Introduction and welcome thread! Showing 2,301-2,350 of 4,412

[Deonna]

Hi, I'm Deonna. I'm the grandmother of eight and love to spend my free time reading and talking with friends on Goodreads. I was first in line for "Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back." We stood in line for five hours! I love Stargate and Star Trek, Ray Bradbury and Tolkien.

[Gus]

Hi there,

my real name is "Clem" (first name); I live in Germany.

A few weeks ago a friend pointed me towards 'Geek and Sundry'-dot-com; and there I learned about "Sword and Laser", which again made me wonder, what's all this about "Good Reads"-dot-com. So, here I am ...

And this ... well, what is it? 'Social network'? It is crazy complex and something I try to get my head wrapped around. So, what did i do?

First of all I entered some of the books I read over the last couple of years. At the moment I don't read that much, 'cause I am in the middle of preps for my final exams in law ... Please, wish me some luck. ;)

What do I hope to find in this place? Good recommendations for "hard SciFi", whatever this might be. Actually I like stories well told, which are consistent, logical in terms of the paradigms set within the story (so nothing's wrong with high fantasy, although I don't enjoy it anymore), and most of all: which are aligned with or oriented along science facts.

That's basically why I have started to get deeper into zombie-apocalypse-stories (at the moment I listen to "We're Alive" - the zombiepodcast by Kc Wayland, which is kind of cool and well told; and before that I listened to the WWZ audio-book-version of World War Z by Max Brooks several times, which I also read just once so far). I am not interested in the 1001 ways to kill or avoid zombies as such; but I do like stories that try to cover the social and personal impacts on people on the one side as well as the 'scientific' or 'engineering-'problems that would strike in a zombie-apocalypse as well.

Besides that I enjoy anything 'realistic' around space-travelling - regardless of Science Fiction ("Shunshine", "Moon", "2001" and "2010", "Planetes") or science facts (BBC or Discovery World documentaries as well as official content provided by NASA and the ESA).

And here I am: I know what I enjoy; but I have no clue which book-titles to read. And since there are so many, I guess, the risk of grabbing the "wrong" books (is there such a thing?) is pretty high. So basically I just ask for some advice, help, kinda support from you to get along very well.

Another reason why I chose to join this rich and huge community is the simple fact that I will be a Kindle-guy by the end of November; and with the Kindle I look forward to reading a lot more books without bothering how to store them at my place. ;)

So, I guess, at half past 1 am it's time to stop butchering this nice language.

Enjoy and all the best!
Liam

[Shawn]

Hey everyone. New to this group and this site. Actually heard about it on a Sword and Laser shop. Love scifi/fantasy books. Been reading them since my teenage years.

[Carter]

Greetings! I am new to the group, having just found out about S&L through Geek & Sundry.

I am getting back into not only reading genre but just reading for fun after an extended sojourn in the world of higher ed (Master degrees kill your free time reading!) and am excited to be introduced to new authors from here.

In genre fiction I have a few hands down favs, mostly classics: Phillip K Dick, Vonnegut, HP Lovecraft, Robert Jordan, GRR Martin, and of course CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien. Recently started reading some Neil Gaiman and am a fan. Have Quicksilver sitting next to my bed, waiting for me to finish what I am currently reading.

Outside of genre, I am a big fan of the modernists and their children: Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Faulkner, O'Connor, Welty, Thompson. I am also on a big nonfiction kick. Currently about a third of the way through A People's History of the United States and have John Glenn's autobiography and the latest Neil deGrasse Tyson book waiting in the wings.

There are two books that I re-read every year. One is To Kill a Mockingbird and the other is LOTR. I think that just about sums it up.

I can't wait to learn about all the great authors that I'm not yet reading!

[N.]

Hi all, I'm Nick. I love reading sci-fi/fantasy of all kind. Terry Brooks, Brandon Sanderson (long books to read though) would like to get more into him. J.K. Rowling, Tracy Hickman "Embers of Atlantis", can't wait for more of those books, I really loved P.W. Catanese "Books of Umber" series, and Cornelia Funke "Inkheart series".

I also have written some sci-fi articles at examiner. If you want to find out what sci-fi gadgets may or may have already be on the horrizon. Please visit me. www.examiner.com/sci-fi-in-portland/n...

[N.]

very useful info on the tax side for authors. I bet most people never think of that, I know I didn't. I'm glade to know there's people out there like you who can help us.

[Liz]

Hi my name is Liz, I'm a huge geek, cosplayer and animal lover. My dad is the one who introduced me to all things fantasy and sci-fi with books like the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Dune, and The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy.

