Q&A with Josh Lanyon discussion
note: This topic has been closed to new comments.
ARCHIVE (General Topics)
>
What else are you reading? (June 2010 - May 2013) *closed*
message 5951:
by
Becky
(last edited Dec 03, 2011 12:57PM)
(new)
Dec 03, 2011 12:57PM
As a knitter, I must read the new Amy Lane immediately. The cover cracks me up, although I kind of wish they'd used the Fornicating Deer hat instead of a more traditional hat on the cover. An in-joke for knitters, and anyone who looks closely enough at the cover!
reply
|
flag
Mod
OMG and LOL! That's priceless!!!! ;)
Becky wrote: "As a knitter, I must read the new Amy Lane immediately. The cover cracks me up, although I kind of wish they'd used the Fornicating Deer hat instead of a more traditional hat on the cover. An in-..."Brilliant!!! ROFL
Becky wrote: "As a knitter, I must read the new Amy Lane immediately. The cover cracks me up, although I kind of wish they'd used the Fornicating Deer hat instead of a more traditional hat on the cover. An in-..."Becky, as a knitter, you'll LOVE Amy's very special pattern at the end of the book. That's all I'm going to say. ^^
Lady*M wrote: "Becky, as a knitter, you'll LOVE Amy's very special pattern at the end of the book. That's all I'm going to say. ^^."
That pattern made me want to take up knitting ;-D
That pattern made me want to take up knitting ;-D
Just finished book 9 of The Rifter. I could read this series forever, and I might have to as I don't know what book could possibly follow it!
If I was a better knitter I'd make a scarf with four sets of those deer and a sled behind them, and it would say something like "eight tiny gay deer".
Becky wrote: "As a knitter, I must read the new Amy Lane immediately. The cover cracks me up, although I kind of wish they'd used the Fornicating Deer hat instead of a more traditional hat on the cover. An in-..."That hat makes me want to take up knitting again:).
Sometimes here we talk about the difference between m/m and gay fiction (we do talk about that, right?). I thought I'd bring it up because I just switched from reading an Alan Hollinghurst book (his first actually, The Swimming Pool Library from 1989) to the Larton Chronicles. Both are very British, both have lots of off-page sex (Hollinghurst's sex being more abundant and varied), gay characters in both, all sorts of similarities - but the tone is really, really different between the two. It's the same sort of difference in tone you'd expect between any "serious" novel and its counterpart in romance. Maybe a good analogy would be the difference between reading Phillip Roth and Jennifer Cruisie (I prefer Cruisie any day but that's because I've never been a "serious" person and Roth is a misogynist prick). Any, just thought I'd share (and stop encouraging Josh to take up knitting, it's hard on the hands ;)
Dev wrote: "(and stop encouraging Josh to take up knitting, it's hard on the hands ;) .."second this - my daughter put the nail in the wrist coffin by knitting a big scarf for Christmas last year, never competed gymnastics again (she had some tendonitis to begin with - bad idea.)
Dev wrote: "Sometimes here we talk about the difference between m/m and gay fiction (we do talk about that, right?). I thought I'd bring it up because I just switched from reading an Alan Hollinghurst book (hi..."I can't really say much about the difference between m/m and gay fiction, because I haven't really read much (any?) gay fiction. I'm a troglodyte who doesn't read lit fic of any kind if I can help it. (I did, however, spell troglodyte correctly the first time. Go me!) Life is depressing enough without adding lit fic to the mix. Although there are a few authors I think I'm going to have to check out just to keep up around here. I don't know if Josh attracts smart, well read people, or if he's just created an atmosphere were it's OK to *admit* it. Probably a little bit of both.
Anyway, I started this post to say that I'm a HUGE Crusie fan. I flew from Houston to Massachusetts to see her and Bob Mayer at the beginning of their Don't Look Down tour. (Which sounds a little crazier than it really was. My parents lived just down the road from where they were signing, so it was stalking a favorite author and spending a long weekend with my parents, who I rarely got to see at the time.) She's just as much of a hoot in person as her books/blog lead you to believe, and like here, her fans are a smart, fun bunch. If you get a chance to meet her at a convention or signing, jump on it.
