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1 • Paolo Chikiamco said:
August 3rd, 2009 at 8:28 pm, permalink

JK Rowling – Harry Potter and the Sorceror’s Stone (Gateway for the young)
David Eddings – the Belgariad (My personal gateway)
Jim Butcher – the Dresden Files (Gateway from mystery/detective)
2 • Lynn Jones said:
August 3rd, 2009 at 8:39 pm, permalink

T.H. White–The Once and Future King
William Goldman–The Princess Bride
Peter S. Beagle–The Last Unicorn
3 • Selena said:
August 3rd, 2009 at 8:52 pm, permalink

Clarke–Jonathan Strange
Gaiman and Pratchett–Good Omens
Stoker–Dracula
4 • Elena Gleason said:
August 3rd, 2009 at 9:19 pm, permalink

Maria V. Snyder-Poison Study
Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett-Good Omens
Philip Pullman-The Golden Compass
5 • Joe Sherry said:
August 3rd, 2009 at 9:23 pm, permalink

David Eddings: The Belgariad
George R. R. Martin: Inside Straight
Melanie Rawn: Dragon Prince
6 • Mary Kay said:
August 3rd, 2009 at 9:47 pm, permalink

Pratchett & Gaiman – Good Omens
Huff- Blood Books
Pratchett – Small Gods
7 • Hayley E. Lavik said:
August 3rd, 2009 at 10:22 pm, permalink

Beagle – The Last Unicorn
Gaiman – American Gods (or any, honestly)
Carey – Kushiel’s Dart (currently gatewaying several people I know into the genre)
8 • Jazz said:
August 3rd, 2009 at 10:38 pm, permalink

The Orphan’s Tales by Catherynne M. Valente
A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin
The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
9 • Cat C. said:
August 3rd, 2009 at 10:41 pm, permalink

Ray Bradbury
Something Wicked This Way Comes

Mark Ferrari
The Book of Joby

Tad Williams
The Otherland series
10 • Larry Hodges said:
August 3rd, 2009 at 11:06 pm, permalink

J.K. Rowling – Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
Piers Anthony – On a Pale Horse
Douglas Adams – The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
11 • Caitlin R. Kieran said:
August 3rd, 2009 at 11:11 pm, permalink

Mark Z. Danielewski – House of Leaves

Ray Bradbury – Something Wicked This Way Comes

Walter Miller – A Canticle for Leibowitz
12 • Robinson Mason said:
August 3rd, 2009 at 11:27 pm, permalink

Rosemary Jones – City of the Dead
Robert E. Howard – The Best of Robert E. Howard Volume 1: Crimson Shadows
Stephen R. Donaldson – The Thomas Covenant Chronicles: Lord Foul’s Bane
13 • Logan L. Masterson said:
August 3rd, 2009 at 11:49 pm, permalink

I have to go with:

Raymond E. Feist’s Magician’s Apprentice
Ursula K. LeGuin’s Earthsea Cycle
Phillip Pulman’s Golden Compass (The whole of His Dark Materials, really)

Though I have to say that this is a great list with a TON of phenomenal works that all deserve tremendous credit.
14 • Edward Brock said:
August 4th, 2009 at 12:00 am, permalink

The Dresden Files – Jim Butcher
Something Wicked This Way Comes – Ray Bradbury
Little, Big – John Crowley
15 • J.W. Crump said:
August 4th, 2009 at 12:40 am, permalink

T.H. White, The Once and Future King
Jim Butcher, The Dresden Files
Richard Adams, Watership Down
Gaiman and/or Pratchett, anything

For me, it was The Lord of the Rings, but I’m not sure it would work as an entry book anymore. Too long, requires concentration and the ability to lose yourself in another world.
16 • Natalia Pierandrei said:
August 4th, 2009 at 6:13 am, permalink

