Marley's Pride by Joëlle Retener

Marley's Pride by Joëlle Retener, 32 pages

​Marley is a nonbinary kid with sensory issues who desperately wants to celebrate at the Pride parade with their grandparent Zaza, but must first learn to quiet the butterflies in their tummy! 

​The story is sweet and encouraging with a positive message for youngsters, especially the NBs, but I think the illustrations are what makes the book shine. DeAnn Wiley's art elevates Retener's words, and she includes all types of bodies (sizes, colors, styles).  It was lovely to see. 

 

Goodbye Paradise by Sarina Bowen

Goodbye Paradise by Sarina Bowen, 266 pages

"My favourite part of this whole book was when Josh gets super angry with Caleb, rightfully so, for deciding for them that he is going to marry Miriam. When he gets to their loft and chucks out all Caleb’s clothes and then Caleb goes drinking and he has to shamefacedly call Josh for a pick up? I was like, yeah, Josh be the boss of your life and talk some sense into this dummy." (ladyofthepack, Reddit)

 

An Education in Malice by S.T. Gibson

An Education in Malice by S.T. Gibson, 352 p.

"Sumptuous and addictive, An Education in Malice is a dark academia tale of blood, secrets and insatiable hungers from Sunday Times bestselling author S.T. Gibson, author of the cult hit A Dowry of Blood.

Deep in the forgotten hills of Massachusetts stands Saint Perpetua's College. Isolated and ancient, it is not a place for timid girls. Here, secrets are currency, ambition is lifeblood, and strange ceremonies welcome students into the fold.

On her first day of class, Laura Sheridan is thrust into an intense academic rivalry with the beautiful and enigmatic Carmilla. Together, they are drawn into the confidence of their demanding poetry professor, De Lafontaine, who holds her own dark obsession with Carmilla.

But as their rivalry blossoms into something far more delicious, Laura must confront her own strange hungers. Tangled in a sinister game of politics, bloodthirsty professors and dark magic, Laura and Carmilla must decide how much they are willing to sacrifice in their ruthless pursuit of knowledge." --Amazon blurb

 

This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel

This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel, 338 p.

"This is how a family keeps a secret…and how that secret ends up keeping them. This is how a family lives happily ever after…until happily ever after becomes complicated. This is how children change…and then change the world.

This is Claude. He’s five years old, the youngest of five brothers, and loves peanut butter sandwiches. He also loves wearing a dress, and dreams of being a princess. When he grows up, Claude says, he wants to be a girl. 

Rosie and Penn want Claude to be whoever Claude wants to be. They’re just not sure they’re ready to share that with the world. Soon the entire family is keeping Claude’s secret. Until one day it explodes.

This Is How It Always Is is a novel about revelations, transformations, fairy tales, and family. And it’s about the ways this is how it always is: Change is always hard and miraculous and hard again, parenting is always a leap into the unknown with crossed fingers and full hearts, children grow but not always according to plan. And families with secrets don’t get to keep them forever."--Amazon blurb

 This book. This story. These people's lives. An absolutely incredible story that was hard to read at times. These are the types of books that put you in the shoes of someone you would never be otherwise, which benefits all of society. Frankel has great character development and the sometimes switch of character perspective was a good change of pace when needed. Storyline was hard at times, poetic at others. I've never read Frankel before but will be looking into her other stuff! 5 stars

Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe

 Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe-240 pages

Gender Queer is the story of Maia Kobabe's journey to realizing e doesn't identify as female or male. Maia goes by the pronouns e, em, eir. I wanted to read this because there's been a lot of talk about it and it's been challenged frequently. There are some somewhat sexual images, but they are all in the context of Maia's exploration of eir gender identity. Maia was assigned female at birth, but as I mentioned, doesn't identify as female or male and identifies as asexual. This is a very personal story about Maia's journey. 

If We're Being Honest by Cat Shook

If We're Being Honest by Cat Shook, 304 p. 