And I have to agree about the knitting. I have one and a half rows left on the first mitten of a pair that my SIL requested for Christmas, and my thumbs are pissed as hell. I still have to knit, at minimum, the second mitten and a pair of socks for my brother. Knitting is a wonderful, relaxing hobby, but not the best choice for anyone who needs their hands for important things like writing books. :)
Dev wrote: "Sometimes here we talk about the difference between m/m and gay fiction (we do talk about that, right?). I thought I'd bring it up because I just switched from reading an Alan Hollinghurst book (hi..."Dev, That was hilarious. "Misogynist prick." That was good.
I read The Swimming Pool Library back when there was no getting my hands on what we call m/m fiction. And I really hated it. I didn't hate all gay lit by any means, but was very disappointed in most of it. I scoured bookstores for m/m themes and that's all they had. It's either deadly serious or the bookstore has no excuse for carrying it. Real Life. Oh, joy.
Every once in a while, however, I'd get a happy surprise--like James Purdy's Narrow Rooms. I loved that book. Renault's The Charioteer; anyone contributing here wd enjoy it, I believe. The Carnivorus Lamb by Gomez-Arcos; Maurice by Forster. They were all good, rare exceptions to the rule. And don't forget Map of the Harbor Islands, by Hayes. That's the best of all.
I'm reading Swimming Pool Library because I really liked Line of Beauty - it was depressing but then it was about a pretty depressing time, the early years of the AIDS epidemic. Still, he writes really well. But I agree with you that Real Life is much less fun to read. I haven't read Map of Harbor Islands-I'll have to try that. Thanks.
Mod
Johanna wrote: "I have a question: Am I allowed to create a new thread under Story Discussions? I just finished Josh's The Dickens With Love and realized that it hasn't been discussed there yet. Sin..."I think, a lot of the other topics there were created by readers, too.
Mod
So I think I'll take my chances... and afterwards I'll just blame you for encouraging me... *grin*
Jorrie wrote: "Hollinghurst is an excellent writer, but I have to be in the right mood. I just finished rereading The Charioteer by Mary Renault. Such a stunning book. It was interesting that on the reread, I d..."
There are scenes, moments, lines from Charioteer that stay with me and still strongly resonate though it's been some 20 or 30 years since I last read it.
Candice wrote: "Jorrie wrote: "Hollinghurst is an excellent writer, but I have to be in the right mood. I just finished rereading The Charioteer by Mary Renault. Such a stunning book. It was interesting that o..."
Just order the Charioteer from Amazon Uk (in paper!) together with the Alexander Trilogy. I really look forward to reading them since I have heard so much good about Mary Renault on this forum.
Anne wrote: "And Men Under the Mistletoe is now available, what joy!"
And it is AWESOME! How rare to actually love all 4 stories :)
And it is AWESOME! How rare to actually love all 4 stories :)
Mod
Nah, that kind of thing is flattering and fun. And so nice for your parents!
Crazy is showing up on the front door step of a favorite author. Fun...not so much. A writer friend had that happen, which is probably one reason my paranoia level is higher than some folks. :-)
Josh wrote: "Crazy is showing up on the front door step of a favorite author. Fun...not so much. A writer friend had that happen, which is probably one reason my paranoia level is higher than some folks. :-)"I had someone from my non-fic call me at home to debate John 17:3 once. Not to express an interest in or schedule a debate with me like a civilized person, mind. Oh no. To debate it. That very nanosecond. I've been contacted at work twice. Another one liked my work (as in place of employment) page on facebook & left a message for me...
Your paranoia is well-founded, dude.
