Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt – I absolutely loved this! This book means so much to me now! I felt so much of what Tova was going through for my own reasons. And felt for Cameron. And Marcellus the Octopus is amazing, all three of these characters are amazing. I loved so many lines. It made me cry. I found so much depth in these pages personally. And I had to hug the book! I wanna give it more than 5 stars!!
More than a month after finishing it I still wish I could give it more than 5 stars.
Monster Musume, Vol. 7 by Okayado – Funny manga and I enjoy the characters. Not much to say. 5 stars
Monster Musume, Vol. 8 by Okayado – 4 stars
Saga, Volume 5 and 6 by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples – 5 stars each. Rereads since volume 10 is finally coming out in October (last I checked)!
Why I’m Afraid of Bees by R.L. Stine – 4 creepy fun stars.
Gender Queer: A Memoir Deluxe Edition by Maia Kobabe – ALL THE STARS! ALL OF THEM! I had read the original years ago so it was a reread but in this new edition! Words fail to express the love I have for this book but I did my best in my original review Here and my “review” of the new deluxe edition Here.
Monster Musume, Vol. 9 by Okayado – 4 stars
The Gender Friend: A 102 Guide to Gender Identity by Oakley Phoenix by Oakley Phoenix – I absolutely loved this book! Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for letting me have an advanced copy. This book is so accessible in the language and is also kind. Kind not just to transgender, gender nonconforming, and nonbinary folks (TGNCNB for short) but also to loved ones wanting to support their TGNCNB loved ones. I can’t stress enough I can see someone really trying but it’s not always easy. If someone is truly trying and caring I don’t want them to feel like it doesn’t matter or that they are awful if they mess up. Mistakes happen. Trying is what matters and you’ll get there. I am a nonbinary trans person and it’s generally easy to tell who cares and is trying versus the ones that aren’t. This book is like a hug from a kind friend. It explains gender related thing, answer questions, etc. I am going to have to buy this book when it comes out so I can give it to loved ones. 5 stars
Paradise Club by Tim Meyer – 5 stars I cared for the characters and this has a lot of gorey fun! Horror, slasher, splatterpunk …
I have a long way to go still in terms of recovering from surgery. I came home with 2 drains, a left and a right, and initially the left was very active and the right wasn’t doing much of anything. Well … the night before (as I was going to lay down to sleep) I was going to get the right drain out the left one, that was still VERY active, fell out!! Scaring the shit outta me!
Long story short (actually still long, sorry) I still have the right drain in. I was also leaking (and still might be to a degree) via part of my incision down my stomach. Well i’ve had (and still have, as of typing this on Monday August 8th) a lot of gauze and tape over my stomach (and a large hernia belt for compression) because the hole that was left behind from the left drain leaked for awhile but it appears to be closed now. While the hole was leaking the right drain continued doing it’s almost nothing crap, which was scary because they said “in theory the right one should pick up the slack” and i’ve been dealing with low grade fever and swelling (feet, legs …) from retaining fluid, even before the left drain fell out!
Also some heat and pain in my lower stomach from the fluid build up. So i’ve been doing as much as I can of walking and keeping my legs up, which is thankfully helping! And now that the left hole is actually closed it looks like the right drain might be picking up finally? Let’s hope so! And let’s hope it stays in long enough! I’m so afraid of needing to go back to the hospital over this shit. But I have been keeping an eye on myself and I know if I start vomiting or get a high fever to call the Dr or go to the ER.
I haven’t felt like reading much, and that’s ok, but I am reading Haben at least this month and I am enjoying it so far! I’ve been playing Sims 2 and watching Youtube videos
Edit (On August 10th, Wednesday): The right drain stopped holding suction and was not salvageable. Had to come out despite it not being ready yet so they said i’ll probably be ok but ya know, if I start feeling like shit etc. to keep them posted. Right now the hole is leaking but if it’s like the left one within 2 days it’ll be closed and my body wasn’t ready yet. So here’s hoping I leak enough + my body is able to absorb the fluid it needs to.
I started this last night. Not far in but i’m liking it so far. I feel awful for the main character!
What I finished in the past week
Monster Musume, Vol. 8 by Okayado – 4 stars
Not much to say. Still enjoying the series. Funny and like the characters.
Saga, Volume 5 & 6 by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples – 5 and 4.5 stars
Can’t say much about volume 5 and 6. If you haven’t read Saga yet I highly recommend it! This is me continuing my reread in preparation for volume 10 in October! A wonderful science fiction comic series!
What do I think i’ll read next?
Gender Queer: A Memoir Deluxe Edition by Maia Kobabe – I read this years ago and it meant so much to me! More than words can say, but I did write a review Here. So of course I needed the deluxe edition that just came out!
NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity by Steve Silberman – like I said last week i’m autistic and this is very highly rated.
The Gender Friend: A 102 Guide to Gender Identity by Oakley Phoenix by Oakley Phoenix – I got this from Netgalley.
A Little Pinprick by Paige Dearth – I also got this from netgalley and have loved a couple books by Paige Dearth before! I’m preparing to be emotionally devastated. Paige’s books tend to do that.
