Acquired Tastes XLIII:
Gay Pulp Fiction, Part 152
Adam's Gay Readers: Part 9 of 10
This week we continue our ten-part series of posts dedicated to Adam's Gay Reader's.
Adam's Gay Reader's were released under the Surey Books banner, and published from 1983-1991. Whether this imprint is related to other Surrey publications remains to be seen.
The books were distributed by Star Distributors, which operated out of a P.O. Box (P.O. Box 36) at the Canal Street Station in New York City, NY.
A total of 155 titles were published, all featuring distinctively soft, but gay-erotic illustrations, all in a watercolor-like style.
Described by The Book Merchant Jenkins as:
And... so far, that's all I have learned about this imprint. If you have any info, leave it in the comments section or contact me via blogger.
This week: I found 17 out of 18 covers!
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Fleet Feet
Author: Tony Moore
1990
AGR-221
According to a note on Hommi Publishing's Big Ass List, this one is about college jocks.
Well, I assume this is not about enemas or fleet week. Appears a couple of athletic types are sizing each other up... and I don't think fighting is on their minds! Me? Dumb jocks? Take 'em or leave 'em - that is take 'em home and then leave 'em with a smile on their face, am I right? Naw. They do little for me. Something about organized sports leaves me cold. They lack imagination and, like the army, demand that you surrender your inner life to the great cause. I'd rather sit on the sidelines and watch, allowing my inner life to take on a life of its own!
Bring in the Clowns
Author: Ed Kroch
1990
AGR-222
"And where are the clowns? There ought to be clowns..."
Not my clown, not my circus.
I don't find clowns sexy. The whole Punchinello thing doesn't do anything for me - unless they're wearing tights, which is something our acrobat/trapeze artist appears to be parading about in. Looks like he's teaching that clown how to handle balls... a skill that came naturally to moi. Oh, hell no, I can't juggle at all, nor am I sport-minded. I guess my ball-handling skill came when I got my gay card. Yep. Member in good standing!
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Tim's Exciting Summer
Author: Tom Norman
1990
AGR-223
According to a note on Hommi Publishing's Big Ass List, this one is a coming-out story of a college boy who is visiting his farm cousin.
Looks like Tim's big adventure got started on the Greyhound Bus he had to take to that farm town. What a lovely way to while away the hours. Looks like that sailor is about to go full sail, too. Well, you know what I say... any port in a storm.
Available at Hommi Publishing as a downloadable PDF or ebook.
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Cute...Handy Men
Author: Hugh Johnson
1990
AGR-224
According to a note on Hommi Publishing's Big Ass List, this one is about a shop teacher who teaches at a junior college.
No doubt that shop teacher is simply trying to ease the tension that young student has worked up in his shoulders, working away on that wood turner. Or maybe that shop teacher has just stopped by to admire this student's spindle. In any case...
Bet that kid gets an 'A' in Woodworking.
Get it? Work it. Work it real good.
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Gay Glory Boys
Author: Roland Graeme
1990
AGR-225
This book is categorized as A Military Book. So I assume this is some type of VFW hall or something. Not sure if those two seated at the bar are fly boys or cops or what, but they sure do seem to have spotted something of interest. Or maybe they are stationed in Berlin and are checking out the offerings at the local beer hall?
Well, I'm all for getting a taste of the local color, you know...
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Under Wear
Author: Andrew Martin
1990
AGR-226
This one is An Awakening Book.
Ah, the first stirrings of manly lust. In my day, typically inspired by underwear ads in the TV Guide or the Sears catalog. It was rather innocent, unlike these days - where kids are plunged face first into the world of hardcore gay porn. It sort of lacks imagination.
My imagination was working overtime the first time I ever saw those Jockey ads featuring Jim Palmer or the Fruit of the Loom ones with Pete Rose and a bunch of other players. I would stare for hours trying to imagine what laid beneath that cotton bulge.
Now, could be just me, but for some reason, that strikes me as a bit more romantic than watching Gym Bunny A cornholing Gym Bunny B on a laptop.
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College Bowl
Author: Rich Peterson
1990
AGR-227
Hmmm. I bet giving his buddy answers isn't the only thing that ginger hiding behind that table will be giving our collegiate contestant. Our boy with all the answers seems poised for a real hum dinger of a game. Let's just hope he doesn't gasp too loudly as he fires off the final round. Would hate for him to lose it all on a technicality, but then, there's more than one way to be camera-ready.
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Redwood Ramblings
Author: Lee Ryder
1990
AGR-228
Ah, a drive through California's redwood forest. A lovely area, full of plenty of shaded parking areas to pull off in or trails to explore. Yes, the great outdoors... where one never knows what one might stumble upon. Why the Swallowtails. Bobbin' Robins. The occasional tit mouse. The redheaded booby. An oxpecker. And, oh, yes... the sturdy woodcock.
And speaking of woodcocks...
Here's my favorite author! In the flesh!
