What else are you reading? (June 2010 - May 2013) *closed* Showing 2,151-2,200 of 13,523

[Cheryl]

LOL! I've never ever ever ever thought to make a connection between BDSM and oraganized religion! Church is going to be so much more interesting now!

[Cleon Lee]

Josh wrote: "Merith wrote: "Lou wrote: "The first two of Chris Owen's Deviation books are decent, even if light on plot."

After everyone's been talking up Chris' Deviation series, I bought the first two. I s..."

*snorts* Religion, especially Christianity, is so like BDSM it's not even funny. All submitting yourself to God's will and denying yourself, serving others, sacrificing yourself for others, taking pleasure in pain (in martyrdom concept), and all those rituals. There are even talks of Jesus being a masochist, although I don't support the theory. Perhaps it is why BDSM don't have the same appeal to people in Asia? Because they have different religion background?

I am raised Christian and the first time I really started to question the doctrine was when I read slash fanfic, how could love be wrong and all that. The rest is history.

[Yvonne]

I never thought of BDSM that way before but I see similarities-like one of the equipment is the St. Andrew's cross. I just knew I wasn't terribly attracted to reading fictional romances about it.
I've read real accounts by practitioners, pain junkies & subs, and it can be really harsh. It involved things like waterboarding & having electrodes over their body & being in so much pain that afterwards their reactions resembled those of shellshocked soldiers.

[Cheryl]

I think I just spent so much time being bored out of my mind in church that I never made any connections between religion/BDSM. I do remember that at my niece's baptism, which was the first time I had stepped foot into a church in years, I had been reading Tell My Horse: Voodoo and Life in Haiti and Jamaica by Zora Neale Hurston, and I was just terrified at how similar Catholicism was to Voodoo and had to restrain myself from grabbing the baby and fleeing the church with her. Would have looked really bad since I was the godmother! Anyway, after that Santeria made a lot more sense, at least in the ways in came about. So I've always associated organized religion more with superstition and boredom.

I remember questioning Catholic doctrine in CCD classes before even making communion, and one of the things I questioned was the anti-gay thing. I guess it just was never meant to be between the church and I.

[Cleon Lee]

I've read real accounts by practitioners, pain junkies & subs, and it can be really harsh. It involved things like waterboarding & having electrodes over their body & being in so much pain that afterwards their reactions resembled those of shellshocked soldiers.

Seriously, both the doms and the subs really need to get help. Isn't this crossing the "sane" line? *shudder*. I stumbled on a het bondage porn clips a few years ago. The memory of the brutality and the scream made me unable to sleep for days and bugged me until now.

A little bondage, submission, & discipline might be hot, but when people start to lose their boundaries then things can get very very bad.

[Becky]

It's the same reason I've never tried martial arts. All that formalized respect creeps me out.

I think I'm going to read The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks today. I've been trying to time things so that I can read it during a thunderstorm, and we're due to be rainy/stormy all afternoon and evening. Yum!

[Cleon Lee]

Cheryl wrote: "I think I just spent so much time being bored out of my mind in church that I never made any connections between religion/BDSM. I do remember that at my niece's baptism, which was the first time I ..."

I was a devout evangelical Christian with all it entailed. I read theological books when I was in junior high. I joined Bible study group with my best friend, who was even more fanatic than I did. On the other hand, it turns out that I have a pervert side. That is why I immediately can spot the similarities fairly easily. I am not "out" that I am no longer a Christian to my family and friends and they always push me to find nice guys at church. So, I kinda understand about "being in the closet" thing. lol.

[Yvonne]

Cleon wrote: "I've read real accounts by practitioners, pain junkies & subs, and it can be really harsh. It involved things like waterboarding & having electrodes over their body & being in so much pain that aft...

Seriously, both the doms and the subs really need to get help. Isn't this crossing the "sane" line? "

If I remember correctly, this sub wrote that after a particularly painful "Play" involving electrodes at a BDSM club, he wandered around for 2 days not knowing what he was doing. Other members of the club found him staring blankly into space. They (not the dom who did the play with him) offered him comfort until he was back to normal again. It seemed like the big appeal is that the BDSM club was like a family to him with everyone pitching in to help each other. It's like a larger than life hurt/comfort lifestyle & sort of like a how stockholm syndrome works.