[Jack]

Evening folks, I've been a long time listener of the audio podcast but haven't gotten into the videos. (I enjoy listening to the podcast on my commutes) great little community you've got here. I've been reading sci-fi since I picked up the robot each series back when I was in middle school. My first fantasy book/series was the Belgariad. I've been hooked ever since. I've been writing since sixth grade (I'm 39 now). Nothing published but who knows what the future holds. Looking forward to participating in the discussions.

[David]

Hello everyone! My name is Dave and I found The Sword and Laser through Geek and Sundry, after subscribing there while watching "The Guild".

I'm a huge zombie movie fan, love science fiction and fantasy, and read as much as I can (which is not as much as I used to!). Some of my all time favorite authors include Terry Brooks, Jack Chalker, Robert Aspirin, and Alan Dean Foster.

I probably won't be able to read along with Dirty Streets of Heaven, but I do plan on joining in for the December read!

[Pedro]

Hello All. I'm Pedro.

About a year ago I got around to read Ender's Game and it was fantastic. Since then, I haven't read much and I stumbled upon The Sword and Lazer show and decided to make some time to read some awesome scifi and fantasy.

[Mike]

Hello, I'm Mike.

I guess I should introduce myself here, been a long time listener of the podcast (I started in the 40's somewhere I think) and I will be joining the Laser team. I do enjoy a good Sword but my heart resides in zero G with my techno-fetish.

I am in the process of scanning all my books in (much more needs to be made of the book scanning feature in the mobile app BTW, it has saved if not my life, then my sanity) before I pack them up to turn my study into a bedroom for my youngest daughter. Lucky she's cute or I'd be quite upset :)

Anyway, greetings all and I look forward to getting to know you "in person" rather than at third hand via Tom and Veronica.

m.

[Kristen]

Hi I'm Kristen and I am firmly on the sword team. I must admit I have not actually read much if any sci-fi yet and hopefully joining this group will rectify the situation. I found this group through geek and sundry and am really looking forward to participating. I just read the hobbit at 24 so I may have some catching up to do on the classics. My favorite books currently are probably the complete works of Edgar Allen Poe, Harry Potter, Gracling, and the Hobbit.

[Andy]

Hi I'm Andy. I recently found out about Sword & Laser through watching The Flog and in turn found out about goodreads through Sword & Laser.

I'm so glad that I discovered you guys and you've inspired me to join a SF book club here in London.

Favourite authors include Mieville, Asimov, Borges, Dostoevsky and Calvino.

[Brian]

Hello, I'm Brian.
I got interested in Sword and Laser via the Geek and Sundry youtube channel. As i am always looking for new ideas of things to read, this seemed like a good place to check out. When I came to the good reads forum and saw that some of the past recommendations have been books I enjoyed, I was immediately hooked.
I don't have a long likes of Sci-fi books that I have read, though I have read the Douglas Adams books. This is part of the reason I am here.

[Edward]

Hi all, I'm Ed.
Getting back into Sci-fi and fantasy after a long hiatus in the world of non-fiction during university and the subsequent job-hunter years. Generally I prefer my stories to go on and on, so I tents to read series rather than stand alone novels in these genres. Just started Farseer Trilogy!

[Frances]

Hello! I am a reader, writer and generally happy-go-lucky geek. I know that's a painful thought but I am pretty happy.

Of course, as I write this today, I find myself with a bit of a caustic attitude, so maybe I'm not always happy-go-lucky. I am, however, always a geek and always enjoy the fantasy/sci-fi genre. Thanks to S&L I have read more Sci-Fi.

[Greg]

Hello I'm Gregory.... I've been a speculative fiction reader for as long as I have been a reader kind of to the exception of most anything else which I know is not such a good thing but there you go. I have been sonny a boom review blog for the last several years starting it when I was unemployed in the conventional sense.

[[deleted user]]

Hi Everyone!
I've been a fantasy reader-aspirant since I was a kid, when I tried to read heavy choose-your-own-adventure books that were so intense they came with a character sheet. I just wrote a book called The Whisplins Trilogy, brand-new, I'll post notices of promotional days in the Author Promo section. I live in Northern California in a hobbitlike dwelling in the redwoods. I like mushroom hunting, wildcrafting, and I aspire to someday excel at falconry and archery.

