Introductions - tell us a little about yourself Showing 1,401-1,450 of 3,618

[Jon]

Welcome Jackleen and Kate. Good to have you among us.

[Kate]

Thanks! Glad to be here and participating. :)

[Kate]

Jackleen wrote: "Hi Everyone. My name is Jackleen. I live in Ottawa, Canada. Fantasy is my favourite genre. I have read Marian Zimmer Bradley, Neil Gaiman, Jules Watson and many more that I can not remember. I ..."

I like how you shortened his name. Why oh why must he insist on the double r?? Not easy to say. Most of the time I call him George. hahaha

I hope you like his books as much as I did.

[John]

Hi Jackleen and Kate. Welcome to the group.

[Keryl]

Hello All,

I'm Keryl, and I've been a fantasy reader for a bit over twenty years now. I started up in the hey day of D&D inspired fantasy, immersing myself in vast oceans of works published by TSR. Since I was also a gamer, the two went together nicely.

Eventually, I noticed there was more to fantasy than modified dungeon crawls and branched away from TSR.

And while I still have a soft spot in my heart for Hickman and Weis, these days I'm more into Mercedes Lackey, Charlaine Harris, L.E. Modesett, J.K. Rowling, and Anne Rice.

I currently call Charleston SC home, and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a city that's achingly romantic. It's just a completely lovely place of butterflies, hidden gardens, and gracious homes.

When I'm not online, I balance reading, writing, and blogging with baby wrangling.

Nice to meet you all, and I look forward to getting into the discussions.

[Sandra]

Keryl wrote: "Hello All,

I'm Keryl, and I've been a fantasy reader for a bit over twenty years now. I started up in the hey day of D&D inspired fantasy, immersing myself in vast oceans of works published by TS..."

Hi, Keryl, and anyone else I may have missed. ::waves::

[Marcin]

Hi everyone,

I've grown up on fantasy. I grew up on Greek myth, and moved from there to the Dragonlances and hobbits and whatnot of the world before moving on to LeGuin, Kay, Martin, etc. I'd love to be part of a more structured group to go through things - I've been part of book clubs before and have always enjoyed it, but they seem to fall apart on me a lot.

My favourite fantasy author is Guy Gavriel Kay, but I have soft spots for many others - GRRM, Gaiman, Brust, etc.

I look forward to interacting with you all.

[Sandra]

Welcome, Marcin. I love Kay, too. Have you tried Janny Wurts? I love her stuff best.

[Marcin]

No, that name is entirely new to me. I've sent a sample on to my Kindle. Thanks for the welcome!

Also, I'm sort of debating whether to recuse myself here, and I think I should. I *am* an author, but I'm not here in that capacity at all (there are other groups for that).

So, on the one hand, I kind of don't want to draw attention to it, but on the other I don't want anybody to wander over to my profile and feel I'm being dishonest or cynical. So there it is.

[Sandra]

Marcin wrote: "No, that name is entirely new to me. I've sent a sample on to my Kindle. Thanks for the welcome!

Also, I'm sort of debating whether to recuse myself here, and I think I should. I *am* an author, b..."

Thanks for being aware of the issues involved in being a writer. We welcome you as both, but urge you to follow group rules in your posts. Thanks.

[Marcin]

Thanks! I've read them and I'll be good. Now to go read my Mistwraith sample.

[John]

Hi Keryl and Marcin, welcome to the group :-).

[Neil]

Hi, I'm Neil from Ottawa, Canada. Although I didn't read a lot of fantasy
when I was younger (though I did read the Hobbit and LoTR), I've been
reading more and more recently. I've read quite a bit of Guy Gavriel Kay and David Gemmell.
I greatly enjoyed Joe Abercrombie's First Law
trilogy, and now, having never read any in my youth, I'm enjoying a Weis
and Hickman book. Based on recommendations from this group, I have some
Brandon Sanderson and Janny Wurts on the to-read pile. Looking forward to
more recommendations.

