Q&A with Josh Lanyon discussion
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What else are you reading? (June 2010 - May 2013) *closed*
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Susinok
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Mar 20, 2013 06:45PM
Ok I am diving in... 649 pages of Lover Reborn by J.R. Ward. See ya'll on the other side. :)
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I think it has to do with Chapter 19 in Volume 2. Emotional content, eroticism, but not kink in this case.
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Did you realise that Adrien encounters a squirrel in A Dangerous Thing? That's wh..."
I also just listened to the ADT audiobook. It made me think that I had missed the beginning of the squirrel posts and that they all went back to A Dangerous Thing. ;-)
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I mean, they could not say enough wonderful things about this book -- whic..."
Feliz rated it 5 stars on JW back in early February. So I checked out the Amazon excerpt, but strangely I couldn't finish it. I tried again today after reading the recommendations here, but I still couldn't push myself beyond Chapter 1. Maybe it's my mood or some odd response to the way it's written. The prologue was promising, but I found the MC off-putting. I've enjoyed other books with similar plot lines, so I have no idea what's up for me with this. It's unusual for me to have this kind of strong immediate reaction to something that obviously isn't crap... So waiting for additional recommends than I'll go for trial 3. ;-)
I am heading out of town. So I will be listening to ADT also. Makes all the driving something to look forward to. It even livens up the lonely hotel room. Afer everything that's been said, I'm excited to experience Chris' performance. As for reading, I'm currently half-way through Chandler's The Big Sleep. It's just, WOW. A luscious reading journey. I'll get back to it this weekend. Really smooth, vivid reading experience.
Susinok wrote: "Ok I am diving in... 649 pages of Lover Reborn by J.R. Ward. See ya'll on the other side. :)"Good luck! I have that book, but I just couldn't make it beyond book 9. I only bothered with it, because I wanted to read V and Butch scenes lol.
Charlinda wrote: "Susinok wrote: "Ok I am diving in... 649 pages of Lover Reborn by J.R. Ward. See ya'll on the other side. :)"Good luck! I have that book, but I just couldn't ma..."
I adore the brotherhood series. JR Ward is such a good story teller. I am looking forward to the next book, which should be out in a few days I think. I have all of them in audio format. I like the narrator as well, he does it perfectly.
ED wrote: "Charlinda wrote: "Susinok wrote: "Ok I am diving in... 649 pages of Lover Reborn by J.R. Ward. See ya'll on the other side. :)"Good luck! I have that book, but ..."
Do you have a favorite book from the series?
Aleksandr wrote: "Personally, I hope we return to the age of smaller books - I just can't get through the long ones these days. The middles drag, they are full of filler, nothing happens, and everything is turned into a long series of 10+ massive doorstoppers. Just *looking* at the Wheel of Time bookcase at Waterstones/Foyles gives me a length-related form of vertigo."As a reader, I'm feeling the opposite. I've read romances recently where the main characters start as complete strangers, gloss over one small problem, and we're supposed to believe they've achieved Happily Ever After. There's no growth in either of the characters. They don't overcome anything to earn their HEA. Sometimes there's not even any logic to the problem, just a random hissy fit. A hundred pages, in and out, and no particular satisfaction for the reader.
Or, and in some ways this is more frustrating, what should have been one solid novel-length story with a complete story arc is carved up into novellas and sold individually. I'm not talking about serials like The Rifter or The Flesh Cartel, where we know that each segment is only a part of a larger whole. I'm talking about "series" that are really just story pieces full of cliffhangers and that don't have solid mini-arcs and resolutions of their own. That's not a novella, that's just the first five chapters. And if I want to read chapters 6 through 10 and 11 through 15, I've got to pay for them separately. It feels like a dirty trick.
Now there are short works that are startlingly good. I'm blown away by how much story Kelly Rand was able to tell in Pearl in just 26 pages. But most authors aren't Kelly Rand.
Becky - yes, but that is shoddy storytelling, which is just universally annoying. Regarding chapters and so on - serialisation is something that people experiment with, and I think in some cases it's tied to the pressure in this genre to publish lots and often. Some stories don't mature enough. In some cases, I've written a sequel mostly because people demanded it, they weren't actually planned or would have gone into the first book. But sometimes it makes sense for structural reasons, I've found.
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"What a great idea, sounds fun. A fun interactive alternative to TV. Around here we are always curious as to the beverages that accompany such things. ;-D"
I agree with Reggie — this sounds lovely, Joe!
We haven't actually read aloud to each other, but very often while we are walking the dog, we talk about the plots and the characters of books (and movies). Hubby tells me about the books I don't have patience to read myself. It turns out that even though I probably wouldn't have enjoyed reading the book in question (the latest one was The Twelve), I enjoy listening hubby while he tells the story and explains his thoughts about it.
