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[[deleted user]]

Hi, Sam. You seem like a pretty normal guy. I'm an author, and I have an irrational hatred for writing, too! Lord knows there's plenty to read here, so happy binging!

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Hi Sam, welcome...

What are you confused about Felicia???

[Chrisl]

Started reading science fiction in the 1950s. First favorite Andre Norton's "Star Man's Son" ... have a fondness for post-apocalypse ... read most of the then contemporary science fiction authors in the barracks in the 1960s ... became a public library book buyer in 1974 ... had the pleasure of giving and receiving SFF suggestions to the community's readers for the next 33 years. Created a tag for Hugo & Nebula early in the process of building my GR-Cat. Most recent favorite is Rothfuss.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Hi Chrisl, welcome. I always thought i should like Andre Norton more. In the '50s I was reading Tom Swift and whatever I could fine in the school library (Verne, Wells, etc.). In the '60s I found Heinlein, A. E. van Vogt, Bradbury and others.

Think you'll like it here.

[Felicia]

Mike (the Paladin) wrote: "What are you confused about Felicia???"

Just in general, you know, when starting a new group, but I'm getting a hang of it!

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Oh, cool. I get that. Sometimes I'm just confused by life...

[Chrisl]

Mike (the Paladin) wrote: "Hi Chrisl, welcome. I always thought i should like Andre Norton more. In the '50s I was reading Tom Swift and whatever I could fine in the school library (Verne, Wells, etc.). In the '60s I found H..."

Hi, Mike, thanks for the welcome ... Norton wrote way too many books and most didn't appeal to me, except for a few of her earliest.

Curious if you might have read Shipway's Paladin?
The Paladin

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Haven't run on that one, I'll look it up. Thanks.

[Jason]

Hello,
Remote medic by trade, voracious reader by habit. I read The Hobbit in 2nd grade and quickly moved on to LOTR, Pern, and the Xanth books. My mom was a huge Trekkie, and for lack of anything else to read, I devoured a ton of that. Anyone can see the books I read now, so I won't belabor the topic.

Looking forward to discussing books.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Welcome Jason.

[Mitty]

Howdy!

I found you guys while poking around, looking for new sci-fi authors to read. While I do enjoy the occasional full-blown fantasy sci-fi (Asimov), I mainly enjoy near future stories (Crichton) these days.

In addition to a new Crichton, I'd love to find a new Douglas Adams. No author (sci-fi, anyway) has ever made me laugh so hard.

Anyway... hi, hello, howdy!

I guess I'll go poke around in your discussion boards now. :)

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Welcome.

[Emelie]

Hi, my name is Emelie and I'm from Sweden. I love to read and Fantasy is my favorit genre. i hope to find new and exciting books here. :)

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Hi Emelie, welcome.

[L.A.]

Hi, I am L.A.Immanuel.
I love writing and reading books huddled up on my bed, preferably with something sweet to eat.

I generally love reading YA and not too hardcore lit. When it comes to scifi, I love the Star Wars books, by the way and Ender's game too. Looking forward to reading great scifi titles, recommended by you guys here!:-)

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Hi, welcome.

[Scott]

Hello all.
I'm Scott Scheller and still fairly new to Goodreads. I've been a reader all my life and recently released my first book. I've been looking at all the interesting groups on Goodreads and it's inspiring to see how energized our fellow readers are about the books (and authors) they love. For now I'll be more of a "lurker", getting to know the ins and outs of this group, but in the future I'll start to interact more.
I notice that some members list what knowledge / experience they possess (other than for books and such) and I think it might be a good idea to start a thread where members might offer to share that knowledge with others. Those among us who write might find such a resource useful. One thing I constantly come across that pulls me out of the story I'm reading is when the author gets basic facts wrong, like 2 hour DNA tests or taking a .32 bullet hurls the victim through a window. We all like fiction but few of us like lazy writing. Any ideas about this "share our knowledge" idea?
Thanks,
Scott

[Mike (the Paladin)]

These are obviously people with access to alien tech. for checking DNA and explosive .32 bullets....

I suppose my talent is rationalization.

[Cody]

Hi everyone I'm Cody!
I'm a new book blogger and I would love any feedback, tips, or just discussing books in general.. I mainly read YA/NA, Fantasy, Romance, Dystopian and Science Fiction.
Check out my blog at:

http://literary-lyobsessed.blogspot.c...

Thank you :)

[Elaine]

hello, I'm Elaine. I belong to a couple of fantasy groups on good reads already but recently have started getting into sci- fi. I've read Hyperion, Do Androids dream of Electric sheep, and Oryx and Crake in the last month. Recommendations for more great sci-fi would be welcome. My TBR list has soooo much fantasy on it it can't take anymore for a couple of years at least. :)

[C.]

hello, you have read Ender's Game right? If you have, what about Ender's shadow?

