lesbian books

[KiwiAlcyone]

heya kittens,



I've just finished reading 'Solitaire' by Kelley Eskridge (who is Nicola Griffith's partner) and it's a fantastic book. Her first and as far as I can tell I think its her only one so far. I so hope she writes more because I couldnt put this one down.



I don't want to give too much of the plot away but I'll say a few things about it. The main character, Jackal, is way cool. Anyway, she goes from being on a pedestal in her community one moment to being in some deep trouble facing jail the next. Its a journey of self-discovery and all the while her girlfriend, Snow, never gives up on her.



Great reading, not too heavy going, just right.



Alcy

"You know Hobbes, some days even my lucky rocketship underpants don't help." Calvin and Hobbes

[mollyig]

I remember when I first read in Nicola Griffith's bio that her partner was also a writer I thought I should check to see if I could get any of her books. Of course, I forgot about it! so thank you KiwiAlcyone for reminding me. I've just added "Solitaire" to my wishlist

---

"Love is just like breathing when it's true" Indigo Girls

[Big Dummy]

Man, everyone named all of my faves already. I have to stretch to get some in.



Never say Never by Linda Hill

Lady be Good, a smut anthology

Priorities by Linda Lyons: great sci-fi book I read forever ago. Be warned, it kinda ends on a cliff-hanger, and I've never found a sequel.

The Price of Salt by Patricia Highsmith

Clicking Stone by Nancy Tyler Glenn



I also like Penny Hayes, Evelyn JFK, Jennifer Fulton, Catherine Ennis...phew. That's all I can think of that I don't think have been mentioned. I used to drink these things like water.



BTW, if you've ever read Ten in Twenty, the sequel to One in Ten, check out a story (of sorts) by Robin, 16, from Cleveland. That's me.

[3peanuts]

I recently read Rubyfruit Jungle, by R. M. Brown.



I now understand why some people consider it a milestone: it's full of strenght in its peculiar way.

By the way, Molly's too sympathetic. I can say I loved the book, and this seldom happens.

"I like Amber Benson 'cause she's a proletarian" Sarabiga

Keynes was right

[xita]

hee, you read Clicking Stones, my ex so made fun of me for having read that one lol.

- - - - - - - - - - -
"Trust is a risk masquerading as a promise."

[Big Dummy]

Oh man, I thought that was one of the best lesbian books ever for the longest time. I remember checking it out several times from the library. Still have a soft spot in my heart for it. That and Loving Her by Ann Allen Shockley, despite how horrid it was. You never forget your firsts.



The things you love when you're a teenager.

[3peanuts]

When I was a teenager I used to have a crush on Sailor Moon... , this explains a lot about my tastes.

"I like Amber Benson 'cause she's a proletarian" Sarabiga

Keynes was right

[effrena]

i love karin slaughter`s books: blindsighted, kisscut, a faint cold fear. the lesbian characters are actually really minor, and well, one of them gets killed by this totally crazy pervert in the very beginning of the first book, but her lover keeps appearing.

i just totally fell for lena, this hardass cop, who first has to deal with her sister`s death and then, in book 2 and 3 with the aftereffects of a horrible attack (i`m a sucker for angst...)

Can`t we not suck anymore?! Ellen DeGeneres

[Kieli]

I want to effusively thank that lovely Kitten soul who introduced me to Leslea Newman's work. I wandered into Barnes and Noble yesterday and bought three of her books, She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not, The Best Short Stories of Leslea Newman, and Just Like a Woman. I'm almost through the second book already! They're definitely of the "just can't seem to put 'em down" variety. Worth every single penny I spent.

Time flies by when the Devil drives.
It's not the pace of life that concerns me, it's the sudden stop at the end.

[onyxsundrops]

After reading through the list, there were some books that I've read and others that I've added to my list. In addition to some of the other wonderful books in the thread, I'd like to recommend a few.



