Fantasy Buddy Reads discussion

I noticed in the Group info and Suggestions topic somebody asked a question about should they read The Lies of Locke Lamora. That thread wasn't really intended for that question but we really didn't have a thread for it thus here we are.

Personally I feel like I need a recommendation for something totally different right now. It could be historical fiction, space opera, biography, history..........anything out of the direct fantasy genre to break things up a bit. I'm actually reading two historical fiction books right now and both are good. I do have Oathbringer and Deadhouse Landing starting next Tuesday and a couple of other commitments after that but then the end of Nov and start of Dec I'm open and feel I need a few weeks out of the fantasy genre.

It could just be I've been on a streak of picking shitty books because I have loved some of my recent titles but it's always good to mix it up.

If nobody has anything truly unique I may roll with Ancillary Justice which I think will be a love or hate title for me.

Scott wrote: "I noticed in the Group info and Suggestions topic somebody asked a question about should they read The Lies of Locke Lamora. That thread wasn't really intended for that question but w..."

Try Bird Box from Josh Malerman. It was the last horror I read (It was 2yrs ago and I didn't dare to read another one since then). Don't read it at night alone. I couldn't drop the book and finished it in one go. It was terrifying yet catchy that you want to know the rest.

Also for the fantasy genre I recommend The Young Elites because the main character is unusual. Actually would love to know if anyone knew another main character similar to Adelina.

Scott, if you are after historical fiction with a very indirect fantasy influence, try the Sarantine Mosaic duology set in Byzantium-like world: Sailing to Sarantium and Lord of Emperors.

If you've never read it, The Kite Runner is one of my all time favorites.

Mayim wrote: "Scott, if you are after historical fiction with a very indirect fantasy influence, try the Sarantine Mosaic duology set in Byzantium-like world: Sailing to Sarantium and Lord of Emperors."

I did The Lions of Al-Rassan and really struggled to complete it. I know everybody, short of Petrik and I, love GGK but I'm not ready to take on one of his works again quite yet. Thanks for the suggestion.

Here’s my obligatory attempt at pushing the Troy series again... you should read the Lord of the Silver Bow :D

Liam wrote: "If you've never read it, The Kite Runner is one of my all time favorites."

I did A Thousand Splendid Suns and loved it. I heard they're too similar which has made me hold off. I probably should take it on at some point.

Beste wrote: "Bird Box....Young Elites"

I added Bird Box to my TBR. Interestingly on people I'm friends with there's a clear divide of people who loved and hated it. I've never seen so many 2* and 4* ratings with an absence of 3*'s.

I've read The Young Elites. The first two books were 4* efforts. Book three she ran out of team and three-quarters of the book was a sucky rehash but then she pulled it out a 3* in the last quarter of the book. It would have been much better as a duology with the last quarter of book three tucked onto the end of book two.

Scott wrote: "Beste wrote: "Bird Box....Young Elites"

I added Bird Box to my TBR. Interestingly on people I'm friends with there's a clear divide of people who loved and hated it. I've never seen so many 2* and..."

I still didnt read the 3rd book of young elites. I didnt like other characters but Adelina. Guess I like the idea of anti hero :)

I push Just One Damned Thing After Another & Agatha H and the Airship City every chance I get... the first is a series about time traveling historians... the second is a steampunk novelization of a webcomic involving Mad Scientists ruling Europe... I enjoyed both tremendously on audio...

Scott wrote: "Liam wrote: "If you've never read it, The Kite Runner is one of my all time favorites."

I did A Thousand Splendid Suns and loved it. I heard they're too similar which has made me hol..."

They are similar in the overall feel and location of the story I guess, but I found The Kite Runner to be his most superior work by far.

Ancillary Justice also has my attention, so I'll be interested to see if it's worth expediting on my list if you go with that one. It will probably be my next sci-fi after I get caught up with more series.

Margret wrote: "Here’s my obligatory attempt at pushing the Troy series again... you should read the Lord of the Silver Bow :D"

I will undertake this at some point. I need to finish the Genghis series I have open first.

Beste wrote: "I still didnt read the 3rd book of young elites. I didnt like other characters but Adelina. Guess I like the idea of anti hero :)"

She was by far the most interesting character in the series. I do remember liking her sister and Raffaele to a lesser degree.

Iain wrote: "I push Just One Damned Thing After Another & Agatha H and the Airship City every chance I get... the first is a series about time traveling historians... the second i..."

Thanks I added them both.

Liam wrote: "They are similar in the overall feel and location of the story I guess, but I found The Kite Runner to be his most superior work by far.."

