Science Fiction Book Club discussion

Just say something about yourself and the books you like.

Well I suppose I can go first. . . My name is Laura. I live in the Chicago area and I really love stars (hence the drawing of a tree with stars as my picture). I enjoy reading a lot of different types of books. Typically I prefer fantasy to sci-fi, but not always. I also like mysteries and chick lit (which is a little embarrassing to admit, but true). The only books I tend to stay away from are horror and usually non-fiction. The way I see it life is too real a lot of the time and often unpleasant, why spend my free time reading about reality? Anyway, that was more than a small blurb, but I hope that's what you were looking for!

yh awesome. I agree with your view on reading fiction.

I guees I better introduce myself then.
My name is Tobias. I live in Wales. I like sport (football, kayaking, longboarding, snowboarding, basketball and other stuff like that). I gotta say stars are cool. I also usually prefer fantasy to sci-fi and definately fiction to non-fiction. The Host, Showdown and City of bones are some of my favorite books. I also play guitar.

I haven't read any of those books! Though, City of Bones is on my to-read shelf. Unfortunately, my opinion of Stephenie Meyer has decreased a bit since I read the Twilight saga, which is why I haven't really thought about The Host. A few of my favorite books (all for different reasons) are: The Last Dragonlord (I'm pretty sure it's a chick reason but the love story is really great), The Enchanted Forest Chronicles (I think Dealing with Dragons is the first one - they're for kids but it's what first got me into fantasy so I'm a little partial), and I can't pick a third because it's too hard.
I can't say I'm all that involved in any sports (I personally believe I could've been good at basketball, but I never really gave it any thought so it's easy to say and impossible to prove). By football I assume you mean soccer? Hahaha. I prefer that to american football. My favorite sport (to watch) is definitely hockey. That's how you can tell I'm from midwestern US. Though unlike most hockey fans I don't enjoy the violence; I like the pace, amount of scoring - it keeps things competitive, and skill required.
Also, since it has already become apparent- I tend to use more words rather than less. Sorry that's just one of my quirks :)

yeah I did mean soccer sorry. The Host is more of a sci-fi book than the Twilight saga.

Hi my mane is Michelle and I am from the CT. I see this group started a while ago so I hope its ok to jump in now. Okay about myself... Im not too into sports though I do like to play softball on occasion and I do enjoy a hockey game mainly because of one Mr. Sidney Crosby. My book preferences vary. I like everything from classics ( The Count of Monte Cristo and Pride and Prejudice are two of my favs) To books like The Hours and I just recently finished Water For Elephants ( New fav). About a year ago I joined a Paranormal bookclub at my local book store and got hooked. Some of my fav scifi/fantasy books are: Shiver, Fallen, The Mortal Instruments series, Twilight ( Yeas i am one of those people), and I really enjoyed The Host. There are many more but I think Ive written way too much

That's cool. So you've probably seen that this month we're reading The Golden Compass, don't know if you've read it. And every month we have a book poll for which book to read the next month. If you have books you want to read, suggest them in the 'What books do you want to read?' discussion and if mostly people haven't read them then I'll probably put then on the next month's poll. Also if you've already read a book that is being suggested or was on one of the polls please say so so that I can review whether to remove it.
Thanks and hope you enjoy the group.

Awesome. I have already read the Golden Compass along with the other two in the series. I have suggested some others in "What books do you want to read" discussion

Ok, Cheers.

Hi, may I join your book club? This is the first book club I've come across that reads stuff I'm interested in.

I'm another Laura, and I'm in the UK (SE England). I do enjoy science fact as well as science fiction, although its mainly maths and physics which tend to be outside everyday life in terms of concepts. Probably why I like the old sci-fi such as Asimov and Clarke. I like to sample the full range of the science fiction genre, but I admit tend to read more space operas overall.

I read the odd fantasy book, but I tend to only really enjoy young adult or kids fantasy, or on the boundary with science fiction. I do like Isobelle Carmody's work, though I get the impression people either love her books, or don't enjoy them at all. Terry Pratchett is one of my favourite authors. Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy I thought was amazing and I intended to read it some day, might as well start now.

I occasionally read murder mysteries and "classics" - Agatha Christie and Jane Austin jump to mind.

Other than reading, I love to cook and bake and I also enjoy trying different crafts (I generally like making things). On the whole, I spend far too much time in front of a computer and I do play a few games. I'm very much an indoor person, expect when I'm on holiday, then I like to walk and love to ski.

Hey and yeah your welcome to join. Don't know if you already have but if you read message 8 above it will give you an idea of how I chose what books we read and so on.

Hi my name is Ashley. I live in Washington state (U.S.A). I'm a teacher at an elementary school. I'm also a single mom of 2 teenage boys. I love to read, read and read some more. I enjoy all different genres, but I tend to read more sci fi and fantasy. I'm looking forward to reading new books and discussing them with you.

