#calum mcswiggan

[alexsfictionaddiction]

Review: Straight Expectations by Calum McSwiggan

I was delighted to be invited to join The Write Reads blog tour for this colourful new YA release. There really are few things I love more than a good gay rom-com, so I was very excited to devour this one. In case you were wondering, it is absolutely no relation to the Charles Dickens classic novel of a similar name!

Max has always been out and proud but recently, he has been frustrated with his inability to get a boyfriend in the small town he lives in. One evening, while hanging out with his best friends Dean and Alicia, he loses it and wishes that he could just live a normal life like the straight kids seem to. But the next morning, Max is astonished to discover that his crush on Oliver Cheng has gone and that Alicia is apparently his girlfriend -and he can see how hot she is! The worst part is that Dean doesn’t seem to exist in this reality. How can Max get back to the life where he’s living his truth alongside his best friend?

I think my favourite part of this book was the fact that it all felt so authentic. I don’t think that Max could have been written by anyone other than a queer man and I wouldn’t be surprised if some of Max’s thoughts and feelings mirror the thoughts and feelings that McSwiggan knows very well. I definitely believed in all of the other characters too, so I’m sure that they’ve also been lifted from real life.

I really enjoyed the humour and laughed along with Max and his friends multiple times. They make such stupid, juvenile comments but they’re the kind that you can’t help but laugh at. I also adored how strongly their love shines through their dialogue and there’s a real found family vibe to them despite them all having supportive, present parents.

The fact that a real LGBTQ+ bookshop is mentioned gave me a lot of joy because I could tell that McSwiggan was shouting out to them. I also noticed a passing reference to a certain queer YA summer camp book that I’ve read and therefore could recognise (at least I hope it’s the one I’m thinking of!). These little Easter eggs drew attention to the queer YA community and I really thought it was a lovely gesture and homage to that.

Ultimately, the story is about the power of good strong friendships in your teenage years. While Straight Expectations is specifically about the importance of these connections for queer kids, the same sentiment could be extended to neurodiverse kids, creative kids or those who are simply ‘a little bit different’ in some way. Finding allies and those who truly understand you on a personal level is vital to good mental health and self-acceptance.

Straight Expectations is a fun, sparkly rom-com about grass not always being greener on the other side but not being able to see that till you’re standing on it. The friendships were so special and I couldn’t stop smiling at the genuine platonic love that leaked through every page, the fabulous theatrical performances and the wholesome ending.

[famousborntoday]

Calum McSwiggan (born 21 May 1990) is a British YouTuber, blogger, and online radio presenter. McSwiggan creates video content on LGBT+ issues, mental health, a...

Link: Calum McSwiggan

[biblionerdreflections]

Blog Tour ARC Review - Straight Expectations

Today is my stop on the #UltimateBlogTour for STRAIGHT EXPECTATIONS by @CalumMcSwiggan. Thank you to @The_WriteReads and @penguinplatform for allowing me to participate in the tour! #BookBlogger #LGBT #YA

Hello, everyone! Today is my stop on TheWriteReads Ultimate Blog Tour for Straight Expectations by Calum McSwiggan. I was going to pass on this one because I have so many other queer YA books on my shelf to read, but the premise of this one really stood out to me. I decided to give it a chance, and I’m really glad I did. Genre(s): YA, Queer, Contemporary, LGBT Publication Date: May 4, 2023…

[beneathathousandskies]

Blog Tour (Book Review): Straight Expectations - Calum McSwiggan

Hello! Today I am delighted to be joining The Write reads Ultimate Blog Tour for Straight Expectations by Calum McSwiggan, a charming YA romance book that has captured me heart and soul. Disclaimer – I received a copy in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts are my own. Book Summary: Seventeen-year-old Max has always been out, proud and just a little spoiled. Frustrated by the lack of…

[fantasticbookdragon]

The Write Reads Blog Tour: Straight Expectations by Calum McSwiggan

Happy Thursday, Book Dragons! Today is my stop on the Blog Tour for Straight Expectations by Calum McSwiggan, which is out today! I’m sharing a spotlight, so you can find out more about the book. Happy reading! Continue reading Untitled

