Recommendations for non-hardcore Fantasy/Sci-Fi Books or Series (YA or Adult)?

I'm looking for some new fantasy or sci-fi books, or maybe mystery (preferably series but single books are ok too) to add to my reading list. I'm ok with independent reader/YA level books or adult books (am an adult but enjoy some of the younger people's series). I'm not a hardcore fantasy/sci fi reader but I do enjoy the genre. Generally don't like vampire fare too much, and I do like books referencing mythology or historical figures or post-apocalyptic or dystopian futures/alternative worlds. Here are my feelings about some popular books/series that I've already read which might help with any recommendations. Thanks - I really appreciate any answers!



I LOVED: Harry Potter series, Percy Jackson series, His Dark Materials, Neverwhere and American Gods by Neil Gaiman, The Giver - Lois Lowry, Wrinkle in Time series, Shades of Grey - Jasper Fforde, Phantom Tollbooth, Never Let Me Go - Ishiguro



I REALLY LIKED: Hunger Games Trilogy, The Book Thief, The Westing Game, Thursday Next series, most Hercule Poirot books, Fablehaven series, Sally Lockhart series, Immortal Nicolas Flamel series, Narnia, Abhorsen trilogy, Underland Chronicles, Septimus Heap, Handmaid's Tale, Plot Against America - Roth, Einstein's Dreams, anything by Calvino, Garden Spells - Allen



I HATED (or really disliked): Twilight, Charlie Bone, Mary Higgins Clark stuff, Dark Tower series, DaVinci Code, the later Artemis Fowl books, Jonathan Strange



NOT INTERESTED IN: Eragon, Game of Thrones (tried the first book but it didn't take), Cirque du Freak, Lord of the Rings (already read), Girl with Dragon Tattoo, True Blood books, Inkheart, City of Ember, Ender's Game, Time Travelers Wife, Baroque Cycle, Riverworld, Discworld, Oryx and Crake, Neuromancer, anything by Lem, Dune



ALREADY ON READING LIST: The Passage, The Magicians, Sweetness at Bottom of the Pie, World War ZRecommendations for non-hardcore Fantasy/Sci-Fi Books or Series (YA or Adult)?
Hi, you might want to try my fantasy series, entitled The Tales of Tanglewood, lightly influenced by Irish folklore and Celtic mythology. The first two books in the series are called "The Lon Dubh Whistle" and "The Curse of Satyr Stump"



You can download the first few chapters of each book for free at talesoftanglewood.com



Within the pages of the book, readers will discover Colin, a child who is fully aware of the hidden world of myth and wonder hiding within the woods just beyond his home, long kept secret by old magic. Only the fey magic which runs through his veins has enabled Colin to find what others cannot; the Tanglewood, the 'wood within the woods.



Full of odd characters and creatures of the fey, the Tanglewood is a world of magnificent folklore come to life. As Colin begins to explore the Tanglewood, he will find friendship with the ferrish Ailfrid, the elfin girl Deidre, and Doc Muffingrow, a wise druid.



In the first book, Colin will also find that there is much magic in himself, as well as dangerous enemies who will not let him find solace in the wood so easily. Ailil, King of the Sprites and ruler of The Below, has laid claim to his spirit, and Colin will need the help of his friends and quite a bit of magic to save himself.



You can check out the reviews at Amazon.com and both books are also available on the Amazon Kindle at a low price.
Dies the Fire series by SM Stirling. It will appeal to anyone who likes end of the world or alternative history. It has lots of battle scenes.



You might also like anything by Clive CusslerRecommendations for non-hardcore Fantasy/Sci-Fi Books or Series (YA or Adult)?
The Cronus Chronicles by Anne Ursu: there's a reason I recommend that series to everyone.

You've already read all of the other ones I was going to recommend....
You should try The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra ClareRecommendations for non-hardcore Fantasy/Sci-Fi Books or Series (YA or Adult)?
Just finished Fablehaven! So cool!



Try 100 Cupboards or the Inkheart series.
I would suggest The Maze Runner and The Mortal Instruments.
Try Time for Patriots, a really fun time travel adventure novel published two years ago. It's got all sorts of famous people from the 18th Century in it, some of it is rather funny (some humor is a bit too subtle maybe). Author's name is Thomas Hamilton. 203 pages hardcover, and I heard it is also on Kindle, but I like real books.
So it seems like you have a similar taste in books as my best friend and I have.

I would recommend ANY and ALL of the books from this youtube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJ_SsqnIt鈥?/a>

Honestly, don't let the titles affect you. We really put off reading Vampire Academy because of the name (being vamp related) but it is now our favorite book EVER.

I think you'd love any of these books. Hope I helped!