SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion

Greetings, Goodreaders!

My name is Wayne Thomas Batson. I am a relatively new author (my first book came out in 2005) and I'm trying to be much more active here at Goodreads.

My books are both safe and unsafe. The Door Within Trilogy is my first series. They are fantasy stories that would appeal to readers of Lord of the Rings, Narnia, and the Inkheart/Spell/Death books. And I've a new pirate adventure duo out: Isle of Swords & Isle of Fire.

How are they safe? You will not find objectionable content in my books. No random sex or lusty romance. No gratuitous violence. No foul language. No threads of darkness to lead young readers onto the wrong side of the tracks.

How are they unsafe? Well then, no real adventure is really safe, is it? My stories involve great risk, uncertain ends, and sacrifice. As in life, evil does lurk around every corner, and my heroes will have to face it or be destroyed. Their are epic wars, tragic ambushes, and battles at sea. There is violence that is realistic for its setting. And there is pure romance as well.

In any case, I hope you'll give me a read. And well met, I say.

Never alone.
-Wayne Thomas Batson

Hi, I'm currently a college student planning to start a degree in Biochemistry next year. I am also interested in philosophy, history, music and literature so I am pleased to have found this website: it looks very interesting.

Hi, all. My name is Aparna. I was born on a fateful autumn day in India in 1984. Stop doing the math. I'm 24 years old...and aging daily. I've traveled the world but seem to be permanently shackled to the state of PA. I would love to see more of the world and am looking to make a major move to distant lands as soon as I am able. Until then, I immerse myself in books. :-) Since this is a SciFi book club, here's a general question. Is anyone into the Miles Vorkosigan books?
Happy reading!

Welcome Aparna, Hollis, Wayne and Lady!

Glad to have you all with us.

Robin wrote: "Welcome Aparna, Hollis, Wayne and Lady!

Glad to have you all with us."

Thanks!!

Welcome all!

Aparna wrote: "...Is anyone into the Miles Vorkosigan books?.."

I have not read all of the Vorkosigan books, but I am a fan. Last fall I finally got around to reading the Mountains of Mourning from the baen free library and it basically went downhill from there. I read about a book a day until my local library ran out.

If you're lacking access to books, scribd.com usually has something...check it out! :-)

I just mooched Falling Free and received it yesterday. Have loved every book of the saga that I've read so far.

Jensownzoo wrote: "I just mooched Falling Free and received it yesterday. Have loved every book of the saga that I've read so far."

I read this book years ago. with the quadies engenered with four arms for free fall. I did not know this was part of a series. what are other books in this saga

Here's more about the Vorkosigan Saga.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vorkosig...

Try starting with The Warrior's Apprentice and The Vor Game (my favourite so far). Happy reading!

Just joined after lurking a little ... decided to read The Road for the February discussion as well as to get some suggestions for more sci-fi/fantasy reading. My favorite authors in these genres are Jack Vance, whom I re-read every few years, and Terry Pratchett. I'm working my way through Discworld in publication order, right now up to Feet of Clay.

Looking forward to participation in discussions in the group!

Hi, I'm Laura and I'm new to GoodReads and to the group. I've been a fan of fantasy and science fiction ever since I was a kid - Star Trek introduced me to science fiction and the fantasy was taken care of when my fifth grade teacher gave me a copy of The House with a Clock in its Walls by John Bellairs.

I just finished reading No Dominion by Charlie Huston and I've just started The Mercy of Thin Air which I think qualifies as fantasy because the protagonist is a ghost. I'm looking forward to getting lots of suggestions here and expanding my already quite long TBR list!

I am a brand new member to Goodreads as well. I am 18 years old and hail from the greatest city on earth, Las Vegas. My love for fantast began at the age of 13 or so when I picked up the first R.A Salvatore novel from the Drizzt series. I proceeded to devour all 17 or so books in the series at a very rapid rate, from then on I have been hooked. My fairly narrow tastes were broadened last year from almost exclusively fantasy to science fiction as well with the book Snow Crash. Since then, I have read to many titles to remember in both genres, but if you would like to see some of the things I've read, please check out my booklist. I just finished the Dresden files (all 10 of them) and am now in the process of deciding what to read next.

