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[Joseph]

Hello, I'm from Pennsylvania and a big fan of science fiction, fantasy, and horror novels. The first big book I read was Watership Down, way back in junior high school, and I've been hooked on reading ever since. My favorite authors are R.A. Salvatore and Stephen King, and I've read most of their books. I'm also a long-time movie geek, computer nerd, and PC gamer. I'm currently reading "The Hunger Games", and like it a lot. It reminds me of "Battle Royale", a great Japanese movie that most people who aren't movie geeks have never heard about.

[Curt]

I'm far from a movie gourmet (geek brings Steve Urkel to mind) but I know there are folks who put 'Ran' and Gamera on the same page. Read Watership Down and the few of the better ( to me) animal protagonists. Fritz Lieber's 'Spacetime For Springers'beats 'em all

[Jennifer]

Hello all! I'm not new to Goodreads, but I was MIA for a while (I had twins, an exhausting experience). My taste leans more toward fantasy than science fiction, having read The Hero and the Crown in the fourth grade. I still reread it every few years. Lately, I've been rereading some classics: Ray Bradbury, CS Lewis, Ursula Le Guin and (oddly) Shakespeare. I've also released my first book (which was just as exhausting as the twins) and I'm shopping around the second. Great to meet you all!

[William]

William_D_Burt
The King of the Trees

Hi! I'm not sure I've properly introduced myself. I'm a fantasy reader/author. I particularly enjoy C.S. Lewis and Tolkien. The King of the Trees is the first book in my "King of the Trees" fantasy series of 7 titles (so far). It's an especially great series for those who enjoy Narnia or Middle Earth, griffins and dragons and other mythical creatures. The King of the Trees makes a wonderful readaloud, too. (I purposely included a glossary and pronunciation guide at the back of each title in my series.)

"What do an old wooden box, a jeweled pendant and some mysterious, green-garbed strangers share in common? When Rolin son of Gannon sets out to solve this riddle, his adventures take him worlds beyond the walls of his little log cabin. On their perilous quest for the blessed Isle of Luralin, Rolin and some grumpy griffins must trust the King with their very lives."

My latest sequel, The Birthing Tree, came out just last week.

Sequels:
Torsils in Time
The Golden Wood
The Greenstones
The Downs
Kyleah's Mirrors
The Birthing Tree

Feel free to join our King of the Trees fan group, which is at: http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/3...

You can also check out and order copies from our website, http://www.greencloaks.com.

“The greatest help oft comes in harm’s disguise to those with trusting hearts and open eyes."

Have fun with this group!

[DjaDja]

Greetings All,

I just woke up from a 30 something year rest and here I am on GoodReads!!!! I am Sci-Fi!!!!! I am into internal breathing exercise and star-wrangler which is a old past-time from my world. Anime and Manga head for years.

Big Octavia Butler appreciator, I find it hard to fan anyone's flame but my own. OB is the truth and her essence is somewhere about each of us.

I have just completed my first novel in this world entitled 'RENPET'. A very special piece for all Psi-Fi walkers. You may check out the world of RENPET at: www.renpetscifi.com and also here on GoodReads!!!!!

May all of your utterances carry the best intent for your rising.

Best of health,

Djadja

[William]

Welcome to the group, Michael. The Hobbit was my gateway "drug" as well! Now I write my own fantasy series. Best Wishes! BB

[Kirk]

Greetings to you all. I'm a Fan and writer of Sword and Sorcery, Sword and Soul, and Fantastic Horror. My reading taste varies between genres and authors. I've read Camus' the Stranger and Fritz Leiber's Lankhmar tales.

[Curt]

Kirk wrote: "Greetings to you all. I'm a Fan and writer of Sword and Sorcery, Sword and Soul, and Fantastic Horror. My reading taste varies between genres and authors. I've read Camus' the Stranger and Fritz Le..."
Hi Kirk. So would you say Fafhrd and the Mouser are existential types?

[K.C.]

Hi y'all. I'm KC and I'm a reader and writer of fantasy and science fiction. I've got one epic fantasy novel out so far, and two in progress. Most of my evenings and weekends are spent writing, except on Sundays or Monday nights during football season and when my puppy gets that look on her face that says, "Take me to the dog park or I'll eat the sofa!"

[Curt]

Hello K.C. A puppy of the Basset-villes?

