Introduction and welcome thread! Showing 2,101-2,150 of 4,412

[[deleted user]]

http://www.amazon.com/Underground-Taa...

[[deleted user]]

This is currently the most interesting and action-packed book:
http://www.amazon.com/Underground-Taa...

[[deleted user]]

Currently, this is the most interesting book with suspense, actions, violent and a bit of politics.
http://www.amazon.com/Underground-Taa...

[[deleted user]]

Currently, this is the most interesting book with suspense, actions, violent and a bit of politics.
http://www.amazon.com/Underground-Taa...

[[deleted user]]

Currently, this is the most interesting book with suspense, actions, violent and a bit of politics.
http://www.amazon.com/Underground-Taa...

[J.L.]

Hi! I'm a Fantasy author and new to Goodreads. Very excited to be a part of this group!

[Rob, Roberator]

J.L. wrote: "Hi! I'm a Fantasy author and new to Goodreads. Very excited to be a part of this group!"

But you didn't spam us over and over with links and excerpts..

[Tish]

Hello! My name is Tish. Have a couple of Goodreads friends here and have seen a few intriguing posts, so I checked out the group's webpage--very impressive! Loved Veronica and Tom's video about Assassin's Apprentice (finished that series in March). I've always loved to read, pretty much any genre, but fantasy is one of my favorites. I think of myself as not liking sci-fi much except that some of my all-time favorite books include the Foundation and Dune series and Ender's Game, so I guess I do like it after all. Currently reading Elantris and finishing up the Codex Alera series.

[Michael]

Hello! I am Michael from Germany. Discovered Sword and Laser sometime last year and joined Goodreads so that I could maintain some sort of reading schedule (where I am falling behind again). Love the fantasy genre - read LOTR when I was 11 - that was 33 years ago. Slowly getting in to the Sci-Fi genre as well, mainly through this podcast. Veronica and Tom - you are both doing a great and wonderful job. Keep it up. Keep it spicy. Keep it real.

[Chris]

Hello I'm named Chris

This is my first book club, I am definetly more of a sword type guy. I read about 2-3 books a month and am wishing ebooks were even cheaper...lol. I live in NN and work outside of Boston, MA. I learned of this through geek and sundry and look forward to talking books with all of you.

[J.L.]

Rob wrote: "J.L. wrote: "Hi! I'm a Fantasy author and new to Goodreads. Very excited to be a part of this group!"

But you didn't spam us over and over with links and excerpts.."

Sorry Rob!!! :)

[Emily]

Hello, I'm Emily.
I love sci-fi, fantasy, historical fiction and romance especially, but I'll read a little bit of everything if it comes recommended! I'm looking forward to intelligent discussions and learn more about all the good stuff out there I haven't discovered yet!

[Ayesha]

Hi, I'm Ayesha. Long time bookworm. I couldn't tell you how many times I've heard that hated phrase "Oh, you like books? My cousin (brother, niece, 3rd uncle twice removed) likes to read too."

So, hello, all of you cousins, nieces and 3rd uncles. It's nice to finally meet you.

[Corbitt]

Hello! My name is Corbitt. I was introduced to the group thanks to Geek & Sundry and its sounds like fun. I've been trying to get back to more regular reading and this seems like a fun way to do so, also it'll be nice to have a forum for what I'm reading. I really can't recall being able to discuss what I'm reading with anyone since school. My favorite authors are George Orwell and Timothy Zahn.

[Travis]

Hi, I'm Travis and I'm really new to Goodreads so im still in phase of getting used to the site. I pretty much only joined Goodreads for this group. I used to read alot of young adult fiction in my pre-teen years, but then I started picking up comic books/manga instead. The asoiaf series has sucked me into the fantasy genre and now that i've finished book five i've been lost with trying to decide which fantasy books to read next. So thats basically why I'm here.

