SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion

Welcome, everyone. Hope to see you all participating in some discussions around the group. It's much more interesting when people participate instead of lurk. :)

I agree, Kathy. Welcome everyone!

Welcome new people.

The Ring of Knowledge

I am a new author and I just learned of goodreads today so I decided to check it out. About me:
I'm a Jersey boy, born and raised in the Garden state. I enjoy good fiction which is why I decided to write The Ring of Knowledge. While I do enjoy olde English, it is hard to read especially for a 10 year old. So my book is a medeival fantasy written in plain language.

The Ring of Knowledge is available at the following website:
http://www.eloquentbooks.com/TheRingO...

Check it out as I'm sure it will be of interest to you all.

I was born in 1954. I was in a book store today and frankly I can't find that much in the sci fi/fantasy section that I'm as interested in anymore. What happened to sci fi? Everything is fantasy based on video games. Very long series and very wordy books. I love the old grandmasters like Heinlein, Asimov, Zelazny, etc. I do like some fantasy especially Robert E Howard Sword and Sorcery or Dark Fantasy. Also, everything is vampires now. Would like to see something original.

Hi all,

I am a high school English teacher who is very excited to be a member of this group. Definitely hoping to get some new recommendations! I've been creeping around on the outskirts for awhile now:) Looking forward to the reading/discussions!

Hi Michael,

You're right! Blame Stephanie Meyer, and before her, Buffy and Angel.

We could start a new trend - real SF but max 250 pages.

Radical concept dude :)

Michael, I agree with the sentiment but I protest! I don't claim to stack up with the old masters, but I don't write long, wordy series, but short books that deal with a specific idea and in a realist scientific manner.

I even have a "vampire" book, but it's nothing like any you've read before (or at least, that I'm aware of). It seeks to find a scientifically plausible explanation for the phenomenon as described.

The reaction of which I am most proud, is when my work is described as intelligent and original, and yes, this does happen.

So there are some of us trying to fend off the flood of Fantasy. Real SF and close to Paul's 250 pages.

Hello Pat, I read your essay on Science Fiction and loved it. I will be happy to ready your books. Which one do you suggest I start with?

Hello, I just joined this group today and look forward to reading some Science Fiction and Fantasy. I have not read much SciFi or Fantasy over the years but I figured I would give it a chance since I like to read many different books and explore different authors.

I just join today also and I am looking forward to join the book discussions.

The wheel of time, Robert Jordan is a great series to start you of in this realm!

Michael wrote: "I was born in 1954. I was in a book store today and frankly I can't find that much in the sci fi/fantasy section that I'm as interested in anymore. What happened to sci fi? Everything is fantasy ba..."

do you remember the river series? mark twain and others end up on the river bank in the afterlife? piers anthony? no great old series, my father born in 49' was a big sci-fi fan!

Kristi wrote: "Michael wrote: "I was born in 1954. I was in a book store today and frankly I can't find that much in the sci fi/fantasy section that I'm as interested in anymore. What happened to sci fi? Everythi..."

That sounds like the Riverworld series by Philip Jose Farmer.

Michael wrote: "Hello Pat, I read your essay on Science Fiction and loved it. I will be happy to ready your books. Which one do you suggest I start with? "

Hi Michael. This depends on your particular preferences. The story I'm posting on my profile, Bad Blood, and another two (Raw Spirit and Time Out) all use a murder mystery to carry a Sci-Fi idea. Each explores a popular myth and tries to find an answer in rational scientific terms.

Antithesis is classic Sci-Fi, about an Entomologist working in the north of Namibia and prompted by the (appalling) movie "Them!". Mindset is space based, but again the science is solid. This is also being serialised here, but of course I'd rather you bought a copy!

In relation to the article (thanks for the endorsement), none really explore future technologies, but rather try to take an intelligent and rational look at the present - and tell a good story, of course.

My website is on my profile if there's anything else you'd like to know.

Dan wrote: "Kristi wrote: "Michael wrote: "I was born in 1954. I was in a book store today and frankly I can't find that much in the sci fi/fantasy section that I'm as interested in anymore. What happened to s..."

thats it!

Hello to everyone new! We're growing so fast I can't keep up!

Michael, I'm less than a decade younger than you and I have to say that there is a lot of great new science fiction out there that fits your parameters. The problem is finding it. That's where groups like this come in handy. Make friends with people who share your interests and see what they're reading. Make it a point to read the book of the month selections. You might not think they're up your alley, but you might find something new to love.

