Hello there, stranger. I have browsed a number of roleplaying sites before setting my heart on you. I have not "roleplayed" since junior high school, and I have just recently picked up reading fantasy again. Reading in English at all, really, which is why my vocabulary may be lacking in many aspects. Just as my post title states, I currently reside in the Land of the Rising Sun, Japan. I'm a lonely foreigner who speaks relatively fluent Japanese, but lacks the confidence and willpower to steer a conversation out of the Japanglish or Engrish (Wow! It's. sooo. cold. Samui ne. Cold.) arena. It's gotten to the point where I actually feel guilty speaking in Japanese, since I feel pressured into playing the role of the novelty I seem to be. I don't know when I started to become so passive, but it's killing me inside. Anyways, enough on that. For the moment, my favorite authors are Brandon Sanderson (picking up Mistborn on a whim in one of the last remaining Barnes & Nobles was more than just serendipity, I swear) and Pat Rothfuss (despite his supposed broken promises and whatnot). I'm looking to take a hack at Game of Thrones when I can pull myself out of my self-imposed melancholy, but I'm really open to anything. Throw your suggestions at me, please. I cannot guarantee that I'll be able to obtain whatever books you might recommend me, since I'm forced to rely on whatever used books are left behind by other English speakers high-tailing it back to their own countries, but I will definitely write them down for future enjoyment. In another year and a half, when I return home with my own tail between my legs, I will be sure to read every one of the books you suggest. I am truly blessed and yet unfathomably cursed. And I am lonely. Please permit me to join your ranks.

Feel more than welcome, friend.

Ahlan wa sahlan.

Welcome to the guild.

Welcome to the Guild. You might try Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth series (Wizard's First Rule is the first book.) Terry Brooks' Shannara Series is an excellent choice. Right now, after a few decades, it is being filmed into a live-action movie, so it has gained a lot of popularity. I would recommend starting with Sword of Shannara, and following up with The Elfstones of Shannara and The Wishsong of Shannara. This is the original trilogy, and how many come to discover Mr Brooks' works. For something more modern urban fantasy, combined with mystery I would recommend Jim Butcher's Dresden Files with Storm Front leading off the series. Mr. Butcher will also be kicking off a steampunk series The Cinder Spires starting with The Aeronaut's Windlass: The Cinder Spires, Book One. Just some quick recommendations for fantasy that might be enjoyable.

Konichiwa (sorry, only word I know in Japanese, which is stupid because I love anime). I've been here only a couple of days but everyone has been super nice. Best advice I can give is look at what people are interested in doing and PM them. If you have an idea, get it out there. Everyone loves an original idea. Just make sure to Subscribe to anything you're posting on, otherwise it's hard to find it! As for book sugguestions, Terry Pratchet's Discworld series is pretty good, though I'd need to know more about you to be specific (The books are all in the same world but there are different main characters depending on interest). Anyway, happy trails!

Thank you for your gracious greetings! You are all too kind to me. Many, many thanks for the book suggestions. I see a set three fine Terrys, and one Jim Butcher. I'm looking forward to reading all of them. I'll see what used copies Amazon Japan has to offer.

welcome to the guild

Wow, your intro kind of broke my heart. It also kind of made me laugh (I felt guilty about that) because you don't sound like someone who learns Japanese and moves there because of anime and 'superior Japanese culture!' A katana can cut a European broadsword in two! Feel welcome here!

Meanwhile if I ever felt so confident in my foreign language skills I literally have two basically "ethnically themed" communities an hour away. Frankenmuth fur miene Deutsch, and then there's Dearborn with the kebab.

First off, welcome welcome. Have a hug, hope you're doing fine out there. Second, do not take the Japanese behaviour personal, Japan is generally a bit infamous for the subtle racism they got going on there. You've just had the shit luck of experiencing it first hand. Lastly,

Welcome to the Guild. You might try Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth series (Wizard's First Rule is the first book.)

Counter-recommending, it turns into a political bashfest in later books and the author has a weird obsession with rape. That said it did make me laugh out loud even when it's quality tanked (For those in the know, chicken of EVIL) and the first two books were flat out enjoyable.

Terry Brooks' Shannara Series is an excellent choice. Right now, after a few decades, it is being filmed into a live-action movie, so it has gained a lot of popularity. I would recommend starting with Sword of Shannara, and following up with The Elfstones of Shannara and The Wishsong of Shannara. This is the original trilogy, and how many come to discover Mr Brooks' works.

No comment, have not yet read them.

For something more modern urban fantasy, combined with mystery I would recommend Jim Butcher's Dresden Files with Storm Front leading off the series. Mr. Butcher will also be kicking off a steampunk series The Cinder Spires starting with The Aeronaut's Windlass: The Cinder Spires, Book One. Just some quick recommendations for fantasy that might be enjoyable.

Seconding Jim Butcher's Dresden Files if only because the main protagonist is, and I quote an in-universe character directly 'Gandalf on crack and an IV of Redbull'. Go read it, it's great.

First off, welcome welcome. Have a hug, hope you're doing fine out there. Second, do not take the Japanese behavior personal, Japan is generally a bit infamous for the subtle racism they got going on there. You've just had the shit luck of experiencing it first hand.

Could be worse for him. He could be Korean.