What else are you reading? (June 2010 - May 2013) *closed* Showing 4,601-4,650 of 13,523

[Anne]

It's just hard to tie knots at all. If you tied up someone with, say, 1" cotton-jacketed hose, you'd have a knot about 6" wide at best. Unwieldy, too. By the time you wrestled someone down and tried tying them up, they'd fight you off. Of course, in this scenario, we can assume they're willing. Are you willing, mc?

[Josh]

ns wrote: "Fadeout -- Hansen

Let's face it, we never really grade on an absolute scale around here. For that matter, I'm not sure that's even possible anymore. Shakespeare would be around 20, and a few peopl..."

Hansen. Yes. I just spent most of yesterday being unkind to an anthology that didn't know enough to pay credit where credit was due.

I'd have loved to see some kind of prequel with Dave and Rod. Knowing what Hansen (as James Colton) could do with romance...what a book that would have been.

[Josh]

Kaje wrote: "mc wrote: "Given how many books everyone here reads, are there ones that you find yourself re-reading again (and again?)

I've mentioned the ones that I tend to re-read. Usually, it's a comfort re..."

One of the nicest compliments I've had was a little note from Michael Nava telling me he had discovered my work and was reading me "compulsively."

That and NS's continuing kindness, kept me going during a very bleak month.

[Kaje]

Josh wrote: "One of the nicest compliments I've had was a little note from Michael Nava telling me he had discovered my work and was reading me "compulsively." ..."

Wow, yeah, that would be a compliment worth savoring.

[Sagajo]

I decided to read Bear, Otter, and the Kid since it was talked about on jessewave the other day. Really interesting story. The characters are kinda OTT but I think it is a pretty amazing story anyway. As always I wish DSP would have better content editors, it could use some polish to reach full potential (I thought the story was a tad too long/rambling in places and some scenes in the end lost that special voice that you feel throughout the book) but I very much recommend it.

The story is a delicate balance between serious and ridiculous.

[mc]

Anne, I think in the right circumstance, anyone could be willing. Also depends on who's wielding the hose, of course.

At this point in my life, I try very hard to keep an open mind never say never :)

Josh, I had never heard of his work as James Colton; is that something that I should seek out as well?

[Anne]

mc wrote: "Anne, I think in the right circumstance, anyone could be willing. Also depends on who's wielding the hose, of course.

At this point in my life, I try very hard to keep an open mind never say neve..."

Hmmm, I personally have a hard time imaging myself willing to let someone tie me up with a hose...

[Cleon Lee]

Anne wrote: "mc wrote: "Anne, I think in the right circumstance, anyone could be willing. Also depends on who's wielding the hose, of course.

At this point in my life, I try very hard to keep an open mind nev..."

I prefer silk. ;)

[Becky]

Anne wrote: "mc wrote: "Anne, I think in the right circumstance, anyone could be willing. Also depends on who's wielding the hose, of course.

At this point in my life, I try very hard to keep an open mind nev..."

I wouldn't want to use a hose-- likely too difficult to undo quickly in case of emergency. With sufficient safety measures though... anything's possible!

[Josh]

Josh, I had never heard of his work as James Colton; is that something that I should seek out as well?

One of the most magical experiences of my life was getting to read Hansen's entire body of work as James Colton. It's lush and erotic and off-kilter and often crazily romantic and sometimes tragic and...pulp fiction at its best. It's also OP, largely difficult to find, and prohibitively expensive. I've been searching for my own copy of Hang Up for years now.

[mc]

Josh, I went searching, and boy, you aren't kidding about the prices! I'd have to take out a home equity loan, even if I could find a copy.

I did see a copy of Todd and Lost on Twilight Road for sale.

[Kari]

Josh wrote: "It's also OP, largely difficult to find, and prohibitively expensive. I've been searching for my own copy of Hang Up for years now."

I waited three years for an OP non-fic I needed for a paper to drop below $300. No kidding. And I when someone listed it for $185? I snapped it up. I wept when I paid that bill, oh yes, indeedy, but I still I grabbed it. Thing originally priced out at $16.95. (Damn it.)

In fic land, the closest I ever came to it was paying $12 for a very early Jayne Castle/Jayne Ann Krentz. Pre-digital era, tho.

[ns]

Calathea wrote: "That's so beautiful, ns! Love your reviews! "

Thank you, Calathea, and that GIF is absolutely hilarious (in a somewhat creepy way!) :).

Calathea wrote: "Leaving M/M aside, I probably most often reread Terry Pratchett and Jane Austen, who definitely repay reliving and deepening the experience. "

Ditto. I think LOTR, The Discworld Series, P&P, Villette, Jane Eyre, Catch-22 are what I re-read most often, but I re-read everything all the time. In mm, I've now added Lanyon, Hale, LB Gregg, Kimberling, Fox, and JCP to the re-reading stable. It's necessary when you can't go without reading and you can't buy a book a day (although my credit card would refute that).

