Q&A with Josh Lanyon discussion
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What else are you reading? (June 2010 - May 2013) *closed*
I'm in the middle of a small Thea Harrison binge, because I wanted to try out some fantasy romance novels and see if I could still get into het romance. So I read Dragon Bound, and it was a pretty nice read. There's the usual alpha male hero, but I didn't mind too much, since he was flexible when it came to issues. And I like Pia, the heroine, because she comes across as reasonable and competent.I also liked the worldbuilding - even though the idea of humans and fantasy creatures co-existing isn't exactly original, Harrison manages to make it feel real.
I don't read much in the way of m/f these days, but I really enjoyed Ride with Me. The heroine was a rational human being, not crazy or TSTL. The longer I'm away from m/f romance, the harder it seems to be for me to find heroines I can relate to, or even tolerate.
I've just started reading
It seems promising but I haven't figured out who all the characters are yet.
Mod
Anne, I may have to browse through Wacky Wednesday again and come back to this. This wasn't the main aspect of the story that stuck with me. I recall it as a temporary body switch trope with wry humor, and walk-in-my-shoes wisdom. But the MCs do have a D/s relationship that involves eroticizing pain, so however clever I may find the writing or insights this may not be for you.
Calling the Show features two college students with very different personalities who work backstage for theatrical productions at their college. They pass from enmity to love, and somewhat incidentally find that they enjoy exploring aspects of a D/s relationship, including some spanking. Their D/s relationship is not formalized or the center of the story (at this point), but this book describes the beginning of their relationship, and even if Rock never elaborates on it the reader may have outcome projections.
None of this is to deny or that elements of these books might not be uncomfortable for you or to others, just that I personally didn't read them the way you've described them. (It's possible I'm jaded since I've read a number of books with BDSM elements.)
I can say that I'm very uncomfortable with situations involving humiliation (even slapstick) and several aspects of the master-slave dynamic. I didn't get that feeling in these stories. I hope this helps.
Pender wrote: "I've just started reading ''Border Roads''. It seems promising but I haven't figured out who all the characters are yet."Border Roads is a great book, along with all books by Sarah Black.
Antonella wrote: "Pender wrote: "I've just started reading ''Border Roads''. It seems promising but I haven't figured out who all the characters are yet."Border Roads is a great book, along with all books by Sar..."
I toally agree with Antonella on both counts but I also remember it took me some time to figure out all the characters in Border Roads.
Becky wrote: "The longer I'm away from m/f romance, the harder it seems to be for me to find heroines I can relate to, or even tolerate. "I am exactly the same way. Glad to hear I'm not the only one!
I just finished In One Personand there was a lot I like about it. He among other things has some heartbreaking descriptions of the AIDS epidemic in the 80's and 90's. But on the other hand, we never get to know the main protagonist well. Maybe I am too used to the emotions in the romances (both m/m and ohther) that I like to read, but although the main protag lives through a lot, we rarely get to know his innermost feelings. It could be that John Irving wants to tell us something by not opening up that much, but I would have liked more.So what to read next? I have several new books on my Kindle, among them the last of the Dresden filesGhost Story the last of the Ty and Zane seriesStars & Stripes, Border Roads and of course Mongrel for the BOM reading. Decisions, decisions :)
Anne wrote: "I just finished In One Personand there was a lot I like about it. He among other things has some heartbreaking descriptions of the AIDS epidemic in the 80's and 90's. But on the other hand, we neve..."I do sometimes wonder about the difference between romance and other fiction in terms of access to the characters' inner thoughts and motivations. I just read Toni Morrison's Home and it was interesting to have to work harder than I'm used to when reading.
Dev wrote: "Anne wrote: "I just finished In One Personand there was a lot I like about it. He among other things has some heartbreaking descriptions of the AIDS epidemic in the 80's and 90's. But on the other ..."I guess that is why I like to mix my reading, sometimes I am in the mood for some hard work, sometimes not, sometimes I want angst and drama, sometimes fluff and lightness, sometimes far off worlds or times, other times what is here and now. Long live diversity and variation! :)
Mod
I agree! And I guess I'm not very good at making those decisions you were talking about, because I find myself in the middle of these four at the same time:
And I also just downloaded Aleksandr Voinov's brand new short story
which is going to be the real treat for me today. :)I haven't always been reading as many books at the same time though. I think that something happened with my reading habits after I started to read ebooks and to listen to audiobooks, because nowadays I usually have at least three books under way (an ebook, an audiobook and a print one).
Do you guys enjoy reading and focusing only on one book at a time or do you keep several books at hand depending on your mood?
Johanna wrote: "Anne wrote: "Long live diversity and variation! :)"I agree! And I guess I'm not very good at making those decisions you were talking about, because I find myself in the middle of these four at th..."
