SFF Hot from Printers: New Releases discussion

Well friends, welcome to the group! While i guess that most initial members will be from our parental group, Hugo & Nebula Awards: Best Novels you may still introduce yourself

We're glad you're here!

Hi! This is a great idea!

I'm Kirsten and I live in southeastern Washington State. I have been an SF fan since childhood. My dad used to get books from the Doubleday SF Book Club. (We still have editions hanging about the house.)

Good luck!

Allow me to introduce myself: I'm Oleksandr Zholud from Ukraine, now 42 years old. I has been reading SF and fantasy since my teens. I started this group and also moderate the parental group.

Oleksandr wrote: "Allow me to introduce myself: I'm Oleksandr Zholud from Ukraine, now 42 years old. I has been reading SF and fantasy since my teens. I started this group and also moderate the parental group."

Hello! We know a lady from Ukraine and let me tell you, you guys have some pretty cool sweets and cookies!!

Hello, I just joined from the other group as well. My name is Allan Phillips. I'm more or less from Colorado, but I've lived in San Antonio, Texas for the last 20 years. I'm 62 years old and have been reading sci-fi, fantasy & horror all my life, being exposed to them at an early age through my dad's interests. I read somewhere around 100 books a year, mostly those genres, although occasionally something historical filters in.

Allan wrote: "Hello, I just joined from the other group as well. My name is Allan Phillips. I'm more or less from Colorado, but I've lived in San Antonio, Texas for the last 20 years. I'm 62 years old and have b..."

My dad exposed me too, though both my parents read it. My mom's favorite authors were Lovecrafte & Herbert. My dad was more of a space opera nut and thought Heinlein should be part of the school curriculum.

Hi I'm Gabi from Germany. I lived on "Best of Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction" editions which were fortunately translated in generous amounts in my teens. So my main focus on SF have been short stories for quite a while. They are still a favourite of mine (with Theodore Sturgeon being my preferred author and the main reason for my SF addiction). Meanwhile I read a lot of novels as well through all the sub genres and colours of Science Fiction and Fantasy.

Kirsten #endgunviolence wrote: "Hello! We know a lady from Ukraine and let me tell you, you guys have some pretty cool sweets and cookies!!."

And in our spare time we create grounds to impeach the POTUS

Kirsten #endgunviolence wrote: "My dad was more of a space opera nut and thought Heinlein should be part of the school curriculum."

I agree with him! As a teen in the USSR there was the fact that the Union joined copyright protection in 1972 with possibility to print pre-1972 books without royalties, so I read much more of 50s-60s and much less of 80-90s even while I lived in the later period

Hi! I never introduced myself in the H&N group, but now's my second chance.

I'm Antti from Finland. I'm 40 and I've been reading SF/F pretty much all my life - although both my parents are acid readers, neither of them has any interest in SF/F, so I'm not quite sure where I caught the bug.

When I was younger I was limited by what books were translated into Finnish, so it was pretty much either classic SF or D&D novels. I read many great books when I was way too young to really appreciate them, but I like to think it refined my taste.

I studied History in university and I still read a lot of non-fic about politics and history. I also run an online (non-GR) bookclub called where we tackle so-called "difficult classics" and "doorstoppers": right now we're reading War and Peace.

Hi. I'm Cordelia. I live in New Zealand. Ever since I did a university course on "Science Fiction and Utopias" I've been fascinated by the SF genre. Not really a Fantasy person though.

Looking forward to this group. I like to see what is new, not just the old classics.

Cordelia wrote: "Hi. I'm Cordelia. I live in New Zealand. Ever since I did a university course on "Science Fiction and Utopias" "

Hi! It is interesting to see a person, who come to SF later in their life - for most people I know the favorite genre is a thing chosen quite early, often even reading books 'too adult/advanced' for the reader's age (as Antti mentioned above. My experience was similar).

And a question - next year WorldCon will be in NZ - do you have any plans regarding it?

