What else are you reading? (June 2010 - May 2013) *closed* Showing 4,951-5,000 of 13,523

[Ayesh]

Becky wrote: "Bella wrote: "Cleon wrote: "Thanks so much! Jordan, Blaine, Kari, LC, and Anne also have stories for Hot Summer Days and their stories are awesome! :)"

Man... thanks for letting me know; I am gonn..."

Thanks hon, no I didn't know . Thanks for the link ^^

[Ayesh]

I did read one story here- sink or swim and it was good :D

[Charming]

Becky wrote: "I don't know if you've seen this yet or not, but the first of the compilations is available for download. Don't Read in the Closet: GayRomLit Retreat 2011 Special Edition This is the one with all the authors who will be at the GayRomLit retreat. They're still working on the rest. "

But then the four volumes will have these mixed back in. I'm just going to wait.

[Blaine]

Josh wrote: "Ice Blues is probably my favorite of the series. I just remember laughing my head off! "

I'm thoroughly enjoying it :)

[Cheryl]

Emanuela ~plastic duck~ wrote: "Bad bad bad rule! No no no, I'll pretend I havent's seen it, I wouldn't read a newly released book in a year probably :)"

It's not my favorite rule, either, but it is needed. It's more of a guideline, I guess, since I've broken it three out of the past four months. Anyway, at the rate that I'm starting books and then abandoning them I usually don't have to wait long to go book shopping. :/

[Kaje]

Cheryl wrote: "Anyway, at the rate that I'm starting books and then abandoning them I usually don't have to wait long to go book shopping. ..."

That's a pity - it's not just the money but the time wasted starting a book you don't finish. Maybe you need to find a different source for recommendations?

With my book budget and the convenience of e-books, I only buy one at a time (or at most two) and then read what I bought, before spending more. The unread back-log is only in free/library books where I'm less careful about recommendations and will try different things. Of course I'm pretty omnivorous so it takes a lot to make me abandon a book. Although I just made an exception for the Borders 90% off sale - I spent $25 which translates to 17 books, so now I do have an unread stack, but none are m/m.

[Cheryl]

Kaje wrote: "Cheryl wrote: "Anyway, at the rate that I'm starting books and then abandoning them I usually don't have to wait long to go book shopping. ..."

That's a pity - it's not just the money but the tim..."

Goodness! I forgot all about Borders! I'm jealous of all of your books!

I usually wait for a big fictionwise sale to try new authors, and I've stopped trying to force my way through every book I read, so that does keep the time and money wasted down a bit. Still, money is money and I'd rather be spending it on books I'll finish and enjoy, especially when I start seeing already purchased books as nothing more than obstacles to overcome before I can read something else. For some reason I feel weird making purchases of under ten dollars with a credit card, even if it's online, so I'll usually buy at least two at a time when buying directly from a publisher.

[Tracy]

Becky wrote: "The real reason for all the library budget cuts? With digital lending I'm no longer racking up astronomical late fees. "

Sadly, I've checked my library's "digital lending" and it's all full of stuff I wouldn't read on paper anyway, and about 2/3 of what they have is actually audiobooks, which I don't like. So it doesn't work too well for me. The problem with living in an uber-conservative, Bible-belt state, I guess.

[Becky]

Tracy wrote: "Becky wrote: "The real reason for all the library budget cuts? With digital lending I'm no longer racking up astronomical late fees. "

Sadly, I've checked my library's "digital lending" and it's..."

Yeah, what's available varies widely from library system to library system. I do pretty well with mainstream romance and urban fantasy best sellers. I've grabbed books by JR Ward, Gail Carriger, Jim Butcher, Patricia Briggs, and Jayne Ann Krentz through the digital lending programs in Houston and Indianapolis in the last few years, which is great because their publishers all want to charge an arm and a leg for their digital releases. Recently Indianapolis has started carrying Carina Press ebooks, including their m/m titles. It amazes me, because Indiana is crazy conservative. We have not one, but two anti-gay marriage laws in effect, just to make sure Teh Gays don't get Ideas. Carina doesn't have a huge catalog of m/m, but they've got some good authors, including Josh. I'm just glad to be able to check out *any* m/m books from the library.