Holy Hell: A Lillian Byrd Crime Story by Elizabeth Sims exceeded my expectations, and I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoyed Radclyffe's Shield of Justice. To briefly sum it up, here's my badly edited version of the back summary.



"Lillian Byrd is a small-time reporter with a flair for making big-time mistakes... so her investigation into the disappearances of women in the Detroit area might not be the best idea. But when one of the missing women turns up dead and Lillian recognizes the bizarrely mutilated corpse, she's in too deep to get out."



There's a lot of filler in this book, but when you get down to the action and the suspense, it gets really good.



**

The other two books I'd like to recommend are Lover's Masquerade by Radclyffe and Shadowland, also by the same author.



First paragraph from LM-



"Plunged into the often indistinguishable realms of fiction, fantasy, and hidden desires, Auden Frost discovers a shifting landscape that will force her to question everything she has believed to be true about herself and the nature of love."



While reading this book, I have to admit that I had to flip to the end to make sure it ended happily. The story has its bumpy edges, but it's well worth reading.



From SL-



"In a world on the far edge of desire, two women are drawn together by power, passion, and dark pleasures."



Just to warn you, Shadowland is not everyone's cup of tea, but if you're willing/wanting to broaden your literary horizons, it's really an excellent book.



Yvonne

[sheila wt]

I just finished "Death by the Riverside" by J. M. Redmann. What a great book! I just couldn't put it down. If you like a good lesbian P.I. story, Micky Knight is your gal. It has a little bit of everything in the mix, even really hot sex scenes...



One of the main characters have long blond hair and beautiful blue eyes, that was enough for me to think of a film based on the book with Amber playing her part...



I already ordered the 2nd book, "Deaths of Jocasta". I can't wait to read it!

--------------------------
"She had tasted Willow on her tongue, and she had worn Willow on her skin. There wasn't a shower in the world that could have washed that away." (Terra Firma, by Tulipp)

[mollyig]

Oh, that sounds like something I'd like sheila wt. I've just added it to my (ever-expanding!) wishlist.

---

Sheacht mh'anam déag do bhéal, do mhalaí's do ghrua

[Alia16]

Has anyone read "Empress of the World" by Sara Ryan?



Someone recommended it to me the other day, and I finished it the same day...it was a really good book!



Does anyone know any other gay/lesbian themed books that are geared more towards teenagers? Thanks!

[foreverpiper]

I read Empress of the World last year when I stole it from a friend for a day because I was bored during the last days of school. I really really liked it and it was the very first lesbian book I'd read. Made me want to read a bunch more! She's working on a sequal and I can't wait to read it!



If you want more teenage based books I'd recomend:



Annie on My Mind - Nancy Garden



Dare, Truth, or Promise - Paula Boock (Happy ending too!!)



Girl Walking Backwards - dunno the author



Keeping You A Secret - Julie Anne Peters (This is one of my favorite books, too, after Annie on My Mind)



There's also: Crush (dunno the author), and Kissing Kate (but i havent' read either of those)



I also read Geography Club but it was more based on the feelings of gay boy Russell and his crush on Kevin...still a good book though.

Galahad: What a strange person. French Dude: I don't want to talk to you no more, you empty headed animal food trough wiper. I fart in your general direction. Your mother was a hamster and your father smelled of elderberries. Galahad: Is there someone else up their we could talk to? French Dude: No, now go away or I shall taunt you a second time. - Monty Python

[0 CaliSto 0]

The Girls: Sapho goes to Hollywood



This isnt a novel, its about Golden age Actress and their lovers. You'll enjoy this book if your a fan of Garbo,Dietrich or Bankhead. And i'll wager any1 to read this book and not very much dislike Salka Viertel afterwards.

I just gave the worst synopsis of a book possible. Im not a great wordsmith so all il say is, its a really interesting and enjoyable book so check it out.

[Alia16]

I know she is writing a sequel to Empress of the world and it's from Battle's point of view this time. I can't wait either! awesome. Oh and I read Annie on my mind, that was very good..thanks for pointing it out!

i feel pretty, oh so pretty!

