Introduction and welcome thread! Showing 2,551-2,600 of 4,412

[Devon]

Hello everyone! I'm Devon. I have recently gotten back into the habit and love of reading all thanks to discovering the Sword And Laser show (via TableTop). I love Orson Scott Card, Phillip Pullman, Robert A. Heinlein, Pat Rothfuss, Gail Carriger, and any Neil Gaiman graphic novel I can scrounge the money for. I also love board games.

[Rafał]

Hi! my name is Rafał and I'm from Poland.
I recently stumbled upon Geek and Sundry (yes, TableTop was involved) and found the Sword and Laser Show there. After watching the all the episodes (insert appropriate meme here) I decided to join goodreads and the S&L group hoping for some great discussion and to find some new and interesting books.
I'm definitely a sword person, but recently thanks to Ender's Game, Year Zero and Mass Effect Revelation I’m discovering my laser side as well.
My love for books began some 12 years ago when my friend lent me a book called Ostatnie Życzenie (The Last Wish) by Andrzej Sapokowski which is the first book of the Witcher Saga (the famous video games are sequels to the 7-book long saga). Since then I’ve read countless books and recently took up writing in my spare time (so far exclusively in Polish, but who knows ;) ).

[Tiffany]

Hello, My name is Tiffany I like playing tabletop games, reading, drawing and playing bass. I'm currently reading The postmortal by drew magary.

[Mathieu]

Hiya Folks! My name is Mathieu and I found my way here through the videos on Geek and Sundry. I have never heard of Good Reads before today, and I think it sounds like it is a very cool and interesting way to share the experience of reading with other people. I love to read, and Fantasy and Sci-Fi make up most of the books in my library. In the last couple years I have been preoccupied with school and some truly amazing video games, so I haven't been able to read a lot of books. While those two things still take up most of my time, I decided that I would like to devote more time to reading. I think this group will be the perfect avenue to achieve that goal, because I love these genres and being able to talk to people about what I am reading with other people will be amazing(I hate when I am reading and something cool/terrible happens and there is nobody to discus it with). My favorite authors of the top of my head are Sherri S. Temper, James Clemens, and Agatha Christie. There are definitely others but I am not good with remembering names. I am looking forward to reading and discussing with everybody.

[Nicholas]

I am Nick, I just finished the Old Man's War books which is how I found out about Sword and Laser. I am just starting to read sci-fi and fantasy books again after a few years. So far John Scalzi's the Old Man's War books and Red Shirts have been fun. Robert A. Heinlein is and old favorite. Imuch enjoyed the works of Robert E. Howard. I have recently read all of A. Lee Martinez's books.

[Curious]

Hi, I'm Alex.
I've been watching the youtube videos for a bit (it's how I discovered goodreads) and have finally decided to join in.

Favorite authors? I haven't run into very many writers I didn't enjoy, especially in these genres, but my top picks would have to be Jules Verne, Anne Rice, C.S. Lewis, and Madeleine L'Engle.

[M.R.]

Hi, I'm Michael. I just discovered goodreads a couple of weeks ago.. so I'm still exploring the site and all of the groups on it.

I'd say I'm more sword than laser, but I'll read anything that looks interesting and has elements that can remove me from current reality for a little while. I also write a little bit on the side, because I can't read about other people's worlds and not want to create my own :)

[Randa]

Hello, I'm Randa! I am more of a sword person, but I am hoping that this book club will help me love the laser aspect of the club as well. Old Man's War was a great start for me :)

[Mezzo]

Greetings, everyone. My name is Mezzo.

I'm something of an odd sort for this group, I think, because though I love science-fiction and fantasy I don't read either genre very much. Most of my reading comes from non-fiction or other genres. Yes, I'm strange.

That said, I am more than happy to find new things to read and really enjoy the podcast. In a sense, I'm more of a fan of Sword & Laser than I am of any particular authors.

Anyway, glad to be here.

[J.-F.]

Hi,

My name is Jean-Francois (it is Le French).

I'm a voracious reader but I have a terrible memory. On the bright side, I can re-read books I've enjoyed and rediscover them all over. On the other hand, I tend to forget details about what I read which makes for very poor conversation.

That being said: big fan of Clive Barker, Tad Williams, David Brin and George R. R. Martin.

I am thrilled to finally have some time to get involved in some online community that focuses on the same things I love and I'd like to thank Tom and Veronica for putting it together (as well as all the mods who keep it running).

I'm also dabbling in writing and would love to get something published in the near future. Maybe I'll pipe up about that at some point on these forums.