[Candice]

Cheryl wrote: "Cleon wrote: "I have no restrain. I've bought Dead Run. *off to read*"

I have no restraint either. This is the second time I've broken my "no new books until you read the ones you have" rule for a..."

Oh, gees, did you have that rule, too? I've done better w/my New Years' resolution which is saying absolutely nothing.

[Emanuela ~plastic duck~]

Could someone suggest a classic m/m or gay fiction book? I don't know what the definition of classic is, but I'd like to read something that has resisted the wear of time and I could compare other books with. I am seriously lacking in those kind of reads and I am at a point where I think I should get a sort of education in them.

[Cheryl]

I've had Maurice on my TBR list for ages. Also, At Swim, Two Boys seems like it would count as classic literature, but it is also on my TBR list so I can't vouch for it myself.

[Kaje]

Consider The Persian Boy, The Front Runner, Comfort and Joy, maybe Luck in the Shadows or Kirith Kirin if you like fantasy, although some people haven't liked KK as much, Michael Tolliver Lives which is somewhat recent but ties to his well-loved series from the 1970's, or Changing Tides.

[Emanuela ~plastic duck~]

There should be a massive add feature from threads, lol

Thanks for the inspiration. I have At Swim, Two Boys, but I haven't read it yet because I think there's some Irish used and I have to be able to engage my brain a bit before reading it :)

[[deleted user]]

At Swim, Two Boys isn't easy to read. The Irish slang is just dense and all the various factions involved in the Easter Uprising are tough to get a handle on. Do this one when you have time to pay attention and are willing to struggle a bit.

ETA: At Swim is actually pretty recent. It's only about 10 years old. You could check this listopia for ideas: http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/93...

[Tracy]

I was ridiculously thrilled at the Goodwill today to find . It's like visiting home without having to make the 9+ hour drive with kids and dogs to get there.

[Cheryl]

Kate Mc. wrote: "At Swim, Two Boys isn't easy to read. The Irish slang is just dense and all the various factions involved in the Easter Uprising are tough to get a handle on. Do this one when you ha..."

I know at swim was published in 2000, but I was going by the definition of "classic" as being of the highest class. Or possibly as a book destined to become a classic. Since no definition of classic was specified, I took some leeway. :)

[Candice]

RE: Brushback by Jamie Scofield.

I "searched" Brushback before talking about it to see if it was all old news w/y'all. I was surprised to find such poor reviews. Granted, Scofield doesn't have the story-telling instinct that JL does that enables him to keep us on the edge of our seat for the sequel. Having said that, I thought this was a good read, cleverly voiced and natural. I did not find the MC unrealistically dumb (which I know might reflect on my intellect). I'm just saying...


The story was well organized while having several lines going. My only criticism would be that our lead was a little too heroic--even that, to me, is neither here nor there. He was likeable and the romantic angle, while a bit tepid, has some promise.

Enough, okay. Any comment out there, I wd be interested to hear.

[Charming]

Candice wrote: "RE: Brushback by Jamie Scofield.

I "searched" Brushback before talking about it to see if it was all old news w/y'all. I was surprised to find such poor reviews. Granted, Scofield doesn't have ..."

Candice, do you read a lot of PI stories? Because I was one who found the MC to be TSTL, and it ruined the book for me.

[Jeffrey]

"Catch me if you can" by L.B. Gregg... Funny & sexy. Really enjoying this one.

[Cheryl]

Aeros wrote: ""Catch me if you can" by L.B. Gregg... Funny & sexy. Really enjoying this one."

Have you read Gobsmacked? Very funny and enjoyable.

[Jeffrey]

Cheryl wrote: "Aeros wrote: ""Catch me if you can" by L.B. Gregg... Funny & sexy. Really enjoying this one."

Have you read Gobsmacked? Very funny and enjoyable."

Many GR friends have directed me to Godsmacked as a followup... I'm thinking, why not.

[Kari]

If you're getting Gobsmacked, you might as well get Cover Me (also a Men of Smithfield Park book). Both are frequent repeat-reads for me. Just...wow. So funny. And hot. :D

[Tracy]

Candice wrote: "RE: Brushback by Jamie Scofield.

I "searched" Brushback before talking about it to see if it was all old news w/y'all. I was surprised to find such poor reviews. Granted, Scofield doesn't have ..."