[Elaine]

no actually Corwin, but its on the list lol

[C.]

The Roar by Emma Clayton was good too.

[C.]

I read it a couple years ago, but I remember it being really good.

[Richard]

Elaine wrote: "hello, I'm Elaine. I belong to a couple of fantasy groups on good reads already but recently have started getting into sci- fi. I've read Hyperion, Do Androids dream of Electric sheep, and Oryx and..."

Have you read Dune yet Elaine? If not then as a Fantasy fan getting into Sci Fi Dune is an absolute must!

[Elaine]

thankyou both of you.

[Elaine]

@Richard, I just looked it up and virtually all on my friends list who've read it gave it 4 or 5 stars. I may have to buy it immediately :)

[Silicon]

Hello everyone!

I'm Silicon (usually known as Si) around the Internet. I'm a college student studying genetics and CS, and I'm absolutely obsessed with reading. My first foray into the fantasy genre was Sword of Shannara, like Caleb up there, and since then I've basically devored everything I can find.

I usually read a bit behind the rest of the genre in terms of new books since I usually wait for the mass market paperback to emerge. I haven't read a lot of scifi, but Dune is one of my absolute favorite books ever and I'd love to find more scifi to read!

My favorite fantasy subgenres are epic fantasy and low fantasy (thieves/assassins/city underworld). I'm a sucker for sarcastic humor, lyrical writing, and epic tales. Just to throw out some names, some of my favorites are: Locke Lamora, Wheel of Time, Malazan, Kushiel, Discworld, Vlad Taltos, Dune, Pellinor, Damar, Earthsea. Can't list them all but that should be a good sampling of stories I love.

I'm looking to expand my reading by getting into more scifi and reading more newly published authors, as well as checking out more unconventional fantasy stories. Basically I just want to read all the things!

I'm currently reading some urban fantasy (Kraken, which is weird as hell but pretty great), doing a reread of WoT in preparation to finally read Memory of Light (on Lord of Chaos right now), and slowly progressing through a few other books.

You guys look like you have a nice group going on here, and I'd love to get involved. Since recently joining goodreads my to-read list has kind of exploded, yet I'm still on the hunt for more books.

[C.]

Have you looked at Name Of The Wind by Patrick Rothfuss?

[[deleted user]]

Silicon wrote: "Hello everyone!

I'm Silicon (usually known as Si) around the Internet. I'm a college student studying genetics and CS, and I'm absolutely obsessed with reading. My first foray into the fantasy ..."

Yeah, that's how this place works. I've seen people with tens of thousands of books on their to-read lists. All I can say is welcome, have fun, and best of luck!

[Silicon]

Corwin wrote: "Have you looked at Name Of The Wind by Patrick Rothfuss?"

YES! I love that book so much, the writing was beautiful! I am actually doing a rather slow reread of it right now but got stalled at an emotionally intense scene (hush, I get really into books, okay) which I need to get through. But I have Wise Man's Fear and I really need to read that, especially as I just found out that Doors of Stone has a publishing date within this year.

[C.]

It has a publishing date??!! when?!

[Silicon]

Dangit, I'm SURE I saw the date somewhere ... but now I can't find it. I saw it on a list of highly anticipated books of 2015 but at the same time I was looking up The Throne of Emberlain so I might have gotten them mixed up. Looking at the page for the book on GR I can't see a publishing date ...

[Rob]

There is no date for doors of stone yet.

[Alan]

Alan Joshua (Pen name): Hi all. Although I've published a lot of nonfiction, The SHIVA Syndrome is my debut fiction novel. I have a Ph.D. in Psychology, but never would have believed what it would take to get a book published and promoted. If I did, the book would never have been written. Anyone whoever goes through this process has done the equivalent of earning a degree.
I'm a parapsychologist, a clinician, and a sci-fi addict--yes, a trekkie as well. Among my favorite authors are Asimov, Bradbury, Crichton, Heinlein, Serling and Phillip Dick. I love new, quirky, creative perspectives, three-dimensional characters, a strong element of surprise and enough reality to throw open the doors to my imagination as being possible.
I've studied human consciousness, done hypnotic reincarnation explorations, interviewed people who had OBEs and NDEs. I've also researched so-called "psychic" healers, either modern day quacks or those truly stemming from a shamanic tradition.
If you want to know more about me and my fiction, visit http://alanjoshua.com.
Oh, I'm having a novel giveaway until May 15rd. Instructions are on my website for any who are interested. Guess I should add that Dr. Stanley Krippner, an internationally known psychologist and parapsychologist, read and endorsed my novel. He says, "After a Russian mind-research project opens a black hole in a Moscow suburb, researcher Beau Walker is coerced into joining the ensuing investigation. He soon realizes that anomalies worldwide–including the loss of an American space shuttle and a bizarre personal experience–coincided with the Podol’sk singularity. As events escalate, Walker embarks on an epic journey to come to terms with his personal demons, even as he struggles to save humanity from itself.

