The Sword and Laser discussion
Introduction and welcome thread!
Hey all, I'm Lucas, I've been a long time sci-fi/fantasy reader and am super stoked to have found this podcast. I look forward to getting in on the discussion!
Hi, I'm Anand. I used to read a lot when I was a kid, pretty much everything, not just SF and fantasy. My recreational reading habits fell victim to grad school and then work, and its been many years since I read fiction. I've started up again in the last few months and I find that SF and fantasy appeal to me the most these days. Maybe its because of the TV I've watched recently- Game of Thrones, the Expanse. I recently finished reading all published books from both of those series.I read all of Asimov and Tolkien back in school but I don't remember much of it, so perhaps its time for a re-read. But I'm not wedded to prestige SF/Fantasy by any means. I'll read just about anything.
I want to participate in this group because I'm looking for suggestions on books to read, and of course to talk about them.
Hello everyone! I'm new to Goodreads but I've been following the podcast and videos for a while. Big fan!! Anyway, I hope to find some friends here. My friends IRL are not big readers :(
Looking forward to getting to know you!
LLAP
Trike wrote: "Greetings, new people!Jump in, the water's fine.
...although full of monsters. But they're mostly polite."
Thanks for the warm and amusing welcome, Trike! I LOVE monsters.
Hello Fellow Worldwanderers and Fans of Aliens, Magic, Dragons, Powers, Rooks and such,
I've been looking through the glass storefront of this club for months now and getting used to the banter. I've used Goodreads for book recs for years now, but I've never really taken advantage of the social side of it. So, hi!
I'm a reading and writing instructor at a community college in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Mostly I work hard to convince my captive audiences of 18-22 year olds to like reading books and articles (and occasionally listen to really bad jokes and ADD ramblings about the great cartoons of the 1980s. And Miyazaki. And the criminal justice system.)
I'm also a novice Writer of Speculative Fiction when I have the time, which is never. I've written 2.34 books - basically adventures in places I wish I could go. They'll see readers eventually.
I still remember being a 12 year old in awe of Stephen King's It and Eyes of the Dragon, knowing that one day I would be the next Stephen King, or at least a Stephen King knock-off. It's gonna happen. I'm talking to you, mom.
Hi everyone,I stumbled onto Sword and Laser while searching for podcasts to help me cover a long work commute last year. I ditched the commute a while ago, but I hope to get into the book club/discussion aspect of S&L. This is my first visit to Goodreads, and I hope to enjoy some great discussions.
My professional background is in science (I'm an astronomer), and I'm open to reading most any kind of book. I value quality writing over most everything else, but I can also rip through some good plot with the best of them.
Ursula K. le Guin is my favorite author of all time. I think it's fair to say that one of the biggest reasons that I wandered into S&L is that I long ago ran out of le Guin to read, and re-reading doesn't scratch the same itch as reading new things. I think Dune is one of the most overrated books ever, and I believe that the world would be a better place if everyone read more Terry Pratchett.
Hello everyone! I'm Christa. It's only been in the past few years that I've started to read fantasy and science fiction. I started by reading the entire Wheel of Time series in a year which is a very difficult thing to do because books 7-11 are terrible. I'm an avid LOTR fan and am currently in the process of covering myself with LOTR themed tattoos, just to broadcast my dorkery to the world. I haven't read any of the Game of Thrones books, but they are on my real-life bookshelf taunting me every time I walk by. I will read pretty much everything as long as the story is good and I don't hate all of the characters.
Hi! I'm Margret from Canada, I'm mostly looking for sci fi/space opera books. I already read well over 100 fantasy books a year but really want more outer space-y stuff. I really enjoyed the Red Rising series and am working my way thru the Expanse now and loving it. As for fantasy my favorite authors are David Gemmell, Anthony Ryan, Brandon Sanderson, Brent Weeks, GRRM, and the master Steven Erikson
Oh and I also love the Gentleman Bastards series. World building in those books is amazing
Hi! I'm Rebecca and an open sci-fi /fantasy nerd. I've gone back and forth between genres many times and have come to a few conclusions. I like my fantasy horse and swords and magic and I like my sci-fi military and space opera.