I also liked Brushback and consider that I read a lot of mysteries. It really felt like some of the older mysteries where you can see early on what the guy is going to do even though you know he shouldn't I felt Scofield did a decent job of story-telling but not very imaginative. I would probably read another book by him.

edit to add:
I was trying to remember which books this reminded me of and suddenly realize it was the Mike Hammer books.

[[deleted user]]

Finished and I have to admit, it ended up being better than I thought. ALthough it took two tries to actually finish it.

Reading next. Thanks Merith!

[Cleon Lee]

If anyone is looking for modern gay classic, try this list: http://www.elisarolle.com/ramblings/t... . Elisa Rolle's top 100 gay novels printed after 2000. The list also includes books by Sean Michael, TA Chase, Tere Michael, some other writers from M/M genre.

[Emanuela ~plastic duck~]

Thanks Kate for the classics Listopia.

I realize I have never read The Picture of Dorian Gray as "gay-themed". I would have never thought of including it.

Thanks Cleon for the link. It's inspiring :)

[Cleon Lee]

Emanuela ~plastic duck~ wrote: "Thanks Kate for the classics Listopia.

I realize I have never read The Picture of Dorian Gray as "gay-themed". I would have never thought of including it.

Thanks Cleon for the link. It's insp..."

You're welcome! It's a daunting task to finish all books at that list though. lol.

[Emanuela ~plastic duck~]

Cleon wrote: "It's a daunting task to finish all books at that list though. lol."

I plan to live as long as my grandmothers, so I still have 50 years ahead ;)

[Candice]

Charming wrote: "Candice wrote: "RE: Brushback by Jamie Scofield.

I "searched" Brushback before talking about it to see if it was all old news w/y'all. I was surprised to find such poor reviews. Granted, Scofield..."

I read a smattering of them. I'm not a fiend for the genre; I will go to because I like other stuff going on around the romance that is not strictly personal to the MC's. Also, I like the idea of a noir PI being gay. Often disappointed. Excuse me, don't know what TSTL means; what's that? Too Silly To Like?

Anyway, I'm certainly no afficianado of them; pretty pedestrian in that regard.

[Candice]

TracyG wrote: "Candice wrote: "RE: Brushback by Jamie Scofield.

I "searched" Brushback before talking about it to see if it was all old news w/y'all. I was surprised to find such poor reviews. Granted, Scofield..."

I wouldn't have thought of that, and I only saw a little Hammer on Tv; but I'll bet this character is lot like him. A lovable tough-guy who never minds his own business; constantly walking right into trouble. This MC's cohorts, however, do seem to do almost all the investigating behind the scenes. And the progression of story lines is very straightforward for a mystery genre novel, I suppose. I don't remember being surprised at any point.

Nevertheless, I found it and him easy to relate to, to like; enjoyed the narrative style quite a lot. I'm likely to give this author another go.

[Becky]

TSTL is Too Stupid To Live. I first encountered the expression in the mainstream romance community, when discussing heroines who run around like idiots, usually because it gives the author an excuse for the hero to rescue her. Now it's used when discussing a lot of different genres, although it still mostly refers to character stupidity for author convenience, not because the characters are supposed to be unintelligent.

[Charming]

Candice wrote: "Excuse me, don't know what TSTL means; what's that? Too Silly To Like? "

TSTL = Too Stupid To Live. Probably originally applied to heroines who traipsed off to meetings in abandoned warehouses without telling anyone. :-)

[Cleon Lee]

Just finished Josh' The French Have a Word for It. Freaking beautiful!

[[deleted user]]

Cleon wrote: "Just finished Josh' The French Have a Word for It. Freaking beautiful!"

Oohh that is a good one! Josh can sure pack a punch in a few dozen pages.

So, I just read last night, which the lovely Merith kindly recommended to me. IT WAS SOO GOOD!! OMG so funny, the mystery was awesome, and the characters like EVERY SINGLE ONE were so awesome! Read this please!

One thing that was so refreshing was the great editing. I've been griping lately about what poor editing quality there is in the genre, and this book's was spot on. And then I read the dedication and saw that Neil Plakcy was the editor for these books...Figures. It's better than good.

I'm reading #2 right now ...Yes, the cover sucks but you only see it for like a second!

Thanks Merith!!