Oleksandr wrote: "Cordelia wrote: "Hi. I'm Cordelia. I live in New Zealand. Ever since I did a university course on "Science Fiction and Utopias" "

Hi! It is interesting to see a person, who come to SF later in the..."

I had heard that that was happening. And I do live in Wellington. But I have not planned anything as yet. Thinking about it.

Cordelia wrote: "I had heard that that was happening. And I do live in Wellington. But I have not planned anything as yet. Thinking about it.
"

here are details https://conzealand.nz/programme-event...

Hi folks, I'm Kalin, joining from the parent group as well. I'm from Toronto, Canada. I've been reading SFF works for awhile but interspersed with lots of other genres of writing.

Last year I voted in the Hugo Awards and the Aurora Awards for the first time, but I only focused on the nominated works, and didn't read any 2018 books ahead of time. This time around, I'd like to nominate if possible -- although I know there are way too many likely nominees for me to be able to read ahead of time. I'm also going to be helping with eligibility list verification for the Auroras here in Canada.

Kalin wrote: "Hi folks, I'm Kalin, joining from the parent group as well. I'm from Toronto, Canada."

A hint: go and nominate Stealing Worlds for tis group Jan2020 read - it is by a Canadian writer, hard SF

Hello, Silvana here. Also coming from the parent group. I am a buddy read junkie and Kindle deal addict so I am basically hopeless. Born and living in Indonesia. Started reading more SFF since I got my first Kindle six years ago.

Cordelia, I love your city. Hoping to go there for the WorldCon!

Silvana wrote: "Hello, Silvana here. ."

Welcome, Silvana! Do you like to comment on our January read, The Future of Another Timeline for I've seen your review

Hi, I'm Chris and I actually came here because I saw this month's book, but I'm considering joining the Hugo group too.

I'm from Maryland in the United States. I enjoy alternate history and got into sci-fi through that in college, though I read other classics like The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and kid's books like the Young Jedi Knight's series before that.

Silvana, I've been to Yogyakarta, and really enjoyed that visit to your country. Hope to see more of your country (and most every country in the world besides!)

Welcome, Chris!

Chris wrote: "Hi, I'm Chris and I actually came here because I saw this month's book, but I'm considering joining the Hugo group too.

I'm from Maryland in the United States. I enjoy alternate history and got i..."

Welcome and glad you enjoyed Yogyakarta. Try our eastern provinces for next times :)

Hi, I'm Kirsten/Kaa. I'm not in the Hugo group, but I know a lot of you already from the big SFF group. I tried reading toward the awards lists for the first time last year and thought it was fun, so I'm excited to join y'all for more this year.

Kaa wrote: "Hi, I'm Kirsten/Kaa. I'm not in the Hugo group, but I know a lot of you already from the big SFF group. I tried reading toward the awards lists for the first time last year and thought it was fun, ..."

I'm happy to see you with us! I like your comments in the other group and hope they will be not less exciting here

Oleksandr wrote: "Kaa wrote: "Hi, I'm Kirsten/Kaa. I'm not in the Hugo group, but I know a lot of you already from the big SFF group. I tried reading toward the awards lists for the first time last year and thought ..."

Thanks, I'll try to live up to that in this group!

Hi Kaa! Great to have you here as well!

Hi, I came from the parent group too. Just learned about it there. ;) I was feeling pretty left out of the Goodreads reader's choice awards last year and realized I want to focus on current stuff. So this is perfect! And I just read "The City We Became"...so, I'll hop on that discussion. I'm not sure that I ever actually introduced myself on the parent group so here goes.

I'm 33, grew up in rural NY, spent my adult life in MA, and have been living in Quito, Ecuador for almost a year now (my husband is originally from here). I'm a public school music teacher currently navigating a career change. About to start an online masters in speech pathology. And I have two small children. So I read slow. I'm in awe of all you folks who read 100+ books a year!

