Fantasy Book Club discussion

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Group business and info > Introductions - tell us a little about yourself

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message 1601: by Dierdra (new)

Dierdra McGill (dierdramcgill) Hi everyone! My name is Dierdra. I am 30 years old and live in TN. :)
I love to read all sorts of books and I really love Fantasy even tho I just started reading it about a year ago or so... *gasp* I had NO idea what I was missing!
Feel free to add me to friends can't wait to get to know you all!


message 1602: by Emelie (new)

Emelie Camelot wrote:

Just wondering: did you continue to write after your interest in fantasy went on hiatus?


I did. I managed to be active in a text based fantasy role play even though I didn't read the genre any more, but mostly I wrote modern time stories or historical pieces. I never stopped writing. Writing, as well as reading, has been such a big part of me since I was a child so I could never stop doing any of it, even though the interest and lust swaggers from time to time.


message 1603: by Thomas (new)

Thomas Dent Hi all. My name is Tom. I live in Colorado and have my whole life. Like most of the other posts I've read my fantasy fiction addiction started with Tolkien when I was knee high to a grass hopper. My favorite authors include:
Tolkien (obviously)
Jordan
Goodkind
Brent Weeks
Patrick Rothfuss
Brandon Sanderson
George Martin (though I didnt enjoy the latest installment)
I look forward to finding and exploring new authors through this group.


message 1604: by Sandra (new)

Sandra  (sleo) | 1913 comments Welcome welcome! Hope you have fun here. :)


message 1605: by Durangokid (new)

Durangokid Hi,I'm James and it was the HBO series Game Of Thrones that started me off on fantasy - all that gritty was too good to miss!

Not all fantasy is going to appeal to me (fussy-fussy!) but so far I've read a variety, from the robust Joe Abercrombie to the more classic Robin Hobb, who really knows how to give grief to her hero.

Goodreads was a gem of a find and the reviews are not to be missed. What more can I say?


message 1606: by Sandra (new)

Sandra  (sleo) | 1913 comments Hi, James. Welcome!


message 1607: by John (new)

John Beachem | 373 comments Wow, missed a bunch of new folks again. Welcome to Melissa, Emile, Dierdra, Tom and James. Phew. Hope I didn't miss anyone. Hope you all have fun in our massive group :).


message 1608: by Daniel (new)

Daniel (dan_reilly) Hello Group!
I am Daniel, an avid reader of fantasy, thrillers, and anything in general that pulls my heart strings. I live in the Seacoast region of New Hampshire and stumbled upon this group while rooting around GoodReads for The Dragonbone Chair. I have recently finished that novel and had to join as you people obviously have good taste;-)


The FountainPenDiva, Old school geek chick and lover of teddy bears (thefountainpendiva) Greetings and salutations all:

The Vixenne here. A Wrinkle in Time was the first fantasy novel I read as a child and from that point it has been my genre of choice. I like fantasy because of the strong heroines often found within the pages. Some of my favorite authors are Anne Mc Caffrey, Marion Zimmer Bradley, Suzy McKee Charnas, Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, Jacqueline Carey,Ellen Kushner, but that doesn't mean I don't like the guys too, LOL. In fact if I named all my favorite books, it would take up several pages.

I do like the more traditional urban fantasy as written by Charles de Lint, Emma Bull and Guy Gavriel Kay. I don't like the newer stuff that tends to be more romance than fantasy and features the same old tropes.


message 1610: by Scott (new)

Scott Bury (scottbury) | 16 comments Got to agree with The Vixenne: I like Guy Gavriel Kay, too, and the romantic vampire stuff strikes me as pandering to Hollywood in hopes of a big movie deal more than anything else. And I am getting tired of the same thing. My kids read some of the Warcraft books, which is just packaging Tolkien's characters into a video game. Why make books out of them? Because they'll sell to kids. I don't mind when publishers make money, but as for reading, it's a waste of time, IMO.
I like to see different takes and different approaches to fantasy.


message 1611: by Amos (new)

Amos Fairchild (amostfairchild) I agree, scott, but when you do try something different it can be very hard to market as it doesn't fit into one of the slots everyone is expecting, so it can be hard. Speaking from experience. lol. But I personally prefer to read something a little outside the box.


message 1612: by Paul (new)

