Q&A with Josh Lanyon discussion
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What else are you reading? (June 2010 - May 2013) *closed*
I'm still puttering along with The Dark Enquiry. The story is good, but I was distracted by reading samples and making my selections for the Fictionwise sale. I've once again managed to buy an embarrassing number of books, but they're almost all new-to-me authors, and I'm really looking forward to diving in! Once I finish The Dark Enquiry, and a couple of Kindle loans that will be expiring soon, and a couple of non-m/m library downloads.Too many books to read. Definitely a first world problem!
I'm restraining myself. I've managed to buy only 2 new books last month - but I have still 140+ books already bought to read... I'm ashamed of myself. But I'll read them. I want to believe that until I have a book to read, I'll live. I aim for eternity...
Emanuela ~hopeless~ wrote: "I'm restraining myself. I've managed to buy only 2 new books last month - but I have still 140+ books already bought to read... I'm ashamed of myself. But I'll read them. I want to believe that unt..."Hi, Emanuela!
The longer I know you the more things I discover we have in common: a friend of mine suggested last year that I count the books I bought, but I still have to read. I wasn't far from your figure, counting paperbacks and e-books. I did then manage to restrain myself... for a while ;-).
Ciao
A
Antonella wrote: "counting paperbacks and e-books"Oh, the paperbacks... not going there, I'm not going to count them, I grab a handful when I go to the beach and that's it :-)
We need a support group for compulsive book shoppers.
Emanuela ~hopeless~ wrote: "We need a support group for compulsive book shoppers. "LOL! We also need another, more specialised one: a support group for compulsive *m/m book* shoppers.
That's better. I still read some m/f but the ratio is 1:4 probably :)
Just finished Dirty Kiss and it's a very impressive debut novel. Really liked it. I'm enjoying the Asian characters and settings in some of the newer releases I've read. It adds another layer of interest to the story.BTW it's been a bit quiet around this thread in the last 48 hrs. Are you guys still getting over your 4th July hangovers?? LOL
Just finished Ghost Star Night by Nicole Kimberling. It's brilliant! Everyone who wants to write fantasy/ spec fic should read this book. The soul owning thing is very chilling, but she managed to avoid writing those BDSM cliches that are getting old fast. I love it!I love Drake, he doesn't think he's honorable, but I think he's the most honorable man in the book. Adam is totally awesome and my heart really breaks for Myrdin.
Antonella wrote: "Murphy wrote: "Victor Banis' work is more GAY Fiction than Gay romantic suspense. The first book introduces the main characters. The second book solidifies the relationship. It is a really good s..."You explained it much better than I did. This Deadly series is one of my favorites.
Another series I really like is the one by Mark Abramson. One of the characters has psychic dreams. But it is a wonderful description of San Fransico. The character development is very good, there is lots of humor and lots of mystery.
OK, I'm just a grumpy, old person, now. FWIW, if you haven't read Harper Fox's Last Line, DON"T read the review at Jessewave if you're at all like me and hate spoilers.
I've read about 5-6 book reviews at the Jessewave site now, and the last 3 I've had a real problem with. The previous 4 were books I had not read, so can't really comment on. The 3 most recent reviews were This Rough Magic, Come Unto These Yellow Sands (both Lanyon) and Last Line, Harper Fox, which I just saw.
I don't know if it's just me, but does nobody respect the reader or the reading experience any more? They give away key plot points like they're talking about chewing gum flavors. WTH????
This is why I don't read reviews before I've read a book. SERIOUSLY. pffffft....
That kind of thing bums me out, too, ns. Usually, reviewers are better about that sort of thing, aren't they?I've been missing all the reviews at jessewave these days, though I do like them as a guideline...I'm not accomplishing much at all, but somehow I'm very busy, or perhaps too distracted.
I really need to get off the internet and try to get to sleep, since it has been avoiding me like days-old garlic bread breath.
I had to share with people who love books, my colleagues don't get the humor of the quote of the day:"There are two motives for reading a book; one, that you enjoy it; the other, that you can boast about it."
— Bertrand Russell
Haven't the reviewers at Jessewave done that for a while? I only read reveiews there sporadically, but I've noticed they have quite a few spoilers in every one I've read. I thought they marked them with warnings, though...I can't figure out who the reviews are supposed to be for, if they have spoilers in them. If I've already read the book, why do I care?
Me too, I appreciate reviews without spoilers, or with the spoilers clearly marked.
I guess I'd disagree. A good review generally has to talk about some of what happens in the book, or it is just an unsupported opinion. I don't really mind spoilers anyway, though. I already know the outcome of any romances I read, after all.
