Yeah, I know it’s been a while between posts.
I’ve been on a retreat of sorts and was avoiding you all.
Get used to it.
Anyways, continuing with my version of the end-of-year wrap-up thingy I’ve got going, let’s talk about your reading tastes for the year.
So what – if any – sub/genre did you find yourself reading more of in 2011? What theme, pairing, whatever, did you get a particular kick out of? Etc, blah, etc.
Maybe your reading habits didn’t change a lot at all and you’re in the rut to end all ruts?
Or perhaps you’re like me and have been in a bookity ‘meh’ for most of the year?
Tell nosy Kris all.
Kris + Books = Good. *Sometimes*. 
I've read a lot of master/slave BDSM type books this year. A couple of years ago I would have said that I would never have enjoyed a book like that but apparently I do. Who knew?
I've also been on more of a fantasy bent with those books almost outweighing the contemporaries and as such have found a few new authors that I like.
I had a bit of a 'meh' period sort of mid-year but pushed on through after allowing myself to DNF a few books. I seem to have my mojo back now though.
Hope you enjoyed your retreat. Was it a physical one or just a 'I need a break from the web' retreat?
I suspect that I am in the rut to end all ruts. 😉 But I did read some great m/m in sub-genres that I usually avoid – Knight Errant (scifi) comes to mind.
I've been reading more YA this year, including the much buzzed, 6 figure advances, let's beat this YA into the ground so it can be copied for years to come. More than 80% of what I read were total crap.
I think I need to stick to romance.
Jenre: “I've read a lot of master/slave BDSM type books this year. A couple of years ago I would have said that I would never have enjoyed a book like that but apparently I do. Who knew?”
I've noticed. Who knew indeed. 🙂 There's been a lot of good fantasy come out this year in the m/m genre. A damned good thing, I reckon, because it was a pretty big gap in the genre.
It was a physical one. I went and spent some time near the ocean. One of my favourite places to be. <3
Chris: And how the hell do you know if you're in a rut when you read so much? LOL
Knight Errant was terrific and, if I recall correctly, something that you recommended to me, Chris. 🙂
KBC: Maybe you need to try YA romance? Or have you done that already??
LOL! I bet I did – I bullied a lot of people in to reading it. 😀
Yay,she's home 🙂
I've not really been reading as the stuff around seems to be starting to sound the same 😦
I have been enamoured with Harper Fox 🙂
But I really want some good YA or fantasy recommends…. Please…. Someone…… Anyone? (not a genre I read all that often)
Tish
Chris: *nods* You did… and some of us were even grateful. ;P
Tish: Yep. 🙂
Some YA recs…
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6069946-hero
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/394878.Vintage
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8017244-lord-of-the-white-hell-book-one
Some fantasy/spec fic recs… besides everything by Sir Terry… naturally…
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1636228.Wicked_Gentlemen
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7903473-the-bastard-prince
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6286927-dance-with-the-devil
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5822651-true-of-heart
I've read 18 books this year and will probably read one more. 9 of them are m/m, one an anthology. One is GLBT, covering the whole spectrum. 6 of the others are horror, with or without a straight romance. There's a steampunk collection and a children's book.
Of the m/m novels, 4 are contemporaries, a genre I usually don't read. But Cat Grant, Kiernan Kelly and James Buchanan are on my short list. I read a Mike Shade, which is a rarity. I'm not a fan.
My list is at goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user_challenges/19227
I've been really struggling to find good stuff in the last 6 months. That said, I can always happily read a Stephani Hecht book no matter how deep the rut. This year, I discovered my love of naked cowboys, which continues to be readable no matter how rutted I feel.
But I'm ending the year with an awesome bang! I'm currently reading the Darshian Tales series by Ann Somerville and it's freaking awesome. So good, in fact, I fear the rut will continue once I'm finished because nothing will keep my attention like this series has. *shakes fist at Ann Somerville*. I may have to take Chris' rec and go and read knight errant.
I didn't have a particular sub-genre. I took a quick look back at what I've read in the last couple of months, and there were cowboys, paranormal, BDSM, contemporary, mysteries…Quite the variety. I read backlist books from certain authors I like — Syd McGinley, Sarah Black and Jules Jones. BDSM stories aren't something that I thought I'd ever be into, but I've been reading them in this genre probably just about as early on as I read anything m/m. My favorite authors for BDSM and/or Dom/sub books are Syd McGinley and James Buchanan. I hadn't read anything by Emily Veinglory before, and then read the Eclipse of the Heart books, which I liked a lot.
I dipped my toes a little deeper into the M/M pool this year and really enjoyed most of what I read. I also “discovered” dystopian and have been glomming everything I can get my hands on 🙂
Angelia: “Of the m/m novels, 4 are contemporaries, a genre I usually don't read.”
I have to admit, hun, that I was a bit taken aback when I read 'contemporary'. 😉 However having read your short list of authors, the reason why becomes all the more clearer.
Oh, and LKH? I didn't know you were a fan of her work. The things you learn. 🙂
Nic: “… no matter how rutted I feel…”
So many ways to respond to that…
LOL re: AS. Great to find a series to glom on and, yes, definitely take Chris' rec up. It will be interesting to see what you think about it.
