I have many favorite authors, which is probably a result of
reading way too much. Here are some
of them, as well as links to their websites.
- Author
of many children’s books, Lloyd
Alexander is always a good choice.
His Chronicles of Prydain series includes two Newbury-Award-winning
books: The Black Cauldron and The High King.
For young adults I would recommend the Westmark Trilogy, starting
with Westmark and the Vesper Holly series.
- A
more recent favorite of mine is Tamora
Pierce. Her Circle of Magic
series, about four young mages whose magic is tied to everyday crafts, is a
wonderful story about four children who become friends despite their very
different backgrounds. The
Protector of the Small series follows the adventures of Keladry of Mindelan,
as she becomes the first female knight in almost twenty years.
- Patricia
C. Wrede is sometimes hard to find, but her books are well worth the
effort. Her children’s books
consist of The Enchanted Forest series, the delightful story of the improper
Princess Cimorene and her adventures with fairy tales turned upside down.
Wrede’s adult books include the Lyra stories, and Mairelon the
Magician. All of her work
comes highly recommended.
- Do
you ever wonder where the myth of a flat world resting on the backs of four
elephants who are standing on the back of a giant turtle that is swimming
through space came from? Probably
from Disc World! This hilarious
series by Terry
Pratchett is recommended for anyone who enjoys jokes about everything
from Australia to organized crime to voting (One man, one vote.
Ventiniri is the man so he gets the vote).
- What
would any list of fantasy books be without mentioning J.
K. Rowling? This recently
famous author has had three of her books on the New York Times
bestseller list, and it is likely she will have more, as she continues to
write her Harry Potter series.
- If you like Harry Potter, you will love Diana
Wynne Jones. The Lives
of Christopher Chant (the first book of hers I was exposed to) is
the story of another young boy who finds out he has unexpected magic.
Instead of going to a magic school, Christopher goes to live with the
most powerful enchanter in his world (a world where magicians are as common
doctors). It doesn’t matter
which DWJones book you pick up, I guarantee that they all are extraordinary,
and extraordinarily good reading.
- For
all you J. R. R. Tolkien fans, read David
Eddings, starting with The Belgariad. Ordinary Garion is swept up
in a strange adventure when the old man known as Wolf leads him and his Aunt
Pol from the farm where Garion grew up. This five-book-series is
engrossing and exciting, a must-read.

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