Queereaders discussion

Well, this snuck up on me - it's June already! Tell us what you are reading this month.

Out of consideration to those of us who follow this topic on mobile devices, please use links rather than book cover images.

I recently finished:

Eurydice by Sarah Ruhl (4 stars) - a surreal absurdist retelling of the story of Orpheus and his love Eurydice. A one-act play and a very quick read. Absurdist plays aren't always my thing, but I liked this one.

Uprooted by Naomi Novik (4 stars) - a delightfully entertaining fantasy story about a young witch and an evil, magical wood. I really enjoyed this one.

Tipping the Velvet (3.5 stars) - for my thoughts on this one, see the group read thread

Fugitive Pieces by Anne Michaels (4.5 stars) - I loved this book, but it isn't for everyone. The plot is very thin; it's a story about Holocaust survivors, but really, it's an extended meditation on history and the psychology of surviving something unimaginable (survival afterwards - the aftermath). The author has written books of poetry, and I'm not surprised; it moves like poetry, by depth and intuition rather than by the press of events. Extraordinarily vivid language!

And now I'm currently reading: Agnes Grey by Anne Brontë (enjoying it so far), The Aeronaut's Windlass by Jim Butcher (silly but wildly entertaining so far, talking cats!), and Amoris Laetitia-- The Joy of Love: On Love in the Family by Pope Francis (I preferred his The Church of Mercy to this one so far, but he's a kind, well meaning man - in Vatican documents he has to more carefully toe the line).

COME_TO_THE_DARK_SIDE wrote: "Recently read:

Undoing Gender [★★★★]: It is a fairly provocative discussion of the gender policy framework and livability of those lives that do not fit perfectly into the gender bin..."

I haven't read Locke recently, but he's a light read?! :D

Undoing Gender sounds great!

Greg wrote: "I recently finished:

Uprooted by Naomi Novik (4 stars) - a delightfully entertaining fantasy story about a young witch and an evil, magical wood. I really enjoyed this one."

Have you tried her other books (i.e. the Temeraire series)? I've read everything she wrote, including her fanfic.

Alex wrote: "Greg wrote: "I recently finished:

Uprooted by Naomi Novik (4 stars) - a delightfully entertaining fantasy story about a young witch and an evil, magical wood. I really enjoyed this one."

Have you..."

No Alex, it's my first by her - very enjoyable! I'm sure I'll read more at some point.

I'm reading The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy for the... fourth time? It's my favorite.

I also recently reread Thor: The Trials of Loki, which gives a (slightly) more nuanced look at Loki's actions and motivations. I've never been a fan of Marvel Comics' Loki, to be honest. Too often he's portrayed as just plain evil, but the thing that made him so interesting in the mythology was how easily he swung between being genuinely nasty and genuinely helpful.

I'm reading A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare.
Recently I saw Rusell T. Davies adaptation of this Shakespeare play, so it's even more exciting to get deeper understanding of " A midsummer night's dream"

I am in the middle of David Falkayn: Star Trader by Grand Master Poul Anderson, book 2 of his "Technic Civilization Saga". It's a compilation of a short novel, novelllas and short stories about his Polesotechnic League of star traders. This volume concentrates on my fictional hero David Falkayn.

Bill wrote: "I am in the middle of David Falkayn: Star Trader by Grand Master Poul Anderson, book 2 of his "Technic Civilization Saga". It's a compilation of a short novel, novelll..."

How is it Bill?

I'm quite enjoying it Greg. I'm now on a novel called Satan's World. It's all action/adventure and escapist but well-written.

Thanks for starting the thread, Greg!

I just finished The Cold Commands, which is book 2 of Richard K. Morgan's trilogy "A Land Fit for Heroes." I picked up the 1st one (The Steel Remains) since it's a fantasy with a gay protagonist. I didn't realize how graphic it would be, but I love that sh*t, so I got into it really quickly. Apparently it's part of a genre called "grimdark"; similar to George R. R. Martin's style. It was cool - violence, gay sex, sorcery... it hit the spot. I'll start book 3 after I finish...

City of Night, which I'll start on my commute home today. It's a classic, so I'm curious if anyone's read it before?

Also, I'm about to take a trip at the end of the month, and would love some good LGBT beachside read recommendations! :)

Greg wrote: "Thanks for starting the thread, Greg!

I just finished The Cold Commands, which is book 2 of Richard K. Morgan's trilogy "A Land Fit for Heroes." I picked up the 1st one ([book:The S..."

I've read the first two books in the "A Land Fit for Heroes" series as well. It surprised me that the author is a straight guy, as the sex was pretty graphic as well. But I rather like the series nonetheless.

I'm surprised it was called a fantasy series, since it clearly has some sci-fi elements...

Yeah, it sure seems to be the sort of thing that you either love or hate. I chuckled seeing all these reviews from seasoned fantasy readers saying there's too much sex - I felt like there could've been a lot more! And while we're on the subject, there were just as many hetero scenes as gay (in the 1st book), and yet people complained the gay stuff was too much to handle! It just shows how inadvertently bigoted people can be without realizing it at all. Glad to see I'm not the only one who ate it up.