I am a senior in highschool, but already into college, so I can afford to read fanatically. I also created the group Speculative Fiction Addicts Anonymous for people interested in Speculative fiction in all it's forms to come and suggest books to one another.

I hope to be seeing you all around.

Welcome Dan, Laura, and Harrison.

Aparna, I do appreciate the suggestion, but I am one of those odd people that don't have the internet at home and my work computer is a little picky about that site.

Hi everyone!

I just found this group and am VERY thankful that it isn't a group full of tweens and teens (no offense to those hanging out here as we are all welcome). I was born in 1978 in Joliet, IL and have now officially hit the 3rd decade. I have my bachelor's degree in nursing from Western Michigan University (Go Broncos!) and my master's in nursing from the University of Michigan--Ann Arbor. I am a nurse practitioner. Lastly, I am married to a wonderful guy and have a love-hate relationship with my cat Daisy.

I have always loved to read just about anything, from the classics (Shakespeare to Dumas to Dickens) to suspense/thriller to fantasy. I will read just about anything with a good plotline, but I will not touch cheesy dollar romance paperbacks with a 10 foot pole. Come on, seriously? "Her skin started to shiver with his soft caress as she looked into his penetrating blue eyes..." Definitely not for me. I truly got into good fantasy fiction when I was a junior in college. I had a friend tell me that I just HAD to read Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series, and I have been an addict ever since. I noticed a recurrent theme in this group/discussion board. Mr. Jordan is and will be missed for generations to come. How many of us would not have picked up fantasy if it weren't for him and the WoT?

Anyway, I digress. Let's see, in the past year I have flown through the Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind, the final Harry Potter book, many of R.A. Salvatore's Drizzt books (now on Transitions), Paolini's Brisingr, and others that you can see in my profile. I will be working on the Dresden Files soon, but other than that, I will start to reread the entire million page WoT series since the FINAL book is coming out later this year!!!!! *Jumping up and down like a hyper little kid in a candy store!*

Welcome Dan, Laura, Harrison and Kathy!!

Glad to have you all aboard.

Kathy wrote: "I have my bachelor's degree in nursing from Western Michigan University (Go Broncos!)"

Hey, good 'ol WMU. I don't run into too many people from home here. Welcome Kathy!

Hello everyone. I live in California with my five children and various four legged creatures. I write fantasy but read and edit my fiance's science fiction.

Welcome Sue and Shawna - Shawna - it is great that your significant other each write. It must be interesting though. I edit my husband's books but don't write myself. He refers to me as his "My Cousin Vinny" because it is my job to try and find any plot wholes etc. It can drive him crazy but ultimately it makes for better books - though I'm sure he doesn't feel that way at the time I raise an issue that has to be changed ;-)

Thanks for the welcome, peeps. I'm always thankful to find others that I can have intelligent book discussions with. Unlike your hubby, Robin, mine thinks that the Sunday sports section is reading and just doesn't get it, that is my infatuation with good books.

And Sue, it's great to see another Bronco hanging out around here, or at least another Kalamazooan. :)

Hey, folks -- nice to meet you all.

I'm a writer. Umm ... what else is there to say?

I started as another scribbling poet, very occasionally getting published in the tiniest of journals, giving readings at coffee houses and galleries. Those readings eventually evolved into a one-man play. Then I wrote some actual plays. (A few hole-in-the-wall productions; some exceedingly minor awards.) I was very encouraged when one of my plays got published in a theater magazine. Eventually, I worked for a variety of newspapers and magazines, even for television.

Now my fourth book is about to come out. What a long, strange trip it's been!

Rob Dunbar

Hi, I'm Lisa and I have a true passion for High Fantasy. I like all kinds of books and I have a library of over 1500. HF is my favorite tho. I love Tolkien, Dennis L. Mckiernan, Terry Brooks, C.S.Lewis, Katherine Kerr, and the list goes on. And on. I haven't joined a group like this before and I'm hoping it will be fun to discuss books and stuff with other people who enjoy them too.

