There are some books that I have enjoyed over the years. As I mentioned, I think The Hobbit is one of the great books of the last century. I have enjoyed some of the Dragonlance short story collections, though it has been quite some time since I have read them. Definitely not nearing The Hobbit in quality, but enjoyable as pop/disposable reading. A number of other books have fallen into that category for me over the years, e.g. some of the stuff by Terry Books. I don't really like Anne McCaffrey (Dragonriders of Pern series), but I'm a fan of Fritz Leiber (Newhon mythos). When I was younger, The Chronicles of Prydain were among my favorites (The Book of Three, The Black Cauldron, etc.). In truth, however, most of the newer fantasy books seem to be targeted at a much younger crowd than that to which I belong, so I often don't find them as interesting. Too many knockoffs, not enough innovators.
These days I generally prefer reading older stories that mesh with or are similar to that genre. The original Aurthurian poems, for example. I like Greco-Roman mythology too, and fairy tales (e.g., Brothers Grimm).
For the sake of comparing my tastes in other genres, I also like the works of Douglas Adams and Jules Verne. Some of the stories in the Arabian Nights are pretty good, too.
Perhaps the funniest book I have ever read, though it is admittedly very off-color and not recommended for weak stomachs, those easily or even not-so-easily offended, impressionable youths, females, and possibly Christians in general, was Portnoy's Complaint (Advisory: Adult Content). Oddly, for my preferences, it is very Freudian, but satirically so. Being now somewhat older (Advisory: Understatement) and more sanctified (Advisory: Overstatement) than I was when I first read it, I'm certain I would not enjoy it as much now as I did then. If anyone out there has already read it and repented, this example does provide some insight into the type of plot vs. character development issues I have been mentioning. Yes, the book is Freudian, but it unravels its story in the form of episodic stories and action. Please let me reiterate: Do not read Portnoy's Complaint. I am not recommending this book to anyone. If you read it and enjoy it based on the comments I have made here, it's your fault, not mine. If your child is reading it, burn the book and ground him. Do not open the pages under any circumstances. Don't believe me? Read the reviews.
These days I generally prefer reading older stories that mesh with or are similar to that genre. The original Aurthurian poems, for example. I like Greco-Roman mythology too, and fairy tales (e.g., Brothers Grimm).
For the sake of comparing my tastes in other genres, I also like the works of Douglas Adams and Jules Verne. Some of the stories in the Arabian Nights are pretty good, too.
Perhaps the funniest book I have ever read, though it is admittedly very off-color and not recommended for weak stomachs, those easily or even not-so-easily offended, impressionable youths, females, and possibly Christians in general, was Portnoy's Complaint (Advisory: Adult Content). Oddly, for my preferences, it is very Freudian, but satirically so. Being now somewhat older (Advisory: Understatement) and more sanctified (Advisory: Overstatement) than I was when I first read it, I'm certain I would not enjoy it as much now as I did then. If anyone out there has already read it and repented, this example does provide some insight into the type of plot vs. character development issues I have been mentioning. Yes, the book is Freudian, but it unravels its story in the form of episodic stories and action. Please let me reiterate: Do not read Portnoy's Complaint. I am not recommending this book to anyone. If you read it and enjoy it based on the comments I have made here, it's your fault, not mine. If your child is reading it, burn the book and ground him. Do not open the pages under any circumstances. Don't believe me? Read the reviews.
