What books does Brandon Sanderson recommend?
Epic fantasy author Brandon Sanderson built the sprawling Cosmere and completed Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time, and his book recommendations read like a genealogy of the genre he loves. Assembled here are 27 titles from his website brandonsanderson.com, his Intentionally Blank and Writing Excuses podcasts, and interviews, almost entirely fiction, spanning fantasy, science fiction, and the occasional literary classic. His top pick is Barbara Hambly's Dragonsbane, which he calls the book that changed it all for him and made him a fantasy reader. From there the list runs through Robert Jordan's The Shadow Rising, Terry Pratchett's Going Postal, Andy Weir's Project Hail Mary, and Vernor Vinge's A Fire Upon the Deep, one of his all-time favorite SF books. Worldbuilding, inventive magic systems, and the foundational works of Tolkien and Herbert anchor his choices, a reading list from a writer who reads fantasy to write it.
Last updated February 2026 · Every recommendation cited to its original source.
byBarbara Hambly
1987352 Pages(8,552)
“This was the book that changed it all for me and made me a fantasy reader. It's interesting, because this is a book that should not have worked for me... But I had a smart teacher who knew that I needed something more.”
— Brandon Sanderson
Source: brandonsanderson.com
byRobert Jordan
19921007 Pages(262,568)
“The Shadow Rising is the best book in the series. ... Reading fantasy is what got me into writing fantasy, and that's still what I prefer to read.”
— Brandon Sanderson
Source: brandonsanderson.com
Going Postal
A Discworld Novel
byTerry Pratchett
2004394 Pages“Going Postal is my favorite Pratchett right now. If you read him, don't start with the first book. Start with the books in the middle of his career... His later books are pure genius!”
— Brandon Sanderson
Source: brandonsanderson.com
Read by Brian Armstrong, Glenn Beck, Brandon Sanderson and 2 others
Project Hail Mary
A Novel
byAndy Weir
2021496 Pages(1,162,646)
“Weir's finest work to date... This is the one book I read last year that I am certain I can recommend to anyone, no matter who, and know they'll love it.”
— Brandon Sanderson
Source: Book Blurb / Goodreads
byVernor Vinge
1992624 Pages“Vernor Vinge's A Fire Upon the Deep is one of my all-time favorite SF books. I'm in a re-read right now, and it is as delightful as I remember it being.”
— Brandon Sanderson
Source: brandonsanderson.com
byGuy Gavriel Kay
1990673 Pages“Tigana is a wonderful work. ... I think it's one of the most brilliant standalone epic fantasies ever written.”
— Brandon Sanderson
Source: brandonsanderson.com
byMelanie Rawn
1988576 Pages(16,797)
“Dragon Prince by Melanie Rawn is one of my favorite books of all time.”
— Brandon Sanderson
Source: brandonsanderson.com
The Name of the Wind
The Kingkiller Chronicle: Day One
byPatrick Rothfuss
2007662 Pages(1,083,407)
“And, of course, Pat Rothfuss–who is a genius. I loved NAME OF THE WIND.”
— Brandon Sanderson
Source: brandonsanderson.com
byBrian McClellan
2013545 Pages“This book is just plain awesome. I found myself enjoying every moment of it. Innovative magic, quick-paced plot, interesting world. I had a blast.”
— Brandon Sanderson
Source: Book Blurb
Foundryside
A Novel
byRobert Jackson Bennett
2018512 Pages“The exciting beginning of a promising new epic fantasy series. Prepare for ancient mysteries, innovative magic, and heart-pounding heists.”
— Brandon Sanderson
Source: Book Blurb
byVictor Hugo
18621488 Pages“Les Misérables is one of my favorite books of all time; I think Victor Hugo was a genius.”
— Brandon Sanderson
Source: Theoryland Interview
Dragonflight
Book 1 of the Dragonriders of Pern
byAnne McCaffrey
1968304 Pages“If you haven't read her books I don't know why you're reading mine. You need to go and read hers immediately!”
— Brandon Sanderson
Source: brandonsanderson.com
byN.K. Jemisin
2010432 Pages“I just finished The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N. K. Jemisin, and I really, really enjoyed that.”
— Brandon Sanderson
Source: Fantasy Faction Interview
byGarth Nix
1995491 Pages(218,772)
“Garth Nix is wonderful. If you haven't tried Sabriel, I suggest it.”
— Brandon Sanderson
Source: brandonsanderson.com
byJim Butcher
2004688 Pages(115,100)
“I really enjoyed Jim Butcher's Codex Alera books, and I would heartily recommend them to any reader of fantasy.”
