Naked Reader Book Club Discussion: Take Me There -Trans and Genderqueer Erotica, Edited by Tristan Taormino (January 24, 8-10 PM EST)

Contributor: bzzingbee bzzingbee
Seems like everyone is excited for tonight's meeting
01/24/2012
Contributor: removedacnt removedacnt
Quote:
Originally posted by Sacchi
Hi Kat! And wmbreeze, and Lia, and Laurel, and Antipova, and NoOneNosMe, and, and...oh drat, I've l've already lost track. No catching up now.
Hello Sacchi! How are you this evening?
01/24/2012
Contributor: specialKandL specialKandL
Hi everyone! Glad to be back in the Naked Reader bookclub! Take Me There was FANTASTIC!!! Loved it!
01/24/2012
Contributor: Top Kat Top Kat
I found many of these stories quite romantic. Did anyone else have that experience?
01/24/2012
Contributor: melovecoffee melovecoffee
Loved the book, I was so sucked in. Such an amazing perspective on transgender erotica
01/24/2012
Contributor: wrmbreze wrmbreze
Quote:
Originally posted by Sacchi
Hi Kat! And wmbreeze, and Lia, and Laurel, and Antipova, and NoOneNosMe, and, and...oh drat, I've l've already lost track. No catching up now.
Hi Sacchi!!!
01/24/2012
Contributor: Antipova Antipova
Quote:
Originally posted by Sacchi
When you've all finished reading the material above, and got tired of trying to outstare the cat, let us know whether you've read this book, or any others like it. There are all too few, as far as I know.
This was my first and only, but you can bet your britches I'll be on the lookout for more!
01/24/2012
Contributor: Top Kat Top Kat
Quote:
Originally posted by removedacnt
Aww, that's great! Thank you so much for the excerpt! I was sooooo excited about us getting to have that on the blog. Say a special thank you to Tristan for us, please.
Will do!
01/24/2012
Contributor: Antipova Antipova
Quote:
Originally posted by Sacchi
Maybe if we're really lucky Gingrich will make some wild comment (or someone will make a revelation) that will focus interest on this trans book, too.

Maybe we should send him a review copy.
Great idea
01/24/2012
Contributor: bzzingbee bzzingbee
Quote:
Originally posted by Top Kat
I found many of these stories quite romantic. Did anyone else have that experience?
Yes, some were deeply personal too, sharing the struggles that the characters had.
01/24/2012
Contributor: Sacchi Sacchi
Quote:
Originally posted by Blue Koi
I wonder if Tristan Taormino had any trouble finding good stories for this anthology? Did she have to cast more widely or did good ones come pouring in? These stories are so great.
Hi, Blue Koi. (I love Koi!)

Here's another snippet from the Lambda interview; there was one kind of story Tristan did have to go hunting for.


What was most challenging about editing a genderqueer and trans focused erotica antholog?

It’s only the second erotica anthology focused on transpeople, and the first to also explicitly focus on genderqueer folk, so there aren’t really any models out there. Because there is so little erotic writing by/for/about gender variant folks, I really challenged myself to have as much diversity as possible among authors, characters, and genres. I wanted to make sure there was a range of gender expressions, sexual pairings, settings, bodies… there were so many different factors to consider. Honestly, it was a lot easier to find writing by and about trans men and transmasculine people; I had a much trickier time getting stories by/about trans women—I had to actively look for those.
01/24/2012
Contributor: specialKandL specialKandL
the stories in Take Me There were great, esp because there aren't many erotic stories out there for trans and genderqueer people
01/24/2012
Contributor: Antipova Antipova
Quote:
Originally posted by Top Kat
I found many of these stories quite romantic. Did anyone else have that experience?
Several of them really were... the last one in the book especially so. Did everyone else feel as happy-tingly reading that one as I did?
01/24/2012
Contributor: Top Kat Top Kat
Quote:
Originally posted by Sacchi
Maybe if we're really lucky Gingrich will make some wild comment (or someone will make a revelation) that will focus interest on this trans book, too.

