Q&A with Josh Lanyon discussion
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What Are you Reading?
Josh wrote: "I'm so glad to have made another convert. :-D I love that book and it's a holiday season favorite, even though it's not a specifically holiday book. .."Probably another convert here, too. I just downloaded it. Sort of holiday-ish, you say? See that's my excuse. ;-)
Josh wrote: "Alison wrote: "Yes, I'm looking forward to reading holiday stories lounging out on the deck in the sun with a cold gin. Sorry, couldn't resist. :)"LOL.
Couldn't you change it up to Pimms Cup for the holidays?! :-D..."
On Sunday afternoon I sat out on the deck and had a mojito. How's that for a change? It had a fair bit of nicely-scented greenery in it. I'll have you know it was extremely festive.
:D
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Probably another convert here,..."
I certainly hope you love it. There's something very satisfying about matching the right book with the right reader. ;-)
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LOL.
Couldn't you change it up to ..."
Ha. That sounds very relaxing.
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I couldn't help to think how you, Josh, have not only matched quite a large amount of right books with the right readers, but also matched the right readers with right readers. :-D (If that makes any sense. LOL.)
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I couldn't help to think how you, Josh, have not only matched quite a large amount of right..."
So very true!
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I know we've been chillin' here, waiting patiently for Josh's next release, and I've been so busy my head spun whenever I started to think about reading even more books... however, we should start thinking again about our BOM and what we would like to do!
Traditionally, Josh has been the one to suggest/recommend our December read, as I recall. Josh, if you would like to give us a title, I'm sure everyone will be eager to read it!
Otherwise, I am going to suggest that we reread The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks, seeing as the sequel is due out very soon and I'm thinking it's time for a reread. And if we do this, the sequel would make for a perfect January read.
Or, we can read something else entirely, if you all want to take nominations.
Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Post them in our BOM discussion here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
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Well, it's an idiomatic expression my mother used a lot, probably mostly in the 1950s and 60s, but maybe later. I tried to look it up to find its origin, but found only a handful of references. (Now, that makes me feel old.) It roughly means/meant something that's put together over time in a rambling, somewhat haphazard, or not completely thought out way.
Here are a few uses/quotes I did find. Sometimes "Topsy" is capitalized, as though referring to a character in a book I don't recall (see last quote).*
"The house is a sprawling affair, built like topsy over the years."
"The General was built like topsy in 1956. It has big rooms, not enough washrooms and is difficult to clean."
"To many people the idea of building a city is a novelty. Perhaps that is why so many towns are freaks. Many towns never were built; like Topsy, 'Never was born, never had no father 'n mother — jest growed,' or were piled up topsyturvy."
* OK, I found it! (in Wiktionary)
Etymology:
After a character in Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel Uncle Tom's Cabin (1852), who, asked about God, says "I s'pect I growed. Don't think nobody never made me." The sense of excessive out-of-control growth is a misunderstanding.
Something or someone who figuratively grows without control or intention.
Karen wrote: "Josh wrote: "...What does "built like topsy" mean?"Well, it's an idiomatic expression my mother used a lot, probably mostly in the 1950s and 60s, but maybe later. I tried to look it up to find it..."
Thanks, Karen. Interesting. :)
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Some new Christmas stories I have waiting tbr:- Eli Easton's Desperately Seeking Santa
- Jay Northcote's Secret Santa
- Annabelle Jacobs' Not Just For Christmas
- Roan Parrish's The Remaking of Corbin Wale (not sure this is a Christmas story per se, but sounded in the spirit of)
And I read Vampire Claus, a short novella, which was nice and light.
I read Courtney Milan's The Suffragette Scandal (m/f) and it was awesome. She's one of my favourite het historical romance authors and this book just blew me away. It's really funny and really moving and all about politics and women's rights in the 1870s. If you ever want to read smart, political historical romance about smart people being clever and funny, I recommend her books. They consistently make me laugh a lot and happy cry. She always includes cool queer folk and people of colour as secondary characters and her witty banter is some of the best I've read. This series in particular, The Brothers Sinister, is fantastic.
