Q&A with Josh Lanyon discussion
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What else are you reading? (June 2010 - May 2013) *closed*
Could the series have started out any better than with Mark walking into the church and totally smacking Jaime in the back of the head with the Bible? And then Mark had to be hauled out of the church only to be stopped by Tony for driving too slowly! I'm totally twisted, but I couldn't stop laughing; the picture was too perfect in my head! ;-)In and Out was my favorite book, but I think I liked Mark and Tony as a couple best for the reasons you just mentioned, Merith. I think I, too, read that LB is going to write more about the whole gang. I'd like to know Mark and Tony better without Jaime in the way to mess up their relationship.
I finished reading Driftwood, Harper Fox's new release. Wow. Where to start. I loved Life After Joe, I love Driftwood. It's like having children; both books are amazing and I love them equally for the same reasons and for different reasons.Awesome story, awesome writing, great characters, interesting setting, and a terrific dog. What more can you ask of a book? :-)
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Josh wrote: "I love Driftwood. I love all Harper's stories, but Driftwood is my particular favorite."How cool that Lanyon Quoit really exists. I had to look that one up- thank goodness for Google!
You can feel the depth of her emotion when you read her dedication. (I love her dedication too, by the way.) For me, that's the strength and pull of her writing- her strong feelings.
I think that you and Harper are two different sides of the same coin. Your writing is spare, yet descriptive and moving and emotional. Harper's writing is lush and broad and colorful like a landscape painting and it draws you in to the swirl of feelings and emotions.
LC wrote: "I just won a copy of Driftwood *whoop! whoop!* and can't wait to get into it. I loved Life After Joe, and it sounds like this one will be just as excellent - if not more. :-)"*yeah!* You'll like- guaranteed. I got nothing done yesterday because I couldn't put it down. :D
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Thanks for the kind words. I think Harper and I share a similar sensibility (though not style), which is maybe partly why I'm so in love with her work.
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Have you read Test of Faith by Voinov/Gray?. Such a great read. I've read some of his other stuff but this is far and away the best.
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Josh wrote: "Not my kind of thing (judging by the comments about the ending). It sounds very well done, but I increasingly struggle to stay on an emotional even keel."Not an HEA, that's for sure. I WAS going to warn you not to get any ideas about killing off your characters. :)
I just this minute finished Don't Look Back. Really enjoyed it. Always enjoy your characterizations.
Now back to work.
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Voinov's story sounds like it builds to a powerful and inevitable conclusion. I like the fact that such stories are being written in m/m even if I don't choose to read them.
L.B. wrote: "::snort::I'm still reading the Penguin Book of Gay Short Stories when I find the time. I absolutely adore this book, and not simply because it suits my recent snail-like reading pace. It's chock ..."
Hi L.B. Not sure if anyone else has responded. I'm gradually working my way through them. It's huge! So far, "My Life" about a hospitalised theatrical impresario has to be my favourite.
How Noel Coward conveys character and action as much by what is not said as is what is said. Brilliant.
I'm also reading "The Beauty of Men" by Andrew Holleran which is as much about ageing as anything. The scenes in the nursing home with his mother are painful, they're so true. Not a book you can read in one go, though.
I just started reading The Forbidden Room but honestly, till now (page 63 of 262) I really do not know what to think about it.
This week I finished Fair Game, Shades of Gray & A Note in the Margin. The first 2 were fantastic! ANITM was good in that it held my interest, but I had some issues with the background detail. All were book length which I really prefer.
Alli wrote: "This week I finished Fair Game, Shades of Gray & A Note in the Margin. The first 2 were fantastic! ANITM was good in that it held my interest, but I had some issues wi..."Alli, I would be interested to know what background details bothered you in ANITM. I'm thinking about reading this book. Thanks.
One of the characters had some severe mental issues, supposedly due to a nervous breakdown. I'm no pro, but the cause didn't fit the illness. The book is a decent length, but it wasn't explained at all. Other than that, it's well written...just a bit superficial.
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What do you mean, Arzu?
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Thanks, Alli. I think Shades of Gray was recently recced to me. It sounded a little too much like Mexican Heat (if it's the story I'm thinking of).