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Locker Room Stud
Author: Paul J. Simon
1990
AGR-229
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Free Style
Author: Lee Ryder
1990
AGR-230
Hmm. What's a little back stroke between buds? From the looks of the bulges of those speedos, the temperature of that water is 'mighty fine'. Straying out of your lane can get you disqualified during competition, but during practice? Well, you can walk away with a friend for life. Somebody throw those boys a pool noodle.
And speaking of pool noodles!
Here's another picture of my favorite author.
Southern Meat
Author: Hugh Johnson
1990
AGR-231
Another hatchet job! Apparently to be on these covers one can only be so tall or risk losing part of your scalp.
This is A Professional Book. So... does that make our corporate suit a door-to-door meat salesman? Not sure what he's hiding behind his clipboard, but I'm thinking it might be todays hot special. Little blondie, hanging 'round the pool, sure looks a might hungry. Oh, if only entrepreneurial peddler had something to offer the young lad, in order to satisfy.
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Male Room
Author Derek Olson
1990
AGR-232
An Awakening Book! So, we're dealing with young ones. Working on a science project for school. Why, just look at that papier-mâché volcano spurting out thick, hot lava. Brings to mind all sorts of other 'experiments' they could try to produce the same result.
Must be nice to have friends at that age. Sigh.
Alaskan Huskies
Author: Michael Scott
1990
AGR-233
Bitter cold does not seem very sexy to me... but then, I've never been to Alaska. Maybe it's like being at a ski resort in Aspen? Nothing I like better than to be curled up in a blanket on a comfy couch sipping hot cocoa before a roaring fire.
Unfortunately, it appears we are dealing with a couple of hard 'outdoorsy' types. Hey, I can work with that, too. Happy to learn the ways of the indigenous people, as long as they're equally open to learning the ways of my people. I'll just start with a couple of Inuit kisses and then work my way down south... husky or not.
According to a note on Hommi Publishing's Big Ass List, this one is about a pair of college students on a trip.
An Historical Book? Why not. There are traditional historical romance novels, after all. Why not a gay one? Personally?
Available at Hommi Publishing as a downloadable PDF or ebook.
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Pacific Rimming
Author: Michaels Ward
1991
AGR-234
I was always a bit jell when it came to other people who had the opportunity to live outside the United States as a student. The closest I came to studying abroad was listening to my collection of Bette Midler albums! Those that are fortunate enough to do so always seemed to discover a new part of themselves, just like these two fine young men. Dollar to donuts they'll be majoring in astronomy by the end of their travel studies. For on the plane as they're flying home one will ask they other... 'of all the spots visited, which was your favorite?' To which the other will reply: 'Uranus.'
Available at Hommi Publishing as a downloadable PDF or ebook.
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Dynamic Duos
Author: Mark Andrews
1990
AGR-235
According to a note on Hommi Publishing's Big Ass List, this one is a collection of short stories about high school grads discovering sex.
It appears that Awakening Books and College Books are neck and neck, here. Well, what we old queens can't have any longer, we do like to read about. Ahh, those first fleeting attempts at a kind of intimacy. Thing is, these days, kids come out so very young and start experimenting sexually at a young age, too - all without that burdensome aura of it being a 'forbidden' love. It's a shame, really. I mean, they're missing out on all that drama, all that angst and self-loathing.
Well, I guess they can wait and experience all that once their gay cards reach their expiration date. Yes, aging - the great equalizer.
Available at Hommi Publishing as a downloadable PDF or ebook.
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The Battlefield
Author: Kurt McCord
1990
AGR-236
I'm not sure The Civil War would be the place to start. A nation divided? A war where the losers never quite accept that they've lost - or understand why they should lose? It's a complicated setting - not one where the story of a couple of soldiers on opposite sides bumping uglies would seem fitting. But then we gays... we go where no one else will. Like... take for example, those back rooms at the Eagle.
Still, I'd much rather read about something more... distant. Like the plague years of Europe or the Inquisition. Now those backdrops... they offer some real potential.
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Roots
Author: Mark Andrews
1991
AGR-237
According to a note on Hommi Publishing's Big Ass List, this one is about brothers, uncles, cousins, fathers... so, yes, those kind of 'roots'.
Those hoping for a gay version of the Alex Haley novel are sure to be as disappointed as those hoping this was about life at a hair salon. Nope... seems we just have ourselves some run of the mill tales about incest and such.
Still, this cover seems to be begging the question: blonde or brunette?
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Green and Tender
Author: Paul J. Simon
1991
AGR-238
According to a note on Hommi Publishing's Big Ass List, this one is a college story.
Yet another College Book, and the only cover this week I could not locate. And look at that - why we're in 1991, which means we've almost reached the end of this imprint's output. Yes, children... only 17 covers to go before we start exploring a different imprint. My how time flies.
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And that's all for now.
Next: Our final post dealing with Adam's Gay Reader's!
Until then... thanks for reading!
Roots - Imagine Dragons
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2 comments:
Ohh
Pacific Rimming and Dynamic Duos! I also miss those underwear catalogues. Wasn't there one called International Male?
XOXO
Yep, you do make a very good point about the initial stirrings.... Kids today can pretty much access whatever they're "wondering" about. A little bit of mystery can go a long way. Kisses.
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