Only Mostly Devastated--"Sure, he hadn't done the one thin I wanted him to do most of all--declare his love for me publicly on the bleachers in a grand musical number--but that didn't mean I had to knock the baby steps, did it?"

Title: Only Mostly Devastated

Author: Sophie Gonzales

LGBTQ+ Representation: Gay and bi characters

Content Warnings: Death of a supporting character, homophobia, obnoxious dude-bro behaviors

What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Ollie and Will have a summer fling, but when Ollie enrolls in Will's high school that fall, he finds out that sweet, openly-queer Will is actually a quite obnoxious, closeted basketball star. Ollie tries to keep his attention on his music, new group of friends, and babysitting his cousins (his aunt has terminal cancer), but Will keeps showing up wherever Ollie is. Are they destined to be together, or will Ollie remain only mostly devastated?


What I think (in 250 words or fewer): The premise is similar to Grease and there's a "pink ladies"-type girl group but none of the plot aspects of Grease that really bother me; thank goodness Ollie does not end the book wearing leather, quipping "Tell me about it, stud."
  

Rainbow Book List 2021 announced!

Congratulations to the authors with books on the ALA's 2021 Rainbow Book list! Unfortunately, I haven't been able to blog much this year, so my list of "books I have read but haven't blogged about" is quite long. Click here to read the reviews I have written from this year's list.

2021 Rainbow Book List

Click here to read my reviews from this year's list.

Brave Face-- Seven memorable/relatable moments from Brave Face

Title: Brave Face

Author: Shaun David Hutchinson


LGBTQ+ Representation: Main character (narrator) is gay


Content Warning: Depression and graphically described suicide attempt


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): In this memoir, Shawn David Hutchinson describes his childhood and his battles with ADHD and depression. His suicide attempt is described in detail. 


What I think: Shawn David Hutchinson and I are the same age; we both graduated in 1996 and would have probably been friends in high school because we have a lot in common. Here are the top 10 from moments from Brave Face I thought were memorable and/or relatable, or made me think Hey, that was me in high school!, OOF, I feel that!, and/or OMG that is describes me today. So let's go on a journey of not only some of Hutchinson's memories but a few of my cringeworthy ones as well.

Quiver "I don't think my problem is with God. It's with the men who think they speak for Him and the women who obey those men without question."

Title: Quiver: a Novel

Author: Julia Watts


LGBTQ+ Representation: One of the main characters is queer and genderfluid. A supporting character is trans feminine.

Content Warning: Bigotry in the name of religion

What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Libby is growing up in a fundamental Christian family. As the oldest of six homeschooled siblings, she does chores and helps her mother during the day and participates in Bible study held by her father in the evenings. Queer and genderfluid Zo and her family have just moved into the house next door. Can (or should?) Libby and Zo be friends in spite of their differences?


What I think (in 250 words or fewer):  One of my favorite blogs, Love, Joy, and Feminism, is written by "Libby Anne," a former Christian fundamentalist from a Quiverfull family. I'm no longer religious myself but really enjoy reading stories and blogs about people leaving fundamentalism. I am very wary of any religion or lifestyle that adheres to very strict rules--how do they know that what they're doing is right, especially when others are left and hurt?

Quiver is told between the alternating voices of Libby and Zo. Libby has always followed the rules and believed her family's lifestyle is the only correct one, and Zo notes:

Surrender Your Sons--Recipe for this book: Camp plus Boy Erased plus The Most Dangerous Game with a dash of The Blue Lagoon. And just a pinch of Lord of the Flies and Clue. This post's title is much too long, isn't it?

Title: Surrender Your Sons

Author: Adam Sass


LGBTQ+ Representation: The book takes place at conversion camp, so all of the LGBTQ+ letters are represented, pretty much. The main character is gay.


Content Warnings: Violence, massive homophobia. Conversion therapy. Suicide/murder.


What it’s about: When Connor comes out to to his mother, he is kidnapped and finds himself at a place called "Nightlight Ministries," a conversion therapy camp where he must stay until he is "cured" of being gay. At first, Connor decides to play along so he could be sent home quickly. But then he discovers that the friendly town Reverend and other staff members are hiding sinister secrets. Will the campers be able to escape alive?

What I think: The following blog post is based on actual conversations I was having with my 11- and 13-year-olds while trying to write. I combined both children into one child, whom I will call C. I swear any arguing and teasing is completely (well, mostly) good-natured. Children may vary and my experiences are not to be considered normal or average. Any similarities to other children are entirely coincidental.

 

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Scene: Dining room table, Friday evening. 

Me (typing away merrily): 

Reading this book immediately after reading Camp and writing about Boy Erased was a TRIP. I--

Child: What are you doing? I need to use the computer.

Me: What? You have your own computer. Why do you need mine?

C: I need to look at your laptop so I can look at the plans to build a house in Roblox. You wouldn't understand.