[June]

Hello, I'm June.
I've enjoyed fantasy and science fiction since nearly when I started to read. I was an avid reader as a child; some books that give me powerful, good memories were A Wrinkle in Time, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, and Tolkien's Lord of the Rings.
Recently I've enjoyed reading The Game of Thrones series. I loved Orson Scott Card's Alvin Maker series. I'm entranced by Neil Gaiman. And, I think science fiction authors have the most interesting minds ever.

[Rich]

Howdy, I'm Rich. I actually signed up for Goodreads a long while back, but I never actually did anything with it until now. I'm not certain what I have to offer or hope to receive, but my toes are now thoroughly dipped in the waters. I do most of my reading on the train while coming home from work, and I bounce between a variety of genres depending on my mood without claiming any particular one style as a favorite.

[Shan]

Hell! I am Shan. I found this group through Geek&Sundry channel and now I'm hooked! I prefer reading fantasy and select urban fantasy books. I sometimes dabble in scifi, but it's rare. My favorite authors are Jim Butcher, Jim C Hines, Patricia Briggs and Carol Berg. I recently discovered how awesome John Scalzi is, so I think I might dip into scifi more often.

I can't wait to catch up with the reading list!

[Håkon]

Hi! I'm Håkon from Oslo, Norway. I've read quite a lot of SF and fantasy during the last 30 odd years.
My favorite SF author is Iain M. Banks.
My favorite fantasy author is probably one of Steven Eriksson, Joe Abercrombie, Gene Wolf or Glen Cook (I really can't decide).
I've read most of the "classics" in the genres and there are many other authors and books than the one mentioned that I enjoy obviously. I enjoy the show on YouTube and look forward to participating here.

[Adam Zajicek]

Hi, I'm Adam. I learned about Sword & Laser through Geek & Sundry. I prefer sci-fi, but I do read fantasy from time to time. I've always gravitated towards science fiction stories growing up, but never was much of a reader until I realized one day that I had a good 45 minutes of free time during my lunch breaks. That eventually developed to me reading every night before I go to bed. Sword & Laser really encourages me to read more and gives me so many recommendations of what to read next.
Just about finished with Dirty Streets of Heaven and I'm ready to devour the next book when it comes out.

[Jill]

Hey, I'm Jill.
I'm a voracious reader, eco-geek, writer, and editor. I've had a soft spot for SF and fantasy from the start. I like character-driven stories best, but count a few hard SF writers among my favorites. The best way for me to guarantee insomnia is to attempt to list my favorite writers or stories. Come 3 a.m., I'd bolt awake thinking, "How could I have forgotten X? Idiot!"

I've always been a bit shy about reviewing books in public, so this is my first testing of the GoodReads waters. I've enjoyed meeting other readers at cons, and look forward to discovering new books! Since I haven't read Tad Williams yet, it's already working. (Thanks, Veronica.)

Right now, I'm reading Sleight of Hand by Peter Beagle. Luscious.

[Corvus]

Hello! I'm new. I go by Corvus around the internets. I read a ton- there was one point where I was going through three or four good-sized paperbacks a day (it was for about a week, and I was sick with massive mosquito-borne parasitic infection of doom and couldn't really do anything else, but still). I usually have multiple books going on at a time. Discworld is my comfort universe. I want to be an astronaut rockstar when I grow up.

And that's about all I can think to say. Hi!

[Liz]

Caitrin wrote: "Hey y'all, my name is Caitrin and my favorite authors are Brandon Sanderson and Patrick Rothfuss. Not only because I like their book(s) but also their online presence and personality <3 I've been a..."

Those are my favorite authors too, in all the ways you describe! Its nice to know others feel the same!

[Vasileios]

Hello, my name is Vasileios Kalampakas and I'm a self published author.

I've got three novels out, two are scifi/fantasy and one is a historical espionage/mystery/thriller, you name it. There are also some scifi stories, and I've just released the first book in a series of fantasy novellas. I'm working on some a sequel and a new scifi novel as well.

I suck at talking about my work, so the best way to get an idea is to read something. There's free stuff of mine lying about at Amazon, Smashwords and all the places it retails to (like B&N).

If you have a question, or just want a free copy to review, I'll be glad to hear from at kalampakas@stoneforger.com , or you could just visit http://www.stoneforger.com and get the FB links, the twitter, and so on.Vasileios Kalampakas

[Caedy]

Welcome to the group Vasileios :)

The books look awesome. Eventually I'll get to reading them...my backlog is hideous (and the back log on reviews even more so).

[Micah]

Thank you for turning my to-read pile into a to-read mountain!