Sounds awesome. Also, this is to everyone now, feel free to start discussions about other books, genres, authors or whatever you like.

Hi im Jeannie I mostly just read sci fi and fantasy... I love it.. Also love watching good sci fi movies and t.v. shows...

Hello there! I just joined the group. My name is Kim, I'm 23 years old and I'm from Montreal, Quebec. Some of my favorite authors include Stephen King, Neil Gaiman, Kelley Armstrong and Cassandra Clare.

Awesome. Welcome!! Feel free to join in the discussions and comment on old book discussions if you've read the books. Also If you want to you can start reading this month's book 'Neverwhere' and you can go and vote on the poll for next month's book.

I just saw that you have already voted on the poll so ignore that comment.

I've also already started reading Neverwhere, I'm around page 130. :)

Nice. I guess you're ahead of the game then.

Greetings one and all.

My name is A.P. Stephens, author of THE WHITE SHADOW SAGA, an epic fantasy trilogy, published by Fanda Books. The second book in the trilogy, titled SHAMELESS WONDERS, was released on October 22, 2010.

THE STOLEN MOON OF LONDOR (Book I of the trilogy) was named one of the Top Books of 2009 by Fantasy Book Critic and it was also a nominee for the 2010 Parsec Award for Best Speculative Fiction. It can also be heard as a free podcast, available on Podiobooks.com as well as iTunes.

If you are a fan of fantasy with a good dose of action and martial arts, I extend an invitation to you to check out these books.

The books are available in paperback as well as e-book formats. Free samples of the books can be read on your e-readers before purchase. Links to places where you can check them out are just below. And below those are the blurbs about each book.

THE STOLEN MOON OF LONDOR paperback ($11.95 USD)

Amazon US: http://tinyurl.com/yzcgpjp
Amazon Canada: http://tinyurl.com/2ej6745
Amazon UK: http://tinyurl.com/2ab93mw

THE STOLEN MOON OF LONDOR e-book ($1.99 USD)

Kindle US: http://tinyurl.com/2dqaf6p
Kindle UK: http://tinyurl.com/28zqn93
Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/b/4932
Mobipocket: http://www.mobipocket.com/en/eBooks/e...

SHAMELESS WONDERS paperback ($14.95)

Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/2dwcmpf

SHAMELESS WONDERS e-book ($3.99)

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/...

About THE STOLEN MOON OF LONDOR:

The era of peace among the elves, men, and dwarves comes to an end when one of Londor's twin moons disappears from the heavens. Without the moon's balancing effect, evil forces grow bold, and warfare, sickness, and chaos threaten life itself.

Hearing the prayers of desperation that ride on the violent winds, the ancient wizard Randor Miithra, servant to the elf-gods, takes it upon himself to mend the world he has sworn to protect. The task will not be an easy one, though, for the wizard, too, has begun to feel the effects of the world's imbalance. As Randor struggles to maintain some semblance of his powers, he meets a secretive band of colorful characters from all walks of life, drawn together by a common goal: to find the stolen moon, whatever the cost. It does not take Randor and his motley company long to see that someone or something does not want the moon returned to the heavens.

The road is perilous...the stakes have never been greater...will they find victory...or will they only find their deaths?

About SHAMELESS WONDERS:

SHAMELESS WONDERS continues the quest of Randor Miithra, wizard and servant to the elf-gods, as he leads his followers in search of the missing moon, Beldas. Across the troubled lands of Londor, the shadows of a relentless darkness have reached the broken borders of many kingdoms. Evil forces seek to manipulate and enslave the land and its people, with enemies both new and old vowing to yield to no one until victory is had.

As Randor and his company hasten into the south toward the dark realm of Valadure, the origin of the world's downfall, they experience firsthand the treacheries of evil. Yet in their search to restore balance to the world of Londor, they must overcome more than the banners of darkness that stand before them. As internal discord and tragedy drive the company members apart, it seems they are farther than ever from returning Londor to the peace and prosperity it once knew. Prophesies are realized, deceit is revealed, and dreams are cast asunder. Not all is what it seems to be.

With the greatest of evil in their midst, can Randor Miithra and his companions overcome the power of the one who holds the key to healing Londor? One night can change the fortunes of all.
___________

I hope each and every one of you are doing well and I hope that some of you will give the books a look and enjoy them. My site is being revamped right now, but please feel free to check that out as well.
www.apstephens.com

Add me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/whiteshadowsaga

Thank you for giving this posting a read.

Hi i'm Becka, from near Wales in England. I live in the midle of the countryside so i spend most of my time looking after animals, riding horses or reading. Although i also play piano and clarenette. I like most kinds of books just finished the studies series by Maria. V Snyder which was suprisingly good! At the moment my favorite book is the looking glass wars, but it's always changing! lol

Hey Becka, welcome to this book club and it's nice to have some people here who live on the same continent. I live in South Wales myself.

