Happy Year of the Dragon, everybody! Sorry this is a day late, but I am hoping this year is going to be a good one for us all. 🙂
I thought I would observe the occasion with a little show and tell. What’s everyone been reading, hm? Yeah, okay, kinky stories, I know. *g* But anything else? Things you just finished, are reading now, or even plan to read soon. I’m truly interested. I’ll start:
Recently Finished:
- Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? by Jeanette Winterson – hilarious, touching, sad, courageous. Now one of my three favorite books of all time.
- Ash and Huntress by Malinda Lo – the first was a re-read, but both are excellent. “Ash” is a modern feminist/lesbian retelling of Cinderella. “Huntress” is a different story set in the same world.
- Theodora by Stella Duffy – impressive novel about a woman who became one of the most powerful women in the history of Byzantine Rome.
- Boudica by Manda Scott – one portrayal the warrior queen of ancient Britain. Stirred my imagination like the best sci-fi/fantasy.
- A Prickly Affair, My Life with Hedgehogs by Hugh Warwick – thank you, TMT, my curiosity is satisfied. 😀
Currently Reading:
- The Story of English by Robert McCrum et al – fascinating and recommended to anyone who loves language and history.
- A History of the World in 100 Objects by Neil MacGregor – also fascinating, with beautiful illustrations. “Stories” about objects from the British Museum, described in a way that brings history to life and other cultures to one’s back door.
- The Lovebird Handbook by Vera Appleyard – no, this is actually about the bird. *bg* Found in a secondhand store; I couldn’t resist because one of my most beloved pets was a naughty little member of the parrot family.
- The Wisdom of Sustainability, Buddhist Economics for the 21st Century by Sulak Sivaraksa – I never knew Buddhists could be so fiery! *g* Radical stuff.
Planning to Read Next:
- When Women Were Warriors by Catherine M. Wilson
And that’s all in that list, because I know I’m a bit overdue for writing stories. 😉
How ’bout you? What have y’all been up to?
Alyxfic 
Oh….. bookish women… if anything makes this Top go weak in the knees it is a well-red er… READ woman! *smile*
What a fascinating and eclectic mix, Alyx… (And I’m glad you enjoyed the hedgehog book too…*g* that was a risk.)
Recently finished:
How To Be A Woman by Caitlin Moran – Just about the funniest *feminist* book about feminism ever written. Like Caitlan, I was reading Germaine Greer’s The Female Eunuch in my teens… but oh I wish I’d had Moran’s book as well – it should be given away with teen magazines.
Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman “I am the poet of the Body and I am the poet of the Soul…” I’ve discovered Whitman late in life, which is shocking really, and I am going to turn around and read this all over again.
Stoner McTavish and Gray Magic by Sarah Dreher – These were a nostalgic return and re-read of books that I loved when I was coming out… the combination of a young woman confronting homophobia and sexism in her life, while falling in love *and* having adventures as an amateur sleuth rocked my world!
Theodora by Stella Duffy – I met her at a fantastic literary festival event and became a fan. Her descriptive prose inspires me.
Reading Now:
The Hemlock Cup. Socrates, Athens and the Search For The Good Life, by Bettany Hughes. Why was Athenian society so threatened by Socrates that they demanded he commit suicide? The simple answer is – he asked questions about the value of a human life – and these are as relevant today as they were then. This historical work is so well-researched, so brilliantly written, that it is utterly gripping and moving.
Birds Britannica by Mark Cocker and Richard Mabey – A book as much about the folklore and beliefs surrounding British Birds as it is a useful guide to their lives… I’ve learned more from this book than most dry ornithological tomes… and it is an ongoing study.
Planning to read next –
Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? by Jeanette Winterson … because, I hear a bit of it on the radio *and* a certain lovely woman gave it to me for Christmas!
Ah, I love the Sarah Dreher books! And thank YOU for all the lovely reads you have sent my way, including the brilliant Winterson book. I loved it and that Socrates book sounds really intriguing. I may have to check that out and add it to my list….. 🙂
Lets see I’m not a real big reader but I did just finish *ahem* Spanked & Oiled by Vanessa Estrella. The title is misleading to say the least but it was a fun read. I also read Witch’s Cat by Loki Renard.
