The Sword and Laser discussion
Introduction and welcome thread!
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Vasili
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Aug 16, 2022 12:21PM

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Welcome Chris.
If you're looking for some recommendations there are already a few past threads with some great stuff. Alternatively you can start your own thread and provide a bit more detail on what kinds of books you're looking to read.
If you're looking for some recommendations there are already a few past threads with some great stuff. Alternatively you can start your own thread and provide a bit more detail on what kinds of books you're looking to read.

One question before I go. Where do I find the book for the month?

Hey Tim. It's always posted at the top of the main Sword and Laser discussion page here on Goodreads, and now that you've joined up you should get a note near the end of each month to let you know what's coming up for the next month. This month it's How High We Go in the Dark.
Or, if your question is where to get your own copy of the book, well, that's mostly up to your preference. I usually try my local library first.


My name is Patrick and I am one half of the Unknown Orbits podcast. We are actively reading and reviewing Golden Age science fiction (1926-1966). Always looking for suggestions on stories or novels to review.

I read around 70-100 fantasy books a year (#teambelmont #sorrytom ) and I really want to join in on the bookclub challenge and be more active but don’t know how.
Please help 🫥🫥
Welcome!
To join the book club challenges you can head over to the challenges page: https://www.goodreads.com/challenges/...
Then click on the challenge you want. It sounds like maybe you want to join the fantasy one?. So you'd want our Sword challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/challenges/...
Fill out the form with the number of books you want to include from this year and the name of a shelf. I personally have shelves called sl-sword and sl-laser
Then in order for your books to count you have to make sure:
1) they have a read date between 1/1/2022 and 12/31/2022
2) they are tagged with the shelf name you picked.
You can use a shelf you already have (so if you tag your books with fantasy you could use that. I personally like a different shelf since I don't count everything for the challenge.
Hope that helps!
To join the book club challenges you can head over to the challenges page: https://www.goodreads.com/challenges/...
Then click on the challenge you want. It sounds like maybe you want to join the fantasy one?. So you'd want our Sword challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/challenges/...
Fill out the form with the number of books you want to include from this year and the name of a shelf. I personally have shelves called sl-sword and sl-laser
Then in order for your books to count you have to make sure:
1) they have a read date between 1/1/2022 and 12/31/2022
2) they are tagged with the shelf name you picked.
You can use a shelf you already have (so if you tag your books with fantasy you could use that. I personally like a different shelf since I don't count everything for the challenge.
Hope that helps!

I'm usually a lurker and have been listening for a few months to past episodes discussing books I've already read. I decided to finally break my silence to participate in March Madness and talk to more people about SFF!

My name is Norbert. I'm relatively new in the Goodreads community. I was usually just reading, but never posting in forums. The Sword and Laser looks like a fun group and I want to be a part of it! :)
I'm a huge SFF fan on every levels. I read, play, watch almost anything whats comes to my horizon.
I can't really choose a favorite, but here is some examples of my taste: D&D, Dune, Witcher, GoT, LoToR, Expanse, Mass Effect, Matrix.
Somehow, I'm always hungry for more great stories and worlds to explore, and lost in. Maybe that's the reason why I wrote my own book series, but that's for another time and topic :)

My name is Mike, but I'm going by my pen name, Jerome MacEvoy.
I'm a writer, gamer, traveler, and proud nerd. I want to read books from every genre, but I always come back to fantasy and fiction. Some of my favorites are Dune, Gideon the Ninth, 1984, The Hobbit, and Dracula.
I have a few of my own books going, and I hope to publish my first one by May of this year. Reach out if you want to know more!
Welcome Mike (Jerome). There is a section of the forums for author promotion if you're so inclined.


Welcome Rachel. If you like mystery and more modern fantasy, the urban fantasy sub genre with a lot of mystery. Dresden Files is a favorite of mine, although the first few books aren't as strong as the later books.
Another favorite of mine is called The Shadow of the Wind
I'm sure other members will load you up with recommendations.
Another favorite of mine is called The Shadow of the Wind
I'm sure other members will load you up with recommendations.


