I have finished Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth series and the Harry Potter series.  I have also finished Irene Radford's Dragon series so what would you suggest as new reading material?  I like the fantasy gendre but mainly dragons, wizards sort of stuff not the space alien stories.  I'm also not into the romance novels as most of my female friends are.  I read other gendres but nothing had grabbed my attention like the three series mentioned has.  All suggestions are appreciated!

I enjoyed Terry Goodkind's series (at least the first 5 or 6 books, grrr) and also enjoyed George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series, Elizabeth Haydon's Rhapsody/Prophecy/Destiny trilogy, Sara Douglass's Wayfarer Redemption series, and Mark Anthony's Last Rune series.

Hope that helps!

Dragon and Pheonix by  Joanne Bertin? Have you read any Anne McCaffrey?

the inheritance trilogy. eragon, eldest and brisingr comes out this year. also Cornelia Funke has some really good books

thanks for the suggestions!!  I can't wait to start checking these out!

Stephanie - thanks for the reminder that brisingr was being released this year.  I've read eragon and eldest and recently read where he has decided to do the series in 4 books vs. the trilogy that he originally planned.

Again thanks for all the suggestions!

How about Chris D'Lacey's Dragonstar Trilogy (although there's a fourth book now due out on July 1st)

The Fire Within

When David moves in with Liz and Lucy, he discovers a collection of hand crafted, clay dragons that comes to life and has magical powers. David's personalized dragon, Gadzooks, can forecast the future, and inspires him to write a story which reveals the truth behind an unsolved mystery close to home. The story has an unhappy ending, and when David realizes the consequences of it he is angry. Then David finds Gadzooks crying and near death, and he discovers that these special dragons die when they are not loved. Soon David is forced to save his friend and unlock the powers of the fire within.

Icefire

The adventure that began in The Fire Within continues when David’s clay dragon Gadzooks helps him uncover a startling connection between dragons, the Arctic, and a mysterious teardrop of fire. Is it all only a coincidence? Or could deeper forces be at work? As David begins to dig deeper into the past, he finds himself drawn down a path from which there is no going back...to the very heart of the legend of dragons, and the mysterious, ancient secret of the icefire…

Firestar

College student David Rain; his Goth girlfriend, Zanna; and his dragon-creating landlord, Liz, and her daughter, Lucy, fulfill their destinies in this exciting conclusion to The Fire Within (2005) and Icefire (2006, both Scholastic). David is writing a book about polar bears, dragons, a mysterious fire star, and a transdimensional race from another universe. He's shocked to realize that his fictional tale is actually coming true. He discovers that a powerful dragon is lying dormant and petrified in a mountain. The Fain, an ancient race that revered dragons, intended to colonize Earth eons ago but something disrupted space and closed the line between the worlds, leaving some survivors behind. They have possessed Gwilanna, Liz's powerful and malevolent relative who is determined to call down dragons when the fire star aligns with Earth and the portal to Fain's world opens. If Gawain, the dormant dragon, awakens and dragons arrive and are allowed to breathe fire, they will cause widespread panic and catastrophic environmental damage. The multiple story lines and frequent but cryptic references to events from previous books make this novel a bit confusing for those unfamiliar with the earlier titles. Despite this, the story, with its involving and thought-provoking plot full of clever little dragons, mystical polar bears, and spiritual and ecological aspects, will appeal to many fantasy lovers.

Second the recomm for Anne McCaffrey,   and add two books by Barbara Hambly  Dragonsbane and Dragonshadow.  Also you might like Gael Baudino,  she has one trilogy based around dragons, and her other books are strong Celtic-based fantasy.  Have you ever tried any books by Charles de Lint?   He's the best what might be called "contemporary fantasy".   The magic lives in our world!

Have you tried anything by Mercedes Lackey? 

