Today is...Tolkien Reading Day

Today is Tolkien Reading Day. What is your favorite fantasy novel?

Fantasy literature has been around since the 1400s, but it wasn't until the advent of high fantasy and the popularity of Tolkein that allowed fantasy to enter the mainstream, in the 1930s and 40s.

Only five authors have had fantasy novels debut at number one on the New York Times Best Seller list: Robert Jordan, George R.R. Martin, Neil Gaiman, Terry Goodkind, and Patrick Rothfuss.

Fantasy novels are part of a genre of fiction known as Speculative fiction, which also includes Alternate history, Horror fiction, and Science fiction.

The Hugo Awards are a set of awards given annually for the best sci-fi or fantasy works.

Robert A. Heinlein has received the most Hugos for Best Novel, with 5 along with 11 nominations. Other notable Hugo Best Novel winners include  Philip K. Dick,  J.K. Rowling, Neil Gaiman, Robert J. Sawyer, and Orson Scott Card.

Harlan Ellison has received the most Hugos for Best Short Story with 4. Connie Willis has received teh most Hugos for Best Novella also with 4.