tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post2842269815890624599..comments2024-03-27T03:16:57.365-04:00Comments on Girlfriends Book Club: In Defense of Vanilla Sex & Fiction That's Not So EdgyWriter Wenchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16730769794553260336noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-70642032952949794212015-10-18T01:39:21.424-04:002015-10-18T01:39:21.424-04:00Visit Site:- European escort Shanghai We will prov...Visit Site:- <b><a href="http://checkthis.com/fmx5" rel="nofollow">European escort Shanghai</a> </b>We will provide you the best sort of erotic girlsAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11510779248999921959noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-24916712181561962622013-01-10T10:57:02.790-05:002013-01-10T10:57:02.790-05:00I loved this post. And a lot of the names mentione...I loved this post. And a lot of the names mentioned. I read for entertainment and not to live vicariously through the writer's words, so I like vanilla, thank you very much. Onward, Kristan Higgins. Liz Flahertyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06794565644883272260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-18240477495616870392012-11-26T17:31:20.469-05:002012-11-26T17:31:20.469-05:00LOL, Sharon!! So true about all those references t...LOL, Sharon!! So true about all those references to Christian's hotness...<br />And thank you! We had a very nice Thanksgiving. Hope you did, too :).Marilyn Branthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05303846770348840645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-22643831275394466302012-11-25T09:46:57.391-05:002012-11-25T09:46:57.391-05:00On the overused words in the book, may I add murmu...On the overused words in the book, may I add murmur and the number of times I had to read about how he looked in those sexy gray slacks. I wanted to scream "I'VE GOT IT. HE LOOKS FABULOUS!" It's like the editor took a snooze. Hope you had a nice thanksgiving!<br />SharonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-10602916746376602302012-11-15T15:29:58.284-05:002012-11-15T15:29:58.284-05:00Jill,
XOXO!! (That's just for including me in ...Jill,<br />XOXO!! (That's just for including me in the same sentence as Patterson, Cornwell and Rowling. ;) Thank you, my dear. And, believe me, you'll be the first to know when the Hallmark Channel calls, LOL.<br />I've been wanting to read The Casual Vacancy, too. A friend of mine said she *loved* it! And, yeah, I want comfort books during winter, too. No matter how many times I read or watch P&P, it's never enough...Marilyn Branthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05303846770348840645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-46351298402036358072012-11-15T13:13:58.800-05:002012-11-15T13:13:58.800-05:00Great post, M.! I haven't read 50 SHADES and ...Great post, M.! I haven't read 50 SHADES and honestly, probably won't--it doesn't really appeal to me. I'm not much of a 'bandwagon' girl. I tend to stay with authors I know and love--Patterson, Cornwell, Rowling (although I haven't read CAUSAL VACANCY yet), Brant ;), etc. In fact, I have been known to go back and re-read a favorite while my TBR pile is growing so rapidly it risks taking over my office. I have found in the winter months, I long for my 'comfort books', ones I have read over and over. I am anxiously awaiting HOLIDAY MAN!! (Of course, I'm also waiting for the Hallmark Channel to make ON ANY GIVEN SUNDAE into a movie!!) xoxo Jill Thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16336227232690745889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-30963699133055758112012-11-15T11:44:20.107-05:002012-11-15T11:44:20.107-05:00"what...50 Shades brings to the table...or on..."what...50 Shades brings to the table...or on the table" *snort*<br />Thanks, Laura!!<br />You know, it's funny you mentioned the email passages -- not only did they speed up the pacing, but reading the "subject" lines of Ana and Christian's email exchanges turned out to be one of my favorite parts. I think E.L. James spent a lot of time coming up with humorous ones ;).Marilyn Branthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05303846770348840645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-91504626207431964102012-11-15T11:39:20.871-05:002012-11-15T11:39:20.871-05:00Lynn, I'm so glad you love Anne Tyler and Eliz...Lynn, I'm so glad you love Anne Tyler and Elizabeth Berg, too! <br /><br />I live in the Chicago area, and so does Berg, so I've had the pleasure of going to a few readings/book signings that featured her, and I've always enjoyed them. Her writing was what really sold me, though. She does an amazing job balancing drama, insight and humor in her work. Every time I reread NEVER CHANGE I'm awed at how she pulled that off... It was something I'd hoped to do a little more with my last two women's fiction stories.<br /><br />And thank you for recommending Scott Spencer -- I'll look forward to reading him now as well!Marilyn Branthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05303846770348840645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-55903005933766218222012-11-15T10:20:36.482-05:002012-11-15T10:20:36.482-05:00Hey Marilyn,