Philip Pullman » The Golden Compass
Neil Gaiman » Neverwhere and Stardust
J.R.R. Tolkien » The Lord of the Rings
17 • HelzKat said:
August 4th, 2009 at 10:07 am, permalink

David & Leigh Eddings
The Belgariad

J.K Rowling
Harry Potter books (for the younger market)
18 • ghg said:
August 4th, 2009 at 11:25 am, permalink

Kiernan – The Red Tree

Danielewski – House of Leaves

Clarke – Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell
19 • Alex Masterson said:
August 4th, 2009 at 11:40 am, permalink

Susanna Clarke – Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell

Douglas Adams – The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

Philip Pullman – The Golden Compass
20 • Clint said:
August 4th, 2009 at 12:06 pm, permalink

A Game of Thrones — George R.R. Martin

The Best of Robert E. Howard Volume 1: Crimson Shadows — Robert E. Howard

The Dresden Files — Jim Butcher
21 • Patrick said:
August 4th, 2009 at 12:23 pm, permalink

J.R.R. Tolkien – Lord of the Rings

Madeleine L’Engle – A Wrinkle in Time

Richard Adams – Watership Down
22 • Brett said:
August 4th, 2009 at 2:51 pm, permalink

Richard Adams- Watership Down

Orson Scott Card- Enders Game

David Eddings- The Belgariad

All great books for people new to fantasy.
23 • Kate said:
August 4th, 2009 at 4:25 pm, permalink

Orson Scott Card – Ender’s Game

Madeline L’Engle – A Wrinkle in Time

William Goldman – The Princess Bride
24 • Willow Fagan said:
August 4th, 2009 at 4:45 pm, permalink

So many good ones to choose from! But I’m going with:

John Crowley
Little, Big

Susannah Clarke
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell

Mark Z. Danielewski
House of Leaves
25 • Craig Scott said:
August 4th, 2009 at 5:04 pm, permalink

David Eddings: The Belgariad
Melanie Rawn: Dragon Prince
Robert Jordan: The Eye of the World
26 • Patricia MacAodha said:
August 4th, 2009 at 9:00 pm, permalink

J.R.R. Tolkien; The Lord of the Rings
Marion Zimmer Bradley; Mists of Avalon
J.K. Rowling; Harry Potter and the Halfblood Prince
27 • Mervi said:
August 4th, 2009 at 9:29 pm, permalink

J.R.R. Tolkien: The Lord of the Rings
Robin Hobb: Ship Of Magic
Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett: Good Omens
28 • Josiah Cadicamo said:
August 4th, 2009 at 9:45 pm, permalink

Patrick Rothfuss – Name of the Wind (WOW am i the only one? people read him. . .)

Brandon Sanderson – Mistborn (See above. . . wow. . .)

oh. . . Robert Jordan or David Anthony Durham. . . well Robert Jordan doesn’t need publicity like Durham

David Anthony Durham – Acacia

These are all good for anyone. Except maybe the very young. This was a stressful choice : /
29 • Antebar said:
August 4th, 2009 at 10:41 pm, permalink

Robin Hobb: Ship of Magic
Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman: The Death Gate Cycle (Dragon Wing)
Philip Pullman: The Golden Compass
30 • David Steffen said:
August 4th, 2009 at 11:30 pm, permalink

David Duncan–Magic Casement
William Goldman–The Princess Bride
Neil Gaiman–Stardust
31 • Ashe Hunt said:
August 5th, 2009 at 1:35 am, permalink

The Dragon Prince – Melanie Rawn
Acacia: The War With The Mein – David Anthony Durham
A Game of Thrones – George Martin

Many great books on this list. Had a toss up btw A Game of Thrones and The Dark Tower but had to go with Game.
32 • Althea said:
August 5th, 2009 at 6:38 am, permalink

Robin Hobb: Ship of Magic
Scott Lynch: The Lies of Locke Lamora
Philip Pullman: The Golden Compass
33 • Seregil said:
August 5th, 2009 at 8:39 am, permalink

