Verified answer

In FANTASY here are some I (Fittings Doc) would recommend:

The first 4 books listed are in the same vein as the LOTR.

"The Hobbit" (1937 / 310 pages) by J. R. R. Tolkien

It is the PRECURSOR to the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy.

(It was the book that showed me you could read for PURE enjoyment

rather than to fulfill a school reading assignment.)

Its hero Bilbo Baggins, at the suggestion of the wizard Gandalf, helps some dwarves steal treasure back from a dragon. Bilbo pops up in the beginning and the end of "The Lord of the Rings", and was the first hobbit "ring bearer". (It will be out as a movie in 2012!!!)

"The Dark Tide" (1984) by Dennis L. McKiernan

(first book of the "Mithgar" series)

"The Iron Tower" (an omnibus edition)

Originally published as a trilogy (The Dark Tide, Shadows of Doom, and The Darkest Day).

“The Crystal Shard" (1988) by R.A. Salvatore.

(the first book of "The Icewind Dale Trilogy")

"Pawn of Prophecy" (1982) by David Eddings

(first book of the "Belgariad" series)

"Lord Valentine’s Castle" (1981) Robert Silverberg

(the first book of the "Majipoor" series)

Locus Award winner 1981, Hugo Award nominee 1981.

*** Similar in tone and style to the "Chronicles of Thomas Covenant" ***

“The Jackal of Nar” (1999) by John Marco

(first book of “The Tyrants and Kings Trilogy”)

*** Had similar character/plot angst to that of the "Chronicles of Thomas Covenant" ***

“The Seer King” (1997) By Chris Bunch

(first book of “The Seer King Trilogy”)

"Legend” (1984) by David Gemmell (The MASTER of Heroic fantasy)

(first book of the “Drenai Saga”)

Hell EVERYTHING by David Gemmell is worth reading!!!

He is a master at character development and readability.

If you like HEROIC FANTASY, You’ll find you cannot put his books down.

"Polgara the Sorceress" (1997/ 768 pages) by David Eddings

(a prequel to his masterwork series "The Belgariad" and "The Malloreon")

It has a FEMALE main character.

"The Elf Queen of Shannara" (1992) by Terry Brooks

(the third book of the tetralogy "The Heritage of Shannara").

It has a FEMALE main character.

"Sheepfarmer's Daughter" by Elizabeth Moon

(first book of the “Deed of Paksenarrion” trilogy)

It has a FEMALE main character.

"Split Infinity" (1980) by Piers Anthony

(first book of the Apprentice Adept series)

"A Spell for Chameleon" (1977) by Piers Anthony

(the first book of the "Xanth" series)

"An Oblique Approach" (1998) by Eric Flint & David Drake

(first book of the "Belisarius" series)

"The Misplaced Legion" (1987) by Harry Turtledove

(first book of the "Videssos" series)

One of Julius Caesar's legions is transported to a world with magic.

"Magician" (1982) by Raymond E. Feist

(first book in "The Riftwar Saga")

“Luck in the Shadows” (1996) by Lynn Flewelling

(first book of the “Nightrunner” series)

"Jhereg" (1983) by Steven Brust

(first book of the "Vlad Taltos" / "Dragaeran" series)

A human works as a killer for hire for, and of, immortals.

"The Stealer of Souls" (1963) by Michael Moorcock

(first book of "The Elric Saga")

“Assassin's Apprentice” (1995) by Robin Hobb

(first book of “The Farseer Trilogy”)

Fitz a royal bastard becomes a trained assassin for the king.

"The Riddle-Master of Hed" (1976) by Patricia A. McKillip

(first book of "The Riddle-Master trilogy")

"The First Book of Swords" (1983) by Fred Saberhagen

(first book of the "Books of the Swords" series)

“The Gilded Chain” (1998) by Dave Duncan

(first book of the “Tales of the King's Blades” series)

"The Sword of Shannara" (1977) by Terry Brooks

(first book in the Original "Shannara Trilogy")

“Talon of the Silver Hawk” (2003) by Raymond E. Feist

(first book of “Conclave of Shadows” series)

In HUMOROUS FANTASY here are some I (Fittings Doc) would recommend:

"Another Fine Myth" (1978) by Robert Lynn Asprin

(the first book of the "Myth Adventure" Series)

It revolves around a boy from Klah (hence he is a Klahd) becoming a magician with the help of his mentor a demon (dimensional traveler) from Perv (so he is a Pervect NOT a Pervert).

"Wizard's Bane" (1989) by Rick Cook

(first book of the ""Wiz" Zumwalt / Wizardy" series)

A computer "Wiz" get transported to a magiocal kingdom where his computer approach to magic lets him "compile" magical success.

In SCIENCE FICTION, here are some I (Fittings Doc) would recommend:

"Sten" (1982 / 279 pages) by Chris Bunch and Allen Cole

(the first book of "The Sten Chronicles")

Sten is orphaned and then recruited into the Eternal Emperor's "Mantis" covert intelligence corps.

“The Last Legion” (1999) by Chris Bunch

(the first book of “The Last Legion” series – Space/Military)

"Ender's Game" (1985 / 357 pages) by Orson Scott Card

"Speaker for the Dead" (1986 - the sequel to "Ender's Game") by Orson Scott Card

(Both won the Hugo and Nebula Awards.)

"On Basilisk Station” (1993 / 448 pages) by David Weber

(the first book in the "Honor Har

My favourite fantasies are the Northen Lights Trilogy by Philip Pullman, and I just recently read the first in a trilogy called the Kingkiller Chronicles and writen by Patrick Rothfuss which I enjoyed a lot.

-The Hollow Kingdom Trilogy (goblins, elves and other magical creatures as we've never seen them before, with proper kings, laws, kingdoms and of course, romance...good book for someone looking for something new) by Clare B. Dunkle.. read this when i was 14

-The Two Princesses of Bamarre (Two opposite sisters must find a way to save their kingdom...not what you think....much much more interesting) by Gail Carson Levine

-Stravaganza (series) - about kids with abilities to transport themselves into an alternate version of history, for example: Rennaisance Venice into Belleza in City of Masks book no. 1 by Mary Hoffman. it shows glamour, magic and much more...