#keltie's book

[mind-all-over-the-place]

[extinctpussy]

guys. you should go read this adorable graphic novel. sweet young closeted lesbian meets selkie merfolk and has unexpected summer romance.

a story of love and self-acceptance with angst, drama, cute seals, and awkward teen romance.

it’s called The Girl From the Sea and it’s by Molly Knox Ostertag - who is that, you ask? She is a cartoonist and a writer for memorable The Owl House episodes including Enchanting Grom Fight and Yesterday’s Lie as well as, oh? The wife of ND Stevenson?! Anyway, definitely check it out:

[queereads-bracket]

Queer Fantasy Books Bracket: Round 1

Book summaries below:

The Girl from the Sea by Molly Knox Ostertag

Fifteen-year-old Morgan has a secret: She can't wait to escape the perfect little island where she lives. She's desperate to finish high school and escape her sad divorced mom, her volatile little brother, and worst of all, her great group of friends…who don't understand Morgan at all. Because really, Morgan's biggest secret is that she has a lot of secrets, including the one about wanting to kiss another girl. Then one night, Morgan is saved from drowning by a mysterious girl named Keltie. The two become friends and suddenly life on the island doesn't seem so stifling anymore. But Keltie has some secrets of her own. And as the girls start to fall in love, everything they're each trying to hide will find its way to the surface…whether Morgan is ready or not. Graphic novel, young adult, fantasy, romance, contemporary

The Masquerade Series (The Traitor Baru Cormorant, The Monster Baru Cormorant, The Tyrant Baru Cormorant) by Seth Dickinson

Tomorrow, on the beach, Baru Cormorant will look up from the sand of her home and see red sails on the horizon. The Empire of Masks is coming, armed with coin and ink, doctrine and compass, soap and lies. They'll conquer Baru’s island, rewrite her culture, criminalize her customs, and dispose of one of her fathers. But Baru is patient. She'll swallow her hate, prove her talent, and join the Masquerade. She will learn the secrets of empire. She’ll be exactly what they need. And she'll claw her way high enough up the rungs of power to set her people free. In a final test of her loyalty, the Masquerade will send Baru to bring order to distant Aurdwynn, a snakepit of rebels, informants, and seditious dukes. Aurdwynn kills everyone who tries to rule it. To survive, Baru will need to untangle this land’s intricate web of treachery - and conceal her attraction to the dangerously fascinating Duchess Tain Hu. But Baru is a savant in games of power, as ruthless in her tactics as she is fixated on her goals. In the calculus of her schemes, all ledgers must be balanced, and the price of liberation paid in full. Fantasy, epic fantasy, secondary world, politics, series

[beeesworld]

[saintlucyrepresents]

Michael Piazza The Garlic Companion

Michael Piazza photographed the new cookbook and guide The Garlic Companion from Storey Publishing with art direction by Carolyn Eckert. Written by fifth-generation farmer Kristin Graves and styled by Catrine Kelty, the book celebrates all things garlic and includes endless tidbits about growing, cooking, and crafting one-of-a-kind garlicky recipes.

Author and farmer Kristin Graves contextualizes garlic’s significance while sharing her personal struggles and successes as a female farmer in Alberta, Canada. The stories are accompanied by photographs Michael shot on Kristin’s farm during harvest, as well as recipe images of 36 recipes shot in the studio in Boston, Massachusetts. 

See more of Michael Piazza’s Food portfolio here and explore the cookbook here.

[lola-babylon]

Something that's always seemed a bit weird to me about the whole Ryan and Keltie thing...

When they first met, Ryan was 19. Keltie was a few months shy of 25. Ryan turned 20 the day before the 2006 VMAs... The day they first properly talked and shared their first kiss. Keltie wrote in her book she felt a "strange connection" to Ryan.

That's lovely. But five years is also a massive age gap between 20 and 25 - a chasm of life experiences and maturity. Keltie had already been married and divorced by then.

I'm not saying there was anything wrong/inappropriate with Keltie being attracted to Ryan. I might have kissed a hot 20 year old at 25 myself. But I wouldn't see a relationship that could go anywhere, because of the age and maturity gap.

