Girl Made of Stars--"Now she lives in the sky, a memorial to the time sacrificed because of another's choice, another's obsession, another's selfishness"

Title: Girl Made of Stars

Author: Ashley Herring Blake


LGBTQ+ Representation: Main character is bi.


Content Warnings: Sexual assault, PTSD, panic attacks, victim blaming.


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Mara is very close to her twin brother, Owen, but everything becomes confusing and upsetting when Mara's friend, Hannah, accuses Owen of rape. Mara doesn't think Hannah would lie--but how can she believe Hannah over Owen? The whole situation forces Mara to deal with unresolved trauma from her recent past. Meanwhile, things are awkward between Mara and her ex-girlfriend, Charlie, and Mara channels her frustration into her Empower group and her (maybe more-than?) friend, Alex.


What I think (in 250 words or fewer): The #MeToo movement rouses very strong emotions--both empowering and discouraging. (Read my review of Girl Mans Up to see how my emotions unfolded in real time.)

How to Be Remy Cameron--"Discovery is in the journey, not the destination"

Title: How to Be Remy Cameron

Author: Julian Winters


LGBTQ+ Representation: Main character is gay.


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Remy Cameron is pretty well-known at school: he is out and proud, surrounded by friends, and is confident that he wants to attend Emory after he graduates. However, when he is asked to write an essay defining himself, Remy does not know where to start. Gay? Black? Adopted? Single? When he meets a surprising new person and starts a new romance, Remy is more confused than ever. How should he define himself?


What I think (in 250 words or fewer): I read a lot of young adult literature--years of working with teenagers and happy memories of reading as a teenager fuel my love of books for teenagers. Every once in a while, I read a book in which the character's voice is extremely realistic: it hits that happy, confusing, hormonal, mature-yet-immature medium of teenage-hood.

How to Be Remy Cameron is that book.

The Hidden Oracle--"When one is a god, the world hangs on your every word. When you're sixteen . . . not so much."

Title: The Hidden Oracle (The Trials of Apollo, Book #1)

Author: Rick Riordan


LGBTQ+ Representation: Main character is bisexual, secondary characters are gay.


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Apollo, the (rather arrogant) god of the sun, music, and poetry, has been cast down from Olympus to Earth by Zeus as punishment. Apollo is appalled (ha!) that he is now a gawky teenage boy named Lester Papadopoulos. He must restore five oracles to to regain his godly status, and since he no longer has powers, Apollo must seek the assistance of Percy Jackson and the other campers at Camp Half-Blood.


What I think (in 250 words or fewer): I adore Riordan's Percy Jackson and Magnus Chase series; the narrators written in first-person point-of-view have amazing voices. Apollo's voice is also amazing, and I think I was smiling and lol-ing throughout much of this book, even through the suspenseful parts.

The Dangerous Art of Blending In--"Maybe the only real ugliness is what lives inside some people."

Title: The Dangerous Art of Blending In

Author: Angelo Surmelis


LGBTQ+ Representation: Main characters are gay


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Evan is the only child of Greek immigrant parents: an abusive mother who sees him as a "disappointment" and workaholic father who avoids all conflict. Evan escapes in his art and writes about his pain in his journals, and it takes Evan falling in love with his best friend Henry to realize that he deserves more than his mother's harsh words and physical violence; he is capable and deserving of love.
 

What I think (in 250 words or fewer): When I was about ten, I read Don't Hit Laurie!, which made a lasting impression because of its vividly terrifying descriptions of child abuse. My mom was NOTHING like Laurie's mom in that book, yet I read it over and over because it was morbidly fascinating and still memorable thirty years later.

I have reviewed books with terrible parents and been horrified by many of them, but none have upset me as much as the way Evan's mom treats him in The Dangerous Art of Blending In.

"You didn't think this was the end of the story, did you?"--Books that need sequels

Top 10 Most-Wished-For Sequels

I just bought a long-awaited sequel today, I have another one on order, and I literally squealed with excitement when this one was announced! (And if this one ever becomes a reality, I will be so, SO overjoyed). Ooh, and I almost forgot about this upcoming one!

