tech.gadgets.video.geekculture.gaming.kittens.
Like, reading? You mean actual BOOKS?
So Tom Merritt and I have started a little science fiction and fantasy-themed book club, called The Sword and Laser. Just a fun thing to do on the side, but it’s really picking up some good steam! We have about 90 members or so on our Ning page, and we’ve announced the first book, The Golden Compass (one of my favorites, and especially appropriate considering the upcoming movie).
Should be a lot of fun; yes, I realize how incredibly dorky it is. Thank you.
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| Print article | This entry was posted by Veronica on October 17, 2007 at 3:39 pm, and is filed under babble, internet, swordandlaser. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |


about 2 years ago
Ooh, I might look into joining this
Since I’m over the pond it would be nice to do a sort of book club online.
about 2 years ago
ok, so i just joined the club and will be ordering my monthly book from amazon soon. brings back memories from like 10 years ago reading fantasy and scifi stuff, nowadays i mainly read speacialized books… and to say it in a totally stupid lolcat kinda way (because i feel like it): ai kynda lubvs u! inna frindlee nunsectuel wey. nud teht sereis sumfing rong wid u, bud u no waht ai meen…
additional thoughts come to mind but i will just stop now. thanks
about 2 years ago
The Golden Compass series has to one of my favorites. I’m still conflicted on whether to keep the book in my head how I imagine it or see the movie when it comes out. Anyway, I highly reccomend it to pretty much any one who reads, you know, actual books.
about 2 years ago
There’s nothing dorky about a book club. Kudos to you and Tom for starting one up (even though your particular genre is not my thing). However, how do you intend to have a book club with so many people? The best part of a book club is the intimate discussion, which will probably be a little diluted with so many voices.
As a side note, I LOVE Tom…he is one of my favorite tech guys to listen to online. He’s smart, insightful, and usually fairly witty. Nevertheless, since you are still in contact with him, maybe you could pull him aside and advise him against any more of those “What if..” bits on CNET? Sure, go ahead and defend him, but you know they’re not funny! And I say that as a big fan of his…really!
about 2 years ago
I LOVE His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman. Best book series ever. My favorite.
I can’t wait for the movie. Ah!
about 2 years ago
How very cool! I must go and see about it. SciFi and fantasy used to occupy all my reading time.
Thanks for the tip!
Pax,
Nelson
about 2 years ago
That’s a very good first pick. It’s approachable and has enough fantasy/sci-fi elements to appeal to a wide audience while still maintaining classic narrative flow and excellent, deep characterization; and Iorek kicks ass
. I confess to being somewhat disappointed with the Akira-esque ending.
I’m currently on Chindi http://tinyurl.com/2nyku5 .
about 2 years ago
Ohhh, Cool a sci-fi book club, I am interested. I have to check it out.
about 2 years ago
it’s not dorky. it’s geeky. And that’s good in my books. SCI-FI FTW.
about 2 years ago
Great idea, and thanks for the Robin Hobb recommendations a while back on the BOL forums, great stuff!
Oddly, I can’t hear “book club” anymore without thinking of Ben from Lost saying “so, does this mean I am out of the book club?”.
about 2 years ago
ok, I’m now member 121. I admit that I haven’t read a book in years (not counting dozens of audiobooks), and I do lean towards scifi rather than fantasy, but I’m gonna give it a try.
about 2 years ago
Fun idea!
about 2 years ago
No…. I don’t read much anymore. Podcasts and Audiobooks have ruined me for the consumption of any physical medium.
Besides, there’s always somewhere else to be and an actual book just sloooooows me down.
about 2 years ago
Okay, so I have been reading your blog and following you all over the internet for about the last year veronica, and I have to say… You make me laugh! :0) I am normally not one to leave comment or make myself known, I sort of just lurk in the shadows to see what is going on. With that said I want to express how excited I am about this book club, I have been looking into a few lately and nothing has interested me much. But seeing how much of a sci-fi/fantasy freak I am, when I read your post about the ‘sword and laser’ I was ecstatic. You, Tom, and Sci-fi how much better can my free time get!
Oh and P.S. I miss Prize Fight! :0(
about 2 years ago
yes! i’m very excited about this. been wanting some good sci fi/fantasy recommendations.
about 2 years ago
oh i definitely read and i have had people come up to me with incredulous looks and ask me why i’m reading if its not homework. kinda sad really…
about 2 years ago
First thanks for dropping in on ELR last night it was great and, of course, better for a girl point of view. Glad to see the girl geeks representing, especially one of your awesome and talented calibre!
Can’t wait to get my book as I read too much but now I have an excuse! Thanks!
much luv,
SJ
about 2 years ago
If you want to just discuss just the covers of science fiction novels, you can join this voicethread (and shoot laser beams from their frickin eyes!).