Queereaders discussion

Tell us what you're reading this month.

I just finished "Freedom" by Jonathan Franzen and thought it was great - lived up to the hype for me. His writing is amazing.

Dived back into "The Girl Who Played with Fire" which I was in the middle of when "Freedom" came in from the library last month.

I'm laid up with a newly herniated disc, so I have a feeling that I'll be doing a lot of reading between dozing off from the pain killers!

I am in the mood for murder and mayhem and now reading Dennis Lehane's series featuring private detectives Patrick Kenzie and Angela Gennaro. Lots of action, violence, creepy bad characters, and two kick-ass detectives.

Tom, I hope you get well soon. I'm going to the doctor today to find out why my arms and legs are tingling. After I looked up possible causes of my symptoms last night, I was a basket case.

Nancy wrote: "Tom, I hope you get well soon. I'm going to the doctor today to find out why my arms and legs are tingling. After I looked up possible causes of my symptoms last night, I was a basket case. "

Thanks, Nancy! The internet can be really bad when trying to self-diagnose. I hope yours turns out to be nothing serious. Unfortunately, this is the 3rd time that this disc has ruptured, so I've been down this road before. While it's not pleasant, and very painful, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Those books sound fun. I'll need something light after this book since my concentration is the best right now, let alone my retention of material!

Nancy wrote: "I'm going to the doctor today to find out why my arms and legs are tingling. After I looked up possible causes of my symptoms last night, I was a basket case. "

Whaaaaat? You OK?

I think I'm OK, Paul. The doc did a brief examination and requested a few tests and x-rays. If nothing comes of that, I'll have to see a neurologist. I'm trying not to worry too much about it.

Tom, if you decide to try the series, the first book is .

Matthew wrote: "Will probably finish Tale of Two Summers tonight! Can't wait to discuss it when we as a group discuss it soon. I think Brian Sloan really caputures the 15 and 16 year o..."]]

You might want to check out "Call Me by Your Name," one of last month's selections. That book also goes into the mind of a 16 year old boy. However, he is a precocious, highly intellectual boy. The novel is also very sexy at times.

I really want to read those Dennis Lehane novels, Nancy. I am sure I would like them.. he wrote Shutter Island? I loved that one.

I started Hypothermia by Arnuldar Indridason and I am really enjoying it. He is one of my favorite mystery writers, and he is Icelandic. All the names of the places are long and I cannot pronounce them. His first was Jar City.. I have loved every one of his.

I just checked out Rot & Ruin. I am giving up on Vampires. I used to like Vampires until they all got too good looking and only wanted to have sex. I liked them better when they were terrifying and only wanted to eat people. So, Zombies it is. I can't imagine Zombies becoming love interests. Somehting about body parts falling off, and the stench prevents that.

Oh, today I just checked out the audio for Mini Shopaholic. Please don't make fun of me. Reading about Becky Bloomwood makes me squeal with delight.

Working on Duck!.

Nancy, I started to read Handling the Undead by a Swedish author... it is a zombie novel but seems a little more philosophical and unsettling so far than your normal zombie fare. He is the guy that wrote Let the Right One In that is the movie right now about the girl vampire who moves in next to a boy. Apparently, that one was also strangely creepy and a different spin on a horror tale. I like it so far, but then, I am only on about page fifty and the zombies are just starting to wake up. I am anxious to know what happens!

I really want to read the Dennis Lehane's you mentioned. He wrote Shutter Island and I really loved taht one. It really freaked me out at the end!

That sounds great, Doug! Thanks for the suggestion. I haven't read his earlier book or seen the movie, but I keep hearing good things.

I recently finished Sacred, the third book in the Kenzie/Gennaro series. Since I don't have the next three books in the series yet, I'm going to take a little break and read something a little slower paced and less violent.

Dennis Lehane also wrote Mystic River. I like his descriptions of Boston and his creepy bad characters.

Have you seen any of the movies? I learned recently that the fourth book in the series, Gone, Baby, Gone was made into a film directed by Ben Affleck and starring his brother, Casey. Mystic River was an excellent movie too. Shutter Island was OK, but not one of my favorites. It sounds like the book is a lot better.

I liked the movie for Shutter Island but I had read the book first and liked the book so much better. But I think I liked the movie because it reminded me of the book. I think I have seen Mystic River, too. I don't think I will see Gone Baby Gone, because I would rather read the book and be suprised!

I'm definitely going to see GBG, but I'll finish the books first.

Doug wrote: "Please don't make fun of me..."

I wouldn't dare. :)

I just finished Peter F. Hamilton's Void trilogy which I recommend for all SF lovers. I am about 100 pages into The Catch Trap by Marion Zimmer Bradley. This is going to be a 'keeps me up too late book'. ;-)

Kernos, I read the Catch Trap in high school and I loved it. I am sure I still have my copy somewhere. I always wanted to read it again but I never did.

