reading Currently Reading (non-GA)

[Wesley8890]

7 hours ago, Bill W said:

My son got me hooked on 'Ready Player One' by Ernest Cline when we went on our trip a couple of years ago, so he sent me 'Ready Player Two' for Christmas.  If you enjoyed the first book then you should read the sequel - I'm hooked.   If not, you might want to check them both out.  

Ive got the first book havent read it yet.

[Bill W]

18 hours ago, Wesley8890 said:

Ive got the first book havent read it yet.

You might want to do that then.  I couldn't put it down.  

[W_L]

On 12/30/2020 at 10:43 PM, Bill W said:

You might want to do that then.  I couldn't put it down.  

Have you read Ready Player Two

That's my current non-LGBT reading

On 12/30/2020 at 4:10 AM, Wesley8890 said:

Im reading The Fault In Our Stars by John Green.

Its an annual read for me as its my favorite book. Yes i know its emotional torture towards the end.

Good Choice @Wesley8890 , it's a really emotional book.

---------

For my gay romance book right now, I am reading Love's Magic by Janice Jarrell right now, it's part of a book series called Revolutionary Heart. It's an interesting book and series.

 

Edited January 3, 2021 by W_L

[Page Scrawler]

The Door at the End of the World, by Caroline Carson

The book was...so-so, but I doubt I'll read it again.

Edited April 29, 2021 by Page Scrawler

[Wesley8890]

On 12/30/2020 at 10:43 PM, Bill W said:

You might want to do that then.  I couldn't put it down.  

Im actually about to start thr Dragon Riders of Pern series. If i recall thry featured a bit in one of your books.

[Bill W]

14 hours ago, W_L said:

Have you read Ready Player Two

That's my current non-LGBT reading

Good Choice @Wesley8890 , it's a really emotional book.

---------

For my gay romance book right now, I am reading Love's Magic by Janice Jarrell right now, it's part of a book series called Revolutionary Heart. It's an interesting book and series.

 

Yes, W_L, I finished reading it between Christmas and New Year.  Like the first book, I had trouble putting it down once I started.  Once again, he's heavy on the technical aspects, so he must be a real geek, but the story was fantastic.  

[Bill W]

13 hours ago, Wesley8890 said:

Im actually about to start thr Dragon Riders of Pern series. If i recall thry featured a bit in one of your books.

That's a good choice.  I loved that series as well. 

[Krista]

I bought an e-book, "Red, White, and Royal Blue," it is about a President's adult son. It is a bit of a fast and easy read so far, with some humor. There isn't a lot of depth right now, which I don't think there is supposed to be any. There is political humor, some I have to overlook to keep reading since my political views differ from that of the author and the characters lol.

My 'biggest' issue with it, is how the "Parents," and the older adult figures talk in the book. For a President of the US, even talking to their children I wouldn't have imagined a lot of swearing and such. I guess times are changing, but I don't swear around my children and probably won't ever say certain 4-letter words around them. But yes, I give it a good review overall so far.

Edited January 18, 2021 by Krista

[Page Scrawler]

1 hour ago, Krista said:

I bought an e-book, "Red, White, and Royal Blue,"

That book is pretty good. I'd give it 3/5 stars. 

[Wesley8890]

About to start the whole range of Rick Riordan books

[just4hugs]

Over winter break I read the first three books in the series A Chorus of Dragons by Jenn Lyons. The series hasn’t been what I initially expected but I’ve found myself pulled in despite that. I’m still trying to wrap my head around the ending of the third book and how she’ll move forward with the series. I will say that the series name is a bit misleading.

This past weekend I finished Shorefall, which is book 2 in the Founders series by Robert Jackson Bennett. I cannot recommend this series enough. I absolutely love it and can’t wait for the next book to come out. 

[W_L]

@Headstall and @Page Scrawler

If you enjoyed Song of Achilles (I listened to the Audible version and afterward bought a hardcover version as a gift for a gay friend), I have a recommendation for you both along with others that I am starting soon:

Axios: A Spartan Tale by Jaclyn Osborn

The Spartans of ancient Greece were an incredibly harsh culture, but even in such ugly ground, there's still flowers of love. I'll probably get to this book next month, need to finish up some other reading

Edited January 22, 2021 by W_L

[BigBen]

Divergence, by C. J. Cherryh, the latest in a long-running series of hers.

The Case for Keto, Gary Taubes's latest book on nutrition research.

[Wesley8890]

So i got waylayed on my rick riorden marathon. Im current on Book 3 of The Grypon Chronicles by E.G. Foley. Its like harry potter mixed with steampunk. On the brightside im well on my way to my GoodReads goal of fifty books this year!

