#rufi Thorpe is such a good author

[ya-world-challenge]

Hello!

I was wondering if you had any good recommendations for books containing disability/disabled characters? Fiction or non fiction. I'm trying to put together a little disability literature resource, and I've occasionally seen you share some books on it. I thought your blog would be an excellent place to come to for some more global ones!

Thank you, and I hope your reading is going well!

Oh wow, I haven't been making many lists lately so I'm not searching out books as much as I used to. But here are some more global/non-US ones that I know of/have gathered from various lists ( I haven't read all of these but most are on my TBR if I haven't.) I'd love to see your resource when you're finished!

A Time to Dance by Padma Venkatraman (India) A girl must relearn to dance with her new prosthetic.

One for All by Lillie Lainoff  (France) In 17th-century France a girl with POTS/chronic dizziness wants to become a Musketeer.

The Weight of Our Sky by Hanna Alkaf (Malaysia) A girl with OCD must survive riots in 1960s Malaysia to find her mother.

Black Bird, Blue Road by Sofiya Pasternack (medieval Khazaria) A Jewish girl defies angels to find her twin a cure for his leprosy.

The Theft of Sunlight by Intisar Khanani (fantasy N. Africa/Arabia-ish series) A girl with clubfoot teams up with a thief to tackle child trafficking.

The Library of the Dead by TL Huchu (Scotland, diverse heritages, series) Magical mysteries with a wisecracking wheelchair-user secondary character.

I Am Not Alone by Francisco X. Stork (Mexican-American) Contemporary novel about an undocumented boy developing schizophrenia.

Scar of the Bamboo Leaf by Sieni A.M (Samoa) A girl with a limp finds a relationship with a delinquent newcomer boy.

Noor by Nnedi Okorafor (Nigeria) A woman with cybernetic enhancements due to disability finds herself on the run.

Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor (Nigeria) A girl with albinism discovers that she has magical powers.

On the Edge of Gone by Corinne Duyvis (Netherlands) An autistic girl worries about being chosen for a survival group before an apocalypse.

Love from A to Z by S.K. Ali (Qatar) Romance where the love interest has multiple sclerosis

Torch by Lyn Miller-Lachmann (Czechoslovakia) 3 teens try to escape communism, including an autistic boy whose father threatens institutionalization.

Beasts of Prey by Ayana Gray (pan-African fantasy series) One of the main characters has OCD.

Dear Fang, With Love by Rufi Thorpe (Lithuania) A bipolar teen and her estranged father search for their heritage in Lithuania.

Long Macchiatos and Monsters by Alison Evans (Australia) Short romance with 2 disabled trans people.

Russian Doll by Cristelle Comby (Swiss author, set in London) Series of mysteries with a duo of private detectives, 1 of whom is blind.

Crazy by Benjamin Lebert (Germany) Autobiographical coming-of-age, the MC has partial paralysis

[kalereviews8782]

Review: The Knockout Queen by Rufi Thorpe

Enjoyment: 5 / Prose: 4.5 / Characters: 5 / Plot: 4

pros: gay teen deriding rich people (I eat this up), anti-prison!!!!, beautiful writing cons: falls apart a little at the end (for me), pretentious sometimes

Yes, I did decide to read all of Thorpe's books after reading Margo's Got Money Troubles. Her books almost seem tailor-made for me. Or maybe I'm just in that sort of mood. I don't know, but I went into The Knockout Queen without reading the synopsis, and that was for the best, as I'm not sure reading the summary would have drew me into it.

This is, as they say, primarily a vibe-y book. Although there are huge things (namely, two instances of violence) that impact the plot, it's more about how those instances weigh on our main character, Michael. Michael is a gay teen growing up in a pretty well-off California suburb (although his family is pointedly quite poor), and this book is primarily about his friendship with a teen girl named Bunny. Although written in third person, we see the story and characters through Michael's eyes. He is even pointed out by other characters as someone who is passive and watches others around him instead of taking action (maybe this is why I related to and loved Michael so, so much). Anyway, there's something about the way Thorpe dives into characters that I find really juicy. SO YEAH, I LOVED IT.