Hello everyone! My name is Rebecca. And I am an out and proud sci-fi/fantasy nerd and have always been an avid reader. I have discovered a few things over the years. I like my fantasy magic and horses and I like my sci-fi military or space operatic.
I am looking to find awesome and exciting new authors and maybe even dip my toe into the social side of things.
Hi! I'm M, a lover of all things fantasy who has been slowly easing into the world of hard sci-fi. I got in to fantasy through LOTR and Harry Potter. Now I love Brandon Sanderson, Ursula K. le Guin, China Mieville, and so so many more.I am also a forever fan and apologist of The Wheel of Time series, no matter how long and tedious the middle books got.
Hello, Im Matt. I really enjoy pretty much anything Sci-fi and Fantasy. My favorite books are The Hobbit, The Crystal Shard and Enders Game.Im currently reading through the Wizard of Oz series with my 3 year old and R.A. Salvatore's Drizzt books.
I started listening to the S&L podcast a few weeks ago and decided to give GoodReads a try.
Hello, Sword & Laser!I'm Joseph Asphahani, author of "The Animal in Man," which graciously picked up the Sword & Laser collection pick during the sequel contest Tom and Veronica sponsored over on Inkshares.com. (Thanks again, Tom and Veronica!)
It suddenly occurred to me... WHY THE H___ HAVEN'T I LOOKED INTO THE ACTUAL BOOK CLUB YET?!?!
...well, for starters, I was kept pretty busy finishing up the manuscript to turn in to inkshares during most of 2016. I couldn't tune into the show to hear about great sci-fi / fantasy books, let alone carve out the time to READ them. :) BUT, since The Animal in Man is all sewn up and awaiting a production timeline from Inkshares, I find myself with a lot more time to actually read things again! Yay!
About my reading interests - I've been on a real WITCHER kick lately. Just finished the latest book in the saga (Tower of Swallows) and am slathering for the epic conclusion later this year. I tend to go for the grittier Dark Fantasy genre, which The Witcher does very well. Most recently, just started getting in to N.K. Jemison's excellent Fifth Season!
Enough typing, I say!!! :) I'm proud to finally join this group, and looking forward to some damn good reading with you all!
Atasteforbooks (M) wrote: "Hi! I'm M, a lover of all things fantasy who has been slowly easing into the world of hard sci-fi. I got in to fantasy through LOTR and Harry Potter. Now I love Brandon Sanderson, Ursula K. le Guin..."No need to apologize for your WoT love here!!! I wear my Great Serpent ring to work everyday. #YellowAjah
Hello fellow book lovers.I am Ben and I have only recently gotten back into reading. After listening to the S&L podcast I have a new found enthusiasm for sci-fi and fantasy. I love Stephen King, Isaac Asimov and Neal Stephenson. I have only just made a profile on Goodreads and am loving in. Love the podcast and am working my way through the back catalog. Keep up the good work.
Thanks guys and gals.
Hello all! I'm Robyn from Oregon. As a big sci-fi and fantasy fan I'm so glad I stumbled upon this podcast. The real question is how have I never heard of it before?! Apparently I live under a rock.
Hello y'all! Long time science fiction reader as well as historical fiction and nonfiction fiction. Have been listening to S&L for a couple years and have just got on goodreads and starting to track all of my books here as well.
-Tom
Hello! My name is Tyler. I am a big speculative fiction fan with a slight predilection for fantasy over the rest, but I read almost anything. It is hard to pick just a few authors to be my favorite, but I guess I would have to say Brandon Sanderson because I love the philosophy ingrained in the Cosmere, Joe Abercrombie because I'm a big Grimdark fan, and Victoria Schwab because her books are just awesome. Starting my first book for this club with Gateway. Nice to meet you all!