[Tom]

Hello, my name is Tom. I've been following this group for a couple months but don't really post much. I just realized I didn't do an introductory message on here so here goes:

I read just about everything but my favorites are scifi and fantasy. I think Star Wars dragged me into the scifi category at a young age and I've read too many of those books to count (my favorite being Star Wars: I, Jedi). I think it was probably The Hobbit that got me into fantasy and I really enjoy that too. If I had to pick one, I'd say I'm more of a Sword lately but it typically depends on my mood.

Aside from reading I'm also huge into cycling where I spend countless hours per week on road, mountain, and especially cyclocross!

[Jeff]

Hi all!!...again. Haha sorry I don't get on this more often, that irritant known as the "real world" keeps getting the best of me. So I thought, before I go about promoting my own work, that I would get re/acquainted with the forum, and what better way to start than by re/introducing myself?

I'm Jeff, I'm from Florida, and I am (shockingly) an aspiring/struggling/starving fantasy author. My debut novel is called MATHION: BOOK ONE OF THE MAVONDURI TRILOGY.

I've been reading scifi/fantasy/horror since I was very young. Like most people my age I grew up on a healthy diet of Goosebumps (RL Stine) and Animorphs (KA Applegate). The first "big book" I ever read was in fact The Andalite Chronicles, and that series in particular has left a marked impression on me as a writer.

So here I am, just now getting a breather from the real world and I hope to converse/debate/explore these three genres that, in my opinion, hold up the literary world as we know it, and I hope to be inspired by you all and I hope you get some good ideas from me as well.

Thank you all for having me!!

[JoJo]

Jeff wrote: "Hi all!!...again. Haha sorry I don't get on this more often, that irritant known as the "real world" keeps getting the best of me. So I thought, before I go about promoting my own work, that I woul..."

Andalite Chronicles birthed my love for sci-fi.

[Jeff]

@JoJo Yeah, for a YA scifi novel it was actually very intense and even trippy at times.

[Jay]

I'm a former RPG & video gamer - now a father instead!

I have watched some Tabletop and S&L so I can game vicariously.

I'm a big fan of Brandon Sanderson and Jim Butcher (met him at a signing - really cool guy). Always impatient for my next Harry Dresden novel.

[Rob, Roberator]

Jay wrote: "I'm a former RPG & video gamer - now a father instead!"

Why instead? I have many of friends who are both and as their kids have grown older now enjoy gaming with their kids as well.

[David]

Hello, I'm David. Grew up on a combination of Tolkien, Lloyd Alexander, and Douglas Adams (which probably explains a fair bit, now that I'm thinking about it...)

I'm lucky to be married to Rabia Gale, which means that I get to read her stuff--which is generally somewhere in the nebulous realm between science fiction and fantasy--before she publishes it. :-)

[April]

Hello!

I'm April. I am currently in college right now, but when I have time I try to find awesome books to read. I really enjoy fantasy and sci-fi and I like to peek at this group's reading choices to help me find good books. I just wanted to say hi to all of you and I am glad to be here. :)

[Emily]

Hi! I'm following the FAQ instructions and introducing myself. I'm Emily! I've been lurking around the S&L youtube show for sometime (other geekandsundry shows drew me in) and I finally took the plunge of reading "The Dirty Streets of Heaven" and I also checked out the first Dresen Files book. I'm hoping to get some good science fiction recommendations from this group. I read basically anything you put in front of me, and my boyfriend recently introduced me to sci-fi with Issac Asimov.

[Sean]

Emily,

Hi I'm new to this group as well also found it through Geek and Sundry. If you're reading Asimov, The Foundation and Empire books are classics. My favorite Asimov book has to be The Positronic Man though, I'd start there if you haven't started the R. Daneel Olivaw/Elijah Bailey books yet (Caves of Steel, Naked Sun).

[Mitch]

Hi my name is Mitch and I've been a Sci-fi/Fantasy fan since I was 12. I'm 62 at present. I decided to join this forum because of Sword and Laser. I've read several books I might otherwise not gotten around to including Souless by Gail Carriger, Nocturnal by Scott Sigler and, I just finished, The Dirty Streets of Heaven. With so much SF & F on the shelves it's difficult to decide what to read next. I can see that this group will set me on the right course.

[Emily]

Hi Sean - I have read the robot series, caves of steel was the first Asimov novel I read. I haven't tried the foundation series, but another friend recommended I read nightfall.

[Brad]

Hoy all. I'm Brad.

I've been circling the Geek and Sundry shows for a little while, and after watching Patrick Rothfuss Story Board, I came across the interview with Jim Butcher on Sword and Laser. Both served as pleasant gateway drugs, and soon enough I tumbled through all the Sword and Laser shows, and am craving the combined awesome of Sword and Laser and Rothfuss.
Awesome show, hosts, guests, and books.

