SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion
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Former Introduction Thread
Hi Nick and Nina. welcome among fans of science fiction and fantasy :)
Hi everybody, I'm Gemma and sci-fi/fantasy is my bread and butter (with a side of steampunk) but historical fiction is great too. Then again...books in general are great! So far the latest books I really freaked out about are "The Golem and the Jinni" by Helene Wecker and "The Grace of Kings" by Ken Liu. Really nice to find a group with similar likes. Can't wait to see what we'll read!
Hi, I'm M. Austin and I absolutely love speculative fiction. My interest lies closer to fantasy (A Game of Thrones, Name of the Wind, Harry Potter etc). That being said, my all time favourite book is Ender's Game. Looking forward to discussing and discovering books with everyone.
Do NOT self promote in this thread, that is an instant ban.
Hi, I've been reading sci-fi & fantasy for nearly 40 years now.I live in France and mainly read in french, the english version if I can't find a translation
My favorite authors are : Gemmell, Pratchett, Willis, Bujold, Vance, Banks, Vinge V., Feist, Bordage, Brin, Sawyer, Simmons, Hobb and Herbert F. of course !
Now I'm reading Guards! Guards! (I've already read the 6 first volumes of the disc-world) and I think it will become one of my favorite with Mort :)
Hello! My name is Petroula, I am from Athens- Greece. I am an architect and apart from enjoining reading sci-fi and fantasy, I am also working on a project about human colonies in other planets and how are described in literature. So I would be glad if you have any book suggestions. :)
Hello everyone!I'm Lauren, a librarian from Wisconsin. For some reason people find the alliteration of "Lauren the Librarian" amusing?
Since I'm on the site it's probably an expectation that I love to read. I jump all over the place with what titles I dive into, but I'd say Fantasy and Sci-Fi are my most common pickups.
This year I've read Dune for the first time, jumped into the Kingkiller Chronicles, and did a Harry Potter reread for the first time since (I think?) Deathly Hallows was published. I also just finished Naomi Novik's Uprooted, and am currently chugging throng Armada.
Other than current reads I'm a massive Tolkien nerd (I have a Tengwar tattoo with plans for additional ink), I've been desperately hoping for an end to A Song of Ice and Fire for like 15 years, and I will probably read every single one of those 20-something Star Wars works that are coming out before Episode VII hits.
Hello,everybody!I'm new to goodreads and the group. I've met a few of you already and got some good responses for the question I posted. I am 37 years old and live in Oakland, California. I've been a sci-fi and fantasy fan my whole life and am glad I found this site to discuss the books we all enjoy. I also work in the music industry and play in a fantasy based punk/metal band. We are primarily a Tolkien tribute band and most of our music comes from the Rankin Bass cartoon adaptations of The Hobbit and Return of tge King, but we also play songs from The Last Unicorn and Flight of Dragons, along with originals and some Black Sabbath and Led Zepplin covers. Yes, we are that nerdy.
Hi! I'm Matt. I've read science fiction and fantasy since I was a teenager. That eventually led to a love of writing as well.
Currently, I'm reading Galaxy Science Fiction magazines, working my way up from the beginning (October, 1950). I just finished up the November, 1952 issue, so I'll be moving on to December shortly.
Cool. Lots of read ahead. You're just finishing up the year I was born.:)
Hi everyone! I read just about any genre, though mystery and sci-fi are my favorites. I've been hooked on sci-fi since I was 5 when I first saw Star Wars.Dune is a favorite, though that's the only one of the series I've read. Other series I like are the Viagens Interplanetarias by L. Sprague de Camp and the Pern series. You can see my tastes lean more towards the Science Fantasy end of the spectrum, though I will give most anything a try.
Lately I've been trying to go back and read some of the older classics, I've recently read Asimov's first 2 Foundation books, as well as the Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury. My commute is an hour each way so I listen to a lot of audiobooks; I'm hoping to get from this group are some great suggestions for books and authors new to me.
Aran wrote: "I'm hoping to get from this group are some great suggestions for books and authors new to me..."
Welcome, Aran. Plenty of both here; your TBR list will number in the hundreds in no time!
Welcome, Aran. Plenty of both here; your TBR list will number in the hundreds in no time!
