First Let's kill all the Lawyers Variations on this Shakespearean line almost always come up when the cultural elite meet. Making capital of that fact,First Let's kill all the Lawyers Variations on this Shakespearean line almost always come up when the cultural elite meet. Making capital of that fact, the authors here have gathered all of the Bard's germane quotes together into one volume suitable for "gifting" to the lawyer of your choice. They have a similar volume for doctors if any of those are on your gift list.
Further cashing in on the "cultural fluency by proxy" market, they've even marketed a set of magnetic kits for crafting your own Elizabethan "mal mots."
This book is pretty much what you'd expect. Samples culled from the bard's various plays that touch upon all of those aspects that we love to hate in those that make being argumentative a way of life.
What I did not expect was that the authors have some obvious skill with words themselves and in several spots the interegna is well crafted and smile-inducing. At $12.50 USD for the small 80 page hard-cover edition, one might lament the cost but then... isn't that always a complaint with those involved in the legal field? ...more
It is a useful book that serves a purpose and I'm glad that it's been written and it is a very positive devThe lavender equivalent of Everyone Poops.
It is a useful book that serves a purpose and I'm glad that it's been written and it is a very positive development. This book may actually save lives. And the way that it will do that is that it will save self esteem. It addresses a few of the foolish concerns that we as a society let kids get all bent out of shape about.
It's clearly written for middle schoolers and below. I'm NOT sure why the main characters all had banana heads (the other kids on the cover were other fruits) but it doesn't really matter in the long run. ...more
Finally re-read this tale of revenge that I first enjoyed while in Junior High-school. While the concept is as strong as ever I was a bit surprised thFinally re-read this tale of revenge that I first enjoyed while in Junior High-school. While the concept is as strong as ever I was a bit surprised that the story was as short as it was and so devoid of additional detail.
This is clearly written and easily read and its Gothic horror nature make it an ideal choice for a bloodthirsty youngster's reading list. ...more
Oscar Wilde was great when it came to writing dialogue and his sense of the ridiculous was finely tuned making his plays gems and works of brilliance.Oscar Wilde was great when it came to writing dialogue and his sense of the ridiculous was finely tuned making his plays gems and works of brilliance. However I was disappointed with the original prose version of The Picture of Dorian Gray when I read it in its original form. I guess I was expecting too much.
Conversely I'd seen a number of movies based on this tale and wasn't expecting much but the short story was a joy to read and exhibited the wit that made his plays so well loved. It was a pleasant surprise.
Short Free Christmas story featuring the main characters of the author's My Lieutenant book. The characters are likable without knowing their back-stoShort Free Christmas story featuring the main characters of the author's My Lieutenant book. The characters are likable without knowing their back-story and the story reads like a happy Christmas vignette. The characters don't have much detail in this story, but they are genuine enough and it's enjoyable to spend a few minutes with them.
One of the other books that I'm reading concurrently is J.D. Salinger's Nine Stories and it occurred to me that what I've always missed in Salinger's books are characters that one enjoys spending time with. I think that a big part of being is whether or not the character likes others.
This short story is about as nourishing for the soul as one of the sugar cookies that the main character is baking, but that doesn't mean that an enjoyable snack from time to time is a bad thing. Read and enjoy. ...more
Just finished this collection and it's not really changed my opinion of J.D. Salinger as a writer.
He has ability and he certainly writes believable aJust finished this collection and it's not really changed my opinion of J.D. Salinger as a writer.
He has ability and he certainly writes believable and finely drawn characters but they're generally NOT people I enjoy spending time with. I feel virtuous after reading his work, a bit like after eating my stewed spinach. I know that it's probably good for me but I'm glad when I'm finished with it.
The problem with this is that he had the ability to write characters that you do enjoy spending time with. Seymour Glass in A Perfect Day for Bananafish" was easy to be around and the mother and son in "Down at the Dinghy" but for the most part his characters were folks that I'd try to distance myself from in real life.
Also his characters seem to fail to develop over the course of the story. One wag might say "Salinger's characters all suffer from fallen character arches."
By all means; refill your scrip for anti-depression meds and read it and judge for yourself. Some people actually like stewed spinach. ...more
Great poetry anthology for kids. Contains some fun poems by some of the more well-known comedic kid's poets. And some challenges and tips for aspiringGreat poetry anthology for kids. Contains some fun poems by some of the more well-known comedic kid's poets. And some challenges and tips for aspiring poets as well.
