Boyfriends with Girlfriends--"I need time to explore first if that’s really who I am." Guest Post!

Title: Boyfriends with Girlfriends

Author: Alex Sanchez  

**This GUEST POST was written by Alix Adrian**

About Alix, in their own words: As a busy, aging, dyslexic reader, I enjoy YA fiction because I can make solid progress through a book even on early-to-bed evenings. I grew up in New Jersey and have spent the past 30 years in North Carolina. This helps to draw attention to the significant cultural differences found in especially in queer fiction across both time and locations. I have two young adult children, who, sadly, are not voracious readers. I also have three cats who like nothing better than to snuggle with me and a book.


LGBTQ+ Representation: One gay teen, one butch lesbian teen, one questioning female teen, two questioning male teens


Content Warning: Two male characters have mutual hand sex. One main character has had much more sexual experience and this is a concern for the less experienced partner.


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Four high school students in neigboring schools explore love, sexuality, and friendships, with a lens to their families’ cultural and social views.

 
What I think (in 250 words or fewer):  This book may be showing its age a wee bit.

Social Intercourse--"If I had known losing my virginity would be so nerve-wracking, I would've stayed home and watched the Golden Girls marathon with my dad"

Title: Social Intercourse

Author: Greg Howard


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): High school seniors openly-gay Beckett and star quarterback Jaxon have little in common, but then Beck's dad starts dating one of Jax's moms. Beck is afraid that his dad will get his heart broken again, and Jax wants his moms to get back together and be a family again.  Meanwhile, Beck is planning the Rainbow Prom, Jax is struggling with his bisexuality, and all have to deal with homophobia in their small Southern town.


What I think (in 250 words or fewer): My summary doesn't reflect the tone of this book--it is absolutely hilarious!  Sure, it deals with some serious subjects, but the voices of each narrator are so down-to-earth that Social Intercourse is delightful to read.

Inheritance--"I’m not going to waste my time thinking about people who hate me"

Title: Inheritance

Author: Malinda Lo (I am doing an in-depth author study on Malinda Lo as a final paper for a class, and this is the fourth of five fiction novels I am reviewing)


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): In this sequel to Adaptation, David and Reese are struggling to figure out whom to trust. Should they trust the Imria, the alien race who wants to help humanity become better? Should they trust the government, who claim to protect them from humanity-using aliens? Also, do the special powers they have mean they are now aliens, too? Plus, Reese's new relationship with David is tested because Reese still has feelings for Amber, her Imrian ex-girlfriend.


What I think (in 250 words or fewer): Inheritance was more intense and less predictable than Adaptation, which I appreciated. I honestly could not figure out who the "good guys" were. The Imria want to "fix" humanity, but it would be a risky procedure, and the ethical question is, does humanity really need to be fixed?