This is also part of my sly plan to get him to read his first Josh Lanyon book in the near future. When he already knows some of the characters and highlights, it'll be easier for him to confront the intimate m/m aspect... and start enjoying the fact that Tucker and Elliot just are amazingly hot together while clinging to each other when standing knee-deep in the lake. (Yes, Fair Game is going to make a good bumper in this case...) *grin*
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"I'm interested to hear how you liked it. Enjoy (I hope).
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Did you realise that Adrien encounters a squirrel in A Dangerous ..."
:-) Hah! For some reason it's extremely nice to know that so many of us are listening to the same book at the same time... We should have planned a discussion, shouldn't we?
ETA: Oh... OH! I have an idea. Why don't we have a discussion on Come Unto These Yellow Sands around the time the audio book comes out? Wouldn't that be fun? What do you guys say?
Johanna wrote: "OH! I have an idea. Why don't we have a discussion on Come Unto These Yellow Sands around the time the audio book comes out? Wouldn't that be fun? What do you guys say? ..."I say YES!
Johanna wrote: "Reggie wrote: "Joe wrote: "My partner and I are reading The Killer Wore Leather by Laura Antinou aloud to each other, and we love it. The characters are rich, funny and in depth. We care for so man..."That does sound nice. I would love for my boyfriend to read to me. He has a nice voice. :-) But I don't think he has the patience for it... and I'm pretty sure he wouldn't be too interested in reading m/m romance to me. :-D
I saw a friend of mine from high school last year (I've been out of high school for... well, let's just say it's been quite a while.) and he said, "Remember when you read Interview with a Vampire to me?" I'd forgotten all about it! I read the entire book to him. So apparently I like to read to others as much as I like being read to.
Regarding long versus short stories: When I'm in love with a book's characters, I want the story to go on and on. I feel sad when I reach the last page... like I've had to say goodbye to dear friends. But, having said that, if I'm loving the characters, then it's probably a well written book. And no, I wouldn't want a book full of senseless padding. My mind wanders easily enough as it is.
The ironic thing, given my love of audiobooks, is that I hate being read aloud to in real life. No-one has tried to read a book to me lately, but bits from newspapers, other articles, text messages, whatever - I'll read them if pointed to them but I don't want anyone to read them aloud to me.Not sure why! It's not specific to certain people, it's general.
Johanna wrote: "Susinok wrote: "Ok I am diving in... 649 pages of Lover Reborn by J.R. Ward. See ya'll on the other side. :)"I'm interested to hear how you liked it. Enjoy (I h..."
So far it's going well. I am back into the BDB groove and have picked up the storyline fairly easily. Ward is able to remind you of past actions without being obvious about it. Nice.
Johanna wrote: "ETA: Oh... OH! I have an idea. Why don't we have a discussion on Come Unto These Yellow Sands around the time the audio book comes out? Wouldn't that be fun? What do you guys say? ..."Sure thing, since I'll be listening soon as it comes out.
Tina Kay wrote: "Regarding long versus short stories: When I'm in love with a book's characters, I want the story to go on and on. I feel sad when I reach the last page... like I've had to say goodbye to dear frien..."I agree.
I get frustrated with short books that seem to leave story out, and really enjoy longer stories that delve a little more deeply into the characters and the conflict.
That said there is a pretty fine line between a long story that tells a tight story and a long story that becomes cumbersome and boring. This is probably why even the most talented authors need good editors.
Mod
What I can say, is that I like long books. Extra long books. So long as they're written well, and hold my attention. When I bought Wraeththu, I bought the single omnibus edition, and really enjoyed it. I read the first two books in a row, before taking a short break and getting into the third. I really enjoyed all the Special Forces books. As has been said, sure they could have been a little shorter, but length didn't matter so much for me while reading. They kept my attention. Same with some other books.
On the other hand, I really enjoy novellas because they're quick reads, that aren't short stories. I can gobble down a lot of those in a short period of time and really feel like I'm accomplishing a lot. lol.
Mod
Hey, that's nice!
I enjoy reading to the younger students and I shamelessly use it as means to calm a lively group, while they are doing art. That's something I learned as a young teacher in a hospital school for the children in the psychiatric ward — the calming power of reading aloud. ;)
Come to think of it... nobody has read anything to me out loud for the longest time... no wonder I enjoy the audio books so much. :)
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"I'm interested to hear how you like..."
Well, that's good to hear. :)
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Thank you so much for sending it all the way to Finland, Caroline! And thanks for letting it go into the world in the first place, Aleks. :)
Awww. :) I like the idea of a "collective" book. We should keep doing that.
