History Gush / Literature

* ''Literature/TheNeverendingStory''. More like the story everyone needs to read at least once in their life. The book ''Literature/{{Momo}}'', by the same author, is also simply wonderful.

** Glad to know I'm not this book's only fan. You should also read Chesterton's ''Literature/TheNapoleonOfNottingHill''; a very different work but worth reading for pretty much exactly the same reasons as TMWWT.

** Glad to know I'm not this book's only fan. You should also read Chesterton's ''The Napoleon of Notting Hill''; a very different work but worth reading for pretty much exactly the same reasons as TMWWT.

*** For me, ''Soul of the Fire'' was one of the high points of the series. The Anderith subplot was a welcome diversion from the main plotilne. Dalton Campbell was by far the series's most sympathetic villain, committing atrocities for political gain rather than ForTheEvulz, and the CrapsackWorld it shows is considerably more believable than the [[MarySuetopia Straw Dystopia]] in ''Faith of the Fallen''.

* ''Literature/TheGirlWithTheDragonTattoo.'' Lisbeth is ''pure awesome''.

** ''Always Coming Home'' may be ''the'' most amazing creative work I have ever been exposed to. Ye gods, the complexity, the detail, the ''reality'' in the fiction...

* ''Literature/HowToTrainYourDragon''. Dear Lord, where do I start? This has got to be the most underrated book series in the world. It's more than a fantasy series about pet dragons. It's an epic tale of growing up. It contains more [[SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome Moments of Awesome]] than any other book series I have ever encountered that isn't geared towards adults. There is just nothing like it. The plot throughout the series is incredibly well put together, the characters are awesome, and of course, you've got to love Cressida' s inventive dragon species. It's the story of Hiccup, the protagonist, a runt who was born by accident and is pushed around by an entire world of {{Horny Viking|s}} DumbMuscle. He proceeds to take [[TookALevelInBadass Multiple Levels in Badass]] is each book to come untill he grows gradually up into an epic BadassBookworm GuileHero MasterSwordsman who is pretty much the only thing standing between an act of genocide. Along the way he puts into action no fewer than 13 {{Scheherezade Gambit}}s fused with various other plans (an impressive feat for only 11 books, despite the fact that few go according to plan) and takes EarnYourHappyEnding UpToEleven. Then we have his archnemesis, who similarly goes through Hell to get where he is today. He inverts CreateYourOwnVillain, parodies NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast, and exaggerates TheCatCameBack to a truly unbelievable degree. This is the story that singlehandedly got This Troper going as an amateur writer, and I deeply urge all of you to read it.

* ''Literature/{{Shadow}}'' is a delightful read from start to finish. Blending elements of fantasy, romance, and suspense all in one, it's a story about an orphan girl named Shadow who is forced to be a servant to the young Queen Audrey of Deor. At the queen's birth, there was a prophecy told that she would die before her sixteenth birthday. When tragedy strikes, Shadow must unravel the secret's of the kingdom, and along the way, discover who she truly is, and what that means for the kingdom. ''Shadow'' is easily one of the best books I've read in recent years, and it's one I can expect to enjoy over and over again.

* ''Literature/TheHeroesOfOlympus''. It's ten billion times more awesome than the original series. You've got a BadassCrew of Greek and Roman demigods who are going to stop Kronos's mother, Gaea and can take on giants, who are more powerful than the gods themselves, seven amazing characters, the [[spoiler: first LGBT character]] in the PJO series and all of the main characters [[TookALevelInBadass take a level in badass]]. Especially Percy, who's gone from being a OneManArmy to being a complete ''Badass''-''Tropers/TheWildWestPyro''

* Seeing the above made me remember...''Literature/PercyJacksonAndTheOlympians!'' Kids series, my ass...I read them at 17 and absolutely loved all of them.
** Seconded, holy CRAP seconded! I'm sixteen and it's still my favorite series. And this should also include its SequelSeries ''Literature/TheHeroesofOlympus''.
** YES YES YES YES YEEEEEESSSSSS!!!!!! This series is brilliantly written, with characters who are funny and clever and badass. I love that it doesn't change the mythology much, the gods still are sometimes JerkassGods (and sometimes not, that's important too) its admitted that Hercules was kind of an asshole, and EverybodyHatesHades is averted. There are like a zillion more reasons I love these books, but if I go into more right now I will probably babble until I'm incoherent.

