Q&A with Josh Lanyon discussion
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What else are you reading? (June 2010 - May 2013) *closed*
I finished Missing Missing, by Drake Braxton. The beginning was interesting, but the rest I found boring and repetitive. I thought something important would happen, that is what kept me going. But there was nothing. Even the end is somewhat flat.
I also read Life Lessons, Book 3, Home Work. Book 1 and 2 I finished a while back. I like this series. Harper is an excellent writer, and her stories are captivating.
Johanna wrote: "I didn't do as much reading as I thought I would during my vacation, but here are a few words on the books I read in the order I read them:Trick of Time by J.L. Merrow was the only audiobook I li..."
Hey Johanna! Welcome back! I'm so glad you did these mini reviews of your vacation books. I was hoping you would. :-)
I love Harper's books, but Salisbury Key is one I haven't read yet. I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it as much as you did. I'm looking forward to reading that one.
Johanna wrote: "I didn't do as much reading as I thought I would during my vacation, but here are a few words on the books I read in the order I read them:Trick of Time by J.L. Merrow was the only audiobook I li..."
I very much enjoyed The Salisbury Key and Shattered Glass also!!
And funnily enough, Wicked Gentlemen is one of the next books on my list, I've had it sitting in my shelf for a while now and it seems like the right time to get started on it :) After I've finished my current big project that is, but I can proudly say that I'm almost at the end of War and Peace (well, I have another 250 pages to go, but after more than 1900 pages read that seems like peanuts, really ;D) and it's awesome!! I can highly recommend it to anyone with a bit of patience on their hands and a good appreciation for unhurried and extensive story telling. I can honestly say that it's been a long while since I've learned so much from a book - I now know more about Russian society and warfare around the early 19th century than ever before (although Tolstoi's ideas about the events shine through very clearly, so I'm not sure whether this is a truly unbiased recount - actually, I'm pretty sure it isn't). It definitely engages your brain circuits, but it's still a lot of fun to read - at least after the first few (hundred) pages of getting into the story and learning about the numerous protagonists. So a definite plus from my side so far!! :)
Josh wrote: "Okay. What ARE you guys all reading? You're so quiet. and I KNOW you're reading. This is a safe zone. Go ahead and share. Even if it's been a disappointing stretch. That's okay."Well you did ask so you have only yourself to blame for what follows...
My main read of 2013 is In Parenthesis by David Jones. He was a soldier in the first world war and this is his long poem based on that experience. I’m reading it a few pages at a time so I can absorb it properly. Forget for the moment any other WW1 poets like Owen and Sassoon that you might have read about the gas attacks, the mud and the constant presence of death. Jones is writing about the totality of the ordinary soldier’s experience so we start with the men of B company on parade and the hapless Private Ball who has not got the cover for his mess-tin “Improperly dressed, the Battalion being paraded for overseas.” It is December 1915 and by now there are no waving crowds to bid farewell to our brave boys. Then they are on board ship set toward France.
“They stood close on deck and beneath deck, each man upholstered in his life-belt. from time to time a seaman would push between them about some duty belonging to his trade.”...
I know it is going to end horribly. Jones was at Mametz wood – a haunted place even today. I will be going back there in October and aim to have finished reading In Parenthesis by then.
My other book of last week has been ‘A Handful of Water’ by Rebecca Gethin, which I read in a single evening, whilst ignoring washing up needing to be done and clothes to be got ready for school etc. It is full of men’s voices, soldiers, prisoners and also animals; an otter, badger, choughs. I don’t often write fan mail but I did send an email to our mutual publisher after I’d finished the book and have interviewed Becky for my blog. Several poems stopped me in my tracks; tribunal and most of all Somme 2012. That shock of recognition being also been there and yes
The landscape is on the alert; it listens
to my tread like a tunneller with his geophone –
first one ear, then the other – calculating distance
and direction as to when my nervous footfall
might land on the unexploded shell. ..
Katharina wrote: can proudly say that I'm almost at the end of War and Peace (well, I have another 250 pages to go, but after more than 1900 pages read that seems like peanuts, really ;D) and it's awesome!! I can highly recommend it to anyone with a bit of patience on their hands and a good appreciation for unhurried and extensive story telling. I can honestly say that it's been a long while since I've learned so much from a book - I now know more about Russian society and warfare around the early 19th century than ever before (although Tolstoi's ideas about the events shine through very clearly, so I'm not sure whether this is a truly unbiased recount - actually, I'm pretty sure it isn't). It definitely engages your brain circuits, but it's still a lot of fun to read ..."Well done Katharina.
