November 2010 - What are you reading (and I KNOW you are!)

[Nancy]

I just started today. It's about a 16-year-old boy who got brutally raped by two strangers and starts over again at a new school, where he keeps to himself and barely speaks to others. Only 18 pages in and my heart already aches for Grady. Thanks, Mike, for bringing this book to our attention.

[Doug]

Oh, Nancy. I think I am going to steer clear of that one!

[Nancy]

Matthew wrote: "Thanks, Nancy, for bringing it to our attention!"

The thanks should really go to Mike. He mentioned the title in our YA topic, I think. My local library promptly got me a copy through ILL. It's a tough subject, but one that is rarely explored.

Mike, when I'm finished the book, I'll start up a topic so we can discuss it if you'd like.

[Nancy]

Mike wrote: "...I need a break anyway, and Target is a quick read..."

I started up a discussion topic here:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/4...

[Nancy]

You're ahead of me, Mike. I had class last night and didn't have much reading time.

[Nancy]

I think I'm living in the wrong place. I'm bringing my books and going to your house, Mike.

[Doug]

I like it here, because it is cool, and not cold. I really don't like it when it gets too hot. Not cold enough for the heat, just yet. But I still don't need a jacket.

One Day is really good so far, the characterization is marvelous. It is kind of a love story, but more about two ships who passed in the night, so it is sort of bittersweet so far. Sigh.

[jo]

two excellent lesbian memoirs i read in connection to my class on disability studies: mean little deaf queer and songs of the gorilla nation: my journey through autism. they are both about a lot more than either disability or queerness. they are beautifully written (really), and Mean Little deaf Queer is funny and inventive and quirky in a really bewitching way. Songs of the Gorilla Nation is a gem of intelligence, depth, and lateral vision.

[Bill, Moderator]

I ordered Target, but it has not arrived yet. Thanks for starting the topic, Nancy. I will read it now rather than adding it to my TBR tumps and tors.

@Mike - I'm not sure summer ever ended. We've had a few cold days, but lately have had the AC on. Big problem here is no rain for 6 weeks+. We keep getting these "red flag" warnings which is disturbing when living in a forest. It is a bit worrying since most of the global warming models predict our areas will have severe to extreme drought over the next 50-100 years. I came close to migrating to Newfoundland a decade or so ago, It might have been a good move.

@Matt - Keep those Speedos on! I enjoy the reminiscences. Shots from a few more angles would be nice ;-)

[Bill, Moderator]

Well I finished Echo - classic McDevitt and recommended if you like SF mystery.

I browsed my shelves for a bit after, and decided to read Robin and Ruby the sequel to The World of Normal Boys by K.M. Soehnlein. Robin has definitely grown up some.

[Nancy]

Kernos, is Robin and Ruby out in paperback yet?

I'm now 50 pages into Adam Rapp's . Written in epistolary style, about 14-year-old Jamie's (Punkzilla) journey to visit his dying older brother. Very good so far.

[Bill, Moderator]

No Nancy, but there is a Kindle edition and 10 used on Amazon from $7.46 including S&H which is probably cheaper than the PB will be. There's also one for $2000 LOL.

Has anyone else noticed that GLBT literature and DVDs have a tendency to be priced higher than 'ordinary' media? This seems esp true for movie DVDs.

[Troy]

Nancy wrote: "I'm glad you liked the book, Troy. I was afraid that you wouldn't connect with Robin because of the time the story took place, but his character was so well drawn..."

Hi Nancy, I'm almost finished with the book you recommended . Can't wait to write a review. I've been focusing on the characters in the book as opposed to some of the "dated" time references. I hope to finish it tonight and have some things to say about it. I definitely want to read more by this author. Thanks again for the recommendation!

~Troy

[Nancy]

Hey Troy, now that you're finishing the book, you should check out our group discussion:

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/3... (no spoilers)

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/3... (spoilers)

Also check out the author Q&A:

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/3...

I'm glad you're enjoying the story. It brought me back in time to my own childhood, but I never found it dated.

[Rob]

Karen wrote: "I just finished "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time" by Mark Haddon...."


Sorry, this post was a while back, but have you read his other book, " A spot of bother". It made me laugh out loud, and there's a gay theme in there too!