In The SHIVA Syndrome, the author (a clinical psychologist) skillfully and ingeniously interweaves altered states of consciousness and parapsychology with genetics, paleontology, mythology, and religion to produce a frightening, brisk, and film-worthy story building to an intense climax. The story challenges conventional notions of reality, ultimately concluding that human consciousness extends well beyond the flesh–and offers enormous potential for both creation and destruction."
I hope to have more contact with y'all over time. At the moment, I'm frantically promoting as my publisher left me only three weeks to start a blaze.

[Michelle]

Hello, all! Michelle Nogales here, a librarian in Hayward, CA. My first science fiction novel was Against the Fall of Night, which I discovered at my uncle's house and promptly borrowed at age 10 or 11. The rest is, as they say, history.

I like golden-era and modern hard SF, cyberpunk, metaphysical fiction, and vaguely-sci-fi-like hard-to-pigeonhole stuff. I don't have the same appetite for high fantasy that I did in my teens and 20s, but sometimes something catches my eye. Recent(ish) books that I have been trying to get everyone to read are Wool by Hugh Howey, The Martian by Andy Weir, and Little Brother by Cory Doctorow (and I only wish Homeland had been as strong a story!).

Not that I have tons of time to read, but I also like to delve into all sorts of YA and historic an literary fiction.

Looking forward to getting to know you all!

[Marin]

Hey. I'm Marin Wyden, fresh fantasy author and looking to see what moves readers in the fantasy and SF scene these days. For my favourite authors, just look at who I'm following.

I hope to gain new insights here. :)

[Alan]

Hi Si
Welcome.
As you're looking to get into more sci-fi and genetics, I a giving away my newly published The SHIVA Syndrome. An Amazon reviewer (not family or friend) said, it is "an intriguing and complex mixture of mystery, science fiction, spirituality, paranormal, thriller, political cover-ups, and even a touch of romance on the side. Most importantly, the story kept my interest until the very end, which is a mark of any decent novel. Check it out on Amazon, then visit my site at http://alanjoshua.com. If you want a free ebook (format of your choice), see the homepage.
I hope you decide to jump into the (gene) pool.
Best,
Alan

[Alan]

Welcome Marin,
As you're looking for sci-fi, I may have something of interest.
I'm a parapsychologist, a clinician, and a sci-fi addict--yes, a trekkie as well. Among my favorite authors are Asimov, Bradbury, Crichton, Heinlein, Serling and Phillip Dick. I love new, quirky, creative perspectives, three-dimensional characters, a strong element of surprise and enough reality to throw open the doors to my imagination as being possible.
I've studied human consciousness, done hypnotic reincarnation explorations, interviewed people who had OBEs and NDEs. I've also researched so-called "psychic" healers, either modern day quacks or those truly stemming from a shamanic tradition.
If you want to know more about me and my fiction, visit http://alanjoshua.com.
Oh, I'm having a novel giveaway until May 15rd. Instructions are on my website. All it takes for a free book is an answer to one simple question.
Again, welcome. I hope you find what you're looking for.
Best,
Alan

[Alan]

Welcome Cody,
As a zoologist interested in sci-fi, I believe you'll find my newly released The SHIVA Syndrome of interest, possibly worth a blog.
A professional editor on Amazon gave it 5 stars and called it "A real thrill ride!...The SHIVA Syndrome is one of the best-written stories I've read in years."
Another said, "The Shiva Syndrome is a remarkable tapestry of a book, weaving together shamanism, the untapped power of consciousness, science fact and fiction, and riveting adventure...Think something akin to “The Andromeda Strain” – a story about germ warfare gotten out of hand – but taken into a realm far beyond physical cause and effect."
I think it may satisfy that sci-fi craving readers get.
It's available for free until May 15. See http://alanjoshua.com.
Best,
Alan

[Alan]

Welcome Scott,
You're right about an author's background. And I'm one of those compulsives who dislike inaccuracies.
I am a practicing Clinical Psychologist with a background in Forensic Psychology, biology and other sciences.
I published many nonfiction journal articles. The Shiva syndrome, my debut fiction novel, is a science fiction/paranormal mystery and thriller.
I am fascinated with creativity and paranormal abilities. This led to my involvement with Psychology and research into Parapsychology.
I've explored paranormal abilities and reincarnation using hypnosis and in-depth interviewing of a wide range of practitioners. Among my prized possessions are a shriveled, mummified banana (a product of one healer’s biopsychokinesis) and a small, curled Austrian teaspoon produced by a German healer while six witnesses sat around him. (see http://alanjoshua.com/biopsychokinesis )
The Shiva Syndrome incorporates mys knowledge of Parapsychology and experiences with healers, intuitives, “psychic” sensitives, etc.
An avid Trekkie, I am fond of contradicting Gene Roddenberry: “Roddenberry dealt with science and morality (e.g., the Prime Directive”), but avoided matters of religion and spirit. “I believe that that human consciousness and its potentials are ‘the final frontier.'"
I am doing a giveaway of The SHIVA Syndrome, published by CHampagne Books on 4/6/15. To get one, visit me at http://alanjoshua.com, skim the excerpt and answer one easy question. Then ask for the ebook format of your choice.
Enjoy yourself at Goodreads.
Best,
Alan