[Jordan]

Josh, yeah I could tell that Kimo was going to stay single for at least a few books the way the first one was/is going. I'm glad it changed his mind on keeping him single forever.

The first book is totally well written, and it doesn't bother me at all that he won't hook up for life in it. And, viewing that he just came out and is learning to accept himself the way he is, and to accept and deal with the reactions of his family and coworkers, it would be way too cliche if he suddenly found his life partner and everything was HEA so soon. I'm very happy with the way it's all going down so far.

[[deleted user]]

Josh wrote: "I think Reed might offer a more realistic view of his gay leading men than I really want.

I think an ongoing and (I find) fascinating problem for men writing in this genre is the fact that they ..."

not just a problem for men writing in this genre, darling, and only a problem if we care about sales- to hell with cowboys! I'm writing lit fic!

[Anne]

Yvonne wrote: "(instead of a girl in disguise, some writers can't tell the difference). I wish the writers in this medium would include more variety. "

I stopped reading most het romance because the girls were driving me nuts (TSTL), it drives me nuts to find it in M/M. That said, flamboyant or even stereotypically gay can be really enjoyable. I think someone alread mentioned
Strawberries for Dessert, which I loved.

Really, I just want the characters I read about to be believable as people. Even in fantasy.

[Anne]

Josh wrote: "I think Reed might offer a more realistic view of his gay leading men than I really want.

I think an ongoing and (I find) fascinating problem for men writing in this genre is the fact that they ..."

Thank you! Exactly how I feel. I like verisimilitude, but please, end the book before the wedding (or equivalent). I don't want real life in my fiction -- I get enough of that at home.

[Anne]

Josh wrote: "I'm reading Primal Red

In fact, I'm reading -- and enjoying -- the whole Bellingham mystery trilogy. I started backwards with Black Cat Ink and then I realized I'd never finished ..."

Oh, that's so on my list, now.

[Anne]

Cleon wrote: "Josh wrote: "Merith wrote: "Lou wrote: "The first two of Chris Owen's Deviation books are decent, even if light on plot."

After everyone's been talking up Chris' Deviation series, I bought the fir..."

I think the reason Christianity doesn't have that much appeal for a lot of Asians is because it isn't tailor-made for their culture, like it is for ours.

But yes, I love the BDSM parrallel. Especially since I grew up Catholic.

[Anne]

Can anybody recommend any good M/M (fiction) anthologies? I'm in the mood. For anthologies.

[Merith]

Josh wrote: "I'm reading Primal Red

In fact, I'm reading -- and enjoying -- the whole Bellingham mystery trilogy. I started backwards with Black Cat Ink and then I realized I'd never finished ..."

I adored the Bellingham mystery series! That are such fun and so well written. :D I have pretty much everything published by Nicole. Now I just have to pull it up on the Sony and read it!

[Merith]

Anne wrote: "Can anybody recommend any good M/M (fiction) anthologies? I'm in the mood. For anthologies."

What flavor of anthology? A specific genre or category? There are several that I really enjoyed, and there are some I could just toss as soon as opened.

[Cleon Lee]

Anne wrote: "Cleon wrote: "Josh wrote: "Merith wrote: "Lou wrote: "The first two of Chris Owen's Deviation books are decent, even if light on plot."

After everyone's been talking up Chris' Deviation series, I ..."

Christianity, especially charismatic ones, are growing like weeds here! There are more than 6 churches within a mile radius here.

But it is true that Asians view religion differently than Westerners. Religions here are mostly means to an end, usually to gain wealth & health. They are also mostly still attracted to the mythical aspects of the faith, like faith healing & such. So, even though they embrace the same religion as Westerners do, their POVs are still mostly different.

Also, most Asians (with the exception of the Japanese) are very very conservative when it comes to sex. Women who lost their virginity before marriage are still considered second hand items here. Even at more modern and liberal places like Hongkong or Singapore, sex is supposed to be with people you love. And if you see how awkward their mouth to mouth kissing scenes on movies even on erotic scenes, you'll understand what I am talking about.

I am sure there are people who practice BDSM. I can imagine light bondage. However, for serious BDSM with consensual relationship where both parties enjoy themselves is perhaps still unthinkable for people here.