Michel Ende: The Neverending Story
Terry Goodkind : Wizard’s First Rule
Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman: The Death Gate Cycle (Dragon Wing)
34 • Guy Greenhill said:
August 5th, 2009 at 10:38 am, permalink

Rosemary Jones
City of the Dead

David Eddings- The Belgariad

David Duncan–Magic Casement
35 • Phoebe Matthews said:
August 5th, 2009 at 10:50 am, permalink

Rosemary Jones
City of the Dead

Michael Ende
The Neverending Story, YA

Tanya Huff
The Blood Books
36 • Steven Till said:
August 5th, 2009 at 11:08 am, permalink

J.K. Rowling – Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

J.R.R. Tolkien – The Lord of the Rings

George R.R. Martin – A Game of Thrones

I thought I’d try and include a book for various demographics: youth, classic, and modern adult.
37 • chriSchaeffer said:
August 5th, 2009 at 11:14 am, permalink

Terry Goodkind: Wizard’s First Rule
Robin Hobb: Ship Of Magic
George R.R. Martin: A Game Of Thrones
38 • Matt D said:
August 5th, 2009 at 11:48 am, permalink

J.K. Rowling – Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
J.R.R Tolkien – The Hobbit
Anne McCaffrey – Dragonflight
39 • Merrily Boone said:
August 5th, 2009 at 6:49 pm, permalink

City of the Dead Rosemary Jones
Dealing with Dragons Patricia Wrede
So You want to be a Wizard Diane Duane

These are all books that would appeal to teen readers and pull them in to reading fantasy.
40 • Pat Rothfuss said:
August 5th, 2009 at 9:52 pm, permalink

Ray Bradbury
Something Wicked This Way Comes

Emma Bull
War For The Oaks

Neil Gaiman
Neverwhere
41 • Jim Quon said:
August 5th, 2009 at 10:04 pm, permalink

Douglas Adams
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

Patrick Rothfuss
The Name Of The Wind

Frank Herbert
Dune
42 • Bridget said:
August 5th, 2009 at 10:07 pm, permalink

Isobelle Carmody
The Farseekers

William Goldman
The Princess Bride

Diana Wynne Jones
Howl’s Moving Castle
43 • N. Andrews said:
August 5th, 2009 at 10:08 pm, permalink

Patrick Rothfuss– Name of the Wind.

Jacqualine Carey–Santa Olivia

Neil Gaiman–American Gods.
44 • Frank Cernik said:
August 5th, 2009 at 10:09 pm, permalink

Douglas Adams
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

Susannah Clarke
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell

Terry Pratchett
Mort
45 • Linnea Sjogren said:
August 5th, 2009 at 10:15 pm, permalink

Douglas Adams
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

Katherine Kerr
Daggerspell
Darkspell
Dawnspell

Patrick Rothfuss
The Name Of The Wind
46 • sara stillwell said:
August 5th, 2009 at 10:19 pm, permalink

Neil Gaiman
American Gods

Patrick Rothfuss
The Name of the Wind

Joe Abercrombie
The First Law Series
47 • Ariel said:
August 5th, 2009 at 10:21 pm, permalink

Douglas Adams – anything
Patrick Rothfuss- Name of the Wind
Neil Gaiman – American Gods
Terry Pratchett – anything
48 • Aaron LaPacz said:
August 5th, 2009 at 10:21 pm, permalink

Elizabeth Haydon
Symphony of Ages

Ann Bishop
Black Jewels Trilogy

Patrick Rothfuss
The Name of the Wind
49 • *lynne* said:
August 5th, 2009 at 10:26 pm, permalink

Isobelle Carmody: Obernewtyn

George R R Martin: A Game of Thrones

Jim Butcher: Storm Front
50 • Audrey Appudurai said:
August 5th, 2009 at 10:35 pm, permalink