Hello, my name is David. I like to read science fiction, and I like cyberpunk stories. I seem to read a lot of space opera and futuristic military stuff. I do try to mix my reading genres, and I read some stuff just for the challenge, yet I like a good fantasy story, but I will always read science fiction more than anything else.
Guten Tag! My name is David. I have been a listener from the start but haven't participated until recently. I mostly read fantasy books that involve magic but am open to trying almost anything. My favourite author is Brandon Sanderson and thoroughly enjoy everything he has written so far.
Hi! I'm Julia.I've been listening to the podcast and lurking in the group for a while now and just now decided to maybe get more involved.
I read almost everything I can get my hands on but fantasy is my first big love. Lately read more and more science fiction though. I can't really decide on a favorite book or author but almost everything by Neil Gaiman and NK Jemisin is definitely up there along with Hyperion and Cloud Atlas.
Hi,I am Ash. I have been playing Fantasy RPG and reading F&S Books since my early youth. I have a large book collection (analog) that has stopped growing since I upgraded to a Kindle. But I still buy Paperbacks if I really like a book. It`s like owning Vinyls.
I have not updated all the books I won and have read on GR because it would take too long.
I joined because I am curious what you guys are reading and why?
Hi everyone! I'm Andy and I have been a SciFi fan since I was tall enough to watch Dr Who from behind the back of the sofa (which was a very long time ago! We're talking 4th Doctor at least) - anyway I read virtually anything that explores alternate realities. My favourite read has to be Asimov's Foundation series but still have a soft spot for LOTR... I've also written a little time travel story of my own but I'll post more about that in the relevant thread.
Heya!I was about to post on another thread and then the Group Rules popup politely told me that before doing so I should say hi. While I'm often unsure where I am on the good/evil scale, I am certainly lawful about it, so here I am, dutifully saying hello.
I'm Allison, I thought I read quite a lot and then I joined Goodreads. Now I realize I am a rank poseur, but I'm working on my cred. I lean hard towards "swords" but I do love good sci fi. I've been reading these genres since I was 8ish but back then I didn't have a great way of finding new stuff and so I just read deep into specific authors. I'm now working to go back and find what I missed. Hence groups!
Lookin' forward to finding more ways I've completely kidded myself about my book hoard with y'all!
Greetings, all. I have been lurking here (and reading the book club selections) for over a year but haven't said anything. I was just about to make what appears to be my first post here and I got the lovely yellow flag telling me to introduce myself first. So here I am. I typically only have time for about a book a week or so with my current schedule and lean heavily on fiction for pleasure reading as work often has me digging through required non-fiction reading. I've been a sci-fi and fantasy fan since my parents gifted me a copy of The Hobbit in elementary school.
(Now maybe I will stop almost posting and seeing the yellow pop-up and saying, "ah, well... not if I have to introduce myself.")
Hey, everyone! Like Allison and Meaghan, I was also directed here by our benevolent yellow-flag overlords. I've been lurking for a while, and though I haven't chimed in before this, I do enjoy the conversations that go on here. I'm currently reading Breath of Earth by Beth Cato and Low Town by Daniel Polansky.
Hi, everyone! I'm Carrie. A little over one year ago I quit my corporate executive job to follow my dream of becoming a published author. I'm thrilled to say I self-published my first book on April 1st. (Still happy dancing!)Right now, I live in the suburbs of Dallas with my BF and two rescues. We are moving to Tuscon in July and I'm very excited about that.
I hope you all have a wonderful day!
Hey folks. I'm Alex. I've lurked for a couple of months, but recently decided to cough up some patreon dough since I enjoy the podcast a bunch. I read a moderate amount, usually in fits and spurts that last a couple of weeks long separated by a couple of months of too-much-work-or-family to read.
