Giveaway: TLA Releasing DVDs

As you may have noticed in my sidebar, I am participating in the 2010 GLBT Reading Challenge, that explores and celebrates the GLBT culture in art. The November mini-challenge has to do with watching a queer-themed movie and I decided I should do a guest post on their blog. In the post (click here to check it out), I talk about what makes a movie queer and the difference between Queer as Folk and Brokeback Mountain. I think you'll like what I have to say.

It is now my honor to have my email answered by Mike from TLAVideos, the biggest online retailer dedicated to gay cinema. Mike is really cool and has offered three romantic titles for a giveaway on my blog Boy Culture, Coffee Date and the hot new release, Is It Just Me? What are you waiting for? The rules are below and the DVDs are waiting!

Giveaway rules:

US only

Giveaway ends December 11th

Enter by commenting and leaving your EMAIL

18+ only (as the movies are unrated)

Bonus entries:

+2 for following (old and new followers)

+2 for leaving a link in your sidebar (+4 if you leave a graphic)

+2 for tweeting about the contest

+4 for blogging about the contest

+4 for visiting TLA and coming back with a title that seems interesting to you.

GOOD LUCK!

Review: Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote

Right, so here's the deal: My blog's been on the long 2-month or so hiatus, I may have lost some followers and I failed to keep up with the giveaways I was hosting (this is being fixed). But now I'm back. Like, Mariah Carey back. My incredible humor aside, I am happy to be back at something that is so fulfilling. I knew this to be true after my last post - and all the lovely, heartfelt comments by my fellow bloggers. You guys are my friends, although I don't know you. I'm grateful for each and every one of you.

Now, on to the review. I finally read Breakfast at Tiffany's, a book that is as iconic as the movie that was based on it. It's a story about a young writer reminiscing of the year he moved to New York and met Holly Golightly, a girl who would change his life. This is in fact a novella - it could easily be read in one sitting (though I savored each and every word, so it took me a bit more) and it is incredibly easy to digest. However, the things that are kept under its witty exterior are far more interesting than the plot itself.

Holly Golightly, the object of our narrator's affection, can be easily described as a gold-digger. Yet, she is also innocent and naive and sweet. She is a mystery, we are not certain about her past and much less about her future. However, she is the ideal of change and of the American Dream. Making your dreams come true, no matter how much you have to suffer for them, is the driving force behind this character. And since her dreams are as far-fetched as having breakfast at Tiffany's, the plights are never-ending.

I actually preferred Breakfast in its paper form, as opposed to the movie. There is no romance in the book (in fact, the nameless character of the narrator is implicitly gay), yet the relationship between him and Miss Golightly is far more believable. Also, the plot is not burdened with the romantic context, therefore it's much more real and to the point.

I guess I'm not completely smitten with this book. While it was generally pleasant and inspiring, I thought it lacked a final punch, sort of like a firm conclusion to the story. Nevertheless, it's a contemporary classic that is a joy to experience.

RATING: 4/5

Review: Necessary Madness by Lisabet Sarai

"Necessary Madness" is Lisabet Sarai's first gay novel - and one could never guess! An established romance/erotica author, she has written a somewhat paranormal thriller with an abundance of romantic and sexual situations that are sure to get your blood flowing faster.

The protagonist, Kyle, is a homeless man with a curse - he is haunted by visions of future deaths and he is unable to do anything about them. After a particularly intense vision, he ends up in the hospital, where he is interrogated by Rob, a handsome policemen. Rob offers a spare room until Kyle can get back on his feet and it is not soon before they start a passionate relationship. However, Rob's ghosts of the past are threatening to compromise their relationship - as well as a mysterious man from Kyle's visions.

There are two things that should be talked about when it comes to this book. The plot and the sex scenes. Plot-wise, the book is a tight, solid thriller. Although I would have preferred to find about a little more about the antagonist's background, the cast of characters is a solid, interesting bunch. On the other hand, the sex scenes are always explicit and arousing - Sarai knows her way with words and I'm certain veteran erotica readers will enjoy Necessary Madness immensely (on the other hand, less experienced readers are certain to blush throughout). Another thing I loved about the book was that the paranormal element wasn't overused - it is there and crucial to the story, but the two lovers are human.

What I had a minor problem with was the way the plot and the sex were combined. There are fantastic instances where sex itself is a major plot device (the chilling finale is a great example of this). On the other hand, it sometimes feels like filler - as well as the reason for Rob and Kyle's romantic co-dependence. This is a small bone to pick, especially when the sex scenes are written so deliciously. Luckily, there is room to extend the story to a second book and I sincerely hope this will happen.

RATING: 4/5

This book counts towards my GLBT challenge.

Review: Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris

I may be the last person on earth to read Charlaine Harris' Dead Until Dark - but I'm definitely not the last person to fall in love with True Blood, the racy HBO show based on the book. In fact, I consider myself a huge fan. So I was beyond excited to read the book that started it all when I bought my paperback copy in Dubrovnik. And I enjoyed it immensely.

Set in the small town of Bon Temps, Louisiana, the story revolves around a telepathic waitress Sookie Stackhouse. The vampires have just recently come out of the coffin and Sookie is excited to meet one. The vampire in question is the mysterious Bill Compton, but when Bon Temps is struck by a tragedy - which soon escalates into a killing spree - Sookie fears she might be in danger.

