy series (although it is still 100+ degrees in Arizona). I read the WOT series two years back and am in the middle of the Sword of Shannara series right now.
Omg! Sword of Shannara is one of my all time favorite books!! I got to meet Terry Brooks at a book signing. I’m going to check out Morningstar. Sounds really good! Thanks for the recommendations! You have great taste! 😊😊😊
Robin - that's so cool you got to meet Terry Brooks! Was he nice?
I'm looking forward to re-reading The Sword of Shannara. My favorite is Elfstones of Shannara. The last time I read it, though, I got pretty choked-up about the whole Amberle storyline (as I did when I was a kid) so have been waiting a while to revisit both of these.
Definitely let me know what you think of Morningstar. Because it's one of his lesser-known works, I've never had anyone to talk about it with!
He was very nice, and like one of my childhood heroes! I can’t tell you how many times I read that book and imagined myself on those adventures. I had read the Hobbit of course, and most of Tolkien’s book but I always found those books more cumbersome in prose. Terry Brooks was a fresh new voice and wrote on a level that I liked. It’s time for me to revisit those books. 😊
Oh man! These are all excellent recommendations. I actually just recently started re-reading the Dragonlance Chronicles stuff. Dragons of Autumn Twilight was *hugely* influential to my development as a fantasy reader ever since I read it around 5th-6th grade, and it's so much fun to go back and revisit those characters / that world.
Also, for some inexplicable reason, I'd never read the Ursula K LeGuin's Earthsea novels, and a big deluxe omnibus edition illustrated by Charles Vess convinced me It Was Time. Now almost done with Tales of Earthsea and I can see why people have been bugging me for decades to read these things :D.
Here's an artist whose music fits perfectly with almost any fantasy reading activity -- mostly solo Celtic harp, really enchanting stuff, highly recommended. https://andyaquarius.bandcamp.com/album/forest-grimoire
Thanks for sharing Andy Aquarius' solo Celtic harp album link! That would be good for reading. Giving a quick listen, I like "Dream of the Rood" the best.
I still haven't read Earthsea either! Sounds like I'll have to hunt down that omnibus edition you have. Thanks Travis!
I tried re-reading the Xanth books several years ago and was stopped dead by all the misogynistic themes I had missed as a kid in the very first book. Considering that and, ah, other predilections of the author, I think I leave my fuzzy memories of the series lie where they are :(
Uh oh. I'm not aware of the author's predilections. I've been meaning to research him - guess I should do it sooner than later!
Not trying to keep you from reading and enjoying your old faves at all, but rather lamenting my trouble with doing so. It’s just how things are with time plus the internet these days!
No worries - I appreciate that, Maxpocalypse!
I hope you enjoy The Princess Bride when you get there. It is meta like the movie and then an extra layer on top! I always thought that the Peter Falk narration was a, perhaps unnecessary, 80s Hollywood storytelling device on the the top.
You have inspired me to check out some of the others on your list...
Sorry I missed your comment, Henry! I still haven't gotten to the Princess Bride book yet. Time is not wanting to cooperate with my reading appetites!
Growing up with the Princess Bride movie, Colombo is embedded in my psyche for that movie. So I never questioned it and think back on it fondly. It will be interesting to see how meta the book is!
Hope you got to reading some fantasy since this old post!
Great list/pile! I can't believe I have never read The Neverending Story. It's on my TBR list now! Another fav of mine is Piers Anthony. You've inspired me to add another one or ten books to my TBR as well! Thanks for the recommendations!
That's great, Christopher! So sorry to have missed your comment here. Did you ever get to reading some fun books from your TBR list?
Got back to Middle-Earth a couple of months ago and it was a trip back to my younger days!! Although reading it now in English (as it's not my native language) was quite illuminating, especially the songs which in the Portuguese translation didn't make any sense!! Also I'm currently reading a very big book with all the Conan stories (although a very ugly edition, where basically it looks like someone printed some PDF's and put them with a cover) but it's good to read for the first time in English!!! On my list I have quite a few Stephen King's books to read plus some graphic novels like Y: The Las Man and Sandman (the omnibus collections)!!!
That sounds like a great reading list, MetalHordeZine! Apologies for missing your comment here. I bet it would be quite strange to see Tolkien's songs translated into another language!
BTW: Did you see the new Conan comic book omnibuses put out by Titan? They are incredible! Expensive, but it looks like Amazon regularly puts them on massive sales. They are totally worth it in my opinion. Extremely high quality - you'll just need to clear out a lot of space on your bookshelves!
I just started The Coming of Conan the Cimmerian yesterday and there is a pretty solid essay, I guess would be what to call it, that starts the book. Talks about Howard and his writings and I loved the way this collection of stories was described. They were intentionally NOT put into a timeline of Conan's existence, meaning they start when he arrives on the scene and follows him in a progression through to his later years. Instead they wanted this collection to feel like an adventurer telling stories, where the stories jump around in the timeline as they pop into the head of the story teller. I really appreciate that viewpoint and reminder because too often I get stuck in a linear format where I need the beginning/middle/ending to all be building towards something. It's nice to have that mental picture to reference, just sitting back and listening to someone tell me stories of their life.