Prose-wise, this was basically perfect. Sometimes Michael's dialogue is a little pretentious, but because he is narrating the story I kind of take it as what he remembers saying over what he actually said. The characters, just like in Margo, are extremely well-rounded. There is no character that is left as only "good" or "bad". Aunt DeeDee is an example of this. There is a moment where, after being kicked out, Aunt DeeDee implies that Michael should "stay safe" from AIDS, and Michael mentions something like "I hated her so completely that it seemed to me I would never love her again". And really, being regulated to the couch because her son was a bigot and didn't want Michael around? Come ON. But, she was also the aunt who helped him with his makeup and took care of him over the years when his own mother wouldn't. Again, Thorpe builds characters that mirror real-life, that aren't good or bad, just human.

I won't get too much into plot here, as the two instances of violence in the book are explosive and surprising. The book overall looks at themes of guilt, trauma, impulsiveness, toxic friendships, privilege, and more. I felt like it ran out of steam a little at the end, but still- I think I found a new favorite author? :D

[halflingkima]

mid-year book freakout tag

I was tagged by @flitwickslittlebrotha – thanks!! 💖 (sorry it took me so long to see this in my mentions 😓)

Best Book You’ve Read So Far in 2021      The Knockout Queen by Rufi Thorpe; it was the first new book I read this year and I think it ruined me – I havent had another 5 star read since :// Best Sequel You’ve Read So Far in 2021:      #murderfunding by Gretchen McNeil was some good, campy fun, and far surpassed the previous book. Honorable mention to The Heart Forger by Rin Chupeco, bc I really haven’t read many sequels. New Release You Haven’t Read Yet, But Want To:      All Kinds of Other by James Sie. But I also don’t pay all that much attention to new releases, so I can list them all lol: Tell No Tales by Sam Maggs & Kendra Wells, The Captain (Tales of the Wendy #3) by Erin Michelle Sky & Steven Brown, and Peaces by Helen Oyeyemi. Most Anticipated Release For Second Half of 2021:      Out of Character by Annabeth Albert – it comes out July 6th, and since I’m typing this in the wee hours of July 5th, it qualifies :P Biggest Disappointment:      On Stranger Tides by Tim Powers; I bought this book back when potc4 came out and finally got around to it and it was NOT worth waiting 10+yrs for lmao. Honorable mention to The 2000s Made Me Gay by Grace Perry, which is a good book, but didn’t meet my (high) expectations. Biggest Surpise:      Again, The Knockout Queen, but runner up is Squared Away by Annabeth Albert; I’ve read most of this romance series, so I thought I knew exactly what to expect, but then a demisexual main character threw me for the biggest loop in the best way. Favorite New Author:      Rin Chupeco is the only new author I’ve read multiple books (2) by, and I do love her writing. Rufi Thorpe and Torrey Peters are gonna be faves soon, but I’ve only read one from each of them so far. Newest Fictional Crush:      Kate Kane (Iron & Velvet), Jas Singh (Girl Gone Viral), Kalen & Khalad, (The Bone Witch trilogy), and don’t @ me about this – James Hook (Tales of the Wendy trilogy)      [me: i don’t crush on characters anymore      also me: no no, they could get it] Newest Favorite Character:      Maybe it’s just because I read it so recently, but Reese, Katrina, and Ames from Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters really stuck with me. They felt so real and complex and true, like they were neighbors I could go visit. Book That Made You Cry This Year:      The Knockout Queen (again) and Detransition, Baby (again). Normally, I cry all the time – happy, sad, overwhelmed, etc, but I do think The Knockout Queen truly ruined me. After I finished it, I closed the ebook and just wept in the dark for a solid half hour. The only thing that’s come close since was Detransition, Baby, which was more overemotional/‘choked up’ than actual tears. Book That Made You Happy This Year:      The Wendy by Erin Michelle Sky and Steven Brown exceeded my expectations and was a fun adventure story, and again, Squared Away giving me a demi character in a romance novel made me practically giddy lol Favorite Book Adaptation You Saw This Year:      Does The Irregulars on netflix count? I don’t think I’ve seen any this year. Inversely, I’m reading The Princess Bride by WIlliam Goldman and enjoying it just as much as the movie. Favorite Review You’ve Written This Year:      Shocker: The Knockout Queen. But I’m also gonna be salty bc I think I’m better at writing 1 star reviews, so I’m also partial to my review of The Wishsong of Shannara by Terry Brooks and The Loch by Steve Alten. Most Beautiful Book You Bought So Far This Year:      Radio Silence by Alice Oseman; I haven’t rly bought any books this year and when I have theyre either gifts or ones I’ve already read. This I bought w a xmas gift card lol What Books Do You Need To Read By the End of the Year:      Starsight by Brandon Sanderson (I’ve borrowed a copy I should eventually return lol), and aside from the stuff i’m in the middle of, I’d like to get around to Wicked by Gregory Maguire, Radio Silence by Alice Oseman, and Maurice by EM Forester. Those are soft goals though, I think I’ve actually gotten through most of the books I’d wanted to read this year.

damn that got long lol. uhhm who reads? I’m tagging @sp-aced-out, @alianvna, @waynedrake, @kimabutch, and @sunflowremoji (feel free to sit out if you don’t wanna!) And anyone else, if you see this and wanna participate, do it & tag me! I’d love to talk more books!