As a writer, Harris writes with assurance, so I ultimately forgave her the shameless 1st person POV - even when it came to the corniest sentences. She utilizes the mysterious and dark Louisiana atmosphere to the maximum, and in the context of the story, it works out perfectly. The story itself is a perfectly balanced detective story that is never too obvious (unless you've seen the first season of the TV show). However, there are enough surprises in the book to keep you reading, even if you did.

I loved how vampires are sometimes used allegorically to represent real-life minority groups. It's very cool to see them represent people of a different race or sexual orientation. However, I didn't like how in the end, the book ends very lightly, when I feel like it could have packed more impact. However, it is an excellent mystery book and the basis for a fantastic TV show. I can't wait to read book two!

RATING: 4/5

This book counts toward my GLBT challenge.

Review: A Single Man by Christopher Isherwood

Today's review is of a very special book which grew on me more and more with each page and ended up becoming one of my favorite books of all time. Christopher Isherwood's A Single Man is an intelligent, well-written novel of a day in the life of George, a gay man who has recently become single again, after the death of his long-time lover.

Like all the best books, it's hard to say what this book is about. It could be argued that it's about George dealing with his loss, but it's about a lot more than that. Isherwood writes about relationships - romantic or friendly - and how sometimes not even this is enough. He writes about forbidden pleasures - as if being gay in the 60's is not enough, George starts developing a risky friendship with one of his students. The gay history of Los Angeles is explained from time to time, but only when it has to do with George's thoughts and actions.

George is a fascinating character, alienated from everyone around him by his very existence. A gay Brit living in Los Angeles and working as a university lit teacher (lit seems to interest no one) makes his identity more than a little blurry. His best friend Charlotte, another fascinating character, is a straight woman without a husband who drinks her nights away and dreams of going back to London (somehow, one doesn't necessarily feel either Charlotte or George would be better off there). And then, with the sudden death of his life partner, George has one last chance to recuperate and move on. And we all know it's not that easy.

If you liked the book, make sure you see the movie adaptation, directed by Tom Ford. It's divine.

RATING: 5/5

This review counts toward the GLBT challenge.

Review: Rage - Gay Crusader

I don't have much reading experience when it comes to graphic novels, so I was excited to read this one as part of my LGBT Reading Challenge. This month's mini challenge is to read a graphic novel containing GLBT themes, so I picked Rage - Gay Crusader.

Rage is a spin off comic book from the hit TV show Queer as Folk. Its plot alludes to some first season plot points and the characters are drawn based on their TV counterparts. The comic book actually plays an important part in the show, so it was fun to actually get to read it.

Rage is a superhero, living with his faithful sidekick in the city of Gayopolis (one of the many campy details featured in the book). His good looks often help him solve problems on the streets, which is not surprising, since he is based on the actor Gale Harold, who plays the show's protagonist. There is not much to the story, really - he saves a teen from a brutal gay bashing and then beds him. However, the imagery was simply beautiful. Black and white, detailed, nostalgic of the show.

There is not really much to say about this, but I am sure this mini graphic novel will be enjoyed even by people who never watched the show (shame on you!). All in all, it is a fun little graphic novel that doesn't take itself too seriously. Recommended.

This book counts toward my GLBT challenge.

Review: Sticks and Stones by Jamie Craig

When I posted the teaser for the romance novel Sticks and Stones, I mentioned that it was my first romance ever. This is not exactly true - a couple of weeks ago I tried reading another one. Unfortunately, it was bad beyond belief. It was the first time I quit reading a book without feeling the least bit guilty. In fact, it was a huge relief. Therefore, it should come as no surprise I approached Sticks and Stones with caution. I was in for another surprise when I realized this was not only a perfectly enjoyable read, but also one I would have no trouble recommending to other romance lovers.

The name Jamie Craig found on the cover of the novel is in fact a pseudonym acclaimed romance writers Vivien Dean and Pepper Espinoza use when writing together. Sticks and Stones is set in the golden age of Hollywood musical theater, subtly evoking the era of manly tap dancers and dreamy singers. Paul Dunham is both. MGM's biggest star, he is furious to find out the British newcomer Jack Wells is set to be his co-star in the upcoming musical blockbuster. On the other hand, Jack is thrilled to have an opportunity to dance next to a man he has not only respected throughout his career, but who he has always had a crush on as well. Many conflicts and problems come their way, but it is not long before Paul admits to himself that maybe his being prejudiced towards Jack was a defense mechanism - and that maybe he should simply give in.

The reason why Sticks and Stones works is because it actually has a good plot, believable characters and an obviously well-researched setting. Although the frank depictions of sex in the book make Candace Bushnell look like a schoolgirl, it is the many tribulations Jack and Paul face that really rings a special bell. The constant bickering, unwillingness to admit one's emotions and many misunderstandings are all contributing factors to making these characters seem worth believing in. Yes, it is an erotic romance, but if you took away the steamy scenes, you would still be left with a gripping, fun read.

There are a of couple things in Sticks and Stones that do not really work, such as the characters of Paul's manager Marty, his wife Lilah and finally Don, Paul's one night stand - all potentially interesting characters (especially Lilah) that are unfortunately used merely as plot devices. However, this is a small bone to pick. All in all, this is a satisfying, interesting, often arousing romance that takes extra steps to make sure everything (even the sex!) helps tell the story of these two men and their hectic relationship. It stays clear of the pulp fiction category, and for this, it should be given a chance.

RATING: 4/5

This review counts toward the GLBT challenge and the Romance Week 2010 challenge.