Q&A with Josh Lanyon discussion
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What else are you reading? (June 2010 - May 2013) *closed*
Antonella wrote: "I've just finished 
by Madison Parker. Absolutely heartwarming. And it costs only 0,99!I had found it thanks to the blog (I think) KZ recommended:
http:/..."
Just finished it. Kept me up way past my bedtime! But that's my fault for starting late. :)
Super cute! And funny.
Now I keep randomly saying the word "hoobajoob" and chuckling. ^_~
It's a bit off-topic, but I am only now reading this article:What Kind of Book Reader Are You? A Diagnostics Guide
Oh my, I am so many of these.
Cross-Under because ... well, just because
Multi-Tasker
All the Time/Compulsive/Voracious/Anything Goes Reader
Re-Reader
I always have a book with me either on my Nook, my phone or in paper. I read and re-read compulsively because it's like visiting an old friend. I don't forget characters or plots, so getting back into books months/years later isn't a problem. Basically, I love books of all kinds which is why I live in a house filled with them.
Erulisse wrote: "It's a bit off-topic, but I am only now reading this article:What Kind of Book Reader Are You? A Diagnostics Guide
Oh my, I am so many of these.
Cross-Under because ... well, just because
..."
Which is why you fit into this group I guesss, this could have been me or any other here, I believe ... ;)
just finished Jeremy Pack's To Touch the Stars and Harper Fox's Half Moon Chambers. Wonderful reads.
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LOL. Thankfully, I've not done that... yet.
A Midwinter Prince by Harper Fox is on my list of reading to happen soon.Right now I'm reading Greeting Cards, newly out by Tinnean. I needed something light after Hostage.
Antonella wrote: "I've just finished by Madison Parker. Absolutely heartwarming. And it costs only 0,99!I had found it thanks to the blog (I think) KZ recommended:
http:/..."
I've read this and bought it :)
I was in need of something a bit lighter.
I've also read Amy Lane's new Christmas story, and that was good too.
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I must guiltily admit to being one of the frowners, at least in ..."
I feel your pain. Not every story needs a romantic interest. I won't deny I enjoy writing those stories, but I wouldn't add in a romantic interest unless *I* wanted it.
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:-D
One thing that drives me nuts in the mainstream mystery genre is a series in which the main character never ever has a steady relationship. Most of the time the hero/heronie has a steady for a book or two and then something bad happens to that person.I stopped reading many series because it was one bad breakup after another. The lone P.I. is overdone.
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Which is soooo not true. I'm sure there are plenty of single people out there who don't even attempt relationships. They might be in the minority, but having a character like that, might be a nice change from the sickly sweet romance and the person who's always bouncing from bed to bed after one breakup or another. I'm just saying. Obviously that wouldn't work for our genre, but for mainstream it might.
Jordan wrote: "But at the same time, the media keeps telling people that in order to be truly happy, you have to find the perfect mate, get married, buy a house with a picket fence and have kids and a dog. Whic..."
It's definitely not true. I'm happier right now than I've probably ever been in my life, and I don't dare rock the boat.
But I absolutely require it in my m/m stories. Go figure.
I don't have kids; never wanted them. When I was younger everyone I met told me I would change my mind.These days (pushing 50) people tell me I was smart. LOL.
So I totally don't need an ending with a couple, babies, and a dog.
Susinok wrote: "I don't have kids; never wanted them. When I was younger everyone I met told me I would change my mind.These days (pushing 50) people tell me I was smart. LOL..."
The "maternal instinct" passed me by, too. I used to resent the fact that many people told me that was selfish to feel that way - I didn't interfere with their choice to subject themselves to no sleep, no time to read, and becoming a glorified taxi service, so why pick on me? I think they just wanted me to be miserable too!
Seriously, I can see the benefits, and I like having other people's children in the family, but I'm always happy to hand them back and pick up my book...
I never understood that. What is selfish about not having a child when you know you won't be a good parent to it? I think it's an act of kindness myself.
Susinok wrote: "I never understood that. What is selfish about not having a child when you know you won't be a good parent to it? I think it's an act of kindness myself."Absolutely!!
Hj wrote: "Susinok wrote: "I never understood that. What is selfish about not having a child when you know you won't be a good parent to it? I think it's an act of kindness myself."Absolutely!!"
Ditto.
Susinok wrote: "I never understood that. What is selfish about not having a child when you know you won't be a good parent to it? I think it's an act of kindness myself."I completely agree.
I've seen people have kids as pawns and tools. THAT is wrong, for me at least. Not deciding if you want to be a parent or not.
While I do want kids some day, I think it's a perfectly valid choice not to have them. Especially when I see how many people who should have never had children make their lives miserable. And people butting in other people's lives annoy me to no end. OT: Started Brandon Fox's Finder, but couldn't continue. I'm just not in the mood, so I'll try to finish it later. I did finish Ann Somerville's Selected Short Stories and enjoyed them immensely. They are great to sample her writing. Also, The Nothingness of Ben. Not bad, especially for the first book, but it didn't blow me away.