I called an extra large mocha 'tall' the other day, so I'm definitely getting the groove of being a pretentious author...

Anyways, looking forward to participating here!

[Ella]

Hi, I'm Ella, from Toronto and currently studying economics. I've read through a few discussions here and finally decided to introduce myself. I read mostly fiction and my tastes tend to run the full spectrum of genre, lit. My current read (aka obsession) is Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. I had planned to read Wise Man's Fear (Rothfuss) next, but may choose a slimmer book to allow for actually going outside and saving some friendships. Looking forward to discussing some great books with everyone here :)

[Trudi]

Hi! I'm Trudi. (Waves shyly.)
I've been watching the show in preparation for an interview and become completely addicted. So... I'm a writer. And an artist. And a crafter (weaving, knitting, bookbinding, and more). I read mostly fantasy, but like to sample outside of the genre from time to time. Favourite authors... how to choose? Tolkien, LeGuin, Guy Gavriel Kay, Robin Hobb, Jennifer Fallon, Glenda Larke, Alison Goodman, Garth Nix, N. K. Jemesin... I could go on and on.

[Noah]

Well, I'll say Hi to Trudi if everyone else is too star-struck :) I haven't read any of your books yet, but anyone cool enough to join Sword and Laser deserves a look.

[Jason]

I guess I never introduced myself. I've been in the group for a few months, but never really posted before. My fiancé got me into reading about a year ago, and I've mostly been reading Fantasy, but I'm starting to branch a little into some more Sci-Fi as well. Anyone who has book recommendations can feel free to send me some!

[[deleted user]]

Hey all,name's Charlton I read medevil fantasy/fantasy.Sometimes history or fictional history.My favorite authors have to be Raymund Feist,R.A.Salvatore,David and Leigh Eddings and George R.R.Martin.And there are so many others.

[Trudi]

Mr. Noah wrote: "Well, I'll say Hi to Trudi if everyone else is too star-struck :) I haven't read any of your books yet, but anyone cool enough to join Sword and Laser deserves a look."

Aw, thanks!

[Thane]

Hi! I'm Thane, a love of Sci-fi and fantasy. I try to write and play Heroclix in my spare time. I've become addicted to Sword and Laser! I discovered it after watching Wil Wheaton's Tabletop. Geek and Sundry, what a great channel!

[[deleted user]]

Hi I'm Matthew and I like stuff with magic in it.

Not just that, but that's my primary go-to genre. So I read a lot of fantasy and I love some of the interesting magic systems authors come up with. Brandon Sanderson is a favourite of mine for his apparently endless stream of different interesting magic systems. It's also what got me into Wheel of Time, although there are lots of other reasons to like that series. I like the Eddings' universe of The Belgariad and The Malloreon, with the Will and the Word providing the primary magic and just really liking Belgarath (maybe because I started reading it with Belgarath The Sorcerer). I didn't like the Sparhawk books so much because I found Sparhawk and the Church Knights rather annoying, and would definitely agree with Aphrael's assessment that the Elene God is really boring (why else would he have to subcontract magic for the Church Knights to the Gods of Styricum?)

I like a lot of other things too. Sci-fi features of course, I always like reading the Dune series and just finished my first trip through David Brin's Uplift trilogy which I got as one monster ebook on Kindle. It's not my usual fare really, but it was very entertaining nonetheless and I'll be seeking out more of his work.

Random scattering of other authors I like: Douglas Adams, Patrick Rothfuss (another interesting magic system there - I get how sympathy and sygaldry work I think but wtf is going on with alchemy? We'll probably never know as long as we're only seeing Kvothe's viewpoint of course), Trudi Canavan (her Sword and Laser interview being why I finally joined)...

Also Star Trek, Star Wars (well, some of it), Doctor Who (preferably pre-21st century)...

[Alan]

Hi, I'm Alan and I'm an S&Laholic.

So glad I found this group and YouTube show! I've been reading SciFi and Fantasy since middle school (which was only shortly after the dinosaur extinction event). I started out with Alan Dean Foster, Asimov, and Terry Brooks, and progressed from there to Donaldson, Niven, and Frank Herbert. Some of my current favorites are Jim Butcher, Naomi Novik, and Rachel Caine.

I've been watching the videos and commented in a few threads and just realized I hadn't visited this intro thread, so, here I am. Looking forward to fun and interesting conversations!

[Gard]

Cool show, glad I found it, thankya.