What I do read is mostly sci-fi and fantasy (go figure. :) I love the expanse books, a bunch of Jack McDevitt, and Guy Gavriel Kay (Lions of Al-Rassan, FTW!), and Becky Chambers (dammit i cry every time i read the penultimate chapter of Closed & Common Orbit), and Daemon/Freedom by Daniel Suarez, and Cryptonomicon. well, i guess there's a lot i like. :)
This is my first book club of any sort, and the first time I'm reading a book in line with a group. I just finished the Invisible Library today. :)
Hi, I'm Abigail! I'm a circulation assistant at a library. My dad fostered a love of science fiction in me from when I was young (watched Star Wars when I was 8 to get ready for Phantom Menace) and I became more of a fantasy fan when I got older and read Narnia and Lord of the Rings when I was in middle school. I'm always excited to broaden my horizons and read something new. I usually stick to sci-fi and fantasy. I just finished The Name of the Wind and I loved it. I've now moved on to Dune. I'm also reading through ASOIAF (just finished Clash of Kings) and my favorite YA series from when I was in middle/high school (currently on 7th book of A Series of Unfortunate Events, The Vile Village). I like to read more than one book at a time - I don't have the largest attention span. :P
Looking forward to jumping in on the next book in May!
Hi I'm Margaret,I read whenever I can - over breakfast, on the train, before going to sleep. I discovered the podcast recently, and find the group a great way to find books and hear from others who like reading these genres as much as I do.
I just re-read The Rook, which I loved when it first came out. I'd been dithering as to whether I needed to re-read it before taking on Stiletto. It was really worth it and I'd forgotten what a skill Daniel O'Malley had for comedy and ridiculous situations.
Thanks for provoking me to read it again
Hello all! I've been listening to the podcast for quite some time now though I don't usually read the book of the month at the same time. I'm all about the fantasy books, but not a huge science fiction fan. I also love YA fantasy books. Anything with magic is right up my alley. My goodreads goal is to read 50 books this year and I'm ahead so far - yay! Not sure what else you might want to know!
Hi, my name is Tamara but you can call me Tams. I love both SF and fantasy. The last book I read was the one I wrote (proofreading it) but before that it was The Princess Bride (again!). Currently reading G P Ching's The Soulkeepers. I was recommended this group by a friend.
Hello! My name is Georgi and I`m from Bulgaria. I am 14 years old. I read mainly fantasy /but I absolutely don`t read or like science fiction books/. My favourite author is Brandon Sanderson. I am currently reading a little non-fantasy books - The Exorcist. But my main series is /I am just having a short rest/ House of Night /I read it until 4th nook and I`ll continue in about 2 weeks.
Greetings!My name is Devin and I'm embarking on this literary adventure with my Girlfriend. We wanted to join or start a book club this summer and after some research felt like this group is the best fit.
I a literature nerd; It's what I studied in college. I used to read nothing but the likes of Faulkner, Hemingway, Dostoevsky and Camus. (I've always been reading Neil Gaiman) However over the past year I've been reading (and listening to) exclusively fantasy!
It really all began with Patrick Rothfuss. After finishing 'The Name of The Wind' and 'The Wise Man's Fear" I was absolutely craving more fantasy. Particularly well-written, thoughtful fantasy.
Since my reading affair with Rothfuss I have become a big fan of Robin Hobb, Brandon Sanderson, and Steven Erikson.
I'm really looking forward to reading some great books with my amazing Girlfriend. It's a pleasure to join your group!
Hello all, Long time listener first time posting.
Love the show, keep the good work guys Thank you.
Hi, I’m Rosemary. Some of my favorites are The Lord of the Rings (of course), The Passage series by Justin Cronin, and all the works of Ursula Le Guin, Olivia Butler, and C.J. Cherryh, the great women of sci-fi!I’ve always loved reading books and writing, but now, at around the halfway point in my life, I’ve decided to become an indie author. I’ve just published my first sci-fi novel, The X-Variant, a tale about a time-traveling girl and a zombie apocalypse.