[Jon]

Hi I'm Jon, I came to the group through a friend recommending Vaginal fantasy, I then followed Veronica over to this group.
As a rule I've always been drawn to fantasy rather than "hard" science fiction. Although I did have an unhealthy passion for the shadowrun series when I was younger.

[Josh]

Greetings, all! My name is Josh Loomis.

I've been a fan of the "Sword & Laser" genres for quite some time, first introduced to science fiction by the works of Harry Harrison and Robert A. Heinlein when I was young. From there I expanded to the Sword side of things with C.S. Lewis and, inevitably, J.R.R. Tolkien.

I was so influenced by the genre that I started writing my own tales, a dream I pursue to this day. My current influences include Neil Gaiman, Jim Butcher, George R.R. Martin, Anthony Neil Smith, Stephen Blackmoore, and Chuck Wendig.

[David]

Hey. My name is David, and I've been programming since before computers had screens and playing table top role-palying games since the old Judges Guild stuff was photocopied by hand. In all that time, I've pretty much read a book a week in either the 'sword' or 'laser' genre, with a smattering of adventure and thriller to round me out. My vector to this group (and goodreads for that matter) was Felicia Day and her prolific commentary on [seemingly] all the things I like.

[Oscar]

Hello all, my name is Oscar. I think I read more Fantasy than Laser with a little thriller thrown in just to change things up. My favorite authors are Raymond Feist, David Eddings, Terry Goodkind, Clive Cussler and Robert Ludlum.

[Candace]

Hi everyone, my name is Candace and I'm relatively new to GR as well as S&L. I've only recently (over the past two years or so) realized how much I really freaking love some Sword and Laser, in all sorts of media, as well as (if applicable) in current events.

As time goes by, I find myself focusing more and more on the S&L genre, especially the "Sword" part. Since I have so much unexplored territory in S&L, I thought joining this group would be good for me to expand my horizons, as well as (hopefully) get to know some new folks :)

[Robyn]

Hi all, I'm Robyn
I was lucky enough to be brought up with Sci fi and Fantasy books at home and have been an avid reader of both since being little (Terry Pratchett was one of my first fav authors) . Currently reading Judas unchained by Peter F Hamilton love getting recommendations for new authors / books which is why I thought this would be a good group to join :) Look forward to discussing books with you all.

[Jer]

Hi group!

Since it said to, here's my intro. I'm Jer, and I crave genre fiction like Kumar craves White Castle (though, to be fare, I also crave White Castle like a crack addict). Fave authors include David Brin, Steven Brust, Jim Butcher (the Killer B's), & David Gemmell; but the book cases are stacked and my wife keeps making me donate to the library when they start to overflow. Like many others here I'm sure, I like to write as well.

[Eric]

Hello everyone,

My wife and I have been long time science fiction and fantasy fans. We have been to many conventions and meet many authors over the years. We have even been on the committees for these conventions from Worldcon to more local small conventions.

We are currently writing our first novel and will have it out in a few months.

Eric

[Cory]

Hey-Yo every body! My name is Cory. I like authors of books but I seem to favor series. For example, I enjoyed the writings of Mercedes Lackey and Jim Butcher but I've only read the books to do with Valdemar from Mercedes Lackey and the Dresden Files from Jim Butcher. So my favorite book series include, Harry Potter by J.K.Rowling, The Heralds of Valdemar by Mercedes Lackey, The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher, and The Adventures of Jacky Faber by L.A.Meyer. I've recently gotten back into crazy reading sessions to balance out the studying I've been doing for school. I hope to publish books of my own some day. That might actually happen if I write.

[Tim]

Hi there are those who call me Tim. Not to be confused with the all powerful wizard from Holy Grail. As you can tell from my intro I tend toward the lighter side of both Sword and Laser. Xanth, Discworld and Hitchhiker's Guide as examples.
I've been a fan of Veronica's from Tekzilla. I have to thank Felicia Day for bringing her and Tom along for the ride that is Geek and Sundry. They have opened my eyes to so much I have missed.