— Brandon Sanderson
Source: Fantasy Faction Interview
byRobin McKinley
1982320 Pages“It's been years since I've read this book, but it really left an impression on me as a younger reader. ... I always liked The Blue Sword better personally.”
— Brandon Sanderson
Source: brandonsanderson.com
byScott Westerfeld
2011432 Pages“This past year I read Uglies by Scott Westerfeld and enjoyed that.”
— Brandon Sanderson
Source: brandonsanderson.com
byBrent Weeks
2010640 Pages“Brent Weeks (Black Prism in particular.)”
— Brandon Sanderson
Source: brandonsanderson.com
byRobin Hobb
1995435 Pages“Anything by Robin Hobb, but particularly the Fitz books.”
— Brandon Sanderson
Source: brandonsanderson.com
byDan Wells
2010272 Pages“I really enjoy Dan's writing... I Am Not a Serial Killer is a fantastic, tightly written thriller with a great hook.”
— Brandon Sanderson
Source: Intentionally Blank Podcast
byOrson Scott Card
1985324 Pages“Ender's Game is a masterpiece of structure and sympathy.”
— Brandon Sanderson
Source: Writing Excuses Podcast
The Fellowship of the Ring
Part One of The Lord of the Rings
byJ.R.R. Tolkien
1954432 Pages“I think Tolkien is the master. The Lord of the Rings is the foundation upon which almost all of modern fantasy is built.”
— Brandon Sanderson
Source: Intentionally Blank Podcast
Read by Tim Ferriss, Jeff Bezos, Hans Zimmer and 3 others
byFrank Herbert
1990896 Pages(1,622,667)
“Dune is probably the greatest science fiction novel ever written. It is a masterpiece of world-building.”
— Brandon Sanderson
Source: Intentionally Blank Podcast
Guards! Guards!
A Novel of Discworld
byTerry Pratchett
2001384 Pages“Start with the books in the middle of his career, like Guards! Guards!, not the beginning because his books get better and better as he goes along.”
— Brandon Sanderson
Source: brandonsanderson.com
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Frequently asked questions
What books does Brandon Sanderson recommend?
His 27 picks include Dragonsbane by Barbara Hambly, The Shadow Rising by Robert Jordan, Going Postal by Terry Pratchett, Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir, and A Fire Upon the Deep by Vernor Vinge.
What is Brandon Sanderson's most recommended book?
His top pick is Dragonsbane by Barbara Hambly, which he calls "the book that changed it all for me and made me a fantasy reader," crediting a teacher who handed it to him at the right moment.
Where do Brandon Sanderson's book recommendations come from?
They come from his website brandonsanderson.com, where he answers reader questions about favorite books, his podcasts including Intentionally Blank and Writing Excuses, interviews with outlets like Fantasy Faction and Theoryland, and book blurbs he has written for other authors.
Has Brandon Sanderson written any books?
Yes. He has authored 21 books listed here, including Mistborn: The Final Empire, The Way of Kings, Words of Radiance, Oathbringer, Rhythm of War, Warbreaker, Elantris, Skyward, and Tress of the Emerald Sea.
What genres does Brandon Sanderson read most?
His recommendations are almost entirely fiction, dominated by epic fantasy and science fiction, with philosophy and society and politics threads. He favors inventive worldbuilding and hard magic systems, from Tolkien and Herbert to Pratchett and Robin Hobb.
All 27 Books Brandon Sanderson Has Recommended
- Dragonsbane · Barbara Hambly
- The Shadow Rising · Robert Jordan
- Going Postal · Terry Pratchett
- Project Hail Mary · Andy Weir
- A Fire Upon the Deep · Vernor Vinge
- Tigana · Guy Gavriel Kay
- Dragon Prince · Melanie Rawn
- The Name of the Wind · Patrick Rothfuss
- Promise of Blood · Brian McClellan
- Foundryside · Robert Jackson Bennett
- Les Misérables · Victor Hugo
- Dragonflight · Anne McCaffrey
- The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms · N.K. Jemisin
- Sabriel · Garth Nix
- Furies of Calderon · Jim Butcher
- The Blue Sword · Robin McKinley
- Uglies · Scott Westerfeld
- The Black Prism · Brent Weeks
- Assassin's Apprentice · Robin Hobb
- I Am Not a Serial Killer · Dan Wells
- Ender's Game · Orson Scott Card
- The Fellowship of the Ring · J.R.R. Tolkien
- Dune · Frank Herbert
- Guards! Guards! · Terry Pratchett
- Shades of Milk and Honey · Mary Robinette Kowal
- The Dragonbone Chair · Tad Williams
- A Thousand Faces · Janci Patterson