SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion

Beth wrote: "Hi, my name is Beth. I post occasionally to the J.R.R. Tolkien group on GR and the Neil Gaiman group, and I'm in 3 general book groups. I have many favorite books, but I suppose I tend to read olde..."

Welcome! Julian Comstock looks cool! Have you heard about the remake of Twilight Zone? I love Jordan Peele, so I'm really curious what he'll do with it.

Also, there's a brilliant old fantasy book up for next month's polls, and it's currently being beat out by some newfangled whatsits. You should feel entirely free to support the classics. ;-)

Hello everyone, my name is John. I'm 30 yrs old, married with 2 young kids. This year the most enjoyable books I read were in the Stormlight Archive (Sanderson), so I'm excited for Oathbringer to come out. I've read some of the popular fantasy and SF series recently but I would like to expand my taste by reading the posts here. Thanks.

John wrote: "Hello everyone, my name is John. I'm 30 yrs old, married with 2 young kids. This year the most enjoyable books I read were in the Stormlight Archive (Sanderson), so I'm excited for Oathbringer to c..."

Yyyyesssss! We're doing an unofficial (re)read of Stormlight Archive in preparation for Oathbringer! You should chat with us!

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I guess you can read other books too, if you really want. ;-)

Actually, the two books for this month's group re-read might be interesting to you. We'll be starting them in a week. Anansi Boys and Assassin's Apprentice.

Check out our polls, too! Vote for the one you think is interesting!! We have three polls right now--the December sci fi and fantasy books, and the rereads slated for the first half of 2018. Links a little up I think.

Hello. My name is David and I grew up in Michigan. My intense love of fantasy started when I was in the fourth grade when my cousin introduced me to The Hobbit. That starter drug led me to read every variation of these kinds of fantasy novels whether they were good or just a LOTR rip-off (I am looking at you, Terry Brooks). In the 1970's, I got into science fiction and those addictions depleted my funds all through the 1980s. A core group of college friends and I shared books (like literary needles) cementing my nerdiness. I haven't been reading much of it in the last five years as I have been writing it every chance I get. I still love it, I just love writing it more. Soon, I will go to the author's folder as to not break any rules.

Hello my name is Tracy. I love nothing more than a cup of hot tea and a good book. I think I spend more money on books than is sensible. I also love creating my own adventures through traveling a much as I can. I love photography and I take a unexpected amount of photos of dogs because they are delightful.

I just joined your group a few days ago. I’m REALLY new to the whole goodreads groups thing! I’m really excited I do the books of the month. I live in Germany and I managed to find an English copy of Six of Crows!

I’ve even voted in the list you guys mad for next year! Great list!!

Usually people start introductions with where they are form. However, I’m not from any one place. If you heard my accent I really don’t know what you would make of it...I was born in Capetown South Africa to a SA German/Englishman and a Brazilian Mum. I lived in New Zealand from 4-18 so I usually just go by kiwi. Because who doesn’t like kiwis?! I have spent the last 8 years in Australia and now I am studying in Germany and it’s FREEZING!!!!!

Hey David! Sounds like you're our kind of people! Welcome!

Tracy welcome! G'day, wie geht's? Glad you're jumping in both feet!! I agree, dogs are great. Several of our group members are big animal people, I hope you are eventually convinced to share some cute pictures!

Thanks! Haha do NOT tempt fate. I actually have two little doggy floofs and millions and trillions of photos of them :p
We also have a cat called LeeLoo ( 5th element was a hit in our family) and two bunnies 🐰 Tom and Jerry!
Do you guys have pets?!

I have a dog Thor, I like him way more than I like most people. He's a big sweetheart.

Yep, I have two small creatures (Elessar Elfstone and Lilith, Mother of Monsters) that claim that ereaders are shiny face massagers, and who firmly believe that holding books must mean I want to do something with my hands, so they try to accommodate me by demanding to be pet.

Our Supreme Overlord has Kim for a roommate, too. Princess Leia seems to find it an acceptable arrangement at present.

Tracy-lee wrote: "Thanks! Haha do NOT tempt fate. I actually have two little doggy floofs and millions and trillions of photos of them :p
We also have a cat called LeeLoo ( 5th element was a hit in our family) and ..."

Tom and Jerry not that it is funny as there was a cartoon with a cat and a mouse that I used to enjoy allot with the same names here in the US. Of course, that was many years ago. They don't make cartoons as good as that anymore.

Hope that you enjoy the group. It's pretty good I've been a member a short time as well. And if you need recommends on Fantasy Fiction I can give you some great authors.

