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Listen, this book was a hell of a ride for me before I even began reading it.
First, I was SO SO SO excited for it because: fake dating, London setting, pining... it just all gives me LIFE and it is exactly what I want in a book. And then there was the fact that one of the characters is vegetarian, which made me fall in love with this book even more. Also, the cover. Gorgeous. So, so gorgeous.
But I digress.
So, I was incredibly excited for this book to come out. Then, I was warned by some people who have read the ARC before me that I - as a convinced vegan for the animals - would have serious issues with this book. I head about the non-vegetarian being annoyed at the vegetarian for being one. I heard that the non-vegetarian would almost force the vegetarian to eat bacon.
And I was shook. And appalled. And sad. Because all I want in life are more (ideally) vegan characters.
And then, Netgalley and the Publisher gave me an ARC of this to read so I sort of couldn't ignore it any longer.
(I am sorry for the long intro btw, I am getting at something, I promise)
And then I read it. And I have a lot of thoughts about "the veggie issue" which will be discussed later on.
But spoiler: This is a solid five star read for me and I just added it to my Goodreads shelf of all time favourites. I even ordered a hardcopy while only being halfway through, that's how much I loved this book.
Let me tell you why. And I will repeat myself because it is literally exactly what made me go for it in the first place:
The pining.
The fake relationship.
The London setting.
Bloody chef's kiss.
It was made even better by characters that are endearing but have obvious flaws. There are only a hand full of characters in this book I actively didn't like, which were Oliver's parents (abusive idiots) and Luc's father (just an idiot. I think).
Everyone else? Is basically a variation of the 100-emoji. Starting with Oliver and Luc who are both just amazing and I wish I could wrap them in blankets and make them hot cocoa. Both have their issues and are just so amazingly human that it was so easy to connect with them. All of their friends were just a delight and I had more than one loud laugh, when there was banter among them as it is only possible between people who deeply care for each other and know each other really well. Luc's mother and friend with their Drag Race watching and special Curry eating are one of my favourite things about this novel.
Luc's co-workers - especially posh Alex - was so hilariously inapt at... everything, that I wish he was my co-worker. Even though I bet I couldn't be bothered to think of a new joke to tell him every day.
The story was everything I needed and more. As I already said - twice - fake dating and pining are my jam. I love it so much. And this was peak fake dating and pining. There were so many feelings in here, so much of being human and trying to be with another human, so much being in love and just noticing the little things about each other and supporting each other when it's needed. I loved that they just accepted each other with all their quirks and issues because it was "fake", but it was noticable that the respect for each other - even though there was some teasing - was very much real.
All I can say is: READ THIS BOOK, if you want to just feel warm and happy like in a perfect hug.
Now.
Coming to the scenes surrounding vegetarianism and veganism in this book.
Yes, I am a vegan and take it incredibly seriously. I am vegan because I think that we shouldn't treat other breathing, feeling, intelligent beings like we currently are. It makes me sad and I am 100% convinced that this is the right thing to do because I feel it in my heart. Sure, I wish there were more vegans. Sure I WISH there were more vegan characters because reading about how amazing chicken is gets super super tired.
But let me tell you something.
Oliver is not my kind of vegetarian. Yes, he thinks it's the right thing to do. On paper. Its like me being against Amazon and not buying from them while writing this review on an Amazon-owned website. Because I know that I shouldn't. I know that their business ethics are horrible. But it's not something I carry deeply in my heart to the point that it's a part of me. Oliver tries so hard to do the things he thinks are right. He doesn't use Uber for the business practices. He doesn't eat meat because he thinks it's the right thing to do for his health, for the environment and yeah, probably also for the animals. But there's a difference between him and me. For me, this is part of my life. It is who I am. For him, he feels like it's expected from him to do the best he can. And so he does, to the best of his ability. And I think that is incredibly honourable.
He eats meat twice in this book. Nobody forces him to do it but he is given a choice.
I was under the impression that Luc "forces" Oliver to have the bacon sandwich before reading the scene. He definitely isn't. However, he is encouraging him. Which to me, is absolutely fine. He tries to be there for the person he loves and tries to make him feel better after having been verbally abused by his parents. And if Oliver wants bacon, Oliver should have bacon. Because Luc knows exactly why Oliver is a vegetarian. And he is super supportive.
In the beginning, there is a scene where Oliver tells Luc about his vegetarianism and Luc reacts in a way that I thought was a little much at the time and I found myself to be a little annoyed. Getting to know Luc more, I know that he was annoyed at Oliver for trying to "do the right thing" because Luc can't. There is probably a healthy dose of doesn't want to and wouldn't in there as well but Luc actually, really, can't. He has so many issues, with himself, with his family, with his job. He feels absolutely overwhelmed with his life. Of course he doesn't have the headspace to deal with the wellfare of animals on top of that.
(This is not me saying that we shouldn't think about animals if/when we have a lot going on because we definitely should, but getting to know Luc just made it clear that he was absolutely overwhelmed as it was. Without thinking about baby chicks being shredded after birth because they're not useful to us).
