The Monster in the Classroom

Thus far, I have only read the first chapter, which was free from Amazon's Kindle web site.  This is what I can tell you thus far about Boy Toy by Barry Lyga.  First and foremost, no matter what flavor of kink you may or may not subscribe to, Boy Toy's opening chapter will probably make you feel a bit queasy, if not downright nauseous.  This is because the teacher who messed up the main character's adolescence is about to be released from jail, and his mother is absolutely beside herself with worry, grief, and fear.  And who could blame her?  The woman who ruined her little boy's adolescence and gave his childhood a premature, brutal ending is about to be out on the prowl.  This, by the way, is also why I hate the term "cougar" to describe a woman past her mid-thirties who has a predilection for younger men.  There is something deeply predatory about this type of person.  I see this sort of behavior--chasing after children--as disgusting.  What is described in Boy Toy has nothing to do with age play, and damn near everything to do with pedophilia.

That said, I understand why it might make some school librarians uncomfortable enough not to put it on their shelves.  Do I think it has a place in my school library's shelves and in my collection?  Absolutely!  Am I going to run right out and purchase a copy from one of my vendors?  Not just yet, as I'm still reading it.

Now I feel I have to get this off my chest.  Personally, age play does nothing for me.  Maybe it's because I, personally, am disgusted by women like Mary Kay Letourneau, one of my former high school principals (who married one of his former students--ick), and a local woman who molested two of her sixth-grade male students.  I remember when her trial was going on.  She was also someone who was very active in her church and within the religious portions of her community.  If she sees pedophilia as God's will, then I'll revert back to my filthy pagan ways.  Not to mention all those priests who prey upon their altar boys!  I also recall, from that woman's trial, that they had to have two beefy police officers escort her into the court for her arraignment hearing.  She was also wearing a bullet-proof vest.  What was I thinking?  "Head shot.  If you were really good and really fast, you could get in a head shot."

I'll have a full review after I download the full book, probably sometime in mid- to late August.  So far, I am deeply moved by the plot.  But I cannot say that this is a book I will enjoy.

A Forewarning

I have been working non-stop as a librarian since 1995.  I am a voracious reader who hates any form of censorship, book-banning, or any attempts to silence people, no matter what they are trying to say.  Some of my upcoming reviews will make people uncomfortable.  Some of them will not deal with BDSM or D/s, but will be works which have been banned or censored or kept out of public view for public reading consumption for various reasons--racist, Communist, homophobic, promotes homosexuality, promotes hatred, promotes religions besides Christianity/Judaism, and of course there's the porn, some of which may deal with BDSM and D/s, but most of which just describes sex, orgasms, and kink in general.

LET ME MAKE THIS CRYSTAL-CLEAR, DEAR READERS. . . YOU WILL DISAGREE WITH ME.  THAT IS PERFECTLY OK.  I MAY OR MAY NOT DISAGREE WITH YOU.  THAT IS ALSO PERFECTLY OK.  I WILL LOSE READERSHIP.  THAT IS OK.  BUT I WILL NOT ALLOW ANY VOICES TO BE SILENCED SIMPLY BECAUSE WE DISAGREE WITH ONE ANOTHER.  I WILL ALSO NOT TOLERATE ABUSE OR DIATRIBES BASED ON NOTHING BUT OVER-EMOTIONAL OPINIONS AND PLOYS TO TRY AND SWAY MY OPINION.  CLEAR?  GOOD!

Feel free to comment or e-mail.  It may take me awhile, but I will get back to you.  Yes, this also has a great deal to do with my current moderately-depressed state.  

Quick Update

So not only am I homesick and moderately depressed, I'm also pissed off.  While perusing a new acquisition today, I caught mention of a book by Barry Lyga, Boy Toy, about a young man who is raped by his teacher, who convinces him she's in love with him.  While attempting to download it onto my Kindle, I ran across another title, Sex Toys and Naughty Boys, which I also intend to review.  If I review Lyga's Boy Toy on this blog, it will be in regard to censorship, not kink.  The other title, however, will deal more with the kink than the censorship.  Or will it. . . . ?

A Wee Bit Homesick

Please enjoy the following musical arrangements.  I've been listening to folk music a lot lately, and am now quite homesick.  I'll be back later in the summer, after I calm down.

This one always makes me cry.  

I was raised on bluegrass and rock n' roll

May the river run wide run deep run muddy oh the river run long after I am gone. . .  . I miss him!

HER TEETH WERE GREEN!!!!!!!!!!!

One of my fondest childhood memories involved sitting in my parents' kitchen, with many other friends of my parents, all musicians, all married, and all of us singing bluegrass and staying up late, and all us kids used to go out and catch lightning bugs and play tag and run around barefoot.  No matter how hard I rock, no matter how loud I get, bluegrass and folk are what I listen to all summer long.  Thanks for listening.

Current Reading--Just Kids, by Patti Smith

I first purchased and downloaded this when I first bought my Kindle.  It was this and Stephen King's Full Dark No Stars that were my first official purchases.  I've started, re-started, and am now trying to finish this wonderful and touching memoir from one of my favorite Women.  I've known this song since I was 10.  I've been a fan of Patti Smith and her Group since I was 12.  They were, for me, the original Beat/punk band.  Look for a full review upon finishing this title.  For now, please enjoy this:

OK, OK, I Just Couldn't Wait. . . .