John wrote: "Tracy-lee wrote: "Thanks! Haha do NOT tempt fate. I actually have two little doggy floofs and millions and trillions of photos of them :p
We also have a cat called LeeLoo ( 5th element was a hit i..."

I betcha the bunnies are familiar with Mssrs. Tom and Jerry ;-)

Allison wrote: "John wrote: "Tracy-lee wrote: "Thanks! Haha do NOT tempt fate. I actually have two little doggy floofs and millions and trillions of photos of them :p
We also have a cat called LeeLoo ( 5th elemen..."

LOL I take it by your comment you are familiar with them as well Madam? ;-)

John wrote: "Allison wrote: "John wrote: "Tracy-lee wrote: "Thanks! Haha do NOT tempt fate. I actually have two little doggy floofs and millions and trillions of photos of them :p
We also have a cat called Lee..."

You know it! I am not so young that their exploits didn't liven up my Saturdays.

Allison wrote: "John wrote: "Allison wrote: "John wrote: "Tracy-lee wrote: "Thanks! Haha do NOT tempt fate. I actually have two little doggy floofs and millions and trillions of photos of them :p
We also have a c..."

Yes they were the days Saturdays with your friends watching T & J, Roadrunner and Bugs Bunny and much more great cartoons that your hard pressed to even find them on tv any longer. Which is sad, to be honest with you.

Jen wrote: "I have a dog Thor, I like him way more than I like most people. He's a big sweetheart."

I have to ask, is Thor a Wolfhound?

Allison wrote: "Yep, I have two small creatures (Elessar Elfstone and Lilith, Mother of Monsters) that claim that ereaders are shiny face massagers, and who firmly believe that holding books must mean I want to do..."

Okay, that does it, I am no longer reading your posts at work.
Lilith, Mother of Monsters, snrk.

Dj wrote: "Allison wrote: "Yep, I have two small creatures (Elessar Elfstone and Lilith, Mother of Monsters) that claim that ereaders are shiny face massagers, and who firmly believe that holding books must m..."

It's funny NOW but at the time we weren't sure what we'd gotten ourself into...

Allison wrote: "Dj wrote: "Allison wrote: "Yep, I have two small creatures (Elessar Elfstone and Lilith, Mother of Monsters) that claim that ereaders are shiny face massagers, and who firmly believe that holding b..."

I had a roommate with Cats, I don't own pets because I am gone almost twelve hours ever day I work, wouldn't be fair. I kept telling her that they were Sith Lords in Training. Their names were Vinney and Yuki, both very nice tuxedo cats. I called them Darth Grumpy Puss and Darth Pretty Paws.

Actually thought a time or two about writing some kind of story about it....I think I might have to get a Round To It.

My name is Brian Q. Webb and, by day, I was born in the early 70s and grew up in the South Bay area of Los Angeles. 18 years ago, I moved to Taiwan where I'm an Elementary-level homeroom teacher at a private school. By night, I'm a voracious reader of science fiction, especially more "science-y" sci-fi like Crichton and Daniel Suarez. I'm currently reading Change Agent by the latter. Earlier this year, I also took a stab at writing my own science-y scifi adventure and, so far, the reviews are largely positive.

Which shocks the heck out of me.

But I digress.

I tried to find the "Goodreads Author's Books" folder as described in the rules, but it doesn't exist. Oh, well.

Any suggestions on other good authors in the "present-day science fiction" (not urban fantasy and with a decent grounding) genre?

Have a look at the work of Charles E. Gannon

Welcome Brian! We have a whole thread on climate fiction and Earth based science fiction you might find interesting!

As far as finding the folder, please make sure you look at the full lists of discussions. The front page of our site cuts off several great discussions.

I honestly don't remember if I've introduced myself, so I'll do it now (and possibly again).

I am a 50 year-old attorney who lives in Kansas City. I am an avid history buff and read both fiction and non-fiction. I'm also an indie sci-fi writer with two published books and a third in the works. It is hard to find time to be a reader and a writer at the same time due to family obligations, so I'm either one or the other (but never both). I'm currently in writer mode so I have a list of titles on my TBR shelf that's starting to get pretty long. Actual books are my thing, ebooks just don't to it for me.

Here's hoping to informative interactions as we share our love for scifi.

John wrote: "I am a 50 year-old attorney who lives in Kansas City. I am an avid history buff and read both fiction ..."

Welcome John, what period of history do you like? I'm into the Classical Age, with some interest in Medieval.

Allison wrote: "Welcome Brian! We have a whole thread on climate fiction and Earth based science fiction you might find interesting!

As far as finding the folder, please make sure you look at the full lists of di..."

Thank you!

