In Ep. 188, we are kicking off our new “Best of…” series with Sarah’s Bookshelves Live team member, Chrissie, for the Best of Fantasy. Today, Chrissie brings you her all-time top ten favorite fantasy novels. Also, as a long-time reader and evangelizer of the genre, Chrissie talks about how she started reading fantasy, the wide scope of the genre, and ways those new to fantasy might jump in!
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Highlights
- How Chrissie got started reading fantasy.
- What draws her to the fantasy genre.
- From sci-fi fantasy to epic, high fantasy, Chrissie talks about the wide scope of the genre.
- Her favorite sub-genres and what doesn’t work for her.
Chrissie’s All-Time Top Ten Fantasy Books [16:36]
- The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin (2015) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [17:44]
- A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas (2015) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [22:11]
- The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater (2012) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [27:24]
- The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss (2007) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [32:10]
- A Murder in Time by Julie McElwain (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [35:36]
- Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke (2004) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [37:35]
- Griffin & Sabine by Nick Bantock (1991) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [39:58]
- The Queen of Blood by Sarah Beth Durst (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [42:15]
- Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer (2001) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [44:16]
- The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern (2011) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [46:40]
High-Profile Fantasy Books That Did Not She Didn’t Love [48:39]
- A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness (2011) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [48:52]
- Babel by R. F. Kuang (2022) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [50:55]
Other Books Mentioned
- Fourth Wing (2023) [25:07]
- Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas (2012) [25:43]
- Flowers in the Attic by V. C. Andrews (1979) [26:36]
- Heaven by V. C. Andrews (1985) [26:46]
- The Listeners by Maggie Stiefvater (June 2025) [31:27]
- A Game of Thrones (1996) by George R. R. Martin ([33:04])
- The Wise Man’s Fear by Patrick Rothfuss (2011) [33:09]
- The Doors of Stone by Patrick Rothfuss (TBD) [33:15]
- A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton (1982) [37:16]
- Piranesi by Susanna Clarke (2020) [39:46]
- Twilight by Stephanie Meyer (2005) [50:03]
- The Black Bird Oracle by Deborah Harkness (2024) [50:28]
Books from Our Discussion
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J. K. Rowling (1997) [4:23]
- Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White (1952) [6:23]
- Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O’Brien (1971) [6:26]
- The Dream Book by Meg Wolitzer (1987) [6:37]
- The God of the Woods by Liz Moore (2024) [11:15]
- 11/22/63 by Stephen King (2011) [12:10]
- The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis (1950) [12:30]
- The Fellowship of the Ring by J. R. R. Tolkien (1954) [14:29]
- The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien (1937) [14:30]
- The Neverending Story by Michael Ende (1979) [15:36]
About Chrissie
Chrissie loves all things related to books, movies, and music. A former marketer on the foreign exchange trading floor with a large bank, before joining Sarah’s Bookshelves as an assistant in September 2021, she was a stay-at-home mom, occasionally taking freelance work with graphic design and copywriting. Between a long stretch with the kiddos at story time, steady visits as a patron, and volunteering, Chrissie has spent a lot of time at libraries.
She is an 8 of the Enneagram typology (at times leaning into her 7 wing), a double Scorpio, and plays around in the ambivert area. So, though it may sound as though she presents her opinions as fact, she actually makes space for many opinions, especially about books, movies, and music — she just does it confidently. (Though she might be less forgiving with movies, but she’s working on it.) Chrissie is a married mom of two and currently lives in Charlotte, NC.
Next Episode
In two weeks on April 5, author Karen Thompson Walker (The Age of Miracles and The Dreamers) joins me to chat about her newest book, The Strange Case of Jane O. and her career so far.
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Really enjoyed the episode! Since “campus fantasy” came up as a possible genre, I would just like to mention “Tam Lin” by Pamela Dean as a perfect representative of this genre. The ballad of Tam Lin, adapted to a college campus based on Dean’s own university, and completely delightful.
Awesome! Thanks, Erin.
YES! I totally agree with Chrissie on Babel and felt like I was the only one. I was so disappointed with the characters, when I loved the magic system, though the way it commented on imperial power was very one-note.
AND I think the gen X book that converted us to fantasy was Lord of the Rings–early gen X, that is.
Loved this episode! Chrissy–your thoughts on This Is How You Lose the Time War?
I’ve tried This Is How You Lose the Time War twice — print and audio, and I just can’t do it. It’s not for me. Something with the style and delivery.