[William]

Welcome to the group, K.C. I also write fantasy novels, but I don't watch football! :)

[Emily]

Hello guys and gals. :) I'm Emily, from New England. I'm into fantasy of any kind... and sometimes science fiction. I work at a big, bad bookstore and can't wait to escape the crushing grip of corporate/retail life. Blah.
Anyway, can't wait to chat it up with everyone. :)

[William]

Welcome to the group, Emily. I happen to write a fantasy series you might want to check out. (The King of the Trees.) I don't blame you for feeling blah about corporate life and the retail scene. Enjoy the rest of your summer!

[Emily]

William wrote: "Welcome to the group, Emily. I happen to write a fantasy series you might want to check out. (The King of the Trees.) I don't blame you for feeling blah about corporate life and the retail scene. E..."

I will most certainly do just that! I'm always looking for new things to read!

[William]

Here's the link to the first book in the series. Adults seem to get into it as well as young adults. The King of the Trees.

It sounds as if you need to find an independent bookstore and settle in. Privately owned bookstores have a much cozier, laid-back feel about them, at least in my experience. (They're a vanishing breed, unfortunately.) I hope you can find a job setting more to your liking.

Blessings!

Bill

[Abby]

Hi, I'm Abby. I got in to fantasy though the gateway of Lackey and Eddings, embarrassingly enough. I haven't been reading much fantasy lately, because nothing really looks appealing. Kage Baker is one of my favorite authors.

[Stuart]

Hi to Abby and all the new folks.

[Curt]

Hello Abby and all the new people.!

[TheWellReadLady]

Hi all,

I just joined Good Reads the other day & this is my first group, YAY!, and I live all the way down at the bottom of our good green planet in New Zealand (yes, where 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy was filmed by our wonderful Peter Jackson).

I am 38 year old PROUD GEEK! I am brunette, green-eyes, petite and have a wonderful crazy-silly daughter and a cat & we all live in a house near a wood. I have tonnes of interests, but am in LOVE with Steampunk as I am weird and think cemeteries, the Victorians, and anything Gothic is awesome, lol! I live for books and like to write, although my job chews up my time & it's hard to find 'fun' time for things like writing, etc.

Let me see......I really want to read Cherie Priest books, as she sounds interesting & does lovely Steampunk, yay!. My other 'newbie' fave author is a Scottish man called Alan Campbell who has written a fantastic trilogy called 'The Deepgate Codex', which I highly recommend to everyone who may be interested in books involving scrapping angels, leather-clad warrior chicks & upside down cities dangling from chains over an abyss.

I will read pretty much anything & books I have read this year include....

Animal Farm-George Orwell
Necronomicon-H P Lovecraft
The God of Clocks-Alan Campbell
Horns-Joe Hill
Angelology-D. Trussoni
The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde-R L Stevenson
Half of the Sookie Stackhouse series-Charlaine Harris
Blue-Eyed Boy-Joanne Harris
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo-S. Larson
The Catcher In The Rye-J D Salinger

...and lots of others I will no doubt remember as soon as I log off...

Ciao for now all :)

[F.J.]

Greetings.

My full name is Franz Hansen. I was born April 13, 1986 in Fremont, CA, and this is where I've lived all my life. I am the seventh of seven children.

I grew up around science fiction, and by 11, I was writing stories based on Star Trek. A few years later, I started creating my own science fiction universe.

I mainly read science fiction, but will also read some fantasy. Particularly if it involves dragons that are treated with respect.

[Cleve]

Hello Group,

I'm Cleve, a writer & filmmaker. I read mostly epic fantasy. If it's got a brooding hero with a sword, I'm in. Favorite series is George R. R. Martin's, A Song of Ice & Fire.

[Stuart]

Hello to all the new members!

[Khronus]

Hello to everyone

You guessed it... another new member to this illustrious group :)

I'm coming all the way from New Zealand, the better half of down under.

I have been an avid fantasy and Sci-fi reader for the better part of all of my life! In that time I have amassed quite a library of books and still continue to this day. I currently do not read as much as I'd like to but give me a good book and you'll find me hard pressed to let it go.

[Stuart]

Hello Khronus

[Lauren⁷ 💜]

Hi all.

I'm Lauren and at 17 seem to be among the younger sector of this group. I'm a southern transplant originally from Michigan, i miss the north a lot. I absolutely love to read (obviously) and since teaching myself to read at 5, i pretty much haven't stopped, I'm homeschooled so i can devote as much time as i want to my reading. I read pretty much all genres. I first got into fantasy courtesy of Christopher Paolini, i absolutely love the Inheritance trilogy. I've been fairly slow to read other fantasy series and novels, i find quite a few of them to be just too trippy for my tastes (no offense). But i do have a fair amount of fantasy and classic fantasy on my TBR. But i did read the Percy Jackson series this past year and i love it. I also read a lot of urban fantasy i.e. Sookie Stackhouse, the Fever series, and one of my favorites for urban fantasy, the Mortal Instruments series. Sci-Fi not so much, it's not really my thing, although i do love Eureka on Syfy. And i want to give a shout-out to what is in my opinion one of the most underrated fantasy series out there "The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica" by James A. Owen. And it's a shame that it's not getting the attention it deserves, it's a seriously great fantasy series and one of my all-time favorites. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys great well-written fantasy or just great books. I accept most all friend requests and love to chat about books, so if you want to be friends just send a request my way, :).