[Alan]

Hello James and welcome.
I just checked your book review blog. It seems more fantasy oriented, but correct me if I'm wrong.
If you're into sci-fi, please check my site at http://alanjoshua.com. There's a giveaway and excerpt there. If the excerpt fits your interest, do the giveaway and review the book.
Let me know if there's a fit.
Best,
Alan

[Alan]

Hello and welcome Marianne,
As someone who loves sci-fi and knows YA, I would love to get your take on my recent release, The SHIVA Syndrome. I've had one 15 year old read it. I expect your experience in remedial reading and feedback would be valuable.
At present, it's a giveaway at http://alanjoshua.com. There is also an excerpt there.
Irrespective, welcome. Enjoy Goodreads.
Best,
Alan

[Renee]

I have been lurking for a couple of days. I have been impressed with the quality of the discussions. I had a stroke on March 3. I am doing very well.I still have difficulties with my left hand. I hope as time goes on I will be able to participate with discussions. right now I am loving the book suggestions. I am picking books from the threads and past discussions

[Alan]

Hi Doug and welcome,
You entered nice background on yourself.
You enjoy science fiction, like my favorite authors, enjoy military science fiction, like myself you have have Army time, like psychology and enjoy shooting--I was a sharpshooter.
With that, you may like my recent release, The SHIVA Syndrome. It's free until 5/15. See http://alanjoshua.com.
On my site you'll find out how to get it as well as an excerpt to "try it on."
Good hunting on Goodreads.
Best,
Alan

[Diane L]

Hello! I joined the group a few weeks ago and have been enjoying all of the discussions here. I was born and raised in Illinois and like Tim from page one here, I'm an old geezer from '59. I'm retired from system administration and doing the grandma gig full-time in Nebraska these days.

I grabbed two science fiction books from a grocery store when I was in high school. Those were Protector by Larry Niven and Way Station by Clifford Simak. Loved them both and I still like the old sci-fi best. I'm an old grandma and I don't like people using coarse language - my forays into newer sci-fi have been hampered by this preference. My husband and I read a Poul Anderson aloud to one another as we drove to and from our honeymoon. I'm going to try the sci-fi BOTM this month because I am interested in finding some newer authors to read.

I wasn't introduced to Tolkien and epic fantasy until after I was married. I've read most of the Dragonriders by Anne McCaffrey, Riddle Master of Hed by Patricia McKillip, Witch World by Andre Norton and some Modesitt, Farland, and Feist. My favorite fantasy series is WoT which I am currently re-reading aloud with my DIL.

[[deleted user]]

Diane L wrote: "Hello! I joined the group a few weeks ago and have been enjoying all of the discussions here. I was born and raised in Illinois and like Tim from page one here, I'm an old geezer from '59..."

Hi, Diane, and welcome aboard. I'm an old geezer from '48, and I like the old stuff myself, to the point that that's what I write, new old stuff. But I'm nobody. Have you seen the Mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson? Fabulous! He is such a talent that not only are his stories tighter than the lid on a pickle jar, but he invented a "scientific" method by which magic is invoked in the stories. Really worth your while.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Hi Diane L. My wife discovered fantasy (epic, sword and sorcery, etc.) after we married, While she was expecting our first she read her way through my books. Welcome.

[Wendy]

Charles wrote: "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."

L.A. wrote: "Hi, I am L.A.Immanuel.
I love writing and reading books huddled up on my bed, preferably with something sweet to eat.

I generally love reading YA and not too hardcore lit. When it comes to scifi, ..."

I do not mind the weres and vamps intermixed in a Urban Fantasy... but the Sookie books Anita Baker books and the wolven hierarchy of Alpha and Omega of just did not appeal to me. Anita Baker was too graphic for me. I also will not read the current fad Twilight. Hope I do not offend anyone...

[Wendy]

Michelle wrote: "Hello, all! Michelle Nogales here, a librarian in Hayward, CA. My first science fiction novel was Against the Fall of Night, which I discovered at my uncle's house and promptly borrowed at age 10 o..."

HOLY ##$#, I live in Hayward, CA. I go to Hayward, Castro Valley, and San Lorenzo Libraries! Small World.