Hi Lisa and welcome, and a big welcome to all the other newbies so far!

Lisa, Terry Brooks is one of my favorite authors. I even dedicated my first published novel to him, because he had some very kind and encouraging words for me very early in my career. In fact, if it wasn't for what he said to me that day, I would not have started my novel when I did, and I may have never started it.

Hi,

I'm 32 years old, and currently work as a programmer for a college in the UK. Loved reading as a child, but there wasn't much money, so I got whatever seemed interesting from the local library, and so read a pretty random collection of stuff, including quite a lot of SF and fantasy. For the past few years my habit has been kept in check by the need to do a lot of job-related reading, and a lack of space.

Some old favorites: Rendezvous with Rama (Arthur C. Clarke), the first Deverry series of Katherine Kerr, Rats and Gargoyles (Mary Gentle), Dune, A Wizard of Earthsea.

Enjoyed recently: Declare (Tim Powers), Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, The Court of the Air (Stephen Hunt), the Chronicles of Amber by Roger Zelazny (a reread), and quite a lot of Charles Stross.

Hi. I'm Cleveland.
I still consider myself a new creative writer but with credits.I've read a great range of books in different genre including fantasy, though I've now published my first fantasy novel which has come out better than I expected. I have reviewed mss for two mainline authors before I decided to write myself...

Hi Cleveland and congrats on getting your first novel out there! I know what a thrill it is. My second novel comes out Feb.24 and has already received a very favorable review at Publisher's Weekly.

Hi im Lakshmi and Im born in 15th of June which is a Father's Day!Im glad im born on this day.I find that this group is alot more better and i find it interesting also!You see I love talking through the phone and im not that interested in STUDYING!Making decisions are one of the favourite things I like about in goodreads group.Im 20 years old and I do work also in Canada.Keep up the good work whoever made this group!

Hi all -
I've been a voracious reader since I devoured all of the boxcar children books when I was 7. I am currently 27 and absolutely addicted to Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Magical Realism books. I have read a ridiculous number of books, and can't even begin to list them here - that's what my goodreads page is for! I tend to find an author I like and then read every book they've ever written. It's a pretty good system. I was excited to see this group and grateful to find readers who won't criticize me for not reading "real" literature. I could rant about that for a while, but I'm just happy to be among such wonderful readers. I'm always looking for the Next Great Book, and I'm sure I'll find some to read and discuss here! :)

Hi. I'm Mike from Buffalo. I've been a big sci-fi and fantasy fan since I was a little kid. For awhile I read Star Wars novels almost exclusively, but in the last 4 or 5 years I've added a lot more variety.

My favorite authors include Tolkien, Rowling, and Douglas Adams. Lately I've been reading through Jim Butcher's Dresden Files, which I am thoroughly enjoying.

I joined the reading group to get some reading ideas and to contribute my thoughts. Seems like a really cool group so far.

Welcome to the newbies!

Mike--glad you are enjoying the Dresden Files. Have the first 5 books on my bookshelf and they are all on my to-read list.

Marissa wrote: "...I tend to find an author I like and then read every book they've ever written..."

My system as well, Marissa! Works well for me, means that I always have stuff to read while waiting for the newest book in a series to come out. = )
Of course, it also means my TBR list here on GoodReads is ridiculously large, but as goals go, it's a pretty tame one. = )

Welcome to the group everyone!

Hey all! My name is Daniel. I'm an avid scifi/fantasy reader... focusing mainly on fantasy nowadays. I also have begun writing. My first book comes out in March of this year... next month, YAY! Anywho, if you want to know anymore, just ask away!

Welcome to the group all the new people - glad to have you with us.

Hello fellow fantasy and sci-fi lovers, my name is John Beachem. I'm 29 years old and a fantasy author, myself. I'm originally from Virginia, but have lived in beautiful Colorado the vast majority of my life.