[Jim]

Hi, I'm Jim

I really enjoy alot of the G&S shows esspecailly S&L, tabletop, the story board and even Vaginal Fantasy (even though i don't read those book, except soulless, i read that)

I Just finished and the Wise Man's Fear and I can't stop thinking about it.
Looking to read some Brandon Sanderson next. read Legion and it was so good i'm looking forward to more, if i could just get the King Killer Chronicles out of my head. :)

[Fiona]

Hi, I'm Fiona from Germany

I recently discovered the Sword&Laser show and was pleased so see so many interviews of my favourite authors!
I mostly read fantasy books and have already read lots and lots. But I was afraid of running out of good recommendations, so I thought I'd join goodreads and this group for some new stuff to read.

I'm currently reading the last book of the Otherland series. Next on my book list are some German authors: Markus Heitz and Oliver Plaschka.

[Sarah]

Hey, I'm Sarah, and I'm a programmer that both loves video games, and gets to make them for a living :). Gaming is my primary hobby, but I also love reading fantasy and sci-fi. I started out reading pretty much only fantasy as a kid, but I got into short stories and ended up being more of a sci-fi person... Though I really like stories that mix them, "advanced technology being indistinguishable from magic" sort of thing.

I'm currently busy working my way through the Baroque Cycle by Neal Stephenson. I have loved evertything I've read by him, but I have to admit this is going slow, but I'm doing my due diligence as a fan ;). After that, though, I look forward to reading the books in this group and seeing the discussions, and any other interesting recommendations I see here.

[Kerstin]

Hello everyone, I'm Siiri. :)

I've been reading all kinds of books ever since I learned to read (and listened to audiobooks/have my parents read them to me even before that). I prefer Fantasy but pick up pretty much everything that sounds remotely interesting. Which leaves me with far to many books I have to read (S&L is totally not helping with that, stop reviewing so many awesome books/authors!).

I have far to many favorite authors to name them all, including Tolkien, J.K. Rowling, Bernhard Hennen, Jonathan Stroud and Trudi Canavan.

I joined goodreads recently in the hope of getting my book addiction a bit more organized and finding even more great books to read.

[Steve]

Hello, everyone,

My name's Steve and I've been reading sword and laser since elementary school. Got hooked by the cover of A SPELL FOR CHAMELEON by Piers Anthony when I was in 7th grade and then was told I was 'too young' to read it. That dare changed my life because 26 years later I just had my first book published, and guess what genre it is...

Biggest influences on me were Piers Anthony (of course) Stephen King, Weis and Hickman, Dean Koontz, Tom Clancy, George R. R. Martin, Frank Herbert, Ken Follett, James Clavell, R.A. Salvatore, Ed Greenwood and so many more but I don't wanna bore you to death.

I love this place already.

Steve Vera

[Scott]

Welcome Steve

[Steve]

Scott wrote: "Welcome Steve"
Thanks, Scott!

[Sarah]

Hi I'm Sarah.
I love science fiction and fantasy and read tons of it throughout school. Now I'm finding it harder to find really good fantasy and sci-fi. Not sure if I'll be able to keep up with all the reading, but I miss how much I used to read, so I'm going to give it a shot.

[Greg]

Welcome Sarah, S&L should definitely help you find some good fantasy and scifi.

[J. Cooper]

Hi all,

Just joined. Found out about S&L through my 14 yr old. Back in the day (when I was his age) I read all the fantasy and sci if I could get my hands on. Slowed down in college, grad school, and early career. Ever since I got an e-reader my reading as really picked back up. Pratchett is my current favorite (reading Dodger now). Recently finished Wool and Shift series. I've been away from sci fi and fantasy so long that I'm looking for this group for fresh recommendations.

Cooper

[David]

Hey everyone, I have been watching the S&L on Geek & Sundry since it's inception and have loved every minute. I just now visited the goodreads site. I hope that this place is as fun and welcoming as the show is!

[Madeleine]

Hello, I'm Madeleine. I like fantasy books more than sci-fi, am currently reading Sixty-One Nails by Mike Shevdon and my favourite authors include Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett, Tamora Pierce, and Ursula LeGuin. I recently finished The Song of Ice and Fire series and am impatiently waiting for the next one.
I've been watching the podcasts on YouTube for a while now but am completely new to Good Reads. I don't really know what else to say about myself. So hi!

[Virginia]

Greetings all! My name is Virginia – no, I do not wear high heels when I exercise. Yes, I do love babies and surprises. I joined Sword & Laser awhile back, but I want to get really into the discussion, especially in regards to literary ecology. Whether it's termed ecocriticism or green literature, I am super into it. Some of my favorite books in this vein are Gulliver's Travels, The Windup Girl, and Swamp Thing.