Hi everyone,My name is Eric. I have been a sci-fi and fantasy fan for my whole life starting with the Star Wars (Legends) novels, which I read in elementary school. Following that, I got addicted to Lord of the Rings and read a wide variety of other novels ranging from Harry Turtledove to Robert J. Sawyer's WWW series. All of these things pushed me to write my own books.
I am currently making an effort to finally read the five Game of Thrones books, even though I am busy with my own work right now.
Thanks for the welcome!
Hi everyone, I'm Christa!I've kind of just started getting into Goodreads groups lately, even though I've been a member for a couple years. I did just post a giveaway for my upcoming book... I HOPE I did it in the right place!!
A little about myself: a B.S. in Biology, fluent (most days!) in Spanish, a love of Joss Whedon's writing style and TMNT. I worked for Green-Eyed Unicorn Comics for 2 years and now I'm co-founder and Submissions for Buzz & Roar Publishing. I have a SF graphic novel HOLLOW out and most of the follow-up comic series, Hollow's Prism.
As for books I've read... I wouldn't even know where to start. I've been trying to read more indie and self-pubbed lately to support non-mainstream writers (worried that I might get bombarded by messages for writing that! lol).
Looking forward to checking out the discussions here!
Christa wrote: "I've been trying to read more indie and self-pubbed lately to support non-mainstream writers..."
Hi, Christa. I'm way overdue to get thrown out of a group, so let me do it in a good cause. A group of indies with quality work to offer have formed a sort of co-op at http://www.thesteampunkempire.com/for.... Yes, I have books there, but so do a number of people who know how to write! There is nothing for sale there, just pictures, blurbs, and links to amazon. It's all steam- and a few other -punks, but some of these writers are active in other fields. You won't be roped into anything or asked for money or anything else. Could be worth a click.
Hi, Christa. I'm way overdue to get thrown out of a group, so let me do it in a good cause. A group of indies with quality work to offer have formed a sort of co-op at http://www.thesteampunkempire.com/for.... Yes, I have books there, but so do a number of people who know how to write! There is nothing for sale there, just pictures, blurbs, and links to amazon. It's all steam- and a few other -punks, but some of these writers are active in other fields. You won't be roped into anything or asked for money or anything else. Could be worth a click.
Hi, I too, grew up reading SFF, which led to me spending my weekends speaking Elizabeth English at the original Renaissance Faire, then trying very hard not to answer the phone at work with "Aye", at NASA-Ames, working on the Viking Mars Probe. In a sense, I've lived science fiction and fantasy, spending my weekends doing living history, and being involved in cutting edge science. A few, I'm living sci-fi moments, well watching the moon landing, of course. When the soil nutrient experiment on the Mars Lander started to produce large amounts of oxygen, and we thought we'd shown there was life on Mars (damn unearthly amounts of peroxide). The Asilomar conference in the early eighties when the leading scientists in what would become the field of molecular biology self imposed a temporary moratorium on some types of research because of possible dangers due to ignorance, remarkable precautions due perhaps to cautionary SF.
In hindsight, when the scientist in the lab next door at Oxford came and asked if she could pull some hairs from my head, to see if she could get enough DNA from it to identify individuals.
There's more, but to keep this post at a reasonable length, some fantasy moments.
At a castle in England with the Sealed Knot, an English civil war group, dressed in the clothes, cooking and eating 17th century style and drinking scrumpy, someone began a song also of the period, and everyone joined in.
On a grassy hill, overlooking the sea in the Dingle peninsula of Ireland the sun was setting, and I suddenly had serious second thoughts about sticking my head into the barrow grave we had climbed up to see.
Playing the concertina at a cowboy wedding in Tombstone, Arizona.
Back to books, I read widely all sorts of fiction, but my favorite is SFF. I like hard SF, but I also enjoy dubious science if the handwaving is well done and I revel in a really crack fantasy premise if done with logical consistency. On the other hand, I've little tolerance for those authors who are the writerly equivalents of the slobs who would show up expecting to perform at a historical non fantasy Elizabethan fair speaking bad cockney and dressed like Johnny Depp because like there were pirates then so this is good enough, the audience is too stupid to know any better.
My favorite writer is Lois McMaster Bujold, I'm crocheting a necklace with wire and brass screws, nuts and gears in the style of Girl Genius, and lately I've been checking out YA fiction, because there are some seriously good writers overlooked there. Currently reading and highly recommend the Queen's Thief series by Turner. Thanks to living several years in Sweden, where I learned what assumptions and attitudes of mine were purely American as opposes to Western, I'm particularly interested in recommendations of books written from a non "Anglo" centric point of view.