* ''Literature/TheHeroesOfOlympus''. It's ten billion times more awesome than the original series. You've got a BadassCrew of Greek and Roman demigods who are going to stop Kronos's mother, Gaea and can take on giants, who are more powerful than the gods themselves, seven amazing characters, the [[spoiler: first LGBT character]] in the PJO series and all of the main characters [[TookALevelInBadass take a level in badass]]. Especially Percy, who's gone from being a OneManArmy to being a complete ''Badass''-''Tropers/TheWildWestPyro''

* Creator/PGWodehouse's books in general, but especially the ''Literature/JeevesAndWooster'' books. Whether you see them as bright and sunny like they're portrayed or not, whether the plots are somewhat repetitive or not, you can't pretend they're not some of the funnest, funniest, books around. The scene when Gussie Finknottle gives his speech to the boys' school in ''Very Good, Jeeves'' will have you in tears every time you read it. Also, the great relationship between Jeeves & Bertie. You have the genius servant, always ready with a drink and a good quote of poetry to calm his master down and fish him from the soup, and you have the idiotic, but still somehow totally charming, master, who is forever willing to do anything for his friends, no matter how stupid or cruel they can be, and when you have the two of them together, you have two characters who are really devoted to each other in the most awesome way, whether you see them as YaoiGuys or just good ol' fashioned HeterosexualLifePartners.

* ''Literature/TheLiesOfLockeLamora'' is a book that not enough people have read. Locke is a LoveableRogue and ConMan who pulls off schemes of MagnificentBastard proportions. The setting is interesting and well-thought-out. You can tell the author is a clever man, since the prose itself is often very witty. The characters are funny and endearing, the story is action-packed and at times jaw-dropping, there are [[ChekhovsGun Chekhov's Guns]] aplenty, and the sequel is only an ''[[EvenBetterSequel improvement.]]''

** Oh God. *sigh of relief* I thought I was the only one enjoying this book for all the beautiful, captivating, detailed prose which can only be compared to baroque music or an elaborated, tenderly-woven tapestry. Who cares about fast-paced plot and action when you can have this instead? I only wish [[AuthorExistenceFailure Peake had lived]] to finish all the seven books he had planned.

* ''Literature/TheStoneDiaries'' is a truly amazing book (and tied with Speak for the best I ever read) that chronicles one woman's life from her birth to death, every character even minor ones are well written and likable, it also had an added bonus for me as I am such a history and genealogy nerd. By the second half It got so good I read the rest of it until 1 in the morning and actually got depressed upon finishing it because it was over. Its a shame there was never a sequel (of course it's due to AuthorExistenceFailure) that chronicles the life of her decendents into the 21st century.

** Seconded by this Troper. The amazing thing about this series is not only does it give amazing characters and situations, but no matter how CrazyAwesome the last book was, somehow the next one tops it. The series manages to out-awesome a ZOMBIE T-REX!!

** Oh, ''Codex''. Finally, a fantasy series that is familiar without being utterly derivative. [[TheHero Tavi]]? CrazyAwesome. [[DeadpanSnarker Ehren?]] CrazyAwesome. Isana, Amara, Bernard, everyone else in the series? CrazyAwesome. It's also wickedly funny without breaking out of the fantasy feel, wildly imaginative, and has a deconstruction of every major villain type. Jim Butcher, I take my hat off to you.
* Creator/JimButcher in general seems to have an amazing talent for maintaining suspense and emotional intensity, putting his characters into nearly hopeless situations and then having them find some sort of... um... [[CrazyAwesome "inventive"]] way out of it with very few resources to go on. He also manages a density of [[SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome CMoAs]] on par with the end of ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist''.

* ''Literature/TheHeroesOfOlympus''. It's ten billion times more awesome than the original series. You've got a BadassCrew of Greek and Roman demigods who are going to stop Kronos's mother, Gaea and can take on giants, who are more powerful than the gods themselves, seven amazing characters, the [[spoiler: first LGBT character]] in the PJO series and all of the main characters [[TookALevelInBadass take a level in badass]]. Especially Percy, who's gone from being a OneManArmy to being a CrazyAwesome ''Badass''-''Tropers/TheWildWestPyro''

** Seconded. Amazing series-- though perhaps I'm biased, as they were my introduction to fantasy, which is now my life. Special mention to the Legends trilogy, which is... [[CrazyAwesome incredible.]]

* ''Literature/TheTerror'', by Creator/DanSimmons, is absolutely incredible and sadly does not get nearly the amount of attention it deserves. It's dark, terrifying, and exciting. The amazing thing is that even though the tone is unendingly bleak and depressing, it doesn't fall victim to DarknessInducedAudienceApathy due to the number of heroic characters that you actually want to root for. Even if they [[AnyoneCanDie die often]].

* ''Literature/ArcOfAScythe''. This series features brilliant worldbuilding. Just read the Thunderhead's explanation of how it solved crime, it's so realistic. It's also a nice counter to the DarknessInducedAudienceApathy that's common in YA fiction, with much humor and a fairly happy world only threatened by a couple zealots. Add in some top-notch character development and crazy plot twists and you have a classic.