Luc seems open and accepting of a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle, which becomes apparent when he goes to a vegan cafe and meets the chef. Yes, he'd rather have a burger - with dead cow - instead of the offered tofu or jackfruit, but his conversation with the chef is just that. Two people agreeing to disagree. They still get on well. He even takes Oliver to the cafe later on because he knows Oliver would like it and he himself is all for the vegan brownies (which, totally understandable, vegan brownies are the best). At Oliver's friend's party, he goes for the vegetarian dish as well, because he doesn't want Oliver to be the only one eating the mushroom. And in his inner monologue I couldn't find a trace of hating every second of it.
Generally, this book is the most informed book on vegetarianism and veganism that I've ever read while the character's aren't vegan. I thought veganism was well represented (except for the two pretentious clients of Luc's who were absolute idiots, but hey, bad (vegan) eggs everywhere, as it were, eh?). The information on vegetarianism and veganism was nice to see in a book and while I felt the book being a little judgemental in the beginning, I didn't think so anymore in the end. I would love to know how the author actually feels on the topic because it's clear that Luc is very much not here for it, Oliver is a vegetarian because he thinks it's the right thing to do and the vegan chef is... well... a vegan chef who is absolutely convinced of her choice.
To conclude, I loved this book. Veggie issues or no. It's a great read and you should definitely read it. And then come talk about your thoughts about the veggie issues with me. I'm curious. Especially if you're vegan/vegetarian.
First, I was SO SO SO excited for it because: fake dating, London setting, pining... it just all gives me LIFE and it is exactly what I want in a book. And then there was the fact that one of the characters is vegetarian, which made me fall in love with this book even more. Also, the cover. Gorgeous. So, so gorgeous.
But I digress.
So, I was incredibly excited for this book to come out. Then, I was warned by some people who have read the ARC before me that I - as a convinced vegan for the animals - would have serious issues with this book. I head about the non-vegetarian being annoyed at the vegetarian for being one. I heard that the non-vegetarian would almost force the vegetarian to eat bacon.
And I was shook. And appalled. And sad. Because all I want in life are more (ideally) vegan characters.
And then, Netgalley and the Publisher gave me an ARC of this to read so I sort of couldn't ignore it any longer.
(I am sorry for the long intro btw, I am getting at something, I promise)
And then I read it. And I have a lot of thoughts about "the veggie issue" which will be discussed later on.
But spoiler: This is a solid five star read for me and I just added it to my Goodreads shelf of all time favourites. I even ordered a hardcopy while only being halfway through, that's how much I loved this book.
Let me tell you why. And I will repeat myself because it is literally exactly what made me go for it in the first place:
The pining.
The fake relationship.
The London setting.
Bloody chef's kiss.
It was made even better by characters that are endearing but have obvious flaws. There are only a hand full of characters in this book I actively didn't like, which were Oliver's parents (abusive idiots) and Luc's father (just an idiot. I think).
Everyone else? Is basically a variation of the 100-emoji. Starting with Oliver and Luc who are both just amazing and I wish I could wrap them in blankets and make them hot cocoa. Both have their issues and are just so amazingly human that it was so easy to connect with them. All of their friends were just a delight and I had more than one loud laugh, when there was banter among them as it is only possible between people who deeply care for each other and know each other really well. Luc's mother and friend with their Drag Race watching and special Curry eating are one of my favourite things about this novel.
Luc's co-workers - especially posh Alex - was so hilariously inapt at... everything, that I wish he was my co-worker. Even though I bet I couldn't be bothered to think of a new joke to tell him every day.
The story was everything I needed and more. As I already said - twice - fake dating and pining are my jam. I love it so much. And this was peak fake dating and pining. There were so many feelings in here, so much of being human and trying to be with another human, so much being in love and just noticing the little things about each other and supporting each other when it's needed. I loved that they just accepted each other with all their quirks and issues because it was "fake", but it was noticable that the respect for each other - even though there was some teasing - was very much real.
All I can say is: READ THIS BOOK, if you want to just feel warm and happy like in a perfect hug.
Now.
Coming to the scenes surrounding vegetarianism and veganism in this book.
Yes, I am a vegan and take it incredibly seriously. I am vegan because I think that we shouldn't treat other breathing, feeling, intelligent beings like we currently are. It makes me sad and I am 100% convinced that this is the right thing to do because I feel it in my heart. Sure, I wish there were more vegans. Sure I WISH there were more vegan characters because reading about how amazing chicken is gets super super tired.
But let me tell you something.
Oliver is not my kind of vegetarian. Yes, he thinks it's the right thing to do. On paper. Its like me being against Amazon and not buying from them while writing this review on an Amazon-owned website. Because I know that I shouldn't. I know that their business ethics are horrible. But it's not something I carry deeply in my heart to the point that it's a part of me. Oliver tries so hard to do the things he thinks are right. He doesn't use Uber for the business practices. He doesn't eat meat because he thinks it's the right thing to do for his health, for the environment and yeah, probably also for the animals. But there's a difference between him and me. For me, this is part of my life. It is who I am. For him, he feels like it's expected from him to do the best he can. And so he does, to the best of his ability. And I think that is incredibly honourable.
He eats meat twice in this book. Nobody forces him to do it but he is given a choice.
I was under the impression that Luc "forces" Oliver to have the bacon sandwich before reading the scene. He definitely isn't. However, he is encouraging him. Which to me, is absolutely fine. He tries to be there for the person he loves and tries to make him feel better after having been verbally abused by his parents. And if Oliver wants bacon, Oliver should have bacon. Because Luc knows exactly why Oliver is a vegetarian. And he is super supportive.
