My Top Priority Fantasy To Read List

August 16, 2014 About Me 45

My Top Priority Fantasy To Read List

More and more recently I’ve come across these “must read” fantasy books that everyone seems to have read except me. So I’m challenging myself that by the end of this year I will have read at least ten of these books. Most are ones that I’ve determined must go on here a few others ended up here because at least 3 of my other SFF bloggy friends piped up that they were must reads. These are all non review books that I’ve purchased on my own!!

 

My Top Priority Young Adult To Read List

Since I realized that most of those books on my above list are what I’d consider adult books – I thought well half of what I do read is YA so I better make a YA list as well. I have read so much more YA over the past 3 years then adult so lately I’ve found myself favoring adult fantasy instead – but here are the YA books that are on my absolutely must read soon list. This list is limited to non review books I’ve purchased on my own.

Any books that you think I should add to these lists that I haven’t already read?

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Tabitha (Pabkins)

When I'm in the zone I can flip book pages faster than the eye can see - screaming "More Input!" I'm a book, yarn, & art supply hoarding goblin who loves to draw, make toys and craft all sorts of creepy cute things. My current habit is to listen to audio books while I'm arting it up!
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45 Responses to “My Top Priority Fantasy To Read List”

    • Tabitha (Pabkins)

      Yeah its pretty cool way to make a list you can embed instead of me importing all these images myself. I’ve just been so lazy lately!! I totally do need to get to reading – though I know some of them won’t get read anytime soon cause I don’t have the fervor for them you know?

  2. Lege

    0_0 <—- fake face of horror
    I am not much better- I never read Emma Bull and I only "saw" The Princess Bride and Howl's Moving Castle. 😐
    As someone who loves Rothfuss, Weeks and Scott Lynch- I would say go for those, but I understand the hesitation- waiting between is hard, but most of the time it's worth it. 😉
    I also want to read Eli Monpress series for same reason. I read Rachel's new uf series with dragons and some reviewers who are familiar with her pre-Paradox work say it's a similar style to EP series, so… I'll give it a go. 😉

    • Tabitha (Pabkins)

      I’ll probably start with some of the stand alones because honestly I really DON”T have the gumption to start new epic fantasy series when there aren’t many books out. Except Scott Lynch I’m excited to jump into that one. I definitely want to get to Eli Monpress too because I LOVED her Paradox books and I am going to read her dragon UF one soon =)

  4. Melanie Simmons (@mlsimmons)

    I’ve got The Lies of Locke Lamora on audio and have had it for a while. I need to listen to it soon. I’ve heard great things about it. As for The Princess Bride, a movie I love and can quote, I’ve heard that it is the exception to the rule. It is one of the few movies where the movie is better than the book, or so I’ve been told. It will always be a movie to me.
    Melanie Simmons (@mlsimmons) recently posted…Those Who Wish Me Dead Audiobook ReviewMy Profile

    • Tabitha (Pabkins)

      You know I think I’ve heard that about The Princess Bride as well but I know a gal that I met at book club with very similar tastes as me and she says that it is still definitely a not to be missed read. And that there is a part of the book that tells you if you send a letter to a certain address they will actually SEND you something additional, a letter, from the book that isn’t in there. So I MUST read it. She said she didn’t think it was for real but she did it and got something back in the mail.

      I listened to a clip of Lies of Locke Lamora because I’ve got four audible credits that I’m trying to figure out where to spend them and it sounds promising but I’m always so hesitant to buy audios since I usually get them from the library and I’m less prone to actually read/listen to them. Except Way of Kings I finally finished that on audio it was amazing and I’ve already bought Words of Radiance and started it the same day. But my listening ALWAYS goes slower then my reading. (even when i use 2x speed!)
      Tabitha (Pabkins) recently posted…Gasp! I DNF’d it – Where Silence Gathers, Evil Librarian & moreMy Profile

  6. Nathan (@reviewbarn)

    I will gladly tell you which books to move to the top of the list. But I will also save you some time because that is the kind of good friend I am.

    Brett’s first book starts out OK before taking the female character’s strength and agency away in the final third of the book and deciding to be GRIMDARK rape DARK. Disappointing.

