There are two basic things you can do during long winter nights:
- hop on your partner and have sex
- read a good book
Although winter is nearly over and we could naturally come up with more alternatives, I’m pretty sure these two cover a lot of population.
I can’t really help you with the sex thing, but it is an entirely different story when it comes to books. And why should we limit our fun to just individual books, let’s check out the 8 best fiction books series, shall we?
1. The Foundation Series by I. Asimov
Have you ever heard that society is predictable? If so, chances are Mr. Asimov heard it too and chose to base one of the best fiction book series in the world around it.
Hari Seldon is a man, or a mathematician to be more precise. He comes up with a math that can predict the future for a large number of people – the bigger it is, the more accurate his predictions are.
He foresees the fall of the current Galactic Empire and he also predicts a 30.000 years long period of Dark Ages – or, a 1.000 period, if he creates two small group of determined people.
The Foundation Series has 7 books, or 15, if you choose to count the Robot series and the Empire series – which are set on the same stage, but a bit earlier.
Needless to say, these books are definitely worth your time for a perfect sci-fi experience.
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2. Riftwar Cycle by R. E. Feist
Are you into dragons, gods and stuff? Well, even if you aren’t, the Riftwar Saga takes your mind into Midkemia (and other worlds later on), the land of magicians, dark elves, kings or dwarves.
The series begins around two young boys, Pug and Tomas – the first becomes a Magician apprentice and the latter enters military service under the local Duke.
As the time goes, Pug shall become one of the most powerful users of magic in his world and Tomas chooses a bit different path – he marries the elven Queen and becomes a heir of an ancient ruling race, the Valheru.
You may want to know that the Riftwar Cycle is monstrous in size, it has well over 30 books. It’s a pretty big commitment, but rest assured that at least the first 25 are more than worth it. I’m personally a big fan and I have read each and every book multiple times, so let me give you a piece of advice as an insider:
Go for it.
3. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
by D. Adams
Remember how I said there are basically two things you can do during long winter nights? Well, if you’ve just lost someone you had sex with, the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is a perfect series to cheer you up.
It is funny, ironic, absurd and overall excellent. The story begins by Earth being demolished to make room for a new intergalactic freeway – but we find out later on that a new drive is discovered mere minutes after the demolition, rendering intergalactic freeways totally useless.
Arthur Dent survives the destruction by hooking up with Ford Prefect, an alien working on expanding the Encyclopedia Britannica of the Galaxy – The Hitchhiker’s Guide. Arthur finds out that having a towel and holding on the basic tip “Don’t Panic!” can get him quite far.
You need not to break up with your boy/girlfriend to find “The Guide” amusing and well worth your time, that’s for sure.
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4. Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling
“Hello, I’m a British woman and I’ve an idea – I will write a story about a small boy with a scar on his forehead who happens to be a magician and his destiny is to defeat one of the biggest threads in the wizard history.”
That sums up a bit something I’m sure all of you already know. The Harry Potter series has 7 books and documents the struggles and achievements of Harry, Ron and Hermione, three students in the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
These books may not be the best piece of literature around, but they are excellent for one thing – to take our minds into a strange combination of modern and magical world, where you can point a your wand and achieve pretty much anything you want.
Forget the crap that HP is for kids only – even adults need to dream.
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5. The Inheritance Cycle by C. Paolini
Time to become a Dragon Rider! Sounds ridiculous? Eragon, a poor farmer boy, thought so too – until he got his hands on a dragon egg and later on, his own dragon named Saphira.
The world of Alagaësia is a masterpiece of C. Paolini, who shews that you don’t need to be a grown up to produce something good. It beats the Riftwar Cycle in one aspect – Alagaësia combines magic and scientifically weird matters of dwarves with cold reason and believes typical for Atheists of elves.
The Inheritance Cycle might be viewed as just another one in countless lines of Dragon tales, but the fact above alone suggests that it has been written by a clever person – and I personally enjoy reading stuff from people like that, because each and everyone of us should learn everything he or she can.
World needs to learn and The Inheritance Cycle combines fantasy and very real stuff, thus makes itself eligible for the highest of honors.
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6. Red Dwarf by R. Grant and D. Naylor
Although Red Dwarf is by majority a comedy series, there are also 4 books based around Lister, Rimmer, Cat and Kryten. The word “comedy” is more appropriate than anything I’ve ever seen, because these four dudes will make you laugh again and again.
Lister, a lounger and drunk from Earth, is punished by being put into stasis for smuggling a cat on board of a mining ship, the Red Dwarf. An accident kills everyone on board except:
- Lister – in stasis
- his cat – safely hidden in a warehouse and evolving into a humanoid, Cat, over the three million years
- Rimmer – well, he dies, but is brought back as an insufferable hologram
The band finds a half-mad robot Kryten later on and rides through the universe in hopes of returning back to Earth, regardless of what happened there during all that time.
Again, if you want to laugh, Red Dwarf is a marvelous choice.
7. Artemis Fowl by E. Colfer
Geniuses can use their intellect either for good or for bad things – and Artemis Fowl II. chooses the latter. That is not so much surprising when we learn that he comes from quite a successful family in the crime scene.
A 12 years old boy discovers the existence of fairies and decides to kidnap one for ransom. There will be a happy end though, because Artemis will slowly understand that you need not to be a criminal and he repents his actions.
We can once again see a confrontation of magical creatures and modern technology. It shews that no matter how advanced our society will be, we shall always have a weakness for such unreal stories.
