SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion
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I'm a retired mathematics and computer science professor who has turned his daydreams into a series of sci-fi books. Not promoting anything yet, still trying to figure out your rules. This..."
Most groups have an "authors" section where you can both advertise your stuff and browse for new books. Not sure how many people actually go there to look for self-promoted books. I get the feeling it's purgatory, a place to send annoying authors and publishers. A shame, since there's often a wealth of information from new authors that you may not be able to see anywhere else. AND some publishers actually post new books in these threads.
Some of the author sections have a thread for new books. In others, you may have to start your own. Some folks start a thread just for their book, but they don't seem to get any comments -- probably too limited.
I'd love to discuss physics and religion, but I just don't have the time -- will never retire in this economy. Also, my physics knowledge is so old, I'd probably bore you to tears.

I'm Gavin. I'm a university student, and my reading tends to fall under sci fi, fantasy, horror, classic literature or some combination of the four. I'm a fan of Douglas Adams, Stephen King, Clive Barker, Robert Jordan, Alan Moore, Arthur C. Clarke, H.P. Lovercraft and what I've read of Tad Williams (first book and a half of Otherland, which I definitely need to finish one of these days).
I just finished Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaimen a few days ago, and I'm definitely going to read more of their respective works in the future.
I've been writing off and on forever, but lately I've been getting a bit more serious about it. I'm currently working on a comic about an undead drug addict and a short story about mortuary workers in Victorian England, both of which are ridiculously fun to write.
It is also my firmly held belief that television was invented solely for the creation of Doctor Who.

I loved Good Omens so much, it blew my hippy noodle. A good follow up would be Pratchett's Small Gods, if i may make a suggestion.
Enjoy

Welcome Gavin. I read your last sentence to my spouse who immediately spouted Star Trek and I thought that these were good sources of information about the difference between Brits and U.S.-ians.
TV was created for Firefly.
End of line.
End of line.

End of line."
You Speak the Gospel Brother, but they certainly used this invention nicely when BSG came out.

Kernos and Ala, those are both good points, but I'm going to stick to Doctor Who over Star Trek or Firely, based on the fact that Doctor Who was here first. Television was invented for the purpose of Doctor Who, but there's no question that both of those shows have put the medium to damn good use since then.
Kernos, I'm not sure how this affects your U.S./U.K. theory, but I'm Canadian. :)

I'm Bridget. I was born and raised in Northern California. I mean really north, like north of Sacramento. It's a small town and I love it. That means entertainment is sometimes lacking, which is why reading is such a great thing. I can find all the excitement, adventure and fun I need in the pages of a book.
I fell in love with reading at a young age, I started by reading anything that had to do with horses. I was a horse crazy gal growing up and I still haven't grown out of it. It was during this phase I read James Herriot and just knew that I wanted to be a vet that wrote books. It combined two of my favorite things: animals and writing.
Once in college, I realized that vet school wasn't my passion and instead switched my major to journalism. I became a sports writer and covered local high school and community sports for over 15 years. Currently, I've written a fantasy novel and a short story and am enjoying reading the huge pile of books that keeps growing beside my bed.
I hope to share some of my favorite authors, books and random thoughts with fellow lovers of the written word. Can't wait to get to know all of you.
Happy Reading!


Also, a welcome to the other new folks! :)
Brett wrote: "Mariana wrote: "Hello there!
My name is Mariana, I'm 22 years old, portuguese and a university finalist :)
I've been reading fantasy since I "met" Harry Potter, when I was around 12 years old. I ha..."
Actually I study in the University of Oporto. It's the only one in the country with the major I'm taking :)

Welcome Gavin. I read your last sentence to my spouse who immediately spoute..."
As a Brit, I obviously love Dr Who, but I also enjoy the early Star Trek stuff: there's a coincidental parallel in set construction, with both of the early series using a great deal of polystyrene and unashamedly moving sets. All great stuff.

My name is Mariana, I'm 22 years old, portuguese and a university finalist :)
I've been reading fantasy since I "met" Harry Potter, when I was around 12 years old. I ha..."
I was lucky enough to read all but the last two of the Harry Potters to my daughter as she was growing up with him. We have watched the films in the cinema and on DVD together and now possess 2 sets of both the books and the DVDs, as Kate is now at Uni and needs her own set. Great books and films that keep true to the writing where they are able.

My name is Tonya, I am 22 years old. I recently graduated a state university and got married. Pass most of my days in a computer repair shop and when I am not working there I am building websites for people.
If anyone knows anything about computer repair, I have a lot of downtime, which I gladly fill with reading. As for which books I read, well lets be honest I am not picky. Mostly look for something that grabs and pulls in with limited cares otherwise.

My name is Scott and I live in Columbus, OH. I am an indie book blogger with an emphasis on fantasy. I am on course for 150 books read this year and I will hopefully have reviews written on about 120 of them.
Apologies if this is inappropriate, but I didn't see anywhere to put it. Right now my blog is featuring a huge giveaway (over 300 books print and ecopies) stop by say hi and get a chance to win. Rules are in bold at the bottom of the post.
http://indiebookblogger.blogspot.com/...

