Recently I have been talking a lot about the contemporary fantasy series The Dresden Files by author Jim Butcher
The series has so far 17 books in order.
I think this was my first contemporary fantasy series and I started to adore it the moment I heard about it. Later when I had begun to read, I was not disappointed either. Loved it way more.
So far I have finished the 4th book of the series and am at the end of the 5th book.
I would not assert it is some sort of high fantasy neither I shall exaggerate. I was perhaps squeezed into this book series by my peers and ended up quite enjoying it.

Book series summary:

The plot takes place in Chicago.
Aligning with the ordinary life of Chicago people, there exists a parallel universe of supernatural force.
Beyond the world, there resides another world of faeries, demons, trolls, and many more supernatural spirits which is called "Never-never"
And even in the living world, alongside humans, vampires, werewolves, and wizards exist coherently. Each of these species has its own system, rules politics, and other related stuff going on.

Certainly, ordinary people are oblivious of that, and the supernatural forces rather conceal and conserve themselves distinguished not to break the harmony.
Then again, there is no way with such a vast system of each, there will not be any confrontation or conflict.
Hence, that is how our story with the major protagonists proceeds.

The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher

Major Characters:

Common major characters that keep overlapping and evolving throughout the books are-
Harry Dresden- The wizard, or to be precise a deviated wizard, lives in Chicago. For some weird reason even though he has supernatural power, he almost lives a hand-to-mouth life! He earns for life by solving the mystery people's lives as a punny detective and sometimes helping the Chicago homicide branches.
Karrin Murphy- Head of the Special Investigation Branch, an officer of the Chicago police. A friend of Dresden. Sometimes when things get nasty with the entanglement with the supernatural, she reaches out for Dresden part-time time wizard.
Bob- An intellectual ancient spirit who lives with Harry and advises him from time to time
Gentleman Johnny Marcon Mafia boss of Chicago who somehow gets tangled with Dresden every now and then. Johnny is much more powerful than some sort of supernatural being even being a normal human. I sort of admire him.

Aside from these constant ones, there are Susan, Michael, and other characters who come and go often.
Red Court The ruler of vampire
White Council Same thing for Wizards
Never-never Supernatural land of spirits, fairies, demons and the rest.

Guilty pleasure

I often wonder why I waste my time on something random when there is so much to read within such a short span if life.
Then again, I assume this is what you call guilty pleasure!
Or perhaps I exceptionally love the humorous aspect of the characters or maybe the fact every peer fan of Dresden calls me Murphy!

Let's talk about the books some other day. I wish someday I can buy the whole series box!