Great writers read a lot. “If you don’t have the time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write…. Simple as that,” says Stephen King in his book, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft. His counterpart, George R.R. Martin — best known for the series of epic fantasy novels A Song of Ice and Fire (adapted into Game of Thrones) — has the same mindset. “Whatever else may be going on in my life — writing, traveling, speaking, buying railroads and cinemas — I have a book or three by my bedside,” says the author on his website.
Even though Martin likes to frustrate his fans by making them wait too long for the next release, he has been kind enough to recommend other great books that can keep them busy in the meantime. Via a blog post, the author shared a list of several books he feels each of his fans should read. Many of them are the fantasy kind. A few slightly pivot to other genres.
‘The Heroes’ by Joe Abercrombie
Set over three violent days of battle, The Heroes covers a war between the Union and the Northmen, playing out in the Circle of the World. Events are linked to a ring of ancient standing stones known as “The Heroes,” around which several armies clash for influence and honor. Through the eyes of soldiers and generals, Joe Abercrombie’s book explores the dark side of war, reminding everyone that in this particular world, staying home while others fight is a faux pas.
War Is Ugly
Part of the larger First Law universe, the book excels by employing plenty of dark humor and relying on multi-perspective narration, giving readers a clear understanding of the characters’ choices. And despite the fantasy elements, the depiction of war is very realistic. Exhaustion and fear are described in detail, while little things like stone and mud get paragraphs, too. If there was ever a book that would be perfect to adapt, this is it.
‘The Gormenghast Novels’ by Mervyn Peake
The Gormenghast trilogy — comprising Titus Groan, Gormenghast, and Titus Alone — transports us to the Gothic world of Castle Gormenghast, a decaying yet iconic fortress. Events kick off with the birth of Titus Groan, the heir, then books track his coming of age, as he deals with servants and nobles. As times change, Titus begins rebelling against traditions and ventures into the dangerous outside world.
Mervyn Peake’s Greatest Effort
Fusing social satire with grotesque scenes and poetic narration, Peake created something truly magical. Thanks to his “way with words,” we get one of the most immersive literature settings. The author also doesn’t get enough credit for inventing a subgenre. Gormenghast (the second installment) is often regarded as the first ever fantasy of manners novel. Besides that, Titus is a great character to follow. He unwisely goes to places he shouldn’t, and his natural gift for leadership is repeatedly undermined by recklessness. However, he grows wiser as the antic, sprawling saga unfolds.
‘Ivanhoe’ by Walter Scott
Set in 1194, Ivanhoe follows the Saxon knight, Sir Wilfred of Ivanhoe, who has fallen out with his father because Sir Wilfred decided to support the Norman king Richard the Lionheart instead of the oppressed Saxons. Soon, Ivanhoe joins forces with Robin Hood and other influential figures to support Richard in his fight against his brother.
An Essential Dose of History
Published in 1819, the book helped popularize historical romance, and Scott is often praised for how brilliantly he weaves gallantry, honor, and reconciliation here. Ivanhoe also helped shape the modern popular perceptions of historical figures such as Prince John, King Richard the Lionheart, and Robin Hood. With few other documents to rely on, many historians have settled for the version of events described in the book. True or not, it’s all very entertaining.
‘The Coming of Conan the Cimmerian’ by Robert E. Howard
The Coming of Conan the Cimmerian is an assemblage of Robert E. Howard’s first stories about his legendary creation, Conan the Barbarian. Set in the mythical Hyborian Age, the tales track the hero’s rise from the harsh lands of Cimmeria, presenting a metamorphosis from thief to pirate to warrior and king. Along the way, he faces off against sorcerers, monsters, and treacherous kings.
Fighting Everyone and Everything
It’s a shame that Hollywood cooled off on Conan movies (make sure you check out Jason Momoa’s version if you haven’t). Thankfully, we will always have literature. Howard’s Hyborian Age feels very much ancient and real, with the fantasy elements all coming off as creative rather than over-the-top. The author never lets us down with the action scenes either (essential for a story about a warrior). Better yet, Howard never takes too much time. Things move quickly, leaving readers unaware as time moves.
‘The Wise Man’s Fear’ by Patrick Rothfuss
The Wise Man’s Fear is the second volume of The Kingkiller Chronicle. Here, author Patrick Rothfuss continues the tale of composer, author, and adventurer, Kvothe. The protagonist leaves the University to explore life beyond the walls, and as he journeys to foreign lands, he faces off against nobles and meets the legendary Felurian.