In the beginning, there is a scene where Oliver tells Luc about his vegetarianism and Luc reacts in a way that I thought was a little much at the time and I found myself to be a little annoyed. Getting to know Luc more, I know that he was annoyed at Oliver for trying to "do the right thing" because Luc can't. There is probably a healthy dose of doesn't want to and wouldn't in there as well but Luc actually, really, can't. He has so many issues, with himself, with his family, with his job. He feels absolutely overwhelmed with his life. Of course he doesn't have the headspace to deal with the wellfare of animals on top of that.
(This is not me saying that we shouldn't think about animals if/when we have a lot going on because we definitely should, but getting to know Luc just made it clear that he was absolutely overwhelmed as it was. Without thinking about baby chicks being shredded after birth because they're not useful to us).
Luc seems open and accepting of a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle, which becomes apparent when he goes to a vegan cafe and meets the chef. Yes, he'd rather have a burger - with dead cow - instead of the offered tofu or jackfruit, but his conversation with the chef is just that. Two people agreeing to disagree. They still get on well. He even takes Oliver to the cafe later on because he knows Oliver would like it and he himself is all for the vegan brownies (which, totally understandable, vegan brownies are the best). At Oliver's friend's party, he goes for the vegetarian dish as well, because he doesn't want Oliver to be the only one eating the mushroom. And in his inner monologue I couldn't find a trace of hating every second of it.
Generally, this book is the most informed book on vegetarianism and veganism that I've ever read while the character's aren't vegan. I thought veganism was well represented (except for the two pretentious clients of Luc's who were absolute idiots, but hey, bad (vegan) eggs everywhere, as it were, eh?). The information on vegetarianism and veganism was nice to see in a book and while I felt the book being a little judgemental in the beginning, I didn't think so anymore in the end. I would love to know how the author actually feels on the topic because it's clear that Luc is very much not here for it, Oliver is a vegetarian because he thinks it's the right thing to do and the vegan chef is... well... a vegan chef who is absolutely convinced of her choice.
To conclude, I loved this book. Veggie issues or no. It's a great read and you should definitely read it. And then come talk about your thoughts about the veggie issues with me. I'm curious. Especially if you're vegan/vegetarian.
I was very intrigued by this concept and when reading immediately thought to myself: "I am really curious to see how the author places a queer woman within the Republicans and how the relationship between a Republican and a Democrat might look like."
Sadly, I have to admit that while there were a lot of concepts I loved (I am always SO excited when I can add a book to my "vegan-character" shelf), this wasn't a book for me.
I thought that the main theme, the politics, where dealt with only at the beginning and the end (properly) and in the middle there was a love story that I didn't get sucked into and that was riddled with drama. Somehow, I also felt completely disconnected by the fact that the story takes place over the course of a year and there were so many time jumps where I was left wondering "but wait, what happens in the middle of this?". Hence, I ended up being not at all invested in the love story, for me personally it could've gone either way and I also wasn't able to connect with the characters.
As for the politics and religion as themes... I ended up being even more atheist and democrat with the believe that no, I don't think being friends with a republican could ever be an option for me.
All in all, I am giving this two stars. I have to admit that the most exciting thing for me about this book was Shelley's veganism.
Sadly, I have to admit that while there were a lot of concepts I loved (I am always SO excited when I can add a book to my "vegan-character" shelf), this wasn't a book for me.
I thought that the main theme, the politics, where dealt with only at the beginning and the end (properly) and in the middle there was a love story that I didn't get sucked into and that was riddled with drama. Somehow, I also felt completely disconnected by the fact that the story takes place over the course of a year and there were so many time jumps where I was left wondering "but wait, what happens in the middle of this?". Hence, I ended up being not at all invested in the love story, for me personally it could've gone either way and I also wasn't able to connect with the characters.
As for the politics and religion as themes... I ended up being even more atheist and democrat with the believe that no, I don't think being friends with a republican could ever be an option for me.
All in all, I am giving this two stars. I have to admit that the most exciting thing for me about this book was Shelley's veganism.
The Plus One Pact was exactly the kind of fun, whimsical and romantic summer read I needed in my life!
Cara's stuggles with dating were so funny and sad at the same time, I was so happy when Millsy arrived and just took care of her for a change - completely platonic of course. OF COURSE. Wink Wink.
Honestly is there anything better than a fake... I mean... it's sort of just a plus one but it does turn into a fake relationship occasionally and let me tell you guys something: THAT IS ONE OF MY FAVOURITE TROPES.
So I couldn't be happier. The fact that Cara's voice was so funny and relatable, made the whole experience even better. And that Millsy was a complete dream? Perfect.
I loved this from beginning to end and wish I could start it all over again immediately.
I recommend this to everyone who is in need of a refreshing, sweet summer romance that will make you swoon!
Cara's stuggles with dating were so funny and sad at the same time, I was so happy when Millsy arrived and just took care of her for a change - completely platonic of course. OF COURSE. Wink Wink.
Honestly is there anything better than a fake... I mean... it's sort of just a plus one but it does turn into a fake relationship occasionally and let me tell you guys something: THAT IS ONE OF MY FAVOURITE TROPES.
