Introduction and welcome thread! Showing 951-1,000 of 4,412

[Stephanie]

Hi! My name is Stephanie. I just discovered the podcast and like it verfy much. My preferences definitely fall into the sword side of the genre though I'm not above tackling a little laser. In fact, looking at my read list highest rated speculative fiction includes two sci fi: Hyperion and Ready Player One and one fantasy: Paladin of Souls. I also love historical fiction and mystery.

Looking forward to joining in on some of the reads and discussions. Thanks for the great podcast!

[Doug]

Hello all. My name is Doug. I've been listening to the podcast for a while, but never bothered to post any comment. I also just recently decided to give goodreads a try.

I lean towards the sword side of things, but have recently been reading more laser as well.

[Euan]

Hi everyone. My name is Euan and i hail from Bonnie Scotland. Only just recently started to listen to the podcast and loving it. Fan of Tom and Veronica's from TWiT!

I fall more on the laser side of the equation but i am not against trying some sword (currently reading the first Game of Thrones book). I also read a lot of comics, travel books and the odd wrestling book.

Couple of my favourite authors are Christopher Brookmyre, Bill Bryson and Philip K. Dick.

Got a Kindle for Xmas so expecting to read a lot more this year.

Looking forward to joining in with the group on the next book!

[running_target]

I hate the Wheel of Time!

Hi! I'm Scott. Long time/first time.
Been watching/listening T@V forever and decided to plug into this hive-mind when our readings of Rule 34 coincided.

Thanks to this show I have been exposed to the amazing works of Joe Abercrombie and Patrick Rothfuss and finally decided to give Game of Thrones another try. As a result of this I started to believe that fantasy as a whole must be a constant flow of wonderment. I was wrong.

I blame this show for my new fascination with fantasy and discovering for myself the many amazing titles that millions of enlightened readers love so much.

So far you're all wrong. Epic Fantasy isn't and I dare you to change my mind!

I'm laser with a vengeance (except for modern/urban fantasy, that's pretty cool) (or anything by Tim Powers) (Oh! and Lovecraft is good stuff) (and good old fashioned cold war techno fiction) and from that path I shall never deviate!

[Manuel]

Hi, I'm Manuel.
I read Fantasy , Sci-Fi, YA and the occasional non-fiction book.

Favorite authors are Terry Goodkind, Frank Herbert, Dave Duncan, Jennifer Roberson, Philip José Farmer, John Green, Maureen Johnson.

[Brad]

Scott wrote: "I hate the Wheel of Time!
"

I couldn't take the Wheel of Time either! This guy I used to work with had read them since the beginning. He swore by them so I tried to start reading the first....I made it 40 or 50 pages in....and couldn't go any further.

[Aubrey]

Allo! I'm Aubs and have finally decided to break my lurker habits with this group!
After reading strictly paranormal romance for years I'm finally breaking out into Epic and High fantasy; I'm sure I'll roll over to sci-fi fiction soon but my heart will forever belong to the fantasy genre.

I'm currently reading the Lord of the Rings, Song of Ice and Fire and Wheel of Time series. Needless to say I'm trying to catch up as fast as possible. I also love finding new authors in the form of Podiobooks and cannot recommend Nathan Lowell's Quarter Share series.

I love the podcast and look forward to getting into some great discussions here!

[Erik]

Hi. My name is Erik, and I'm quite new to the podcast, but am loving what I've heard of it so far, and decided to join Goodreads because of it. Looking forward to great recommendations and discussions.

[Jeane]

Hi, I'm Jeane (as in I Dream of... or in a lamp or bottle). I have actually been listening to Tom Merrit a pretty damn long time on his tech podcasts and just found out he has this podcast! Crazy! I love books of all sorts but my favorite are Scifi/Fantasy, leaning more towards fantasy. I just graduated with my bacholors in English and am waiting on my acceptance into library school. I am also an audiobook addict.

I am in the middle of several fantasy series right now which include Wheel of Time (re-reading for the final book, coming out in Nov.) by Robert Jordan & Brandon Sanderson, Temeraire Series by Naomi Novik, Dresden Files by Jim Butcher, and Song of Fire and Ice by George R.R. Martin.

[Ryan]

Hi, I'm Ryan.

Always been a reader, and have 2 kids (13 yr old son & a 9 yr old daughter) that I am starting to try to get to read more sci-fi (they both love fantasy though.).

Always on the lookout for more stuff to check out, so that why I joined the group.

My favorite authors would probably Butler, Doctorow, Stephenson, Gibson, Sterling, Rucker, Martin, Tolkien, Pratchett, and Gaiman. But there are many more that I enjoy too!

