#Openly Straight

[snarky-gourmet]

That was a joke but im so scared someones going to be like oh youre actually homophobic fr i knew it you fake self hating fag 😟 so i deleted that rb but my answer is 0 i havent read any of those books

[cyangansey]

Is the book you're looking for Openly Straight by Bill Konigsberg? I haven't read it, but it sounds like it might be it.

Yes thank you!!!!

[violet-varley]

hell yeah

If you see this you’re legally obligated to reblog and tag with the book you’re currently reading

[books1311]

November reads. 😊

[sleep1ng-w1llow]

i’m probably the only person here who cares about these books but i’m gonna talk about them anyway

the books in question being openly straight and honestly ben by david leviathan.

first, some summaries, with spoilers

openly straight comes first in chronological order, and was also published first. it follows rafe, a gay teenager from colorado, who is sick of being “the gay kid” in his highschool. so he changes schools, and moves to an all-boys boarding school in massachusetts, determined not to tell anyone he’s gay. but while there, he meets ben, a quiet and incredibly buff guy, who he develops a huge crush on. they grow close, moving from friendship to something more. but for ben, this is his first non-hetero experience, and he doesn’t know rafe was openly gay in colorado. once he finds out, his trust is shattered.

honestly ben follows ben during the semester after his experience with rafe. he stays away from rafe, and meets someone from the all-girls boarding school nearby, and begins to fall for her. but eventually, he accepts rafe’s apologies, and they begin as friends, though ben still misses their previous relationship. he also struggles with the fact that he is still heterosexual. rafe is the only exception. throughout the book ben also contemplates labels, misogyny, his identity, and how the people around him view him.

from everything i’ve seen online, it seems that openly straight received much more positive attention than honestly ben, but the main reason for that is confusing to me. many people preferred rafe’s perspective to ben’s, because rafe was more active. he was characterized through his actions rather than feelings. i feel like this is just a reflection on their differing personalities tho. rafe is more outgoing and outspoken, whereas ben takes more time to process his feelings, not one to stir things up, wants to be sure of situations before acting. because of that, he’s characterized through his thoughts and feelings more than his actions.

i read honestly ben first, before i knew openly straight existed. i loved it so much, loved the angst and sensitive topics, and all the delicate relationships ben balanced throughout the semester. his internal monologues were insightful and interesting to me. i was excited to read openly straight for the first time, but a little let down by it. i guess i was also confused how ben could be boring to people. i wished i could be more like him.

anyways that’s my little talk. i probably won’t do many more book review type things, but i doubt y’all have heard the last of ben and rafe from me

[willmarstudios]

Bookworm Will Review 2023 (#33)

Title: 'Openly Straight'

Author: Bill Konigsberg

Rating: 2/5

Review: (MILD SPOILERS)

While I did sort of see how this could be positively impactful for younger audiences, it really felt flat for me. I was even a bit concerned with certain writing choices.

On one hand, I think the idea of a MC having a self-identifying journey is always great and it was really nice to see that internal conflict as they tried to 'fit in'. Especially for the initiating event of being out in a school and suddenly being forced to have a label or be 'the only out gay kid' and having that be the thing you're remembered for. So wanting to start over was an interesting idea for the plot, but it just really could've done better.

This was published in 2015 and yet I was really not enjoying certain phrasing and word choices as they felt really outdated and insensitive. I felt that they negatively influenced my enjoyment because I kept stopping and going 'that made me uncomfortable'. Different time period I guess? Idk.

The idea, not a bad one, especially for younger readers. Execution wise, it did not work.