Is there a group thread for that? I'm also looking forward to discussions of the books I've read. Enough from me for now! :-)
Marti wrote: "Hi, I too, grew up reading SFF, which led to me spending my weekends speaking Elizabeth English at the original Renaissance Faire, then trying very hard not to answer the phone at work with "Aye", ..."
Very impressive credentials, Milady! You're a scifi writer's worst nightmare, a reader who knows BS from the slightest whiff. Welcome to the circus, ma'am, I'm sure you're going to have a great time here!
Very impressive credentials, Milady! You're a scifi writer's worst nightmare, a reader who knows BS from the slightest whiff. Welcome to the circus, ma'am, I'm sure you're going to have a great time here!
Actually, Jack, I could be an excellent writer's resource. Most everybody I know who do living history, and many scientists simply love a chance to talk detail if you just ask and would be more than happy to cast an eye over a draft for accuracy. I just have always thought that those writers who won't research or use beta readers to check for gross errors are expressing a hidden contempt for their readers and their craft, and I am happy to be their nightmare. But that's not being a writer, that's being a hack, IMHO.
Marti wrote: " I just have always thought that those writers who won't research or use beta readers to check for gross errors are expressing a hidden contempt for their readers and their craft..."
Oh, yes, you called it. Hacks abound in this world of instant gratification we all flit around in. Perhaps the real problem is that it has become too easy for anyone who fancies himself a writer to make a couple of mouse clicks, and presto! instant novel. Lest you think I'm taking a superior tone, I'm the biggest offender in the nut house. In my own defense, I just thought it would be cool to see my grandchildren reading professionally published books with my name on them; they think it's kind of cool, too!
Oh, yes, you called it. Hacks abound in this world of instant gratification we all flit around in. Perhaps the real problem is that it has become too easy for anyone who fancies himself a writer to make a couple of mouse clicks, and presto! instant novel. Lest you think I'm taking a superior tone, I'm the biggest offender in the nut house. In my own defense, I just thought it would be cool to see my grandchildren reading professionally published books with my name on them; they think it's kind of cool, too!
Hello Everyone. I'm Shannon. Excited to join a group of like-minded readers. My absolute favorite series is Malazan Book of the Fallen.
Jack wrote: "A group of indies with quality work to offer have formed a sort of co-op at http://www.thesteampunkempire.com/for.... Yes, I have books there, but so do a number of people who know how to write!..."I checked that website. Interesting - but steampunk is not my thing. Do you know of a similar group working to support indie Fantasy interests? I might want to post my own work on it.
Alan wrote: " Do you know of a similar group working to support indie Fantasy interests?"
I don't, but the one I shared is under the umbrella of a steampunk group. If there's one working somewhere, you might start tracking it down by Googling "Fantasy writers groups." It's a great thing to find something like that that supports your genre. Best of luck!
I don't, but the one I shared is under the umbrella of a steampunk group. If there's one working somewhere, you might start tracking it down by Googling "Fantasy writers groups." It's a great thing to find something like that that supports your genre. Best of luck!
Hi all "new folk", welcome.
Hi, happy to be part of the group.I am a writer (I will save the book promo for another folder). I also blog, review, and sometimes podcast for Adventures in Scifi Publishing, and I blog for Amazing Stories Magazine.
I look forward to participating.
John wrote: "Hi, happy to be part of the group.
I am a writer (I will save the book promo for another folder). I also blog, review, and sometimes podcast for Adventures in Scifi Publishing..."
Goodness, that's quite the impressive portfolio! Congrats on your success, and welcome to the group.
I am a writer (I will save the book promo for another folder). I also blog, review, and sometimes podcast for Adventures in Scifi Publishing..."
Goodness, that's quite the impressive portfolio! Congrats on your success, and welcome to the group.
Hi, I'm Beth and I'm 18 years old. In a few weeks, I will be studying for a degree in Biochemistry and Genetics. I've attempted creative writing various times, but I haven't had much success yet. I would like to meet people who have similar tastes in books to me and get some book recommendations to add to my constantly increasing to-read list. Some of my favourite books include the Mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson and the Chaos Walking trilogy by Patrick Ness. :)
Beth wrote: "Hi, I'm Beth and I'm 18 years old. In a few weeks, I will be studying for a degree in Biochemistry and Genetics. I've attempted creative writing various times, but I haven't had much success yet..."
