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All Out Book Review: 4.5 Stars!

This was an amazing anthology of short stories. It had several Five Star reads including the opener, "Roja," a very interesting Trans retelling of Little Red Riding Hood by Anna-Marie McLemore that had me coming back to it several times before I even finished the rest of the book! The Queer authors of this anthology have created wonderful Queer stories filled with diverse characters who quickly pull you into their worlds. There were 2 stories that I was not super fond of, hence the drop from a full 5 star rating. Filled with absolute bangers of quotes, "All Out" will be an anthology I re-read time and time again. I will definitely be finding more works by these fantastic authors to read! 

5 Star Stories and my favorite quotes from them

-Roja by Anna-Marie McLemore: A wonderful trans retelling of Little Red Riding Hood that takes place in war-torn 1870s Mexico. “He saw me as something soft, a girl he did not want to plague with nightmares.” “We survived to whisper our names to each other even if we could not yet confess them to anyone else.”

-Burnt Umber by Mackenzi Lee: Cute story of a teenage boy during the Golden Age of Dutch art, figuring out his sexuality and finding his first love. This one left me feeling giddy and warm, and excited about new love. “I wonder what his eyes would look like with our noses pressed together.” “Just as the snow stops, I take his hand.”

-The Dresser and the Chamber Maid by Robin Talley: I had this one at 4 stars initially but then I kept getting drawn back into it and re-reading because it was so good. Lesbians finding love while maneuvering the perils of aiding their royal employers? More please.  “It was an easy thing, then, to kiss her. As easy as laughter. Easy as a warm sun on a September afternoon.”

Linking TheStoryGraph page for the content warnings: https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/f003ea5c-fbcc-4b6c-906f-ba3fb8f40eff/content_warnings

#queer reads #book review #queer retelling #historical romance #short stories #anthology #trans stories #ya books #never liked romance stories but they made em gay and now I'm all about it. wonder what that's about #the storygraph

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Someone Else’s Shoes Review

"Someone Else's Shoes" was a very interesting read. Dealing with themes of suicide, divorce, and the changes that come with growing up, this book kept it real. The author didn't try to make Izzy, the protagonists, perfect; making her growth and struggles with her identity and relationships believable. As someone who has had family members pass due to mental health issues, I found this book refreshing. It really pushed the fact that depression is an illness and not a choice, while still allowing each of the characters room to process their emotions around the subject. While the subject matter was certainly heavy, this book was still hopeful and filled with nuggets of humor. Izzy wants to be a comedian when she grows up so we get to hear her inner monologue creating a standup routine pertaining to the events in the book as he character develops throughout the story. Her routine becomes stronger and funnier as the book goes on, and it was a great way to show that even though bad things can happen to people, growth and healing are still possible, especially if you have support from those around you.   I was expecting this book to have me in tears, but I found that it was just light enough to keep things moving. Overall I really enjoyed the story, and will be adding this book to my list of recommendations for kids who are processing large life changes and/or losses.

4/5 stars Here’s a link to the book on StoryGraph!  https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/15411ffd-f74a-46d7-9e62-650de456acfc

CW: suicide, death of a parent, grief, mental illness, bullying, alcohol use, divorce

#children's lit #book review #mental health reads #coming of age #storygraph

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If you like the word “queer” reblog.

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Donate if you can!

Trans Rights Readathon

Things are looking really bleak for the trans community right now, with over 400 anti-trans bills being debated all over the country and increased call for violence against us. This is when we need community most and the book community is coming out strong.

Trans author, Sim Kern, is organizing a readathon in order to raise money for trans organizations around the country. Watch the video below to learn more about the readathon. If you're interested in participating in the readathon you can sign up here.

My goal is to read 8 books from March 20-27th and to raise 500 dollars for Brave Space Alliance, a Black-led, trans-led LGBTQ+ center located in south side Chicago.

Brave Space Alliance has a special place in my heart as it’s one of the few queer organizations in the south side who are organizing, advocating, and providing needed social services for trans and gender-nonconforming people. They offer access to a community pantry, assistance with housing and covering funeral costs, and have organized several support groups for people of all identities. They seriously do so much for our community with a limited amount of funding. My friends and I have utilized their services several times and it means the world to me that I can repay them by fundraising for them and supporting them in the midst of such violence and hatred towards our community.