[Rachel]

Hello! I'm Rachel.

I am so excited about this group! Ever since I discovered Sword and Laser, it has become one of my favorite things. Each time I watch an episode I have to add more books to my Amazon wishlist. I love Sci-fi and Fantasy and I'm glad there is a place to find out more about my favorite genre.

My favorite authors are C. S. Lewis, Orson Scott Card, Robin McKinley, J. R. R. Tolkein, Jill Williamson, Charlotte Bronte, Jane Austen, Shakespeare, Scott Westerfeld, and Gail Carriger (my newest favorite that I discovered because of Sword and Laser).

Thank you Veronica Belmont and Tom Merritt!!!

[TC]

Hi group, I'm yet another Tom, but usually go by TC (especially when there are other Toms present).

Favorite genres are dark fantasy, science fiction & humour (Christopher Moore, Chris Hiaasen, etc). I love to read, to write badly, to ride old British motorbikes and run. My favorite writers change with the day. I'm neck-deep in GRRM's Ice and Fire series (finishing up Storm of Swords), and it's so good I want to give up writing altogether, b/c I'll never, ever be that good.

[Dave]

Hello, I'm Dave from Martinsville, VA. I am unfortunately too add and overwhelmed by all of the things I'm interested in to focus in on anything but I am slowly getting through Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth series. I love all things Fantasy/Sci-Fi and hopefully I can get my wife interested in this because she actually reads all of the books we're interested in. I will make a serious effort to read along at least once with everyone. I am interested in video games, retro video games, tabletop games, tech stuff, most Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV and movies (Once Upon a Time, Walking Dead, Dr. Who).

[Daniel]

Hello, I'm Daniel. I read science fiction, fantasy, mystery, and thriller, although my favorite genre is fantasy.

I prefer lighter and shorter fantasy series over the dark, epic, and seemingly endless ones.

My favorite authors are Frank Herbert, Jim Butcher, David Eddings (specifically the Belgariad), and Terry Goodkind (the first few SoT books anyway) to name a few.

I hope to learn about what other fantasy fans are reading and get ideas for my to-be-read pile. I'm focusing on reading self-published works right now, so I'm not sure how much I'll get out of this group, but it's always fun to connect with other fantasy readers and see what they like and don't like.

Disclosure: I am a fantasy author myself, but you won't hear me talk about my own books here (except in "approved" areas).

[Hélène]

Hi, I'm Hélène from France. Came to Sword and laser through Geek and Sundry and I'm now really addicted to it.
Came back to reading a lot this year but I never read that much of Sci Fi or Fantasy before. I went through Tolkien, Game of thrones and that kind of books a few years back, so I think myself as a fantasy fan rather than a sci fi fan, even if I read A LOT of star wars...
I'm really hoping to share with you guys, so I'll try to post as much as I can do, but I'm really not used to forums so be kind!

[Jeff]

Hi, I'm Jeff. Been a big reader since I was a kid. Enjoy reading many various genres, but fall back on Sci-Fi and fantasy as a break from other genres. Heard about Sword & Laser from my brother. I like the idea of a group that talks about many different books both well-known and less known authors and books.

[Tad]

My name is Larue, but I go by Tad. I am a lifetime avid reader and came here because of Geek and Sundry. Just finished Assassin's Apprentice and was pleased with the writing.

[Nathan]

My name is Nathan, I'm an author/indie-game developer and enthusiastic member of the speculative fiction scene in Atlanta, GA.

I enjoy both swords and lasers and tend to prefer them sheathed in high-dosage humor and/or surrealistic splendor.

Dragon*Con is next week, I cannot wait.

[John]

Hey, I'm John. I'm looking forward to discovering some great books as part of this group.
My favourite books are the Earthsea Cycle (though that changes regularly depending on my mood).

[Rae]

Hello, I'm Rae

I found this forum after seeing the video cast on the Geek and Saundry YouTube channel and then going back and listening to all of the old podcasts.