Per her book, Keltie clearly wanted to settle down long term with Ryan. She was now 26, 27, ages where some people are thinking more of settling down. There's nothing wrong with that, except Ryan was 21/22, when most people aren't thinking of such things. Let alone someone who'd achieved sudden fame so quickly so young.

It was a bad situation for them both, but I do feel Keltie either should have been realistic about Ryan being so much younger than her, or called things off earlier. And it definitely colours reflections like this... In posts about what a mess their relationship was, the maturity gap isn't mentioned much but it was definitely a factor.

[lilareviewsbooks]

Gay Mermaid Books!!

Are you excited? 'Cause I'm literally so excited -- who doesn't love a gay mermaid book? Honestly, I think mermaids are a little underrated as fantasy creatures, and so it's time we change that. And be gay along the way. 'Cause why the fuck not, right?

I've compiled this list with all the gay books with mermaid and mermaid-adjacent creatures I've read before. I've also made a GoodReads Shelf with more books, as some lovely people from SaphLit (a sapphic bookclub you should definitely join!) contributed. I haven't read the ones that aren't here, though!

The Deepwater Bride, by Tasmyn Muir

If you're a veteran of queer books, you've probably heard of Tasmyn Muir! She's the author of The Locked Tomb Series, which starts with Gideon The Ninth and is about gay necromancers in space! It's a wonderful series, but before she sat down to write that, Ms. Muir penned this novellete, which is featured in the July/August 2015 issue of The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction. 

This is a more Lovecraftian take on aquactic creatures. The Deepwater Bride follows a young girl who can see the future, and the weird things that begin happening in her small town. All the while she's falling in love (with a girl, duh)! 

This one will give you Ms. Muir's traditional cheeky style, which includes phrases such as the iconic "the drowned lord who dwells in dark water will claim you. the moon won't rise tonight, and you'll never update your Tumblr again". Not to mention, it's a quick read, and still takes you on a rollercoaster of a ride that will leave you wanting more.

Aquicorn Cove, by Katie O'Neill

Another quick read, Aquicorn Cove is the sweetest graphic novel you'll read. It's a middle grade, but like Ms. O'Neill's other work (The Tea Dragon Society, which you should also take a look at, by the way), this one can be enjoyed by all ages. 

Aquicorn Cove follows Lana, a young girl who comes back to her family's seaside town to help clean up after a storm, and soon discovers the aquicorns - seahorse-like sea creatures. And, don't worry, there will be mermaid-like creatures as well!

This one is extra special because of how cute and fluffy it is - if you're looking for a nice, comforting read, look no further! Aquicorn Cove will fill your heart and make you feel warm and fuzzy inside!

The Girl From The Sea, by Molly Knox Ostertag

The Girl From The Sea is also a graphic novel! This one follows Morgan, a 15-year-old who terribly wants to leave the island she grew up on. But everything changes when she meets a selkie called Keltie, and her desire to leave seems to lessen...

What I really loved about this one was the introduction to the mythological figure of the selkie. It's so rarely seen in modern SFF and I thought it was lovely to see it here. Not to mention, the art is super sweet and it follows that queer first-love plot-line every gay person needs to read every once in a while. Definitely recommend!

Ice Massacre, by Tiana Warner

This is the first book in a trilogy I haven't completed yet, but this first one impressed me so much, I couldn't help but recommend. It follows Meela, who lives in the fictional Polynesian island of Eriana Kwai, which has been attacked mercilessly by mermaids. As a solution, the elders send groups of young men out to sea to try and kill them, but it hasn't been going well - the men fall prey to the mermaids' songs. Now, Eriana Kwai is trying out a different strategy - sending young women, and Meela is among them. But she might not be as immune to the songs as all the other girls are...

Ice Massacre is action-packed and is perfect if you're in need of a post-Hunger Games-revival fix. Most of the story follows the girls in the boat, as the situation progressively gets more and more dangerous, and it definitely feels like reading about Katniss in the arena. Although the story does skew a little younger, I do think it's a good read, and it had me totally hooked from start to finish!

The Deep, by Rivers Solomon

This is definitely the most interesting of the mix, and the one I recommend the most! The Deep follows an underwater, mermaid-like people, descendants of enslaved African women who were thrown overboard slaver ships. Because of their painful history, they have designated someone to hold one to their collective trauma: Yetu, a young mermaid, is their historian. But this role can be more draining then it seems, and Yetu might find herself wanting something else.

