Introduction and welcome thread! Showing 3,451-3,500 of 4,412

[Jeff]

Hello!

Truthfully, I'm always in for the good story. The club is a great way to find books I may have passed by, for whatever reason. A great guilt trip reason to read!

Been listening to the podcast for, well, since single digits, I figured its time to post something. So, I also procrastinate a bit. ah well.

[specious_reasons]

Hello all,

I'm Dave, and I've slacked off on all of my hobbies due to a long term, long distance move, and I joined the group to get ideas for new books to read and maybe some discussion. So far, the Sword & Laser podcast has been a valuable tool for finding new books, or at least adding them to my wishlist...

I'm pretty indiscriminate when it comes to reading books, but I spend most of my money on science fiction, fantasy, nonfiction books on financial shenanigans (I have 4 books on Enron alone), and books on microscopy and microphotography, my other hobby I'm trying to restart.

[Jeff]

Hi All! I'm new to the group but excited about joining. I really enjoyed Name of the Wind and am looking forward to upcoming books (I'm also planning to travel back in time for a few).

Cheers!
Jeff

[Scott]

Hey there! I am a long time listener to the Sword and Laser podcast and it lead me here! I'm a stay home dad and part time IT guy that does eBay on the side. I've been a science fiction and fantasy reader since the age of 6 when I first saw Star Wars! My brother introduced me to the Hobbit at age 11 and I never looked back. My current favorite authors are Scott Lynch and John Scalzi. I've also infected my children with the reading bug and it's fun hearing them go on about something awesome they just read.

[Kay]

Hello fellow sword and laserians! I'm Kay - long time goodreads user, but VERY new to the forum side. I like my books on the sword side and my TV on the laser side (although, as a Trekkie, I'd say on the "phaser" side). And when it comes to comics, I like me some capes ;)

As for authors: I'm a big Patricia Briggs, Naomi Novik and Ann Aguirre fan. Am looking forward to expanding that list through the club!

[Steven]

Hi! I'm a new member. I'm a long time scifi fantasy reader, but I do have diverse interests from history/theology to ya/kids fiction.

[Nikolas]

Hello, I'm a more recent listener of the podcast from far away and new to the group. I'm also a bit of a dreamer who would like to put some of his dreams on paper.

[James]

Newbie from Brisbane Australia, an author. Yes, another bloody author, please, no death threats!

[Mark]

Hey Everyone,

My name's Mark. I'm from South West England but currently working in Sri Lanka as an English teacher. I've been on Goodreads a year now, but this is the first group I've joined.

I'm a big science fiction fan and I'm up for expanding my horizons into fantasy. Always up for recommendations.

[Kristi]

Hi, I'm Kristi. I've love to read as long as I can remember. My favorite books are fantasy or sci-fi that are fairly uplifting and not too psychological or political. Fairy tale retellings are my particular favorite. My all time go-to authors are Tamora Pierce, Mercedes Lackey, Robin McKinley, Patricia C. Wrede and Sherwood Smith.

However, the last few years I've decided to branch out and read more classics, multicultural authors (particularly Japanese at this point), nonfiction and more complicated fantasy or sci-fi.

[Em]

Hi I'm Em and I'm a long time lover of science fiction, science fantasy, horror/thrillers and pretty much anything that can catch my interest. I haven't read much during the last two years so I'm hoping to start up again.

[Dena]

Hi, I'm Dena and I'm a librarian in Philadelphia - currently in charge of a large science fiction and fantasy collection (I'm also in charge of the Romance section. My day job is pretty awesome).

I grew up reading the short stories of Asimov and Bradbury and am currently going through an urban fantasy phase. I'm pretty omnivorous when it comes to what I like reading.

[Eric]

Dena wrote: "Hi, I'm Dena and I'm a librarian in Philadelphia - currently in charge of a large science fiction and fantasy collection (I'm also in charge of the Romance section. My day job is pretty awesome).

..."

Kristi wrote: "Hi, I'm Kristi. I've love to read as long as I can remember. My favorite books are fantasy or sci-fi that are fairly uplifting and not too psychological or political. Fairy tale retellings are my p..."

Welcome to you both!

[Brandon]

Hey everyone!

My name's Brandon. I'm a fan of pretty much anything that involves swords and/or sorcery. While much of this stems from video and tabletop games, I definitely cut my teeth on everything from The Masque of the Red Death and War of the Worlds to Forgotten Realms and Dragonlance. These days I still enjoy a good romp through Faerun, but I'm currently fixated on the Riyria novels.

I admittedly went through a bit of a dearth of reading in my early 20s, but have been trying my best to catch up through the second half of the decade.

I'm a fantasy novelist myself (though I'll not get into that right now), leaving me less time to read than I'd like. Thankfully, audiobooks have helped cross more books off the to-read list than I'd ever imagined.

