In 2008 I did something a little different when it came to my ‘best ofs’ so I decided to take the same approach in 2009, but this time chat about my top 5 recommendations.
No, not the stuff I’ve pimped to peeps – let’s face it I’d easily win ‘The Best Pimp of 2009’ award for converting many of you to the glories of yaoi 😉 -, rather the top 5 things that have been pimped to me and, more importantly, I’ve enjoyed muchly.
Without further ado, these are them (in no particular order):
1. Hero by Perry Moore
Pimped by Sean Kennedy and Tam.
This is one of two books which are easily my best reads of 2009. I can’t tell you how much I adored this YA, which is the coming of age story of a gay superhero. At the end of my review I said if you dismissed this book out of hand “may you live the rest of your lives with the niggle that you have missed out on a truly awesome read. Amen.” I stand by that. Reviewed by me here.
2. Almost Like Being in Love by Steve Kluger
Pimped by Merwan.
This is the second of my fave reads for 2009. It’s epistolary format made it an engrossing read as did the wildly appealing characters, especially Travis, and it’s ‘one great love’ theme. It would have been one of my DIK books if Tracy, who I pimped it to in the first friggin’ place, hadn’t stolen it out from under me! *mutterbiatchmutter* Tasted by me here.
3. Black Wade: The Wild Side of Love
I’m sure this luscious graphic novel needs no introduction since a number of you showed complete lack of willpower and now have your own copies of it. *Book sluts!* I’m still drooling – with a bib though cos I don’t want to mark the pretties – over the sensuous artwork. So good. *sigh* Tasted by me here.
4. Shelter
Pimped by M L Rhodes.
I finally watched this movie online the other day after unsuccessfully trying to find a copy of it locally. *Fucking, stupid, isolated Perth!* I loved it. It’s such a an evocative film about relationships, love and being true to yourself. God, and that scene where Zach succumbs to his feelings for Shaun… *fans self* I buying my own copy asap so I can replay that over and over again. M L’s review is here.
5. goodreads
Pimped by Richelle.
Yeah, yeah, I admit that it appeals to my OCD, but I’m still struggling with the whole ‘this is great fun’ thing. Plus, it makes me feel like I’m back in my early teenage years with all the friending crap. Read about my intrepid expedition into the world of goodreads from here on.
So, what 5 books/whatevers haven’t you been able to resist in 2009 and what did you end up thinking of them?
Oh, and while you’re at it, what, if anything, have I made you spend your $$ on this year? I’m curious. 🙂
Kris + Books = Good. *Sometimes*. 
Sigh. I hate doing lists cause I suck at it. I can barely remember last week let alone February. In no particular order:
A) Good Reads – as started by Richelle and then hounded by others. I've actually met some cool people through the m/m board, chat occasionally and it does let me keep track of what I read better.
B) Yaoi – as pimped by you. I thought it was weird but now I'm kind of into it. Some of it's lame, but some is very good.
C) Kris – as discovered at Wave's I think. I'm not sure how I tracked you down. But you are one of the best things I discovered this year. Love you.
D) ML Rhodes – Never heard of the woman then you went and pimped her stuff and …. well, the rest is history.
E) Jordan Castillo Price – see D. Involved a weekend binge read.
F) Meeting some amazing people on-line. I am fairly new to m/m, I only discovered it thanks to JenB about 16 months ago. And through that I've found Jen and Tracy and Sean and Lily and Ingrid and Chris and Wave and KZ and Orannia and … I could go on and on. So many amazing people that I've come to consider my friends and fellow book lovers.
G) A few super-amazing books, some great books, quite a few good books and a couple of duds. I can't even begin to say my fave's, there are too many Jordan's books, Sean's, KZ's, Ally's, Clare's, ML's, etc. etc. etc. My 5 stars at Good Reads are all over the place.
That's all I can think of now. I think C and F were the best. 🙂
I'm pretty sure I picked up Hero after reading your recommendation. And I picked up Black Wade after reading about it at Rain on the Roof. 🙂
Favourite book of the year – Zero at the Bone. And I've got into manga towards the end of the year – absolutely glomming on Loveless at the moment and have also picked up The Crimson Spell. (I think it's TCS trying to remember the name without actually going and picking up the book)
Hoping you get hold of Mindfuck soon as I'm looking forward to hearing what you think about it. Fingers crossed that you love it.
