what makes a book a dnf?

Posted on 14/06/2009 by Kris
I’ve talked about the dreaded DNF before and in other forums have outlined some of the reasons why I’ve not finished a book – such as a failure to connect, predictability *yawn* of a story, or because (I thought) it was just plain crap – but what I want to know is if you have a “tell”?

What I mean by this is whether there are any warning signs particular to you, which mean the book will be a DNF or a struggle to read.

My clue to a DNF is when I ‘put the book to one side’.

I know if I do this and if it’s left there for more than a couple of days the chances are slim to none that I will be picking it up again. *Of course it sits there mocking me, but that’s a topic for discussion with my shrink for another day.*

Do you have any tells??
Posted in dnf, randomness, reading | 30 Comments

tam’s guest post: are you out?

Posted on 12/06/2009 by Kris

If you’re gay I’m not asking if your family and friends know that you like people with the same bits, but are you “out” with regard to your reading material?

Do you openly admit to friends, coworkers and family that you read m/m? If you write it, does everyone know the types of stories you write or are you kind of vague about it all?

I noticed in our discussions on sharing books, many people said “None of my friends read the type of books I do.” Is that because they have no interest or because they don’t know?

I’ll be honest, I used to keep it pretty quiet (and I’m still not running around with a rainbow flag screaming “I read m/m romance”) but I’ve started to open up more. I guess for me, even straight romance has a reputation that it’s not “real” literature and I fell into the “if you’re not reading Oprah’s book list, you’re not reading something worthy”. Duh.

It started I think with someone at work. The conversation in a bookstore went like this:

Allison: “What kind of books are you reading?”
Me: *deer in the headlights look* so I bit the bullet and said “Gay romance”
Allison: *odd laugh* “Really?”
Me: “Yeah, I’m kind of into books with lots of sex these days.”
Allison: “They have lots of sex?”
Me: “Oh yeah. Well, I mean not ALL of them of course.” (trying to avoid coming off like total perv)
Me: “Do you like paranormals? Like werewolves and vampires and stuff?”
Allison: “Well, I’ve read some vampire stuff.”
Me: “I have one you might like, it’s about werewolves, I’ll lend it to you but I want it back.”

So I gave her J.L. Langley’s Without Reservations. I haven’t gotten it back yet nor heard any comment on it. But she willingly took it. That was kind of my first step into the light.

With some of my on-line friends I started dropping hints and now they kind of expect me to chime in on certain subjects with my “literary expertise”. My daughter knows what I read (not the details obviously) but I will mention “I read a book about a guy who had a fight with his boyfriend about X” so it’s obvious I’m reading about two guys. I also got her to read Vintage: A Ghost Story which is YA and she really enjoyed it.

My parents? Ummm. I don’t think my Mom would get it AT ALL. My Dad would be clueless. My Mom doesn’t even get why I read so much. No sibs to explain it to.

So how “out” are you? If someone asks what the last book you read was do you say “Hot Man Lovin’ 3” or do you just say “a romance novel”? If you keep it quiet what do you think people would say or do if you came out of the m/m closet?


Posted in guest post, m/m, tam | 38 Comments

your m/m story by clare london

Posted on 10/06/2009 by Kris



Despite a killer couple of weeks of RL (including an ereader which froze on a particularly smutty m/m sex scene *LMAO*), the fabulous Clare London has come up with your m/m story and here it is:


There’s a Butty on the Bus!


A GAZILLION thank yous, Clare! You can come play with us anytime! 😉


Pssst. Well. Have you – you know who you are! – read this yet??


It’s one of my keepers so you better!

Posted in a choose your own m/m story, clare london | 20 Comments

in which kris shows restraint

Posted on 09/06/2009 by Kris

I needed some retail therapy yesterday after a frustrating morning of dealing with work CRAP!!! ::Ahem::


As I wanted some bits and pieces, I decided to make the looong run to Ikea.


Did I look at bookcases?? No.

Did I think about buying one just in case I needed it for a rainy day?? NO!

I’m so friggin’ awesome!!

*Here Kris have a cookie.*


Thank you. Don’t mind if I do. 🙂

Posted in cookies, evil day job, further randomness, pretties | 24 Comments

what do you do with your ebooks?

