Sword and Laser Fan: Where to start?

[Steve]

Hello everyone,

First off I must say I am a recent fan to this show and I love that everyone's discussions here are such a big part of what makes this show fantastic.

Unfortunately I have a problem, as a newcomer I am not sure where to start with a lot of the discussions and books I should read. I have been very fearful to read a lot of the books that are staples of this podcast and group as I have only read more of the mainstream sci-fi / fantasy books. I read Star Trek, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Hunger Games, Walking Dead, type books and I've always have stuck with those. I have branched out to more podcast authors (such as Scott Sigler, Tee Morris, and such) and even an Orson Scott Card or two (Enders Game being my fave Sci-Fi book). But when I see titles like Hyperion or Tigana, I don't know if it's something I will enjoy. I am a simple reader to be honest and I can only read on my commute to work so something that has a lot of language, characters, or long chapters I can't get through as there are many times I have to start and stop reading.

So my question to the community is, what books are easier for a mainstream sci-fi/fantasy reader like myself can read to get my feet wet into the giant world of this genre?

Please help.

As always I remain, obediently yours.

Steve

[[deleted user]]

Read Ready Player One. It's one of the shorter books we've read, plus they just interviewed the author on the video show.

[Stuart]

The Name of the Wind and The Lies of Locke Lamora are other picks that are pretty approachable, and broken up into fairly short chapters so there are lots of convenient places to stop reading.

If you haven't already, it might be worth trying Hyperion, Tigana or one of the others as an audio book (use the Audible free trial that's advertised on every podcast!). The difference between reading more complex writing and hearing a professional narrate it can be absolutely amazing.

[Steve]

Ready Player One does sound awesome actually. I did watch that episode, too bad the audio on skype wasn't super great.

Never heard of The Name of the Wind or The Lies of Locke Lamora but the authors sound familiar. Thanks for the suggestions!

I never thought about that as far as using Audible for complex books. I do love listening to my iPhone on the commute so splitting it up like that might be a good idea. I prefer to read on my eReader but hearing a more complex book might be a better idea.

Thank you!

Anyone else with suggestions? I'm starting a list! haha

[Jane]

Im very glad you started this thread steve as im newish to the sword and laser shows and forumns, ive read star wars, red dwarf and dragon age books and want to branch out with my sci-fi and fantasy reading but have been wondering where to start so im interested to see some of the comments here too :)

[Ian]

Honestly guys give Tigana a try it's a great book and something I recommend to anyone whether you like fantasy or not. It's a bit old but very good, give it a shot.

[Napoez3]

Although I love "Lies of Locke Lamora", and Red Seas Under Red Skies (the second book in the series), it might be better to start with a book that isn't part of a series, like "Tigana", and you'll be able to follow the reading with the rest of the group, that's the fun part of reading groups! :D


Scott Lynch (the author of "Lies of Locke Lamora") had an interview with Ve and Tom a few podcast before starting the video show, awesome interview, if you read Lies of Locke Lamora, you should give it a listen, it will convince you to read Red Seas Under Red Skies... and The Republic of Thieves when it comes out.

[Scott]

Steve wrote: "I am a simple reader to be honest and I can only read on my commute to work so something that has a lot of language, characters, or long chapters I can't get through as there are many times I have to start and stop reading.

So my question to the community is, what books are easier for a mainstream sci-fi/fantasy reader like myself can read to get my feet wet into the giant world of this genre? "

Great question Steve, and one that resonates with me because up to this point I've read mostly...um...consumer sci-fi and fantasy. (Truckload of Star Trek, Star Wars, etc.) Oh, I've read Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion, which are somewhat more advanced, but by and large I've read mental bubble gum. At any rate, I joined Sword and Laser to challenge myself to expand my familiarity with these genres. I just know that I've been missing out on some great stuff.

One thing I've found out with regard to venturing into the wider world of these two genres: look at lists of current and past Hugo and Nebula award winners. The Hugo award is from fans, and the Nebula is awarded by the professional writing community (as I understand it). It seems to me that if I want to find a pretty safe bet for my money and reading time, these award winning books are the place to look.

Anyway, from one novice to another, good luck and good reading! If you hit on some gems, let me know!

[Steve]

Thank you all for the advice and suggestions. This is why I love the community. Always a helping hand ;) Thank you! Thank you!

[Tassie Dave, S&L Historian]

I'd agree with the suggested books so far.
Jump in on the next book Tigana that way you can join in on the discussions while it is current (June 1 - 30).

There are some great books that we have read for Sword and Laser.
http://swordandlaser.wikia.com/wiki/B...

Most are reader friendly. Books like Anathem and Memoirs Found in a Bathtub might not be books you jump into straight away. Anathem is a great book but not what you'd call a mainstream sci-fi book. Memoirs Found in a Bathtub didn't coin the term we use for giving up on a book for nothing ;-)

Some of my favourites from that list which I would recommend would be Bitter Seeds, Daemon and The Blade Itself (Book 1 of the First Law Trilogy)

[Colin]

I think you should read Memoirs Found in a Bathtub, to see which side of the divide you fall.

[Aeryn98]

I have to agree with the recommendation to start with Tigana. Its a wonderfully written book and very engaging.

I have noticed since the tv show came out a lot of people who were on the edge (or not at all) scifi/fantasy readers have picked up the George R.R. Martin books. So, with that in mind, I don't believe you can go wrong with A Game of Thrones.
And you'll have a visual supplement.

Daemon is also a good introduction.

[[deleted user]]

Having just joined myself and was wondering the same thing, i recommend reading this months book of choice, i chose to buy last months towards the end of the month and will probably have to miss this months and regret that a little as i would have greatly liked to join in the discussions, but on a positive note im really enjoying hyperion.

[Micah]

Just dropping a handy link to the FAQ that Nick put up for any of the new people. Should be a good place to start if you are looking around.

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/8...