[Page Scrawler]

6 hours ago, Wesley8890 said:

Im current on Book 3 of The Grypon Chronicles by E.G. Foley.

I've always wanted to read that one, but I never made it a priority. If you're reading Book 3 already, I can assume it must be a brilliant read. 

[ChaosDevin]

Believe it or not, The Great Gatsby.  I have the 2018 edition of it.  I surprisingly was not required to read it back when I was in school (I had a really low budget and ghetto school district while I was growing up in New York).  I saw the movie with Leonardo DiCaprio and I even played a flash game of it.  I got interested in reading it, so far I've read the foreword.

[Page Scrawler]

Be Dazzled, by Ryan Le Sala.

Raffy has a passion for bedazzling. Not just bedazzling, but sewing, stitching, draping, pattern making―for creation. He's always chosen his art over everything―and everyone― else and is determined to make his mark at this year's biggest cosplay competition. If he can wow there, it could lead to sponsorship, then art school, and finally earning real respect for his work. There's only one small problem... Raffy's ex-boyfriend, Luca, is his main competition.

Raffy tried to make it work with Luca. They almost made the perfect team last year after serendipitously meeting in the rhinestone aisle at the local craft store―or at least Raffy thought they did. But Luca's insecurities and Raffy's insistence on crafting perfection caused their relationship to crash and burn. Now, Raffy is after the perfect comeback, one that Luca can't ruin.

But when Raffy is forced to partner with Luca on his most ambitious build yet, he'll have to juggle unresolved feelings for the boy who broke his heart, and his own intense self-doubt, to get everything he's ever wanted: choosing his art, his way.

 

[Page Scrawler]

Just finished Trouble in the Stars, by Sarah Prineas.

Spoiler

Trouble knows two things: they are a shapeshifter, and they are running from something--but they don't know what. So when the government--the StarLeague--shows up, Trouble figures it's time to flee.

Changing from blob of goo form, to adorable puppy form, to human boy form, Trouble stows away on the Hindsight, a ship crewed by the best navigators and engineers in the galaxy, led by the fearsome Captain Astra. When Trouble is discovered, the captain decides to be nice--instead of tossing them out an airlock, she'll drop Trouble off at the next space station.

As the ship travels, Trouble uses the time to figure out how to be a good human boy, and starts to feel safe. But when a young StarLeague cadet shows up to capture Trouble, things get complicated, especially when Trouble reveals a shapeshifter form that none of them could have expected. Soon a chase across the galaxy begins. Safety, freedom, and home are at stake, and not just for Trouble.

Honestly, I loved Trouble from the very first page of this book. An entity that can shift into nearly any biological form (provided there's enough food), Trouble is a funny, clever, devious little person that can escape from most sticky situations as easily as They stumble into them.

[drpaladin]

The Ghost and Charlie Muir by Felice Stevens. It won the 2021 Lammy for Best Gay Romance.

[Page Scrawler]

Atlantis: The Accidental Invasion, by Gregory Mone

Kaya, raised in the undersea, high-tech world of Atlantis, has always been fascinated by the legends about life above the water. Despite the government’s insistence that they’re only stories, she can’t help but dream about the Sun People—and when a group of officials known as Erasers move to bury those legends for good, Kaya sets out to the surface to uncover the truth once and for all.

In the world above, where climate change has led to giant tsunamis that threaten Earth’s coasts, all Lewis wants is to spend more time with his scientist father. When he stows away on his dad’s top-secret research trip, he finds himself thrown headfirst into an adventure much bigger than he bargained for.

[Page Scrawler]

Fifteen Hundred Miles from the Sun, by Jonny Garza Villa

Julián Luna has a plan for his life: Graduate. Get into UCLA. And have the chance to move away from Corpus Christi, Texas, and the suffocating expectations of others that have forced Jules into an inauthentic life.

Then in one reckless moment, with one impulsive tweet, his plans for a low-key nine months are thrown—literally—out the closet. The downside: the whole world knows, and Jules has to prepare for rejection. The upside: Jules now has the opportunity to be his real self.

Then Mat, a cute, empathetic Twitter crush from Los Angeles, slides into Jules’s DMs. Jules can tell him anything. Mat makes the world seem conquerable. But when Jules’s fears about coming out come true, the person he needs most is fifteen hundred miles away. Jules has to face them alone.

Jules accidentally propelled himself into the life he’s always dreamed of. And now that he’s in control of it, what he does next is up to him.

