- ILLUSTRATION BY BRIAN TAYLOR
In this week’s paper, I’ve got a feature called “Adventure Time.” It’s about how fantasy—once the realm of the nerdiest of nerds—is going mainstream. You should read it!
Once you have, here’s some DVD-style bonus material: When I was interviewing Powell’s New Book Purchaser MaryJo Schimelpfenig for the story, she not only had some crazy stats for me about how Powell’s Gold Room is pretty much Powell’s Fantasy Room—
“Looking at the past 15 bestsellers in the Gold Room over the last four years,” she says, “only two are science fiction, one is horror/fantasy, and the rest are fantasy.”
—but she was also kind enough to take some time and recommend some titles when I asked her what books people should try if they were curious about fantasy. Here are her picks, presented in handy list form.
Howl’s Moving Castle, Diana Wynne Jones—Yes it was a charming movie, but the book never fails to make me laugh. It’s very charming in a non-cloying way, and it’s a great story.
Bridge of Birds, Barry Hughart—Set in a China that never was, this is a romantic adventure story, full of wonderful characters.
The Lies of Locke Lamora, Scott Lynch—A pair of thieves and con artists turn the town upside down. So much fun, and Locke Lamora is a character you won’t soon forget. Great book to take on a trip.
The Name of the Wind, Patrick Rothfuss—Yes, it is as good as everyone says, in fact likely a good bit better. One of my favorite books of all time that I recommend to anyone who likes fantasy or wants to try reading fantasy.
If MaryJo Schimelpfenig recommends The Lies of Locke Lamora to read on a trip, then what’s her DTF?
(And thank you so much, Alison, for putting this thought in my mind)
Also everyone in the universe should read the His Dark Materials trilogy, they’re the best thing ever and I’ll never shut up about them until you’ve all read them.
Howl’s Moving Castle is indeed good. The sequel, Castle In The Air ain’t bad either, if you want to revisit that world.