I too have When Women Where Warriors (free kindle download I might add). My gf read it already and said it was really good. Another future read is Sasha: A trial of Blood and Steel by Joel Shepherd and The Beast in Beauty by K.M. Frontain. It’s like Beauty and the Beast but the beast is two females. I have heard that the Shadows of Aggar by Chris Anne Wolfe is a good read. Oh and I need to read Pirate’s Fortune by Gun Brooke to continue the series.
Man that is a lot of reading. I still need to leave time for your future story and the next installment of Rogette the Great by Loki (Man is she taking a long time. The wait is killing me!).
p.s. Ummmm it would be nice if TMT would write something again soon. Hint, Hint.
Witch’s Cat! Wooo! I did like that one. (Can you say that if you wrote it? I think you can, even though it sort of implies that you didn’t like other books as much, which might give them a complex and then they’ll join some kind of gang and daringly graffiti train stations.) As for Rogette, I’m still on a . Plus it looks like you have a lot of improving literature to get through first.
Hey now, you can’t just mention a book with a title like “Spanked & Oiled” and not include details! Why was it misleading? Was it not a kinky book? Would you recommend it?
I enjoyed Witch’s Cat as well. I love it when Loki writes fantasy, like the Brats of St Bestoras. 🙂
Shadows of Aggar is excellent. I would recommend anything by Wolfe and was really sad when she passed. Her sense of romance appealed to me greatly. Gun Brooke started as a fanfic writer and I’m thrilled at her success. Oh, and I agree it would be nice if TMT wrote something soon. 😀
Well ummm Spanked and Oiled is a misleading title because well there really wasn’t any spank and there was very little oil. Basically it’s about a girl named Lindsey who has a fantasy played out that she doesn’t really remember paying for but she goes with the flow anyway. The book is kink from start to finish. So if your interested in having an overdose of all sorts of kink then this book might be for you.
Sorry about not giving details but I’m really bad at summarizing. I will now put Shadows of Aggar at the top of my reading list since you said it was excellent. Well once I stop playing Tiny Tower and Blood and Glory and start reading again. 🙂
Ah, okay, thanks for providing more details, Kayla. Kink is fun, but spanking is my primary interest. In case that wasn’t obvious. 😀
Wow, you guys are both impressive! All I can manage right now is National Geographic. LOL But there are a few amazing pieces in this issue: England’s medieval buried gold; the new development in Iceman saga; Africa’s Rift region.
Ok, I did read some books during winter break:
Sex on Six Legs, by biologist Marlene Zuk. Fantastic facts on mating behavior among the insects and other crawlies. 🙂 Pretty amazing stuff if you don’t mind going through the dry bits.
Someone Else’s Twin, by Nancy Segal. The case in Spain. Sheds lights on nature and nurture.
Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight, by Alexandra Fuller. An English woman’s coming of age in southern part of Africa. Interesting first person account.
Every Patient Tells a Story, by Lisa Sanders on medical diagnosis, kind of like House. I love that
stuff! heehee
Plan for the future? I think I’d like to check out a few on your list (the story of English, Hedgehog 🙂 and maybe 100 objects book). And Patricia Cornwall’s latest Scarpetta book, more Henning Mankell’s crime novels and maybe Steve Jobs.
Happy lunar new year to everyone! *Patiently awaiting Alyx”s next story*
I love National Geographic! I devour it whenever I’m at the doctor’s office. *g* Hmm, maybe next time I ought to subscribe to that instead of PC World!
Those books you mentioned sound interesting….quite a variety. (The only reason I got the hedgehog book is because, being an American who doesn’t have access to the animals [none native the North American continent], I’d seen people keeping them as pets and was intrigued. When I mentioned it to TMT, she [being a Brit and therefore exposed to the wild ones in her country] pointed out how every hedgehog she’d seen had been crawling with fleas. *shudder* That cured my desire to cuddle one, but the book was still interesting! :D)
Yea for subscription Alyx!!! Honestly I am seldom disappointed in their articles. And the pictures are simply gorgeous! Plus, you won’t be going to the dr’s this year, right? 🙂
And no, I wouldn’t want to cuddle a prickly little thing with fleas either. lol
Happy Sunday!