I agree with you on the sci-fi aspects. Alongside the alien races and advanced technologies, there's also gods, sorcery, and other supernatural occurrences, so I'd say it's a mix of both sci-fi and fantasy...?

Alex wrote: "...I'm surprised it was called a fantasy series, since it clearly has some sci-fi elements..."

I was going to ask if it were SciFi or Fantasy. There's a dearth of good Gay Sci-Fi, except for some classics, IMO.

I started High-Rise by JG Ballard. This novel has been made into a new movie: High-Rise (IMDB) starring Tom Hiddleston, Jeremy Irons, Sienna Miller & Luke Evans.

Greg wrote: "Thanks for starting the thread, Greg!

I just finished The Cold Commands, which is book 2 of Richard K. Morgan's trilogy "A Land Fit for Heroes." I picked up the 1st one (The S..."</i>

Curious about [book:The Steel Remains Greg - some friends rated it quite highly!

Bill, "High-Rise" does look interesting, especially since I live in a city with many of them! I could easily envision the plot taking place in real life! I'll have to add that to my "want to read" list.

Greg, you should check it out! If you like sci-fi/fantasy that's dark, brooding, and raunchy, you'll like that one.

Hey all, one of our monthly group reads (Patience & Sarah) is on sale today on Audible's daily deal in the US for $1.99! Unfortunately, I'd already bought it, but if anyone hasn't yet, that price is tough to beat!

http://www.audible.com/pd/Fiction/Pat...

Just finished Agnes Grey by Anne Brontë (3 stars) - I liked it; an interesting look at the life of a governess in Victorian England.

Still finishing up the long but entertaining book The Aeronaut's Windlass by Jim Butcher ... and just started one of our group reads Patience & Sarah yesterday; so far I'm enjoying the earnest directness of it.

Just finished Out of the Silent Planet - I was surprised at how much I liked this one! I liked it much more than the first Narnia book actually. The Narnia one was much more of a pat allegory, but this one didn't fall into such neat lines.

About half done with Patience & Sarah and thoroughly enjoying it.

Also just started the fantasy book Six of Crows.

I think I'll re-read Snow Country by Yasunari Kawabata next after I wrap up more of these.

Greg wrote: "Just finished Out of the Silent Planet - I was surprised at how much I liked this one! I liked it much more than the first Narnia book actually. The Narnia one was much more of a pat a..."

It's wonderful. I quite enjoyed all of the Perelandra Trilogy. It, like LOTR, is adult vis à vis Narnia and The Hobbit.

I'm definitely going to continue with the trilogy Bill!

I just began Hafiz and the Religion of Love in Classical Persian Poetry because I need to read about love cults at this time. I wonder what the connections were between courtly love in Europe, which amounted to a religion of love in that devotees were known to place Venus ahead of the figures of their Christian worship, and the 'School of Love' in Islamdom where they came up with equivalent, perhaps even stranger devotions. I used to read avidly about courtly love; I hope there is comparative work that tells me about the influences, or at least looks at them side by side.

I'm reading Sword of Ice and Other Tales of Valdemar because I'm feeling nostalgic.

Bryn wrote: "I just began Hafiz and the Religion of Love in Classical Persian Poetry because I need to read about love cults at this time. I wonder what the connections were between courtly love ..."

I like Hafiz' poetry Bryn!

Alex wrote: "I'm reading Sword of Ice and Other Tales of Valdemar because I'm feeling nostalgic."

It;s been quite awhile for me too. I'd like to re-read The Last Herald Mage again. Have you read any of her son's efforts? I wonder if they are any good.

I just started reading The Cellar

And I recently started The Iron Council by China Miéville

Bill wrote: "It;s been quite awhile for me too. I'd like to re-read [book:The Last Herald Mage|287..."

Yeah, I rather like The Last Herald-Mage as well. Read them back I was in high school and totally loved the series then.

No, haven't read anything by Lackey's son. Didn't know he writes, too.

Mercedes is getting old. She and her sone have published some together and I think he has continued Valdemar on his own, but am not sure.

Bill wrote: "Mercedes is getting old. She and her sone have published some together and I think he has continued Valdemar on his own, but am not sure."

Actually, I just checked Wikipedia, no mention of her having a son. If you're talking about Larry Dixon, that's her husband, I think. :p

Actually I was thinking of Anne McCaffrey. Her son Todd J. Mccaffrey has been involved in continuing her Pern novels.

I've often mixed up McCaffrey and Lackey.

Bill wrote: "Actually I was thinking of Anne McCaffrey. Her son Todd J. Mccaffrey has been involved in continuing her Pern novels.

I've often mixed up McCaffrey and Lackey."

LOL. Actually, I have never read the Pern novels. The only McCaffrey I've read is her The Tower and the Hive series. And once the supposedly gay guy falls for the girl as well, I stopped reading.

