Q&A with Josh Lanyon discussion
note: This topic has been closed to new comments.
ARCHIVE (General Topics)
>
What Are you Reading?
Jordan wrote: "I probably should get Boystown in audio. I have some of the ebooks, but who knows when I'll get around to them."I loved the audio version of the series.
Antonella wrote: "Alison wrote: "I finished A Strong and Sudden Thaw by R. W. Day yesterday and I loved it. It was a compelling story based on an interesting premise and I loved the voice of the narrat...I loved it as well, and I found out later that there is a sequel, which gathered controversial opinions: Out of the Ashes.
I'm just waiting that more of my friends read it, so that they will act as guinea pigs for the book ;-). "
I have the sequel and now I'm intrigued to hear it's controversial. I expect I'll read it soon and I will be sure to report back, Antonella. Happy to be your guinea pig. :)
Barbra wrote: "Alison wrote: "Antonella wrote: "Alison wrote: "I finished A Strong and Sudden Thaw by R. W. Day yesterday and I loved it. It was a compelling story based on an interesting premise an..."My, what I have missed by not reading the reviews! I often don't with sequels, figuring it will continue in a similar vein as the first one. We shall see! I'm in the middle of an exciting series at the moment (Carole Cummings's Wolf's-own), but I'll for sure get to the controversial sequel next. I am so intrigued now (and I'm definitely not going to read the reviews!).
Mod
Reread Think of England, then reread KJ's Magpie Lord series and her Caldwell and Feximal shorts;
Reread JCP's Among the Living while listening to her brand-new audiobook, Among the Living;
Reading Dead Man and the Army of Frogs
.
Mod
Yes, I adjusted things, but I can't unread that line. It makes me want to cry. I wasn't surprised by the line itself, more the fact that out of all the lines I could have read, it had to be that one.
Anyway, so far, Death of Friends is good. Very depressing though.
I read Little Boy Dead: A Boystown Prequel. It's been a while since i read the first book in the Boystown series and this is the prequel. It's really good. So now i'm continuing with the series, reading Boystown 2: Three More Nick Nowak Mysteries.I also (finally!) read Jim Grimsley's Comfort and Joy and loved it. It's a book that stays with you. There's sadness there but also a lot of comfort, and joy, it's hard to explain...it's stormy yet calm, complicated but somehow not. Very...human. Definitely a book i'll want to read again.
I read quite a lot during our "vacation", but the biggest impression made the Boystown-series, which I had not read before. I had one weekend for myself and went on a Boystown-binge-read, reading all six books and the prequel: remembering the 80's so vividly, although I would have been only one of the teenagers in the last book!Now I will reread Think of England.
Varecia wrote: "I read quite a lot during our "vacation", but the biggest impression made the Boystown-series, which I had not read before. I had one weekend for myself and went on a Boystown-binge-read, reading a..."I read the first book of the Boystownseries last night and liked it a lot! Tonight I will begin with the second, but I will sleep more than four hours!
I really liked The Death of Friends. It was such a good mystery even though it was so sad. Johanna prepared me for it though so I knew what to expect. The Boystown series has moments of sadness in it too but I love it. I am half way through book six and then I shall have to wait until the author publishes the next one but I just love the way Nick Nowak responds to the set backs in his life.
So far I have 3 favourite murder series that are set in the eighties: Benjamin Justice - John Morgan Wilson, Henry Rios - Michael Nava and Nick Nowak -Marshall Thornton. My dream would be to have a story where they all solve a crime together.
I think my favourite character is Nick Nowak because he doesn't seem to have many difficulties with who he is. He accepts himself and his sexuality and makes no apologies for it. He doesn't even seem to miss his family even though he is estranged from them. Henry Rios seems to have so much hurt and pain from his childhood and stuff he hasn't come to terms with in himself and Benjamin Justice is the mid point between the other two men, but all three men have serious loss and pain in their pasts.
I also like the Don Strachey series but he is a much happier character than these three.
I could write essays about these men and their lives. It would make an interesting comparison.
Murder mysteries apart, at the moment I am reading Duet by Eden Winters. It is such a beautiful romance set in the Scottish Highlands and the story is just lovely. I think the Scottish Highlands provide a kind of wild and emotive setting for romance stories and this was has a haunting edge. Just such a fab book.
Mod
It was a tough read, but oh, so good.
I'm currently reading Boystown 2: Three More Nick Nowak Mysteries and Think of England. Nice to be reading same books as so many of you are currently reading! :-)
Mod
It is just such a lovely story. I have nearly finished reading it but I will definately read it again.
Mod
Jordan wrote: "Duet looks like it would make for a really good BOM read. I'm intrigued! And Scotland!!!! Yes. Want. Lol."SO GOOD :D
Ije the Devourer of Books wrote: "I really liked The Death of Friends. It was such a good mystery even though it was so sad. Johanna prepared me for it though so I knew what to expect. The Boystown series has mome..."
