I both read and write scifi and fantasy( and one day i might even get published )
I grew up reading books and have allways read alot of fiction, so i was bothered too by the 'doesn't read fiction' thing.
In fact i'm not so into detailed facts with precise numbers an dates and things but more with general bits of random knowledge.
As for books, i especially going to other worlds and so a do read an awful lot of SF and Fantasy, though i also like classic lit, dectective stuff ( i like the unravelling the puzzle of the murder mystery) and some romnance stuff ( i know...shame....shame!!)
One thing i don't read is modern lit or contempary classics, things like catch 22 or on the road. Don't know why, just never have. Actually i read 1984 recently, it was pretty good until the end when it all went a bit weird, too subtle for me i think.
I like: (sci fi) Dune, Polar City Blues by Kartherine Kerr, some philip k.dick, John Wyndham, Hitch Hikers Guide (i have all 5 books), the pern books and a few other bits and pieces.
(fantasy) Tolkien(obviously) Dragonlance, the Drizzt books, tad williams, Conan, etc.
(dark fantasy, horror, other) Clive barker, Tanith Lee, Laurell k. Hamilton, lovecraft, various short stories.
And i'm sure there are plenty more.
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When freedom is outlawed only outlaws are free.