Introduction and welcome thread! Showing 2,951-3,000 of 4,412

[[deleted user]]

Hi Carlos,welcome to the S&L group.

[D'Angelo]

Hey! I'm D'Angelo and have been hooked on Sword & Laser for about a month now. I went back to the beginning and listened to all of the episodes and as a result have added about 20 books to my "To Read" list!I'm more of a sword, but look forward to getting in touch with my laser side ;)

[Steve]

Hey guys, this is Steve from Minnesota. I am a recent college grad, and I realized I haven't really read anything for fun since high school. I am currently working my way through NPR's "Top 100 science fiction and fantasy novels of all time" list. I've been a fan of the podcast for a while, and thought it was about time to join the discussion here.

[Scott]

Steve wrote: "Hey guys, this is Steve from Minnesota. I am a recent college grad, and I realized I haven't really read anything for fun since high school. I am currently working my way through NPR's "Top 100 sci..."

welcome Steve - I've never read that list from NPR...I'll have to go check it out.

[[deleted user]]

Hi Steve,welcome to the S&L group.

[[deleted user]]

Hi D'Angelo welcome to the S&L group.

[Gary]

The NPR list for those interested:

http://www.npr.org/2011/08/11/1390858...

[Katy]

My name is Katy, and I've been reading fantasy and science fiction since I could read (my parents played D&D, and so I grew up playing as well). I can get down with some of the classic stuff, but I love find genre bending and unusual stuff as well. I'm currently reading The Thousand Names, which I'm really digging. I'm also looking forward to the last in the Kingkiller Chronicles, and fervently hope that Peter Brett hurries up so I can resolve the cliffhanger at the end of the Daylight Wars.

[[deleted user]]

Hi Dan,welcome to the S&L group.

[[deleted user]]

Hi Katy,welcome to the S&L group.
You must of had a great childhood,and you've got some really good authors listed.

[Jeff]

Hello! New to the forum/group deal, but our common interest in all things s&l should make it quite easy for us to get along!

Back story: I have been reading primarily scifi and fantasy since the age of 8, when I discovered reading WAS cool after all, after I recieved a copy of 'The Hobbit.' I don't have any favorite authors due to the fact the I love all the books interesting enough to finish.

-Jeff

[Jeff]

Hi! I so enjoyed the videos at Geek & Sundry and was lucky enough to find S&L continuing the podcasts. I've been reading Sci Fi & Fantasy since high school and some of my favorite authors are Terry Brooks and R. A. Salvatore. I'm currently reading Philip K. Dick's collection of short stories.

[[deleted user]]

Jeff wrote: "Hello! New to the forum/group deal, but our common interest in all things s&l should make it quite easy for us to get along!

Back story: I have been reading primarily scifi and fantasy since the ..."

Hi Jeff,welcome to the S&L group.

[[deleted user]]

Jeff wrote: "Hi! I so enjoyed the videos at Geek & Sundry and was lucky enough to find S&L continuing the podcasts. I've been reading Sci Fi & Fantasy since high school and some of my favorite authors are Terry..."

Hi Jeff,welcome to the S&L group.

[Sheila Jean]

Hi all, I'm Sheila.

This is my belated introduction. I've been following along in the forum for a while (since before the video show launched on Geek & Sundry), but never introduced myself.

I've been primarily reading fantasy for ages now, but I started with Asimov and Heinlein back in high school since that's what I found around the house. I have picked up some more laser books lately from following along with the club. (And by following along, I mean picking up the books about 3+ months after the Sword and Laser wraps up a particular work...)

While I'm an avid reader, I'm not much for discussing and writing reviews. I get thoroughly engrossed in a story as I'm reading, but I can rarely give more than a general "it was about a guy on a quest to this place and there were dragons" once I've finished.

[Amanda]

My name is Amanda and I am happy to be here! It was only a few months ago that I realized sci-fi/fantasy labeled the books I love. Thank you Tom and Veronica for making Sword and Laser exist!

