What else are you reading? (June 2010 - May 2013) *closed* Showing 2,951-3,000 of 13,523

[[deleted user]]

I've read A Hidden Beauty and Those Who Cherish by Jamie Craig which I liked and Ransom by Lee Rowan which I liked a lot, but only the first book in the series, I didn't like the second book at all.

[Emanuela ~plastic duck~]

Suhi wrote: "Ransom by Lee Rowan which I liked a lot, but only the first book in the ..."

I liked Ransom very much too. Why didn't you like the second (which I have to read for a challenge)?

[[deleted user]]

Emanuela ~Zstyx~ wrote:
"I liked Ransom very much too. Why didn't you like the second (which I have to read for a cha..."
It was very different from the first book. No, wait... The first half was good, but it went downhill from the middle. I read it quite some time ago and forgot some stuff but I remember there was a huge hole in the plot and the two main characters weren't quite themselves.

[Susan]

Lauraadriana wrote:"...today I've spent the day with S.J. Frost's rockstars..."

I'm currently reading the 5th and latest entry in the series - . One of the best series I've read.

[Sylvia]

Lauraadriana wrote: "Read today this book ROCKED MY WORLD...Perfection. LOVED IT!!"

Great story!

[Jordan]

I'm actually pausing on the m/m front. Since I'm writing a sci-fi story for the July Reads, I jumped into sci-fi, because I don't read enough of it as it is, and I do like it. So, The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury is in my bag.

But then... then! I thought I would return this library book I've been trying to read for two months. It's nonfiction (which I don't normally like to read) about homosexuality in Germany before and during WWII. It's called The Pink Triangle by Richard Plant. And I tried to return it, seeing as i couldn't get past chapter one, but then I picked it up again the other day and took it into work, thought I would skim it and put it back on the shelf. But nooooo! I got caught up in the craziness and couldn't put it down. So, I'm also finishing that right now. Seriously, some high ranking people were VERY messed up in the head back then, and I'm not even talking about Hitler. Scary shit.

On a happier note, I'll be out of town for a few days this week, and along with some sci-fi, I'm planning to bring two m/m books with me: A Taste of Love by Andrew Grey and Touch Me Gently by JR Loveless.

Ironically enough, I'm going to a book expo, and should come home with a suitcase full of free books, and yet, I'm bringing books to read with me. Of course, there will be no m/m books there, and I know I'll want that. Especially on the long bus ride to and from the thing.

[mc]

I love scifi, Jordan S.. It reminds me of my nerdy (well, nerdier) days of grade school and discovering Asimov. Totally addicted to that stuff - but I haven't dipped my toes in that water for a while. This was the same time that I used to read....don't mock me....Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, which dates me mightily! Probably when I discovered Hammett and Chandler, too. Hmm. I need to start re-reading some of that.

Sorry about the bus ride, though - they make me so queasy! Can't read during one.

[Jordan]

mc, I used to not be able to read during a bus ride, now I don't mind it so much. I'm actually hoping to get some writing done on the bus too, but not at 6am when I'm still half asleep!

I actually have The Foundation Trilogy on my coffee table to read someday soon! And I was told to read The Left Hand of Darkness, because the aliens are similar to those I'll be writing about next November. Woot!

Just finished The Pink Triangle this morning. Finally. It's a good book, though of course, a very sad one, especially the epilogue, when you realize just how personal this was to the author who did the research, and why he did the research.

Anyway, on to happier books!

[Anne]

@mc -- I was a sci-fi geek in high school, also. Marion Zimmer Bradley (in spite of being 'pulp') and Bradbury were my favs.

@Jordan -- Are you going to let the Pink Triangle inform your writing for a while? It sounds like that kind of book. I might have to read it....

[Jordan]

Anne, I've thought about it, but I wouldn't unless I was writing historical romance. But I have to say there was a lot in the book I didn't know, especially about the Gay Rights Movement before WWII.

[Anne]

Jordan S. wrote: "Anne, I've thought about it, but I wouldn't unless I was writing historical romance. But I have to say there was a lot in the book I didn't know, especially about the Gay Rights Movement before WWII."

Actually, I'm thinking it will be good for the series I'm working on. I put it on hold at my library.

[Jordan]

You won't be disappointed Anne! I'll admit, the chapters are few, and long. Especially the first one. That was the hardest to get through, and which had me wanting to give up. but there's a lot of good info there, so stick with it.

