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Just by Looking at Him
Just by Looking at Him: A Novel | Ryan O'Connell
9 posts | 6 read | 9 to read
From the star of Peacocks Queer as Folk and the Netflix series Special comes a darkly witty and touching novel following a gay TV writer with cerebral palsy as he fights addiction and searches for acceptance in an overwhelmingly ableist world. Elliott appears to be living the dream as a successful TV writer with a doting boyfriend. But behind his Instagram filter of a life, hes grappling with an intensifying alcohol addiction, he cant seem to stop cheating on his boyfriend with various sex workers, and his cerebral palsy is making him feel like gay Shrek. After falling down a rabbit hole of sex, drinking, and Hollywood backstabbing, Elliott decides to limp his way towards redemption. But facing your demons is easier said than done. Candid, biting, and refreshingly real, Just by Looking at Him is an incisive commentary on gay life, a heart-centered, laugh-out-loud exploration of self, and a rare insight into life as a person with disabilities.
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Shaaaannnn
Pickpick

I personally really enjoyed this read. It was also quite funny at times.

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rwmg
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Mehso-so

TV-writer Elliott's 6-year relationship with Gus implodes after he books a session with a sex worker but he learns to be more comfortable with himself and starts to overcome his addictions.

A book that is probably funnier if you are part of the milieu depicted but there were too many refs to TV shows I don't watch or singers I'm only marginally aware of, if that, not to mention places & brands I don't recognise for me to really enjoy it

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rwmg
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Chelsea.Poole
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Pickpick

“Just by looking” at this cover, I judged it to be a melancholy read, but I sure was wrong! This is hilarious, sex-filled, awkward, but also features frank portrayal of a disability and facing one‘s struggles, though the tone is light-hearted. Narrated, perfectly, by the author, this audiobook begins with a description of the main character‘s bf‘s penis. Self-discovery of a rich gay man with cerebral palsy in LA with the help of a sex worker.

sarahbarnes Sounds fantastic! 1y
83 likes4 stack adds1 comment
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Cinfhen
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Pickpick

The snark and humor in this book is HILARIOUS but it‘s BEYOND RAUNCHY 🌶️🍆🔥 However, don‘t let the laughter fool you…there‘s a lot of heart and soul to this story too. Elliot, a gay Hollywood screenwriter, who has cerebral palsy must confront his destructive behaviors and biased assumptions. This was really fun. Read by the author.

Megabooks Yes! This was surprisingly good. Glad you enjoyed it too! 2y
Cinfhen It was a very revealing story @Megabooks M was a little surprised by some of the descriptions 😉 2y
CarolynM Sounds good. Stacked🙂 2y
See All 6 Comments
Cinfhen It‘s definitely spicy 🌶️ @CarolynM (edited) 2y
Bookzombie I feel like I might be stacking because of the 🍆 emoji. 😂 2y
Cinfhen @Bookzombie 😂😂😂😉 2y
72 likes3 stack adds6 comments
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Megabooks
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I‘m going to be real…this book is a little raunchy, but here is the first line. I couldn‘t not share. #FirstLineFridays

“My boyfriend Gus has a beautiful penis. It‘s big and thick without being too big or too thick.”

Thanks to @Reviewsbylola for putting this on my #ReadersRadar because it is really fun!

BarbaraBB 🤣 2y
BarbaraBB Seeing @Reviewsbylola name. Still sorry she is no longer active on Litsy! 2y
See All 10 Comments
Cinfhen That‘s quite the opening sentence!!! #HereForIt 😂😜 2y
Megabooks @BarbaraBB I miss Steph too, especially since I haven‘t been on Insta in awhile. You can find her there under the same handle! 2y
Megabooks @Cinfhen it ended up giving the right balance between funny and touching. I really enjoyed it! Steph gave it 4.75⭐️ and I gave it 4.5⭐️! 🎉🎉 2y
Cinfhen Hoping to borrow because I‘ve been on a CRAZZZZZY spending spree 😅 2y
BarbaraBB I know but it‘s not the same, Insta and books 🤷🏻‍♀️ 2y
Prairiegirl_reading I heard about this on savagereads on YouTube this past summer. I sampled it on audible and the sample made me laugh within a minute. That never happens. I got immediately. It‘s doesn‘t disappoint!! 2y
50 likes1 stack add10 comments
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Megabooks
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Despite things still being rough at home, I was able to take a few hours yesterday and go to my local BN, where I picked up Exiles and the Mandel, and my local indie (Bluestocking Social in Evansville, IN), where I picked up the tagged and the new Iain Reid. Yay! 🥳🎂

I wanted to use my print library more, and I finally did!! I picked up Rebecca and Bliss Montage there. Such a fun birthday treat!! 👍🏻🎉

Megabooks @Cinfhen excited to open your gift later and thank you for the birthday email @BarbaraBB !! I‘m keeping an eye out for your gift sometime soon. I‘ll write back soon! 💕💕💕 2y
TrishB Happy books ♥️ 2y
BarbaraBB You did well! I am happy you were able to go there and treat yourself. The tagged book is a beauty 😍. Happy birthday 🎈 ❤️ 2y
See All 12 Comments
squirrelbrain Some great books there! ❤️ 2y
marleed Oh Happy Birthday! 2y
CaitZ Happy Birthday! 🎉 2y
Cinfhen Yay!!!! Im so happy you were able to get out and celebrate 🎉💕🎂 2y
Megabooks @TrishB @BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain @marleed @CaitZ @Cinfhen thank you all so much for the birthday wishes!! It was a wonderful day!! 🎉🎉💜 2y
Ruthiella Happy birthday! 🥳🥳🥳 2y
JessClark78 Happy Birthday! 🎊🎂🎉 2y
Sungirl79 Happy Birthday!!!🎉🎉🥳 2y
Megabooks @Ruthiella @JessClark78 @Sungirl79 thank you!! It was a great weekend!! 🥳🥳 2y
90 likes12 comments
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shawnmooney
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https://youtu.be/sWo0IL50eVE

Intro

Weekly Highlights

One Hundred Saturdays: Stella Levi and the Search for a Lost World by Michael Frank

Just by Looking at Him by Ryan O'Connell

The Stromness Dinner by Peter Benson

Prancing Novelist: In Praise Of Ronald Firbank by Brigid Brophy

Twilight of Torment: Melancholy by Léonora Miano, Gila Walker (Translation)

Battle Songs by Daša Drndić, Celia Hawkesworth (Translation)

shawnmooney The Sleeping Car Porter by Suzette Mayr

Bad Cree by Jessica Johns

The Words That Remain by Stênio Gardel, Bruna Dantas Lobato (Translator)

The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Shehan Karunatilaka
2y
30 likes1 comment
review
GerardtheBookworm
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Pickpick

Actor and writer Ryan O'Connell pens a humorous and honest fiction novel of a successful screenwriter with cerebral palsy who craves intimacy. After hiring a gay sex worker, things go awry with the protagonist's life that becomes obsessive and ridiculous in this look into the relationships and the dating world.