Right, good point! I WON’T be going to the doctor this year! 😀 You know what’s weird? I got a Newsweek today with my name on it, but I’ve never subscribed…nor wanted to. If only it had been NatGeo!
The reading lists that are already posted look much more well-rounded and perhaps more fun.
Recently finished books:
Get me out: History of childbirth from the Garden of Eden to the sperm bank by Randi Epstein. Explains the various childbirth practices throughout history in the Western culture. The books does describe the pivotal role that women played during delivery in the early periods of childbirth and how men figured out how to make birth much more complex. And unfortunately continues to detail the mortality related childbirth that still exists today.
Final Exam: A surgeon’s reflection on mortality by Pauline Chen. An adult surgeon’s reflections on why, in general, medical professionals struggle with accepting death as a viable option for patients’ with high mortality rates in late stages of illness.
Better by Atul Gawande. Fascinating description of the ethical dilemmas faced by medical professional and the continued need to overcome all obstacles in an attempt to attain perfection. Nice to read through a lens of positive deviance.
Intern: A doctor’s initiation by Sandeep Jauhar. One of the books that I try to read each year before all the new doctors (aka interns) are allowed to write orders for patients and assume responsibility for parts of their care. The stories within the book remind me to be caring, kind, helpful, and patient with all the interns (or at least try really hard).
Walk on Water: Inside an elite pediatric surgical unit by Michael Ruhlman. This one is based in a pediatric cardiac intensive care unit and explains the intricacies of taking care of 3 kg babies. Also reminds me of how precious life is and how quickly life can change, especially when a parent must place their trust and the life of their baby in the hands of people they do not know. Also discussed is how the weight of that responsibility can be difficult to bear.
What I’m reading now:
Neurology of the Newborn by Joseph Volpe. A textbook of fetal and neonatal brain development, along with different disorders that can arise along the way. Very interesting and makes me wonder how I have any brain at all. (yes I’m reading this for pleasure, maybe I should have my head examined)
I have no idea what is next, but maybe The Hemlock Cup. or the hedgehog book.
Wow. You sure get into your profession, don’t you, BG! I admire your desire to immerse yourself fully in every aspect of it. The book on brain development sounds fascinating, actually. I am always intrigued by things like the study of kittens who couldn’t see horizontal lines, or Unabomber, who was quarantined at a young age and couldn’t relate to other people after that. It is indeed amazing any of us come out “normal.”
I have to admit when I’m not at work it’s difficult for me to do the same as you — I seem to want an escape rather than pouring over textbooks. Not that I don’t find SQL and programming really interesting, because I do. But by the end of the day my brain is just mush and struggles enough with Freecell. 😆
I am glad that someone enjoys programming because I know that I could not do it. Whoever programmed a data management software that I use, must have known how frustrated the people using the program would be and she put an icon button (a bomb with a burning fuse) at the top of the menu bar and every time you click on it, it says “I hate computers!” Absolutely one of my favorite features of the software program!!
I don’t understand the logic of the rest of the program, but maybe one day, one you computer programmers can explain it to me.
Hah, I love the idea of that icon! I would try for a nice exploding sound myself. Along with the graphics to go with it. So satisfying…. 😀
Wow, everyone’s lists look so interesting! I’ve mostly been reading technical books and articles. 😎 I have managed to sneak in a few ‘entertaining’ ones too.
Recently read:
Atrocious Lex by Loki Renard
Kundalini — Origins, Definitions Meaning and Symptoms: A Transpersonal Perspective by Transpersonal Lifestreams – I’m still trying to wrap my brain around the subject of Kundalini. O_o? V tried to explain it, but I am hopeless.
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius – Personal writings by the Roman emperor about Life and his beliefs on Stoicism.
MySQL by Paul Dubois – Database manual.