Have you read any John Scalzi yet? He writes like the old greats. I also really like Richard K. Morgan. He's a great storyteller, has some terrific SF ideas, and his works stand alone, even if they feature the same character. I do have to add a warning that his books are very violent, but it's not gratuitous. He explores the emotional impact of violence on the good guys, the bad guys, and those caught in between. I also loved Crystal Rain by Tobias Buckell. I want to read more of his books, but I can never find them in the stores. Thank goodness for Amazon.

Happy reading!

Hello all....Thanks for the recommendations Sandi, Dan, Kristi, and Pat. Hope I didn't forget anyone. Pat I would prefer to purchase a book to reading it on line. Talk to you privately about that!

Hi everyone! I'm new to Goodreads. Just trying to find a couple groups that might inspire me to read different types of things. I often read in bursts where I will quickly go through 5 books or so and then I won't read anything for months. I'd like to fix that!

Added this group because "I, Robot" (actually any of the robot series) is an Asimov book that I haven't read yet but have been wanting to for some time. I was surprised to see it on the April reading list!

I recently published my first sci-fi fantasy, "Space Maruaders - The Obliteration of Zalamonton." It is a space pirate's tale of intrigue and adventure as they search for booty amidst the Melisandian Galaxy of King Arias. A narrative for the young and the young at heart, the story unfolds through the thoughts and observations of the characters, as they advance the plot, which is: by what method the Marauders assist Arias in ridding the Mars Configuration of the evil Dr. Julio Bonaface? An enjoyable Space Opera full of enchanting and fantastic creatures and life-threatening encounters, it's sure to inspire the imagination. (156 pages)
Space Marauders - The Obliteration of Zalamonton
Author: Mara Madison
Amazon.com
paperback - $12?
hardcover - $22?
Books on Board ebook under $6.

Hi all. I am new here, but have been reading SciFi since my parents allowed me to join the SFBC in the mid '50's, Slan, Voyage of the Space Beagle and an Omnibus of short stories were my freebie books, and I have been a member ever since.

I enjoy all SF, except for alternative history and dystopian stuff, being an avid reader of history, I don't like to confuse myself. I prefer space opera and epic SF, am not too concerned how scientific plausible a book is as long as it is internally consistent. CJ Cherryh is a special favorite.

I also love Trek and Star Wars books. I read the Star Wars in order every 5 years or so.

My 1st fantasy was The Hobbit shortly followed by LOTR when the Houghton Mifflin editions came out in the '60s in the US. I did start with the un-approved ACE PBs, but got on the fan bandwagon to boycott ACE. I have since collected all editions I can afford, and have read them thru 28 times and counting. They never fail to satisfy, as the movies seem to do. Non-Tolkien clone epic fantasy is my favorite, such as the Stephen Eriksen's series Malazan Book of the Fallen and Ricardo Pinto's trilogy Stone Dance of the Chameleon

Another genre I really like is historical fantasy - books based on myth and legend such as Stephen Lawhead's Pendragon and Song of Albion series and also all of Juliet Marillier's books. I am currently reading Jules Watson's Dalriada series which is also historical fantasy.

Though an American (I live deep in the woods of the Ozarks), I tend to like British authors and actively seek them out.

Because of aging eyes, I only read hardbacks anymore which limits some of my reading as many books are mass market PB only. The SFBC helps some by publishing HB of some of these, eg Star Wars novels. I usually buy used HB on Amazon often for less than a new PB, even with shipping, except for pre-orders.

I have time to read for 2 or 3 hours beginning about 10 PM every nite. The more I enjoy a book, the slower I read it - like savoring a fine meal.

I have over 100 books in my "to be read" shelves, some series I am waiting for the last book, many I have not gotten to as yet. I buy as I discover.

About my bookshelf: I exported data from my book database (Bookpedia, OS X) before creating bookshelves, so they are not categorized and ratings did not import. I have tried to delete all books and do re-imports by category, but cannot seem to do this. And help would be appreciated. I asked tech support, but they were not very helpful.

Finally, my user name Kernos comes from Kate Elliott's series about Jaran in which Kernos used in a godly epithet. It fits well in my interest in Celtic Studies, and I do not have to use a deity's name ;-)

Bill B.