[John]

Hi Neil, welcome to the group. I have to ask, since I ask everyone, have you read Martin yet?

[Sandra]

Welcome Neil! Happy reading. :)

[Neil]

Hi John,

I have to confess to having started A Game Of Thrones last summer but not finishing it. I don't remember now why -- it's possible I was just distracted by another book. So many books, so little time...

[J.D.]

My name is Jon Goff, and I am an author. Like Bryce, I spent a long time dreaming and not doing, but I finally committed and took time to write and it was well worth it. So my advice is, if you want to write, make the time and just do it.

Dreams are like children, they want for attention if they are to flourish.

My tastes are esoteric, but I do love fantasy, which I first fell in love with through Tolkien (like most of us, I suspect) and LeGuin.

I realize I'm committing blasphemy when I say I haven't yet read George R.R. Martin's Game of Thrones.

At any rate, it's a pleasure to meet you all, and I'm hoping to find some good books to read. I'm excited as it seems fantasy has finally come into it's own. I'm seeing less derivative works and more original stuff, so if you have any suggestions, please pass them on.

Thanks all!

[pauliree]

Hi All

I am a long time reader of both Science Fiction and Fantasy but find I always gravitate to the fantasy sections in bookshops. I have been a fantasy reader since I was very young, starting with fairie tales, working my way through greek mythology and then joy of joys the eighties hit and high fantasy actually became popular. I think my passion truly started with a little series called 'The Belgariad' by David Eddings.

While I can't read it now as I find it is not adult enough for me it still holds a special place in my heart.

My true loves at the moment are Robin Hobb (whom I met recently such a lovely lady), LE Modessit Jnr, Tanya Huff and Harry Turtledove.

My all time favourite fantasy novel though is 'The Curse of Chalion' by Lois McMaster Bujold. She is mainly known for her SF Vorkosigan series but this fantasy novel is one of the best I have ever read and I can and do reread it every year.

Hope to get some good recommendations from this group.

Cheers

Paula

[Robert]

I read and write both SF and F. I tend to read whatever strikes me as interesting. I've read a good bit of the original Conan stories, The Hobbit and LOTR, Lisa Shearin's books, etc. Check my book list. :)

I'd like to read more, but cash is tight. I am keeping my eyes out. I've posted a couple reviews of small press fantasy recently, and I'll have at least one more up by the end of the month.

[Dave]

Hi, fantasy lovers. I am David, from Amsterdam, the Netherlands and I am a fantasy addict.

My first brush with fantasy after Tolkien was WoT by Robert Jordan. I read them in English, and afterwards reading fantasy in Dutch seems somehow silly.

Apart from Tolkien and Jordan, I really love GRRM, Robin Hobb, Pratchett and David Gemmell. Recently, I have discovered some very good indie Fantasy as well.

I'm happy to be here at GR and get recomendations.

[Mark]

Hello all,

I joined the group a little while ago and have only just thought to introduce myself. I'm an avid reader from Leeds, GB and my favourites genres are fantasy, Sci-fi and historical fiction. I was first introduced to proper fantasy when mt grandparents bought me The Hobbit closely followed by The Lord of the Rings.

Since then I've enjoyed lots of fantasy with some of my favourite authors being Terry Pratchett, David Gemmell and Terry Brooks and more recently, Joe Abercombie, Paul Kearney, Christopher Paolini and Naomi Novak to name a few. Although I try to mix it up and alternate between books of different genres, fantasy tends to make up the bulk of what I read. Also I would argue that much of the sci-fi I read seems to have strong elements of fantasy such as Peter F Hamilton's Void trilogy, the Warhammer 40,000 novels, Dan Simmon's novels and others.

Recently I have discoved Brandon Sanderson and devoured his Mistborn trilogy in short order. With the Game of Thrones TV show coming out I have been reminded to pick up the book which I have been meaning to do for some time. Through this group I picked up Patrick Rothfuss's The Name of the Wind which I enjoyed immensely.