Clearly, I enjoy a good sequel, so let's ignore the 20 or so books in my to-be-read pile and the 10 in my I've-read-but-still-need-to-review pile and talk about the books that need sequels. Sometimes, I am just so in love with the characters, universe, and/or plot that I need MORE.

I need to know what happens next for these beloved people whose lives I've shared through the pages of their stories. I would camp outside of a bookstore to buy these sequels, like us older people had to do for concert tickets in the pre-Internet dark ages.

In fact, most of these books had me have immediately visiting Archive of Our Own to see if there are any fanfictions about these books, and if there are, I will link to the pages.

Uma said it best.



In alphabetical order, here are my top 10 most-wished-for sequels:

One Man Guy and Hold My Hand--"It's like all my life I was eating frozen yogurt. And kissing boys is ice cream."

Titles: One Man Guy and Hold My Hand

Author: Michael Barakiva


LGBTQ+ Representation: Main characters are gay


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer):
One Man Guy--Alek's excitement over summer break turns to dread when his parents enroll him in summer school. But there, he meets Ethan, a cool skater boy. Alek can't believe someone like Ethan would want to be his friend, let alone be more than friends. Besides, Alek isn't gay . . . is he? And what would his conservative Armenian-American parents think of Ethan? Are they too different to make it together?

Hold My Hand--Alek and Ethan's six-month anniversary is coming up, and Alek is wondering if he and Ethan should take their relationship to the next level--but then Alek finds out that Ethan has done something so terrible that Alek is not sure whether he should stay with Ethan anymore. Should he move on to the cute boy at Greek school (while working to change his church) or give Ethan another chance?


What I think: Between watching Greta Thunberg's speeches and reading some awesome girl-power books, I am ready to smash the patriarchy! But before the smashing occurs, I wanted to recommend this adorable book duo about Alek and Ethan.

If you enjoyed the suspense of Deposing Nathan, you should read All Eyes on Us OR "If you don't do what I say, blood will spill"

Title: All Eyes on Us

Author: Kit Frick


LGBTQ+ Representation: Two lesbian characters


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Amanda enjoys dating Carter, while keeping her mother's alcoholism and her family's debt a secret. Amanda pretends not to know that Carter is also dating Rosalie--who is using Carter so her parents won't find out about her girlfriend and send her back to conversion therapy. One day, Amanda and Rosalie both get threatening text messages. Can they figure out who is sending the messages before the sender gets violent?


What I think (in 250 words or fewer): If I had started reading this book in the bathtub, I would have frozen because I would not have been able to get out until I was finished! As it was, I stayed up entirely too late reading it because it was impossible for me to put it down.

Deposing Nathan--"Up until he jammed a shard of ceramic in my gut, he was the best friend I ever had"

Title: Deposing Nathan

Author: Zack Smedley


LGBTQ+ Representation: Main characters are bisexual.


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Cam and Nate are best friends--that is, until Cam is arrested for stabbing Nate. Cam claims he didn't do it but will not give details. Nate is asked to give a statement, under oath, that will either put his friend in prison and/or expose secrets that he does not want anyone to know.


What I think (in 250 words or fewer): Holy freakin' cow, y'all. This book would have trapped me in the bathtub if I had started reading it there because I could NOT put it down.

The Songbird's Refrain--"The future is not linear, my little songbird" OR "I'm a bluebird that's been dreaming"

Title: The Songbird's Refrain (pre-order the book for its release September 3!)

Author: Jillian Maria


LGBTQ+ Representation: Lesbians. More than one.


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Elizabeth finds a flyer advertising a one-of-a-kind show appearing nearby. When she attends the show, she is fascinated by one of the acts: a woman, covered in feathers, with the same mysterious blue eyes that were on the flyer--trapped in a cage. When the woman dies, Elizabeth finds herself trapped in the cage, growing feathers, forced to sing nightly. Can she escape the power of the sadistic witch, the Mistress, who has trapped her?


What I think (in 250 words or fewer): I spent the first half of this book singing "I'm a Bluebird" from Follow that Bird. Remember? Big Bird is trapped in a cage and forced to sing by these two evil guys who kidnap him for the freakshow part of their fair, and why are there so many twins in that audience? I couldn't stop picturing poor Elizabeth as Big Bird.