The world building in this novella is just so unique! And it draws you in. The writing is very atmospheric, making you feel like you're in the ocean (and I'm super scared of deep water, so that was a weird experience lmao). Not to mention, Mx. Solomon seemlessly weaves in themes relating to slavery and the Black experience, not to mention the queer representation. It's definitely a must-read!

[souryogurt64]

@just-about-nothing may i see what youre referencing??? ik about the one in keltie's book but id like to read if theres an article too lmao <3 thank you!

[omegalomania]

reference key for those who dont know who the FUCK these people are:

keltie colleen: one of ryan ross's ex-girlfriends who famously wrote a whole book about him that hey chris published

seo taiji: member of seo taiji and boys, a first generation kpop group that was big in the 90s

doja cat: i mean you probably know who doja cat is. musician who got big in the late 2010s and early 2020s

jonathan groff: broadway actor, most laypersons know him as king george iii from hamilton or the guy who voiced kristoff in frozen

alex deleon is the frontman for the cab, z berg is a musician who works with ryan ross. you probably know who jared leto is.

pavi largo: fictional character from the 2008 horror rock goth opera film repo! the genetic opera, a self-obsessed socialite and in-universe sex symbol who likes to wear women's faces as skin-masks

willow rosenberg: fictional character from the 90s/00s cult television show buffy the vampire slayer, also a lesbian

rodney mckay: fictional character from the 2000s sg-1 spinoff stargate atlantis, insufferable genius

ben platt: broadway actor, most people will know him as the titular evan hansen in dear evan hansen

[alittle-annihilation]

throam vol 2 act 1 reread —

the radio is playing

wolves v hearts has always been my favourite book for a number of reasons, but off the bat i do like new york ryan a lot more. he’s freer without the band, without being stuck on a tour/bus. he has a better (ish) relationship with keltie, he has gabe and the ability to somewhat better process his sexual interest in men. he is making his boundaries in the band dynamics clear. and yes he’s still an asshole.

“not shane!” i audibly gasped when shane fucking valdez showed up even though i know this is the i hate shane fucking valdez book. now i’m thinking about how when throam came out it was like “oh now i feel bad for hating shane” to “ok we can hate shane bc he ripped off brendon” does this mean we like him now? irl shane valdez ripped off irl brendon urie. they’re all probably terrible people and i’ve derailed the point of this post

and damn brendon is already back. its chapter one! we are back in it lads

throam gabe is something else. i feel like i liked him a lot on previous reads but i am really finding him annoying and obnoxious this time around. not on a funny way.

the ice skating scene. of all the throam books, this is the one that i see most vividly and remember most often. ryan taking in brendon’s rosy cheeks and nose. no one knowing what to say. ian openly eye fucking ryan.

thinking a lot about how book 1 brendon was doing more chasing of ryan and now book 2 ryan is the one doing all the brendon chasing. oh how the turn tables

ryan is… frustrating. he has more boundaries, a better idea of what he wants, but at the same time he’s still in his own way and twisting words and just self destructive.

sending brendon home in the taxi alone was SUCH a move 😭

48 hours. incredible. and this is where anna green starts her use of wanton

[hermitloveletters]

i’m also dying to say who i view as throam ryan’s ex girlfriends (+ audrey). big creative liberties here, i don’t think most readers would agree with my choices here.

alas,

1. jac

to me, jac HAS to be blonde. there has to be a sharp contrast to brendon in book 1. i imagine she wears heavy makeup, has long flowy hair, and is always the perfect picture of femininity.

my claudia jac is incredibly beautiful and model-esque (which is part of the reason terrible vol 1 ryan ever let her keep sticking around in the first place).

the one difference from the book, my jac is tall. it’s the little things.