Takes less than 20 minutes to read them all but a bored kid who honestly accepts the poetry challenges laid down may remember this book the rest of their lives.
After finally reading Siddhartha the other day, I little expected to come across another 5 star read so soon and even less diThis is an amazing book.
After finally reading Siddhartha the other day, I little expected to come across another 5 star read so soon and even less did I expect that this would be it.
Griffin and Sabine is the epitome of epistolary novels mixed with an art book (in mixed media) mixed with a romance mixed with a mystery with just a hint of philately and schizophrenia mixed in. Perhaps I'm just mixed up after reading it.
This book is a beautiful way to spend a half hour or so but don't expect to get it for your Kindle. The book is the work of artist Nick Bantock and consists of postcards and letters (still in their envelopes). The story that develops as one peruses the material is of an English post card artist and a south pacific woman who designs stamps, so the correspondence aspects of the evolving story are advanced as much by your going through their mail as by what's written within.
I'd seen this book years ago and completely failed to understand the concept but when I came across a copy at my local thrift store I had to have it. It's by far the best 20 cents I ever spent. But, now I'm hooked and may have to pay full price for the other books that followed.
If, like me, you've admired the whimsy and creativity that collage artists put into their work, then this may be the best book you'll ever find that honors that sensibility. In this book the media may be a big part of the message, but there's also a well thought out, more traditional story beneath this enchanting facade that only develops as the story unfolds.
Having finished the first book, I can't imagine this story being told as effectively in simple prose form. I can't wait to see where parts 2 and 3 go. Others have reviewed this book and seem to have missed the aspects of this story being about the artistic temperament. Not everyone appreciates that perspective, but for those that do, this book will amaze....more
In a novella that's perfect for the Halloween season, Marc Peralta tells us of his life and love in 1980's Verona Indiana. He's got good friends and aIn a novella that's perfect for the Halloween season, Marc Peralta tells us of his life and love in 1980's Verona Indiana. He's got good friends and an affectionate boyfriend and though he's out to many, he doesn't get hassled the way that so many gay kids of that time and place might have.
But when a local Indian legend seems to be making a comeback and abusive homophobes start disappearing then turning up dead, the locals become concerned as only small town folk seem to. Then Marc's boyfriend, Dorian joins the missing and the pattern is broken. Marc and his group of friends become even more active in trying to uncover exactly what is happening.
This is a good seasonal yarn that will appeal to the fan's of Mark Roeder's Gay Youth Chronicles. It's probably not the best place for new fans to join the series as many of the characters and situations are follow-ons to what's been developed in previous books. If you've enjoyed spending time with Mark's characters, then you'll probably enjoy this installment as well but I'd recommend that newcomers start with either The Soccer Field Is Empty or Someone Is Watching or even Keeper of Secrets.
I suggest Keeper of Secrets even though it includes segments set at a later date. That's the first book that really delves into the history of the Greymoor Mansion and that mansion is as much a character in this as some of the living breathing characters.
Unlike all of the other Mark Roeder novels I've read in hard copy, I started this via the audio-book version but it didn't work as well for me. Mark's narratives have a confidential feel that seems very like what might be read in a journal kept by a teen experiencing the events being told. Hearing these same events and reflections spoken aloud seemed somehow less private and confidential and it didn't work for me. Others may have different reactions and the narrative seemed very well done so it may work well for others but this fan will stick with the printed word for future forays into the adventures of the boys of Verona. ...more
After having loved the movie growing up I was curious when I found that Mr. Roberts had begun life as a book. I was even more curious when I found thaAfter having loved the movie growing up I was curious when I found that Mr. Roberts had begun life as a book. I was even more curious when I found that it was the author's one published novel and that he died before celebrating his 30th birthday and before the stage adaptation starring Henry Fonda made it big.
