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Russian novels are tough for people who speak English because of all those nicknames. Once I took Russian, in college, I found Russian novels so much easier to read.

That works out well if the beginning or middle is written best. But if an ending is written heads above the rest of the book, it won't get appreciated so much because not as many people will get to it.

I have that problem even with books I like

Thanks to everyone who contributed their votes, opinions, and feedback to this project. I hope you will find that the final list was worth your while. If you're willing to do it all again, then stop by and vote for our newest list, the Top 10 Fantasy Worlds. Without further ado, here they are...

The middle for me. That's most of the book, after all.

What is your favorite television show? Whether it's currently on every week, or hasn't aired for years, tell us your favorite show and why it entertains you so much?

Which part of a book—beginning, middle or end—do you find the most interesting or engaging? Which do you find most pivotal for the success of a good story? Which part, when flawed, can most easily ruin an otherwise great book?

Gross in what way?

An interesting point, certainly. The more characters there are, the more different types of people have something interesting to find in the story. However, isn't the flipside also true? The more characters there are, the more likely there will be one that you don't like, and that will turn...

Let's get the discussion revived again. I understand what you're saying about the types of fantasy worlds that do occur in the literature of a number of times, places and authors. I'm not sure what you're asking, though. Are you asking whether every instance should be considered together as...

Do you read the back cover synopsis before you buy a book? The first few paragraphs? Or do you have some other method for sizing up a book before you buy it?

If you were really into a book, why did you stop reading in the first place?

Yes and no. We want "fantasy" worlds in general, but we realize that there are a lot of crossovers and fiction that can't be pinned down as one or the other. If there's enough "fantasy" in it for you to call it fantasy, that's enough for us. Which is to say, it doesn't have to be 100% fantasy...

Our newest Top 10 project is the Best Fantasy Worlds. If you would like to help out by submitting your list, your opinion is both welcome and appreciated. Lists can also be submitted by email form. If you do submit a list, feel free to post it here too, as a reply to this topic, so that we can...

Hmm... I've been seeing that book and wondering if I should give it a try.

We went over this book in such detail in high school, that I honestly can't say that I liked it or didn't. It was more like a research subject. It became very familiar over that semester.

I unfortunately find those types of books too rarely. Books more often put me to sleep than keep me awake. That's why I read on the bus.

I agree that historical fiction is probably the hardest.

With our current list project, the Top 10 SF Films, coming to a close at the end of this month, we're ready to decide what list topic to do this fall. Our editors have narrowed it down to five finalists. Now it's up to you. If you'd like to help out, please visit our Official Poll. The topic...

When do stories reach the point of having too many characters? Is the point different for books or film? Can books effectively juggle more because they can spend more time and attention on differentiating each character? Or does film have the advantage because characters can be recognized on...