[catzma]

Im like hostile about this book (i mean it in a way meaning i like this book so much i gatekeeo and get mad over it) qnd i feel like im withering away the more i try to find content of it like i have read everyfanfic i could find i have read about every post and i have been hyperfixating so mad i should hyperfixate on geometry or something my god

[reversatility1]

Warrior Nun: Ava in motion around Bea’s stillness (except that one time Bea was drunk)

[lilacpaperbird]

maybe my most controversial headcanon is that I see dean as a straight man and sam is his only exception

[clownprince]

here have this excerpt from an interview that's making me... idfk i can't even describe in words my reaction to this. snyder you can't do this to me. holy fuck

(source)

[dollypopup]

hm. idk, maybe the reason Luke Newton isn't announcing new projects or posting any Bridgerton content is because some of you demons treated him like hot trash instead of a creative that you wanted more work from and he decided fuck it, this isn't worth the stress. you know, like a lot of creatives who get mistreated do?

like this is a man who went from couch surfing in a friend's house and bartending to make ends meet, deciding that the Bridgerton audition was the last one he'd do before he quit, to suddenly being recognized on the street because that last audition propelled him to star in a global show where fans who have zero media comprehension blamed him for his character's actions and literally stalked him at any hotel he happens to stay at. he went from being a dude doing musical theatre and shopping at thrift stores and recording random songs with friends and posting silly memes on Twitter to being harassed on his only social media page and his friends insulted and his partners bullied by his supposed 'fans' and anything he posts being so microanalyzed that he can't do a damn thing without someone coming out the woodwork screaming about how he's the WORST and won't he think of the FANS!?

like damn he can't have a girlfriend without being harassed, he can't travel without being harassed, he can't like or not like social media posts without being harassed, he can't post a fucking MEME without being harassed, he can't take a vacation or cut his hair or hold someone's hand or just live his life without being blamed for some bullshit or another. but yeah, okay, 'when will Luke Newton come back?' as if it isn't your fault he's AWOL now

[aeolianblues]

Seeing people who were openly queer in the 80s and 90s and were either ignored or ridiculed at the time getting to openly embrace their sexuality in the present day, and wrap themselves triumphantly in their flags does something else to me, I have such a soft spot for it that I could cry

[gods-favorite-autistic]

Good Omens incorrect quotes:

Aziraphale: You know, I'm starting to regret showing you how that blender works.

Crowley, drinking toast: Why do you say that?

~

Aziraphale: Violence isn't the answer.

Crowley: You’re right.

Aziraphale: *sighs in relief*

Crowley: Violence is the question.

Aziraphale: What?

Crowley, bolting away: And the answer is yes.

Aziraphale, running after them: NO-

~

Aziraphale: Do you take constructive criticism?

Crowley: I only take cash or credit.

~

Aziraphale: I've already sent good vibes your way… they’re coming. There’s nothing you can do to stop them.

Crowley: This is the most threatening way I’ve ever been cheered up.

~

Aziraphale: *Kicks the door down looking panicked*

Crowley: What did you do?

Aziraphale: Nobody died.

Crowley: WHAT KIND OF ANSWER IS THAT?!

~

Aziraphale: Treat spiders the way you want to be treated.

Crowley: Killed without hesitation.

Aziraphale: No.

~

*how season 3 should start*

Aziraphale: Top 30 reasons why Aziraphale is sorry... Number 5 will surprise you!

Crowley: Top 30 anime deaths. Number One: YOUR FUCKING ASS RIGHT NOW!!!

~

Crowley: You're right.

Aziraphale: That's... That's an unusual phrase for you. Did you just learn it?

~

Beelzebub: I’m going to take you out

Gabriel: great, it’s a date!

Beelzebub: I meant that as a threat.

Gabriel: See you at five!

~

Crowley: *Walking in to a room* Sorry I’m late... I was... doing things.

*Sounds of running footsteps progressively getting louder*

Gabriel: *Out of breath* THEY PUSHED ME DOWN THE FUCKIN’ STAIRS.

~

Beelzebub: I made tea.

Crowley: I don’t want tea.

Beelzebub: I did not make tea for you. This is my tea.

Crowley: Then why are you telling me?

Beelzebub: It is a conversation starter.

Crowley: That’s a lousy conversation starter.

Beelzebub: Oh, is it? We are conversing. Checkmate.

~

Aziraphale: This is bothering me.

Crowley: Well, you are digging up a corpse.

Aziraphale: No, not that. That's, uh, pretty par for the course, actually.

~

Aziraphale: Whaddya call a fish with no eye?

Gabriel, not looking up: Myxine Circifrons

Aziraphale:

Aziraphale: fsh

~

Crowley: God, give me patience.

Gabriel: I think you mean 'give me strength'.