Monster Musume, Vol. 9 by Okayado – Continuing the series.
Other Stuff
I’m having surgery July 18th and will be in the hospital about a week most likely. I am not sure what i’ll be able to do while in the hospital or while recovering, which could take a month or 2. I imagine i’ll be able to blog once I get home even though i’ll still be recovering. Either way, health comes first. I’ll get back to blogging when I can if I have to take a hiatus. I do have a post scheduled for the 19th and the 26th.
A wonderful horror novel! Tackles grief and sexism. Loved the characters and depth and creepy atmosphere.
The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Olivia Waite
A F/F historical fiction romance. My initial review …
I freaking loved this! I adored the characters, especially Lucy. A very strong woman who knows what she wants and doesn’t take crap. Don’t get me wrong, she has her insecurities for sure, but she still has a strength within her than shines. Catherine has been hurt in the past and is very insecure in the beginning despite having the countess act down in public. She hides it well but she’s hurting. I loved her character arc and seeing her grow stronger. Both women have their own interests and personalities that I really enjoyed getting to see. Both are interesting characters that I loved in their own rights. I also felt for Catherine with what she had been through and some stuff rang quite true for me too.
A beautiful sapphic historical romance.
Bodymap by Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha
Poetry about being a queer disabled femme of color. Raw, emotional, heart-breaking, thought-provoking, beautiful. I related to some of it, being queer, afab, and disabled myself.
Romantic Outlaws: The Extraordinary Lives of Mary Wollstonecraft & Mary Shelley by Charlotte Gordon
Wonderful biography on Mary Shelley and her mother Mary Wollstonecraft! Told in alternating chapters it came together really well and I learned so much about them. Amazing women! Amazing, and humanized.
To Touch the Light by E.M. Lindsey
A latino gay trans man (also a chef) and a undocumented immigrant from Russia (forced out of Russia) who is half-blind, Jewish and gay. Age gap. M/M Chanukah HEA romance.
The Deep by Rivers Solomon
Hard-hitting, fantasy, packs a powerful punch, educational to boot. It has themes of being oneself, of being a part of a group and having a group history, of kinship, trauma, climate change. I’m sure there is even stuff I missed. It has powerful messages wrapped in a fantasy story with merfolk
Ghost Story by Peter Straub
A ghost story that’s not quite a ghost story. Very creepy, the writing flows, strong atmosphere, loved the characters. Easy to read while being complex.
Rare and Resilient – ONE in 5000 Anthology by Greg Ryan
Here is my entire review because I can’t figure out how to shorten it.
I was born with imperforate anus (IA) AKA no butt hole. Like one in 5000 people around the world. Yes, it’s real. There is no cure as it causes other life long issues, even after surgery. I have always been and always will be incontinent. I used to do enemas/malone, currently have a colostomy (again, had one as a baby). I also have other issues related to VACteRL Association (used to be called VAteR Syndrome) as many of us born with IA/ARM do (but not all. And ARM stands for anorectal malformation). It’s not laziness. It’s an invisible disability that causes pain, trauma, medical procedures, doctor visits, surgeries etc. Each person with IA can have a different story. Some have more issues, some have less. What works for one person, might not work for the next.
It also causes a lot of shame. And growing up when I did, the internet barely existed and as a teen I had internet but it was dial up and certainly not like it is now. Now we have facebook groups and ways to talk to others in the same boat, which is amazing, but I and many others didn’t have that growing up (and some still don’t depending on where they live/their situation) so we literally felt completely alone, like no one understood, because it’s so rare. I’m in my 30s and to my knowledge , i’ve never met anyone else with vacterl or IA/ARM. Though it is an invisible disability, so who knows, I might have.
The shame and stigma need to end, but it’s going to be hard getting there as these issues are so taboo. There needs to be more awareness and understanding. Something Greg Ryan and the one in 5000 foundation are working towards.
It is so wonderful, on one hand, to read these stories, to see myself in so much of them, to know there are others out there who understand, going through the same things. Feeling all alone is the absolute worst. But on the other, it’s a double edged sword, as I would NEVER wish these issues on anyone. No, not even my worst enemy. After that though I must mention there is also plenty of hope in these pages. Also plenty of emotion and it is heart-wrenching.
I’m beginning to see just how strong I am. But … can I please get a break?
Btw, it’s also on KU.
The Pretty One: On Life, Pop Culture, Disability, and Other Reasons to Fall in Love with Me by Keah Brown
This book is a memoir/essays by a black disabled woman with so much honesty, truth and power in the pages! Honestly I wish I knew how to describe it, but all I can say is the affect it had on me, an afab (nonbinary) disabled person. I don’t know what it’s like to be black, i’m white. I learned a lot from this book, from where I didn’t relate personally but also from where I did, with being disabled (though with different medical issues) as well as the talk about depression and suicidal ideation.
It showed me that though i’ve already been working on having disability pride and unlearning internalized ableism, as someone who has also been disabled my entire life and always will be, I still have a lot more to learn/unlearn. Some of it felt like a much needed punch to the gut! It wasn’t easy to hear some of it, but I know I needed it.