* HARPER LEE. ''Literature/ToKillAMockingbird'' is just ''beautiful.'' Scout is a patient story-teller, introducing you to the little town of Maycomb gradually, and pointing out the little quirks of each person. It also points out the injustice and irrationality of racism as you see the world through a child's eyes, and is NEVER {{Anvilicious}}. And this troper is sure there are many girls who were (and still are) just like Scout, being told to be "proper" and "ladylike" when all they want to do is roll around in the dirt with their friends and ''have fun.''

*** I '''adore''' ''Literature/MonstrousRegiment''. It might possibly be my favourite stand-alone novel. [[YuriFan Quite possibly because of all the subtext.]]

*** Agreed. 'In the twilight of autumn the ship sailed out of Mithlond, until the seas of the Bent World fell away beneath it, and the winds of the round sky troubled it no more, and borne upon the high airs above the mists of the world it passed into the Ancient West, and an end was come for the Eldar of story and of song.' I wish I could meet that man.

** Perhaps the best, most feels-worthy EarnYourHappyEnding this troper has ever read concludes that series. [[spoiler: And so they lived many happy years, and the promised tasks were accomplished. Yet long afterward, when all had passed away into distant memory, there were many who wondered whether King Taran, Queen Eilonwy, and their companions had indeed walked the earth, or whether they had been no more than dreams in a tale set down to beguile children. And, in time, only the bards knew the truth of it.]]

** ''Literature/PrideAndPrejudice'' quickly became one of my favorite books the first time I read it. Although I don't like the plot or characters of ''Literature/NorthangerAbbey'' as much, the GenreSavvy narrator's snark, wit, and ConversationalTroping just make it ''so'' enjoyable to read -- I actually fell in love with that book ''purely'' because of the writing style! I didn't care ''what'' she was writing about -- before that, I didn't think it was possible for writing to ''literally'' do that for a book. Yet, I think I found a new Austen favorite this past winter... ''Literature/MansfieldPark''. Why? Because the heroine is the anti-Elizabeth Bennett (physically weak, quiet, depressed, no confidence in herself or her opinions, and madly in love with her love interest from the start), but she's more real and familiar. She's a victim of emotional abuse, starved for parental and familial love, and the damage this causes to one's psyche is not disguised or glossed over ''but'' neither is it dwelled on; the hardships and injustices of her life are actually ''shown'', not told. In spite of all that, she still has the strength to stand her ground when it really counts, which makes her rejection of Henry Crawford far more impressive than Lizzie's rejection of Mr. Collins. Plus, in its comparison of the hardships faced by rich families and poor families, the novel averts the condescending Aesop of "the rich have more money, but no love, thus you're lucky if you're poor and should feel sorry for the rich." No, way! The heroine and the narrator both know that, no matter how many problems the rich have, it's definitely preferable to be rich than poor. Jane Austen, you never cease to amaze me!

** "Years later, they were so used to quarreling and making up again, they got married so as to go on doing it more conveniently." Why can't more romance be written [[LemonyNarrator like that]]?

** ''Where is Literature/HowlsMovingCastle???'' Nearly one and all DWJ fans will agree that it's far from being the author's ''best'' book, but that doesn't mean it isn't anything short of fantastic. It takes fairy tale convention and gleefully turns it on its head, and a number of next-gen DWJ fans can point to HMC as being the book that got them started. Sophie and Howl's relationship is deliciously bizarre, and if you've only seen the movie but haven't read the book, you have not lived.

* I ''seriously'' don't understand why Literature/TheHeirTrilogy by Cinda Williams Chima has no recognition in the world. Not only does each book have its own fantastic storyline, with the third one tying everything neatly together, but the woman can ''write''. It is one of my favorite series, mainly because of the fantastic characterization, the writing, the ability to describe things without everything seeming MarySue, and the fact that she isn't afraid to kill off who she wants. The plot twists are fantastic and it shames me that there aren't more people who've read them. While you're up there reading the ''Literature/TheHouseOfNight'' series, go and take out these books too. I'll wait with that same troper, don't worry.

** Supported, oh so much. Philosophical without being {{Anvilicious}} and absolutely beautiful in its portrayal of virtually everything, and the blending of morality is done in a fascinating manner. To be honest, bringing up Harry may lead to a long paragraph of borderline incoherency, but God, talk about a real, likable character. The series can get dark, but damn if Harry doesn't manage to remain nice, funny, and heroic without getting [[MarySue sue-ish]]-- and really, how many fantasy novels can say that these days? Ladies and gentleman, this is UrbanFantasy done ''right.''