[Merith]

Josh wrote: "I think my main problem with BDSM is I have trouble with authority and rules and expectations in general. I don't respond well to these things just as I don't respond well to organized religion (which is what BDSM reminds me of). "

Oh, I would so agree here! I mean, there can be such strict rules on behavior and belief in both worlds. In fact, when I was young and impressionable, I really wanted one of those men that were so right (with God, with the world with what-have-you) that I could just give myself over to them and let them rule my life. Now that I'm old and know better, there ain't such an animal. I imagine it's that way for those in the BDSM realms as well.

I think I enjoy a good BDSM story because it's so outside my world. And if there's an equal exchange with romance and love, then I'm happy with the story. *I* know there are people out there who desire someone to take care of them (some so much so they have no original thought); and I know there are people out there who thrive on controlling others (some who don't even realize they're doing it). More power to them... it's just not for me.

[Merith]

I am currently reading . It's very good so far.

[Merith]

Jordan S. wrote: "Merith, You can safely read through book three of the Deviations series. If you can forget that Phan's story won't be quite wrapped up, it's an OK ending otherwise. But if you don't want it to turn..."

Thanks for letting me know. I've reshuffled my 'to-read' pile, but will probably make my way back to these two eventually. :) I just have to put what will eventually happen out of my head while reading the current situation.

[Anne]

Merith wrote: "Anne wrote: "Can anybody recommend any good M/M (fiction) anthologies? I'm in the mood. For anthologies."

What flavor of anthology? A specific genre or category? There are several that I really ..."

I don't really have a particular flavor in mind, other than M/M. I guess I get sick of the ones where the majority of the stories are lame, and I'd like to know some that others felt were more worth it than not.

If it helps any, I think my favorite anthology that I read in the last year was The Ties That Bind. Although honestly I really don't like Laura Baumbach.

[Yvonne]

Thanks for letting me know. I've reshuffled my 'to-read' pile, but will probably make my way back to these two eventually. :) I just have to put what will eventually happen out of my head while reading the current situation. "

I have a hard time with that with series sometimes. I've been reading the Game of Thrones & keep stopping every time I think, this character he's going to kill in book 3 or George Martin will never finish this series (he started A Song of Ice & Fire 14 years ago), I then get discouraged & put it down. Just knowing a little of what's coming in the series(if it's bad) can be enough to stop me from reading any of the books.

[Candice]

When I was a teenager and Rosemary Rogers was very big, we were still supposed to be "good girls." But if the handsome hero gives a girl no choice, she is perfectly free to enjoy all of that tawdry sex while maintaining her happy moral high ground. Having your cake; or, in this case, keeping your virginity even while blissfully losing it.

[Anne]

Candice wrote: "When I was a teenager and Rosemary Rogers was very big, we were still supposed to be "good girls." But if the handsome hero gives a girl no choice, she is perfectly free to enjoy all of that tawdry..."

I really wish I'd know there was a way to blissfully lose my virginity. Except then he would have had to marry me, right? And if I'd married that guy... ugh.

I never quite thought of it that way. And it occurs to me, now, how much relationships as defined by those books required someone maintaining the moral high ground.

[Yvonne]

Lil' Grogan wrote: "Josh wrote: "When readers want reality they buy non-fiction.

What readers of fiction, especially romance readers, want is a blend of reality and romantic fantasy. WHY is this so hard to understand...

This I find interesting. Perhaps it's the response of readers: the cries of characters not being realistic or believable, not enough diverse characters reflecting real life, not enough condoms. At the same time, the opposite (or sometimes same) camp crying not enough romance, no HEA, TMI, not enough … werewolves. I find myself arguing both sides, especially the werewolves. =) "

This is so true. We readers give out a lot of mixed messages. I think the only agreement is most want their romance stories to end happily.

[Anne]

Lil' Grogan wrote: "Josh wrote: "When readers want reality they buy non-fiction.

What readers of fiction, especially romance readers, want is a blend of reality and romantic fantasy. WHY is this so hard to understand..."

I think writers write what they wanna write. I know I do. One of the reasons I write is because no one else is going to tell the story of the guys populating my head. And if they did, they might get it wrong. :)

Sometimes we just get lucky and other people want to read what we wrote.

So, you didn't like Trust Me, or just not enough? I keep putting it on, then taking it off my list. Guide me....