This is where you come in. I'm looking for pledges!

Can you pledge to donate $5 dollars for every book I read? Maybe a one time donation works best for you. Even the smallest donation can make all the difference.

If you can’t donate, no problem! Please help spread the word by using the hashtag #transrightsreadathon on instagram, twitter, tiktok, whatever social media platform you're on.

Right now the trans community needs us to unite and proclaim in a loud voice that they are loved and that their voices and lives matter.

#trans rights #transrightsreadathon

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I'm planning on donating 1 dollar for every 25 pages I read! Please join if you're able!

(via Trans Rights Readathon (March 20th - 27th, 2023))

The Trans Rights Readathon, will take place from March 20th to March 27th, 2023, and is a week-long event that encourages people to read books with transgender main characters, books by transgender authors, and raise funds for trans organizations that support and advocate for the trans community.

One of the great things about this event is that each creator has the opportunity to run their own mini-fundraisers and readathons where people can pledge, whether by page or by the book. Individuals are able to decide which organization (or individual) they would like to support.

People who can’t donate financially can ask friends and followers to pledge, or they can spread awareness while supporting trans books, creators, and authors! Posts can be made on all social media sites with the hashtag #TransRightsReadathon to get the word out.

Learn more by following the creator of this event, Sim Kern, on TikTok (@simkern) or check out my blog post!

#transrightsreadathon #trans books #trans rights readathon #book review #indigenous reader

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The Hunting Gun Review

“A lover, her daughter and the abandoned wife: three letters by three women tell the story of a love affair’s tragic consequences.”

While I was able to finish this book in about 4 hours, it felt like I was reading forever and making no headway. The concept of the book was interesting, written as three letters to a man who has been unfaithful to his wife:  the first from his mistress's daughter who sees him as an uncle, the next from his wife-the best friend and cousin of his mistress, and the final letter was from his his mistress which he received just after her death. While I love the idea behind this book, I feel as though it wasn't executed to the degree that I was expecting. The author (or maybe the translator) used very flowery and poetic language throughout each letter, making it feel as though each was written by the same person. Over all I did enjoy this story, despite my critiques. It was interesting to see how each woman handled the infidelity of the man they each loved, and the author did a great job making you feel the emotions each was going through. As someone who has not read much material from Japanese authors, I feel like this was a good jumping off point. There were only a few things that I had to research to understand, and it was interesting to get a view into the culture of post- WW2 Japan that wasn’t exclusively focused on the impacts of the war, but rather included those impacts organically so you could feel how they effected the characters. 

3 Stars

CW: Death, death of a parent, illness, infidelity, suicide, suicidal thoughts, gun violence, poison, grief, war

#book review #japanese author #epistolary #classic #short read

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Berry Song Review

"And we sing for the future so that all will hear and all will know this beautiful berry song. Our ancestors sing to us, their voices dancing on wind and water. We sing too, so they know that we'll always remember." This book was beautiful. The illustrations were breathtaking and the story was heartwarming. Following a young Tlingit girl as she learns to harvest berries from her grandmother, the story tells of the connection Indigenous people have with nature and their food source. They sing a song about berries as they share their time in nature, and prepare the berries for cooking. The only reason I did not give 5 stars is because I have read other works from this author that I loved even more. I loved how this book taught the importance of intergenerational teachings and relationships. The illustrations really brought the story to life and I hope to read this book to my future children.

4.5 Stars

#indiginous #own voice #book review #children's lit

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Tanqueray Book Review

“ In 2019, Humans of New York featured a photo of a woman in an outrageous fur coat and hat she made herself. She instantly captured the attention of millions. Her name is Stephanie Johnson, but she’s better known to HONY followers as “Tanqueray,” a born performer who was once one of the best-known burlesque dancers in New York City. Reeling from a brutal childhood, immersed in a world of go-go dancers and hustlers, dirty cops and gangsters, Stephanie was determined to become the fiercest thing the city had ever seen. And she succeeded.” - synopsis of “Tanqueray” from cover