[sinterblackwell]

so!! i just bought three books online, and have no regrets whatsoever❣️i can’t wait to talk about them once i start reading, i’ve been anticipating two of them for weeks and the third one was just a coincidence.

the three books are:

1. the library of legends by janie chang

this first one is a historical fantasy, which i’ve been meaning to read for weeks and finally got to buy it. i usually don’t read much historical fiction, but after the paris hours by alex george, i thought it’d be cool to branch out more into the genre.

2. little fires everywhere by celeste ng

this one is really popular in the bookworm community. my favorite booktuber praised the author in one of her videos + my mom is obsessed with the hulu adaptation of the story so it was a long time coming. just like with red, white, and royal blue by casey mcquiston, i come with high hopes and expectations because the premise does sound really engaging. the focus on the divide between classes is one thing, but when an entire neighborhood is split over the fate of an infant, my curiosity can’t help it.

3. the knockout queen by rufi thorpe

this is supposed to be like a commemoration to kids in high school who never got the high school experience and at first i was hesitant but: 1. i didn’t get the “amazing” high school experience either so i could already relate and 2. there’s friendship and drama but not typical high school drama, it’s the kind of drama that can split up two best friends as they both deal with their own demons and it’s just...the possibilities are too good to pass up.

plus!! the recommendation on “book of the month�� noted that this story is entirely character-driven, which means the characters make mistakes that influence the story all the way up to the end and i absolutely love that. it’s kind of like that phrase where every decision we make has consequences, good and/or bad, something you can relate to on page.

[boonki]

moon for the space asks! did you know that the lunar lava plains and the oceanic crust of the earth are both made out of basalt?

my love, i do not even know what basalt is ❤️but now i know and i am one fact brighter than i was before. thank you! 😂

thank you for the ask 💖🌷

from these questions

Moon- Are you currently reading any books? If so, what book(s)?

you asked the RIGHT question 

1. Knockout Queen by Rufi Thorpe - please go read this book. this book has wrenched the heart out of me. it is so gorgeous. 

2. Foreshadow by a collection of authors (on writing YA novels, also a collection of short stories. v thought provoking so far)

3. War of the Foxes by Richard Siken (poetry - beautiful. 10/10)

4. What Goes Up by Christine Hepperman (poetry - tells a story, very interesting)

5. Dearly by Margaret Atwood (poetry - she’s a goddess among mortals)

6. East of Eden by John Steinbeck (listen i’ve had this on my shelf for years and i finally told myself i’d get through it. its....dense)

7. Importance of Being Earnest - Oscar Wilde (witty, love it)

8. Spunk and Bite by Arthur Plotnik (a book on writing, basic but interesting advice)

9. How to Read Nonfiction Like A Professor by Thomas C. Foster (exactly what the title says)

10. Murder Your Darlings by Roy Peter Clark (on writing, draws from a collection of teachers and actually good advice)

11. Dune by Frank Herbert (the science fiction novel of our time. im only like 3 pages in right now because i can tell i will have to use my whole brain to read this novel)

literally all i do is read and write... i just want my room to be a big library 

[coffeeonsundays]

Women, friendship, books

My bookcase would probably not be considered Pinterest-worthy, but I am very proud of it despite its untidiness. Most books in it are written by women. I would dare say only 15 per cent of the names on the spines are male. If I delve even deeper into the contents of that mix of paperbacks and hardbacks, I can say that many talk about friendship…between women. Yes, I know, there is a bit of a pattern here. I love books about women. I remember once watching a panel of writers at Smith College and one of the guests was the novelist J. Courtney Sullivan. I had just read her first novel and loved it…and so I was watching the video on youtube just to see her speak. She talked unapologetically about how she was primarily interested in writing stories about women. Something clicked in me. I felt exactly the same way, but until she said it -someone I respected and admired- I hadn’t acknowledged it, not even to myself. We are so burdened by the deprecating so-called ‘chick lit’ that some of us can be ashamed to admit we want to read -and write- stories about women. All kinds of stories. And this shouldn’t degrade the work. Why are stories about women and girls not taken as seriously as the ones about men?

