This book is a perfect blend of funny and poignant, dealing with deep topics like coping with grief and what does a family look like while the sentencThis book is a perfect blend of funny and poignant, dealing with deep topics like coping with grief and what does a family look like while the sentence-level writing had me laughing in pretty much every chapter. When retired sitcom star Patrick takes his niece and nephew the summer after their mom (his best friend Sara) dies, it forces him to reckon with his own grief and loneliness and start healing from the death of his partner 10 years earlier. "Pain doesn't lift until you feel it." And Patrick's been really good at not feeling much of anything these past 10 years. But just maybe he's ready to try to move on. ...more
Honestly, I need to read it again because I was so distracted by my deep appreciation for the format that I want to go baOh, this book was fantastic.
Honestly, I need to read it again because I was so distracted by my deep appreciation for the format that I want to go back with more of an eye for the actual story. I think this is a super book for anyone interested in Deaf culture and Deaf oppression, as well as a compelling story about what it means to have a sense of belonging and how fragile that can be sometimes. Without a doubt one of the best books I will read this year. ...more
I loved this book so much I bought myself a copy after reading it from the library. This is so much more than a celebrity memoir from a guy who won AmI loved this book so much I bought myself a copy after reading it from the library. This is so much more than a celebrity memoir from a guy who won America's Next Top Model and Dancing with the Stars. It's a love letter to American Sign Language and Deaf Culture. I found it such a moving story and a wonderful introduction to the historic and ongoing oppression of d/Deaf people. DiMarco also includes resources for further reading on Deaf history and Deaf culture. Highly, highly recommended for anyone interested in Deaf lives. ...more
In a near future world, subtle aliens called The Seep have infiltrated human life, blessing them with the world they thought they wanted: no war, no pIn a near future world, subtle aliens called The Seep have infiltrated human life, blessing them with the world they thought they wanted: no war, no poverty, everyone happy. The Seep connects everything on Earth and has the ability to heal and change human cells. When Trina's wife Deeba decides that she wants to be reborn as a baby and life a new life with no painful memories of the past, Trina finds herself alone and facing a bleak new life at the age of 50. This thoughtful dystopian novel examines free will, consent, and the fact that even when life is everlasting, nothing lasts forever.
This is a pretty quick read and really trippy with humorous moments throughout, too. I'd hand it to fans of Kurt Vonnegut. ...more
Read this for our Reading the Rainbow book group and I'll be interested to see what everyone has to say! I don't know that I would say I enjoyed it, bRead this for our Reading the Rainbow book group and I'll be interested to see what everyone has to say! I don't know that I would say I enjoyed it, but I will say that I appreciate reading a novel about a boy's summer with his first big love and exploring his identity as a bisexual man. And also I loved Elio's dad.
Even if some library has put a romance sticker on the spine of this book, it is not a romance novel. A love story, sure, but not a romance novel. ...more
Super cute - there were multiple moments when I literally slapped one hand over my mouth while driving because what was happening was just so perfect.Super cute - there were multiple moments when I literally slapped one hand over my mouth while driving because what was happening was just so perfect. Loved. loved, loved this. ...more
Fans of Jonathan Van Ness's work on Queer Eye and his social media networks and other projects will enjoy this collection of essays. Dealing with a raFans of Jonathan Van Ness's work on Queer Eye and his social media networks and other projects will enjoy this collection of essays. Dealing with a range of topics from the little-known queer culture of his small Illinois hometown to a Harry Potter fan's reckoning with JK Rowling's harmful rhetoric around trans people to identifying and working on unpacking white privilege, the essays tackle some weighty subjects, all with JVN's signature conversational tone. Loved it. ...more
Delilah Green is living her best starving artist life in NYC when she gets the call to go home to Bright Falls, Washington to photograph her stepsisteDelilah Green is living her best starving artist life in NYC when she gets the call to go home to Bright Falls, Washington to photograph her stepsister Astrid's wedding. She dreads going home to her icy stepmother and narcissistic stepsister and her friends who made her adolescence an isolating nightmare, but she desperately needs the cash.
Claire hasn't dated in way too long, desperately trying to get off the on-again, off-again roller coaster with her ex and raising her tween daughter on her own. When she sees a gorgeous stranger in Bright Falls' only bar, she doesn't recognize Delilah, the lonely loser stepsister of Claire's best friend, but sparks immediately fly.
As Delilah and Claire get to know each other again and as they plot together to disrupt Astrid's ill-fated nuptials to a jerkface, they will both discover wrong assumptions they made as teens. And their casual fling just may turn out to be something life-changing for them both.
