Introduction & Welcome Thread

[Rob, Mayor of Ghost Town]

Welcome Ashley.

Yeah, we do tend to read a lot of books in series lately. That can be off putting if you haven't read any of them.

However this year alone we've started at least 4 new series.

You can always look through our bookshelf and pick the first book of something that sounds the most interesting and jump in the discussion threads for that.

I'm trying to think what book might be best to start with. Maybe The Lies of Locke Lamora?

You what you wanted to branch out. What sort of stories are you looking for? Adventure, political intrigue, mystery?

[Scott]

Welcome Ashley!

Could do with a reread of Lynch's series myself. Miss that world and the wait for the next one is killing me

[Ashley]

I will check that out, how many are there/ will there be?

And Rob, I'm not looking for any type of story in particular. I'll try any book once. Since I join GR and started to categorize the books I've been reading I noticed that the majority was YA. So I'm just broadening my horizon.

[Scott]

There are currently 3 books in that series, not sure how many it's planned for

If you're looking for a light-ish introduction to fantasy I would recommend Michael J. Sullivan's Riyria Revelations. It's a six-book series but the books themselves aren't crazy long and it has a wonderful pace to it with fun characters. Each book gets better than the last

[Rob, Mayor of Ghost Town]

Yeah. Riyria is great, though not one we've discussed here. Starting with Theft of Swords.

The Tao series is fun too. We didn't discuss the first two, but we're currently discussing the third and final book that just came out. That starts with The Lives of Tao.

I can give you a ton of SFF recommendations and a few others that aren't, but it would be best to narrow down where to start.

[Dara]

Ashley, judging by your shelves, I'm gonna recommend the Parasol Protectorate by Gail Carriger. The first book is Soulless. The series is about a woman in Victorian-era London who doesn't have a soul and when she touches a werewolf or vampire, said supernatural being loses their power. There's a strong romance theme and they're funny.

For some sci-fi, The Lives of Tao is another fun one. Wesley Chu has a knack for humor. These may be a books about spies and aliens but it's really grounded. Plus, the kindle version is on sale for $1.99! http://www.amazon.com/Lives-Tao-Wesle...

[Mark]

Welcome to the group Ashley.

[Sky]

Dara wrote: "Ashley, judging by your shelves, I'm gonna recommend the Parasol Protectorate by Gail Carriger. The first book is Soulless. The series is about a woman in Victorian-..."

I just bought my wife the complete Parasol Protectorate series - she just got her dissertation all signed off yesterday, after 10 years, and we are heading out to a B&B on the mendocino coast for a long 4 day weekend of relaxing and reading. She hasn't had time to read for fun in years, so I am quite looking forward to it.

[Scott]

Awesome! Congrats to Mrs. Sky!!

[Kat]

Welcome Ashley :)

And grats to Mrs Sky!

[Robyn]

Sky wrote: "Dara wrote: "Ashley, judging by your shelves, I'm gonna recommend the Parasol Protectorate by Gail Carriger. The first book is Soulless. The series is about a woman ..."

Woo! Way to go! I bailed at 7 years in - which makes me celebrate those who stick it out even more! (Can I be nosy and ask her subject?) I think The Parasol Protectorate is just the thing to relax with.

[Sky]

Thanks all! They say getting a phd is more stressful than going through a divorce, so it will be like our second honeymoon! :)

Her doctorate is in public health, specializing in illicit drug use, abuse, and policy. (we met at a rave where she was the co-founder of a harm reduction non-profit called Dance Safe).

[Robyn]

Oh, that's fascinating. Thanks for sharing and again - congrats to her! (And you!) Enjoy the second honey moon!

[Rob, Mayor of Ghost Town]

I barely wanted to do a masters. Lol. That's commitment.

[Sky]

I dropped out as a 6th year sophomore :P

(Welcome Ashley!)

[Rob, Mayor of Ghost Town]

Sky wrote: "I dropped out as a 6th year sophomore :P


A what?