It's safe to say that all resemblances to Sesame Street end there.

Like a Love Story--"Life was once sepia toned, one color, bland. Now it is a rainbow world of excitement and anticipation."

Title: Like a Love Story

Author: Abdi Nazemian


LGBTQ+ Representation: Several characters are gay.


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): In 1989 New York City, Art is young, out, and proud, and protests with ACT UP to get the government to takes the AIDS crisis seriously. Reza just moved to New York, and he is shy and terrified of being outed. Judy, whose Uncle Stephen is dying of AIDS, dreams of being a fashion designer. Judy begins dating Reza, and her and Art's friendship suffers when Reza and Art fall for each other.


What I think: When I read The Porcupine of Truth, it opened up my eyes about how clueless of a child I was during the late 80s/early 90s AIDS crisis (obviously, the crisis wasn't limited to those years, but those were the years I learned about AIDS). Like a Love Story is now tied with Porcupine for my favorite AIDS-related YA book, and it also takes place during those childhood years of mine.

Death Prefers Blondes--"Drag wasn't a disguise or an illusion; it was armor"

Title: Death Prefers Blondes

Author: Caleb Roehrig


LGBTQ+ Representation: Main character is bisexual and supporting characters are gay.


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Teenage socialite Margo Manning and her four friends have nighttime secret identities: jewel-heisting drag queens.  Margo donates her proceeds to various charities, while her friends pay off their own tuition help their families. But then Margo catches the attention of a more powerful villain, putting her own family and friends at risk. Do they have the skills to survive their most dangerous job yet?


What I think (in 250 words or fewer): I'm not a fan of the "spy action" genre: James Bond, Mission Impossible, etc. (except the original Ocean's 11).

I am a fan of drag queens, camp, and Julie Newmar's catsuit, and was excited about this book, but when it started with a heist, I didn't get hooked as fast as I did with Roehrig's other books, and Death Prefers Blondes landed in the TBR pile.


However, I should have read it sooner--it was FABULOUS!

Before I Let Go--"Kyra burned so brightly. Until she had nothing left to give."

Title: Before I let Go

Author: Marieke Nijkamp


LGBTQ+ Representation: I know this sounds contradictory, but the rep is both insignificant to the plot AND contains spoilers. Just rest assured that there is LGBTQ+ rep.


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Corey and Kyra were best friends in their Small Alaskan town, Lost Creek. Corey goes to boarding school, and days before she visits Lost, Kyra dies. Corey returns to Lost, but something's different. The people reject Corey, calling her an outsider, and worship the memory of Kyra, claiming Kyra's death was "meant to be." Corey is determined to find out the cause of Kyra's death and figure out the mysterious events in Lost.


What I think (in 250 words or fewer): What am I reading? I asked myself at least one hundred times while reading. And yet, I couldn't put it down.

Black Wings Beating--"Birds of prey killed to eat, but only humans could choose to kill"

Title: Black Wings Beating (Skybound Saga Series #1)

Author: Alex London


LGBTQ+ Representation: One of the main characters is gay, as is at least one supporting character.


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Kylee can speak the ancient Hollow Tongue but wants nothing to do with falconry, the sport that's brought death, debt, and misery to her family. Brysen, to save the boy he loves, seeks the Ghost Eagle, a famed predator that has never been captured. To complete the quest, Kylee and Brysen climb the mountains, which are full of power-hungry tribes of people who do not hesitate to murder those who get in their way.


What I think:

EMCEE (off-camera): Welcome Theydies and Gentlethems to today's episode of Jen Reads the Rainbow--The Game Show version!

[Upbeat theme music plays; audience applauds uproariously]

EMCEE: Featuring Alex London's Black Wings Beating!


[Audience applauds as JEN makes entrance]

JEN: Thank you, thank you everyone! I'm thrilled to be here tonight. I just finished the book Black Wings Beating and y'all . . . I really enjoyed it!

[Applause and cheering]


JEN: However--there is ONE part of the book that I dislike.

I Wish You All the Best--"Labels can help people find common ground, can help them connect, with themselves and other people."

