Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender

Felix Ever After is my Pride-2020 read #7

I have also read Queen of the Conquered and This Is Kind of An Epic Love Story by Kacen,

And I got to meet Kacen at LeakyCon in October of 2019 and was charmed and will forever adore them. When I heard this book was coming out I knew I would need to read it. When I saw the cover I was immediately in love with the art and the idea of Felix.

 
We say we can empathize with people. And sometimes we can. But more often what we mean is that we want to and we think we can. But we can't because we can never really understand what it is like for a person or a group of people we will never share experiences with and without that, without at least the possibility of the shared experience we can't truly empathize with someone. We can care and feel for them, but we can't fully grasp the moments.

This is why own voices stories are so important. Own voices stories give voice to characters and experiences that are told from a place of true understanding and empathy. This gives groups of folx not often given center stage in books their much deserved time to shine. It reaches people who never get to see their lives reflected and truly told to feel fully connected to the written story. And as an added bonus, because we the other readers aren't the important part of the equation, it gives those of us who want to be better supporters a chance to listen to these voices, these amazing stories. We still can't fully know but we can deepen our compassion and add to our vocabulary and knowledge.

More importantly for readers who share this voice, it is an opportunity to finally see yourself and/or your experiences in the books you read. For example young queer kids now have access to story books where the Prince falls in love with the Knight and the Princess falls in love with the Maiden or a little boy can be a mermaid.

But for now let's talk about Felix. Felix is an art student in NYC and he lives with is dad in Harlem. His mother isn't in the picture and I won't say more about that, it is for Felix to tell you about. Felix's best friend is Ezra. His dad is trying to come to terms with or understand Felix's transgender identity and so is Felix. A supporting cast of characters push Felix to really look at himself and it isn't always easy or comfortable. He wants what most of us want, to be loved, to be happy, to feel fulfilled. But he is plagued with doubt, wondering if he is worthy of love and if he can ever find his way, his place.

Someone hangs pictures in the school lobby that Felix never wanted anyone to see. It made the search for self Felix was on that much more complicated. But it also helped Felix learn who he loves and trusts and can rely on. It helped set Felix on a journey to find himself and his art.


Felix Ever After is an amazing and powerful story of coming to terms with who you are and how you feel and not the way the world tells you to be or feel or act. It is a coming of age story and a love letter to queer teens trying to find the answers. Kacen writes with love and compassion and honesty. You can feel Felix's heartbeat in the pages of this book!! And you can feel the wonder that is Kacen and it feels like a privilege to spend time here.

I want to tell you so much more but I want you to take the journey with Felix yourself and not give away too much.

(Finished June 28, 2020)

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

Red, White & Royal Blue was my Pride-2020 read #6.

At work I was intrigued by this one from the moment it showed up in the store. With just the blurb inside the dust jacket to go on I was able to sell many copies of this. I put it in the hands of people wanting a great romance, people wanting specifically a m/m romance, and people wanting an LGBTQ romance without preference to the gender. All he feedback I got after was how much they loved it. Every. One. I. Sold. No one ever came back and said they didn't like it. Yet my TBR was so out (is so) out of control and I don't often want to read romance novels, I mean I don't mind romance in my stories, but I don't often seek out a romance novel. But when I wanted to cancel my BOTM and I saw this was available I used one of my remaining credits for it, I figured it would go well with my annual Pride Read-athon.


I LOVED THIS STORY!! I feel really hard for Alex and Henry. I loved their use of historical letters. I loved how much they each had these broken places the other could soothe but didn't try to own or "fix". It was a healthy understanding of loving a person as they really are and not trying to make them into you or what you want them to be, I loved Alex's sister and their best friend Nora and I loved Henry's sister Bea.

Red, White & Royal Blue is part political caper, part family drama, part buddy story, and all romance. I laughed, I cried, I fell in love. And you will too!!!

I was thinking before reading it that I was kind of surprised it wasn't a YA Romance, but after reading it I wanted to let you know why incase age appropriate content is something you have concerns over. There aren't graphic sex scenes but they bump right up to that edge which for younger teens might not be where they are maturity wise. So keep that in mind if you are getting this or sharing it with a young person. I would say 16+ maybe....