This was incredibly emotional for me, and some of it i’m just like “how do I get there?”. I’m still working on a lot of things, but life is a journey and as long as i’m working on it, that’s what matters.
Transmuted by Eve Harms
As a deformed trans person myself this hit so many feels! The feelings of dysphoria, of being fetishized, of being looked at like a freak, of feeling like a freak. The way people treat you. I loved Isa. I want to gush about this book but i’m at a loss for words. I read it on KU and had to buy myself a physical copy.
These are 18 more queer books that I really want to read, am pretty sure I have not mentioned already this month and am unlikely to get to this month of June but one can read queer books all year round and we always need more queer books.
To avoid this post being extremely long i’ve linked the titles to the Goodreads pages so you can check them out if you wish.
Have you read any of these? I haven’t yet, so no spoilers please. Of course these are a tiny tiny drop in the bucket of the queer books I want to read! What are some queer books you really wanna get to?
BBC Wildlife Magazine – Spring 2022 by Immediate Media Company London Ltd
Working on those magazines. Animals!
2. What did you recently finish?
Trans Wizard Harriet Porber and the Bad Boy Parasaurolophus: An Adult Romance Novel by Chuck Tingle, Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke by Eric LaRocca, Her Stepsister’s Secret by Callista Bree, Archaeology – March/April 2022 by Archaeological Institute Of America, Philosophy Now – issue 149 by Anja Publications
Trans Wizard Harriet Porber and the Bad Boy Parasaurolophus – 4 stars
Despite all the typos and the fact I think this coulda been even better if it had been a bit more polished I still really enjoyed this. It’s hilarious, I enjoyed the characters and the story and especially the calling out of she who shall not be named and the whole romance parody thing. There’s also the complete smashing of the 4th wall.
Now, which of Chuck’s 5,000 other books do I read next?
Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke – 2.75 stars
My review, the first part being right after I read it and just a little later I did the “edit”.
What in the bloody fuck was that? I don’t mean that as an insult in any way. It’s just bizarre and I have no idea how to rate it. I didn’t dislike it at all. I just … wtf man. … wtf
Edit: Logging this into my spreadsheet (of books I read this year) that has different aspects of the book I came up with a 2.75 and that feels right somehow. It’s just my opinion and i’m not sure how to express it. I think it needed … more. The characters, the atmosphere, the plot. I just needed, more. But again, that’s just me.
Her Stepsister’s Secret – 5 stars
Taboo. Review going up tomorrow. There is a bonus story that I refused to rate because I hated it.
Archaeology – March/April 2022 – 4 stars
Nothing to say. Magazine.
Philosophy Now – issue 149 – 4 stars
There always seems to be at least 1 article per magazine that I really wish everyone would read, but there’s also a bunch of shit I don’t understand and people talking in circles. In some ways philosophy really seems important, and in others, philosophers seems a bit … ridiculous.
3. What do you think you’ll read next?
Archaeology – May/June 2022 by Archaeological Institute Of America, BBC Science Focus Magazine – April 2022 by Immediate Media Company London Ltd, Cirque Berserk by Jessica Guess, The Cannibals of Candyland by Carlton Mellick III, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
I’ll be working on catching up on magazines for awhile, and then working on staying caught up lol. Cirque Berzerk I have borrowed on KU and I need to read something to make room. I could end up choosing to read something else. The Cannibals of Candyland is because bingo board space and i’ve been wanting to read another book by Carlton Mellick III. I read The Haunted Vagina by him and enjoyed it. To Kill a Mockingbird is for my 40 before 40 list and no, i’ve never read it.
What have you done in the past week? Currently reading or going to read next?
I came up with a total of 50 books for this, so instead of breaking it down for just 1 post i’ve decided to do a series of 5 posts for it! Because why not.
My Life as a White Trash Zombie by Diana Rowland
An adult zombie urban fantasy novel. I’ve read it twice. The second time was by listening to it on audio in an attempt to continue the series and I read the second one and well … i’m bad at continuing series. I want to fix that, but i’ve loved the first two books! I got them both on audio now so when I have the time to reread I can listen to them before continuing on. I own the whole series physically. There are 6 books.
Queens of Geek by Jen Wilde
Contemporary YA with an Asian Austrailian bisexual MC and an MC that is autistic, has anxiety and is fat (and ok with that!). I related SO HARD to Taylor, the autistic/anxiety/fat MC, because anxiety and I read it when I didn’t know i’m autistic. This is one of the books that eventually lead me on my journey to realizing I am! I’m also bisexual so that rep was awesome. Involves a con like comic con.
Cum For Bigfoot: Volume One by Virginia Wade
Yes. I read this. I have all 3 volumes. I have only read the first one because I was feeling awkward and ashamed trying to talk about it even though I said i’d finish the series years go. I plan to reread the first volume and finish the damn series. Also, fuck shame. I liked this ok? It’s well written actually. It’s has a simple plot but it does have a plot and I like monster erotica. I need to learn to say that with pride. I know i’m not alone. I see many other monster erotica lovers places like Twitter. Where my monster erotica lovers at? Monsters need love to.
