I like the idea of Fantasy but pretty much all I've read is Tolkien. I also like writings from the Elder Scrolls games (Morrowind et al) and Warhammer 40k game, if anyones familiar.

Something a bit 'earthy' and gritty would be nice. I'm fine with a bit of magic and dragons here n there, but when it's saturated in 'magic' it bores me and makes me feel less connected.

I'm a sucker for elves and dwarves when they're done well and are relatable (the hobbit is a great example of this, also morrowind).

No cheesey female heroines plz.

Other than that, I'm open. Any genre, high, sword and sourcery, science-fantasy, whatever.

Hit me

EDIT: I also like the Kalevala. But I guess that's not really considered fantasy. It's also a poem. So hmm.

The Farseer Saga (Anything by Robin Hobb AKA Megan Lindholm)

The Wheel of Time

Anything by T.H. White

A Song of Fire and Ice

The Sword of Truth

Anything by Tad Williams

Anything by David Eddings

Anything by Frank Herbert (Dune Series in Particular)

Anything by Raymond Feist (Riftwar Saga)

The Darksword Trilogy

The Death Gate Cycle

Sword of Shannara

Rose of the Prophet

Anything by Michael Moorcock

Incarnations of Immortality Series

Anything by Steven Brust

From what you said, start with George RR Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire. Very gritty, and far more focused on people than on magic. Mentally prepare yourself to throw each book across the room at least once, as something catastrophic happens to a beloved character.

Also, Euda should have been more specific on Eddings. The Belgariad, the Mallorean, and the Elenium are good. The Tamuli starts to rehash plot, but it still has it's moments. After that, it's a steep downhill track, to the point where I hope the guy is senile, because I love his work, and the last 6ish piles of crap are unworthy of him.

The Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind start with 'Wizard's First Rule'

I'm reading the Wizards First Rule at the moment, I'm about 5/8ths finished.
I recommend reading either that or A Song of Fire and Ice.

The next book I will probably buy, and you may want to look into as well is:
The Great Book of Amber: The Complete Amber Chronicles, 1-10 (Chronicles of Amber)
10 books in one for $16.29 on amazon.com

The Age of Fire Series by E.E. Knight, not finished yet, first two are out I believe.

The Arthur Trilogy by Kevin Crossley-Holland

The Bartimaueus Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud

I don't know what the series is called but the first book is called The Fire Within by Chris D'Lacey, a bit childish but I find it enjoyable.

Also the Pereseus Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan, also a bit childish.

The Blegariad is definitely recommended, again.

I just pulled some of these off my shelf and wrote them here, I might add more later.

It sounds like the price is right. Let me know if it's worth the read.

I'll add in His Dark Materials and Narnia. Also, The Dark Tower.

The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, the Unbeliever should get a recommendation as well. They're not my cup of tea, but you might like that the main character has leprosy.

The Dragonlance series.
Of the many books from that series, Temple of the Dragonslayer was good.

And then, naturally, you can read Eragon and Eldest.

Any of the King's Blades series by Dave Duncan. Liked 'em when I was a kid, don't really read fantasy anymore.

L Sprague DeCamp "The Reluctant King" trilogy for instance.