I've always been fascinated by the imagination. I'm just returning to fiction after a few years away. Just after recently reading American Gods, some Lilith's Brood and Ted Chiang.
Also, I write.

As an sci-fi enthusiast, I recently took on the exciting challenge of crafting my own narrative. The allure of exploring uncharted territories, both within ourselves and in the vast expanse of the universe, has always deeply fascinated me.
I believe in the power of storytelling to inspire, uplift, and transport us to new dimensions of thought. If you're interested in learning more, feel free to explore my author page for more info.
I'm excited to join this community and contribute with other readers and authors, apologies if I rambled too much!


I'm Alex, I'm a writer and ex-physicist turned dark side developer (AI). I love SF in almost any format. I've been switching to 50% audiobook and 50% hardcopy. I recently got Penguins anthology of science fiction and read through the REALLY old classics. I didn't realise SO many of them would be from the 50s but still they were great, and a few modern ones really picked it up.
I've been listening to Adrian Tchiacovsky's series on audio, good stuff.


I'm Marek. Avid SFF fan since I was a kid. Now I write and edit science fiction and fantasy. Always looking to grow my knowledge in the genres and discover. That's why I'm here.

I'm Eric. I have always loved both sci-fi and fantasy, but I'd have to say that my current favorite genre is post-apocalyptic science-fantasy. (For those who may not be familiar: I like books where an apocalypse hit so hard that it knock a culture back through a dark age, then as they rebuild they find bits and pieces that seem magical. Examples include A Canticle for Lebowitz orPrince of Thorns)
Always looking for more recommendations or books that are close to it.
Hi Eric. Welcome to Sword and Laser. 😎
We read A Canticle for Leibowitz back in 2015 for Sword and Laser.
We also read Shadow & Claw by Gene Wolfe in 2011 which also fits your genre description.
Both books I enjoyed and, I seem to remember, were well received by most in the group.
We have read a few other post apocalyptic books as well. Though not quite fitting your description. Some were dystopian and grim, some were a little more hopeful.
One thing we are good at here is recommending books.
Terry Brooks' Shannara fantasy series is set in a post-apocalyptic North America. The characters occasionally come across old technology and abandoned cities/towns from our time. We did read The Sword of Shannara for S&L.
Terry did write a prequel that is set in present day America that does, very loosely, tie in to the other Shannara series. It is the same universe.
We read A Canticle for Leibowitz back in 2015 for Sword and Laser.
We also read Shadow & Claw by Gene Wolfe in 2011 which also fits your genre description.
Both books I enjoyed and, I seem to remember, were well received by most in the group.
We have read a few other post apocalyptic books as well. Though not quite fitting your description. Some were dystopian and grim, some were a little more hopeful.
One thing we are good at here is recommending books.
Terry Brooks' Shannara fantasy series is set in a post-apocalyptic North America. The characters occasionally come across old technology and abandoned cities/towns from our time. We did read The Sword of Shannara for S&L.
Terry did write a prequel that is set in present day America that does, very loosely, tie in to the other Shannara series. It is the same universe.

I haven’t yet read Shadow and Claw, but I know the Shannara series. I guess I’ll need to go through the old posts and podcasts.

Reading hadn't been easy for me--ADHD has made it quite difficult. However, I seemed to have unlocked a new skill after picking up an e-reader at the beginning of March, and now I can't seem to stop.
Prior, I gravitated towards SciFi and Fantasy, but more the former. And now, I'm going to dive into this month's read.

I stumbled upon the Sword and Laser Podcast while researching online for Sci Fi book reviews. I’m finding that it’s the best place to learn what I’ve missed, and what’s new while it’s good to hear what interest’s others. AND this group has also provided me with gift ideas for family members.


I think I remember seeing your name :-) Welcome back. Given attention span challenges, what about audiobooks?
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)
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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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