Book Recommendations

I sometimes have trouble finding new books I want to read, in part because I am very picky.  I've therefore compiled a list of some of my favorites.  In cases where an author has multiple books or series I like, I've limited myself to three  (otherwise, I'd have to list pretty much everything Diana Wynne Jones ever wrote, for example) and in many cases to one.  These books range from the cheesy to the serious, juvenile to adult, scientific to flighty.  I've starred the ones I would hesitate before handing to someone under 16 because of sexual content.

Addison, Katherine

            The Goblin Emperor

Bujold, Lois McMaster

*Vorkosigan series (first book: The Warrior’s Apprentice.  Also published in Young Miles).

Butcher, Jim

            *The Dresden Files series.  First book: Storm Front.

Cialdini, Robert

            Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion

Clarke, Susanna

            Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell

                       

Dean, Pamela

The Secret Country Trilogy: The Secret Country, The Hidden Land, The Whim of the Dragon

Elgin, Suzette Haden

            The Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense at Work

Gaiman, Neil

            Coraline

           

Goldman, William

            The Princess Bride

Herriot, James

            All Things Bright and Beautiful (quartet)

Jackson, Shirley

            The Haunting of Hill House (I recommend the audio book read by David Warner)

Jones, Diana Wynne

            Archer’s Goon

            The Chronicles of Chrestomanci (first book: Charmed Life)

            Dark Lord of Derkholm

           

Landy, Derek

            Skulduggery Pleasant series: (first book: Skulduggery Pleasant; published in the US as Scepter of the Ancients)

Lewis, C.S.

            Mere Christianity

            The Screwtape Letters

                       

MacLean, Alistair

            The Golden Rendezvous

            The Satan Bug

            Night Without End

           

Marks, Leo

            Between Silk and Cyanide: A Codemaker's War 1941-1945. 

McKinley, Robin

          *Sunshine

                       

Nix, Garth

            Abhorsen trilogy: Sabriel, Liriel, Abhorsen

            The Keys to the Kingdom series: (first book: Mister Monday)

           

Pehov, Alexey

The Chronicles of Siala: Shadow Prowler, Shadow Chaser, Shadow Blizzard.  Translated by Andrew Bromfield.

Pratchett, Terry

The Discworld series (Not necessary to read in order.  My personal favorite is probably Night Watch)

Rowling, J.K.

            Harry Potter series

Stroud, Jonathan

            Buried Fire

            Bartimaeus series (first book: The Amulet of Samarkand)

Lockwood & Co. series (first book: The Screaming Staircase)

                                   

Thurber, James

            The Thirteen Clocks

            The Wonderful O

Velde, Vivian Vande

            Wizard at Work

           

Wells, Dan

            John Cleaver series (first book: I Am Not a Serial Killer)

            A Night of Blacker Darkness

Zahn, Timothy

            Deadman Switch

The Icarus Hunt

            Manta’s Gift