Anyone tell me a good sci-fi/fantasy book to read?

Question

I would like to get into reading fantasy and sci-fi but not sure what would be a good welcome book to read?

Answer 1

Yeah, the Labour Party manifesto is a brilliant piece of fantasy. Its almost believable!!!

Answer 2

My all time favorite is Robert Heinlein's Time enough for Love
It is a large book but great from the first page. Story of an immortal who was born in 1916, from 200 years in the future. While being entertained, you learn among other things, how economics work. Just marvelous.
To put that into perspective, I have over 800 science fiction books in the house, which are about 1/3rd of what I have read in the last 50 years...
You may also want to look into the series of 'Gor' books by Norman.
Larry Niven has written a number of stories, and I never found a bad one in those. One of the best of his is The Mote in God's Eye. His Ringworld is a classic too.
Another good series by A.E Van Vogt is The Weapon Shops of Isher.
Another classic is the Foundation Trilogy by Isaac Asimov.
Jerry Pournelle (who has written a bunch of stories with Larry Niven) is another outstanding author.
When you are through with all of the above. I can give you some more. Have fun.

Answer 3

All the recommendations above are good. I would add Roger Zelazny- the Amber series for fantasy or Lord of Light is a good standalone novel.
His SF novel Damnation Alley was made into a movie.
Short story The Lamps of his Face, The Doors of his Mouth is in several collections and is one of those stories that stick in your mind.

The distinction is blurring but the fen usually reserve the term Sci-Fi for the stuff that has mass appeal and SF for the genre.
The unusual thing about SF is that it has a very active fandom. There are regular conventions all over the world like the Eastercon or Worldcon where you can meet lots of authors, listen or take part in filksinging, panel discussions, science talks, costume parades, movies, go to turkey readings, book dealers and book auctions. Art auctions some amateur and sometimes for the original painting of a bookcover. Fireworks.
There is usually at least a three-stream program running late into the evening and room parties all night.
Larry Niven's book Fallen Angels gives a good glimpse of fen culture.

Answer 4

Ok, well the Eregon series is pretty good. Also, "A Game of Thrones" series is excellent but really dark by JRR Martin, more high fantasy than sci fi/ fantasy. The Amber spyglass series is excellent by Phillip Pullman. Pretty much anything by Orson Scott Card is going to be great ie. "The Seventh Son" series, or "The Ender" series.
Why do all the good one come in series??
Of course "The Lord of the Rings" series by JRR Tolkien are classic Fantasy if you haven't read them already.
There are many more but that should get you started.

Answer 5

Want something different? Try these: The Sharing Knife, by Lois McMaster Bujold Dragon and Thief, by Timothy Zahn Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment, by James Patterson Dead Witch Walking, by Kim Harrison Daughter of the Empire, by Raymond Feist & Janny Wurts The Tar-Aiym Krang, by Alan Dean Foster I've read over 700 sf/f books. These have great characters, action, and a little romance, and most definitely are original and innovative and fresh, even the last two, written a while ago. They each also have the added advantage of being the first book in a series, so if you like what you've read, there's more. Enjoy!

Answer 6

These people have been naming great books, but if you're looking for an intro to sci-fi/fantasy, I would DEFINITELY recommend the Xanth series, by Piers Anthony. Those books are awesomely amazing.

Also, you should probably start with the one called "Demons Don't Dream". It's great for newcomers to sci-fi/fantasy, because the main character himself is such a newcomer. His friend bets him that he can find a fantasy game he would like. The main character refuses to take him seriously and bets his girlfriend against his friend's motorcycle. He starts playing the game, and suddenly he doesn't care that he just lost the bet... he's hooked. And you will be too.

Xanth is real!!! And I will find it someday. ;-)

Answer 7

Good way to get into fantasy would be to read the "Fionavar Tapestry" (trilogy) by Guy Gavriel Kay. For sci-fi: The Hitchhiker's Guide series by Douglas Adams.

Answer 8

Try some classics like some Ray Bradbury short stories (I especially like The Veldt). Try "The Illustrated Man", a collection of some of his best short stories.
Also try some Isaac Asimov, like "I, Robot", or just get "The Complete Stories". They're all fabulous.
Both Ray Bradbury and Isaac Asimov are very psychological, not just fantasy, so they're great for someone who hasn't read a ton of sci-fi before.

Answer 9

"Ender's Game" by Orson Scott Card is a great Sci Fi thinker book.
"Eye of the World" by Robert Jordan is also the first book in a great fantasy series known as the Wheel Of Time

Answer 10

The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan will have you hooked by the first few sentences. It is a classic high fantasy epic that has many a nod and a wink to Tolkien and Herbert among others for example the protagonist stops at the Nine Rings Inn on his journey (both geographical and emotional) to unite nations in the destruction of evil.
If adult fairy tales are what you are looking for then this one will keep you in its grip for many many hours.

Answer 11

Witches Abroad by Terry Pratchett, Guards, Guards by Terry Pratchett. Actually almost anything by Terry Pratchett if you have a rather warped sense of humour... but be sure to read them in private or the men in the clean white coats might arrive to take you away!

Any of Anne McCaffrey's books - but some you have to read in order. Her book of short stories "Get Off the Unicorn" is a good intro and she has expanded some of the stories into full series of books.

Light reading would be Harry Harrison's Stainless Steel Rat.

Try your library and see what they have.