On the lighter side, David (and Leigh) Eddings are a good choice - the series have several books in them, they're entertaining, and while the series are generally different enough to keep me entertained when I'm looking for light stuff, the work overall is definitely "variations on a theme" which can be tremendously comforting when one is simply looking for a mild distraction without thinking too hard. McCaffrey and Mercedes Lackey (Heralds of Valdemar) would also fit into the light fantasy range
I also love "best of" s/f anthologies and have several ranging from the 70s to 80s, including two of the Ellison-edited Dangerous Visions volumes. Usually pretty easy to find and nice for take-along books because you can finish a story and set it aside without having to try and figure out where you are in the novel next time.
George R.R. Martin has the Wild Cards series - I read "Inside Straight" (an anthology edited by Martin) recently which is the most recent book and absolutely loved it. Thoroughly entertaining, funny, and thought-provoking. I am going to be looking for the rest of the books in the series.
On a weightier note, Martin also has the "Song of Ice and Fire" series, of which I have finished #1 and #2 and am into #3. I have seen this series recommended over and over again, but I was reluctant to embark on it because it's not finished yet and some are wondering whether he will ever finish. However, I picked up #1 and was hopelessly lost. It is engrossing and thrilling and heartbreaking, and the books are HUGE.
Another author I have enjoyed tremendously is John Varley. Millenium is great, very funny in a wry and rather dark way. (NOTHING like the movie.) I also read Wizard, which is kind of in the middle of a series, but haven't found the others in a used bookstore yet. I check every time just in case though.
Jack Vance has a good reputation but I haven't tried any of his stuff yet.
I also love "best of" s/f anthologies and have several ranging from the 70s to 80s, including two of the Ellison-edited Dangerous Visions volumes. Usually pretty easy to find and nice for take-along books because you can finish a story and set it aside without having to try and figure out where you are in the novel next time.
George R.R. Martin has the Wild Cards series - I read "Inside Straight" (an anthology edited by Martin) recently which is the most recent book and absolutely loved it. Thoroughly entertaining, funny, and thought-provoking. I am going to be looking for the rest of the books in the series.
On a weightier note, Martin also has the "Song of Ice and Fire" series, of which I have finished #1 and #2 and am into #3. I have seen this series recommended over and over again, but I was reluctant to embark on it because it's not finished yet and some are wondering whether he will ever finish. However, I picked up #1 and was hopelessly lost. It is engrossing and thrilling and heartbreaking, and the books are HUGE.
Another author I have enjoyed tremendously is John Varley. Millenium is great, very funny in a wry and rather dark way. (NOTHING like the movie.) I also read Wizard, which is kind of in the middle of a series, but haven't found the others in a used bookstore yet. I check every time just in case though.
Jack Vance has a good reputation but I haven't tried any of his stuff yet.
Comment