[ECH]

Hi. I'm Beth. I enjoy both sword and laser, but my main nostalgia genre is high fantasy, the thick kind that needs an index at the end to keep all the vocabulary straight. More recently, I've been getting in to short genre fiction, both audio and in anthologies.

[[deleted user]]

Hello! : ) My name is Anja and I've been a longtime listener of the older podcast episodes but this is my first time attempting to integrate with the discussion and reading live. Looking forward to it!

[C.]

Hello, I'm C. Sharp and I love to read and write sic-fi/fantasy books of all shapes and sizes. Love Abercrombie, Lynch, Scalzi, Rothfuss, Jemisin, Stross, Hill and a whole bunch of other current writer types. Someday soon I hope one of my books will get discussed here as well.
Sword & Laser is good stuff!

[Gerone]

Hello, all. My name is Gerone Blomgren and I found Sword and Laser while YouTube surfing. I enjoy reading a fairly broad spectrum; however, I'm fairly enamored, specifically, with reading Patrick Rothfuss, Scott Lynch, Terry Brooks, Terry Goodkind, Sigmund Brouwer, George R.R. Martin, Evan Currie, ... ok, I'll stop now.

Good to be here with you all!

[Ethan]

Hello all! I have been listening to S&L for a few months now, but am a lifelong fantasy and sci-fi reader. I lean more toward sword than laser, but both have a large claim on portions of my heart. I am also an aspiring fantasy author!

My favorite authors seem pretty popular around these parts. They include Pat Rothfuss, Brandon Sanderson, Scott Lynch, Guy Gavriel Kay, Jim Butcher, and Daniel Abraham. Recent reads include the Magician's Land, the Sparrow, the Rogues anthology, and the Dunk & Egg novellas. Currently reading the Widow's House, Tower Lord, and a Fire Upon the Deep. On my library hold list are Lock In, City of Stairs, The Player of Games, and the Shadow Throne. Nice to meet you all!

[Christine]

Hello - I'm a professional editor and writer in Los Angeles. The book I'm currently reading is "Falling Free" by Lois McMaster Bujold.

[Gaines]

Hi Lisa :-) Nice to meet you. 'Hope you have a good time here!

[Ally]

HI!! I can't believe it has taken me this long to get into this group. My name is Ally and I'm a mom. My husband recently got into listening to Podcasts like a maniac, and in turn made me interested in trying it and lo and behold found the Sword and Laser podcast, which directed me to the Goodreads forum and so on and so forth. Even though the full time Mommy gig leaves me precious little time for reading, I do what I can and some of my favourite authors are Margaret Atwood, Stephen King, George R.R. Martin, Patrick Rothfuss, Sidney Sheldon (doesn't belong, but whatever), and Cinda Williams Chima. I will do my best to stay up to date on the latest monthly reads and the podcasts. Thanks ^_^

[Sophie]

Hi everyone. I've been listening for about a year now, so it's about time I introduced myself on here. Currently reading Dawn, the pick from a couple of months ago along with Divergent. Just finished reading The Ocean at the End of the Lane and The Martian last week.

Getting a lot more reading in now since following the picks. I plan to catch up before the end of the year!

[Frankie]

Hi! My names frankie (duh) and well, im a big fan of fantasy books, as for the scifi portion i'll be honest im more into dystopian future type books for that .
-_-. You guys seem pretty cool so… hey!

[Rob, Roberator]

Frankie wrote: "Hi! My names frankie (duh) and well, im a big fan of fantasy books, as for the scifi portion i'll be honest im more into dystopian future type books for that .
-_-. You guys seem pretty cool so… hey!"

And Kill La Kill apparently. Welcome.

[Frankie]

Rob wrote: "Frankie wrote: "Hi! My names frankie (duh) and well, im a big fan of fantasy books, as for the scifi portion i'll be honest im more into dystopian future type books for that .
-_-. You guys seem p..."
You got me. Im also nerd for anime/manga alright?

[Rob, Roberator]

You sound defensive about that for some reason, or maybe I'm reading something that's not there.

[Linnea]

Hello everyone! I'm Linnea, 24, from Sweden and I'm currently at uni studying nanoscience. My studies keep me pretty busy, so I haven't had time to join the book club reads and discussions here before (though I've been a member of this group for a while). This month, however, I've been reading Alif the Unseen (not very impressed so far, but haven't finished it yet so that might change). I don't know if I'll have time to read the picks every month, but I'll join you guys here in the forum whenever I can (and listen to the podcast of course). :) I'm also a member of the Vaginal Fantasy group, so you might see me haning around there from time to time also.

