SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion
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Former Introduction Thread
Welcome Jeremy. I am also a fan of Science Fiction and Fantasy. I have not gotten around to reading Jim Butcher yet but he's definitely on my TBR list. Happy reading.
Hello :) I'm Giulia from Italy (so please be understanding and forgive my english ^^). A few days ago I stumbled upon your bookshelf and it was love at first sight: not only it contains a good portion of my ever-growing TBR list, but I found lots and lots of excellent recommendations. At that point I just had to join the club!
I'm just coming out of a Brandon Sanderson binge reading (and re-reading) and now I fear I spoiled myself for my next read that will now have to withstand the comparison... maybe I'll read some mindless and badly written fluff just to regain a sense of perspective... it will probably be painful, wish me good luck!
Hi Everyone. I'm Chad and just recently joined the group. I read a few different genres, mystery, fantasy (Weiss and Hickman are my favorite), psychological thrillers, general fiction, spy novels, military books and even comics (Calvin & Hobbes rules). I'm looking forward to participating in this group and engaging in some good discussions!
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Hi Everyone! A quick 'hello', as I have just joined the group (which looks fantastic - quite literally!)
I have loved fantasy since, at the age of eight, our school teacher Mrs Jones read us The Hobbit, after which a light went on inside of me and it's never gone off since. Looking forward to exploring the group further and discovering new books that I must read but have somehow missed.
Tarn
Tarn wrote: "Hi Everyone! A quick 'hello', as I have just joined the group ..."
Aha! Another Englishman. Welcome, we were about to be overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of Americans!
Alan wrote: "Tarn wrote: "Hi Everyone! A quick 'hello', as I have just joined the group ..."
Aha! Another Englishman. Welcome, we were about to be overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of Americans!"
Ha! Always happy to do my bit for Blighty!
Hi, I'm Tracey, I'm in Australia. I've lived here for 12 years now and came originally from the UK--I'm still not really used to the heat here and Christmas in the summer is still strange. I'm married with two grown up children and two mischievous cats. I just wanted to say hi to you all.I read all kinds of books, fantasy, scifi, and many others.
Andrew wrote: "I am a 58 year old man based in Gloucestershire, UK. This probably puts me in the upper age range of this group...."No it doesn't. I admit most of the regulars are somewhat younger, but I am certainly not the oldest - and I have several years on you! In fact since you mention cons . . . I was on the founding committee for Novacons (Novacon 1 was 71 or 72 - I have been away so long I can't remember!). I guess you transferred to secondary school about that time!
I am still interested in discovering new authors.
Yes, that's what we are all here for. With the recent spread of electronic self-publishing there are a LOT of new authors out there. Sadly, that means some real crud gets self-published, so you have to choose carefully. If you find a way of picking the good stuff out of the enormous quantity of not-quite-good-enough, I would be glad to hear it!
Andrew wrote: "I remember going to Novacon 14 in 1984..."By then I was away from Fandom - married, and with a highly stressful teaching job in a Junior school in a poorer part of Birmingham, with a prize fool as a headmaster. I could maybe have got to an Eastercon, but Novacons didn't always coincide with schools half-term - and I had to be fit and prepared (and sober) on Monday morning.
"I tend not to read self-published ebooks because there are only so many books I can read in a lifetime"
Valid point, I suppose. There are so many points, both for and against.
Self-pubs do occasionally throw up new talent that is worth following - but they include an awful lot of dross as well. Being self-pubbed means they haven't been through the hands of a professional editor. Sometimes that is a good thing, but usually it is not! They also haven't had any other sort of quality control - which is the reason why there are a few gems in a lot of dross!
And tastes differ, enormously - so reviews and cover blurb can not always be trusted. Traditional publishing gave the reader a guide as to genre (and maybe style) in the nature of the cover and the blurb. Self-pubbed items also have this, but it is usually written by the author - no credibility there! Similarly, traditionally published meant 'professional' reviews - self-pubbed often means reviews by friends and family, and occasionally "5-stars for £20" reviews. And you know what those are worth!
Its a minefield, and I can sympathise with those who simply avoid it, though as said above, they do miss the occasional gem.
I would like to call for a more structured system of reviews, but I can't honestly see how this could be done. Oh well, maybe it will all settle down by the time I am too old to care!
Hey, I've been a member of this group for a few years, but I've never posted an introduction--I think because it's intimidating in some way.I've been reading sci-fi and fantasy since I could read. They're my favorite genres. I thought I would take a moment to introduce myself.
My favorite fantasy has always been Robert Jordan's WoT series, and the Belgariad by David Eddings. I also read many of the Dragonlance books in the early 90s. For sci-fi, I'm an Asimov fan, and some OSC, also Arthur C. Clarke. There's a lot of sci-fi I haven't read--I'm not into really hard sci-fi. I prefer story and character over technical details. For example, I really wanted to love Ringworld, but got bored with the exploration of the world and the fixation on technicalities. Not my thing.
