Queereaders discussion

I just started How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universeand it is nothing, if not unusual. And I am not sure I understand it yet, but so far it does have a non existent dog. And what I think is a time machine.

I'm taking a Psychology of Aging course now and have to read Jill Quadagno's . It's actually interesting reading and not quite as dry as I expected.

Also reading . New Jersey has always kind of scared me. Now I know why...

I really liked the Pines, Nancy. Quite compelling. I read a little more at lunch of my current pick, and it is one of the strangest books I ever read, or maybe am going to read? Or did read? That is, if it exists, currently or in a parrallel universe.

That sounds like a good book, Nancy. And there's more to be frightened of in New Jersey than just the NJ Devil!

I'm reading "The Mountain and the Valley" which is a beautiful little book by a Canadian author about growing up in Nova Scotia in the early 1900's.

Started reading "On Beauty" by Zadie Smith which I've loved so far, but put that aside since the book above is a library book.

Tom, have you read anything by Elizabeth Hay? I picked up a very cheap copy of at the McGill University bookstore. I was looking for Canadian writers that weren't well known in the US.

I'm not readying anything except school work pretty much. It's NaNoWriMo, so most of my time will be dedicated to that.

Nancy wrote: "Tom, have you read anything by Elizabeth Hay? I picked up a very cheap copy of at the McGill University bookstore. I was looking for Canadian write..."

Hey Nancy - No, I've not read anything by Elizabeth Hay, nor have I heard of her. I think I may of heard of 'Garbo Laughs," though. Let me know what you think. I'm enjoying the one I'm currently reading, though never heard of him until recently. I do try to toss in a Canadian writer now and then among my choices.

I'm planning to read it after I get through some library books and our group read. Short stories are perfect for those times when my reading is interrupted or I can't concentrate on a full-length story.

Whenever I'm in Canada, I'm always looking for Canadian writers. In my normal reading, I've come across many without even knowing it.

Ivan Coyote is also Canadian and wrote the excellent along with several short story collections.

Your books sound good too, Tom.

one of the books i'm reading is Sprout by Dale Peck. was a little hard to get into the flow of things cause the main character doesn't sound like any teenagers i know. but i'm learning he's super smart and witty and i'm getting to like him. i like the author's style. it's a fun read.

Danny, I felt the same way about Sprout. His voice was just a little too "adult", but once I really got into the story and characters that no longer bothered me. It's a fun book with some laugh-out-loud moments.

I just started reading HerobyPerry Moore because I finished reading By the Time You Read This, I'll Be DeadbyJulie Anne Peters

I really liked Sprout when I read it.

I had to drop everything to read Armistead Maupin's Mary Ann in Autumn

Paul wrote: "I had to drop everything to read Armistead Maupin's Mary Ann in Autumn"

WHAT?! I had no idea this was coming!!! Let us know what you think!

I just finised read "Easy Riders, Raging Bulls" by Peter Biskind. I loved this book and did not want it to end. It is a detailed look at Hollywood during the transition from Old Hollywood to New Hollywood, during the late 1960s and early 1970s. It details the making of iconic films of that period and contains revealing portraits of the filmmakers: Warren Beaty, Martin Scorsese, George Lucus, Steven Spielberg, Francis Ford Coppola and others. If you are interested in filmmaking and Hollywood, you'll find this book a delicious and informative read,

Tom wrote: "Paul wrote: "I had to drop everything to read Armistead Maupin's Mary Ann in Autumn"

WHAT?! I had no idea this was coming!!! Let us know what you think!"

Yeah, it came out on election day (Tuesday). I have about 80-90 pages to go. I am loving it so far. It's like coming home again.

I just finished Mary Ann in Autumn. If you are a fan of the Tales of the City series, I really think you will love this book. If you've not read the others, you can still enjoy this one, but you'll enjoy it so much more if you know the series.

A more formal review by this weekend, hopefully.

I just finished "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time" by Mark Haddon. Yesterday I picked up 4 gems from the secondhand bookstore I liked: Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood, The Storyteller by Mario Vargas Llosa, Cancun and the Yucatan for Dummies, and The Best American Science and Nature Writing of 2008 - and all for $8 only! :)

Currently reading the Best American Science and Nature Writing of 2008.

My current reads are in the other what-are-you-reading thread. Are we going to have a new thread each month?

I've been starting up a new one each month to keep our threads less cluttered, but October is still open.

I finished the The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers, which blew me away, an amazing book. Just started Margaret Wise Brown: Awakened by the Moon, a biography about one of my favorite authors.

Karen wrote: "I just finished "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time" by Mark Haddon. Yesterday I picked up 4 gems from the secondhand bookstore I liked: Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood, The Storytell..."

