What else are you reading? (June 2010 - May 2013) *closed* Showing 3,651-3,700 of 13,523

[Kaje]

My library has a rental read system for the best-sellers, the ones where you are number 264 on the request list in the regular catalog. They buy a bunch of extra copies and rent them for 10 days for $4. It gets the library extra income, since they can pay for the book with a few rentals and the rest is profit. That's how I get my fix of J.D. Robb, John Sandford, Michael Connelly, Jonathan Kellerman, and so on.

[Anne]

ns wrote: "mc wrote: "ns, now that I'm committing to an ereader, I've been noticing ebook prices - I was looking at a book (I wish I remembered the title, but it was in the area of physics or some such) and t..."

This is how I see mainstream publishing. They're walking along some train tracks, and they hear the faint sound of a whistle. They look back.

St. Martin's: "Dude, is that a train?"
Pocket: (shrugs) "I didn't hear anything."
Bantam: "Huh. Weird. Musta been a bird or something."

They turn and continue walking. But then they hear the whistle again, and when they stop and turn? They can see a bright light, level with the tracks but way off in the distance. It looks like the headlight on a locomotive engine.

Bantam: "Oh. Guess Martin was right. Looks like a train. Think we should move off the track?"
St. Martin's: "Well, it's still a long way away. We probably have a while before it catches up to us..."
Pocket: "Maybe if we just walked faster?"

They turn around, and begin walking faster.

I think you see where I'm going with this.

[mc]

I am not a bloodthirsty soul, but I am looking forward to the train hitting one of them or at least scaring the hell out of them all.

How in the world are electrons more expensive than paper?

Anne. I am so loving that example. Just smashing. No wonder you're a writer :)

[Cleon Lee]

Anne wrote: "ns wrote: "mc wrote: "ns, now that I'm committing to an ereader, I've been noticing ebook prices - I was looking at a book (I wish I remembered the title, but it was in the area of physics or some ..."

SPLAT!

[ns]

mc wrote: "ns, I was going to buy that Tinnean book - like you, I love the way he writes. Not that I'm asking for one of your lovely long reviews, but in a nutshell, what about that book didn't satisfy - you're such a prolific reader that I can't imagine what might disappoint (or bore) you that much. "

It was touted as a "gay Pride and Prejudice", and my first assertion is that whoever made that statement had obviously never read P&P. They may have meant a "gay Jane Eyre", because it starts off a little similar to that. OK, Very similar. Then veers into very confusing territory.

Murky characters, as though the author never really sorted them out. Ridiculously contrived plot (and this is already grading on an m/m curve to begin with, notorious for ridiculously contrived and asinine plots). Key scenes missing. Very much a lurch from one situation to another without any explaining just why this would really be happening.

Parts of it middle and close to the end got a lot better. But it was as though the author hadn't really decided what the book was going to be about, what he wanted to explore, where the characters were going to reach. I gave up about 70% in, I think.

Note, it wasn't that bad, not compared to some of the other crap I've waded through. But there was nobody in the book I cared enough about to stick it out for.

[mc]

Thanks, ns. As always, very helpful.

I have an ereader now. Kind of. So why am I taking my laptop to bed with me to read?

[ns]

mc wrote: "Thanks, ns. As always, very helpful.

I have an ereader now. Kind of. So why am I taking my laptop to bed with me to read?"

You are a lost cause, mc. Or you're obviously not doing *something* right :).

I've been on the ereader bandwagon since 1992, actually, when I (wanted them) and was interested in them as a student, and actually even considered my first job at a tech company who were going to work in that area. I should have filed some patents or something then, idiot me.

I ended up doing something different, which was good, because they never did come out with an ereader and many years later Amazon beat them to the punch :).

[mc]

I know. I offer myself up to be mocked mercilessly, taunted by the big words you all use so well, then flayed by paper cuts before leaving me in the noon-time Ecuadorian sun, while bagpipers play a mournful tune, and an old man writes an ode to 'woman, short of stature, foolish and stubborn,'

I may need to switch to something else, because, yes, clearly, I'm doing something wrong :) I have a week to decide before returning.

[Cleon Lee]

mc wrote: "I know. I offer myself up to be mocked mercilessly, taunted by the big words you all use so well, then flayed by paper cuts before leaving me in the noon-time Ecuadorian sun, while bagpipers play ..."

You need to be an author or a poet. Seriously!

[Becky]

ns wrote: "I just did a search for Josh Lanyon and they helpfully asked if I was searching for Nosh Canyon."

Bwahahahaha!

Yeah, my library has zippo when it comes to m/m. But I do pretty well with mainstream ficiton. I can pretty much count on them having e-copies of anything that's likely to hit the bestseller list. It really frees up my book budget for non-Big 6 ebooks, which are generally much more sanely priced.