[Doug]

I loved the curious incident.

I found a really odd book that I love called A Kind of Intimacy about this woman named Annie who lives in London, and is narrating the novel and is kind of an overweight sociopath, who is misinterpreting several self help books. It is quite unusual, and I am curious to see what happens when her mania begins to escalate. Very odd character, and because it is from her point of view, a definitely different read.

[Nancy]

Doug wrote: "I loved the curious incident.

I found a really odd book that I love called A Kind of Intimacy about this woman named Annie who lives in London, and is narrating the novel and is..."

That sounds good, Doug. I skimmed over a couple of reviews quickly to avoid spoilers.

I should be finished with Punkzilla soon.

[Bill, Moderator]

I finished the 2nd novel in the Audran Sequence, A Fire in The Sun and am about halfway through Too Much Flesh and Jabez, a Southern Gothic tale about a guy whose too well hung for his own good, at least until... It's a fun story once one gets beyond the authors peculiar writing style—too many commas ;-)

[Doug]

Matt, I tried to read Christopher Rice once, but couldn't get into it, so I stopped. I never tried another one. I can't remember which one I tried, I think it was his first.

OMG A Kind of Intimacy was sooooo good. That is why I have not been on, I have been madly reading. I could not put the darn thing down. It was amazing!

[Bill, Moderator]

I finished Too Much Flesh and Jabez nite before last (review coming over my 4 days off!).

I decided I needed some good old space opera so started Cordelia's Honor a omnibus of the Vorkosigan Saga, in which Aral Vorkosigan And Cordelia Naismith, the parents of Miles Vorkosigan meet and fall in love. I read these a couple of decades ago. The series is 1st class epic space opera.

[Bill, Moderator]

Mike wrote: "You know everyone's watchin' for that review, don't you? " ;-)

Not an easy book to review on one reading. My 1st draft is posted.

[Bill, Moderator]

Thanks - I'm not sure it's very clear. I enjoyed the read, but it sounds like I don't. I'm still awaitin' Target. By the time I read it, you all will be movin' on.

So far you're batting 1000, I think. At Swim..., among the best books I've ever read doubles your score! Have you read At Swim Two Birds? I'm wondering if there is more to it than the title pun.

I started a Gay fantasy trilogy last nite: Scarlet and the White Wolf, am on page 24 and already in lust with Scarlet, so will enjoy it!

[Bill, Moderator]

YEY! Target was here when I got to work. Now I'll have to do a quick switch and postpone my Scarlet lust.

Betides it's a quick read?

[Nancy]

Kernos wrote: "Betides it's a quick read?"

Very quick, so hurry up and finish it so we can talk about it some more before I leave the country again. :)

[Bill, Moderator]

Funny you mentioned sheets (not sure I understand the 'blue' allusion). I shopped online for deals last weekend and decided to read about sheets 1st. Tips for buying bedsheets

I was esp interested in durability. I ended up getting 1200 TC, Egyptian cotton, retail $300 for $40! There must be a BIG markup on sheets.

I hate flannel (too hot), but was wondering about bamboo sheets - a lot of good deals on them. Has anyone used Bamboo sheets? I had never heard of them.

Remind me - which are blue states and which are red? I cant keep this new paradigm straight, having grown up with donkeys and elephants.

[Bill, Moderator]

BTW, finished Target last nite and got back into Scarlet and the White Wolf. No to read the thread, let stuff simmer and see if I have anything to contribute.

Interesting and disturbing book, hits kinda close to home...

[Nancy]

Thanks for those tips, Kernos. I wish I had them with me when I bought sheets last. I am pleased with the price I paid, the softness, and the durability, but I hate that they get so wrinkled.

I hate flannel for two reasons - it's hot and I really hate the pilling that happens after just a few washings.

Silk is expensive, but very comfortable and feels good all year long. I never heard of Bamboo sheets either.

[Nancy]

Maps of the 2008 US presidential election results:

http://www-personal.umich.edu/~mejn/e...

[Bill, Moderator]

Ah but Chris keeps me warm - esp if the room is cold!

[Loren]

Kernos, We use bamboo quilt. Very soft and warm.

[Bill, Moderator]

Just thinking how spoiled we are. Think how many humans have never slept with sheets at all.