Posted on 09/06/2009 by Kris


Since we are on the subject of ebooks, I thought I’d ask the question about what you do with the books after you’ve finished reading them. A number of us have commented that you can’t exactly treat them the same way that you can a print book; for eg, sell them on, give them to charity or trade them at a secondhand store. So, what do you do?


If you are OCD like me when it comes to your ‘real’ bookshelves and hate how a hardcover or a trade paperback can interrupt the feng shui of your shelving system, than you probably adore the way ebooks can be neatly tucked away into various (Yes, various. I file via genre, author, series, etc with ebooks. It is sooo awesome. *sigh*) folders regardless of their size. 🙂

But what about the ebooks you know you won’t read again or that were DNFs? What do you do with them??


I said I don’t delete my DNFs and those ebooks I won’t reread, but I do resave/copy them to my external hard drive (my back up).

One of the reasons I do this is because, well, out of sight out of mind. *Yes, I’m a simple soul.* Knowing I have a gazillion books on my PC drives me batshit because they are just sitting there doing nothing (ie not going out into the world to be enjoyed by other people). It’s friggin depressing. It is for me at least.

The other reason why I don’t delete the ebooks is because it would feel too much like I’m throwing it out or burning a book or something. It just seems so disrespectful.

Anyway, that’s me. What about you? What do you do with the ebooks you don’t really want any more??

Posted in ebooks | 31 Comments

ebooks vs ‘real’ books

Posted on 08/06/2009 by Kris

When I posted about loaning ebooks yesterday I wondered whether people’s comments – either explicitly or obliquely – would make reference to another subject I’m intrigued about, which is readers’ attitudes towards ebooks. In particular, the differences in the way readers treat an ebook (for eg letting friends borrow them) as opposed to a print book.


I think this did come through in some of the comments so I wanted to ‘strike while the iron was hot’ and hit people with this post because I believe the issues are strongly linked.


If you are a follower of reader and author blogs you’ve probably seen remarks or even the odd debate about whether people think ebooks are ‘real’. I don’t believe this has anything to do with questions about efiction being an ‘authentic’ creative work, but instead everything to do with the ephemeral or perhaps intangible nature of the digital format.

Again, I am fascinated that some readers feel ebooks aren’t real because they can’t treat them, touch them, handle them, shelve them, borrow them, etc in the same way they would a print book. I admit to occasionally feeling this myself. I even had to reword some parts of my previous post where I’d described print as being a ‘proper’ book.

Perhaps the whole issue will disappear as our cultural views and practices towards books – whatever their form – evolve?

Maybe if a Mission Impossible style self-destruct is developed for ebook loaning we’ll feel more comfortable and attitudes will change?

*shrugs*

Yet, there’s a certain irony in it all, don’t you think?
Posted in ebooks, reading, serious randomness | 24 Comments

what’s a book between friends

Posted on 07/06/2009 by Kris
About a month ago Wave posted about the illegal downloading of ebooks. This led to an interesting discussion about piracy, the impact it has on the industry, especially on authors and small epublishers, the ways it can (or cannot) be dealt with as well as attitudes towards ebooks themselves.

I was particularly fascinated by one of the topics which generated a number of comments. This related to the loaning of ebooks to friends with most people – authors included – seeing a clear distinction between illegal downloading and letting a mate borrow an ebook.

One of the reasons why this caught my attention was due to what I think are the inherent similarities in sharing an ebook and in mass (so-called) filesharing. It seemed/s to me that it is precisely because they are comparable which makes loaning ebooks such a taboo subject.

Yes, one is stealing and one is associated with what has traditionally occurred with print work; but if they are so different why doesn’t anyone talk more openly about them, especially the latter? Is it because of the negative connotations? Does something most wouldn’t think twice about doing if it was a print book now make you feel like a criminal?

I’ll be honest; I lend ebooks to friends in the same way I swap books with them. Although others may disagree, I don’t think what I’m doing is illegal or unethical.