And I also got sucked into Goodreads this year. 🙂
My best of 2009 is coming up on my blog tomorrow – apologies for the shameless self promotion :).
You've recommended lots of great stuff to me this year, Kris, but the one book which stands out is A Strong and Sudden Thaw by RW Day which I never would have read if you hadn't done one of your 'taster' reviews on it.
And the Good Reads thing. Totally your fault, and Tam's.
I got into Twitter after Wave did a post on it and now I'm hooked on that too.
Goodreads is such an addition!
Now we just have to get you on Twitter. yes, oh we will!
I spend Friday nights on Goodreads, who does that? Moi *points fingers at chest* I have no life, apparently.
I'm with Katiebabs we want you on twitter so we can giggle and lol with you all day long.
Hi Kris!!
I have the DVD for “Shelter” sitting right here on my desk. I got it from Netflix and plan on watching it tonight – I'll probably review it on my blog tomorrow.
:o)
MsM
Kris… join us on twitter… come be one of us…
The film and the books are being scribbled down at this moment, so there are a few things I'm gonna spend my $$ on because of you. The last thing I spend my money on thanks to you was Gemini, because you dared me to read a twincest romance 🙂 I haven't started reading it yet, so I can't tell if it's a waste of my money or not… 😉
And I'm with the Twitter promotors: it would def be fun if you joined too! 🙂 I got tricked into it a few weeks ago…
Yes, come to Twitter!!!
I just got Almost Being in Love..can't wait to start it. Will definitely try Hero!
I heart Goodreads….
I heart Twitter more….
Hmm. This'd be easier if my memory was longer than, say 20 minutes.
*gazes at screen for a while*
*checks for new email*
*checks for new blog posts*
*gazes at screen for a while*
M/m was probably my most significant big discovery of 2010, followed shortly thereafter by the m/m romance blogging community. I've, um, read something like 435 m/m titles (including shorts!) this year. *ahem*
Let's see – um, you helped me realize the level of my book sluttery. I KNOW there's more you've pimped to me beyond yaoi, but really, I'm tabula rasa here right now.
You all want to be on Twitter. Yes you do. It doesn't consume your free time at all. Nope.
Do eeeeeeeet.
I'm one of the cool kids (for a change).
Have too agree on the Goodreads and yaoi. Especially the yaoi is very entertaining. I am gradually buying the complete junjou romantica series.
Being one of those lacking willpower I have Black Wade here too *drool*.
But most of all as Tam also said meeting with a whole bunch of new friends.
Ooh, Ingrid has reminded me that I meant to say that I've ordered Black Wade. I'm also ordering a special lockable box to hide all my pron.
OK, I'm just kidding with that last bit.
Good for you Jen, it is a real treat 🙂
Oh, yeah, although I have my library very tidily maintained over at librarything, I've been sucked into goodreads because of the m/m group.
*sigh*
“M/m was probably my most significant big discovery of 2010”
Wow Chris, you live in a whole 'nother dimension to the rest of us. LOL Don't rush me into being a year older yet.
I LOVE Shelter. I watch it every couple of months. In fact, I reviewed it on my own blog over a year and a half ago 😀
http://jenthegingerkid.blogspot.com/2008/05/shelter.html
Haven't read Black Wade yet, but I want to.
I also love Goodreads. I joined in June of last year and visit the site several times a day.
I can't think of anything I've bought on your recommendation though…but surely there must be something…
Tam, you made me sniffle. You're not s'posed to make me do that.
“That's all I can think of now. I think C and F were the best. :-)”
Backatchya, hun. Well, not that I discovered myself at Wave's, but you get the point. You and all the other friends I've made blogging have made this past year a great one. *g*
Lesley, read Mind Fuck, enjoyed it, want to find out more, and intend to mosey over to The Emerald City (aka The Book Depository) later on this morning… where I also hope the 3rd volume in the Crimson Spell will now be available. LOL.
Jen, A Strong and Sudden Thaw is one of my top 10 reads for 2009. A terrific YA dystopian read.
Oh, and I don't think I've laughed as hard as I did the morning when I woke up to find that you all had created goodread accounts. That was hilarious.
Katiebabs chook: “Now we just have to get you on Twitter. yes, oh we will!”
Oh no we won't!
KC: You spend Friday nights on goodreads? What the heck are you doing on it?! Is there some pron section that I need to be made aware of?
And would you stop with the tempting me thing! Geez.