[Anne]

mc wrote: "I am not a bloodthirsty soul, but I am looking forward to the train hitting one of them or at least scaring the hell out of them all.

How in the world are electrons more expensive than paper?

Ann..."

You know, I haven't gotten a notification since last night that anyone's replied to this thread.

You don't even want to know where I got the idea for that example.

[Anne]

mc wrote: "I am not a bloodthirsty soul, but I am looking forward to the train hitting one of them or at least scaring the hell out of them all.

How in the world are electrons more expensive than paper?

Ann..."

I think it has more to do with traditional elitism than the cost of paper vs electrons, IMHO.

[Anne]

ns wrote: "mc wrote: "ns, I was going to buy that Tinnean book - like you, I love the way he writes. Not that I'm asking for one of your lovely long reviews, but in a nutshell, what about that book didn't sat..."

Thank god I bought it with a coupon, at least. I've wasted my money on worse. Maybe.

[Anne]

mc wrote: "Thanks, ns. As always, very helpful.

I have an ereader now. Kind of. So why am I taking my laptop to bed with me to read?"

Well, sometimes when we take a new companion to bed, it takes us a while to let go of the old one. Think of it kind of like break-up sex.

[Anne]

mc wrote: "I know. I offer myself up to be mocked mercilessly, taunted by the big words you all use so well, then flayed by paper cuts before leaving me in the noon-time Ecuadorian sun, while bagpipers play ..."

mc, I can't believe I'm saying this, but maybe you should return it. Maybe the refurbished color route was the way to go. Or you could just wait and see what's around the corner.

[Anne]

Cleon wrote: "mc wrote: "I know. I offer myself up to be mocked mercilessly, taunted by the big words you all use so well, then flayed by paper cuts before leaving me in the noon-time Ecuadorian sun, while bagpipers play ..."

You need to be an author or a poet. Seriously!

I agree. Or just come writing with us for a weekend...

[Cleon Lee]

I'm reading a book with an idiotic stereotypical portrayal of Chinese family. Not happy at all. *fumes*

[Cleon Lee]

Edina wrote: "Cleon wrote: "I'm reading a book with an idiotic stereotypical portrayal of Chinese family. Not happy at all. *fumes*"

Oops! I guess it must be annoying.
I was wondering, in case you've read it, w..."

I haven't read it, but based on the blurb and synopsis, I think so, yes. If the writer is Chinese, at least she's going to get the mindset right. Chinese mindset is tricky. I haven't read any non-Chinese author portrayed Chinese mindset correctly.

A few of my favorite writers are Amy Tan, Pearl S Buck, and Lisa See. Most authentic Chinese books are depressing as hell though. LOL.

I am not asking the author to understand Chinese mindset, but really, a mail order bride from Hong Kong in 21st century is a bit too much, don't you think?

[Kaje]

Cleon, have you read the S.J. Rozan mysteries with Lydia Chin? I love her character (US born) and the older members of her family, but I don't know authentic from sweet-and-sour chicken.

[Blaine]

Cleon wrote: "Edina wrote: "Cleon wrote: "I'm reading a book with an idiotic stereotypical portrayal of Chinese family. Not happy at all. *fumes*"

Oops! I guess it must be annoying.
I was wondering, in case you..."

As long as we're reccing:
What about and
I still haven't read the second one, because my eldest's ex has the first one, and I want to reread that one before I start 'Fury'

I loved Silver Phoenix, though :D

[Cleon Lee]

Kaje wrote: "Cleon, have you read the S.J. Rozan mysteries with Lydia Chin? I love her character (US born) and the older members of her family, but I don't know authentic from sweet-and-sour chicken."

I am going to look at it.

Again, I am not asking the author to research deeply or even GET the mindset. Only a lifetime growing up in fucked up Chinese family can make you gets it, really. lol. But the stereotypes, the racism, they're just making my blood boils.

[Cleon Lee]

Edina wrote: "@ Cleon
I see. Well, the author is Chinese so I think I'll give it a go.

I am not asking the author to understand Chinese mindset, but really, a mail order bride from Hong Kong in 21st century i..."

I'll send you a message.

[Josh]

I just did a search for Josh Lanyon and they helpfully asked if I was searching for Nosh Canyon

Now THERE is a writer. I just love everything he does.

[Josh]

Kaje wrote: "Cleon, have you read the S.J. Rozan mysteries with Lydia Chin? I love her character (US born) and the older members of her family, but I don't know authentic from sweet-and-sour chicken."

I love those too. Lydia is a great character.

