Vaguely seeking recommendations

[willpell]

I thought the "find a book" thread was this, but it's not, so since I don't see a thread of this type, I'm creating one. Basically, I feel an impulse to track down some of the must-read books that I don't own and have never gotten around to borrowing from the library. I'm a low-volume reader, so suggestions should be made only of those books that people regard as the absolute best and most important, and may be disregarded even then for spurious reasons; this is just a brainstorming session. I feel like there are specific titles in mind which I can't recall, based on having heard them alluded to; I'm just kind of collecting ideas. So throw out whatever ideas come to mind, but be very mindful of TLDR syndrome.

[Synch]

My go-to best fantasy books to read are: LOTR; Jim Butcher's Codex Alera series; R.A. Salvatore's Dark Elf Trilogy; the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan.

[thinkslogically]

My must-reads are:

1. His Dark Materials trilogy (Philip Pullman)
2. The Ocean at the End of the Lane (Neil Gaiman)

[Wolfie]

My go-to best fantasy books to read are: LOTR; Jim Butcher's Codex Alera series; R.A. Salvatore's Dark Elf Trilogy; the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan.

I really am beginning to think we were separated at birth. If you add in McCaffrey's Tower and the Hive and her PERN series, you have my go-to list.

[WastesTime]

LeGuin's "Earthsea" (without Tehanu, only the first three), LotR of course, Jack Vance's "Dying Earth" (I was blown away) and the compilation of fanfics from that universe... made by Gaimna, Martin, Williams and many others! It' called "Songs of the Dying Earth". Gaiman's "American Gods" is a must-read. Anything from Pratchett. John Gardner's "Grendel" is simply an astonishing piece of work. Last but not least "King Rat" by James Clavell.

[Wolfie]

Grendel was awesome. Wrote my senior paper on it.

[spiderwrangler]

I want to go back and read Gene Wolfe's "Book of the New Sun" stuff. The tone and language were enjoyable, but heavy... many of the words the characters use for things in their world and society are not explained, as it is presented as a translation of a found history, if I recall. The reader figures out a sense of what the words mean in time, but I feel like it'll be possible to get a lot more out of it on a second read.

[Synch]

My go-to best fantasy books to read are: LOTR; Jim Butcher's Codex Alera series; R.A. Salvatore's Dark Elf Trilogy; the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan.

I really am beginning to think we were separated at birth. If you add in McCaffrey's Tower and the Hive and her PERN series, you have my go-to list.

I am a big fan of the Dragonriders of Pern series! Although I haven't read her other stuff. I also like Pier Anthony's Xanth series, but I've sadly outgrown those.

[WastesTime]

I want to go back and read Gene Wolfe's "Book of the New Sun" stuff. The tone and language were enjoyable, but heavy... many of the words the characters use for things in their world and society are not explained, as it is presented as a translation of a found history, if I recall. The reader figures out a sense of what the words mean in time, but I feel like it'll be possible to get a lot more out of it on a second read.

I've recently read the four volumes of this saga and I do agree - it was quite possibly one of the finest pieces of fantasy I've read. Ever. I'm currently enjoying Abercrombie's "The First Law" trilogy. Martinesque in its narration and the "grey and gray morality" thing goin' on there. An immensely enjoyable page-turner.