reading recommendations, please?

[ravnsdaughter]

I got into reading science fiction and fantasy relatively late in life, though I'm familiar with a lot more authors than I've read because of working in a library for a while. So, I have two questions for my f-list in this regard:

First, what series would consider to be scifi/fantasy classics and/or must-reads?

Second, I've never read anything by Neil Gaiman, but would like to. Which book should I start with?

Third, graphic novels. What would be a good one to start with? (keep in mind I can't stand anime).

Edit: stuff I have read/really liked, off the top of my head:
copious amounts of Marion Zimmer Bradley (she's a favorite author of mine)
Lord of the Rings
Piers Anthony's Incantations of Immortality
A few books of the Pern series by Anne McCaffrey, I'm slowly working my way through them (and love them to bits)
Rick Cook's Wizard's Bane series (another favorite)
The Kushiel trilogy and the followups, by Jacqueline Carey (which I consider fantasy, anyways)

Comments

[libwitch.livejournal.com]

I know someone already chimed in with Gaimen, but I cannot recommend Neverwhere enough; but the short story collections Fragile Things and Mirrors and Magic provide a great introduction to his range of writing (and horror side). Stardust is a very good story, more of an adult fairy tale. Good Omens, yes, yes read it!

Read George RR Martins' Song of Ice and Fire series (follow the tag in my blog to see how much I gush about this damn thing). The first book is Game of Thrones, and he has 4 books written in it so far. It is...addicting. Completely and utterly and probably one of the series I handsell most successfully at the bookstore.

(I love Incancation of Immorality btw myself.)

I guess you must already be reading Pratchett.

For another contemporary author, try Jim Butchers other series, Codex Alera (starts with Furies of Cauldron).

I am not a big sci fi reader, but if you have not read Bradbury (as classic as you can get, really), do. His stories are always amazing.

I have to confess, I am not a huge graphic novel fan - for that, I have stuck mostly to the things I enjoy anyway - Serenity and Buffy the Vampire Slayer (both the original and season 8) and Angel, season 5 (all which have been great).

But do try to read some of Alan Moore's stuff- there is a reason why they keep making it into (toned down and not so well done, alas) movies. Certainly start with the Watchman - that is amazing. If you enjoy it, try V is for Vendetta and League of Extraordinary Gentleman (three volumes, I think so far, are both disturbing and hysterical).

[dangerdean.livejournal.com]

Charles De Lint. Start with the Newford stuff, then branch out.

Guy Gavriel Kay. Pretty much anything, but The Fionavar Tapestry is a good starting point.

The Bordertown series.

Look for a group of books called The Fairy Tale Series...modern fantasy writers rewriting fairy tales in different contexts.

O.R. Melling's The Golden Books of Faerie.

and last (until I go look at the bookshelf) but not least, Thomas the Rhymer, by Ellen Kushner. Read it. Read this book.