The Sword and Laser discussion
Introduction and welcome thread!
OK, time to stop lurking (a bit). I'm Stephen, lifelong (day I could read to now - 3.75 decades?) fantasy and science fiction reader. Finally 3 weeks ago released my first attempt at fantasy fiction called "Melee, Magic & Puke" - so a very lighthearted approach to fantasy genre. Uhhh, yeah. :-)
Hi everyone! I'm Conal.I'm a long time fantasy/science fiction reader and first started reading these genre's back in the 70's with Tolkien and then discovered Heinlein and Asimov and been hooked ever since. Favorite authors include David Brin, Ray Feist, David Eddings, Ursula Leguin, Anne McCaffrey, Jack Chalker and many others... glad to be here.
Hello everyone, I'm Julie. I'll read pretty much anything I can get my hands on, but I do have definite tastes. I take my kindle everywhere I go and purchase handbags based on whether or not it will fit. Helps if the purse is cute, but whether it fits my kindle is a MUCH larger concern.Laser wise I'm a big fan of Robert A Heinlein, Larry Niven and of course Isaac Asimov, as well as many others.
My sword side really loves Brandon Sanderson, Patrick Rothfuss, George R.R. Martin, Robert Jordan, and once again, many others.
I am seriously the only person I know that can spend a whole day reading about reading.
@Julie> purchase handbags based on whether or not it will fit [my kindle]
Ok, that actually made my day, knowing access to literature trumps design! I'm running a scenario in my head: Salesperson: "Is this purchase for yourself, or a gift?" You: "Gift!" Salesperson: "What's the name of the luck person?" You:"Kindle! (holding it up) Now, do you have something that complements both white on black, and black on white text or do I need 2 separate handbags?"
Hi everyone,My name is Lucas Bale. I've been a science-fiction and fantasy fan for a very long time, and I was role-playing geek in my younger days. These days I tend towards science-fiction rather than fantasy.
Favourite authors can vary, but to give a flavour of my reading, right now I'm reading Iain M. Banks, John Scalzi, Joe Haldeman, Dan Simmons, Alistair Reynolds, Ann Leckie and Hugh Howey (to name a few). There's more, of course, but that's a good cross-section of it. Like Julie, I take my iPad Mini Kindle App everywhere, but I tend not to choose my handbags based on it. It does, however, fit into every coat I own!
I'm looking forward to making my way through the podcasts and contributing to some discussions.
Thanks.
Heya. I'm Joe I'm a sci-fi/fantasy junkie, mecha geek, all around game master and weird world fan. I blog about roleplaying and look for inspiration in books.
Stephen wrote: "@Julie> purchase handbags based on whether or not it will fit [my kindle]
Ok, that actually made my day, knowing access to literature trumps design! I'm running a scenario in my head: Salesperso..."
That's a fairly accurate description of a typical handbag shopping excursion for me. I have been known to turn down free purses (nice ones!) from friends and family simply because my Kindle won't fit. To paraphrase Johnny Cochran, "If it won't fit, it's not legit!"
Lucas wrote: Like Julie, I take my iPad Mini Kindle App everywhere, but I tend not to choose my handbags based on it. It does, however, fit into every coat I own!."Don't you love when you purchase a new coat and it has surprise pockets inside, often that fit your favored reading device?!
Hi - I'm Mimi, and I draw, paint, and carve stuff in Paris. I'm new to all of this (the site, the podcast, the group)... even to reading fantasy/scifi on a regular basis. Shocking, I know. Seems to be the result of a natural progression from my undying love for pretty classic gothic fiction, a few years of playing rpgs and formal studies in mythology and assorted weirdness. I've for a long time enjoyed authors like Gaiman, Vonnegut and Pratchett, and recently started Perdido Street Station. From the bit of lurking around here I've done, you guys have already caused my to-read list to grow to truly daunting proportions - so, thanks for that already!
Hi, I'm Rebecka and live in Gothenburg (Sweden). Love reading scifi/fantasy so this group should fit me fine :) Other things I like to do is drinking beer and brewing beer. I also love techno music.
Hi my name is Bob. I enjoy playing computer games, watching movies, growing vegetables in the garden, drawing and taking long leisure walks. I enjoy reading fantasy and science fiction. Thought I'd say hi.
