Fringe Fiction Unlimited discussion

If you're new please introduce yourself here. Tell us a little about yourself, what you like to read, write or why you joined. Current members feel free to welcome them.

To keep the inclusive purpose of this thread in-tact and posts to a minimum, please refrain from starting individual/unrelated conversations to greeting new members and move such discussions to a new, separate thread.

Thank You,
Justin

Hello, I'm Poppy.
I work in hospitality: a plush establishment, patronised by more gentle, conservative folk. I work. I walk. I read. I work. I walk. I read.
I don't know just yet what I really wanted to read, I'm just picking books from the small library where I work. I hope to find friends and share thoughts on what I do read.
I'm very new to this: I'm all ears or should I say, "All eyes."

Hello, I'm Mary.
I live with John Sterling's mum: she is a wonderful person and so is John. I'm at university, thanks to John, studying European History; and I work in a garden centre, thanks to John: my first 'Goodreads Friend'.
An elderly man on a bus told me, "A good book teaches you something." because of the lovely man on the bus, who I most likely will never see again, I joined Goodreads. I am now the luckiest girl and the happiest girl in the world.

I'm John Sterling and Mary is a kind, generous and polite girl. My mother is wonderful and thinks the world of Mary. Me ... I just help out where I can.

Hello, I’m John. I took early retirement and with a large garden/orchard I have become almost self sufficient: my responsibilities at present rest with a small group of not-so-able hedgehogs. The neighbours became aware that I was caring for a hog with one-eye and a hospice seemed to blossom from there. Returning to university, I read history and that led me to such works as: The Great Game - The Struggle for Empire in Central Asia, On Secret Service East of Constantinople - The Plot to Bring Down the British Empire, and the like; all of which gripped me and I class as exceptional thriller/suspense/mysteries. My grandmother on my mother’s side was a White Russian and as youngster she left Russia in 1921, under the care of her father and mother. Her father was killed in Ukraine; and so she made the crossing from France to Blighty with her mother in November of 1923. From their accounts the journey across Europe was most harrowing. My mother has the family book and the the dairies of both her grandparents. I have often thought of creating a manuscript from those, but feel unqualified and not able to do justice to their story. There is no mention in my great-grandparent’s memoirs of escape lines and safe houses, but my grandmother, during her later years with what she excused as her failing memory, often spoke of ‘the kindest of people’ and how they are the only reason she survived. I spend time researching escape-lines, underground networks and life-in-the shadows. I won’t claim a need to find evidence of who might have helped my grandmother, as I am content with a desire to more fully understand the ways and means by which many sought to resist oppression even in the face of the great risk to them and their family. I yearn for well-researched, real-life thrillers focused on 20th Century Europe.

Greetings Group,
Hi, I’m Rob. I live just to the west of Chicago and spend my days working as a payroll clerk. My passion and that of my wife is making furniture; of which the house now abounds and has become a small business enterprise (we sell to friends and friends of friends). My wife’s family has a long military history; she was USAF and how we met. I did some time in the British Army (The Pay Corps). We read in our down-time, more so now the boys are getting ready to flit the roost. We tend towards good quality thrillers, espionage and political intrigue. Most of our friends and neighbours spend their time in front of the ‘box’ so we decided to take the step and join an online book club. Any recommendation will be gratefully received.

Hello Group,
James Patrick, I'm known by all as 'Jimp' - my elder brothers started that (short for JimmyP) and so it was carried over to school and then my adult life. My wife-to-be, when we first met, thought it most funny. Jimp, I find from her, [a Norwegian], in the English dictionary means: scant, slender and I am slender [long-distance runner slender]. A sport I love and love much more as it helped break the ice when I met Tordis (Tor): an angel. Tor she told me means Thor. I'm most fascinated by thriller/suspense - fiction/non-fiction and have always taken an interest in books concerning the modern history of Europe and of late more the second war and the years post those dark times. If anyone has recommendations, I would be most grateful. Happy reading to all.

Hi, …. one and all,
I am Bethany (I answer to Beth) and I’m a farmer’s girl. The family have a farm here in Ireland and I just adore the life. I have a great family, Mum and Dad and three bothers: none of whom read.
I’m not happy with noisy places, so avoid the pubs and clubs: I fell off a horse when I was young and banged my tiny brain quite hard (weeks in the hospital, as I couldn’t remember too much after it) although the doctors don’t believe or know if that has anything to do with it - I just get wrinkly in crowded, noisy places.
My brothers are all married and their wives are great; me, …. I’m in my early twenties and intend to avoid that BIG STEP for a good few years yet.
My reading has gone all over the place since school; of late - and why I joined Goodreads - I have the urge for exiting recent history accounts and true to life stories: it started by reading, ‘Out of Africa’. A few books later I came upon, ’Touching the Void’, which took my breath away. My eldest brother is a climber (not so much now, as he has a daughter), but that was better that any thriller I had read. I really enjoy reading about girls that have done good and although I’m sure I’ll never stray too far from the farm, I do dream of what some women have achieved. Stories of SOE girls and the like are becoming my favourite right now.
I hope to pick up tips from y’all, who’ve probably been at it far longer than me.

