Markie’s Comments (group member since Dec 18, 2017)

Markie’s comments from the Top to BOTM Book Club group.

Jude wrote: "Hi Markie and everyone. To be honest, I struggle with picturing events based on graphics (strange maybe, but that's how it is) and so I haven't read the picks. Having said that, I thought that havi..."

I don't blame you! It can be hard to pick up a new medium if you're not used to it.
There might be some m/m comic podcasts, but I haven't found one! That's one of the reasons we wanted to give it a go. There's so much amazing content out there to talk about and this definitely needs a platform!

Nabilah wrote: "Hi, I'm Nabilah and I recently discovered this podcast. My first foray into m/m was through historical fiction novels set in Ancient Greece by Mary Renault. Nowadays I mostly read BL manga and comi..."

Hey, Nabilah! Welcome!

I'm excited to have you in the group! I hope you get a chance to read Domimus. I adore that series so much!
I'm also excited to be branching more into manga for the podcast! There's so many awesome manga/comics out there to find. <3

Rachel wrote: "Hi! I'm Rachel (and I go by vassalady in fannish circles) and I've been listening to the podcast for the better part of a year. Finally decided to jump in to the reader groups!

I mostly read comic..."

Welcome, Rachel/vassalady!

I'm glad you're here with us! I'm also super excited to see more western BL comics happening. I really hope with the success of comics like Fence, this will get other artists/authors eager to jump on board!

This thread is for our comic picks for February!

Arena
Fence
Coyote, Vol. 1
The Crimson Spell, Volume 1

Have you read these before? What are your thoughts?
Make sure to tag any spoilers!!

Emilie wrote: "Hi! I've been reading m/m romance for over ten years now. Gosh! Although I know authors who have been writing it since 2000 or so. Among the first books I read were those in J.L. Langley's "With or..."

Welcome, Emilie!

I'm so glad you could join us. Wow, ten years fly past, right?
I can definitely understand not wanting to read from a malicious character's point of view. I don't mind my character having some negative traits, but it's hard to want to cheer for them if they're 100% evil.
That being said, I do like the anti-heroes at times. I think I have a soft spot of the bad guys, as long as they can still be loveable.

Hopefully one of these months a book pick of ours will align and you can jump into the discussions! We always love chatting about books with people. <3

We're always looking for recommendations too!

Jude wrote: "I read it in one evening. It most certainly is a rousing, arousing Roman romp!"

I'm about halfway through. I keep ending up in public places when I'm reading and getting very blushy! My, my these guys are feisty.
I'm so terribly in love with Gaius. I forgot how much I missed him.

Jude wrote: "Hello there. Like Sam, I've come to this via Jessica and Markie's podcast - and how lovely the podcast is! I feel that they are sitting in my kitchen having a cup of tea not talking into a mic thre..."

Welcome, Jude! We're glad you're here with us! If you like historical romances, you'll really like Dominus. I'm excited to be reading it again.

I'm so happy you enjoy the podcast! <3

Sam wrote: "Hello everyone!
My name is Sam (Samantha), I'm 27, live in California, and have Purple hair (haha!).
I've been reading in the M/M category for well over a decade. I would like to say my admiration ..."

Welcome fellow fujoshi!! We're glad you're here!

Thank you so much for the sweet words. We definitely are fangirls of the genre and want to absorb all things m/m. Speaking of anime, the last good BL (kinda) anime we watched was Yuri On Ice. I know Banana Fish has been getting a lot of love lately. Have you seen it? Would you recommend it?

I'm also a huge fan of thriller m/m books, but more on the action side. I think the only real horror ones we've read have been Katze Snow and Jex Lane. What are some of your favorite horror m/m reads?

For the month of January, we're reading Dominus by the magical JP Kenwood!

This is one of Markie's favorites, both in series and authors. Make sure you tag your spoilers!!

Badass dudes fighting to save children from deranged elves?

Alright. Why not?

Put your thoughts below!

This month we're reading the latest in the San Andreas Shifters series!

This book can be read as a stand alone but we recommend reading The Sumage Solution first.

Post here to discuss your thoughts on the book! Don't forget to tag your spoilers.

Hey, everyone!

For this month we're reading Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda. Have you read this title before?

I finished it today!!

Charlie is so amazing at making her characters so damn lovable. The banter between Ace and Colton was *fantastic*. Ace definitely reminds me of Dex in his full of shitness.

Coming off the heels of Ravensong, this was a great dose of sweet and fluffy with a scoop of action on top. I forgot how much I missed Charlie's fun writing style and witty characters.

What did y'all think?

For September, we're reading the first in Charlie Cochet's newest series, Love in Spades!

Please make sure you tag your spoilers! Oh, and don't forget to check out our interview with Charlie on our TOP episode!

This is all spoilers.

(view spoiler)[
Good. God.

I was really terrified that Mark and Carter were going to be stuck as wolves by the end of the book. Or worse yet, that they would make their way back but like...have no memories or something. I was a mess when Gordo made them accept their omega status and they were just primal things.

AND GORDO'S HAND.
CHRIST.

TJ is really not afraid to put his characters through the ringer, is he? I was worried that the lack of hand was going to alter Gordo's magic in a negative way, but I think it kinda made him more of a badass. I love that his magic tattoos are able to extend beyond himself. That's so cool.

Gordo. Has. A. Brother. And it's going to be Carter's mate, I would assume. Yes. Yes, yes yes. I love it.

This book was sad, it had it's tearjerker moments, but I would argue that Wolfsong was sadder. It had more impactful deaths that just ripped your damn heart out. I went into this thinking I was going to be a sobbing mess, but I was more just anxious throughout this book.
I was CRYING through Wolfsong.

I want Gordo's father dead.

And I want everyone to be happy, damnit!!

The ending was at least happy for now, so I'm pretty ok with that. <3.
(hide spoiler)]

I just finished Ravensong. I must process then I'll type my thoughts.

For the month of August, we're reading Ravensong by TJ Klune!

If you haven't read Wolfsong, I highly recommend doing so before jumping into this book!

Please feel free to post your thoughts below. Please, PLEASE tag your spoilers!!

Finally reading the fabulous Kasia Bacon's newest hot elven romance!

Dive in and chat with me!!

AnnMarie wrote: "I really enjoyed this series although I still have the last two left to read. Maybe this summer I'll do a re-read and finish :)"

I'm very tempted to keep reading/listening to the series after this one. I really like their dynamic a lot and the action is starting to ramp up!

Anne wrote: "Hi, I'm Anne from Germany. I started reading m/m romance about four years ago and never stopped. I found your Podcast through Jeff and Will's Big Gay Fiction Podcast and I found them because someon..."

Welcome, Anne! Glad to have you here!

Jess and I are also SUPER excited about Ravensong. Did you know TJ put the first chapter up on his blog??