officiumdefunctorum she/her Posted August 25, 2017 Report Share Posted August 25, 2017 I read so much it is more or less my second job. I prefer audiobooks because I teach and trying to read the traditional way leads to unintentional naps and then sadness when I'm up too late and then up early again. I'll put it this way. The collective wheel of time series stands about 460 hours in audiobook form. Round about 19 days. I binged it in less than two months, and then did it again this summer. I need a queue from reliable sources. Notable things I've read and enjoyed (which is most things, really): Gentleman Bastards, Scott Lynch The First Law, Joe Abercrombie Obviously Sanderson, though I didn't care so much for Mistborn. Wheel of Time, Robert Jordan/Sanderson (current and crowned favorite) Farseer books (all three trilogies), Robin Hobb A Song of Ice and Fire, George R.R. Martin Harry Potter, Rowling (proud Slytherin) Tolkien's books, including the oddments, though I've yet to tackle Beren and Luthien. Explicit sex and violence/gore don't bother me, and I rather enjoy a slew of foul language but still like stuff that doesn't have it. More into fantasy than sci-fi, and I'm not looking for your stereotypical dystopia, so don't you dare recommend A Handmaid's Tale. I need character driven fiction. I want flawed people to love and hate. Batman, not Superman. Magic is cool but not necessary. Honestly, if you approve of the series above and have something unlisted you couldn't put down or stop reading/listening to, it'll probably end up on my list anyway. Like I said: I always need something to read. I have also been known to enjoy things others don't like, for stupid reasons, so just throw stuff out there. I'm thinking about Outlander but a reliable source is iffy on it. SEND ME YOUR BOOKS, THE LONGER THE BETTER. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ammanas Posted August 25, 2017 Report Share Posted August 25, 2017 (edited) Dagger and Coin series by Abraham Monarchies of God series by Kearney Expanse series by Corey Dandelion Dynasty series by Ken Liu Thr Forgetting Moon by Durfee (1st of eventually 5) Dresden Files by Butcher Red Rising trilogy by Brown Instrumentalities of the Night series by Glen Cook Chronicles of the Exile series by Marc Turner Shogun by James Clavell Edited August 25, 2017 by Ammanas 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merrickz he/him Posted August 25, 2017 Report Share Posted August 25, 2017 The Lightbringer series sounds like the sort of thing you're looking for. It has good character driven story, a very intelligent magic system, interesting fantasy world and plenty of swearing (both real and in world based) There are 4 books out so far with a 5th on the way and I personally love the audiobooks they're very well read. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tsidqiyah he/him Posted August 25, 2017 Report Share Posted August 25, 2017 Everything by Raymond E Feist. Multiple series that can stand alone, but also build on each other start with the "Riftwar". Thomas Covenant (Three Series) (I don't know if these are on audio book though) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orlion Blight he/him Posted August 25, 2017 Report Share Posted August 25, 2017 23 minutes ago, Tsidqiyah said: Thomas Covenant (Three Series) (I don't know if these are on audio book though) They are. You can get the first and second series on Scott Brick's website. The third series should definitely be on Audible. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeanaMCW she/her Posted August 25, 2017 Report Share Posted August 25, 2017 Read almost anything by Lois McMaster Bujold. Her Vorkosigan Universe / Saga is what she is most known for. The first 4-5 books can be read in any order, but after Mirror Dance, they really should all be read in internal chronological order. The narrator, Grover Gardner, is more a voice I "got used too", rather than a voice I really enjoy. Her Chalion books are more fantasy based. The narrators for those are great. A magic system that does have the gods taking an active role. I don't personally like her Sharing Knife books, but it is an interesting magic system. Almost everything can be found on the Hoopla Digital app for free. Tor.com is currently doing a reread of the Vorkosigan Saga. It also won the first Best Series Hugo this year year. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeanaMCW she/her Posted August 25, 2017 Report Share Posted August 25, 2017 @Ravi meet an kindred sprit / binge reader. What are some of your suggestions? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
officiumdefunctorum she/her Posted August 25, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 25, 2017 3 hours ago, DeanaMCW said: Read almost anything by Lois McMaster Bujold. Her Vorkosigan Universe / Saga is what she is most known for. The first 4-5 books can be read in any order, but after Mirror Dance, they really should all be read in internal chronological order. The narrator, Grover Gardner, is more a voice I "got used too", rather than a voice I really enjoy. This is something that has been on my radar, so it definitely goes on the list. As for narrators, I feel the same way about Roy Dotrice (narrated ASoIaF). He's the main reason I haven't toured those books a second time. I hate the voices he does. Thank you all for the suggestions so far! I'll do some sniffing around titles mentioned. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Ravioli Posted August 25, 2017 Report Share Posted August 25, 2017 @officiumdefunctorum Okaaay, you asked for it! I've read more than my fair share, but these are some of the best. I have way more if you ever want Second Sons Trilogy by Jennifer Fallon Riddle Master Trilogy by Patricia McKillip Cradle series by Will Wight Chronicles of the Unhewn Throne by Brian Staveley All of Guy Gavriel Kay Kingfountain Trilogy by Jeff Wheeler Codex Alera by Jim Butcher Broken Prism series by V. St. Clair Broken Empire by Mark Lawrence Most of Tamora Pierce Thief of Eddis series by Megan Whalen Turner Lumatere Chronicles by Melina Marchetta Air Awakens by Elise Kova This should hold you for a while. YMMV of course. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DSC01 he/him Posted August 25, 2017 Report Share Posted August 25, 2017 Thomas Covenant is definitely not for everyone. The main character is incredibly unlikable. That was the whole point, but the fact remains that he is terrible enough to make it hard to read the series. Also, the author loves using words like "fecund" and "eldritch," and it can get annoying, especially with a lot of the characters spouting off in pseudo-archaic language all the time. The Dagger and the Coin is definitely good, and so is Lightbringer, so I second those recommendations. R. Scott Bakker's Second Apocalypse is another one that isn't for everyone, with an intensely brutal fantasy world, but The Prince of Nothing (first trilogy) and The Aspect-Emperor (second series--four books instead of three) are both complete now. I believe that two more books are possibly forthcoming, but I don't think that there's been much news (and whatever happens, it would be a sequel series, anyway). I'm not a big Jim Butcher fan, but I love The Aeronaut's Windlass (which, I've found, a lot of big Butcher fans did not enjoy, so...). I also just read Arabella of Mars by David D. Levine. I really enjoyed that, and there is a sequel that I have yet to read. It's kind of sci-fi but in the old school, Burroughs-esque way, where humans can survive just fine with no spacesuits on Mars--along with the local intelligent species, of course--so it's more like fantasy. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
officiumdefunctorum she/her Posted August 25, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 25, 2017 @Ravi There are some familiar names on that list! What are your top three? @DSC01Thanks for the insight. I've seen Bakker's name a handful of times now so it might be next. I might steer clear of Covenant. I can deal with unlikable characters, but I couldn't deal with a constant Holden Caulfield POV. I'm too am not a fan of pretention; I enjoy the language of Tolkien because it's damnation majestic and has gravitas. In other authors it annoys me. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zmaray he/him Posted August 25, 2017 Report Share Posted August 25, 2017 The Faithful and the Fallen, it is in a similar style to ASOIAF and the fight scenes are incredible. The Kingkiller Chronicle, the plot isn't particularly epic but the character development and prose are its strong points. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Ravioli Posted August 26, 2017 Report Share Posted August 26, 2017 (edited) 6 hours ago, officiumdefunctorum said: @Ravi There are some familiar names on that list! What are your top three? @DSC01Thanks for the insight. I've seen Bakker's name a handful of times now so it might be next. I might steer clear of Covenant. I can deal with unlikable characters, but I couldn't deal with a constant Holden Caulfield POV. I'm too am not a fan of pretention; I enjoy the language of Tolkien because it's damnation majestic and has gravitas. In other authors it annoys me. I don't have a top three, it's like asking me to pick a favorite child! It all depends on my mood. I just have a list of "favorites." This is about a fifth of it. I chose the ones that best fit your criteria off the top of my head. Edited August 26, 2017 by Ravi 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Briar King Posted August 26, 2017 Report Share Posted August 26, 2017 (edited) Codex Alera & Dresden Files by Jim Butcher All Malazan by Steven Erickson and Ian Elssemont(though he is less epic in his early entries). Since you don't mind sex I'd def reco Richard Morgans Takshei Kovacs books. Some scenes are porn lvl descriptions. Very good sci-fi. Edited August 26, 2017 by Briar King 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngelEy3 he/him Posted August 26, 2017 Report Share Posted August 26, 2017 I'll 2nd Malazan for sure. Most epic thing I've ever read. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orlion Blight he/him Posted August 26, 2017 Report Share Posted August 26, 2017 @officiumdefunctorum Covenant is less like Holden Caulfield and more like Raskolnikov from Crime and Punishment. Definitely in the inward gaze group, but from a much more mature and convoluted philosophizing point of view. It should also be noted that there are loads of interesting, active characters in the Chronicles. After the first book, you even get POV from them! That's also why I prefer to compare the Chronicles to Crime and Punishment. Catcher in the Rye is very much a one character show, so if you are not in the mood for a passive character, you will not enjoy it. Crime and Punishment and the Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever do both have a central passive character, but also have a cast of interesting, likeable characters that help to enrich the navel-gazing. And at the risk of talking it up too much, when I read the Chronicles in high school, it had my "Red Wedding" moment, where I experienced for the first time a devastating event (off screen, but still powerful!) in what was suppose to be... escapist.... high fantasy. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