No Single Flaw
Even in bits, The Wise Man’s Fear is brilliant. Rothfuss won the Writers of the Future 2002 Second Quarter competition with “The Road to Levenshir,” an excerpt from the novel. The groundbreaking The Name of the Wind might have been the author’s breakthrough, but this is arguably his finest, purest work: a layered, razor-sharp look at academics and magic that feels as fresh and irreverent in 2025 as when first released. With his words lovingly capturing the allure of globetrotting and the beauty of curiosity, Rothfuss leaves us with an involving, engrossing portrait.
‘A Wizard of Earthsea’ by Ursula K. Le Guin
A Wizard of Earthsea is about Ged, a boy from the island of Gont who is sent to a wizarding school on Roke after discovering his magical abilities. Unfortunately, his pride causes him to unleash a dangerous, shadowy creature that puts both his life and the world at risk. To correct his mistake, he embarks on a wild adventure across the archipelago of Earthsea.
A Template Was Created
The book’s bildungsroman tone and Taoist themes make it a refreshing read. This is, of course, refined fantasy, but among the virtues of A Wizard of Earthsea is that, thanks to some careful roughening from Ursula K. Le Guin, it maintains the interesting illusion of one large mess. The book won the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award in 1969 and was one of the last recipients of the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award in 1979.
‘The Lies of Locke Lamora’ by Scott Lynch
The Lies of Locke Lamora is about Locke Lamora, a skilled thief and con artist, leading a gang known as the Gentleman Bastards. Thanks to the tutelage of priest-thief Chains, Locke has become good at scamming the city’s corrupt elite. His high and mighty world is turned upside down when a mysterious crime lord called the Gray King disrupts the underworld, pulling Locke into a dangerous power struggle.
No Honor Among Lawbreakers
Benefiting from wit and twists, and packed with heists, The Lies of Locke Lamora takes a long, hard look at loyalty, deception, and honor. You’ll enjoy the rivalry. Each party feels threatened by the other’s take-no-prisoners approach, and on many occasions, they plan to ‘retire’ the enemy, but tables keep turning, resulting in a new person on top every few pages. Under whose influence will the underworld really bloom? And will Locke ever reach the pinnacle of success? You can only find out if you read the SF Site Readers’ Choice Award-winning book.
‘Watership Down’ by Richard Adams
In Hampshire, Southern England, a small group of anthropomorphic rabbits has their own culture, language, literature (poetry and proverbs), and mythology. But things aren’t going so well for them in Watership Down. The destruction of their warren forces them on a journey to a new home. Along the way, they encounter numerous perils.
Never Quitting
Richard Adams’s debut novel reminds us of the power of unity. As squabbles emerge within the group, the rabbits still learn to accept each other unconditionally, with many agreeing never to part ways, no matter what. Read closely, and you’ll realize the story is an allegory of tyranny and freedom, independence and servitude. Interestingly, Watership Down was initially rejected by several publishers. The book ended up winning the annual Carnegie Medal (UK), the annual Guardian Prize (UK), and several other awards.
‘The Name of the Wind’ by Patrick Rothfuss
The Name of the Wind is where we first meet Kvothe, the legendary musician, hero, and magician. While living in hiding as an innkeeper, he is discovered by a traveling Chronicler, who implores him to tell his story. Kvothe talks about his childhood, the massacre of his family, and his time as an orphan before entering the University, where he studies magic.
Opening Up… in a Way Never Seen Before
The first installment in The Kingkiller Chronicle has been referenced in music several times, including songs by the Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish and the German power metal band Blind Guardian. Winner of the Quill Award, it also drew praise from the great Ursula Le Guin, who declared that it was “a great pleasure to come on somebody writing the way Patrick Rothfuss does.” One would have to write another book to fully cover all the great things about The Name of the Wind, but above everything else, the characterization deserves the most praise. A genius but highly flawed, Kvothe is very easy to relate to.
‘The Lord of the Rings’ by J.R.R. Tolkien
George R.R. Martin has been described by some as the “American Tolkien,” so it’s no surprise that he loves The Lord of the Rings. The book is about Frodo Baggins, a hobbit tasked with destroying an artifact named the One Ring, created by the dark lord Sauron. With the help of the wizard Gandalf and the Fellowship of the Ring, Frodo journeys to Mount Doom in Mordor, the only place where the ring can be destroyed.
As Enjoyable as the Movies
One of Tolkien’s most affecting entries, The Lord of the Rings walks a familiar line by considering the exploitative relationship between lords and lesser beings through selfish actions. But it’s also different. With its languages, cultures, elegy, and deeper influences (Norse and Celtic), this is hardly the stuff of traditional fantasy. The tale began as a sequel to Tolkien’s 1937 children’s book The Hobbit, only to grow bigger. Today, it remains one of the best-selling books of all time, with over 150 million copies sold.