And I practice the safest dancing of all. Staying home.

[Sky]

Rob wrote: "And I practice the safest dancing of all. Staying home."

Just make sure to stay properly hydrated.

[Rob, Mayor of Ghost Town]

I drink water all day long. It's hard work.

[Sky]

Rob wrote: "I drink water all day long. It's hard work."

Totally off-topic on our already off-topic thread, but I really covet this:

https://www.myvessyl.com/

[Rob, Mayor of Ghost Town]

Oh boy. another thing that knows way too much about you. Can't wait to start getting coupons for my favorite beverages..

[Justine]

I have a soda stream, so that makes it slightly more taxing.

[Rob, Mayor of Ghost Town]

I don't drink soda anymore.

[Justine]

Oh I don't flavour it, I just fizz the water. :)

[Justine]

Also, welcome, Ashley! :)

[Ashley]

Thanks everyone! I've never felt so welcome in my life.

[Sky]

I make fizzy homemade energy drinks with my soda stream - one of the reasons I am interested in the myvessel - I don't really drink pre-packaged beverages.

[Rob, Mayor of Ghost Town]

Do you make fizzy lifting drinks?

[Sky]

Rob wrote: "Do you make fizzy lifting drinks?"

Why yes, I do.

[Kat]

Yay for fizzy water!!!

[Sky]

Welcome Nicki! Most of us are still in the middle of Grace of Kings, so feel free to hop into the discussion at any time :)

[Kat]

Hi Nicki, welcome to the coolest group ever :)

[Rob, Mayor of Ghost Town]

Hi Nicki. Glad you found us.

[Robyn]

Welcome Nicki, Ashley and Camille! Hurray for new people.

Nicki, I'm glad to see another UK person (though I must admit I'm yet another American immigrant ;) ) in the group.

[Justine]

Hi Nicki! And I think I missed saying hi to Camila earlier, sorry about that..hi!

[Scott]

hola amigos!

[Rob, Mayor of Ghost Town]

Tosh wrote: "Hey everyone! Just browsing around and saw this group's upcoming read is The Aeronaut's Windlass, so thought I'd join and get in on some discussions.

I'll read just about anything..."

Welcome Tosh. Yeah we are. I'm very much looking forward to it, even if it's not the next Dresden book. :)

[Kat]

Welcome Tosh!

Is your Nickname Torchwood-related? Tosh was my favourite character <3

[Kat]

Ooooooooooooooooooooh.

*pushes the Torchwood themed cookie jar closer*

Try one.

[Kat]

Yes.
The Original was a TV series, a spin-off from Doctor Who. The novels emerged later.

Have not read them yet, am still mourning the tv show...

[[deleted user]]

Hi, I'm Amelia. I have some friends in this group, so I thought I'd give it a go.

[Rob, Mayor of Ghost Town]

Amelia wrote: "Hi, I'm Amelia. I have some friends in this group, so I thought I'd give it a go."

Welcome!

[Kat]

Hello Amelia!

*hands over a cookie*

[[deleted user]]

*Happily takes cookie and dunks in tea*

[Mark]

Welcome Amelia.

[Michael]

Hey - I'm Michael a self-proclaimed Windrunner.

I like what you all have read in the past and look forward to tagging along with the gang in the future

[Rob, Mayor of Ghost Town]

Hi Michael. Welcome.

[Peter]

Welcome Michael! (:

[Kat]

Windrunners get special cookies.

*goes to get the special cookie jar*

[Jaime]

Hi. I am new here. Fantasy is the genre that made me fall in love with reading (it all started with Dealing with Dragons) and continues to be my favorite genre. I wanted a group to discuss books I love, and to learn about authors I may not have read. Some of my favorite authors are Rothfuss, Brett, Sullivan, Sanderson, Weis and Hickman.

[Scott]

Welcome! You'll fit right in here, we love us some fantasy.