I always thought scifi was a guy thing. My dad was really into star trek and I thought I just watched it with him because I didn't have much choice. But then as an independent adult I found myself craving "spaceship shows" and realizing I really love scifi. I mean, I loved Danny Dunn as a kid and devoured Ender's Game. Not sure why it took me so long to identify that I love it. So now I'm actively seeking it out. Listening to "Levar Burton Reads" has led me to discover some great writers. My favorite is N. K. Jemisin.

Hi Kristen and welcome!

A fellow linguist in the group! (speech pathology)

Welcome, Kristen.

It seems that this thread fell to the oblivion and new members don't see it, so I bump it :)

Come, introduce yourself and be welcome!

I guess it is time for me to introduce myself, too. I am Plamen, I am (very soon to be) 41, and I am from Sofia, Bulgaria. I am following new SFF releases anyway, so it will be great to share thoughts and ideas with other like-minded people!

I am also doing a (physical) book club here, which has now been closed for months because of the corona, and I am also buddy-reading with a friend of mine, which is usually not working so well, because she is more into F, and I am more into SF. But anyway, this will be the third book club-like thing I'm doing. I came across this place through Oleksandr, who seems to be everywhere:)

Welcome, Plamen! How SF is going is Bulgaria now? I recall some humorous Bulgarian short stories in SF anthologies from the Soviet times but don't know about the present state.

Oleksandr wrote: "Welcome, Plamen! How SF is going is Bulgaria now? I recall some humorous Bulgarian short stories in SF anthologies from the Soviet times but don't know about the present state."

I can recommend ФантАstika: Almanac of Bulgarian Speculative Fiction, there is a broad spectrum of Bulgarian SF and F short stories and excerpts from books. It has no english publisher yet, but the editors are giving out arcs.

I love the internationalness of this group and of Goodreads in general.

Stupid of me to say so, but you guys are the best!

Hi,
I signed up for this group while browsing Goodreads (don't remember where!). I started reading science fiction when I was about ten years old (Robert Heinlein juveniles and Edgar Rice Burroughs John Carter of Mars). I was very much "into" SF until perhaps 20 years ago - I used to read all the magazines, "Fantasy & Science Fiction", "Asimov's", "Analog", etc., and kept up with various authors. But I haven't kept up with SF recently, and I've stumbled upon some authors I just don't like that much.

So maybe reading books here will reintroduce me to the genre. I have read, and LOVED, the trilogy that started with "The Three Body Problem". I also like Neal Stephenson and Kim Stanley Robinson. But many other names are not yet familiar.
Carol

Oleksandr wrote: "Welcome, Plamen! How SF is going is Bulgaria now? I recall some humorous Bulgarian short stories in SF anthologies from the Soviet times but don't know about the present state."

I really don't know... As you said, there was some really good satire during communism (which is still very readable), but there was also so much to satirise back then, there was really fertile ground. Then the decline in the 00s was so steep that I am not keeping track any more. How is Ukrainian SFF? I tried a novel by the Dyachenkos last year, and it was quite good. I have two more Ukrainian novels on my reading list now.

Carol wrote: "Hi,
I signed up for this group while browsing Goodreads (don't remember where!). I started reading science fiction when I was about ten years old (Robert Heinlein juveniles and Edgar Rice Burrough..."

Hi Carol!

I am a new member too, but I will try to answer you nonetheless! Based on the names you mentioned, it seems you like good old-fashioned hard sci fi, and there ain't much of that going around, at least not in the States.

I can recommend you Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky and some older stuff by Stanisław Lem, for example, The Invincible . American sci fi has long swerved in a completely different direction, and I really doubt you will like any of the newer authors!

Hi Plamen,
Thanks for your comments! Actually, I have already read "Children of Time" and I loved it. Yes, I probably prefer hard science fiction. I have never read Stanislaw Lem, though, so I will put this on my To Read list.
Carol

Welcome Carol, glad to have you with us!