With its picturesque small town setting, fun characters, and a steamy slow burn of a romance, I really enjoyed this sapphic romcom. I am so excited that this is the beginning of a series and I can't wait for the next Bright Falls book! ...more
Oof, read this one after a hard breakup. These emotional poems could be a great catharsis. And while Trista Mateer is bisexual and her poems reflect hOof, read this one after a hard breakup. These emotional poems could be a great catharsis. And while Trista Mateer is bisexual and her poems reflect her feelings after a breakup with a closeted girlfriend, the angst and raw emotions could strike a chord with any reader who's suffered through heartbreak. ...more
The sex-scenes-to-character-development ratio was off for me personally, but I definitely appreciate a bi poly romance set in a secluded, safe space fThe sex-scenes-to-character-development ratio was off for me personally, but I definitely appreciate a bi poly romance set in a secluded, safe space for its queer characters. ...more
Good reading for anyone who questions sexuality and gender as compulsively hetero and cis (were folks of my generation ever really given any other optGood reading for anyone who questions sexuality and gender as compulsively hetero and cis (were folks of my generation ever really given any other options?). Just like any essay collection, some resonated more than others with me, some are funny and some more serious. If the message you, too, got about bisexuality was Phoebe Buffay singing "And then there are bisexuals, though some just say they're kidding themselves," this may be worth a read! ...more
I accidentally read the sequel to this book (The Surgeon's Daughter) first, so I knew where it would eventually end up, but that didn't spoil this engI accidentally read the sequel to this book (The Surgeon's Daughter) first, so I knew where it would eventually end up, but that didn't spoil this engrossing historical novel. Raised by the eccentric and brilliant surgeon Dr. Croft, Nora is fascinated with medicine and anatomy. She often assists Dr. Croft with his work and is a brilliant anatomist herself. But when a new young doctor arrives to help Dr. Croft with his practice, Nora feels betrayed. There's no way she can continue her work with a stranger around; it's illegal for a woman to practice medicine.
I loved this engrossing historical novel set in 1845 London as so many medical discoveries were happening or about to happen. The book is not based on a real person, but it is heavily researched and plausible. The truth is we may never know about women like Nora who learned about anatomy and science but were forbidden to help people with it.
Recommended for readers interested in medical history (think No Man's Land or The Doctors Blackwell) or biographical novels (even though this isn't one) like Marie Benedict's. ...more
In this powerful memoir, Ashley Ford writes about her childhood growing up in Indiana with her mother and siblings after her father went to prison. ItIn this powerful memoir, Ashley Ford writes about her childhood growing up in Indiana with her mother and siblings after her father went to prison. It's not so much a book about her relationship with her father, but about how her father's actions influenced her relationships with her mother and the rest of her family who were there to raise her. It's powerful, moving, and written very poetically. If you like I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, check out this striking book. ...more
This genre-bending novel has a little something for everyone - a swoony love story, a political mystery, a fascinating speculative world set on distanThis genre-bending novel has a little something for everyone - a swoony love story, a political mystery, a fascinating speculative world set on distant planets. Kiem, a member of the Iskat royal family, always knew he would be called to duty, but suddenly it's time. When his cousin dies suddenly, Kiem is called for a hasty marriage to Taam's widower Jainan in order to solidify the treaty between the two planets. Kiem will do his duty, but he's mortified for Jainan who is being forced into another marriage so soon after losing his beloved. All's not as it seems on multiple fronts, though, and it appears that there are some who don't want this treaty to stand. I loved the characters in this novel so much - Kiem and Jainan and their slow build romance - but the political intrigue was a little much for me to handle personally. There are definitely readers who will connect more with the mystery. ...more
When Dahlia is accepted as a contestant on a cooking competition show, she's not sure what to expect, but it's definitely not falling on her face and When Dahlia is accepted as a contestant on a cooking competition show, she's not sure what to expect, but it's definitely not falling on her face and spilling her very first dish all over the floor. She's picking up the pieces (literally?) after a recent divorce and trying to figure out who she is. Maybe this competition will give her a recipe for her future? London, a fellow contestant, is making headlines as the first openly nonbinary competitor on the show. They know it's a victory for nonbinary visibility, but not all their fellow chefs are respectful. Is being out on national TV worth the stress? When Dahlia and London meet, sparks don't fly right away. But day after day of cooking side by side, the heat starts to build, in and out of the kitchen. This is a sexy romcom with characters I loved and the setting will definitely appeal to fans of reality cooking shows. ...more
Another good pick from my Ripped Bodice basket. This was my first KJ Charles and I've been meaning to read some of her books for awhile. I enjoyed thiAnother good pick from my Ripped Bodice basket. This was my first KJ Charles and I've been meaning to read some of her books for awhile. I enjoyed this Regency romance about a fortune hunter cardsharp and a wealthy noble. Characters to love, steamy love scenes, what's not to enjoy? ...more
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