Series By Mercedes Lackey Bard's Tale Wrath of the Princes (1997) by Aaron Allston, Holly Lisle Castle of Deception (1992) by Mercedes Lackey, Josepha Sherman Fortress of Frost and Fire (1993) by Ru Emerson, Mercedes Lackey Prison of Souls (1993) by Mercedes Lackey, Mark Shepherd Chaos Gate, The (1994) by Josepha Sherman Escape From Roksamur (1997) by Mark Shepherd Bardic universe: Bardic Voices Lark and the Wren Robin & the Kestrel, The Eagle and the Nightingales Four and Twenty Blackbirds Bardic Choices Cast of Corbies, A (1994) by Mercedes Lackey, Josepha Sherman Brainship Ship Who Sang, The (1969) by Anne McCaffrey Far Horizons (1999) by J. B. Brehl, Robert Silverberg Ship Who Searched, The (1992) by Mercedes Lackey, Anne McCaffrey Ship Who Won, The (1994) by Anne McCaffrey, Jody Lynn Nye PartnerShip (1992) by Margaret Ball, Anne McCaffrey City Who Fought, The (1993) by Anne McCaffrey, S. M. Stirling Ship Avenged, The (1998) by S. M. Stirling Ship Errant, The (1996) by Jody Lynn Nye Darkover universe: Rediscovery (1993) by Marion Zimmer Bradley, Mercedes Lackey Dragon Jousters Joust (2003) Alta (2004) Sanctuary (2005) Aeyrie The Hub Wizard of Karres Elves on the Road universe: Bedlam Bard Bedlam's Bard (1992 - omnibus) by Ellen Guon, Mercedes Lackey Bedlam Boyz (1993) by Ellen Guon Knight of Ghosts and Shadows (1990) by Ellen Guon, Mercedes Lackey Summoned to Tourney (1992) by Ellen Guon, Mercedes Lackey Spirits White as Lightning (2001) by Mercedes Lackey Beyond World's End Mad Maudlin Music to My Sorrow Bedlam's Edge Diana Tregarde Burning Water (1989) by Mercedes Lackey Children of the Night (1990) by Mercedes Lackey Jinx High (1991) by Mercedes Lackey The Serrated Edge Chrome Borne, The (1999 - omnibus) by Larry Dixon, Mercedes Lackey Otherworld, The (1999 - omnibus) by Larry Dixon, Mercedes Lackey Born To Run (1992) by Larry Dixon, Mercedes Lackey Wheels of Fire (1992) by Mercedes Lackey, Mark Shepherd When the Bough Breaks(1993) by Mercedes Lackey, Holly Lisle Chrome Circle (1994) by Larry Dixon, Mercedes Lackey Elvendude (1994) by Mark Shepherd Spiritride (1997) by Mark Shepherd Lazerwarz (1999) by Mark Shepherd This Scepter'd Isle Stoned Souls Ill Met by Moonlight Elemental Masters Fire Rose, The Gates of Sleep Serpent's Shadow, The Phoenyx And Ashes Wizard of London Fairy Tale Black Swan, The Firebird   Five Hundred Kingdoms The Fairy Godmother One Good Knight   Halfblood Chronicles Elvenbane, The by Mercedes Lackey, Andre Norton Elvenblood by Mercedes Lackey, Andre Norton Elvenborn by Mercedes Lackey, Andre Norton Elvenbred by Mercedes Lackey, Andre Norton   Heirs of Alexandria Shadow of the Lion paperback This Rough Magic   The Obsidian Mountain Trilogy The Outstretched Shadow: Volume One To Light a Candle: Volume Two The Fall of Darkness: Volume Three   Short Story Collections River's Gift, Werehunter Lammas Night Fiddler Fair Flights of Fantasy Charmed Destinies Stars Serenity Winter Moon   Sword of Knowledge Sword of Knowledge, The (1995) by Nancy Asire, C. J. Cherryh, Leslie Fish, , et al. Dirge for Sabis, A (1989) by C. J. Cherryh, Leslie Fish Wizard Spawn (1989) by Nancy Asire, C. J. Cherryh Reap the Whirlwind (1989) by C. J. Cherryh, Mercedes Lackey Valdemar universe: Heralds of Valdemar Take a Thief Exile's Honor Exile's Valor Arrow of the Queen Arrow's Flight Arrow's Fall Vows & Honor The Oathbound Oathbreakers Oathblood The Last Herald Mage Trilogy Magic's Pawn Magic's Promise Magic's Price The Mage Winds Trilogy Winds of Fate Winds of Change Winds of Fury Kerowyn's Tale By the Sword The Mage Wars The Black Gryphon The White Gryphon The Silver Gryphon The Mage Storms Trilogy Storm Warning Storm Rising Storm Breaking The Owl Mage Trilogy Owlflight Owlsight Owlknight Brightly Burning Valdemar Short Story Collections Sword of Ice Sun in Glory and other tales of Valdemar Crossroads and Other Tales of Valdemar Valdemar Companion   Wing Commander Freedom Flight (1992) by Ellen Guon, Mercedes Lackey End Run (1993) by William R. Forstchen, Christopher Stasheff Fleet Action (1994) by William R. Forstchen Heart of the Tiger (1995) by William R. Forstchen, Andrew Keith Pilgrim Stars (1999) by Peter Telep False Colors (1999) by William R. Forstchen, Andrew Keith   Other books If I Pay Thee Not in Gold Prison of Souls Sacred Ground Tiger Burning Bright Mapping the World of Harry Potter

Sounds like we might have similar tasets.  Besides what you already mentioned, here's some of my favorites:

The Farseer trilogy by Robin Hobb (starting with Assasin's Apprentice).  Then if you like that, try her other series set in the same world.

The Belgariad series and the Mallorean series by David Eddings (in that order).

The Shannara series by Terry Brooks, starting with the Sword of Shannara. (Don't be discouraged by  "Sword" if it's too cliche and Tolkien-mimicking.  The series gets way better after the first couple of books.  I really enjoyed the Jerle Shannara series and the High Druid series).