[Anne]

Lil' Grogan wrote: "Anne wrote: "Can anybody recommend any good M/M (fiction) anthologies? I'm in the mood. For anthologies."

His For The Holidays? Wrong time of year, I know. Anthologies are tough."

Oh, that was a good one, I forgot all about it. Maybe I'll go back and re-read it. I liked Because of the Brave even more, come to think of it. Well, Josh's story, at least. Which I can never remember the name of. But the LB Gregg story in His for the Holidays was good, too.

[Anne]

Yvonne wrote: "This is so true. We readers give out a lot of mixed messages. I think the only agreement is most want their romance stories to end happily."

Okay, recently I read a book that got me to a point where I didn't want it to end happily Undercover Sins. I'm not sure what to say about it. It had some serious flaws, but it was seriously thought provoking. Way too much exhibitionism for me, but still worth the read.

[Bubbles Hunty]

yep i am reading that and it is funny and light. I am really loving it so far... Warning it is super gay though so if you don't like obvious/noticeable homosexuals it probably isn't for you

[Cheryl]

OMG. I want to read that for the title alone.

[Cleon Lee]

Lil' Grogan wrote: "Josh wrote: "When readers want reality they buy non-fiction.

What readers of fiction, especially romance readers, want is a blend of reality and romantic fantasy. WHY is this so hard to understand..."

Thanks for the rec. Even if it's badly rated, I'm going to read the book, just because of the theme.

[Bubbles Hunty]

Lil' Grogan wrote: "Bubbles (Dane) wrote: "Warning it is super gay though "
*giggles* Am waiting for your review. =)"

I have had like no personal reading time today, hopefully i can finish it tomorrow but so far it is really good. I even love the bad guys lol they are all just so fun

[Cleon Lee]

Lil' Grogan wrote: "Anne wrote: "So, you didn't like Trust Me, or just not enough? I keep putting it on, then taking it off my list. Guide me.... "

Oops..I read back my comment, I guess I wasn't too clear. I did like..."

I got it and also another book that deals with religion theme in historical setting,
, thanks to FW discount code. I've been meaning to read Aleksandr's work for a while.

[Cleon Lee]

Josh wrote: "I'm reading Primal Red

In fact, I'm reading -- and enjoying -- the whole Bellingham mystery trilogy. I started backwards with Black Cat Ink and then I realized I'd never finished ..."

Another series to add to my to-buy list. lol. I'll wait until FW offers 40 - 50% and buy all books in the series at once. I am really impatient when it comes to know what comes next. That is why I usually avoid long series, with the exception of authors I really like. *is craving Partners in Crime so bad*

[Cleon Lee]

Lil' Grogan wrote: "Cleon wrote: "I got it and also another book that deals with religion theme in historical setting,
Test of Faith, thanks to FW discount code. I've been meaning to read Aleksandr's work for a while...."

I am really looking forward on how Aleksandr portrayed that religion in the fic. In that time, Islam was the lesser of 2 evils.

Now... well... sigh.. suffice to say if the fanatics had succeeded yesterday, my house and the entire housing complex might not be more than rubble today. They planted 300 pounds of explosive on pipe gas near a church and timed it to go off on Easter.

[Becky]

Cleon wrote: "Now... well... sigh.. suffice to say if the had fanatics succeeded yesterday, my house and the entire housing complex might not be more than rubble today. They planted 300 pounds of explosive on pipe gas near a church and timed it to go off on Easter. "

That's so horrible. I'm glad that the plot was discovered in time.

[Cleon Lee]

Becky wrote: "Cleon wrote: "Now... well... sigh.. suffice to say if the had fanatics succeeded yesterday, my house and the entire housing complex might not be more than rubble today. They planted 300 pounds of e..."

Yup. Either the teroriests have big big mouth or it is "God's will" or whatever, but here I am still annoying you guys. lol.

[Merith]

Yesterday, I spent some time trying to catch up on reading my Time Magazines. One of the issues (I think it was the April 11th issue) had an article that immediately made me think of it being part of a story Josh would write.

David Foster Wallace was an author who wrote thinky-type books. Ones which are assigned in college courses all over the states (and maybe elsewhere). Unfinished Business, Time calls it... the duffel bag filled with notes and napkins, notebooks and a partially finished manuscript. This description invoked the picture of one of Josh's characters being handed such an item and asked to finish the manuscript. But you know, there are secrets in the notes, ones some people would kill to keep them secrets.