[dndsmthx]

Gay Punk Edit (ft. Calum McSwiggan) | Roly

[antoni-anxiety]

This could very well apply to deamus imo

(Book is straight expectations by calum mcswiggan :] )

[curlygirl79]

Straight Expectations - Calum McSwiggan

If you like body swap romcoms, boy do I have the book for you today as I review Straight Expectations by @CalumMcSwiggan #BookReview #BookBlogger #BlogTour @The_WriteReads #YA #LGBTQ+ #FictionCafeBookClub #CalumMcSwiggan #StraightExpectations

I have been monitoring the ultimate blog tour for Straight Expectations by Calum McSwiggan with growing excitement, and it is finally my turn to tell you all about this fabulous book. Many thanks to Penguin Random House for providing me with a copy of the book, and to The Write Reads for inviting me to be a part of the tour. BLURB: The brilliant debut novel from author, presenter and LGBTQ+…

[fourinterests]

Book Spotlight: Straight Expectations

Today is my turn for the #UltimateBlogTour for #StraightExpectations and I'd love to shine a light on this wonderful novel. @The_WriteReads @WriteReadsTours

May starts, spring is in the air (and so is pollen for this newly allergic reader). We continue this surprisingly regular atring of posts with a Spotlight for Straight Expectations by Calum McSwiggan! As always, I thank WriteReads and Penguin Books for the opportunity to be part of this wonderful tour! This moment is to showcase the book for all it’s wonder! Without further ado… Straight…

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A post shared by Calum McSwiggan (@calummcswiggan)

[man-reading]

Eat, Gay, Love by Calum McSwiggan

Longlisted for the Polari First Book Prize 

In the spring of 2012, Calum finds himself single again after his relationship of six years comes to an end. Heartbroken, unhappy and unsure of what to do next, he leaves the hometown he has been in all his life to embark on a journey that takes him all around the world, from teaching in a school on the outskirts of Rome to exploring the sex clubs of Berlin, to raising tigers in an animal sanctuary deep in the jungles of Thailand. Along the way, he meets LGBT+ people from all walks of life and every part of the rainbow - from an Italian teenager struggling with a homophobic father to a kathoey navigating life as a trans person in Thailand, to a young HIV-positive man living on the streets of London. Their individual stories, not only of hardship and sorrow but also of profound strength and hope, show the breadth and depth of queer life and experience, shedding light on themes such as homophobia, sexual violence, marriage equality and gender identity. Through these meetings and friendships, Calum not only finds the encouragement to embrace life after heartbreak, but also discovers a beautiful, loving global community who support and uplift him through the best and worst moments of his time on the road. A travel memoir with a difference, Eat, Gay, Love is a celebration of the power of community and a personal tribute to the extraordinary lives of LGBT+ people everywhere in the world.

[mancrvsh]

[yourdailyqueer]

Calum McSwiggan

Gender: Male

Sexuality: Gay

DOB: 21 May 1990

Ethnicity: White

Occupation: Youtuber, activist, podcaster, presenter, writer

[oots-digitalmedia]

Queer YouTubers: Calum McSwiggan

Channel Name: Calum McSwiggan

    Creator Name: Calum McSwiggan

    Status: Last upload was 2020

    Queer Creators: Yes

Summary: Calum McSwiggan is a London based LGBT+ lifestyle YouTuber who makes content about queer culture, issues that affect the LGBT+ communities, mental health, and sex and relationships. 

Check out other queer YouTubers here soon.

Please feel free to offer suggestions and updates!

[theshitneyspears]

Hey guys! I’m gonna be a guest talking about Tumblr, pop culture, and lots of boy drama (email in some of yours if you’re looking for advice! Make sure to listen tomorrow at 6 PM London Time at FubarRadio.com💞🎃

[its-a-youtuber-fandom]

Calum Mcswiggan: Purple Aesthetic