(Finished June 25, 2020)

Out Now: Queer We Go Again! by Multiple Authors

Out Now: Queer We Go Again! was my Pride-2020 read #5

I was so excited when this was announced for publication. I am so glad it coincided with my annual Pride Read. And I was so excited to see some of my favorite authors (I'll read anything they write) had contributed stories, Caleb Roehrig, Mark Oshiro, and Julian Winters.

This book is a collection of short stories and I loved the experience. These stories are about a piece of the journey a young person is on to be true to themselves, learn who they are, find a safe place, find love, have adventure, and even the undead and aliens. There really is something for everyone and you should get this book into the hands of all the Queer teens you know and all the adults who love them and want to support them. And of course anyone who loves a good story.

A little about the collection, I am not going to review all 17 stories individually, but I will say that while I liked some better than others there wasn't a single one I didn't like, but I do want to share a few highlights.

Of course it will come as no surprise to anyone who has been paying attention that Caleb's story starts with the word VAMPIRE. What Happens in the Closet is a crazy bloody fun vampire romp but it also a coming out story, unlike any you've ever read before.

 Mark and Julian didn't disappoint either and their entries confirmed their place as "if they write it I am there for it" authors.

Mark writes a painfully beautiful story about two young men trying to find love and struggling with body image. I appreciate this story so much, it needs to be known that it isn't a "girl thing" to struggle with feeling good in your body or comfortable with your size and shape, it is a human thing and it happens to boys too.

Julian's story was wonderful too. He writes about Luke Stone and his desire to ask a boy to the winter formal. The backdrop of struggle is his desire to be a good son to the dad he loves so much and is so grateful for. But he doesn't know how to or who to ask and worries about what his dad will think about him being gay. It is the kind of loving and compassionate story Julian's readers have come to expect from him and he hasn't let us down.


But I really want to tell you about two stories that stole my heart and introduced me to authors I hadn't read before. And has added two new people to my above mentioned list.

First there is Seditious Teapots by Katherine Locke. I loved the whole idea of the teapots and the wordplay. But this story is so much more. It is the most honest writing about the pain of trying to find out who you are for yourself regardless of what the world says you are.

Then there was Star-Crossed in DC by Jessica Verdi. This one had be begging to know what happened to Savannah after she makes her decision to take a stand. Literally since I tweeted my please to Jessica!! The story is on the surface, as the title implies, about star-crossed love interests. Savannah is the child of the current president and Emily is the daughter of the rival for the office. But it is so much more. It is a story about finding your voice and the strength to use it even when it is so very difficult and scary.


I really enjoyed the time I spent in this book and I think you will too.

(Finished June 21, 2020)

These Witches Don't Burn (These Witches Don't Burn #1) by Isabel Sterling

These Witches Don't Burn was my Pride-2020 read #4

Rant then review: I was so mad when Book of the Month dropped their YA club. They still have some YA but to use credits on other books you have to get one of the selected titles too and there wasn't any YA or titles I wanted among them. I had been hanging on just until there was something I wanted so I could use my last 3 credits and cancel. Finally there was one, The Vanishing Half, and so I grabbed it, this one and What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Blacker and I am done with BOTM! Of course I told them exactly why I was cancelling. I mean really, they are our credits, they have our money for them, we should be able to skip the titles and still grab something from their collection.

Ok my review:

When I picked this I didn't realize it was the start of a series, I just grabbed it because it sounded like a good story and it would be perfect for my annual June Pride reading.
These Witches Don't Burn has witches, romance (f/f), and mystery, a perfect combo right?
Hannah is our main character, a witch living in modern day Salem. There are rules for witches that allows them to safely live among Regs. Regs are non magical folx, think Muggles, which is where my mind went and the reference is made late in the story. Hannah has a Reg best friend, Gemma, a stalkerish ex, Veronica (also a witch), and a new crush, Morgan. She works in a Wicca shop run by Lauren who I hope gets some page time in book 2 and there is a new employee, Cal.