[ns]

Josh wrote: "I'd have loved to see some kind of prequel with Dave and Rod. Knowing what Hansen (as James Colton) could do with romance...what a book that would have been. "

That was my exact thought when I finished the book, actually, and I had a moment of sadness when I realized I had missed his passing by a mere seven years. If only...

[ns]

Josh wrote: "One of the nicest compliments I've had was a little note from Michael Nava telling me he had discovered my work and was reading me "compulsively."

That and NS's continuing kindness, kept me going during a very bleak month.
"

I'm not sure I belong in the same paragraph as Nava, or you, for that matter, but it didn't stop my head from swelling up like a red roasted balloon, up, up till it hit the ceiling and blew the roof off my house and exploded and released a gigantic amount of hot air and my neighbors came out screaming thinking we had a tornado. Honest to god. The entire street submitted a petition to urge you and the rest of this forum to "keep in mind that NS gets giddy, unstable and inflated rather easily, and home insurance only goes so far."

[ns]

Anne wrote: "Hmmm, I personally have a hard time imaging myself willing to let someone tie me up with a hose... "

This is going to find itself as a plot point in your next book, right? Oh we are so going to be laughing last, Ms Tenino....smirk...

[Anne]

ns wrote: "Anne wrote: "Hmmm, I personally have a hard time imaging myself willing to let someone tie me up with a hose... "

This is going to find itself as a plot point in your next book, right? Oh we are s..."

I'm having a hard time imagining that, too. I suppose it could happen, though...

[Cleon Lee]

ns wrote: "Anne wrote: "Hmmm, I personally have a hard time imaging myself willing to let someone tie me up with a hose... "

This is going to find itself as a plot point in your next book, right? Oh we are s..."

Or Kari's. :D

[Kari]

Cleon wrote: "Or Kari's. :D"

LOL. Hoses don't do it for me, sorry. Gabriel's wrists are bound with Cal's belt for a bit in IO, though. Belts = smexy. Hoses? Not so much. ;-p

[Josh]

mc wrote: "Josh, I went searching, and boy, you aren't kidding about the prices! I'd have to take out a home equity loan, even if I could find a copy.

I did see a copy of Todd and Lost on Twilight Road for ..."

Todd is a downer, but really some beautiful writing. I have an original copy of On Twilight Road. I gave up eating that month. (You think I'm kidding.) :-D

[Josh]

ns wrote: "Josh wrote: "One of the nicest compliments I've had was a little note from Michael Nava telling me he had discovered my work and was reading me "compulsively."

That and NS's continuing kindness, k..."

HA. No, no. I'm so very jealous that you put together that incredible timeline outline thingie for Ginn. Well, I say jealous, but really...I get to benefit from it too, so I can't object too much. You are quite an amazing person. Even if you did burst bits of plastic all over my steeple and sleeping village. :-D :-D

[Josh]

ns wrote: "Josh wrote: "I'd have loved to see some kind of prequel with Dave and Rod. Knowing what Hansen (as James Colton) could do with romance...what a book that would have been. "

That was my exact thoug..."

I only found out a few months after the fact that he had started blogging. At that time there were about four posts and they were so...lonely. Had I only known I would have probably bored him to tears with comments and emails about what he meant to me and how important a contribution I believe he made to both PI fiction and gay letters in general.

Anyway. Such is life.

[Anne]

Josh wrote: "I only found out a few months after the fact that he had started blogging. At that time there were about four posts and they were so...lonely. Had I only known I would have probably bored him to tears with comments and emails about what he meant to me and how important a contribution I believe he made to both PI fiction and gay letters in general. "

It's been an emotional day so far so maybe that's why, but this just made me choke up. It's so sad... And honestly, I have no clue who you guys are talking about.

[Josh]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_H...

The most important thing to know about Hansen is that with the advent of the Dave Brandstetter series both PI fiction and gay fiction changed forever.

Brandstetter was a classic PI, *normal* in every respect -- more normal than a lot of them, frankly -- but he happened to be gay. Unashamedly, openly gay. Not in a campy, queeny way but in a way that mainstream readers could understand and relate to. Brandstetter was an ordinary, regualar guy and about as tough as they come. The books were published through a mainstream press and Hansen was immediately hailed as a successor to the Hammett-Chandler-MacDonald triumverate. Rightly so because he's just one hell of a writer. Both in storytelling and style. And yet...yet...he never did quite break thru in the way he should have.