Hi - I'm author Ron Dakron, and Fringe is my country.

Hi, I'm Debbie.
I am the commanding officer of Clive (my other half), who will be ordered to join this group: pronto. And, if he already has and not asked my permission, then he'll be on jankers for the rest of the year. We are now retired and live in South Wales (where Clive's family hail from). It's mostly peaceful and we enjoy it.
In retirement, I have found more time - some of it I'm using to think (for once) - and am starting to grind my teeth over some of the more current works by 'well-known authors'. Does anyone here have any tips on good fiction (I do like a bit of a thrill) that is sailing along under the radar?

I've just found out that Clive is already a member: he's for it. If you never hear from him again, you'll know why: painting & decorating, cleaning, gardening, sucking up to me.
He hasn't even written an introduction. He'll say, "I forgot to tell you. I'd forgot I'd joined."
He'll be eating with the dog tonight.

The husband (Mike) and I have retired early from the city and now live in a lush, green, rainy, valley of Wales. We never did enjoy the city too much and the arrival of Covid gave us time to assess our situation. We read and have done for years and years and, over wine and nibbles, prior to Covid we’d discuss our book choices with a group of good friends. Now, without that indulgence we decided - on advice from a good friend - to join an online bookclub. Our best wishes to all.

Welcome new members!

I'm a hairdresser and I love my work.
To books:
I started with chick-lit. Customers talk of it all the time. I thought: get reading, get chatting, get the customer to like you, get repeat custom. Mercenary of me, I know. But all I ever wanted to be was a hairdresser (stylist). And so when I got the chance I wanted my boss to see added value in me.
I moved on, and now read from a more demanding list. And why, I think, I have the urge to put my thoughts out there.

Hi, my name’s Jeb Wright. For 20 years, I owned and operated the online e-zine Classic Rock Revisited. As as music journalist of rock and metal music mainly from the '70s and '80s, I conducted and published interviews with musicians, wrote magazine articles, reviews, and even wrote a few linear notes for new CD releases. When I finally retired from that, I began writing my first fiction novel. My debut, Blast From the Past, was released at the end of July, 2022.


Blast from the Past: In order to fix what went wrong; sometimes you have to do it again!

Hello, everyone!
I'm Kevin, joining you from Portland, Oregon, USA. I'm a twice retired (Army and Corporate America) father of a 13-year-old spitfire.
My focus in literature has turned to reading and writing speculative fiction. I love those world where everything is just slightly off from our perception of a "normal" existence.
I can't wait to read the next hidden gem!

Hello everyone! My name is Will and I'm a retired American living in Spain. I enjoy being near the sea and caring for a small family of finches. A fan of French and English literature, I've written historical non-fiction but have switched genres to historical fiction after discovering the struggles of royal illegitimate children. After reading Alex de Campi's The Scottish Boy, I've also been interested in how authors are crafting historical gay novels. Hope everyone had a great summer!

Hey guys!
I'm J.E. Miller and I joined this group because I want to get more involved in book club communities and have a better way to interact with readers. I'm an author and a I have a urban fantasy series that is circus themed. I like all kinds of genres but love fantasy, and am a bit of a mood reader. The last book I read was Remarkably Bright Creatures. So good, love all the different POVs. Last audio book I listened to was Dolly Parton's Songteller - love her so much. Currently re-reading my last book Ringmaster's Rise and waiting for Once and Future Witches to be returned so I can read it on Libby.
Cheers guys!

Hi Everyone,

My name is John, and I joined this group to find new, obscure and interesting books to read. I personally enjoy fantasy novels, and one of my favourite authors is Terry Brooks. I also enjoy thought provoking books such as the Alchemist, The Joy of living and the Science of the Mind.

Hello, I am new to this group. Looking forward to chatting with you all.

Hey y'all! I'm A.M. Trinidad on here, but I go by Lita. This year so far I've turned 29, became an Auntie, got my Associates in Teaching, and was recognized for my 5 years of service in Education. I've been busy, to say the least.