It's true, I don't mind a few spoilers. And obviously, I know what's going to happen in the end in a romance (LOL), but I don't want to know all the details about how it happens, you know? Sometimes I don't mind, but there's the occasional book that has a really surprising twist.Has everyone been reading the Hot Summer Days stories at the M/MR group? Neil Plakcy's went up the other day and it was pretty good.
And speaking of surprising plots, The End of the World as We Know It (or something like that) was interesting. Be warned, it has underaged sex in it.
I guess that goes back to what you consider a spoiler. If it's something that is stated in the blurb, or could reasonably be inferred, then to me that's not a spoiler."This romantic suspense novel has a serial killer who goes after the hero and his cop boyfriend." Not really a spoiler. "The killer murders 15 people over the course of the book, including the next door neighbor, the best friend, 2 ex-boyfriends, and the bag boy at the local A&P." Spoiler.
It's not that difficult to write a review, even a pretty detailed one, without spilling major plot secrets. At a bare minimum the reviewer should clearly mark sections that contain spoilers, if they feel they absolutely have to address something. As with any other writing, you've got to keep your audience in mind. I'll say something in a discussion thread that I'd never say in a review, because the assumption is that anyone in a discussion thread has either read the book already or doesn't mind being spoiled. In a review the assumption is that people are looking for information to help them decide whether they want to read the book or not. Some people read reviews after the book. I do sometimes. But you've got to write for the haven't-read-it-yet crowd first.
Anne wrote: "It's true, I don't mind a few spoilers. And obviously, I know what's going to happen in the end in a romance (LOL), but I don't want to know all the details about how it happens, you know? Someti..."I loved both of those. Neil's was like a mini-detective :)
the only niggle I had about the other story was the 'mythical' it'll make it easier during the sex scene ... It made me sigh and shake my head
And I've read all the HSD/HJD stories so far :D (yes, I know, I should be writing)
Which I did ... wrote 1K yesterday :)
Blaine D. wrote: "Anne wrote: "It's true, I don't mind a few spoilers. And obviously, I know what's going to happen in the end in a romance (LOL), but I don't want to know all the details about how it happens, you ..."You're doing better than me, Blaine. I've read about two-thirds. My favorites so far are Piper Vaughn's and MJ's.
I've downloaded them, but not yet converted and put on my Kindle. Hoping to get time to start on them this weekend sometime, if I'm lucky.
Charming wrote: "I guess I'd disagree. A good review generally has to talk about some of what happens in the book, or it is just an unsupported opinion. I don't really mind spoilers anyway, though. I already kn..."
Yes, I understand the need to go into some detail, but they easily could have done that without giving away the very specific, shocking turning point of the mystery/adventure, for one.
It completely removes much of the impact of the plot if you know that bit (er, what was revealed) in advance.
It's just a matter of looking out for the reader, and taking a little bit of care.
Becky wrote: "It's not that difficult to write a review, even a pretty detailed one, without spilling major plot secrets. At a bare minimum the reviewer should clearly mark sections that contain spoilers, if they feel they absolutely have to address something. As with any other writing, you've got to keep your audience in mind. I'll say something in a discussion thread that I'd never say in a review, because the assumption is that anyone in a discussion thread has either read the book already or doesn't mind being spoiled. In a review the assumption is that people are looking for information to help them decide whether they want to read the book or not. Some people read reviews after the book. I do sometimes. But you've got to write for the haven't-read-it-yet crowd first. "Exxaaaactly This.
Antonella wrote: "ns wrote: "All I can say is that I really do appreciate authors who use unambiguous names with respect to their gender."Well, some authors are really having a time where they identify more with a..."
Thank you, Antonella, you're a peach. Much as I hate being wrong (though I ought to be used to it by now), eating my words (I did buy them)...yucko.
Some of y'all recommended Victor Banis' Deadly Nightshade to me, as well the 2nd in the series. So, I read them and really did like them. Thank you. I'd never, from what of his writing I had read previously, wd have guessed he even had a sense of humor. But he made me laugh out loud. That was cool. I enjoyed the romance also, though I don't feel compelled to read more of the series. (I didn't think as much of the mystery aspects of the stories as some of y'all did. I thought they approached a little too noisily, and a person sees them coming. He might very well have improved on that as he went on though.)
Cleon wrote: "Beanbag wrote: "I just started 
."Yay! Tell us what you think. I personally love it!"
I just finished it, too. Except it's not finished with me. I keep thinking about it, about the guys; about who they found in the old manor house. And I see the two of them going back there again and again. Like going home. Is there any chance of a sequel?
