I like to read. A lot. And I feel like sharing. (I can't believe TV.com doesn't have an Entertainment or Books category.)
Mostly I read series books, since they generally offer more character development than the standard novel. Specify I mostly read modern world (some post-modern) fantasy, military/colonial sci-fi, and some historical fiction; stuff that, on the surface at least, has little to do with normal life and offers some escapism. I used to read straight fantasy, but the series I used to read went down hill. My two favorite series of all time are Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter, and the Dresden Files.
AB:VH was a very good modern world vampire fiction, which has, unfortunately, devolved into almost pure fem porn in prose form in the last five books. It was a 9.5 out of 10, now it’s a 7.5 out of 10; still very readable, but flawed. The Author of the books is Laurell K. Hamilton
The Dresden Files is a series that follows modern day Wizard, Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden, in his private investigator business as he solves magical crime while getting the crap beat out of himself. Best. Novel. Series. Ever. The novels get exponentially better, and I know of no one who has read the novels and didn't like them. An “Oh my f!#&ing God!” out of 10. Jim Butcher (the author) is a god. The first book is called Storm Front (first chapter).
I also like E.E. Knight’s Vampire Earth (9 out of 10), David Weber’s Honor Harrington (9 to 7.5 depending on the book), the Bedlam’s Bard series by Mercedes Lackey and Rosemary Edghill (9 out of 10), Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean Auel (first two books 9.5 out of 10), Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson (9.75 out of 10), Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom by Cory Doctorow (9.75 out of 10), and Chimera by Will Shetterly (9 out of 10). I read other series, but either they aren’t my very favorites (Weather Warden, Codex Alera), are already extremely popular (Harry Potter, LOTR), or they completely stopped being good (Wheel of Time, Dragon Riders of Pern).
Does anyone else have any favorites that I didn’t mention?
