When book lists are compiled we are often treated to a litany of popular and/or classic literature. There is nothing wrong with these lists but they often give the impression that people do not read science-fiction, fantasy and its many genres, or adventure books. There seems to be an unspoken taboo against admitting that you read these books in polite society as if the use of the imagination is something shameful. I can tell you that I love Hamlet (which I do), but if I admit an equal love for the Dresden Files (I do) people start looking at me funny.
I was approached several times within a two weeks period for a list of books with male main characters. Specifically these men ranged in age from 22-50+ were interested in Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Adventure novels. Intrigued I attempted to find a book list online and, while I did find books for boys and teens; the adult book lists for men did not fit the bill at all. This list is an attempt to fill that gap.
Disclaimers.
This book list was compiled for adults. While the main characters in all of these books are men they may also be enjoyed by women. This list assumes the reader is familiar with Harry Potter, The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings, and James Bond.
The only screening I provided for this list was that the driving character in the book was clearly the male lead. I strongly suggest looking at the links I provided below before buying or checking out any of these books. These books cover a wide range of topics and some people may be offended by the content of some books.
Alex Rider Series by Anthony Horowitz
http://www.anthonyhorowitz.com/alexrider/
http://www.anthonyhorowitz.com/alexrider/books/stormbreaker.html
Point Blanc
http://www.anthonyhorowitz.com/alexrider/books/pointblanc.html
Skeleton Key
http://www.anthonyhorowitz.com/alexrider/books/skeletonkey.html
Eagle Strike
http://www.anthonyhorowitz.com/alexrider/books/eaglestrike.html
Scorpia
http://www.anthonyhorowitz.com/alexrider/books/scorpia.html
Ark Angel
http://www.anthonyhorowitz.com/alexrider/books/arkangel.html
The Bahzell Series by David Weber
http://www.webscription.net/p-297-oath-of-swords.aspx
The War God?s Own
http://www.webscription.net/p-451-war-gods-own.aspx
Wind Rider?s Oath
http://www.webscription.net/p-467-wind-riders-oath.aspx
The Belisarius Series by Eric Flint & David Drake
http://www.webscription.net/p-300-an-oblique-approach.aspx
In the Heart of Darkness
http://www.webscription.net/pc-225-1-in-the-heart-of-darkness.aspx
Destiny?s Shield
http://www.webscription.net/p-106-destinys-shield.aspx
Fortune?s Stroke
http://www.webscription.net/p-157-fortunes-stroke.aspx
The Tide of Victory
http://www.webscription.net/p-425-the-tide-of-victory.aspx
The Dance of Time
http://www.webscription.net/p-94-the-dance-of-time.aspx
Codex Alera Seris by Jim Butcher
http://www.jim-butcher.com/books/alera/
Academ’s Fury
Princeps’ Fury
Cursor’s Fury
First Lord’s Fury
A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore
http://www.chrismoore.com/dirty_job.html
Dragonhaven by Robin McKinley
http://www.robinmckinley.com/books/dragonhaven/
Dragon Prince Series by Melanie Rawn
http://www.melanierawn.com/books/Dragon_Prince.html
The Star Scroll
http://www.melanierawn.com/books/The_Star_Scroll.html
Sunrunner?s Fire
http://www.melanierawn.com/books/Sunrunners_Fire.html
The Dresden Files
http://www.jim-butcher.com/books/dresden/
(This series is a mystery/action/urban fantasy series.? The link above is the series homepage.? This is a long series planed to go over 20 books including a 3 book apocalyptic finale.)
The Ecolitan Matter Series by L. E. Modesitt
http://www.lemodesittjr.com/ecolitan_matter/empire_ecolitan.html
Ecolitian Operation
The Ecologic Secession
Ecolitan Prime (Collected Volume)
http://www.lemodesittjr.com/ecolitan_matter/ecolitan_prime.html
Ecologic Envoy
The Ecolitan Enigma
The Excalibur Alternative by David Weber
http://www.webscription.net/p-131-the-excalibur-alternative.aspx
The Fallen by Thomas E. Sniegoski
http://www.sniegoski.com/fallen/
Leviathan
Aerie
Reckoning
The Hurog Series by Patricia Briggs
http://www.patriciabriggs.com/books/dragonbones.shtml
Dragon Blood
http://www.patriciabriggs.com/books/dragonblood.shtml
The Lathe of Heaven by Ursula K. Le Guin
http://www.librarything.com/work/21223
Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett
http://www.neilgaiman.com/works/Books/Good+Omens/
The Last Herald Mage Trilogy
http://www.mercedeslackey.com/books/magic1.html
http://www.mercedeslackey.com/books/magic2.html
http://www.mercedeslackey.com/books/magic3.html
Lord Darcy by Randall Garrett
http://www.webscription.net/p-255-lord-darcy.aspx
Med Ship by Murray Leinster
http://www.webscription.net/p-275-med-ship.aspx
Nightrunner Series by Lynn Flewelling
http://www.librarything.com/work/2156155
Stalking Darkness
http://www.librarything.com/work/2416323
Traitor?s Moon
http://www.librarything.com/work/2156244
Shadows Return
http://www.librarything.com/work/4403977
The White Road
http://www.librarything.com/work/8122475
The Nightside Series by Simon R. Green
http://www.bluemoonrising.nl/nightside.html
Agents of Light and Darkness
Sharper than a Serpent’s Tooth
Nightingale’s Lament
Hell to Pay
Hex and the City
Nursery Crimes Series by Jasper Fforde
http://www.nurserycrime.co.uk/
http://www.jasperfforde.com/subindex/boesubindex.html
http://www.jasperfforde.com/fourthbear.html
Remy Chandler Novels by Thomas E. Sniegoski
http://www.sniegoski.com/apocalypse.html
Resonance by Chris Dolley
http://www.webscription.net/p-344-resonance.aspx
The Sword of Shanara by Terry Brooks
http://www.terrybrooks.net/novels/sword.html
The Watch (A Series of Discworld) by Terry Pratchett
http://www.terrypratchett.co.uk
Feet of Clay
Jingo
The Fifth Elephant
Night Watch
Thud!
The Vampire Files by P. N. Elrod
http://www.vampwriter.com/ESCOTT’S%20OFFICE.htm
Lifeblood
Dark Sleep
Bloodcircle
Lady Crymsyn
Art in the Blood
Cold Streets
Fire in the Blood
Song in the Dark
Blood on the Water
Dark Road Rising
Von Neumann’s War by John Ringo
http://www.webscription.net/p-449-von-neumanns-war.aspx
Warlock by Wilbur Smith
http://www.wilbursmithbooks.com/novels/warlock.html
A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin
http://awizardofearthsea.com/book
*Pops in, waves* Hey, girl! Found your blog through Linked In. Cool–another nice readerly hangout with virtual squashy chairs and comfy ottomans (ottomen?). This is a great compilation! I need to add at least some of these to my groaning TBR shelf on goodreads. I ain’t ‘shamed to read genres. I READ SFF AND I’M PROUD! See? The Alex Rider series is awesome, and I loved the first Dresden book–one of the new members at Laurie King’s VBC got me into that. Need to get the next one–Harry’s great! And how could anyone not like Good Omens?! Favorite line: “Do not buy bettamaz.” Hehehehe! Ah, well–back to work.