Em: “BDSM stories aren't something that I thought I'd ever be into, but I've been reading them in this genre probably just about as early on as I read anything m/m.”
That's really interesting, Em. Why do you think that is?
Patti: “I dipped my toes a little deeper into the M/M pool this year and really enjoyed most of what I read.”
We noticed. LOL.
I like dystopian stories too. So what have been your fave reads in this genre for the year?
Kris: So many ways to respond to that…
Because you're dirty and I am innocent.
Lately I've been reading more sci-fi/fantasy which has not been my “thing”. For some reasons it's just appealing, maybe I've read a couple of good ones that hooked me, not sure. We'll see how long it lasts. If I start on an historical binge though you'll know somethings up. 🙂
In general I am still hooked on shifters but there does seem to be more contemporaries than anything out there, so hard to avoid.
KSC: even the romance YA's are pretty bleh. 😦
Nic: Yes, that would be it.
*cough*
Tam: “If I start on an historical binge though you'll know somethings up.”
Tell you what… if you start on an historical binge, I'll give you a slap across the back of the head and ask you what the hell you think you're doing.
You're welcome.
Also, I had to snort at your comment about still being hooked on shifters. It's your book fetish. LOL
KBC: Bugger. Take a break and then come back to it, hun. Otherwise you could put out the call asking your followers for YA romance recs. 🙂
I had read BDSM erotica stories here and there in anthologies, but that was pretty much all my experience with it. BDSM stories are pretty common in m/m romance, so I've read my share. It's just that there are authors who come across as knowing what the heck they're talking about, and ones who really don't. I like those who do know what they're talking about and are good writers. The “good writers” part is key for me.
Em: “It's just that there are authors who come across as knowing what the heck they're talking about, and ones who really don't. I like those who do know what they're talking about and are good writers.”
That's an excellent point about there are those who don't and those who do come across as having an understanding of the BDSM lifestyle. I was lucky in that one of my first BDSM reads was Joey W. Hill. She is excellent and her portrayal of BDSM deeply thought provoking.
Kris: My favorite dystopian was actually not the Hunger Games (that was a close 2nd), it was Divergent. So freakin' excellent! Also liked Enclave. My only frustration has been finding adult dystopian (with romance) – it all seems to be YA right now.
Patti: I liked Enclave too and have just asked Kaetrin to use my recent winnings to order Divergent for me. LOL
“My only frustration has been finding adult dystopian (with romance) – it all seems to be YA right now.”
I agree. I just checked my GR shelf and found an m/m dystopian, which was 5 star for me. This is it: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5425287-angel-land
Patti: Well, you asked… 😛
Oh, and someone just emailed me to say that she hates, hates, hates, hates, hates mpreg.
I think she might not like mpreg.
Just an impression I get.
Mpreg? I only know of two this year and I read one by Eresse.
THe other one is about the wolf shifter brothers in Oz? That doesn't sounds like Oz and the plot is like what plot???
I read the blurb and/or excerpt for book 4 and there I saw that bro 3'mate was preg. I was like nooooo, that can't be true! Did not read but it but was tempted
Checked my new books for this year and it looks like the usual mish mash. My biggest find this year was Megan Derr.
I stopped reading that series Ingrid as soon as I heard there was mpreg. Give me a break.
Lol@ Tam. It sounded very bizar! Only wondered how though.
Tam & Ingrid: I read it… erm…
Ingrid: I was lucky enough to discover Megan Derr last year. I pretty much buy everything she comes out with now. 🙂
Hey, I'm back to checking out my sorely neglected blogfeed again – how's things, Kris?
My new discoveries? Realising how much I enjoy May – December stories. And I did read a lot of BDSM although it wasn't all great – not by a long shot…
Hey Jo. Things are getting a bit hectic. It's that time of year.
“Realising how much I enjoy May – December stories.”
Really?? What do you like so much about them? I ask because I must admit that I'm not a huge fan. 🙂
I know what you mean about the hectic, Kris! Mine has been compounded by my daughter choosing the week before Christmas to come down with tonsillitus *sighs*
Anyway, I wrote a whole post about the May – December trope recently, but what it boils down to is that, done well, the age gap generates not only some fabulous internal conflict for the characters, but also conflict with the rest of the world's disapproval. And on the positive side, the younger character's energy and enthusiasm can rejuvenate the older, whereas the older partner can act as an excellent role model for the younger. Provided the author can convince me these two are good for each other and that the relationship isn't one sided, I'm a huge fan 🙂
Plus, yannoh, I've always had a thing for silver foxes…
Jo: Oh no! I'm so sorry to hear about your girl. I hope she starts feeling better soon.
“Basically, there needs to be enough common ground between those two characters to help readers get over that instinctive feeling that they won’t be able to make it work. Otherwise it’s all too easy for readers to think the characters are only attracted to the age gap as a temporary kink, and it will wear off when the older guy realises his lover is a vacuous twink with no life experience, or the younger guy gets bored of being hooked up with someone too old for wild parties.
It’s also important that the power balance between the two isn’t skewed too far in favour of the older man.”
These are exactly the reasons why the May-December pairing is not convincing for me. Maybe I've been reading the wrong books?? 🙂
PS – I totally hear you about silver foxes. Anderson Cooper anyone??