How interesting! Thanks for sharing that, Dave (and so sorry for not seeing your comment). The "linear" reading debate is always one I have in the back of my mind when reading a series I've never read before. This campfire retelling style definitely appeals to me.
I got into Dragonlance relatively late but it's one of my favourite series even though I've only read Chronicles and Legends. I have the War of Souls trilogy (and a few others) on my bookshelf, waiting for the time when I can re-read and finish all of them at one go.
David Eddings' Belgariad and Malloreon series are also twoof my favourites, together with Terry Pratchett's Discworld. For a time, I thought that Piers Anthony's Xanth and Terry Pratchett's were somewhat similar in nature but Discworld became more attractive to me (the writing seems more polished and funnier, and the themes are clearer and better explored). I do have Piers Anthony's Incarnations of Immortality and Apprentice Adept series on my bookshelf though (7 books for each series). For the former, I feel that For Love of Evil (6th book) is the best and for the latter, I feel he should have just left the initial trilogy as such before expanding it into 7 books.
Love it, Desmond! I have yet to read Discworld yet, but I am overdue for a re-read of the Belgariad. Thanks for sharing!
Classic fantasy books are perfect for this time of year and are an excellent recommendation.
Thanks Stefanie - and Welcome!
Your list has either books I have read multiple times, or I have never heard. I will be searching my local used book store for those new titles! Thank you.
Awesome! Hope you can find some of them, Leigh Ann!
That is a beautiful cover on The Neverending Story.
I think so too, Jessica! I figured if I was going to buy that special story, I needed to find a special cover.
You're a better man than I when it comes to Tolkien, J.Q. Twice I tried to read Fellowship, twice I stopped around page 125 because it was *dull*. This is a person who made himself read Moby Dick, mind you, and is forever grateful for what LotR has inspired over the years, but I just couldn't take it.
lol - no shame in that, Bill. You see, you have to read to page 126 for it to get REALLY interesting. 😁
I’ve read a few of these but I was so excited to see Shannara on this list! I had read Tolkien first, like most, but it was discovering the world of Shannara in around 7th grade that absolutely cemented a lifelong love of fantasy!
That's a really cool fantasy backstory, Dave! Though I read them before LOTR, the first 3 books of the Shannara series for me was also part of the canon that calcified a lifelong love for fantasy. Thanks for sharing!
The first Shannara book I read was Wishsong of Shannara which I followed up with Elfstones and then Sword. It worked remarkably well, but it also meant that I wasn't as critical as the "it's just a Tolkien ripoff" crowd were. There were some really wonderful ideas about reality and power in Wishsong and the post-apocalyptic hints really hit hard with me as a reader.
Wow, that's a unique reading order, Christian. Did you do that by design or providence? In envisioning if I would have read them in that order - they would probably make a lot of sense without stepping on each other at all!
That’s a great selection, J.Q. 👍🏼
I have not read the Shannara books in a long while. However, I seem to recall The Elfstones being my favourite as well
Dragonlance, particularly the start of that first book, is my safe place. The one book
I can pick up and read and I’m immediately content
However, Dungeon of Dread takes me back to the start of my role playing adventures and, for that reason alone, will always contain its own unique magic
Enjoy reading these wonderful autumn/winter tales 🙂
+1 to "Dragonlance, particularly the start of that first book, is my safe place." I love that expression, Dan. Along with Dragons of Autumn Twilight, that's what the beginning of The Fellowship of the Ring, The Hobbit, and few other books do for me.
It's actually part of a personal contention I've had in recent years as well. Even though I love & respect action & drama, I so much appreciate the "cozy" aspects of certain tales - even if it's a single downbeat in a story. I find those sections magical, meaningful & renewing - and something sorely missing in most other works & movies.
Some great books and series here! The fall is synonymous with cracking open the epic fantasy series (although it is still 100+ degrees in Arizona). I read the WOT series two years back and am in the middle of the Sword of Shannara series right now.
Nice, Jim! Hopefully you get some cooler weather by you. I'm in CO where it has been unseasonably warm at this time of year.
Omg! Sword of Shannara is one of my all time favorite books!! I got to meet Terry Brooks at a book signing. I’m going to check out Morningstar. Sounds really good! Thanks for the recommendations! You have great taste! 😊😊😊
Robin - that's so cool you got to meet Terry Brooks! Was he nice?
I'm looking forward to re-reading The Sword of Shannara. My favorite is Elfstones of Shannara. The last time I read it, though, I got pretty choked-up about the whole Amberle storyline (as I did when I was a kid) so have been waiting a while to revisit both of these.
Definitely let me know what you think of Morningstar. Because it's one of his lesser-known works, I've never had anyone to talk about it with!
He was very nice, and like one of my childhood heroes! I can’t tell you how many times I read that book and imagined myself on those adventures. I had read the Hobbit of course, and most of Tolkien’s book but I always found those books more cumbersome in prose. Terry Brooks was a fresh new voice and wrote on a level that I liked. It’s time for me to revisit those books. 😊
Love it!