First Execuse my english I only learnt it because I was angry at myself for not understanding a YouTube video when I was a kid.
Hello dear readers I've started reading seriously 4 years ago when COVID was a thing. I did my own research about novel genres and my approach was kinda weird since I always start from the bottom based on my experiences as if I was a plant taking my time to grow with watering enjoying my process and biding my time and to also expand my knowledge bit by bit. So I sought recommendations and easy novels to read I read a japanese light novel as a start since I watched an ANIME of it and the experience was harsh since I was sleeping and feeling tired and every time durning a reading session I hurt my head due to me sleeping and banging my head in the table. Then I got recommended to read a Visual Novel called Umineko and it took me 4 years to finish but it was a good read overall. Then decided to read what's hot and it was called "Web Novels" I read 3 of them and they were so great and at that moment I knew why people loved reading fiction instead of watching. They were called Lord of Mysteries, Master Of Gu, Kingdom's Bloodline. And after them I felt ready for a deep deep dive into reading and decided to try Fantasy-heavy books and decided to read what's famous and I found an author called Brandon Sanderson, Joe Abercrombie, Steven Erikson, Tolkien (Yes I didn't know them before then since I came from a household that didn't catch up with the trend of times) and I was disappointed. Yeah I know why they're famous and well-known but what I was seeking was a good story and well-written characters with well-execution with as little plot holes as possible. I don't know If I my standards are high or was I too expectant but I felt that I wasted my time and was pranked heavily by those who recommended it for me so I tried what's most famous it was called A Song of Ice and fire and heard a lot of hype about the politics and the world and how innovative it is and how great the characters are but I still found it not as good compared to my previous experiences especially since they're so well-known. (For people who are curious I will leave a a review for each book I read) Now I am planning to visit Russian and old Japanese hits. (Crime and Punishment, Rashomon) and decided to ask those who read and have experience is there anything good and that worth the read? I don't have any specific genre I only seek what is good. Romance, Grimdark, Slice of Life. I seriously don't care since the horizon have no limit I see no reason for why would I limit myself to certain genres. Books, Visual Novels, Fiction Novels. I really don't mind. Help a guy who's inexperienced.
Detailed Reviews of the Book I read (Review of my 4 years reading & No Spoilers):
Certain Magical Index: I liked the characters and the innovative ideas and how Science and Magic collide. But hated the cliches and the restraints the author are putting himself in he can't exceed the limitations to bring something so massive, great, and breath-taking. I like to call it MADNESS.
Umineko: The author didn't exceed the realm of madness but he certainly exceeded the limitations that humanity putted themselves in. It had some flaws but overall it made me think and really try to solve things since I was failing school and was considered a delinquent by people around me.
Lord Of Mysteries, Master Of Gu, Kingdom's Bloodline:
These 3 were gifts from god that came into my life darkest period so far and they were great and I don't think I will ever experience something like them it was a hard-challenging read at first and I slept but I am glad I continued since knew how my brain weirdly works. To put it simply everything I've wanted in a book was contained within them I can easily say they're a MUST read for every aspiring author. Lord Of Mysteries speaks about a grand mystery and deep power system that is well-balanced. Master Of Gu is a about a harsh world and a journey of a scholar seeking the impossible it had so many great moments and it exceeded the limitations of humanity and went into the realm of impossible. it's hard to figure everything first especially since it's Chinese and speaks a lot about their culture. Kingdom's Bloodline was a easy for me to understand yet the shocking thing for me it was short yet (for me) the best of the 3 since it contained politics, smart characters that can be the protagonist of their own books. And an author who respects their own reader and takes their own time perfecting their own craft.
A Song Of Ice and Fire: At first it was good until I reached the politics thing I found certain characters do not reflect what they were mold into from their own experiences. And it had no smarts only people who betray with no smarts and plots. Read 3 books so far and I've had enough I will read the rest when the series reaches an end.
Stormlight Archive: I read 2 books of them and they were a hard read but a good read so far I ranked them 4th. I liked the characters and the world and the prophecies and their own conflicts.
Mistborn: Nothing really happened in the book for me to say anything about it. The characters were not that smart and good. And everything was so predictable to the point of boredom and lack of interest but I see how massively Brandon Sanderson improved writing Stormlight Archive.
Dandellion Dynasty & Green Bone Saga & Elric and Malazan Book of the Fallen & The Blade Itself:
The heavy weight in many events were completely non-existent due to cliches and lack of respect from the authors to the readers. Characters are great but a complete waste since every other aspect was lacking. Still to this day I don't understand how are they famous? Just because too many people bought the books and thus it is a success story? I am confused.
Fate/Stay Night (Visual Novel): The 3 routes are meh. The adaptation of Unlimited blade works suffice and the original route was not a good reading experience except for the last one since it combined elements that were lacking the last 2 routes.
I tried to not make the reviews long because I only wrote them for you to understand what I was getting at. I want books that respects the reader, that earn every penny that I have. So the question is should I go into classic Russian, Japanese books or is there something that I should read before continuing my path?
by xIPxMz
1 Comment
Your English seems at a high enough level, so I’ll advice some books I’d recommend to everyone:
[Ringworld ](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61179.Ringworld) by Larry Niven ~ sci-fi
[The Demon-Haunted World:](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17349.The_Demon_Haunted_World?ref=nav_sb_ss_2_10) by Carl sagan ~ science, philosophy, history
[The forever war](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21611.The_Forever_War?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_15) by Joe Haldman ~ sci-fi, war
[I am Legend ](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40940649-i-am-legend?ref=nav_sb_ss_2_12) by Robert Neville ~ dystopia, fiction, horror
[A Canticle for Leibowitz](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/164154.A_Canticle_for_Leibowitz?ref=nav_sb_ss_3_8) by Walter M Miller Jr. ~ post apocalyptic, classic, dystopian