“I kept always two books in my pocket, one to read, one to write in.” – Robert Louis Stevenson

Since I am turning towards a focus on writing more, I also cannot help but recognize the importance of reading. How else do we learn to be better writers but to read what others have written? One may write, of course, but I think it is critical that we also experience how our writing kin go about it. I also cannot help but be aware of the ugliness of censorship of book-banning rearing its head yet again in our society. I am reminded of the venerable Dr. Henry Jones when confronted by Colonel Vogel:

Colonel Vogel: What does the diary tell you that it doesn’t tell us?
Dr. Henry Jones: It tells me that goose-stepping morons like yourself should try reading books instead of burning them.

About six years ago, I posted about the importance of reading. I listed some of my go-to books to read, that inform who I am (or who I want to be), and some that might hopefully inspire.

Edward Abbey – Desert Solitaire
John Muir – My First Summer in the Sierra
David Orr – Earth in Mind: On Education, Environment, and the Human Prospect
Thomas Berry – The Dream of the Earth
Brian Swimme – The Universe is a Green Dragon
David Helvarg – Saved by the Sea: Hope, Heartbreak, and Wonder in the Blue World

But those were non-fiction. Great books, but as a writer, my realm is fiction. I tell stories, create worlds, and invent people. I love the process and love to read others that do it well. There is something about a well-formed fantasy world that draws the reader in, introduces them to its residents, and makes them feel like they live there as well.

So, here are some of my favorite fiction works. Most (but not all) of these are the first of their series. I find myself drawn to really long books with many, many follow-up books.

Stephen R. Donaldson – Lord Foul’s Bane
Katharine Kurtz – Deryni Rising
Piers Anthony – A Spell for Chameleon
Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman – Dragons of Autumn Twilight
Neil Gaiman – Anansi Boys
Robert Jordan – The Eye of the World
James L. Nelson – The Pirate Round
Anne Rice – Interview With The Vampire

I recently re-read the Elenium Trilogy by David Eddings. It has easily been over 20 years since I read it last, and I had forgotten how much I enjoyed it. Great characters, great dialogue, a well-built world… it was exactly what I wanted. But when I was done I came to the realization that the books I have read over my half-century or so of reading are overwhelmingly white and male, and likely straight. I know there are some female, trans, BIPOC, queer, etc. voices that I just have not been exposed to. It’s time to change that. So, I am open to recommendations! I have been fortunate enough to find a lot of new voices in this age of social media (BookTok is amazing, and Substack has opened all kinds of new doors for me!)