Okay so there's a few new people joined so do be polite and introduce yourself - only kidding you don't have to but Welcome anyways.

Hiya folks, My name is Ian Wood.
I'm a big sci-fi/fantasy geek, but I'm a bit particular in my tastes. I wrote a book called Betahuman you can find on Amazon. It's a fun sort of cyberpunk/action story. Just trying to put the word out there about it, and see what people think. If anybody checks it out, I would love to hear your thoughts or questions.

On a less self promotional note, I'm looking for tips on authors to read. Think Glen Cook/Jim Butcher/Neil Gaiman type stuff. I know most of the popular authors, but I'm open to tips on whoever. That Blade Itself thing looked kinda interesting.

Hey and Welcome to the group. 'The Blade Itself' is definitely worth reading and I shall try and think of some other authors similar to those you stated but for now my mind is blank. You could post a comment on a discussion that someone started here called 'random book discussions.'

Hi,
I'm Nancy Eagan. I'm a librarian from Philadelphia. I'm a sci-fi/horror fan. I've been looking for a sci-fi book club but couldn't find any in my area so I'm really excited to find this one.

Hey, welcome to this group. The poll for next month's book is still up but I believe it finishes tomorrow making this the last day to vote. So if you see this before then do go check it out. Also if you've read any of the books that we have discussions on do join in or post your review of them up. Also any book suggestions for the group or for certain people are welcome.

Hi
Have read the blade itslef and first sequel.great books.

Hey, welcome. There is a discussion on The Blade Itself if you feel like joining in.

Hey everyone.

I'm Barry. I'm into alot of different types of books. Just joined the site looking for a place to get some good book discussions in. I'll be reading this months book, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?

Awesome. Feel free to start any book discussions about any sci-fi or fantasy books that you've read.

I'm a retired military guy and avid reader. Mysteries, detective stories, adventure, sci-fi (not so much fantasy), select non-fiction, historical fiction, an occasional biographic.
David Weber, Jim Butcher, Orson Scott Card are probably my most recent favorite sci-fi authors and I'm always on the lookout for new authors and good reads.

Well for your sci-fi interests this is the group for you. All you've got to do is vote for the sci-fi books on each month's poll. and Welcome

Hi, I'm just finding my way around here but I mainly read Sci-Fi so I thought this would be the group to join

If there are any sci-fi books you want to read feel free to suggest them and we can put them on the book poll.

Baron Hotschaft wrote: "If there are any sci-fi books you want to read feel free to suggest them and we can put them on the book poll."

Ok Baron Hotschaft, I will have a think about that but to be honest anything by one of the classic Sc-Fi writers is fine by me, something by Moorcroft or Zelazny might be good as I've not read either yet.

message 24: by Baron Hotschaft: Okay so there's a few new people joined so do be polite and introduce yourself - only kidding you don't have to but Welcome anyways.

"raises hand" one of those people was most likely me! sry :p I wanted to start reading 'The Blade Itself' with you guys, even downloaded it to my nook. Got sidetracked. But I am here now! YAY!

Anywho, my name is Caitie and I love speculative fiction. I steer clear of horror and most chic-lit. I recently got into reading mystery through that J.D. Robb series 'In Death' and I don't read a whole lot of non-fiction, but I try (at least for 3 or 4 chapters!) :D

That's cool, and I know I seem to keep repeating myself but Welcome to this group.

Baron Hotschaft wrote: "Just say something about yourself and the books you like."

Hello, everyone. My name is Bob and I am a 46 year old QA Analyst for a small company in Cary, NC. I have been a science fiction fan all of my life. One of my earliest memories is going to see 2001: A Space Odyssey with my dad when I was only five or six years old. The movie fascinated me and I read my dad's copy of the book; quite the challenge for a six year old. It has been a favorite of mine ever since, as has been most all of Arthur C. Clarke's works.

I continue to be an avid reader of sci-fi, although I also like historical fiction and history as well. My favorite sci-fi authors are Clarke, Ben Bova, Kim Stanley Robinson, Philip K. Dick, Neil Gaiman, and Orson Scott Card.

I look forward to reading the books the group chooses and to interacting with all of you. Thanks!

Hello

My name is Darren Humphries living near Oxford in the good old UK. I am a fan of science fiction and fantasy, but have fallen out of the habit of reading it since I started running a sci fi TV website and preparing my books for the kindle (and don't worry, I'm going to push them here).

I want to get back to reading some sci fi and fantasy and this looks like a good way to do it.

I like Stephen King, so this is a good time to join with the Dark Tower being up as the next book (timely as well with the movie being prepared). I love comic fantasy and sci fi from the likes of Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams, but also straight sci fi and fantasy including AC Clarke, Asimov, Marion Zimmer Bradley, Anne McCaffrey to name but a few.

