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Recommend me some damn books.

I've had a reader's block for a while now. That's basically like a writer's block, except it prevents me from reading. Since it's unhealthy for a writer to not be reading books, I feel I need to make an effort to power through this, if only to stay in decent shape. Trouble is, I don't now where to start and I'm a bit picky about what I read. So, I could use some suggestions.

Basically, I like my stories adventurous, up-beat, optimistic, thoughtful, intelligent and humerous; with likeable characters, a creative plot and not too much angst. Thrilling fights are a major plus, especially swordfights. You know, a larger-than-life kind of story, pretty much.

Also, preferably it should exist in audiobook format, since I find I have and easier time sticking to those than I have with printed books.

Any suggestions?
 

Ireth

Myth Weaver
Terry. Freaking. Pratchett.

Adventure? Check. Optimism? Check. Intelligence and thoughtfulness? Double check. Humor? Triple check, if British humor is your thing. There are plenty of characters to get to know and love, wildly creative plots (even his direct homages to other works like Macbeth and Phantom of the Opera are hugely enjoyable and original in their own right), and angst is minimized. There's plenty of drama as well, and it doesn't hinder the humor in the slightest. As for audio vs. visual format, some of his books are available on Audible for downloading (I got them for free as a gift, but I dunno if you actually have to pay or not). I have "I Shall Wear Midnight" and "Going Postal" at the moment. Can't tell you how many others there are, or which ones, unfortunately.
 

FireBird

Troubadour
I would recommend K.J. Parkers stand alone novels. Sharps and The Folding Knife are very good books. Based on what you wanted I would say Sharps would be best for you seeing as it follows a team of five fencers. The Folding Knife is more of an economical story. She has three trilogies as well but they aren't very good in my opinion.
 
I would recommend The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss (not done reading, though). Deep and poetic.

Just finished Courtney Schafer's The Whitefire Crossing, and I cannot recommend it enough. Nice, original tale of two characters trying to keep their secrets from each other while running over a mountain range. Such a good, smart novel.

I also finished Neil Gaiman's Stardust recently. Now that was an astonishing read, like a new fairy tale that ends on a haunting note.
 

Endymion

Troubadour
Treasure Island,
The three musketeers,
The count of Montechristo,
The tales of Otori,
The hobbit,

Don't know if these are humorous enough, but they are damn good.
 

CupofJoe

Myth Weaver
Terry. Freaking. Pratchett.

Adventure? Check. Optimism? Check. Intelligence and thoughtfulness? Double check. Humor? Triple check, if British humor is your thing. There are plenty of characters to get to know and love, wildly creative plots (even his direct homages to other works like Macbeth and Phantom of the Opera are hugely enjoyable and original in their own right), and angst is minimized. There's plenty of drama as well, and it doesn't hinder the humor in the slightest. As for audio vs. visual format, some of his books are available on Audible for downloading (I got them for free as a gift, but I dunno if you actually have to pay or not). I have "I Shall Wear Midnight" and "Going Postal" at the moment. Can't tell you how many others there are, or which ones, unfortunately.
Seconded!!! I would recommend Night watch. there are audio versions and if you can find it the BBC did it as a 5 part series...
 

Ireth

Myth Weaver
Seconded!!! I would recommend Night watch. there are audio versions and if you can find it the BBC did it as a 5 part series...

There are also animated versions of Wyrd Sisters and Soul Music, and a film version of Hogfather. I've watched Soul Music on YouTube, and it's brilliant. Christopher Lee does an amazing job as Death. XDD
 
Terry. Freaking. Pratchett.

Way ahead of you. I'm pretty sure I've read everything the man has written except Snuff (which I left unfinished somewhere around here), some of the Tiffany Aching books and the Carpet People.

John Scalzi might fit the bill. His Old Man's War series could work. It's SF, not fantasy; dunno if you're only asking about fantasy books.

Doesn't really matter to me.

On the other hand, I'm not really interested in war stories.

I would recommend K.J. Parkers stand alone novels. Sharps and The Folding Knife are very good books. Based on what you wanted I would say Sharps would be best for you seeing as it follows a team of five fencers. The Folding Knife is more of an economical story. She has three trilogies as well but they aren't very good in my opinion.

Will see what I can find on this.

I would recommend The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss (not done reading, though). Deep and poetic.

Another book I own but have been unable to read.

Just finished Courtney Schafer's The Whitefire Crossing, and I cannot recommend it enough. Nice, original tale of two characters trying to keep their secrets from each other while running over a mountain range. Such a good, smart novel.

Seems kinda interesting.

I also finished Neil Gaiman's Stardust recently. Now that was an astonishing read, like a new fairy tale that ends on a haunting note.

Read the book, saw the movie. Prefered the movie.

Treasure Island,

I kinda know how that one ends.

The three musketeers,

Read it as a teenager.

The count of Montechristo,

It's "Monte Cristo." Never did get around to this one, because I had the impression it was kinda dark. Might give it a shot, though.

The tales of Otori

Read about half of it a few years back. Wasn't too impressed.

The hobbit

Read it years ago.

...and The Way of Kings by Brandson Sanderson. It has some epic fight scenes and I really loved the main protagonist.

Been looking around for Sanderson's stuff, haven't had much luck so far.

Dan Abnett's Triumff was fun.

Duly noted.
 

ThinkerX

Myth Weaver
If you can find them - and it is a big *IF* - you might want to check out Dan Crawfords 'Nimnestl / Polijn' series:

'The Sure Death of a Mouse'

'Rouse a Sleeping Cat'

'A Wild Dog and Lone'

Sort of lighthearted 'dark intrigue' type stuff, scads of cheerfully corrupt characters, and a bit of bawdiness.

Each also stands alone.
 

Gustopher

Acolyte
The Mistborn Trilogy by Brandon Sanderson has all the ingredients you're looking for the first one is called Final Empire, then Well of Ascension, then Hero of Ages. There is also the Alloy of Law which is set in the same world 341 years after the end of the HoA. The main trilogy is big and epic but it has awesome fight scenes and some great humor as well. Alloy of Law is a much more playful work, VERY funny and enjoyable plus you get to take the magic systems from the main trilogy and add guns. Highly recommend Sanderson, and Mistborn and Way of Kings are my favorite of his works.
 
Got a hold of some of Brandon Sanderson's stuff. Started listening to Elantris. It's pretty okay, but not quite my style so far. (By which I mean there has yet to feature any swordfights or explosions.)
 

shangrila

Inkling
I'm halfway through the first book of the Long Prince quartet. It doesn't fit all of your criteria, but so far it's a good read.

Oh, and Elantris? Yeah, there aren't many swordfights or explosions.
 

Gustopher

Acolyte
Got a hold of some of Brandon Sanderson's stuff. Started listening to Elantris. It's pretty okay, but not quite my style so far. (By which I mean there has yet to feature any swordfights or explosions.)

Elantris and Warbreaker are very political. Mistborn has a lot more action and the magic system is much better suited to combat.
 
If you look at Sanderson I would definitely start with Mistborn. There are some pretty awesome fight scenes, but they don't involve swords. Great characters, funny dialogue, and some solid twists. Check it out.
 

Butterfly

Auror
I've almost finished reading Joe Abercrombie's the blade itself. It's the first of a trilogy, has humour, a tortured torturer, fighting, wizards, and barbarian type northman. I'm quite enjoying it so far.
 
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FatCat

Maester
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clark. Amazing stand-alone novel that departs from the typical fantasy style.
 
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