HiI'm Paul - I'm a Brit currently living in Brooklyn, NY.
I came to Sword & Laser throuh Geek & Sundry/Vaginal Fantasy. The read list looks superb.
My top reads for this year are:
Ancillary Sword
The Girl in the Road
The Mirror Empire
Annihilation
J. wrote: "Ok. Sword-reader...Laser-watcher here..."That's what I do! Only I'm a little more militant about it.
I can rarely watch Sword unless it is super high production value stuff. Except for Willow. George Lucas had me at plowing with a team of pigs.
But I can only read Laser if it is amazingly well written. Otherwise I nit-pick the suspension of disbelief right out of it.
So favorite Sword authors (in order of perceived ability): Tolkien, Martin, Williams, Le Guinn, Rothfuss, Feist, Jordan, Brooks, Eddings...
Favorite Laser authors (also in order of ability): Le Guinn, Atwood, Lem, and Clarke.
S. K. wrote: "J. wrote: "Ok. Sword-reader...Laser-watcher here..."
So favorite Sword authors (in order of perceived ability): Tolkien, Martin, Williams...."
Would that be Tad, Charles or another Williams?
So favorite Sword authors (in order of perceived ability): Tolkien, Martin, Williams...."
Would that be Tad, Charles or another Williams?
Hi, I'm Andrew. I love swords foremost, but I cannot deny the allure of lasers. I adore John Scalzi's work (seriously all of it). "Old Man's War" is one of my all-time favorite series, but in the same vein, reading Haldeman's "Forever War" series was equally satisfying, but for different reasons. As far as fantasy is concerned, Rothfuss is a favorite, but GRRM really knows how to spin a yarn. My favorite book in that category might have to be "Stardust" by Gaiman. It's just a really freaking awesome book. I'm done here. Too many great books to talk about in the welcome thread.
Hi, all, I'm Brock! I'm a life long sword and laser fan, and a recent Sword & Laser fan. I'm also a writer, a husband and father, and an enthusiastic tabletop gamer.Some of my favorite authors:
Isaac Asimov, Neil Gaiman, Brandon Sanderson, Shannon Hale, JK Rowling, JRR Tolkien.
Some recent reads: The Fault in Our Stars, Steelheart, Hard Magic, currently working on The Night Circus.
I'm excited to get to know the group!
Hi everybody. I've been trying out several groups trying to find one where I fit in. My tastes in reading are pretty broad, though I gravitate towards science fiction and fantasy. I started to read science fiction and fantasy in middle school, and got interested in it from watching Star Wars, Doctor Who, Star Trek, and reading Douglas Adams Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. I've noticed there are a few science fiction and fantasy groups on Goodreads. Could anybody tell me how this one is different?
Mod
Hi,I am Alek - I like to read interesting books. In particular near future speculative fiction. I liked Vernor Vinge, Neal Stephenson and Daniel Suarez - looking for new faces ...
Listened and watched podcast / videos or long time and this year decided to "de-lurk".
Hoping for good discussions in years to come.
Hello! I'm David Monster. I just published a Sexy SciFi/Fantasy novel: PARALLEL LINES. It's NOT 50 Shades of Grey, with a SciFi twist. Thank you, David Monster. http://amzn.to/1D13cg
Alek wrote: "Hi,I am Alek - I like to read interesting books. In particular near future speculative fiction. I liked Vernor Vinge, Neal Stephenson and Daniel Suarez - looking for new faces ...
Listened and w..."
Alek, you should check out TC McCarthy https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... It's some very well-written & dark near-future sci-fi. Actually, everyone should check it out
Hey! I am new to this book group. I heard of it through the Vaginal Fantasy group that Veronica does with some other awesome ladies. I am a huge Sci fi/Fantasy fan. Currently I am working on reading with my husband Patrick Rothfuss, Brandon Sanderson, Brent Weeks and Jim Butcher trying to see if we can find him some fantasy that he likes and go from there. I am excited to listen to some of the old pod casts and see if I can't find some new favorites :)
Welcome, Michelle! You are in good company.If your husband is new to fantasy, Rothfuss is a great place to start (although he's new to the scene). Another place to start might be Scott Lynch's "The Lies of Locke Lemora."