A Reversal of Fortune by snoozz – A love story between two women with spanking and D/s.
Current reads:
Dreamweaver Bible by Joseph Lowery – Web authoring and editing manual.
Kundalini for the New Age: Selected Writings of Gopi Krishna, edited by Gene Kieffer
Learning PHP, MySQL, and JavaScript by Robin Nixon – ‘Guide to creating dynamic websites’.
A List Apart – An online magazine covering design and web standards and practices.
Photoshop and CSS tutorials by various authors
Future reads:
The Courage to Create by Rollo May
The Elements of Typographic Style by Robert Bringhurst
Responsive Web Design by Ethan Marcotte
You’re another one who likes her technical books, eh? Good for you! I bought a few but they sit on my shelf, ready to act as reference material for when I try to do programming at home. Other than the online classes I take, that hasn’t happened. *LOL*
When you figure out the kundalini stuff, you explain it to me, okay? I am interested, but not enough to go pouring through the texts myself. 😉 How did you find the book about Stoicism? And why did you want to read such a thing?? *curious* Doesn’t seem to fit your personality.
Yes, I do like my tech books, more than I should. *g* Besides learning from the text, it makes me think about how it’s presented. In my previous work, I generated a lot of technical material and conducted training sessions, so am very aware about ensuring that a non-technical person can grasp the material with ease. It is one of the few talents that I have and am very proud of—translating complicated concepts into forms that is easily understood. Ask me to write those spanking stories that’ve been floating in my head; however, and I wouldn’t know where to start—my mind literally goes blank. In effect, I marvel at your talent for creative writing and am grateful that you share your stories. Thank you. 🙂
I’ll answer your query, but may I ask how you would define Stoicism? Wondering at your ‘astonishment’ that the subject would interest me.
I wasn’t “astonished” at all, merely curious as to what you thought of the philosophy. It just seemed to me the emphasis on logic rather than emotions was contrary to the way you seem to want to embrace yours. (Emotions, I mean.)
Oh, Happy Year of the Dragon everyone! 🙂
People here are terribly well read. I’ve been playing Saints Row the Third (the one with the big floppy purple dildoes, or dildii, if you’re that way inclined.) And Skyrim (the one with the dragons and copious amounts of potatoes, or potatii.)
Oh and I’m this close |||||||||||||||||||||||| to nailing the Pirates of the Carribean theme song on the keyboard. And that’s really close.
ooo – there are plenty of books to read in Skyrim! My favourite title so far is ‘Nightingales: Fact or Fiction?’ Someone had so much fun writing all those books I want that job!
Let me guess… someone stole your sweet roll?
I must confess the only time I crack a book in Skyrim is to see if I’ll get a skill gain, then I discard it callously. They do say that ‘The Lusty Argonian Maid’ is worth reading though 😉
🙂 ‘Admonition and Scorching’ by The Redguard Woman is a bit of a must actually. (And my sweet roll is still next to my bed in Breezehome, thank you very much… Although I did put it in Lydia’s bedroom for a while, feeeling bad after I had accidentally: stolen her gold, mistook her for a Nord and whacked her with my sword. Still, she is ‘sworn to carry my burdens’ and my failing eyesight seems to be one of them!)
Lydia’s gold is your gold – I also know a lot of people who not so accidentally whacked Lydia with swords after she gave them the eye rolling ‘sworn to carry your burdens’ attitude one too many times. That’s why I married Aela and left Lydia at home guarding a stack of leeks.
Ah, you gamers! Do you realize how
sexygeeky you sound? *vbg* I have to admit, though, it all sounds intriguing. Especially any book with a name like “Admonition and Scorching”….*shiver*…my imaginationsoressoars!Like Loki, I have been spending most of my free time lately in game-space rather than reading, though sadly not with giant purple dildos as weapons. I think they would be a most excellent improvement to Lord of the Rings Online however. The Nazgul wouldn’t know where to look.
I also have been reading lots of books with pictures. Mostly Gail Simone’s run on the “Birds of Prey” comic, which is excellent. It’s so different when a woman writes these things. Explanation Huntress gives for her new costume, which has a cutout stomach: “700 situps a day.”
