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2025 Reading Challenge

2025

READING

CHALLENGE

G. Gaynor has read 47 books of his goal of 30!

157%

G. Russell Gaynor

Goodreads Author

Born

in The United States

Website

http://grussellgaynor.com/home/

Twitter

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Genre

Fiction, Fantasy, Science Fiction

Influences

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... ...more

Member Since

February 2013

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Also writes under the pen name Reiter.

The World According to Garp was perhaps the first sign to a troubled young man that his life might very well be okay. It was incredibly reassuring to see that a young man from such a deeply interesting background can find his niche in life. G. Russell Gaynor was not nearly as challenged as T. S. Garp but until the revelation of the character, relatively speaking Russell was the weirdest kid on his block. His father, a career United States Navy man, taught him how to stand up to face the most challenging aspects of life including the unknown. His mother, a nurse and a technician for the U.S Geological Survey, taught him how to love and how to understand.

Russell was 5 when he found that people should b Also writes under the pen name Reiter.

The World According to Garp was perhaps the first sign to a troubled young man that his life might very well be okay. It was incredibly reassuring to see that a young man from such a deeply interesting background can find his niche in life. G. Russell Gaynor was not nearly as challenged as T. S. Garp but until the revelation of the character, relatively speaking Russell was the weirdest kid on his block. His father, a career United States Navy man, taught him how to stand up to face the most challenging aspects of life including the unknown. His mother, a nurse and a technician for the U.S Geological Survey, taught him how to love and how to understand.

Russell was 5 when he found that people should be responsible for what they say when he had to write a story to back up his claim to his grandmother that he could do better in his sleep than the black and white movie he had watched. He handed two notebook pads to his grandmother who then agreed with his opinion. That was indeed the beginning!

In the beginning, it was mostly stories about super heroes and the stuff of comic books. Then came the works of Alexandre Dumas and the ideal of romantic heroes. Now there was a need to make women swoon and men weep as poetry was discovered and written. Russell was 12 when he went to his first play, which revealed a love for the stage and was 14 when role-playing games filled his head with the adventures of steel and sorcery. This all concluded with the love of the story and its affect on the audience. Although life defies understanding, Russell has set about the challenge of teaching through his stories, in small baby steps, the lessons of love and life he has come to treasure since learning so much through the viewpoints of others.

It will always be the opinion of those who receive art to measure its worth, but to date Russell is working his way to penning his 40th book. That goes along with his score of scripts, (three which have been optioned), two plays, scores of poems and a role-playing game system. This too is only a beginning!
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G. Russell Gaynor’s books

Average rating: 4.35 · 239 ratings · 130 reviews · 25 distinct works • Similar authors

	The Blind Smith (Shadow Guardians, The Forge #1) 4.36 avg rating — 42 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Spatial Shard: Prelude to the 'EdgeWorld' Series by G. Russell Gaynor (Goodreads Author), Reiter (Goodreads Author) 4.61 avg rating — 18 ratings — published 2011 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Mind of the Man-Child: Book One: The Lost Children of Earth Series by G. Russell Gaynor (Goodreads Author), Reiter (Goodreads Author) 4.59 avg rating — 17 ratings — published 2007 — 5 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Fall of the Black Priest really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 10 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Vassals 4.75 avg rating — 8 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Zodiac: Book of Aries by G. Russell Gaynor (Goodreads Author), Reiter (Goodreads Author) it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 7 ratings — published 2008 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Nightwalker by G. Russell Gaynor (Goodreads Author), Reiter (Goodreads Author) it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 6 ratings — published 2007 — 6 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Riddle of the Source by G. Russell Gaynor (Goodreads Author), Reiter (Goodreads Author) it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 4 ratings — published 2008	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Muted Rage: Book Two of The Forge Trilogy 4.50 avg rating — 4 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Folded Steel: Book Three of the Forge Trilogy (Shadow Guardians 3) 4.50 avg rating — 4 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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Paper Crane Chronicles: The Curse Within The Crane, Urban Fantasy Thriller and Science Fiction, Book 1

by ernesto guevara

bookshelves: currently-reading

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May 08, 2025 06:00AM

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ASCENSION: The New World Order: Dystopian megacorporations rise in a post-apocalyptic world, ruled by enigmatic overlords who dominate the skies.