[Bob]

Hello all, I'm Bob. I was first introduced to the podcast after hearing Veronica on the Nerdist podcast. I am a long time fan of Science fiction and fantasy and I'm very excited to find places like this where others can share their interests in that field. I've written my own book The Malef Chronicles to throw into the genre. One of the most influential authors on me during my youth was Frank Hebert. The most recent series I've finished reading was Jim Butcher's Codex Alera.

[Shane]

Hi everyone! My name is Shane.
I came to learn of this group in a rather roundabout way. See, I am an avid follower of all things Felicia Day. The other day during a rousing session with the demo of Kingdoms of Amalur I told my wife, "Hey, Felicia started up a book club video series where she and some friends discuss those romancey books you love so much!" My wife, also being an admirer of Felicia's work, promptly looked it up and started watching. At some point during the show I heard Veronica mention this book club. "I should join that book club!" I shouted. And so here I am.
I am definitely more of a 'Sword' guy than a 'Laser' guy, but I can enjoy a good science fiction novel from time to time. But give me Sanderson, Brooks, Rothfuss, Butcher, and Goodkind any time!
What am I reading now? Well, I am one of those horde readers. I have a different book in every room of my house and one in my car. I probably have six or seven going right now. In fact, if I ever appear to be reading just one book, please call 911 promptly. There is something wrong with me. On the SF&F front I am currently reading The Wise Man's Fear by Rothfuss, The Omen Machine by Goodkind, The Way of Kings by Sanderson and The Fall by del Toro and Hogan.
Plus, I think I might be in the middle of one of the Wheel of Time books. I can't keep track of it anymore.
Now, I should probably stop typing and go read one of my books. Someday, I will actually finish one (at which point I will just replace it with another).

[Nicholas]

Hi, I'm Nick.

I grew up reading sci-fi and fantasy as a kid before eventually moving out of it to study "serious literature" as an English major. Since graduating, I've rediscovered the magic in fantasy by discovering The Last Unicorn and Pat Rothfuss.

It's Rothfuss who led me here, eventually, after watching a livestream interview he did this week that Veronica was a part of also. And then you guys were reading Murakami too? I was sold. Very excited to find some like-minded readers.

[Stan]

Hello, I'm Stan. I found this list because of its discussion of Edgar Rice Burroughs. I'm working on a presentation at the moment comparing John Carter with Tarzan. Twenty years ago my doctoral dissertation dealt with (among other things) a history of feralism in science fiction. My only published book is a literary analysis of Tarzan [The Teenage Tarzan, available a number of places, including McFarlandpub.com and Amazon]. I am also a poet.

[Susan]

Hi My name is Susan and I've been obsessing on a Song of Ice and Fire. I'm listening to the audio books, that are beautifully done by the way. I am very appreciative for your posts as I had no Idea what was going on with Samwell.

[Barry]

Hey everyone! My name is Barry Gibbons and I'm a fantasy author. I've just released my first of many books. Omensent: Birth of a Dragon Lord
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13...
Be sure to let me know what you think.

[Alterjess]

Hi, I'm Jess. I've been a member a while and posted once or twice, but I don't think I ever formally introduced myself. My goal is to evolve from Lurker to Actual Participant this time! I never seem to have time to read the books during the "official" reading-discussion period, but I'd like to change that too. Which, of course, is why I just started reading an Ian M Banks novel the size of a small building (Use of Weapons)...and I listen to too many podcasts to have time for audiobooks...hm, maybe we can go back to picking classic SF I've already read?

[Paul]

Hi i'm Paul from sunny Stoke in the UK.
I'm into fantasy (the darker the better) & Sci-fi, I read as much as possible mainly fantasy but i've been getting into sci-fi alot more recently.
Currently reading Germline by TC McCarthy. This looks the perfect group as i have Empire State ready to read and alot of the books mentioned on thread.

[Thommunist]

Greetings,

My name is Thomas. I'm from Asheville, NC. I've mainly been a Science Fiction guy, but some of the fantasy choices on this groups forums seem interesting. I'll have to check them out.

[[deleted user]]

Long time lister to S&L. While on a run today I came across the conclusion of episode 89. *Had* to join the goodreads and thank her for my OMG laughing moment. Veronica, you're amazing. Thank you. (Ok Tom's ok too, I mean TNT is my fav podcast)

[Robbin]

Hello, my name is Robbin. I'm from a little east of Vancouver and have been reading SF&F for a *long* time . I grew up on Heinlein, Clarke and Asimov, moved on to Zelazny, Delany, Tolkein, Farmer, Peake, Herbert, Le Guin, Niven, Pournelle, Adams, Robinson ... well I could go on and on as the list has never stopped growing. Of late it has been Stephenson, Gaiman, Martin, Weber.