Anne Bishop – Black Jewels Trilogy

Neil Gaiman – American Gods

Raymond E Feist – Magician (the author’s preferred text)

That was too hard to choose.
51 • Cory said:
August 5th, 2009 at 10:38 pm, permalink

Patrick Rothfuss – Name of the Wind

Neil Gaiman – American Gods

Douglas Adams – The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (If they enjoy humor)
52 • Michael said:
August 5th, 2009 at 10:42 pm, permalink

Jim Butcher
The Dresden books

Neil Gaiman
American Gods

Anne McCaffrey
Dragonflight

thaaaaat was tough.
53 • Ethan leggett said:
August 5th, 2009 at 10:57 pm, permalink

Brandon Sanderson
Mistborn

Patrick Rothfuss
The Name of The Wind

Orson Scott Card
Ender’s Game
54 • Ryan said:
August 5th, 2009 at 11:01 pm, permalink

On a Pale Horse – Piers Anthony

Ender’s Game – Orson Scott Card

The Golden Compass – Phillip Pullman
55 • Emily said:
August 5th, 2009 at 11:02 pm, permalink

I have to go with

Piers Anthony: On a Pale Horse

Patrick Rothfuss: The Name of the Wind

Douglas Adams: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
56 • Anne Johnson said:
August 5th, 2009 at 11:05 pm, permalink

David and Leigh Eddings
The Belgariad

Orson Scott Card
Ender’s Game

Tamora Pierce
Alanna
57 • Katherine Thornton said:
August 5th, 2009 at 11:10 pm, permalink

Patrick Rothfuss
The Name Of The Wind

Neil Gaiman
American Gods

Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett
Good Omens
58 • Justin said:
August 5th, 2009 at 11:26 pm, permalink

Patrick Rothfuss
The Name of the Wind

Philip Pullman
The Golden Compass

J.K Rowling
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (lawl Canada)
59 • Kess Broekman-Dattner said:
August 5th, 2009 at 11:27 pm, permalink

FOR SURE
Robert V.S. Redick
The Red Wolf Conspiracy

DEFINITELY
Patrick Rothfuss
The Name Of The Wind

AND ONE CANNOT GO PAST
Stephen R Donaldson
The Tales Of Thomas Covenant
60 • Beth D said:
August 5th, 2009 at 11:31 pm, permalink

Patricia Wrede- Dealing With Dragons is what got me into it, decades ago.

Jacqueline Carey- Kushiel’s Dart

Pratchett- Small Gods (I guess, but I would’ve gone with Going Postal)

(no Lois McMaster Bujold?)
61 • Christo B said:
August 5th, 2009 at 11:35 pm, permalink

Douglas Adams
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

Neil Gaiman
American Gods

Stephen King
The Dark Tower series

But so many to choose from =(
62 • Dawn Olmo said:
August 5th, 2009 at 11:37 pm, permalink

Stephen Donaldson–Lord Foul’s Bane (and The Mirror of her dreams)

Patrick Rothfuss — Name of the Wind

David Eddings — The Belgariad

(the mirror of her dreams is what drug me back into the fold in high school, but Madeline L’Engle’s a Wrinkle in Time brought me to fantasy in grade school)
63 • Trevor Stefanick said:
August 5th, 2009 at 11:42 pm, permalink

Douglas Adams
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

Terry Pratchett
The Color Of Magic

Patrick Rothfuss
The Name Of The Wind

This was a hard choice, especially as I felt some of these fall under Science Fiction. And I am sad Terry Brooks didn’t have any books on here!
64 • Lydia said:
August 5th, 2009 at 11:43 pm, permalink

I’d have to say my choices would be
William Goldman
The Princess Bride

Madeleine L’Engle
A Wrinkle in Time

C.S. Lewis
The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe

I think they would be the ones had I read first would have made me want to keep reading more fantasy. I’d say that Douglas Adams would be there instead of the Princess Bride, except that I kinda consider him to be more scifi than fantasy so I’m not sure I could include him for strictly fantasy…
65 • catty said:
August 5th, 2009 at 11:50 pm, permalink

gaiman and pratchett – good omens

douglas adams – the hitchhiker’s guide to the galaxy

peter beagle – the last unicorn

I left out Rowling and Tolkien b/c (I think) non-fantasy readers are more likely to read these on their own.