Josh wrote: "ns wrote: "All I can say is that I really do appreciate authors who use unambiguous names with respect to their gender."I don't -- and won't -- discuss my gender. Josh Lanyon is an unambiguousl..."
Amen. I always assumed you are a guy because your name was Josh and you write guys so wonderfully; but who cares? We're not dating. In fact, you make me happier than most of my...well, nevermind.
This Rough Magic was a pip. I really dug it. I adored the 2 leads (They were real guys; right? You wdn't kid me about that), and they stick in my head like rarely happens with me. I'm hoping for a sequel.
I have wondered about your last name. One of my favorite fictional characters and names was R. R. Lanyon. Though I'm not asking, it did occur to me, when I first started reading your work, that you might have borrowed the name as an homage.
Blaine D. wrote: "ns wrote: "We were referring to the fact that it was almost impossible to have a discussion about a book/author if their gender were unknown, as our choices were to:1. assume "he" (undesirable, d..."
It is, isn't it? I've used it myself, always feeling a little guilty and evasive, not to mention like I was getting away with bad grammar. But it's a very useful, um, usage and gets my vote.
ns wrote: "Thanks, all!"The written word is tricky, isn't it? We think what we are writing is communicating clearly what we are thinking and even feeling. But without facial or vocal expression in the mix, a lot of times there's just no telling what kind of cake we're actually making until it's eaten. (By the way, I like your cooking.)
@Candice - Words are so loaded, and you never know who's packing what. It's amazing we manage to convey anything meaningful. I remember the first time someone told me that verbal language actually wasn't very effecient or precise, and I was shocked to realize it was true.The cooking analogy is perfect, I love it.
Antonella wrote: "Emanuela ~hopeless~ wrote: "We need a support group for compulsive book shoppers. "LOL! We also need another, more specialised one: a support group for compulsive *m/m book* shoppers."
That's no good. If we have a support group, wouldn't we feel compelled to quit? Or cut back? What an awful idea. What about a support group for people who compulsively budget their money wisely?
Are there such people? And do we want to be around them?
I was just wondering, what did everyone like to read when you were a kid? Does it relate in any way to what you like to read now?Two of my favorites were The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery (she's better known as the author of the Anne of Green Gables series) and The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin. Romance and mystery. So my interests haven't changed all that much. I also loved those terrible Sunfire romances, you know, the ones where the titles were always the heroine's name. My family called them my trashy teen novels, and I read them by the wheelbarrow full. No gay fiction, but there wasn't any floating around where I could get my hands on it 30 years ago.
Kaje wrote: "Are there such people? And do we want to be around them?"I hadn't thought of that. I like support groups for people who only like to complain about their weaknesses but never want to do anything about them. That's my favorite kind.
Becky wrote: "I was just wondering, what did everyone like to read when you were a kid? Does it relate in any way to what you like to read now?Two of my favorites were The Blue Castle by L.M. Mon..."
I read a lot of romance, sci-fi and fantasy. I remember unearthing my first Harlequin when I was about 12 or so, and I don't really remember ever looking back. Judy Blume was a big hit for me.
Candice wrote: "Kaje wrote: "Are there such people? And do we want to be around them?"I hadn't thought of that. I like support groups for people who only like to complain about their weaknesses but never want..."
Me! I wanna be in that support group! I'm really good at that.
Becky wrote: "I was just wondering, what did everyone like to read when you were a kid? Does it relate in any way to what you like to read now?Two of my favorites were The Blue Castle by L.M. Mon..."
I read everything, and I mean everything and I pretty much still do, although obscure literary fiction and poetry are not big favorites. I read all of LM Montgomery, I loved Frances Hodgson Burnett and Andre Norton and the Hardy Boys and Tolkien and CS Lewis and James Herriot and...you get the picture.
I'm dipping into my cavernous Josh Lanyon unread titles again this weekend: The Darkling Thrush in on deck, right now.Kaje, I read everything, everything, too when I was a child. All the titles you named, plus Encyclopedia Brown, the Phantom Tollbooth, Madeleine L'Engle....I could go on for pages.
Candice wrote: "Kaje wrote: "Are there such people? And do we want to be around them?"I hadn't thought of that. I like support groups for people who only like to complain about their weaknesses but never want..."
Oh yeah, that's true support. I don't want to change, I want to be understood :)
Has anyone here ever read the Father Brown mysteries by GK Chesterston? Someone mentioned this series to me, and I see it for cheap in ebook, but I know nothing about the writing style or the books overall.
mc wrote: "Has anyone here ever read the Father Brown mysteries by GK Chesterston?"Years ago, yes. I went on a Father Brown jag - somewhere after Dorothy Sayers and before Agatha Christie. They're worth a read, for a good mystery. A lot easier to take than other Chesterton as he has fewer axes to grind here. Amazon has the Complete Father Brown for $1.49.
http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Myster...
