This Book Won't Burn by Samira Ahmed

5*

This is a timely and extremely uncomfortable book to read, and that’s what makes it so powerful. In a time when Fascism seems to be winning in our country and book banning is sharply on the rise, it’s so important for our teens to have a story like this that lays bare the extremism, racism, anti-LGBTQ language and violence perpetuated by the white supremacists who have been empowered by our country’s leaders. It speaks to how protest can begin with just one voice, one brave person committed to freedom and fairness by speaking out against the ugliness that has been exposed.

As a librarian, it hurts my heart to read a fictionalized account of what challenges our young citizens are being exposed to under the guise of “protecting our children.” Noor Khan is a role model for standing up for what is right, even if it puts her and her loved ones in harm’s way. If I were still working at the high school level, I’d not only buy multiples of this book, but would also work with students and colleagues to host an event to discuss the topic and actions students can take to fight against these bans. Highly recommended.

 

Lucy, Uncensored by Mel and Teghan Hammond

4* (minor spoilers)

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At surface level, this is a coming-of-age novel about best friends and self-proclaimed “drama nerds” who have written a queer retelling of Shakespeare’s The Tempest, their senior showcase that will serve as an audition for the university drama program they both hope to get into nearby. Dig deeper and it's an important book that pulls back the curtain to show what transgender and non-binary youth have to endure while trying to live as their authentic selves, battling transphobia, homophobia and gender dysphoria.

Lucy and Callie have planned out their path to success which includes getting into the Hughes drama program at Central University where they’ll be roommates. However, when they make a visit, Lucy runs into classmates who taunt her with transphobic slurs, leaving her uncomfortable with the idea of going to college so close to home. To add to her mounting distress, in a ripped from the headlines scenario, the local school board has banned them from putting on their play, forcing them to either rewrite a “sanitized version” or to give up their chance to attend Hughes. So, Lucy decides to see what other options are out there and finds an all-women’s college 6 hours away. Now all she has to do is visit the campus with Callie and hope it’s everything she’s been led to believe it might be, including meeting face-to-face with a handsome guy she connects with online who she’s been pumping for information about the school.

As Lucy starts to have conversations with queer students who have various gender identities and sexual preferences, readers are given the opportunity to witness the challenges these vulnerable, yet proud young adults face from family, classmates, supposed friends, and strangers. For some readers, this will be a valuable lesson; for those who are navigating their own journey, it will hopefully provide validation, comfort and hope when they see themselves in the characters. This is a worthy addition to any teen collection. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Knopf BYR through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.




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Dragged to the Wedding by Andrew Grey

 

4*

Fake relationship, forced proximity gay romance that goes well beyond the typical tropes to highlight the process of coming out on your own terms. 

James is a Chicago-area cop who has spent the last 13 years of his life living as an out and proud gay man, except to his ultra-conservative, Christian family back in Montana. When his older sister announces her impending marriage, he is desperate to find a female beard rather than show up solo, having to fend off his mother’s matchmaking efforts. No one is more surprised than he when he enlists the help of drag queen Lala Traviata (aka Daniel) to play his fake girlfriend Daniella. During the week of pre-wedding events, Daniella saves the day more than once, all while the two of them are struggling to remain platonic while sharing a bed, investigating the creepy pastor who’s officiating the ceremony, fending off the scummy best man, and trying to avoid exposing James’s sexuality. The question is, is anyone being honest?

Although there’s plenty of lightheartedness and humor as well as kindness and caring between James, Daniel, and his sisters, there is also an exploration of the stages a gay man works through to fully come out, especially facing the fear and pain of rejection by those who are supposed to love him unconditionally. James’s overbearing mother, with her cross-stitched 10 commandments for how her children should behave hanging prominently on the wall, goes to extremes to force her concepts about what her grown kids need, going so far as to almost sabotage her daughter’s wedding. At times, it’s difficult to witness how misguided and blinded supposed good Christians can be, but author Grey does a great job of balancing the highs and lows of family expectations.

As a straight, older, agnostic white woman, I can’t speak on the authenticity of the portrayal, although I believe Andrew Grey is gay and knows what he writes. However, I can say that he has written a unique story that evokes a range of emotions and had me reading it in one sitting. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Carina Adores through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall

 

2*

Oh, this was really disappointing.

