Reading Books For Pleasure

[FurryFury]

9.) The Burglar Who Counted the Spoons by Lawrence Block 4/5

10.) The Leftovers by Tom Perrotta 3/5

11.) A Tinfoil Sky by Cyndi Sand-Eveland 4/5

12.) Varjak Paw by S.F. Said 4/5

13.) The Sixty-Eight Rooms by Marianne Malone 4/5

14.) Dear Hank Williams by Kimberly Willis Holt 4/5

15.) Brie Learns the Art of Submission by Red Phoenix 2/5

16.) George by Alex Gino 4/5

 

[FurryFury]

What Do Women Want?: Adventures in the Science of Female Desire by David Berenger.

http://www.amazon.com/What-Do-Women-Want-Adventures/dp/0061906093

I've been hearing about this book. I've heard it says women want sex as much or more than men. That women are as likely or more so to be poly. Not sure about all that but I'm curious. Are you?

Amazon sez:

In What Do Women Want? Adventures in the Science of Female Desire, critically acclaimed journalist Daniel Bergne disseminates the latest scientific research and paints an unprecedented portrait of female lust: the triggers, the fantasies, the mind-body connection (and disconnection), the reasons behind the loss of libido, and, most revelatory, that this loss is not inevitable.

Bergner asks: Are women actually the less monogamous gender? Do women really crave intimacy and emotional connection? Are women more disposed to sex with strangers and multiple pairings than either science or society have ever let on? And is “the fairer sex” actually more sexually aggressive and anarchic than men?

While debunking the myths popularized by evolutionary psychology, Bergner also looks at the future of female sexuality. Pharmaceutical companies are pouring billions of dollars to develop a “Viagra” for women. But will it ever be released? Or are we not yet ready for a world in which women can become aroused at the simple popping of a pill?

Insightful and illuminating, What Do Women Want? is a deeper exploration of Daniel Bergner's provocative New York Times Magazine cover story; it will spark dynamic debates and discussions for years to come.

 

[FurryFury]

LGLBTQ Literature for kids

I just read George by Alex Gino. It is a very short (175 pages) juvenile novel about a transperson. It was written by a genderqueer person.

The part that was effective, IMO, were the parts in which George the character is talked about as if George is a girl. For instance. George was worried what her mother would think. She sat down at the table. Her brother was eating which his mouth open. George didn't feel hungry. She was thinking how the teacher had told her she couldn't play Charlotte in the play because she wasn't a girl . . . things like that. I was impressed with it. Although it glossed over quite a bit of real stuff IMO.

What LGBTQ books did you read and like?

Do you think it's good that we now have more of them for everyone, kids included?

Here is a link to an article and interview

http://www.theguardian.com/children...gino-george-transgender-protagonist-interview

Here is a link to a list of LGBTQ books for kids.

http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/15355.LGBTQ_Children_s_Literature

 

[stickygirl]

How did I miss this discussion?! I'm going to look through the thread properly and follow the links.
Right now I'm reading None of the Above by by I.W. Gregorio but other T and I books I've read are Annabel by Kathleen Winter and The Art of Being Normal by Lisa Williamson.
( apologies if these have already been mentioned )

 

[FurryFury]

Welcome!

How did I miss this discussion?! I'm going to look through the thread properly and follow the links.
Right now I'm reading None of the Above by by I.W. Gregorio but other T and I books I've read are Annabel by Kathleen Winter and The Art of Being Normal by Lisa Williamson.
( apologies if these have already been mentioned )

 

[FurryFury]

Robert A. Heinlein: In Dialogue with His Century, Vol. 2- The Man Who Learned Better, 1948-1988 by William H. Patterson 672 pages Personal enjoyment rating 5/5

Happy to say that I learned so much about one of the great loves of my life since I discovered his novels in 7th grade. I love him even more now.

 

[La damnee elle la licorne]

 

[La damnee elle la licorne]

 

[FurryFury]

Sounds interesting.

It's been a while since I wanted to add something here. Even favourite authors haven't been touching me. This is a charming little book I thought..about some not charming subjects, like not fitting in, and euthanasia, and finding one's own path. The Universe Versus Alex Woods, Gavin Extence.

My mind wanders if there is any other stimuli on audio books but some love them.

With reference to Heinlein, and returning to the recent discussion on audiobooks, I have found quite a lot available free on line, ( hurrah). The problem remains of digesting this way. I have been keen to read more Heinlein, and have wanted for sometime to share Stranger in a strange land with G, but.... this skill will come I am certain.

What Do Women Want?: Adventures in the Science of Female Desire by David Berenger.



http://www.amazon.com/What-Do-Women-Want-Adventures…

I've been hearing about this book. I've heard it says women want sex as much or more than men. That women are as likely or more so to be poly.

So, I got the book. Read it today. Most of what they talk about in it was about female desire. Our "lizard brain wiring" which is at odds with society conditioning.

The blurb on the fly was interesting but I found alarming this sentence though I know what they are going for with it. "Are political gains for women ("No means no") detrimental in the bedroom."

Red flags! But what they mean to say is women (IMO also men) find sexually appealing confidence or even force.