MsM, hi! 🙂 I really look forward to reading your review of Shelter…. and now I want my own copy even more. Dammit.
Janna, am I gonna have to dare you to read Gemini now? LOL. You'll have to let me know your thoughts if you do succumb to the books and the film. 🙂
Mandi: Stop it!
I hope you love Almost Like Being in Love as much as I did. It was totally unexpected and totally enthralling. Enjoy!
Chris, I see that Tam already picked up on your psychic prediction about what you'll be doing in 2010. It was pretty impressive.
I thought you were gonna export your books from library thingy to goodreads and join the dark side??
Ingrid, I stand *somewhat* resolute!
You're buying the entire JR set? Cool. 🙂 I'm so glad that so many of you loved Black Wade as much as I did. We can all drool together. LOL.
Jenre: NO!!!
“I meant to say that I've ordered Black Wade”
YAY! You won't be disappointed, Jen. It's delicious.
JenB: I see from your review that we share a love for a certain scene of Shelter. Who knew two straight boys could turn up the steam like that. Phew!
Get Black Wade! There can be no regrets in looking at beautiful artwork about gay pirates. *g*
I think I need to do a best of list. I just feel so lazy at the moment!!! It is the sun, it is sapping my will to live on the days it deigns to appear.
I did like Hero and I love my copy of Shelter!! Although when I watch it, I get much eye rolling from other house occupants!
Black Wade is a gem. Srsly. AND I am getting mail from Italy… spoilt bint, I know! Will share when it arrives. 😀
Just ordered Black Wade and Hero…. thanks for the list..
E.H>
Yay, I knew you secretly loved Good Reads. It's like the whole Jake thing, right– you were just afraid to admit it. 😛
I've bought so many books this year based on yours, Jen's, and Wave's recommendations that I can't even list them all. And now I think I'm going to have to buy Black Wade. *sigh* Good thing I got an Amazon gift certificate for Christmas. 🙂
BTW, love, love Shelter– I've replayed the scene you mentioned many, many times.
I'm so glad I found your blog this year, Kris. You've given me lots of laughs, good recs, hot guys, and funny stories this year and it's been muchly appreciated. Even the gross posts … maybe … ok, even the gross poo ones. So thank you, Kris!
…let's face it I'd easily win 'The Best Pimp of 2009' award…
Absolutely!!!!
I'm useless at lists too…
1) Discovering the m/m romance subgenre and all of the amazing people I've met who love this genre as much as I have come too 🙂 Still can't work out how I discovered here…it's driving me nuts!
2) Sarah Monette & Juliet Marillier – two amazing authors whose books are some of my favourites of all time!
3) My new computer, fast-speed internet and YouTube. I will never go back to dial-up….ever!
4) The online romance community in general. Very warm and welcoming.
5) …I'm still working on this one *grin*
Kris – resist the Twitter. I know you can 🙂 Oh, and you've discovered Manna Francis? The Administrtion series is great and was, I believe, my first introduction to m/m!
Oh, and I'm thinking of investigating GoodReads for the cataloguing of next year's reading…
D'oh.
I will resist Twitter with all my will power, what little I resist.
I am however feeling an unnecessary amount of peer pressure to buy Black Wade. LOL It's like when all your friends are buying skinny leg jeans and you're still wearing flares. Sigh. Let me think on it.
Tam, speaking of pimping did you ever get the Adrien English books? If not, I'm sending the first to you.
I've resisted twitter so far. And yaoi– I've resisted that too.
Sarah: “AND I am getting mail from Italy… spoilt bint, I know!”
No fair! And you'd better bloody share it or I'm on the next plane to NZ! Swear to God!
EH, LOL! Your lack of willpower is welcome here. 😉
Richelle: *whisperbuyblackwadewhisper* *whisperstarttoreadyaoiwhisper* *whisperbuyblackwadewhisper* Yeah, yeah, and, no, it's nothing like the Jake thing.
“I'm so glad I found your blog this year, Kris.”
*sniffle* You made me all sappy. I'm so glad you found me too. Almost enough to forgive you for the time suck that is goodreads. 😉
Orannia, we m/m perves have to stick together. LOL.
“Kris – resist the Twitter. I know you can :)” I shall do my darnedest!
Oh, and definitely come over to goodreads. Apparently it's great fun. 🙂
Chris, doofus.
Tam, unlike the Twitter thing, this is one of those instances when it's good to cave to peer pressure.