[Livelomaniac87]

A while ago I read a novel, and I can't remember what the name of it was!

Basically, it's about this girl who was accepted to NYU, I think, and moved from where she lived (in a Native American reservation) to New York, leaving her boyfriend behind.

She moves in to an apartment, and see's her neighbor, whom she thinks is very beautiful. She follows her, wanting to see her and stuff, because to her the girl is 'mysterious'. Finally they get to know each other and become kind-of friends.

I'm not sure exactly what order the next stuff happeneed in, but I think this is it: The boyfriend comes to town, and he, the girl, and the neighbor spend the night drinking. The boyfriend passes out, and the two girls start kissing, and so on.

Both girls feel bad, but slightly after, for some reason the girl dumps her boyfriend, and declares that she loves the neighbor, and for another reason I do not remember, they both run away to New Mexico.



My description is pretty crappy, but it really is a good book if you like distorted fairy tales, hehe. If anyone knows the name, could you tell me? thanks!

[Kieli]

Quote:

---

There's also: Crush (dunno the author), and Kissing Kate (but i havent' read either of those)

---

Crush is written by Jane Fuchter.....just a FYI.

Time flies by when the Devil drives.
It's not the pace of life that concerns me, it's the sudden stop at the end.

[WillowFever]

Ooohhhh......I'm liking this.....Ummmm....actually I first started reading xena fanfiction and some of the "Uber" stories became published....anyway....one of my favorite writers is...





BL Miller....



she has a book called The Western Chronicles....it is fantastic....you gotta check it out....



another one is called Accidental Love....another wonderful read...same writer....



LJ Maas....has a wonderful story called Tumbleweed Fever....the sequel is called Prairie Fire....I haven't read that one yet.......but I recommend all these books to anyone....and can't wait to check out some of the books suggested.....woohoo....



Laters,

Rachel

[brendcat]

Livelo

I have that book you are talking about. The main character is Claire and she moves from her small town home in New Mexico to NYC because she knows her life is missing something. It is called "Some Girls" and is by Kristin McCloy. Her neighbor is Jade and they form an unlikely friendship (small town girl vs. knowing, sensual big city) that develops into more. A must read.

[Twisted Minstrel]

Well...it's been a long while since I visited this thread, but I'm glad Mollyig brought up Emma Donoghue and Hood. Donoghue is a great author, lesbian or otherwise and has several books for recommendation: Stirfry, Hood and the historical novels Slammerkin and her latest, Life Mask - a huge novel based on the real-life historical figures the Earl of Derby, his friend the sculptress Anne Damer and the object of both their affections, the stage actress Eliza Farren. If you are looking for a good, long, satisfying read - this is it.



Donoghue is also the author of Kissing the Witch a fascinating collection of her own re-tellings of classic fairytales. Imagine if Cinderella had run off with the fairy godmother instead; was Snow White's stepmother in love with her? If you love fairytales and wish some of them had a different ending, you must have Kissing the Witch.



Learn more about her writing here: www.emmadonoghue.com



I also understand Jeannette Winterson has a new novel out called Housekeeping or something similar. I don't believe it has been released in the US - but has anyone read this one and might recommend?



Have a great weekend everyone.

Edited by: Twisted Minstrel at: 12/3/04 10:26 pm

[Kieli]

Ah yes....forgot to remind someone that the author of Girl Walking Backwards is Bett Williams.

Time flies by when the Devil drives.
It's not the pace of life that concerns me, it's the sudden stop at the end.

[FireFlyofDust]

I just read through this entire thread, and I have written down a page and a half of books to read, and I just can't belive no one has mentioned "Licking Our Wounds" By D'Haene, Elise.. I have to say this is my all time favorite book, its funny, very honest, dry humar, little dark, -note if u start reading the book you must read the first 3 chapters, the first chap may be a little shocking- I LOVED THIS BOOK!



usa1.ebooks.com/ebooks/bo...IID=126041



Ps. I loved this book so much I made my best friend borrow it..she loved it too..so much I doubt I will get my book back..



