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 Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2012 11:37 am
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Hmm, I suppose this could go into Extended Discussion maybe, but then again not sure how in depth it would want to be discussed?
Anyway, what are some current novels in the LGBT genre you're reading? Maybe some you've heard of and want to read? or ones you would recommend? Why would you recommend them and maybe a quick plot description? Just whatever. =3
Currently: I'm actually not reading a particular one at the moment, but I have The Wives of Bath on my table (for those that don't know this book is what the movie Lost and Delirious is based off of...but the movie took a lot of creative liberties. I mean a lot.)
Ones that I have read:
Fried Green Tomatoes (love the story since it preachers more than simply rights for LGBT community. It has a great deal of life lessons, tolerance in general related to race, gender, sexuality and even feelings towards death.
A quick plot idea is simply two women living in a small southern town. The towns members know about their relationship, but manage to accept them anyway. It's never even questioned or seen as a negative lifestyle. They are simply just like everyone else. It also flips back and forth from the older story of this couple to a woman in a nursing home telling a visitor about these women. It also has an interesting dramatic murder plot aspect.
Beebo Brinker Chronicles: I love these stories, and I love Beebo. Again a little history for the story it's a set of old pulp fiction novels. The characters are somewhat stereotypical, but I feel it's a must read especially for the lesbian community. The time period when the Beebo chronicles were written it was not acceptable to to have LGBT material floating about. The majority were done as cheap trashy pulp novels, either some sort of almost porn piece or the endings were terrible. The characters would realize they were magically straight or be committed to institutions for being insane ect. Bad endings. Often times they were not even written by lesbians or anyone from the community.
Beebo is different. The stories while harsh and depressing somewhat have happy ending and the characters attempt to stay true to themselves despite the negative cry from the public. I also enjoy the new editions with commentary by the author. She explains the differences between life then and now. How she would do things differently and acknowledges the acceptance we have today.
Spring Fire: Another of the lesbian pulp novels. Sadly it has one of the darker endings, but on the plus side it's considered to be one of the first lesbian pulp fiction pieces. It's written by a lesbian and she acknowledges the pressure at the time to not give her characters a happy ending. In the story it follows two late teens in college and their romance. I found that it's very easy to read between the lines and see what should have been if the writer was given proper freedom.
Affinity, Fingersmith and Tipping the Velvet: By far my favorite in the lesbian genre of writing. Waters has merged the classic Victorian story plot line with romance. It's not something that has over the top sex scenes ect. I rather enjoyed the incorporation of historic elements and ideas with the story. The Nightwatch is possibly my favorite of the stories and it includes not only lesbian, but also gay and bisexual relationships.
Plot wise just briefly
Affinity: A young upper class woman's father dies. In an attempt to curb her sadness she starts to volunteer helping at a woman's prison. She meets a young woman there that is a psychic and things progress from there. Also things are revealed about each character's past.
Fingersmith: A young fingersmith (pickpocket) is recruited by a family friend to help swipe a fortune from a young woman. She poses as a maid for the girl to work in the household and gain her trust, and her goal is to persuade her to marry her friend (a fellow thief). Problems arise when the two women start to fall for each other.
Tipping the Velvet: A young woman working in a family oyster parlor meets a young girl working at a local theatre. She is completely captivated that the girl wears men's clothes and performs on stage. Eventually she joins the act and falls for her of course.
The Night Watch: Probably my favorite of her stories, it follows characters during/after World War II. It shows their relationships after the war and during going through different periods of time. I actually won't get into it because I would hate to spoil relationship information. It does have a larger spectrum with more than simply lesbian couples though.
Written on the Body: One of my favorites, but to be honest it's been so long since I've read it I'll have to flip through it. The narrator talks about a relationship with a woman, but never gives away their own gender. Then they talk about past relationships with other women and men. It's humorous and sad at the same time.
Hmm we have other ones on the shelf that my wife is insisting I read. @>@ Cannot remember them currently. Any suggestions or favorite reads for anyone?
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Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2012 1:39 pm
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Oooh I want to read Fingersmith O:
Well, its not published in physical book form yet, but my book called Demon Stories is full of gay, lesbian, and transgender themes. I try to put these themes in a positive light. You can read it on Wattpad:
http://www.wattpad.com/story/1116481-demon-stories
It focuses on six demons (as of current). Two are transgender, two are gay, one is a lesbian. It is mostly set historically in France and Germany (1640's-1890's), but a good chunk is set in modern Japan (1990's). Eventually, as I write, a good chunk will be set in Russia (1800's) and Italy (1500's-1600's). Some is set in early 1600's Japan. The book is mostly just short stories about their lives, and each story connects to the other like a web. It is of course a horror, but it is also a love story, a comedy, a drama.
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Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2012 4:14 pm
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I'm not really reading anything LGBT-themed at the moment, although I have in the past.