Yes yes Richelle, I have them now. I haven't started on them but I have a shitload of stuff I want to get through and I've been avoiding anything long and involved but I'm down to lots of longer books so I'm going to have to tuck in soon. I also have Ally Blue's BCPI series now I want to read. So many books, so little time. Damn job.
Hey, do any of you guys know what curling is? The sport? Likely not those who live somewhere warm. I should write a short about curlers, I just heard a commercial for a food bank using some curling phrases, it could be pretty funny. Of course only Canadians, Scots and Norwegians would get it. Sigh.
Tam: I watched the curling at the last winter Olympics. Our women's team from Scotland did really well, I remember. It was one of those sports that was strangely compelling.
So write away, I'll get the references even if no-one else does, LOL!
Tam, you could always quit to concentrate on your writing. *beams*
And
I just watched something about curling on telly last night and now feel the need to grow up to be a brusher.
I have enjoyed and/or have been boggled by:
1. Black Wade (mmm – I didn't notice the words till the second time thru).
2. The m/m romance online community.
3. Goodreads. I have over 850 m/m books on my shelves, and considering that I didn't start reading this genre until late 2006 concerns me just a tad.
4. The Dark Tide.
5. This blog. And *rolls eyes* I'm not just saying that to be a suck up. And I'm sure you've made me spend $$, but I can't think of on what off the top of my head. But you have for sure made me smile and even laugh out loud on a regular basis 🙂 And gosh I learn so many things…
Sweeper honey, we call them sweepers. LOL Although they use brushes now rather than brooms like in the olden days (aka when I used to play).
The Scottish women are very good, naturally it's a Northern Hemisphere sport. My parents used to curl all the time, the kid took lessons one winter. It's kind of fun.
Wren: “Black Wade (mmm – I didn't notice the words till the second time thru).”
*snort* None of us did, hun. Believe me.
“And *rolls eyes* I'm not just saying that to be a suck up.”
I would say 'suck away' but peeps might get the wrong idea about us, Wren, my sweet. 😉 And why the hell is everyone so surprised when they mention the learning stuff thing?? It's enough to make a girl sensitive. *pouts*
Tam: Whoops. Hey, at least I kinda knew what it was. LOL.
Tam, you know how many books on American football there are?? That sport is non existing here!
So write away on curling.
1.First thing I ordered from Amazon when I got back to the states was Black Wade and the new release of 'The One That Got Away'….
2.You also hooked me on Shelly Laurenston books which are seriously hilarious.
3. Emmyjag's blog. That kitteh is something else.
4. Adrien English mysteries. I just had to know why you hate 'the one who shall remain nameless'. I just started the first one though.
5. You of course! and the others who frequent here esp when ya'll put pics that would get me beheaded in the Middle East on files I can access. You guys rock!
ummm… I am yet to read a YA book and I'm with you on the twitter thing. Stand firm Kris, I'm with ya…
Suzi.
Suzi:
1. LOL! Excellent. Have you got and read it yet? Dying to know what you thought of it.
2. I remember you telling me that your hubby was a bit miffed with me. Too bad! I'm so glad you like her. My fave 'cheer the hell up' author.
3. She is indeed. *g*
4. *snort* Yeah, right. You just waited until you could read the entire series in one hit. Admit it. 😉
5. “You of course!” Naturally. 🙂
I'm so glad you tried and enjoyed Almost Like Being in Love! I've read Hero too and thought it was good. Didn't *love* it, but I really enjoyed reading it.
I'm reticent about getting Black Wade because WHAT IF SOMEONE STUMBLES UPON IT?! Am not out as a reader yet but even if I was, OMG it's pretty explicit. (New Year resolution: toughen up? lol).
Shelter was a great movie, but it doesn't top my gay movie list for 2009. That spot is for Patrik, Age 1.5 (a superb Swedish movie), which you can see here if you're keen:
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=9DF8FEDE7AD6BDF5&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL
All in all, 2009 has been pretty good reading-wise. *g*
Blogger ate the Youtube link, so here it is again: http://tinyurl.com/yhdy8fj
Merwan, yep, you sure aced the Almost Like Being in Love rec. It was a bloody terrific read. *g*
“New Year resolution: toughen up? lol”
I'm pretty good at daring people to do stuff. Say the word and I'm so on it. 😉
Thanks for the link to the movie. I'll definitely be checking it out.