Title: I Wish You All the Best

Author: Mason Deaver


LGBTQ+ Representation: Main character is nonbinary. Another is bisexual.


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): When Ben comes out as nonbinary to their parents, they (Ben) are kicked out of the house and forced to move in with their estranged older sister, Hannah, and her husband. Ben keeps their gender identity (and anxiety disorder) a secret from the kids at their new school and finds solace in art class. Then, Ben becomes close friends with Nathan. Could their friendship turn into something more? Will Nathan accept Ben as nonbinary?


What I think (in 250 words or fewer): Ben's parents' reaction to their child's coming-out is sad, but not uncommon: nonbinary people are often misunderstood even within the LGBTQ+ community.

Lily and Dunkin--"Words have the power to change the world. Use them carefully."

Title: Lily and Dunkin

Author: Donna Gephart


LGBTQ+ Representation: Main character is a trans girl.


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Lily knows she is a girl and wishes her father would stop calling her Tim and the bullies at school would leave her alone. Will she able to finally start hormone blockers? Dunkin is new in town and desperate to fit in, so why should it matter if he skips his bipolar medications occasionally if he becomes a better basketball player? Lily and Dunkin become friends despite the obstacles life throws at them.


What I think (contains spoilers): I checked out this book from the library and even before I finished reading it, I wanted to buy it for myself and said:

Ship It--"Maybe I'm not straight or bi or anything. Maybe I'm just me."

Title: Ship It

Author: Britta Lundin


LGBTQ+ Representation: Main character is queer. A supporting character is queer and a homoromantic pansexual.


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Claire is a sixteen-year-old obsessed with Demon Heart. Her fanfiction shipping the show's two male leads is super popular online. But when Claire questions  lead actor, Forest, about his character being gay, he laughs her off, revealing his homophobia. When the Q&A goes viral, Claire is invited to tour with the show cast to Comic-Cons to help repair the show's now homophobic image. She then meets another fangirl, Tess, and Claire questions her own sexuality.


What I think: First of all, Claire is me in high school. Honestly, Claire is me now--I get obsessed with books, movies, and TV shows. I love cosplay and conventions, and if the Internet had been around when I was a middle-schooler, I would have written countless fanfics, and to quote myself from an earlier review:

I am a geek. Full stop. I can quote from a bunch of fandoms and also have a mind full of useless trivia, about such topics as Sweet Valley High, The Baby-sitters Club, Star Wars original trilogy, The Twilight Zone, Outlander, Muppets, and about a billion middle grades and YA novels and plays.

What was Stonewall? and The Stonewall Riots: Coming Out in the Streets."On that hot summer night, to the cops' surprise, the people at Stonewall fought back."And they fought back hard."

Titles: What was Stonewall? and The Stonewall Riots: Coming Out in the Streets

Authors: Nico Medina and Gayle E. Pitman


LGBTQ+ Representation: Both books describe the Stonewall riots and the Pride movement, so all the letters are represented.


What they're about (in 75 words or fewer): What was Stonewall? begins with a glossary of LGBTQ+ terms, gives a brief history of the gay rights movement prior to the Stonewall riots, describes the uprising at Stonewall, and explains major obstacles and successes of the LGBTQ+ rights movement. The Stonewall Riots provides a more detailed version of the events, told through 50 primary documents, photographs, artifacts, and eyewitness testimonies. Gay rights activists are introduced in both books.


What I think: I wanted to read these books because I wanted to see how the riots were explained to children (ages 6-14, approximately) but also because I knew only a few facts about the Stonewall riots, namely:

• They occurred in June of 1969
• Marsha P. Johnson "threw the first brick" 
• No one died (!)
• Drag queens protested the cops in the form of a Radio City Rockettes-style kick line
• The protests lead to the first Pride March in NYC

The Red Scrolls of Magic--"A warrior chosen by angels and a well-dressed demon's child, in love and intent on adventure through Europe. What could go wrong?"

Title: The Red Scrolls of Magic

Authors: Wesley Chu and Cassandra Clare


LGBTQ+ Representation: One main character is gay and the other bisexual. Secondary characters are lesbians and another secondary character is asexual and aromantic.


