Had some time before the band concert this evening, so I grabbed this one from my library. I was looking for a comfort read since I wasn‘t feeling good today and this one was like a hug. It is gently layered with themes of identity, what it means to be “good people”, and how sometimes there‘s a ‘before‘ you and a slightly different ‘after‘. Kirkus called it “Warm and nuanced”.

Y‘all. I did a thing today. I interviewed this lovely author for a book festival session. She is incredibly talented, but also just a wonderful person. Kirkus starred review called this book “Stellar”. It was an honor and I loved every minute.

Found this author randomly on Threads and now I‘m his biggest fan. Turns out I get to interview him in the fall. AND he was added to the NYT Bestseller List this week!!

When you find out later that you accidentally matched your book when getting your nails done…

I kept hoping for a plot twist or a metaphorical death and when it became apparent that Silvera did indeed mean dead, I shut down and couldn‘t finish. For six years. I finally was brave today and finished. No actual tears were shed but I‘m sure that had nothing to do with me being around other people. I did actually enjoy it and I liked the ending. I mean, if they had to die. #notaspoiler #itsinthetitle

Book Haul!! Where should I start??

4 more bingos! @Kenyazero #LGBTQbookbingo

#firstlinefridays @ShyBookOwl

Colorful, lush, evocative storytelling that twists and turns—at the heart of which is a fantastical love between two men, a love that spans lifetimes and realities. Really intricate weaving of themes and storylines that‘s energized by a curse and an adventure. I was surprised and delighted by this debut and this author is now officially on my must-buy list. Also, the audiobook adds so much context to the story. It‘s a must listen! 5🌟

Stunning poetry collection! From the publisher: “Mark Bibbins‘s book-length poem sequence brings the AIDS crisis of the 1980s and ‘90s into new light—an account that approximates, with stunning lyricism, “what music sounds like / just before the record skips.” Part elegy, part memoir in verse, this is a groundbreaking collection whose trajectory runs counter to the impulse toward nostalgia, unearthing what was thought to have burned in the fire.”

I just completed my first lgbtq bingo of the year! @Kenyazero #LGBTQBookBingo from the top down: 📖Topping the Alpha (this is horrible, don‘t waste your time) 📖 the Girl From the Sea 📖Halo 📖Bloom 📖Lose You to Find Me

Loved this MM YA romcom. Angsty but cute, with a stellar audio by Kirt Graves.

I can appreciate why people have raved about it but it just didn‘t evoke much of anything but frustration for me. I think I also disagree with the characterization as “sapphic”. The characters are called “she” but with all the body swapping and pod creation, the many lived experiences…gender just doesn‘t really seem to play any great role in the story for me. Some truly beautiful language in places, but overall just ‘eh‘ for me.

Absolutely charming YA MM rom-com. Friends to boyfriends—throw in a struggling take out shop, a baking contest, and family drama. AAPI rep. And now I need to find a mooncake to try!!

Loving this new release. Cute and angsty. The audio narrated by Michael Crouch is stellar. Update: first 5🌟read of the year!! Perfection!!

March 7, 2024

Omg saw this one right after Satrapi‘s new title! I talk about the Soul of an Octopus all the time!! Looking forward to some new insights!!

Just saw this upcoming release. As someone who has read and watched Persepolis about 100 times, I can‘t wait!! I‘m sure it will be something special!

Oh my goodness. I can‘t even. I can‘t breathe! 🤩🤩🤩🤩😱😱😱🥰🥰🥰 The sequel has a cover!!!! 💜💜💜🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈

I loved The Darkness Outside Us so much (and there‘s a SEQUEL coming??!! OMG) that I picked up this gem. They‘re nothing alike in setting or events, except that it‘s absolutely charming, well narrated and has that Schrefer signature prose that reaches in, pulls you closer and hangs on to you. A piano virtuoso, a loving family, a young Marcel Proust, and genuine human connections. So glad I picked this one up!!

Concise, fast-moving and thorough overview. Provides interesting details from UK and around the world in addition to LGBTQIA+ history from the US.

My first 5🌟read of the year!! Enemies to lovers, high angst, lots of life issues, but a really meaningful story. Loved it. MM rom-com, with lots of chemistry but no spice on the page.

Just started Mason Deaver‘s newest. It‘s a great start!!

Amazing list of romance novels in wildly diverse genres and themes. From The Ex-Hex to The Price of Salt to Anna Karenina and every place in between, this list has something for everyone!! Recommended by authors and booksellers!! https://parade.com/books/best-romance-books-of-all-time?fbclid=PAAaYbYhxWxb-MJ99...

My only 5 🌟reads for 2023!

▪️70 🏳️‍🌈 books ▪️4 non-🏳️‍🌈 books ▪️5 5🌟 reads ▪️11 audiobooks ▪️2 print books ▪️72 e-books ▪️Average pages 265 ▪️Average 3.5🌟 Well, this is 100 less than last year but it‘s way more than the 20 I thought I would read. This year has been incredibly challenging so I‘ll take it!

Has anyone watched or read Fellow Travelers??

Created by romance authors, it works with any e-reader device or app!! Check out the full list here https://www.romancebookworms.com/ You can search by genre, BIPOC, LBGTQ+, and more! Happy reading!!

https://www.themarginalian.org/2014/02/12/maira-kalman-ink-talk/

“You can‘t know what it is like for us now—you will always be one step behind.”

I‘m just starting my first Book Fair as a newbie librarian! I was pleasantly surprised the diverse books were mixed in instead of being in a separate case as they initially planned. I‘ve gotten prize donations and books donated so everyone gets something—even if they can‘t pay! Now I just have to make it through the rest of my previews and Parent Night! Wish me luck!

Book Tok made me do it!! No regrets! 10/10, would buy again!!

Absolutely charming, character-driven with very low angst. 5🌟🏳️‍🌈

I loved it! 5🌟. Even better than his first series. I can‘t wait to read the rest!! Diverse characters ftw!! 🥰🥰🥰 Also top-notch audio by Michael David Axtell!

Heard the amazing Alan Gratz speak yesterday!!

Heard these two in person last night. So entertaining and also important.

Charming and sweet. Faithful to the original book. Loved it!! 5🌟

Kindle says 176 books but I‘ll take it. 😍

Just some of the many from the #holidaycardswap @LibrarianRyan

I‘m a bit late but 1. Chai latte and 2. O Holy night by Josh groban. @chasjjlee @TheSpineView

Lovely, low-angst, mm romance. Great third book in the series. Can‘t wait for the audiobook.

I‘m 48% in. It‘s witty and banter-y, sweet and lol funny in places…but it‘s me and reading an MC with anxiety like mine is so hard to take that I can only read it in small doses. The audiobook is also well done. Maybe the miracle here is that it‘s so well written I can still enjoy it, even in small bites.

Best one yet. Loved the conclusion to this trilogy. And Michael David Axtell did an excellent job with the audiobook narration!

@katy4peas @Deblovestoread @Bookgoil #litsylovefallswap

#LLFS @katy4peas It‘s here!! Can‘t wait to open it!! @Deblovestoread @Bookgoil

Neil is not only a genius, he‘s hysterically funny! Can‘t wait to read his new book.

The author speaking and reading this morning from her new book.

Lovely story and illustrations.

What do you do when you are in a school media center and Wi-Fi (which you need to do your work) goes out. Find a good book! Or two. Or three…

The Hugo winners are announced! https://www.tor.com/2022/09/04/2022-hugo-award-winners/?fbclid=IwAR3pyT6duEPpPJo...