** This series would qualify as one of my favorites simply by virtue of having Tavi in it. I've never seen CrazyEnoughToWork pulled off anywhere near that well anywhere else, and he genuinely comes across as [[InformedAbility exactly as smart]] [[AvertedTrope as he's supposed to be]], without ever seeming to be some sort of genius GodModeSue.

* OK, I'm going to piss off a large portion of this wiki and bring up the ''Literature/AnitaBlake'' series. Are there a lot of issues with it, especially as Anita becomes a succubus? Yeah, there are. But you know what? I. Don't. Care. Hamilton still managed to create a supernatural world based on our own, where lycanthropes and vampires are just part of life, another issue to be handled by Washington and the cops just like the new budget or a street gang. The LKH world feels like ours, just with a twist. The world ''works'', and as for Anita, call her a CanonSue. But if so, she's the only one to show that sometimes that "popularity" goes a little wrong in ways that are truly nightmarish, not "Oh poor me, everyone loves me!" Not to mention, any series that consistently gives a pair of friends enough conversation fodder for hours clearly has a lot in it to talk about (and my friend and I have been theorizing about AB for years). And then there's Edward (alias Death) who is the best thing in the series.

* I'd like to mention the Franchise/StarWarsExpandedUniverse novels. Every single one of them is a gem, especially Zahn's and Stackpole's work. Though many people would like to disagree (vehemently), I thought that [=LoTF=] was brilliant, and excellently chronicled the fall of a hero, from WellIntentionedExtremist to an almost-total villain who just didn't know it. I'd also like to profess a profound liking of Karen Traviss's novels, MarySue-Mandos or not.

* Literature/{{Illuminatus}} It is postmodernism at its finest to the point where it becomes a parody of itself, among lots of other things, but in a good way. You can just open the books at any page and read any line and you will always find something interesting and weird and while the overarching story may or may not make complete sense (it is kind of hard to tell) it is always engaging and profits greatly from the unique style. Of all the books I have read (which are a lot) this one has captured my attention the fastest and never let go of it. It is brilliant.
* Anything Neal Shusterman writes. He excels in DarkerAndEdgier teen fiction, with complex plots, increasing tension, and very terrifying yet realistic premises. Literature/TheSkinjackerTrilogy and {{Literature/Unwind}} are two of the best series this trooper has read, and a MASSIVE crossover fanfic is on the way.....

* Mervyn Peake's ''Literature/{{Gormenghast}}'' trilogy is the topic of this troper's University dissertation (it's literary on top of being gripping and involving!). Peake's character's are bizarre, but they're also incredibly human; not since reading the ''Literature/HarryPotter'' novels as a kid has this troper been so emotionally involved in a piece of literature - some of the deaths in the books haunt him to this day. ''Titus Groan'' is a bit of a slog at first, but once you hit the half-way point you'll be reveling in Peake's elaborate prose - I've never came across another writer who cares so much for the aesthetic quality of words and their sounds: reading Peake's descriptions is like, if you'll excuse me, sex for the mental ear. And the atmosphere... This troper harbours ambitions of being an author, and after finishing ''Titus Alone'' was despondent, knowing he'll never write half as well as Peake.

*** Seconding ''Hogfather''. For [[{{Ryumaru}} me]], as I mentioned on the character gushing page, it's the scene where [[AC: Death]] rescues the little match girl. Yes, the one from the TearJerker poem. Best. Scene. EVER.

** This troper's first introduction to "real" literature was the ''[[Literature/TheBelgariad Belgariad]]''. One of my fondest memories is sitting in my room by my window reading through all twelve books in the 'verse in a summer, at the age of twelve. Elenium was even better. And now, the love for this author (well, these authors - his wife Leigh cowrote just about all of his stuff) is one of the few things I still have in common with my father. Eddings is basically TropeOverdosed done very, very ''right''.

*

** For all the hate it gets, ''Power of Three'' was really very good. It was well written, and though it didn't have as many [[TearJerker Tear Jerkers]] as the previous series, it was dark and depressing in the best way possible. The main characters were developed and easy to feel for. It introduced many new elements to the series and challenged the way things had always been done--Jayfeather's lack of respect for [=StarClan=], for example. And then it introduced a threat on a scale we'd never seen before, leading into ''Omen of the Stars'', which continued to be awesome in all the same ways as ''Power of Three''.

* This Troper likes pretty much every Literature/{{Dragonlance}} novel he owns (which is a lot). Sure, the series may get disparaged some for being based off of TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons, but the books are generally quite fun reads.

* To this troper, Literature/SwordOfTruth = Good. There I said it. <insert evil laughter here> Right, sorry, this is not the place for evil.