My name is Mara, and I'm 58 years old.Yeakes! I was born in Manhattan, New York City, and raised in So. California. I've done many different types of jobs, as I am an actress, of sorts, from time to time, but mostly I teach English at a local college. I began loving science fiction and fantasy at an early age, with Outer Limits, Twilight Zone, and of course, Star Trek. I love the works of Ray Bradbury, and C.S. Lewis. I had an idea for a space fantasy in 2006, and have just had it published. It's called, "Space Marauders - The Obliteration of Zalamonton". It really is a young adult fiction, but adults young at heart can enjoy it, too! I have started on the sequel, and am also beginning the screenplay for "Zalamonton". I must admit, I find writing much more fascinating than acting! My husband has encouraged me every step of the way, and even though I wasn't blessed with children, I am blessed with a man, who is my dear companion.

Hello. I'm here to find new books to read. I read too much...is there such a thing as that? A book every few days, sometimes two. I can't wait to start talking about everything I have read.

Anyway, I'm 32 and my little one is 14 months. I read her whatever I'm reading at the time. My favorite books change from week to week. I also, and keep this quiet, play lots of video games...go to school full time...and work full time.

So lets get started!

Michael,

Another book for your consideration would be my novel, The First Migration, a time-travel story about NASA building a huge, 30-mile-diameter research project in the White Sands region of New Mexico. No "little green men" but a realistic treatment of time-travel and of an ancient, lost civilization.

Readers have said it "puts the science back in science-fiction."

Getting it published was a challenge because of the current interest in Fantasy and "Trekkie" Sci-Fi (either of which are fine, but not my primary choice).

Good luck in your search, and if you find any good ones, pass along the recommendations.

Dan


The First Migration

Welcome Kat,
Where do you find the time for all of that? I tend to read and game a lot, not to mention work full time, but I couldn't imagine adding school and a child to that as well.

Hi, I'm Tayla
I'm 44, born and raised in NJ, and still live there. I am currently living back with my mother in the house I grew up in. I was married for a while, but now am widowed.

I have been reading sci fi and fantasy since Jr. High school. I got a Tolkein box set for Christmas, and that was the start. I also remember that one of the Walter Farley Island Stallion books had aliens in it, so that might have been the start of my love of SciFi.

I have been a member of Goodreads for a while, but I just recently got interested in the discussion groups.

Just this morning I finished adding all my books to my Goodreads list and came up with 1030 sci fi and fantasy books. I have so many because I hold on to them with a death grip in case I want to re-read them someday. I have set a goal for to read through my to-be-read list, and I also want to go through and weed out the books that I will not read again. Or never read in the first place. I have some books on my TBR list that I bought years ago. I just recently discovered Bookmooch, so I hope I can find homes for these books.

I also joined the 50 books in 2009 so I can keep track of what I'm reading and to inspire me to read more.

As to what I read last year, I didn't keep really good track, but I remember some of them.

Artemis Fowl (the first five books. I read the sixth in January, so that's on this years list.)

Torchwood novels. I discovered this TV show last summer, and have since read all nine novels and have the next three on order from Amazon.)
Through Torchwood, my interest in Doctor Who was rekindled. I've read six of those novels since last summer)

The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor

Lilith's Brood, and
Seed to Harvest, by Octavia Butler

The Celestial Steam Locomotive, Michael Coney

Star Split, Kathryn Lasky

Many Waters, Madeline L'Engle

Chasm City, Alastair Reynolds

Jack Faust, Michael Swanwick

A College of Magics, Caroline Steverman

Bios, Robert Charles Wilson

Re-read Brian Jacques Redwall and Mossflower

Re-read Anne McCaffrey Petaybee series

Well, I guess I kept pretty good track after all.

Hello! My name is Janette and I'm a Sci Fi buff. I love everything the Herberts have written (Frank and Brian/Anderson) and am looking forward to reading everyone's suggestions and reviews on other titles and authors.

g'day, I just joined good reads and wish that i joined so much earlier as I can't be bothered reviewing and putting all the books I've read in all my life on my page so I guess I will just start when I joined here. I live in Auckland, New Zealand and am an academic (Business professor although I trained as a psychologist).

I used to read lots but since it's my job now I don't seem to read a lot for pleasure these days although I voraciously soak up all the pulp fiction/scifi/trashy novels and all sorts of books when I'm on holiday. Anyway, I'm hoping to read a lot more now that I've joined several books...although that remains to be seen.

Hello, I've been on the lurk here for several weeks.

I started out reading everything I could get my hands on, which means, mostly general fiction, until I'd devoured almost everything my small town branch had on the shelves. They had very little SF or Fantasy, then,

I discovered science fiction with Roger Zelazny's Nine Princes in Amber, bought the sequels as they came out, and that book shifted my course for good.

The first fantasy I discovered would be The Lord of the Rings a few years later. The addiction to fantasy has not stopped.