-catty-
66 • Nicole said:
August 5th, 2009 at 11:57 pm, permalink

Gath Nix, Sabriel and Patrick Rothfuss The Name of the Wind. both AWESOME books!
67 • Brett said:
August 6th, 2009 at 12:22 am, permalink

Neil Gaiman
Neverwhere

Ray Bradbury
Something Wicked This Way Comes

Jim Butcher
The Dresden Files
68 • Carl Cunningham said:
August 6th, 2009 at 12:38 am, permalink

Peter Beagle – The Last Unicorn
David Eddings – Pawn of Prophecy (The Belgariad)
C.S. Lewis – The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe
69 • Carl Cunningham said:
August 6th, 2009 at 12:40 am, permalink

and you said Fantasy. Orson Scott Card and Douglas Adams and some others are science fiction.
70 • Megan said:
August 6th, 2009 at 1:55 am, permalink

Definitely Orson Scott Card’s “Ender’s Game”. That’s what hooked me at least.
71 • Michael S. said:
August 6th, 2009 at 2:02 am, permalink

Orson Scott Card
Ender’s Game

J.M. Barrie
Peter Pan

Patrick Rothfuss
The Name Of The Wind
72 • Syrus Amedore said:
August 6th, 2009 at 2:16 am, permalink

When looking to convert adults:
Jim Butcher Dresden Files
Christopher Moore A Dirty Job
And a book that is not on the list Scott Lynch Lies of Locke Lamora
If I am suggesting to new readers in general:
Lloyd Alexander Prydian Chronicles
Orson Scott Card Ender’s Game
Patrick Rothfuss Name of the Wind
73 • Tyson said:
August 6th, 2009 at 2:24 am, permalink

That really depends on if it’s for kids or adults. I think you need to clarify which. For kids I pick:

J. R. R. Tolkien – The Hobbit
David Eddings — The Belgariad
Lloyd Alexander – The Prydain Chronicles
74 • Hendri Cawood said:
August 6th, 2009 at 2:53 am, permalink

Terry Pratchett – Almost any
Patrick Rothfuss – The Name of The Wind
Neil Gaiman – Neverwhere

To be honest I want to say any of these could be an entry into reading as a pleasure.
75 • Milen Semkov said:
August 6th, 2009 at 3:19 am, permalink

Patrick Rothfuss – Name of the Wind

Jim Butcher – Dresden Series

Robert Jordan – The Eye of the World

Actually, I always try to hook up my friends to Fantasy and these three have proven quite successful so far.

I wish I could include The Firestaf Series by James Galloway, but I guess not many people know about these wonderful, non-commercial books
76 • Atrus said:
August 6th, 2009 at 4:55 am, permalink

Ray Bradbury – Something Wicked This Way Comes
Terry Pratchett – Reaper man
Richard Adams – Watership Down
77 • Ward Roegiers said:
August 6th, 2009 at 5:14 am, permalink

Patrick Rothfuss – The Name of the wind

Raymond E. Feist – Magician (both books)

Robert Jordan – The Eye of the World
78 • Layne said:
August 6th, 2009 at 6:06 am, permalink

Neil Gaiman – American Gods
Patrick Rothfuss – The Name Of The Wind
Terry Pratchett – Reaper Man
79 • Kim Mikael Pedersen said:
August 6th, 2009 at 6:32 am, permalink