I also read classics (Heinlein, Asimov, Simak etc) as a teen, then had almost two decades hiatus (career and personal life took precedence) and got back just like 3 years ago, trying to catch up. I also read fantasy (actually it became preferable to SF in my late teens, but now I'm back to more SF).

To books Plamen mentioned I'd add some older stuff, like Hyperion, Scalzi's series that at the beginning heavily reminded me of Heinlein - starting with Old Man's War. If you are into space operas Expanse series is good - starting with Leviathan Wakes. if you like noir and cyberpunk Altered Carbon is good. I also recommend authors like Peter Watts and Greg Egan for hard SF

Carol wrote: "Hi Plamen,
Thanks for your comments! Actually, I have already read "Children of Time" and I loved it. Yes, I probably prefer hard science fiction. I have never read Stanislaw Lem, though, so I will..."

Hi Carol!

Well, of course you have read it, I guess it was hugely popular even across the Atlantic! I can also add Alastair Reynolds if you haven't come across him, but you probably have!

As for older stuff, I've been rereading myself Bradbury and Asimov's short stories in the past year, and I find them as engrossing as I was a teenager. They have indeed fared the passage of time very well!

Plamen wrote: "How is Ukrainian SFF? I tried a novel by the Dyachenkos last year, and it was quite good. I have two more Ukrainian novels on my reading list now.."

It is in a peculiar state. Before Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014, the most actively published Ukrainian authors wrote in Russian (Dyachenkos, Генри Лайон Олди). Now there is a Renaissance of Ukrainian SFF but the total number of new titles is just a score per year. Also we haven't had a SFF magazine, so no tradition of short stories. Now fanfic is on the rise, but as in other countries its average quality is low

Oleksandr wrote: "Plamen wrote: "How is Ukrainian SFF? I tried a novel by the Dyachenkos last year, and it was quite good. I have two more Ukrainian novels on my reading list now.."

It is in a peculiar state. Befor..."

And there is "Max Frei", isn't it? Although she lives in Lithuania and writes in Russian:D. I didn't get into her style, but she seems to be a star in Russia, even more so than their own writers.

As for the general state, I think things are more or less like the same in all non-English speaking countries, perhaps with the exception of Russia. This is a niche genre, markets are too small, there are very few, if any, magazines as you say, hence it is very difficult to be a professional writer, and making a breakthrough on a global level with a native language other than English is extremely difficult.

Plamen wrote: "And there is "Max Frei", isn't it? Although she lives in Lithuania and writes in Russian:D. I didn't get into her style, but she seems to be a star in Russia, even more so than their own writers."

Yes, he is quite popular, but to be honest I've never read him. As for similarity, definitely there are much fewer SFF titles per year. However, there are still differences: say a recent Czech SFF overview say they have like 30-40 titles per year (if include magic realism and similar to SFF). At the same time Polish Zajdel Award lists over 200 novels (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/... ) from 2019

If I wasn't that lazy, I have a dream to facilitate several Slav countries to have a common SFF award for most Slav languages are more easily understandable (Bulgarian assumed a bit further away than others), so both reading and translations ought to be easier

Oleksandr wrote: "Welcome Carol, glad to have you with us!

I also read classics (Heinlein, Asimov, Simak etc) as a teen, then had almost two decades hiatus (career and personal life took precedence) and got back ju..."

Thanks for your reply Oleksandr!
"Hyperion" was actually a favorite of mine, way back when, and I've read six books by Richard K. Morgan, including "Altered Carbon". Of his books, my favorite was "Thirteen".

I like a good space opera, so I'll look at the Expanse series. I did read "Old Man's War", but it seemed derivative to me, yes, reminding me of Heinlein. You seem to say that Scalzi gets better, so maybe I should try more. I'll look at your other suggestions, and thank you!