Wow! People are comprehensive. Don Unger, b. NYC 1962. Guess I would have to say I “skew classical” in terms of the SciFi that I read: Asimov, Bradbury, etc. Perhaps the “newest” would be Gibson—what 30 years back, now?

In many ways, Philip K. hits the sweet spot for me: SciFi that totters on this high wire between tech and religion, morals and power, mystery and sermonizing—and, though written decades back (often set decades in the future) still remains powerful, coherent, riveting, and *useful.*

I write as well, across a variety of genres, dabbling in SciFi-inflected work being part of that.

Hi everyone. I'm Dave Woolliscroft, live in Princeton Nj but hail from Nottingham in Endland and I'm a long time fantasy reader now that I'm in my 40s. I started in Epic Fantasy, journeyed through the works of Terry Pratchett, stopped at the Grimdark Inn (which is a nice place to visit occasionally but not somewhere I can live), visited Hogwarts for the first time last year with my 7 year old daughter and now enjoying stories that are full of adventure and grown up characters dealing with the baggage that we all pick up on the way through our lives. I've just finished Kings of the Wyld which i enjoyed immensely. And I decided to finally start trying to write myself, so I'm hoping to publish my first novel (now in the hands of beta readers which has to be the scariest thing imaginable) early in 2018.
Nice to meet you all and looking forward to interacting!
Cheers!

Welcome Donald and Dave! Glad you're here!

Hello, I'm Lowell. I'm a nerd of various stripes, one of which is a deep love of science fiction and fantasy. I'm 36, a father of 2 daughters (one teen, one toddler), married, and work in telecommunications. I live in the Seattle area, but spent the majority of my life and formative years in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Having recently "discovered" goodreads, I've been working my way through rating things I've previously read and tracking the things I'm currently reading.

The vast majority of my reading this year has been done by using Audible, rather than text format - but I don't hold that against myself, as a good reader can reveal nuance that wasn't previously obvious in the text itself.

My favorite authors include sir pTerry Pratchett (whose loss I feel deeply), Jim Butcher, Jack McDevitt, and many, many more.

I have just finished reading "Artemis" (Andy Weir), which completed the 25 books of my reading challenge for this year. I'm taking a small break from SF/F, and currently reading Elizabeth Peters' "The Crocodile on the Sandbank," but have a significant backlog of Audible and Kindle books to go through still. I am also in the middle of Listening to the complete Sherlock Holmes (as narrated by mr. Stephen Fry) and spend time listening to "My Favorite Universe" by Neil DeGrasse Tyson with my older daughter.

My Stand-Out, favorite books I've read this year are N.K. Jemisin's Broken Earth Trilogy, "Autonomous" by Analee Newitz, and Becky Chambers' "A Closed and Common Orbit."

I'm looking forward to discussion and being prompted with new things to read!

Lowell wrote: "Hello, I'm Lowell. I'm a nerd of various stripes, one of which is a deep love of science fiction and fantasy. I'm 36, a father of 2 daughters (one teen, one toddler), married, and work in telecommu..."

Hey! Welcome! We love audiobooks here. Well good ones, anyways :) Congrats on hitting your challenge, hope you find some new stuff with us!

Greets and all that stuff! I am a lifelong reader and a fan of sci-fi and fantasy. I think I was on this site a while back (aw, c'mon, i'm an old guy ok?!) but I haven't returned here in living memory (probably a couple of months). I have a request for all the readers here, i am trying to remember either the author of a series or the title of any of the books.
The first book starts out with a man in jail. He is listening to the radio playing songs, with the purpose of predicting the events of the day, because that is his knack. Seems he comes from a family who all have a knack of some kind. Apparently the knacks only activate if the person is physically undamaged. One family member doesn't have a knack because of an injury acquired during a high diving competition that has left his leg damaged.
The family, as a group, is very influential in there county (I seem to think it is southern, nearly an antebellum flavor, but the time is current). One of the things i remember is that some heads of family keep a young woman as a 'foot holder'; seemingly a source of power ora necessity to the process of scanning and influencing their environment.
Any help appreciated

Welcome Ray! I don't know what this book is but it sounds interesting. If you don't get a reply here, we have a folder for people trying to find books. I think more members read those threads than the welcome thread, so it may be worth a shot!

Hello, Goodreaders! I'm a sci-fi lover married to a fantasy lover, though over the years we've managed to corrupt each other so our tastes overlap much more now. She's also lately convinced me of the beauty of short stories - for some reason I had been dismissive of them before, but have started loving them in the last year!