So I couldn't be happier. The fact that Cara's voice was so funny and relatable, made the whole experience even better. And that Millsy was a complete dream? Perfect.
I loved this from beginning to end and wish I could start it all over again immediately.
I recommend this to everyone who is in need of a refreshing, sweet summer romance that will make you swoon!
What an utterly delightful story.
This is a story about friendship, about learning to not judge a book by it's cover (or a person by their exterior) and it's a story about being yourself, expressing yourself and following your dream.
Clementine and Rudy couldn't be more different but they have one thing that unites them: Art. For Rudy, it's her street art, her mixed media paintings. And for Clementine it's her poems. Words that she just feels whenever she gets inspired.
Together, they made a brilliant team.
As a reader, I got to witness their budding friendship, them going through ups and downs together only to find themselves in a place where they can fully experiment with what it means to be true to oneself and - by extension - to social justice.
This was an absolutely beautifully written and thought out novel and I had the most brilliant time reading it. The only critisism I have is that I would have loved for it to go on forever! And also that the ending felt pretty sudden to me. I was quite confused for a minute and was wondering if I was just missing a couple of pages.
Nevertheless, this was an absolutely brilliant read that I would recommend to everyone but especially to young girls who may need some friends while finding their own way in the world. Because Clementine and Rudy will be here for you 100%.
Also: Everyone knows my vegan-self is a sucker for veggie rep in literature and this DELIVERED! I need and want to live in Rudy's cafe FOREVER!
This is a story about friendship, about learning to not judge a book by it's cover (or a person by their exterior) and it's a story about being yourself, expressing yourself and following your dream.
Clementine and Rudy couldn't be more different but they have one thing that unites them: Art. For Rudy, it's her street art, her mixed media paintings. And for Clementine it's her poems. Words that she just feels whenever she gets inspired.
Together, they made a brilliant team.
As a reader, I got to witness their budding friendship, them going through ups and downs together only to find themselves in a place where they can fully experiment with what it means to be true to oneself and - by extension - to social justice.
This was an absolutely beautifully written and thought out novel and I had the most brilliant time reading it. The only critisism I have is that I would have loved for it to go on forever! And also that the ending felt pretty sudden to me. I was quite confused for a minute and was wondering if I was just missing a couple of pages.
Nevertheless, this was an absolutely brilliant read that I would recommend to everyone but especially to young girls who may need some friends while finding their own way in the world. Because Clementine and Rudy will be here for you 100%.
Also: Everyone knows my vegan-self is a sucker for veggie rep in literature and this DELIVERED! I need and want to live in Rudy's cafe FOREVER!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC!
I love everything to do with theatre! Especially Shakespeare and especially especially his comedies.
So I was really very excited to read this book and dove right in.
Sadly, I have to admit that it fell a bit flat for me. I felt like Alison was a bit one note and I couldn't quite connect with her, mainly because for most of the book I felt like all I knew about her was that she's gay and wants to be valedictorian really badly. She also seemed a bit unremarkable to me and I wasn't quite sure why she was the protagonist.
A lot of the characters were simply a stereotype: Goth girl, who only broods and wears dark make up and is rude and makes art, the stylish gay who is costume designer, the macho who tries to hide the fact that he's actually gay, the cool punk-y girl who is a rebel and of course queer and so on and so on.
The fact that Alison and Charlotte actually form a connection also felt a bit random as I failed to see any chemistry between them. I don't even quite know why Alison developed the crush in the first place except for that Charlotte is pretty and has a tattoo.
I also felt that the storyline was a little predictable and everyone felt much younger than their actual age. But I don't mean to say that I disliked this book because I didn't. It has some flaws that irked me but it was an easy and quick read and I am sure that quite a lot of people will enjoy this. It just wasn't necessarily for me.
I love everything to do with theatre! Especially Shakespeare and especially especially his comedies.
So I was really very excited to read this book and dove right in.
Sadly, I have to admit that it fell a bit flat for me. I felt like Alison was a bit one note and I couldn't quite connect with her, mainly because for most of the book I felt like all I knew about her was that she's gay and wants to be valedictorian really badly. She also seemed a bit unremarkable to me and I wasn't quite sure why she was the protagonist.
A lot of the characters were simply a stereotype: Goth girl, who only broods and wears dark make up and is rude and makes art, the stylish gay who is costume designer, the macho who tries to hide the fact that he's actually gay, the cool punk-y girl who is a rebel and of course queer and so on and so on.
The fact that Alison and Charlotte actually form a connection also felt a bit random as I failed to see any chemistry between them. I don't even quite know why Alison developed the crush in the first place except for that Charlotte is pretty and has a tattoo.
I also felt that the storyline was a little predictable and everyone felt much younger than their actual age. But I don't mean to say that I disliked this book because I didn't. It has some flaws that irked me but it was an easy and quick read and I am sure that quite a lot of people will enjoy this. It just wasn't necessarily for me.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for providing me with this ARC.
[...] queers are braced for the inevitable moment when a straight woman proclaims, offhandedly, "I wish I could just be a lesbian." Sigh. Why don't you be one, then? some of us wonder. It's not that hard.
I am going to start my review by saying that I am a cis-gendered straight woman and have a lot of queer friends, which I think made me very aware of straight-culture and how it can be hurtful (to everyone involved) and wrong.
