What else are you reading? (June 2010 - May 2013) *closed* Showing 9,551-9,600 of 13,523

[Lady*M]

I went on Megan Derr binge - I've read last three out of five Lost Gods books plus Sword of the King and now I am happily fantasy saturated. XD

[Jordan]

Over halfway through Bloodlines now and I have to say, there's a lot of angst in this book. So for those interested in the series but who may not like angst (Josh, I'm thinking of you) just be aware of the angst. I'm liking it, but then, I have always liked angst. I think she's straddling a line here, but so far she hasn't gone over the edge into the "too much" category. So far so good though.

[Darkm]

Anne wrote: "Johanna wrote: "Josh wrote: "I'm not sure if I mentioned this or not, but I'm planning to do a major revamp/rewrite of MAN OH MAN. One of the big edits will be a whole new section on genre writing ..."

I read Simple Gifts yesterday and I'm so conflicted.
(view spoiler)[ I wasn't able to like Robb. He leaves for ten years, then comes back but he's unwell and leaves again. I understand why he leaves the second time, and even why he left the first, but ten years without contact could really be forgiven just like that? (hide spoiler)]

[Johanna]

Darkm wrote: "Anne wrote: "Johanna wrote: "Josh wrote: "I'm not sure if I mentioned this or not, but I'm planning to do a major revamp/rewrite of MAN OH MAN. One of the big edits will be a whole new section on g..."

I'm so weak. I can't resist those spoiler tags. ;)

Anyhoo, I've now read the first three Men of Smithfield books by L. B. Gregg and I'm eagerly waiting for the forth one to be re-released. I'll probably read Simple Gifts next.

I also read The Winter Courtship Rituals of Fur-Bearing Critters by Amy Lane, liked it and after reading it I also finished the woolly hat (or is beanie the right word?) lying unfinished in my drawer. I signed up on Ravelry as well — Thanks, Hj and Becky, for recommendations on that site!



A cap, a beanie or a hat?

[Darkm]

I can never resist spoiler tags either :) and apparently we are on the same boat :) I've read Men of Smithfield and I'm waiting for the last one to be released. So far I've really liked the second and third one, not so much the first.

The beanie is lovely :))

[Anne]

Darkm wrote: "Anne wrote: "Johanna wrote: "Josh wrote: "I'm not sure if I mentioned this or not, but I'm planning to do a major revamp/rewrite of MAN OH MAN. One of the big edits will be a whole new section on g..."

I should probably read it again, but there is something in what you say. But maybe that is the Christmas spirit talking right there? :)

[Susinok]

I read Simple Gifts this weekend. I felt there was not enough closure at the ending. It could have gone another few paragraphs to wrap things up and settle us in the relationship.

[Reggie]

In regards to knitting, have you read Josephine Myles' posts on yarn projects? It was fun and I'm sure she would love feedback from other crafty people.;-p

Here is her intro post-
Confessions of a Shameless Yarn Slut -
http://coleriann.com/2012/07/24/confe...

Here is link to the rest- http://coleriann.com/category/knit-an...

Josh is on vacation so we can play!

[HJ]

Reggie wrote: "In regards to knitting, have you read Josephine Myles' posts on yarn projects? It was fun and I'm sure she would love feedback from other crafty people.;-p

Here is her intro post-
Confessions of a..."

Yes, I have seen these. I followed her advice and knitted a test square for my latest project, and felt very smug when my tension was spot on!! (Don't know why, really, it's not as though skill can change it...)

Johanna, glad you've joined Revelry. I think that's a hat! (it's too pretty for a beanie)

[Anne]

Hj wrote: "Reggie wrote: "In regards to knitting, have you read Josephine Myles' posts on yarn projects? It was fun and I'm sure she would love feedback from other crafty people.;-p

Here is her intro post-
C..."

I joined Revelry too and has spent some happy time looking at patterns. I love that little hat, Johanna!

[HJ]

What else can I tempt you to? (while Josh is away)

[Anne]

Hj wrote: "What else can I tempt you to? (while Josh is away)"

Good question :)

[Johanna]

Reggie wrote: "Josh is on vacation so we can play!"

Thank you for the link, Reggie! :) And yeah, playing is behaving, right?!

