Ooooh, then you can fangirl with me! Not that I fangirl, of course. I am only slightly over enthused, baffled, humbled by, and in love with this series.
I have other suggestions as well. Each with their own interesting little bits and bobs. I tend to look for thing that play with or break the mold altogether. Especially with my fantasy. I tend to be rather enamored of things that subvert cliches and common misconceptions in clever ways. And they get double points if they can make me laugh while I'm reading them.
I have arrived...or rearrived..or...erm...I'm just here now, okay? xP
Suggestion: The Kingkiller Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss. These were so good that they ruined fantasy novels for me for the longest time. Bit of a slow start, but incredibly well thought out, quotable as all hell, and decidedly too lovely for a proper explanation.
And suddenly I'm incredibly glad that I snagged you. Such good taste! (again, I'm being totally based). I've gotta run back to work (my break is over), but I promise to send along some suggestions when I return home.
All sensible things to enjoy (which I might only be saying because I share all of those loves and am thus TOTALLY BIASED...but try to ignore that bit). Seriously though, there are so many things here for folks with those interests. The anime/manga forum can be a bit slow moving at times, but I've had a few truly lovely discussions in there.
There's plenty of reading and writing to be done if you roll on over to the roleplay forums (I can also recommend books if you'd like. I do love recommending books). o.o;
As for travels, where have you been thus far? The most exciting thing I've got on my end is a summer trip to Greece and Turkey back in college. Lovely experience, that.
lol
A Halloween event I presume?
Hirondelle