I am happy as single. I also was happy as married for a long period of time and then very unhappy. So happiness is not something that can only be had as a couple. When it comes to romances though, it kind of defies the purpose of the story I would think, not to have a couple ( or triad or whatever) having their HEA. I very much like stories with people being content and happy by themselves, but then they are not romances I would think. :)My children though, there is unconditional joy, combined with a lot of work when they were small of course, but to be friends with my adult kids, that makes me happy. They live abroad so I see them rarely, but to know they are in the world.. So for me that equals happiness, but it is not always so or necessary so. There are so many ways to live and many ways to love, so who has the right to say only one way of living or loving is right and the rest is wrong? Not me that's for sure.
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These days (pushing 50) people tell me I was smart. LOL.
So I totally don't need an ending ..."
My family kept telling me I'd change my mind. Like it's a phase, not wanting kids. Like when uptight people tell their newly out son that being gay is a phase. Yeah, right.
I would like a dog though. Someday, when I can afford one and have the time to spend with one. But that's all I need. I don't have time for another person living with me, never mind the kids that could go along with. I love being single.
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I completely agree. I remember seeing a bumpersticker once that said "I'd rather be writing" and for me, that's true. either writing or reading. I'd rather do that so much that I shirk on everything else. You'd better not be thinking I'd take good care of a kid. Maybe for a short period, like one day or a week might be fun once in a blue moon, but anything beyond that... no way. Not unless there is a serious situation at hand, as in a member of the family has no where else to go, or the kid of a very good friend. But, that's just my brain trying to work a novel into my life I think. lol.
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Yep, even Perfect Day. I just skipped by the cover, but beyond that, I was perfectly fine with the bee sting. And I had no dreams about bees that night either. Woot. So glad because it was a really great little story.
And Heart Trouble... I think that one is definitely one of my favorites! Just the right kind of hurt/comfort I like.
Loved Dickens too, actually. The ending was soooo sweet! :-)
Anyway, now I'm reading another YA novel Croak. We had the author do a talk in the library a few weeks back and I loved it so much I had to pick up the book. This thing is HILARIOUS! I haven't laughed this hard in a long time. Seriously. An angry girl gets to spend the summer with her Uncle Mort, whom she thinks is a farmer. It turns out he's actually a Grim Reaper and he can tell she's got the gift of being a Grim too.
Plus, there are dead famous people hanging around in the afterlife. OMG, funny! Apparently everyone except Edgar Allan Poe likes John Wilkes Booth (yep, even the presidents). Poe dislikes him because he stole Poe's favorite quill! I'm having too much fun with this book.
Ok, back to my reading...
I just finished Second Chances .
I really enjoyed it. 3.5 for me. It lost a point, because i felt as if certain important events were not written about. You have to read it to understand what I mean I guess.
I am reading Country Mouse by Amy Lane and Aleksandr Voinov. I really love the character dynamics in this book.
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And to top it off, because the library is moving over to new software, I can't place a hold on the sequel, and we don't have it at my local branch. ... which means I'm going to have to get on a bus tomorrow and travel to the next closest branch that has a copy. Oiy. lol. And when I get to work on Thursday, I'm going to make sure we have this book on order for our local collection!
On the MM front, I spent all of yesterday morning organizing my "need to own" shelf here, which has over 100 books on it, and getting it officially lined up with my wishlist. This morning I organized said wish list into groups of books to buy in one swipe. Yes, I have a group labeled as "3 guys in love/hookers/strippers" Still can't believe it. lol. Going through all these books I don't own, just made me want to buy them all and read them ASAP. As if I don't already own enough books I can't wait to read. I'm in some serious trouble here, I swear.
I just finished How to Repair a Mechanical Heart, very nice read, although not totally for me since I don't really love when religion is a very prominent theme.
Darkm wrote: "I just finished How to Repair a Mechanical Heart, very nice read, although not totally for me since I don't really love when religion is a very prominent theme."I read it at the same time as you. It's a great book!
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I read it at the sam..."
I still have that one to read. :)
I finally finished Special Forces: Soldiers Part I -Director's Cut and Special Forces: Soldiers Part II -Director's Cut and I'm feeling very satisfied.
I also read Jimmy by Luke Hartwell, which I liked. (It's a short story from the author of Atom Heart John Beloved.)
I'm reading Mr. Benson: A Novel by John Preston. I'm rather speechless. I wouldn't say it's beyond my comfort zone, it's probably beyond my comprehension zone, but still it's almost impossible to put down.
I always wondered about that book. For a while it was on my wish list and then I decided that I prefer stories nearer to romance.
Antonella wrote: "I always wondered about that book. For a while it was on my wish list and then I decided that I prefer stories nearer to romance."I'll let you know. People keep telling me that the romance is somewhere :)
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Yeah, Manu, you got me curious now. The blurb sounds interesting (the book is called "classic" and all...). I'm looking forward to hear how you liked it when you are finished...
Johanna wrote: "Antonella wrote: "I always wondered about that book. For a while it was on my wish list and then I decided that I prefer stories nearer to romance."Yeah, Manu, you got me curious now. The blurb s..."