I've loved fantasy and science-fiction since I was old enough to stumble my way through the Chronicles of Narnia at a young age. I enjoy George R.R. Martin, Neil Gaiman, JK Rowling, SM Stirling, Gordon R. Dickson, Neal Stephenson, and many others. I stumbled across this site about a week ago and am looking forward to chatting about the millions of wonderful genre books out there.

Hi! I'm Harper, 28 from Philippines. I just started reading books last two years ago. To tell you frankly books are not that hot a commodity here in my country. What is "in" here are pocket books ( novels that's only about 60 -100 pages)which is not my thing. I have a resolution that before I die i must have read a few good books. Now I'm starting to fulfill it. And I 'm getting addicted, that is why I am here. I am currently reading the sword of truth series, it is a long series. I choose this bec. of its rating. If you have suggestions of which book I can read ( genre is based on my collection) please , please tell me. I like to expand my collection.

Good for you Harper - Sorry you have a problem getting good books - glad to have you as part of the group

Hi, I'm Dawn. Been lurking in the corners for a while, reading the posts to get a feel for the place and decided it was time to make myself known -- not that I say much anyway.....

I'm 53 years old, divorced mother of 2 grown sons. I also have 9 grandchildren. To keep me in books, I work for lawyers and have done so for 24 years.

My introduction to fantasy was when I was 8 and I read "The Wind in the Willows." Back then, fantasy was for kids only, and it was hard to find good fantasy that piqued my interest (I was rather precocious, reading at a college level by that time) and my next book was "The King of Elfland's Daughter." I've not stopped since.

I clearly remember "Stranger in a Strange Land" as being the first sci-fi I ever read, and that was in 1970. I've read some sci-fi since then, but generally avoid the 'hard' science fiction. I don't really understand a lot of the technical things.

Not much else to know. I'm pretty boring.

Hey. I'm Dan. I joined about an hour ago.

I'm 31 and I've been a computer programmer for the last seven years. I read lots of different things but I lean toward pulp fantasy and 1970-ish science fiction.

I write when I have the time. NaNoWriMo was a learning experience. Right now, I'm about a fourth of the way through a sci fi novel I'm working on.

Favorite book of 2009 so far: The Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny.

Harpoon wrote: "Hi! I'm Harper, 28 from Philippines. I just started reading books last two years ago. To tell you frankly books are not that hot a commodity here in my country. What is "in" here are pocket books ..."

Harper, since you have computer access, you might want to try ebooks, or books that you can download from the internet. There are smaller gadgets out there with enough memory to carry them, but if you can stand the computer glare for that long, they are there for you.

I personally am a traditional paper book/page turner kind of girl, but I think in your situation, I would try an Ebook.

Welcome Dawn and Dan -- Hmmm D&D -- I won't go there.

Robin wrote: "Welcome Dawn and Dan -- Hmmm D&D -- I won't go there."

hehehe... oh c'mon.. go there!

my name is W.L. it is short for whitney leann. i like to be called w.l. because it is shorter and well shorter. i am 15 i go to high school. i am currently writing a novel, a fantasy. i have written a few poems. when i go to college i would like to major in law. i love to write, i guess that i would if i want to write a novel. well anyways i love to read, i have gotten in trouble a couple of times in class because i was reading. and one more thing i am a GIRL.


i have read:

harry potter 1-7
vladimir tod
secret circle -
vampire diaries-
star wars
percy and the olympians-1-4
twilight
new moon
eclipse
breaking dawn
eragon & eldest

i am currently reading:

moby dick
the vampire diaries 3-4

i would love to read shakespeare. i have looked everywhere i just dont seem to be able to find it.

Welcome W.L. - I love to see young aspiring writers. My husband didn't get published until he was 47!

W.l. wrote: "...i would love to read shakespeare. i have looked everywhere i just dont seem to be able to find it."

You are in luck WL ... Shakespeare is public domain and easily available on the web:

http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page (search for Shakespeare)

Or pick a site from this list:

http://mashable.com/2007/11/12/public...