Female friendships are complex. According to Deborah Tannen, author of the 2017 book “You’re the only one I can tell: Inside the language of women’s friendships”, women friends know a lot more about each other than their male counterparts. “The tendency is for talk to be a bigger part of women’s friendships. So you get together, you get coffee, you take a walk, and you talk, you talk about what’s going on in your life and you talk about other things too. The tendency for men is to be more focused on the activity. So you get together to do something…and you talk while you’re doing it. But the focus tends to be more on the activity…”

Conversation leads to deepening your knowledge of another person’s life and mind, which leads to intimacy. So it’s no wonder that women’s friendships are so gratifying. The more you know someone, the more prone you are to understanding them. However, this close bond can also make the relationship more complicated. While researching her book,  Professor Tannen listened to women talk about their female friendships as “the most sustaining thing” in their lives…but she also heard “Women don’t let you be different”.

The intricate bonds that tie women together seem to be all over our screens nowadays. Television shows are exploring the complicated relationships between girls and women like never before: from the endearingly funny duo in Pen 15, to the sassy women of Big Little Lies, and don’t even get me started on the new generation of the Baby-sitters club. However, no medium can portray the nuances in female friendships like literature. 

From my messy bookshelves to -hopefully- yours, here are some of the stories that have captivated me the most.

For the nostalgic ones:

Anne of the Island by Lucy M. Montgomery

Eighteen-year-old Anne has left Green Gables for university in nearby Nova Scotia, where she will finally fulfill her dream of earning a degree. She sets up home in a cozy cottage in bustling Kingsport with Avonlea’s Priscilla Grant and a new friend, the beautiful Philippa Gordon. But it’s not all fun and games. Anne’s childhood friend, Ruby Gillis, dies of tuberculosis back in Avonlea, shattering Anne’s carefree attitude to life, and Gilbert finally declares his feelings and proposes. But Anne still has a naïve, overly romantic view of love and rejects him, driving a wedge between them. A two-year relationship with a fellow Redmond College student, Roy Gardner, follows, but when he also proposes, Anne realizes that he’s not the one for her after all. When she returns to Avonlea and learns that Gilbert is deathly ill with typhoid, she is distraught. Will she recognize the depth of her feelings at last? Or is it already too late for Anne and her one true love?

For the aspiring artists:

The Animators by Kayla Rae Whitaker

In the male-dominated field of animation, Mel Vaught and Sharon Kisses are a dynamic duo, the friction of their differences driving them: Sharon, quietly ambitious but self-doubting; Mel, brash and unapologetic, always the life of the party.

Now, after a decade of striving, the two are finally celebrating the release of their first full-length feature, which transforms Mel’s difficult childhood into a provocative and visually daring work of art. But with their success come doubt and destruction, cracks in their relationship threatening the delicate balance of their partnership. Sharon begins to feel expendable, suspecting that the ever-more raucous Mel is the real artist.

A funny, heartbreaking novel of friendship, art, and trauma, The Animators is about the secrets we keep and the burdens we shed on the road to adulthood.

For the teen take:

Dare me by Megan Abbott

Addy Hanlon has always been Beth Cassidy's best friend and trusted lieutenant. Now they're seniors who rule the intensely competitive cheer squad, feared and followed by the other girls -- until the young new coach arrives. Cool and commanding, an emissary from the adult world just beyond their reach, Coach Colette French draws Addy and the other cheerleaders into her life. Only Beth, unsettled by the new regime, remains outside Coach's golden circle,

Then a suicide focuses a police investigation on Coach and her squad. After the first wave of shock and grief, Addy tries to uncover the truth behind the death -- and learns that the boundary between loyalty and love can be dangerous terrain. 

For an emotional ride:

The Girls from Corona del Mar by Rufi Thorpe

Best friends Mia and Lorrie Ann couldn’t be more different; where Mia is reckless and proudly hard-hearted, Lorrie Ann is kind, serenely beautiful, and seemingly immune to the kind of teenage mistakes that Mia can’t help but make. 