I read somewhere that John Preston said he was a pornographer, it's not a D/s story like Kim Dare's, there's also something which is very uncomfortable, I'd say disgusting from my point of view, but not because I want to pass judgment, I'm just not into that, it would be a hard limit for me. The relationship is interesting. There is no sentimentalism - is it an English word? - it's pretty rational, even if there's a lot of animal magnetism involved. I find Mr. Benson hot :)
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Yeah, Manu, you got me curious ..."
There aren't any SUBs lingering around the house naked 24/7? I always feel so sorry for those guys, because I'm so cold-sensitive myself... always trotting around the house with woolen stockings on my feet. ;)
ETA: That came out all wrong... I do have some other clothes on too... OMG... ;)
Jamie is a slave and he's not totally naked because he MUST wear a jockstrap because essentially, this is spoilerish even if it's stated quite early in the plot (view spoiler) :)
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These days (pushing 50) people tell me I was smart. LOL.
So I totally don't need an ending ..."
I think what makes me impatient is the idea that it can't be a real and lasting love if it doesn't involve marriage and picket fences. I never wanted to be married. This was never an issue for me. So while I firmly support the right of anyone who wishes to marry, that was never on my menu.
And I become tired of fictional constructs where the only possible REAL happy ending involves wedding rings and ministers. Let alone babies which...really. The very thought makes me feel faint.
:-D
I disagree with the notion of some gay writers that one true love is a hetersexual construct. No. The idea of the other (completing) half of the soul goes all the way back to the ancient Greeks. I don't know how realistic it is, but the idea of one true love seems to be an intrinsic and universal ideal for humans. Much like the belief in a higher power and a point to our existence beyond eating, sleeping and fucking.
It may not be true, but the fact that we WANT it to be true is -- I think -- a very defining truth about humans.
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This is lovely.
Josh wrote: "It may not be true, but the fact that we WANT it to be true is -- I think -- a very defining truth about humans."I am a hopeless (if you listen to my mother) single, with no kids, and I can't say I'm happy, but I'm not thinking about it every minute of the day either. I like when authors take a non conventional (or more real?) path and make their protags struggle in their personal lives. I am not disappointed if a book with some romantic element doesn't end with a happy ending. I also understand readers that want to arrive from exhausting real lfe to a safe haven where the good guys end well and they get what they deserve. If I read a romance always rooting against the main couple, because real life sucks, I'd be an envious bitch.
Lou wrote: "Emanuela ~plastic duck~ wrote: "I'm reading Mr. Benson: A Novel by John Preston. I'm rather speechless. I wouldn't say it's beyond my comfort zone, it's probably beyond my comprehension zone, but s..."I haven't got to that point yet, but there are indeed aspects that are already making me roll my eyes. Some parts seem to want to explain what's acceptable and what's not (view spoiler) and other parts are almost ridiculous, but I guess the author wasn't taking himself too seriously (view spoiler). I agree, it's not m/m, I would agree it's erotica. I was assured there was romance, though, and I'm waiting for it :)
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I am a hopeless (if you listen to my mother) single, with no kids, an..."
But I think the truth is there are many roads to happiness and contentment and true and lasting love -- they don't all lead to a gold band and 2.5 kiddies.
Josh wrote: "But I think the truth is there are many roads to happiness and contentment and true and lasting love -- they don't all lead to a gold band and 2.5 kiddies."And leaving your job because your husband will keep you :)
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I ..."
Hey, so how was Special Forces? I'm in the middle of Mercenaries currently between the first and second. But so far, Soldiers has been my favorite of what I've read so far.
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..."
LOL. I should hope so! My apartment's always close to 80 degrees and I'm still wearing sweatpants, long sleeved shirt, sweatshirt, and slippers. So, yeah, no walking around naked 24/7 for me either. I can't concentrate on anything when I'm cold. Oh yeah, did I mention the fingerless gloves? Those are great to wear at work. They keep my fingers warm and allow me to keep typing.
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These days (pushing 50) people tell me I was smart. LOL.
So I totally don't..."
I agree. White picket fences need not apply to all romances.
And just because I don't wish to get married myself, doesn't mean I don't want the rest of the world to be able to.
I know it's weird, I don't want kids, but occasionally I like to write about two guys having a kid. I've written several fanfics that involve kids, and I love them. Not all of my stories have children, but a few do. It boggles my mind. Still. lol.
Of course, the kids I always wrote about were usually pretty awesome. There wasn't the whole keeping the guys up all night crying thing. They were well behaved, and sometimes went above and beyond to show how much they loved their fathers. So, yeah, a little bit fantasy, but I couldn't help myself. lol.
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I just finished writing the review today, it's here, if you are interested. I gave it 5 stars and thought that it was an amazing love story. Very powerful, very intense, very cruel at times. I especially enjoyed witnessing how (view spoiler) Still, I'll probably give myself a little time to breath before I'll start reading the other Special Forces books. :)
ETA: If I remember correctly, you didn't read them one after the other either, right?
Josh wrote: "Anne wrote: "They live abroad so I see them rarely, but to know they are in the world.. ..."This is lovely."
Thank you
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Q&A with Josh Lanyon
Books mentioned in this topic
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Authors mentioned in this topic
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Me too, Manu, me too :)