[Annika]

Hello! I'm a young Australian author with my first novel due out next year. My favourite authors are Neil Gaiaman and Mervyn Peake. I'm new to this whole Goodreads thing but I like it so far :)

[Shomeret]

Hello, Annika. I went to your blog and tried to watch your book trailer, but I got a notice saying that it was blocked for copyright reasons.

Can you tell us anything about your upcoming urban fantasy novel?

[Annika]

Yeah sorry about that. I made the trailer just as an experiment but the song I used caused the video to be blocked in the US. When I mak a proper one I'll be sure to have permission for the music hehe.

My book is being published by Leucrota Press. It's an urban fantasy about misfit teenagers and the worlds they create inside their heads to escape from reality. It's my first book and I'm deliriously excited about having it published.

[Alex]

Hi all - I'm Alex Rogers, from South Africa, living in Japan. I've been reading scifi and fantasy for 30 years, starting like so many did with Tolkien, and graduating to harder science fiction. I loved the cyberpunk era (maybe its not quite over :-) ) and currently enjoy authors like Iain M Banks, Margaret Atwood, Octavia Butler, Peter Hamilton, Richard Morgan, and others.

I've joined Goodreads to find new (to me) authors. On the sci-fi side, Paulo Bacigalupo has been an amazing find (The Windup Girl) and I'd like to find more like him. On the fantasy side, I prefer harder edged stuff like Richard Morgan's forays into fantasy, or dark complex stuff like China Mieville's writing. I also really like the borders between the two genres like much of Neal Stephenson's writing.

Living in Japan and not having access to English books, I buy ebooks online and am often frustrated with the limited availability of new finds - but the situation is improving all the time, and I'm hoping to find inspiration and leads to good new books here.

cya online!

Alex

[♥♥Mari♥♥]

Hi! My name is Mari -- that's short for Maria de los Angeles (last name not included). I've been a member for a while now, but have just basically been scanning posts here and there.

I was born in Havana, Cuba, sometime in the previous century, and grew up in Miami, Florida, USA.

I first heard about Goodreads from Misfit, one of the GR librarians. I met her through the comments section of an Amazon review. So here I am, and I'm hooked on this fabulous site!

I was introduced to SF by a very smart classmate in seventh grade. She told me that she was really from another planet (I can't remember the name, but it was not in our solar system), and that her real name was Che-lal Burr. That was it. I then realized that I was really from Mars (guess I wanted to stick closer to home), and that MY real name was Chal-ter Byron... I got to know the worlds of Asimov, Bradbury, Heinlein, and, eventually, LeGuin. Later on, I got into Star Trek and The Lord of the Rings.

I'm a die-hard book addict, but don't have all that much time to read, since I have a husband and two jobs to take care of. No kids, though. Well, I snatch reading time whenever I can...

I've written some fan fiction, as well as poetry. Currently, I'm trying to discipline myself enough to actually produce a novel...

I have recently finished "Fahrenheit 451", which I had been meaning to read for a very long time. I have also reviewed it, because the novel simply blew me away!

I am currently reading "The Crystal Cave", by Mary Stewart.

[Spectra]

Embarrassed as I am to admit it, I've only really discovered the value of Goodreads very recently. The social networks have never held any appeal (I simply don't understand Facebook's or Twitter's purpose), but joining in such a vast community brought together on a very specific purpose really appeals to me.

Anyway, I'm part of the editorial team on a new, digital-only sci-fi, fantasy and horror short fiction publication called Spectra Magazine (http://spectramagazine.com) which is designed and written for the new range of e-readers out there (the iPad, iPhone, Kindle, iRiver and so forth).

It's something of an experiment to try and reignite the short fiction, pulp magazines for the 21st Century. It's only just gone on sale, but authors are apparently very keen on getting their stuff out digitally - we've had hundreds of submissions, from established, Hug Award winning writers and hot new talent alike.

Well, we'd love some feedback on Spectra Magazine from the SciFi and Fantasy Book Club, so please do let us know if you've cast a critical eye over it. Looking forward to chatting with you all!