[Anne]

Jordan S. wrote: "You won't be disappointed Anne! I'll admit, the chapters are few, and long. Especially the first one. That was the hardest to get through, and which had me wanting to give up. but there's a lot of ..."

Okay, good. Thank you!

[[deleted user]]

Still in the grove with SJ Frost reading #3 and read a sweet little book today, I snagged it from Edina's updates adorable and so smart...I loved it

[[deleted user]]

Finished last night, still a bit shaky from that...

And started today

[mc]

Lauraadriana, looking forward to hearing what you have to say about The Administration. I hadn't heard about it until I joined Goodreads, and really got into the series, though it certainly isn't easy to categorize.

[[deleted user]]

mc wrote: "Lauraadriana, looking forward to hearing what you have to say about The Administration. I hadn't heard about it until I joined Goodreads, and really got into the series, though it certainly isn't ..."

Well I'm about 35% into this one and I am REALLY LIKING the MCs, specially Toreth's twisted ways...I stopped to read Reverb with a friend tonight, but I will keep you updated in how I do with The Administration...

[JPerceval]

The Conquest series sounds really interesting, and got my vote for June. *g*

I'm working my way through some other group reads now. My Delphi group tied up big-time on our next official discussion group, so we're going to talk about two (one official, one not). So I'm reading one now: . I love Jacquie D's contemporary books -- they're so heartwarming and funny. Highly recommended for those here who also like m/f romance.

The other book is , which I'll start eventually.

[Emanuela ~plastic duck~]

I'm liking Mind Fuck a lot. I like questionable characters.

[mc]

So do I. It goes back to enjoying a range of types of books, for different moods. I also like the world creation involved, not saying I understand all the ins and outs, but I have a very good sense of this society, and found it well done.

Of course, one has to be prepared for the more extreme elements of the book.

[[deleted user]]

Emanuela ~Zstyx~ wrote: "I'm liking Mind Fuck a lot. I like questionable characters."

You and me both sister!

[Becky]

I'm really looking forward to Reverb, although it's going to be a while, with all the books I've bought recently. It looks much more serious than her other rocker books.

[Charming]

mc wrote: "Lauraadriana, looking forward to hearing what you have to say about The Administration. I hadn't heard about it until I joined Goodreads, and really got into the series, though it certainly isn't ..."

Yeah, people really need appropriate warnings for these, starting with the fact that especially the first isn't really what I'd call a romance. But wow, are they good.

[[deleted user]]

Charming wrote: "mc wrote: "Lauraadriana, looking forward to hearing what you have to say about The Administration. I hadn't heard about it until I joined Goodreads, and really got into the series, though it certa..."

Charming you mean the Chester Himes books?? NO, NOT ROMANCE...but damn good at that.

@Becky Reverb is awesome so far, reading buddy and I are really loving this book

[Blaine]

Edina wrote: "By the way, I was wondering if some of you have heard about this author, , who recently wrote two gay/mm romance: (a novel)..."

I've got them both, but so far I've only read his
I loved it!!! It's gay fantasy and young adult, but I fell in love with the world he created.

I have too many books that I still need to read and not enough time to read (then again ... who does?)

[Cheryl]

I think someone here had mentioned Syd McGinley and her books sounded interesting. I wasn't sure where to start, so I picked up What Worse Place Can I Beg in Your Love?during Fictionwise's 60% off sale and absolutely loved it. Seven foot tall aliens keeping humans as pets and having rough sex for them may not be for everyone, so buyer beware. I, however, really enjoyed the role reversal. I work in an animal hospital and I thought it was a pretty accurate portrayal of how dogs feel in stressful circumstances, especially going to the "vet". My only complaint about the story would be that the protagonist wasn't a dog, and I would have like to have seen more human reactions from him, but the canine influence did work for the story and had a familiarizing affect. (Though there were times when I felt the alien owner was not managing his pet properly and his actions would have been cruel or confusing to a dog. Then again, it's not a dog, it's a person with higher comprehension/reasoning skills, so who knows)) Good pacing and packs a lot into a short story, but again, not for everyone.

Started The Darkling Thrush today on my lunch break. Only a chapter in and already wowed by the writing (of course) but I think over lunch wasn't the best time to start that one. I feel like I missed a lot of the background story because I just wasn't giving it my full attention.

I'm adding The Administration series to my to-read list.