My all-time favorite sci-fi author is Alastair Reynolds (discovered from a staff recommendation 10 years ago at Powell's in Portland) — I think I've read nearly all of his books now. When things get stressful and I don't feel like devoting a lot of brain power to reading, I'll find a Star Trek book at the Open Library to read.

It's been a while since I've participated in an online sci-fi/fantasy community. Back in the day, I was active on Usenet in the Star Trek, Star Wars, and Tolkien newsgroups, but now Usenet has faded away. I'm looing forward to the discussions here!

Highlights from my reading this year include:

Raven Stratagem, the second book in Yoon Ha Lee's Machineries of Empire series. I haven't read sci-fi as strange as this in a long time.

The Caves of Steel - my partner has been reminding me that I have been derelict in my Asimov reading duties, and I agreed. While it was predictable, the concepts introduced in the book make it hard to believe that it's over 60 years old. Now to read the rest of them...

Space Merchant's series (Frederick Pohl) - like Caves of Steel, it's hard to believe that the first book was published so long ago. On top of that, the social commentary is biting, and still true today.

Dark Materials series (Philip Pullman) - had to re-read that before Book of Dust.

Winter Tide (Ruthanna Emrys) - I'm in a Call of Cthulhu game with my partner (who's the GM), and I was looking for well-written Lovecraftian horror without all the racism and misogyny. This definitely fit the bill, and I'm looking forward to Deep Roots next year.

Galactic Center series (Gregory Benford) - it's clear Benford is a concepts author, rather than a plot author (the story really dragged at times in the series) but it was worth finishing it nonetheless.

Revenger (Alastair Reynolds) - mostly Reynolds does "hard" sci-fi, but I've definitely enjoyed his occasional forays into steampunk. When I look at the Goodreads page for it now, I see it's the start of a series. :)

Probability series (Nancy Kress) - I picked this up when I saw the "local author" tag at the library. Military sci-fi sometimes comes off as too jingoist for me so I wasn't sure that I would like it, but I ended up loving the series.

Saturn's Children (Charles Stross) - This is certainly falls into the NSFW category, so be warned, but it's a hilarious spoof of Heinlein and worth reading. I haven't read the sequel yet, but it's on my list.

I'm looking forward to lots of great discussion and book recommendations!

Hi, I'm Dave a fifty one year old guy from the U. K. I have been reading both Sci/ Fi; and Fantasy since I first became a teenager.

My favourite fantasy is anything by the late great David Gemmell, Reymond E. Fiest and authors in between. Sci fi I have more favourite authors in amongst them Lois McMaster Bujold.
I look forward to taking part in the discussions to come.

David wrote: "Hi, I'm Dave a fifty one year old guy from the U. K. I have been reading both Sci/ Fi; and Fantasy since I first became a teenager.

My favourite fantasy is anything by the late great David Gemmell..."


Hi David, Welcome to the group. My name's John and I'm 55 and live in Virginia in the US.

Since you a fan of Fantasy might I suggest checking books S.A. Salvatore; Terry Brooks; and Jeff Wheeler to name a few of my favorites. Look forward to chatting with you more. Take care.

Ashley wrote: "Hi everyone! My name is Ashley. I’m 31 and from Dallas, Georgia. I’m lucky enough to be married to the man of my dreams and I have three children ages 5, 6, & 7 and two older step-sons, plus a very..."

Try the Anita Blake vampire hunter series by Laurell K. Hamilton they are as dark as Interview With A Vampire but easier going

Allison wrote: "Welcome Ray! I don't know what this book is but it sounds interesting. If you don't get a reply here, we have a folder for people trying to find books. I think more members read those threads than ..."

Thanks for the welcome Allison, I'll give that discussion a go!

David wrote: "Ashley wrote: "Hi everyone! My name is Ashley. I’m 31 and from Dallas, Georgia. I’m lucky enough to be married to the man of my dreams and I have three children ages 5, 6, & 7 and two older step-so..."

I’m intrigued, thanks!

Welcome, new friends! Glad you're here!

Hi everyone! This is my first book group ever and I'm not sure how this online thing is going to go, but I'm game to try! My name is Jessica and I'm 33 from Pennsylvania. I've been a Science Fiction/Fantasy fan for as long as I can remember. I grew up reading Mercedes Lackey, Anne McCaffrey, Melanie Rawn, and many others. I've been dying to talk to people about SciFi/Fantasy books and have a reason to read new ones, but no one in my circle of friends is into that particular genre so I'm left out in the cold a bit. I'm really hoping this works out and I'm looking forward to some great conversation and introduction to new books!

Jessi wrote: "Hi everyone! This is my first book group ever and I'm not sure how this online thing is going to go, but I'm game to try! My name is Jessica and I'm 33 from Pennsylvania. I've been a Science Fictio..."