[Jennifer]

I'm 37, born in Bad Kreuznach, West Germany, but grew up in Southern California(Military Family.)

I just joined Good Reads last week, so I'm still trying to figure some things out. I'm absolutely addicted to reading and SciFi/Fantasy, at the moment, is my favorite genre. Military Fantasy comes in second(yet struggles to be my #1).

Nice to meet you and hope to see you around the Good Reads.

[Curt]

Have found several of the Black Library's Warhammer 40,000 Dark Fantasy/ Military SciFi series are good mix Gaunt's Ghosts is a great start.

[Jason]

Hey,
My name's Jason, I was introduced to Goodreads by SciFi and Fantasy Group member AJ. She's been a good friend of mine for years and I have been enjoying the site for a while and lurking on the Group for a few months. I have a degree in English but am a Social Worker by experience. I am a lifelong Science Fiction and Fantasy aficionado. That being said, I won't read or watch just anything, I do have a few standards :) Finally decided to participate with Boneshaker this month. I usually read on my Kindle and recently switched my wife over to it as well. I look forward to seeing what everyone has to say and taking a look at the recommendations.

[Stuart]

Hi Jennifer and Jason.

[Timothy]

Hi 'Kiddies',
Just thought I'd drop by, My name is Paul Rix and I really am an OLD geezer, by comparison with your tender years! Born in 1948!! [where does the time go?] in Norfolk [UK] I got into writing late in life, and am a founder member of 'Frontline indie authors', a loose group of fiercely indipendent types dedicated to promoting the very best books out there at the moment.
I write thrillers under the name Timothy Pilgrim, and currently have a 'grow your own' gardening book out under my own name. The reason I dropped by is I have just become a friend of Stuart, as it appears we have strong geographical links, and it would be good to meet up.
Personally I am not a great fan of Sci-Fi or fantasy, a bit of Terry Pratchett,[ Granny Weatherwax has to be my favourite fictional character] a couple of Asimov and that is about it. Or was, until recently when I came across Carrie King and then met her, I cannot recommend 'The life in the woods with Joni-Pip' highly enough, a brilliant read, and remember I'm not a fantasy fan!
A couple of other books in your prefered genre I found readable and very well written are 'The Cloak of magic' and 'The staff of power' from Sue Rule and I believe the third book of this trilogy is on it's way. So although this might not be my 'natural home' I think I can add something to the group by bringing some 'alternative' titles and authors to the notice of your readers, I promise I will not recommend anything I cannot read myself, absolutely NO junk! there is too much of that around already!
all the best Paul Rix, [oldgeezer]

[David]

Hello all,
I'm pretty new to Goodreads, but enjoying it immensely. Looking forward to good discussions on good science fiction. I am also writing an alternate history book called "Fist Full of Reefer." I enjoy speculative fiction, Hard science fiction, space operas... just about everything.

[Harry]

Hi...I've had a varied life...retired military...background in engineering and education...I now teach at a small private college prep school. In college I developed a profound love for reading and today my bedroom is a library with 8 full bookshelves. I read very widely enjoying a broad range material. Asmiov's short story Nightfall taught me how to wonder and I have had a special love for Science Fiction ever since. Favorite area of SF are Alternate History and Time Travel...Favorite authors are Asmiov, Heinlein, and Stephen Baxter. I enjoy books that expand my mind and introduce me to new points of view.

[Jean]

Jean (new) here.

I started reading SF when I was maybe 10.. in our apartment building, there was a place people left books/mags they didn't want: found Amazing (and/or Astounding) and Fantasy & Science Fiction magazines and was hooked. This was in the 1950s.. I've been an SF reader on and off (mostly on) ever since. So I've read all the classics, but mostly don't remember them.

Recently got an IPad, and have revisted a few favorite authors: Sheri Tepper and Connie Willis. I'll be going back further in time to Asimov, Pohl, Nivens, et al.

Maybe all time faves are Ursula LeGuin, Kim Stanley Robinson, and Terry Pratchett. Not very consistent, I know. After 9/11, I read Terry's entire canon, so he's a comfort read.

Look forward to participating here.