By now I have an enormous library, have read far more than I've kept, and am always eager to discover more.

One of my favorite reads, lately, has been The Myriad by R.M. Meluch - just for sheer fun. Her plots move fast, and her characters have me in stitches. I think she's seriously under read.

For classics, of course, I loved Dune, and a constant favorite has been C. J. Cherryh, also, recently, Kristine Smith and Julie E. Czerneda.

For fantasy, everything from Guy Gavriel Kay to Patricia McKillip, to stuff with sharper edges like Hambly's Suncross, and Those Who Hunt the Night.

I love the outdoors, cats, music, horses, and for all of my adult life, I've made my professional living as a writer/illustrator in the field.

I am always pleased to discuss books I've read, and hope to find out about many more.

Hey all,
I'm not really new but since I haven't introduced myself before,I'm doing it now!:D
I'm a sci-fi&fantasy lover.I always loved fairy tales when I was a child and I really enjoyed Disney's cartoons.if these cannot be counted as a start then I should go back to when I read 'Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban' for the first time at the age of 11,which then followed by the other books of the series.and so I fell in love with this fantasy genre.
then,about 2 years later I read Asimov's nightfall and I really liked it.that was another start of falling for sci-fi genre.

I adore 'Lord of the Rings trilogy,Harry Potter and Twilight Saga'!^^

And now I only look forward to reading new sci-fi&fantasy stories.beside classic ones which I've taken interest in for about 2 years.;)

Glad you decided to introduce yourself Ginny.

Robin wrote: "Glad you decided to introduce yourself Ginny."
Thanks a lot,Robin!^^
I'm also glad to be a member of this group.

Oh, dear god, I was born sooooo before 1974. Actually I graduated high school in 1974... so there you go. Listen, I'll arrange with the publishers of my new book (The Wheel of Nuldoid), to send you a free one, if you drop me a note herein.

No obligations. Nuthin. Just read the first, say, twenty pages.

That's it. Then throw the sucker away... or read on.

No obligation.
Check it out at www.Nuldoid,com.

Then drop me a line.
Russ

Hi, I write under the name P.I. Barrington and have several short scifi/fantasy stories published at online mags (www.bewilderingstories.com)after a few pubbed at a now defunct print mag. I also have three shorts in a time-travel anthology due out in May.
I live in Southern California, ex-entertainment industry (what else?),and have a dog that thinks I gave birth to her(read=needy).
FYI: Titles on BWS.com are: Urban Elf, The Faerie Ball.
Thanks,
P.I.

Hi Enid from Sydney here, I love Star Trek, Star War and Doctor Who.

I started writing romantic sci-fi 2 years ago. The first one is about a Marstian. I must confess I concentrate more on the romance than the sci-fi aspect. Maybe I should blame it on my bad marks for science subject in school.

Hi everyone,

I just joined the group today so thought I'd post a quick hello. I'm Stefan, 36, live in San Diego CA. 95% of what I read is equal parts science fiction and fantasy, with the remaining 5% made up of the occasional non-fiction or non-genre fiction book. Favorite authors include Steven Brust, George RR Martin and Guy Gavriel Kay for fantasy, Iain M. Banks, Peter F. Familton and Neal Stephenson for SF (to name just a few).
I just joined GoodReads this weekend and love it so far. I manage a 500 member SF&F discussion group on Yahoo Groups and am considering trying to move it over to GoodReads, because it's so much more book-friendly here.

Hi all~

It appears that I am on the younger end of this group as well. I'm 17 and have been an avid Fantasy reader for as long as I can remember.
My favorite authors include (but of course this isn't all of them :) )
Christopher Paolini, Tamora Pierce, David Clement-Davies, E. E. Knight, Patricia McKillip, Ben Gadd, Robin McKinley, Stephenie Meyer, Anne Rice, Deb Caletti, Cornelia Funke, and Mary Stanton... The list goes on and on...

I am looking forward to being a part of this list!

~Sara

Welcome to all the newcomers!

Enid, I'm totally with ya on the romance thing, girlfriend! My first published novel Griffin's Daughter is a romantic fantasy. I'm currently working on a sci-fi project in which I've had to do some research on steam engines, but despite the tech, there most definitely will be a heavy dose of romance in it as well. I just can't help it, I'm a hopeless romantic myself!

P.I., you need to check out the Greater Los Angeles Writers Society. We are the fastest growing and, in my opinion, best writing group in SoCal. The society is open to writers of all levels and genres, and the yearly dues are half what the other large writer's groups in SoCal charge. The website is www.glaws.org. I hope you'll want to come join us.