I am currently reading the Song of Ice and Fire Series, as well as working on rereading the Dresden Files in antisipation of the new book in Novemeber. I am also trying to reread the Wheel of Time series up the the new book so that I can read the new books as well. So many great book, so little time!!

[Melody]

Hi everyone. I'm Melody. :)

I only recently found S&L after discovering Geek and Sundry. I'm currently working as a systems engineer for a small fruit company out of Cupertino, CA though I've worked for many a company out of Silicon Valley. I have a background in Computer Science and Physics and back in college I worked for a Space Science group so the Big Bang Theory show really brings up memories.

I am an avid and voracious reader of Fantasy and Sci Fi and reading is one of my favorite hobbies. I've been reading ebooks now for probably over 15 years and was one of the early adopters of them mostly because if I had all physical books I'd be buried under them.

I've done computer work in various forms for over 20 years now. I'm also a huge proponent of MOOCs (Massive Open Online Classes) like those at Udacity and Coursera. I'm definitely a geek. I pretty much live and breathe technology. And the latest insanity I'm involved in is an international team attempting DARPA's Robotic Challenge which is to build a humanoid robot for disaster recovery and humanitarian relief.

I have two cats, Charles and LeLe, and I'm married to a wonderful guy named Neil who is a computer programmer by day and a Tubist whenever he can be. I, myself, am a vocalist and a (bad now) violinist AND I'm learning to play the Scottish Great Highland Bagpipes.

I'm also disabled and routinely use a walker though I sometimes break out the wheelchair. I'm a diabetic (since before I was 18) and unfortunately a dialysis patient. A little over three years ago I (finally) had acute renal failure and nearly died. I'm on a transplant list and I'm awaiting a phone call to let me know to get my butt to the hospital, but unfortunately there is a severe lack of donors in the northern California area. Luckily, till then, I'm still able to work so that keeps my mind off things. :)

I'm going to stop rambling now but to end things, a piping joke -- "Why do pipers march? They're trying to get away from the music."

I hope everyone is having a shpadoinkle day!

[Stan]

Hi, I'm Stan, and I read sci-fi, fantasy, thrillers, historical fiction, and history. I just finished "The Coldest War". I can't wait for the third book!

[Monica]

Hi! I'm Monica. I am more of a "sword" gal, but I enjoy some laser stuff.

I've read Shaman's Crossing by Robin Hobb. I also have read The Lord of the Rings at least a couple of times, as well as The Hobbit and one or two other Tolkien books. I enjoy the DragonLance books by Weiss-Hickman (primarily). I also have read a couple of Mercedes Lackey books, and have enjoyed them quite a bit. I especially like "The Fairy Godmother".

Not exactly apropos to this group, but I have enjoyed the Earth's Children series by Jean M. Auel.

Anyway, that's about all I can think of right now. If you have questions of me, please do ask!

[Mitch]

Hey everyone. My name is Mitch. I stumbled upon The Sword and Laser podcast a few months ago when I decided to read more novels (rather than comic books) and was looking for a community to join.

I am definitely more of a Sword than a Laser, my favorite books being Never Knew Another by J.M. McDermott and The Magicians by Lev Grossman, but I love a good Star Wars novel every now and then.

[Grace]

I'm Grace. I work in sports and sports media out of Toronto, ON, a job that usually has me on public transit for at least two hours a day reading books.

I easily prefer swords over lasers, with JRR Tolkien, Robert Jordan and Patrick Rothfuss ranking among my favourites, though I've handled my share of lasers nonetheless. And true to my profession, I'm also a big reader of sports non-fiction.

I'm here because my bookshelf is running a little sparse on stuff I haven't already read and I'm always looking for new book recommendations here, there and everywhere. Looking forward to the challenge.

