Open a book this minute and start reading. Don’t move until you’ve reached page fifty. Until you’ve buried your thoughts in print. Cover yourself with words. Wash yourself away. Dissolve. Carol Shields Republic of Love

A Game of Thrones

Of course fantasy readers will gravitate towards this series. My shelves are clogged with Tolkien, Donaldson, Eddings, Williams and Kay, and I have had a copy of the first novel in this series since it was published in paperback.

Random House, 1996

But readers of the historical saga will be smitten too: take Galsworthy and [...]