There is an interesting conversation to be had about relationships and when they get unhealthy and one needs to set some boundaries. I appreciated that part even though it made me so angry at Veronica. Hannah and Veronica have been friends since birth practically and then date and break up. I don't know if the mending of their friendship will play a role in book 2 but I hope so because I think navigating break ups, setting healthy boundaries in all relationships, and moving on and when possible forgiving and rebuilding relationships are important life skills we all need but especially the YAs in YA.

I enjoyed the story. The who done it wasn't one I figured out until just seconds before the reveal. And I had a jaw dropping gasp reaction. Someone is hunting Hannah and Victoria, is it a Blood Witch? Is it some stupid, angry school mate? Is it something else entirely? There are moments of fun and joy, there is some really deep pain and hurt, betrayal, and fear. The tension starts slow and then amps up until BAM all hell breaks loose.

Now I am annoyed because I have yet another series I like and need to wait for the next part of. But I guess that's a good problem to have.

(Finished June 16, 2020)

Odd One Out by Nic Stone

I have so many feels about this book.

I first discovered Nic Stone when I read Dear Martin. And it was so powerful and I love Nic's writing.

I admit I have had this one for awhile but I can say that about way too many books because I can't help myself and keep adding to my TBR and the struggle is real on what to pick next each time I finish a book.

But I finally jumped in. Odd One Out was my Pride-2020 read #3.

The story of Cooper, Jupiter, and Rae is told in three sections, each from the perspective of one of the teens.
Jupiter and Cooper have been best friends since the day Copper moved in next door to Jupiter when he was 7. She lives with her dads and he with his mom. Cooper's dad died just before he moved in.
The two families have melded together and created one family and it is really clear how much they all love each other.
Cooper identifies as a straight male.
Jupiter identifies as lesbian.

Rae is the new girl, her dad works at the same hospital as Coop's mom and this connection brings her and her dad into the family group. She is a people pleaser and outwardly always seems so happy. She joins the Coop-Jupe friendship and they three really become a trio.

Two minor characters, minor only in their role as secondary and not because they are small and insignificant are Britain and Golly, Coops teammates and best male friends.

At the start of the story we learn Coop is secretly in love with Jupe. Well secretly to everyone outside Coop, Britain, and Golly. They are trying to help Coop move on since they all know she won't ever be his girlfriend.

Things get messy when Jupiter and Coop begin to be attracted to Rae and Rae begins to have feels for Coop and Jupe. This confuses her because up until this she identified as heterosexual.

So now why all my feels?
I don't want to spoil you so I am going to be vague.
Life is messy, that is a given. And when you are trying to figure out your label or if you even want one it can be so much more complicated. When you think you fit in one box and then find out you actually don't fit in a binary box, as a teen you have built your entire reputation and idea of self around that label, realizing it isn't so simple can be really painful. And as we all know when we are hurting and confused we may not always make the best choices. And those choices can hurt both us and others. What we do when that happens is what reflects on our character and not the mistake itself.
What I think (and this is my take, Nic may have had something else in mind, and you may takeaway something else) is, my main takeaway, is love and growing up is hard, damn hard, and it is ok to learn and grow and change you ideas of who you are, your love is yours to give and no one can tell you who to love when. Own your label, or choose not to have one, do what makes you feel safe and complete. And don't worry if that grows and shifts.

(Finished June 14, 2020)

The Stonewall Reader by New York Public Library

The Stonewall Reader is comprised of essays, excerpts from books and articles, and a blurb about each writer. All of the writers have a connection to The Stonewall Riot and/or LQBTQ liberation and freedom fight.

There are three section, Before Stonewall, During Stonewall, and After Stonewall. The history/herstory/theirstory is amazing and fascinating. The language isn't always "polite" or perfect but it is visceral and powerful.

The section on During Stonewall is really interesting. Each person's perspective gives a different view of what happened that weekend in June 1969. There are many details that are in all the tellings but there are some that have details not in any of the others and there are some that have details that contradict other versions of events. But they all ring authentic because they all are told from what ever corner of the events the teller was experiencing it from.