In some ways the death of the author could be called (view spoiler)[foreshadowing as his protagonist also dies on the cusp of achieving something big. (hide spoiler)]
The book is perhaps not as great as the movie adaptation but then young, ex-GI Heggen didn't have the talents of Fonda, Lemon and Cagney to bring his characters their additional embellishments. What the book does have is authenticity and I'd recommend it to anyone who's considering spending time in the service. Life aboard ship is not always the harrowing adventure tale that we see in movies and read about in books. This novel gives the reader a sense of the quieter side of military life. And of men in war. By all means, if you liked the play or the movie, then check out the book, but don't expect too much more depth than what made into celluloid. ...more
A somewhat weaker sequel to Perfect Chemistry, this book deals with Alex's younger brother Carlos. I really enjoyed the first book and I particularly A somewhat weaker sequel to Perfect Chemistry, this book deals with Alex's younger brother Carlos. I really enjoyed the first book and I particularly enjoyed seeing the characters from the earlier work carrying on with their lives.
Admittedly Carlos was not as immediately sympathetic to me but then I'm an oldest brother of three and I actually liked the dynamic of the second but felt that there should have been more variation.
I did like that Kiara was so cast against type for a romantic lead and she was the character that really kept me interested. I also liked her gay best friend but wished that he'd had a bigger role. But then that's just my perspective.
Still I enjoyed spending time with them all and will certainly tune in again.
I'll be curious to read the third installment. ...more
This book is a strangely enjoyable amalgam of 50's nostalgia, exploration of taboos, and some fantasy fulfillment, with a dab of re-imagined history tThis book is a strangely enjoyable amalgam of 50's nostalgia, exploration of taboos, and some fantasy fulfillment, with a dab of re-imagined history thrown in.
In this continuation of a story begun in Outfield Menace, Tanner and Tyler Nudo are twins living in Blackford Indiana, a small town in the early 1950's US. The popular twins are both young and athletic players on Blackford High school's baseball team.
Unlike most real high-school's of the time, the school has been rocked by a murder and residents of the town have been forced to confront the existence of homosexuality. (See Outfield Menace for details)
Now it's an open secret that the young man responsible for uncovering the murderer is homosexual. (That context for the word "gay" has not yet come into the vernacular and the word "queer" is mercifully missing from the book.)
Even before the murder it had been noted that the twins were more than usually close and some allusions to twincest had been made jokingly but never believed. While the twins were just tangential to the earlier book, this time they are the main characters and we find that there is some truth behind the jokes. However, the power of taboo in a rural small town is a powerful thing and one of the twins is beginning to feel that this type of relationship really is wrong despite how comfortable he'd been with it before.
This book explores some territory not much covered even in current fiction and does it with an earnest attempt at integrity despite some revisionist historical perspective. I was delighted to recall such once common lines as "fill her up with Ethyl" particularly when they were addressed to a bow-tied attendant who just assumed that checking the oil and washing the windshield was part of the service. When the total came to almost three dollars because the truck had been near empty I almost laughed out loud.
The author used the literary conceit/device that, because of the earlier story, teens in Blackford were more aware of homosexuality but I had trouble suspending disbelief that far. At that age in the late 60's I was certain that I WAS the only one, and even had invented masturbation myself. (If only I'd patented it - I'd be rich now!)
Other nostalgic moments came into the story when poodle skirts, A&W Root Beer stands & the different models of cars were mentioned, but I'd like to have seen more references to other 50's icons. (e.g. television - which played such a key role in the lives of Americans at the time, or Eisenhower playing golf, Korea, or even Elvis) Some other moments of 20/20 hindsight were entertaining and well done. The one twin collecting comic books as if "they might be worth something someday" hit particularly close to home for me.
This book won't be for everyone but if you got a thing for 50's era rural America, or would like to read some fiction involving non-exploitational twincest then you could do worse than The Nudo Twins....more
Percy Deforest Spock, a fussy 40 something gay mystery writer last seen in Yesterday's Tomorrow, faces a new challenge when Caspian, his 15 year old nPercy Deforest Spock, a fussy 40 something gay mystery writer last seen in Yesterday's Tomorrow, faces a new challenge when Caspian, his 15 year old nephew is orphaned and comes to live with him in Bloomington, Indiana. Fortunately, Percy has the support of his boyfriend Daniel and Tyler, Daniel's teen-aged son. Together can they deal with this deeply unhappy, goth hellion with a chip on his shoulder?
I've been a life-long theater fan and been active in community theater and had the privilege of living in NYC for 2 decades after growing up in the mid-west. As such I've seen great actors do remarkable things on Broadway as well as well-known friends do things almost as memorable in much more meager amateur surroundings. I've also seen my share of off-off Broadway shows that deal with topics that will never interest the mainstream.