BUT REALLY THIS A MUST READ

[SySnootles]

I second that recommendation... It's a very interesting book.

Catie



When I'm 130 years old, I want a pill that makes me so happy and so unself-conscious and so randy I'm willing to make love to my fuzzy bed slippers on my front lawn and yodel at the same time. -- Scott Adams from Dilbert and the way of the Weasel

[taras goddess]

I really have to recommend Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Waters, I know it's already been said, but it's such a good book and if you've ever loved and lost someone you'll completely identify with Nan.



Also get the DVD too if you can, it's quite tame, but touchingly true at the same time.



Enjoy

[FireFlyofDust]

HEY! Does anyone have to the book licking our wounds. I am writting a paper on it, and I dont have it yet. (I lent it to a friend, and its now in the mail on the way back to me) but I think I need a little bit of information (some things I dont remember for very clearly) If anyone has that book..I would be grateful if they could look up one thing for me. In the book it talks about a gay boy that murdered by bigots -there was even a song about it)..i would really like to know the persons name..



thanks, trish

Don’t forget, we are the people that can have dreams for which we don’t yet have words. Maybe my accomplishment has been to find some of those words.- Harry Hay

[Marguerite de France]

hi! I have a question Im trying to find all those books that look so good here in Canada and I never find any... I went in Montréal lately and didnt found anything there either... I wondered if some kitten knew where I could get them and if they did would they hepl me find them ? well thank you and I wish its right to post this here. My email adress is lyralia@hotmail.com bye

Mari

[FireFlyofDust]

hey Meri



I would check ebay or something..the books are generally cheaper on there anyways..and they will deliver straight to you.

Don’t forget, we are the people that can have dreams for which we don’t yet have words. Maybe my accomplishment has been to find some of those words.- Harry Hay

[fun in dysfuntion]

Hmm....many, many excellent recommendations. Although mentioned previously, I really loved...

Fingersmith by Sarah Waters
A story told from the perspective of two women. Brilliant plot twists, suspenseful, mysterious, and more than a bit shocking.

The Price of Salt by Paticia Highsmith
Perhaps not as racey as current day lesbian love stories, this book is often included in lesbian lit courses for its historical value of being one of the first novels about two women in a relationship, which doesn't end in death and/or insanity.

Stir-fry by Emma Donaghue
A novel of self-discovery and sexuality, this story is about a 17 yr old girl who leaves her small town to attend University.

Novels I haven't seen mentioned (please pardon me if I am mistaken) that I loved....

Zami: A New Spelling of My Name by Audre Lorde
Based loosely on the life of author/activist Audre Lorde. The story recounts her experiences growing up a lesbian woman of color during the mid 20th century.

Coffee Will Make You Black by April Sinclair
A coming of age story about girl growing up in Chicago in the 1960s.

The Last Time I Wore a Dress by Daphne Scholinski
Absolutely a heart-wrenching (and unfortunately true) story of an adolescent girl's experience in mental institutions (circa 1980s) whose main diagnosis and reason for being institutionalized was being too tomboyish.

Valencia by Michele Tea
A witty and gritty novel about a queer punk grrl in the Mission distict of San Francisco.

The Ropemaker's Daughter by Virginia Smith
A story about a self-proclaimed pathological liar and her own self-discoveries. A young woman attempts to figure out the identity of a man who claims to be someone she thought was dead.

I tend to enjoy mysteries that have an underlying humor to them either in dialogue or in the plot.

Mysteries I adore:

Jane Lawless series (there are about 12 out) by Ellen Hart

Saz Martin series (there are about 4 out) by Stella Duffy

Cheers,
teddy

[mollyig]

For any fans of Laurie King's Kate Martinelli books, apparently she's currently working on the next addition!