Anyway, I'm a current fan of contemporary sci-fi authors like Ken Liu and Kameron Hurley, as well as Brandon Sanderson and Patrick Rothfuss.
I'm looking forward to joining in some group reads this year and perhaps join the challenge (even though it's April already!).
:) Nicole
The first year I started the challenge it wasn't until Sept :) Luckily the number of books is flexible. I'm also a huge fan of The Belgariad. I read them in high school and then didn't read fantasy for many years. Now that I am reading fantasy, those books are still my favorite. Welcome to the group!
Sarah Anne wrote: "The first year I started the challenge it wasn't until Sept :) Luckily the number of books is flexible. I'm also a huge fan of The Belgariad. I read them in high school and then didn't read fantasy..."Thanks Sarah! So, I read the Belgariad in junior/high school and then got my degree in English lit and a masters in folklore. I tried to read Pawn of Prophecy at some point during those 8 years in college and I was like, "This is drivel." I couldn't believe I had idolized that book!
It wasn't till I'd been out of college almost two years that I was swayed back to the dark side (haha) of the book world by Patrick Rothfuss's Name of the Wind and then Brandon Sanderson's Elantris. So. Thank god for good contemporary sci-fi/fantasy! Right? :)
Man. I can't believe how snooty college made me!
Don wrote: "hello Nicole!"Hi! Thanks for the hello! :)
~ Giulia ~ wrote: "Hello :) I'm Giulia from Italy (so please be understanding and forgive my english ^^). A few days ago I stumbled upon your bookshelf and it was love at first sight: not only it contains a good por..."
Hi Giulia! I'm so with you on this! Sanderson is disgustingly good!
Greetings everyone,My name is Gary. I'm a writer, blogger, freelance book doctor/editor and teacher of novel writing. I'm also surrounded by books all day since I work at Barnes and Nobel.
Glad to be part of the group...
Gary wrote: "Greetings everyone,My name is Gary. I'm a writer, blogger, freelance book doctor/editor and teacher of novel writing. I'm also surrounded by books all day since I work at Barnes and Nobel.
Glad ..."
Well damn, it sounds like you live in heavan
Hello everyone!I am Anna from Moscow. I practise my english by reading books and chatting:) You are welcome!
Welcome Anna. What a great way to learn!
Bee wrote: "Welcome Anna. What a great way to learn!"Wow! You are here since 2009. How do you like Goodreads?
Then, there is always the dark side :)
LOL. well considering I spend way too much time here...pretty well.:)
Stephanie here. Currently live in Minnesota by way of Alaska by way of Florida. I have currently participated in five years of NaNoWriMo. Avid reader since the age of 3. I pretty much with devour whatever you put in front of me but I do have some preferences. I love fantasy/urban fantasy and am getting into some sci-fi though I am not sure how I entirely feel about it. Guess maybe I haven't read enough of it yet.Love to read anything by Butcher, Peeler, Hearne, Gabaldon, and anyone similar. Always looking for the next book to read. In fact, I just picked up the first of the Kushiel's Dart so more series!
Looking to share and receive good recommendations on books.
Stephanie - If you like Urban Fantasy, then be sure to read Charles de Lint. Try "The Little Country"Or, since it appears you like series, try CJ Cherryh. She writes both fantasy and SciFi, and is a great author if you want to transition from Fantasy to SciFi. Try her Fortress series.
Another marvelous author who bridges Fantasy and SciFi is Lois McMaster Bujold. Try her Wide Green World series - "The Sharing Knife" is the first book. And, in my humble opinion, Her military SciFi is some of the best around.
All three of these authors are award winning in several categories.
Mike
Hi all,I'm new to Goodreads which is pretty dumb given that reading is my favourite pastime!
I was born in '82 (making me 34 and counting...) in the UK (Essex). Since 2000, when I moved for University, I have been in Bristol in the West Country. It's a bit wet down here, but I love it!
I now have a family in Bristol, including a one and a half year old son who makes me smile every day! He's smashing. I work in finance, but that's really not important.
I am actually looking to publish in the fantasy genre this year, but I won't go plugging anything here (except the Author's folder when I have something to share).
But most of my spare time (when I'm not playing with my son or writing) is spent reading fantasy! I also blog my reviews (with a zero readership currently) and am making sure to drop those reviews on Goodreads too.
This year I have been focussing on indie books in the fantasy genre, and have so far managed to read: The Road to Shandara by Ken Lozito; Defender by Robert J Crane; Hidden by Megg Jensen; The Thief who Pulled on Trouble's Braids by Michael McClung; and Dirt by CC Hogan. I'm now reading Avenger, the second in the series by Robert J Crane, mainly because Robert was so friendly when I contacted him about his book!
In the more mainstream arena, my recent reads are Red Country by LordGrimdark; The Casual Vacancy by JK Rowling (very not fantasy); and Dangerous Women by Gardner Dozois and George RR Martin - a great intro to a whole host of authors.