I should also mention that a couple of weeks ago I read Courtney Milan's story in Hamilton's Battalion: A Trio of Romances and it's amazing. It's her first proper m/m story and it's one of my favourite things I've read recently. Again, funny and moving. Really funny and really moving. Much laughing and just as much happy crying and awwww. It made me really happy. Definitely recommended if you're keen to read about smart, funny people falling in love during the American Revolution.
New EE Ottoman! I am so freaking excited. The Doctor's Discretion sounds awesome. I'm starting it today.
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Well, it's an idiomatic expression my mother used a lot, probably mostly in the 1950s and 60s, but maybe later. I tried to look it up to find it..."
Ah! Well, that was fascinating. :-)
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Really? Well, that sounds promising. Courtney is an interesting personality to me. I find her social media presence off-putting (and have for years) but yet she's full of useful and topical information. With the end result that I know of her, but never actually got around to reading her. But maybe I will now, given your rec.
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I know we've been chillin' here, waiting patiently for Josh's next release, and I've been so busy my head spun..."
That certainly is fine with me. I haven't read enough to be able to rec a Christmas story this year (although I should have a million off the top of my head). :-p
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Oh good. We're considering it for our We Are Pride list at the library!
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I know we've been chillin' here, waiting patiently for Josh's next release, and I've been so bu..."
I'm not sure it necessarily has to be a Christmas themed book. Not all of them have been in the past.
I've just finished listening to Jager Thunder: A Story of Black Powder and Panamandora. by Abigail Hilton. I had already read the Ebook, delayed until I had a long trip to take and listened to The Guild of the Cowry Catchers, The Scarlet Albatross and then Jager. You guys are really missing something wonderful. I listened to Cowry Catchers on spec because it had a m/m theme and was very well reviewed and I was kind of desperate at the time for a good listen.At first, I thought I'd made a mistake; it was incomprehensible. I didn't see where the m/m part was going to come in or if I was going to care. Well, it did, and I did.
After that, I couldn't wait for what came next. Albatross is a different group of people, but tremendous characters and story--not m/m.
Jager Thunder brings both groups together. Do not miss this. Either ebooks or audiobooks; both are beautifully done.
Jordan wrote: "Alison wrote: "I should also mention that a couple of weeks ago I read Courtney Milan's story in Hamilton's Battalion: A Trio of Romances and it's amazing. It's her first proper m/m...Oh good. We're considering it for our We Are Pride list at the library! "
Oh that's cool! It's a part of history that I haven't seen much in historical romance, so it's an interesting and different setting, which is fun. I haven't read the last story yet, which is f/f and by Alyssa Cole, but yeah, the second one is an absolute cracker. I enjoyed the first story by Rose Lerner (who writes awesome books!), but it's a bit more serious and quiet in tone. I'm looking forward to the last one.
Josh wrote: "Alison wrote: "I should also mention that a couple of weeks ago I read Courtney Milan's story in Hamilton's Battalion: A Trio of Romances and it's amazing. It's her first proper m/m..."I don't follow her online, but I've read a handful of her books and I find them genuinely interesting because they're all about politics and the actual social issues of the time--like labour unions and workers' rights and women in science and voting rights and women's rights and I find them really interesting and different. Plus, they tend to be quite funny. I don't know about her other series, but what I've read has been really great.
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1.) Just a reminder for 2018, we are doing a Marlowe challenge! We will be reading all eight books in the Philip Marlowe classic mystery series by Raymond Chandler between January 2018 and December 2018, starting with The Big Sleep.
So between now and January, dust off your books, head to the library, or find your nearest bookstore!
2.) Also, note, since Josh has no thoughts for a December read, we will be rereadingThe Ghost Wore Yellow Socks, in preparation for the sequel coming out toward the end of December.
I'll start a new thread for it, and you can start commenting whenever you'd like as you read. :-)
Jordan wrote: "BOM UPDATES:1.) Just a reminder for 2018, we are doing a Marlowe challenge! We will be reading all eight books in the Philip Marlowe classic mystery series by Raymond Chandler between January 201..."
Oh, cool! Both! :-)
I am not reading it but I saw this one on Dreamspinner site and found the plot so very interesting because how often do we get the chance to read about "old" people's love affairs?Hope Is the Thing with Feathers
Brandon Witt is fast becoming one of my favorite authors. I really like his stories.
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Oh, that's great! I'll give her m/m book a try.