I loved this memoir. It's beautiful simplicity tells the complex life story of Stephanie Johnson, who spent many years as a dancer in New York City clubs using the name Tanqueray. Stephanie's story is an absolutely wild ride, filled with celebrity appearances, romance, heartbreak, and everything in between. Brandon and Stephanie work wonderfully together, and you can tell the two formed a unique bond while working on both this book and the stories that they featured in "Humans of New York." The book high lights the strength and determination Stephanie displayed as a young Black woman making her mark on New York City when clubs weren't yet allowing Black dancers through their doors, let alone making them headliners. I will definitely be adding this book to my shelf. 5/5 Stars

CW: Racism, drug abuse, sexism, child neglect, sexual content, sexual assault, death, imprisonment

(Photo: Stephanie Johnson; HumansofNY/Instagram)

#book review #tanqueray #hony #balck author #memoir

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sweet mother i cannot weave. slender aphrodite has overcome me with carpal tunnel

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Book blogs would you please reblog so that I can follow you; I need more book blogs in my life. ❤️

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This Is Our Rainbow Review

This is the book I needed as a kid.

  "This collection is perfect for the middle schooler (or kid at heart) in your life, but it'll also be meaningful to many adults who didn't get to see this kind of representation when they were in middle school themselves. "- A.J. Sass, author of "Balancing Act" This middle-grade anthology truly covers some of the most difficult and awkward parts of the Queer experience, while offering up hope that we are growing and learning as a society.  Each of the 16 stories brings a unique perspective, with an incredibly diverse cast, and they will have you feeling every emotion under the sun. This is truly an inclusive read, with characters covering every part of LGBTQ+. My favorite stories were "Petra and Pearl," "I Know the Way," "Balancing Act," and "The Purr-cle of Life." I would give each of these 5 stars! They cover a range of topics, from transitioning and pet loss, to generational trauma and first kisses. Each was brought something different to the table and I can't wait to re-read them. I will definitely be getting this book for my shelf, and would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a light hearted, hopeful Queer read. It brought out so many different emotions and made me mourn for baby queer me, who was unable to live life authentically. But through mourning comes healing, and I believe this book has the ability to help many heal, and prevent some of the pain from happening in the first place. 

CWs listed in order of major to minor occurrences based off my reading, and the warnings listed on TheStoryGraph 

CW: Racism, Bullying, Homophobia, Transphobia, Grief, Animal death, Misogyny, Sexism, Slavery, Ableism, Outing, toxic relationship, Death of parent, Acephobia Arophobia, Cultural appropriation, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Murder, Outing, Alcohol, Colonization, Classism

#lgbtq #queer lit #own voice #short story #poc lit #middle grade #storygraph #childrens literature #book review #fiction

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All the Flowers Kneeling Review

CW: sexual assault, imperialism, racism, rape, sexual content, transphobia, violence, trauma

This collection of poetry by Paul Tran left me speechless. They employ a great variety of styles throughout the collection that keeps the reader engaged and shows they are truly a master of their art. Throughout the collection Tran returns to an on-going multi-part poem “ Scheherazade/Scheherazade” which uses the story of 1001 Nights (Arabian Nights) to show the trauma of imperialism and violence towards women. Despite there being notes in the back of the book about this story, I did find myself doing a bit more research into it so I could understand the poems better. 

My 2 favorite entries in this collection were “Scientific Method” and “The Santa Anna.” Both dealt with topics of sexual assault, growth, and healing, as well as transitioning. Below are my favorite lines from these two poems. 

“Beware of me. I who survived.” -”Scientific Method” line 22

“I want to say what happened to me. I want a say in what happens to me.” - “The Santa Anna” page 72, lines 29-32

Overall I loved this collection, although I found I often needed to put it down for an emotions break, as many of the topics covered are triggering for me. Tran covers these topics with grace and respect, so I was still able to finish each poem, I would just advise giving yourself a little extra time with this one. 

4/5 stars

#trans author #poetry #asian author #januarypageschallenge #book review

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Queer Ducks (and Other Animals) Review

The synopsis on the back really says it best...