 But within a few years, fortunes change. Suddenly, Mia is free to grow up and adventure, falling in and out of love while Lorrie Ann is weighed down by responsibilities at home. And when good, nice, brave Lorrie Ann stops being so good, Mia must question how well she ever really knew her best friend in the first place.  

[authorstalker]

My May & June Reads

The Knockout Queen, Rufi Thorpe - It’s like The Great Gatsby with better writing and better characters. Let's make a replacement in the curriculum! Rufi Thorpe is one of my favorite writers and this might be my favorite of her books. The characters are one of a kind, the story is unexpected, the narrator cracks you up and breaks your heart in the same sentence. I’m thrilled the novel is getting so much attention. Be sure to read it!

All Adults Here, Emma Straub - Delightful and distracting! Really lovely writing, a big cast of interesting characters dealing with not-too-stressful problems, set in a very Stars Hollow-esque town.

Amsterdam: A History of the World’s Most Liberal City, Russell Shorto - In typical me fashion, I skipped all the super historical parts but loved the stories about historical figures, especially Aletta Jacobs, Frieda Menco, Wally van Hall, and Benno Premsela. Also interesting: Amsterdam's views on recreational vs prescription drugs, embracing sex in culture/education while rejecting violence, and of course their child and holiday allowance policies.

Fleabag: The Scriptures, Phoebe Waller-Bridge - Many thanks to my pal Mo for gifting me her extra copy of Fleabag! If you loved the show, you will love reading the scripts. They provide additional perspective and there are notes from Phoebe at the end. Hot Priest, mmmm.

What You Wish For, Katherine Center - A sweet, entertaining read about intentionally seeking happiness. It's packed with goodness for anyone who's a fan of libraries, dogs, the ocean, and the cottagecore aesthetic. There's a scene with a whale that will make you cry! As a former teacher, I loved how the book captures the way a school is its own special universe--reading it made me miss working with kids and getting together with fellow teachers to problem-solve or just laugh about the hilarious (annnd frustrating) things kids say and do. P.S. Kerry introduced me to Katherine Center’s books at the exact moment I needed them, and I am so grateful. There are three Katherine Center books in this roundup and I read each of them in a day, whew.

How to Walk Away, Katherine Center - LOVED it, read it in one glorious afternoon. If you haven’t read this author, maybe start here so you can marvel at her ability to make you laugh during a plane crash scene.

Winter Street, Elin Hilderbrand - My first Elin book, which I checked out after listening to Elin’s (wonderful) interview on the podcast Gee Thanks, Just Bought It. I loved it, it's like The Family Stone in book form. A whole lotta Christmas and a big family with drama galore.

The Roommate, Rosie Danan - For a good time, read this book. Though it's a classic case of opposites attract, the story itself is surprising, sex-positive (and sex-filled), and super funny. I really hope the term "raunch-com" catches on because sometimes it's exactly what I want to read and I appreciate the specificity!

Hold Still, Nina LaCour - Gorgeous writing and the story made me cry. Nina LaCour is so good. I feel like I can confidently call this book a YA masterpiece.

Happiness for Beginners, Katherine Center - Can’t stop, won’t stop reading Katherine Center books. This one I loved so much, I added it to my all-time favorites list. The love interest in this book is beyond words. 

In a Holidaze, Christina Lauren - Is this my favorite Christina Lauren book? It is definitely a top three contender. Holidaze is described as Groundhog Day meets The Family Stone, and yeah, that's the general idea (I'd say it's 80% Family Stone, 20% Groundhog Day). You absolutely must add this book to your TBR list. The writing is excellent, every character feels real and is lovable, and the story is the ideal blend of funny, sexy, and sweet. Not to mention: Christmas!

Family Happiness, Laurie Colwin - My great personal tragedy is that I’m almost out of Laurie Colwin books. I love many, many writers, but she is my One True Love. If you haven’t read her, start with Happy All the Time or The Lone Pilgrim or Another Marvelous Thing. If you enjoy cooking or reading about food, start with her essay collection, Home Cooking. 

Girl Crushed, Katie Heaney - A sweet, funny YA full of those high-school-is-ending, everything's-about-to-change-oh-no feelings. The protagonist is complex, self-centered, insecure, kinda smooth!, and I enjoyed being in her world for a day. The ending was an unexpected and pleasant surprise, too.

Fireworks, Katie Cotugno -  I read this on a gorgeous, uncrowded beach on my birthday and it was beyond ideal. You really can't go wrong with a Katie Cotugno book.