"When Gerry, the beloved Williams patriarch, dies suddenly, his grandchildren flock from across the country to the family home in Eulalia, Georgia. But when Gerry’s best friend steps up to the microphone to deliver his eulogy, the funeral turns out unlike anyone expected. The cousins, left reeling and confused, cope with their fresh grief and various private dramas. Delia, recently heartbroken, refuses to shut up about her ex. Her sister Alice, usually confident, flusters when she spots her high school sweetheart, hiding a secret that will change both of their lives. Outspoken, affable Grant is preening in the afterglow of his recent appearance on The Bachelorette and looking to reignite an old flame with the least available person in town. Meanwhile, his younger brother Red, unsure of himself and easily embarrassed, desperately searches for a place in the boisterous family.

The cousins’ eccentric parents are in tow, too, and equally lost—in love and in life. Watching over them all is Ellen, Gerry’s sweet and proper widow, who does her best to keep her composure in front of the leering small town. Clever and completely original, If We’re Being Honest reminds you that while no one can break your heart like your family can, there’s really no one better to put you back together."--Goodreads blurb

 Families = drama, right? If We're Being Honest by Cat Shook illustrates that with all the emotion you'd expect with the family gathering for the funeral of their family's patriarch. The different storylines of the family were engrossing, with some characters you just rooted for and others you couldn't stand. The writing style was simple and easy, driving the storyline forwarding from one viewpoint to another. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and writing and will be looking for more books written by Shook.

 

The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne

The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne, 582 p.

"Cyril Avery is not a real Avery or at least that’s what his adoptive parents tell him. And he never will be. But if he isn’t a real Avery, then who is he? Born out of wedlock to a teenage girl cast out from her rural Irish community and adopted by a well-to-do if eccentric Dublin couple via the intervention of a hunchbacked Redemptorist nun, Cyril is adrift in the world, anchored only tenuously by his heartfelt friendship with the infinitely more glamourous and dangerous Julian Woodbead. 

At the mercy of fortune and coincidence, he will spend a lifetime coming to know himself and where he came from – and over his three score years and ten, will struggle to discover an identity, a home, a country and much more. 

In this, Boyne's most transcendent work to date, we are shown the story of Ireland from the 1940s to today through the eyes of one ordinary man. The Heart's Invisible Furies is a novel to make you laugh and cry while reminding us all of the redemptive power of the human spirit."--Goodreads blurb

This character-driven story was a wonderful look into the lives of many interesting people. The "side characters" really helped make this book incredible and following him through his life was very emotional. 

 

Squad by Maggie Tokuda-Hall and Lisa Steele

Squad by Maggie Tokuda-Hall and Lisa Sterle-213 pages

Becca moves from LA to Piedmont and starts at a posh new high school. She really wants to be normal and have normal friends. One day a simple act of kindness gets her in with the popular girls known as the Squad (Marley, Arianna, and Amanda). She starts going to parties with them and becomes friends with them. One night at a party, the Squad reveals that they're werewolves and eat "the worst guys" to satiate their hunger and replenish their energy. However, things start to go wrong after a while and the FBI is on the case when a local "worst guy" named Thatcher goes missing (Becca killed him in self-defense). Becca and Marley end up falling in love with each other and end up going to prom together. What happens to the Squad and their alpha, Arianna, in particular? I enjoyed reading this graphic novel and would give it 4 starts. 
 

Her Majesty's Royal Coven by Juno Dawson

 

Her Majesty's Royal Coven (Her Majesty's Royal Coven #1) by Juno Dawson, 448 p.

"A Discovery of Witches meets The Craft in this the first installment of this epic fantasy trilogy about a group of childhood friends who are also witches.

If you look hard enough at old photographs, we're there in the background: healers in the trenches; Suffragettes; Bletchley Park oracles; land girls and resistance fighters. Why is it we help in times of crisis? We have a gift. We are stronger than Mundanes, plain and simple.