Monogamy is the enemy of female desire it seems. Certainly a popular movement these days in which my adult child proclaims "monogamy makes no sense."

A tempest in the teapot is the prevalence of "rape fantasies" and what they mean. I worked this out long ago because I am one of the statistical majority that has such fantasies.

The fantasy means you can, and in fact, are forced to be sexual. Therefore you do not have to feel guilty and can't be blamed.

The fantasy means you are that desired and this is even more true in a gang rape scenario.

Most of all it is the dissidence of what we are told by society to do and want versus what we really do and want. Our society is a rape culture for all sexes. Which means we all tend to have rape fantasies that are in fact, nothing like real rape at all. Perhaps such fantasies need another term because all this is too confusing and off putting for most.

Real rape is not about desire. It is about violence. Sadly, and all too often, the victims do feel guilty and are blamed. It's nothing like the fantasy.

The author of this book cites many studies and seems to think he is offering new ground. I found the one about a dildo maker who wanted only vaginal orgasms recorded by MRI particularly amusing.


Amazon sez:

In What Do Women Want? Adventures in the Science of Female Desire, critically acclaimed journalist Daniel Bergne disseminates the latest scientific research and paints an unprecedented portrait of female lust: the triggers, the fantasies, the mind-body connection (and disconnection), the reasons behind the loss of libido, and, most revelatory, that this loss is not inevitable.

Bergner asks: Are women actually the less monogamous gender? Do women really crave intimacy and emotional connection? Are women more disposed to sex with strangers and multiple pairings than either science or society have ever let on? And is “the fairer sex” actually more sexually aggressive and anarchic than men?

While debunking the myths popularized by evolutionary psychology, Bergner also looks at the future of female sexuality. Pharmaceutical companies are pouring billions of dollars to develop a “Viagra” for women. But will it ever be released? Or are we not yet ready for a world in which women can become aroused at the simple popping of a pill?

Insightful and illuminating, What Do Women Want? is a deeper exploration of Daniel Bergner's provocative New York Times Magazine cover story; it will spark dynamic debates and discussions for years to come.

Also read: Charms and Chocolate Chips by Bailey Cates

I enjoyed this book. It's not at the beginning of series. It's about white witches, essential oils and other woo. However, also has a cat in it though not as much as I'd like, recipes and general warmth.

 

[IrisAlthea]

I've been fighting with Alan Hollinghurst's The stranger's child for a long time now and finally finished it.
I really wanted to like it and I did like the language. The story leaves me cold though, even if like certain parts of it.

 

[FurryFury]

Sounds a bit frustrating?

I've been fighting with Alan Hollinghurst's The stranger's child for a long time now and finally finished it.
I really wanted to like it and I did like the language. The story leaves me cold though, even if like certain parts of it.

 

[IrisAlthea]

Sounds a bit frustrating?

Yes, but I got through it now. Don't know if that means I won though.
I was hoping that the end would tie it together somehow, but it didn't.

 

[seela]

I've been reading mostly Finnish literature lately, it seems, so I haven't bothered posting anything here.

I finished a non-fiction about Laestadionism, our home spun religion where birth control is not allowed and the families often have more than 10 children. The book was specifically about pregnancy and parenthood within the community. It was a tedious read, but I had to read it so somehow I managed. The subject matter itself I guess was pretty interesting I guess, but the book would have benefitted from some serious editing. It's always sad to read a book and feel like that.

I loved the name of the book, though: Usko, toivo, raskaus (Faith, hope, pregnancy), which of course is a wordplay of faith, hope, love. In Finnish the words pregnancy and love only differ by one letter, so I liked the pun there.

Next on my reading list is Rörelsen by John Ajvide Lindqvist.

 

[IrisAlthea]

I've been reading mostly Finnish literature lately, it seems, so I haven't bothered posting anything here.

I finished a non-fiction about Laestadionism, our home spun religion where birth control is not allowed and the families often have more than 10 children. The book was specifically about pregnancy and parenthood within the community. It was a tedious read, but I had to read it so somehow I managed. The subject matter itself I guess was pretty interesting I guess, but the book would have benefitted from some serious editing. It's always sad to read a book and feel like that.

I loved the name of the book, though: Usko, toivo, raskaus (Faith, hope, pregnancy), which of course is a wordplay of faith, hope, love. In Finnish the words pregnancy and love only differ by one letter, so I liked the pun there.

Next on my reading list is Rörelsen by John Ajvide Lindqvist.

I've got Ajvide Lindquist's Himmelstrand waiting for me.

He said himself about the book:
"It's the lack that makes us human...
incomplete and wonderfully interesting.
You could also say that it makes us reptiles, crawling between heaven and earth in search of something to fill the void."

How could I pass up on that book?

Think I'll finish some other things I'm reading first though.

 

[Wolfias]

I know Robert E Howard didn't write great works of literature by any stretch of the imagination. But, I've always been caught up in his short stories and the Conan series. Maybe it's the fact it was because they let a kid with Muscular Dystrophy escape his reality for a little while. I'm just glad his work and others opened my eyes to worlds I'd never imagined on my own.