Anne wrote: "And Men Under the Mistletoe is now available, what joy!"Thanks for the tip! I'm just now reading His for he Holidays (honestly, I don't know how I overlooked it previously, but it's terrific) and I can go ahead and get Mistletoe. Cool.
Mod
And it is AWESOME! How rare to actually love all 4 stories :)"
So glad you enjoyed it!
Jorrie wrote: "Anne wrote: "Just order the Charioteer from Amazon Uk (in paper!) together with the Alexander Trilogy."I hope you enjoy it, Anne. I'm going to try The Persian Boy as my next Renault, I think."
I loved that one.
I'm reading a wonderful book which first page contains this gem: "In one corner of the room was a large and particularly vulgar Christmas tree that managed to convey all the holiday charm of a sequined dildo.":D
Keep the title for yourself Cleon, thank you! *pouting*
Don't pout, Manu! Cleon just means that all of us should know by heart the beginning of ''The Dickens With Love'' ;-)
I can't believe it. I totally forgot it O____O *blush*But mine begins with "Anything you have to do..."
Sorry, if it was a joke I'm totally missing it, I'm studying what the Italian government is approving to save us from hell...
... oh, it's in the page... gosh, I'm totally brain dead...
Antonella wrote: "Don't pout, Manu! Cleon just means that all of us should know by heart the beginning of ''The Dickens With Love'' ;-)"
You haven't seen the good part yet. LOL. I'm supposed to be writing, but who am I kidding? I can't put down any Josh' books once I start.
Emanuela ~plastic duck~ wrote: "I can't believe it. I totally forgot it O____O *blush*"Don't worry, you won't be expelled from the group ;-)
Antonella wrote: "Emanuela ~plastic duck~ wrote: "I can't believe it. I totally forgot it O____O *blush*"Don't worry, you won't be expelled from the group ;-)"
I'd deserve it...
This is the best book by Josh' yet. Brilliant and so freaking funny! Sperm-shaped shadows. LMAO . There are so many funny lines, I can't pick one.
Mod
I feel you! That book got me in such a good mood!!! :)
I just finished Out of the Blue, which was the complete opposite of The Dickens with Love. I have so much to say about it, but I don't want to bring down everyone's warm fuzzy Christmas sugar high! I'll just say that it's impressive that the same author could have written two books that are so dissimilar and yet both so good, and that one book could make me so happy and the other downright despondant. And that it must have been quite a challenge writing dialogue that was half Texas drawl and half upperclass Brit!
We talk a lot around here about what we're reading. What I'm wondering is how everyone reads. Do you set goals? Participate in challenges? Do you know what your next couple of books will be? Or do you fly by the seat of your pants?I set a big goal for myself this year-- 299 books. And it looks like I'm definitely going to make it. I also spent a lot of time reading stuff I bought ages ago, clearing out the TBR, not necessarily what I wanted to be reading in the moment. I enjoy doing challenges, but the idea going commando and just reading whatever I want to read, whenever I want to read it, is pretty appealing, too.
So how do you do it?
I do read whatever I want, whenever I want, although I've got some compulsions: for ex. new books by Josh, new installments of ''The Rifter'' just have to be read ASAP ;-).I wouldn't like to set a goal (BTW the one you set for yourself is quite ambitious!), because I read for pleasure and setting a goal would make reading a kind of work/obligation.
So I never did a challenge, the nearest thing to a challenge for me was to be in the jury for the Rainbow Awards, for the third year now.
Becky wrote: "We talk a lot around here about what we're reading. What I'm wondering is how everyone reads. Do you set goals? Participate in challenges? Do you know what your next couple of books will be?..."I don't really do challenges. I've tried it. I mean to...but then it just ends up being another thing for me to feel guilty about. LOL
As long as I remember that an auto-buy author's book is coming out & I'm not buried in work, I know I'm reading that & when. Otherwise, no. Very spontaneous.