[Mariana]

Just finished The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by NK Jemisin, very good book. I'm now reading The Mirador by Sarah Monette; another very intricate and interesting book.

[Anne]

Emanuela ~Zstyx~ wrote: "I'm liking Mind Fuck a lot. I like questionable characters."

Wow, that looks good.

[Anne]

Edina wrote: "I checked The Pink Triangle: The Nazi War Against Homosexuals's blurb and it seems interesting, though it is the kind of book you need strength to read. I've got images of the film Be..."

I've never seen that film, and I probably won't :) I think The Pink Triangle will be good, but I'm sort of working up to it....

[Candice]

ns wrote: "Candice,

Thanks for the Prisoner (Megan Derr) rec -- I finally did get hold of it and was able to read it while on the road and really loved it. It turned out to be the prequel to Bound (or rather..."

ns--Welcome back. Missed your voice. I am so pleased you enjoyed it. This forum is the first opportunity I've ever had to share the books I love the best. I can't tell you how cool that is.

I took your rec as well and read Bound. I appreciate your telling me about it being from the same "place," because I had no idea, and I wd have missed out. (I thought it was going to be S/M--no kidding--and I'm kind of over that stuff.) I really enjoyed it; it was a hoot. For one, going back to territory that gave me so much pleasure the first time was nice. Too, I loved the way she took her time and walked us through the growth and change of the main characters, the evolution and finally the reappearance of the Scarlet Army right through the birth of an empire.

I finally figured out what often bugs me about her work. I didn't get it true before when I spoke of it being too sweet. That's not it; that's not even true. It's that her humor, when she lets it come to her, works so nicely. But more often, she presses, and it comes across as precious. People roll their eyes way too much. And if you think about it, there is nothing in any of that that's hard to fix.

Anyhow, I'll keep checking out her stuff for the gems that I'm sure will be there.

[Candice]

Anne wrote: "Emanuela ~Zstyx~ wrote: "I'm liking Mind Fuck a lot. I like questionable characters."

Wow, that looks good."

It's outstanding. And she wrote a bunch more of what she calls "Administration" books. The first few are excellent. Maybe a little uneven after that. But I know I don't miss them when a new one comes out.
(I was wondering if y'all had talked about Manna Francis' books.)
OOPS!--Didn't I just say I was over S/M? Oh, well. Mostly.

[Becky]

Candice wrote: "Anne wrote: "Emanuela ~Zstyx~ wrote: "I'm liking Mind Fuck a lot. I like questionable characters."

Wow, that looks good."

It's outstanding. And she wrote a bunch more of what ..."

This sounds like another book that needs to be nominated for the book club.

[Anne]

Becky wrote: "Candice wrote: "Anne wrote: "Emanuela ~Zstyx~ wrote: "I'm liking Mind Fuck a lot. I like questionable characters."

Wow, that looks good."

It's outstanding. And she wrote a bunch m..."

That's the first thing I thought -- nominate for the book club. It looks amazing in terms of world-building.

[mc]

It really is amazing in the breadth and depth of world-building, Anne, though I wonder if some of it may not be everyone's cuppa tea.

I don't see that Manna Francis has written anything beyond the Administration series (which is not to say that this series isn't enough, mind you! And I think she continues to write more).

Cheryl, the Syd McGinely book is pretty short - how does that read? I admit a bit of a bias against the very short reads, because it's really hard to get engaged in that short amount of space, and if the author is successful enough to pull you in the world, I'm disappointed to be kicked out so fast.

Having said that, I love short fiction in the Chekhovian or Gogol (those Russians! Either 10 pages or 1000!), so I am, yet again, contradicting myself. In the same post.

In the m/m world, there are definitely a few short shorts that rocked my world. Josh's The French Have a Word For It is a particular favorite, and a master lesson of dropping you in the middle of the 'story,' yet giving you enough background and enough resolution to satisfy, completely. I actually shouldn't even limit this story by calling it m/m, because it's just a damn good short short, and it's a good lesson for me in my own writing.

I am really wandering verbally tonight; can you tell I haven't had dinner yet, and it's nearly 11 on the East Coast?!

[Cheryl]

MC,
While I wouldn't mind reading more of the McGinlyy story, there really was a lot packed into it. It was the perfect length for a bedtime read: long enough for me to start getting sleepy, and short enough to not keep me up until stupid o"clock in the morning.