Roeder's books remind me of good off-off-Broadway and community theater. They hit topics and situations that are of special interest to me and they aren't always up to professional standards of polish, but they are always enjoyable and memorable.
Boy Trouble is another in that tradition. The story is compelling and the characters are easy to like and it isn't long before one finds one's self caring about them and missing them a bit when their story ends.
Coming-out, internalized homophobia, parenting a teen, dealing with loss, infidelity, growing older, these and other topics are touched upon and dealt with in a sometimes graphic but generally wholesome well-intentioned read that ends up with the reader feeling good about the outcomes.
Sure, there are slicker books out there but I'll continue to read and enjoy Mark's work as long as it strikes as many positive chords as this one did. ...more
Fahd ibn Azar, son of a powerful Saudi Sheikh, runs into Jacob Yoder, a young Amish man on "rumspringa" outside the United Nations and the two men areFahd ibn Azar, son of a powerful Saudi Sheikh, runs into Jacob Yoder, a young Amish man on "rumspringa" outside the United Nations and the two men are immediately attracted to each other despite their both coming from cultures that anathemize homosexuality. While Fahd's initial intentions are strictly carnal, Jacob is amazed by the most satisfying of all his new experiences, and is quickly overwhelmed by the powerful, wealthy, and worldly young man. But when Fahd's brother launches a plot to have Fahd killed so that he may assume the sheikdom upon the death of their father, the boys flee New York and take refuge amid the Amish. Now it's Fahd who quickly discovers a way of life previously unimagined.
For years I've been fascinated by the Amish in America, probably because I've always found a combination of vulnerability and strength to be alluring. Theirs is a culture that rejects most of the "improvements" of modern society and instead they rely on honesty, humility, family, hard work and community. Part of their culture is the concept of rumspringa, a time of decision for those on the cusp of adulthood. These young people, having been raised in the Amish tradition, are encouraged to explore the ways of the "English" (any non-Amish) and then decide if they are ready to join the Amish Church and commit to a life based on their values.
Of course the deck is stacked a bit. While the young people have been schooled in strength of character and the virtue of hard work, they have no schooling past an eighth grade level and are almost totally unsuited to well paying jobs in the outside world. If they choose to live among "the English" they may still visit their family from time to time but pretty much give up all other support of their community. On the plus side however, they've been schooled in the virtues of hard work, a healthy lifestyle and moral honesty. Attractive traits to most employers and at least one book reviewer.
The author deftly incorporated a number of graphically hot sex scenes into the engaging, well crafted narrative despite their very real lack of privacy, while providing a great peek into the Amish way of life. Both young men were given some depth of character and the overall arc of the story was well handled.
The story was worthwhile as well. As I read I kept drawing parallels between the men's two cultures; both cultures frequently stop formal education with eighth grade, both place a high value on modesty, both relegate women to "follower" roles, both have been characterized as being "behind the times" in their beliefs. I'm certain that these parallels were not just coincidental.
This book was originally recommended to me as a result of a recommendation request for a book about an Amish youth on rumspringa. While it turned out to be much more about what happened upon their return, it was certainly enjoyable. Perhaps a sequel could be written. After all, Jacob has a precocious younger brother who'll have his own rumspinga soon... and now... (view spoiler)[he has a brother who's living among the English. (hide spoiler)]...more
I'm always glad to read a new book by Mark A. Roeder and while others sometimes find his books a bit preachy or repetitive that's never been a problemI'm always glad to read a new book by Mark A. Roeder and while others sometimes find his books a bit preachy or repetitive that's never been a problem for me. This one does have some of the same aspects and it centers on Brandon, one of the straight but accepting boys of Verona Indiana that we met in Mark's first book, Ancient Prejudice, Break to New Mutiny.
Brandon is an athletic, young, straight-identified young man who lost his closeted gay best friend to suicide when homophobes in a rural small town made the young man's life miserable. Now Brandon is a freshman at Indiana University and is shocked when he realizes that he too may have feelings for another guy.
As with all Mark's books, I found the prose inviting and easy to follow and the characters were genuinely likable. I did find Jon and Brandon's constant insult battle a bit sophomoric and unrelenting in spots but then, the guys involved are teenagers and sometimes these things are overdone in real life too. (Or perhaps Mark is the Midwest's master of the single entendre. )
As with most of Mark's stories there is an element of fantasy fulfillment in them that appeals to me but may be grating to a more critical reader. I would NOT recommend this as a good place to start reading the collected works of Mark A. Roeder. Personally, for that exercise, I'd recommend A Better Place or if you have a higher capacity for sad endings than me, The Soccer Field Is Empty is the best place to begin.