[Nicole]

Hello! Long time lurker, first time posting. I'm a 24-year-old law student, and I read a little bit of everything - currently working through the Kate Daniels series in audio thanks to VagFan, the new Murakami in print, and Reading Lolita in Tehran for one of my book clubs in ebook. I'm really excited for Alif the Unseen this month!

I read with the club when I can, but as I'm in law school in NYC, run two in-person book clubs, and review for a law school publication & my own blog, I don't make it to the S&L pick every month. I discovered S&L through the G&S videos, and am thrilled to have something to keep me in-the-know in The SFF world. Excited to be here & finally make time to be (an active) part of this great community.

[Ally]

Hi Nicole. I know you said you are really busy with law school and the blog and stuff, but are you finding time to go to Comic Con this weekend? I haven't talked to anyone in the group yet who is...

[Scott]

Welcome Nicole! Nice to see a fellow (future) attorney in the group

[Nicole]

Ally wrote: "Hi Nicole. I know you said you are really busy with law school and the blog and stuff, but are you finding time to go to Comic Con this weekend? I haven't talked to anyone in the group yet who is..."

I wish! Hopefully 3L year...

[Alex]

Hey Everyone! I'm a long time podcast listener and forum lurker. I'm an avid reader (though clearly not as avid as a lot of you!).

I read primarily Fantasy and Science Fiction (which is why I'm here really), and my favourite authors are:
Fantasy:
Brandon Sanderson
Jim Butcher
Scott Lynch
George R. R. Martin
Myke Cole

Sci-Fi:
John Scalzi
James S. A. Corey (yes, yes, I know).
Chuck Wendig
Seanan McGuire/Mira Grant
Ann Leckie

I could list a good deal more, but you'll get to know them as I post in the discussions.

[Tom]

Hi everyone. I'm an avid reader of all sorts of genres: sci-fi, fantasy, noir, non-fiction, horror, crime. I'm not that into serial killers, zombies or vampires that sparkle.

[John]

Ok. Sword-reader...Laser-watcher here. I'll read or watch just about anything in either direction and have no trouble getting lost in it.

I've been reading since my mother handed me the C.S. Lewis, Narnia series. Shortly after that I discovered Zelazny and Edgar Rice Burroughs, then McCaffery.

The old recipes still taste great to me.

I'm a big kid at heart and find myself grinning through both books and scenes. I'm that guy that moves his head back and forth during the fight scenes in the theater.

I just discovered the podcast and found this through that. I love the podcast. Keep it coming!!!

[Todd]

Hello, I'm Todd

I'm an Australian living in England with my Wife and two small children. I'm an veracious reader with a bent toward fantasy and science fiction. My favorite author is George R R Martin (controversial?) and I'm currently reading 'Best Served Cold' by Joe Abercrombie.

I have only just discovered the podcast and I'm hoping to keep up with some of the reading groups. Looking forward to discovering new authors and be recommended some great fantasy/Si Fi I'm yet to read.

That's about it, I guess.

[David]

Hi, thanks for letting me be part of the group! I'm a science fiction author that loves everything dystopian and sci fi. I'm originally from the U.K.

So glad to be here!

[Michael]

Hi all! I'm Michael.

I'm a new Aussie living in Brisbane, originally from the US.

I've been following the Sword and Laser podcast from the beginning. I'm still listening to it, I think I am like two years behind.

I've been following the latest posts here in the discussions, adding my two cents as I feel needed.

I've read Alif the first book I have been able to read with the group.

I am mostly a sword, but right now I am enjoying the Gentlemen Bastards series.

I like hard scifi but I will try and read anything if it sounds good.

Lately I've found that I am really into dystopia stories. I love The Walking Dead.

Because of Sword and Laser I've read Daemon and Freedom(TM) and shared those stories with friends and family.

[Julian]

Hi everyone! My name's Julian Armstrong, living in Brighton in the UK. I have just self-published my first Fantasy novel on Kindle, The Elephant of Mardis, which will hopefully be the first in a series of The Chronicles of Tala. I'd be delighted if anyone would see fit to read and comment on my work; it's been a long time in the making. I'm editing and fussing over the second book in the series to get it ready in time for later this year.

Look forward to being part of this group!

[Rob, Roberator]

Michael wrote: "I am mostly a sword, but right now I am enjoying the Gentlemen Bastards series."

You don't consider that fantasy?

[Michael]

Rob wrote: "Michael wrote: "I am mostly a sword, but right now I am enjoying the Gentlemen Bastards series."

You don't consider that fantasy?"

I do consider it a fantasy. But it could also be dystopia, considering things that they can do.

[Pietro]

Hi all!

My name's Pietro and I'm a passionate reader and - sometimes - author of short stories.

I like science fiction authors, my favourites are: Dick, Vonnegut, Asimov, and Frank Herbert... any suggestions?

I'm also a cofounder at 20lines, so, I'll be happy to answer questions and doubts about our community also here!