A Secret Life: Surviving A Rare Congenital Condition by Greg Ryan
The rare congenital condition, is imperforate anus. Me and Greg were both born without an anus. Yes, it’s real. It happens. And we have lifelong issues because of it. One in 5,000 babies are born with IA (Imperforate Anus). This is his autobiography, which I related to a lot.
To Be Devoured by Sara Tantlinger
Queer. Horror. I don’t know what else to say. It’s fucking creepy! Also, I heard it’s going out of print in July and I had read it via KU so when I heard I snatched up a physical copy!
Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender
This book has meant THE WORLD to me! The MC is black, queer and trans. He feels like too much, which I can relate to as physically disabled, neurodivergent, queer and trans. And he realizes he’s a demiboy, LIKE ME! He’s a bisexual trans demiboy like me. With the word demiboy ON. THE. PAGE. The only time i’ve seen it so far! Hopefully not the last. I have a long review Here if you wanna check it out!
1984 by George Orwell
Terrifying. Awesome book. Wish everyone would read it. Wish people would quit treating it as an instruction manual. It was meant to be a warning, not an instruction manual!
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
Historical Fiction. Each chapter is told from a different person’s pov, going from one descendant to the next, all connected, over generations, like a family tree that tells their stories. There is so much to learn from this book, yes it’s fictional but still teaches so much and tugs at the heart (and tears).
Masquerade by Parker Lee
Queerness and poetry. This book has quite a range imo. I felt these poems deep in my soul. The author is nonbinary (as am I) and that’s explored but so are other things. Some of them I literally went “I know this isn’t about autism but my nonbinary and autistic ass felt that in both ways”. I think a lot of people could relate to at least some of it. There’s also themes of abandonment and more. And it’s so very accessible.
Corduroy by Don Freeman
I loved this book as a kid and still loved it upon adult reread. It’s so sweet!
Yes, i’m aware i’m all over the place in what I read and love, and I love it that way!
Satan, Are you there? It’s me, Laura by Aisling Fae
This is hilarious!
Black Queer Hoe by Britteney Black Rose Kapri
This poetry hits hard! I know it wasn’t made with me in mind, but certain things I did relate to (being queer, afab, deformed and feeling ugly) but even though I didn’t personally relate to a lot of it, it still hit hard and made me stop. Stop and think, take the poems in. I also appreciated that it remembers trans women are women! I’m a nonbinary trans guy but of course i’m still going to appreciate anytime trans people are remembered and seen as who they are.
I highly recommend this book, and don’t read it too fast.
My Rainbow by Trinity Neal and Deshanna Neal
This is a beautiful children’s book about an autistic black trans girl who needs long hair, but her mama can’t find what she needs in a store, after all she’s a beautiful black girl with curly hair and the wigs in store are so straight, so she makes Trinity her own rainbow wig and she loves it!
This brought tears to my eyes. It’s so wholesome and loving.
Beyond the Gender Binary by Alok Vaid-Menon
This is a wonderful book! It talks in easy to understand language as well as personal things. It talks about how the gender binary hurts everyone, yes even masculine men and feminine women, and how we could be more inclusive and kind. Words aren’t doing this justice. This is a book I wish everyone would read and I think everyone can get something out of. It’s also not long, yet packs a punch.
We Have Always Been Here: A Queer Muslim Memoir by Samra Habib
My review right after I read it
My nose is sore from all my crying/nose blowing thanks to this book. Sadness, Happiness, Hope. I loved hearing Samra’s story of their life! I looked them up on twitter and it lists their pronouns as they/them. I listened to it on audio book through the library. This will be on my top favorites of the year!
I needed this in some ways. I don’t know what to say otherwise.
Capable Monsters by Marlin M. Jenkins
Pokemon. Poetry. Talks about racism and being queer and mental health and the darker side of pokemon. I mean think about it, a small child is let loose in the world by themselves to battle beasts and just read some of the pokedex entries about the pokemon, some of them are really dark! I loved this book.
Masquerade by Parker Lee
My review from when I read it last year
I loved this book of poetry! Some of the poems did hurt though and I feel bad for hurting because they were poems about them and their wife and I lost my husband early this year, and just stuff I don’t have anymore but i’m happy for them. I won’t go into all of it because it’s personal.
This book has quite a range imo. I felt these poems deep in my soul. The author is nonbinary (as am I) and that’s explored but so are other things. Some of them I literally went “I know this isn’t about autism but my nonbinary and autistic ass felt that in both ways”. I think a lot of people could relate to at least some of it. There’s also themes of abandonment and more. And it’s so very accessible. I highly recommend it!
When Aidan Became A Brother by Kyle Lukoff
A wonderful children’s book about a trans boy who gets a little sibling!
Transmuted by Eve Harms
As a deformed trans person myself this hit so many feels! The feelings of dysphoria, of being fetishized, of being looked at like a freak, of feeling like a freak. The way people treat you. I loved Isa. I want to gush about this book but i’m at a loss for words. I read it on KU and loved it so much I had to buy myself a physical copy. Highly recommend!