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8. The Saga of Darren Shan
It would be folly not to include one series for the vampire fans, so here we are – a regular boy gets involved with vampires in return for the life of his friend. Darren starts to find out the perks and drawbacks of being a half-vampire and it’s safe to say he doesn’t like it much at first.
It is yet another one enormous cycle, this time composed of 4 trilogies:
- Vampire Blood
- Vampire Rites
- Vampire War
- Vampire Destiny
As you might have deducted from the names, the main character is evolving over time, accepting his life as a vampire, makes crucial decisions and bears their consequences.
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Conclusion
No doubt you’re missing some quite important series, such as:
- LOTR
- The Chronicles of Narnia
- Dune
- Mistborn…
The fact is that some has been already mentioned and the room is somehow limited. You are however encouraged to extend my list and post your suggestions in the comments.
Thank you for reading!
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Your suggestions are just excellent. I found myself wondering what should I read lately and your list will cause me some sleepless nights, that’s for sure. Thank you!
[...] here to see the original: 8 Best Fiction Books Series For Long Winter Nights | Most Popular … Related Posts:The Books of Winter's Long Night | Catholic Exchange Not long ago in the [...]
[...] Foundation, Artemis Fowl or perhaps the Riftwar Cycle? These and 5 more are briefly described in 8 Best Fiction Book Series For Long Winter Nights and rest assured you will acquire taste – although all of these series combined would [...]
I read Artemis Fowl when I was younger, thanks for reminding it. I would actually add these series in your list:
Space Odyssey by Clark
The Culture by Banks
Heechee saga by Pohl
@Albina – I’m glad it helped.
@ Phillip – That’s the spirit! I was inclined to include Space Odyssey in the article, but Red Dwarf finally took the upper hand (actually, my GF forced me to make this choice… ^^)
I’m afraid the Riftwar Cycle has gone just nuts lately. Not only that Feist should have ended his world with dignity a long time ago, but he’s almost ripping off other fantasy franchises, like the term “Legion” for an organization of demons – that’s clearly been used in Warcraft first.
Where the hell is Dune?
I practically grew up on Harry Potter, magnificent story.
@kourtnie – Although I’m a big fan, I have to say that I hear what you’re saying. I’m afraid Feist should have ended the series at the top.
@Book Expert – In fact, it is mentioned in one of my previous articles (List of Books to Read – 5 books You Should Not Miss) and I’m trying to avoid repeating myself.
@Raphael – Same here.
Thank God you mentioned Chronicles of Narnia, thought you were barking mad for not giving it any credit.
Some more suggestions to your list:
Revelation Space by Alastair Reynolds
Mars Trilogy by Kim Stanley Robinson
Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold
The Shadow Series by Orson Scott Card
Book of the New Sun by Gene Wolfe
Thank you for this list, I’m extending my I-want-these-for-my-birthday list.
This article combined with the suggestion in the comments is a great resource. I’m glad the Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold got mentioned, it’s really one of my favorites.
Thank you for the Riftwar Cycle suggestion, never heard of it before.
@James – No worries, my psyche is allright
It’s been mentioned in another article and I don’t like to repeat myself much (1984 being an exception).
@Gofsooppy – Excellent, thanks for your extension, that’s what I asked for!
@random dude – You’re welcome.
@Project Gutenberg – Thanks.
@Julia – My pleasure Julia…
A friend of mine forwarded me to this post and I now owe him $5, because I never believed that any such “lists” online could be of any use. Well, this one was, thanks for sharing it.
I have no option but to join the common praise and give you my compliments for the article. You have picked up most of my favorite series!
[...] 8 Best Fiction Book Series This entry was posted in Good Books To Read and tagged About, â, Books, Finance, Good, Personal, Read. Bookmark the permalink. ← Books For Children: Why You Must Read This Kids Books Review The Novel Network Book List → [...]
Here’s one I bet no one has heard of: The Belgariad series, and it’s parter series The Mallorean. Probably some of the best books I have ever read in my entire life
@Neil – I’m sorry for your loss
Carry on!
@Dot – thanks, I appreciate it.
@Shay – Ok, you got me
[...] 8 Best Fiction Book Series Filed Under: Personal Finance Tagged With: About, Books, Finance, Good, Personal, Read [...]
I am looking for series such as Vince Flynn’s Mitch Rapp Series
or Lee Child’s Jack Reacher Series
or Stephen Fry’s Series
Can anyone make suggestions. If so please send me an e-mail. Thanks
[...] 8 Best Fiction Book Series [...]
[...] http://mostpopularbooks.org/best-fiction-books/8-best-fiction-books-series/ [...]
An exceptional list of fiction series, surprisingly I’ve heard about the Foundation Series for the first time and it sounds I could really enjoy it, thanks for the suggestion.
The Abhorsen Series. His Dark Materials. Bartimaeus Trilogy. And you may laugh at this one but Percy Jackson and the Olympians…it was surprisingly good and educational. Oh, and Pendragon. I know…I’m a man-child.
I find it strange to not see A Song of Ice and Fire listed here. It is both troubling and refreshing at the same time. Excellent series. Don’t watch A Game of Thrones before you read the book. Best there is.
i agree with mark, i know it is embarrassing to admit, but percy jackson and the olympians is a surprisingly good series
Hunger games, Hp, The saga of Darren Shan, Narnia, Lord of the rings, eragon books, Series of Unfortunate Events. Most importantly the Percy Jackson series. Also the Lost hero series.