One of my favourites would be Will Grayson, Will Grayson by David Levithan and John Green; some of Levithan's other books (and books that he has co-authored) are pretty good, too. They're young adult books, so I'm about a decade beyond his target audience, but I still really enjoyed them.
On the subject of YA books, I'd also recommend Pretty Things by Sarra Manning, Talk by Kathe Koja, and Suicide Notes by Michael Thomas Ford. The last title in particular was great.
One of my favourite authors, Poppy Z. Brite, frequently writes about gay or bi characters. Lost Souls is kind of trashy, pulpy, "sex, blood, and rock & roll" sort of book, but is still an entertaining read. Just don't expect anything deep. razz Drawing Blood is better-written, and has more substance to it. Both are sort of horror novels. Lost Souls is a sort of vampire novel (nothing like the introspective Anne Rice darlings, and not nearly as classy as Dracula, haha) while Drawing Blood is more of a ghost story (sort of) with a touch of weird romance.
For those that like fantasy, there's the Last Herald-Mage trilogy by Mercedes Lackey. It's pretty melodramatic and full of angst, but it's not half-bad. Worth a read, anyway.
Christopher Rice has some good crime/mystery novels. I particularly liked Light Before Day.
While it's not technically LGBT-themed, I still think it counts: The Picture of Dorian Gray.
That's all I can think of at the moment. Admittedly haven't read much lesbian lit, or much of anything with a trans character. biggrin I was eager to read anything with gay characters or a gay-themed plot when I was younger (which led me to read Rainbow Boys...eugh.), but now I don't really look for it.
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Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2012 6:26 pm
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MarigoldMari Oooh I want to read Fingersmith O: Well, its not published in physical book form yet, but my book called Demon Stories is full of gay, lesbian, and transgender themes. I try to put these themes in a positive light. You can read it on Wattpad: http://www.wattpad.com/story/1116481-demon-stories It focuses on six demons (as of current). Two are transgender, two are gay, one is a lesbian. It is mostly set historically in France and Germany (1640's-1890's), but a good chunk is set in modern Japan (1990's). Eventually, as I write, a good chunk will be set in Russia (1800's) and Italy (1500's-1600's). Some is set in early 1600's Japan. The book is mostly just short stories about their lives, and each story connects to the other like a web. It is of course a horror, but it is also a love story, a comedy, a drama.
Ooh, you wrote those? I will be sure to check them out. 3nodding
I hadn't really read much of anything lately besides textbooks (though I am hoping to get the Kindle Fire for my birthday and start reading more books).
So far I can only recommend two manga, though I am not sure it that is what you are looking for.
Well one is called Wandering Son, which is a story of two young students who are transgender and the difficulties that they face and about life in general and about their friendship and helping one another. I am not good at summaries, but it was recommended to me awhile back and it is a wonderful story.
Another is call No Touching At All about a guy who left his old job due to harassment for being gay and started a new job. When he first met his boss, he got the wrong impression of him. The boss appears to be a cheerful guy and wanted to make the new employee more welcome and relaxed but sends a lot of mix singles and the new employee is scare to start a relationship with him due to experience with dating coworkers in the past . Later you find out about their past, etc... |
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Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2012 7:06 am
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Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2012 3:23 pm
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Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2012 4:15 am
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Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2012 6:25 am
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Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2012 6:30 am
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MadHatterDA Fingersmith is really good. <3 I know that one is my wife's favorite of the four novels she has out now. Haha, well hey this is an interesting coincidence. I'm working on finishing my novel this summer since I have someone that is willing to be my editor. I've joined some writing forums as well. Now someone who has a story. I'll make sure to sit down and read it this weekend. I don't mind horror related stories at all. I do read them a great deal, but seems difficult to find many in the LGBT genre.
Since you're both discussing Anne Rice that brings up a lot of memories. I remember reading her stuff my first year of college, and I actually have them up on a shelf in our living room I believe. @_@ I remember my mother bought me some of her religious books when she stopped writing the other stuff. I was kinda surprised and those sit in a pile somewhere...
Lmao, speaking of her stuff though has anyone read the Sleeping Beauty trilogy? Talk about some hefty erotica that just has everything. I think my eyes were all O___O the entire time I read it. Then I made these other women at work read it. They were a bit in shock; there is nothing like scaring the crap out of your friends. I will say though the Sleeping Beauty ones are my favorite since I'm weird like that. emotion_awesome
What is a Kindle Fire? I know of a regular Kindle since my mother has one. I've debated buying my wife one, but I have this books only rule in the house. I'm not a huge manga fan, but I do read them some especially if they are interesting. =3 I know I have a few small graphic novels around the house. I think the first one sounds interesting to me.
I think it is relatively knew, but I know it is in color and allows to not only read books but watch movies, shows and listen to some music-
http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Fire-Amazon-Tablet/dp/B0051VVOB2
We been going digital in this house now as it is getting harder and hard to find books in our area and shipping is costing a fortune. Kind of a shame really.