Growing Up Trans: In Our Own Words edited by Lindsay Herriot and Kate Fry
This book is so very much needed! Trans youth in their OWN words! Tips, book recommendations for further reading … I highly recommend this.
Golem Girl by Riva Lehrer
This is one of those books I wish everyone would read! I loved listening to her and learning her story. I need more memoirs like this, by disabled people. She is Jewish, disabled and queer.
The Cybernetic Tea Shop by Meredith Katz
Such a sweet romance! I wanted to hug Sal so badly, and i’m scared of robots. I cried at the end. I want more. I read it via Libby and had to buy myself a physical copy. It’s a romance between an F/F romance between an asexual human and a very human robot.
Love & Other Disasters by Anita Kelly
Initially it did take me a little bit to get into it because the characters annoyed me but i’m so glad I stuck with it because I fell in love with them and understood them! I love the nonbinary rep with London! A female/nonbinary romance is what i’ve wanted for so long! Seriously, my queer nonbinary heart is so happy! I need MORE female/nonbinary romances please! Pleeeeeease.
Now with all 4 parts that’s a lot of LGBTQ+ Rec’s! Remember, you can read LGBTQ+ books all year round, as LGBTQ+ people exist all year round. 🙂
Trans Wizard Harriet Porber and the Bad Boy Parasaurolophus: An Adult Romance Novel by Chuck Tingle
I’m actually in the middle of something this week! I’m slightly over halfway through. I am enjoying it so far and it’s hilarious. I do believe (I could be wrong) this was out pretty quickly after JK Terfling came out as a terf and was in response to her (I know it was a response to her, that much is obvious). I think it could have been even better if given more time for some research/talking to trans people (i’m trans and not offended by anything here personally, it’s not like that, I just think it could’ve been more polished I guess you could say) as well as proofreading. So many typos.
However it is hilarious. The 4th wall is smashed to smithereens. It’s a wonderful parody of romance novels and calling JK out on her shit and i’m enjoying the characters and story. So at the moment i’m looking at 4 stars probably.
2. What did you recently finish?
Book wise, nothing. I had a few busy days where I didn’t get any reading done and then I HAD to finish catching up on Stranger Things! So, I finished catching up on Stranger Things, that counts, right? lol. No spoilers just OMG OMG OMG. I can’t wait for the rest of season 4 now!
3. What do you think you’ll read next?
Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke by Eric LaRocca
I know i’ll be reading this next because my hold came in via Libby. And hey, it’s queer so awesome it came in during pride month! When I put it on hold I think it said 6 months and I know it’s been a little bit (over a month at least) but not 6 months. I was watching the numbers go down slowly one by one then it went from 12 left (with the library having 8 copies) to BOOM, IT’S HERE like o.O. I know it’s a queer horror and disturbing and from what i’ve heard people either love it or hate it. Hopefully i’ll like it. We shall see.
What have you done in the past week? Currently reading or going to read next?
This story hit me hard from the very beginning. I was so angry at the Wajinru for putting the burden of their entire history all on Yetu’s shoulders. All alone, in so much pain, pain they should have been sharing together rather than dumping it all on Yetu and it was killing her, literally. As the story progressed though I understood why they did it. I felt so much for Yetu. At times I related to certain things from being disabled, neuro-divergent and a rather sensitive INFP. I just wanted to hug Yetu and scream at the rest of the Wajinru that they were killing Yetu and didn’t even seem to notice.
The writing flowed and sucked me in. The book may be short but it packs a powerful punch and has so much weaved within it I can’t believe it’s short. No sentence felt wasted, everything important. It is a complex story with several layers but I was never confused by it. Though I think I might have been if I had read it too fast rather than taking my time with it as I did.
A classic for a reason! It talks about racism, sexism, love and more.
Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender
Part of my review when I read it
Felix feels like he is one marginalization too many as black queer and trans, and I can relate. I am not black but I am disabled. Obviously those are entirely different (though not mutually exclusive of course) but that is the same amount of marginalization’s (i’m aslo queer and trans-even if I don’t “look” like it, though spoiler alert, queer and trans don’t have a look) and i’ve felt that “too much” a lot. I’m also fat now and am mentally ill and neurodiverse in more ways than one. I’m not trying to make it a competition i’m just explaining how I get that “too much” feeling.
Felix feels so real. He makes mistakes, he isn’t perfect, he struggles with his identity. We get to see him fuck up, like people do. He felt like a real person and a real teenager, which is a good thing! He’s going through life and trying to figure so much out and having been so hurt by things. He thinks that he isn’t worthy of love (at least in part because of parental abandonment), and even pushes people away because of it, but eventually learns that he IS worthy of love and respect.
My full review Here. Suffice it to say this book meant a LOT to me! And it’s the only book i’ve seen so far to say the word demiboy! Felix is a demiboy like me and it states it on the page!
To Be Devoured by Sara Tantlinger
This is queer horror and very, very creepy!