* ''Literature/GauntsGhosts'' is a series that not only manages to make the [[RedshirtArmy Imperial Guard]] [[BadassNormal competent, dangerous, and respectable,]] but also brings much-needed humanity to the wild insanity of the ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer 40000}}'' universe. Its funny, its heartrending, its just plain awesome....and unlike other aspects of the fiction, the characers don't need to be space elves, super soldiers, genetically engineered warrior fungi, or deathless automotons to be awesome.

* Literature/{{Dragaera}}. Probably some of the most amazing worldbuilding this side of Tolkien, very well-written, intelligent, often smart-alecky characters with very well-portrayed personalities, and a very cool mixture of EPIC and relatively mundane. Steven Brust is one of the relatively few modern authors I would say is not just a good writer, but a freaking genius. Since this list also includes Creator/TerryPratchett, this should tell you something.

* ''Oscar Wilde.'' Just...Oscar Wilde. Beautiful writing, and possibly the sharpest wit ever to exist.
** Yes I was totally looking for someone to mention Oscar Wilde. ♥ Bless that man's soul. [[Literature/ThePortraitOfDorianGray Dorian Gray]]'' is a wonderful book.

* ''Dragonsong'', from the Literature/DragonridersOfPern series. Brilliant storyline, and it's just so entertaining.

* David Brin: his [[Literature/{{Uplift}} Uplift Wars]] series is one of the best science fiction I've read, and his other stories such as Kiln People and The Postman are also entertaining and thought provoking.

** Well, if we're going into characters, this troper has always had a soft spot for TeenGenius ManipulativeBastards that can regularly pull off a [[ThePlan a clever plan]]. Not to mention, of course, a few genuinely wicked plot twists (the ends of The Opal Deception and The Lost Colony come to mind) and more than enough humor. Really, add in the complexity and development of most characters and... well, sometimes I wonder how I can enjoy a kid's series so much.

* The Literature/SherlockHolmes stories still hold up after all this time. There's a reason we haven't yet stopped adapting them; they're ALWAYS relevant. And awesome.

** ''Literature/AConnecticutYankeeInKingArthursCourt'' by Mark Twain was a surprising read that I wasn't sure I would like the first time I read it. It's a pretty interesting premise of a Yankee named Hank Morgan unknowingly traveling back in time to mid-evil era, where he tricks King Arthur to think he is a wizard. It completely tears down the often romanticized image of the Mid-evil Era. Merlin, the Knights of the Round, even King Arthur himself, is shown to be total imbeciles or even just downright corrupt. Yet there is a few optimistic kernels where Morgan tries to introduce modern (by his era anyway) technology in this world that is both accepting him and getting wary of him as well. This leads to a [[SugarWiki/MomentofAwesome fantastic climax]] that involves [[GatlingGood gatling guns]], Morgan taking on an army of knights, and actually leading to a sort of [[DownerEnding depressing ending]], but not aggravating at all.

** THANK! YOU! The Eragon Series were my favorite books growing up. I read them before LotR so I didn't catch the similarities, but I did catch some to Star Wars, and it works just as well in Fantasy. My favorite character has always been [[GoodIsNotNice Eragon]], but [[BadassNormal Roran]] and Saphira are also awesome. It's truly a great series and I can't wait for the fourth book. Best part, my new kindle solves [[DoorStopper my only problem with the series]]!

* On ''Literature/{{Twilight}}'', I may not go as far as to say that every book is amazing, but I think the reason the Twilight series is so popular (besides legions of fangirls wanting their own "Edward Cullen") is because Meyer took a concept and molded it into her own. Sure, she made the vampires sparkle and turned them from beasts to happy invincible creatures (then again, Anne Rice started this), but you can't deny that she has a entertaining plot. Even with the haters, you will find that they have at least ''one'' favorite character from this series, be it Alice, Jasper, or even James. Meyer's characterization may be off, but she leaves it for the reader to decide, in a way.
** Say what you want about ''Literature/{{Twilight}}'' - paper thin characters, purple prose, no literary value - it's still ridiculously fun to read in all it's absurd glory.

** The thing about twilight (for me at least) is this: I know that the books suck. I know that the characters are flat, and that the purple prose doesn't even make sense, and that the plot is not really that interesting, and vampires differ from the accepted image that they have formed today, but... I love the books.

* There is just not enough hard drive space in the universe to explain all of the things I love about Literature/{{Mistborn}}. I read it earlier this year and just loved it thoroughly.