I hope you like Bait, Brad! He is a pretty good writer.

I am still reading my zombie novel. Perfect for this time of year. Then I think I am going to start Skippy Dies. It looks interesting, but I am not sure yet who skippy is, or why or how he is going to die.

Doug wrote: "Kernos, I read the Catch Trap in high school and I loved it. I am sure I still have my copy somewhere. I always wanted to read it again but I never did."

I am loving this book. I never knew I would find a circus book so interesting. The relationship between Mario and Tommy is so understated, it is more erotic than most gay romances, IMO.

I know... it was the kind of gay romance I love and could get swept away in. The romance is there, but it is part of a much larger story, and the setting and the atmosphere are so richly drawn... I don't mind romance, but I really don't want it to be flimsy... give me something with meat in it's bones, not just dessert. I really have to find my copy now...

Almost done with Handling the Undead.. god, it is creepy... and not scary.. .just unsettling... what an interesting take on zombies!

I just requested The Catch Trap from Paperback Swap.

Right now I'm reading Black Girl in Paris for our group read. It's not bad, it's competently written, but I'm not really getting drawn into the main character or her life in Paris. I think Paris is such an amazing city and was hoping for more impressions that would make the city and its inhabitants come alive for me. I'm rather disappointed.

I just finished Handling the Undead and it needs to be discussed!

About to start Skippy Dies but going to a haunted house tonight so have to put it down for now!

Doug, start up a discussion in the books and series madness topic. It sounds like I need to hurry up and finish what I'm reading. :)

Nancy, I started a topic in Literary Horror group under favorite zombie novels because it really fit there in that group I think.

I started Skippy Dies. It is 613 pages! But I have a doctor's appt. today so I will have some time in the waiting room.. it has quite a cast of quirky characters!

I just cannot get into Zombies other than the original Night of the living Dead. I might read Night of the Living Trekkies which sounds link a hoot.

Matt, did you get it for a Kindle? I don't have one... and I am not good about reading things electronically... I kind of like paper copies. Maybe I am just old fashioned.

I am struggling with Skippy dies. The characters are quirky but I am not sure where it is headed... and it is so long...

Doug, you can download the Kindle application on your desktop, laptop or iPhone. I prefer paper copies too, but can't see spending a lot of money on books under 200 pages. I just finished Black Girl in Paris. It wasn't a bad read, but it didn't blow me away or anything.

I finished The Catch Trap last night. It is the best non-genre fiction I have read in a long time, certainly this year. I highly recommend the book for all. I trying to think how to review it. And it is so unexpected from MZ Bradley. I expect quality from her, but not something so non-SFF, so mainstream.

I have not figured out what to read next. I'd sorta like a space opera, before reading this months book selections. I may do some Star Wars novels which I have gotten behind on, but are quick reads. I'll decide tonight.

Well I have had to give up on Skippy Dies. I think it was the kind of book I wanted to like, or maybe I wanted to be the kind of person who would like a quirky, literary novel, athough, I am not, in reality, that kind of person, and I gave it almost 100 pages and it didn't seem to be heading anywhere.

I am moving on to Far Cry because I KNOW I love John Harvey, and so the odds are I am going to be able to stick with it.

Kernos wrote: "I'd sorta like a space opera, before reading this months book selections..."

Kernos, you may enjoy Ann Somerville's Interstitial.

Doug wrote: "Well I have had to give up on Skippy Dies. I think it was the kind of book I wanted to like, or maybe I wanted to be the kind of person who would like a quirky, literary novel, athough, I am not, ..."

That's too bad you didn't enjoy Skippy Dies, Doug. It has a lot of high ratings from people I don't know, so I'll wait until a few more friends read it before I borrow it from the library.

I'm reading Tale of Two Summers which I'm really enjoying. It looks like we're going to discuss it in December. I definitely look forward to that. Sweet story.

Troy wrote: "I'm reading Tale of Two Summers which I'm really enjoying. It looks like we're going to discuss it in December. I definitely look forward to that. Sweet story."

I am a little hesitant about reading this. The story sounds appealing, but the blog communication bothers me. Do the boys talk in normal language, or "text speak?"

Nancy wrote: "I am a little hesitant about reading this. The story sounds appealing, but the blog communication bothers me. Do the boys talk in normal language, or "text speak?" "

Nancy, most of their communication is "normal language". They use some emoticons occasionally, like a smily face, or "LOL" (Laughing out loud) or "BTY" (By the way). But I'd say 99% of how they talk is just everyday language. They don't get into using "text language" addreviations or anything like that that you have to send to an expert to desipher.

I think you'll find it very readable. I was actually suprised (pleasently) that they have very real and normal communication, like you'd find in most books. I would predict that nobody will have trouble with the language used.