[Liade]

Lou wrote: "I just recently discovered "Willing Flesh" by J.S. Cook. It's very promising. However, I'm not permitting myself to read anything before I do some catch up with the crit group."

I find that title a little offputting. A bit like those vegetarian who refer to a nice piece of steak as "flesh" *g*.

[Sylvia]

Anne wrote: "Josh wrote: "I only found out a few months after the fact that he had started blogging. At that time there were about four posts and they were so...lonely. Had I only known I would have probably bo..."

I had the same reaction to that post :*)

[Josh]

Sylvia wrote: "Anne wrote: "Josh wrote: "I only found out a few months after the fact that he had started blogging. At that time there were about four posts and they were so...lonely. Had I only known I would hav..."

It's very sad. I agree. It still bothers me.

[Ami]

Talking about Michael Nava, I'm trying to start The Burning Plain again. I have this book for last couple of years but I keep postponing because this is the last Michael Nava's book I have. Sadly, the print edition of the LAST Henry Rios book is unavailable and I just don't want to part ways with Rios. I probably will put it down again.

WHY isn't Rag and Bone being reprinted for people living in Indonesia like me?!? It's a crime!!! *wailing*

[Ami]

Traci wrote: "Must be the oddball as I rarely re-read anything.

You're not the only one. I NEVER re-read a book from beginning. Maybe re-read several chapters or passages, but that's it. Just like you, I feel times should be used to discover new books, rather than revisit old ones :)

[Antonella]

Ami wrote: "WHY isn't Rag and Bone being reprinted for people living in Indonesia like me?!? It's a crime!!!"

Hi, Amy!

I'm not at home now, so I can't tell you when I bought my used copy of ''Rag and Bone'', maybe two years ago? Are you sure you can't get it as well second hand? Anyway, it is out of print everywhere, not only in Indonesia ;-).

I see just now the discussion here. I've got on paper the whole Michael Nava, the whole Richard Stevenson and the big Brandstetter anthology only because of Josh's recs. But I've read only some 7 Stevensons till now. Life is too short...

[Ami]

Antonella wrote: "Are you sure you can't get it as well second hand? Anyway, it is out of print everywhere, not only in Indonesia ;-).

I'm a snob, I like my books new and shiny *grin*. Truth be told, I'm worry that buying secondhand book will be more difficult, shipping it to Indonesia and all. I once tried to look for it on eBay but the price is expensive :(

[Josh]

I think there are two kinds of readers in the world. Those who never re-read and those who do. I wonder which is more common? I tend to think re-reader but that's probably because I re-read.

[Sagajo]

I re-read a lot... sometimes certain scenes, sometimes the whole book. I've actually re-read a lot of your books Josh, but it's hard to predict what I will re-read. Some books I've re-read several times but that mostly happens when the characters intrigue me and I can't really figure out who they are and what they are thinking.

I think the series I've re-read most is AE and Cut and Run. I've re-read Psycop several times too but for some reason I can't stand to do more than glance at book #2 in that series. Hemovore I've prob read 3 times already :P

[Becky]

I can't imagine not wanting to revisit old friends, even if there are a million new friends out there waiting to be discovered!

[Charming]

Josh wrote: "Josh, I had never heard of his work as James Colton; is that something that I should seek out as well?

One of the most magical experiences of my life was getting to read Hansen's entire body of..."

Who owns the rights? It sounds like they need encouragement to put this stuff online.

[Sylvia]

Josh wrote: "I think there are two kinds of readers in the world. Those who never re-read and those who do. I wonder which is more common? I tend to think re-reader but that's probably because I re-read."

I never used to re-read until I read your stories :)

[Josh]

I don't always re-read the entire book front to back. Sometimes I'll read bits and pieces. It depends on the book and what I'm in the mood for.

So if you don't re-read...do you keep books?

[Josh]

Aw. Thank you, Sylvia.

[Josh]

Someone recently pointed out to me a couple of articles indicating that spoilers don't actually ruin stories -- they may even enhance the reading experience. Or movie experience.

I think that sort of goes along with the re-reading idea.

[Ami]

Josh wrote: "So if you don't re-read...do you keep books?"

Of course I keep books. They look pretty :p. Please noted, I'm not saying that I don't do reread at all. I just never re-read from front to back, the whole book. I DO re-read several chapters, or just to savor favorite passages. But the whole book? Almost never. "The Dark Tide" for example, is one of your books that I revisit now and then. But I only read the chapters I love and the conversations that tug my heart, but not from the beginning to end.

[Becky]

Ami wrote: "Josh wrote: "So if you don't re-read...do you keep books?"

Of course I keep books. They look pretty :p. Please noted, I'm not saying that I don't do reread at all. I just never re-read from fron..."

