Share something about who you are as a reader?

[jD]

As a reader, I want each science fiction and fantasy book to take me on a journey. I want to see what the characters see, hear what they hear, and to feel their laughter, fear, and excitement.

[Sonya]

The story has to pull me in. It's best if that happens quickly, but there are times when I stick with a book and am glad I did.

I love books/series in which the world-building is well thought out and interesting. Authors that give you just enough without overwhelming you with exposition are my favorites.

To me the world is just as an important as the characters.

[Donna]

I read simply for enjoyment and relaxation. I like a pretty simple, straightforward writing style and a fairly fast paced story. I think I would describe my preference as young adult writing but for adults.

Lately I've been listening to a lot of audiobooks, thats been something really new for me. I never thought it would be something I enjoy, but I've found that when the right combination of story and narrator come together, it is sometimes better than reading the book.

[Sonya]

I agree Donna about a good narrator and a good book. I love the narrator for the Kate Daniels series.

[Jesslyn]

Sonya wrote: "I agree Donna about a good narrator and a good book. I love the narrator for the Kate Daniels series."
I agree. There are a lot of UF books coming out lately, unfortunately, although the writing may be okay, the characters are dramatic for the sake of drama or inconsistent as a sacrifice to some story arc the writer wants to pursue.
LTely, I find that with a few exceptions (Ilona Andrews, Patricia Briggs) IMO, the better Fantasy these days is Epic

[Sandi *~The Pirate Wench~*]

I like the book /series to totally take me into another world. But not so that its hard to understand whats going on. Love to have romance in it but not the main part of the story. The characters have to catch me right at the first & hold me threw the story as well as the story itself .

[jD]

Sandi,

Your comment about the characters catching my right away makes me think of a book series I just read -- The Warded Man. There are several characters that grasped my heart and imagination right from page one. I loved the world building as well. It felt familar.

[Sandi *~The Pirate Wench~*]

Who is the author? how long a series?

[jD]

Peter Brett. I think its his first series. Check out the reviews that led me to the decision to read it and book 2. Book 3, the series conclusion is not out yet. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34...

[jD]

By the way Sandi, welcome to our group. I have never made a group before and I wanted to start one where I could discuss fantasy and science fiction without formality. Some of the other groups are too intense and tend to be almost 'cultish' in their approach to this genre. I wanted something informal. Please bear with me while I figure out this moderator role and all the techy options goodreads provides. Post any questions you like at anytime.

[Sandi *~The Pirate Wench~*]

Thanks jD..I searched many Sci-Fi/fantasy groups..and yours has the best....I dont like intense or cultish either..I like a good Sci-Fi or fantasy with adventure/world building/ suspense/some romance...you have posted some really good books here.2 thumbs up! :)

[Sandi *~The Pirate Wench~*]

jD...were would I put a "recommend" series/books for other group members? I dont see a "recommend book " spot & I dont want to put in the wrong place.

[jD]

I can't even figure out how to remove my reviews. Let me get back to you on that one. You may need to be a moderator to do it. If you want to be a moderator, we can do that too. I have seen your booklist and I think it's impressive.

[Sandi *~The Pirate Wench~*]

jD wrote: "I can't even figure out how to remove my reviews. Let me get back to you on that one. You may need to be a moderator to do it. If you want to be a moderator, we can do that too. I have seen you..."

No I meant in YOUR group..where is the proper place for me to recommend books to the other members in this group..you have order here & I dont want to put in the wrong place...start a recommend thread?...and hey dont feel bad...lots of stuff I cant figure out yet either! :)

[jD]

I am going to add a group recommendation discussion and see what we get.

[Sandi *~The Pirate Wench~*]

Thats great jD thanks!

[jD]

I added the recommendation and am working on making shelves. Check out what I have so far. If you think of any more, please share.

[Sandi *~The Pirate Wench~*]

Looks great jD! Ive added one already...will dig threw my pile..and add some more..

[Sandi *~The Pirate Wench~*]

jD..will there be in the future a discussion/recommend thread for science-fiction books? I dont like "hard-core" ones with all the "tech" stuff..I was thinking more along the lines of sci-fic/with some romance..along those lines? authors like Linnea Sinclair...I have recommends if your interested later..

[jD]

I have been pondering the science fiction side of this group. I definitely prefer science fiction with some romance. Based on what I have read personally, I only read urban fantasy (or so it would seem). I am going to add a discussion for recommendations. I am going to check out some science fiction groups to see if I have read any of them.

[Sandi *~The Pirate Wench~*]

Sounds good jD...I always thought "urban fantasy" was..demons...vamps...to me sci-fi romance is with authors like Linnea Sinclairand Sharon Shinn two books I recently read by Katriena Knightswere Starchild and Earthchild
then there was a husband/wife team who wrote sci-fi romance Steve Miller and Sharon Lee who wrote the"Liaden Universe" series

[S.B.]

Like most of us here, I'm sure, I read a lot. So one thing I really look for as a reader is a story that does something to shock me. And by shock, I don't mean it has to appall me or offended my delicate sensibilities. No, I mean I flip a page and an author does something so unique and impressive with a character or situation that I think "man, I wish I'd written that". It doesn't happen often, but when it does, it makes me remember why I fell in love with books in the first place.

[Harry]

I personally like to read stories that spur my imagination. If I read a book that takes me away and lets me become a part of another world I can't wait to start writing another story myself. Only a few authors can give me that feeling, but I love when it happens. Kind of like being a kid again!