Fantasy and Scifi are my home base genres to read, I stray elsewhere occasionally. Favourite authors are Guy Gavriel Kay, Robin Hobb, Brandon Sanderson, Jim Butcher and Patrick Rothfuss.

[Joseph]

Hello everyone, my name is Joseph.

I have been reading fantasy and science fiction for as long as I can remember. It started when my mom read the Chronicles of Narnia to us as kids and then went to the Hobbit in 6th grade and from there the Lord of the Rings then to many many other writers after that.

My favorite writer is Jacqueline Carey. After here I read authors like Kim Harrison, Glenn Cook, Frank Herbert, and many others.

Besides Sci-fi/Fantasy I also read many other typed of books. Another one of my favorite writers is Khaled Hosseini and Christopher Moore.

Mostly I read sci-fi and fantasy and am looking for good reads in this forum.

[Gini]

Hi all, I'm Gini. I will read pretty much anything, but I guess my heart lies with fantasy!
I love that a good book can draw you in, take you to new worlds and introduce you to new people and spit you out a different person at the end!
I read daily, thanks to a long train commute, and I am a paper and print kinda girl - not interested in the kindle cult!! ;)

[Jeff]

Hi everyone. I guess this is where I'm supposed to start. My name is Jeff and I live in Colorado but I'm originally from Chicago. (Da Bears!)

Even though I'm open to anything, I read fantasy almost exclusively. So I guess I'm in the right place!

To be honest, I lurk more than I post but I still look forward to reading opinions of folks who have the same passion for fantasy that I have. This should be fun!

Thanks

[Matt]

Hi! My name is Matt, and I currently live in State College, PA. After reading this group for a few months and watching the videos (I was sucked into Geek and Sundry due to Tabletop, but love Sword & Laser just as much now), I figured it is time to introduce myself.

I'm probably 50% Laser, 10% Sword, and 40% other genres (both fiction and non-fiction). I've been a diehard board game player and sci-fi reader for as long as I can remember, but have not had much track record with fantasy until recently. (I've just started Harry Potter this weekend, to give you an idea of my catching up.)

My Laser favorites (so far)?
Calculating God by Robert J. Sawyer
Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson
Dune by Frank Herbert
Eifelheim by Michael Flynn
Foundation by Isaac Asimov
Hitchhiker's Guide Series by Douglas Adams
Imperial Earth by Arthur C. Clarke
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
The Yiddish Policeman's Union by Michael Chabon

My Sword Favorites (so far)?
Mythago Wood by Robert Holdstock
Lynn Flewelling's Nightrunner Series
I'm enjoying Kevin Hearne's Iron Druid series
(Verdict on Harry Potter to come)

I also enjoy humorous novels, so Robert Asprin's Myth and Foole's Company series and Terry Brooks' Landover series won me over years ago. I know, not to everyone's liking, but I'm not drawn to military space operas or 50+ character fantasy. To each, his/her own, and that's perfectly fine!

I like both paper and eBooks, but not into audiobooks. As someone with an economics background, I find the decision people make between buying new, used, audio, eBooks, and library lending an interesting thought process.

I'm a tournament Scrabble player, and dream of publishing a board game of my own sometime (thus my love of Tabletop). I also blog at thegeekygay.posterous.com (focusing on the intersection of geek and gay cultures). Feel free to say hello or give me ideas for the blog!

[Kate]

Hello everyone!
I just discovered the show and Goodreads group recently and am excited to join the community. I would very much like to participate in the bookclub. Where can I find the info on what the 12/1 book will be?

[Rob, Roberator]

Kate wrote: "Hello everyone!
I just discovered the show and Goodreads group recently and am excited to join the community. I would very much like to participate in the bookclub. Where can I find the info on wha..."

Welcome. We're going to be reading
The Hobbit in December.

For future months it will often be found on the calendar before anywhere else.

[Beth]

I'm Beth, I've been a heavy reader all my life, and there isn't much out there that I won't read. Sword, Laser absolute tripe that happens to have a vampire with sparkles? Sure why the hell not. Words, both good and bad, make me happy. I do however greatly prefer the good ones, sparkly vampires and other such drivel make me want to cry.

[Natasha]

Hello! My name's Natasha Salnikova. I'm an author of a few books, including one science fiction. I also looove to read. Psychological thrillers mostly. I live in Fort Lauderdale with my husband, twin girls (7 now) and a dog.