I have loved reading since I was a kid, and I got my love of writing from my grandmother; she would write about her day, and eventually she wrote her own story, luckily, before she passed.

I love to read romance of all kinds, and some crime/mystery. I got to the point where I started to think about how I would set up my own story whilst reading everyone else's book. So I wrote my own, as well as had the honor of publishing my grandmother's story.

I look forward to experiencing your storytelling and sharing mine.

Hi. I live in South Wales and having retired early, I keep a big organic garden and several bee hives. It's all very healthy and my days are spent in the fresh air.
I read fiction for years. Of late I've looked for works that stray from the mainstream. I've an eye out for indie authors. So reccs would be welcome. I'm not at all keen on romance, comedy, social drama, fantasy, sci-fi and the like.

Hi, I have lived in various European countries but am now firmly back in the UK. I don't read newspapers, have a TV, or a streaming subscription or a radio but I do connect with the world via podcasts and the like. I'm "semi-retired", which means I'll do any work that comes up, if it's creative and with pleasant people.

I like a good novel, especially on a winter's evening, but I got to the point of asking myself "where have all the good reads gone?". I'm no prude, but I had enough of novels that used graphic sex and violence simply to keep the reader (or perhaps the author?) interested. I was also fed up with being spoon-fed the latest social orthodoxies within a work of fiction. Enough!

I wrote a novel The Golden Crown of Seville partly to prove to that an entertaining read could be created without using these devices. In terms of reading, I've gone back to classical (Everyman's library) and modern historical novels. I'll see what is recommended here in the Group with interest.

I'm Ellie, a nurse and I work in a care home for the elderly. Fortunately for me, I have a room - I'm usually on call - and so, food is cooked for me, I have no need to commute and I've little interest in the television and Bedford's main library is a fifteen-minute walk from my work.

I read: Thrillers, Thrillers, Thrillers, and also, Thrillers.

Hi, I'm Emily. I'm 26. I'm shy. A single girl. Job hopping. Out an about. Staying sober. Doing what single girls do. Keeping my eyes open for... opportunity, a good man, a job where I'm paid to travel the world. Not much to ask!

Hi, I'm wandering aimlessly in France just now and fumbling about with Modern-European History. I hanker for thrilling reads but shy from today's melange of preposterous, shoot'em up, sex 'em up, save the world tack. I'm looking for thrillers (not limited to fiction) that have roots in the real-world and asks you to think about what is happening.

I'm harboured up in the Welsh Valleys. I work outdoors, mostly on farms, walling, fencing, and general repair work. I was a focused on my rugby, but a knee injury has put me on the sidelines for good. In the off-seasons, when finance allowed, I took to the mountains: mostly Asia and the Himalayas. I took to reading whilst recovering from my surgery. It's becoming a big thing. As one door closes, another door opens.

Hi, I'm Vicky.
I'm an apprentice cobbler. In three years I'll be a qualified (junior) shoemaker. If I work hard and stick at it, I'll be fully qualified in seven years. It's all I've ever wanted to be. I work as a waitress four evenings a week so as to keep my head above water.
My life is: shoes, food, books. And sleep

I'm Bianca.
People called me, "Bee": just the once. First, they get the icy stare, then the bitten lip, then the grinding of the teeth, then the polite request they do not refer to me as an insect.
I'm in Glasgow, Scotland. Thank you for letting me join your group. I'm now reading every night. The TV went out the window (not literally - I'm not strong enough for that). The library here is free to join - yippee. I'm trying to read travel, history, historical fiction and thrillers/suspense/adventure.

Bianca wrote: "I'm Bianca.
People called me, "Bee": just the once. First, they get the icy stare, then the bitten lip, then the grinding of the teeth, then the polite request they do not refer to me as an insect...."

Good call, Bianca. People call me, 'E': just the once.

Hi everyone. I'm Maisie. I'm rooming in Manchester at present and saving every penny I can. I'm trying a void buying new books. Kindle works for me, if the book is cheap enough.
I'm into adventure thrillers and adventure non-fiction.
I'm not a great reviewer - I will put a few words down, more as my notes for future reference.

Hi, I'm Mandy. I've one more year at uni and then I'm hoping to travel in Asia.

