Former Introduction Thread Showing 5,151-5,200 of 6,846

[Jacquie]

Morning! (at least here, and now)

I`m Jacquie, 43-yr-old mom and Library Technician-in-training in Port Elgin, Ontario. I`ve been a science fiction fan since picking up The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy in grade 10 and realizing that there was SO MUCH MORE out there to read. I`ve been a fantasy fan since a friend introduced me to Wizard's First Rule and the Sword of Truth series, even though I abandoned that series halfway through. (still don`t know if Kahlan regained her memory, still don`t care) That series introduced me to so many others, and epic series have become my one true love.

That said, my favorite books in the world are almost exclusively SF - The Sparrow, The Gone-Away World, Starship Troopers, and Ender's Game (I like to pretend this is a standalone, kind of like how there is only one Matrix movie).

I look forward to `talking`to people who know different books than I do, and can introduce me to even more!

[Daniel]

Welcome, Jacquie! :)

[Neal]

Jacquie, welcome! And so sorry your introduction to high fantasy was through Wizards First Rule. :p

[Johan]

Hi all,
My name is Johan and I'm a scifi addict.

I've been one for as long as I can remember, and the first scifi book I remember reading was Heinlein's The Rolling Stones. I was about eight years old and I was watching the amazing French animated TV series "Once Upon a Time - Space" at the same time. Anyone remember that? Good stuff!
Who could ever resist such a wonderful combo? Not me, that's for sure.
Since then I've been in love with space and everything in it (yes, I am a very loving person) and finally I couldn't take it any more and I had to write my own scifi novel, Under a Dark Sky

I hope to discuss my love of scifi in general and the more hard edged and dark stuff in particular here. If there's anyone else out there with a penchant for Richard K. Morgan, Gavin G. Smith and Neal Asher et al, drop me a line!

Cheers,
Johan

[Daniel]

Johan wrote: "Hi all,
My name is Johan and I'm a scifi addict.

I've been one for as long as I can remember, and the first scifi book I remember reading was Heinlein's The Rolling Stones. I was about eight years..."

Welcome - I'd be delighted to share my scifi with you! :)

[Johan]

Daniel wrote: "Welcome - I'd be delighted to share my scifi with you! :) "

Thanks man :-)

[Charles]

My name is Charles Hash. I'm a very private person that doesn't like to talk about myself very much. I've just finished writing my first novel after years of struggling with writer's block. No concept ever seemed good enough to inspire me to put it on paper. I've written a few short stories, and started a novel in my 20s that I never finished for various reasons.

I like to explore the darker, grittier side of life. I don't like Mary Sues and Gary Stus. I don't believe 'the good old days' ever existed.

Later in life I drifted away from fiction, and more towards current events, developments in science and technology, politics and other random things. I gave up exploring the worlds others created for learning how to shape the real world around me. So I've been gone a long time, and could use some recommendations for...anything in the fantasy, horror, science fiction tropes that hang their hats on realism. I don't like being bogged down with insignificant details in what I read. As a writer and a reader, I feel as though fiction should be enjoyable, and even the most unrealistic concept still requires plausibility. But those are just my personal preferences for what I read and write.

In my writings, I explore hot button topics between my characters whenever possible. Transgendered characters, suicide, all of it is on the table, though I feel I am not overly gratuitous.

I look forward to discovering new, cutting edge work through here, possibly even something that may force me to rethink my own writing, resulting in an elevation of my own production.

I may start a thread about my book in another week, but I want to hang out here and participate first. Any critiques on my style and writing are welcome. I know what I write isn't for everyone.

[Nicki]

Hi one and all
I'm new to the group as of today.
My name is Nicola and I was born in England in 1982, but have lived in Australia for 7.5 years now.
I am both and reader and a writer of paranormal and fantasy works, and I look forward to follow some of the discussions in this group.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Hi, welcome.

[Andrew]

Hiya! I'm Andrew. I'm a PC game designer and part-time author. Like many others, I got my start with D&D books, such as Dragonlance and Forgotten Realms. Over time, my tastes have shifted toward settings with heavier world building and unique magic systems.


I enjoy "hard magic" fantasy novels, ala Brandon Sanderson, as well as anime and gaming inspired fantasy books like the Traveler's Gate Trilogy.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Welcome.

[Andrew]

Thanks!

[Marco]

Hi to all, well i'm Marco born in Italy and i had the idea of my book after i visited a castle in Slovakia in 2010, finally i published now after several years of trouble. I write fantasy because i always fascinated about medieval legends and time travels and machines about it.

I have read recently

the lord of the rings JRR Tolkien
the alchimist paulo coelho
dorian grey oscar wilde
the fingerprints of gods graham hancock
third eye t lobsang rampa
the mystery of holy graal graham hancock

some titles i translated from italian so sorry if not correct .
Looking forward to know more authors and readers here !

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Welcome.

[Marianne]

I'm Marianne Sullivan from western Kansas. I'm a retired remedial reading teacher, so I've had a fair amount of experience with YA books. I've loved science fiction since I was in middle school, but I read a lot of other genres, too. I'm not as much of a fantasy fan as I am of science fiction, although I will read both.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Hi, welcome.