The article's pretty good, makes me want to read the two books discussed.

[Jordan]

So I finally finished Mahu late last night... or was that early this morning? lol. It was a terrific read, for sure. I wish I had the next book in the series, but I don't. Ha. I also have about 50 unread books on my coffee table, so I don't need more books yet, as much as I might want them!

The trouble now is... which book out of the many stacks do I read next? Decisions, decisions... We'll just have to see, I guess.

[Becky]

Cleon wrote: "Yup. Either the teroriests have big big mouth or it is "God's will" or whatever, but here I am still annoying you guys. lol."

You're not annoying. The flock of geese that are a-honk, a-honk, a-honking outside my window (and the stupid next door neighbors who keep feeding them) are annoying. You are a peach!

[Becky]

Merith wrote: "This description invoked the picture of one of Josh's characters being handed such an item and asked to finish the manuscript. But you know, there are secrets in the notes, ones some people would kill to keep them secrets. "

Sounds like Elliot's dad.

[Dee Wy]

Just finished by Amy Lane. Like Josh, she's an automatic read for me on anything new, and I've gotten a bit behind on her books, so trying to catch up.

One book we will not be reading is . An obvious case of a JL Langley book being plagiarized, and Samhain pulled it. See post here - http://www.teddypig.com/2011/04/hello...

[Yvonne]

I just read that about the plagiarism. It was so blatant. I hope they don't let this person get away with that.

Re Keeping Promise Rock: I've hesitated because I've seen someone describe it like Cold Mountain, where the two people are basically never together in the story. They have separate stories while striving to come together. Is that really the case?

[Dee Wy]

Yvonne wrote: "Re Keeping Promise Rock: I've hesitated because I've seen someone describe it like C..."

No, not the case at all. Yes, they are separated for a time while one serves his country in Iraq, But they are together most of the book and in constant contact while apart.

It's a beautiful love story which I probably rushed through faster than I should have - approx 350 pages if memory serves. The first chapter portrays a horrendous event then goes back in time to the beginning of the story. This made me somewhat desperate to find out what happened after that event, and it's a long time before you find out.

Writing it this way certainly kept the tension high and was a great hook to start off the book. But it made me impatient too.

[Merith]

Yvonne wrote: "Re Keeping Promise Rock: I've hesitated because I've seen someone describe it like Cold Mountain, where the two people are basically never together in the story. They have separate stories while striving to come together. Is that really the case?"

In some part, yes. They are together from a young age, before they even realize how they really feel for one another. That realization comes too late, and most of the rest of the book is about their separate stories. The last quarter of the book is about them coming back together and reconciling what separated them with all the angst and sap you can get.

[Dee Wy]

Merith wrote: "Yvonne wrote: "Re Keeping Promise Rock: I've hesitated because I've seen someone describe it like Cold Mountain, where the two people are basically never together in the story. They have separate s..."

Actually, Merith, I have to agree that it got a bit sappy, especially towards the end. It didn't feel to me like they were apart that long, I guess because of the way they kept in touch. But, yeah, the middle third (?) of the book they are apart with lots going on.

[Anne]

Lil' Grogan wrote: "Anne wrote: "So, you didn't like Trust Me, or just not enough? I keep putting it on, then taking it off my list. Guide me.... "

Oops..I read back my comment, I guess I wasn't too clear. I did like..."

If you like the subject matter, I can rec a list of books dealing with homosexuality and the church. Most of them seem to be YA, though.

I think I'll put Trust Me back on the list, again.

[Murphy]

Anne wrote: "Josh wrote: "I'm reading Primal Red

In fact, I'm reading -- and enjoying -- the whole Bellingham mystery trilogy. I started backwards with Black Cat Ink and then I realized I'd neve..."


I love this series, I wish she would write more of it!

[Merith]

Dee wrote: "Merith wrote: "Yvonne wrote: "Re Keeping Promise Rock: I've hesitated because I've seen someone describe it like Cold Mountain, where the two people are basically never together in the story. They ..."

I just remember how bad things got for Dec... the scene in the rain and the mud and the horse will haunt me until I get senile.