A well designed post on what, besid...Hey Marilyn, <br /><br />A well designed post on what, besides kinky sex, 50 Shades brings to the table... or on the table. I too read out of curiosity, eventually glad for the many email passages that made pages skim by. It is a curious book-buying public!! Thanks for your fabulous thoughts!Laura Spinellahttp://www.lauraspinella.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-41897621393659697162012-11-15T08:58:55.420-05:002012-11-15T08:58:55.420-05:00Hi, Marilyn. I got through 50% of Fifty Shades, it...Hi, Marilyn. I got through 50% of Fifty Shades, it still waits on my Kindle. I wanted to see what all the fuss was about, but to me it was not well-written and soon became boring. I had to comment here, because you mentioned two of my favorite authors, Anne Tyler and Elizabeth Berg. This is the way I want to write, deep characters, great dialogue, a bit of humor but no, if you want action, it won't be there. I can't seem to get many people interested in that, so I am happy to hear that others like it too. Twilight was so tedious, and whenever I succumb to a best seller, I am usually disappointed (unless it is Franzen). One of my favorite authors is Scott Spencer, a beautiful writer. I read everything of his I can get my hands on.Lynn Schneiderhttp://www.lynnschneiderbooks.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-2767893492783529832012-11-14T22:18:40.578-05:002012-11-14T22:18:40.578-05:00Christa,
Thanks for the congrats, and you've g...Christa,<br />Thanks for the congrats, and you've got me laughing with you editing comment! Yeah, there were passages in desperate need of my superhero, Copy-Edit Girl, flying in (long cape, red pen, Post-It notes and all :) and correcting some things...like those redundant phrases and all of that "smirking" and "frowning."Marilyn Branthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05303846770348840645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-49871097042281871022012-11-14T22:04:01.828-05:002012-11-14T22:04:01.828-05:00Ahhhh, to be in Italy right now, eating linguini a...Ahhhh, to be in Italy right now, eating linguini and gelato... *grin*<br />xoxMarilyn Branthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05303846770348840645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-90774422437740043492012-11-14T22:02:09.617-05:002012-11-14T22:02:09.617-05:00Sylvia, I really enjoyed reading your comments -- ...Sylvia, I really enjoyed reading your comments -- thank you for taking the time to post them! <br /><br />I hadn't thought about "It's a Wonderful Life" in that context before, but you're right. Jimmy Stewart's character did have a very ordinary life and, oh, the frustrations and challenges he had to overcome... Great example!<br /><br />I'm glad to hear that you thought the writing improved with each of the 50 Shades books! A couple of other people mentioned that to me, too, which makes me even more curious about them ;).Marilyn Branthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05303846770348840645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-6149319934133103732012-11-14T21:37:07.266-05:002012-11-14T21:37:07.266-05:00Well, I look forward to seeing how this food scene...Well, I look forward to seeing how this food scene compares to the food scenes between Gwen & Emerson! Those are still my favorites! *sigh* :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12616960523843655153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-53131372527219212652012-11-14T21:27:11.356-05:002012-11-14T21:27:11.356-05:00Thanks, Barbara!!
I've heard of the author you...Thanks, Barbara!!<br />I've heard of the author you mentioned but haven't read her work yet -- sounds like the kinds of stories I'd love :). I'll add her to my (towering!) TBR list!Marilyn Branthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05303846770348840645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-86912226825444299772012-11-14T21:12:37.384-05:002012-11-14T21:12:37.384-05:00Pamala, you're always so wonderful -- thank yo...Pamala, you're always so wonderful -- thank you. xox <br /><br />I'm glad you enjoyed the post and the questions. I have to say, this novel made me ask a lot of them. When I first heard that people where choosing 50 Shades for book clubs, I was surprised, but now I can see that the members who'd read it first must have wanted to be able to discuss it with their friends!<br /><br />I haven't read either Cleage or Franklin (thanks for the recs!), but you reminded me of Alice Hoffman -- I'm a fan of hers, too ;).Marilyn Branthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05303846770348840645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-70311757275348177612012-11-14T20:42:37.863-05:002012-11-14T20:42:37.863-05:00I couldn't get past the first page without rea...I couldn't get past the first page without reaching for my red pen and editing on my laptop screen. But I do agree that the novel has captured something that women obviously want. And I also believe that Nooks, Kindles, and etc. will mean more of these being bought by more women who can now download them discreetly, read, and delete if necessary!<br /><br />Congrats on your novel.Christa Allanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12620389675433700944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-40313412402819102972012-11-14T20:41:28.905-05:002012-11-14T20:41:28.905-05:00Oh, Jakki, thank you!