Good to know. I'm going to read it in time for certain. I'm just looking for that story that totally different than anything I've read. Broken Earth, Ketty Jay and Children of Time so fit that bill.

I'm reading The Afghan Campaign right now and it has a really gritty feel for a historical fiction book. The other thing I like about it is you can tell Erikson was well read in this era of history and incorporated a lot of it into Deadhouse Gates in particular. It is amazing how similar that region has been for centuries just being at the crossroads of conflict and kicking the crap out of stronger foes.

Scott wrote: "Mayim wrote: "Scott, if you are after historical fiction with a very indirect fantasy influence, try the Sarantine Mosaic duology set in Byzantium-like world: Sailing to Sarantium and Lord of Emper..."

No worries, Scott. It's perfectly understandable. It's just that aside The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate – Discoveries from a Secret World that was the most non-fantasy like book I have recently read.

Mayim wrote: "No worries, Scott. It's perfectly understandable. It's just that aside The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate – Discoveries from a Secret World that was the most non-fantasy like book I have recently read.
"

Thanks I appreciate the recommendation and will try it out at some point.

If you like humorous books, I highly recommend Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome. I just read it in September and really enjoyed it. Its a classic that was written in 1889. It involves three young men, a dog, a boat trip and the river Thames. It goes just about as well as you would expect. It is definitely good for a few laughs.
I intend to read the sequel, Three Men on the Bummel, at some point.

For something that involves adventure but not really fantasy, you can't go wrong with Jules Verne.

Then for something completely different, there is Ian Doescher and the Shakespeare Star Wars series. I plan on reading William Shakespeare's Christmas Carol by Doescher next month for a Christmas read.

Erik Larson is good, with The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America is my favorite but In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin was good and Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania and Thunderstruck are both supposed to very good too.

Sarah wrote: "If you like humorous books, I highly recommend Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome. I just read it in September and really enjoyed it. Its a classic that was written i..."

Three Men are hilarious! It is my book for bleak days.

Scott wrote: "I noticed in the Group info and Suggestions topic somebody asked a question about should they read The Lies of Locke Lamora. That thread wasn't really intended for that question but w..."

Hey Scott!

Last year I discovered James Rollins and instantly loved his books. They're a combination of special forces thriller action, scientific theory, and history all rolled into one. I find that he doesn't lull in his stories like Dan Brown can, I've learned something by the end of each novel within his special epilogue/wrap up part. If you'd like to stay near the fantasy side of things, he co-wrote a series with Rebecca Cantrell which started with The Blood Gospel. It has some sort of a vampire element to it (I haven't read it yet) according to reviews, and I know that you're still looking for the ROCKIN' vampire story! And in case you need any more convincing, Laura gave it a 5☆ rating!

One memoir that I found very interesting was The Journal of Hélène Berr. Some people compare this one to The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank, but I found them completely different.

Anne was 13 and her diary is mostly from the time she was hiding in the old office building.

Hélène's starts when she was 21 and attending English Literature at Sorbonne. The first hand narrative of the daily life in Paris during the German occupation was very insightful. Her prose is beautiful and powerful.

You should try A Song for Arbonne by Guy Gavriel Kay. ;)

Scott wrote: "I noticed in the Group info and Suggestions topic somebody asked a question about should they read The Lies of Locke Lamora. That thread wasn't really intended for that question but w..."
something totally off the wall: The Soul of a New Machine, by Tracy Kidder. Written about 30 or so years ago, the author was imbedded in a computer design and manufacturing company (Data General), and tells the story of the design for a new product. You can probably knock it out in 2 - 3 days. I think it won some awards.

Another suggestion would be more from a high school buddy of mine, since he recommended it to me because it's his favorite series. The series starts with The Skystone. It's historical fiction.

I'm not gonna lie chris that book sounds interesting and that James Rollins Ines sounds like something I need to get to since I like the sound of that and I need to branch to other genres as soon as I can

Chris wrote: "Another suggestion would be more from a high school buddy of mine, since he recommended it to me because it's his favorite series. The series starts with The Skystone. It's historic..."

Interesting series. I just got done with the Warlord Trilogy so I'm not going to do this now but will add it to the TBR.

Miche wrote: "One memoir that I found very interesting was The Journal of Hélène Berr. Some people compare this one to The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank, but I found them comple..."

Looks interesting. They want $17 for a kindle book that's 9 years old and only 316 pages. That's ballsy.

Chris wrote: " The Blood Gospel."

Cool I added it to the TBR.

Chris wrote: "Scott wrote: "I noticed in the Group info and Suggestions topic somebody asked a question about should they read The Lies of Locke Lamora. That thread wasn't really intended for that ..."