officiumdefunctorum she/her Posted August 26, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2017 13 minutes ago, Orlion On a Cob said: @officiumdefunctorum Covenant is less like Holden Caulfield and more like Raskolnikov from Crime and Punishment. Definitely in the inward gaze group, but from a much more mature and convoluted philosophizing point of view. I could definitely get behind it, then. I very much enjoyed Crime and Punishment. In fact, Raskolnikov came to mind when reading the inner dialogue of Sand dan Glokta in The First Law. I guess it comes down to a good story, in the end, and I can always give it up. I've tried getting through the Vampire chronicles three times, and each time I just got bored to death. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leiasqz she/her Posted August 28, 2017 Report Share Posted August 28, 2017 The Recluce series by Modesitt (19 books and counting) The Kingkiller Chronicles by Rothfuss (although not done in full) The Demon Cyle by Brett I've read the first two books (in audibook form) of Outlander. It's a bit too much of a "book a housewife would read while blushing" for me, but if you can get past that notion the rest of it is rather entertaining.. Oh, and The Martian, which is probably the best audiobook I've ever heard even if it's a standalone, and Sci-Fi.. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragon Reborn he/him Posted August 28, 2017 Report Share Posted August 28, 2017 I like all of the Dune series 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattig89ch he/him Posted September 15, 2017 Report Share Posted September 15, 2017 The lost fleet, the lost fleet beyond the frontier, the lost stars, the vince lombard series, the pandoras star series, and I'm going through the dark tower series atm. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
officiumdefunctorum she/her Posted September 16, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 16, 2017 Update: I tackled Bakker's Second Apocalypse, with the exception of the final book, for which the audiobook comes out this weekend. I have to say... It's my first experience with grimdark on such an epic and well, thorough, scale. I both loved it and was horrified by it. Gave me weird dreams and had me yelling: NO. WHAT. WHY WOULD YOU--NO. I might be a bit traumatized, but in a productive way? Now on the third book of Malazan, and I am HOOKED. Yes. All the yes. Thank you to those that recommended it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Briar King Posted September 17, 2017 Report Share Posted September 17, 2017 No problem it is a fantastic series and in a few yrs it will make a fantastic reread. I promise that part. There is a temporary downside to reading Malazan in that other books could very well pale in comparison for a bit. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
officiumdefunctorum she/her Posted September 17, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 17, 2017 3 hours ago, Briar King said: No problem it is a fantastic series and in a few yrs it will make a fantastic reread. I promise that part. There is a temporary downside to reading Malazan in that other books could very well pale in comparison for a bit. Doubtless. Though I've realized that every author and large fantasy series has something to offer, and I'm usually more critical in hindsight than anything else. Excluding bad writing, I'm pretty magnanimous as a reader. I'll embrace flaws while loving a thing anyway, The Wheel of Time being the crown of that tendency. For example, I could write a treatise on everything that infuriates and irritates me about Bakker, but within the grasp of the story, I couldn't stop. I'm ever seeking the plausible and realistic in what I read, which in some ways excludes the incessantly nihilistic extremes of pragmatism that exist in the second apocalypse 'verse. Then again, that's the point of it all. The shortest path in that universe is the most bloody, the most fraught, the most treacherous. My true favorites thus far, though, are realistic in a way that embraces the capacity for hope, rather than immanent amorality, whatever the risk and challenge. Frankly I prefer Abercrombie's brand of grimdark. It's much less conceited. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngelEy3 he/him Posted September 17, 2017 Report Share Posted September 17, 2017 @officiumdefunctorum Glad you liked Malazan. I enjoyed it enough to buy a bunch of Erickson's other stuff. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orlion Blight he/him Posted September 18, 2017 Report Share Posted September 18, 2017 @officiumdefunctorum it should be noted that there will be more Second Apocalypse books... Just something to keep in mind! I may try Abercrombie one of these days. I read his short story in Dangerous Women and was not impressed, so I have not picked up any of his novels. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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