Still not having a whole heap of time to hassle people about their guest posts, but chatting to @FERISHIA gave me an idea for a topic associated with yaoi and this has to do with the genre in its novel form.
vs 
Those unfamiliar or new to yaoi may be unaware that it is available in different media: manga/graphic art as well as novel/printed word with illustrations.
I tend to focus on yaoi manga because it is the format I, by far, prefer.
Why?
Well, I do quite like to look at the pictures of the pretties fucking… š
In all seriousness, being a long time anime and manga fan, I find the graphic *waggles eyebrows* *must. stop.* form more appealing.
Maybe it’s because I’m more familiar with it? Regardless, it is something I greatly enjoy and I especially like the Japanese culture and society nuances in manga.
Interestingly, I don’t really think you appreciate this insight as much in the written work. I also find that some of the translations of the novels leave a lot to be desired (ie drive me batshit).
That’s me; what about you? Do you dis/like yaoi novels? What is it that appeals or irritates?
I’m also interested to know whether, for those of you who have yet to try yaoi, would you be more likely to read a novel rather than a manga?
Kris + Books = Good. *Sometimes*. 
Some translation is good, some is, less than stellar so it feels stilted and disjointed. I am really off the novels and have a shit load of them at home I think I'll just pass on without reading. I have read a few I enjoyed. I think Sweet Admiration is one that is going around that I liked okay, but I get far too frustrated with the constant angst about family responsiblity or duty or being raped on the job so the boss will be impressed with you. In manga it's over faster and you move on with the story, you're not so prone to want to slap someone. A lot.
Umm. Am I supposed to be doing something? Okay, let me work on that.
I don't read yaoi much at all – I think I read a couple novels and a couple manga somewhere along the way. Apparently, they didn't stick, but that's probably just me.
I think I shy away from the manga because it's just over so quickly; maybe I don't linger enough over the art? The novels – are there really good ones out there? Because I do think I'd love them if the writing was good (I like the tropes).
Hmm. I've only read a novel or two – I'm not sure I have a preference yet.
The novels certainly are like a parallel dimension to the manga. You can't really compare them to other novels you might read, but they do compare to the pretty pictures!
BUT I must agree with Kris (because she is the Queen of the Fucking Universe) and say that I like pictures better… lots of pictures… more fuckin' less talking!
Opps, my inner hussy bitch just peeked out a little bit. *Get back! Back, nasty kitty. Back inside!*
Whew – that was fun. Now I must ruminate on my promised post… *OMGIamsuckaslackermytwoweeksisuponfridayahhhhhh*
Tam: I find that the novels can be really repetitive in terms of the whys and angst of it all. Drives me mental.
Are you meant to be doing something? Erm… Yes?? Yes! You are. Hurry up with it would you. You're making me look bad.
Wren: I wondered if there would people who would prefer the novels to the manga. I think for a number of people reading the novels first would be a better entry point into the yaoi genre, because it is a medium with which they are the more familiar.
Have you read Sweet Admiration? That's probably one of the few that I've actually liked.
Chris: Well, hurry up and make up your mind! š
Miranda: “BUT I must agree with Kris (because she is the Queen of the Fucking Universe) and say that I like pictures better… lots of pictures… more fuckin' less talking!”
*pats* Good girl, but then again what girl, who's bits are working right, doesn't like to see those types of pics. *g*
You better get me that post for next week or it's the naughty minions list for you!
I think I've only tried manga, and I didn't much like it. The pics were pretty, but I felt like I was reading a comic book (never liked those either), and I just couldn't get into the story. Or maybe I'm just supposed to look at the pictures and not worry about the story?
I might do better with a yaoi novel because I do like the pics. Actually, what I'd really like is for some of my fave m/m novels to have pretty illustrations throughout.
I'm commenting b/c kris threatened to beat me with a wet noodle if I didn't. I kid..lol
I have to say I love ANYTHING yaoi, and that includes yaoi novels. I have quite a collection of them. Not as many as I have manga and anime, but still a lot. What I like about them most though is the pictures that suddenly appear in them. You don't know what scenes the manga artist decided to illustrate. I just wish there were more of them. There are usually about 5-6 full page pictures if you are lucky. The stories are pretty hot. Of course, I'm only buying the ones that are 18+.
I've never read one, but I so want to. The graphics are what appeal to me most, but I have no idea where to start in terms of which book would be a good start for a newbie.
Richelle: “Actually, what I'd really like is for some of my fave m/m novels to have pretty illustrations throughout.”
Now that would be seriously awesome. I'd definitely be up for something like that. š
“I might do better with a yaoi novel because I do like the pics.”
Why not try a couple then? Apparently Tam can hook you up. LOL.
Ferishia: *mutteriwasn'tkiddingmutter*
“What I like about them most though is the pictures that suddenly appear in them. You don't know what scenes the manga artist decided to illustrate.”
That's a really good point, Ferishia. It is fun to see what scenes the artists have illustrated. It's just unfortunate that there are usually not enough sex ones. :p
Tahsa: O_O
Fresh meat! Woo hoo! š
Yaoi manga can be expensive so just in case you might not like it I would recommend that you try it in scanlation form (which is essentially the original manga translated & available online) first.
So, depending on what you like, here are a few recs to start off with:
Junjo Romantica – A sweet romance that follows two couples and in which the uke doth protest… a lot. This is a typical trope in yaoi and is probably a good test for a newbie. http://view.thespectrum.net/series/junjou-romantica.html
Haru wo Daite Ita (Embracing Love) – One of my all times faves which focuses on the r/ship from beginning through to ups and downs of a couple in their 20s and 30s. http://view.thespectrum.net/series/haru-wo-daite-ita.html
Crimson Spell – If you like fantasy this is an absolute must. Bloody terrific. http://view.thespectrum.net/series/crimson-spell.html
I have to finish somewhere so it's…
Totally Captivated – It's a manwha, which is Korean, and set around gangstas. Not everyone's cuppa mainly because of the bishie artwork, but I adore it. I have read it so many times it is not funny. http://view.thespectrum.net/series/totally-captivated.html
Hope this helps, Tasha! Let me know what you think of them.
I have mixed feelings. I like the novels because they have more text to read. But the text is sometimes not that good, bloody awful translations.
The manga has way more text but pretty pics to look at. I tend to DNF a manga if I don't like the drawings.
that should be less text of course
Although I'm new to yaoi, I prefer manga to the novels.. I think the only reason for that, though, is because I read novels everyday and yaoi manga gives me a break from that. Plus, I like looking at all the pretty pictures.. lol
Ingrid: Yes, some of the translations are unbelievably bad. Makes my hand twitch for a red pen.
“I tend to DNF a manga if I don't like the drawings.”
I remember you mentioning that before. I don't think I have ever DNFed a book because of the artwork. Having said that, I certainly prefer some artists over others.
Nikyta: “Plus, I like looking at all the pretty pictures.. lol”
Awww. The honesty of an unrepentant perve. You are in good company here, my sweet. š
I like the novels. Sometimes the illustrations aren't very clear and I have trouble working out who is who…but that may just be me š
I do like the pictures too though š
Orannia: Pictures are always good. š