[Marco]

thank you Mike :)

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Welcome.

[Justine]

That must be great working in a library, Jonathon. :) It's good to have a nice job that you enjoy to support your career (I have lots of writers and artists in the family so I get that).

[Fee]

Hi all, I'm Fee from Germany, I'm a copy editor, but because that's not enough reading right there I have to do more in my free time. I read more Fantasy than Sci-Fi, which I'm trying to remedy this year. I also want to read more Fantasy written by women.

Some books I've read lately:
Annihilation
Station Eleven
Division of the Marked
Assassin's Apprentice

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Hi, welcome.

[Sabrina]

Hi, I'm Sabrina from Switzerland and since my father read “Narnia” to me as a little girl, I’m hooked on fantasy books. I haven’t read much Sci-Fi yet, but always like the movies. So, I hope to discover some new fantasy and maybe Sci-Fi favourites...

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Hi Sabrina, welcome.

[Hiphop]

Greetings!
People call me Trevor (I don't know why) and I'm a very private person (a hermit), living in a cave in the urban jungles, with my aging dog and dusty old books. I had to keep up with the times so I got myself internet access and a computer.

I mostly read fantasy and horror but I will read anything that looks interesting. I started reading seriously when I was introduced to gamebooks (Fighting Fantasy), and the rest, as they say, is history. I recently just started a personal blog about... er... random things at "http://www.trevorclown.wordpress.com"

Have a nice day, everyone :)

[Doug]

I'm Doug. Born in 1956. I enjoy science fiction. Clarke, Heinlein, and Norton were my first authors. I especially enjoy military science fiction and fantasy, along with parallel or alternate histories. Stories which develop individuals and societies. I read a Lot! My collection spans over fifty years of books, comics, magazines and movies. A collection so large I can't display or store it in my current home. Accordingly it is in storage in various locations in two states. (Much to my wife's relief!) I've been a Farmer (growing up), Mechanic (1st tech degree), Army Military Policeman and Investigator (Detective) (Fun), Over the Road Big Rig Driver (almost as fun) and currently work as a press operator in an auto parts plant(Boring!). I do two things to relax. Read and Shoot. Reading - One to three books a week. I Shoot for fun now. In the past I shot in matches from local to international level and trained in various of the major shooting schools. Occasionally I give lessons to those who want to learn to really shoot and when my work schedule permits, I'm an instructor with 4H. I have two technical degrees and college courses in criminal justice, police science, psychology, sociology and military science. I'm married and have two daughters. Daughters who as much as they would deny it, understand me better than they suspect.

[Doug]

Stanislav wrote: "Hi, everyone. I'm a reader! I just joined the group today. My name is Stanislav (Stas). I was born in 1980. I live in Perm, Russia.
Reading is my favorite hobby. I joined this group cause I like ..."
I'm new here too. As for the language thing, don't worry. Things will get better with practice. I lived in Germany nearly nine years while I was in the Army. My friends laughed with me, the way I spoke the language.

[[deleted user]]

Hello everyone:
I will qualify for the geezer group. I'm slightly older than dirt. I grew up in NYC, learned to read at a very early age, began reading my older brother's SF books in grammar school, been hooked on SF ever since.

[[deleted user]]

Hi everyone!
My name is Missy and I'm 22 years old. I live in Oklahoma, but have lived all over the place due to my dad being in the Air Force.
I love to read, especially science fiction and fantasy. They are some of my favorite genres :)

[[deleted user]]

Welcome, Missy. You have come to the right place!

[Sarah]

Yooo halloooo! I'm Sarah.
I've lived in sci-fi/fantasy land as long as I can remember. Pfffttt who want to play princess when you can pretend to be an elf? Oh yes.
25, Central New York, mental health therapist. =)

[[deleted user]]

Sarah wrote: "Yooo halloooo! I'm Sarah.
I've lived in sci-fi/fantasy land as long as I can remember. Pfffttt who want to play princess when you can pretend to be an elf?"

At last, a fellow loon! To bad I'm not in your genre. Oh, well, have a great time, anyway. There's plenty of lunacy for everyone around here!

[Wendy]

I have seemed to been abducted and recently returned. I have been on GR since 2009 and 2010ish for this Group and have yet to introduce myself.
I discovered Books with my Mum reading allowed to us every Saturday morning. My big brother got me into Runequest then later D&D. I think J.R.R. Tolkien was possibly my first fant book, at 14. Clare Bell, Patricia A. McKillip Joan AikenAnne McCaffrey were just a few others in the beginning. I went to scifi conventions and discovered more authors.
I tend to like books with paranormals urban fantasy, alt universes/histories talking animals, magic, mythical creatures, transport into/back of Time. I do not care for vampires, werewolves or zombies nor heavy sex scenes and War sagas. (a little sex it okay and fun).
I read the Posts about Marion Zimmer Bradley and am disgusted as well as horribly disappointed. "Mists" is a book I have read repeatedly, recommended and given as gifts...
I enjoy Isobelle Carmody, Kristen Britain and Harry Potter.