Aleksandr wrote: "Josh - before you try Captive Prince, read Sunita's DNF review of it on her Vacuous Minx blog. I wish I had read that before I started.... My inner historian was basically screaming from page one.) That said, many readers can overlook inconsistent settings in the interest of just reading for the story, so I'm a bricklayer shuddering at seeing a crooked wall, while for others it works at holding up the roof. We all have different priorities in our reading..."I do love a person with an inner historian... just saying.
Yeah, took me sixteen semesters and many years to grow one and now he cannot shut up. :)
My first post of many I hope. So cut me some slack if I struggle with the post comment rules. - PLEASE. I am currently reading Stars & Stripes by Abigail Roux... I really enjoy the series. In my queue something different Illegal Affair by Sienna Mynx , Taking Chance by L.E. Harner and of course something from Josh - Blood Red Butterfly. I can't wait to start sharing my favorite J' book memories under the Q&A.
Welcome, Connie! We don't worry all that much about rules. Stick with the basic "be awesome to each other" and it's all good!That said, if you're new to GR and need help figuring out how to do stuff, just ask. We're a pretty friendly bunch. :)
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I love his voice too!
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Ah. Yes. I will do that. Sunita's tastes run pretty close to mine.
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I think when it comes to stories like CP it has more to do with emotional content and kink than actual writing and storytelling.
I could be wrong about that. But I think when it comes to m/m fiction, you must never discount the emotional punch of certain stories that, were it a male/female dynamic, we'd all be cringing at.
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I must take a fresh look at them.
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YAY!!
I feel like we're cheering on a marathon runner! Give her a bottle of water! :-D
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Well..."
Wonderful to hear about these -- both utterly unknown to me.
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Welcome, Connie!
Josh wrote: "Katharina wrote: "After I've finished my current big project that is, but I can proudly say that I'm almost at the end of War and Peace (well, I have another 250 pages to go, but after more than 19..."LOL, yes please (or maybe a strawberry daiquiri, that would be awesome, too)!! I've been training for the last 22 years, though, so I'm pretty confident I'll make it :)) And Tolstoi does his best to make it a pleasant run :)
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Shouldn't it be a white Russian or something like that? :-D
Josh wrote: "Katharina wrote: "Josh wrote: "Katharina wrote: "After I've finished my current big project that is, but I can proudly say that I'm almost at the end of War and Peace (well, I have another 250 page..."Oooh, good idea! I haven't had one of those in far too long. Or, maybe, seeing how Napoleon's Russian campaign turned out, a really Bloody Mary...
Josh wrote: "Calathea wrote: "I'm seriously baffled by the raving reviews and high ratings this story gets. I tried it once but never got into it. Not my thing. But hey, we can't all read and like the same stuf..."This is true. I liked CP; it did catch me up, but if it were male/ female, I know I wouldn't be interested, and I'd be all over it for its excesses. Certainly, as a reader, I'm no apt critic. And I do find myself enjoying some things even as I'm aware they are flawed. But, hell, if I'm having fun, I guess that's okay, too.
Becky wrote: "I read the sequel, Like Pizza and Beer, last month. I enjoyed them both. Sadly, I can't find any thing more recent from the author, or any suggestion that she's planning to continue the series."Becky, I loved that book too! (As well as #1, Like Coffee and Doughnuts. Very fun mysteries with great chemistry between the MCs.)
I was in a small mourning pocket after since it seems the author isn't writing now. :( On the bright side, it was at least great to read these two books. :)
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Oh my. We are very proud of you. In fact — I'm in awe. :)
Recently finished Kim Fielding's Brute. Nice fantasy/fairy tale romance.I particularly liked that she subverted the fairy tale formula and her main character is more of a "ogre" of a man. He's kind of like both Beauty and the Beast in one, where he's treated poorly for how he looks, but his kindness, resilience, and humility humanizes those around him. It's a sweet story (with a good fairy tale ending.)
Susinok wrote: "I like the Cut and Run books, but not crazy in love with the series like many seem to be.Ty and Zane's dynamic seem to be different now that only one person is doing the writing. It's not bad, bu..."