I'm Dottie (not in my head).
I’m trying every day to be kind to the world we live in and wish to read about those things that touch the world we live in. I don’t do paranormal, sci-fi, romance, fantasy, role-play, etc: you get the picture.
I'm not an eco-zealot. I'm not at all interested in screaming and shouting about what's wrong, whilst throwing litter all over the place and running off. A few years back, I spent the day listening to Greta Thunberg, when she left so did the crowd: a sea of litter was left behind. From that day on, I've lived a simple life: reuse, repair, recycle. I grow my own. I use solar power whenever possible. I don't buy new clothes. I don't use make-up. I cycle everywhere. I'm self-employed and work making and repairing clothes: mostly for the little ones. Take an old coat, clean it and sew a few flowers on: like magic, it's new and can be sold at the farmer's market. I don't buy new books. I use the library or buy second-hand from the market. My table is next to the bookman's and we get on like a house on fire. And just like my grandparents did, who both kept their wits and lived to a fine old-age, I don't do heating. I do an extra jumper. Ohh, and, I don't sleep in my house (converted barn - my uncle knows the farmer and he likes my view on life), I sleep outside. I have a lean-to, low-profile, under a tree and a well-trained dog.
Please be my friend: I'm not at all grumpy. I'm a happy little bunny.

Hello, I'm Donna. I look after (clean and tidy) my parent's guest house (Bed without Breakfast) here in Portugal. It backs onto an orange grove that leads to the hills. It is pretty scenic. I enjoy my own space and the peace of reading.
I'm hoping to find friends and search out good, thrilling, reads.

Hi to everyone. I answer to Jenny or Jen. Most of those that know me call me, Sarky-Cow!
I'm a Keswick, Cumbria, girl. My home until university. I head home as often as I can. I'm still at uni, but study remotely and wander in for chats with my tutor: to keep me within the boundaries (on the straight and narrow). University life is not to my liking: I'm not easily bought and I'll make up my own mind, thank you very much. Both of my parents have a degree and being critical, making up your own mind, was welcomed back in their day. Ohh, how life has changed.

Hello. My name is Harper. I'd rather not say where I am living at the present time. I've just moved here to be away from somewhere else.
I did read when I was at school but gave it up. I've ditched the baggage I was trapped within and am now free to do as I please: reading is going to be my pastime.
I will search GR for books. I like the idea of fiction. I'm not keen on ya, chic-lit, romance, relationships, fantasy, sci-fi, dystopia, horror or any other super-natural happening. The thought of good people and good things appeals to me.

Hi, I'm Chali (pronounced, "Charlie.")

Born in Thailand. For the next few years I'm here in the UK (where my grandpa was born).

Anyone want to be friends? I'm friendly.

I'm a surveyor, I own a sea kayak, live within a stone's throw of the briny and luckily work in coastal surveying.

I yearn for fiction that asks me think: join-the-dots, figure what is happening, where the plot is taking me.

Hi, I'm Bridge. I'm 26. I'm shy. I'm single and aiming to stay that way for a good few years yet. I'm working and other than reading and work, I have a house with a garden (left me by my grandmother) that keeps me fit.

I love reading good real life fiction.

Hi. I'm in the U.K. In my thirties and my leisure is taken up by a garden, a four-year old boy (who insists he the better gardener) and reading.

I live on the outskirts of Glasgow. At present, I'm mostly reading modern European history and spending time hill walking.

I'm Nat. I'm British and live in Madrid with Nom (Naomi).

Hi Everyone,

I'm Hazel. If I'm not working (in a water sports centre), I'm on the water, or in the water, (unintentionally a lot of the time) or reading. They're a strange lot, the on the water set. You can get soaked through on a water ski, yet should you fall in, the first thing asked when you come ashore is, "Get wet, then?"
My favourite books are thrillers that make good sense and books that I can learn from.

I'm a single mum of two girls with a small home-based business. It's a busy life and my relaxation is in reading.

Hi everyone. I am an avid reader and self-published author in the United States. When I'm not at work I love to be active in nature and balance that with reading indie fiction. To that end, I get great joy out of finding talent that has been overlooked. Very happy to be in a thread where folks on the fringe are hunting for the same thing. would love to connect and get any recommendations in the horror genre, especially short stories and novellas.

Hi all. I'm Graham.

I'm a carpenter from Polish parents and born in London.

I love distance running (I'm quick but need to be quicker) and reading when I'm resting.
I'm not into fantasy, sci-fi and the outlandish, I'm finding my way around the real world. Good, fact-based, fiction is not off the table.

I join today. I am Zarina and say hello. I come from Russia and not here long time. I learn English every day.

Natali wrote: "I'm Nat. I'm British and live in Madrid with Nom (Naomi)."

I'm Nom. I'm British and live in Madrid with Nat.

HI, I’m Gabbi. I’m British and living in Italy for now.
Books have become my thing.