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1.) Just a reminder for 2018, we are doing a Marlowe challenge! We will be reading all eight books in the Philip Marlowe classic mystery series by Raymond Chandler between January 201..."
A Marlowe challenge? How did I miss that. YAY.
Josh wrote: "Alison wrote: "Josh wrote: "Alison wrote: "I should also mention that a couple of weeks ago I read Courtney Milan's story in Hamilton's Battalion: A Trio of Romances and it's amazin..."After I read this book I have tried both Courtney Milan and Alyssa Cole who both were new to me. Currently I am reading Let Us Dream which is m/f set in Harlem in 1914. Absolutely wonderful historical from a time and place I know very little about. It resonates with the present political situation in the US I think with its talk about segregation, immigration bans, women’s rights and institutional racism. Very political but still also sweet.
King Daniel will come out on the 12th December. I'm very excited, but also in need to do some reread...
This is an amusing series of infographics from The Guardian:How to Tell if You're Reading a Gothic Novel--In Pictures
https://www.theguardian.com/books/int...
Alison wrote: "This is an amusing series of infographics from The Guardian:How to Tell if You're Reading a Gothic Novel--In Pictures
https://www.theguardian.com/books/int......"
:-) :-) :-)
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How to Tell if You're Reading a Gothic Novel--In Pictures
https://www.theguardian.com/books/int......"
hahahahahha
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It's funny but quite accurate. I've been reading a lot about Gothic novels over the past few months. ;-)
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Marge wrote: "Ame wrote: "Johanna wrote: "Candice wrote: "I'm just about finished re-reading The Larton Chronicles. How on earth has this book been buried in obscurity?.......I would hope it's good since the onl..."Thanks, Marge! I haven't been active in the Pros fandom for a little while so I missed that this has gone online. :)
I have been listening to books as I tour round Costa Rica and Nicaragua. I listened to Crooked Tree Ranch which was surprisingly good and Out of the Ashes which was a very good audio with an ok story. I also listened to Wolfsong which was very long - 18 hours, but an excellent story. I am now listening to The Hanging Tree which is great because it is a Rivers of London book and I will soon be going back home to London. :)
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Oh, I'm so happy you like Tove Jansson's Moomins! I suspected you might. :-) Yes, those are definitely books for both kids and adults. They are fun for kids, and adults are able to spot the unbeatable wisdom there. I love Moomin philosophy!
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Based on the photos you've posted on FB it looks like you're having a great vacation, Ije!
I've been listening to Merry Christmas, Mr. Miggles on my long commute to work. Today listening to the debate about the library and Mr. Miggles I have to admit I teared up. Such a lovely scene and totally in the Christmas spirit.
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This sounds fantastic! I'm going to have to read it very soon. :-)
Jordan wrote: "Ame wrote: "I've been listening to Merry Christmas, Mr. Miggles on my long commute to work. Today listening to the debate about the library and Mr. Miggles I have to admit I teared ..."If possible get the audio book, it's beautifully narrated.
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You know, I listened to the sample and I'm not sure I like the narrator.
But we'll see. I am able to buy the ebook for the library, so maybe I'll do that. I do need to borrow more ebooks so I can learn better how that works in order to help patrons... and by supervisor, who just got a kindle and can't figure it out. lol.
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Same. But it's lovely to know it's up. All Rhiannon's should be up now, I guess, since the publisher has passed away.
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I second that. :-)
The narrator of ‘Merry Christmas, Mr. Miggles’ is the same guy who narrates ‘Murder in Pastel’ (Tristan Wright.) I really like the Mr. Miggles story as well as Unwrapping Hank, also by Eli Easton and narrated by Tristan Wright.
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Speaking of narrators, the narrator for MURDER TAKES THE HIGH ROAD is (I have been informed) is Gary Furlong (who was my first choice)
https://www.facebook.com/GaryFurlongV...
I’ve not heard of him. Looking forward to this one!
I've just finished River of Teeth and I loved it. It needs a bit more of character depth though, that's why I gave only 4 stars. But it was fun and I immediately bought the sequel.It was recommended by Ginn Hale in this article:
Five Alternate Histories that Embrace Diversity
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Q&A with Josh Lanyon
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I'm so glad to have made another convert. :-D I love that book and it's a holiday season favorite, even though it's not a specifically holiday book.