There are vague similarities to Mexican Heat, although it's been a while since I read that book. I'd compare it more to Zero At The Bone.BTW, Tucker was adorable - I loved his sense of humor!
Josh wrote: "Arzu wrote: "I just started reading The Forbidden Room but honestly, till now (page 63 of 262) I really do not know what to think about it."What do you mean, Arzu?"
FYI, this book was recommended to me in challenge. Before reading, I always check the reviews, not the general overall reviews, but those of my friends, especially the reviews of the people, friends whose reading habits, preferences are similar too mine. When they talk positively, mostly I am sure that I'll like the book. And this was also the case for The Forbidden Room.
I started reading this book and normally, after a few pages,let's say 2 chapters max, I get into the book, feel the book, the characters, anticipating next scenes, just be a part of the book (know that sounds soo ... damn). With this book, my mind was constantly doing something else, not focussing enough, ... This got me so disturbed, that halfway trough the book I stopped and read something else. The next day, I started reading the second half of the book and that was much better. I am one of those who read a book till the end, even if they don't like it, hoping to find something. I know, it's stupid and actually a waste of time.
Here, I always had the feeling, something is about to happen, it will come now, where is this "moment suprême" what makes this book so good.
I mean, each book has it. In most books, it builds up slowly from the beginning troughout the book, making the reader wanting to know what will happen next. It is not a specific moment. For example, in Fair Game according to me, one of those striking moments was the shooting of Elliot at the lake.
Here I had the feeling nothing happened till halfway. Second part got better, but still ... Should I read the sequel?? Realy don't know.
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When it comes to series, it's tricky because the books have to stand alone, but at the same time, you can't judge a series unless you've read all the books in it. It's like trying to view a puzzle without all the pieces.
And some books will always be more popular than others -- even from a favorite writer and even within a favorite series.
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It's been recced enough to me that I may give it a shot one of these days.
BTW, Tucker was adorable - I loved his sense of humor!
:-D What I think works about FG is how it takes quite a while for the reader to see how Elliot's hurt and insecurity has skewed his perception of what really happened between them. Both Tucker and Elliot are so concerned with not showing weakness that they fail to grasp that the other did genuinely care. I think that reluctance to show "weakness" (emotional vulnerability) is actually a problem for both men and women in a lot of relationships. Not just romantic ones.
Finished Shattered Glass by AC Katt yesterday, very intense, well-written story, enjoyed it very much. This morning I finish Fair Game, Loved it!
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So what's Shattered Glass about? What's everyone reading these days?
Shattered Glass is about a group of guys that grew up together and formed a band. Two of the members are gay and are attracted to each other but have to wait until the younger one is old enough before they can have a relationship. The band does takes off and does great but then they have to replace one of the members when he goes to law school. The guy they replace him with does his best to sabotage the relationship of the two men and the band itself. It works and years go by as they all try to live and survive (some more than others) then they find out all the lies they have been told.
I just finished Special Delivery. Starting Orientation. I'm also taking a m/m break with Everything Is Illuminated. A couple others I put down & not sure if I'll go back to them. I used to read one book at a time, start to finish, no matter what. Whoever said life was too short to spend on bad books was right though. I hate to waste money, but...NEXT.
I've been reading like a crazy man lately. The most memorable have been Resistance, In the Flesh, and A Demon Inside.Josh, I was wondering if you'd read the article in Out magazine about women writing m/m. If you have done, may I ask your opinion of it? Thanks.
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A couple others I put down & n..."
I agree, Alli. If I'm not doing an official book review, I see no need to slog through something that just bores me or makes my head hurt. I don't have time to read the stuff I'd love to read!
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Rob, I never did read the article. The interviewer actually contacted me, but I find this preoccupation with who is writing what and what makes them tick sort of tiresome, and inevitably that is always the focus of these articles.
Here's how I see it. M/M is romantic fiction and romantic fiction is always looked down on by writers of other genres -- especially if the romantic fiction has erotic content. It's fascinating to me how important love is to human well-being, but how uncomfortable we are admitting we like to read love stories. *g* And yet the genre that outsells all others -- ALWAYS -- is romance.
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LC, the description of Shattered Glass sort of reminds me of Red-Tainted Silence. RTS was one of the first stories I looked over when I was studying the m/m genre.