I've been thinking about reading Amazonia by James Rollins do you have a fave of his

Sarah wrote: "If you like humorous books, I highly recommend Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome. I just read it in September and really enjoyed it. Its a classic that was written i..."

I'll check those out. I've read In the Garden of Beasts. It was decent.

Scott wrote: "Miche wrote: "One memoir that I found very interesting was The Journal of Hélène Berr. Some people compare this one to The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank, but I fou..."

ouch! That's expensive! The one I read was from the library, so I had no idea kindle was charging that much.

Chris wrote: "Another suggestion would be more from a high school buddy of mine, since he recommended it to me because it's his favorite series. The series starts with The Skystone. It's historic..."

I've heard good things about the Camulod Chronicles, they've been on my TBR for ages.

Scott wrote: "Sarah wrote: "If you like humorous books, I highly recommend Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome. I just read it in September and really enjoyed it. Its a classic that..."

Good luck.
I've intentionally done some more classics and other non-fantasy stuff the last few months because I was starting to feel the same way. I love sci-fi & fantasy, but variety is a good thing!

Hey everyone. I really want to read some classics but I don't know where to start. Can anyone please recommend some?

Khushi wrote: "Hey everyone. I really want to read some classics but I don't know where to start. Can anyone please recommend some?"

@Khushi and what a lovely name it is...I am foaming at the mouth and dripping with classical recommendations but if I cannot see your bookshelves, I cannot tailor those recos to your personal taste.
Then I will just go and do something stupid, like recommending War and Peace or The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire and you will hate me.
You can't come on booky social media and be all reticent and mysterious abt your booky tastes like this, my dove. Come on...gimme...what kinda stories do you like?
Love stories, scary supernatural ones, sweeping epics, moral sagas or hoooey adventures? Also what kinda language? Ornate or straightforward? Pace? Quick gun or gentle stream?
Also (and this is important) what level of mental stretch are you looking for? Inside your comfort zone or so out there you can't even find your way back home?
If you have a moment to think abt this a bit, Za will bring you a book you will love. So will all the others. We all just paralysed now xcuz CLASSICS as a domain...kinda huge, sweetie. For example, see how Grandpa Ingalls (Scott) has done it...with a little bit of narrowing it down blurbery.

Oh and welcome to the group Khushi gal. I have banned myself from the welcome thread xcuz I have this insane and totally maniacal urge to write a personalised welcome message to each new member and I swear if I let myself go there the damn thing will just take over my life.

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 am kinda new here so... yeah.
I am not very distinguished about books I read but there are a few particular things. I am a 13 year old and I don't like graphic things in the books I read. I like adventurous books and I am particularly fond of supernatural and mythical books like Harry Potter and Percy Jackson. But I also read young adult and fantasy books and sometimes, science fiction and historical fiction. I want to start on the classics now.
I really don't care about the pace if the book is a good written one. I also don't care about the language, just that it should be English. I only know English, Hindi and Punjabi.
And to answer your last question, if we remain in our comfort zone, we learn nothing. Books are all adventure. We are in the world of books. Adventure has to be there. Just smut and all shouldn't be there. I hope that is enough information, but after that if you need any, just tell please. I really need a few recommendations for classics.
Thanks.

Thanks gal ;-) the age info deffo helps too or I was all gonna be pls read Annna Karenina with me and...yeah, totally scrap that terrible idea!
I would not have thought it to listen to you, my dear. Because you are precocious for thirteen...but you know that, don't you?
Neither am I distinguished ;-) I'll read anything...
On with the recos: in my opinion an overlooked gem is Captains Courageous by Rudyard Kipling. I loved it very much when I was your age. Action+ adventure + growing up on the high seas. Anything nautical is just jam for me...so I hope you will like it. The book is flavoured for its times of course but the language isn't too difficult.
For more adventure, you should try stuff by Jules Verne: I'd start with Journey to the Centre of the Earth.
And if you like that one, try Around the World in Eighty Days.
Actually jezzt read all of them:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8...

If you're in the mood for something more mellow..a little bit wiser to feed those depths of yours I'm sounding...try The Secret Garden
One of those books that will change as you grow with it and be a different story each time you read it.
For the mythical and mystical try Robin Hood or King Arthur. They are available as retellings, of you don't like the language of the originals. Also any abridged/prose versions of The Iliad and The Odyssey such as
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Or
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
These will keep ALL of the story but remove the bits not suitable for younger readers. Besides, I don't think any person on earth should go without reading those two: they are among the earlier archetypes (templates) arnd which the tradition of muchstorytelling is based.
If you just want to feel happy or read a simple but lovely story about family and friends, Heidi. Or the Little House series, starting with Little House in the Big Woods.
Funny and a bit spooky (since you like Harry Potter) The Canterville Ghost... Not horrifying at all. It is astonishing how wide the Wilde canon is,
Once you get thru these, I think...I really think you'll be ready for some Shakespeare and Dickens...the Xmas books, I'd start with. These are all standard canon classics. Most, if not all, are over 150 years old...expect that kind of language ok?