I don't really too much manga as I am picky, but there are some that I read here and there and I really recommend Wondering Son, it's a good series even though the characters can be hard to tell from one another at times due to the art style. |
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Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2012 6:36 am
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Shanna66 i havent read any of her newer stuff. can you give me the titles? im not really a fan of the sleeping beauty books. ive only read the first one and it seemed to have alot of spanking which im not really fond of. i dont hate it, it just doesnt do anything for me i am reading a werewolf erotica right now that is doing a great job of turning me off. she keeps describing the lady fluids as "sweet cream" and i swear its going to scare me straight xd its over 300 pages long and i havent even gotten to 100 yet, i think i may delete it if the next sex scene also says anything about cream and i know this wasnt directed at my but kindle fire is the kindle version of an ipad. nook has something like that too but i decided to get the simple touch with glowlight since its easier on my eyes
Sure, I don't mind looking them up. It will have to be later today though. I'm about to run out the door for an interview. I need a better district to teach in. <3
Haha, Well I dunno about anyone else, but I'm actually a person that has a reaction to erotica or porn or anything in a sexual way. I mostly read erotica for entertainment and there is nothing more entertaining than strange descriptions. I also found the books overwhelming use of sex constantly absolutely amusing. I think a lot of times there are author's that try to make sex sound kind of almost pretty with their word choices? I don't think that really works considering it's not that beautiful of an act. I have this ex friend that publishes online erotica, and hers is pretty good. It was always hard for me to read since I was all "wait..wait this is the stuff you do? OMFG"
Ah, well someday I might have to break down and get one...but I'll hold off as long as I can. I like the smell and feel of books. |
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Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2012 7:13 am
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Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2012 7:19 am
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MadHatterDA Shanna66 i havent read any of her newer stuff. can you give me the titles? im not really a fan of the sleeping beauty books. ive only read the first one and it seemed to have alot of spanking which im not really fond of. i dont hate it, it just doesnt do anything for me i am reading a werewolf erotica right now that is doing a great job of turning me off. she keeps describing the lady fluids as "sweet cream" and i swear its going to scare me straight xd its over 300 pages long and i havent even gotten to 100 yet, i think i may delete it if the next sex scene also says anything about cream and i know this wasnt directed at my but kindle fire is the kindle version of an ipad. nook has something like that too but i decided to get the simple touch with glowlight since its easier on my eyes
Haha, Well I dunno about anyone else, but I'm actually a person that has a reaction to erotica or porn or anything in a sexual way. I mostly read erotica for entertainment and there is nothing more entertaining than strange descriptions. I also found the books overwhelming use of sex constantly absolutely amusing. I think a lot of times there are author's that try to make sex sound kind of almost pretty with their word choices? I don't think that really works considering it's not that beautiful of an act. I have this ex friend that publishes online erotica, and hers is pretty good. It was always hard for me to read since I was all "wait..wait this is the stuff you do? OMFG"
Ah, well someday I might have to break down and get one...but I'll hold off as long as I can. I like the smell and feel of books.
i really love books too but i dont have enough space for all the books i buy, i had to leave most at my dad's house when i moved. i could make a mini library out of all the books ive collected over the years lol plus my friend and husband both write so it will be nice to be able to read some of their stuff on the go
sometimes ill read erotica just to pass the time but if it uses words that gross me out then i have to stop. i dont want sex to sound all pretty and pristine because as you said, sex isnt like that. im not asking for absolute filthy smut but something realistic would be nice. to me using cream to describe lady fluids is like using the word bannana to describe a p***s. i just dont like it |
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Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2012 4:17 pm
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Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2012 4:55 pm
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That thing is pretty neat. I might have to break down and buy one for my wife or my sister. o= I dunno will have to see at Christmas, because she wants a telescope currently and that will cost enough for an anniversary present. xd
I think on my shelf I have just some random comic/graphic novel stuff...umm Hatter M, Grimm's Alice in Wonderland, Sin City (I love Sin city) and Scott Pilgrim...because I'm a big ole nerd. emotion_awesome
Have you tried joining different online forums and posting it in pieces? I've signed up for some where you can put up pieces for critiques as long as you give them as well. =3 Mine really is simply luck because I met her this year working and we've become really good friends. She took interest in my topic and said she would give it an initial edit. I'm still probably going to have to find an editor or like actually pay her after that or something. >3< Also, you're welcome. I'm sure I'll enjoy it, and let you know.
Oh wow, what kinda stuff do they write?
Understandable, I think I'm just amused by everything so it takes a lot to really get my attention, half the time I just read it and move on. That reminds me. I had someone bring me one to read before that did refer to some of it as like food. I just about died laughing. V.V We own a lot of book shelves I actually need to get another one since I have about fifty books in a tub in the closet. We're looking into finding somewhere to live where I can have a little library. That would simply make my day. I suppose I'll forever be an old fart and not upgrade to the modern age of technology.
I found it so amusing like I said I had to read them and then make other people read them. I agree that it wasn't erotic, but more like amusing. I kinda always find them amusing though. |
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