I would recommend Mercedes Lackey too  - I really like her Valdemar relatated books - especially the Herald Mage ones.

Besides Anne McCaffrey (have every single one of her books!) and Mercedes Lackey, I would also recommend Marion Zimmer Bradley and her Darkover series as well as her Witchlight series and her Avalon series (Celtic/Arthurian fantasy, know they aren't what you asked for, but I love 'em, so gotta give 'em a plug!)

I think you'd like the Katherine Kerr Deverry series (begins with Daggerspell), they are quite good. Not to be confused with the Katherine Kurtz Deryni novels, also quite good (I like Deverry a bit better though = )

There's also Andre Norton's classic Witchworld series (there are a lot!) and these series:

Five Senses
1. The Hands of Lyr (1994)
2. The Mirror of Destiny (1995)
3. The Scent of Magic (1998)
4. The Wind in the Stone (1999)
5. A Taste of Magic (2006) (with Jean Rabe)

Cycle of Oak, Yew, Ash, and Rowan (with Sasha Miller)
1. To the King a Daughter (2000)
2. Knight or Knave (2001)
3. A Crown Disowned (2002)
4. Dragon Blade (2005)
5. The Knight of the Red Beard (2008)

Thanks everyone!  I love all the suggestions and am excited about venturing into the new authors!  Glad to know I'm not the only female that loves this gendre.  The only friends I have that are into any of it are the guys so my female friends just roll their eyes when I get in on the guys conversations when it comes to reading.  Thanks again!!

Alvin Maker series by Orson scott Card is great and I really enjoyed The Dark Tower series by Stephen King allthough The Gunslinger is hard to get through.If you try the Dark Tower series I would suggest starting with the second one then coming back to The Gunslinger.

thanks for the suggestion Todd; i have started getting the dark tower series recommended on a different forum; mentioned hard to get into but stick with it; since obviously it is ok to start with book 2 & go back to book 1 that is what i will do! It is marvelous when folks take the time to put notes or tips on for us! in Robin Hobb's Assassin trilogy; which is superb; it is followed by the liveship trilogy which doesn't seem to fit in with assassins but eventually ties in with it; then followed by the Fool trilogy (who 1st appears in Assassin's trilogy); & is in liveship but not as you would recognize at 1st; (not going to give away spoilers!) I found this out the hard way; read Assassin's then Fool then Liveship & discovered the sequence; !!!!

I highly recommend The Secret of Dragonhome by John Peel.

Melayne and her young brother are talents, if they are discovered they will be killed. After their parents are killed, Melayne and Sarrow find refuge at Dragonhome, the mysterious estate of the shadowy Lord Sander. Melayne must unlock the secret of Dragonhome. As danger approaches, it will be their only hope.

They aren't especially dragon-y, but if you're into fantasy, try Raymond Feist's Riftwar Saga (starts with Magician: Apprentice),  David Eddings' Elenium (Diamond Throne is the first in the series), or Barbara Hambly's Sun Wolf series (it might start with Ladies of Madrigan (that name is close, but it might be off by a few letters), or Witches of Wenshar. Can't remember which, off the top of my head). 

Those are ones my husband usually recommends.  I highly recommend Lois McMaster Bujold's Curse of Chalion (and the other two in the series). She also writes the Miles Vorkosigan books, but they're a little more sci fi (I think if you like Chalion, you'll probably like her other books. They're far more about the characters than the science). I also really love Terry Pratchett, especially the City Watch books (those start with Guards! Guards!, but I'm more fond of Men at Arms, and the ones after that have been read at least a half dozen times each).

I've read Barbara Hambly's Dragonsbane books, and thought they got rather depressing, but if that's not an issue for you, those are reasonably good, too.  Also, Robin McKinley does fairytale retellings for the most part, but her Hero and the Crown and The Blue Sword are original works, and pretty good. I've enjoyed most of her fairytale retellings as well.

Try Louise Cooper, her Indigo series has about 8 books.

Or Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman, they specialise in trilogies.

The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan.  There are 11 books in the series with 12 to be out soon.

You might like the series "Winds of the Forelands" by David B. Coe.  I think it's 6 books - I'm in the middle now.

He has a couple of other series as well.  Then there's David Drake -  The Lord of the Isles series (and follow-up series).

You might like Tad Williams'    "Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn" series.  I loved it - others didn't.  It has "doorstopper" size books, but I loved his writing style.  It's more like regular literature than  many fantasy authors.

BTW, You might like Terry Brooks' series.  One is very epic fantasy ( the Shannara series) and the other ( the Magic of the Kingdom) is very light-hearted.

I really enjoyed "High House" by James Stoddard and have it's sequel "False House" on my TBR stack.

Donita K. Paul's Dragon Keeper Chronicles there are 4 so far and another one due out this summer

For something a little different, try Terry Pratchett's Discworld books. They're very funny.