You want classics? "The Last Unicorn" is spectacular. So is "Stardust" by Neil Gaiman.
Where are you guys located?
Portland Oregon. I did suggest the Lies of Loch Lamora as this was one of my favorite when it came out I don't know if that will be the one I can see him on yet. I was thinking I need to find some silly fantasy books. Or Sci fi. Thus far he has only read the Hobbit and Ender's Game. Otherwise it has been all technical tomes for him. I will have to try Stardust I haven't read that one yet. :)
Mod
Those are all lighter Sci-Fi books with decent humor, especially the Scalzi books.
I have never tried Scalzi either. Do you have a specific book you'd recommend to start with?
Mod
Old Man's War is maybe his most popular, and Lock In is his most recent. I enjoyed all 3.
Redshirts is the one he won a Hugo for last year (almost 2 years ago now that it's practically 2015). I enjoyed that too, though not as much as the other 3.
The other nice thing about Fuzzy Nation is it's stand alone. But so is Lock In.
All of them are great in audio too. Wil Wheaton narrates all but Old Man's War, though Lock In actually has 2 versions. The second is narrated by Amber Benson.
You've sold me on Scalzi we are huge Wheaton fans and I am a fan of Amber Benson. :) Thanks for the recommendations:)
Mod
OMW is one of my absolute favorites. I laughed, I cried, I was riveted during certain parts.Wil Wheaton's narration of "Lock In" was fantastic. Get both of those.
Hello all,My name is Drew and I am kind of a returning sword and laser follower. I listened when the podcast for started way back, last episodes I listened to was the first dragon con interview with Timothy Zahn, but I had 3 young kids and crazy busy at work and found I never had time to keep up with the reads so kind of dropped off.
As a big fan of Tom and Veronica though I recently started listening to the show again the past couple of months (and became a patreon) and wanted to join the good reads and try to keep up again.
I've been reading fantasy and sci fi for like 30 years and my favorite is game of thrones. I recently started reading dreamsongs the compilation of George RR Martins early work(is there any discussions on those stories anywhere as I would love to hear people's thoughts on some of these endings!) but would love some good recommendations on other stories from everyone.
Also curious if anyone finished the wheel of time series and what they thought? I gave up after book 9 some years back and I recently started again but found it dragging a bit for me again by the end of book 5 and was curious if anyone has read them all and what they thought.
I also read historical books and non fiction hockey books (big hockey fan) so I try to balance out my readings a bit. Also been on a mission to catch up on all of the walking dead comics.
I must admit I do half my reading audio style on my drive in to work, do we still call that reading?
A pleasure to meet you all and look forward to talking with you.
Drew
Mod
I'm a big hockey fan too, though my team is the Sabres so it's been tough the last few years.
And I call audio books reading, or at least I count them the same as books I read in text. People can argue semantics about it "counting" or not, but it really only matters what you think about it.
Hi Rob, Thanks for the thoughts on WoT, I never thought of reading summaries. If I find myself fading again I will do that. Thanks!I'm a Devils fan so I can relate this year. Although I think the Sabres are at least building for the future while the Devils are clinging to the past a bit.
Sometimes I get so much more out of the audio than reading it. I listened to all the song of ice and fire books as well as read them multiple times but for some reason the hints about Jon's parents (and other hidden stories) jumped out at me way more in audio than when I read it.
Mod
I do a TON of audio (52+/year more than doubling my output). I think they are great, but it varies about how much I get out of them compared to reading. I'm a lot more likely to go back and reread a page/chapter than I am to relisten to one.
I also tend to go for books that don't need as much focus, and do a few rereads each year since I don't have to pay as much attention to those generally to follow what's going on.
I still think if the Sabres blue line wasn't so injured during the conference finals they would have beat the Canes. When Drury and Briere left it put the Sabres in such a hole much as Parise and Kovalchuk departures have buried the Devils right now. And that whole crease call in 99, still enrages me and I'm not even a Sabres fan.What do you recommend on the audio side? so far in audio i've only done George RR Martin and Robert Jordan books.
Mod
Not only would we have beat the Canes, I think we would have won the cup. That year kind of bothers me more than the "No Goal" year against the Stars.