[Sandra]

Hi everyone! Welcome.

[Shantique]

Hello! My name is Shantique. Im so... excited to finally be able to talk to individuals that love to read and that love the type of books I enjoy. For years I have been a big romance fan but now i have learned that Fantasy is my all time favorite category. It's kind of hard to express my happiness when i read to my friends and family because they don't understand my addiction to reading or they look at me like im just nuts! ugh! but im excited to be able to actually read something and have individuals who will not only have probably read it too but who will be able to comment back about the book. oh yeah this is my first time ever being in a book club.

p.s. sorry about the long intro!

[Sandra]

Welcome. And that's not long!

[Shantique]

lol!how long have you been a member?

[Sandra]

Shantique wrote: "lol!how long have you been a member?"

Of Goodreads? Dec 2009? I think. Joined this club soon after.

[Roshio]

Shantique wrote: "Hello! My name is Shantique. Im so... excited to finally be able to talk to individuals that love to read and that love the type of books I enjoy. For years I have been a big romance fan but now i ..."

aah I remember when I read my first fantasy book and fell in love with the genre, (Thank you Robert Jordan!!). Its a great feeling, plus all the books you've yet to read, yum! hehe hope you enjoy it here at the club and on Goodreads!!

[Nick]

Hello All,

I'm a big fantasy and science fiction fan. For science fiction, I've enjoyed mainly Michael Crichton's works, and The Swarm by Frank Schatzing. I've read a lot more fantasy, and enjoy it even more.

George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire really got me into fantasy and has stayed my number 1 series but I've also really liked Patrick Rothfuss' King Killer Chronicles, Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn, Joe Abercrombie's The First Law Trilogy, Brent Weeks' The Night Angel Trilogy and Scott Lynch's Gentleman Bastard.

I've also enjoyed Farseer, Lord of the Rings, Prince of Nothing, The Long Price Quartet, Acacia, American Gods and The Adamantine Palace. Since coming here to Goodreads, I've already been recommended to read Malazan, and I do plan on reading many other of these fantasy authors.

A Dance with Dragons will come before all else though. :)

[Shantique]

Roshio wrote: "Shantique wrote: "Hello! My name is Shantique. Im so... excited to finally be able to talk to individuals that love to read and that love the type of books I enjoy. For years I have been a big roma..."


I know the feeling it was so amazing.At first i was confused. My first real fantasy book probably had to be Harry Potter but my first Fantasy book that captivated me was C.L wilson "Lord of the Fading Lands". I had never had anything about fey people.So I had to use my imagination about their apperances. Im so...excited about all the fantasy books that are out there just waiting to be read by me.Do u know any books that are really good to read?

[Shantique]

Nick wrote: "Hello All,

I'm a big fantasy and science fiction fan. For science fiction, I've enjoyed mainly Michael Crichton's works, and The Swarm by Frank Schatzing. I've read a lot more fantasy, and enjoy i..."

I have heard that A Song of Ice and fire is good, but i just have not read it jet I guess i am scared that it wont be good as everyone has said.

[Shantique]

Billthebloody wrote: "Hello all,

I joined the group a little while ago and have only just thought to introduce myself. I'm an avid reader from Leeds, GB and my favourites genres are fantasy, Sci-fi and historical ficti..."

I havent really found out of are some of my favorite author's yet. I used to be a big contemporary romance and just plain romance kind of girl but know i know my heart lies with fantasy.

[Becca]

Hi everyone :) My names Becca and I'm from south Wales in the UK. I am an avid reader, always a book in hand, and I love to read historical fiction and fantasy. I am an absolute lord of the rings and tolkien fanatic, and I read the lotr once every year! I also love the hobbit, the silmarillion is hard to read but full of fantastic stories, showing the depth of tolkien's world and I really enjoyed the children of hurin. I also love Terry Brooks and Christopher Paolini. I've devoured some of the dragonlance books, and have numerous un-read books sitting on my bookshelf such as Robin Hobb, Susanna Clarke, Andrzej Sapkowski and Stan Nicholls. At the moment I am completely immersed in the Game of Thrones book. I am enjoying it so much and am only half way through but the second book is on its way from amazon! I am obsessed with reading and wish to have an entire library of books in my future home!! I am open to suggestions regarding books that I should read next!