[Carrie]

Hi all! This is Carrie from Manila. I joined the group some time ago but never got around to posting here. I'm a wide reader but many of my favorite books growing up were fantasy and sci-fi stuff--Tolkien, Frank Herbert, CS Lewis, Mary Stewart (for her Arthurian series), etc. Some later favorites are Connie Willis, Philip Pullman, David Mitchell (esp CLOUD ATLAS), China Mieville. I read to enjoy either the language or story. All my favorites rate high in both! Love the show, V&T!

[Richard]

Hello one and all. I'm Richard and mainly a sword with laser leanings. Listened to the podcast for over a year but only just joined Good Reads. As a lorry driver I mainly read audio books, is that reading?
My main favourite authors are Terry Pratchett and McCaffrey, Anne and Todd. Recently discovered Trudi Canavan and really enjoying her books.

[Adam]

I'm Adam. Library professional. I love scifi and that makes the rare fantasy book that strikes my fancy all the more enjoyable. Joined up here for reading recommendations. I also like to read about genres I'm not too familiar with so I can still make recommendations to patrons.

[Joshua]

Hi, I'm Joshua and I like SF/F. I joined the group so I could know more about the wonderful world of wreading... reading. I like swords combined with lasers, so what's that? Science Fantasy?

[Andrew]

Hi, I'm Andrew from the UK. I found the show through the Geek & Sundry channel and thought it was a great way to get me reading more. I'm still a few shows behind (just finished Hyperion) but am trying to avoid skipping ahead.

I'll read any genre but my all time favourite books are usually more in the fantasy area and include the Discworld books by Terry Pratchett, The Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb and Otherland by Tad Williams (sci-fi but reads more like fantasy). I have other favourites but those three series are ones that hold a special place in my heart and that I can return to again and again.

[Tarl]

I am Tarl Telford, longtime writer and dreamer. I have known all my life that I wanted to write books. It took numerous failed screenplays, a few dead-end game designs, and thousands of pages of brainstormed worldbuilding to get me to this point today. And it's a good point.
This summer (2012) I published my first novel - a prequel to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. See, everyone knows Oz, and everyone thinks they know the story. This is thanks to MGM, but Baum came first. His story served as the mystery that inspired my novel.
The Witch Queens was motivated by my annotating Baum's book and finding too many hanging plot threads. I had to write a story that tied them up. Along the way, I discovered that there is a history that has been hidden for more than 100 years. Oz is a land powered by dreams. Human dreamers have a powerful impact, even to the point of being called wizards.
I've always been a dreamer. My favorite books blend belief or spirituality with heroic adventure. Good triumphs, but not until it has been pushed and broken and reconstituted as a more powerful hero with the will to do right, because it is right.
This is me. My bookcases sag because I like heavy books.

[David]

Um, so I'm introducing myself. I don't expect anyone to read or reply to my introduction, because I'm sure not going to read over two thousand posts that are apparently already in this thread. But anyway, my name is David Ward. I like watching S&L on G&S. I've always loved reading science fiction and fantasy. And writing such. And... hopefully I'll be able to get into reading and posting here on goodreads.

[Rob, Roberator]

David wrote: "Um, so I'm introducing myself. I don't expect anyone to read or reply to my introduction, because I'm sure not going to read over two thousand posts that are apparently already in this thread. But ..."

I won't claim to have read all of them, but I have read most since I've joined. I'm sure I'm not alone in that.

Anyways, welcome.

[Tim]

Hi my name is Tim and I am long time laser and sword. I've read both on and off for years, now a days I read more Sword than Laser.

Looking forward to this group.

Found out about it from Geek & Sundry when one of my friends had me watch a few episodes of Table Top with him.

[John]

Good day, I'm CtrlAltDefeat.
I used to always have a book with me, but had gotten out of it in the past few years. I stumbled upon Sword & Laser when I subscribed to Geek & Sundry. I'm hoping to get back into reading through this book club and I'm glad I found it. Some of the notable books I've read include most of the Drizzt series and more recently H.P. Lovecraft.