I know many literally minded people would view Lit with distain calling it smut, I know better as they're talented writers I enjoy reading and writing with. Thanks to all of my kind writing partners that teach us to improve our attempts to write, even if it's only to entertain myself awhile.

 

[CoercedAnon]

really loved the last three books i read:

the night circus by erin morgenstern
the orenda by joseph boyden
the gold finch by donna tartt

 

[CoercedAnon]

can i put a wish book here?

dear george r r martin...
please allow me to court your muse in hopes you two can fire out the last of the books.
i cannot and will not watch when i can read.

 

[IrisAlthea]

really loved the last three books i read:

the night circus by erin morgenstern
the orenda by joseph boyden
the gold finch by donna tartt

Yes, The gold finch is great, isn't it.
I loved The secret history, but couldn't get through The little friend at all.
I was so happy to be able to enjoy her writing again.

 

[stickygirl]

If I was your girl

Just finished reading If I was your girl by Meredith Russo, which is so new it's not published yet: I was very excited to be loaned an uncorrected proof copy.
You can read the reviews online, but it's aimed at young adults/adults and follows the life of a young trans woman with the storyline broadened by flashbacks to her childhood. The author, a trans woman herself, admits she has had to invent an entirely fictional story for the sake of readability and continuity, but I can vouch that her feet are very much on the ground when it comes to both emotional and factual content.
There were times I wanted to edit the story myself ( deleting at least half the "I felt my cheeks blushing/redden/flush.." - OK we got that! ) but it is an easy page-turner as well as being informative to those who might be curious.
Due to be published in May 2016

 

[FurryFury]

22.) Island Beneath the Sea by Isabel Allende 4.5/5

Loved this book particularly when it went to New Orleans and told me some of the history I hadn't previously known. The story lines were finally rewoven by the end. Good epic novel that went from Haiti, to Cuba and then New Orleans.

23.) A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain 3/5

Thought I would like this more than I did. Most interesting to me was Twain's time period and his main characters extreme hubris back in another time period.

There was a strange thing going in in which Twain's character would be sickened by something, describe it in great detail, then toss of a joke about something similar just a sentence or paragraph later. Very odd.

24.) Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers 4/5

I enjoyed this book enough to put the next one on hold immediately. I'm very into assassins and death in literature. Also into woman power against all odds.

 

[IrisAlthea]

22.) Island Beneath the Sea by Isabel Allende 4.5/5

Loved this book particularly when it went to New Orleans and told me some of the history I hadn't previously known. The story lines were finally rewoven by the end. Good epic novel that went from Haiti, to Cuba and then New Orleans.

Sounds interesting!

Isabel Allende made life difficult for me recently when I was looking for books to donate, to make room on the shelves.
I do re-read books, but not as much as I did when I had more time for reading. Some books I want to keep, so the kids can read them if they want.

I loved The house of the spirits so much when I read it as a teen, but I loaned my old paperback to someone and never got it back.
Since then I've read other books she's written and still have them. I don't love them as much but still save them, mostly for the fond memories of that other book.
I should probably just get myself a robust copy of The house of spirits and send the others on their way.

 

[FurryFury]

Yes. That sounds like a good stradegy. I have a basement full of books I need to get rid of. Most probably have mold growing in them. Ugh.

Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate

Very good juvenile novel that is cute, funny, yet tackles some difficult issues too.

Sounds interesting!

Isabel Allende made life difficult for me recently when I was looking for books to donate, to make room on the shelves.
I do re-read books, but not as much as I did when I had more time for reading. Some books I want to keep, so the kids can read them if they want.

I loved The house of the spirits so much when I read it as a teen, but I loaned my old paperback to someone and never got it back.
Since then I've read other books she's written and still have them. I don't love them as much but still save them, mostly for the fond memories of that other book.
I should probably just get myself a robust copy of The house of spirits and send the others on their way.

 

[Karhukissa]

I'm reading "A Sport and a Pastime" by James Salter. I became intrigued by his works when reading his obituary last year, and ordered his 1967 erotic novel, which has been hailed as a modern classic. It's a departure from my usual reading habits, but I like the book, and I try to pick up stuff that could improve my own writings. It's set in France in the early 1960's, where American college drop-out Philip Dean has a relationship with the French shop-girl Anne-Marie. There are some sex scenes that are tame by Literotica standards, but must've been really hot back then. What's interesting is the author's way of describing what happens without being explicit, letting the reader fill in the blanks and thus (if your imagination is dirty enough, and I guess that goes for 101 % of the membership here) making the scenes quite erotic.

ETA: Finished the book this morning. It was great, and the narrative flowed effortlessly. I think I learned something from how it is written. Like I said above, the eroticism is tame by modern standards, but it's still a fine read.

- Karhu

 

[MagdahLina]

Here is a link to a list of LGBTQ books for kids.

http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/15355.LGBTQ_Children_s_Literature

I'm renting one of these (soon). The author of "King and King" has evidently published another book under the same title; if they're both available at the same time, I'll probably rent both.

 

[FurryFury]

Good! Let us know what you think.

I'm renting one of these (soon). The author of "King and King" has evidently published another book under the same title; if they're both available at the same time, I'll probably rent both.