[Charles]

Welcome Wendy! W have much in common, although I do like vamps and werewolves. You fit nicely here in our group, so have fun! I'm a huge Potter fan too.

[Jeff]

Hello. I am Jeff Hopp. My current main interest is eBook graphic novels.....mainly because I'm an author and publishing in that form.
My favorite graphic novels were by the French illustrators of the 70's and 80's, my favorite sci-fi writer is P.K.Dick. I've published several graphic novels in print which did get distributed to comic book stores, but recently have shifted focus on reformatting for kindle, because I can do them in color now (which was too costly in print format).
I am not going to name any of my books here however, because I am not trying to promote them, just trying to explain were my artistic head is at this moment.
and oh yeah, I am married with 4 children.

[Caleb]

My name is Caleb and I have been reading science fi and fantasy since 6th grade. I was never much if a reader, but one of my friends was. He started reading this book called The Sword of Shannara and it was about to change my life. I asked him if I could borrow it when he was done and after I finished so began my love for the genre and also reading. Still to this day I enjoy that book more than The Lord of the Rings because it will and always be a super special book to me.

This is the first group I've joined so it I will have to figure some things out, but I look forward to chatting and reading with many of you.

[[deleted user]]

Welcome, Caleb. I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time here.

[Matthew]

Caleb, I know how you feel about Shannara. I read Sword at a young age, long before I read Tolkien and the first trilogy always has a special place in my library ever since.

[Allison]

Hello everyone, I'm Allison and I live in Houston. I've been a reader for as long as I can remember, but didn't really start getting into speculative fiction until I was an adult.

I've enjoyed the works of Philip K. Dick, Arthur C. Clarke,Lois McMaster Bujold,Patricia McKillip,Ted Chiang, Barry Hughart, Connie Willis, Vernor Vinge, and many others.

Looking forward to discussing books and swapping recommendations with everyone.

[[deleted user]]

Welcome, Milady. Hope you have a great time here.

[Sean]

Hello all. I'm a long-time sci-fi and fantasy reader, probably like many of you. I cut my teeth on the works of Frederik Pohl, Anne McCaffrey, Cyril Kornbluth, Ursula K Le Guin, Gordon Dickson, Poul Anderson, and, of course, Asimov, Clarke and Heinlein. Then I discovered the fantasy worlds of Robert E Howard, J R R Tolkien, Piers Anthony, Terry Pratchett and others. I read other genres, including non-fiction, westerns and, of course, the classics.

I spent most of my adult life in the corporate world and have recently decided to spend the rest of my productive years as an author. We'll see how that goes.

I've been married 30 years to my wonderful wife and have two children, one a special needs autistic son, the other a daughter who also aspires to be a writer.

I am hoping that this group will help me find quality fantasy and sci-fi to read since many of my favorite authors from the past are no longer churning out books, and I hope now to have time to read since escaping from the cubicle farms.

[[deleted user]]

Hello, Sean, and welcome. There are indeed a forest of recommendations to be had here, or should I say a swamp. The trick is sorting the wheat from the chaff. I'd recommend as a first step that you find a couple of reviewers who share your likes, and read them frequently. Best of luck!

[Justine]

Hi to Caleb, Alison, and Sean (and other new people too) :)

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Hi anyone I've missed, welcome.

[Marie]

Hello, and I'm Marie. I'm new to Goodreads, and am excited to find new great reads and friends. I love most of the scifi classics and enjoy fantasy as well.

[[deleted user]]

Plenty of all that here, Marie. Dig in and have a great time!

[Lee]

Hey there everyone. I'm Lee from Wales(seperate country in the UK).
favourite authours are Patrick rothfuss,Brandon Sanderson, Robert Jordan and Joe Abercrombie. If theres anyone else from the UK add me or message me.

[Tracey the Lizard Queen]

Hello everyone! My name is Tracey and I live in the UK, I am a big sci-fi and fantasy fan. I grew up in a tiny village in South Africa with a limited library so I escaped with tv and computer games. Feel free to give me recs and so on, especially sci-fi. I've been concentrating a lot on fantasy and want something a little different.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Hi welcome.

[Felicia]

Hey, I'm new and confused :D

[Sam]

Not sure if I ever introduced myself, but I'm feeling motivated so why not?

I've poked around Goodreads for a while, so I'm certainly not new to the site - newly dedicated might be a better explanation. Hopefully I keep up with my reading and maybe I'll even encourage myself enough to write a review or two (don't hold your breath; I have an irrational hatred for writing).
Twenty-five years old, I live in California, and I'm recently married. I go into lulls of not reading - usually because of time constraints - and then periods of voracious, book-devouring sessions. I'm trying to find a balance.

Currently reading The Broken Eye by Brent Weeks - I've loved the series but I'm still waiting for this one to explode.
Favorites include The Riftwar Saga, The Gentleman Bastard series, and The Tormay Trilogy.


Nice to meet all of you! Feel free to add me.

Sam