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Now that Valentine is defeated, Magnus is excited to take his boyfriend, Alec, on a trip around the world. However, their plans are interrupted when Magnus discovers that a demon-worshipping cult (which he supposedly founded?) is intent on wreaking havoc throughout the world. With the help of another warlock, Shinyun Jung, Magnus and Alec work together to stop the cult.


What I think (in 250 words or fewer): I have been waiting for years for this book and was so excited to read it! It did not disappoint.

During the part of Mortal Instruments in which this story is set, I was not a fan of Alec and knew that soon, he and Magnus would [spoiler deleted]. I knew that in order for the story to be true to the series, Alec has to be a bit annoying and immature. However, away from the pressures of the New York Institute, Alec is a bit relaxed and therefore NOT as uptight as he was at this point in the books, and it works beautifully.

Nate Expectations--"Sometimes you do have to say goodbye to someone before you can say hello to yourself. To your Nate."

Title: Nate Expectations (sequel to Better Nate Than Ever and Five, Six, Seven, Nate!)

Author: Tim Federle


LGBTQ+ Representation: Main character and a couple of supporting characters are gay


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Nate's Broadway show closes, and Jordan moves on to another acting job without him, and Nate has to return home to his biggest challenge yet: high school. Surprisingly, Nate is not bullied as much as he had been before he left. As an English class project, Nate (with help from BFF Libby) is directing a musical version of Great Expectations. Will it be a success . . . and could a new romance be in his future?


First, a story: One of the many reasons I love Nate is because in high school, I was Libby and my friend Nathan was, well, Nate. We sang Broadway show songs for hours together while driving around in circles in Indianapolis; we drove to all the Sam Goody music stores in the surrounding area to make sure that we could BOTH buy the CDs to whatever show we were obsessed with at the time (The Secret Garden, Tommy, Phantom, Les Mis, Rent, Kiss of the Spider Woman, La Cage Aux Folles, Jesus Christ Superstar and How to Succeed in Business are the ones I can remember offhand).

Dumplin' and Puddin'--"All of the best things in my life have started with a Dolly Parton song"

Titles: Dumplin' and Puddin'

Author: Julie Murphy


LGBTQ+ Representation: Minor characters are drag queens in m/m relationship. Supporting character is a lesbian; another supporting character comes out as asexual.

What each book is about (in 75 words or fewer):

Dumplin'--Willowdean has always felt confident in her plus-size body but experiences some insecurity when the cute private school jock, Bo, becomes attracted to her. Will can't understand why Bo likes her. In order to regain her confidence, Will (and a group of other girls) decides to enter the Miss Clover City beauty pageant, which is run by her former-beauty-queen mother. Will is determined to prove that beauty comes in all sizes.

Puddin'--In order to please her parents, Millie goes to fat camp every summer. But this summer, she is determined to stick up for herself and attend journalism camp instead. Meanwhile, Callie is the mean-girl dance team member, next in line for captain, with the hot boyfriend. When Millie and Callie end up having to work together at Millie's uncle's gym, they form a surprising friendship.


What I think: I decided to review these books together for a couple of reasons. First of all, they are companion novels, written by the fabulous Julie Murphy. Each book can stand alone, but many of the same characters appear in both stories. Second, many of the same topics and themes are addressed in both stories making them easy to write about together. Finally, Dumplin' the movie premiered on Netflix months ago. I still haven't seen it since I have no one who is willing to loan me their Netflix password 😉, but I have obviously read the book. Everyone on my Facebook and Twitter who raved about the movie got this reply from me:

Dumplin' is a great YA book; I highly recommend it. The companion book, Puddin,' is EVEN BETTER than Dumplin.' Seriously, read them both. 

The Whispers--"I don't see any harm in praying to the Whispers. Maybe they're listening."

Title: The Whispers

Author: Greg Howard


LGBTQ+ Representation: Male main character is gay (does not explicitly describe himself as such, but claims he has "a condition," kisses boys, and is not interested in girls)


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Eleven-year-old Riley's mother disappeared four months ago, and he is determined to find her. She used to tell Riley bedtime stories about the "Whispers" that lived in the woods and granted wishes--could the Whispers be real? And could they help Riley find his mother? Riley is determined to find out, but what if his "condition" is what caused his mother to disappear?