Hi Leslie, I'm from Australia, can I still join? I check out your book, congratulations on winning the award.

I'm newbie to professional writing but I got my first book review for In Quest of Theta Magic (sexy paranormal romance) last week. It was quite positive so I was happy. I also secured 3 online bookshops in Australia to distribute my book.

Hi Janny!
I think I read Nine Princes, was one of the characters named Random?
P.I.

Janny wrote: "Hello, I've been on the lurk here for several weeks.

I started out reading everything I could get my hands on, which means, mostly general fiction, until I'd devoured almost everything my small to..."

Oh, please. I graduated in 1975, so you're not alone here my friend! I'm one of the few freaks that actually likes my age! LOL!
P.I. Barrington
Russ wrote: "Oh, dear god, I was born sooooo before 1974. Actually I graduated high school in 1974... so there you go. Listen, I'll arrange with the publishers of my new book (The Wheel of Nuldoid), to send you..."

Thank you! I will check it out today! Hey, was glaws at the West Hollywood Book Fest in the last few years? Sounds familiar to me! Just curious!
P.I. Leslie wrote: "Welcome to all the newcomers!

Enid, I'm totally with ya on the romance thing, girlfriend! My first published novel [b:Griffin's Daughter|1362888|Griffin's Daughter (Griffin's Daughter Trilogy, B..."

P.I. wrote: "Hi Janny!
I think I read Nine Princes, was one of the characters named Random?
P.I.

Janny wrote: "Hello, I've been on the lurk here for several weeks.

I started out reading everything I co..."

P. I. - definitely was.

Yeah, and one of the female characters was Fiona? I remembered because I thought those were two unusual names--I'd never heard the name Fiona before! And Random was...well...random!It was the first alternate reality book I'd ever read. And, I was thinking about it last week for some reason...but then I have been known to pick up on other people's thoughts...really.
P.I.
Janny wrote: "P.I. wrote: "Hi Janny!
I think I read Nine Princes, was one of the characters named Random?
P.I.

Janny wrote: "Hello, I've been on the lurk here for several weeks.

I started out reading everythi..."

Hi I'm biLL Samples and I'm the author of Fe Fi FOE Comes which was published in July 08. You can see my background on my profile, and a description of the book online here or at Amazon. The book is an alternative future and the future begins in Alaska.

P.I. wrote: " Yeah, and one of the female characters was Fiona? I remembered because I thought those were two unusual names--I'd never heard the name Fiona before! And Random was...well...random!It was the firs..."

Fiona, yes, not common unless you know people of celtic ethnic descent. Zelazny chose several character names from that venue - Dierdre and Bleys, also. I enjoy the trivia behind such things, it's delightful. The book obviously left an impression, since I, too, remember those characters clearly. My copy is signed, but I don't want to mention how long it's been since I had it off the shelf! (Scary thought, how time flies!)

Signed no less! I am impressed! It left an impression on me too!

Janny wrote: "P.I. wrote: " Yeah, and one of the female characters was Fiona? I remembered because I thought those were two unusual names--I'd never heard the name Fiona before! And Random was...well...random!It..."

P.I. wrote: "Signed no less! I am impressed! It left an impression on me too!

wow, one of my all-time favorite series were the amber books by zelazny...unfortunately i lent my first edition books to a friend and never saw them again when he moved to a different state. now i have a sci-fi book club compilation where three books are in each volume. at least i can read them whenever i want...

lenny if you're out there, i want my books back!!!

There was a line in one of Heinlein's books (Starman Jones?) where a kid borrows a book from an older gentleman.

"Thank you, sir. I'll treat it like one of my own."

"Don't do that. Read it & return it!" the old man snaps.

It went something like that. Reminded me of my grandfather.

After loaning out books with the same results, I understand. I bought a second copy of Zelazny's new murder mystery for my son since he borrowed all my Vlad Taltos books at Xmas. I won't send it to him until I get those back. Still waiting....

New topic: Last night in bed I had a flashback to a book I read in the 1970's,I think it was called "The Green World" or something to that effect. It was about a young woman who somehow entered a subterranean(?)world via a section of Earth that opened every so many years. She gives birth to a son, raises him there and then decides to stay when her opportunity to re-enter civilization occurs once again.
The world, if I recall correctly, is lit somehow like the light in Journey to the Center of the Earth, and is overgrown with lush, green vegetation, hence the title. Anyone remember this book and its author? I can't remember more than that.
Patti