2. angel keltie

unlike anna green thinks, keltie is a brunette. by book 2, subconsciously, ryan needed to love someone that reminded him of brendon. not in an overt way but subtlely. he couldn’t let go. maybe with brown hair and eyes. something small but heavy as a constant reminder, like wearing the chain around his neck.

in my head, brendon notices this in book 2 but doesn’t know what to think about it, knowing ryan has only ever dated blonde, tiny women and is not dating a brunette dancer (stronger build). brendon never ends up knowing what to think about it.

plus i like that this keltie looks very mature and slightly older than our protagonist(s). she looks like her shits together - as the book notes.

3. audrey

audrey is the ONLY character that i think of as herself. perfection. that is audrey ka-ching, ex-morman. no notes.

however i obviously don’t think of her as the emo scene punk 2007 version of herself lol. this version is more 1970s imo.

[ireadyabooks]

This one’s for the GIRLS! 👯‍♀️

So we have Red, White, & Royal Blue, Heartstopper, and Love Simon, but where is the representation for the GIRLS? Media may be failing us, but here are a few books that will make you believe in sapphic love again. 🩷

Mehar hasn't been back to India since she and her mother moved away when she was six. Her father made it clear that she was not his priority when he chose not to come to the United States with them.

But when her father announces his engagement to socialite Naz, Mehar reluctantly agrees to return for the wedding. Maybe she and her father can finally heal their broken relationship. And either way, her father is Indian royalty, and the famil home is a palace--the wedding is going to be a once-in-a-lifetime affair.

Once she arrives in India, Mehar meets Sufiya, her grandmother's assistant. Though they come from totally different worlds, their friendship slowly starts to blossom into something more . . . Mehar thinks. Start reading WHAT A DESI GIRL WANTS! 

Liz Lighty has always believed she's too black, too poor, too awkward to shine in her small, rich, prom-obsessed midwestern town. But it's okay -- Liz has a plan that will get her out of Campbell, Indiana, forever: attend the uber-elite Pennington College, play in their world-famous orchestra, and become a doctor.

But when the financial aid she was counting on unexpectedly falls through, Liz's plans come crashing down . . . until she's reminded of her school's scholarship for prom king and queen. The only thing that makes it halfway bearable is the new girl in school, Mack. She's smart, funny, and just as much of an outsider as Liz. But Mack is also in the running for queen. Will falling for the competition keep Liz from her dreams . . . or make them come true? Start reading YOU SHOULD SEE ME IN A CROWN! 

Fifteen-year-old Morgan has a secret: She can't wait to escape the perfect little island where she lives. She's desperate to finish high school and escape her sad divorced mom, her volatile little brother, and worst of all, her great group of friends...who don't understand Morgan at all. Because really, Morgan's biggest secret is that she has a lot of secrets, including the one about wanting to kiss another girl.

Then one night, Morgan is saved from drowning by a mysterious girl named Keltie. The two become friends and suddenly life on the island doesn't seem so stifling anymore.But Keltie has some secrets of her own. And as the girls start to fall in love, everything they're each trying to hide will find its way to the surface...whether Morgan is ready or not. Start reading THE GIRL FROM THE SEA!

Claire is a junior in high school when a worldwide pandemic strikes, and she's in the epicenter of it all in New York City. Suddenly, Claire is forced to isolate with her family indefinitely, which means she won't be able to see her friends or even her girlfriend, Vanessa, in person for a long time.

At first it's not so bad, but the longer the pandemic lasts, the more Claire feels her priorities changing. That's when she looks outside her bedroom window and notices something new: A girl who lives in the building across the street sitting on her fire escape.

So Claire starts writing a story online about a girl who falls for the girl across the street. To Claire's surprise, the story goes viral-and it seems people think it's true. But how true is true? And what if Vanessa finds out? Will Claire be able to manage her newfound internet fame before everything spirals out of control? Start reading GOING VIRAL!

The Haunting Season is here and the Wolves are awake. Start reading THE WITCHERY!

Haelsford, Florida, is a hellmouth. Or at least, that's what Logan, a new witch struggling to control her powers, thinks when she arrives at Mesmortes Coven Academy. She is immediately taken under the wing of the infamous Red Three: Iris, a deathwitch, who wants nothing more than to break the town's curse; Thalia, the talented greenwitch, on the run from her religious family and a past that still haunts her; and Jailah, one of the most extraordinary witches at the academy whose thirst for power may lead her down a dark path.

