#YA lgbtqia

[in-dire-read]

Imogen, Obviously (Book Review)

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐(4.75 Stars)

Information

Author: Becky Albertalli

Genre: YA LGBTQIA+ Romance

Format: Hardcover

Number of Pages: 416

Summary

Imogen Scott might seem straight, but she’s the self-proclaimed World’s Greatest Ally. She’s active in the Pride Alliance, well-versed in queer media, and has two queer best friends: Gretchen, who keeps her in check, and Lili, who’s thriving with her new college friends. When Imogen visits Lili on campus, she’s ready to support her, but Lili has told her friends that she and Imogen used to date, hiding Imogen’s heterosexuality. As Imogen spends more time with Tessa, Lili’s best friend, she starts to question her own sexuality and wonder if she’s really as straight as she thought.

Thoughts

This is a great book for high school students questioning their sexuality. It addresses important issues within the queer community, such as biphobia, which is often overlooked. The character Gretchen, a lesbian, feels compelled to act as a gatekeeper for the community due to her own experiences. She believes her lived experience gives her the right to dictate who can be part of the community and who cannot. While Gretchen’s perspective is understandable given the challenges she’s faced, it raises significant questions about inclusivity and acceptance within the LGBTQIA+ community.

The book thoughtfully examines the harmful impact of forcing others to conform to rigid definitions of identity. It highlights that such gatekeeping can be just as damaging as the external discrimination that the LGBTQIA+ community has fought against for so long. The story underscores the importance of allowing individuals to define their own identities without fear of judgment or exclusion from within their own community.

The author skillfully navigates these complex issues, presenting both sides of the argument in a balanced and comprehensive manner. This nuanced exploration helps readers understand the importance of empathy and open-mindedness. The characters are well-developed, and their interactions are filled with witty banter that brings a light-hearted touch to the story. Their humor and authenticity make the book an engaging read, providing moments of genuine laughter and warmth.

Additionally, the book is a delightful representation of gay and bi awakenings, offering a heartfelt and relatable journey for anyone exploring their own identity. The characters are lovable and their stories are compelling, making it easy for readers to become invested in their journeys. The book not only entertains but also educates, making it a valuable read for both LGBTQIA+ individuals and allies.

I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a charming, thought-provoking story about self-discovery and acceptance. It's an excellent choice for readers who enjoy character-driven narratives with meaningful themes and delightful humor.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to read cute gay/bi awakening story with loveable characters!

[normalpeoplethiings]

“It was something adults said all the time. “You'll change your mind when you're older. You never know what might happen. You'll feel differently one day.” As if we teenagers knew so little about ourselves that we could wake up one day a completely different person. As if the person we are right now doesn't matter at all.”

- Loveless, Alice Oseman (2020)

[leah-sz]

Dark Rise, C.S Pacat

dark rise quotes 8/8

[yourartmatters-itswhatgotmehere]

august 2023 looks GREAT♥

[desdasiwrites]

– Amanda DeWitt, Aces Wild: A Heist

[thatsmybook]

"It's been a month since Young Royals officially ended and, if you're like me, you're still sobbing over that beautiful finale and missing Prince Wilhelm, Simon, and the entire squad from Hillerska (and Bjärstadt).

Don't worry, I've got some royally good YA book recs for your favourite characters from YOUNG ROYALS that you can add to your TBR to fill the space we're all missing after watching this fantastic series."

From YA author Julian Winters on IG @wintersjulian

[fagbearentertainment]

Tumblr user: We need weirder queers!!!

Me: oh hi!!! I’m a weird queer!!

Tumblr user:

[oracleofmadness]

This was such a delight! Gwen is a princess at Camelot, years after Arthur Pendragon has turned to myth. Arthur is her betrothed. However, neither is looking forward to their future together because both are queer.

Gwen has spent years falling for the one and only female knight that takes part in the tournament every summer while Art is falling for Gwen's brother. This story is not only romantic but is full of meaningful moments. The dialogues, the banter, is so funny and enjoyable.

The ending completely surprised me. I thought this would never get too serious, but the ending is intense!

Out November 28, 2023!

Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!

[techutones]

Having an hourglass shape as a transdude is gonna be the death of me istg

[jetwhenitsmidnight]

Compound Fracture by Andrew Joseph White

Release date: 3 September 2024

Genre: young adult contemporary horror/thriller

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Synopsis

A gut-wrenching story following a trans autistic teen who survives an attempted murder, only to be drawn into the generational struggle between the rural poor and those who exploit them.

On the night Miles Abernathy—sixteen-year-old socialist and proud West Virginian—comes out as trans to his parents, he sneaks off to a party, carrying evidence that may finally turn the tide of the blood feud plaguing Twist Creek: Photos that prove the county’s Sheriff Davies was responsible for the so-called “accident” that injured his dad, killed others, and crushed their grassroots efforts to unseat him.

