Which book got you started on science fiction/fantasy?

[WhiteWolf]

I'm actually currently reading my first ever fantasy novel, THE WAR OF THE FLOWERS by Tad Williams. I'm only 250 pages into it, but it is terrific and I think I made a good choice as an introductory volume for the genre.

[Gav]

I don't actually know the answer to this question...

Probably the Hobbit - as that was the first book I have a recollection of (read as a bedtime story to 5yr old Gav). First SF book to leave an impression was probably Foundation's Edge which I picked out of my dad's collection - because of the bright orange cover! - and couldnt put back down again.

[Steve S]

This is a really good question!

Probably two books for me, the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and perhaps more significantly, Watership Down. I remember my dad reading the latter to me when I was young, one of those vivid childhood memories that stay with you!

I suppose later, like most fantasy fans, LOTR had a huge and lasting impact.

[Browncoat2008]

Arthur C. Clarke's 2001: A Space Odyssey. As a 7 year old during the Space Race, it was must reading, even if it were a lil' complex reading at the time.

[sassy1]

i think my first fantasy book was one of the Redwall series by Brian Jacques - if that counts... if not, i would have to say it was Anne McCaffrey's Catteni Sequence

[mightymem]

For me the first fantasy books I read were by
Chris Bunch and Allan Cole
1. The Far Kingdoms2. The Warrior's Tale3. Kingdoms of the Night
Though science fiction had a complex history, because the first science fiction I read was Harry Turtledoves Worldwar series which was a alternative version of the 2nd World War with a science fiction twist. He imagined Aliens invading during the War. Though after Harry Turtledove I read the Dune series by Frank herbert which got me truly hooked on to Science fiction. Since then I been reading more science-fiction then fantasy.

[Connavar]

The book that made me start reading sci fi was Douglas Adams's The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Actually it was a collection with all the books in it.


For fantasy as you can see in my nick, it was Sword in The Storm by David Gemmell.

[nettle]

I really started to read fantsy books after reading Assasin's Quest by Robin Hobb

I was looking for something interesting and as a result i randomly chose that one

[sassy1]

Originally Posted by nettle

I really started to read fantsy books after reading Assasin's Quest by Robin Hobb

I was looking for something interesting and as a result i randomly chose that one

very good choice that has to be one of my favourite books of all time

[Wolfbrother]

My mom used to buy me little mini short story books when I was younger, the cheap ones from Wal-Mart or a grocery store. I would just devour them and ask her for a new one by the time she left to go again.

So one day she randomly picked up "Wizard's First Rule." Saying "Now I won't have to buy you a book for awhile". It was half a joke, but I finished it still. Been hooked on fantasy ever since.

[Anthony G Williams]

I think I was about seven (this was in the mid-1950s) and recall reading a series of stories about a boy called "Kemlo of Deep Space" - I don't recall the author, or anything about the stories, except that he could survive unprotected in space just because he was born there. I think I was a bit dubious about that even at the time, but it didn't put me off

And of course there was Dan Dare...and Charles Chiltern's Journey into Space (I first heard that on the radio - I can still remember the chill of excitement, and very much later located a copy of The World in Peril, one of the series).

[Memnoch]

Although I had LOTR and HOBBIT bought as presents as a kid I didnt read them till my mid teens.

The Dragon Lance original Trilogy at about 10 years old I loved it and never looked back and cried as a 13 year old at the end of the twins trilogy lol.

Also the livingstone-Jackson Fighting Fantasy novels were "ace" when I was a kid lol . . . (I never cheated honest) Deathtrap Dungeon ahhhhh takes me back. Those saucy She-Babarian pictures . . . .mmmm

[The Lion of Macedon]

mine would have to be David A Gemmells Lion of Macedon

[Anthony G Williams]

Originally Posted by Anthony G Williams

And of course there was Dan Dare...and Charles Chiltern's Journey into Space (I first heard that on the radio - I can still remember the chill of excitement, and very much later located a copy of The World in Peril, one of the series).

Correction - should be Charles Chilton.

[lon gallamour]

Arthur C. Clarke's Rendezvous with Rama. checked it out of the public library when i was ten. it was my first hardback book i ever checked out of the library if you don't count children's books.