With the Haunting Season approaching, Wolves will soon rise from the Swamp to kill, and the humans and witches must work together to survive the yearly onslaught. However, the history between humans and witches is long and bloodied, with the current truce hard-won and hanging in the balance. And this year, the stakes couldn't be higher as two boys from Hammersmitt School prepare to make their first sacrifices to the witches in exchange for protection. But when students start turning up dead, Iris, Thalia, Jailah, and Logan realize they'll have to harness their powers and stop the Wolves themselves. Yet old dangers lie in wait, and the cost to break the curse may be greater than any witch or human could ever know...

[baumannmanfred]

Fine Nude Art Photoshoot with the Canadian Topmodel Keltie Straith from Manfred Baumann on Vimeo.

Keltie Straith - Canadian top model, photographed by star photographer Manfred Baumann for his upcoming book "VENUS" (to be published in autumn 2023) and his 2024 calendar. For more information, visit linktr.ee/manfredbaumann or instagram.com/ manfredbaumann /

[queereads-bracket]

Queer Fiction Free-for-All Book Bracket Tournament: Round 1C

Book summaries below:

The Girl from the Sea by Molly Knox Ostertag

Fifteen-year-old Morgan has a secret: She can't wait to escape the perfect little island where she lives. She's desperate to finish high school and escape her sad divorced mom, her volatile little brother, and worst of all, her great group of friends…who don't understand Morgan at all. Because really, Morgan's biggest secret is that she has a lot of secrets, including the one about wanting to kiss another girl.

Then one night, Morgan is saved from drowning by a mysterious girl named Keltie. The two become friends and suddenly life on the island doesn't seem so stifling anymore.

But Keltie has some secrets of her own. And as the girls start to fall in love, everything they're each trying to hide will find its way to the surface…whether Morgan is ready or not.

Graphic novel, fantasy, romance, contemporary, young adult

A Magical Girl Retires by Park Seolyeon

A millennial turned magical girl must combat climate change and credit card debt in this delightful, witty, and wildly imaginative ode to magical girl manga.

Twenty-nine, depressed, and drowning in credit card debt after losing her job during the pandemic, a millennial woman decides to end her troubles by jumping off Seoul’s Mapo Bridge.

But her suicide attempt is interrupted by a girl dressed all in white—her guardian angel. Ah Roa is a clairvoyant magical girl on a mission to find the greatest magical girl of all time. And our protagonist just may be that special someone.

But the young woman’s initial excitement turns to frustration when she learns being a magical girl in real life is much different than how it’s portrayed in stories. It isn’t just destiny—it’s work. Magical girls go to job fairs, join trade unions, attend classes. And for this magical girl there are no special powers and no great perks, and despite being magical, she still battles with low self-esteem. Her magic wand . . . is a credit card—which she must use to defeat a terrifying threat that isn’t a monster or an intergalactic war. It’s global climate change. Because magical girls need to think about sustainability, too.

Park Seolyeon reimagines classic fantasy tropes in a novel that explores real-world challenges that are both deeply personal and universal: the search for meaning and the desire to do good in a world that feels like it’s ending. A fun, fast-paced, and enchanting narrative that sparkles thanks to award-nominated translator Anton Hur, A Magical Girl Retires reminds us that we are all magical girls—that fighting evil by moonlight and winning love by daylight can be anyone's game.

Fantasy, contemporary, climate fiction, novella, adult

[nirwanastays]

Best 2-Person Camping Tents: Compact, Durable, and Adventure-Ready

When it comes to camping, the right tent can make or break your outdoor adventure. A 2-person tent offers the perfect balance of comfort, portability, and space, making it an ideal choice for couples, friends, or solo travelers who want extra room. Whether you’re a seasoned camper or a weekend warrior, here’s a list of the best 2-person camping tents to suit different needs, budgets, and environments.

1. MSR Access 2

Why It’s Great:

Designed for all seasons, especially cold-weather camping.

Lightweight yet sturdy against harsh winds.

Spacious interior with excellent insulation. Best For: Winter campers and mountaineers seeking reliable protection.

2. Kelty Salida 2

Why It’s Great:

Affordable and easy to set up.

Lightweight design, perfect for backpacking.

