How many read both SF and Fantasy?

[Dexter]

I read both, but I also read heavily outside these genres. I read more fantasy than science fiction, but I watch way more science fiction than fantasy.

 

[steve12553]

I've been a Science Fiction fan since I first learned to read. (You know: See Jane run. See Spot run. See Jane try to determine what planet Spot came from.... I wonder how many will understand that reference?) I do read a certain amount of Fantasy. I will also pick up a good Horror novel or an occasional Mystery. I don't dislike anything that might stimulate the mind.

 

[urchin]

To me, the two genres are inextricably linked, and at this time staples such as faster-than-light travel, teleportation, telepathy and downloading your brain into a computer are as unreachable and impossible as dragons and magic.

Good point.

 

[gully_foyle]

I'm totally SF these days, but read a bit of fantasy in my yoof. Having said that, some of the best SF stories I've read are lean heavily on fantasy. Orson Scott Card's Planet Called Treason and Vernor Vinge's Fire Upon the Deep to name but two. I'm a bit put off by fat fantasy series. But, if there is anything I should read please let me know, good people.

 

[Daenerys]

I read everything. In equal measure. (Well, except management books. I dont read those. Or books about sports. Or maybe... well, yes so I dont read everything. Caught me.)

I tend to switch between fiction, literature, science fiction (if I can find some that is good enough), fantasy (if I can find some that is good enough) children's books from ages 2-16, romance novels... I'd say that I read slightly more fantasy in the last 3 years, thanks to the burst of fantasy books being published in LotR film-mania-revival. I am now just hoping for a new golden age of scifi. So I can even it out.

 

[BAYLOR]

Actually Of late , ive been reading more science fiction then fantasy.

 

[Vince W]

Heavy bouts of SF with brief periods of Fantasy.

 

[Ori Vandewalle]

I read more fantasy as a kid, getting there via my interest in D&D. As an adult it's mostly SF, with occasional dips into fantasy.

 

[Rodders]

I struggle with Fantasy, so it’s just Science Fiction for me with the occasional Horror book.

Just out of curiosity, how come Horror is rarely mentioned with SF & F? Is it considered speculative fiction?

 

[Laura R Hepworth]

I read a blend of both, but I tend towards Fantasy. I really enjoy a good Science-Fantasy book though.

 

[elvet]

Since I started this poll, ~30% of what I currently read is SF. I started with The Culture books, and went from there. I'm partial to space opera, and stories like The Expanse.

 

[BAYLOR]

Since I started this poll, ~30% of what I currently read is SF. I started with The Culture books, and went from there. I'm partial to space opera, and stories like The Expanse.

Space opera ? Then I would recommend the Gaunts Ghost novels by Dan Abnett and the comically funny Caiphis Cain novels by Sandy Mitchell . They're set I the Warhammer 40 K universe.

 

[Parson]

In 2007 I answered S.F. 100%. But now I'm not sure that was the right answer because the difference between S.F. and Fantasy, I now see as a much more difficult question to answer than I did then. Now .... 95% S.F. The change has come mostly because of my interactions with this forum.

 

[Brian G Turner]

Checking my Goodreads stats, my fiction reading is about 25% each of fantasy, science fiction, historical fiction, and thrillers.

 

[elvet]

Space opera ? Then I would recommend the Gaunts Ghost novels by Dan Abnett and the comically funny Caiphis Cain novels by Sandy Mitchell . They're set I the Warhammer 40 K universe.

Thank for the recommendations.

 

[Randy M.]

I struggle with Fantasy, so it’s just Science Fiction for me with the occasional Horror book.

Just out of curiosity, how come Horror is rarely mentioned with SF & F? Is it considered speculative fiction?

I answered "Mostly Fantasy" because I see most horror is a subset of fantasy.

Horror isn't mentioned because it's the ugly, misshapen step-child of other genres and so kept locked in the attic. Or basement. Whichever is less comfortable.

Randy M.

 

[Parson]

@Brian G Turner made me re-think my answer about today's reading. If I limit my answer to genre reading my response of 95-5 is quite accurate. But if I add in all other "book" reading presently about half of what I read is detective/police procedural/thriller books.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

Lately, I've been reading far more mysteries, of various sorts and eras, than either science fiction or fantasy. But I tend to go through phases where I do that, and invariably come back to mostly reading speculative fiction (and most of that fantasy), which I expect is what I will do again.

 

[Randy M.]

Lately, I've been reading far more mysteries, of various sorts and eras, than either science fiction or fantasy. But I tend to go through phases where I do that, and invariably come back to mostly reading speculative fiction (and most of that fantasy), which I expect is what I will do again.

Funny, but I've been doing that some, too. My earliest fiction binge reading was in the mystery genre, and so it becomes a sort of easy, comfort reading, no matter how serious the subject matter.

Randy M.

 

[JimC]

One of the best sports books is 'Match Play and the Spin of the Ball' by Bill Tilden.