Book series that are just a fun read.

[Carson Dyle]

I guess its almost impossible for the recommendations not to tend toward various standard "ilogies" in the fantasy and SF genres.

Yeah, you can read a half dozen replies and realize where a thread like this is headed, if you didn't already realize what a narrow audience ATOT draws.

 

[alzan]

Hitchhikers Guide, five book trilogy by Douglas Adams
The Gaean Trilogy by John Varley (Titan, Wizard, Demon)
The Wizardry series by Rick Cook (Wizardry Consulted, ...Cursed, ...Quested)
Death Gate Cycle by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman

 

[Markbnj]

Yeah, you can read a half dozen replies and realize where a thread like this is headed, if you didn't already realize what a narrow audience ATOT draws.

I don't see how most of the recommendations fall under the category of "series that are just a fun read," as subjective as that description is. Dune is definitely heavy lifting, and WoT is like running a marathon where when you get close to the finish line an official runs alongside you hitting you in the head with a stick.

 

[nace186]

Dresden Files

 

[Stopsignhank]

Yeah, when I wrote this I was looking for the silly, stupid, get a giggle series of books. I was not real descriptive when I wrote that, but in all honesty felt kind of stupid writing that. Some of the books suggested are not in that category, but I am looking into a lot of what was suggested.

FYI, in looking up the books I did find https://www.goodreads.com/ where you rate books and they recommend similar books. it does seem to work because some of the recommendations are books that I have read and enjoyed.

 

[JamesV]

Myth series - Asprin
Discworld - Pratchett

I always remember a part from a Myth book, where a character was packing for an adventure and had trouble getting his 12 foot pole into his gear. "Why bring a 12 foot pole", another character asks?

"Because there are some thing I'd never touch with a 10 foot pole"

 

[Sho'Nuff]

I don't see how most of the recommendations fall under the category of "series that are just a fun read," as subjective as that description is. Dune is definitely heavy lifting, and WoT is like running a marathon where when you get close to the finish line an official runs alongside you hitting you in the head with a stick.

I read patents and technical papers all day, so high fantasy is a light read IMO. And while WOT has its annoying parts the parts that are good are really, REALLY good.

But if quick and entertaining is what OP wants, I recommend:

Ender's Game (Orson Scott card) http://www.amazon.com/Enders-Game-Th.../dp/0812550706

The Illustrated Man (Bradbury) http://www.amazon.com/Illustrated-Ma...llustrated+man

Journeys of McGill Feighan series (O'Donnell) http://www.amazon.com/Caverns-The-Jo.../dp/0425074692


Any Michael Crichton novel http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss...ael%20crichton

Any Timothy Zahn Star Wars Novel - http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_s...words=timothy zahn&sprefix=timothy+za,aps,217

Hatteras Blue (Poyer) http://www.amazon.com/Hatteras-Blue-.../dp/0312927495

Hatteras Blues (Carlson - not the same as the one by Poyer) http://www.amazon.com/Hatteras-Blues.../dp/0807871222

Saltwater Cowboys (Morris) http://www.amazon.com/Saltwater-Cowb.../dp/1928556450

As the last three book recommendations reveal I have more than a passing connection to the outer banks of North Carolina. I basically lived in Hatteras (OK, Frisco) for three months out of the year from before I was born to when I turned 21. So it is (or at least was) a second home to me. Last time I went back it was nothing like I remembered. And that is a very, very bad thing.

Edit - couldn't help myself. Had to add one more to the list. One of my all time favorites and my favorite book as a young man:

My Side of the Mountain (George) http://www.amazon.com/Side-Mountain-.../dp/0141312424

 

[Spydermag68]

The Martian chronicles by Ray Bradbury.
Also try the years best sconce fiction short stories.

 

[Markbnj]

Edit - couldn't help myself. Had to add one more to the list. One of my all time favorites and my favorite book as a young man:

My Side of the Mountain (George) http://www.amazon.com/Side-Mountain-.../dp/0141312424

I read this book until it fell apart. If I had an opportunity to go live in the woods as he did I definitely would have done it when I was nine or ten .

 

[Sho'Nuff]

I read this book until it fell apart. If I had an opportunity to go live in the woods as he did I definitely would have done it when I was nine or ten .

Me too. I have the copy of the book I read when I was 10 and it looks like it was manhandled. In reality I just read the book over and over and over.

 

[akugami]

Flinx series by Alan Dean Foster

Dragonback series by Timothy Zahn

And I absolutely love Where the Red Fern Grows.

 

[surfsatwerk]

Dresden Files

+1

 

[twinrider1]

Not a comedy, but a 6-book series that is fun, short and quick.

 

[Markbnj]

Not a comedy, but a 6-book series that is fun, short and quick.

Haha, haven't read that one but I can tell already that I'll like it.

Oh, and since we're on the topic of short and funny... if you can find a copy of "Bored of the Rings" it's a classic.