[BradyLS]

LOTR, Narnia, and DUNE (up through Children of Dune, sorry) are all marvels of writing.

Patrick O’Brian’s Jack Aubrey/Stephen Maturin books are also on that shelf.

[kiryandil]

Have you done the Outlander series by Gabaldon? She presents Highland Scots history in an engaging manner.

I'm Highland Scots - but the history was ALWAYS dry and boring till I read her [HUGE] books.

I actually rate her as a more gifted writer than Tolkien, if that's possible.

[USAF1985]

Patrick O’Brian’s Jack Aubrey/Stephen Maturin books are also on that shelf.

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I have special leather-bound copies on my shelf...some of the best written novels I’ve ever read - and I’m not even a sailor!