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Yes, we should indeed. In fact, we could expand our "collective" repertoire a little bit... I could send my copy of Every Time I Think of You to someone. Anyone interested? It's a good book. At least I liked it a lot.
ETA: Or maybe this isn't such a good idea from the author's point of view... or what do you authors think?
Aleksandr wrote: "Awww. :) I like the idea of a "collective" book. We should keep doing that."that's a good idea :)
Johanna wrote: "I enjoy reading to the younger students and I shamelessly use it as means to calm a lively group, while they are doing art. That's something I learned as a young teacher in a hospital school for the children in the psychiatric ward — the calming power of reading aloud...."Oh, that's really interesting! What age group?
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From 7 to 12 years old.
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"Okay! You have to promise to report back!
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Did you realise that Adrien encounters a squirrel i..."
Speaking of which (discussions, I mean), I was going through the H&M discussions yesterday making notes. Wow! I am impressed all over again at the care and attention with which you guys read.
It's almost intimidating!
But those discussions are so fun with all the asides and the links and videos and photos. Just incredible. It's like making the books interactive.
But actually what I was looking for and can't find was one of you, and I think it was you, Johanna, once posted about how Scandinavian Kit's character was. Do you still have that post (probably not) or do you recall where that post was?
Yes, I am working on the H&M book in between editing MOM and working on a short story that suddenly hit me out of the blue.
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I like that! It's a pleasure to be read to -- but I agree that it is an equal pleasure to read a beloved book to someone.
The last one I read, and haven't finished was Lover Avenged. They are truly a favored series. I believe I might have to Nook the book. They get really heavy and feel odd while reading them at work. (I work for Disneyland). Though, I love reading snippets of Josh's work aloud to co-workers.
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I agree, by the way. Although I write a lot of short stories, I do prefer to read longer works.
I don't mistake my personal preference for legitimate literary criticism, I just know if I love characters, I want to spend more time with them. I LOVE spending time with them.
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Ha! That's interesting.
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Absolutely. Although, I will say, if after twenty or thirty years an author still needs a lot of content editing, they're in the wrong job. :-D
Truly. It's like any skill or craft. If after a few decades you need as much help as you did in the beginning...? There's an issue.
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Did you realise that Adrien encount..."
Intimidating, huh? LOL. ;-)
Yeah, it was me who posted about Kit having so many Scandinavian qualities... let me browse a little and I'll get back to you.
ETA: You making notes while reading our discussion on H&M books? For some reason I find that awfully funny! :-)
Josh wrote: "Tina Kay wrote: "Regarding long versus short stories: When I'm in love with a book's characters, I want the story to go on and on. I feel sad when I reach the last page... like I've had to say good..."That's very true. But if these books that make you love the characters so much were more drawn out without adding actual substance and plot then I probably wouldn't feel that way anymore. On the other hand, if there was a whole other story part added (or a sequel) - that is something totally different :D
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Yes, we should indeed. In fact, we could expand our "collective" repertoire a little bit... I could s..."
It's like our personal lending library. I can't see any objection to that!
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Holy moly! :-D
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Yes, we should indeed. In fact, we could expand our "collective" repertoire a little ..."
Well, I'm relieved if you think so. I suddenly felt that maybe we're being really rude towards the authors in question, and that we are probably violating all the copyright laws there are (which actually is the case I'm afraid...).
Anyway, I personally like this idea of Aleks's. :)
I think passing the book around doesn't really violate the copyright - if anything, if somebody likes the book enough, they'll buy their own copy, so it's more like Bookcrossing.
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Amen. :)
Johanna wrote: "So, anyone interested in reading Every Time I Think of You paperback? :)"Sure, definitely! I'd also could offer a copy of Wicked Gentlemen, but I guess, most of you have already read that...
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Sure, definitely! I'd also could offer a copy of Wicked Gentlemen, but I guess, most of you have already r..."
Great! Write me a PM with your address in it and I'll send the book to you, Katharina. :)
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Oh, if you haven't read Wicked Gentlemen you definitely have to. Drop everything when it comes. That book is that amazing!
Susinok wrote: "Aleksandr wrote: "Sarah - WE couldf psych each other up for the Erickson."I bought the first two Erickson's on sale recently. Got'em for 1.99 each on Amazon. I'll join. :)"
I've started it - interesting if confusing - doesn't help that I'm not brilliant with names & really struggle with maps. Resorted to 2 bookmarks so far - one in the Dramatic Personae at the start, the other in the Glossary :)
Johanna wrote: "So, anyone interested in reading Every Time I Think of You paperback? :)"Me, too! :D I've had it on my to-read-list for ages.
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Me, too! :D I've had it on my to-read-list for ages."
Cool! Katharina can send the book to you after she has read it. :)
I imagine that you two might even live quite close to each other... or do you both live in Germany?
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