What I think (in 250 words or fewer): Three years ago, my kids and I moved from Indiana to North Carolina. My two older children reacted in a way that I had not anticipated: acting strangely around my father, accusing him of doing and saying things he never would.

So I got to meet Bill Konigsberg!

So I got to meet Bill Konigsberg at the Greensboro Bound 2019 Literary Festival a couple of days ago. I was so excited to hear him talk about The Music of What Happens and answer some audience questions. 

He was taller in person, but everyone seems taller in person for me:

Why thank you, I also think we're adorable.

If you are scratching your head and saying "Who's that?" then for shame. Read the following reviews and then come back to this post:

• The Music of What Happens
• The Porcupine of Truth, Part 1 and Part 2
• Out of the Pocket
• Honestly, Ben
• Openly Straight

The Music of What Happens--"This was Different. This was Real."

Title: The Music of What Happens

Author: Bill Konigsberg


LGBTQ+ Representation: Both main characters are gay.


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Max and Jordan couldn't be more different: Max plays sports and hangs out with "his dude bros" while Jordan writes poetry and shops with "his wives." Max agrees to help Jordan run his late father's food truck for the summer, and their friendship turns into something more. However, both boys are keeping secrets (Max was raped recently; Jordan's mother's gambling is becoming more problematic) that threaten their newfound relationship.


What I think: Every time I read a Konigsberg book, I am always inspired to write a lot about it. 

I think this is a compliment to his books--plus, I am a former English teacher who analyzes books and runs book clubs for fun. So for this review, I am going to discuss what I found fun and sweet, and reasons that I want to hug both Max and Jordan.

A Baker's Dozen of Favorites--"They're good books, y'all."

The one-year anniversary of this blog was March 22. Let's celebrate!!! 

But first, a few thoughts:

I started with a specific format for my reviews, with which I have *mostly* been consistent. When I started this blog, I tried to give each book ratings, first out of 5 stars, and then letter grades. I even contemplated creating a rubric to grade each book (once an English teacher . . . ).  Soon, I realized that in order for me to not give each book a high rating, I had to focus on what was wrong with instead of what I liked about them. 

Trying to be extra critical wasn't working for me; besides, most of the books I was reviewing were award-winning because they're good books, y'all.

So my "reviews" mostly became examples of literary analysis, which doesn't sound very interesting. Therefore, I am working on figuring out another word for analysis--dictionary.com is failing me--to use in a blog re-title. All suggestions welcome.

I wanted to highlight my favorite "literary-analysis-posts-essays-reviews" I've written in the past year. I started with 16. Tried to narrow to 10, but then narrowed it down to a baker's dozen.

My Baker's Dozen of Favorite Posts (oldest to newest):

Cis folks: "What can we do to help the trans community?"

Yesterday was Trans Day of Visibility, and last month I participated (or read, mostly) a Twitter discussion in which trans folks gave advice to to their cis peers. Here's the original Tweet with my reply:

You'll have to wait in suspense for the gherkin part. 😉

So here, in their own (edited for clarity and brevity) words, is a list of advice from transgender people.

Do I support/endorse/agree with every single part of this list? Who cares? This is not the time or place as a cis-woman to insert my opinions. This list is directly from trans people. LISTEN TO (read) what they have to say with open minds.

CLICK HERE for the list.

Release--"Why did everyone no longer a teenager automatically dismiss any feeling you had then?"

Title: Release

Author: Patrick Ness


LGBTQ+ Representation: Main character identifies as gay; supporting character as sexually fluid

What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Adam's life is not the greatest. He feels trapped by his religious family; he's still pining over his sort-of-ex, Enzo; he's being sexually harassed by his boss. Adam relies on his good friend Angela and boyfriend Linus, but this one summer day will allow Adam to find release from what is holding him down. Meanwhile, a ghost of a recent murder victim longs for her spirit to find release from this world.


