Roof Beam Reader
Adam Burgess
The Green Carnation Reading Project
Hello, Readers!
I wanted to share some information about The Green Carnation Prize. This might be of particular interest to those who participated in last month’s “Literary Others” reading event. I’m also working with a group of book bloggers on a “Green Carnation Project.” Essentially, we’re reading the short-listed books, talking about them, and posting our reviews – and those reviews will be going up next week!
About The Green Carnation Prize:
“The Green Carnation Prize is a literary prize for any form of the written word by an LGBT writer. The prize got off to a great start in 2010 as the first award that celebrated the best fiction and memoirs by gay men. It provoked debate, produced an intriguing shortlist and chose a worthy winner in Christopher Fowler’s ‘Paperboy’. In 2011 it was followed by Catherine Hall’s ‘The Proof of Love’” (the prize also “opened itself to any LGBT author worldwide” in 2011).
About The Green Carnation Reading Project:
As many of you know, I was a panelist for this year’s LGBTQ Category of the Independent Literary Awards. One of the other panelists contacted me with the idea of reading the books that had been short-listed for the Green Carnation Prize, conversing about them, posting reviews for them, and sharing our thoughts with our readers. It sounded like a great idea to me, so I hopped board! All of the books on the short-list this year sound good to me (seriously), so I’m excited to be a part of this and to hopefully share with you all (and the readers of the other project members’ blogs) some great new books/authors!
The Project Readers:
The Short List:
Jack Holmes and his Friend – Edmund White (Read by Adam. Review Date: Dec. 3rd)
Scenes from Early Life – Philip Hensher (Read by Ana. Review Date: Dec. 4th)
A Perfectly Good Man – Patrick Gale (Read by Mat. Review Date: Dec. 5th)
Carry The One – Carol Anshaw (Read by Cass. Review Date: Dec. 6th)
Moffie – Andre Carl Van Der Merwe (Read by …. Review Date: Dec. 7th) *We are looking for someone who would be interested in reading this book in the next few days and reviewing it by December 7th or 8th. If you’re interested, please comment or e-mail me!
Tony Hogan Bought Me An Ice Cream Before He Stole Me Ma – Kerry Hudson (Read by Jodie. Review Date: Dec 8th)
We are all really looking forward to discussing these books, sharing our thoughts with you all, and waiting impatiently to see who will win the prize (will we be able to predict the winner!?). Hope you all enjoy the ride! 🙂
Roof Beam Reader 
I’m myself always afraid of reading contemporary literature, in case I misunderstand and misjudge it. Several years ago I decided I would read the basic classics first, define my own idea of what makes literature “good” and “worthy”, basically complete my literary education before I venture to judge those books which aren’t yet judged, if you know what I mean. But it’s a great idea and I’m definitely open to those titles. You’re extremely cultural, Adam (I’m sure you know that already.)
As for your comment on my TBR pile list – thank you very much, but I thought it was, well, strange for you to say what you’ve said. Most of those titles (though by no means all) are really those that I’d gladly get rid of from my list in the first place, so… But I know I shouldn’t judge them by their covers: I had the same dismissive approach towards “Heart of Darkness” and “Waiting for Godot” and ended absolutely breathtakingly loving them!!
Loving your ideas.
Yours sincerely,
Ruby.
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Oh, boy – I do hope you find some new favorites from that list! I would love to have a ‘first time’ reading experience with a few of the books you chose. That begs a good question: If we could unread a book that we have already read, just to be able to experience it again for the first time, what book would people choose? I just might have to ask that question one of these days.
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I asked myself that question so many, too many times! I’m so glad you’ve brought that up – I actually left the same type of comment today at Books and Chocolate regarding Karen’s TBR Pile list! Oh, you have no idea how I wish I could ‘unread’ The Tenant of Wildfell Hall and all the D. H. Lawrences (especially Lady Chatterley) which I’ve read so far! Words can’t express…! As I wrote to Karen, I think Lawrence is the truest soul that ever existed.
I know how cliché the last sentence sounds, but that is TRULY how I feel.
Let’s be silent for a moment.
But do ask your readers one day – many will probably have a hard time with it and be depressed due to not actually being able to do so!
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Love this idea…I’ll make sure to check in and see how it’s going!
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I haven’t read the others (yet), but CARRY THE ONE is so good.
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