Category: Reading Events

ARC, Books, Reading Events

Book 145: Israel/Palestine and the Queer International – Sarah Schulman

Geoff W

My third book for The Literary Others reading event, and the final ARC of this month was Israel/Palestine and the Queer International. I requested this book via NetGalley and the below response is my honest opinion and I did not receive any compensation. I requested the book as I’m well aware that my knowledge on what is going on and what has happened in the region is woefully lacking and I thought this would be a great perspective for an introduction and boy was I right.

Like most readers, at least on Goodreads it seems, I expected this to be heavier on academics, what with being a publication of Duke University Press (Go Heels! – sorry couldn’t help it 😀 It’s a gut reaction…), but I found it incredibly approachable, well-reasoned and well written. This work clearly shows that Schulman is first and foremost a writer, her eloquent language, pertinent anecdotes and a great mixture of academia and activism really opened this book to a wider audience than I expected it to be able to reach. Previously, I have read two of her novels, After Delores and People in Trouble, both of which I thoroughly enjoyed and am definitely interested in reading more of her more recent work, as well as her more biographical works.

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ARC, Books, Reading Events

Book 144: The Paternity Test – Michael Lowenthal

Geoff W

I read this book as a part of The Literary Others October LGBT History event. I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and the response below is my honest opinion and I received no compensation.

This book did not get off to a good start with me; ending your first chapter referring to the potential birth mother of your child as just ‘the womb’ really bothered me. I felt it was incredibly misogynistic, an accusation two of the main characters made towards each other later in the book, but I also felt it was too jarring in the beginning of the story and put me on edge for the rest of the story.

I do feel that Lowenthal developed the characters further than that first chapter gave them credit, both male and female characters, but that really put me on edge and made it difficult to identify with and feel sympathy for Pat and Stu. But, if there is one thing he did do great it was the personality quirks of all the characters. From describing Deborah’s exotic Brazilian Portuguese accent to the adorable story about Pat and Stu when they moved into their first place together and stacked plates the same way for the same reason.

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ARC, Books, Reading Events

Book 143: Second Hand (Tucker Springs #2) – Heidi Cullinan and Marie Sexton

Geoff W

Embarrassingly, I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed this book. AND I’ve already purchased a copy of Where Nerves End (Tucker Springs #1)…and will read it later this month. And will probably now follow the series forever because this first one I’ve read was fun and easy to read.

I received a copy of this novel via NetGalley as I wanted something fun and light to kick off The Literary Others LGBT October event and I am glad I chose this. This response is my honest opinion and I received no compensation for it.

I really shouldn’t say I’m embarrassed I enjoyed reading Second Hand. There is nothing to be embarrassed by, really, unless you’re me and you flush crimson at any sort of intimate scene. I mean I’ve already purchased the other novel in the series, so I must’ve enjoyed it.

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Reading Events

The Literary Others – Kick Off Post

Geoff W

As I mentioned earlier this month, I am joining Adam of Roof Beam Reader in his event The Literary Others for the month of October. I also mentioned I would be hosting my first giveaway which I am very excited about (and a little stressed about whether anyone will enter). It won’t be a huge giveaway, but there will be a bonus if you’re signed up for the event!

Earlier in September I wasn’t sure what I would be reading or in what order, but I have determined this already for two reasons: 1) So I can read them and get my posts written ahead of time; and 2) because as I mentioned in my September Recap on Saturday I am starting a new job mid-October. (Thankfully I’ll have a week off which should give me some cushion to read and get posts ready for the end of the month!)

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Reading Events

The Literary Others – October Reading Event

Geoff W

After looking at what I have left to read in 2012 and shuffling my reading list about (it pays to be ahead :-D), I have decided to join Room Beam Reader’s October event, The Literary Others.

As he mentions, October is LGBT History month (in the US; it’s in February in the UK) and I have quite a few LGBT novels, authors and galleys on my to-be-read list for 2012 and figured I might as well shift them around to fit into October. It should be fun as I have a degree in Gender Studies and have done my fair share or research on LGBT novels, plays and authors.

I’ve also decided as part of this event that I am going to host my first giveaway! It will be later in the month and will be relatively simple like an Amazon gift card or a book from the Book Depository, but I haven’t decided on the constraints or the books.

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