When I started this book and it started with a history of heterosexuality and straight culture, I was here for it. I kept nodding and having "AHA!" moments that explained why I am not actively looking for a partner, why I rather be single than with someone etc. etc. I loved it. It was well researched, the points were made clearly, I was here for it.
I was also here for the chapter about "Dating Coaches" because what in the... And I loved the field study. It was great. It was interesting. It was eye opening. Solid 4 star read for me until here (because some of the transitions were a bit forced and it didn't read as elegently as I would have hoped).
And then... Listen. If I wanted a handful (57, was it?) of queer people telling me "straight people are garbage" then I'll just go to a dinner party at my friend's house. And they will be nicer and less arrogant than the rest of the book was.
The writing I felt like switched from informative to being straight up 'holier than thou' and 'better than you' and that irked me to no end. I didn't get anything from the remaining chapters than the quote witch which I started this review "Why don't you then, it's not that hard".
Is not the whole point of the LGBTQIA+ movement that you are who you are and you love who you love and can't change that? I am not here to cry about my feelings being hurt because they're not, I just felt like these remarks were incredibly unprofessional and shouldn't be in a book which I thought to be was a scientific work of gender- and sexuality studies.
In the end, I am giving this book two stars. Because I literally put it down and felt mad at it. Mad at the judgement, mad at the preachy-ness and mad that I'd just read around 100 pages that to me were a waste of time.
However, the first 100 pages were absolutely great, so there is that.
[...] queers are braced for the inevitable moment when a straight woman proclaims, offhandedly, "I wish I could just be a lesbian." Sigh. Why don't you be one, then? some of us wonder. It's not that hard.
I am going to start my review by saying that I am a cis-gendered straight woman and have a lot of queer friends, which I think made me very aware of straight-culture and how it can be hurtful (to everyone involved) and wrong.
When I started this book and it started with a history of heterosexuality and straight culture, I was here for it. I kept nodding and having "AHA!" moments that explained why I am not actively looking for a partner, why I rather be single than with someone etc. etc. I loved it. It was well researched, the points were made clearly, I was here for it.
I was also here for the chapter about "Dating Coaches" because what in the... And I loved the field study. It was great. It was interesting. It was eye opening. Solid 4 star read for me until here (because some of the transitions were a bit forced and it didn't read as elegently as I would have hoped).
And then... Listen. If I wanted a handful (57, was it?) of queer people telling me "straight people are garbage" then I'll just go to a dinner party at my friend's house. And they will be nicer and less arrogant than the rest of the book was.
The writing I felt like switched from informative to being straight up 'holier than thou' and 'better than you' and that irked me to no end. I didn't get anything from the remaining chapters than the quote witch which I started this review "Why don't you then, it's not that hard".
Is not the whole point of the LGBTQIA+ movement that you are who you are and you love who you love and can't change that? I am not here to cry about my feelings being hurt because they're not, I just felt like these remarks were incredibly unprofessional and shouldn't be in a book which I thought to be was a scientific work of gender- and sexuality studies.
In the end, I am giving this book two stars. Because I literally put it down and felt mad at it. Mad at the judgement, mad at the preachy-ness and mad that I'd just read around 100 pages that to me were a waste of time.
However, the first 100 pages were absolutely great, so there is that.
Rural Voices: 15 Authors Challenge Assumptions About Small-Town America
Estelle Laure, Randy DuBurke, David Bowles, Nasuġraq Rainey Hopson, Joseph Bruchac, Yamile Saied Méndez, Tirzah Price, Monica Roe, Veeda Bybee, Shae Carys, Nora Shalaway Carpenter, Rob Costello, David Macinnis Gill, Ashley Hope Pérez, S.A. Cosby
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book.
I have mixed feelings about this book. With probably all anthologies, there will always be stories that you like and stories that you don't like. In this case, I the stories that I didn't like are actually overwhelming my thoughts right now. I have done the math though and figured out that my individual ratings would come up to 3 Stars overall.
I have to be honest, I expexted a lot of stories like the first one. Kids who are smart and capable. I wasn't ready for sexual abuse or farming (even though for the last one I really should have been, that's my bad). So I think a lot of my thoughts on these stories come from a very personal place. E.g. I can identify and emphasise with the chronically ill kid and the kid with mental health issues and even with the queer kids due to my diverse friend group. I cannot emphasise with farming. Or rather... with the animal portion of it because I think it should stop. I think we're "intelligent" enough as a species to not eat dead animals or take their milk that's intended for their children.
So bare that in mind when reading my reviews.
I did love the variety of stories and the diversity in them. As someone from a country where especial cultural diversity is not that prominent, I love reading these stories and celebrating cultures I do not know as much about as I do my own. For that I thank you.
The (unhealthy) Breakfast Club by Monica Roe (4 Stars)
I loved this story. There was a lot of different rep in here, including BIPOC and disabled rep and I was living for it. The story of these kids being thrown together just to car share before they find out that somehow they have actually gotten to be friends over time absolutely gives me some fantastic Breakfast Club vibes.
The Hole of Dark Kill Hollow by Rob Costello (4 Stars)
Loved this little mystery/fantasy adventure. I had a great time reading about this story. The gay rep was fantastic and the thought process and dialogue that goes on between these boys – these best friends – as they try and figure out what the worst thing was that could be taken from them was powerful and absolutely fantastic.