I look forward to discovering new authors and reading other member's opinions on what they have read. I might even chime in with my thoughts.

I have been listening to the podcast for quite while now. Thank you Tom and Veronica and keep up the great work!

[Terje]

Hi, I'm Terje (Pronounciation guide: Like a high class British person would say 'Terrier')

Big fan of fantasy/sci-fi fiction and comics. Just finished 'A dance of dragons' after a long pause since the last book. Also can't wait for season two of the tv show to start up again! :)

Other authors I like: Terry Pratchet, Orson Scott Card, Patric Rothfus, Joe Abercrombie and many others.

I really like the sword and laser podcast, just the right mix of serious and not-so-serious! :D

[Almira]

Hi I'm Mira, I teach Latin to college students and I adore space opera. Lois McMaster Bujold is hands-down my favorite author, but I'm reading Kristine Kathryn Rusch lately. Longtime listener, finally decided to get on this forum too!

[Mason]

Hi, all, I'm Mason. I've been listening to S&L for about a year now, and after hearing about the bookmark thread (cards from old CCGs, by the way), I thought I'd join up on Goodreads. I'm a big follower of other podcasts as well, particularly FSL Tonight.

I read on both sides of the ampersand, authors like George R. R. Martin, China Mieville, Patrick Rothfuss, Isasc Asimov, Fritz Leiber, Haruki Murakami, and others who don't come to mind right now.

I've enjoyed listening, particularly to the episodes with interviews, and I look forward to catching up on some of the discussions going on in the forums.

[Stuart]

Hi I am Stuart I live near Edinburgh and enjoy SF and fantasy.

[Tim]

Hey, I'm Tim. I found Sword and Laser after hearing Veronica on Gweek, but it's taken me a while to get up and running on goodreads. Just finishing off Rule 34 now!

Aside from the usual SF & F suspects, I'm a tabletop gamer, and also play the occasional console or pc game (mostly rpgs)

[Drew Miller]

Hellloooo... I'm Drew. Been reading Fantasy with a touch of Sci-Fi since I picked up Dragonflight in the 4th grade. A friend pointed me towards S&L 7-8 months ago and have been listening to the podcast until I finally decided to get 'interactive'.

[Lou]

Hi, Lou here. I've been an avid reader of Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Horror and the occasional Thriller since I was a teenager.
I've been listening to S&L since it started and it's certainly helped me to expand my book collection at home.
Favourite authors include (but not limited to): Stephen King, Raymond E. Feist, David Eddings, Peter F Hamilton. This goes on and on...
Cheers All.

[Hisham]

Hi my name is Hisham, I'm from York in england.

I like to read... anything, I'll give almost anything a go at least once.

[Skriker]

Hello I'm Steven.
Life long Literary Escape Artist at your service. I live in the SF Bay area. Big fan of the weekly Podcast.

I work a graveyard shift and commute 40 mins each way so I listen to about 2-4 books a week. I very quickly had exhausted my old favorite books list. Soon after that I had heard every recommended book any friend could think of. The quality of books became quite pitiful. I was moving through the history lecture circuit and weekly podcasts as filler while I'd work. Interesting but borrrrring.
Then I heard Tom and Veronica as guests on This Week In Tech and immediately listened to about 10 episodes of S&L. =)

I can't thank you enough. Since then I have listened to so many fantastic books that I honestly can't list them all. I have even rediscovered and picked up in worlds I had thought were gone forever. I have discovered new books to replace old favorites. My top ten all time list has changed more in the last 6 months than it had in the last 2 decades. No joke.

Keep it up. This book club beats all others.

[Anthony]

Salutations!

Anthony by name, psychobabbler by trade.
As I see some of you non daoine sídhe (see I politely refrained from calling you mortals) list your "jobs" from the "Mundane World" 1st or 2nd ED RPG I suppose I will emulate.
I am a network engineer at a "largish" Telco in Canada.
Related to what I read... I think not... so moving on.
Well, I'm attracted to both "Sword" and "Laser" books depending on the how they are written.
I've read so many damn books and liked them for different reasons that it would be hard to choose "favourites"
Just to throw some out there that stick at the top of my head for memorable books to me.
Julian May - Many Colored Land , Glen Cook - Black Company, Pratchett/Gaimen - Good omens, Stephen D - Thomas Covenant...
Any-ways, as I was typing that I realized I was boring myself so I have to consider what you the reader is going through and desist.
Always looking for good reviews on new works in the genre and this looks like a good group for it!
How do you people say it.. Tally-Ho? Bonnhomme?! Dammit... Oh yes, pardon me it's take care and farewell.