I am currently enamored with Sanderson's Mistborn Trilogy and Carey's Kushiel's Legacy. Charles de Lint, Sheri S. Tepper, and Derek Landy also litter my bookshelves over multiple volumes.

[Eric]

Hi all, I am Eric.

I started listening to the Sword and Laser Podcast a couple of weeks ago and I am hooked! I am currently reading Kim Stanley Robinson's 2313 and have been a lifelong reader of Science Fiction and Fantasy.

I look forward to the discussions.

[Jeffrey]

Howdy, my name is Jeff. I have lived on a steady diet of sci-fi and fantasy since I was a small child (with an occasional historical fiction for an appetizer). Realized I keep falling back and re-reading my old favorites instead of looking for new stuff. Discovered S&L awhile back and have lurked for a while. Have started to comment here and there occasionally so thought I should introduce myself (if anyone actually reads these).

Sword & Laser has already got me to read some stuff I probably wouldn't have picked up on my own but have enjoyed. (The current selection of The Curse of Chalion is an example.) GoodReads and the S&L forum have also gotten me to try to review, analyze and discuss more what I enjoy reading & why.

As far as specific books & authors go, my taste for SF&F books & authors is too broad to really nail down.

[[deleted user]]

Sheila Jean wrote: "Hi all, I'm Sheila.

This is my belated introduction. I've been following along in the forum for a while (since before the video show launched on Geek & Sundry), but never introduced myself.

I..."

Hi Sheila,welcome to the S&L group.

[[deleted user]]

Amanda wrote: "My name is Amanda and I am happy to be here! It was only a few months ago that I realized sci-fi/fantasy labeled the books I love. Thank you Tom and Veronica for making Sword and Laser exist!

I ..."

Hi Amanda,welcome to the S&L group.

[[deleted user]]

Eric wrote: "Hi all, I am Eric.

I started listening to the Sword and Laser Podcast a couple of weeks ago and I am hooked! I am currently reading Kim Stanley Robinson's 2313 and have been a lifelong reader of S..."

Hi Eric,welcome to the S&L group.

[[deleted user]]

Jeffrey wrote: "Howdy, my name is Jeff. I have lived on a steady diet of sci-fi and fantasy since I was a small child (with an occasional historical fiction for an appetizer). Realized I keep falling back and re-r..."

Hi Jeff,welcome to the S&L group.

[Helery]

Hi everyone, I'm Helery.

This is my belated introduction. I've been following along in the forum for a couple months, but never got around to introducing myself. I'm relatively new to sci-fi/fantasy books as an adult. I only started reading stuff about 5 years ago on a recommendation from one of my coworkers. I love it! I don't know how I have not been reading this genre before :P

I've mostly read Brent Weeks, GRRM, Robert Jordan, Brandon Sanderson, and Michael J Sullivan books. I'm mostly just looking to get more book recommendations and chat with like minded folks like yourselves :D Cheers!

[[deleted user]]

Hi Helery,welcome to the S&L group.
Add Raymund E. Feist and David Eddings to your to be read list,I think they are great authors.

[CR]

Howdy everyone, new guy here. My name is Chuck Hodges. I read a pretty broad mix of speculative fiction, from oldies like Niven to GRRM (the books not the HBO version) to urban fantasy ala Jim Butcher and newbies like Heidi Goody. Current favorites outside the spec fiction universe include Stephen Carter and Harlan Coben. I'm also a short story writer (don't worry, not selling anything) with 10 published shorts under the byline C.R. Hodges, mostly urban fantasy and near future sci fi. Submitted a couple of shorts to the S&L anthology call, which is how I found this group. Not quite sure I've figured Goodreads out so bear with me.

[[deleted user]]

Hi Chuck,welcome to the S&L group.
And congrats on the award you received a couple years ago.