Karen, I really enjoyed The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time. Another book that sensitively explores autism is Elizabeth Moon's The Speed of Dark.

Paul wrote: "I just finished Mary Ann in Autumn. If you are a fan of the Tales of the City series, I really think you will love this book. If you've not read the others, you can still enjoy this one, but you'..."

I reserved this at our library as soon as I saw your note here. I LOVED those books, but can't say I remember a whole lot of the story since I read them so long ago. But, I read the one about Michael Tolliver that came out a few years ago and it was not completely necessary to remember the past books. I just remember hating Mary Ann by the end of the series, though I started out liking her.

I just remember hating Mary Ann by the end of the series, though I started out liking her.

This is one of the problems I had with the later books (and still to an extent with Michael Tolliver Lives). I think while Maupin doesn't necessarily redeem her totally, it is a "coming home" feel and that extends to Mary Ann as well. I had grown to dislike her a ton, but in this book I think Maupin reminds us of why we liked Mary Ann and he brings her back to that a good bit.

And, as far as needing to remember much of the original books, he lays it out well to remind you what happened in the past and through the intracacies of the plot, a lot of it will come back to you. In a very good way.

Brad wrote: "I'm reading Maurice by E.M. Forster, since it's one of the books we're going to discuss next month. We read Howards End in English class earlier this semester ..."

EM Forster is one of my favourite authors and 'Howard's End' is one of my top 10 books. I just love his turn of phrase and his style. And you're right about 'Maurice.' I don't think it's his best, but it's a reminder of how gay men had to live in such fear and that we need to be grateful for the strides taken since then. (And even more so for your generation to make sure that those strides aren't taken away by the recent swing to the right that the US has made and the constant threats to your freedoms!)

There are well-done movies for both that are worth watching. You could have an Edwardian themed movie party!

I'm enjoying Brick Lane by Monica Ali. It's a beautifully written story of a Bangladeshi woman in London. In addition to poetic phrasing, the author portrays each character with a certain insight into her/his emotional and psychological state. Each perspective is well done, especially in interactions with others and throughout their lives -- I almost feel like a voyeur. Brick Lane

To add to the two books featured for the book club currently, I'd appreciate any suggestions for good/great books written by gay men of color and where the main characters are also gay men of color. Thanks in advance.

I have been remiss reading this week. An xbox game came my way, and... well... you know how it is. Hope to read some this weekend. Or tonight, if I get the chance.

So far this month I've read the wonderful All Clear, but don't begin there, begin with Blackout. It's time travel historical fiction about the London Blitz and the war at home in England during World War II.

Then I read the okay YA graphic novel Kin.

Now I'm reading Pegasus an ARC from Robin McKinley's publisher.

But I'm thrilled that there's a new Tales of the City novel!

Ming wrote: "I'm enjoying Brick Lane by Monica Ali. It's a beautifully written story of a Bangladeshi woman in London. In addition, to poetic phrasing, the author portrays each character with a certain insigh..."

I found this link on gay African-American writers:
http://www.glbtq.com/literature/afric...

Debbie wrote: "I finished the The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers, which blew me away, an amazing book. Just started [book:Margaret Wise Brown: Awakened by the Moon|216328..."

I have a copy of McCuller's book but haven't gotten around to reading it yet. But 'blew me away' is as good as recommendation as any. :) I hope that I will be able to read it before this month ends.

Nancy wrote: "Karen wrote: "I just finished "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time" by Mark Haddon. Yesterday I picked up 4 gems from the secondhand bookstore I liked: Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood,..."

Thanks for the heads up for Moon's book. I will keep a look out for it at the bookstores.

Ming wrote: "To add to the two books featured for the book club currently, I'd appreciated any suggestions for good/great books written by gay men of color and where the main characters are also gay men of color. Thanks in advance..."


Maybe we should start up a separate topic for LGBT writers of color?

Debbie wrote: "I finished the The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers, which blew me away..."

I was required to read this in high school, didn't like it or 'get' it really. It's too bad, because it turned me of to novels about po' people in the South, even to Faulkner. Funny I still remember this. I must have had a strong emotional reaction.

@Black Gay authors, besides James Baldwin the only other one I know of is Samuel R. Delany whose Dhalgren is one of the great novels of the last century.

Generally I do not pay much attention to the race, gender, culture of an author. This web page may be of interest:

http://www.glbtq.com/literature/afric...

Brad wrote: So, what might have happened if he had been reported to the Dean or Police? Would he have been kicked out of the school.... or gone to jail ... or what?

The implication is that something horrible would have happened. This is so far beyond my imagination! Are we really in the Medieval Ages in this book??? This is so weird! ..."