As to recommendations, I have a few favorite narrators, so it really depends what type of book your in the mood for. I rate and review pretty extensively and comment on the quality of the reader for each book I've listened to in the last 2.5+ years.
I have a goodreads shelf dedicated to audio books you can browse that may be a good starting place. There are 150 books on it, most of which should have reviews.
Awesome. I will check it out. Thanks! I agree they would have won the Cup that year.
We are a Brazilian couple living in Den Haag, Netherlands. We run a SFF website in Brazil called "INtocados" and Sword and Laser is one of our major influences.She is a geek, coffee addicted and mother of Albus Dumbledore, the dog.
He is also a geek, Heavy Metal addicted, History enthusiast and Liverpool FC's supporter.
Follow our work (in portuguese) on: www.intocados.com.br
I like the Hockey Talk. I am a Long Suffering But extremely happy LA Kings Fan. It killed me when the Ducks won before the Kings, but all is good now. There is a chain of bookstore in the LA area called the $1 Bookstore. I got all my Robert Jordan books there. By the time I got caught up in the series the The Gathering Storm was $3.98 at B&N. I waited for the last and was quite proud to finish so cheaply; I did the same for Steven Erickson's Malazan Series but it took me 3 years to find bks 1-9 at the $1 Bookstore. { Had to pay full price for Esslemont's contributions to the series.}
Okay, I've lurked long enough.My name is Derek and I'm a huge dork. I also write dorky things for other dorks. Really enjoying the forums and the podcast -- passively like a barnacle. Now I won't feel weird if I want to post somewhere else.
My name is Pete, just joined because I wanted to recommend a couple of authors in one of the threads I have been reading.
Welcome Pete! I hope you'll find that Sword & Laser has more to offer. Please, stay and contribute. The episodes are worth tuning in for.
Hello everyone!I've been huge fans of Tom and Veronica from back in the CNET days so I started listening to the podcast as soon as heard about, but didn't really have time to much reading while I was still in school, so I just listened to the conversations. Once I graduated college I decided to start reading the group reads, starting with Ancillary Justice. Since then I've been lurking around the site reading the conversations. The new year seemed like a good time to come out of the shadows and introduce myself.
My favorite book that we've read here is Promise of Blood and my least favorite is The Einstein Intersection. But ultimately I'm very grateful for this group because it has reignited my love of reading that I had lost over the years. See you around!
Hey David. Glad you finally decided to step forth from the shadows.Have you made any headway in this month's book, "The Sparrow"?
I actually just finished it. Not having many hours of work really helps me find time to read, lol. It was ok. I liked the ideas just didn't think the story itself was anything special.
Hello my name is paul and i hail from shreveport,louisiana. Some of my favorite authors is lovecraft,robert e howard, robert mcammon especialy his book the wolfs hour and now enjoying larry correia monster hunter novels.
Stephen wrote: "I like the Hockey Talk. I am a Long Suffering But extremely happy LA Kings Fan. It killed me when the Ducks won before the Kings, but all is good now. There is a chain of bookstore in the LA area c..."If the Kings weren't beating my Devils in 2012 I would have been rooting for them all the way. Obviously last year I was.
Did you enjoy the Jordan series in the end?
Hi! I'm Julie.I'm a long time reader, but I've been reading a lot of urban fantasy lately and want to start adding more variety to my reading list. I started listening to Sword and Laser to this end, so joining the Good Reads group was an obvious next step.
Hey guys,I'm Naty.Sorry I don't talk here often,I'm not familiar with interacting with groups,but most of my friends are here so I decide to give it a try :)
I'm currently finishing The Martian,I plan on going to some Dark Fantasy after that. I also bought Under The Dome by Stephen King and it's been sitting around for some time.
The Sword and Laser
Books mentioned in this topic
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A Canticle for Leibowitz (other topics)
A Canticle for Leibowitz (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Wade Garret (other topics)Gene Wolfe (other topics)
John Scalzi (other topics)
Richelle Mead (other topics)
Brandon Sanderson (other topics)
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I'm Amy, a well rounded nerd. I tend to prefer classic sci fi and modern fantasy. My Kindle, a blanket, and a cup of coffee are my constant companions for the cold New England winters. So bring it on.