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).