Troy

Nancy, you might like Skippy Dies.. I think If I had more time to just read it and not have days that I can't get to it... it might have been easier for me.. it is a hard book to follow with all the characters and it seems to jump from character to character without letting the reader know how they are connected. I am sure later in the novel, they will be connected but my mind is a little scattered right now, so it is harder for me to concentrate on it.


Far Cry is much better for me right now, as it starts with a pretty straight forward mystery. Yay!

Troy wrote: "Nancy, most of their communication is "normal language". They use some emoticons occasionally, like a smily face, or "LOL" (Laughing out loud) or "BTY" (By the way). But I'd say 99% of how they talk is just everyday language..."

Thanks, Troy! I just checked my library and there appears to be one copy available, so I'll join you for the December discussion. :)

Doug wrote: "Nancy, you might like Skippy Dies.. I think If I had more time to just read it and not have days that I can't get to it... it might have been easier for me.. it is a hard book to follow with all t..."

Maybe that will be a good one for me to read between classes. I'm much too busy now and would rather read something that doesn't require so much concentration.

Nancy wrote: "Kernos, you may enjoy Ann Somerville's Interstitial."

Good idea, Nancy. I have that already for my Kindle app. I started Fatal Alliance (Star Wars: The Old Republic #1) last night, but I read e-books at different times. I'm not used to reading more than 1 books at a time.

Just finished Bait by Alex Sanchez. I think you recommended it, Nancy... or maybe it was Matt. Not sure. I really loved it! I'm planning to write a review today.

I love reading stories of how people (in this case a 16-year-old boy) are able to find the courage to confront their demons. I also liked the kid's probation officer who helped guide him with great sensitivity, respect and support.

~Troy

I'm glad you liked it, Troy. It was a fast and easy read that dealt with a lot of serious issues.

I'll send you some more recommendations. :)

Looking forward to your review!

I think a new Frankenstein novel just came out, Claude, he has a couple in that series. I am reading Far Cry by Harvey, and it is pretty good.

Oh, I just posted my review of mini shopaholic. Oh. That is all I can say. Oh.

I think the series is jumping the shark.

Just got seriously sucked into Carson McCullers's The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter . I can't pinpoint why, but I don't want to put it down.

Now reading Jeremy C. Shipp's Fungus of the Heart which the author kindly sent me.

I just finished a couple of Star Wars quickies and Started Tale of Two Summers last night for the monthly read and then I think I am going to read either Isherwood's Berlin Stories or Wallace's Infinite Jest: A Novel.

Oh and I am reading a non-fiction that supports the hypothesis that the Picts were Dark Age Celts left ovr after the Romans abandoned Britannia.

Debbie wrote: "Just got seriously sucked into Carson McCullers's The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter . I can't pinpoint why, but I don't want..."

Debbie, this is one of my very favourite books; I utterly understand why you don't want to put it down!

I have just finished reading Cat's Eye and Fugitive Pieces, am continuing to work my way through the fascinating No Priest But Love: The Journals of Anne Lister From 1824-1826 and have just begun SCUM Manifesto for a quick read and insight into the mind of Valerie Solanas...

My next read depends upon which is voted as the 'Feminist Readers' Discussion Group' Book of the Month: November 2010. (I facilitate a reading group within a local voluntary organisation, run by women for women...) It could be The Color Purple, The Bloody Chamber or Rebel Girls: How Votes for Women Changed Edwardian Lives. My vote goes to The Bloody Chamber....

Debbie wrote: "Just got seriously sucked into Carson McCullers's The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter . I can't pinpoint why, but I don't want..."

That's a beautiful book...heartbreaking, but touching. I read it ages ago. They did a decent movie version of it in the 60's, I think, though I haven't seen that in a while either.

Nancy wrote: "Now reading Jeremy C. Shipp's Fungus of the Heart which the author kindly sent me.

"

That's so funny. Jeremy just sent me that as well!

BTW...in case anyone doesn't know, Armistead Maupin's newest entry in the Tales of the City series, Mary Ann in Autumn, is being released on November 2.

Forgive me whilst I squee.

Paul wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Now reading Jeremy C. Shipp's Fungus of the Heart which the author kindly sent me.

"

That's so funny. Jeremy just sent me th..."


He sent it to a couple of my friends too. I like the stories more than I expected. They are kind of creepy, dark and funny (not always at the same time, lol!)

I really should be careful about what I read and watch on TV just before going to sleep.

Last night I was reading about a boy who lives in a cabinet with a styrofoam cup for a friend and watching an old woman feeding black bears on Fatal Attractions who met a grisly end.

So you can imagine what kind of dreams I had.

I loved the Jeremy Shipp Novel that I read, I forget the title now, I think it was Cursed.. it was really good!