Thank you so much for the interesting thoughts on these three series and their protagonists! I have to reread Nava, because I read him very long ago in a german translation. And I will certainly try the books about Benjamin Justice.
Nick Nowak has become one of my favourites too, I am really curious about the next book; vol. 5 and 6 were so intense that it will be interesting to see how the author manages the arc of character and series (I read somewhere that he planned maybe even 10 books?).
Mod
I really enjoyed Kirith Kirin, although it's one of those fantasy novels with hefty footnotes and histories as I recall.
I've finished Book 6 of Nick Nowack, Boystown. I don't know if I'm infatuated but this series just keeps getting better.I can't believe I have to wait almost a year for the next one!
I also wanted to add. I find Nick so deliciously real. The things he does is not what you usually read in a romance novels, because he just messes up again and again. I really don't think this series should be labeled as MM. But maybe he sells better with that label?He's kind of an antihero.... maybe like Jake?
Josh wrote: "KC wrote: "Started Jim Grimsley's Kirith Kirin yesterday evening. Good so far."I really enjoyed Kirith Kirin, although it's one of those fantasy novels with hefty footnotes and hi..."
It is. Several maps (which i really like to have in fantasy books) and lots of history/folklore. But it's all weaved seamlessly into the story. A very nice surprise.
Ame wrote: "I also wanted to add. I find Nick so deliciously real. The things he does is not what you usually read in a romance novels, because he just messes up again and again. I really don't think this seri..."You are right, the "realness" is quite appealing. I don't think the author himself labeled the series as m/m, it's definitely not that.
And funny that you mentioned Jake, because I thought of him too. Not only as the antihero, but in the way of Jake in book 5 when he comes to terms with reality and develops an easy acceptance for it without many words. That would cover a part of Nick's personality - and also he is a great one for shoving things into the closet and not think about them anymore, like Jake in the first books (obviously the things in the closets are quite different).
Ame wrote: "I've finished Book 6 of Nick Nowack, Boystown. I don't know if I'm infatuated but this series just keeps getting better.I can't believe I have to wait almost a year for the next one!"
I really like this series (and Marshall's writing in general). I took a long break from it after reading the first one because i could imagine how things will go downhill from there, well, some aspects, not all of it, but now that i'm reading it again, i must know what happens. I like and don't like Nick, but he's certainly a character.
KC wrote: "I really like this series (and Marshall's writing in general). I took a long break from it after reading the first one because i could imagine how things will go downhill from there, "That's what I was thinking. I read #1 some time ago and couldn't find the courage to read the next one.
Calathea wrote: "That's what I was thinking. I read #1 some time ago and couldn't find the courage to read the next one."That's exactly how i felt. Still do, i guess, we'll see how it goes... What i do like about this series is that at least so far it's not depressing, and the Nick character comes across as someone who takes things as they come and deals with them, so i know that he has that edge that will help him recover and allow him to see the lighter side of things.
Did anyone here (Ame?) read the icelandic Undantekningin - de arte poetica? It is published in French, Italian and Spanish. In fact someone should combine the editions, because at the moment no one could guess it is the same book as L'eccezione.A friend of mine just read it and liked it. It starts with a man announcing to his wife that he is leaving her because he is in love with another man.
The icelandic author became quite famous with The Greenhouse/Rosa candida.
Antonella wrote: "Did anyone here (Ame?) read the icelandic Undantekningin - de arte poetica? It is published in French, Italian and Spanish. In fact someone should combine the editions, because at t..."It is very poetic and full of wordplay. I wonder how that got translated. Like the names of the charachters are wordplay.
It's not an easy read, because of the poetic text and the word play and there's a lot of philosophy and illusions to history etc but it is good. At least in Icelandic, I imagine it is tough to translate it.
I'm reading Liz Powell's "Hunted". M/M set in English premiere league football (err, soccer) world. A very apt topic for this year. So far so good. The non lineal storytelling is working well. I'm looking forward to finish it.And to set myself in this sporty mood, I'm watching the Real Madrid v Seville live match at the moment :-)
Ame wrote: "It is very poetic and full of wordplay. I wonder how that got translated. Like the names of the charachters are wordplay."Thank you for your opinion. Given my TBR list I think I'll wait, I can always borrow it from my friend.
thelastaerie wrote: "I'm reading Liz Powell's "Hunted". M/M set in English premiere league football (err, soccer) world. A very apt topic for this year. So far so good."Hunted has surprisingly few reviews, but most of them very positive
thelastaerie wrote: "I'm reading Liz Powell's "Hunted". M/M set in English premiere league football (err, soccer) world. A very apt topic for this year. So far so good. The non lineal storytelling is working well. ..."Sounds good.
My fear with this kind of books is that the sport is mostly window dressing and is never mentioned again after the first chapter.
Calathea wrote: "My fear with this kind of books is that the sport is mostly window dressing and is never mentioned again after the first chapter."Fear? Ehmm... that would be perfect for me!