Hj wrote: "What else can I tempt you to? (while Josh is away)"

Hmph... I don't think he'll mind us turning his site into knitting and crocheting site, or what do you guys think? ;) Knitting is almost like gardening and he likes that, so... he'll probably be happily surprised! *grin*

So the next picture is actually for Anne, because in the pic my dog is wearing the Norwegian sweater I made for her a few years ago. :)

[Anne]

I just finished Atom Heart John Beloved which has to be one of the strangest books I have read in a while. It is very good, written in a unique way, and contains a lot of the things I don't like in a book, enormous amounts of sex scenes for one, but unlike in many other books each scene was necessary and brought the story forward. There is cheating and abuse as well, and other stuff I don't like to see but all together it all made a very satisfying if unusual read despite it all. And the end justified everything.

I am sitting here thinking I shouldn't really like the story or the people in it, but I do. I am fascinated.

[Anne]

Johanna wrote: "Reggie wrote: "Josh is on vacation so we can play!"

Thank you for the link, Reggie! :) And yeah, playing is behaving, right?!

Hj wrote: "What else can I tempt you to? (while Josh is away)"

Hmp..."

Ooh - she is the cutest! And a nice sweater too:) the pattern is a traditional Norwegian one, that's right, and it's called an eight-petaled rose. You can see that the main part of the pattern is a stylised flower with eight petals.

[Dev]

Oh my goodness, what a cute dog! I knit a very bad and rudimentary bright orange coat for mine so we could walk during deer season. But I'm NOT posting a picture because my knitting skills are.... um.... let's just say there aren't many things I do quite as badly.

[Johanna]

Anne wrote: "— the pattern is a traditional Norwegian one, that's right, and it's called an eight-petaled rose. You can see that the main part of the pattern is a stylised flower with eight petals."

Interesting. I didn't know the name of the pattern! :)

[Johanna]

Dev wrote: "Oh my goodness, what a cute dog! I knit a very bad and rudimentary bright orange coat for mine so we could walk during deer season. But I'm NOT posting a picture because my knitting skills are.... um.... let's just say there aren't many things I do quite as badly."

Well, my knitting skills are pretty bad too. I only manage to do small things like dog sized sweaters, scarfs, mittens and so on. I know that there are many people on this site that are like knitting masters (of the universe) compered to me. ;) I guess I knit like I do everything: with more enthusiasm than skill. :)

[Jordan]

I can only knit scarves and wristletts. It's gotta be easy or I'm not gonna do it. Writing is that one big complicated thing I fill my free time with. And if I ever get more free time, like, the day I can afford a part time job instead of a full time, I'll be practicing tae kwon do again. God I miss TKD.

[Sarah]

I love Ravelry even though my knitting skills are still very basic - it's such an easy site to use. I do wish GR worked as well as Ravelry does!

[HJ]

Jordan wrote: "I can only knit scarves and wristletts. It's gotta be easy or I'm not gonna do it. Writing is that one big complicated thing I fill my free time with. And if I ever get more free time, like, the da..."

Knitting? or tae kwon do? Hmmmm - difficult. Seriously, I can't do TKD but I can knit - preferably while listening to an audiobook. Johanna - very sweet dog sweater!

I'm feeling a little guilty that we've gone so far off topic. I don't know Atom Heart John Beloved so can't comment on it at all, Anne, beyond saying that I'm impressed that you bought and read a book that contains so many things you don't like. So, is it making you re-think whether you do in fact dislike those things, or is it just that this author handled them so well that he managed to get you past them in this instance?

[Johanna]

Yep. Anne made me really curious about Atom Heart John Beloved too...

[Reggie]

I am looking at Brandon Shire's Listening to Dust. I liked Afflicted. LtD looks waay too serious for me though. I'm intrigued though so I may give in.;-p

[Antonella]

Johanna wrote: "Yep. Anne made me really curious about Atom Heart John Beloved too..."

I notice she did, you marked it as ''to-read''! ;-)

It looks interesting but a bit dark...

[Becky]

I use the name "fibrobabe" over there, if anyone wants to friend me. Although I warn you, checking out people's projects and yarn and pattern queues can be just as time consuming as comparing book shelves and reading reviews is here!

[Sarah]

Becky wrote: "I use the name "fibrobabe" over there, if anyone wants to friend me. Although I warn you, checking out people's projects and yarn and pattern queues can be just as time consuming as comparing book..."