Maybe we should send him a review copy.
If an address could be found, I'd send him a copy of Opening Up by Tristan Taormino!
01/24/2012
Contributor: bzzingbee bzzingbee
Quote:
Originally posted by Antipova
Several of them really were... the last one in the book especially so. Did everyone else feel as happy-tingly reading that one as I did?
I looooved the last story. It was my favorite.
01/24/2012
Contributor: specialKandL specialKandL
Quote:
Originally posted by bzzingbee
Seems like everyone is excited for tonight's meeting
for sure!
01/24/2012
Contributor: melovecoffee melovecoffee
Quote:
Originally posted by Sacchi
When you've all finished reading the material above, and got tired of trying to outstare the cat, let us know whether you've read this book, or any others like it. There are all too few, as far as I know.
I've read bits and pieces of it, was interested in the concept of it. You're right, there aren't too many books out there like it. I loved how it focused on physical and emotional aspects, not so much on gender stereotypes.

Beautifully pieced together.
01/24/2012
Contributor: Antipova Antipova
Quote:
Originally posted by bzzingbee
Yes, some were deeply personal too, sharing the struggles that the characters had.
That's where I feel like these authors really shone---there were such great descriptions all throughout the book about the character's challenges and vulnerabilities.
01/24/2012
Contributor: wrmbreze wrmbreze
Quote:
Originally posted by bzzingbee
I looooved the last story. It was my favorite.
I think I am adding this book to my wishlist..
01/24/2012
Contributor: K101 K101
Quote:
Originally posted by removedacnt
I think before the meetings it is pretty much just you and me, Sacchi. And thank you for linking to the excerpt on here. I've been promoting it everywhere else and totally forgot to put it in here.
Hey, I'm here too! Lol. I usually come and read, but I've not gotten in the club yet so I usually just read what you all have to say. Don't stop though because I really find these discussions super interesting!
01/24/2012
Contributor: melovecoffee melovecoffee
Quote:
Originally posted by Top Kat
I found many of these stories quite romantic. Did anyone else have that experience?
I did! I felt like it was such a unique and beautiful perspective on love and sex, you couldn't help but get swept up in the romance.
01/24/2012
Contributor: bzzingbee bzzingbee
Quote:
Originally posted by K101
Hey, I'm here too! Lol. I usually come and read, but I've not gotten in the club yet so I usually just read what you all have to say. Don't stop though because I really find these discussions super interesting!
Welcome!
01/24/2012
Contributor: Blue Koi Blue Koi
Quote:
Originally posted by Sacchi
Hi, Blue Koi. (I love Koi!)

Here's another snippet from the Lambda interview; there was one kind of story Tristan did have to go hunting for.


What was most challenging about editing a genderqueer and trans focused erotica ... more
Thanks Sacchi. The different voices in the book are what make it so special. There isn't a single story that doesn't belong, they're all illuminating or surprising in their own ways.
01/24/2012
Contributor: specialKandL specialKandL
Quote:
Originally posted by Antipova
Several of them really were... the last one in the book especially so. Did everyone else feel as happy-tingly reading that one as I did?
I know the feeling ur talking about antipova. Definitely made my winter holidays warmer ;D
01/24/2012
Contributor: Antipova Antipova
Quote:
Originally posted by bzzingbee
I looooved the last story. It was my favorite.
I mighta kinda had like 8 favorites... but that's definitely one of them.
01/24/2012
Contributor: Sacchi Sacchi
Quote:
Originally posted by bzzingbee
Yes, some were deeply personal too, sharing the struggles that the characters had.
I'm glad that came across. Transgender people are people, with just as much tenderness, loneliness, longing for acceptance--and possibly even more transgressiveness, due to circumstances--as any of us.
01/24/2012
Contributor: Antipova Antipova
Quote:
Originally posted by K101
Hey, I'm here too! Lol. I usually come and read, but I've not gotten in the club yet so I usually just read what you all have to say. Don't stop though because I really find these discussions super interesting!
Hey Kendra!
01/24/2012
Contributor: Sacchi Sacchi
Quote:
Originally posted by melovecoffee
Loved the book, I was so sucked in. Such an amazing perspective on transgender erotica
Hi, melovecoffee. Are you new tonight, or am I just fuzzy-minded?
01/24/2012
Contributor: bzzingbee bzzingbee
Quote:
Originally posted by Antipova
I mighta kinda had like 8 favorites... but that's definitely one of them.
Haha, true, I fell in love with several of the characters.
01/24/2012
Contributor: Top Kat Top Kat
Brenda's having a hard time posting, is anybody else having trouble?
01/24/2012