CJ Perry

1. The Soulforge - Margaret Weis

It's the Raistlin origin story. If you are a fan of Dragonlance, this is where the story begins. Raistlin's journey is unparallelled in the high fantasy genre. If you dont know who he is, I recommend you pick up Soulforge right away. Dragonlance is a must-read for any true fantasy fan. It's now a classic.

2. Black Sun Rising - CS Friedman

There is no greater anti-hero than Gerald Tarrant, except for Raistlin Majere in the Dragonlance series. CS Friedman's epic Colfire Trilogy is one of the greatest series I have ever read.

3. Dune - Frank Herbert

The only sci-fi book I ever truly fell in love with. Watching Paul Atreides go from son of displaced royalty to messiah of the universe was an enlightening experience on a daring scale. it's one thing to be the messiah of a world, it's quite another to be the chosen one of the universe.

4. Pet Sematary - Stephen King

The only book to make me put a nightlight in the bathroom and make me terrified of my younger brother. (He was 3 when I read it)

5. The Screwtape Letters - CS Lewis

You almost cant call The Screwtape Letters a book. It's not in chronological order, and the story isnt totally cohesive. Nor does it follow any formula for a novel. It's a series of letters from a greater demon to his apprentice. Brilliant. It feels like a look behind the curtain of death and faith and how the devil pushes us toward hell.

It almost feels like I cant read for just pure pleasure anymore. Im always studying the author and the story looking for ways to improve my own writing. But when I do manage to disconnect myself from my own work long enough, it's almost always an epic fantasy of some sort. The last book to force me out of writer-mode was Song of Ice and Fire. Typical, I know, but RR Martin is a genius.