[Nathan]

Hello everyone,
My name is Nathan, I'm from St. Louis, Missouri and my taste in literature hasn't changed since I was 14 years old. I love science fiction, fantasy, and basically anything involving a protagonist wandering about kicking ass.
I'm currently unemployed, which I like to think less as a crippling financial circumstance, and more as an opportunity catch up on my reading!
I'm coming off an Asimov binge with a Gaimon chaser, and I've recently read the group's book of the month, but I welcome any other book suggestions. Also, feel free to add me as a friend; I'm brand new to Good Reads I could use some buds with similar tastes.
Thanks for having me! =]

[Sandra]

I like your way of looking at things, Nathan. Welcome.

[Dave]

Hi Shantique,

A Song of Ice and Fire is good in my view, but I know people who have thrown the first book away in disgust, and I can understand that too.

Perhaps tell us what is what you like about fantasy (I don't do sci-fi) and books in general, so maybe I or someone else can make recommendations? Do you prefer character-driven novels, or plot-driven. Does the fantasy has to be classic (medieval fantasy) or contemporary/urban (wizards in modern society), etc.

[Dave]

Nathan wrote: "... fantasy, and basically anything involving a protagonist wandering about kicking ass. ..."
LOL, I'll feel free to add you as friend, based on this quote.

[Shantique]

Dave wrote: "Hi Shantique,

A Song of Ice and Fire is good in my view, but I know people who have thrown the first book away in disgust, and I can understand that too.

Perhaps tell us what is what you like a..."

Actually lol I probably should be asking myself those questions first because unfortunately I cant even answer those questions. lol! I think once I can answer those questions I will be able to find great books for myself. Right now im just reading whatever I get my hands on and if it has a series to it then I just read all of those.

[Kelly]

Hi everyone!
I joined the club a little while ago but haven't gotten around to introducing myself yet. I live in Palmer, Alaska. I joined goodreads while in between books and was hoping to get some good ideas on what to read next and now my list is so long I almost feel overwhelmed. It's a damn nice feeling!
Fav authors are George Martin, Steven Erikson, Kate Elliott, Raymond Feist & L.E. Modesitt Jr.

[Bonnie]

Hi Kelly, I'll be in Homer at the end of the month. Please make sure the weather is perfect for my arrival. Oh, and welcome.

[Fay]

Hi! My name is Fay and I'm from New Zealand. I have always been a fantasy book reader from right when I was young. Some of my fave authors are: Barbara Hambly, Anne Bishop, Terry Goodkind, Raymond E Feist, Sara Douglass and Terry Brooks, just to name a few!

I'm always after suggestions of good books to read and I look forward to getting to know everyone x

[Ron]

Okay, here I go...

Hello everyone, I am Ron (which is short for Veronica, not for Ronnald, but shhh... it'll be our little secret) and I am a Spaniard translator who chose her carreer because it'd allow her to be close to books.

As a reader, I favor fantasy though I can be seen reading outside the genre (mostly classics, I guess, or historical fiction) and when I'm not reading nor working I like to take my chances with the writing art.

I might not be too good at it but, at least, I'm a better writer than guitarist (which, yes, is the other thing I do on a daily basis), and since it makes less noise, the written word is a passion which has always been encouraged by my loved ones.

I look forward to meet you in some interesting thread, and to discuss our favorite genre together!

Ron

[Dave]

Ron wrote: "Okay, here I go...

Hello everyone, I am Ron (which is short for Veronica, not for Ronnald, but shhh... it'll be our little secret) and I am a Spaniard translator who chose her carreer because it'..."