Paul Vanderloos (paulvanderloos) Hello to my fantasy loving colleagues. I now live in Mackay, Queensland, Australia, on the Pacific east coast, but grew up in Brisbane many moons ago. I think my love of fantasy really was realised when I read the Hobbit, then Lord of the Rings. The classics of fantasy, for sure. I have since read the Magician series and Empire series of Raymond Feist as well as a sprinkling of Azimov and a few others. Tolkien inspired me as a fantasy writer but I did not want to just be a clone of his worlds and peoples (elves, dwarves etc) so I created my own peoples. Very enjoyable. I spent a year writing the initial draft, becoming completely absorbed by these worlds. Many years later, I am rewriting book 2 in the series but yet to become a successful author. But I do love the escape!


message 1613: by Amos (new)

Amos Fairchild (amostfairchild) Although I have read the Hobbit and LOTR and other works more than once, I don't read a lot of heavy Fantasy, but there is a lot of good stuff around the edges. Take a fun read like Alan Dean Foster's Spellsinger series as an example. That sort of thing. Other than that I also like a lot of pure scifi as well as a fusion of scifi/fantasy, which a lot of pieces are really. For now I am reading only indie books. It's a conscious choice to support new authors out there, people who need it more than big names (or dead people for that matter), and it also gives an opportunity to read some really fresh new stuff that can hit the old genre sideways with a splatter of well ground eyeballs and give it a whole new look... Meanwhile I write about pretty much whatever comes in my head. Sometimes that can be a little worrisome. lol.


message 1614: by Foulu (new)

Foulu i guess i'll be the next. i'm fais. i'm indonesian and have lived in jakarta. i like erago - inheritance trilogy and still waiting for the next book, harry potter and clockwork trilogy.


message 1615: by Camelot (new)

Camelot (tasteslikerainbow) Foulu09 wrote: "i guess i'll be the next. i'm fais. i'm indonesian and have lived in jakarta. i like erago - inheritance trilogy and still waiting for the next book, harry potter and clockwork trilogy."

OH HAI I LIKE HARRY POTTER TOO.


message 1616: by John (new)

John Beachem | 373 comments A warm welcome to Vixenne and Paul. Glad to have you as members of the group :-).


message 1617: by [deleted user] (new)

Hello everyone!

My Name is Linda and I am all new in this community. I cannot say why I havn't joined earlier, 'cause I'm a real glutton for books... ;)

In the last time I tried to write my own fantasy stories, I dreamed of for this a long long times... So, just wanna say hi!
You can check out my blog http://www.enigmainyou.blogspot.com if you want to know more and see what I am doing ;)

Cheers!
Linda


message 1618: by Andrew (new)

Andrew Hi Everyone,

My name is Andy and i only started reading for pleasure about 6 months ago and fantasy is definitely my genre. I have just finished the painted man and desert spear which to date are my favorite.I joined the site and group to gain some insight into who to read and the different types of fantasy that is out there. Any recommendations would be great. Looking forward to get to know you all and getting involved with the monthly read.


message 1619: by Reanna (new)

Reanna (lunaesol) Hi Everyone,

My name is Reanna and I've been reading pretty much anything I could get my hands on since I was little. Some of my first books, besides early readers (which I grew out of quickly), were a combination of Stephen King, science fiction, and fantasy.

I've been sticking with paranormal fiction for the last few years and want to get back to my fantasy roots so to speak. I don't have a lot of time, but I read every chance I get. Even if it is only for 5 mins here and 30 mins there. =) I'm currently reading Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series and Harry Potter. I believe that my next series will most likely be the Discworld series because 1) I have the books and 2) the reviews have been really positive.


message 1620: by Dave (new)

Dave Brandon wrote: "One of the problems I've been having recently is that since I have a high reading level and I like reading some books not marketed to children and YA I'm trying to avoid reading books with explicit sex and I may ask you guys every now and then if a certain book has sex in it. Thanks a lot!"
Hi Brandon, and welcome. I believe the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan (last books co-authored by Sanderson) is pretty clean from that perspective. And you should stay away from Game of Thrones and the Sword of Truth series by Goodkind.


message 1621: by Traci (new)

Traci @ Daulton and Brandon,
Talk about difficult recommendations. Lol. Actually I admire both of your dedication. Off the top of my head I've got two for you. Howl's Moving Castle. If that's a little too girlie looking for you try The Chronicles of Chrestomanci: Volume I or The Dark Lord of Derkholm. I think those should be safe for both of you. My other recommendation is Over Sea, Under Stone. The first in a series. It's a very religious friendly read with good vs evil themes like the Narnia books. I like these better though. The Dark Is Rising is the second book and better than the first imo. You can also read The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. I'm sorry that I'm naming all young adult books. My mind is a blank for anything else at the moment. You can always ask for recommendations by making a thread I think. Might be a good idea for other readers like yourselves.