There really isn't a single thing I can find to complain about other than I would have liked lots and lots more. I learned so much and that is why I picked it for my Pride 2020 reading. I wanted to learn more about the movement for equality for all members of the LGBTQ+ community so I can better myself as an ally.

The similarities, overlaps, and sometimes tension between the Civil Rights Movement, the push for equality for Women, and the LGBTQ Rights movements becomes clear. Sometimes there's partnership other times there's animosity. And sadly a lot of it reads like it could be from this moment in time.

(Finished June 9, 2020)

The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta

PRIDE 2020 Book 1


There are so many good things I can say about this book!!

Let's start with the outside before we dive in. The cover art is beautiful!!!! And when you take the dust jacket off...it isn't plain. And the design is perfection.

The Black Flamingo is a book that will immediately drill a hole in your heart, burrow in and then begin to heal you and will forever be with you.

I don't pretend to know if this story is autobiographical but it feels like Dean Atta poured his heart and soul into this book written in poetry form about Michael. Michael is a little boy when we first join him. He lives in London with his mother who is white and Greek Cypriot. His father is a black man of Jamaican decent. He never tells us why his father isn't really a part of his life but his father's side of the family is very much in his life. His Uncle B loves and cares for him and he spends time with his paternal relatives.

As this deeply moving series of poems weaves into a journey Michael takes us along with him as he discovers who he is, what is important to him, who his people are, and what it means to be fully yourself the rest of the world be damned. It is the intersectionality of race and sexual orientation. It is impossible to dissect the different pieces of who Michael is because he is all of himself and no one part is more important than any other and make him the beautiful person he is.

We journey with him from the little boy who just really wants a Barbie, to learning that the color of his skin means people will make huge assumptions about him (there is an interaction between his uncle and the police that is visceral and timely), to the man he finds himself turning into when he goes off to University and finds a place and people who claim him and he them in all their beautiful imperfect perfection.

I am so grateful for the time I got to spend in this book. I am so grateful to have met Michael and Daisy and MzzB. I am forever grateful that Dean put pen to paper and his words were published so I could wrap myself in them and share them with my son. I can't wait for Joshua to read this. I can't wait to tell everyone about this. I can't wait for you to read this.

(Finished June 4, 2020)

The Secret Commonwealth (The Book of Dust #2) by Philip Pullman

After the His Dark Materials trilogy comes the prequel-sequel trilogy The Book Of Dust.
First was La Belle Sauvage (The Book of Dust #1) and not this one.

I loved the first book. Malcom's story just pulled me in and never let go. This one was different. It takes place about 20 years after the first part, about 8-10 years after The Amber Spyglass, and we find Lyra a young adult.

This one was long and slow to start. It clocks in at about 630 pages. And I hate to say it but I had a hard time with Lyra at the start of this book. After talking to my friend Leenie I am able to put words into how it was for me. It was like angsty Harry in Order of the Phoenix. Lyra is having a hard time and is angsty and dealing with the fall out of what happened to her and Pan the last time we say them in the original story. Once Malcom is back in the story it picked back up some for me. It feels like La Belle Sauvage was a separate story and had no heavy lifting to do, no setting up for a next part because the next part was HDM and we know that story. It was only slightly Lyra's story, it was Malcom's mostly and partly Alice's. And it was action filled and fast paced. For The Secret Commonwealth it was slower moving, a sweeping epic story that travels the whole world. There is a change to and a more extreme Magistirium. Some mystery involving roses, rose oil, and a land of dæmons who are separated from their person. A burning man shows up, and something a plot to murder. There are a lot of threads here.

It is interesting, we learn more about Mrs. Coulter. Some old friends show up. It just felt slower moving and that was hard to reconcile with the other books. I am glad I read it. I really liked it it. I am really anxious to see how it all wraps up. I feel like the tension slowly ratchets and then BAM the last few pages and pow!!

Not my favorite part of this story but defiantly worth the read.

(Finished June 3, 2020)