Fantasy
After making this list I realized that I have a definite preference for long series over individual novels. If you’re looking for a short read, this might not be the place to start.
Highly Recommended
- Adams, Richard: Watership Down
- Duncan, Dave: The Reluctant Swordsman (Series)
- Eddings, David: Pawn of Prophecy (Series)
- Feist, Raymond E.: Magician: Apprentice (Series)
- Geillor, Harrison: The Zombies of Lake Weobegotten
- Leguin, Ursula: A Wizard of Earthsea (Series)
- Modesitt, L.E.: The Magic of Recluce(Series)
- Moon, Elizabeth: Sheepfarmer's Daughter (Series)
- Pratchett, Terry: Reaper Man
- Rice, Anne: Interview with the Vampire
- Rosenberg, Joel: The Sleeping Dragon (Series)
- Rowling, J.K.: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Series)
- Sawyer, Robert: Far-Seer
- Weis and Hickman: Dragons of Autumn Twilight (Series)
- Zelazny, Roger: Nine Princes in Amber (Series)
Science Fiction
Another preference. This time for “hard science” over “fanciful science fiction”, and a definite preference for engineering and military themes.
Highly Recommended
- Card, Orsen Scott: Ender's Game
- Clarke, Arthur C.: Childhood's End
- Cline, Ernest:Ready Player One
- Heinlein, Robert A.: Starship Troopers
- Hogan, James P.: Inherit the Stars (Series)
- Huff, Tanya: Valors Choice
- McCaffrey, Anne: The Ship Who Sang
- Moon, Elizabeth: Hunting Party (Series)
- Ringo, John: A Hymn Before Battle (Series)
- Ringo, John: Live Free or Die (Series)
- Stiegler, Marc: David's Sling
- Stiegler, Marc: Earthweb
- Taylor, Dennise: We are Legion We are Bob (Series)
- Weber, David: Off Armageddon Reef (Series)
- Weir, Andy: The Martian
- Zahn, Timothy: Cobra
Science Fiction and Fantasy Honorable Mentions
Honorable Mentions
- Andrews, Ilona: Magic Bites (Series)
- Biggle, Lloyd: Monument
- Chalker, Jack: When the Changewinds Blow
- Clarke, Arthur C.: 2001: A Space Odyssey
- Hambley, Barbara: The Time of the Dark
- Flint, Eric: 1632
- Forstchen, William: One Second After
- Huff, Tanya: The Enchantment Emporium
- McCaffrey, Anne: The Crystal Singer
- Perry, Steve: The Man Who Never Missed (Series)
- Ringo, John: The Last Centurion
- Salvatore, R.A: Cleric Quintet
- Steakley, John: Armor
Concept Novels
Sometimes a good concept can carry the entire story.
Concept Novels
- Asimov, Isaac: Nightfall
- Clarke, Arthur C.: Foundations of Paradise
- Harrison, Harry: Wheel-World
- Heinlein, Robert A.: The Menace from Earth
- Keyes, Daniel: Flowers for Algernon
- Niven, Larry: Ringworld
- Sheffied, Charles: Between the Strokes of Night
- Zelazny, Roger: Lord of Light
Young Adult
Not to say that adults won’t like these, but they may be more of a 'light' read for an adult.Young Adult
- Alexander, Lloyd: The Book of Three (Series)
- Bellairs, John: The House with a Clock in Its Walls
- Christopher, John: The White Mountains
- Lewis, C.S.: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
- O'Brien, Robert: The Secret of NIMH
