Dragonsong

Anne McCaffrey's world of Pern is one of the most well-known – and well realized – worlds in the genre. Dragonsong is a quick read that's perfect for anyone looking for a few hours of pure escapism. It's also one of those books that was probably written for a younger audience, but can entertain anyone of any age. Why it made the list If you read this book and don't wish you could own a firelizard, you're probably one of those weird people who don't like pizza. It's a great introduction to Pern because it's simple, beautifully written and full of life. It also occurs outside the normal Pern series, so you don't need to know anything about the world before read it. McCaffrey is especially good at writing great characters that feel like familiar friends. There's nothing complicated about the storyline and the focus is on the journey of a single character, which – next to McCaffrey's prose – is why it's so readable. She doesn't go out of her way to create something original – this is a great example of a well written, easy to enjoy fantasy book. Readers of modern fantasy might actually find this refreshing. The themes of friendship, acceptance and the power of music and poetry are ones that any reader can identify with, but you'll never feel like you're being lectured. Sometimes there's nothing better than a simple, well-told tale. Especially if there are dragons in it.