To put it into context for you – there are about 5 people who I allow (yes ‘allow’ – I’m an OCD, control freak) to borrow print books from me and I have two friends with whom I share ebooks. With regard to the latter, I do so knowing the ebooks I lend them will never go beyond their hands.

To me, it’s a question of trust. Similar to the way you trust a friend to return a print book in the same condition it was when they borrowed it.

The fact of the matter is that readers for generations have always lent each other books and most of us are very responsible about it. Should we stop now just because books are also produced in digital format?

I’m curious about how you feel. Do you loan ebooks to friends or is it something you object to? Would you share a print book but not an ebook? Do discussions about piracy make you feel guilty? Why do you think we don’t talk more openly about this?

I understand this might be a sensitive topic so I’ll leave you with something to keep in mind when commenting:

“Don’t flatter yourself that friendship authorizes you to say disagreeable things to your intimates. The nearer you come into relation with a person, the more necessary do tact and courtesy become.” Oliver Wendell Holmes.

Kris’ translation: That means you can disagree with me – or others – and, as long as you’re civil about it, I’m not going to get pissed.

Posted in ebooks, reading, serious randomness, Wave | 25 Comments

kris & tam’s yaoi version of pass-the-parcel

Posted on 05/06/2009 by Kris

Here’s the deal. Tam and I were discussing the impact of toy poodle flu on our reading habits. I mentioned I’d found that pretty pictures of boy love held my interest and asked her if she wanted to try some. Tam replied “I’ll try anything once”. I said “*no shit* yay” and sent a yaoi 101 (or yaoi for virgins) care package to Canada.

Now Tam is stuck with yaoi manga and novels that she wants to get rid of in favour of much needed bookshelf space and I’m ready to send off another package to her… so what to do??

“Can we give them away?” thoughteth us. This was followed by much shruggery before we decided why the heck not.

Half-arsed Rules

It’s first come, first served with dibs only allowed for one book per person (got to at least try to even up the odds a bit ;)). If there are any left overs after 24 hours then by all means double dip!

Don’t forget to put your email addy in the comment because there is no bloody way I’ll be wasting my valuable reading time trying to follow you up. Also, we won’t tell people who you are, where you live, blah, blah. Tam promises not to show up on anyone’s doorstep in the dead of night and I already have one stalkee on my list (ie Sean). Another person would be sooo passé.

Anyhoo, once you’ve finished the book, it’s up to you whether you keep it or pass it on. If you want to share the love or hate (it’s a mixed batch so consider yourself warned!), you can either let me know and we’ll have another giveaway here or you can send it on to someone else yourself.

Below are the covers and blurbs so peeps can make an informed decision:

Lover’s Pledge (coming via carrier pidgeon from Perth)

Kazuto wakes up one morning with a killer hangover. Not only that, he is in a strange bed with an even stranger man! Kazuto has no memory whatsoever of the previous night. But, according to his bedmate, Takasugi, he sold himself for $10,000. Luckily, Kazuto had his wits about him to stipulate only a month of servitude…This fall-in-love-with-my-master story full of titillating love arrives in Kae Maruya’s highly-anticipated debut comic!

Immoral Darkness (coming via carrier pidgeon from Perth)

One day after school, high school student Meguru Shina is ravished in the train station bathroom by Sasakawa, his math teacher! Starved for love but unable to reveal his weakness due to his own pride, Shina is drawn in by Sasakawa’s sweet words and pleasing techniques! (This is a novel.)

Dark Walker

Tomoki Naruse has just started his freshman year in high school, and as with all healthy, young men at his age, he’s been dreaming of sex. But Tomoki isn’t having normal wet dreams like his classmates! In his nightmares, err… dreams… his partner is a man – and to make things worse, Tomoki is on the bottom! Aside from Tomoki’s unsettling dreams, high school life is fun – especially with his new, handsome, best friend Yugo Oda. But Yugo is no ordinary freshman – he’s involved in mysterious activities that Tomoki can’t even begin to imagine!