[Emanuela ~plastic duck~]

Thanks to all who recommended Muscling Through, it floored me, so different, simply great. It made me chuckle quite a lot :)

[[deleted user]]

Emanuela ~plastic duck~ wrote: "Thanks to all who recommended Muscling Through, it floored me, so different, simply great. It made me chuckle quite a lot :)"

Oh I love that one!

[Charming]

Emanuela ~plastic duck~ wrote: "Thanks to all who recommended Muscling Through, it floored me, so different, simply great. It made me chuckle quite a lot :)"

I was just rereading it last night. So refreshing and funny.

[[deleted user]]

Lisa wrote: "I don't know what to read. I'm waiting for the new one from Josh in Oct and also Divide and Conquer. I'm kinda like blah....waiting for something to strike my fancy. I recently read Kaje books whic..."

Oh Lisa you should try the Foxe books! I was having that same problem couldn't get into anything, so I asked for recommendation and Merith, suggested Foxe Tail and it really got me out of my slump. Such a FUN book!

[[deleted user]]

Lisa wrote: "Thanks Lauraadriana for the rec. I will read about that one tonight see if I sparks my interest!"

You're welcome! Let me know if you like it!

[Candice]

Charming wrote: "Candice wrote: "Excuse me, don't know what TSTL means; what's that? Too Silly To Like? "

TSTL = Too Stupid To Live. Probably originally applied to heroines who traipsed off to meetings in abandon..."

Thank you, Becky and Charming. I feel a little TSTL for having to ask; but I always have to ask.

[Kaje]

Don't feel that way. These threads are full of acronyms: HEA, HFN, BDSM, characters called "a Mary Sue", an author's RL and EDJ, and so on. If you're wondering a dozen other people are lurking and wondering too.

[Candice]

Kaje wrote: "Don't feel that way. These threads are full of acronyms: HEA, HFN, BDSM, characters called "a Mary Sue", an author's RL and EDJ, and so on. If you're wondering a dozen other people are lurking an..."

That's nice of you, Kaje, thank you. Sooo, what does all that stuff stand for? I think the BDSM relates to doms and submissives? RL, is that real life? Okay, I'm gonna stop guessing now.

[Kaje]

Yeah; RL = Real Life; EDJ is the Every Day Job (I think - I'm still figuring this stuff out myself); A Mary Sue is a female character who is TGTBT (too good to be true & serves as wish-fulfillment); the male version being a Marty Stu. BDSM is the genre that encompasses bondage, dominance, submission and sadomasochism which is a continuum of sorts; HEA = Happy Ever After as a story ending; HFN = Happy For Now. I'm sure there are lots more to trip us up along the way, but once learned they can serve as useful short-cuts. One of my favorites is YMMV (Your Mileage May Vary), a qualifier to say it's just one person's opinion, sort of a variant of IMHO = In My Humble Opinion. Fun with acronyms.

[Cleon Lee]

Kaje wrote: "Yeah; RL = Real Life; EDJ is the Every Day Job (I think - I'm still figuring this stuff out myself); A Mary Sue is a female character who is TGTBT (too good to be true & serves as wish-fulfillment)..."

Don't forget GFY, OFY, and CWD. GFY = Gay for You, a story where the character who thought himself straight, suddenly falls in love/lust with a man, OFY = Out for You, when the character admits to himself and "out of the closet" because he loves someone, and CWD = Chick with Dick, a male character who acts like a female.

[Emanuela ~plastic duck~]

Don't forget PWP = Porn Without Plot ;)

[Cleon Lee]

Emanuela ~plastic duck~ wrote: "Don't forget PWP = Porn Without Plot ;)"

Or Plot, What Plot? Same idea though.

[Charming]

I've read that BDSM should be BDDSSM: Bondage and discipline, dominance and submission, sadism/masochism.

Also that EDJ is evil day job. :-)

[Kari]

BDSM can be broken down farther as D/s = dominant/submissive and S/M = sadism/masochism. AU = alternate universe.

For example, my next book to come out (Collared) is:

M/M D/s AU

*snerk*

[Candice]

That was cool and fun. Just got home fm my EDJ which in an AU wd not be necessary. But TYA (there you are). Thank you, everyone! I printed all those entries up for a reference. (So, natch, the next one to come up--I'll be all ready for it, and it won't be on my list. TL (that's life). Signed, Monster you have created, NMF (not my fault).