I encourage everyone to read these books at least once through, as each is a triumph in its sub-genre.

Sci-Fi: The Hyperion Cantos by Dan Simmons

This 4-book series spans time and space and several literary styles without breaking stride. Set in the far-far future, seven people must discover the true nature of the Shrike.

Includes: Hyperion, The Fall of Hyperion, Endymion, and The Rise of Endymion

ScienceFantasy: The Coldfire Trilogy by C.S. Friedman

This trilogy is set on a colony world where nature is held in balance by a force known as the fae. However, the fae manifests itself in many forms,  those of humanity's fondest wishes and most hellish fears.

Includes: Black Sun Rising, When True Night Falls, and Crown of Darkness

Low Fantasy: The Dark Tower by Stephen King

This series, while unfinished, is Stephen King's masterpiece. The Dark Tower series is the weave that binds all of his works together, and there is a place for every character and setting within.

Includes: The Gunslinger, The Drawing of the Three, The Wastelands, Wizard and Glass, and Wolves of the Calla, which just came out.

High Fantasy: DragonLance, the original series by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman.

Although there are literally dozens of DragonLance books, only the ones by Weis and Hickman are worth reading. This is a must read if you're a D&D fan.

yeah ive been thiking of reading that myself

Add this:

The Nights Dawn Trilogy, - Peter F. Hamilton

-The Reality Dysfunction
-The Neutronium Alchemist
-The Naked God

Warning: These are NOT small books.... I think they weigh in over 1000 pages each...

And also, a side short-story book based on that universe:

-A Second chance at Eden

One must not forget the 'Wheel of Time' seriesby Robert Jordan, even though the latest book fell off a bit, to maintain the story line.

The Eye of the World
The Great Hunt
The Dragon Reborn
The Shadow Rising
The Fires of Heaven
Lord of Chaos
A Crown of Swords
The Path of Daggers
Winters Heart
Crossroads of Twilight

Rofl...this isnt the CC forum.

Anyways, I still think its a decent series.

Hrmm ... I don't read much, however, I've found myself into it more lately. I need to find some good books to read. It takes a lot for me to stay interested in a book. I need more books like the LotR series. =P Any suggestions ? I'm starting to get bored at work.  :lol:

Hmm, I forgot the Thomas Covenant series by Stephenson (I think it was..)

Con: Haven't read naked empire, I will as soon as the store lets me know they've got it in paperback.

Yes he's got his ups and downs, but so does every author.

And L4mby, if you're looking for lotr-ish stuff, you might want to take a look at Mercedes Lackey.

A good series to start with is the Heralds of Valdemar ( Arrows of the Queen is the first book )
There's a huge amount of books shes done in that set and related, so it keeps ya pretty busy

Shadow of the Sun? That does seem familiar...