Woot! Welcome! You're in luck, everyone here loves talking books!

As for how it works, it's of course up to you but I hope you'll join us for one or more of the books we're reading or about to read (I always think people who join at the end of the month are smart--so many options to pick from!!) and definitely feel free to mosey over to "What Are You Reading" and tell us all about the stuff on your plate!

Jessi wrote: "Hi everyone! This is my first book group ever and I'm not sure how this online thing is going to go, but I'm game to try! My name is Jessica and I'm 33 from Pennsylvania. I've been a Science Fictio..."

Welcome in from the cold, Jessi. i'm exactly double your age and a lifelong reader of SciFi and Fantasy. Some of my favorite authors are Heilein, Norton, Chalker, Butcher , P.C. Hodgell and C.J. Cherryh.

Jessi wrote: "Hi everyone! This is my first book group ever and I'm not sure how this online thing is going to go, but I'm game to try! My name is Jessica and I'm 33 from Pennsylvania. I've been a Science Fictio..."

Hi Jessi glad to meet you; got family up in Pa. Now as for Fantasy fiction have you tried R.A. Salvatore, Terry Brooks, or Jeff Wheeler? These are just a few of the ones for which I like. As for Anne McCaffery, I read a lot of her stuff back in Jr. high and high school.

Look forward to getting to chat with you more.

Hello everyone! My name is Nicola (31), I'm italian and I live in Barcelona (Spain). I've been on Goodreads for more than 3 years now but this is the first time I join a book club. I'm a huge fan of SFF books and from now on I'll try to follow the club reading calendar when possible. I've finished Six Wakes few weeks ago, I'll leave a commente in the thread soon.
It will be nice reading you!

Nicola wrote: "Hello everyone! My name is Nicola (31), I'm italian and I live in Barcelona (Spain). I've been on Goodreads for more than 3 years now but this is the first time I join a book club. I'm a huge fan o..."

Hi Nicola and welcome to the group. One thing we like to talk about here is books. I'm a fan of Fantasy Fiction. For some reason could never get into reading Sci-Fi. I've tried several time and it doesn't work for me. Look forward to reading your post.

Hello all, I just joined the group and wanted to say hi. I'm from Poland currently living in Spain where none of my friends reads, not to mention sci-fi :( So decided to join this group to meet more people with the same passion :) Also I've never been in any book group and I have high hopes :D

Live long and prosper,
W

Bienvenido Nicola and Saurikun! Super glad to have you with us! Can't wait to hear your thoughts, Nicola! Saurikun, I know that pain. There are lots of people to nerd out with here, I hope you find some books and/or discussions that help out :)

We're presently finishing up Six Wakes and Six of Crows, just started a reread of Assassin's Apprentice and Anansi Boys, and are about to start Red Sister and The Stars Are Legion. I hope one or more of those sounds interesting to you! Otherwise don't fret, just tell us what you're getting up to in books and I'm sure you'll find people who are interested in your thoughts on it :-D

John wrote: "Jessi wrote: "Hi everyone! This is my first book group ever and I'm not sure how this online thing is going to go, but I'm game to try! My name is Jessica and I'm 33 from Pennsylvania. I've been a ..."

Terry Brooks is on my list somewhere, I just have to figure out where he got to! I l always skirted around R.A. Salvatore for some reason, not sure why. Are there any specific titles of his you'd recommend to get me into his books?

Jessi Start with Homeland This here is the one that started it off. And if your lover of Fantasy fiction you won't want to stop as the whole Drizzt series is excellent all the way through.

Saurikun wrote: "Hello all, I just joined the group and wanted to say hi. I'm from Poland currently living in Spain where none of my friends reads, not to mention sci-fi :( So decided to join this group to meet mor..."

Hi Saurikun I love to read I just am not a fan of Sci-Fi never have been for some reason. I'm more the Fantasy fiction genre myself But look forward to chatting with you more none the lesss

Hello! My name is Francisca, and I'm a Chicago-land native currently studying in Boston. The first books I really loved were a box set of the Chronicles of Narnia, and I've been reading (devouring?) fantasy and sci-fi books ever since. Favorite authors include C.S. Lewis, Diana Wynne Jones, Ursula K LeGuin, Tamora Pierce, Patricia Wrede, Lloyd Alexander, Cornelia Funke, Terry Pratchett, and Neil Gaiman. I'm looking forward to discover some new books and to revisit old favorites! :)

Right now I'm reading my way through the Queen's Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner and trying not to start any new books until finals are over. :D (Though, if my hold on Oathbringerends, all bets are off!)