Patience is not my forte!  I joined FetLife and even joined a couple of groups.  I'd still like to read anyone's reviews, however.  Just curious.  Thanks again!

FetLife

I'm curious. . . .and yes, this will be a short post, because I'm tired.  Lace knitting isn't as difficult as I thought it would be, but because I'm still somewhat new to it (heh--Life theme, anyone?) I still pay scrupulous attention to my stitch-count and what my hands are doing, as well as stopping every five or so rows to make sure I'm getting the length right.  But I was trying to research the background of a blog post a friend sent me, and ran across something called FetLife.  I'm curious about this, but won't be able to sign up just yet due to time constraints and some work stuff I need.  More on that later, though.  If someone (or quite a few someones) can give me rave reviews--good, bad, ugly, but mostly honest--then I'll look into it.  Look, dear Readers, I'm not new to social networking.  However--if this thing turns out to be just as hideous and heinous as collarme.com or has way more smarm and "I'm-ever-so-much-better-than-you-because-I'm-from-London" horseshit I've read at informedconsent, I simply won't bother.  But I thank you dear Readers.  I thank you.

Curiosity

Those of you who know me know that I am a hard-core advocate of kettlebells and kettlebell workouts.  I have been using Dragon Door Publications' Kettlebell Goddess dvd for about a year now, sporadically (ok, ok, at least once a week, but more when I can, or when the weather's too bad for me to take my workouts outdoors). One of my favorites--and the workout I've since been inspired to work up to for at least twice a week, every week--is one named after Odyne, the Greek goddess of pain.

Every time I complete this work-out (or, almost, as I still can't hack the double-cleans after the double-swings with my 20-pounders), I feel stronger, more in control, and a lot of my anger subsides.  I also get curious about the goddess for whom my favorite workout was named.  Here's my problem--I'm not finding much, other than quick, tepid, "oh-she-was-the-Goddess-of-Pain-and-she's-Greek" stuff.

I'm going to try and do a deep-web search later this afternoon if I'm able (and can remember) but if anyone has links they might be willing to share, it would be greatly appreciated.

Domiknitrix

It's not just a book review. . . it's a lifestyle!  After reading this, I picked up my needles again.  I haven't knit in about two years, partly due to stress of a divorce, and partly due to graduate school.  So here's what this book has to do with D/s and BDSM. . . .

Jennifer Stafford, the original Domiknitrix, forces her yarn to do her bidding--whether it's by sheer determination, making up her own pattern, or making the yarn bend to her will.  Despite what some other reviewers (mostly at Amazon) have stated, this really is a good guide for beginning knitters.  Does she actually show you how to make a slip knot?  No.  Should you probably already know how to do this if you really want to learn to knit or crochet?  YES.  She also explains the intricacies of intarsia (she almost makes it sound. . . fun), the genius of an I-cord (the I = IDIOT, btw) and even allows you into her beautifully sadistic knitting world via her web site.  Does it have a whole lot to do with Our Lifestyle?  Not necessarily.  Fun if you love crafts and knitting especially?  Absolutely!  Suggestion:  much like Elizabeth Zimmerman and Annie Modesitt, Stafford is also an OK (opinionated knitter).  She encourages the use of Continental Style Knitting. I also advocate the use of Continental Style Knitting.  I also advocate that you at least give this a look-see, if nothing else simply for fun.  You don't have to buy it.  Your local library will do.

More Acquisitions

I decided, since the blog background was giving me such fits and causing much frustration, I needed a little retail therapy.  So off to the local book store I went, with actually an ulterior motive in mind.  For years, they have had a much-neglected (until now) copy of a book entitled Domiknitrix.  Unfortunately, someone had purchased it out from under me.  Perfectly all right, though.  I picked up a "coffee table" book highlighting the history of the corset, and it turns out Domiknitrix is available for a Kindle download.  This will be interesting, as I've never downloaded a pattern book for my Kindle before.  I have downloaded electronic books and printed off the patterns as necessary, but a Kindle may prove--different.

I figured out how to fix the map widget, as well as edit other widgets I found through blogger.  I'll keep you posted, dear Readers!  For those of you here in the States, have a happy and explosive Independence Day!  And remember, kids, when playing with bottle rockets, the protocol is: 1.  Light it.  2.  Throw it up.  3.  Yell "DUCK!".  IN THAT ORDER!

Now go blow something up for America. . . and for fun as well.

WARNING! BORING POST!

No, really, this one IS boring.  First of all, thanks to DishevelledDomina for pointing out that the comments aren't working properly.  I'm currently trying to look at the code on my end to see if there's anything goofy or wrong or mis-typed.  I haven't found anything yet, but then, I only know basic html.  And only the most basic of basic, at that.

Long story short--I may have to ditch this cool and groovy template.  And I really, really like this template.  I'll keep working on the wonkiness, though, and try to get a similar, more interesting template going.  Welcome to all the new readers in all the different countries on my wee map widget.  You all are awesome.  Thanks for your support.

Burlesque Aerobics

I don't know about you, dear Readers, but I'd rather do Bettie's joint mobility warm-up before kettlebells than the standard.  I'm on a burlesque kick at present, with 2 reviews coming up after the Independence Day holiday here in the States.  Please enjoy this wee snippet starring my favorite, Bettie Page.