Impossible to name 3. Tolkien was my own entry all those years ago, but its not really an entry book as #15 says, and so much great fantasy has been written since. I dont understand why people are saying Harry Potter for the younger, I enjoyed it immensely I wish it would have been the Farseer trilogy mentioned by Robin Hobb instead of Ship of magic (though it is brilliant as well). Argh, pick 3 !!! Hmmmmmm

J.K. Rowling – Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone
Michael Ende – The Neverending Story (am I the only one remebering this one ? )
David Eddings – The Belgariad

Pat and Brandon HAS to be mentioned as well here. As good as the above was 30 years ago, as good are your stuff now, but they have simply been around longer !
80 • Janis LeMaster said:
August 6th, 2009 at 7:02 am, permalink

Margaret Weiss and Tracy Hickman
The Death Gate Cycle

Raymond E. Feist
Magician: Apprentice

George R.R. Martin
A Game Of Thrones
81 • Lanne Webb said:
August 6th, 2009 at 9:43 am, permalink

Tolkien- Lord of the Rings
Anthony- On a Pale Horse
Herbert- Dune
82 • Josiah Cadicamo said:
August 6th, 2009 at 9:55 am, permalink

WHY dont they have Steven erikson on this list. . .

the greatest fantasy author of all time in my oppinion
83 • dawn said:
August 6th, 2009 at 10:40 am, permalink

Melanie Rawn’s Dragon Prince got me reading fantasy…

I’ll add in Mercedes Lackey’s Magic’s Pawn for getting my now 16 year old reading fantasy

and

Diane Duane
So You Want To Be A Wizard

because I think that one is also an excellent gateway fantasy book. There are some on here that I’d call wonderful gateway sci-fi, but not fantasy.
84 • Richard said:
August 6th, 2009 at 11:57 am, permalink

Terry Goodkind
Wizard’s First Rule
Patrick Rothfuss
The Name Of The Wind
J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone
85 • Chris said:
August 6th, 2009 at 12:03 pm, permalink

Patrick Rothfuss: The Name of the Wind

Orson Scott Card: Ender’s Game

J.K. Rowling: Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone
86 • HellCold said:
August 6th, 2009 at 12:13 pm, permalink

The Hobbit – JRR Tolkien

Warbreaker – Brandon Sanderson

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone – JK Rowling
87 • Katharina said:
August 6th, 2009 at 1:03 pm, permalink

Patricia Wrede and Caroline Stevermer
Sorcery And Cecelia

Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett
Good Omens

Emma Bull
War For The Oaks
88 • Noel said:
August 6th, 2009 at 4:10 pm, permalink

Oooh…so tough…some people aren’t being good rule-abiders, though, by choosing books not listed above. If we have to stick with these, then my picks would be:
C.S. Lewis: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
J.K. Rowling: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
R.A. Salvatore: Homeland

(what is it with the initials??)
89 • Bonnie said:
August 6th, 2009 at 4:48 pm, permalink

Stephen Donaldson — Lord Foul’s Bane

TH White — Once and Future King

Anne McCaffrey — Dragonflight
90 • Will Rogers said:
August 6th, 2009 at 5:05 pm, permalink

David Eddings – The Belgariad
Martin – A Game of Thrones
Donaldson – Lord Foul’s Bane
91 • Kelli Caputo said:
August 6th, 2009 at 6:05 pm, permalink

Patrick Rothfuss – Name of the Wind

Brandon Sanderson – Mistborn

Sarah Monette – Melusine
92 • Greg M. said:
August 6th, 2009 at 11:24 pm, permalink

The Once and Future King, TH White
Lord of the Rings, JRR Tolkien

Classics of the fantasy genre as well as classic literature in their own right (or write, perhaps).
93 • Loni said:
August 7th, 2009 at 9:19 am, permalink

These are my top three favs and the ones I first shared with my kids and my friends as Must Reads when they were looking for something good.
JRR Tolkien
CS Lewis
Pat Rothfuss
94 • Gwenescence said:
August 7th, 2009 at 12:23 pm, permalink