I'm pointycat on there. Not sure how the 'friending' works on ravelry - only added one friend I've known for years so far :)
Anyone wanting to add me feel free - I'll even update what I'm doing one of these days rather than just getting distracted by shiny, shiny wool...

[Becky]

Has anyone else read Song of Oestend and Saviours of Oestend? I just finished Saviours this evening, and I loved it. I admit I'm a bit of a Marie Sexton fangirl, but I loved the paranormal/horror elements, and the fact that the romantic relationships start slowly, without insta-lust.

[Anne]

Hj wrote: "Jordan wrote: "I can only knit scarves and wristletts. It's gotta be easy or I'm not gonna do it. Writing is that one big complicated thing I fill my free time with. And if I ever get more free tim..."

A good question. I believe a writer can make me enjoy almost anything as long as it is well done, and there is a real heart in there. If the same issues are done for the "wrong" reasons, I can't always finish. It is hard to explain what I mean. And then there are the books that are brilliantly done but the subject is still hard to take, like Lolita, a book I read thirty years ago and there are scenes I will never forget. The same with The Road. They are not pleasurable books to read, but have a great impact. I won't say that Atom Heart is in the same league, but still, the book was hard to read, but I still enjoyed it, or took something with me from reading it that will stay.

And sometimes I like to go outside my comfort zone as well, to challenge myself, it does pay off once in a while. Other times, I realize why I have those boundaries. :)

ETA - this book might sound as a romance when you read the blurb and there is a love story in there, but it doesn't read like a romance.

[Darkm]

I believe a writer can make me enjoy almost anything as long as it is well done, and there is a real heart in there

And sometimes I like to go outside my comfort zone as well, to challenge myself, it does pay off once in a while. Other times, I realize why I have those boundaries. :)

Same goes for me.

The sweater for the dog is totally cute! Me, I'm not a knitter, I can manage to destroy even a simple scarf, so I'll pass :)

[Johanna]

I'm in the middle of Josh's A Vintage Affair. It's robust, developed, savory, supple, generous, well-balanced, velvety, lingering... anyone thirsty yet? ;)

[Tracy]

Becky wrote: "Has anyone else read Song of Oestend and Saviours of Oestend? I just finished Saviours this evening, and I loved it. I admit I'm a bit of a Marie Sexton fangirl, but I loved the paranormal/horror..."

I've read Song (back when it first came out) and loved it, and I have Saviours but haven't read it yet. I want to reread Song first (but haven't really had time or energy yet. It was awesome but emotionally exhausting!)

[Anne]

Johanna wrote: "I'm in the middle of Josh's A Vintage Affair. It's robust, developed, savory, supple, generous, well-balanced, velvety, lingering... anyone thirsty yet? ;)"

I want red wine! Now! :)

[Jordan]

Just finished Bloodlines last night. Yep, totally made me cry. I'm reading Life After Death now. Oiy the angst. lol. :-)

[Darkm]

I've just bought Atom heart John beloved.
The blurb is really calling to me.

[Lady*M]

Stephen King's The Stand.

[Anne]

Darkm wrote: "I've just bought Atom heart John beloved.
The blurb is really calling to me."

Let me know what you think!

[Susinok]

Jordan wrote: "Just finished Bloodlines last night. Yep, totally made me cry. I'm reading Life After Death now. Oiy the angst. lol. :-)"

The angst never lets up in that series. Rhoan catches a break for a while and then back down. He is a hot mess. However, the stories are so compelling and the world is fascinating. I really love that series.

[Jordan]

It's a good thing I like angst, though I'm finally starting to realize that there actually IS a place you need to draw the line when writing it. lol. At least, I don't think my old fanfic went over it too far.

[Karen]

Reggie wrote: "I am looking at Brandon Shire's Listening to Dust. I liked Afflicted. LtD looks waay too serious for me though. I'm intrigued though so I may give in.;-p"

I finished Afflicted yesterday (checked it out due to your post). Interesting to me that it was written with somewhat more "telling" than I prefer, and some of the MCs' circumstances are a bit too convenient, but I'm caught up in seeing these guys through to their HEA and will definitely pick up Afflicted II in December.