Hi Ron. Nice to meet you.

Do you mainly read Fantasy in English? And how about your writing?

I am Dutch, and I try to write in English. I have tried to read fantasy in Dutch and it just doesn't feel right.

[Kelly]

Bonnie wrote: "Hi Kelly, I'll be in Homer at the end of the month. Please make sure the weather is perfect for my arrival. Oh, and welcome."
Why wait till the end of the month? It's sunny and beautiful today! Rain coming tomorrow though. So you'd better hurry.

[Ron]

Dave wrote: Hi Ron. Nice to meet you.
Do you mainly read Fantasy in English? And how about your writing?

Hi Dave! Nice to meet you as well!

Yes, I read mainly in English - I started in Spanish, back in those days when I could not string a sentence together in English, but the translations are not too good: Spanish is a slower language, less action and more description, and that, compounded with a few other factors, makes most translated works a pain to wade through. As for original fantasy, the genre has never been too big here in Spain, so most books that get published are for children.

I guess those reading habits have influenced me a lot, because I do try to write in English as well. The results are... colorful? (laughs) I know I still make mistakes, but I feel like I can write better prose in English, and I hope to improve all the lacking areas.

How about your writing? Do you feel English suits your stories better, or was there another reason for you? I don't know much about the market up there!

[Dave]

Ron wrote: "Hi Dave! Nice to meet you as well!

Yes, I read mainly in English - I started in Spanish, ..."
Dutch is not a very poetic language, nor does it flow very well. I always loved English, and started reading English books at a young age.

But specifically with fantasy, I can only read in English. Fantasy somehow reads childish in Dutch, for lack of a better word. As for writing, I have joined an online critique group some years ago, and it has improved my writing tremendously. Sent me a message, if you are interested in it.

[Kelly]

Ron wrote: "but the translations are not too good: Spanish is a slower language, less action and more description, and that, compounded with a few other factors, makes most translated works a pain to wade through. ..."

I tried reading some books by "Valerio Massimo Manfredi" Granted it's Italian and not Spanish but they were just awful. And it must have been because of the translation. The sentence structure was so distracting and the vocabulary was very elementary. It took all the joy out of reading it. I would think that in order to truly translate a story well one would have to be an excellent writer in both languages. Literal translations straight from one language to another just don't come through very well.

[Dave]

Kelly wrote: "I would think that in order to truly translate a story well one would have to be an excellent writer in both languages. Literal translations straight from one language to another just don't come through very well. "
Very well put, Kelly. The translation issues certainly play a large role in it.

[Ron]

Dave wrote: "Dutch is not a very poetic language, nor does it flow very well. I always loved English,..."

Childish is an excellent choice of word to express what happens with most fantasy in Spanish. And I would love to know more about that group, so I'll be contacting you right off!

Kelly wrote: "I tried reading some books by "Valerio Massimo Manfredi" Granted it's Italian and not Spanish but they were just awful. And it must have been because of the translation."

While I haven't read that particular series, I recall a distinctly unpleasant experience with a series what would translate into English as "Chronicles of the Emerging World" and which had several big issues originally in Italian.

But that's just me sidetracking: translating is difficult (hey, there's a reason that we dedicate four years of University life to it!) and I'm sure that the title you refer to had a problem in that area: Italian and English make for a complicated combination, because the former has a particular cadence, and a notorious overuse of emphasis particles, so I can imagine the results.

And I think I had better stop the "professional rambling mode" before I conquer this thread for unrightful purposes (laughs). Still, the topic is interesting so if you'd like to discuss it further... (or if you think we're not going to get sent to a corner for the not-quite-introductory discussion)I'm here!

[Sandra]

Maybe you guys should take this discussion to another place. This thread is for introductions.

[Dave]

Sandra aka Sleo wrote: "Maybe you guys should take this discussion to another place. This thread is for introductions."
Sorry, you're right.
We just did.