* Literature/VorkosiganSaga. [[MamaBear Cordelia Naismith Vorkosigan's]] brillant and epic CMOA aside, there is so much more to it. Miles and his endless narrow escapes and brilliant escapades with the Dendarii Mercenaries. Simon Illyan, Alys Vorpatril, and Ivan Vorpatril's interpersonal issues. Barrayaran warfare and politics, and Betan psychological and sexual intrigue and whatever the Cetagandans get up to (look, [[Tropers/VoodooChild troper]] is getting around to them, give her time). Aral and Cordelia's epic love and happy marriage - there is no better pair of [[DeadpanSnarker Deadpan Snarking]] badasses in literature. Kou and Drou, Gregor and Laisa, Miles and Ekaterin - the course of love never did run smooth. And seriously, I've mentioned Cordelia, right? Because there's probably not a more awesome woman in sci-fi.

* Creator/PGWodehouse's books in general, but especially the Literature/JeevesAndWooster books. Whether you see them as bright and sunny like they're portrayed or not, whether the plots are somewhat repetitive or not, you can't pretend they're not some of the funnest, funniest, books around. The scene when Gussie Finknottle gives his speech to the boys' school in ''Very Good, Jeeves'' will have you in tears every time you read it. Also, the great relationship between Jeeves & Bertie. You have the genius servant, always ready with a drink and a good quote of poetry to calm his master down and fish him from the soup, and you have the idiotic, but still somehow totally charming, master, who is forever willing to do anything for his friends, no matter how stupid or cruel they can be, and when you have the two of them together, you have two characters who are really devoted to each other in the most awesome way, whether you see them as YaoiGuys or just good ol' fashioned HeterosexualLifePartners.

* The Literature/FarsalaTrilogy by Creator/HilariBell is one of my favorite series ever. The characters are compelling, the world-building is phenomenal, the plot is classic, the societies are given strengths and faults, the morals are apparent without being too sappy. This is my go-to series for when I want a strong set of protagonists fighting realistically in a LowFantasy setting. I can't even describe why I love these books, but I have read them all more times than I can remember. I just wish anyone else had heard of them, because they're some of her lesser-know works.

** For that matter, Literature/{{Everworld}}. I just love the [[SubvertedTrope subversion]] of your typical fantasy tropes (e.g. when the damsel in distress turns out to be a ManipulativeBastard), not to mention the whole DarkerAndEdgier aspect of fantasy as a whole, and the characters' snarky approach towards their ordeal is the icing on the cake.

* OK, I'm going to piss off a large portion of this wiki and bring up the Literature/AnitaBlake series. Are there a lot of issues with it, especially as Anita becomes a succubus? Yeah, there are. But you know what? I. Don't. Care. Hamilton still managed to create a supernatural world based on our own, where lycanthropes and vampires are just part of life, another issue to be handled by Washington and the cops just like the new budget or a street gang. The LKH world feels like ours, just with a twist. The world ''works'', and as for Anita, call her a CanonSue. But if so, she's the only one to show that sometimes that "popularity" goes a little wrong in ways that are truly nightmarish, not "Oh poor me, everyone loves me!" Not to mention, any series that consistently gives a pair of friends enough conversation fodder for hours clearly has a lot in it to talk about (and my friend and I have been theorizing about AB for years). And then there's Edward (alias Death) who is the best thing in the series.
* Last winter, I read ''Literature/WutheringHeights'', and I loved it. This summer, I read ''Literature/JaneEyre'', and I loved it. A few weeks ago, I read ''Literature/TheTenantOfWildfellHall'', and I was aghast. It is the most cruelly underrated novel I have ever come across! Why do I find the most obscure and neglected Bronte novel to be the best and most engaging of the sisters' works?! With no exaggeration, ''The Tenant'' is truly the most gut-wrenching novel I've ever read. It shakes me to my very core in a way no book has ever come close to. Never before have I almost been unable to bear reading a book for its power. It's also only the third book in my life [[note]]after ''Literature/LittleWomen'' and ''Literature/CyranoDeBergerac''[[/note]] that actually brought on an unstoppable torrent of tears as I read. The First Feminist Novel desperately SugarWikiNeedsMoreLove, and Creator/AnneBronte, you'll always have my vote as the best writer in your family.

* Brian Jacques's Literature/{{Redwall}} series. This troper can honestly say that Redwall is the best fantasy series she has ever had the pleasure of reading. She is teased constantly by her parents about how much she loves "her little furry animals with swords and nut bread", but is not bothered by this, considering it's the truth. Each and every one of Jacques' characters is unique in his or her own way, from the warrior mice to the villainous foxes and wildcats. The world is beautifully fleshed out, the plots may be formulaic at times but are nonetheless engaging. TheSmurfettePrinciple is averted left and right, and most of all the characters and situations are realistic (besides the fact that they're all {{Talking Animal}}s). This troper loves these books and will continue to love them.