Junjo Romantica Vol. 1

Misaki is struggling to pass his college entrance exams, and has taken up a tutor: the cool and sexy Akihiko Usami, who also happens to be a famous boys’ love novelist. At first, Misaki is disgusted by Akihiko, but slowly, Misaki realizes he may be developing feelings for the older man. And so begins the bumpy relationship of this odd couple, filled with comedy and pure romance…

Junjo Romantica Vol. 2

Misaki and Usagi have been living together for over a month now, but when a beautiful editor named Aikawa enters the picture, will Misaki question his love for Usagi? Later, things get rocky in Hiroki and Nowaki’s relationship when Nowaki contemplates leaving to study abroad! Will anything give these couples a happy ending?

Kissing

A sudden confession from his best friend Kazushi, on top of an intense kiss! Kazushi gets all the attention at college for his perfect looks – but Haru can’t bring himself to see him as more than a friend. Kazushi doesn’t give up too easily, though. He steals Haru’s lips every chance he can get. How will Haru ward off his advances?

Hanky Panky

Geeky, glasses-wearing college student Manaka is always getting picked on at school, especially by his popular classmate Doi. But… once night falls, the glasses are ditched and this super-geek secretly becomes a super-hot host club owner! What is Manaka to do when Doi aspires to become a host at the same club?! There’s no telling what hanky panky they’ll be up to!

Caged Slave

When Tsukasa meets a mysterious man in a hotel lobby, and ends up spending a maddening night of pleasure with him. Afterwards, he accepts to meet him again in the same room the following week, despite the fact he doesn’t even know his name. As their secret encounters continue, he finds himself falling in love and is worried that it may not last. Simultaneously, he’s scouted by a business-talent head-hunter and receives an interesting work offer. But when he goes to meet them… his new boss is none other than his secret lover! (This is a novel.)

Saihoshi

The spoiled Prince Anel must travel without military escort to a neighboring kingdom where tensions run high. Sastre, an honorable Guardian, is brought in to be Anel’s only protection for the journey. Anel is enchanted by his noble bodyguard, but Sastre becomes more interested in Kaleth, the spirited servant and lover of Prince Anel. Kaleth is forced to disguise himself as the prince to be a decoy for his enemies. Sastre duty is to protect Prince Anel, but in his heart he’d rather keep the decoy safe from harm.

Oh, and to make it even funner, if you intend to pass it on write your name and location inside the cover that way people can see how far and wide the books travel. Well, I think it’s fun. *pouts*

Are you ready??? GO!!!

Any minute now. No rush. Did we mention it was free stuff??

Where’s Jen when you need her.

Posted in giveaway, tam, yaoi | 56 Comments

maybe it’s me (again), but…

Posted on 05/06/2009 by Kris

I was ranting at Jen the other day (what a surprise!) about a real peeve I have with some of the m/m fiction I’ve been reading lately.
Now it could be that I’ve been reading a LOT of m/m recently or it could be associated with the editting (or sometimes lack thereof) of ebooks other bloggers have discussed. Regardless, it annoys me so I’m going to bitch chat about it. *So there!*
What the hell is Kris whinging about now?? It’s third person omniscient (thanks to English teacher Mumma for telling me what the POV was) is what it is.
It seriously shits me no end when I read a book in which there is a Grand Canyon-sized difference in tone/voice between the way the character talks and the way they think.

Let me ask you this… how is a reader meant to be convinced by a story where a character talks like he comes from a farm in the US somewhere and yet he thinks like a 60-year old academic?? WTF!

I’m not saying a character has to think with an accent or anything, but that kind of juxtaposition is jarring to the extreme and I personally find it really difficult to connect with a story written this way.

Has anyone else noticed or is it a me thing? What do others think about inconsistencies like this? Authors, is it really that hard to keep track of tone/voice?

As always, your input is appreciated.

Posted in Jenre, maybe it's me but, pet peeve/fave rant, povs | 18 Comments

maybe it’s me, but…

Posted on 03/06/2009 by Kris


… have you ever read a book and had the most weirdest of things strike you about it??



I finished this the other day (great fantasy series btw) and one of my first thoughts was the earth shattering “You know, I don’t think the main character ate during that entire book”.

Granted I’m a High Priestess of Complete and Utter Randomness, but this seemed a little odd even for me.

Has this happened to anyone else??

Posted in lisa shearin, maybe it's me but, randomness, reading | 18 Comments