Camp by L.C. Rosen
From the author of the acclaimed Jack of Hearts (and other parts) comes a sweet and sharp screwball comedy that critiques theContinue Reading
Category: Book Review
The Deep & Dark Blue by Niki Smith
This was an excellent graphic novel that I would seriously love to see made into a movie. There is action and political intrigue, fascinating world building, and deep character development. Not bad for a middle grade graphic novel!
5 Books for Lesbian Visibility Day
Established in 2008, Lesbian Visibility Day is celebrated on April 26th with the goal of raising “awareness about the stereotypes, judgments, and lack of representation that lesbians face” (source). I will do my small part to celebrate the holiday by highlighting five of my favorite books starring lesbians.
Butter Honey Pig Bread by Francesca Ekwuyasi
I adored this compulsively readable story of three women – Kambirinachi and her adult twin daughters Taiye and Kahinde that gives you literary feels with a page-turner drive. Set primarily in their home country of Nigeria but extending to England, France, and Canada, this is a book about the messy relationships we have with ourselves and each other.
Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
Reading Gideon the Ninth for the first time is a chaotic dump of dense entertainment; Rereading Gideon the Ninth is a masterpiece. The first time through, it took me about 100 pages to be fully invested in the story, though Gideon’s brash attitude and compelling internal voice (and external, to be clear) endeared me to her immediately. Still, it wasn’t until Gideon and Harrow left home for the challenges in Canaan House with other necromancers and cavaliers that I became fully invested. The second time through? I was all in, immediately!
Pet by Akwaeke Emezi
Wow wow wow! This 200-page YA novel dives into the darkest of topics within one of the brightest worlds I’ve ever seen created. In a utopian society that has eradicated “monsters,” there is no crime and no prejudice. This has led people to believe that there are no more monsters…but this assumption proves to be dangerous.
You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson
You Should See Me in a Crown is a YA novel about prom that captures the high school experience in a way that actually makes me remember high school fondly. Yeah, it’s that good. I think it’s a mix of pop culture, swirling emotions, and combined fear and excitement about the future.
All Systems Red by Martha Wells
Martha Wells has written a series of novellas and occasional novels about Murderbot, a security robot that I adore. I mean, how can you not immediately fall in love with a character and a story that begins with “I’m a murderbot, but instead of murdering I’ve watched 35,000 hours of tv.”
More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera
I can’t say I liked this book, but I’m so glad I read it and I want everyone in the world to read More Happy Than Not. I read the entire thing in one night: it was wholly engrossing, and then the plot kicked me upside the head and I learned a new kind of desperation for MUST READ. This is not a feel-good book, but it might leave you feeling….no I can’t do the cheesy “more happy than not” line. Because honestly, I closed the book feeling more UNhappy than not. I tend to expect my YA books to have happily ever after endings, and this one was serious is a wonderful but disconcerting way.
I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver
A coming of age coming out novel that handles the fear of being fully yourself with patience. It stresses the importance of finding safe people to be your foundation so that you can better survive the spaces and people who are less safe (or actively dangerous).
The Unspoken Name by A.K. Larkwood
This instantly became one of my favorite books, and I want to thrust it into the face of anyone who likes fantasy or queer ladies or, ideally, both!
Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
I am a total sucker for friendship turning into romance, so one set in ancient Greece against the backdrop of gods and goddesses, blood oaths and battles – I was a goner.
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz
Aristotle (Ari) is a loner because he lives too much in his own head, burying himself under pain and doubt and confusion. Dante is a loner because he is too enthusiastic, too smart and too concerned with beauty and life. Together they complete each other, in both stupid and meaningful ways.
Naamah by Sarah Blake
I adored this complicated feminist retelling of Noah and the flood, from the perspective of his bisexual wife Naamah. It’s mysterious and sad and hopeful and never easy – like life.
Miranda in Milan by Katharine Duckett
I don’t remember much about “The Tempest” from my high school English class beyond the vague idea that the quote about “All the world’s a stage” is from it (Spoilers, this memory is wrong! That quote is from “As You Like It.”) With so little knowledge about the original, I was worried that the sequel wouldn’t make sense to me. But it appeared on some list recommending books about ladies loving ladies, and I decided to give it a try!
Roar Cat Reads 