A few of my favorite authors are Mercedes Lackey,China Miéville,Paolo Bacigalupi, Charlaine Harris, Virginia Woolf, Robert Heinlein, Robin McKinley, and Jesmyn Ward. I'm probably forgetting a good many of the authors I especially adore. I also enjoy poetry from the 20th century and onward, particularly the imagist movement.

I hope to engage in some wonderful critical discussion about literary ecology and the sustainability of the publishing industry. I also just want to meet wonderful readers and make new friends.

[PaksGeneral]

Hi all. My name is Mikael.
Some of my favourite authors are Elizabeth Moon, Maggie Furey, Markus Heitz and Joan Slonczewski to name a few.

[Eric]

Hey, I'm Eric
Mostly I'm sword with a few lasers thrown in. I'm always on the lookout for new and new-to-me authors. I'm currently love Ben Aaronovitch, Iilona Andrews, Meljean Brook, Lois McMaster Bujold, Seanan McGuire, and Michelle Sagara West.

I'm wrapping up a graduate degree and I'm now finding more time to read not for class again. I both read and Audible my books.

[H.t.]

Hello everyone! I'm Herbert.
I am a rather eclectic reader though I have soft spot for science fiction and fantasy. I'm in the middle of Hugh Howey's Wool, which for the moment is a bit too dystopian for my liking. I admire many writers including Dan Simmons, Asimov, George RR Martin, David Gemmel, Frank Herbert, Brian Lumley, etc. Among non-fiction authors, I have read a fare amount of Jared Diamond, Paul Kennedy, Henry Kissinger, etc.

I currently reside in Paris, France and normally read a lot during my hour-long commute packed like a sardine in the Paris metro. I enjoy travelling (Tunisia is next on my list), reading, blogging, and a little bit of writing as well.

[Gerald]

Hello I'm Gerald or Gerry. I am from Wilmington,De..I don't usually read SF or Fantasy but I like to read about them.Most of the SF I have read was when I was a younger man and I visited a store called,Paperbook Gallery which closed many years ago here in Wilmington.Many of those books were paperbacks of SF writers and I enjoyed them. I hope to have a nice time here because I like the S&L podcast and the two people responsible for it.It is certainly one of the best pcast on books around. Sincerly Ger.PS catch me on the Books on The Nightstand group here on GR.

[Shawn]

Hi, I am an avid gamer and reader. I've been reading SciFi and Fantasy books since about the sixth grade. Currently reading A Storm of Swords, Thrall: Twilight of the Aspects, and a few audio books. Looking forward to starting the last of The Wheel of Time books and I'm a bit behind on my Terry Brooks reading.

[Morris]

Hello, I am Morris. I am from Estonia. I'm not a good reader, but since I discovered the S&L show on geek&sundry, it really sparked my interest again.
I have been enjoying reading fantasy books. I have read all the Harry Potter books, which I really love. I also like Tolkien stories. I have never read any sci fi books, I'd really like to (I love sci fi movies & video games) but I don't know really which maybe good for starting in the genre.
Currently I started reading Song of Ice and Fire series and I fell in love with it as soon as I read a few chapter in A Game of Thrones.

[Thomas]

Hello I am Thomas,

I am a science fiction and fantasy fan, artist, and a self-published author.

My favorite authors:Hugh Howey, Dennis L. McKiernan, Larry Niven, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Stephen R. Donaldson, Fritz Leiber, Vernor Vinge, Anne McCaffrey, Robert Heinlein, Michael Moorcock, Alan Dean Foster, Elizabeth Moon, Julian May, Robin Hobb

Sorry, long list, but that's the gist of it - if you like any of these authors as well, and enjoy new independants, please friend me!

I am a long time veteran of the computer graphics industry--Graphics and animation is my day job. My newest pursuit, however, is writing.

As a long time fan, and role-playing gamer from WAAAY back, writing has always been an interest - it goes so well with character building and worldbuilding and geeking out with friends, solving the worlds problems with magic and answering questions regarding around the gaming table about mythology, monsters and the nature of good and evil.

I read for the escape and the thrill, and I like to think I write for the same purposes.

[David]

heya group,
Im dave, new to goodreads and sword and laser. Like many a self proclaimed geek. I brought a book to my wedding if that gives a hint at my joy in a good book ;).

[R.K.]