The Curse of Doll Island: A Paranormal Suspense Thriller by Ocean
2 very different lesbians, one is famous the other is a quiet teacher who loves to knit, end up on a boat cruise to see a supposed island with cursed haunted creepy dolls. They later end up taking out a boat on their own for a picnic and end up stuck on it, at night, when the dolls are said to come alive. Of course they do and the curse is true.
Creepy cursed haunted dolls. crocodiles. snakes. clowns. I found this book fun and creepy. I enjoyed it.
There is a sequel that I was annoyed by some cis-normativity and other things but over-all still loved and gave 4.25 stars.
All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson
A memoir about growing up black and queer.
Soft on Soft by Mina Waheed
A cute fluffy romance between 2 fat (and fat-positive) women of color. One, Selena, is a black demisexual model, and the other, June, is an Arab-Persian Pansexual with anxiety and 2 cats (and a bisexual muslim mom). At one point Selena has a baby shower for some friends, a Female/Nonbinary couple and the nonbinary person uses she/her pronouns, showing that not all nonbinary people use they/them pronouns. Her name is Noor and she is also black.
Whenever someone’s pronouns isn’t known they/them is used, as well as some nonbinary people who use they/them all the time. I love how that is normalized.
This cute queer diverse fluffy romance made me queer heart so happy! It’s pure fluff and I loved it.
So many queer, nonbinary and trans feels! Yet I should reread this first volume because I haven’t continued the series and I have volumes 2 and 3.
Disabled Voices edited by S.B. Smith
This is an amazing anthology of diverse disabled voices! It has a mix of fiction, nonfiction, poetry and artwork. It has a variety of disabilities represented, both physical and neurodiversities. It has authors of color, queer, nonbinary and trans writers/artists. It is packed with awesome! I related to some, as a fellow disabled queer nonbinary person, and learned from others about specific disabilities I don’t have. I loved nearly everything in here! It is BY disabled voices FOR disabled people!
Nonbinary: Memoirs of Gender and Identity edited by Micah Rajunov
A diverse range of nonbinary voices. Related to some as a fellow nonbinary person, learned a lot and was thought-provoking. Showed a range of ages too with older nonbinary people as well, showing it’s not a “young person” thing. Nonbinary folks have always been here.
Care Work: Dreaming Disability Justice by Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha
Nonfiction essays about disability justice, by disabled queer femme’s of color. So much packed into this book! As a queer disabled afab person there was so much I related to, I swear it helped heal something inside of me, and as a white person there is so much that I learned from.
If you are abled, or white, or masc, or cishet…honestly, I recommend this book to everyone.
Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
Latinx trans boy brujo mc, m/m romance with said trans boy and a ghost. So many feels. The amount of tissues I went through while reading this book O.O. So many tabs. Tabs for days. A rainbow of many, many tabs. The plot, the characters, the world, ALL OF IT!🥰🥰
I don’t know what to say, except READ IT! *Rolls around in feels*
Yes that was my review when I read it.
The Gilda Stories by Jewelle L. Gómez\
Lovely. Thought-provoking. Black lesbian vampire.
Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-first Century edited by Alice Wong
I can’t express my love and joy at this book through words! My disabled self is LIVING! So many emotions I had while reading this book! Anger, at ableism and injustice, seeing that i’m not alone and relating to others on things that most just don’t get, and joy at all the disabled joy! This is a book I HIGHLY recommend to EVERYONE! If you are disabled you’ll find stuff to relate to and to love in this book. If you aren’t I truly think it’ll help you understand disabled people, disability justice and the ableism we face more.
These essays (37) feature a huge diversity of disabled people! Queer, Trans, People of Color, physical and mental disabilities, all very much featured in here! It’s accessible and so very much needed. If I could ask everyone to read just ONE book, it’d be this one! No question about it!
A latino gay trans man (also a chef) and a undocumented immigrant from Russia (forced out of Russia) who is half-blind, Jewish and gay. Age gap. M/M Chanukah HEA romance.
So many feels! I really felt like I got to know these 2 guys, I wanted to hug them, rooted for their happiness. It touched on so many important things in regards to both of them. This is definitely a favorite!
Trans girl thief lures men, but only the bad ones, to her man eating mermaid girlfriend, who if you ask me doesn’t really love her. Laria deserves so much better. The Lady (the mermaid) was so emotionless, so cruel in her lack of any emotion. The story made me want to cry. Love how it talks about obsession and respecting yourself.
I know what it’s like to need to advertise to the world what you are, so that people don’t just assume you are what they think you are.
The Backstagers, Vol. 1: Rebels Without Applause by James Tynion IV, Rian Sygh
Queer, funny, emotional and supernatural. Shows guys experiencing a range of emotions, healthy communication and conflict resolution between friends. I’m already obsessed! Super cute. Super weird. Loving it <3. All boys school, has a trans guy in it!
Stake Sauce, Arc 1: The Secret Ingredient Is Love. No, Really by RoAnna Sylver
Has transgender and M/M rep.
I love how the writing is accessible and flows easily, yet manages to deal sensitively with hard topics. I was in a house fire years ago. And while I was saved by my neighbor and physically made it out ok (barely) I have PTSD from it. This book deals a lot with fire, and ptsd. And I loved every bit of it. It’s not something that’s easy for me to get through. But I absolutely love RoAnna’s stories! Well this is the third book of theirs i’ve read so far (i’ve also read Chameleon Moon and Moon-Bright Tides-loved both of those as well!).