Pern's where it's at!!!

I just finished Marbles: Mania, Depression, Michelangelo, and Me by Ellen Forney, a really great graphic memoir about the author/artist's journey with Bipolar I Disorder. She's a successful graphic novel/comic writer and bisexual. I recommend it!

Currently reading these:

The Red House Mystery by A.A. Milne
Izzy & Lenore: Two Dogs, an Unexpected Journey, and Me by Jon Katz
The Uncensored Bible: The Bawdy and Naughty Bits of the Good Book by John Kaltner
You Can Heal Your Life by Louise L. Hay
The History Of Ancient Egypt by Bob Brier
Fortify Your Life: Your Guide to Vitamins, Minerals, and More by Tieraona Low Dog

I'm enjoying them all except Red House Mystery, which just strikes me as amateurish and silly, but I just had to try a Milne book for grown-ups.

I'm re-reading Dostoyevsky ahead of an essay. Early work so far: Netochka Nezvanova and The Village of Stepanchikovo. Netochka is a young girl's tale and Village is billed as his only comedy.

Andrew wrote: "I just finished Marbles: Mania, Depression, Michelangelo, and Me by Ellen Forney, a really great graphic memoir about the author/artist's journey with Bipolar I Diso..."

A great variety as usual Andrew - I love it!

Bryn wrote: "I'm re-reading Dostoyevsky ahead of an essay. Early work so far: Netochka Nezvanova and The Village of Stepanchikovo. Netochka is a young girl's tale and Village is billed..."

How does his early work compare to the later novels Bryn?

There were a few pieces about Dostoyevsky's life in the book Fugitive Pieces that I read recently. I was deeply moved by some of the depictions - I wonder if they're accurate? One was about how the authorities made him believe he was to be executed and took him out to be shot but then at the last moment didn't fire. Another was about an older "peasant" woman who was kind to him when he was on the way to a prison camp up North.

Those stories piqued my interest to read him soon. I definitely want to give another of his novels a try, maybe The Brothers Karamazov?

Greg, those incidents sound entirely accurate. The authorities did stage a mock-execution with a pardon rushed from the Tsar only when the first lot are lined up. One of them went mad. Dostoy was in the second lot. As for the old woman's kindness... I think I remember that, which affected him greatly. Amongst the other unexpected kindnesses he experienced on the way to/in Siberia. I am moved by his prison life, where he discovered a faith in human kindness within the convicts, across the huge divide between 'ordinary' 'peasant'-class criminals, and the political prisoners who were from the gentry. It took him a while to bridge that gap -- even though he got involved in revolutionary activity because of his passion for emancipation of the serfs -- but he lived with that faith ever after. It's why I love D.

I enjoy the early work. I'm giving everything four stars so far, only because I had better reserve five stars for his major novels.

The Brothers Karamazov is his culmination, the first one I read, and always my recommendation. :)

Thanks Bryn! :)

And hey, everyone in the US, I just noticed that Maurice is the Audible daily deal - for Audible customers, the audiobook read by Peter Firth is only $2.95 today!! I just snapped it up!

On the flight to Seattle, I read the first 3/4 of So Long a Letter by Mariama Bâ. An extremely moving human story and so interesting in the cultural aspects; the funeral traditions in the beginning were especially intriguing. I'm impressed so far by the translation as well - very well done. Thanks Raul for introducing me to this author!

I just LOVE LOVE LOVE So Long A Letter Greg! And I am glad you love it as well. It is beyond amazing how Mariama Ba captures so many things in 96 pages and in such a grand manner as well.

Raul wrote: "I just LOVE LOVE LOVE So Long A Letter Greg! And I am glad you love it as well. It is beyond amazing how Mariama Ba captures so many things in 96 pages and in such a grand manner as well."

It is astonishing how much she captures Raul! I'm loving it too! Almost done.

Andrew wrote: "You Can Heal Your Life by Louise L. Hay"

That was the first self dev book I ever read, I think (and I have read many). What do you think, Andrew? About all I remember of it is her advice: 'Don't eat anything that doesn't grow' (i.e. no processed food).

I want to start reading A Single Man by Christopher Isherwood next week. It has been highly rated by somw of my friends and I hope I enjoy it.

I thought A Single Man was superior. I've enjoyed everything I've read by Isherwood.

Bill wrote: "I thought A Single Man was superior. I've enjoyed everything I've read by Isherwood."

I agree Bill - hope you enjoy it Raul! It's understated but powerful.

Finished the excellent So Long a Letter as well as the entertaining YA novel Six of Crows. Six of Crows fell apart a bit at the end, but it was still entertaining.

Now continuing Snow Country by Yasunari Kawabata. On the plane ride home from Seattle, I plan to read the play The Lion and the Jewel by Wole Soyinka.

Expecting Someone Taller by Tom Holt. Bonkers!

I've started a fantasy trilogy, A Land Fit for Heroes by Richard Morgan. It has a gay protagonist whom I easily identify with.