Back in the good old days, when all my books were paper, I'd pick up a book and flip to a random page to start rereading. Now that I'm all digital, most of my rereading starts with page 1. A few of my books have favorite passages bookmarked, but mostly I read the whole thing.

[Traci]

Josh wrote: "I don't always re-read the entire book front to back. Sometimes I'll read bits and pieces. It depends on the book and what I'm in the mood for.

So if you don't re-read...do you keep books?"

Yes, depending on who wrote it. lol! Actually, I keep a lot less than I used to; between what I can find at the library and what my "dealer" finds me at her used book store, I simply borrow and return. I just don't have enough space to keep everything, nor do I have the funds to buy them all, either. But yours, Josh, have a very special place on the shelf! (you know how much I love print!)

[ns]

Josh wrote: "I only found out a few months after the fact that he had started blogging. At that time there were about four posts and they were so...lonely. Had I only known I would have probably bored him to tears with comments and emails about what he meant to me and how important a contribution I believe he made to both PI fiction and gay letters in general.

Anyway. Such is life. "

Ah, God, Josh, that was hard to read. The thought of Hansen being lonely or sad is unbearable, much less him dying in that state.

Unbearable...

Sigh. If ever there was something that slid like love between your ribs and into that stupidly pumping muscle in your chest that kept you regretting, eh?

[Candice]

Josh wrote: "I don't always re-read the entire book front to back. Sometimes I'll read bits and pieces. It depends on the book and what I'm in the mood for.

So if you don't re-read...do you keep books?"

I like to think of re-reading, to know I have that in front of me w/something I've loved. It gives the notion, with a read I never wanted to end, of keeping it going. I think that's largely why I have kept so much. Out of everything I've saved, though, there are probably only a handful of books I'll actually go back and read over. The Adrien English for sure, Marquesate's Special Forces, some others. But I put it off, because the longer I wait, the more I'll enjoy it. Also, once I've re-read, for me, that's it. And I like having that to look forward to.

[mc]

Todd is a downer, but really some beautiful writing. I have an original copy of On Twilight Road. I gave up eating that month. (You think I'm kidding.) :-D

Actually, I don't. I see where your priorities are, and how your love of words and writing have made you the terrific writer that you are.

Josh wrote: "I only found out a few months after the fact that he had started blogging. At that time there were about four posts and they were so...lonely. Had I only known I would have probably bored him to tears with comments and emails about what he meant to me and how important a contribution I believe he made to both PI fiction and gay letters in general.

Anyway. Such is life. "

This, too, makes me unutterably sad. I'm glad that with the enormous rise in blogging and sites such as goodreads, writers like yourself can see how appreciated you are, and how your writing impacts both practitioners and readers. Even though it also creates opportunities for a few crazies to show up now and again (yes, I'm talking about myself).

I have books everywhere, entire series of mysteries, poetry, plays, classics, science books, 'literature,' pulp. I haven't bought a 'paper' book in months though. Just don't have room.

Sigh. If ever there was something that slid like love between your ribs and into that stupidly pumping muscle in your chest that kept you regretting, eh?

So beautiful, ns. I hate reading something so gorgeous sometimes, it makes not even want to send an email anymore.

[Ami]

Okay, I finally pick up Joseph Hansen's Fadeout ... my God this book is a decade older than my age! I also pick up Marie Sexton's Song of Oestend after encouragement from a friend. I'm a bit weary with the readers advisory but a friend told me I would enjoyed it. So I would try ...

[Sagajo]

Ami wrote: "Okay, I finally pick up Joseph Hansen's Fadeout ... my God this book is a decade older than my age! I also pick up Marie Sexton's Song of Oestend after encouragement f..."

I am also considering reading Oestend. Though I am currently eyeing a new book in an urban fantasy series I am following

[[deleted user]]

Ami wrote: "Okay, I finally pick up Joseph Hansen's Fadeout ... my God this book is a decade older than my age! I also pick up Marie Sexton's Song of Oestend after encouragement f..."

Hey Ami, I read Song of Oestend this week and really liked it. The MCs are great and its a pretty good ghost story too :O)

[Kaje]

I'm anticipating starting The Tempering of Men. I really liked the first book in this series; one of the best bonded-to-animals fantasies I've read and with m/m sex as a central point. Right now I'm hooked on getting through the PsyCop series which I had been waiting on. But once I started them, I've been like an addict; gotta finish those first.

[[deleted user]]

Kaje wrote: "I'm anticipating starting The Tempering of Men. I really liked the first book in this series; one of the best bonded-to-animals fantasies I've read and with m/m sex as a central poi..."

Vic and Jacob are great. Vic has such a wonderful voice, and like your Mac, Jacob is one of my fave super sexy cops :0)