My favourite fantasy series is probably Scott Lynch's Gentlemen Bastards series, and my favourite Sci-Fi is Asimov's Foundation series.
I look forward to talking books with like minded people!
James wrote: "But most of my spare time (when I'm not playing with my son or writing) is spent reading fantasy! I also blog my reviews (with a zero readership currently) and am making sure to drop those reviews on Goodreads too.This year I have been focussing on indie books in the fantasy genre..."
Hi James, and welcome.
You are a man of courage - putting up on here that you read and review indie fantasy! You are going to be inundated . . .
I shall be messaging you privately about that - but for now, I had trouble finding your blog, but when I did, I liked what I saw.
Thanks Alan - "search engine optimisation" is an entirely different language, and one I'm entirely illiterate in! So it doesn't surprise me that it was hard to find.I hadn't thought about the demand side of things - perhaps I'm a little nervous now! Oh well, I am but one man with one allocation of time, so I will do what I can. But at the end of the day, I read because I like to read, which is ultimately what really matters.
FYI: the blog to my book reviews is here if anyone's interested (and if this is permitted), but they're also all posted on Goodreads:
http://www.jhockley.com/epic-fantasy/...
Hi, my name's Tony and I was born 1963 San Francisco, CA. Wasn't much interested in science-fiction/ fantasy until I actually saw a UFO in Oct '78. After that incident, I became a voracious reader of those topics. Currently semi-retired in the Bay Area after serving an eight-year stint in the USMC and 20+ more in the workforce. One of my favorite pastimes is curling up in a mink blanket on my favorite Lay-Z Boy chair in front of the fireplace, a mug of hot chocolate by my side and a good book to read. Ahhhh.. good times. ;-)Favorite Sci-fi books: "The Great Dune Trilogy" by Frank Herbert, and "Lucifer's Hammer" by Larry Niven & Jerry Pournel, and "Lightning" by Dean R. Koontz.
Favorite fantasy books: "The Great Book of Amber" by Roger Zalazny, and "The Riftwar Saga" by Raymond E. Feist, and "The Sword of Shannara Trilogy" by Terry Brooks.
I've also dabbled in writing three short stories of my own (only one chapter each. Very short!) in the fantasy/horror genre. Tell me what you think.
Cheers, all!
Hey, Mike. Thanks for the warm welcome.
Always great to see new folks.
Welcome Tony. Lucifer's Hammer and Lightning are among my favorite books as well.
Sarah Anne wrote: "Welcome Tony. Lucifer's Hammer and Lightning are among my favorite books as well."Hi, Sarah. I must've read those books at least a dozen times each. Still read them every few years, like meeting old friends from time to time. ;-)
Hi, I'm Kelsey. I'm from Regina, SK and I was born in 1993. I'm new to posting on forums, so forgive me if I come across as awkward! I've been a fan of science fiction and fantasy from the time I was a young kid, and I've been writing it for almost as long. I also write poetry.
My favourite sci-fi book is either "I, Robot" by Isaac Asimov and my favourite fantasy book is "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire".
My favourite sci-fi book is either "I, Robot" by Isaac Asimov and my favourite fantasy book is "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire".
Sarah Anne wrote: "Welcome Tony. Lucifer's Hammer and Lightning are among my favorite books as well."Would that be Dean Koontz's Lightning? A personal favourite of mine.
Hi. I'm Steve I like genre-bending books, magical realism and fondly remember the old Twilight Zone television show, as well as enjoying GOT and Penny Dreadful. I like sci-fi classics (Asimov, Olaf Stapleton, and moderns, like Margaret Atwood's Oryx and Crake. However, I probably spend more time writing than reading these days. (My loss, I suppose).
Hullos :-) My name is Gaines. I mainly read sci-fi and fantasy, but now and then I'll wander into other genres. For me, a good story is a good story, no matter how we might categorize it. I'm from the US originally, but but moved to Australia about nine years ago to be with my wife. I'm a freelance translator by trade, but in the past I've worked in restaurants, cubicles, on stage (playing flute, mainly), and in bookstores.
I also run a Goodreads group called Short Fiction, a cross-genre group of readers who enjoy short stories, flash fiction, etc etc. Several of us are speculative fiction fans :-)
Nice to meet you all!
Thank you! Why "the Paladin," by the way?
Like the character, though it's not done very well very often. Let's say that's what I "aspire" to.
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SciFi and Fantasy Book Club
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I just joined the group recently and I'm looking forward to participating.
I live in Northern NJ, and was born in 1973, which I guess puts me down about smack dab in the middle of the bell curve for this group.
I read and listen to a lot of books. When I have time to relax at home nowadays, instead of turning on the TV, I load up an audiobook and kick back in my recliner.
My reading list consists primarily of Fantasy and Science Fiction, but I'm up for anything that's interesting and well-written. I'm a big fan of Jim Butcher's works and I'm currently doing a re-read of The Great Book of Amber by Roger Zelazny.
- Jeremy