The Squee Is Gone

[the_other_sandy]

So, it looks like I've stopped writing episode reaction posts. This was not a conscious decision on my part, more like a confluence of circumstances. Most of my shows are currently engaged in long-term story or character arcs that I actively dislike, while at the same time I've hit an amazing run of really good books in a row. I keep looking at the TV and thinking I should watch my shows, then reading instead. As a result, I'm way behind on many of my shows and uninspired to write about them, but I've completed 80% of my reading goal for the year on Goodreads.

I have no plans to leave LJ; I'll just have to find something else to post about. I also can't swear I'll never do episode posts again, but I just can't dredge up the squee to do them right now.

P.S. -- Where has Listopia been all my life? Gay Romance Featuring Psychics/Mediums/Shamans/Spiritualists was not a thing I knew I needed in my life, but guys, I am reading all the things.

Comments

[bookwurm.livejournal.com]

You could post about the really good books. I've been reading a lot of pretty ok books lately, and I'm getting kindof tired of "meh."

[the-other-sandy.livejournal.com]

I feel kind of embarrassed about doing that because in most cases I'm late to the party. 'Woo hoo, I just discovered a series that started coming out in 1996 and that everyone has read but me!' That said, if you haven't read the Nightrunner series by Lynn Flewelling, you totally should. I've already converted your sister, and I think she's trying to get your mom to start.

Also, some of my likes are incredibly specific (see above list of gay romance novels featuring psychics, mediums, shamans, and spiritualists). I'm currently mainlining the Charm of Magpies series by K.J. Charles on that list.

Also also in incredibly specific-land, there's a Musketeers series (The Queen's Musketeers by R.A. Steffan) featuring Dumas' characters in an AU plague-ridden 17th century France, where King Louis has been overthrown by his brother, and the remnants of the musketeers are protecting a very pregnant Queen Anne and plotting to regain the throne for the dauphin. There's action and intrigue and whumping and brotherly bonding and awkwardly shoehorned-in het sex scenes, and it pretty much pushes every single button I have, but then I've had a crush on d'Artagnan since I was about 7 years old. As a plus, you can download the first story, We Feared to Fly, from Amazon for free.

You can always follow me on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2206645-the-other-sandy). I don't always write reviews of the books, though. I want to, but I have this thing where if I don't like a book, I know exactly why and can articulate it clearly (one of my especially negative reviews somehow accidentally became the top review for that particular book), but if I do like a book, the only thing in my head is "squeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!" and I can't really explain what it is I like or why I like it. Maybe it's because the stories I like most are the ones where the author gets out of the way and lets the story unfold, rather than trying to dazzle me with their wordcraft. It feels like the characters are living and breathing, and things are just happening naturally, so there's seemingly no writing or plot to critique.

[bookwurm.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty sure I've seen the Nightrunner series, but I don't remember whether I've read it. Mom may have some or all of the books at her old place. I'm fine with recommendations of older books. I've reread some of the ones I claimed from the family library because I know those are more than just ok.

The Charm of Magpies series sounds very interesting. I've been relying on fanfic for my gay romance fixes. Actual novels would be ... not necessarily better, but at least a nice change. Unfortunately, I can't get the first book through LINKin, so I'll have to buy it myself (or recommend it for the library's collection).

I can sympathize with the difficulty reviewing good books. I write some reviews for the library's "Have You Heard about..." blog. There have been a few books that I really, really wanted to recommend, but I couldn't figure out what to say besides, "You've gotta read this! It's amazing!! There's this guy and this thing, and if I try to explain, I'll completely ruin it, but it's funny and sweet and exciting, and no, really, you've just gotta read this!!" I feel a bit like the third bear in this picture (http://ursulav.livejournal.com/1594561.html).

[the-other-sandy.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, I can't get the first book through LINKin, so I'll have to buy it myself

Do you have the free Nook app, or are you willing to add it? The Magpie Lord is a "lend me" title, so I can lend it out to one person for two weeks.

I've been relying on fanfic for my gay romance fixes

I was too, but Goodreads kept recommending the same handful of books every time I read a Nightrunner book, so I caved in and tried one. It turns out that Goodreads really has my number when it comes to gay romance. Then I found the Listopia lists, and I think I'm probably set for the next decade or so.

"You've gotta read this! It's amazing!! There's this guy and this thing, and if I try to explain, I'll completely ruin it, but it's funny and sweet and exciting, and no, really, you've just gotta read this!!"

Yeah, I convinced your sister to read Luck in the Shadows by handing it to her and basically saying I wouldn't stop bugging her until she read it. I don't play that card often, but so far I've been batting 1.000 with it.

[bookwurm.livejournal.com]

Do you have the free Nook app, or are you willing to add it?

Unfortunately, I don't have anything to put it on. Getting some sort of tablet is moving closer to the top of my to-do list, but so far, vet bills are edging it back down.

I don't play that card often, but so far I've been batting 1.000 with it.

Yeah, I think the last time you told me I needed to read something was the Rivers of London series. If the Nightrunner books are even half that good, I'll be happy.