I've been feeling the urge to get into reading a fantasy novel series, like Forgotten Realms.  But when I went to look at Barnes and Noble there are a lot and I have no idea where I should start.  I think someone may have mentioned some info about this a while ago but I can't seem to find it again

If anyone has a recommendation I would be quite grateful.

My all time favorite fantasy series is the Dragonlance Chronicles.  Its a three book series with several sequels and spin offs.  But the Trilogy itself is pretty self contained.  In my opinion its about the best modern fantasy out there. 

 If you haven't read the Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series, it is a definite must read. Unfortunately, he died recently due to a rare form of blood cancer, and the series is unfinished (even after 11 books ). But apparently he left very detailed notes for (I think) his brother, who is going to be finishing the series.

Another great series I'm currently in the middle of is George RR Martin's A Song of Fire and Ice, but it is a bit vulgar for my tastes. Which is odd because I'm such a potty mouth. It's definitely the first fantasy series I've read that contains several f-bombs and the c-word. They are far and few between, but it's a bit shocking when they appear right out of left field in some instances. Maybe I'm just a prude when it comes to my fantasy novels .

WRX22BSTi:

If you haven't read the Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series, it is a definite must read. Unfortunately, he died recently due to a rare form of blood cancer, and the series is unfinished (even after 11 books ). But apparently he left very detailed notes for (I think) his brother, who is going to be finishing the series.

Oh man, I don't know if I could handle that kind of cliffhanger.  I hope his brother does finish the series for the fans.  I'll keep an eye on that one to see how things progress.

FYI Robert Jordan is an author you either love or hate.  I personally slogged through two of the Wheel of Time books before I gave up.  Other seem to really like him though so ymmv.

WRX22BSTi:

George RR Martin's A Song of Fire and Ice

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^        I thought these were excellent.

Jordan's series is probably better enjoyed as audiobooks rather than trying to slog through all that reading.

Terry Goodkind also has a nice series going. I think there are only 10 so far.

Please no Jordan>Goodkind or Goodkind>Jordan. They are both great reads if given the chance.

If you haven't tried them then Christopher Paolini was born on November 17, 1983 and only has 3 book in his series so far. They do seem like his writting is a bit immature.

Orson Scott Card has a couple of series that I liked. The Hattrack river "Seventh Son" series is played out in a fantasy set in 1700's might have been 1800's America. And the Enders Game series speaks for itself.

Raymond Fiests' Riftwar Saga was good to me when I read it in high school.

Terry Pratchett for a laugh.

Terry Brooks The Sword of Shannara.

That's all I got off the top of my head. I'm sure I can think of more. Like Edding's The Belgariad and The Malloreon.

Lemme know if any of these sound like you and I can point some more out to ya.

Forgot Stephen King's The Dark Tower books???

Oh yeah I forgot Robin Hobb. The Farseer Trilogy

Tad Williams Memory, Sorrow & Thorn Series

Weis & Hickman Death Gate Cycle

Michael Moorcock  Elric of Melnibone Series This is a bit of a tougher read. Deep man really deep. I think you might need to burn a little MJ to get it to make sense.

cokebear:

Forgot Stephen King's The Dark Tower books???

his book the talisman is also good.

cokebear:

Terry Brooks The Sword of Shannara.

I think I will go pick this one up tomorrow, somebody recommended that to me years ago and I had completely forgotten about it.

Thanks for the tips so far fellas

George RR Martin's A Song of Fire and Ice series is really good. Lots of political intrigue along with the battles and such. And he will kill anyone off in his books. No one is safe. I read all of these a couple of years ago.

I read The Sword of Shannara about 25 years ago and liked it then.

cokebear:

Forgot Stephen King's The Dark Tower books???

Shame on me if I don't add a comment here!  These are not sword and Orc books, but King crafts an incredible world.  These years later and I'm still not sure I have my head around the ending.  As a side note Marvel is filling in the backstory with some nice graphic novels that tell the story of Roland's youth.