[Andronikos]

Hi! I'm Zach!

My favourite authors (SF/Fantasy) include:
R. Scott Bakker, George RR. Martin, Brandon Sanderson, Brent Weeks, Scott Lynch, Patrick Rothfuss, J.R.R. Tolkein, Johnathon Stroud, Orson Scott Card, J.K. Rowling, AND Gene Wolfe!

I'm also incredibly obsessed with history and historical fiction (Go Bernard Cornwell, Ken Follett and Gary Jennings!).

[Robyn]

Hello! I'm new to S&L (obviously). I'm Robyn, per the user name. I've been reading fantasy since I discovered David Eddings in the library as a pre-teen, and sci-fi at essentially the same time. My tastes have evolved since, but I still have a soft spot for sweeping fantasy epics. I'm definitely drawn more to the sword than the laser but enjoy both. Favourite books in the genre of the last year include Ancillary Justice, various Joe Abercrombie books, The Martian, Ben Winter's Last Policemen trilogy, The Sparrow (a shoe-in for one of my best books of the year, for sure), The Killing Moon, Dawn, Throne of the Crescent Moon .... and many more! (If you don't stop me I will continue listing books endlessly.)

[Mike]

Hi I'm Mike. I got introduced to S&L and this years DragonCon, where in a fit a of dumb luck I named the show! "It's a Dragon Con Plex" and won Naomi Novik's fantastic new book Uprooted I've been listening to the show ever since and decided to finally join the S&L Group. I am a long term Sci-fi/fantasy reader, starting as kid with A Spell for Chameleon. I'm currently reading Tower Lord

[Paul]

Hey everyone. I'm Paul Morabito.
I'm glad to have found this group. So many books to read! It's nice meeting fellow readers in the same genre. I like both sword and laser but seems like I'm more of a sword guy myself. Probably because I'm biased due to writing a fiction fantasy series entitled Plane Hell. Trying to work on Book 3 and needed some inspiration. Looking forward to spending a lot of time here and making new friends. Feel free to say hello anytime. A little information on me and my series can be found at Paul-Morabito.com

Plane Hell: The Hell's Plane Amulet (Book 1)

Plane Hell: The Amulet of the Dead (Book 2)

The Kingdom's of Auria and Falruff alike, become flooded with an unknown source of demon-breed. The alliance does everything in its power to assemble the greatest warriors from across the lands in hopes of pinpointing the source of these disturbances. Knowing that the powers of evil and the forces of the parallel Planes of Hell are too much for the alliance to handle alone, they take on a new task of acquiring allies. Ordered by the High Counselor of the Kingdom, and led by the Keeper Of The Realm, the heroes carry out their assignments with cunning intellectual wit and refined skills of combat. The expertise of brave warriors and the concealed history and talents of a young boy, brings them closer to their goal. They soon realize, however, that the hunt for an ancient artifact becomes the death of them. With confrontations from superior Demon-Lords, their numbers dwindle drastically. Not only do they face unbeatable odds against their enemies, but they also begin to find the weaknesses that dwell deep within themselves.

[David H.]

Hello everyone! I'm David. I live in Washington, DC, and since I take the Metro to get to work every day, I have a lot of time to read.

I've only recently gotten into podcasts since I finally joined the 21st century with a smartphone, and I've really been enjoying Veronica & Tom's show.

I hope I can help contribute a bit to some of the great discussion around here!

[Marion]

Hello Everyone,

I'm just joined the group today after listening to the podcasts for the past week. I'm an avid reader, book reviewer, and author of The Descendant of Destiny.

I have currently reading and reviewing the Retrieval Artist Series by Kristine Kathryn Rusch on my website. Here's my latest review: http://marion-hill.com/book-review-57...

My favorite novels are Islandia, Winter's Tale, The Legend of the Firefish, The Sparrow, Memory and Dream and The Chess Garden

Looking forward to interacting with this group.

Marion

[D.S.]

I'm D.S. Cahr, and I wrote The Secret Root (www.thesecretroot.com), which is going to be featured (woo-hoo!) on the next podcast of Sword and Laser (#197)! I'm a compulsive reader of all things science fiction, with a particular love of Charles Stross, Neal Stephenson, William Gibson, Larry Niven, John Scalzi, Vernor Vinge, and Frederick Pohl, and a sucker for fantasy like George R.R. Martin and Kristen Cashore. Oh, and I'm hard at work on book two of the Mesh Chronicles, so catch up and read The Secret Root...

[Jukka]

Hi! I'm Jukka from Finland. I've graduated little while ago from university and i'm currently unemployed so i have plenty of time for hobbies.

I love SciFi and fantasy in all forms, games, books, comics and movies. Currently i'm reading the first Witcher book.