I usually have several going at once, so I can switch between lighter and heavier stuff.
Johanna wrote:"Do you guys enjoy reading and focusing only on one book at a time or do you keep several books at hand depending on your mood?"I have always read one new fiction book at a time. I will have a non-fict I am working through too. If I get need a break I go to Calibre and re-read. It is such a luxury to have my own library on Calibre that I can browse through. I Love it!
Mod
I used to be much more methodical (a kinder term than anal) with my reading. Now I often book-hop. I think that's in part due to the ease of doing so with ebooks, but I've got print in the mix as well.
I'm re-reading Mongrel and re-browsing Man, Oh Man! Writing M/M Fiction for Kinks & Cash. The climatic pages of Stalking Darkness are on indefinite hold. I'm reading The Square Peg today and a bit of Mongrel. Stars & Stripes is in line, and my new print copy of Fatal Shadows (Adrien English Mystery, #1) is on the nightstand. (A beautiful cover and Johanna's rock "altar" posted in the photos section is gorgeous!)
Nice to see that some of you also read the Dresden Files. As for Ghost Story, I was wondering whether Jim Butcher would finally falter, but it was a bravado performance IMO.
Mod
Yup. That sounds familiar (the anal part too). *grin*
Karen wrote: "--- and my new print copy of Fatal Shadows (Adrien English Mystery, #1) is on the nightstand. (A beautiful cover and Johanna's rock "altar" posted in the photos section is gorgeous!)"
Yup yup. That's where I go at midnight to worship Josh Lanyon. LOL. And since it's the Adrien English themed altar, I always hum some pirate related tune as I approach it... ;)
Karen wrote: "Nice to see that some of you also read the Dresden Files."
Fool Moon is the next in line as an audiobook.
Mod
I'll have to check out Calibre, because I'm not familiar with it...
Johanna wrote: "Reggie wrote: "It is such a luxury to have my own library on Calibre that I can browse through. I Love it!"I'll have to check out Calibre, because I'm not familiar with it..."
Oh, a Calibe virgin! You must give this a try, you will love it! I no longer have my collection spread all over various publishers and back up systems. I can even put my books onto my GR shelves from my own library. LOVE IT!
http://calibre-ebook.com/
M/M MYSTERY LOVERS: REC TAPPING DARKNESS (THE AJAY KAVANAGH detective series)--Am about 2/3 through the first of three in the series, the one listed above. I am pretty excited and hopeful. When I see a m/m mystery series new to me, I'll try the 1st, but it rarely goes beyond that for me.
I just love this m/c, and his small, hometown universe, too. HIs family is warm and appealing w/out being sacharine or cloying. He's just getting or trying to get his PI business off the ground. He is, himself, a truly charming, accessible character. His love interest is cool, too. One doesn't like him right away, or know just how to take him. This, to me, was a good thing, like meeting someone in real life.
I'm enjoying the mystery, a slow build and a believable collecting of information in an attempt to get a picture of what might have happened.
A promising start all around.
Mod
Thank you! I'd been wondering why no one had "invented" something like this — a reader-ap that recognizes and converts all formats for your device, and allows data entry editing, etc. I have a lot of work ahead of me, but finally I can have all my JCPs in a row and hopefully read my ascm books along with the prc/mobi ones on my iPod. Then again, just what I need, another project...
@ Karen-- I got my Calibre organized last year when I was "supposed to be" doing my receipt organization for my income taxes. I was organizing Something at least! {smirk} @ Candace- Sounds promising! Keep us informed on how it goes. {fingers crossed for luck}
For the other Dresden fans, Jim announced the pub date for the next book: Nov 27th. And the cover is gorgeous, too.
He also announced that he's working on a new steampunk series.I started Don't Look Back this afternoon. The last book I read was a bit of a rambly mess, so it's nice to read something that's actually going somewhere.
Oh, Becky, thank you for the news! I can't wait for my Dresden fix and that steampunk sounds good too. ^^
Johanna wrote: "Do you guys enjoy reading and focusing only on one book at a time or do you keep several books at hand depending on your mood?"I usually read one book at a time -- I get confused easily ;-P If a book is hard going though, I'll have a re-read of one of my comfort books, or find a new short on my kindle that I haven't read, just to change my mood.
Hambel wrote: "Johanna wrote: "Do you guys enjoy reading and focusing only on one book at a time or do you keep several books at hand depending on your mood?"I usually read one book at a time -- I get confused ..."
I often use Kindle samples in between other stuff if I need a break or am not sure what to read next. I finally learned that it is cheaper to check out books and not immediately buy because something looks interesting :). I save myself some grief that way if the book is badly written or boring despite the promising blurb.