At the dawn of their adolescence, on the eve of the summer solstice, four young girls--Helena, Leonie, Niamh and Elle--took the oath to join Her Majesty's Royal Coven, established by Queen Elizabeth I as a covert government department. Now, decades later, the witch community is still reeling from a civil war and Helena is now the reigning High Priestess of the organization. Yet Helena is the only one of her friend group still enmeshed in the stale bureaucracy of HMRC. Elle is trying to pretend she's a normal housewife, and Niamh has become a country vet, using her powers to heal sick animals. In what Helena perceives as the deepest betrayal, Leonie has defected to start her own more inclusive and intersectional coven, Diaspora. And now Helena has a bigger problem. A young warlock of extraordinary capabilities has been captured by authorities and seems to threaten the very existence of HMRC. With conflicting beliefs over the best course of action, the four friends must decide where their loyalties lie: with preserving tradition, or doing what is right.

Juno Dawson explores gender and the corrupting nature of power in a delightful and provocative story of magic and matriarchy, friendship and feminism. Dealing with all the aspects of contemporary womanhood, as well as being phenomenally powerful witches, Niamh, Helena, Leonie and Elle may have grown apart but they will always be bound by the sisterhood of the coven." --Goodreads blurb

This was a fantastic surprise for me, as I fell in love with this book. I realized too late that it was the first in a series, and I usually try not to read series books until there are at least a couple out in the series, because like some kind of addict, I get angry when I can't continue on with a story I love when I know there is going to be more! This was a quintessential good vs. evil, yet there were some grey characters. I'm new to this author, and while it did get a little mired in the "lesson" of the book at times, I really loved this book and these characters. Can't wait until the next one is out!

Red, White, & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

Red, White, & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston, 421 p.

"First Son Alex Claremont-Diaz is the closest thing to a prince this side of the Atlantic. With his intrepid sister and the Veep’s genius granddaughter, they’re the White House Trio, a beautiful millennial marketing strategy for his mother, President Ellen Claremont. International socialite duties do have downsides—namely, when photos of a confrontation with his longtime nemesis Prince Henry at a royal wedding leak to the tabloids and threaten American/British relations. The plan for damage control: staging a fake friendship between the First Son and the Prince.

As President Claremont kicks off her reelection bid, Alex finds himself hurtling into a secret relationship with Henry that could derail the campaign and upend two nations. What is worth the sacrifice? How do you do all the good you can do? And, most importantly, how will history remember you?" -- Goodreads blurb

After just coming off of a heavy epic fantasy, I thought I'd pick up a fun read, though this is out of my usual wheelhouse. I read a McQuiston book last year, though, and loved it, and thought I'd try this one out. It DID NOT disappoint. This book was just a good time, plain and simple. It has all that good romance has, enemies-to-lovers, humor, real relationship building, great side characters, and emotion. I will read everything McQuiston writes. 
 

The Bride Was a Boy by Chii

The Bride Was a Boy by Chii - 158 pgs

This is the manga memoir of Chii.  It goes through the process she underwent transitioning from male to female along with her relationship with her now husband. 

Ship of the Dead by Rick Riordan

The Ship of the Dead by Rick Riordan - 424 pages
Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgaard #3

Magnus must go on a sea voyage to Jotunheim to stop Loki and the Ship of the Dead from starting Ragnarok -- the end of the world.

This is the final volume in the Magnus Chase trilogy.  It was a great conclusion in that the story drew you in from first chapter and kept you interested.  In fact, I didn't want to put it down.  However, I did think the ending was a little quick. 

The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee

The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee - 513 pages

Henry "Monty" Montague is heading out on his Grand Tour of Europe with his best friend Percy.  It's meant to be one last hurrah for Monty and Percy before he settles down to estate management with his father.  However, his father is using it to punish Monty for being a little too interested in boys.  So Monty sets out for Paris with Percy, his sister and their leader.  But Monty can't seem to keep out of trouble.  He gets caught naked at Versailles, steals a locked box, is chased by an angry baron, set on by highwaymen, poisoned, and attacked by pirates -- all while bringing everything he knew about life and love into question.