CW: homophobic language, death by cancer (off page)
A Border Kid comes of Age by David Bowles (2,5 Stars)
I am not really one for stories in verse but I did like the story that was told within this. I realise that this is a personal preference and I like the writing style. If it had been a normal story I am sure I would’ve rated it higher.
Fish and Fences by Veeda Bybee (4 stars)
This was nice. I liked reading it and I especially loved the bit where everyone did things they actually didn’t want to do because they thought they would spare the other party uncomfortable feelings. It goes to show that honesty is always the best way after all (even though I am totally guilty of doing things like these as well)
Close Enough by Nora Shalaway Carpenter ( 4 Stars)
I really liked this one! It was incredibly cute and charming and whimsical and I was entertained all the way through.
Whiskey and Champagne by S A Cosby (4 Stars)
This story was lovely. It was super clever and the passages about the differences between rich and poor (as in the rich don’t have to deal with bad luck) were so great. This was a great time.
What Home Is by Ashley Hope Pérez (1,5 stars)
This started out cute and very quickly made me very uncomfortable. Again, it’s kind of told in a lyrical style which is why I couldn’t get into it that much and in this case I am super glad. I could have used a bunch of trigger warnings for this one and would have just skipped it then…
CW: child abuse (sexual), suicide attempt
Island Rodeo Queen by Yamile Saied Méndez (3 Stars)
This was very cute. I don’t love stories with horses because I keep feeling sorry for them to have to perform like that but I did like the story about the main protagonist trying to fit in and just making her dream happen.
Grandpa by Randy Duburke (2,5 Stars)
I thought this was a great story. I wish the art would have been completed (I think there is one missing?) in this one.
Best in Show by Tirzah Price (1 Star)
Sorry, no, absolutely not. But Bacon? Nope. Eek. Nope nah. I cant. Listen, people can come for me for this but this reviewer is a very passionate vegan because freaking life. This story literally was about the cutest pig who was feeling hot and had character traits and I know that people off handedly kill animals but I do honestly not understand people who are capable of doing so. Living, breathing, feeling beings. “But Bacon”.
Not. Here for it. Whatsoever. This made me so angry and sad because I know that a lot of people think that way and – I am waiting for an incoming shitstorm – but I feel like this absolute inability to feel compassion for another being and murder other beings for food when these days we do not need meat to survive (or dairy) is where humanity’s issues start.
Praise the Lord and pass the little Debbies by David Maginnis Gill (3 Stars)
Well. This was certainly something. This hurt, this made me uncomfortable… I feel so sorry for Coby. I was angry at his parents and at the whole institution that is the church… reading stories like this I am really glad I’m not religious.
The Cabin by Nasugraq Rainey Hopson (n/a)
Skipped this because it said “Furtrapper” in the author’s note. I’ve read about enough animal cruelty up until now I am not going to do this to myself…
Black Nail Polish by Shae Carys (3,5 Stars)
Loved how the author dealt with chronic illness and pain. The rep was fantastic, especially the part where Mads feels the need to reinvent herself and to feel in control at least a little. The friend dynamic between her and Lauren being a bit weird in the aftermath of the diagnosis also feels very on point, though I was a bit taken aback by the idea that Mads felt like a bad friend. She could have used a friend to figure this all out with her and Lauran could have been there for her more imo.
Secret Menu by Veeda Bybee (2 Stars)
This was very cute though I felt it was incredibly basic as well (story wise, I am not here to judge the drawings as they are not finished in this ARC edition)
Pull up a Seat around the Stove by Joseph Bruchac (2 Stars)
I thought this was a quite nice look into themes of heritage. Sadly for some reason, I didn’t really connect to this story (maybe because of the poetry?)
Home Waits by Estelle Laure (3,5 Stars)
I thought this was nicely done and I liked this as a last story. The notion that you don’t have to “escape” your rural home town if you feel comfortable and good in it was lovely and I really enjoyed this. Especially the usage of the three ghosts that don’t go away and lead to a mental breakdown.
I have mixed feelings about this book. With probably all anthologies, there will always be stories that you like and stories that you don't like. In this case, I the stories that I didn't like are actually overwhelming my thoughts right now. I have done the math though and figured out that my individual ratings would come up to 3 Stars overall.
I have to be honest, I expexted a lot of stories like the first one. Kids who are smart and capable. I wasn't ready for sexual abuse or farming (even though for the last one I really should have been, that's my bad). So I think a lot of my thoughts on these stories come from a very personal place. E.g. I can identify and emphasise with the chronically ill kid and the kid with mental health issues and even with the queer kids due to my diverse friend group. I cannot emphasise with farming. Or rather... with the animal portion of it because I think it should stop. I think we're "intelligent" enough as a species to not eat dead animals or take their milk that's intended for their children.
So bare that in mind when reading my reviews.
I did love the variety of stories and the diversity in them. As someone from a country where especial cultural diversity is not that prominent, I love reading these stories and celebrating cultures I do not know as much about as I do my own. For that I thank you.
The (unhealthy) Breakfast Club by Monica Roe (4 Stars)
I loved this story. There was a lot of different rep in here, including BIPOC and disabled rep and I was living for it. The story of these kids being thrown together just to car share before they find out that somehow they have actually gotten to be friends over time absolutely gives me some fantastic Breakfast Club vibes.