Mod
However, recently, things have changed. A few books back, I started reading two books together. I had them measured out, or at least, the one I "had" to read for Summer Reading was measured out, so I knew how many chapters to read in order to finish it within the week. It made it much easier to switch back and forth between the two. I was surprised at how much it didn't bother me to do that!
And I'm doing it again, now with two other books, one is the last of my Summer Reading books (that gets blogged about for work) and another book that got put on hold for me at the library, and so with little time to read both books, I dived into them together. So far, so good.
Of course, you look at my "currently reading" shelf, and it's chock full of books. That's because I need to clear a pile of books off my coffee table, figured those I didn't want to keep I could donate to door prizes for an event in November. That means I have to get reading! So, I started off by reading the first chapter of every book in that pile. If I couldn't get through that chapter, then the book is already donated, and I don't have to fret over having yet more books to read. That alone, got me away from reading 3-4 books!
lol, and one of them was a gift I got last month. All I can say is, if you want to buy a book for a book lover, just get them a gift card to the book store. It's much easier. I hate sitting on books people have given me for months, or years, just cause I'm never in the mood to read them, or think I might not like them.
Another tip, if someone works in a bookstore, or library, in a specific section, chances are good they don't want books from that section. I stare at YA all day, and have to read it for work. Doesn't mean I want them gifted to me. lol. Maybe I'm just picky. But working with YA in the library, any time I go into a bookstore, I avoid the YA section like the plague. It scares me. Don't know why, but it does. lol.
And I wouldn't attempt to have anyone buy me MM, unless they read and loved it too. Otherwise, no way. *sigh* I need to go read something now.
I'm thinking about getting Inertia. I don't need to (I've got plenty to read) and I don't know this author's work but I came across a flash fiction teaser on Cryselle's blog. The teaser really peaked my interest in the characters and the book has a couple of good reviews too. I've looked at it on Amazon more than once so I'll probably end up buying it. The teaser's a good promo technique. :)
I have more than enough inertia in my life! :p
Becky wrote: "I have more than enough inertia in my life! :p"Actually, me too!
Mod
And I realized that this is the second book in a trilogy. I'm hoping it doesn't matter if I ignore the other two books. lol. We'll see. Can't wait to dive into it!
Jordan wrote: "I finished a Summer Reading book last night and another YA book this morning. yay! So now I'm starting The Persian Boy because I can't get Bagoas out of my head. (See the picture of Fransisco Bosch..."I have read The Persian Boy without reading the other two (they are on the TBR list) but it didn't really matter much in my opinion. Bagoas' story is complete in this book. Enjoy it!
Just bought Josh's In a Dark Wood, which I've been meaning to read since last year. Am I perverse for loving the stand-alone stories? I think it's that I like seeing a talented writer venture into unexpected territory, and that's what our host seems to do with his single titles. :) (And don't any of y'all think of dishing up any spoilers!)
Becky wrote: "I'm reading The Druid Stone, and I'm digging it. A lot."I am listening to it on my iPod. I had to skip the first five minutes (detailed torture scene) but it has been pretty good so far.
Mod
btw, I'm three chapters into The Persian Boy and loving it!
Reggie wrote: "@ Karen-- I got my Calibre organized last year when I was "supposed to be" doing my receipt organization for my income taxes. I was organizing Something at least! {smirk} @ Candace- Sounds promi..."
Reggie, I liked the first Kavanagh book very much. Again, the mc is very accessible. He's not a genius and his limitations are charming. Eg, his squeeze says something about not getting out of he city very often. The mc replies that he's never been out of the city. This is a small town, neighborhood guy. He's not impressing anybody but his family who adores him.
I can't say I felt compelled to jump right into the next book (ala Adrien English where I could not get to the following in the series fast enough), but definitely can rec it.
NEWS FLASH! Just finished S A REID's SOMETHING DIFFERENT. Has anyone else read that? After Protection by her, I thought I really liked her. Now I know I do. At the start of Different (me having forgotten about Protection and why I bought the book), it struck me as pat and predictable which is why it went to sleep on my reader for awhile. It looks like, oh, I know where this one's going and am not interested. Only, that is brief and a mistaken impression.
Reid is funny and honest, and once I got going, I gobbled this one up; had a ball.
Becky wrote: "For the other Dresden fans, Jim announced the pub date for the next book: Nov 27th. And the cover is gorgeous, too. He also announced that he's working on a new steampunk s..."Becky-the Dresden is not m/m, is it? What about Butcher's other works? I'm not familiar w/him.