    Weeks is perfectly enjoyable yet completely pedestrian fantasy. If you need some by the numbers assassin fantasy by all means have at it, but it isn’t some ‘must read you are missing out on LIFE’ type of book.
    Nathan (@reviewbarn) recently posted…Fantasy Review: ‘The Widow’s House’ by Daniel AbrahamMy Profile

  7. Cait @ Notebook Sisters

    *dances a little because has read LOTS of those YA picks* I lovelovelove The Scorpio Races. Well, basically I love anything by Maggie Steifvater, but that one was the first I read therefore it holds a very special place in my bookish heart. XD Throne of Glass and Red Rising are both 5-star reads for me. HONESTLY Red Rising is really really good.
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  8. Melliane

    I’m surprised to say that I have actually read some because I don’t read a lot of fantasy but for example I really enjoyed the 3 Kushiel books, I need to read Imriel now.
    Melliane recently posted…Stacking the Shelves #105My Profile

  10. Tammy @ Books Bones & Buffy

    I’ve gotten a lot of flack for not reading The Lies of Locke Lamora too! This list is great and I honestly haven’t read very many of them. But I have read both Rothfuss books (before blogging!) and I can’t wait for his third one to come out. Is Red Rising YA??? I don’t think so!
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  11. Quinn @ Quinn's Book Nook

    I read The Last Unicorn when I was in high school. I loved the movie as a kid, too, and when I found out there was a book, I was all over that. I think I liked the book, but it’s been a long time since I read it.

    Yes, yes, yes, read The Scorpio Races! It’s so good. And if you like audiobooks, I highly recommend you read it that way. The narrators are fabulous!
    Quinn @ Quinn’s Book Nook recently posted…Book Haul #65My Profile

  12. Lola

    Great lists! I only know a few books of your lists.
    I got the Last Unicorn for my birthday last year and it’s almost a year later now and I still haven’t read it. I loved the movie when I was little, but when I rewatched it last year I noticed there are some plot holes int he movie and as soon as I figured out there was a book I just knew I had to read it! My boyfriend has read Way of the Shadows and he’s a fan of Brent Weeks. I didn’t realize there was a book for Howl’s moving castle, i really enjoyed the movie! I am curious to know how the book is!

    I read Daughter of Smoke and Bone and the second book, but I still have to read the third book. I enjoyed the first book the most! Throne of Glass was a DNF for me, but I know lots of people love the series. I also have read Graceling and Hex Hall from your YA list and I enjoyed both of them.
    Lola recently posted…Read Play Blog #1My Profile

  13. Mogsy @ BiblioSanctum

    It’s a good thing I see Lies of Locke Lamora on your adult list, or I would have something to say about that! I’ve read about 12-13 of the ones there, with a couple more on my reading list. I’m worse when it comes to the YA list though, only 6 of those I’ve read! I should really check out Kagawa’s series.
    Mogsy @ BiblioSanctum recently posted…Lootz: Mogsy’s Book HaulMy Profile

  14. La Coccinelle @ The Ladybug Reads...

    Yes! You must read The Princess Bride, Howl’s Moving Castle, and Daughter of Smoke & Bone (I’m really enjoying that series; I’m reading the third book at the moment). Graceling was just okay for me… but a lot of people seem to like it.

    If you’re into urban fantasy at all, I’d recommend some of Charles de Lint’s books. Stick with his adult titles, as his books for younger readers are kind of hit-or-miss (although, The Blue Girl is quite good). Jack of Kinrowan, Trader, and Yarrow are the ones I’d recommend.

  16. [email protected]

    Robin Hobb, Scott Lynch and Patrick Rothfuss are my top priority (together with Brandon Sanderson) I’ve read Howl’s moving castle and wasn’t blown away. I love the movie from The princess bride, so I have to read the book once.