Terry Goodkind – Wizard’s First Rule

Patrick Rothfuss – The Name Of The Wind

James Clemens – Wit’ch Fire
95 • Justin said:
August 9th, 2009 at 9:08 pm, permalink

Patrick Rothfuss: The Name of the Wind

Stephen King: The Dark Tower Series

George R.R. Martin: A Game of Thrones
96 • kkincaid said:
August 10th, 2009 at 2:47 am, permalink

Patrick Rothfuss: The Name of the Wind
Lloyd Alexander: The Prydain Chronicles
O. C. Card: Ender’s Game
97 • Joey Jordan said:
August 11th, 2009 at 8:02 pm, permalink

Margaret Weiss and Tracy Hickman
The Death Gate Cycle

Patrick Rothfuss
The Name Of The Wind

Mark Ferrari
The Book of Joby
98 • Melanie Bates said:
August 12th, 2009 at 11:54 am, permalink

My recommendations to get kids who already read to read fantasy are always:

The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
Harry Potter & the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling

However, I think you have to grab kids earlier than that and why not start with fantasy:

James & the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
Mrs. Frisby & the Rats of NIMH by Robert O’Brien
Charlie & the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
99 • MegSpencer said:
August 14th, 2009 at 4:43 pm, permalink

I’m going with books I’d recommend an adult who hasn’t read fantasy, not a child, because the list would be different for a child.

Mort
Neverwhere
The Princess Bride

Humor is a big help in getting people to read new things, I think. A lot of the books above are really good, but I think they require a knowledge of the genre (or a complete lack of knowledge/preconceived notions) to jump into.
100 • StevenTill.com - Medieval History (Middle Ages History), Historical Fiction, Fantasy Books, Fantasy Novels, Fantasy Writing, Writing Fiction said:
August 17th, 2009 at 9:27 am, permalink

[...] a related note, Fantasy Magazine is conducting a poll to determine which fantasy novels are the gateway books (”the novels [...]
101 • Jeff Crook said:
August 17th, 2009 at 11:27 am, permalink

Mervyn Peake: Titus Groan
Fritz Leiber: The Swords of Lankhmar
T.H. White: The Once and Future King
102 • Eli Effinger-Weintraub said:
August 17th, 2009 at 1:34 pm, permalink

Good Omens
The Golden Compass
The Belgariad

Not my favorites (except Good Omens), but there’s no doubt that they’ve led a lot of people through the gates.
103 • ashley said:
August 19th, 2009 at 4:23 pm, permalink

1 Lord of the Rings
2 The Lion, the witch and the wardrobe
3 Kushiel’s Dart
104 • Eden Tyler said:
August 19th, 2009 at 6:30 pm, permalink

A Wrinkle in Time – Madeleine L’Engle
The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe – C.S. Lewis

-these two were my personal gateway books, and I would imagine that kids today would also veer toward fantasy after reading::

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone – JK Rowling
105 • M. Thomas said:
August 20th, 2009 at 12:13 am, permalink

Rosemary Jones – City of the Dead

JRR Tolkien – Lord of the Rings
106 • Linda A. B. Davis said:
August 20th, 2009 at 12:57 pm, permalink

The Golden Compass, A Dirty Job, and Peter Pan.
107 • Brynweir Hathenu said:
August 20th, 2009 at 6:49 pm, permalink

Orson Scott Card – Ender’s Game
Rosemary Jones – City of the Dead
Mercedes Lackey – Magic’s Pawn
108 • Sean Millott said:
August 20th, 2009 at 8:37 pm, permalink

Rosemary Jones-City of the Dead
109 • Layla Lawlor said:
September 1st, 2009 at 2:30 am, permalink

Pratchett & Gaiman – Good Omens
Richard Adams – Watership Down
Diana Wynne Jones – Howl’s Moving Castle
110 • Tim Wallace said:
September 4th, 2009 at 1:42 pm, permalink

