First let's talk about RITA -- take a look at the complete list of the finalists at Wendy's blog, The Misadventures of Super Librarian, it's rather extensive. Out of that list, I read a total of 9 books, and have 1 in my TBR. ONE! The rest of the books in that list are not even in my radar!
Books read & reviewed: (click on titles to read reviews)
Contemporary Single Title Romance:
Slow Dancing on Price's Pier by Lisa Dale
Summer at Seaside Cove by Jacquie D’Alessandro*
Historical Romance:
The Black Hawk by Joanna Bourne
The Many Sins of Lord Cameron by Jennifer Ashley
Scandalous Desires by Elizabeth Hoyt*
Silk Is for Seduction by Loretta Chase*
Paranormal Romance:
Archangel's Blade by Nalini Singh
Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison
Romance Novella
"Angel's Wolf" by Nalini Singh in Angels of Darkness
Book in my TBR Pile:
Historical Romance:
Unveiled by Courtney Milan
*All the above books were great reads for me. However, Scandalous Desires by Elizabeth Hoyt and Silk is for Seduction by Loretta Chase made it to my 2011 Favorite Books list, and Summer at Seaside Cove by Jacquie D'Alessandro was a favorite and an Honorable Mention. And I'm particularly happy for favorite author Lisa Dale! Congratulations and good luck to all!
Have you read many of these books? If so, which books do you recommend?
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Going on to the LAMBDA Literary Awards! Take a look at the complete list at the Lambda Literary Review Blog. When we talk Lammies my percentage is even lower. There's a good reason for that as the Lammies include some sub-genres that I have yet to explore -- but dang! However, although I didn't read most of the books on that list (many of my favorites didn't make it to the finals), it makes me feel better that a couple of my favorite reads made the final cut, and I already had a few on my TBR. :)
Books Read and/or reviewed:
LGBT-SF/F/H: The German by Lee Thomas*
Bisexual Non-Fiction: The Horizontal Poet by Jan Steckel
Gay Erotica: History's Passion: Stories of Sex Before Stonewall Richard Labonté
Books in my TBR Pile:
Gay Fiction: Leche, by R. Zamora Linmark
Gay Fiction: The Unreal Life of Sergey Nabokov by Paul Russell
LGBT-SF/F/H & Bisexual Fiction: Triptych by J.M. Frey
*The German by Lee Thomas made it to my overall 2011 Favorite Books list and my LGBT 2011: Favorite Books and Authors list. Congratulations and good luck to Lee Thomas and Jan Steckel whose books brought me hours of enjoyment!
Have you read any of the books on this list? If so, which books do you recommend?
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Now HUGO!
The Hugo Award nominees won't be announced until April 7, 2012. However, I can tell you that I read two excellent science fiction novels last year that are worthy of a nomination and both could make the cut:
Possible Finalists - Books Read:
Leviathan Wakes by James S.A. Corey
Embassytown by China Miéville
Possible Nominees - Books in TBR: (Must reads)
Grail (Jacob's Ladder Book #3) by Elizabeth Bear
Vortex by Robert Charles Wilson
I'm keeping my fingers crossed for James S.A. Corey and China Miéville!
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Congratulations to all the finalists!
After a year of not reading very much, I can say with certainty that none of the books I read last year made the RITA list. :(
ReplyDeleteThis also reminds me that I have Leviathan Wakes waiting for me to finish reading. I set it aside and haven't gotten back to it. I need to do that.
Brie, I'm surprised I read THAT much from the list. I usually read maybe 3 or 4 and end up not recognizing the rest of the finalists on the RITA list. It always baffles me, I don't know why! LOL!
DeleteLeviathan Wakes is a BIG book! I did the same thing. I think through the first 1/4 of the book I went back and forth a couple of times, and then read the last 3/4 of the book straight through. It was worth the long read for me. :D I hope you finish it.
I have Leviathan Wakes in my TBR pile - you've encouraged me to pick it up! It may be the size that's putting me off, I admit.
ReplyDeleteI glanced through the RITA nominees and didn't recognise very many either. Most of the ones I did recognise were in the PNR or novel with a strong romantic element (I think?) categories, which probably is reflective of what I've been reading last year...
Li, I know what you mean about Leviathan Wakes! I bought it when it released (in the summer of last year?) and read it in December. LOL! But once I got into it, the story was worth it. If you like a good sic-fi space opera, you'll love this book. :)
DeleteAhh, I'm not the only one! Every year when I see the list of RITA nominees I wonder where I've been. *g* I couldn't believe that I didn't even read ONE book in the Regency category! Not one! And every year I wonder the same thing: "Whatever happened to Nalini Singh's Psy/Changeling Series?" Why didn't Kiss of Snow make it in the PNR category and her UF book Archangel's Blade was nominated instead? Hmm... confusing, no?
I looked through the list when Wendy posted it... and I read an astonishing 17.5 books!! LOL, I was really surprised :) I'm pretty happy Ms D'Alessandro got nominated! She deserved it, because Summer at Seaside Cove was really good :)
ReplyDeleteAlso couldn't agree more on the historical category :) and I'm not surprised for Dragon Bound. I think it'll most probably win...
I'd recommend First Grave on the Right, Hils :) Also, if you're in the mood for contemporary, Jane Graves is a nice author to try :)
Congrats to all the finalists! I've only read Archangel's Blade...and I only finished it this morning :)
ReplyDeleteSurprised, but I've read 14 of the RITA nominated books. Most of the others, I haven't heard of so now I want to give them a try.
ReplyDeleteI've read 6 of the 2012 Rita Nominees and have about the same number either on my TBR or wish list. Not bad, I guess.
ReplyDelete17.5 books, nath?! Maybe you should be one of the judges! How do they judge something like this anyway? Anyone know?
Nath, 17.5?! That's a great #. Go you! I'm really happy for D'Alessandro too! I'm glad we weren't the only ones who really appreciated that contemporary romance -- sooo enjoyable. :D Thanks for the recommendation! I think I already have Graves on my list (I took her from YOUR blog, lol)
ReplyDeleteOrannia, lol! I've had years when I've only read 1 too! *g*
Leslie, you did well too! I will also be giving some of the books a shot. Every year I choose Category Romances from the list and try them out. :D
Christine, that's a good # too! I love that you have 6 books in your TBR. I don't know what it takes to be a judge? (I used to know this answer) I think other authors read the books? I think... don't take my word for it, I don't pay as much attention to these details as I used to. *g*