What I think (in 250 words or fewer): Release was amazing, very different from anything I have ever read before. Major events in the story are not revolutionary: Adam is planning a going-away party for Enzo, whom he is not over; Adam's "perfect" older brother comes home with some news; Adam comes out to his evangelical preacher father. The way the story is told is what makes it unique.

Drama--"It's one thing to dream it . . . and another thing to actually build it"

Title: Drama

Author: Reina Telgemeier


LGBTQ+ Representation: One character identifies as gay, another is questioning


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Callie is super excited to work on the set design for the middle school musical. Go stage crew! The drama backstage: is Greg, Callie's crush, going to break up with Bonnie? Callie becomes closer to Justin when he confides in her that he's gay. Callie also develops a new crush on Justin's twin, brother Jesse. Plus, will she ever make the cannon prop work? It MUST or the play might be a FAILURE!


What I think: I experienced so much warm and fuzzy nostalgia while reading Drama. I was a drama geek for years; I even served as president of Thespian Troupe 901 for two years in high school. My undergraduate college degree is in theatre education. 🎭

My friends and I still talk about the drama and relationships and the EPIC CAST PARTIES that occurred during our high school plays, and we've been out of high school for . . .well, quite some years. 😉

Girls of Paper and Fire--"When the world denies you choices, you make your own"

Title: Girls of Paper and Fire

Author: Natasha Ngan


LGBTQ+ Representation: Two main characters in f/f relationship


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Lei (part of the Paper caste, the lowest class in Ikhara) lives a peaceful life in her country village until she is kidnapped and taken to the palace of the Demon King to become one of his concubines. The first time Lei is summoned to the cruel, violent king, she fights him instead of submitting to him. Lei falls in love with another Paper Girl, Wren, who is hiding a dangerous secret.


What I think: I knew the book was going to contain scenes of violence and sexual assault, but I still was taken aback by the beginning, which contains a plot event that has been a deal-breaker for me in the past. I did not give up the book, since this event is necessary to give Lei a reason to take the kidnapping soldiers seriously but come on. Some of us have NEVER gotten over these two books (do not click on my links unless you want to be spoiled).

I Got Issues: Noteworthy--“It's too simple to hate the people who have doorways where you have walls”

I don't know how to introduce this except that . . . I don't hate these books; parts of them I like very much. So I don't think they belong in a Did Not Finish or Did Not Bring Me Joy post.

However, there are just overall issues that I have with the storylines that . . . well, I'll just talk about each book and you can make up your own minds.

I was going to write about three books in one post, similar to how I wrote the Marie Kondo-inspired one, but I ended up writing so much about this first book, I am now going to make this post the first of a three-part (at least for now) series called I Got Issues.

Title: Noteworthy

Author: Riley Redgate

LGBTQ+ Representation: Bisexual main character, supporting character gay (with off-page m/m relationship), girl/girl kiss.

What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Chinese-American Jordan Sun is attending an elite boarding school (on a scholarship) for the performing arts but is tired of never getting cast in any musicals (her low alto voice makes her a tough fit). The Sharpshooters, an all-boys a cappella group, is holding auditions for a tenor, Jordan dresses up as a boy and lands the part. But can she continue to hide her identity in such an elite and competitive group?

Our Own Private Universe--"It's our duty to love everyone, the way God loves everyone. There's no reason why any one group is less deserving of love than any other"

Title: Our Own Private Universe

Author: Robin Talley


LGBTQ+ Representation: Main character identifies as bisexual, another main character as bisexual/pansexual/questioning, and minor character identifies as gay. F/F relationship.


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Aki is on a Church mission trip in Mexico, when she meets Christa, a girl from a nearby high school, and they fall hard for each other. Aki is thrilled that she can finally do what she is sure other teenagers her age are doing--but what if Christa finds out she doesn't have any experience? Meanwhile, Aki participates in a church debate that enables her to clarify her beliefs and find a new passion.


What I think: In the Acknowledgments, Talley explains that this book is the one she had always wanted to write and wished she'd had as a young-adult reader. I agree 100%--in fact, Our Own Private Universe reminds me of Judy Blume's Forever but with a girl/girl relationship.

Queen of Air and Darkness--"That’s what it means to be human. We lose, we suffer, but we have to keep breathing."