by Daniel Segovia

bookshelves: currently-reading

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Feb 24, 2025 08:28PM

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Ghosts: Book Two in the Epic Fantasy Series Apogee

by A.K. Wetzel (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

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Jan 07, 2024 12:44PM

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G. Gaynor rated a book really liked it Neon-Soaked Skies: A Cyberpunk Epic by Donald J. Gottlick	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Heroes Are Judged By What They Overcome... (spoiler alert) Seriously?! Hand-chopping in the first chapter?! DAMN! So, after getting through a totally boring opening, I - can't even finish that sentence! Talk about setting the tone. "Hang on kiddies, it ...more
Aug 21, 2025 06:52PM · like · see review
G. Gaynor rated a book really liked it Thunderbird Rising (Maxx King #1) by John H. Thomas (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Have To Admit, I Liked The Mixture There was a little bit of Jack Reacher mixed in with a bit of Forrest Gump (alternative history) with a dash of Real Men (J. Belushi, J Ritter only more serious) just to keep everyone honest and on their toes. I foun ...more
Aug 15, 2025 04:53PM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Thunderbird Rising by John H. Thomas. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Thunderbird Rising by John H. Thomas <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
G. Gaynor rated a book it was amazing She Named Me Wolf (Book #1, The Many Lives of Wolf series) by Tenkara Smart (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Peter Pan is somewhere taking notes!!! After reading the other Many Lives of Wolf, I thought I had a pretty good handle on what to expect. Partially right, but mostly WRONG! Opening the cover of She Named Me Wolf took me into a world that makes Neverla ...more
Aug 09, 2025 04:23PM · 2 likes · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of She Named Me Wolf by Tenkara Smart. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — She Named Me Wolf by Tenkara Smart <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
G. Gaynor rated a book really liked it The Rise of the Lightbearer: A Mythical Adventure of Destiny and Light, a story of an Indian Superhero. by Sandeep Rana	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Weaving Current Fantasy With Cultural Mythos A fan of the mythos, I was delighted with how the story of the MC was woven into the world-blending. I was a little concerned about the moment when the character contemplated suicide, and the pacing shifte ...more
Aug 01, 2025 01:46AM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Rise of the Lightbearer by Sandeep Rana. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Rise of the Lightbearer by Sandeep Rana <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
G. Gaynor rated a book liked it Children of Jotunheim: When Human Gods Fall by Mehmet Çalışkan (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
After seven straight chapters of nothing but exposition, I found myself in search of a story. When the characters were finally introduced, I found them to be flat and incredibly predictable. And that is how the story went as well. I was not surprised ...more
Jul 23, 2025 08:37AM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Children of Jotunheim by Mehmet Çalışkan. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Children of Jotunheim by Mehmet Çalışkan <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
G. Gaynor made a comment on his status in Children of Jotunheim: When Human Gods Fall " And before the Preface and Brief Introduction are done, the narrative has contradicted itself. "
Jul 22, 2025 04:13PM
G. Gaynor is 3% done with Children of Jotunheim: WOW! The opening sets a pretty close-minded tone, yet this is supposed to be geared the helping us deal with the questions of humanity. Hmmm Children of Jotunheim: When Human Gods Fall by Mehmet Çalışkan (Goodreads Author) progress:	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jul 22, 2025 04:11PM · like · see status · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Children of Jotunheim by Mehmet Çalışkan. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Children of Jotunheim by Mehmet Çalışkan <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
G. Gaynor rated a book liked it Transcendence (The Alphamind Odyssey Book 2) by James Azinheira (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
I have to say, I appreciate the piece-by-piece assemblage. Though it does get a bit long-winded in a few areas. This story reminds me of LOST but with a more meaningful payoff at the end. I especially liked the depth of the characters found in this st ...more
Jul 22, 2025 01:06PM · like · see review
G. Gaynor rated a book it was ok Tangled Fates: An Ellie Graves Arcane Mystery by Miguel Angel Hernandez Jr. (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Pummeled From The Pounding, Dizzy From The Racing No half-decent reader WANTS to give a low score to a book, and as a writer, I try to engage stories with an extra step of wonder and curiosity. It is a wonderful experience to see someone else's approa ...more
Jul 20, 2025 05:36PM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Tangled Fates by Miguel Angel Hernandez Jr.. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Tangled Fates by Miguel Angel Hernandez Jr. <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
G. Gaynor rated a book really liked it Promise of a Future: A Glimpse Behind the Portal Novella by Machelle Hanleigh (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
3.57 out of 5 While I very much adored the writing, it was extremely difficult to get engaged with the way the story began. This is Book 3 of 3, and it felt like I was being dropped into an adventure already in progress. It took some time for me to ca ...more
Jul 19, 2025 01:50PM · like · see review

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G.’s Quotes

“There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.”
― Ernest Hemingway

tags: good, writing

19425 likes

“There is no friend as loyal as a book.”
― Ernest Hemingway

tags: books, friends, novelist-quotes

23598 likes

“If you only read the books that everyone else is reading, you can only think what everyone else is thinking.”
― Haruki Murakami, Norwegian Wood

tags: books, thought

31204 likes

“But godhead is, after all, a matter of fact, not a matter of opinion: if a man is generally worshipped as a god then he is a god. And if a god ceases to be worshipped he is nothing.”
― Robert Graves, Claudius the God and His Wife Messalina

tags: 1935, claudius, godhood, worship

13 likes