I started reading this book for the LGBTQIA challenge last month.  However, I didn't finish it on time.  It got really great reviews, but I found it difficult to get into the first half of the story.  Monty is an extremely unlikable character in the beginning - a narcissistic alcoholic.  If the book wasn't for the challenge, I wouldn't have kept reading it.  I'm glad I did stick with it as by the end of the book you really start to like the various characters.  The author also included several notes in the back of the book on the grand tour, epilepsy, politics, and queer culture in history.

Love, Ellen: A Mother/Daughter Journey by Betty DeGeneres

Love, Ellen: A Mother/Daughter Journey by Betty DeGeneres, 366 pages

In this touching memoir, Ellen's mother, Betty DeGeneres recounts her life story including her marriages and raising Ellen and her brother as a single mother.  Betty had no idea Ellen was a Lesbian until it was revealed to her in 1978.  So, for the next 20 years, Ellen's Mother helped conceal her secret until Ellen was ready to reveal it to the world.  This book is such a heartfelt story of how Ellen's mother has stood by her through her journey to become a famous comedienne and onto becoming one of the most famous talk show hosts in the world.  To read the struggles Ellen's Mother faced throughout her own life brings to light why Ellen is the remarkable human being she is.  This is a great read for all mothers and daughters!

Gay America: Struggle For Equality by Linas Alsenas

Gay America: Struggle For Equality by Linas Alsenas, 166 pages

Gay America is a colorful book of the struggle that has occurred over the past 125 years in the history of Gay America's struggle for equality. The book touches on subjects such as gays in the military, politics, and pictures before the 20th Century.  The book touches on the AIDS epidemic and gays rights to marry.  It also contains information how gays are portrayed in movies and the Ryan White scandal.  This was a very informative book on how rights of Gay Americans have evolved through the years.

What If? Answers to Questions About What It Means to Be Gay and Lesbian by Eric Marcus

What If? Answers to Questions About What It Means to Be Gay and Lesbian by Eric Marcus, 185 pages

Written for the juvenile reader and previously published as What If Someone I Know Is Gay?  is a very informative book written for juveniles.  It contains questions and answers by real teens about subjects such as bullying and suicide.  It contains lists of National Organizations for young people, resource books and videos.  This would be a great book for juveniles with questions on this subject matter.

Superficial, More Adventures From The Andy Cohen Diaries by Andy Cohen

Superficial, More Adventures From The Andy Cohen Diaries by Andy Cohen, 357 pages

I read Andy Cohen's previous book, and this one was pretty similar.  Except in this book, he is writing about the previous book coming out.  The book is written in diary format over the course of 2014 thru early 2016.  The book gets kind of repetitive with many stories about his dog, Wacha and the shows he produces especially the Real House of (fill-in the blank for location).  He also hosts and produces Watch What Happens: Live on Bravo.  He does do a lot of name dropping of his famous friends like Anderson Cooper, Madonna, and Kelly Ripa.

Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out Written and Photographed by Susan Kuklin

Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out, Written and Photographed by Susan Kuklin, 182 pages

In Beyond Magenta, real people tell their stories about their journey through transitioning.  I thought it was fascinating that they used real people to tell their stories. The book contains many photographs.  Some people's stories contain photographs, some do not.  The stories in this book were really heartfelt.  It is interesting that the title of the book came from something one person wrote "What are you?  (someone) said. You gotta choose. (someone) said, Pink or Blue?"  Luke said "I'm a real nice color of magenta."  In the back of the book there is a glossary and a list of advocacy groups.

This Book Is Gay by James Dawson

This Book Is Gay by James Dawson, 264 pages

This Book Is Gay is a very informative and descriptive book written for the teen audience. The book contains detailed drawings that go along with the text. This book contains a lot of information not only for teens but also for adults. I found it a very interesting read.  In the back, it also contains a list of gay icons and terms and definitions.

Keeping You a Secret by Julie Anne Peters

Keeping You a Secret by Julie Anne Peters-256 pages

I decided to read an LGBTQIA book since it's the challenge. I am not into it myself, but the book was okay. It was a coming out story for a teen girl who seemed to have it all, but met and soon fell in love with the new girl in school. It is somewhat dated and cliche, but it is a decent read, overall.