Josh wrote: It's fascinating to me how important love is to human well-being, but how uncomfortable we are admitting we like to read love stories. I wish I could have a dollar for every time my sister has made disparaging comments about the fact that I read from that genre. I won't apologize for my love of romance and HEAs.
I recently finished Jordan Castillo Price's Among the Living. Victor Bane is an interesting guy. I'm looking forward to more of his and Jacob's story.
I've also just started to read Ethan Day's zany books. At Piper's Point is funny and very touching. I've nearly finished As You Are. Ethan has a way of making everyday events very real. And did I mention funny? Especially after a tough day at work!
Here's how I see it. M/M is romantic fiction and romantic fiction is always looked down on by writers of other genres -- especially if the romantic fiction has erotic content. It's fascinating to me how important love is to human well-being, but how uncomfortable we are admitting we like to read love stories. *g* And yet the genre that outsells all others -- ALWAYS -- is romance.Ding Ding Ding!
Josh wrote: Rob, I never did read the article. The interviewer actually contacted me, but I find this preoccupation with who is writing what and what makes them tick sort of tiresome, and inevitably that is always the focus of these articles.
Yes, it was. I have to say, I went from being excited to see the article to being so disgusted with it, and pissed off by it, I threw the entire magazine away without reading anything else in it. You were quoted early on, which is why I asked if you'd read the finished piece.
Here's how I see it. M/M is romantic fiction and romantic fiction is always looked down on by writers of other genres -- especially if the romantic fiction has erotic content. It's fascinating to me how important love is to human well-being, but how uncomfortable we are admitting we like to read love stories. *g* And yet the genre that outsells all others -- ALWAYS -- is romance.
Perfectly said, as always.
It's a shame, really. There are so many great stories out there that people would really enjoy if they'd stop looking down their noses long enough to read them.
Patty wrote: "I've also just started to read Ethan Day's zany books. At Piper's Point is funny and very touching. I've nearly finished As You Are. Ethan has a way of making everyday events very real. And did I mention funny? Especially after a tough day at work! "Patty, I ♥ you. :) You haven't seen Ethan's zaniness in its full-blown brilliance until you've read Self Preservation! (If you haven't read Christian McLaughlin's Glamourpuss, you should. I call SP Ethan's Glamourpuss.)
When you're done with As You Are, you have to check out Resistance. Wave reviewed it and I had to get it that night. It's one of my favorites of the last 3 months or so.
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Mostly I've read excerpts of Ethan's work, but it's all been really appealing stuff. We have the same editor at LI.
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What's particularly sad to me are the writers within a genre who have trouble accepting that they are writing within a certain genre. The mystery writers who insist that they're literary writers, for example. Not that they can't be both, but there's usually a rejection of the idea of being a mystery (genre fiction) writer.
M/M romance in particular...well, I think there's a real struggle there. There are writers who want the healthy sales that come with m/m romance, but don't want to be confused with a "romance writer." Yeesh.
Personally, I don't find writing romance distasteful or beneath me. All my stories -- mysteries, fantasies, adventures, plain romance -- are also about people relating to each other. I find human relationships -- especially what attracts and connects people -- fascinating. I like writing about it.
Josh wrote: "It's a shame, really. There are so many great stories out there that people would really enjoy if they'd stop looking down their noses long enough to read them. "What's particularly sad to me a..."
In recent years, that's what has bothered me about my sister's impossibly snobbish attitude. She has a mind-set that her reading material, the Vince Flynn, Clive Cussler type stories are more mind engaging/thought provoking/discussion generating than a romance story.
While I'm not putting down those authors- far from it; I have a great deal of respect for their ability- I can say that since I've started reading blogs I've made very careful choices in the books I read. I've found my books to be very challenging and yes, Josh, fascinating. (The only problem I've run into is finding people with whom I can discuss the stories!)
Everything from the clues in a mystery to contemporary life and its related issues to fantasy and the created world that goes along with it. It can be very complicated reading even though it is a romance.