[Karen]

Johanna wrote: "I'm in the middle of Josh's A Vintage Affair. It's robust, developed, savory, supple, generous, well-balanced, velvety, lingering... anyone thirsty yet? ;)"

Enjoying a glass of Cabernet as I read this. I enjoyed that story too...

[Plainbrownwrapper]

Anne wrote: "Darkm wrote: "I've just bought Atom heart John beloved.
The blurb is really calling to me."

Let me know what you think!"

I liked that book a lot. It is not at all your typical romance. And a strong narrative voice, I thought.

[Darkm]

Anne wrote: "Darkm wrote: "I've just bought Atom heart John beloved.
The blurb is really calling to me."

Let me know what you think!"
I couldn't put it down.
It's somehow hard to understand someone when you read the first person, since they are most often than not oblivious about themselves, at least deep down.
Here it was quite a bit like this, what John said and thought, and what he did were two very different things.
(view spoiler)[ As usual there's something I didn't get: so worried about catching something if his boyfriend "screwed around" , and then he did Brian without anything all the time? Mmmmh. The end left me conflicted too. You marry him without even telling him what you've done behind his back? Not the best way to start IMO. (hide spoiler)]
Overall though it was an amazing book, I'm very glad for your rec :)

[Johanna]

Karen wrote: "Johanna wrote: "I'm in the middle of Josh's A Vintage Affair. It's robust, developed, savory, supple, generous, well-balanced, velvety, lingering... anyone thirsty yet? ;)"

Enjoying a glass of Cabernet as I read this. I enjoyed that story too..."

I thought it was great. I loved the way the main character Austin saw the world around him through wine tasting terms! :) And since there has been a lively discussion about secondary characters on the Writing Questions for Josh topic, I have to say that A Vintage Affair is a good example of a book that has intriguing secondary characters in it. They definitely bring an extra-dimension and life to the story, and they help the reader to get to know the main character and to understand him better. And just like in the The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks it felt like that the house, the old antebellum mansion, was one of the characters, too. And I think that's lovely.

After reading A Vintage Affair I started to read Last Line by Harper Fox. I'm only in the beginning (8%), but it feels very promising. I'm also still reading Special Forces (Soldiers). I'm taking it slow with Vadim and Dan, enjoying it, trying to keep the drama overload as slight as possible, really cherishing the happy moments in the storyline — and taking my time with the miserable moments too. I'm carefully chewing over these two interesting and quite complex men and even more complex circumstances they are in.

Anyway, after reading Anne's, Plainbrownwrapper's and Darkm's comments on Atom Heart John Beloved I'm convinced that I'll have to read it ASAP. :)

[Calathea]

I know what I'm going to read this weekend. ;)


(will be released tomorrow)

[Johanna]

Calathea wrote: "I know what I'm going to read this weekend. ;)


(will be released tomorrow)"

Oh cool! :) I'm gonna have to finish Last Line before starting that one though. *runs to the couch and starts reading like crazy* Let us know how you liked it, Calathea!

[Antonella]

Calathea wrote: "I know what I'm going to read this weekend. ;)


(will be released tomorrow)"

Me too, me too! ;-))

[Anne]

Darkm wrote: "Anne wrote: "Darkm wrote: "I've just bought Atom heart John beloved.
The blurb is really calling to me."

Let me know what you think!"
I couldn't put it down.
It's somehow hard to understand someon..."

I am glad you like it, always when I recommend something I feel a little "responsible" in case you hate it :)


I think the whole idea was that you put the past behind you and now you start a new chapter. They both did things before they now have promised not to continue doing. If I knew how I made those spoiler tags I could have been a little less cryptic. I read the book like a road to self discovery and discovery of what is real and important, through a lot of trial and errors and mistakes before finally getting to where you needed to be. In the words of a very young and somehow confused person who gradually comes into his own. I am still fascinated :)

[Antonella]

On paper?

[Anne]

Antonella wrote: "Calathea wrote: "I know what I'm going to read this weekend. ;)


(will be released tomorrow)"

Me too, me too! ;-))"

Me three!

[Plainbrownwrapper]

Oh, tomorrow, tomorrow. I was looking for that book on Amazon yesterday, sigh.

As for me, right now I'm rereading the first two books of Cummings' Wolf's-Own series in prep for reading the last two books of it. I forgot how much I liked em. :-) But I still wish she had thought up a better name for the series!