Didn’t like the deep insecurities of the two main characters, even if it’s what drove the story.

Didn’t care for any of the parents except perhaps Luc’s mom, although she seemed very cavalier concerning his feelings.
Didn’t like how “smart” (precious) so much of the conversation was. Perhaps it’s because it’s British, or maybe it’s just pretentious. Either way, I needed a dictionary for so much of it.
I especially didn’t like all the gay-bashing. The only people who weren’t homophobic were his group of friends. I also found it problematic that Oliver had no gay friends.
I wish it were more steamy. After enduring the boredom of the slow-build romance, the least Hall could have done was reward readers with some sexy talk and action.
Finally, what was the deal with Luc’s co-workers’ cluelessness, especially Alex’s nitwittedness, which supports the argument that British nobility suffer from centuries of inbreeding?

Overall, this was a big fail for me. I only reason I didn’t give it 1* was because I finished it

We Contain Multitudes by Sarah Henstra

3*

Update:

I initially gave this book 5*, but after reading multiple 1* reviews in which the reviewers mentioned the age difference, the rape scene towards the end of the book, and the fact that a straight white woman shouldn't be writing a book about a young gay (or gay and bi) couple without vetting it with members of the queer community, I knocked it down 2 stars. I still feel it's well-written and has a lot going for it, but I acknowledge that I am, in fact, a straight, older woman who can't subjectively evaluate it and apologize for even trying.

Initial 5* review:

In this epistolary YA novel, Jonathan (Jo) Hopkirk and Adam (Kurl) Kurlansky are assigned as pen pals. With each letter exchanged, an unlikely friendship develops between openly and proudly gay Jo and bad boy football player Kurl that eventually grows into love. However, as the vicious bullying of Jo escalates and devastating family secrets are revealed, will their love be strong enough to survive? Henstra has gifted us with a gut-wrenching, heart-warming, and ultimately hopeful story about the challenges gay teens face and the scars and wounds they carry that can either strengthen or destroy love. It is a love letter to the lost art of letter writing and to Walt Whitman’s poetry which is the thread that binds their relationship. Kurt’s affirming journey from a taciturn, angry young man to a thoughtful and expressive writer is noteworthy.

As an advocate for LGBTQ+ teens, it warms my heart to read so many new YA romance titles with queer protagonists. At a time when the queer community is fighting to protect its rights and vulnerable teens are dealing with increased depression, bullying, and suicide, they desperately need to have books that provide assurance that they are not alone and that their love is honored and celebrated. I encourage all librarians and others working with teens to share this book and use it as a vehicle to spark conversation between queer and straight kids because, with knowledge comes understanding and acceptance.


I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

4.5*

Casey McQuiston’s much-anticipated debut romance between the First Son of the USA and a British prince is everything early reviews promised. Alex Claremont-Diaz is the half-Mexican son of the divorced first female President…and the fantasy doesn’t stop there! When an embarrassing and scandalous incident between Alex and his nemesis Prince Henry occurs at a wedding and a video is leaked, they must pretend to be best buds to keep the President’s re-election campaign from derailing and to avoid a royal scandal. As they spend more time together, they both realize that past misunderstandings have kept them from getting to know each other’s true personalities and motivations. When Henry kisses Alex, it causes him to question his own sexuality (he’s bi and Henry is “very, very gay”). As their relationship heats up through secretive, worldwide liaisons and poetic, candid and heart-warming texts full of witty and sexy banter, feelings intensify and decisions need to be made about how and if they can take their romance public. Will Alex and Henry risk their careers and their families’ reputations to have their happily-ever-after or will British tradition and homophobia destroy their relationship?


A great cast of secondary characters helps smooth the path for the couple, including Alex’s loving family, several queer friends he can go to for advice, White House and palace security and staff who keep their secrets, and even politicians (with the exception of the villainous rival Presidential candidate). Although it drags a bit at the end with the focus on the Presidential election, it barely detracts from the story. At its heart, this book is a funny, sexy, heart-warming romance that highlights many of the same challenges most queer teens and young adults face in real life. Ultimately, the question is whether they’re willing to risk all to have the full, loving, and open relationship they deserve. It’s just unfortunate that the question even needs to be asked.


I received a complimentary ARC of this book from St. Martin’s Griffin through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.