Terry Brooks – Elfstones of Shanarra
Orson Scott Card – Enchantment
Elaine Cunningham – Elfshadow
111 • Quale One said:
September 4th, 2009 at 5:23 pm, permalink

Rosemary Jones – City of the Dead
Jack Vance – Tales of the Dying Earth
Steven Erikson – Memories of Ice
112 • Brett said:
September 6th, 2009 at 9:29 am, permalink

Gene Wolfe: Book of the New Sun
Ray Bradbury: Something Wicked This Way Comes
Rosemary Jones: City of the Dead
113 • Erik said:
September 9th, 2009 at 12:39 pm, permalink

There are a LOT of quality books on this list, but just in terms of hooking someone into fantasy, my top three choices are these:

Rosemary Jones: City of the Dead
George R.R. Martin: A Game of Thrones
Jacqueline Carey: Kushiel’s Dart

These are the three I would pick out of that list to recommend to someone who had never read anything in the genre.

Runner-up: Rothfuss’s The Name of the Wind, which I think is just a little too epic for a first-time reader and relies a fair amount on a keen understanding of the genre and its conventions. Excellent, excellent book, btw.

Cheers
114 • Yuri Peixoto said:
September 9th, 2009 at 1:24 pm, permalink

The list have very good books, but I stay with:

Rosemary Jones: City of the Dead
J.R.R. Tolkien: The Lord of the Rings
Weis and Hickman: Dragons of Autumn Twilight
115 • Thomas said:
September 10th, 2009 at 9:10 am, permalink

hrm.. hard to pick 3..

Neil Gaiman: American Gods
R.A. Salvatore: Homeland
Rosemary Jones: City of the Dead
116 • Elizabeth E. said:
September 10th, 2009 at 1:07 pm, permalink

Shadow Castle by Marion Cockrell
The Neverending Story by Michael Ende
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
117 • J.M. Martin said:
September 27th, 2009 at 12:22 am, permalink

Lloyd Alexander
The Prydain Chronicles

Jim Butcher
The Dresden Files

George R.R. Martin
A Game Of Thrones
118 • Brin said:
September 28th, 2009 at 10:00 pm, permalink

Depends on the age. But my three are:

For younger,

Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman ragons of Autumn Twilight (It’s what got me anyway in middle school, and convinced me fantasy does have more to offer other than Tolkien. For most people in this information age I don’t think Tolkien would do it.)

For pretty much any age, though they’d have to be a little more mature to understand the jokes:
Terry Pratchett: any. I haven’t really read the ones on the list so it’s hard to choose. Whichever one has Vimes in it.

and for those in late teens and beyond: Neil Gaiman: American Gods
119 • Brin said:
September 28th, 2009 at 10:02 pm, permalink

Hah, : Dragons of Autumn Twilight. Though the book did make me go That is not what I meant to write.
120 • Julie said:
November 7th, 2009 at 11:42 am, permalink

Jack Vance _Lyonesse_, but it isn’t on your list.

John Crowley John Crowley John Crowley! _Little Big_, but,
I’d recommend _Engine Summer_ as that was the first Crowley I read (though already a fantasy fan at the time), oh that beautiful cover!, how could I not take it from the bookstore shelf?

and
even though I haven’t finished reading it yet,
definately,
Patrick Rothfuss _Name of the Wind_

a third one from your list?
hmmm? Robert Jordan’s WoT? Ha! Were I to recommended _Eye of the World_ to my friends I’m sure I’d make a few converts, but by about book 6, those friends may become my enemies! hahahaha

ok, pardon my sexism,
to lure women to the genre: Marion Zimmer Bradley _The Mists of Avalon_
and for men: Jim Butcher _Storm Front_

from modern mythcraft to modern surrealism

Fantasy in the Wild: The Battle Begins!

Cat Rambo

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