… all those descriptions in m/m sex scenes kinda make more sense when you see an image like this, don’t ya think?
… about a couple of things.
Worried about the reading habits of your kids??
Want to ensure the size of your child’s future tbr??
Look no further!
It’s Kris ‘n’ Good Books’ Nursery Rhymes!
This album features some today’s crap pop sensations lip syncing timeless classics like:
“Itsy, Bitsy Bookworm”
“I’m a Little Book Light”
“The buttons on the E-reader go click, click, click”
“100 Paperback Books on the Shelf”
… and the #1 bestseller…
“If you’re a Book Slut and you know it clap your hands”
Get your copy now before stock runs out!
… but one of my biggest peeves with epublishing – and, no, I don’t think it’s restricted to this industry, but bloody hell it seems more prevalent! – is crappy editing when it comes to name swapping, head swapping, or whatever the hell the technical term is for it.
Yeah, work that one out.
Kris’ New Year’s Readolution 3! To try a different author and/or genre once a month.
Almost Like Being In Love by Steve Kluger
The Blurb:
A high school jock and nerd fall in love senior year, only to part after an amazing summer of discovery to attend their respective colleges. They keep in touch at first, but then slowly drift apart.
Flash forward twenty years.
Travis and Craig both have great lives, careers, and loves. But something is missing …. Travis is the first to figure it out. He’s still in love with Craig, and come what may, he’s going after the boy who captured his heart, even if it means forsaking his job, making a fool of himself, and entering the great unknown. Told in narrative, letters, checklists, and more, this is the must-read novel for anyone who’s wondered what ever happened to that first great love.
Why I bought it:
Merwan recommended it when we were talking about the jock and the geek pairing in m/m romance. So, I bought it, loved it and am now gushing about it. You have been warned.
Dislike/like (ending on a high note):
Dislike~ Or more of a warning~ The book is basically an epistolary novel in the form of letters, emails, memos, journal entries, checklists, conversations, exam questions and answers, etc. I was a bit hesitant about this given my mixed feelings about The Letter (or italicised text) in a work; however, I was thoroughly engrossed and, in all honesty, enthralled by the way the story was played out in these documents and media. It was fabulous.
Like~ If you don’t fall in love with the characters of this book there is something seriously wrong with you! They aren’t perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but, by God, are they human and all the more appealing for it. Travis in particular is such a unique, lovable, dorky character – how you can not love someone who gives his students extra credit for helping him with his love life?? – that I predict you’ll just want to yell at him, give him cuddles and then take him where ever he wants to go. He, and his friends’ reactions to him, is what makes this ‘great love’ story convincing.
Dislike~ This is a technical issue, which seems to be a recurring problem for me at the moment so it could be that I just suck at technology. *shrugs* Regardless, my ebook version did loose some of the formatting therefore I was not able to fully appreciate the affect of the epistolary (love this word – it’s my ‘word of the day’) form of the book. For eg, the checklists were just a complete mess. It was poo. Something to think about if you’re dithering between getting it in print or as an ebook.
Like~ This is a story about relationships as much as it is about the ‘one great love’ romance. It is about the friendships we make and the families we create ourselves. If you are anything like me you will gigglesnort your way through Almost Like Being In Love almost as much as you will sigh at the poignancy of it, and, once you’ve finished, you’ll want to open it up and do it all over again. 🙂
So, what I think: Awesome. Loved it. Go get it. It’s a keeper.
Well, what’re you waiting for?? Go on. Scat!
*sigh* Would you just get lost. You’re annoying me and I’ve got a book I want to re-read.
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‘Tasting’ is my version of a mini-review where I talk a (very) little about what I liked and disliked about a book as well as who I think the story will appeal to. Oh, and I’ve added a bit about why I picked up the book in the first place – sometimes this can be interesting to know.
Several times discussion of individual lube packets have arisen in various blogs (okay, Jenre’s and here, but that’s various enough for me). Many of us seem to be perusing our drug store condom aisle to see what types of lube can be purchased. None of us appear to have found individual lube packets (although mine carries vibrating condoms – go figure).
Someone mentioned that they got some at a Pride parade. (Kris: I think it was Matthew who said he got them from a nice, bearded lady.) Ah ha! I planned to attend my local Pride parade and wondered if the elusive individual lube packets would make an appearance. So here is some of the stuff we managed to snag (along with some candy) during the parade.
As you can see there were two small white plastic containers which are condom holders. Really very cute little things, they probably hold 4-5 condoms (for folks who REALLY plan to get lucky). I had received the lovely green condom from the Green Party of Canada but it came lubeless and I don’t even think it’s lubricated. Later I managed to snag one of the small white boxes – they didn’t seem to want to give them to girls – *pout*, but I got one, opened it up and what to my wondering eyes should appear …
YES!!!! Individual packs of lube with a lubricated condom. When I opened the box and saw it I practically squealed with delight and exclaimed to my daughter “Yes!!! I wanted that!” She merely looked at me as only a teenager can look at a parent who is so obviously embarrassing them in public. So they do indeed exist in my city. Further down the parade route I managed to snag another white box simply because I WANTED that lube pack. Ummm. What the hell will I do with it? Nothing, just keep it as proof of their existence.
So where the people handing out the condoms got the lube packs I have no clue but they do exist. It is not beyond the realm of possibility in m/m books that half the gay men in the world run around with a couple tucked in their pocket just waiting for the right occasion. A weight has been lifted from my shoulders now that I have been able to prove the existence of the elusive beast. Next up? Big Foot and the Abominable Snowman. I’m on a roll.
Kris: To find out more about Tam’s adventures at the Ottawa Pride Parade go here.
 | Kayla on tasting ‘a note in the… |
 | Marcus Roche on maybe it’s me, but… |
 | ouaqquwcgk on my confession |
 | dkmhwgijnw on random awesomeness |
 | Kris on maybe it’s me, but… |
Kris + Books = Good. *Sometimes*. 