"But you don't have to take my word for it,"

Here are a few recommended reads. I'll admit my taste in books is a little off, but I am usually more entertained by the books intended for younger audiences. Also, I don't have to worry about content. I am going to list books that I don't think most people know of, so I'll just assume you have already read the Ender's Game and Harry Potter books. The first post will be book series.

The Edge Chronicles

by Paul Stewart & Chris Riddell

10 volumes

I am a huge fan of these books. The best way to describe them, to me anyway, is equal parts Roald Dahl (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The BFG, Matilda), Lewis Carrol (Alice in Wonderland), and Dr. Suess (Duh). The stories take place in a fantastically imagined realm called "The Edge" (above is a scan of a map in one of the books) . The characters are original and diverse, the adventures unpredictable, and the amazingly detailed illustrations make the story pop. Oh, and it has pirates in flying ships. Woot!

Artemis Fowl

By Eoin Colfer

6 books + a graphic novelization of the first book

These are just plain fun stories. They take place in our own modern world and follow the exploits of Artemis Fowl, criminal mastermind and boy genius (He honestly kind of reminds me of Brain from "Animaniacs". The stories combine fairytale magic with modern technology. The books make for a light, quick read and the characters are developed well throughout the series.

Inkheart, Inkspell, and Inkdeath

by Cornelia Funke

These books are written for people who love to read. Each chapter starts with a quote from a classic book, which can lead you to some more great stories. If you saw the movie, and not many people did, you got only a tiny fraction of what the books achieve. About the only thing the movie got right was the conflicted and tragic character Dustfinger (thanks to Paul Bettany's superb acting). This character alone makes the books worth a read

Other Recommended Series:
Maximum Ride by James Patterson
Frankenstein by Dean Koontz
Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket

See ya next time!