Ventilated mesh panels for comfort in warmer weather. Best For: Campers on a budget who want a high-quality, versatile tent.

3. Marmot Agate 2P

Why It’s Great:

Lightweight and compact for easy transport.

Waterproof rainfly and taped seams for excellent weather resistance.

Simple and quick setup with pre-attached poles. Best For: Hikers and backpackers seeking reliability without extra weight.

4. Naturehike Star-River 2

Why It’s Great:

Double-layer construction for added warmth and weather protection.

Spacious design with multiple storage compartments.

Ultralight, making it ideal for long treks. Best For: Minimalist adventurers who value performance and affordability.

5. Tentree Mobile Home 2

Why It’s Great:

Sustainable materials and eco-friendly design.

Unique look with all the functionality of premium tents.

Compact yet offers excellent ventilation and comfort. Best For: Eco-conscious campers who want style and sustainability.

How to Choose the Right Tent

Weight: If you’re hiking, a lightweight tent is crucial for portability.

Weather Resistance: Look for features like a sturdy rainfly, sealed seams, and strong poles.

Setup Time: Freestanding designs or pop-up tents save you time and effort.

Durability: Choose high-quality materials that can handle wear and tear over multiple trips.

Conclusion

The best 2-person camping tents combine convenience, durability, and comfort to enhance your outdoor experiences. From ultralight backpacking tents to weatherproof shelters, these options cater to every type of adventurer.

Planning a camping trip near the serene Pawna Dam or the lush landscapes of Lonavala? Book your stay with Nirwanastays and enjoy a seamless blend of nature and comfort on your next outdoor escape!

For More Info-https://nirwanastays.com/best-2-person-camping-tent/

[iabookreviews]

The Girl from the Sea

Molly Knox Ostertag's graphic novel The Girl from the Sea was on the ALSC's Graphic Novel Reading List for 2022, and details the emotional journey as Morgan and Keltie fall in love and hold their own secrets close to their chest. I was able to get this book as a physical copy and loved seeing the illustrations on paper.

Cover

Genre

The genre of the story is fantasy fiction, and is a graphic novel. I've chosen this to be for the graphic novel portion of the list.

Target Age Group

The target age group is listed as for ages 10 and up, or a grade level of 7th and up.

Summary

Morgan has a secret, that she wants to kiss girls, and she can't wait to get away from the island so she won't even have to risk facing rejection or disappointment from her friends and family. It all changes when she almost drowns and is saved by a selkie named Keltie, and as their romance blossoms, they both realize their secrets might just ruin what they have.

Justification

When it comes to graphic novels, I've only read a couple, so I needed to find a list that would help me locate a good graphic novel to pick out. The ALSC had a graphic novel reading list, and I did some looking to find one that caught my eye. Nothing was looking good as I read through the synopses, and I was getting ready to find a new list when I spotted this one, and decided to give it a shot.

Evaluation

The three criteria used for evaluation are Style and Language, Plot, and Illustration.

There isn’t much to say about the style and language as it’s a graphic novel, but the dialogue is a good base to go off of when evaluating it. It feels natural and like what you’d expect from teenage conversations. The segments where texts are exchanged between the four friends are one of my favorite parts of the book because so much is told in those small pieces with the dynamics between the characters.

The plot of this graphic novel was one I enjoyed greatly because it was simple and moved along nicely. Personally, for graphic novels, simpler plots work better because the readers need to follow along with photos and illustrations, and trying to execute complex plots can lead to getting lost and needing to go back and reread. The big question is a bit muddled, as it can either be asking if Morgan will be accepted for being gay or if the seals will get saved, but no matter which question it is, it still gets answered and the conflict is resolved. The plot was moving at a fair pace and it didn’t feel rushed or slow either.

The illustrations of the graphic novel are probably my favorite thing about it because the artstyle is just right. It’s not too cartoonish like a younger one would be, but it’s also not so realistic like one geared towards older audiences would be. It’s the perfect mix and provides good visuals that carry the plot along. A lot can also be learned about the characters through their mannerisms that are illustrated, and there’s a whole section towards the end of the book where Ostertag dives into certain choices made when illustrating.

Reference

Ostertag, M. K. (2021). The Girl from the Sea. Graphix.