The Hole of Dark Kill Hollow by Rob Costello (4 Stars)
Loved this little mystery/fantasy adventure. I had a great time reading about this story. The gay rep was fantastic and the thought process and dialogue that goes on between these boys – these best friends – as they try and figure out what the worst thing was that could be taken from them was powerful and absolutely fantastic.
CW: homophobic language, death by cancer (off page)
A Border Kid comes of Age by David Bowles (2,5 Stars)
I am not really one for stories in verse but I did like the story that was told within this. I realise that this is a personal preference and I like the writing style. If it had been a normal story I am sure I would’ve rated it higher.
Fish and Fences by Veeda Bybee (4 stars)
This was nice. I liked reading it and I especially loved the bit where everyone did things they actually didn’t want to do because they thought they would spare the other party uncomfortable feelings. It goes to show that honesty is always the best way after all (even though I am totally guilty of doing things like these as well)
Close Enough by Nora Shalaway Carpenter ( 4 Stars)
I really liked this one! It was incredibly cute and charming and whimsical and I was entertained all the way through.
Whiskey and Champagne by S A Cosby (4 Stars)
This story was lovely. It was super clever and the passages about the differences between rich and poor (as in the rich don’t have to deal with bad luck) were so great. This was a great time.
What Home Is by Ashley Hope Pérez (1,5 stars)
This started out cute and very quickly made me very uncomfortable. Again, it’s kind of told in a lyrical style which is why I couldn’t get into it that much and in this case I am super glad. I could have used a bunch of trigger warnings for this one and would have just skipped it then…
CW: child abuse (sexual), suicide attempt
Island Rodeo Queen by Yamile Saied Méndez (3 Stars)
This was very cute. I don’t love stories with horses because I keep feeling sorry for them to have to perform like that but I did like the story about the main protagonist trying to fit in and just making her dream happen.
Grandpa by Randy Duburke (2,5 Stars)
I thought this was a great story. I wish the art would have been completed (I think there is one missing?) in this one.
Best in Show by Tirzah Price (1 Star)
Sorry, no, absolutely not. But Bacon? Nope. Eek. Nope nah. I cant. Listen, people can come for me for this but this reviewer is a very passionate vegan because freaking life. This story literally was about the cutest pig who was feeling hot and had character traits and I know that people off handedly kill animals but I do honestly not understand people who are capable of doing so. Living, breathing, feeling beings. “But Bacon”.
Not. Here for it. Whatsoever. This made me so angry and sad because I know that a lot of people think that way and – I am waiting for an incoming shitstorm – but I feel like this absolute inability to feel compassion for another being and murder other beings for food when these days we do not need meat to survive (or dairy) is where humanity’s issues start.
Praise the Lord and pass the little Debbies by David Maginnis Gill (3 Stars)
Well. This was certainly something. This hurt, this made me uncomfortable… I feel so sorry for Coby. I was angry at his parents and at the whole institution that is the church… reading stories like this I am really glad I’m not religious.
The Cabin by Nasugraq Rainey Hopson (n/a)
Skipped this because it said “Furtrapper” in the author’s note. I’ve read about enough animal cruelty up until now I am not going to do this to myself…
Black Nail Polish by Shae Carys (3,5 Stars)
Loved how the author dealt with chronic illness and pain. The rep was fantastic, especially the part where Mads feels the need to reinvent herself and to feel in control at least a little. The friend dynamic between her and Lauren being a bit weird in the aftermath of the diagnosis also feels very on point, though I was a bit taken aback by the idea that Mads felt like a bad friend. She could have used a friend to figure this all out with her and Lauran could have been there for her more imo.
Secret Menu by Veeda Bybee (2 Stars)
This was very cute though I felt it was incredibly basic as well (story wise, I am not here to judge the drawings as they are not finished in this ARC edition)
Pull up a Seat around the Stove by Joseph Bruchac (2 Stars)
I thought this was a quite nice look into themes of heritage. Sadly for some reason, I didn’t really connect to this story (maybe because of the poetry?)
Home Waits by Estelle Laure (3,5 Stars)
I thought this was nicely done and I liked this as a last story. The notion that you don’t have to “escape” your rural home town if you feel comfortable and good in it was lovely and I really enjoyed this. Especially the usage of the three ghosts that don’t go away and lead to a mental breakdown.
Thank you Netgalley for the copy of Girl, Serpent, Thorn, in exchange for an honest review
My, this was a wild ride. First of, can we just agree that we all needed a badass, fearless and smart Middle Eastern Heroine? Who falls in love with a female demon with wings? Because my friends, my heart is SINGING.
So, our main character, princess Soraya, has only ever been hidden in the castle without any public appearances, casual touches - or not so casual touches. Because she is poisonous and everyone who touches her will die. But she's always dreamt of a world outside of her bedroom, her rose garden and the tiny, dark tunnels that lead her through the castle inside of the walls.
When she has a chance to find out who made her into who she is and how to undo her curse, she takes it but with consequences that are more than she bargained for.
She has to decide between good and evil, her family and her freedom and between being a girl or a monster.
My bookish friends, Girl, Serpent, Thorn was an absolute delight and to be honest, it flew by way to quickly. I was very quickly completely sucked into Soraya's story and felt with her all through this book as she was put through tough decisions and tests and imprisonment.