Crowley: If God gave me strength, you'd be dead.

~

Aziraphale: You know, not every problem can be solved with a sword.

Crowley: That's why I carry two swords.

~

Gabriel: So what’s for dinner?

Beelzebub, staring at the food they just burnt: Regret.

~

Muriel: Why are you on the floor?

Crowley: I'm depressed.

Crowley: Also I was stabbed, can you get Aziraphale, please.

~

Store Worker: Would a Mr. Fell please come to the front desk?

Aziraphale, arriving at the desk: Hello, is there a problem?

Store Worker: points to Crowley and Muriel

Store Worker: I believe they belong to you?

Crowley and Muriel, simultaneously: We got lost :(

Aziraphale: I didn’t even bring you guys here with me-

~

Muriel: Sometimes I drink milk straight out of the container.

Crowley: The cow???

Muriel: What?

Aziraphale: Crowley, W H Y?

~

Aziraphale: Do you ever want to talk about your emotions, Crowley?

Crowley: … No.

Muriel: I do!

Aziraphale: I know, Muriel.

Muriel: I’m sad!

Aziraphale: I know, Muriel.

~

Muriel: What if I press the brake and gas at the same time?

Crowley: The car takes a screenshot.

Aziraphale: For the last time, get the fuck out.

~

Crowley: Aziraphale and I don’t use pet names.

Nina: I see. Hey, what are those things with the halos called again??

Crowley: Angel?

Aziraphale: Yes, dear?

Crowley:

Nina: Don't ever lie to my face again.

~

Muriel: I really like this whole ‘good guy, bad guy’ thing you guys have going on.

Crowley: It’s not an act, it’s just that I’m mean and Aziraphale isn’t

~

Aziraphale: We need a distraction.

Crowley: Is anyone here good at jumping up and down and making weird noises?

Muriel, whispering: My time has come

~

Aziraphale: Let me show you a picture from last night that really upset me

Muriel: Okay, but in my defense, Mr. Crowley bet me 50 cents I couldn’t drink all that shampoo.

Aziraphale: That’s not what I wanted to- you drank SHAMPOO?!

~

Aziraphale: Crowley, keep an eye on Gabriel today. They're going to say something to the wrong person and get punched.

Crowley: Sure, I’d love to see Gabriel get punched.

Aziraphale: Try again.

Crowley, sighing: I will stop Gabriel from getting punched.

~

Maggie: Are you the big spoon or the little spoon?

Crowley: I'm a knife.

Aziraphale, from across the room: They're the little spoon.

~

Aziraphale, driving Crowley and Muriel: So how was your day?

Muriel: We almost got surprise adopted!

Aziraphale: What?

Crowley: We almost got kidnapped.

Aziraphale: Oh, okay.

Aziraphale: *slams on the breaks* WAIT WHAT?

~

Aziraphale: You have to apologize to Gabriel

Crowley: Fine.

Crowley: 'Unfuck you' or whatever.

~

Crowley: Hey angel,

Aziraphale: Yes?

Crowley: Can a person breathe inside a washing machine while it’s on?

Aziraphale:

Aziraphale: Where’s Gabriel?

~

Aziraphale: WHY. why did you give Muriel a KNIFE?!

Crowley: I’m sorry. They said they felt unsafe.

Aziraphale: Now I feel unsafe!

Crowley: I’m sorry.

Crowley: ... would you like a knife?

~

Muriel: Hey, Mr. Crowley? Can I get some dating advice?

Crowley: Just because I’m with Aziraphale doesn’t mean I know how I did it.

~

Aziraphale: Crowley and I are having a baby.

Muriel: That's gre-

Aziraphale, slamming adoption papers on the table: It's you, sign here.

~

Muriel: Are you sure this is the right direction?

Crowley: Certainly, I'm as sure as I am honest!

Aziraphale: In that case, we're definitely lost

~

Muriel: What do you think Mr. Crowley will do for a distraction?

Aziraphale: They’ll probably, like, make a noise or throw a rock. That’s what I would do.

*Building explodes and several car alarms go off*

Aziraphale: ... or they could do that.

~

Aziraphale: I trust Crowley.

Muriel: You think they know what they're doing?