“ A quiet revolution has been underway... with study after study revealing substantial same-sex sexual behavior in animals. Join celebrated author Eliot Schrefer on an exploration of queer behavior in the animal world--from albatrosses to bonobos to clownfish to doodlebugs. In sharp and witty prose--aided by humorous comics from artist Jules Zuckerberg--Schrefer uses science, history, anthropology, and sociology to illustrate the diversity of sexual behavior in the animal world. Interviews with researchers in the field offer additional insights for readers and aspiring scientists. Queer behavior in animals is as diverse and complex--and as natural--as it is in our own species. It doesn't set us apart from animals--it bonds us even closer to our animal selves. “ 

This book was a really fun and informative read. Eliot Schrefer did a great job conveying information without making the book feel like you were reading an academic paper. As a queer person it was great to have a book confirming that the way I live my life is just as natural as any straight person. This book appears to be aimed at teens and I could only wish that I’d have had access to it while I was in high school. I learned so much about the natural world, and can’t wait to add this one to my shelf. 5/5 Stars

CW: Biphobia, Homophobia, Transphobia, Sexual content, Lesbophobia, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Religious bigotry 

#nonfiction #nature #queer #lgbtqia+ #library finds #storygraph #sexuality #science #see dad I told you Adam and Eve not Adam and Steve was absolute bullshit #ya #inclusive

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Coffee Rabbit Snowdrop Lost Review

Beautiful. I picked this book up on a whim because I enjoyed the cover... boy was I in for a surprise, as the book described my grandfather's quick decline from dementia  perfectly. As an adult I am lucky enough to understand what my grandfather is going through. I can't imagine how hard it would have been for my parents to explain this to me as a child. This book will help so many people begin their journey of understanding their loved one's battle with dementia, and may even inspire some patience from their caregivers. For a book written for children, this one sure did pull out the tears. The illustrator created beautiful art for this book, that adds to the emotional content perfectly.  4.5/5 Stars

CW: dementia, memory loss

#childrens literature #illustrated #storygraph #januarypageschallenge

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The Wolf’s Trail Review

“Sometimes it takes bravery to respect, to be honest, to have humility, to be truthful. I think sometimes it takes bravery to love.”

- Youngest Nephew, Chapter 2: Zaagi-idiwin

I will be re-reading this book for years to come. Beautifully written, The Wolf's Trail shows the connection held between wolves and the Ojibwe people. Told from the perspective of an elder wolf, Zhi-shay, it stresses the importance of story telling and living a good life. This book manages to tackle hard hitting topics like boarding schools, colonization, alcoholism, and death by passing on traditional teachings. It leaves the reader with a sense of hope for the future and an ache for how things used to be for the Ojibwe people before the "New Humans" came over.

I loved that the author focused on the 7 Grandfather teachings, and made the story enjoyable for all ages. 5/5 Stars

CW:  Colonisation, Genocide, Alcoholism, Death, Fire, Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Gun violence, War, Child death, Animal death, Blood

#indiginous #ojibwe #wolves #7 grandfather teachings #the good life #story telling #book review #own voice #januarypageschallenge #storygraph

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The Outside Circle Review

The Outside Circle really forces the reader to look inward. It does not sugar coat anything, and the author and artist do an amazing job conveying the emotional journey of the main character, Pete, while he works to become a warrior.

“Pete, a young Aboriginal man wrapped up in gang violence, lives with his younger brother, Joey, and his mother who is a heroin addict. After returning home one evening, Pete and his mother's boyfriend, Dennis, get into a violent struggle, which sends Dennis to the morgue and Pete to jail. Initially maintaining his gang ties, a jail brawl forces Pete to realize the negative influence he has become on Joey and encourages him to begin a process of rehabilitation through a traditional Native healing circle.”

This book set out to remind us that no matter where you begin, you can always heal. It may not be an easy journey, and you may have to make sacrifices along the way, but with the help of others and through traditional teachings, we can learn to live The Good Life and walk the Red Road. 4/5 stars. I will definitely be adding this book to my shelf!

CW:  Drug abuse, Gun violence, Addiction, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Physical abuse, Forced institutionalization, Murder, and Racism

#indigenous #book review #ojibwe #graphic novel #reconnecting #native #the red road #the good life #own voice #JanuaryPagesChallenge