message 1622: by Traci (new)

Traci Wheel of Time might not be a good choice for Daulton.
(view spoiler)


message 1623: by Solomon (new)

Solomon (soladair) Hello Everyone , My name is Solomon. I'm new to reading for pleasure,and found I'm quite fond of it. My first venture to the book store lead straight to the fantasy section where after thirty minutes of admiring everything that section had to offer i found myself purchasing Name Of The Wind,and was hooked . I finished that as well as The Wise Man's Fear. I;m somewhat unhip as what to read in this genre thats why im here looking for suggestions. I hope to be spending more time with my new found love which is fantasy fiction.


message 1624: by Likos (new)

Likos X (likosx) Hi everyone!
I've got admit that I haven't read a lot of Fantasy, except the books that I read when I was young: Tolkien's classics (The Hobbit and LOTR), something about the Howards' Cimmerian and the Moorcock's series of Elric.
But now, after readings of different kind and a SciFi summer with P.K.Dick, I've come back to Fantasy... I've just finished (and enjoyed) the first book of The First Law Trilogy (a friend's suggestion).
Then I think to read Tad Williams, Scott Bakker, Robin Hobb...
For now I left out two great authors/series:
- Martin, because I don't want to remain addicted of an unfinished series... (but I can't wait for... and I think that soon i'll read it, finished or not!) :D
- Erikson's Malazan, well... because I don't want (for now) read a ten-book series! :P


message 1625: by Sandra (new)

Sandra  (sleo) | 1913 comments Just a quick reminder for everyone that this thread is for introductions. For recommendations, we have a whole folder where you can ask for them, please.

Welcome to all the new people!


message 1626: by Marc (new)

Marc (authorguy) | 393 comments Brandon wrote: "Since you're new to the genre you should probably read The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. It is definitely a must-read for fans of the Genre. "

I would never send someone new to the genre to read LOTR. Yes it's a classic but it's not exactly the easiest read in the world. There are lots of series out there to start out with, and work your way up to LOTR if that's what suits you.


message 1627: by Amos (new)

Amos Fairchild (amostfairchild) hmm. LOTR is pretty easy really. He has a nice straight forward style. The Hobbit if you want complete entry level.


message 1628: by Amos (new)

Amos Fairchild (amostfairchild) Anyone with an affinity for the genre will devour LOTR. For those who prefer other styles then it may be more of a struggle.


message 1629: by Sandra (new)

Sandra  (sleo) | 1913 comments Please see post 1687 above for my reminder that this thread is for introductions. Confine your recommendations discussion to the folder provided for it!


message 1630: by M.M. (last edited Sep 11, 2011 01:14PM) (new)

M.M. Mancey Hi everyone, another newbie here :) Heard of Goodreads on Twitter and decided to take a peek and found this great group, thanks for letting me join.

Short intro: I love to read and write fantasy. I have been a bookworm from childhood. The first book I have been dying to read was LOTR but my dad didn't let me until I read the Hobbit. I wasn't so keen because the cover was not as interesting, but loved it anyway. I started my first book The Cripple and the Staff when I was about 18, but didn't finish it until now ages later, (life tends to get in the way) and I am a few chapters deep into the second book.

My fave authors include JRR Tolkein, Robin Hobb, George Martin, C S Lewis, Katherine Kerr etc and am always looking for more. Currently into P Rothfuss's series.


message 1631: by Kedar (new)

Kedar (kedark) | 7 comments Hey everyone,
I am a relatively new entrant to the fantasy genre. Though I had read the Harry Potter series before, it's the discovery of J. Stroud's 'Amulet of Samarkand' that brought my attention to this genre. (I have seen LoTR but not read the books as yet.) After that I soon discovered A Song of Ice and Fire. Quickly gobbled the first two books before HBO's show. Currently on Book 5. After this book, the whole world awaits. Hoping to get some good recommendations from this group.