@ kathy

I have considered ebooks even audiobooks. but it is not the same thing as having a good book in your hand.

I also have a bookshelf in my house. I need to fill it up.

Hello everyone, I am new to the group, but I have been with goodreads for about a year and a half. I spent most of that time over seas and between goodreads and amazon I managed to keep my sanity. I look forward to discussing books in the future as well as reading books that I may have never picked up on my own.

Thanks
-Sergio

Hi everyone! I've been lurking on GoodReads for quite some time but decided its time to get involved! I first started reading fantasy (not much of a sci-fi person) when I worked at a Barnes & Noble one summer during college. We were allowed to borrow books from the store and all summer I had my eye on Mists of Avalon by Bradley...but I was too embarrassed to check it out! I had never really read fantasy before and I think I was afraid of the stigma. Well eventually I threw caution to the wind...and there began my fantasy obsession. Its funny though...I now work at a Borders and there is a definite aura of snobbery among the employees about what is acceptably "intellectual" to read and what is not. Really drives me crazy! Luckily I don't care what people think now...and am lucky enough to now have the support of my husband of three months, a fellow fantasy geek. :) He's more into board and miniature based fantasy games, but I'm trying to draw him into the wonderful world of fantasy books.
So anyway, due to being a generally shy person I have always had a propensity for being a lurker but I'm determined to overcome it! I look forward to participating in some great discussions and getting suggestions to add to an already too big to-read list! (working in a bookstore can be trouble when you love buying books....) I was actually hoping to maybe lead the Alphabet of Thorn discussion but I just found out the order I placed was delayed and I'm worried it isn't going to come on time! Oh well, hopefully another time...

Megan

Hi, I am Blodeuedd from Finland :) I have been a bit of a lurker so far.
I am a fantasy person, and I love the works of Feist, Jordan and Hobb.

On my blog I review my latest books, some fantasy in the mix too.
http://books-forlife.blogspot.com/

Hi. I'm Sandy Nathan, author of Numenon: A Tale of Mysticism & Money and Stepping Off the Edge: Learning & Living Spiritual Practice. I was really shocked when Midwest Book Review reviewed Numenon as sci-fi. (They reviewed it very positively, always nice.) I considered the book as a download of my meditation experience.

However, I guess most people would regard Numenon as fantasy. I've since produced several manuscripts that really are sci-fi––so at last I know my genre!

How to describe myself? I live on a horse ranch. My husband and I have been horse breeders for twenty years. Both of us are urban expatriates. I was born in San Francisco and spent most of my life in Silicon Valley, even before they called it that. My husband was born and raised in Washington DC and still compulsively reads the Washington Post.

My books are "meditation induced." I began meditating in 1975, which fueled a huge inner transformation, resulting in Numenon and it's nine or so sequels, which are poised to be published.

I've been in school a very long time, have two Master's degrees. I've been an economist, negotiation coach, businesswoman, teacher, mom, wife, horsewoman, rancher, and human being for a longish time and intend to keep at it.

Please stop by my web site, http://sandynathan.com, the ranch website, http://ranchovilasa-spurs.com, and my new blog for writers, http://yourshelflife.com. It's aimed at increasing sanity and longevity for those in the scribbling trade. I'm currently writing up the results of my Amazon Bestseller Day last December. How did I do? Was it worth it? Would I do it again? I'm writing what will turn into a 7 or 8 part series, a real mini-book on the subject telling you everything you need to know for your own "Day." Best thing to so is start at the first post and read to the end.

I read everything, compulsively, and have done so as long as I could read.
Numenon
Stepping Off the Edge Learning & Living Spiritual Practice

Hi I'm Mekerei from New Zealand. I've joined in a few discussions on other formums. Found this recently and thought that I would introduce myself.

I love to read, almost any genre (haven't found any that I hate), but my favourites are Sci Fi, Fantasy, Historical and Crime.

Always looking for new authors to try, and I normally have 20 odd books waiting in the wings to read.