I'm Tim, 21 years old, born and raised in the most beautiful country in the world. You know, that country they call The Netherlands. Yeah, that one! I loved readings books when I was a kid, but I had other priorities in high school: Gaming, drinking beer, watching TV, etc etc. A few years back I rediscovered the fun of reading and I've bought around 30 books since then. Mostly fantasy and SciFi books, with a few exceptions (some science and fiction books). I still love other things like gaming, watching a lot of series and hanging out with friends, so I don't read very much. I've started A Storm of Swords in December 2010 and I'm still at page 320 or so... I did read a few other books in the meantime, though. I'm still discovering the world of Fantasy books and I find more and more books that I want to read everyday, but I don't think I will have time to read them all.
Series that I will definitely want to finish are The Wheel of Time, Sword of Truth, A Song of Ice and Fire, all books of Robin Hobb and Raymond E. Feist and, ofcourse, Discworld.
I already spent a few hours just reading discussions in this group, and I must admit that I love this group already!
If you have any recommendations on books I should definitely read, don't hesitate to recommend them!
Tim
Welcome Tim :)
When I think Netherlands, I think cold.
I guess there's beauty in frozen stuff, eh? :P
When I think Netherlands, I think cold.
I guess there's beauty in frozen stuff, eh? :P
Ah, the Washington State of Europe?
I can relate :P
I can relate :P

When I think Netherlands, I think cold."
I think windmills, dykes with little boys thumbs stuck in them, lots of bicycles and of course Amsterdam and all that that entails ; )

Since then I've stoked my passion for speculative fiction with the greats: J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis (of course), Ray Bradbury, Arthur C. Clarke, Isaac Asimov, Douglas Adams, Frank Herbert, Tad Williams, Terry Brooks, David Eddings, L. Ron Hubbard, Piers Anthony, Terry Goodkind and many more. The works I admire most entertain while sharing a vision.
I live in Central Virginia with my loving, supportive and patient wife, where we both do our best to prioritize raising our three boys. When not writing, I operate a marketing business focused on creating and selling Internet advertising opportunities for multiple college sports websites.

I've been on Goodreads a little while, though this is my first attempt at a group. I live in England with my pet cockroaches. I read all sorts of science fiction and fantasy, for all age ranges. My bookshelf has everything from picture books up. Robots are awesome!
I also write and I've had some short stories published, but no novels yet.

I discovered reading early on and like almost every genre except romance. My favorites though are horror and sci fi. I am also a Trekkie.
I'm looking forward to wandering aroung this site a little more and to meeting more of you. : )

Welcome Charlene! I'm sure you'll have fun here.

Who's the best Star Trek captain?"
Ronald, for me it's a toss up between Picard and Sisko. (Sisko is the emissary of the prophets after all).
*sigh* I'm such a geek : )

Welcome Charlene! I'm sure you'll have fun here."
Thanks, Brett!
Without a doubt the best captain is Picard.

Who's the best Star Trek captain?"
Oh come on! You all know it's Shatner! Even though he was
(and is) an egotistical misogynist the drove everyone off the show, he is the Captain Kirk!
My FAVORITE is Picard, but the series best is Kirk.
You misspelled Picard twice in your post.
I'm sorry Brett.
But...you're wrong.
And now I'm gonna have to ban you.
THERE IS BUT ONE CAPTAIN AND HE IS THE PICARD
But...you're wrong.
And now I'm gonna have to ban you.
THERE IS BUT ONE CAPTAIN AND HE IS THE PICARD
And Riker got the ladies.
What'd Spock get? Bones.
That's right. I went there.
What'd Spock get? Bones.
That's right. I went there.

But...you're wrong.
And now I'm gonna have to ban you.
THERE IS BUT ONE CAPTAIN AND HE IS THE PICARD"
LOL!
I will agree that Picard is cool and that I like him best, but that's as far as I'll go!
Well, I guess that'll do. :P

What'd Spock get? Bones.
That's right. I went there."
It seems you and I have finally found something we can agree on: Star Trek."
...and Mean Girls?

The reason most people prefer Picard, is that Patrick Stewart was believable as a skipper. He was tough and had "command presence". Shatner emoted all over the place like a lovesick girl. No military organization would put up with that even in an Academy plebe, let alone a line officer on a combat vessel.

(And I probably ought not to mention my love of droids around Ronald... in the old Star War Galaxies I had the maximum number of droids, including a protocol droid with a sarcastic personality chip. Those were the days.)
Sisko wasn't even a Captain until like third or fourth season. pfft.
Also, two droids(medical), a cat, and an AT-ST.
My pets would've eaten your pets. :P
Also, two droids(medical), a cat, and an AT-ST.
My pets would've eaten your pets. :P

(And I probably ought not to mention my love of droids around Ronald... in the old Star War Galaxies I had the maximum..."
Oh yes, 7 of 9 was interesting and her especially tailored uniform! Guaranteed to cause maximum confusion in males of all species!
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I'm a retired mathematics and computer science professor who has turned his daydreams into a series of sci-fi books. Not promoting anything yet, still trying to figure out your rules. This looks like a large and active group.
My writing is hard sci-fi with lots of metaphysical themes. I've tried to add a layer of human consciousness to the current theories of physics and the multiverse. :-)
Currently I am working on the fourth book, Singularities of the Soul of Stephen Xi, which should be finished in a few months.
I'll explore this group for a while before I dive in deeply. Anyone who wants to discuss religion and physics, let me know.
Al