You're right -- our read...Oh, Jakki, thank you!<br />You're right -- our reading tastes can change with the day and with our moods. Sometimes, I need a very realistic story to help me process something and, others, all I want is a fantasy...<br />And LOL about the new book! There's no food in the *blindfold* scene...but there sure is in another one!! :)Marilyn Branthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05303846770348840645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-66101820999616853902012-11-14T20:24:57.298-05:002012-11-14T20:24:57.298-05:00I read Fifty Shades and I loved the dark hero. Tha...I read Fifty Shades and I loved the dark hero. That being said, the kinky sex was a little much. I love a good story without vampires, kinky sex or even kick-but heroines. I like to see ordinary people take on extrodinary challenges and win. I do think our world is becoming desensitized to violence and we expect extraordinary people in books and movies. So when I see a movie or read a book about a normal person with an ordinary life facing and overcoming a challenge, I love it. I'm more the It's a Wonderful Life kind of story than a Fifty Shades story. <br /><br />That being said, I read all three books to see what the fascination was. I did enjoy the strong hero and heroine in the story, but could have done without the kinky stuff. And the writing got better with each book.Sylviahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08739086544916478044noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-38520881724865114612012-11-14T18:56:10.992-05:002012-11-14T18:56:10.992-05:00Love this! Want to add Patti Callahan Henry to the...Love this! Want to add Patti Callahan Henry to the list. Gorgeous writing, feel-good reads…perfect for a little holiday escapism.Barbara Claypole Whitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03308093554908967725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-81433871316878082512012-11-14T18:03:07.154-05:002012-11-14T18:03:07.154-05:00Excellent post Marilyn. Gosh you're smart! Tha...Excellent post Marilyn. Gosh you're smart! That's such an erudite and thought-provoking analysis of the phenomenon that is 50 Shades. I haven't read the book yet but can relate to all the points you bring up about character archetypes and curiosity about all things other. <br /><br />Also, I don't have an answer to your wonderful and probing questions but appreciate you posing them. It's always good to have some perspective when a topic subject has caused so much discussion and going in with an open mind becomes a tenuous business.<br /><br />As far as authors, I too, love Anne Tyler as well as Alice Hoffman, Pearl Cleage and Tom Franklin.Pamala Knighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12823051545160002135noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-25411332385466321172012-11-14T16:49:41.386-05:002012-11-14T16:49:41.386-05:00Wonderful post, Marilyn! And even better thought-p...Wonderful post, Marilyn! And even better thought-provoking questions. I think just as all things are ever-changing, life, what's trending and acceptable, and so on, readers needs and/or interests change too. Sometimes we want edgy, high angst, very dynamic characters who are polar opposites of us, and other times we may want the sappy story or true to life story with everyday characters & struggles. For me, it all depends on what type of mood I am in and what I am needing. Anyway, now I will e thinking about this the rest of the day. ;)<br />BTW, this blind-folded scene in Holiday Man, is there any food involved as well? :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12616960523843655153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-62858029005809110832012-11-14T14:39:33.020-05:002012-11-14T14:39:33.020-05:00Sharon, thank you for sharing your thoughts on thi...Sharon, thank you for sharing your thoughts on this! I really appreciate it :). "Permissable erotica" is a very apt term here, and you're right. The support and hype the publisher was willing to give this trilogy was just as fascinating as the discussions the narrative and premise inspired.<br /><br />I have to admit, I'm completely mystified by the editor's reluctance to strike out some of the overused phrases and descriptions in the story. I don't know anyone (whether they loved the book or not) who wasn't distracted by the incredible number of times Ana "flushed" or "clambered" or "bit her lip" or said "Holy crap." That was driving me crazy, LOL.<br /><br />I love reading Jodi and Jennifer, too!Marilyn Branthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05303846770348840645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-4087975407873392502012-11-14T14:18:52.449-05:002012-11-14T14:18:52.449-05:00Edie, thanks so much for always being so supportiv...Edie, thanks so much for always being so supportive of my stories...xox You know I love yours! And Barbara's books are so consistently wonderful. I've read a lot of her WF and have a couple of her early romances that I'm looking forward to reading as well :).Marilyn Branthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05303846770348840645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-50329411213332289192012-11-14T13:53:15.968-05:002012-11-14T13:53:15.968-05:00Oh, Jennifer, thank you! I really hope you'll ...Oh, Jennifer, thank you! I really hope you'll like Holiday Man :).<br /><br />Yeah, I agree with you on the curiosity. That particular scene really made me cringe. And then there was the way the book ended... Did you read the rest of the trilogy?Marilyn Branthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05303846770348840645noreply@blogger.com