Thanks, John. B&N is also selling the complete Father Brown, though for a bit more pocket change. (Between Sayers and Agatha Christie, you've named two of my original mystery stalwarts.)
mc wrote: "Thanks, John. B&N is also selling the complete Father Brown, though for a bit more pocket change. (Between Sayers and Agatha Christie, you've named two of my original mystery stalwarts.)"Super! I figure if it's $1.49, it's got to be in the public domain - so Project Gutenberg might also be a source if you don't mind monkeying with the formatting a bit for the Nook.
Sayers was my "first" - and for that I have Masterpiece Theatre entirely to thank - I still can't quite dissociate Lord Peter in the books from Ian Carmichael.
I've never seen the movies about Lord Peter...indeed, I haven't read the stories in at least 20 years, but they had such a huge impact on me. I may check out Gutenberg or feedbooks; thanks for the suggestion.Have you seen the new(-ish) Sherlock series with Benedict Cumberbatch? Wowza.
mc wrote: "Have you seen the new(-ish) Sherlock series with Benedict Cumberbach? Wowza."Oh yeah! My DVR never misses Masterpiece Mystery.
I fully expected to hate Sherlock Holmes dragged into 2010 London. It ruffles my purist feathers to do things like that. What I found, by about 15 minutes into the first episode, I loved it. Somehow it seemed so right, almost as if Conan Doyle anticipated the Internet. We haven't gotten Series 2 ("A Scandal in Belgravia", "The Hounds of the Baskerville" and "The Reichenbach Fall") yet in the US, but I'm looking forward to it eagerly.
Helps that Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman are easy on the eye, too. :)
I've just read Sarah Black's contribution to the Hot Summer Days Storieshttp://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/5...
It is an excellent story. As I commented on that thread to use the adjective ''sweet'' to define it was a bit inappropriate because it might keep away from this story people who don't know that Sarah Black's ''sweet'' never equals ''sappy''.
About what we read as we were young: I read the Father Brown mysteries by GK Chesterton and it didn't made a big impact on me, but I was especially into science-fiction, and some of the books I've read then I kept rereading later, Le Guin or Sturgeon for ex.
Who's Sturgeon, Antonella? I was a big LeGuin fan, so I'd love another like author.John, Benedict is very easy on the eyes (I saw him in the NT Live theatrical broadcast of Frankenstein (as the Monster) and he was amazing.) I'm waiting for the second series, too, and like you, I never, ever thought I'd be so engrossed in this. I'm even thinking of one day buying the DVDs, except that I don't have a DVD player (though my computer does).
I am such a strange, strange mix of technolover, yet not always early adopter. It's amazing that these conflicts don't just make my brain have some kind of 404 error message.
Antonella wrote: "I've just read Sarah Black's contribution to the Hot Summer Days Storieshttp://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/5...
It is an excellent story. As I commented on that th..."
I really liked Sarah Black's story, too. KM Mahoney's Show and Tell was good but short.
And speaking of HSD stories, Cleon Lee's went up yesterday, Beneath Your Wings. It's a good short, too. :)
@mc -- did you ever read Madeline L'engle? Or John Christopher? Christopher isn't that similar to LeGuin, but I always thought she and L'engle were a lot alike.
mc wrote: "I am such a strange, strange mix of technolover, yet not always early adopter. It's amazing that these conflicts don't just make my brain have some kind of 404 error message."If your brain might be prone to 404 errors, my dear, you've already been assimilated... :)
Incidentally, Season 1 of Sherlock is on Netflix now - so if you don't want to actually buy the disc you can watch them (and a bunch of other BBC/PBS Mysteries) on demand for $7 a month. I've been revisiting "Wire in the Blood" and "Waking the Dead" on there recently.
I do this whilst reading mysteries. You'd think my head would explode, wouldn't you?
mc wrote: "Who's Sturgeon, Antonella? I was a big LeGuin fan, so I'd love another like author."I went to check if I had misspelled the name (because you didn't know him ;-), no:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodore...
My favorite was:
The Dreaming Jewels
but his major work is:
More Than Human
But I could have quoted other authors, for ex. I've been buying a couple of books by Philip K. Dick lately, because I had read almost everything by him but only in translation.
John, you are my kind of person. :)Anne, I love Madeleine L'Engle, but have never heard of Christopher. And thanks for the Sturgeon recommendation, Antonella.
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Q&A with Josh Lanyon
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I love the way VJ Banis writes, the character development, the relationship development, the musings of both characters about relationship in general. Really an excellent series!