LGBTQIA | Lost in a Good Book

If It Makes You Happy by Claire Kann

24 Oct 2024 Leave a comment

by Amy in 3 Stars, Audiobook, LGBTQIA, Young Adult Tags: Audiobook, caroline sorunke, claire kann, lgbt, LGBTQIA, three stars, young adult

Published: 04 June 2019 (print)/2021 (audio)
Publisher: Swoon Reads/Spotify Audio
Pages: 352/9 hrs and 48 mins
Narrator: Caroline Sorunke
Format: Audiobook
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
★ ★ ★ – 3 Stars

Winnie is living her best fat girl life and is on her way to the best place on earth. No, not Disneyland–her Granny’s diner, Goldeen’s, in the small town of Misty Haven. While there, she works in her fabulous 50’s inspired uniform, twirling around the diner floor and earning an obscene amount of tips. With her family and ungirlfriend at her side, she has everything she needs for one last perfect summer before starting college in the fall.

…until she becomes Misty Haven’s Summer Queen in a highly anticipated matchmaking tradition that she wants absolutely nothing to do with.

Newly crowned, Winnie is forced to take centre stage in photoshoots and a never-ending list of community royal engagements. Almost immediately, she discovers that she’s deathly afraid of it all: the spotlight, the obligations, and the way her Merry Haven Summer King, wears his heart, humour, and honesty on his sleeve.

Stripped of Goldeen’s protective bubble, to salvage her summer Winnie must conquer her fears, defy expectations, and be the best Winnie she knows she can be–regardless of what anyone else thinks of her.

I almost gave up on this book quite early on. It was uninteresting and I wasn’t connecting to these characters or their weird small town celebration. It is one of those small town beauty pageants that is revered to only those in the town limits. Puddin’ had something similar which was also just as strange.

I persisted because I wanted to see the diversity rep, it had appeared on a few lists and I was reading it as a box ticker instead of any real interest in the plot. Thankfully it got better by the halfway point, by then you get to know the characters and could work around the weird stuff and pick out some good moments.

I liked Winnie, and I liked her opinions and her fight against injustice. The weird pageant isn’t as big of a plot point as I thought it would be which made it better. I zoned out on a few bits but it didn’t impact the plot or my understanding.

It is a great book for representation because it covers a lot of different experiences. Winnie is queer, kinda bi, kinda pan, but queer easily covers it. Despite armed with this knowledge I’m still not entirely sure what the deal is with Cara. There is mention of a queer platonic relationship which is fantastic, and she has been pegged as aromatic but it is vague within the story. Again, unspecified is totally fine, there doesn’t need to be neon signs and labels pointing everything out to a reader, but sometimes it is nice having things confirmed. I think the implications are enough to go on though, especially given Kann’s history of writing LGBTQIA rep.

Around the strong opinions and the personal strife the story does get boring again but you power through. There’s generational issues to explore plus there are good, serious, and honest conversations between friends and family members which is a nice change from unrealistically avoiding conversations for plot tension.

Overall it’s slow, it’s a bit boring, but I can see it is important and Winnie is a good character to tell the story. Sorunke is a decent narrator and brought Winnie’s voice to life. I liked that the ending wasn’t a perfect happily ever after. It felt real, and it felt hopeful, which is all you could ask for really.

You can purchase If It Makes You Happy via the following

QBD | Dymocks | Booktopia

Wordery | Blackwell’s | Angus & Robertson

Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust | Audible

Long Lost Review: Can’t Say it Went to Plan by Gabrielle Tozer

12 Sep 2024 Leave a comment

by Amy in 3 Stars, Audiobook, LGBTQIA, Young Adult Tags: #ll, Audiobook, gabrielle tozer, long lost review, Long Lost Reviews, three stars, young adult

Long Lost Reviews is a monthly meme created by Ally over at Ally’s Appraisals which is posted on the second Thursday of every month. The aim is to start tackling your review backlog. Whether it’s an in-depth analysis of how it affected your life, one sentence stating that you only remember the ending, or that you have no recollection of reading the book at all.

Published: 14 September 2021
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 384
Format: Paperback
Genre: Contemporary Young Adult
★ ★ ★ – 3 Stars

School’s out.

Forget study, exams and mapping out the future.

For the next seven days, the only homework is partying with friends, making new ones and living in the moment.

There are no parents or curfews – and no rules.

Zoe, Samira and Dahlia are strangers, but they have something in common: their plans for a dream holiday after their final year of school are flipped upside-down before they even arrive at the beach.

From hooking up and heartache, to growing apart, testing friendships and falling in love, anything can go down this week.

Interestingly I remember reading this book which is often rare for a LLR, but I can’t actually think of anything to say about it. I have tried twice before to read a Tozer book, I didn’t like the other two, but I was willing to give this one a shot. Unfortunately it befell the same fate. I felt it was a little too long, or at least too drawn out, after a while it started to fade out and I became disinterested.