While I usually feel that most m/m stories are too short, I also love a really well written short story, so I share your conundrum! I loved Dangerous Ground precisely because it felt like a literary fiction short story, only more clearly written, and, as you said, enough background info to start and a satisfying resolution to end. I haven't read The French Have a Word For It yet because it looks all small and scrunchy on my iPod, so I need to read that one on my computer.

[Cleon Lee]

Just finished Nicole Kimberling's Bellingham Mysteries series. As always, I love her witty humor. I especially love Peter's inner journalistic musings. Sooo funny... The mysteries are not as developed as most M/M mysteries and the last book the crime is very minor. The romance is sweet though.

Her books are light amusing reading when you don't want to read something heavy. Kind of like well done chicken soup. Is that making any sense? lol I think I draw food parallel too much.

[Blaine]

Cleon wrote: "Just finished Nicole Kimberling's Bellingham Mysteries series. "

I read those recently as well. And you're right. Light, witty and entertaining with a dash of mystery and romance :)

I'm so behind on updating my goodreads *sigh*

[Emanuela ~plastic duck~]

Finished Mind Fuck at 2 AM last night. If you're going to nominate it, I won't comment much, I'd like to hear what you think about it, but Toreth is so wonderfully complicated, almost casual in his ruthlessness, I'd say a sociopathic manipulator in good faith and he has an unbearably sexy dominant side. I'd better stop.

[[deleted user]]

I heard a lot about "The Administration" and even bookmarked Manna's site with the series and now after reading all your comments I just must try it :)

[Sylvia]

Edina wrote: "By the way, I was wondering if some of you have heard about this author, , who recently wrote two gay/mm romance: (a novel)..."

I love , Something like Summer is on my to read pile.

[Sylvia]

Cleon wrote: "Just finished Nicole Kimberling's Bellingham Mysteries series. As always, I love her witty humor. I especially love Peter's inner journalistic musings. Sooo funny... The mysteries are not as develo..."

I started last night because I needed something light after reading a couple of heavy stories. I like all kinds of soup and chicken soup is a nice light recovery soup ;)

[Sylvia]

According to his latest blog, Jay Bell is working on a new interesting project.

[Anne]

You know, I used to read at the pace some of you guys do, and I was always looking for the others like me so I wouldn't feel like such a freak. Now I've found you and what do I do? I stopped reading so much. :(

[Calathea]

Cleon wrote: "Just finished Nicole Kimberling's Bellingham Mysteries series. As always, I love her witty humor. I especially love Peter's inner journalistic musings. Sooo funny... "

I finished the second one Baby, It's Cold Outside yesterday. Can't agree more about the humor and Peter's raging imagination.

What I wonder is why they are rated so lowly. The first only has a 3.48 and the second 3.37. That doesn't fit with my impression of the books.

@Cleon: Do you know if there will be more of this series?

[Emanuela ~plastic duck~]

Edina: it's not easy to read because at the end you end up thinking Toreth manipulated you too :)

[mc]

For all the world-building, the character-building was just as good, IMO. I obviously love the characters we're meant to love (edited to add: in other, more mainstream books), but sometimes, difficult main characters (and certainly, though Toreth is by far the more challenged, but Warrick has his own issues, too) are just so interesting, if there's still a bit of humanity there.

This is the sort of book, that if done well, I really immerse myself in and start to love the characters despite some not so great actions. On the other hand, just reading the blurb, if not done well, it could just have been about some dystopia, with some unlikable characters and a bunch of violence and BDSM thrown in there.

I'd love to read another series like this.

[Sylvia]

Edina wrote: "@ Blaine D. and Sylvia:
I have not read , but it seems like it is very good. Though it is not romance. But I'll try not to be such a romance fanatic and giv..."

Oh, I thought it was romantic.

[[deleted user]]

Emanuela ~Zstyx~ wrote: "Edina: it's not easy to read because at the end you end up thinking Toreth manipulated you too :)"

I'm about 2/3 done and I'm not sure if he hasn't completely brainwashed me :O)

[Emanuela ~plastic duck~]

I capitulated early, lol

@ mc: I totally agree

[Cleon Lee]

Calathea wrote: "Cleon wrote: "Just finished Nicole Kimberling's Bellingham Mysteries series. As always, I love her witty humor. I especially love Peter's inner journalistic musings. Sooo funny... "

I finished the..."

I have no idea, but surely will buy if she writes more :D