    I recently reread Daughter of smoke and bone (will read the sequels for the first time this week for Bout of books) and it was better the second time. The first time I had some trouble with the beginning, but it was great now. I also LOVE Throne of glass and Graceling Realm. I really really really love Girl of fire and thorns, especially the sequel with Hector. I want to read The demon king soon (I actually like the covers!) Hex Hall is fun and easy 😀
    [email protected] recently posted…Review 281. Kristin Cashore – Bitterblue.My Profile

  17. Danya @ Fine Print

    Where to start! The Scorpio Races and Graceling were both 5 star reads for me. Honestly Maggie Stiefvater’s writing is so beautiful that I got a little teary eyed while reading. And The Demon King! Ohhh, I hope you love it! Jessica from Rabid Reads is also a really big fan of the series, and she says that it just gets better and better!
    Danya @ Fine Print recently posted…Review: A Breath of Frost by Alyxandra HarveyMy Profile

  21. Emily @ Oh Magic Hour

    Ok I am obsessed with this list. Where to start. Assassin’s Apprentice, of course, and Howl’s Moving Castle, and YES to Locke Lamora and Name of the Wind and Kushiel which I seriously ADORE. I also really liked the Sullivan books, though I must admit while I LOVE Dresden I decidedly did NOT love Codex Alera.

    I also really need to read Eli Monpress and Throne of Glass. I shall correct that VERY soon.
    Emily @ Oh Magic Hour recently posted…Bout of Books 11 – Goals and Updates Post!My Profile

  23. Jeann @ Happy Indulgence

    Great feature Tabitha, you’ve provided me with some great fantasy recommendations! It’s a genre I need to read more of; I really enjoy it but YA always takes precedent over it. I’ve got Lies of Locke, Princess Bride (I’m a failure who hasn’t seen the movie lol), and Brent Weeks on my TBR but haven’t gotten to them yet.

    YA wise, I would definitely recommend Throne of Glass and DOSAB at the top of your list! They are AMAZING YA fantasy reads and I think you’d really enjoy them, especially after all the hype with Heir of Fire coming out. Red Rising is one I really enjoyed as well, I rated it a 4.5.
    Jeann @ Happy Indulgence recently posted…Contemporary YA Reviews #1: Searching for Sky by Jillian Cantor & The Minnow by Diana SweeneyMy Profile

  24. Alyssa Susanna (The Eater of Books!)

    Incarceron series, YES. Love that duology. And OMG the Graceling series is my favorite series of all time – more specifically, Fire is my favorite book everrrrr. Yes, I have a favorite 😀 I love the Smoke & Bone trilogy! And honestly, I liked Throne of Glass, disliked Crown of Midnight… but really, really liked Heir of Fire 😀 So. Get past the sequel 😉 I really enjoyed the Fire & Thorns series too! No wonder fantasy is my favorite genre. Today’s review is for an upcoming fantasy novel, which is actually one of my favorite books of 2014 😀

    Fantastic post, Tabitha!! Happy reading!!

    Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!
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  27. Molly Mortensen

    Nice lists! I’m going to have to check out the fantasy books I haven’t heard of. (The ones I have are already on my list.)

    Daughter of Smoke and Bone is good, and I loved the first half of Graceling. (most people love the whole thing) All of the other YA books are sitting on my list too!

    Have you read LE Modesitte Jr? I love his world building and magic systems.
    Molly Mortensen recently posted…Between By Megan WhitmerMy Profile

  31. Kathleen

    I’ve never heard of flintflock until now so I’m definitely checking it out. Brent Weeks and Patrick Rothfuss is also in my list. It’s kind of hard to find a copy in my side of town (and it’s times like this I wish I live in the US). I haven’t watched nor seen The Princess Bride too. Lol my cousin practically shoved me the book to read but I don’t know maybe I’m just not in the mood to read it yet. Also, I was lucky to buy Robin Hobb’s last book in the Farseer trilogy in a 2nd hand bookstore real cheap. I’m hoping I find the first 2 books in a bargain bin too! lol

    I read the first book in Julie Kagawa’s Iron Fey series and did not like it. The say it actually gets better as the series progresses but I think there are more better books waiting to be picked up. I reallly reallly enjoyed The Girl of Fire and Thorns series! Do read it 🙂 I just finished Daughter of Smoke and Bone. It was a great read. I don’t love it as much as others do but I’ve got to admit it’s definitely hooking.

    And I’ve had Red Rising in my Wishlist for forever!!! I’m still waiting for local bookstores to have a copy. Ordering it online is so expensive. Book price plus shipping fee = me broke. LOL. Oh, and you’re not alone. I haven’t read any of Sarah Maas’ books yet too. But I am going too. Woman assassin? Of course!
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