The characters were fine, I never became attached to them and there were a lot to keep track of. There were three different groups with numerous storylines between them so you had to pay attention. I did enjoy when the different groups would cross paths and when they eventually joined up. There is decent character development for a few of the characters but it took a long time. I didn’t expect a quick change, but with the story feeling drawn out the moments in between anything happening felt eternal.

There’s characters to like and characters to dislike, and it was good to see our main players come to their senses and not deal with the idiots they come across. Being a schoolies week of course there had to be the toolies, but Tozer manages them really well and I liked her approach to their inclusion. Clear judgement of a guy who is too old to still be hanging around.

There is still one more Tozer book, I have it on my shelf but deciding when to finally read it will be hard. Do I dive in and get it over with? Wait a few more years to give it a gap between the last one, or do I never even try? These are the questions. It might be that Tozer isn’t the author for me and I should give up.

Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir (#1)

20 Aug 2024 Leave a comment

by Amy in 3 Stars, Audiobook, Fantasy, LGBTQIA Tags: Audiobook, fantasy, moira quirk, tamsyn muir, the locked tomb, three stars

Published: 10 September 2019(print)/ 10 September 2019 (audio)
Publisher: Tor/Recorded Books
Pages: 448/16 hrs and 50 mins
Narrator: Moira Quirk
Format: Audiobook
Genre: Fantasy
★ ★ ★ – 3 Stars

Gideon the Ninth is the most fun you’ll ever have with a skeleton.

The Emperor needs necromancers.

The Ninth Necromancer needs a swordswoman.

Gideon has a sword, some dirty magazines, and no more time for undead bullshit.

Tamsyn Muir’s Gideon the Ninth unveils a solar system of swordplay, cut-throat politics, and lesbian necromancers. Her characters leap off the page, as skillfully animated as necromantic skeletons. The result is a heart-pounding epic science fantasy.

Brought up by unfriendly, ossifying nuns, ancient retainers, and countless skeletons, Gideon is ready to abandon a life of servitude and an afterlife as a reanimated corpse. She packs up her sword, her shoes, and her dirty magazines, and prepares to launch her daring escape. But her childhood nemesis won’t set her free without a service.

Harrowhark Nonagesimus, Reverend Daughter of the Ninth House and bone witch extraordinaire, has been summoned into action. The Emperor has invited the heirs to each of his loyal Houses to a deadly trial of wits and skill. If Harrowhark succeeds she will become an immortal, all-powerful servant of the Resurrection, but no necromancer can ascend without their cavalier. Without Gideon’s sword, Harrow will fail, and the Ninth House will die.

Of course, some things are better left dead.

Everyone has been talking about this book and after reading it I can say it was…ok. I liked it, it is an interesting premise: necromancers, interplanetary adventures, and swordfights all with a modern aesthetic in terms of language, swearing, and attitudes of the kick arse characters. That probably made it a bit more accessible to a non-fantasy reader like myself, but it is still a heavy fantasy with guilds and the art of necromancy to wrap your head around.

Gideon is an intriguing character and as you meet others who have been summoned to this trial they are their own kind of unique which makes for an eclectic group which brings its own challenges and delights.

Harrowhark’s goals and intentions and clear, as are Gideon’s, and seeing the pair interact is amusing since it’s initially begrudging and one of servitude. After a while the pair soften towards one another, especially as the perils around them become clear and they grow closer.

I will say one of the downsides was it is long, or at least it felt long, and I got a smidge bored. I wasn’t very invested in what was happening after a while, despite the strong start and our introduction to Gideon. I will say I enjoyed the fighting at the end, it was enjoyable and engaging after the saggy middle.

I agree Muir is a good writer and you can easily picture what plays out on the page. The writing is vivid and when there are fight scenes or action it’s hard not to become intrigued. I did it as an audio and ?? was a good narrator, they definitely helped me get through it, I think reading it I would have put it down a lot more.

I can see why people enjoy it, it is certainly different and has great magical elements. The guilds and factions, the war etc are all a lot that could be further explored and probably are in the rest of the series. I do not read a lot of fantasy so I am probably not the best judge, and I have definitely read a lot worse.

With three stars I didn’t hate it, it was good, but I will say I wasn’t invested enough to pick up the next one, despite the very creative cliff hanger.

You can purchase Gideon the Ninth via the following

QBD | Dymocks |Wordery

Blackwell’s | Fishpond

Amazon | Amazon Aust | Audible

The Pronoun Book by Chris Ayala-Kronos

14 Jun 2024 Leave a comment

by Amy in 2 Stars, LGBTQIA, The Picture Book Corner Tags: children's picture book, chris ayala-kronos, lgbt, LGBTQIA, melita tirado, picture book

Published: 27th October 2015
Publisher: Clarion Books
Illustrator: Melita Tirado
Pages: 26
Format: Picture Book
★ ★ – 2 Stars

They, she, he . . . all together, us! Join along in this vibrant board book’s joyful celebration of people and their pronouns.