[W_L]

Current Reading:

1. TJ Klune's Heartsong, Book 3 of Green Creek Series

Honestly, Wolfsong was okay as book 1, but it didn't strike me as anything extraordinary. Ravensong as book 2 though was when TJ hit his stride in this series and got me hooked. It's dark/bleak at times, but TJ pulled it through and developed really wonderful/complex gay characters. Shifter genre writers and readers would be missing out if they don't give that book a read. Don't give up if you don't like book 1 as much, Book 2 seriously ups the ante, especially with the Cliffhanger ending.

I also have Brothersong bought with an additional 3 credits from audible.

2. Daryl Banner Born Again Sinner, book 2 Spruce Texas Series

If you like low angst, low homophobia, and gay southern fantasy comfort, then grab nice cup of whatever beverage you prefer (Coffee, Tea, Bourbon, or Whiskey ) and just enjoy the series. I started reading these books with Football Sundae as book 1 in series set in this fictionalized version of Spruce Texas. It's a gay romance without all the heavy stuff that surrounds being gay; though, Daryl doesn't avoid the subject either. It's sort of like Chicken Soup for the Soul for gay readers, who just want a simple fantasy that doesn't reflect on realities. I know it's not for everyone and the acceptance in the series is comical at times, but some days you just want that kind of comfort, like getting big bucket of KFC chicken, it satisfies a particular craving.

Finished Reading/Re-reading this month so far:

1. Maurice by E.M Forster- Classic gay romance, I re-read it again due to the new sequel written by William di Canzio. Writing review for it

2. Alec by William di Canzio- Fan-fiction sequel to Maurice, good story and very beautiful if you are interested in that period of Western History. Writing a review for it.

3. Wolfsong by TJ Klune, Book 1 of Green Creek Series: It started off as a gay version of Twilight, if it was written by a Team Jacob fan , but the story developed further. I thought it was decent, but there were plot point where TJ lost me at times. I know casual readers who judge authors by their first books, may not continue the series, but if you are like me and have read other TJ Klune novels like Lightning Strucked Heart in his fantasy Verania Series, you should consider giving TJ Klune latitude by reading the series further than book 1. Writing a review for it.

4. Ravensong by TJ Klune, Book 2 of Green Creek Series

Yes, the is exactly what I wanted to read and TJ Klune in his sequel delivered on the promise of this universe in spades. You need to read Book 1 in the series to understand book 2's character arcs/development in-depth, but suffice to say, TJ outdid himself here. The story line and future plot set up with that Cliffhanger is what authors dream of creating. Gone is the Twilight-vibes, this book is definitely handled with depth. Writing a review for it.

5. Football Sundae by Daryl Banner, Book 1 of Spruce Texas Series

Low angst, little homophobia, and a southern US setting, where gay guys are accepted without prejudice. Yes, it is a fantasy romance story, it's not grand as some of the other books I've read, but it's worth a nice comfortable sit-down reading. Writing a review for it

6. Openly Straight by Bill Konigsberg, Book 1 of Openly Series

I like the book's complex protagonist and framed story format, it's very nuance way to look at sexuality. In a way, I can see elements of the main character in my coming out experiences. For young adults, it's an interesting, angsty, complex, and sometimes tragic read of a person trying to be something other than what they are. Considering if I should write a full review

7. Honestly, Ben by Bill Konigsberg, Book 2 of Openly Series

This book gets a lot of flack from the Bi-community, which I can understand, because the main character doesn't perceive himself in those terms. It's complicated like Book 1, but far more cerebral. Thematically, it's about being true to oneself and one's beliefs, whether it's your choice of lovers or views on bigger issues like academic integrity or even the "just cause" interpretation of War. Considering if I should write a full review

8. Borrowing Blue by Lucy Lennox, Book 1 of Made Marian Series

What I thought would be a fluffy "Fake Boyfriend" story turned into a fun-filled story about love, betrayal, and accepting what you truly want in life. I am a sucker for Hallmark/Lifetime Movies with this kind of plot. Considering  if I should write a full review

[Wesley8890]

I am once again rereading Harry Potter. Then ill do Percy Jackson

[Wesley8890]

On 1/26/2021 at 5:39 AM, Page Scrawler said:

I've always wanted to read that one, but I never made it a priority. If you're reading Book 3 already, I can assume it must be a brilliant read. 

I finished book seven last night and Gryphon Chronicles is definitely worth the read. Now i have to wait for more as number seven isnt the last one.

[W_L]

4 hours ago, Wesley8890 said:

I am once again rereading Harry Potter. Then ill do Percy Jackson

When you get to the Percy Jackson series, I hope you enjoy the Trial of Apollo. I finished that last summer during the pandemic.

Spoiler

Hopefully Riordan will do a spin-off series with Nico and Will in the underworld. I'd be happy to settle for a novella even if it's not a full series