Essential Fantasy Reading
I enjoy reading fantasy and science fiction along with history, technology, and business books. I was fascinated by Jeff VanderMeer's "
Exhaustive Essential Fantasy Reading Lists", with 60 "essential" fantasy books. The books are mostly over 10 years old (to avoid "instant classics" that don't end up aging well). Jeff teaches writing and is a judge for the World Fantasy Award.
The entire article includes a much longer "comprehensive" list of fantasy books. And the comments are also interesting and add many more suggestions for books to be added to the lists. I am sure people could easily argue about the books in the list (Jeff doesn't like Vance novels for instance) but the list and attached commentary are an interesting discussion on the subject.
I've only read about a third of the books discussed. I guess that means I have a lot of reading to do!
Posted by georgegmacdonald at June 27, 2006 03:58 PM