Welcome to Litsy!

I realize in my last review I claimed to never read YA, and here I am posting a review of a YA novel lol.
But truly, I have abandoned this genre for the most part and picked this up as a #transrightsreadathon audiobook. V reminiscent of Mad Honey (tagged ⬇️) though this was written first. Allows readers to put themselves in the shoes of the MC as she navigated teen social life with the added complexity of her trans identity.

I really liked the concept of this one, maybe if I hadn't done audio I wouldn't be as frustrated. But the dual narration was distracting bc the male narrator had a horrible reading voice! It brought me out of the story. Otherwise I loved the mythical world. The trans/bigender & disability rep was unique in the medieval setting. The magic system was intriguing. The miscommunication trope was drawn out but once the enemies became allies it picked up

Dean is pretty sure he's trans but once he gets cast as Romeo in his school play, acting as a boy every day confirms his suspicions and makes it impossible for him to hide his true self outside of the theatre. Coming out is messy and not what he planned, especially how it affects his relationships with others. This is such an emotionally charged story, beautifully written
Book 8 finished for the #TransRightsReadathon

This is what I ended up reading for the #transrightsreadathon, but I‘m not sure it sank in as well as it could‘ve due to a flare of my MCAS. It was a rough weekend!

Butler, a non-binary person, has written widely about gender, and in this collection of essays, they talk about people and organizations that are invested in continuing the gender binary from Republicans in the US to TERFs in the UK.

In ten essays, Imbler writes about ten different sea creatures and relates them to their own life experiences. They explore their own identity as well as their relationships with others and has a gentle way of connecting the natural world to the human experience that was so earnest and insightful.
Book 7 for the #TransRightsReadathon

Two high school best friends are reunited years later when they both return to their small hometown for different reasons. Nate has now transitioned and he & Jack start a friends-with-benefits relationship. This was a very character-driven, emotional story, as the men venture into this new dynamic on top of old feelings for each other as well as navigating expectations and judgement surrounding Nate's transness
Book 6 for the #TransRightsReadathon

Alex Easton returns, this time to their family‘s neglected hunting lodge, where death comes quietly at night to suck the very breath from your lungs. What Feasts at Night has all the darkly humorous, thrillingly gothic, and deliciously folkloric horror we know and love from its predecessor What Moves the Dead. I just enjoy Alex, Angus, and Miss Potter so much, I‘d follow them into any creepy corner of Gallacia! Read for the #TransRightsReadathon!

Happy Trans Day of Visibility 🏳️‍⚧️
I finished 9 books this past week for the #TransRightsReadathon
I still have to review a few but they were all great and I discovered some new favorites. I think it's so important for trans stories to be shared wide, for those who relate, to see themselves reflected, and for those who don't, to learn and gain empathy 🩷🤍🩵 #TRR24

I had to read Green's story, as they were such a vibrant character in 'Rick'. Being nonbinary, they have to work through some challenges most kids don't think about. When the school musical is being cast, they have to fight for gender neutral casting. When puberty starts, they have to make decisions about their body. And if they have a crush on a boy who says he's straight, is it hopeless to think he could ever like them back?

Described as Ferris Bueller meets Dash & Lily, I'd say that's apt. Two queer teens visiting New York with their marching bands to play in the Thanksgiving day parade end up meeting by chance & going on their own adventure in the city. I loved the dynamic between Abby & Leo - her staunch belief in the Universe & his more pessimistic worldview - and how they related to each other even through their different life experiences of being queer & trans