And one grown-up book, thank you Alyx (or perhaps also TMT’s influence there? not sure which way round that went) – Caitlin Moran’s How To Be A Woman, which is a lot of fun.
Oh! I did read a management book last semester though which was rather disturbing, I can’t remember the title unfortunately and sold it back just as soon as the class was over – but it referred to executives and employees as “tops” and “bottoms.” I needed brain bleach after that.
Oohh more gamers. Okay, so there are at least three confirmed now, and I’m sure that there are more out there. Now I just have to get everyone hooked on Minecraft and we can have a spanky creative server all of our own!
Hee *longingly* that would be fun. Sadly I have, once again, overdone everything and need to go cold turkey on the games for a while. *sigh* But I do love the Minecraft merch. Who wouldn’t want this? ThinkGeek: Minecraft Foam Pickaxe
Those are for people who actually play Minecraft, young lady. Cold turkey on games indeed, why not just go cold turkey on oxygen – or all fun ever.
O Fizzy, very sorry to hear about the video games! I’m convinced that the software companies put some code in the games that put me in a trance and I had no concept of time when I played. I hope that you find something that you enjoy as much as video games that is maybe less likely to distort time. I have no idea what you enjoy doing, but playing basketball/soccer/flag-football/swimming/running count as exercise and are fun if you like sports and at least I can’t play for more than about 2.5 hours/day without getting physically tired and having to stop. You are probably in better shape and can last longer, but I can’t. Good Luck!!!
LOL on the “700 situps a day” line! Damn straight I’d be showing off my abs too if I had a six-pack rather than a keg.
TMT is the one who gifted me with Moran’s book, and I was happy to pass it along to you and another friend. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in the next wave of feminism and wants a good laugh at the same time! Really hilarious and empowering.
Now, regarding going cold turkey on all games, I know she is mourning it as much as you imply, Loki. But I agree with her decision (and it was her decision, btw. She came to the conclusion on her own and asked for my support on it), because she explained how she’s one of those gamers that is in danger sometimes of neglecting sleep and work and studies when playing. So as her friend I sympathize and support her. And as her top I will roast her butt royally and send her to bed for a week if she ever THINKS about playing again! 😀
Alyx, just wanted to tell you that I finally had a chance to read Moran’s hilarious book. The woman IS funny through and through! And a lot of good points. Thank you for recommending it to me (a long time ago ;-)).
ps. In the beginning I thought she was a lesbian …
Glad you liked that book, SP. And pity she’s not a lesbian, eh? 😀
I’ve recently finished reading Twilight Hour by Carol Smith, I have a shelfful of unread books to be read but I can’t seem to make up my mind on what to read next. In the meantime I’ve been gaming none stop. :3
Oooo, another gamer! Hmm….I wonder if there is a correlation between kinky proclivities and gaming? What do you lot spend your time doing, anyway — spanking trolls? 😆 (Actually, come to think of it, if there IS a game like that, someone send me a link!)
Has anyone read The Secret Trilogy by Francine St Marie? Some Saga! Or Rosalyn Wraight’s Lesbian Adventure Club series, of which there are now, I believe, 12 books? Quite fun.
I hadn’t heard of either of those series, Sparrow. Are they both mysteries? Thank you for the recommendations! 🙂
The Secret Trilogy is an epic love story centered around three women and their fascinating love triangle. The story is captivating, but what is most interesting is the unique writing style.
As for the Lesbian Adventure Series, Rosalyn Wraight is a mystery writer, but the series (alternately titled Dykes Who Dare) is about , well, kind of Brat Camp on steroids…..from lightly entertaining to totally hilarious fun.
Both of those sound promising! Thanks for the tip, Sparrow. 🙂
Anyone into steampunk? How about Cassandra Duffy’s The Gunfighter and the Gearhead?
So many writers….so little time!!!!!!
Never heard of “steampunk,” Sparrow. But if it’s sci-fi/fantasy, I’m open to it. 🙂
Try Cassandra Duffy’s The Cowgirl and the Gearhead.