[Erica]

Hi guys, My name is Erica. I am an avid fantasy reader but I enjoy a little sci-fi on the side. Learned about S&L through G&S

I Would like everyone to know that I just opened a new online fiction only bookstore. I have all the genres we all know and love. Please check it out! www.nocturnalarchivebooks.com

Also as a side note. I showcase the latest videos from this love program called Sword & Laser. I think you might have heard of them. They are awesome if you didn't know!

[Halvor]

Hi, my name is Halvor. I am from Norway and an avid fantasy reader, but I read a lot of different types of books as well.

I am currently writing a novella (started as a short story, but the story "grew in telling" a.k.a I'm bad at outlining).

I look forward to all the great discussions on this site!

[CR]

Halvor wrote: "Hi, my name is Halvor. I am from Norway and an avid fantasy reader, but I read a lot of different types of books as well.

I am currently writing a novella (started as a short story, but the story ..."

I tried that once, eventually got to novel length. Still not sure if it was a good move or not. I'm also trying the other path just now, shortening a novel to novella length.

[CR]

Charlton wrote: "Hi Chuck,welcome to the S&L group.
And congrats on the award you received a couple years ago."

Thanks!

[Robert]

Como esta!
I'm Robert Justus. I'm a writer and a circuit tester for THE phone company. I live in Denver, CO and have an awesomely imaginative 4 year-old son. I post his ever-expanding brain tales on Facebook-- Told By a Troy. One can find a lot of the writing I do for my own pleasure at http://maddogsalamander.blogspot.com.

As far as writing that people pay me to do... BOO! I'm a ghostwriter.
My most current completed project is a fantasy trilogy for an Australian school district. The purpose is to highlight different writing styles in fantasy literature. I wrote the first book to illustrate a character driven storyline. The second book displays a story-driven tale. The third book is epic in scope.

That district hired me to write a second series of books. I cannot wait to get started.

[Halvor]

CR wrote: "I tried that once, eventually got to novel length. Still not sure if it was a good move or not. I'm also trying the other path just now, shortening a novel to novella length"

Yeah, I am wondering myself. I think I will have to do a lot of editing when I am done with the first draft...

[Lars André]

A big welcome to all of you. So very nice of you to join this group and to be a part of this community.

[[deleted user]]

Hi Erica,Halvor and Robert welcome to the S&L group.

[[deleted user]]

Robert wrote: "Como esta!
I'm Robert Justus. I'm a writer and a circuit tester for THE phone company. I live in Denver, CO and have an awesomely imaginative 4 year-old son. I post his ever-expanding brain tales o..."

What you do sounds admiring.

[Andy]

hi I'm andy, from W Yorkshire England
I've really only just started getting into reading. I used to read as a kid and stopped for years until last year when I decided to read lotr ( I started it when I was young but never finished it) anyway I finished them and loved it and fell in love with reading too. since then I have just read all the song of ice and fire books and was in shock and awe. I've now started reading the first law trilogy by joe abercrombie.
I'll try to do a few of the reading recommendations on here too

[Ken]

I'm Ken, busy reader and author ("Dark fantasy, no creatures needed") down in LA. I'll argue magic systems or suspense with anyone, consider yourselves warned. :)

[[deleted user]]

Hi Andy,welcome to the S&L group.

[[deleted user]]

Hi Ken,welcome to the S&L group.

[Dylan]

Hello all, my name is Dylan. I have been a part of the S&L group and followed the podcasts and discussions for a while and finally decided to introduce myself and maybe join in some discussions!

My main focus in reading (though I don't read nearly as much as I should) is science fiction though I do enjoy a fantasy now and then if it breaks enough conventions and expectations (which are my primary criteria for choosing sci-fi novels as well, most of the time). Recently I have enjoyed such works as A Song of Ice and Fire, some of Peter Watts' novels, and the Quantum Thief by Hannu Rajaniemi. Others, like Dune, the Lord of the Rings, Embassytown by China Mieville and Daemon by Daniel Suarez rank high on my read list.