Aziraphale: I wouldn't go that far.

~

Aziraphale: While I’m gone, Muriel, you’re in charge.

Muriel: Yes!!!

Aziraphale, whispering: Crowley, you’re secretly in charge.

Crowley: Obviously.

~

Aziraphale: In your opinion, what’s the height of stupidity?

Crowley: *turning to Gabriel* How tall are you?

[ramblingsfromthytruly]

guess who finally got around to watching heartstopper season 3!!!

[italianpersonwithashippersheart]

Saw a video talking about real life thai couple getting married and it was speculating that MewTul might be next. And I learned that there are people who still think this fanservice. Because they haven't said the words We Are Dating.

AND I JUST.............

Guys I know that the delulu fans who cross the lines with shipping get a lot of deserve flack but the people that insist everything is fanservice and fake and all a scam are also going into an extreme horrible place.

I also saw a comment that basically boiled down, "We don't want to be duped again" and it made me want to scream.

Mew has been one of the few actors that straight up said s ship was fanservice. He and Gulf were doing a JOB!! It was in their fucking contract.

FANSERVICE WAS PART OF THEIR JOB. They weren't intentionally lying to you because they are bad people who need to be punished forever and never believed again.

IF YOU ARE MAD WITH THE FANSERVICE NOT BEING REAL MAYBE YOU SHOULD EXPRESS YOUR FRUSTRATION BY STOPPING SUPPORTING THAT KIND OF PAIR BRAINDING.

MAYBE START GETTING MAD AT ME MIND Y FOR MAKING FANSERVICE PART OF THEIR JOB.

I do not understand why are poeple mad at Mew for the fanservice being fake. That wasn't his fault. He was doing his job.

Ultimately I think we should all getting more comfortable at just taking the actors at their word. And maybe not just assume they are all lying liers who lie and that everything they do is fake.

Like there has to be a balance between being too delulu about fanservice and crossing the line and a paranoid cynic that calls everything fake.

Let us stay in the middle of that particular spectrum please.

[spop-romanticizes-abuse]

this is not spop-related and it's something i've talked about before but i just want to rant so feel free to skip ahead.

(mild spoilers for heartstopper!)

i just find it weird that people want "spice" in highschool romances. i remember seeing people complain about how heartstopper is too "vanilla" as if it's not a story about two underage boys falling in love. why the fuck would you want that to be smutty?

if you don't like cute romances, that's fine. consume the content you like. and if you have constructive criticism about heartstopper, that's fine too.

i'll admit that i didn't like the netflix show as much as i liked the graphic novel. the characters had more personality and interesting dynamics in the book. this is personal opinion and it can also be constructive criticism.

but saying that you hate heartstopper or that it's trash, just because you don't like wholesome romances or healthy relationships. that's a you problem. if you don't like it, don't watch/read it. simple as that.

also heartstopper isn't all vanilla fluff. it addresses some serious issues like abusive relationships, the pressures of discovering your own sexuality and coming out, eating disorders, etc. idk how much the show has touched on these, since i only watched the first season, but the book definitely goes into detail and addresses all of it pretty respectfully.

i just don't understand why people are suddenly against healthy romances. it isn't a question of preference when you openly bash a piece of fiction and its creator for simply writing something that you personally don't like. do you not have freewill? you could just find something that you do enjoy, not every single thing in the world is catered to you.

i've also heard people complain that heartstopper only got a show because it's an mlm romance, and that wlw romance is not as popular. which is just bullshit because i see mostly wlw romances nowadays. lumity, bubbline, rupphire, caitvi, fucking c//a.

and this isn't supposed to be a competition. i'm a wlw myself and i'm happy that mlm people got a chance to see themselves in heartstopper. not to mention, it has secondary characters who are wlw, trans, ace, etc. at the end of the day, i'm just happy we're getting more queer fiction, and good ones at that. not a toxic romanticized mess.

anyway yeah, this has been my rant. you can have your preferences or you can provide constructive criticism, but to act like a highschool romance is "too sanitized" is stupid at best, and weirdly creepy at worst.

(also i want to add that there is some smut in the webcomic but thats only after the characters graduate from highschool and are of an appropriate age.)