Just like Chameleon Moon and Moon-Bright Tides it has characters i’ve fallen in love with and deals with real life issues in a sensitive and healthy way. All without being too long (though i’d gladly spend more time with the characters). And of course it’s all with a dash or 2 of fantasy (like vampires in this case).
I don’t think i’ll ever make it through one of RoAnna’s books without at least getting teary.
Alone and Palely Loitering by Julian Stuart
My initial review.
This short story managed to rip out my heart, give me all the feels, have me relating to the MC SO HARD (MC is ungendered and I am agender, also depression feels), crying tears of sadness and happiness.
Like I WANT TO SAY MORE but it’s a short story and anything else I say WILL SPOIL IT. ASSUME NOTHING. I repeat, assume nothing. I has a new favorite. Now leave me be in my bucket of feels. ❤ And I highly recommend this short story.
I have since realized I am a demiboy, which for me is part agender so …
Lumberjanes, Vol. 1: Beware the Kitten Holy by Noelle Stevenson
This is a comic series. I’ve read the first 3 volumes. There is 20 right now. I have no idea if it’s done yet or not. Queer, camping, friendship. Cute.
I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver
Part of my review for this book
So onto all the love I have for this book! For years I refused to look into “this non-binary business”. I mean sure i’d respect people, it’s not that hard and nothing good comes from being an asshat. But I refused to look into it/research it at all because I was already in my mid 20s before I heard the term and was afraid at what i’d find, for multiple reasons. I grew up not feeling like a girl, or boy, so I figured “well I must just be awful at being a girl because those are the only choices”. I didn’t know there was anything else. By the time I heard the word non-binary I figured it was too late, after all…you have to know everything about yourself by the time you’re 20 right? WRONG. But that’s what I was telling myself out of fear.
Almost 2 months ago I got slapped in the face so to speak and realized…I’m non-binary. Not only can I not “pick a side” in terms of attraction (i’m bi), I can’t “pick a side” to be. And that’s ok. This is me.
I wish this book existed when I was a teen and that somehow i’d have been able to read it. I’m so glad it exists now. And that, if you are still alive, it’s never too late.
I needed this book 20 years ago. Words can not describe how much I love this book. It’s a memoir about growing up and figuring out that one is non-binary and asexual. While I am not asexual, I am non-binary…and while I can look back on my life now and realize I have always been this way, it took until age 30 to find the words. To realize, i’m not a freak. I’m not wrong. I’m not confused (anymore-and if I had had the words and someone else saying “me too” I never would have had to be). That i’m not alone.
So many instances of “OMG ME TOO!” “Yes, so much yes” “I feel this so hard” “Wait…there is a WORD for that? And it’s not just me?” It’s a memoir of someone else’s life but so much of it mirrored my own. Not 100% obviously, but a lot of it. And it made me feel so incredibly seen. I am still trying not to cry while writing this…and i’m failing.
I’m so glad to finally understand my struggle with gender that i’ve had as long as I can remember. To finally know i’m not a freak, alone, wrong for feeling this way. And that there are words. Words can mean the entire world.
Full review Here. And FUCK YOU to the assholes that keep trying to ban this book!
A Quick & Easy Guide to They/Them Pronouns by Archie Bongiovanni
My review from 3 years go
Exactly what the title suggests. A quick and easy guide to they/them pronouns, which are increasingly being used (though have been used for literally centuries). I’m non-binary and, having just came out this year, am still getting used to they/them pronouns for myself and it even mentions misgendering yourself. Which I have done. It’s awkward. But it’s normal. I mean i’ve used she/her pronouns for 30 years, of course it takes getting used to.
I then gave it to my cis male husband who has been wonderfully supportive of me coming out as non-binary. His exact words when he was done “Everyone needs to read this”. It took both of us less than half an hour each to read. It’s quick. It’s easy. And it’s seriously helpful. 🙂
This review hurts because my husband has since died, but I believe this is important still and he was a wonderful man. My pronouns are also They/He now (and were before died, he was completely supportive).
Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker
Part of my review
The MC’s are both Chinese-American and queer. Nova is a witch who is hard of hearing and has hearing aids and Tam is an enby werewolf. Nova also has 2 grandma’s in a relationship with each other. I squeaked out loud when I saw that! SO. MUCH. CUTENESS.
Good witches protecting and interacting with nature. When I saw the nature creatures my first thought was I WANT TO PAINT THEM. I don’t even paint (yet-but I do want to get more into art). THEY ARE SO CUTE.
Tam’s ears are pointy. Loved that quiet detail.
Tam also uses they/them pronouns and does correct other characters, who end up being so wonderfully respectful of them.
How to Understand Your Gender: A Practical Guide for Exploring Who You Are by Alex Iantaffi and Meg-John Barker
My review from 3 years ago
Words do not describe how I have fallen in love with this book! It took me on a journey of reflecting on gender and sexuality, in myself and society. It is accessible and very kind. There are pages that remind you to stop and breathe. To take a break if you need it. Of course you can ignore them if you want but I found that I needed them and was so glad they were there.