Calathea wrote: "Sounds good.My fear with this kind of books is that the sport is mostly window dressing and is never mentioned again after the first chapter. ..."
Football is very much in the story, there's even on the pitch action. Very often such story would use fictional football clubs, fictional footballer names etc, but this one actually mentions a lot of actual clubs and real footballers. The two main(fictional) characters are so obviously playing for "Chelsea FC". I nearly threw up a bit cos I bloody hate Chelsea... but I got over it (plus the main character was a Liverpool fan ;-P)
thelastaerie wrote: "Calathea wrote: "Sounds good.My fear with this kind of books is that the sport is mostly window dressing and is never mentioned again after the first chapter. ..."
Football is very much in the s..."
That's good then. Not the Chelsea bit, of course... ;-)
It would probably be a bit problematic for me if they played for Bayern München... ;-))
Calathea wrote: "That's good then. Not the Chelsea bit, of course... ;-)It would probably be a bit problematic for me if they played for Bayern München... ;-)) ..."
err.... not exactly a spoiler as it mentioned in the blurb - one of them moved to Germany and played for Bayern Munich, though the move had more to do with their relationship than about the club ;-P
thelastaerie wrote: "Calathea wrote: "That's good then. Not the Chelsea bit, of course... ;-)It would probably be a bit problematic for me if they played for Bayern München... ;-)) ..."
err.... not exactly a spoiler..."
Based on "true" story? ;)
Ame wrote: "Based on "true" story? ;) "nah.. I don't think so. but then I am not very in tune with internet football gossips. :-)
There were a few Premier league footballers who had gay rumour attached to them before, but of course, still no top league "active" player has ever come out.
thelastaerie wrote: "err.... not exactly a spoiler as it mentioned in the blurb - one of them moved to Germany and played for Bayern Munich, though the move had more to do with their relationship than about the club ;-P "Argh. As if there were no other clubs in Germany... ;-)
Well it is the best club in Germany, by far ;)
Ame wrote: "Well it is the best club in Germany, by far ;)"Ha!
Calathea wrote: "thelastaerie wrote: "I'm reading Liz Powell's "Hunted". M/M set in English premiere league football (err, soccer) world. A very apt topic for this year. So far so good. The non lineal storytell..."I had the opposite fear before reading Tigers and Devils ;-)
(one of the things i loved in T&D is how well the author conveys the excitement and atmosphere around the sport)
Calathea wrote: "Ame wrote: "Well it is the best club in Germany, by far ;)"Ha!"
I like Dortmund!
Sabine wrote: "Calathea wrote: "Ame wrote: "Well it is the best club in Germany, by far ;)"Ha!"
I like Dortmund!"
:-)
Mod
Fear? Ehmm... that would be perfect for me!"
LOL
KC wrote: "I had the opposite fear before reading Tigers and Devils ;-)(one of the things i loved in T&D is how well the author conveys the excitement and atmosphere around the sport) "
My favourite thing about Tigers and Devils was just the pure Australian-ness of it, and big sport is just part and parcel of that. Australia and New Zealand are quite similar culturally (though neither country likes to admit it! ;)) and it felt very familiar. I read it back when I still lived in the States and it was such fun having a big dose of the Antipodes in my life for a while.
Alison wrote: "My favourite thing about Tigers and Devils was just the pure Australian-ness of it, and big sport is just part and parcel of that. Australia and New Zealand are quite similar culturally (though neither country likes to admit it! ;)) and it felt very familiar. I read it back when I still lived in the States and it was such fun having a big dose of the Antipodes in my life for a while. ..."I've had that book for such a long time. I really need to just read it, don't I?
Susinok wrote: "Alison wrote: "My favourite thing about Tigers and Devils was just the pure Australian-ness of it, and big sport is just part and parcel of that. Australia and New Zealand are quite similar cultura...I've had that book for such a long time. I really need to just read it, don't I?"
May as well, if you already have it. ;)
Susinok wrote: "Alison wrote: "My favourite thing about Tigers and Devils was just the pure Australian-ness of it, and big sport is just part and parcel of that. Australia and New Zealand are quite similar cultura..."I've had that book for such a long time. I really need to just read it, don't I?
Oh yes, Susinok. It's really good! And there's a sequel...
Mod
This topic has been frozen by the moderator. No new comments can be posted.
Q&A with Josh Lanyon
Books mentioned in this topic
Subtle Bodies (other topics)Husband Material (other topics)
Sing for the Coming of the Longest Night (other topics)
A Shattered Silver Crown (other topics)
A Shattered Silver Crown (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Jordan Castillo Price (other topics)Alexis Hall (other topics)
Katherine Fabian (other topics)
Iona Datt Sharma (other topics)
Cynthia Zhang (other topics)
More...
I can't believe my summer reading is almost over! And then my BOM books have gotta be read, but there aren't many. I just thought August would be a harder month to get through! Never mind the 300 page course on world creation I'm also taking right now. Lol.