[Cleon Lee]

Oh yeah, I just want to make it clear that I am no way an expert of Chinese culture/ values, especially the ones in other countries. But I am very very skeptical that mail honor bride would still be a tradition in the 80s or even 90s.

If you want to read about cultural clash between older generation & younger generation in Chinese family in America, read The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan. It's an assignment book for my Human Philosophy class but I really really enjoyed it and can relate to it.

[Mandapanda]

Lori wrote: "I'm definitely digging anything by Mary Calmes. I love her work :)"

Bit late seeing your msg Lori but I'll second that. I've enjoyed most of her books. I was of two minds about The Servant. I felt like she couldn't marry the fantasy part of the book with the romance. If she had concentrated more on either it would have been better.

Unlike ns I finished Heart in Hand and thought it was ok despite the choppy storyline. I actually enjoyed the part when they were trapped in hell. It reminded me of a storyline from an old fantasy book I love called Madouc (Lyonesse pt 3). I'd be interested to know what you all thought of Sinnerman which I've just finished. I was quite disappointed with that one. On a high note she has another book out in July called Again which I'm looking forward to.

[Mandapanda]

ns wrote: "Anne wrote: "Darn it, I just bought that Tinnean a couple weeks ago."

Well, it's perhaps not that bad, not compared to the other books I listed, but still, nowhere near as good as the Mann of My Dreams series, sadly (regency historical). ..."

I've found a couple of the authors of those great online fiction stories I've loved (e.g. Tinnean's Mann of My Dreams and Aggy Bird's (aka Angelia Sparrow) Like a Sparrow Through the Heart) have disappointed me with their newly published works. I wonder if they find it hard to narrow down their focus to a shorter format.

[Merith]

MandyM wrote: "Lori wrote: "I'm definitely digging anything by Mary Calmes. I love her work :)"

Bit late seeing your msg Lori but I'll second that. I've enjoyed most of her books. I was of two minds about The Se..."

Mary Calmes I approach with caution most of the time. She tends to have one MC who is mister perfect in every way whom everyone loves/wants and another MC who is nearly neanderthal. I've read a lot of her stories, and have enjoyed some. I am enjoying the Warder series (His Hearth, Tooth and Nail, Heart in Hand and Sinnerman). I haven't finished #4 yet, and it's closely matched between 1 & 2 on which I like better (so far).

I am waiting for Again as well. :)

[Merith]

Picked up Let There Be Light a few weeks ago, and started it tonight. It looks interesting with spies and bodyguards and Steampunk! Can't go wrong with that (I hope).

[Mandapanda]

Merith wrote: "Picked up Let There Be Light a few weeks ago, and started it tonight. It looks interesting with spies and bodyguards and Steampunk! Can't go wrong with that (I hope)."

I'll be interested to know what you think of that Merith. I've got it on my TBR shelf. I'm a fan of R. Cooper's other stories: Some Kind of Magic and Winner Takes It All.

[Mandapanda]

I just finished Yakuza Pride by a new author H.J. Brues. It's one of the better new releases this year so far. It's set in Japan but the author writes beautifully of the places and lifestyles in a way that makes it totally approachable and understandable. Definitely a romance but has some violent scenes too when one of the protagonists is kidnapped. Worth taking a look!

[Merith]

MandyM wrote: "Merith wrote: "Picked up Let There Be Light a few weeks ago, and started it tonight. It looks interesting with spies and bodyguards and Steampunk! Can't go wrong with that (I hope)."..."

I LOVED Some Kind of Magic! It was such fun. :) I have Winner... but haven't started it yet.

[Merith]

Edina wrote: "I agree with you. I like A Matter of Time series, because I discovered the author via this series and felt in love with Jory, but sometimes, I am tired of too many "Jorys" (the perfect gorgeous guy everybody desires and only The One can have) and some real "neanderthal" men (you found the right word). I sincerely hope she will do something different for a change. "

Oh I think that's her niche, though. It's what makes her books sell; there will be those who like/love what she writes, how she writes, some of us who enjoy it every so often, and those who loathe it.

She's very good in the true romance sense. It's just in the m/m genre, a lot of us recognize that men should be more male without being too perfect. ;)

[Ami]

I recently finished Sarah Madison's , which gave me a wonderful gargoyle character that I just fall in love with.

Now, I'm reading Johnny Diaz's , only a couple of chapters and I'm charmed already. Maybe because the MC is a professor, and it is actually inspired by his own article about dance for people with Parkinson. Apparently Mr. Diaz is also a Boston Globe reporter. This might be interesting ...

[Cleon Lee]

Ami wrote: "I recently finished Sarah Madison's , which gave me a wonderful gargoyle character that I just fall in love with.