How do you know what someone wants to be called? Ask!

This lively board book features eye-catching illustrations of a diverse cast of people and simple text that introduces their pronouns, perfect for readers both young and old.

This is no nonsense picture book. Technically it isn’t a story, it’s basically a PSA in book form. That isn’t to say it’s bad or ineffectual. It’s basically a book that says if you want to know what to call someone: ask. End book. But then there are a few pages of examples through illustrations of the different types of people that you may meet and the pronouns they may use.

I think it’s a bit simplified to call it a celebration of people and their pronouns when there are basically no words in this book besides she, he, and they. No extra text explaining anything until you get to the resources and notes at the very end. Nothing reminding people that you can’t assume based on appearance, don’t ignore requests, or listen when people correct you and don’t feel bad we’re all learning. Something might have been more helpful than a few pages that are picture book sized posters of nothing.

I’m sure it’s still a good basic intro book, but there would have to be so many conversations as a result. Which again, is great, I love books that start conversations, but it is a lot easier if that is aided by the book. Having a page of notes and resources at the end is something that could happen with any book that had a real story attached to it. Even this one with a few more words would do.

Overall, it was fine, but it’s weird to call it a book. It could be a poster on the wall and illicit the same conversation. If you want a better book about pronouns for kids a better option would be What Are Your Words by Katherine Locke which you can watch a video of it being read here.

You can purchase The Pronoun Book via the following

QBD | Booktopia | Blackwell’s

Wordery | Angus and Robinson

Fishpond | Amazon Aust

Long Lost Review: Act Cool by Tobly McSmith

13 Jun 2024 Leave a comment

by Amy in 3 Stars, Audiobook, LGBTQIA, Long Lost Reviews, Young Adult Tags: #llr, Audiobook, lgbt, LGBTQIA, long lost review, Long Lost Reviews, shaan dasani, three stars, tobly mcsmith, trans, transgender, young adult

Published: 7 September 2021 (print)/7 September 2021 (audio)
Publisher: Quill Tree Books/HarperCollins Publishers
Pages: 352/9 hrs and 36 mins
Narrator: Shaan Dasani
Format: Audiobook
Genre: Young Adult
★ ★ ★ – 3 Stars

A trans teen walks the fine line between doing whatever it takes for his acting dream and staying true to himself in this moving, thought-provoking YA novel from the acclaimed author of Stay Gold.

Aspiring actor August Greene just landed a coveted spot at the prestigious School of Performing Arts in New York. There’s only one problem: His conservative parents won’t accept that he’s transgender. And to stay with his aunt in the city, August must promise them he won’t transition.

August is convinced he can play the part his parents want while acting cool and confident in the company of his talented new friends.

But who is August when the lights go down? And where will he turn when the roles start hitting a little too close to home?

It is hard to like August at the start. His show off style and desire to stand out and be noticed is grating but as you get to know him you see where he’s coming from and why he’s chosen to put on these various personas. August’s different personas is a clear way he adapts who he is for the people he is around. It’s also a great way to show even though August thinks he knows who he is, he still hasn’t quite figured it out.

He has great character growth and the different characters he interacts with help bring out different sides of him, as well as shape his character to the reader. We see more of him around different people and see his active decisions in his behaviour, coupled with the knowledge we already have of his past.

Other characters are great, well rounded, and real. Mr Daniels is a tough teacher who wants to make sure August is there for the right reasons, while his aunt is supportive in a way his other family isn’t. The plot is slow, it takes time getting going but it does eventually build to a pivotal moment. The slow reveal about different experiences August has had help you understand him as you go along, and it shifts how you feel towards him too. His goal to reinvent himself balances against his need to belong and his need for security and friendship which McSmith manages well.

This is a great found family novel, and one I didn’t mind being set in a school setting. The unique location of the acting school was a fresh focus of American YA and it is a great exploration of different aspects of hobbies and passions. Dasani does a good job as narrator, August’s voice comes through and it’s easy to get immersed in the story.

It has great representation but it wasn’t an amazing book. I liked it, it had its moments, and it is sure to resonate with someone or expose them to a different kind of story which is all you can hope in a book. There’s a few content warnings like transphobia, dead naming, as well as the prospect of conversion therapy but it’s important to include as it paints a realistic picture of the real world situations people like August go through and is a great mirror up to some people and their opinions.

You can purchase Act Cool via the following

QBD | Booktopia | Dymocks

Wordery | Angus and Robinson | Blackwell’s

Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust | Audible