I need something to start with

[Stephen Palmer]

You could do a lot worse than Anne Lyle's debut, which I'm currently enjoying.

[nightdreamer]

Originally Posted by Lord Soth

Meh, personally I dont care very much for Tolkien *gasp

That's OK. I couldn't get through The Silmarillion the second time. I'm also not a fan of Hemingway. Technically excellent but everything I've read of his has depressed me to despair. I don't think I want to try anything else.

[merritt]

Tolkien - cure for insomnia!
I am a genius! :0)

Try:
Ice Prophet series - Forschen or Earthblood - Laumer for YA-Action
Julian Mays for tolerable Fantasy
The Aluminum Man for humor
Sirius- Stapledon for character study