Reading from the perspective of different authors and their characters in a romance, because it is about people relating to each other, has changed my world view in many ways. I like that about romance. And the happily ever afters. ;-)
Rob wrote: "Patty, I ♥ you. :) You haven't seen Ethan's zaniness in its full-blown brilliance until you've read Self Preservation! (If you haven't read Christian McLaughlin's Glamourpuss, you should. I call SP Ethan's Glamourpuss.)When you're done with As You Are, you have to check out Resistance. Wave reviewed it and I had to get it that night. It's one of my favorites of the last 3 months or so. "
Ha-ha! I heart you, too, Rob! Guess what? I down-loaded Self Preservation last night as soon as I finished As You Are. Brilliant minds think alike!
I need to start a new shelf: Books to Read. It will take me years to get to all of the books I would like to read!
Josh wrote: "What's particularly sad to me are the writers within a genre who have trouble accepting that they are writing within a certain genre."This is something that has really annoyed me within the SciFi genre. I just don't get it. Margaret Atwood, an incredible writer, insists that she doesn't write scifi. But The Handmaid's Tale and Oryx and Crake are classic social scifi. The Road is also classic scifi -- in fact, McCarthy's premise is a standard trope in scifi, and frankly, he does it no better than many other authors have (no worse either, I'm not dismissing the book, but there are other great ones out there). Yet he snootily insists it isn't scifi. WTF? The attitude really sours me on the authors.
I get that authors don't want to be shoehorned into a genre that they are then expected to write exclusively, but really, these people don't have to worry about that, they are well-established big names that stand apart from genre definitions. I'd get it more if it was a novice author saying that they are not a (name genre) author, but to completely divorce themselves from the genre is bigoted, frankly.
Sorry. Rant over. :p
I just read KA Mitchell's Regularly Scheduled Life. Quite wonderful -- I especially appreciated just how real the arguments were. Very moving to watch, very well written and insightful. Speaking of thoughtful themes within a genre read. :)
Amen to all the comments here regarding the genre! I think it's funny how, in TV/film pop culture, it's the sci-fi "geeks" who get made fun of, but in reality, the most sneered-at genre is romance. And yet, as Josh rightly points out, romance outsells ALL the other genres, every time. The new "sneering" trend I don't like is the exclusivity of genre fans. Gods forbid there be a romantic relationship (or even worse, a sex scene) in their mystery or sci-fi novel!
Ocotillo wrote: "Josh wrote: "What's particularly sad to me are the writers within a genre who have trouble accepting that they are writing within a certain genre."This is something that has really annoyed me w..."
I bought Regularly Sceduled Life months ago & keep putting it off as too intense and/or depressing. (the downside of reading too many reviews) Your comments move it to the top of the TBR pile!
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You always have purists. The mystery readers who can't tolerate romance. The romance readers who don't want a heavy "plot." And yet romantic-suspense is huge -- it's a favorite publisher crossover. Why? Because it sells so well. The loudmouths -- the I HATE THIS! people -- are usually the minority.
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I agree. These are people who take themselves and their place in the larger scheme of things WAY too seriously.
They also seem to overlook the point that by forcibly distancing themselves from a genre, they're basically insulting all the people who love and read within that genre.
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Q&A with Josh Lanyon
Books mentioned in this topic
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Death in Kashmir (other topics)
The Flame Trees of Thika: Memories of an African Childhood (other topics)
Mistress of the Art of Death (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
M.M. Kaye (other topics)Elspeth Huxley (other topics)
Lauren Willig (other topics)
Charlie Cochet (other topics)
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Gobsmacked
Happy Ending
Cover Me
In and Out
I thought the books improved with each title in the series. Every one of the couples are seemingly very different, and yet have a common need for acceptance and just maybe, love. I would thoroughly enjoy revisiting the couples; in particular, Seth and David in Happy Ending. Seth seemed to be more reserved and very prickly. I wasn't sure I always liked his abrupt attitude. I would like to see how he and David have grown together, especially as it seemed Seth was already being affected positively by their relationship at the end of the story. Of the 4 books, In and Out was my favorite. "
While I loved 'In and Out', 'Gobsmacked' is still my favorite. :D I just loved Mark and his antics. Tony's steadfastness off-set Mark's flightiness.
LB mentioned in her FB page she is planning another book that'll include most all the characters in her series. I can't remember if she said it was going to be this year, yet or if it is projected for next year. I know she's been head-down deep working on the second Romano & Albright book.