Whatever your tastes in literature, these books are eminently readable and do serve a purpose in a world where, all too often, those that are different feel as if they were the only ones with these problems.
For readers who are completists like me this book is interesting in that we see several of the characters from other Blooming Boys books from a slightly different perspective. When taken in combination, these character appearances start to become like glimpses of old friends....more
Isaac Townsend and Bryce Tyconnel are boyhood friends who are alike enough to generally be mistaken for twins. They also share the same interests, andIsaac Townsend and Bryce Tyconnel are boyhood friends who are alike enough to generally be mistaken for twins. They also share the same interests, and despite their firm Catholic faith, a love of each other.
However when Isaac goes to college, Bryce goes into the military. One becomes a decorated hero, the other graduates from college, and gets married to their childhood third-wheel Denise, and starts planning a family.
When the two boys get back together, they find that their mutual affection is there as strong as ever... but will the two be able to reconcile their feelings for each other, their faith, their relationships and the conflict between their religion and their sexual attraction?
Add in Bryce's occupation as a contract assassin for Homeland Security and Denise's growing jealosy and there is more than enough drama for a single book.
Marshall tells a good story with some great plot points and skillfully raises issues that need thinking about, but... (partly due to the fast paced nature of the story) sometimes fails to "show" the reader rather than just "telling" them.
I found the issues raised compelling and would like to have seen these issues developed more fully, perhaps in a longer, more fully rendered, story-line but, as it is, this book left me feeling that something was lacking.
The characters are quickly developed as likable and I wanted to see good things happen to them but it sometimes felt like too much story was being crammed into too few words in spots and the plot development wasn't as artfully done as I'd like.
These characters and this story-line has potential and many folks will probably enjoy it more than I did but personally, I would have liked to see it better developed before being published. ...more
While I liked this book and found the underlying science to be first rate I didn't enjoy the story as much as most seem to. I tend to like sci-fi thatWhile I liked this book and found the underlying science to be first rate I didn't enjoy the story as much as most seem to. I tend to like sci-fi that uses the applied sciences more.
It is a landmark work to be sure but I'm unsure what it is about this book that seemed wanting. Not long ago I read Asimov's I, Robot and found that to be much more compelling. Perhaps it's just personal taste. ...more
After finally reading Dracula I had a taste for more tales of the undead, hopefully sans sparkles. And this audiobook has Michael York as the reader. After finally reading Dracula I had a taste for more tales of the undead, hopefully sans sparkles. And this audiobook has Michael York as the reader. He seems perfect for the role.
As the story once again unfolded I was surprised by just how good this was. Dracula plus homosexual desire, plus mother love, plus post-existential questions that deserve answers. Add in a link to the Egyptian mythos and no wonder it was as popular as it was.
Revisiting this after years of tangential familiarity with the author's other works, and the author's life story made me wonder just how much she suspected about her son's sexuality and how much of this story was a means of dealing with her suspicions.
The characters are well crafted and engaging and one genuinely enjoys hearing their story and spending time with them. The slight twists in the accepted dogma add highlights that deepen and make more meaningful the details of the story. By all means read and enjoy, and if like me you read this years ago, give it another look now. ...more
Fionn is one lusty fairy. After pissing off his queen by sleeping with her favorite attendant, he's cursed to remain sexually unsated and marooned in Fionn is one lusty fairy. After pissing off his queen by sleeping with her favorite attendant, he's cursed to remain sexually unsated and marooned in the fairy realm unless summoned by a mortal. The summons - the reading of an arcane spell hidden in an ancient grimoire. But Fionn has always been irrepressible and he's resolved to find a way out from under the queen's spell, even if it takes him the rest of his immortal life.
This book is a compilation of three stories originally crafted separately and all too apparently patched together in this novella. Each story is witty and fun on it's own and the three work together with a beginning, a middle and an end, but a bit more polishing and joinery could have made it even more special.
As is, it's a frothy, fun romp and the ending is more fulfilling than I expected given the overall tenor of the individual parts. If you'd like a bawdy, light-hearted, magical romp about fantasy fulfillment, with a HEA style-ending, by all means check this one out. ...more
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