SF/Fantasy/Magical realism anyone?

Yep, I love Gaiman, particularly Anansi Boys, Neverwhere and Graveyard Book.

I'm a Douglas Adams fan, love all his books, The Hitchhikers series as well as his Dirk Gently series.

I'm not a scifi fan, and don't usually enjoy magical realism, but Isobelle Allende - House of Spirits, wonderful. She writes like a dream. I read the Harry Potter books at the same time as the teenagers in our family and enjoyed them. Also loved watching the films with the younger generation. Philip Pullman's trilogy was brilliant though the film was a disaster.

My sister just lent me some books by Alys Clare....I thought i would like them but I am not very keen....interesting coexistence of paganism and christianity but too much magic.

Has anyone got any suggestions about where to start with Bujold books? I've read Shards of Honour. Where do I go next? There are so many.
I'll look at Alys Clare too, though you sound unenthusiastic AlieOxon

The immediate sequel to Shards called Bar.... something - the name of the planet/colony.

Barrayar?

I'll look for Barrayar or something like that then

This is the order according to the site:

The Warrior's Apprentice (1986)
Borders of Infinity (1989)
Brothers in Arms (1989)
The Vor Game (1990)
Barrayar (1991)

BUT each can be read alone.

That's the one. Barrayar starts the day after Shards finishes and sets up the back story for Miles, the hero of many other books. (as in why he is so short when all the other Barrayarans are towering viking warrior types)

Going on holiday so I'll take Barryar with me. Norfolk then son's book launch in Waterstones Oxford. I might need plenty of reading matter if it's raining in Norfolk or freezing cold.

Glad you like them!

I love the Discworld series especially the Watch stories

Hello diddleymaz, yes I read all the Sam Vimes ones (I think) in order while i was on holiday last year
Currently plowing my way through the Barrayar saga. I found the first one about Miles a struggle - too many characters introduced and too intricate a plot for reading at bedtime. But things have improved a lot . Really impressed by the fact that the plots are not "same old formula" - and the way she develops the characters . Currently got as far as Mirror Dance

Haven't read Barryar yet, I got side tracked onto the latest Lyndsey Davis and a rather good travel one about India. I shall return to magic fantasy forthwith!

I know these are a slightly different genre, but for me, you cant beat Stephen King & Dean Koontz

But, but ... they're too scary!

There's a new Lyndsey Davis ?

Oh, I really enjoy Lyndsey Davies books.

I have nearly read my way through the whole Vorkoskigan saga I will miss them. Will there be more?

Oh Jess that's just how I felt!

The new Lindsay Davis features the girl they adopted in Britain as the main character. It's great, as good as the earlier ones, I think.
Still reading Vor books, ordered from the library and enjoying them.

Must see if my library has it!

Just spoke to my sister and it's in the bunch of books she's bringing on Monday!

Any other suggestions in this line folks. Read the entire Vorkosigan saga, some of them twice. Re reading a Pratchett at the moment.