Indeed, he would've been kicked out of school and could've been jailed. It was illegal in England at the time for 2 men to have sex, and if caught even propositioning another they would've been prosecuted. You've surely heard of the wonderful, gay writer Oscar Wilde? He was jailed and did hard labour in the late 1800's for 'sodomy', as it was then known. In fact, 'sodomy laws' were still on the books in many states (mostly in the south) until the 20th century and many weren't repealed until the 60's and 70's if I'm not mistaken. That's why I said it's important for you young guys (and gals!) to be aware of the history and make sure that these hard-won rights aren't taken away. Don't kid yourself into thinking that those in power don't want to. Not getting gay marriage is one thing, but not having any legal protection against hate crimes and open discrimination is another.

And perhaps just your gay friends would enjoy an Edwardian party! Ha! But, definitely check out the movies - I own them both and they're really well-done.

It's nice to see a 'youngling' discovering and enjoying good literature!! Does my heart good!!

I can never figure out how to post just to my GoodReads review of something, but my review if Mary Ann in Autumn is up. Or you can go to my livejoural post.

http://gwailowrite.livejournal.com/32...

Here's the link to Paul's review:
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

I believe in Wilde's day the typical sentence for buggery and associated 'crimes against nature' was 2 years hard labor which was the most that one had a chance of surviving. Unfortunately it destroyed Wilde.

It's pleasing to picture Queensbury burning in Hell, while Oscar is upstairs having tea with the angels, if one believes in that sort of thing.

I just started reading Between XX and XY: Intersexuality and the Myth of Two Sexes by Gerald N. Callahan
I'm really hope that it's not going to be too dry...I want to know more about the subject.

Nancy wrote: "Here's the link to Paul's review:
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/..."

Thank you, Nancy. I can never figure out how to do that. I know there is a way.

Paul wrote: "Thank you, Nancy. I can never figure out how to do that. I know there is a way...

Paul, just go to "my books", search for the title and click on "view" all the way at the right.

In the United States, it wasn't until 2003 with Lawrence v. Texas that the last state sodomy laws were struck down.

Synchronicity, Jacinda. Yesterday I was reading our local ACLU website for Eastern Missouri which summarized the sodomy laws in our state. I did not realize the US Supreme Court had struck down all state's laws against 'sodomy' between consenting adults in 2003. I doubt the current court would be so rational. Now if they could just get age of consent laws in order...

I won't answer about the laws of consent, because I am sure others know far more.

Diana Gabaldon writes, well, all manner of things, but primarly historical fiction, with time travel, mystery, thrillers, Romance, and several other genres in her novels.
Outlander is the series she is mostly known for, but she has an ancillary series featuring a tertiary character who is a noble, well educated, with a lot of money, and a soldier and he's gay. From 1745 to the 1770's, so far...
She explores the menace to him should his secret come out.
Lord John and the Private MatterLord John and the Brotherhood of the BladeLord John and the Hand of Devils
These are very well-researched, very well-written, lots of fun novels that I think probably are designed to be read on their own.

Matthew wrote: "Hmmmmm, that's something I don't know about. What is the age of concent? Does it vary from state to state?"

It varies from 14 to 21, IIRC. In some same sex age of consent is higher than straight.

I'm reading The World of Normal Boys by K.M. Soehnlein. I'll tell you, I remember very clearly what it was like being a 13 year old boy trying to understand my emerging sexuality. I think this author captured what it is really like (at least I identified with the kid Robin). It's very confusing trying to make sense of normal stuff like wet dreams, experimenting sexually with different guys your age, none of whom fully understands what it's all about. A very scary but exciting time. --- Very powerful and insightful writing!
~Troy

Troy wrote: "I'm reading The World of Normal Boys by K.M. Soehnlein. I'll tell you, I remember very clearly what it was like being a 13 year old boy trying to understand my emergin..."

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 and his feelings so real that anyone could identify with him, no matter when they were born.

Mike wrote: "540 pages into 2666. I'm not sure I'd do this for anyone other than Bolaño. Pretty amazing book, pretty amazing story, but I'm at the point where it's very, very brutal and sad (this s..."

A few of my friends here enjoyed 2666, but were mixed on The Savage Detectives. Do you need a good knowledge of Latin American literature and culture to enjoy his work?

I'm reading . It's fun, especially considering that I haven't read comics since I was a teenager.

Just click on "add book/author" above the comment box, then go to the bottom and check off "cover".

I remember reading his rather negative comments about Isabel Allende's writing.

Thanks, I'll check out .

I started listening to One Day and the reading so far is pretty good. It seems to be about these two characters who meet in London in the eighties, and how their lives progress, and in the course of this something may happen. I am not very far along, so I am just getting to know the characters but they seem to be very realistic. Currently, they met and slept together, and now have parted but are keeping in contact through letters and postcards. Emma seems to have some unrealised goals so I am wondering where it will be headed, though I hear it was very good.