Title: Queen of Air and Darkness

Author: Cassandra Clare


LGBTQ+ Representation: At least 4 (and a couple more implied) bisexual (or sexually fluid or pan) characters; 1 gay male character; 1 lesbian character; trans feminine character; m/m romance; f/f romance; m/m/f romance.


This story is so complicated, has so many characters, and so many plot twists that I found it very difficult to summarize in 75 words, but here ya go:

What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): The Clave is a mess, fighting more among each other rather than for the safety of the Shadow World. Emma and Julian are trying to break the Parabatai Curse. The Lightwoods are grieving the death of their father while trying to figure out what is making the warlocks so sick. Ty is obsessed with bringing Livia back (with help from an apprehensive Kit), and the Seelie Queen is hiding someone who could become very powerful.


What I think: I finished Queen of Air and Darkness two days after it came out, so I've been thinking (and processing) everything that happened for over two months now.

I very much enjoyed this book and am a big fan of the series--that being said, I am going to be extremely nit-picky because that is what I do when I really like a book. I'm also going to spoil most all of the big stuff that happens (but not all, probably).

Dear Rachel Maddow--"Liberty and justice for all. Well. Shmiberty and Shmustice anyway"

Title: Dear Rachel Maddow

Author: Adrienne Kisner


LGBTQ+ Representation: Main character and two supporting characters identify as lesbians. F/F relationship


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Brynn's life is not going the greatest lately. Her older brother died of a drug overdose, mom and stepfather are abusive, girlfriend broke up with her, and grades are so bad, she is not eligible to write for the newspaper (the only part about high school that she enjoys). As a class assignment, she begins to keep a journal in which she asks for advice via emails to her idol: Rachel Maddow.


What I think (in 250 words or fewer): I love Rachel Maddow so this title caught my eye. I thought the story was going to be light-hearted, but instead it was delightfully, timely, and frustratingly political--and I enjoyed it immensely.

Darius the Great is Not Okay--"That's normal. Right?"

Title: Darius the Great is Not Okay

Author: Adib Khorram


LGBTQ+ Representation: Main character does not explicitly state his sexuality, but the story implies that he identifies as gay and may have a crush on his close friend


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer):  Darius is half-Persian on his mother's side but has never fit in anywhere--he enjoys Tolkien, Star Trek, and tea (making him a target for bullies) and lives with clinical depression. He thinks things will be the same when he and his family go to Iran to visit his grandparents, but then Darius meets Sohrab and becomes close friends with him. With Sohrab, Darius has never felt so comfortable--has he finally found his place?


What I think: I could review this book sounding like a starstruck teenage girl, and to quote myself from an earlier review:

I love everything about this book; it makes me laugh; it makes me cry; it makes me goofily smile like a big dope. 

I could go on and on like "the fangirl reviewer"--you know, the one that you roll your eyes at and move on from because there's no substance in the review, just random gushing.

Therefore, here are some specific examples of what I liked in this book:

American Library Association's 2019 Rainbow Book List Announced

Congratulations to the authors on the 2019 Rainbow Book List!

The top 10 books of the 2019 Rainbow Book List 

Click here to visit my newly updated Rainbow Book List page to read my reviews of the books on the list.

Many of these books are available from the Greensboro Public Library.

White Rabbit--"I will the ice to thicken over my heart against its fearsome power"

Title: White Rabbit

Author: Caleb Roehrig


LGBTQ+ Representation: Main character identifies as gay; supporting character as bi, m/m relationship


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Rufus is having a stressful night. First, his ex-boyfriend Sebastian (who broke his heart) reappears in his life. Next, Rufus gets a call from his half-sister April, who has woken up covered in blood--beside the dead body of her boyfriend. Rufus and Sebastian work together to find out who of the privileged rich friends of April is responsible for Fox Whitney's death.


What I think (in 250 words or fewer): I love the pretentious-sounding-rich-people names of the characters in this story: Fox Whitney, Hayden Covington, Race Atwood, Peyton Forsyth, Alexis Carrington Colby--okay that last one is actually from Dynasty, but her name and personality would have fit in at this school because these teenagers are the worst.