Hello all. I'm a new goodreads author who writes science fiction and fantasy screenplays and prose.

I write a weekly online column for Amazing Stories Magazine, the world's first science fiction magazine.

www.amazingstoriesmag.com

I enjoy good writing no matter the genre.

Some favorite authors:
Philip K. Dick
Isaac Asimov
George R.R. Martin
J.R.R. Tolkien
Robert E. Howard
Edgar Allan Poe
Herman Melville
Patricia McKillip
Raymond E. Feist
and many others.

Currently I'm reading:
Robin Hobb Assasin's Apprentice

[Lit Bug (Foram)]

R.K. wrote: "Hello all. I'm a new goodreads author who writes science fiction and fantasy screenplays and prose.

I write a weekly online column for Amazing Stories Magazine, the world's first science fiction ..."

Hello R. K., would you mind letting me know some good sci-fi dystopias, especially feminist ones (that do not merely lecture on sexist attitudes, that are really good.), since I'm beginning my Ph.D. on it and need help browsing through such a huge list available on the internet... Would be glad to receive any help you can extend. Thanks..

[Lit Bug (Foram)]

Hello, I came to this section wandering about Goodreads in search of sci-fi dystopias that would help me on with my Ph.D. First came in touch with SF through Asimov's Nemesis, and fell in love with the genre through SF dystopian movies... So I reckoned, "Why not research in SF?".. Hence my journey to here...

I'd really appreciate anyone suggesting SF dystopias, especially feminist ones, but which do not merely ruminate over sexist attitudes in a futuristic backdrop, but which actually are good novels in themselves... I did not like "The Female Man" by Joanna Russ for the same reason...

Thanks..

[Jordan]

Hello, My Name is Jordan.

I'm from the UK and I recently Graduated from University studying Performing Arts.
Reading has always been a passion of mine, my favourite author is Stephen King, my favourite work of his is The Dark Tower series.
I'm a big fan of Sci-fi and Fantasy, but probably would lean more to the Sword than the Laser side of the group.
I'm an aspiring Author myself, I write a lot of plays, and have toured one or two, but I'm also looking to break into the world of Novels and short Stories.
I do a lot of Collaborative work.

I'm currently reading Mastermind: How to Think Like Sherlock Holmes and am finding it very interesting.

[Rob, Roberator]

Foram wrote: "Hello, I came to this section wandering about Goodreads in search of sci-fi dystopias that would help me on with my Ph.D. First came in touch with SF through Asimov's Nemesis, and fell in love with..."

You'll probably have a better response if you create a separate thread for this (Maybe in the What else are you reading section, as it might get lost in the General section).

People in this group LOVE to recommend stuff. You should have more recommendations than you know what to do with in no time.

[R.K.]

Foram wrote: "Hello, I came to this section wandering about Goodreads in search of sci-fi dystopias that would help me on with my Ph.D. First came in touch with SF through Asimov's Nemesis, and fell in love with..."

Foram: A few classics.

Brave New World - Huxley
Nineteen Eighty-Four -Orwell
Fahrenheit 451 - Bradbury
Tunnel in the Sky - Heinlein
A Clockwork Orange - Burgess
Stand on Zanzibar - Brunner
Make Room! Make Room! - Harrison

Several of these authors wrote multiple Dystopian novels.

Good Luck

[Mark]

Hi, all -– I'm a long time fan of Sword and Laser and only now making my way over to Goodreads. My devotion to science fiction started in childhood, fantasy came in my late teens with Tolkien; and I'm now lucky enough to work in the field as an illustrator. Among my Big Fat Formatives are: Dune; The Hobbit & The Lord of the Rings; 20000 Leagues under the Sea; the Known Space and Ringworld stories of Larry Niven, and anything at all by Harlan Ellison. Recent discoveries: Laurie R. King, Peter F. Hamilton, Neal OMFG Stephenson. And James S. A. Corey, I'm watching you with great interest...

Since I spend so much time drawing and painting, most of my recent book reading has been in audiobook format, and much of what I comment on here may have been narrated rather than read. Not better or worse, just different, with its own tradeoffs.

[A.L.]

Hi Mark:)

[Jo]

Hello everyone, I'm Joe and I am only just jumping onto the S&L train. I spent February lurking and getting a feel for the video show and podcast as well as lurking in the community, and decided to just jump right in with the March pick.

Currently, I am working my way through the Dresden Files in audiobook and the March Pick in dead-tree edition. Thanks to the show and Goodreads in general, I now have a to-read list that could take the rest of my life.