No, I'm not either. It's one I'd like to like but really I don't. Something about the writing, the banter etc. cuts me loose. I mean, I'm not personally engaged though I wish to be.
ttg wrote: "Recently finished Kim Fielding's Brute. Nice fantasy/fairy tale romance.I particularly liked that she subverted the fairy tale formula and her main character is more of a "ogre" of a man. He's ki..."
I enjoyed it, too. It was nicely unusual for our m/m reads and just a lovely story.
Aleksandr wrote: "Yeah, took me sixteen semesters and many years to grow one and now he cannot shut up. :)"Mine too, although (un)fortunately he knows some time-periods quite well and others not at all. And he's very UK and European focussed...
ttg wrote: "Becky wrote: "I read the sequel, Like Pizza and Beer, last month. I enjoyed them both. Sadly, I can't find any thing more recent from the author, or any suggestion that she's planning to continue..."I love these books! I do hope that the author does write more.
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I finished Infected from Prey and am now reading Prey.
I read, then skimmed Baelal, Book One: Calcaria. It reads like it was translated from another language (intentionally?), almost like some of the yaoi novels I've read. It was very wordy and frequently revisited what just happened from another character's POV, which can be effective/interesting in small doses. But I kind of want to know what happens to the MCs, just not sure I could make through book two...
I read Pink Fizz, a sweet story set in the south of France. The French family reminded me of our French friends.
Johanna wrote: "Katharina wrote: "After I've finished my current big project that is, but I can proudly say that I'm almost at the end of War and Peace (well, I have another 250 pages to go, but after more than 19...":D If you ever have time, give it a try, it's a far easier read that you would think!
Juthi wrote: "Also can someone explain to me how the ratings and rankings on this site works? On the lists there are sometimes huge discrepancies between them. How can some books be ranked so high by readers but..."I don't understand your question? I assume "rating" means the number of stars (1-5). But what does "rank" mean in "be ranked so high"?
Juthi wrote: "Also can someone explain to me how the ratings and rankings on this site works? On the lists there are sometimes huge discrepancies between them. How can some books be ranked so high by readers but..."I think it is the same with any other art forms. Music, Paintings etc. Taste's a varied. Some will give a bad rating if there is a cheater in the book.:) Some hate to much sexual content or dislike the story in general. Even characters can be disliked, whilst others love all of the above. Bad writing is "usually" acknowledge by many though. I try to rank by... how much entertainment i got out of it. If I love to read it again, or even a third time. If I have to read most of the night, because I can not put it down... that usually deserves a good mark.:)
I struggled with Collusion for days and when I finally finished it, I needed something completely different. I was lucky with Dead in L.A.. I enjoyed the book immensely. Charming and entertaining and I can't wait for the sequel.
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ETA: I read back and now I'm really interested in trying Johanna's rec Every Time I Think of You."
Pink Fizz. Don't be put off by the cover. A sweet, light read.
Karen wrote: "I read Pink Fizz, a sweet story set in the south of France. The French family reminded me of our French friends."That's Thom Lane's third story in the same setting. I've read the first two and find the first one absolutely perfect:
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ETA: I read back and now I'm really interested in trying Johanna's rec Every Time I Think of You."
When I once asked the exactly same question here, Emanuela recommended me Sno Ho. It worked like a charm. :)
"Aleksandr wrote: "Yeah, took me sixteen semesters and many years to grow one and now he cannot shut up. :)"Hj wrote: Mine too, although (un)fortunately he knows some time-periods quite well and others not at all. And he's very UK and European focussed ..."
Sixteen semesters! That's eight years is it? Do you both have masters then or PhDs? Blimey no wonder yours won't shut up. Three years for mine although she did claim to be an expert on East Euopean history with a sideline in the English Civil war. She adores footnotes and still doesn't understand why novels don't have them. As a result she used to spend most of her time asleep and would only startle wake with a sharp no if ever I reached for something labelled historical fiction. My reading Skybound and As Meat loves Salt have almost won her over apart from the comment that it was a shame they didn't quote their sources and she was completely oblivious to my explanation that was not what writers do when they're telling a story.
Thankfully David Jones does use notes for In Parenthesis. I know this is because he's copying TS Eliot although far less pretentiously. She thinks it's because he's being historically accurate but without interupting the flow of the poem with lots of detailed information. Actually she does have a point there.