Cheers!


message 1632: by John (new)

John Beachem | 373 comments Sorry all, I was gone for several days, and it looks like I missed a bunch of new arrivals. A warm welcome to all the new folks!


message 1633: by Red (new)

Red Tash (redtash) Thanks for the warm welcome! I have been slowly making my way through a big to-read stack this summer, while editing and publishing my own book. That takes up so much time! My favorite authors are listed on my profile, and it's an incomplete list, but it includes JK Rowling, Jonathan Stroud (who answered one of my tweets this week!), Holly Black, Melissa Marr, Neil Gaiman, Tolkein (he's not tweeting much these days, is he?) King, did I mention JK Rowling??? I got my Pottermore owl while I was out of town and had a freak-out because I had no internet. I'm now trying to avoid getting lost in it, because I've got so much work to do launching my book. I am loving that site, though! I've already "liked" more than one passage she's written, for example, giving background to why the Potters and the Dursleys were on the outs. I hope somewhere in there she reveals why Harry had no grandparents, considering how young his parents and aunt were. Anyway, I digress. Just a quick note to say hello! I lean on Goodreads to help me choose which book to read next, so I'll probably be more of a reader than a participant, but I'm definitely here reading along, and clicking "like."


Red


message 1634: by Jamie (new)

Jamie Hello everyone, My name is Jamie and I'm from London.
I first foray into Fantasy was David Eddings Pawn of Prophecy after which I was hooked to the genre. Some of my favourite authors are the usual suspects being Robert Jordan, Steven Erikson and George R.R Martin.
I am looking forward to the monthly reads, currently doing a reread of the dragonbone chair(just finished part one) and will hopefully have a copy of prince of thorns in time for next months read.


message 1635: by John (new)

John Beachem | 373 comments Hi Jamie, welcome to the group. Always nice to meet another Martin/Erikson fan :).


message 1636: by Chris (new)

Chris (escapistreads) Hi, folks. I've been reading fantasy fiction since I was given a copy of the first Dragonlance Chronicles novel way back when I was in junior high.

Since then I've read many, many more books in the genre. Some of my favorite authors are George R.R. Martin, Robert Jordan, Tad Williams, C.S. Friedman, Robin Hobb and many others.

I'm new to Goodreads, but looking forward to some fun discussions and meeting like-minded folks!


message 1637: by Phyllis (new)

Phyllis Mcclain I'm Phyllis from California. I'm a mother of two, and I aboslutely love to read.


message 1638: by John (new)

John Beachem | 373 comments Hi Chris and Phyllis, welcome to the group. Phyllis, what are some books and authors you enjoy?


message 1639: by Mate77 (last edited Sep 19, 2011 01:18PM) (new)

Mate77 Hi everyone, I'm Mate and I'm from Croatia. Love to read almost everything but fantasy is what I enjoy most. I began reading fantasy in high school when I was introduced to R.A. Salvatore's Forgotten Realms books, since then I branched out a lot. My favourite authors in the fantasy genre would be G.R.R. Martin, Robert E. Howard and Guy Gavriel Kay, Tolkien is also there of course.
Just started with this whole Goodreads thing, hope it will introduce me to new authors and new books.


message 1640: by Phyllis (new)

Phyllis Mcclain I like a lot of the same authors that have been mentioned here a few times: Robert Jordan, George R.R. Martin, Jim Butcher, etc. My favorite fantasy book is Villains by Necessity by Eve Forward. I remember the first time I read it, and thinking that it had such an original and itneresting concept.

I am always looking for new stuff to read, and I've already picked up a few good suggestions by just browsing these forums!


message 1641: by R.L. (new)

R.L. Hays (rldavishays) Hello all,
I was guided to Goodreads by a friend and so far, I admit to being a bit overwhelmed. This is a wonderful site; and since fantasy is one of my favorite genres, I hope that I can keep up with the activity here. I have loved fairy-tales and all things fantastical since childhood (many moons ago) and count Lord of the Rings and Narnia as some of my earliest influences. I do enjoy darker stories with more character study now, but I still love a good adventure-no matter how many books it takes to tell the tale (ie: Dragonlance, and Deathgate Cycle).

But, I beg forgiveness if I do not post often, as I don't get online much, and I am not one to "speak up" unless "inspired" or asked. I'm shy (even on the internet!) :)


message 1642: by Quick ben (new)

Quick ben (senseiping) | 13 comments Hi I am Krishna from India, I've been a lifelong fantasy fan starting with the Hindu mythological books,the first English fantasy book I read was the lord of the rings and I never looked back.my favorite authors are Brandon Sanderson,G.R.R Martin,Tolkien,Jim Butcher and Steven Erickson to name a few.it's great to be here and I am looking forward to discovering new books.


message 1643: by Charles (new)

Charles (charliewhip) | 223 comments Greetings to Mate, Phyllis, Ruth, Chris, and Krishna
Welcome to your club. We have lots of fun here, and the discussions are often interesting, perceptive and enlightening. Enjoy


message 1644: by John (new)