[S.J.]

Some of my favourite fantasy/sci fi stories have the following elements: humour, romance, a "twist" or "big reveal" in the plot that makes me think: cool! I didn't see that coming. I also tend to like originality, or at least a new perspective on an old theme. For example, a traditional high fantasy quest/adventure story with a non-traditional ending. A well-developed world or magic system and complicated characters are always a bonus for me too. Some of my favourite books incorporate most, or all of these elements. Kudos to those authors who can do all of that...it's a tough job!

[Linda]

I like the unexpected, the whimsical, and to be just plain drawn away into another world.

[Mary]

I want to connect to the character(s), first and foremost. If I can't enjoy the character, then how in the world will you sustain my interest for more than 50 pages? Second is writing style, how well does the author introduce us to the setting? Is it a completely new world, if so, can I get lost in it and not *be* lost, or bogged down with details trying to orient myself in this new world? How well does the author balance exposition with action and dialogue? If the world is somewhat familiar, what is unique about it that will jump out at me either through description or character observation/commentary? Oh, so many ways.

For example, just started Kim Harrison's Rachel Morgan series. First book, tough going, mainly because I wanted to smack Rachel upside the head b/c of the simply ridiculous decisions she would make. I liked the character - or wanted to - but felt like this supposedly kick-ass character, wasn't - kicking ass, that is. I had heard so many good things about the series, and yet - that first book may have turned me off, if I hadn't read some reviews that said "wait until books 2 & 3..." So I did, and it was worth it.

Anne Bishop, on the other hand - haven't read a word of hers yet that I didn't like. Her characters pop - literally - into your head, and won't let go. Everything feels so seemless, a virtual feast for the senses. I have laughed so hard, and then 2 pages later found myself in tears. The woman can write - and I read, and re-read her books, and never get bored. It's like taking a dark chocolate bath, sipping dark velvet wine. Her settings, her use of imagery, her character's dialogue and reactions - I get lost for days and can't stop. When its over, I feel bereft. I miss her characters whom I've been on a journey with, so I'm a little melancholy for a day or so. How crazy is that? But that is what my standard has become now - how well do I get lost in this piece of fiction without noticing the author?

[Mel]

Greetings ;-) I like books that draw me in and take me somewhere amazing, I love books that keep me thinking about them long after the cover is closed.

[Jada]

I hate teen drama stuff or anything that has to do with reality (unless it's an inspiring true story like into the wild or a child called it). I want to escape reality when I read. I want the book to take me to a different place and/or time.
Also my favorite books are the ones where I fall in love with the characters. :-) I prefer first person POV because it's more personal and it feels more like I'm part of the story.

[Phil]

I'm driven by environment. There has to be some description without it being too wordy. Set the stage, but let my mind fill in some blanks. I like to know the characters, even if they only exist for a short time within the confines of the story. I am an aspiring writer, but I put both reading and writing on hold years ago and used the tired excuse "Life is getting in the way." I have since abandoned that philosophy, and read and write whenever possible.

[Lizzie]

I'm in nursing school so when I get the chance to read I want to be able to completely leave the stress of my life and be transported to a whole new world. It's my escape without having to leave. I love finding new books to read. I recently finished The Hunger Games and I'm about to start Graceling.

[Mary]

I want to be seized. I have a very active mind so I need a book that can completely capture and capitulate me. The writing needs to be fantastic. It's one of the first things I notice as a reader; if the writing is sub par then I won't get far enough to even notice the brilliant imagination.

The stories with sentences that flow like the stream the author is trying to describe (making one stop at a bank to think) are the best. These are different than those that make one reread paragraphs because it's so damned impossible to be succumb to it.

Still months (years, even) after reading Tolkien and Martin their characters and imagery are seared into my mind. I feel like I'm living the experience. Not only that but Tolkien presents an apparently timeless representation of mankind.

So for me, a book needs to produce gut wrenching nostalgia years later.

[A.D.]

I need to be pulled into the story. It doesn't have to be immediate, I usually give a book the first two or three chapters to do this. I need to feel what the characters feel, see it, and taste it. I don't want to be told it is hot and dusty, I want to feel the burn of the sun on my skin, feel the wind blown grit in my teeth, and taste the dust int eh back of my throat. I want good imagery. I want to know about the world, be pulled into it and live in it with the characters, but I don't want pages of exhaustive details. A paragraph or two is enough.

[Jonathan]

I hunger for books and for the characters, the story line, the corners, the dead ends, the ups and downs, where they take me to and how involved i feel in the story...
I like nothing more than getting lost in a book and to feel the carious emotions of the characters...
I am Sci Fi Fantasy Epic and Contemporary through and through and am always on the search for something new, exciting and different and for something to lift me off my feet and shake me.....

[Billy]

I like my fantasy fast-paced with lots of action, not overly much description, and badass characters. So like David Gemmell (my favorite author) or Robert E. Howard, but preferably with more prominent female warriors. :)

[Kashii]

Hello, new to the group... but yes who I am as a reader.
Well once long ago i was blessed with an over active imagination which allows me to enjoy most books as long as they're at least halfway decent (by halfway i mean something along the lines of percy jackson).
But the books that invariably tend to draw me in and the ones i constantly quest for are those in which either the character development is so strong and well done i find myself daydreaming about them or where the world in which these characters live is so vividly described one cannot help but fall from the book straight into this author's realm such as Kushiel's dart and daughter of the forest.