*makes note* Thanks for the tip, Sparrow!
I just finished reading this book. It was an interesting read for sure. A little bitter sweet but it does make you want more.
Great, another vote for Cassandra Duffy. Must pick one up as soon as I have free time!
Just finished When Women were Warriors, if I were you Alyx, I would ditch the ones you’re currently reading and read this trilogy…it’s really excellent. I won’t say anything else in case it spoils it for you, but I loved this story and it’s now one of my favourite reads!
Shadows of Aggar is one of the books that Amazon very kindly suggested I read next, so I’ve just started it.
Ooo, good! *looking forward to reading it* (Wolfe’s “Bitter Thorns” was a nice twist on Beauty and the Beast as well…very romantic.)
I began reading Jeanette’s memories (a translation a found in a bookshop) and she truly is a brave woman. I only read the first chapters and I decided not to buy it because despite being beatifully written and the obvious message of hope ever since the first few pages, it was too sad. I want to read Bodies from Suzie Orbach. How I went from Jeanette to Suzie Orbach? Well, dyke gossip *blush*.
I must read other stuff first though. Or I might just have to spank myself.
I can understand why you hesitated. I generally don’t read stuff that will darken my life too much, regardless of how beautifully is written. I’m too sensitive — I take things in deeply and they haunt me forever. But this book….it was amazing. At times definitely sad and painful, yes. But Winterson is able to look at her life with such clarity and courage that it just takes my breath away. She has almost a clinical detachment when describing things, but the understanding of it is so thorough that you know it comes from acceptance and compassion rather than avoidance. Plus, she has great humor too!
For instance, this bit about how her fanatically religious and depressed mother, whom she calls Mrs W, was looking for signs of the devil in her:
😀
And btw, she mentions her partner Susie at the end, and how critical she was in helping her heal. I came away from the book feeling lucky, and cleansed, and as if I had been privileged to be a witness to such a brilliant and talented writer.
Hey there Alyx! Hey, I was just wondering which book you were talking about here? I’m a bit mixed up with all the comments *g*.. oh and I agree with Sandy, When Woman Were Warriors is a beautiful trilogy.
Ignore that.. I have worked it out all on my own! And this is very old thread.. but I am currently reading ‘The Magicians’ and it’s a goodie 🙂
It is an old (and confusing thread)! But hopefully you did work out that I was reading Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? by Jeanette Winterson?
As for “The Magicians,” do you have an author’s name?
Yup.. worked it out and downloaded, thanks! The author of “The Magicians” is Lev Grossman. Its had very mixed reviews, and it may not be your usual style of story. Its very gritty, sort of x-rated fantasy..? I’m running out of fanfic, so this a good thread 🙂
(I hope you’re doing okay and still enjoying you hols)
Actually.. when I say “x-rated”, I just mean it’s much more adult than Harry Potter. It’s not porn. I’m really not selling it very well, am I?
*ROTFL* Why, what’s wrong with porn? 😀 No, I do know what you mean. And if it has a kick-ass female protagonist, it probably would appeal to me. But if you like a gritty sort of fantasy, check out “Dante Valentine” by Lilith Saintcrow. It was about a sword-wielding necromance (in her world, just one who can talk to the dead) who gets involved with helping Lucifer. Quite entertaining. 🙂
Great! thanks for the recommendation 🙂
(Nothing wrong with porn, but I figure you don’t need any the mo ;))
Yeah, you got that right. 😀
Yes, she has great humour from the start,you can tell. Maybe one day. And I’d like to read it in english, that too. Definately in my to read list. 🙂
David Sedaris! He’s very very funny in a very witty way!
Read: Me talk Pretty One Day
It’s especially entertaining to listen to Sedaris read the book with his nasally voice.
Sorry, I missed the url
David Sedaris: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRW8yvf_u-Q
I’ve read that book, Anonymous. It is indeed amusing. 🙂
I emailed TMT just so you know.
*smile* TMT’s been very busy, but I know she cherishes all the readers who email her. 🙂