Hj - yep, very focused on Europe here, too. :)Caroline - Yep. I could have been faster, but I was working 3 jobs and the last 2 semesters were largely for all the exams and stuff. I have an MA (Magister Artium), which included writing a 100-page thesis on Charlemagne's foreign and dynastic policy. I was planning to become a professor, but in the end, they killed all the PhD jobs at pretty much all universities, and I might have got a 1/3 job paying 800 EUR a month, having to work a 40-hr day job while doing teaching and all the ground and dirty work for a professor and then face very uncertain job prospects in my mid- to late thirties. Essentially, that's for the independently wealthy, people living with their parents (mine were both dead) and people who don't have any other hobbies/are more driven/brilliant than I was. :)
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Ouch! :-D
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I think too that every book is just not for every reader. I see books highly recommended here that I... just don't think they're very good. But I figure if that many readers like them, there's obviously an element there that I'm immune to. In the same way that I can't bear raisins in cookies, but yet understand that the fault lies not within the raisins. :-)
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The lists are just put together by individual readers, right? So someone might adore a historical novel that a lot of readers just don't cotton to.
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Not that this isn't a perfect example or anything, but...
...Oh. My. God. Another one?!!! I've never understood why hubby likes to eat raisins, but refuses to eat anything with raisins baked in it (cookies, buns...). Is there a philosophy behind this?!
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I recall that hubby's motto is something like "nothing from the vegetable world should ever be baked inside anything in pastry world"... ;)
(I think that the only exception is blueberries in blueberry pie.)
How can you not like raisins? In anything?!?
This what I adore about this community, we're supposed to talk about books and reading and the writers about writing, but before you know it, the talk is about food, or coffee or grandparents or raisins! What's not to like about raisins btw? ;)
Lou wrote: "I can't stand raisins. Whenever a baking recipe asks for them, I replace them with dried cranberries."Me too! I've become more tolerant in the last years (I absolutely hated them growing up and refused to eat any, now I eat them if they aren't too noticeable), but I'd rather have anything else - dried cherries, apricots, cranberries, bananas, etc. - than raisins. They're just... icky. :)
:::raises hand:::: I like raisins. I love cinnamon raisin bread though I rarely get it, and I love oatmeal raisin cookies.
Susinok wrote: ":::raises hand:::: I like raisins. I love cinnamon raisin bread though I rarely get it, and I love oatmeal raisin cookies."Hmmm... Cinnamon Raisin bread. I've also recently discovered Pane Di Ramerino - that is even better. I've never had oatmeal raisin cookies though.
Anne wrote: "This what I adore about this community, we're supposed to talk about books and reading and the writers about writing, but before you know it, the talk is about food..."
Trouble is Anne I've had supper already right but now I find I'm ransacking the kitchen cupboards looking for dried fruit.
Juthi wrote: "Also can someone explain to me how the ratings and rankings on this site works? On the lists there are sometimes huge discrepancies between them. How can some books be ranked so high by readers but..."Juthi, Listopia lists are ordered by the number of people who voted for each book. (Voting just means that a person thought that book belonged on the list.) At the end of each entry it will say "43 people voted" or some such. This means that 43 people thought that book belonged on "Best Gay Unicorn Shifters." It does not mean that those 43 people thought that book was #1, or even better than any of the other books.
The more popular and well known books get more votes because more people know about them, but this has nothing to do with their quality ratings. It might, however, be an indication of how well they fit the theme of the list. Does that make sense?
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Q&A with Josh Lanyon
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I've re-entered the LANCELOT books by Sarah Luddington. I left them for awhile because, for one thing, the adventures are almost nonstop and exhausting, though they eventually resolve in a very satisfying way. You take a deep breath, enjoy vicariously the mc's restup; suddenly that's over and they're off again. Also, Lancelot's love interest seemed to shift from one person to another, too much for my taste. However, that settles down after the first book and a half or so. He's always known himself as a heterosexual and he'll always regard women from that vantage. But he finds his feet learning real devotion as you get further into the books.
If you enjoyed the Voinov Mercenary/Soldier books, give these a try. They are very passionate and heartfelt. The author is good enough to bring me around from despising a character to weeping, literally, at her death. I was flat out weeping at the end of Lancelot's Curse, for the loss of pretty much everything but his life. She makes us feel it with him. Yet I rush on to the next, because though i'm told those goodbyes were forever, I know they're not. One way or another...
I'm about to read the latest entry, Betrayal of Lancelot--as soon as I stop going on and on here, in fact.
In case I haven't said, his committed romantic attachments--and there are two, but not together--are both male.