I'm reading Blood Will Tell: A Medical Explanation of the Tyranny of Henry VIII by Kyra Cornelius Kramer. I don't know much about Henry VIII, except the basics-- had a bunch of wives, Church of England, etc. It's been really interesting so far. It doesn't have a GR page yet, but here's the link to the Amazon listing: http://www.amazon.com/Blood-Will-Tell...Full disclosure, the author is a friend. But I wouldn't say anything if I wasn't enjoying it. I'd just quietly shuffle it aside and move on to something else. :p
Candice wrote: "Becky wrote: "For the other Dresden fans, Jim announced the pub date for the next book: Nov 27th. And the cover is gorgeous, too. He also announced that he's working on a n..."Hey, Candice! No, the Dresden Files isn't m/m. Harry (the MC) has a few romantic relationships with women, but really the focus of the series is on saving the world from magical bad guys. I wouldn't swear there aren't any LGBTQ characters/themes in the Dresden Files, but I can't think of any off the top of my head. I haven't read his other series. I'm not really a fan of swords and horses-type fantasy. I glanced through a page or two of the first one, but I really didn't give it much of a chance.
Charming wrote: "Becky wrote: "I'm reading The Druid Stone, and I'm digging it. A lot."I am listening to it on my iPod. I had to skip the first five minutes (detailed torture scene) but it has been pretty good ..."
I just started this (in ebook). Good going so far!
Candice wrote: "RNEWS FLASH! Just finished S A REID's SOMETHING DIFFERENT. Has anyone else read that? After Protection by her, I thought I really liked her."Yup, I liked both of these. Like you, I expected Something Different to be typical rentboy stuff -- and then it wasn't.
K.Z. wrote: "Just bought Josh's In a Dark Wood, which I've been meaning to read since last year. Am I perverse for loving the stand-alone stories? I think it's that I like seeing a talented writer venture int..."
I really enjoyed that one. I bet you will too. :)
I just finished Lessons in Love by Charlie Cochrane. It was so very good! The language was so well done and I loved Jonty and Orlando. I've already started the second one in the series. It's an m/m mystery series set in Cambridge in the Edwardian era.
I just finished reading
and
. I must say, I never thought I'd be inclined to read any fiction set in Roman times because I read one book, Quo Vadis, and loved it; it's one of my most favorite books (I read it when I was 13). I thought I'd be disappointed by any other book, but these two books were very interesting. I am not sure how historically accurate they were, I am not a historian; however, the story lines were interesting and the characterizations were for the most part compelling. Oh, and plenty of gay characters, some jolly good, and some not so nice. I was pleased that a mainstream author decided not to gloss over that very important part of Roman society.
Mod
I loved that it was from Bagoas's POV and that it was told in first person. While we cannot know exactly what his thoughts were, I think she did a fantastic job writing what would have been most likely in his thoughts.
The ending is rather abrupt, I must say. I wasn't expecting it. I turned the page for the next line to find there was none but the Author's Note, and nearly had a heart attack. I didn't want her to end the story with the line that she had. yet, upon further reflection, given some time to think about it, I realized that there could have been no other ending. She'd prepared the reader in small sprinkles throughout the story with knowledge of Bagoas's life after Alexander's death. And really, once the Great King was dead, what else was there for Bagoas to say? Everything was over for him.
I expected I would cry and I almost did. But it didn't get that far. Right now I'm keeping myself busy by posting here so that I don't dwell on it and wonder what I should do next with myself. Books with sad endings like this, or books where I've lived entire lives of characters (As in The Phoenix) always leave me feeling lonely and not knowing what to do with myself, but unable to dive into a new story.
Jordan wrote: "I just finished The Persian Boy and I'm at a loss for words. All I can say is that I LOVED this sweet, yet very sad, story and I will be reading it over and over and over again. I loved that it w..."
I loved this book as well, and felt transported to another time and another place than my own, she described it so well I could feel and see it, almost smell it :). I agree, it would have been nice to learn more about Bagoas' life afterwards, but this was the story of his life with Alexander, so in that respect the ending was right.
I have still the two other books in the Alexander trilogy to read, and I am sure they will be wonderful as well, but it was something special with this story I think.
It is a special pleasure to read books that are so well researched (I would believe, not that I am a historian) so wonderfully well written and with such lovable and engaging characters :) And an extra bonus that I actually learned something new too!
Mod
Becky wrote: "Candice wrote: "Becky wrote: "For the other Dresden fans, Jim announced the pub date for the next book: Nov 27th. And the cover is gorgeous, too. He also announced that he'..."Thanks for the info, Becky.
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Q&A with Josh Lanyon
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Now, to me, that's the great thing about the digital publishing space. We can explore our boundaries and stories that do that can still find readers. Does that mean everybody has to love each story that comes down the pike? Of course not. My stories aren't going to flip everyone's happy switch, either. But there's room in the market for lots of different kinds of stories. If a certain kind of story draws you, great. If a certain kind of story doesn't? That's great too. Everybody's tastes are different.