I also spent some years editing other author’s books, so if any of you other aspiring writers would like to pick up some grammar tips in an entertaining fashion, come on over and check out the Grammar Peeves series in my blog at https://www.goodreads.com/RosemaryCole.
Happy reading (and writing), everyone!
Hi guys,Sword and Laser was an interesting sight the first couple times I saw it looking for 'fantasy and sci fi' reads. At last, I'm here. So a little bit about me? Well, I'm an author, I had a few bestsellers before and in the past I was a former sponsored gamer.
I founded PSI Raise Creative Studios www.psiraise.com as a hub for creative artists, authors and gamers to unite, share and socialize. Feel free to join in and say hi or share some of your ideas! You're always welcomed!
Lately I came out with my beloved work, Xenosaber: Fury of the Stars Xenosaber: Fury of the Stars which i spent a good 17 years mentally writing and this year, finally getting it down for good. Fits right in the category of 'swords and lasers' (literally, there are swords and lasers in it o.O hahaha!)
Anyway, good to be here.
Wow, I guess I never introduced myself. Hey! I'm Tyler, I've been reading voraciously my whole life, and I fell in love with science fiction/fantasy about 5 years ago when I stumbled upon the podcast. I would love to make some friends and see what everybody is reading!
Hello all,I just joined S & L. By day, I teach and study nineteenth-century American literature. By night (well, at least, after the kids go to bed and before they wake up) I can't get enough fantasy (and am just starting to read more sci-fi fi as well).
I particularly love series with strong women and/or queer characters. Some favorites include N. K. Jemisin, Lynn Flewelling, Patrick Rothfuss, Nalo Hopkinson, George R.R. Martin, and Patricia A. McKillip.
I live in the great neighborhood of West Philadelphia (book and tak club anyone?). I love coffee and bourbon.
^Perhaps give a look to the Steampunk fantasy romance world of Gail Carriger starting with Soulless. Strong female protagonist and several gay characters.
^Thank you! Just added it to my tbr.
Hello!Just discovered the Sword & Laser podcast thanks to a recommendation over on the Fantasy Faction Facebook group. I've decided it's about time to revive my long-neglected Goodreads account and start actively engaging with the book reading community rather than just sitting at home reading books by myself...
I love fantasy and science fiction and also try to read some 'literary' stuff as well.
Introduction seems to be the thing to do. So. I've been listening to S&L intermittently for a few months now, and since I followed this GR group I keep getting pings for new discussions. As I'm in the process of rehabilitating my reading habits, I figured now is as good a time as any to get discussing.
Hi GuysI've been listening for a couple of years and I figure it's about time I stopped just lurking on the forums.
I'm based in the UK and like to read SF and Fantasy on my lunch break to escape from reality, I have also recently discovered audiobooks as a way to enjoy my walk to work more.
Hi All,I am just discovering this thread apparently. I have been watching/listening to S&L since its season on Geek & Sundry. I am in Charlottesville and have a particular passion for classic sci-fi and fantasy. S&L has really helped me discover newer authors and books. I guess that is about it for now.
Arcadia
Hi! I'm Tiffany. I just started listening. Love SF and Fantasy and decided to check this out.
Greetings all! I've been listening to S & L for a few months now (I know, super late to the party) and I'm down for some fantasy and sci-fi. I tend to drift to the darker side of my fiction. I like my fiction like I like my coffee. No soul.
Er...
Tasty?
Looking forward to checking things out and, as always, listening to the podcast along the way.
The Sword and Laser
Books mentioned in this topic
Ghosts of the Scattered Kingdoms (other topics)The Sword of Shannara (other topics)
Shadow & Claw (other topics)
A Canticle for Leibowitz (other topics)
A Canticle for Leibowitz (other topics)
More...
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)
More...
I've been reading science fiction for a while and it's always a good feeling to find communities like this that are more focused on the writing as they can be a little hard for me to find.
Some of my favorites are Anathem, The Forever War, The Road, and A Fire Upon the Deep.