John Beachem | 373 comments Hi Ruth, Mate and Krishna. Welcome to the group. Phyllis, glad you were able to pick up some good recommendations from the group.


message 1645: by Ally (new)

Ally (ally_bae) Hello! Ally, here. I'm from Northern Michigan and I've been devouring fantasy books since I first started hanging out in the nearest public library. Works by J.R.R. Tokien, Melanie Rawn, Terry Brooks, Mercedes Lackey, C.S. Friedman, Patricia Kennealy and Anne McCaffrey hold a special place in my heart. Yet as of late, I've been quite engrossed with Tad Williams, in particular, his series: Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn.

For me, the books I most enjoy have well-defined characters with internal motives driving them towards growth. Flawed characters are the best!!! I guess that means I have a soft spot for anti-heros =)

Anywho --- glad to join, and I hope everyone is enjoying some great reads.


message 1646: by Richard (new)

Richard Radgoski | 11 comments Hello - New to the group. Lots of updates coming my way, so trying to wade through. I'm moderately new to Goodreads (this year) and have been very happy with the website. I love being able to catelogue my books.

I'm 45, Married, Father of 2 teen boys. I have been reading since I can remember...but my love of fantasy stems from reading the Lord of the Rings in 8th grade. I lost my entire summer to Tolkien, and have never regretted it. I think every book I read is now a search for that same feeling.

My favorite authors include
Tolkien (obviously)
Kathrine Kurtz (Deryni series)
Melanie Rawn (Sunrunner series)
Alexander Kent (Historical Fiction)
Matt Reilly (Modern day action fiction)
Piers Anthony (Xanth)
Frank Herbert (Dune)
Dennis McKiernan (Mithgar)
Anne McCaffrey (Pern)
Robert E Howard (Conan)

to name a few.

A few more recent books I've really enjoyed

Leviathan Wakes (Sci Fi)
Name of the Wind
The Way of Kings

Both Sanderson and Rothfus are on my list of authors to watch.


message 1647: by Charles (new)

Charles (charliewhip) | 223 comments Ally wrote: "Hello! Ally, here. I'm from Northern Michigan and I've been devouring fantasy books since I first started hanging out in the nearest public library. Works by J.R.R. Tokien, Melanie Rawn, Terry Br..."

Hi, Ally, and welcome to the club! I couldn't help but notice that you like well-defined characters who grow and change. One of our author/members kind of specializes in character development and their personal evolution. She also writes a heck of a story, full of unfolding mysteries. That is Janny Wurts. Her epic series, The Wars of Light and Shadow, begins with Curse of the Mistwraith.


message 1648: by Tim (new)

Tim (thanksforallthefish) Hi, all. I joined Goodreads some time ago, but just this week felt compelled to join some groups; to seek out fellow science-fiction and fantasy readers and to discover more books to read.

I got into fantasy probably from the beginning of my reading days as a child with Roald Dahl, Madeline L'Engle, L. Frank Baum and Maurice Sendak. I expanded into J.R.R. Tolkien, Piers Anthony, Robert Howard, and Edgar Rice Burroughs in the late 70s.

I have been on a Dystopia kick for the last couple of years, but Fantasy is still near and dear and I am reading the Thomas Covenant Chronicles right now. I have read all the Song of Ice and Fire books, just for the record. ;) Anyway, I am glad to be here and hope I can contribute something positive.


message 1649: by Ally (new)

Ally (ally_bae) Charles wrote: "I couldn't help but notice that you like well-defined characters who grow and change. One of our author/members kind of specializes in character development and their personal evolution. She also writes a heck of a story, full of unfolding mysteries. That is Janny Wurts. Her epic series, The Wars of Light and Shadow, begins with Curse of the Mistwraith..."

I will have to check her out. Thank you!


message 1650: by atmatos (new)

atmatos Hey all!
I have been addicted to fantasy after reading The Last Unicorn in 5th grade. Then having my addiction reenforced by reading and falling in love with Robin McKinley's The Blue Sword, which I have to reread every so often.
I then moved up to David Eddings' series The Belgariad, The Malloreon, The Elenium, and The Tamuli in High School and finding another series that I have to reread every few years.
Of late I have been loving Patrick Rothfuss' King Killer series and The Legend of Eli Monpress series by Rachel Aaron.
I am always looking for a good book so if anyone has any recommendations you are more than welcome to share!
:)


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