The feud began a hundred years ago when Miles’s great-great-grandfather, Saint Abernathy, incited a miners’ rebellion that ended with a public execution at the hands of law enforcement. Now, Miles becomes the feud’s latest victim as the sheriff’s son and his friends sniff out the evidence, follow him through the woods, and beat him nearly to death.

In the hospital, the ghost of a soot-covered man hovers over Miles’s bedside while Sheriff Davies threatens Miles into silence. But when Miles accidently kills one of the boys who hurt him, he learns of other folks in Twist Creek who want out from under the sheriff’s heel. To free their families from this cycle of cruelty, they’re willing to put everything on the line—is Miles?

Content warnings

Transphobia, misgendering, deadnaming

Death, murder, violence, blood, gore, body horror, injury, fire injury

Gun violence

Hospitalisation

Car crash

Mentioned animal death/abuse

Implied sexual assault

Toxic friendship

Drug abuse/drug addiction

Ableism

Classism

(I did my best to get all the content warnings, but I might have missed some things so do be warned)

Review

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC!!!

I have heard nothing but good things about the author's other works, so I went into this book excited, but trying to temper my expectations in case I got let down.

Y'all. This book is pure FIRE.

This book is horrifying and visceral, but at the same time, it's moving and sincere. While this book tackles heavy topics like transphobia and classism, it's also very much about the importance of family and community.

Not to mention that the story/plot is absolutely gripping. I was tempted to finish this in one sitting, but I made myself pace it out so that I could enjoy it longer. Every chapter ended on a cliffhanger that made me want to keep reading. The author does a great job of interspersing the really dark moments with hopeful ones, so the book never gets too bogged down in despair.

One thing I have to mention is that I was very much NOT prepared for how dark this book got. I think I underestimated it because it's categorised as young adult, but this book gets really heavy.

If I had to critique something, it would be the formatting. The first page of each chapter is all black with white text, and all the other pages are the regular white with black text. The changes in page and text colour threw me out of the story a little, but TBH this is like a really minor nitpick, and also the only negative thing I have to say about this book.

[in-dire-read]

Melt With You (Book Review)

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Information

Author: Jennifer Dugan

Genre: Young Adult Romance

Page Number: 305

Summary

In this compelling tale of friendship, romance, and the complexities of human relationships, two girls who once shared an inseparable bond find themselves estranged. Chloe and Fallon were the best of friends, their closeness unrivalled until a fateful encounter the summer before Chloe departed for college changed everything. Their impulsive decision to hook up created a rift fueled by a cascade of misunderstandings, ultimately leading to their silence.

A year later, Chloe returns home for a break from school, only to find that Fallon is determined to keep her distance. The story delves into the emotional turmoil and lingering feelings both girls experience as they navigate their way through the consequences of their actions and the pain of lost friendship.

Thoughts

Fallon starts off as witty and responsible, but as the story goes on, she becomes a bit of a "Monica Geller," getting overly controlling. Her best friends, Jami and Prisha, are always there for her, but Fallon seems to be constantly stuck on Chloe and her unhappiness.

The main problem in the book is that all the drama comes from a need for communication. Even though the girls are young, it feels unlikely they'd avoid talking about their issues for so long, especially when they're stuck together. And honestly, the idea that their moms would let them drive a big truck across state lines alone seems pretty far-fetched. Sure, Fallon is eighteen, but that's still a lot of responsibility to dump on her.

The mothers also don't respect boundaries, manipulating things to get what they want, which adds unnecessary drama and makes the ending feel rushed. When Chloe and Fallon finally talk, Chloe is mad at Fallon for lying about their night together being her first time, accusing her of using Chloe to lose her virginity. But it seems pretty clear that Fallon is actually in love with Chloe. Despite some unrealistic plot points, the book does a good job of exploring young love and how easily things can get messed up when people don't communicate.

[normalpeoplethiings]

if i didn’t have music, i would probably be dead.

[leah-sz]

Dark Rise, C.S Pacat

dark rise quotes 5/8

[hislittleraincloud]

Wenclair in a nutshell.

Wednesday: You know, social media'll rot your brain.

Enid: *ignores, posts 4836th selfie of them to Instagram*

[yourlocalbadgerscales]

Person: What is your sexuality? Ace/Aroace: I’ll have the uality and the uality only, please and thank you.

[archivlibrarianist]

"'I grew up a queer teen on the fringes, and didn't feel like the world was made for me,' [New Jersey librarian Jenna] Ingham tells Yahoo Life. 'The goal is to be there for the teens, to make them feel seen, to make them feel valid.' Because, Ingham adds, "When you see yourself reflected back at you in the book, you feel like there is a place for you.'

"...'I had a teen tell me I was the only adult in their life that respects their pronouns,' Ingham shares. 'I recently had a trans teen come out to me. I had only just met them, but after 25 minutes of conversation they felt comfortable. I believe I was the first person they said it out loud to.'"