Ah, Mistborn was wonderful, wasn't it? That's usually my first recommendation, but that isn't going to work here. Have you tried the Drizzt DoUrden series by R.A. Salvatore? Pure traditional fantasy. If you decide to look, start at the beginning, The Icewind Dale trilogy. Doesn't make much sense otherwise. The early works are old, and you can get them used for a song. Best of reading, and I hope you find everything you seek here! And know that your to-read list is going to explode, so be selective.
All the best,
"Blimprider"
Ah, Mistborn was wonderful, wasn't it? That's usually my first recommendation, but that isn't going to work here. Have you tried the Drizzt DoUrden series by R.A. Salvatore? Pure traditional fantasy. If you decide to look, start at the beginning, The Icewind Dale trilogy. Doesn't make much sense otherwise. The early works are old, and you can get them used for a song. Best of reading, and I hope you find everything you seek here! And know that your to-read list is going to explode, so be selective.
All the best,
"Blimprider"
Jack wrote: "Beth wrote: "Hi, I'm Beth and I'm 18 years old. In a few weeks, I will be studying for a degree in Biochemistry and Genetics. I've attempted creative writing various times, but I haven't had much s..."Yeah, I loved Mistborn. Thanks for the recommendation. :)
Hi Everyone! I live in PA and have 2 kiddos. I am very new at this! I recently read a new book "Aschwood Academy" by M.B. Cohen and fell in love with the Fantasy/ Sci Fi genre. Looking forward to reading more (just trying to find the time)!!!
Hi Everyone! I live in PA and have 2 kiddos. I am very new at this! I recently read a new book "Aschwood Academy" by M.B. Cohen and fell in love with the Fantasy/ Sci Fi genre. Looking forward to reading more (just trying to find the time)!!!
Hi there, my name is Michelle and I look forward to reading with you! My hobbies are reading (duh) and getting my books signed by the author, whether it be at a reading or a con, it's all good.I read mostly science fiction and fantasy, but spent a few years in my youth reading all the horror I could find. I will gladly branch out into any other genre if the subject tickles my fancy. I have a soft spot for post apocalyptic fiction and hate (HATE) paranormal romance, but even there I've found exceptions. All reading is valid reading (I say, as I hide my collection of Buffy books).
I looked back over your past reads and MAN did I miss some good stuff. But onward, I have my copy of "Armada" ready to go.
Michelle wrote: "All reading is valid reading (I say, as I hide my collection of Buffy books)...."
Hi, Michelle. Yes, Buffy gets a bad rap in a lot of quarters, but she was really influential, as so much of Mr. Whedon's stuff was, and continues to be. Hope you have a great time here! All the best in all things always...
Hi, Michelle. Yes, Buffy gets a bad rap in a lot of quarters, but she was really influential, as so much of Mr. Whedon's stuff was, and continues to be. Hope you have a great time here! All the best in all things always...
Mod
I am a fantasy reader, but I dabble in Sci-Fi if it's good. I like to real a lot. As a teacher of adolescents I also like to keep up with new/modern YA books so I can make recommendations to students. My name is Melanie.
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Hi Melanie welcome.Timothy???????? 0__0????
Hello all!My name is Kasey; 24 years old; was an engineering major in school and ended up in finance, so you can understand the need to escape to another world through books. Pretty much hated reading while in school because, well, they forced you. I started getting back into it about two years ago (so I guess you could call me a newbie).
LOVE sci-fi and LOVE fantasy. Took a look at the reading shelf and was sold - can't wait to catch up.
Read so far this year in 2015:
Finished LOTR w/ The Return of the King
Unwind - Neil Shusterman
The Gunslinger - Stephen King
Leviathan - Scott Westerfeld
Altar of Eden - James Rollins
The Way of Kings - Brandon Sanderson
The Martian - Andy Weir
The Lies of Locke Lamora - Scott Lynch
Looking forward to reading with you all!
Best,
Kasey
Hello! I am a wee little author, as in not well known or well written, by the name/title of Artsolameelian, I really prefer that to the name I was born with. I am 17 years old, and I hail from California, I lived there nearly my whole life. A little over a year ago, I moved to Arizona (home of the heat).
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SciFi and Fantasy Book Club
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I know I'm going to find lots of good new reads on here. I can't wait to start. :)