* Derek Landy's Literature/SkulduggeryPleasant Series is another ostensibly "written for children" series that manages to be darker and edgier than most adult fiction. Tuxedo wearing magic skeletons, Eldritch Horrors and a dry sarcastic wit throughout. Wonderful.
* Literature/TheRailwaySeries, by the Reverend Wilbert Vere Awdry and later continued by his son Christopher. I love it. Simply by reading one gains a working knowledge of railways. The characters... Being introduced to them a few at a time, watching as they develop... becoming attached to them. Watching as the whole of it all unfolds. Crowning Moments of Funny, Heartwarming, and Awesome may be found, as well as Tear Jerkers. The TV series, in its older days, before SeasonalRot took hold (cue Henry's sad theme)... I grew up watching the old episodes and reading The Railway Series. In fact, that's probably why I turned out as alright as I have. Although the Thomas stories told nowadays are largely insults to the classic stories we loved, they have not erased those tales from existence. They remain, in our books, on our video tapes and [=DVDs=], on Website/YouTube... And next year, a new Railway Series book is coming out. The true Thomas isn't out of steam yet. He will always be there when needed. For Thomas is, after all, a Really Useful Engine. *cue classic outro riff*

* Anything, anything, ANYTHING, by Creator/TamoraPierce. Her strong female heroines are all complex and kickass and relatable, her worldbuilding is amazing in both her Literature/TortallUniverse and Literature/CircleOfMagic series, and the stories she tells are all epic, from the Song of the Lioness to the Beka Cooper series to the Circle quartets.
** This. Good God, this, seconded so much. Literature/CircleOfMagic helped get this troper through major RL upheaval, because the world she created was a wonderful place to go hide in.
** Thirded. Literature/CircleOfMagic especially, because it's just so darn ''adorable''.

* Dennis Lehane, I believe, is one of the most brilliant minds to ever grace the mystery genre. His KenzieAndGennaro books (''A Drink in the War'', ''Darkness Take my Hand'', ''Sacred'', ''Literature/GoneBabyGone'', ''Prayers for Rain'', ''Moonlight Mile'') are brilliant and genre-transcending, full of mindblowing twists and turns and mindboggling mysteries that kept me GLUED to the page and guessing till the end, heartbreakingly authentic characters, and perfect depictions of a dark and gritty Boston. I had to put down the books several time when I was reading them in order to not explode from awesome. Also, he wrote ''Literature/MysticRiver'' and ''Literature/ShutterIsland'', two other books made of fucking win.

* Patrick O'Brian's Literature/AubreyMaturin series of books. Although they may be difficult to get into at first, they represent literature at its finest. The characters are unique (some of the most original and stereotype-challenging this troper has ever encountered), realistic, and fleshed-out; Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin themselves are probably the most relentlessly badass fictional people this troper knows, and their loyalty to each other is completely adorable. The writing is incredible, there is plenty of action, drama, intrigue, heartbreak, and humor to be had (this troper literally laughs out loud whenever Aubrey mixes his metaphors, especially if Maturin is there to mischeviously confuse poor Jack further; not to mention Maturin's unrelenting land-lubberness and the endearing patience of the seamen who are constantly pulling him out of the water or catching him when he plunges out of the rigging). The attention to detail and research O'Brian put into the books is mind-blowing; if you're into history and tall ships, particularly the [[WoodenShipsAndIronMen Napoleonic Wars]] era, you can't miss out on this series. Plus it inspired the devastatingly fantastic movie ''[[Film/MasterAndCommander'' Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World]].

* Donna Andrews's [[Literature/MegLangslowMysteries Meg Langslow]] series is worth reading. It's a wacky hijinx mystery series with the heroine and her husband teaming up as the OnlySaneMan, using many of the cliches of the genre and making them work. And the heroine is a blacksmith.

* ''Serial Killers' Club'' is a great work of literature that SugarWiki/NeedsLove. The MorbidHumor, and [[LemonyNarrator Lemony narration]] mix very well.

** I LOVED Literature/TheThrawnTrilogy. It was the cornerstone of the Franchise/StarWarsExpandedUniverse. The Franchise/StarWarsExpandedUniverse would be '''nothing''' without Thrawn, Mara Jade, Gilad Pellaeon, and Talon Karrde.

* It's simply illogical that no one mentioned the Creator/MatthewSwift novels by Kate Griffin. Great characters, imaginative world that puts the mystical in the mundane, brilliant poetic writing... Suffice to say that when I discovered that there's a fifth book about to be published (as of this writing), I immediately clicked to an online bookstore to order it. The best UrbanFantasy ever written.
* Literature/{{Dinotopia}}, anyone?