Too much to read - what a nice problem!
Carol

Plamen wrote: "Carol wrote: "Hi Plamen,
Thanks for your comments! Actually, I have already read "Children of Time" and I loved it. Yes, I probably prefer hard science fiction. I have never read Stanislaw Lem, tho..."

Nope, Alastair Reynolds is not a familiar name to me. So, I'll check it out. Which of his books would you recommend to start with? Thanks.

Carol, also take a look at Murderbot series - the first novel, Network Effect is our current monthly read and before that there were 4 novellas (two won Hugos and the rest hasn't won only because they were printed all in one year). In May Tor.com gave the novellas for free and if you'd like I guess quite few of us have them at hand.

Oleksandr wrote: "Carol, also take a look at Murderbot series - the first novel, Network Effect is our current monthly read and before that there were 4 novellas (two won Hugos and the rest hasn't wo..."

Thanks - I'll look at it. Not sure if I'll get to it this month since I'm in the middle of some long non-fiction. But maybe...

Full disclosure: I do half of my "reading" via audio books.

Carol wrote: "Full disclosure: I do half of my "reading" via audio books.."

Me too :) and there are some fine non-fic groups as well, e.g. Non Fiction Book Club group.

Carol wrote: "Plamen wrote: "Carol wrote: "Hi Plamen,
Thanks for your comments! Actually, I have already read "Children of Time" and I loved it. Yes, I probably prefer hard science fiction. I have never read Sta..."

Try Revelation Space. If that works for you, there is an entire series of books that are equally good. He is a very techy writer and everything he writes is scientifically plausible. If you do try him out, let me know if you like him or not!

Greetings Everyone,

First thank you reading this and allowing me to introduce myself . I am a new author and have two books out on Sale Now with various outlets. I currently writing a third, The King's Tower, that I hope to have it released on August 28. I hope you have an opportunity to read, comment, and provide a review. I would very much appreciate it.

Sincerely,

Tony Brunal

The best way to introduce myself, is through the description on my profile:

Reading the following word cloud will allow
To discover more about the person behind *Tau*
The number of items isn't chosen randomly, you know
If you count them up and do it right, tadaaa … my age will show ;-)

* art journaling * beautiful colours * Belgium *blanket * blogging * board games * bubbles * bucket list * calm * challenges * collector * creative * culture * dark chocolate * discover * English * fantasy * fiction * Français * hsp * humour * hygge * inspiration * list maker * movies * my word of the year 2020: oasis * nature * Nederlands * non-fiction * paper books * photography * pizza * Português * series * single (malt) * strawberries * travel * water * wine * woman *



As a kid I read at least 4 books a week. But when I grew older and had to read much for school, I started to read less and less 'for fun'. Until I read only a few books a year.

A few years ago I read 'Le Comte de Monte Cristo' and rediscovered my love of books.
On a Dutch book forum I met Hoid who is a fervent SFF-reader and who introduced me to the fascinating world of fantasy and sci-fi. Though I always thought these genres wouldn't be my cup of tea, I had to adjust my opinion.

Although I have a very broad reading taste, the last few months it has became clear to me that my favourite genres are definitely fantasy, science-fiction and non-fiction.
If two years ago someone would have said I would like robots, I would have laughed. But now Marvin (from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy) and ART (from Artificial Condition) are some of my favourite SF-characters ;-)
What appeals most to me in a story is originality (both in plot as in form, f.e. extensive footnotes in Nevernight-chronicle) and humour (I lóve the books of Douglas Adams, Terry Pratchett, Jon Hollins, Jay Kristoff, …).

If you have any questions: shoot!

*Tau* wrote: "The best way to introduce myself, is through the description on my profile:

Reading the following word cloud will allow
To discover more about the person behind *Tau*
The number of items isn't cho..."

You're fun! You sound like my kind of person. :) Do you speak three languages? I'm so impressed by people who speak more than one language, but it seems to be the norm for you Europeans.