I am also a writer, currently working to finish my near-future sci-fi techno-thriller, which I have been working on for the past while.

I look forward to some great discussions and some great books!

[Linn]

In the midway of this our mortal life,
I found me in a gloomy wood, astray…

What's this I see? The sword and Laser?
Sounds like a place I should try to infiltrate.
And someone has foolishly left the door open!
All the better to make my way inside.
Eyes left… Eyes right… No one seems to be watching.
Maybe I can sneak in before they realize...

"What, sir? New here? Who, me? No way!
No, really, I've been standing right here in these shadows all along.
Welcome mat, you say? You mean that thing by the door? Was that
really intended for me as well?"

Sigh. All that scheming and plotting for nothing.
It's no fun at all sneaking in where you're welcome.
Wait a minute! Is that a bowl of pretzels at the bar?!
Eyes left… Eyes right…

Oh, hi, everybody!
It's just me, Linn, come to let myself in.
Don't worry, your pretzels are safe with me.
Sci-fi's my thing, and a little Fantasy too.
And I hope that I can bring some of each of those to you.

[Eileen]

Hi All,
I'm Eileen and a big fantasy fan, though I've been out of the reading habit for a little too long. I've really enjoyed reading George R.R. Martin, Robin Hobb, David B. Coe, and Raymond Feist. I've just discovered the S&L group and look forward to being back in a book group.
Thanks.

[Lila]

Hi, Liz here!
I'm a lover of fantasy with a bit of sci-fi mixed in. Always have been, always will be. I particularly hover towards female protagonists (the stronger the better) but will flock to anything if it's good enough! I've been a bit slack with reading (as I am the ultimate procrastinator) lately so I thought a book club may be just the thing to get back into it; especially one highlighting my favorite genre. One of my favorite current authors would have to be Jacqueline Carey.

[Kelley]

Hi,
I'm Kelley and a life-long fantasy fan with sci-fi sprinkled here and there. I love the Podcast of the show and finally meandered over here to check out all of the discussions. My favorite thing is having time to actually read, rather than any one author or book right now.

[Ross]

Hello S&Lers, I'm Ross. Work in the film/tv industry and a massive speculative fiction buff.

Always interested in new and awesome reading suggestions!

[Katherine]

I just joined both Sword & Laser and Vaginal Fantasy and was told by an automated message to introduce myself here, so here I am! Does anyone actually read these introductions though - there are so many?! I must admit I feel like I'm talking into a void.

So Void, you might be interested to know I've been reading fantasy my entire adult life, although more recently I've developed a preference for general fiction. I think I may have hit saturation point with the fantasy genre. So why did I just join two online book clubs dedicated to fantasy? I like the idea of reading a book and having somewhere to go online and talk about it with like-minded people and hopefully geek out about other things too. Also, I consider fantasy geeks to be "my people".

To end, some favourite books:

Harry Potter
Ender's Game
Lies of Locke Lamora
Name of the Wind

[Rob, Roberator]

Katherine wrote: "Does anyone actually read these introductions though - there are so many?! I must admit I feel like I'm talking into a void. "

Personally I read them all, though I rarely respond unless someone says something of interest.

I imagine that Charlton, the unofficial S&L greeter will be along at some point as well.

Anyways, welcome!

[Mpauli]

Katherine wrote: "I like the idea of reading a book and having somewhere to go online and talk about it with like-minded people and hopefully geek out about other things too."

And this is exactly, in answer to your question if anybody is reading this threads, why I read them.
If people seem interesting I compare books with them, start following their reviews, send a friend request or message them about a book, we both read.

[Teri]

I also check this tread thru an app on my iPhone. It notifies me of new comments. I love seeing what others are reading and have added books to my wish list on Amazon.

[Carolina]

Katherine wrote: "I just joined both Sword & Laser and Vaginal Fantasy and was told by an automated message to introduce myself here, so here I am! Does anyone actually read these introductions though - there are so..."

Welcome,
I also read the thread, but I only comment occasionally.