I truly believe anyone can get a lot out of this book. Cis, Trans, Non-binary.
There is stuff in here that I wish everyone would hear.
It also talks a lot about intersections and how they interact with each other. Class, Race, Ethnicity, Disability, Gender, Sexual Orientation, Religion. For example I’m White, Middle-Class, Physically Disabled, Neurodivergent, an afab Non-binary person, bisexual, and Wiccan. All of these things interact with each other and matter.
It talks about how gender is complex in that it’s a mix of biological, psychological and social. Even though it’s a complex topic, it was never confusing. Always accessible.
I highly recommend this!
Bingo Love by Tee Franklin
Second chance romance between 2 black women later in life. Made my bisexual heart so happy!
Bodymap by Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha
Poetry about being a queer disabled femme of color. Raw, emotional, heart-breaking, thought-provoking, beautiful. I related to some of it, being queer and disabled myself. I am not femme (though I am AFAB) or a poc. What I couldn’t relate to still moved me to tears. I don’t have words for how amazing this book of poetry is. Poetry for me seems to be either hit or miss and this was one hell of a hit!
The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Olivia Waite
I freaking loved this! I adored the characters, especially Lucy. A very strong woman who knows what she wants and doesn’t take crap. Don’t get me wrong, she has her insecurities for sure, but she still has a strength within her than shines. Catherine has been hurt in the past and is very insecure in the beginning despite having the countess act down in public. She hides it well but she’s hurting. I loved her character arc and seeing her grow stronger. Both women have their own interests and personalities that I really enjoyed getting to see. Both are interesting characters that I loved in their own rights. I also felt for Catherine with what she had been through and some stuff rang quite true for me too.
How to Be You: Stop Trying to Be Someone Else and Start Living Your Life by Jeffrey Marsh
I can not express my love for this book! Nor do I have a clue what to say other than wanting to recommend it to absolutely everyone! There is so much love and truth within these pages. Gentle and caring words even as it made me cry, in a good way. Things I needed to hear. That I think everyone could use. Self-care, true deep self-care, is so hard for most people. And yet it’s so important.
I took my time with this book because I wanted to sit with what I read, to truly absorb it. The best books are like that for me, I take them slow.
I will take this book to heart going forward and hopefully, every so often, re-read it to remind myself. I highly recommend this book!
That’s my review from over 2 years ago. I really should reread this book.
Defining Myself: Transmasculine Experience Through Poetry by Michael Eric Brown
Part of my review from over 2 years ago.
This book is divided into 3 sections. Section 1: Beginnings, Pronouns, Therapy, Hormones, Surgery. Section 2: Fears, Anger, Loss, Dysphoria, Discrimination. Section 3: Changes, Living Authentically, Peace/Joy/Acceptance. Each sections starts out with a few pages talking about the sections within that section as each of those mini-sections gets some poetry. In the introduction to the entire book it does explain that they choose to keep 18+ content out because then they’d have to rate the book 18+ which would keep a lot of transmasculine teens who could really use this book from accessing it. So it is PG-13. That said though it goes into a lot of deep and emotional stuff.
I am transmasculine. I am a demiguy and I happen to be afab (assigned female at birth). This book contains poetry by binary trans men as well as non-binary transmasculine individuals. A wonderful spectrum of transmasc people. I had to take this book slow because it hit so hard with me. I just came out as trans this year. I had to take it slow because I related so much to the words in this book and it spoke to fears as well as joys…to so much. I could not handle reading this book in one sitting even though time-wise i’m sure I could have, if I had been able. It was that powerful for me.
Unbroken: 13 Stories Starring Disabled Teens by Marieke Nijkamp
My initial “review” before reading it:
I only read the dedication and i’m already crying. It says
“To every disabled reader, dreamer, storyteller- We can be heroes. This one’s for us.”
I have been disabled my entire life, born with vacterl association (and then some) I’m a medical nightmare. vacterl is rare so i’m not expecting to see it in a book but even with that difference, many disabled people end up facing the same stigmas, ableism and feelings from it all.
I am so glad something like this finally exists ❤
After Reading it:
13 stories, and many tears. I found quite a bit to relate to in these pages as a disabled person. My updates mention all the stories, my ratings and some feelings. There were a couple of “???” stories, a few stories that while they didn’t really resonate with me personally I did like them enough and could see them being perfect for someone else, and just over half of them I really loved! The ones I loved I found stuff I related to in the pages even when I didn’t share the exact disability, I cared about the characters, cried or at least got teary, they spoke to me in some way.
There is a diverse range of disabilities, both physical and mental, in the pages as well as poc and queer characters. If you are disabled, in any way, I imagine you’ll find some stories to love in these pages, even if not every single one hits home. I am really glad this book exists and that I read it. My average ended up being 3.7 over-all.
Review Here. I don’t remember how many of the stories have lgbtq+ rep but some of them do. All have disabled rep.
Literary Stoner 