* Literature/MonteWalsh is everything great about the cowboy Western jammed into one book: the depth of the friendship between 'pards' on the trail; the collision between encroaching civilization and the frontier lifestyle; the code of honor that exists between men; and the importance of a man's horse. It opens the first chapter with "a boy and his horse" and the last with "a man and his horse" and explains the journey from one to the other beautifully against the maturing backdrop of the footloose, cattle-driving West. On top of all that, one of the funniest books I've ever read; one of the few that made me both laugh and cry.
* Literature/{{Goosebumps}}, Literature/FearStreet, etc. ... there's a reason R. L. Stine's books being sold in millions of copies has gotten him into the the Guinness Book of Records.

* Nothing about Literature/JodiPicoult???

* ''Literature/HowToTrainYourDragon''. Dear Lord, where do I start? This has got to be the most underrated book series in the world. It's more than a fantasy series about pet dragons. It's an epic tale of growing up. It contains more SugarWiki/MomentsOfAwesome than any other book series I have ever encountered that isn't geared towards adults. There is just nothing like it. The plot throughout the series is incredibly well put together, the characters are awesome, and of course, you've got to love Cressida' s inventive dragon species. It's the story of Hiccup, the protagonist, a runt who was born by accident and is pushed around by an entire world of HornyViking DumbMuscle. He proceeds to take MultipleLevelsinBadass is each book to come untill he grows gradually up into an epic BadassBookworm GuileHero MasterSwordsman who is pretty much the only thing standing between an act of genocide. Along the way he puts into action no fewer than 13 ScheherezadeGambits fused with various other plans (an impressive feat for only 11 books, despite the fact that few go according to plan) and takes EarnYourHappyEnding UptoEleven. Then we have his archnemesis, who similarly goes through Hell to get where he is today. He inverts CreateYourOwnVillain, parodies NamestoRunAwayFromReallyFast, and exaggerates theCatCameBack to a truly unbelievable degree. This is the story that singlehandedly got This Troper going as an amateur writer, and I deeply urge all of you to read it.
* ''Literature/TheStoneDiaries'' is a truly amazing book (and tied with Speak for the best I ever read) that chronicles one woman's life from her birth to death, every character even minor ones are well written and likable, it also had an added bonus for me as I am such a history and genealogy nerd. By the second half It got so good I read the rest of it until 1 in the morning and actually got depressed upon finishing it because it was over. Its a shame there was never a sequel.(of course it's due to AuthorExistanceFailure) that chronicles the life of her decendents into the 21st century.

* LIterature/ArcOfAScythe. This series features brilliant worldbuilding. Just read the Thunderhead's explanation of how it solved crime, it's so realistic. It's also a nice counter to the DarknessInducedAudienceApathy that's common in YA fiction, with much humor and a fairly happy world only threatened by a couple zealots. Add in some top-notch character development and crazy plot twists and you have a classic.
* Langston Hughes is a true classic author. He explores racism more interestingly than any other author I've ever read. Both his poetry and his stories are amazing. He really needs more appreciation!
* Literature/OneHundredYearsOfSolitude. I tried many times to explain with my words, but they fail me. Maybe one day, I will figure out what this book even ''is''. Until then, I'll borrow the words of Dana Cardinal from Podcast/WelcomeToNightVale, with added emphasis, completely independent of this book, yet fitting:

''Hmm, I feel like going to the library. Care to join me?''
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* P. C. and Kristen Cast's ''Literature/TheHouseOfNight'' series is so amazing, it totally saddens me that it is not more popular and well-known. It's everything ''Twilight'' wanted to be but failed at; it has a real, complex, flawed heroine who is spirited and immensely likeable, a very strong supporting cast of friends, non-stop action, brilliant use of Chekhov's Guns, a unique twist on the vampire world that doesn't come across as begging to be mocked, multiple solid, believable romances and an amazing sense of humour that all fill out an incredibly detailed and well-realized alternate world. It's like [[Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer the early seasons of Buffy]] if the main character was a vampire instead of a Slayer. If you haven't read these books, go read them now. Seriously, I'll wait.

** Dude, ''The Thief of Always'' needs more love. Creepy, delicate, with nary a word too many, a great story told masterfully. And if the ending [[SugarWiki/HeartwarmingMoments doesn't warm your heart]]... well, you work for Mr. Hood, don't you?

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* ''Literature/TheAdventuresOfPinocchio'': It is a very poignant story that very accurately describes mankind with its protagonist; people generally wish to be good but their weak-willed nature gets the best of them. It is a childrens' book ([[WhatDoYouMeanItsForKids if occasionally grotesque]]) but is still a deep story. The main characters and even the secondary characters are all engaging and memorable. The drama and the comedy are well balanced and the story is very touching. It is written in a simple but effective manner, balancing clarity with wit and creativity. The [[Disney/{{Pinocchio}} Disney version]] is still pretty good, but shouldn't have overshadowed the book. --@/DoctorCooper