[Sue]

Hi,guys, Gary McCluskey here. I've been reading fantasy and sci-fi since my brother bought me Otis Adelbert Kline's 'Planet of Peril' back in the late 1960's because I liked the cover. I'm a fan of Connie Willis, George Martin, John Crowley, M. John Harrison, Stephen King and on and on. My ipad is already filled with more books than I'll read in a lifetime. And that's leaving out my ever growing 'real' book collection! I've been an illustrator for over 20 years now and I wanted to put a question out to the readers and writers here. How important is cover art (or even interior illustration) to you? I ask this because (as an illustrator) I'm mostly disappointed by the cover art I see on the smaller press books and that DOES have an effect on my buying habits. I'm curious how others feel about it. And yes, if you want to see any of my art please got to: http://foggie32.deviantart.com/gallery/ . It just seems to me if people are putting so much of themselves into a book they so feel strongly about, it would be a shame for it to be passed over because of the cover. I could be totally wrong in this because I came to reading from a different direction than a lot of others. I'd love to hear some opinions. Thanks, everybody!

[Curt]

Excellent work should go together. Too often an illustration gives a reader a 'They've been had at Stewie's Used Cars' feeling. Beautiful exterior, it reads like a geriatric turtle. But having the exterior of a Yugo does all but throw off a casual something in the airport reader. It's always been the first three pages with me. Though even that has led to breakdowns.

[Chris]

Hey everyone, my name is Chris and I am currently a student, who also works at a library. I generally enjoy reading just about everything, but my favorite genres are fantasy/sci fi.

So far this year I have read:

A Thousand Autumns of Jacob De Zoet
Black Hills
Foucalts Pendulum
Anathem
Cryptonomicon
Kraken
Of Mice and Men
Gears of the City
The Castle
Metamorphosis
Steppenwolf
A Pale View of the Hills
The Book of Lost Things
Shriek

[Mis_Reading]

Hi, my name is Misty, I'm 24, and I love reading. The last part being redundant, otherwise why would I be here? I guess I just don't know what to say, really. I'm working on a novel, just as many of you seem to be. HELLO COMPETITION!!! How you doin? lol

That I can remember, I read this list of books this year:
Good Omens 3 out of 5
Life As We Knew It 1 out of 5
The Forest of Hands and Teeth 2 out of 5
Evermore 3.5 out of 5
Sunshine 2.9 out of 5
Neverwhere 5 out of 5
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone 3.5 out of 5
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets 3.5 out of 5
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban 4.5 out of 5

The HP books are listed together only because they are a series, that's not the order they were read in conjunction with the other books. I seperated reading them so that they won't all bleed together, since I've never read them before. I know, shock, right?

Currently reading 3 books:
Battle Royale: The Novel
Clockwork Angel
By Blood We Live

The third one is a collection of short stories, I thought it would be a good writing/reading excersise. BR and CA though I love dearly already. So very excited to be reading them.

[Stuart]

Hi to all you new members.

[Richard]

I'm Richard, 58, fantasy & science fiction reader since 3rd grade. Started with Baum's Oz books and Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea. Then ran across Norton's Storm Over Warlock, and the rest is history. Current favorite authors include Patricia Wrede, Carol Stevermer, Eric Flint, Elizabth Moon, David Weber, Charles Stross, Diane Duane, Michael Kurland, Mercedes Lackey. This list subject to change without notice.

[Curt]

Hello Richard. Do you see Captain Nemo as a Tragic Hero
or a megalomaniac somewhere in the neighborhood of Victor Frankenstein, Feanor,and pre Vampire porn days Dracula?

[Richard]

When I first read 20,000 Leagues I was 9, and my reaction was 'Whoa, cool!' More recently... I guess I do see Frankenstein and Nemo as similar. Not sure I see either as either tragic or heroic as such - just overly focused techies who got caught up in how neat (figuratively, at least in Frankenstein's case) what they were doing was that they ignored the human consequences. I've always thought Mary Shelley intended Modern Prometheus at least partly as a cautionary tale about 'boys and their toys'.

[Curt]

I'll agree with you on Viktor. Peter Cushing in the old Hammer films elevated his character to a status approaching Heroic; sinister, driven, maniacal, yet heroic in what he thought he was bringing to benefit mankind. Nemo was a Tragic Hero driven by a need for revenge to use his knowledge as a weapon. Feanor was a driven fiery Elf even in the good times, to take anything from him, not just the Simarils, but a hammer from his shop and not return it would have brought his wrath. Vlad was a ruthless fighter against the Ottomans and any who disputed his authority as ruler of Transylvania.

[Mandy]

Hi, I am looking for a book that I read quite a few years back and can't remember the title or the author.
Its a Sci-fi or fantasy book about a man who creates worlds inside crystal balls/vases/bottles. He builds the worlds using the Feng Shui rules.
It would be great if anyone can help me as I would love to read this book again.

[Richard]

Lord Demon. Roger Zelazny.