[J.L.]

Hello, I'm J.L Barnett.

I am a newly published author (Storm's Wake). I began writing shortly after my mother's passing in 2008. I have always been a sci-fi/fantasy fan. I've been inspired from many different sources. Authors like the late Roger Zelazny, Mercedes Lackey, the late Anne McCaffrey, Terry Goodkind, Anne Rice, and Stephanie Meyers. (This is not the entire list.) Books, movies and games. I found this forum/message board by accident, but I'd hoped to meet other fans and authors who aren't leery of meeting and speaking out. I look forward to reading reviews, exerts and others opinions about my work, their work or what they like. As always, be well...

[Gene]

Hi, my name is Gene. Just found the podcast, and through it, goodreads. I love this site, and now have a lot of books to read from the other comments! I've been reading sci-fi and fantasy for as long as I can remember. Some of my favorite authors are Frank Herbert, Isaac Asimov, Terry Goodkind, Stephen King, and Jim Butcher. I look forward to reading and talking with others about great books!

[Doryen]

Hi! The name my parents gave me is Doryen (it's like Dorian, only weirder).

I found out about Sword and Laser via Vaginal Fantasy and I'm absolutely hooked.

My favorite authors include Neil Gaiman, Robert Heinlein, Philip K. Dick, Tolkien, John Green, and J.K. Rowling.

I've only barely begun reading all the books I've ever wanted to, so this list is nowhere near complete.

[Stu]

hello, my name is stu and I learned of the podcast from watching tekzilla. I normally read fantasy books like the Dresden Files and pretty much anything by Brandon Sanderson. I'll occasionally read some sci fi books. I'm really just looking for a way to find good books.
Q(^_^Q)

[Benjamin]

Hi, I'm Ben. I've been reading both Science Fiction and Fantasy my entire life. My favourite authors have changed many times over the course of my life and largely depend on where I am in my thinking. I'd say Gibson and Stephenson (even if I found his last disappointing) have stuck with me a long time.

I only recently started reading Stross but by the time I'd worked up to Rule 34 it was the current book pick of this group and I took that as a sign to join.

Looking forward to discovering many new books through this group.

[Karen]

Hi All

After a good long lurk, I'm finally saying hello. I like to take things slowly, yes I do. In books, I'm more fantasy than sci fi, but I've been known to crack open a warm fuzzy post-apocalyptic novel now and again.

[Jared]

Greetings and salutations!

Good to be here. I'll read fantasy from time to time but sci-fi is my bread and butter. Right now I happen to be reading Know No Fear by Dan Abnett. As it happens, Mr. Abnett is one of my favorite authors.

I've recently discovered the joy that is James S.A. Corey, Patrick Rothfuss, David Brin, and Guy Gavriel Kay. I've also read and thoroughly enjoyed Kay Kenyon's Bright of the Sky books.

I always appreciate recommendations!!

[Terry]

Hiya, I'm Terry.

Love SF&F and I don't care who knows. Nyah! The reason is I'm from the past but I'd like to be from the future (like Merlin in a space suit and will travel but ends up, sadly, stuck with Arthur and his pie table full of squares).

Love the podcast V and T! Keep up the good work in the future. It must be so cool there... in the future... sigh.

[Daniel]

Hey everyone, I'm Dan, but people call me Skipper. I'm currently reading Martin's A Clash of Kings, but my next paycheck goes straight to Amazon for The Wise Man's Fear. Rothfuss is currently my favorite fantasy author. I'm also really partial to dystopia/utopia novels, and I love Charles Dickens. Also steam punk is pretty awesome.

[Adam]

Hi I recently started listening to the podcast and really was having fun. I am not much of a joiner but y'all seemed pretty nonthreatening. I am a middle and high school theatre teacher and a newish dad. For fun I am a marathon runner (though you would not know by looking at me) prose book reader and listener, comic book reader, music fan and a incorrigible podcast listener. My favorite writer is Aaron Sorkin which doesn't really count in this context so I will change my answer to George R.R. Martin,Richard Stark, Richard Price, Charlie Huston,Tad Williams ,Lawerence Block,Neal Stephenson, Terry Pratchett and the list goes on and on. I will read and listen to just about anything but with an almost one year old I am having trouble getting through some of the longer and denser narratives (see 1Q84 and Reamde...really like what I have read but can't hold on to it...I sigh). Anyway I have gone on long enough. Thanks for creating a place where book discussion can be had!