Oh and happy to friend you, sweetheart, tks for having me but I'm afraid I will be rather boring and deffo too noisy for you. But I'll go one further. I'll give you a living classic...introduce you to the wonderfullest guide you can have on here, the original, one and ONLY Gehna Deej. She's fifteen, oodles bright, and from your part of the world. Scroll thru my friend list and hit up with her, will ya, tell her I sent you. Or I'll drop her a line.
Serious tip: The Deej has much more real usefulness to you than I ever will + she all up wid classics + she runs with a pretty hep gang on GR. You'll find loadsa friends and groups n stuff...

If you made it to the end of my honkin' essay, O Happy One, congrats! You see why I warned ya. Pssst, the classics will be wordier. But not by much ;-)

Everytime I see the Secret Garden mentioned, I think its this book I read as a kid, but the blurb never sounds right... In the book I'm thinking of the girl goes to stay with extended family and stumbles on a time traveling garden when the clock strikes 13 at night... is this it?

Thank you so much, Zaara for both accepting my friend request and for recommending so many books. I have already read The Secret garden and The canterville ghost. The Canterville Ghost was way too short in my opinion but it was good. The Secret Garden was good too. I will take your suggestion in the rest of the books. I am sure they will be nice. And you are selling yourself short, Zaara. You have been helpful to me and if you are a book lover than you cannot be boring for me. 'Birds of the same feather flock together', no? I would talk to her as well. Thank you for the suggestion, Zaara, once again. And yes, I made it to the end.

Two thirds of the way there, Bruh.
Girl + family + garden.
Time travelling not so much...
But then, don't they all?
Clocks, I mean, not gardens ;-) hehehehe

Are you thinking of The Book of Lost Things??
Oh Iain! I love that one.
But then tis a boy + a not so very secret garden + now you've got me all kicking myself xcuz I didn't recommend her Alice in Wonderland + Thru the Looking Glass, not that I liked those much anyway...
All of which is just a needlessly long and pathetic way of saying I have no idea which book you thinking of.

Iain wrote: "Everytime I see the Secret Garden mentioned, I think its this book I read as a kid, but the blurb never sounds right... In the book I'm thinking of the girl goes to stay with extended family and st..."

Not the one that I have read, at least. In the Secret Garden that I have read, it is about a girl whose parents dies and lives with her uncle and there is a secret garden there and she starts gardening there and all that. She is a mean girl but after going to her uncles, she makes new friends and changes her behaviour and all. It was suggested to me by one of my cousins.

@Khushi...anytime! I love to talk. Not all of it makes sense. Don't say I din't warn ya when your ears start burning and threaten to drop off...
Go friend that Deej.

Zaara wrote: "@Khushi...anytime! I love to talk. Not all of it makes sense. Don't say I din't warn ya when your ears start burning and threaten to drop off...
Go friend that Deej."

Don't worry. Half of the things I say doesn't make sense either. Well, it is more like a quarter but still....
I sent a friend request to her.
I have read Alice in the wonderland (abridged). It was the novel for when I was in 7th meaning last year.

@Scott: maybe you can try The Invisible Library (if you're up for some steampunk)? It's the first part of the serie 'Invisible library' and personally I loved it.

How dare you pose as a classics newbie when you've literally read half my list?
*glares*
Kidding...I'm actually happy you read 'em.
Glad to talk to you, of course, @Khushi, but I swear...I was always under the impression that FBR was one of those grps where you have to be 18 or more to join...purely xcuz of the kind of books we read...the GRRM n Sweaters and oh Jesu...Ima have to start watching my Ps and Qs now, ain't I, guttermouth shiv that I am...

Zaara wrote: "How dare you pose as a classics newbie when you've literally read half my list?
*glares*
Kidding...I'm actually happy you read 'em.
Glad to talk to you, of course, @Khushi, but I swear...I was alwa..."

I still haven't read a lot of books so I am still a newbie. I bet I haven't read a lot of books that you guys have. Suggest some other books, please. Apart from classics, please can you suggest some fantasy. I love fantasy.

When it comes to fantasy, @Khushi, I'm the noob. So I'll leave this one to the others on this thread. They're in a much better position to reply.

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.

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."

Kushi, every month we have the best read of the month thread, check those and your TBR will be out of control very soon. ;)