Now, I'm reading Johnny Diaz's [bookcover:Take the..."

Gargoyle! It should be interesting!

[Susan]

Ami wrote: "Now, I'm reading Johnny Diaz's [bookcover:Take the Lead."

Looks like the same cover models used for Josh's All She Wrote.

[Calathea]

Susan wrote: "Ami wrote: "Now, I'm reading Johnny Diaz's [bookcover:Take the Lead."

Looks like the same cover models used for Josh's All She Wrote."

I would say, it's even the same picture they used for both covers.



(something's wrong with the "add book/author" link, or is it just me?)

[Josh]

Calathea wrote: "Susan wrote: "Ami wrote: "Now, I'm reading Johnny Diaz's [bookcover:Take the Lead."

Looks like the same cover models used for Josh's All She Wrote."

I would say, it's even the same picture they u..."

I don't like that cover on his book any more than I did on mine.

[Josh]

Merith wrote: "MandyM wrote: "Merith wrote: "Picked up Let There Be Light a few weeks ago, and started it tonight. It looks interesting with spies and bodyguards and Steampunk! Can't go wrong with ..."

That sounds great. I just added it to my wishlist. In fact, it just occurred to me to create a wishlist and then I could keep track of some of these books.

[Becky]

Josh wrote: "Calathea wrote: "Susan wrote: "Ami wrote: "Now, I'm reading Johnny Diaz's [bookcover:Take the Lead."

Looks like the same cover models used for Josh's All She Wrote."

I would say, it's even th..."

At least the Diaz cover is a little less busy. On All She Wrote you name kind of gets lost in their groins.

Actually, Take the Lead sounds good-- anything with Parkinson's will at least grab my attention for a second look.

[Cleon Lee]

Not really read, but I just finished watching Inception and my thoughts are:
1) Wow, wouldn't be cool if an author take this idea and write an M/M fic with it?
2) I keep wanting Cobb (Leonardo Di Caprio) and Fischer Jr to kiss each other senseless. I think they will soo pretty together. LOL.

[Yvonne]

Ami wrote: "I recently finished Sarah Madison's , which gave me a wonderful gargoyle character that I just fall in love with.

Now, I'm reading Johnny Diaz's [bookcover:Take the..."

Take the Lead sounds interesting. I see the writer was a reporter for the Miami Herald & covered the Elian Gonzalez story. I lived in S. Florida at the time & you couldn't escape the coverage as Miami & surrounding area was (& probably still is) mini Cuba. This book looks like it will have a latin flavor too. I'll just add to my pile to read.

[Cleon Lee]

Edina wrote: "Cleon wrote: "Not really read, but I just finished watching Inception and my thoughts are:
1) Wow, wouldn't be cool if an author take this idea and write an M/M fic with it?
2) I keep wanting Cobb ..."

LOL. Am I the only girl that never thought him as hot (unless he's gay)? George Clooney, now that, I wanna keep. :D

[Susan]

Josh wrote: "I don't like that cover on his book any more than I did on mine."

OMG I loved those two on your cover! So hot together.

[Emanuela ~plastic duck~]

Gerard Butler

*swoons*

I liked Di Caprio A LOT in The Departed.

[Becky]

I'm not a George Clooney fan. He was cute (if a baby) back in his Roseanne days, but he hasn't done anything for me since. Being a bit of a geek, I'm more of a Captain Jack fan. Harkness, not Sparrow.

[Cleon Lee]

My newest crush is Jake Gyllenhaal in Source Code and of course Matthew Morrison in Glee. What can I say? I have a weakness for a tragic hero & smart guy. ;)

Talking about cover, I still can't get over how sweet Icecapade cover is. It's Josh' best cover so far. Others... with few exception,not so much. Sorry, Josh.

[Cleon Lee]

Edina wrote: "Ok, girl, we keep them BOTH! And we steal Anderson Cooper. If you like Clooney, then you probably like AC..."

Don't lose hope girls, even if all hot actors are gay, if there is a GFY why not SFY? LOL

I think we need to do some Inception on our own, you know, planting ideas that we are the hottest girl ever? Let's start with Gerald Butler for Emanuela and Matthew Morrison for me. :D

[Cleon Lee]

Edina wrote: "Cleon wrote: "My newest crush is Jake Gyllenhaal in Source Code and of course Matthew Morrison in Glee. What can I say? I have a weakness for a tragic hero & smart guy. ;)



Talking about cover,..."

Both Icecapade covers are lovely.

Oh yes, Mummy Dearest. I forgot. Do you see the sexy professor? *swoons*

[Becky]

The only one allowed in bed with me today is the cat. But if someone would plant the idea that I need to win the lottery, I'd really appreciate it!