[Procrastinador]

Hello everyone!

My name is André and I've started listening to the podcast a few editions ago and decided to check out the group - my brother told me about Bitter Seeds just a few hours after I heard it mentioned in the podcast, so I thought it was best not to ignore the signs of destiny *dramatic music* eheh

I think the first sci-fi book I read was Bill, The Galactic Hero, given to me by my brother who was trying to get me into reading and was always a big fan of sci-fi.

Some of my favorite authors are Terry Goodkind, Dan Abnett, Simon Scarrow, Stephen King, Robert E. Howard, Bret Easton Ellis, Nick Hornby, Karen Traviss and Chris Wooding - so a lot of different genres.

I confess I've just recently become a fan of fantasy/sci-fi, like 4 years ago, so I have a lot to read and discover - fortunately my brother has a big collection, specially sci-fi.

The podcast is great but it makes my wishlist grow a lot, so that's a problem eheh

Thanks for having me.

[Peta]

Hello All

I'm Peta and I have come here via the Vaginal Fantasy Hangout. I've been reading SF&F for (erp!) about 20 years but I'm now really getting into the Sci-Fi side of that and having a blast. Looking forward to reading recommendations and getting involved!

[Mysterio2]

Hello all. I am Michael. I live in the nice part of New Jersey :p roughly due south of Philadelphia and within about a mile of the Mason-Dixon Line (were it to extend eastward from the Delaware border). Long-time reader of genre fiction, primarily fantasy, science fiction, magic realism, and (some) horror.

My absolute current favorite current authors and fictional universe are Erickson/Esslemnont - Malazan Empire. I also greatly enjoy Banks' Culture novels, Jordan's Wheel of Time series, and just about anything by Stephen King, among a great number of popular favorites (Hobb, Cook, Abercrombie, K. J. Parker, etc., etc., etc.).

Found the board via the S&L podcast, which I found from being a follower of many things Merritt.

Looking forward to engaging the group.

[Luke]

Hello all, I am Luke and i never know what to write in these 'About me' type threads.

I have a lot of trouble reading and writing (well spelling) but somehow get by. I love Sword and Laser fiction and that is about it in most cases.

Currently I am on an all things David Eddings kick and am waiting for book 14 of Wheel of Time. With my Favourit book of all times being Starship Troopers (meaning that one of my most hated movies of all times is Starship Troopers)

[Gordon]

Hi Everyone, I'm Gord

Like a lot of you, I've been a SF&F reader most of my life. I think the first real SF was Mystery of Planet X by Lester del Ray in grade 5. Not sure if it was first but Lord of the Rings was the first really impactful fantasy I read (even the appendices) in Junior High. The addiction to the genre got so bad that I added a SF&F section to my store when I was in my early 20s, just so I could get cheaper books. I am not into audio books at all as I tend to listen to too many podcasts on tech and history as it is. I also read fast and don't have a bad commute so there is no incentive. A library of about 4000 books gives me lots to reread as well.

The books fit well into my game store though they really don't turn a profit in this day and age.I keep about 7000 book titles in stock of which a lot are out of print. I just hate not finding the middle book in a series so I keep them around until they finally sell.

The store is called The Sentry Box and is now the largest of it's kind in the world. It was mentioned on one of the podcasts last year. If you're interested, you can check out a 5 minute documentary on how gaming is done in the cold Canadian north at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Go5WlI...

Too long a post I know but when you get old you get a little verbose.

[Chris]

Hi! My name is Chris.

I like to read a lot of different genres but I love Sci-Fi and Fantasy. I've been listening to the Sword and Laser podcast for quite a while so I thought I would stop by and see what's happening.

[Andrew]

Hi all

I am Andy, I write Scifi - amongst other things and love to read it, as well as related genres - fantasy and 'weird' fiction.

There's nothing like a trip to the stars! So I guess I'm probably 80% laser and 20% sword..

Cheers

A

[Emil]

Hello S&L-ers!

My name is Emil. I am a 20 year old, Swedish, university student, studying my first year in Computer Science and Engineering.

Been listening to this podcast quite a while ago and thought that it would be a good idea to start listening to you guys again, since you're awesome et cetera.

I would think of my self as 45% sword reader and 55% laser.

Looking forward to more episodes and that it will be fun in the community.

Cheers!

[Irene]

Hi everyone, I'm Irene.

I've loved science-fiction since I was in the sixth grade. As I've gotten older, I've become a fan of fantasy as well. I'm a middle school English teacher, so I read a lot of YA books too.

Looking forward to joining the book discussions.