Becky wrote: "We talk a lot around here about what we're reading. What I'm wondering is how everyone reads. Do you set goals? Participate in challenges? Do you know what your next couple of books will be? O..."I occasionally try to do challenges or book-club reads (if it's already on my TBR or TBB lists, anyway). But mostly I just get mildly obsessive about a book or author or subject...currently, I am jumping between holidays and everything Mercedes Lackey I can get my hands on (which is a fair bit, even tho *both* local libraries suck, I already own a fair portion of her backlist, and whatever I don't have, I can probably convince my sister to mail to me).
I wish I was more systematic about my reading (or really about anything). I'm always reading 3 things at once (audio, kindle and paper) but how I choose what those books are? I really can't tell you. My physical TBR shelf doesn't ever seem to empty and neither does my cue for audio and ebooks. I did read the Petit Morts from 1-17 this fall, which was a lovely thing to do, felt like one long book.
Becky wrote: "We talk a lot around here about what we're reading. What I'm wondering is how everyone reads. Do you set goals? Participate in challenges? Do you know what your next couple of books will be? O..."I usually read completely randomly and spontaneously. I do try to mix a little among genres and types of books, English and Norwegian, and usually have more than one going on, although I tend to get hooked on a certain type of books for a period (currently M/M of course). If I feel I have read too many "easy" books for a while I try to tackle a heavy one once in a while just to make sure my brain can handle it... But reading is for me mostly for fun and relaxation, and if I learn something while doing it, it counts as a bonus. And by learning I also count learning about emotions and people interactions etc which can be done also by reading romance or werewolf stories just as much as reading a classic, in my humble opinion. :)
If anything I need to set a goal to read LESS! I average a book a day and usually choose them somewhat randomly; recommendations on Amazon, high ratings from friends on Goodreads, backlist titles when I find a particularly good new author, and when my wallet can't handle it anymore, I start re-reading books from favorite authors.
Cris S. wrote: "If anything I need to set a goal to read LESS! I average a book a day and usually choose them somewhat randomly; recommendations on Amazon, high ratings from friends on Goodreads, backlist titles ..."Why should you do that - it is not possible to read too much :)
And re-reading books is like visiting old friends, some I visit once a year at least.
Anne wrote: "Why should you do that - it is not possible to read too much :) "
Ha! Tell that to my poor credit card =)
Ha! Tell that to my poor credit card =)
Cris S. wrote: "Anne wrote: "Why should you do that - it is not possible to read too much :) "Ha! Tell that to my poor credit card =)"
Then we talk about buying books, not reading them ;)But I know what you mean, that one-click button is too easy to use, and I always find something that looks interesting whenever I walk into a bookstore, which is often. So the TBR list gets longer and longer every day. I always tell myself it is good to have some books ready if I should get sick and not be able to leave the house for say, a month, but after Kindle that argument doesn't really work anymore.
Mod
:-D
Mod
That was a depressing book to write, I admit. The researching is shattering.
Mod
I don't know if I'll make it a formal, carved in stone goal, but I'd like to read at least 100 books next year.
Josh wrote: "I'd like to set a reading goal for next year, since reading is one of the main things I plan to do when I have some time.I don't know if I'll make it a formal, carved in stone goal, but I'd lik..."
Are you familiar with Murdoch Mystery TV series? It's steampunk detective series. I watched a couple of episode last year, then it's apparently being aired again at cable, and I think you're going to love it.
Mod
I don't know if I'll make it a formal, carved in stone goal, ..."
Is that the Canadian series about the Catholic cop?
This topic has been frozen by the moderator. No new comments can be posted.
Q&A with Josh Lanyon
Books mentioned in this topic
Chained Melody (other topics)The Far Pavilions (other topics)
Death in Kashmir (other topics)
The Flame Trees of Thika: Memories of an African Childhood (other topics)
Mistress of the Art of Death (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
M.M. Kaye (other topics)Elspeth Huxley (other topics)
Lauren Willig (other topics)
Charlie Cochet (other topics)
Damon Suede (other topics)
More...