No doubt we'll speak soon.

Darren

Well Welcome and I hope you enjoy the group. If you have any books you want to suggest for us all to read in the group or just as a good book to pick up then feel free to suggest them. And by the way some good taste in books there.

Hey folks. Good reads newbie here. I used to read a lot more sci-fi than I do now, but hoping be roped back in. You can count me as one of those that really liked The Gunslinger (though the series kinda goes downhill after that), so I figure this group can't be half bad. :)

The last really, really good sci-fi book I read was William Gibson's Pattern Recognition: I'm very much into "near future" sci-fi, rather than space opera or stories with alien races with names like "The Kull'Hakisakikardashians". O.K. I made that one up. But you get the idea.

Anyway, about me: I'm a night cops reporter and mostly write about stabbings and shootings and such, so a little reality break goes a long way with me.

Hope to get to know you all.

Tad

Hello all,

excited to be here to get some new ideas. Been reading Raymond E. Feist a bit here lately, moving on to Asimoz(sp?) next. I have read alot of fantasy over the years and am slowly starting to get into more sci/fi (trying to anyways) between readings for school(mostly history and political theory). anyways thanks and i will try to be a positive addition where i can.

Hi folks, Good to find a UK group for fantasy fans - didn't seem to be one when I first joined GR a few years ago.

I've been reading fantasy since I discovered Lord of the Rings when I was a teenager. Remember reading it cover to cover over one Easter holidays, while listening to Andrew Cronshaw playing Breton tunes on the electric zither...

Books, especially fantasy, have always had a soundtrack in my head. One of my other enthusiasms is British folk music. Other favourite authors include Terry Pratchett, David Eddings, Ann McCaffrey, Patricia McKilip, Robert Heinlein.

I also read a lot of history, fact and fiction, and other genres. I've recently been discovering what good stuff there is available from independent authors, if you know how to sort the wheat from the chaff.

I have written three novels in a series called Shaihen Heritage. Book 1 Cloak of Magic; Book 2 Staff of Power; and Book 3 Spirit of Shehaios.

I invite UK Good Readers to have a look and maybe read some of the free sample chapters available on my website http://www.shehaios.co.uk to see if it's a fantasy style that appeals to you.

My name is Susan Ashley Dean. I am an English instructor at Jacksonville State University, andI am afraid I need your help. My son is an avid reader of Science Fiction, and he has inspired me to create a class focusing on this genre. It will be a challenge because I am not naturally a fan of this literature. Could anyone give a few suggestions -- both short and long fiction and graphic novels? I would greatly appreciate any assistance with this endeavor. Please include your opinions of the book, too.

My name is Alan Schweitzer. I am now retired. I had two careers: one, I taught Spanish and Spanish Literature at several colleges and universities. I also worked as reference librarian in Lorain, Ohio.I don't read as often as once did when I was teaching or was engaged in literary research. My favorite authors include, among others,A.C. Clarke, Asimov, Bradbury plus many classic writers. I became a member of Goodreads because I wanted to promote my four novels, wich are listed within this site. Good luck to all.

S. wrote: "My name is Alan Schweitzer. I am now retired. I had two careers: one, I taught Spanish and Spanish Literature at several colleges and universities. I also worked as reference librarian in Lorain,..."

Would you mind sharing with me your favorite works by the above mentioned authors?

I'm just compiling you a short list now.

Here's a short list of some Science Fiction books. Most of them are brilliant books but I've also included some that were highly recommended but that I didn't enjoy as much as I thought I would. I've included links to my reviews which generally are quite short and sometimes simply a sentence.


Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card (A must-read.)
My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Speaker For The Dead by Orson Scott Card (Though the second book in the Ender Series it is vastly different from 'Ender's Game' and can be read separately. However I greatly recommend reading 'Ender's Game' first.)
My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep by Philip K. Dick (I wasn't a great fan of this book though it is a definitely a must-read for Sci-Fi fans.)
My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve (Original but again not quite as enjoyable as I thought it would be.)
My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (A very enjoyable book. Some people class this book and the series as fantasy and this book does cross over the boundaries of what people define as the difference between Sci-Fi and fantasy.)
My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Dream Thief by Stephen Lawhead (I wouldn't recommend this as a early read for non Sci-Fi readers.)
My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

The Host by Stephenie Meyer (An addictive read.)
My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (A must-read classic)
My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...


I haven't really read many Science Fiction graphic novels and I generally read more Manga so I can only give you one graphic novel suggestion but I'll add a manga suggestion too.

Morning Glories Vol. 1: For A Better Future by Nick Spencer (An interesting start to a series)
My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Death Note Black Edition Vol. 1 by Tsugumi Ohba (I guess within manga you would probably class this as Sci-Fi)
My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...


If you have any queries, questions, or problems seeing my reviews then just give me a shout.