Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card (though I have issues with this writer - it's a great book); And I love Mercedes Lackey Valdemar series (more the older, than the newer) and the Oathbound series (Vows and Honor series).
I love the Valdemar series as well! I'm currently reading "Arrows Fall" in preparation for her upcoming "Gryphon In Light" (which I have an ARC of), and I believe the third volume of the "Founding of Valdemar" series is due out sometime this year too.
Unfortunately, I have packed away my collections so pictures will have to wait till they are unpacked. But, I believe, I have 5 complete boxed sets of Harry Potter, including the editions I purchased as they released. Memories of going to midnight release parties in NYC and NH for Books 5, 6, and 7 are still in my mind!
I am in the middle of collecting the two illustrated versions being released. The MinaLima collection and the Jim Kay collection. Show me a collection and if I don't have it I buy it. I also have a few UK vs US versions as well.
Not to mention the two wands I own (Hermione and Snape) as well as some other collectibles. My next venture will be in building the entire LEGO HP World. I was just waiting till I had the space in my new house where I could build them and leave them intact.
Sorry, I've gone off on a tangent discussing HP! lol
Love your list and I can feel those myself. A couple others that shaped me are the Dune series (I remember reading it in college over a single summer), Tales of Earthsea and Joe Abercrombie's First Law series - and for standalones - Neverwhere and American Gods both by Neil Gaiman. Too many more to list but those are a few more for me.
Omg, I thought I was the only other person in the world who read (and enjoyed) Piers Anthony's Apprentice Adept series! I read WAY too much Piers Anthony in my formative years....
But I too read the Dragonriders of Pern, and those I'm glad invaded my brain at a young age! 😊
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card (though I have issues with this writer - it's a great book); And I love Mercedes Lackey Valdemar series (more the older, than the newer) and the Oathbound series (Vows and Honor series).
I love the Valdemar series as well! I'm currently reading "Arrows Fall" in preparation for her upcoming "Gryphon In Light" (which I have an ARC of), and I believe the third volume of the "Founding of Valdemar" series is due out sometime this year too.
Unfortunately, I have packed away my collections so pictures will have to wait till they are unpacked. But, I believe, I have 5 complete boxed sets of Harry Potter, including the editions I purchased as they released. Memories of going to midnight release parties in NYC and NH for Books 5, 6, and 7 are still in my mind!
I am in the middle of collecting the two illustrated versions being released. The MinaLima collection and the Jim Kay collection. Show me a collection and if I don't have it I buy it. I also have a few UK vs US versions as well.
Not to mention the two wands I own (Hermione and Snape) as well as some other collectibles. My next venture will be in building the entire LEGO HP World. I was just waiting till I had the space in my new house where I could build them and leave them intact.
Sorry, I've gone off on a tangent discussing HP! lol
No apology needed, I could discuss the characters, plot twists and worldbuilding of the HP series until I was blue in the face!
Love your list and I can feel those myself. A couple others that shaped me are the Dune series (I remember reading it in college over a single summer), Tales of Earthsea and Joe Abercrombie's First Law series - and for standalones - Neverwhere and American Gods both by Neil Gaiman. Too many more to list but those are a few more for me.
An impressive assortment, Dan! Earthsea is in my TBR pile. I'll get there eventually.
Earthsea is a quick read and well worth the time. It's a early gem.
Omg, I thought I was the only other person in the world who read (and enjoyed) Piers Anthony's Apprentice Adept series! I read WAY too much Piers Anthony in my formative years....
But I too read the Dragonriders of Pern, and those I'm glad invaded my brain at a young age! 😊
A little startling to realize those are all considered "classics" now!
Wait does that mean we are classics too????? 😅
LOL! Of course, we're classics of the best sort!
Absolutely!!! 😄