Bashardoust does a wonderful job building a world which you can easily navigate as a reader but still feel utterly amazed (and horrified) by. The characters are as lovable as their decisions are questionable, which makes them so amazingly human that it's hard to find a character to dislike.
The world of the different demons is amazing and if there was a book where I wish I had a map in there, it is this. But even without I felt taken on journey of self-discovery and the big question of what makes one human and what makes one a monster.
Soraya struggles a lot with the fear of becoming a monster as soon as she let's her curse run free. She's afraid that she will lose herself when she let's go and all this while she experiences betrayal, love and war for the very first time. She feels like a very relatable character and one that I would have loved to spend even more time with.
Without wanting to spoil anything, I thought this book was going into a completely different direction at first. There was the kind of insta love that makes me roll my eyes but then there was a plot twist that had me gasping out loud and I think this book will do that for you, too. I recommend this book for everyone who loves fantasy, fairy tales and who loves character arcs, because this is it, sis.
Lastly, I want to mention that I highly enjoyed the author's explanations of the different tales and fables she borrowed either parts of the story from or the language that is used. All of it can be linked to old Persian fairy tales and books have never made it onto my TBR list this quickly as the ones that are recommended at the end of this book.
What a lovely, lovely story and I cannot wait to see what comes next for Melissa Bashardoust.
My, this was a wild ride. First of, can we just agree that we all needed a badass, fearless and smart Middle Eastern Heroine? Who falls in love with a female demon with wings? Because my friends, my heart is SINGING.
So, our main character, princess Soraya, has only ever been hidden in the castle without any public appearances, casual touches - or not so casual touches. Because she is poisonous and everyone who touches her will die. But she's always dreamt of a world outside of her bedroom, her rose garden and the tiny, dark tunnels that lead her through the castle inside of the walls.
When she has a chance to find out who made her into who she is and how to undo her curse, she takes it but with consequences that are more than she bargained for.
She has to decide between good and evil, her family and her freedom and between being a girl or a monster.
My bookish friends, Girl, Serpent, Thorn was an absolute delight and to be honest, it flew by way to quickly. I was very quickly completely sucked into Soraya's story and felt with her all through this book as she was put through tough decisions and tests and imprisonment.
Bashardoust does a wonderful job building a world which you can easily navigate as a reader but still feel utterly amazed (and horrified) by. The characters are as lovable as their decisions are questionable, which makes them so amazingly human that it's hard to find a character to dislike.
The world of the different demons is amazing and if there was a book where I wish I had a map in there, it is this. But even without I felt taken on journey of self-discovery and the big question of what makes one human and what makes one a monster.
Soraya struggles a lot with the fear of becoming a monster as soon as she let's her curse run free. She's afraid that she will lose herself when she let's go and all this while she experiences betrayal, love and war for the very first time. She feels like a very relatable character and one that I would have loved to spend even more time with.
Without wanting to spoil anything, I thought this book was going into a completely different direction at first. There was the kind of insta love that makes me roll my eyes but then there was a plot twist that had me gasping out loud and I think this book will do that for you, too. I recommend this book for everyone who loves fantasy, fairy tales and who loves character arcs, because this is it, sis.
Lastly, I want to mention that I highly enjoyed the author's explanations of the different tales and fables she borrowed either parts of the story from or the language that is used. All of it can be linked to old Persian fairy tales and books have never made it onto my TBR list this quickly as the ones that are recommended at the end of this book.
What a lovely, lovely story and I cannot wait to see what comes next for Melissa Bashardoust.
Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange of an honest review.
When I first read that Lev A.C. Rosen's new novel was going to be entitled "Camp", I immediately thought of extravagance, glitter, riddiculousness and pure sass.
Then I read, that the book was going to be about an actual summer camp. Now that I have read it, I am very - very - happy to report that this is the campiest camp there ever has been and that can ever be.
Camp is all about being your true queer self - and owning it. It is about queer teens getting space to find themselves and to be unapologetically themselves without judgement from classmates, straight friends who just don't understand and most of all: parents. Camp Outland is a save space to question and to change and to just be.
It's about 16-year old Randy who butches himself up because he's fallen in love with a guy in the previous years at camp and wants to match Hudson's preference for a "masc" boyfriend. He chooses sports over theatre and mismatched clothing over glitter nailpolish and a fan, much to the disappointment and confusion to the rest of his friends (read: other theatre kids).
While Randy - who is now called Del - and Hudson get closer, Randy can't help but feel sadness at not being part of the annual musical show, especially since all his friends are and starts questioning "the plan" he had to get Hudson to fall in love with him. Can Hudson even fall in love with him if he doesn't even know him? As the summer progresses, it becomes harder and harder to keep the charade up and Randy starts to figure out that there is more to Hudson than a tough and hot exterior.
I read this book in less than 24 hours because I was immediately sucked into the world of Camp Outland. I fell in love with every single of the characters and I still cannot believe how lucky I am to have gotten to read this before it's official release date. Especially because this is one of my most anticipated reads in 2020. After reading it, I can confidently say that it is already one of my absolutely favourite reads this year.
We are introduced to camp kids in every shade of queerness and I was especially excited to see a demisexual lesbian as one of the main characters. The camp program is a mixture of queer history, fun nature trips and electives such as sports and musical theatre and I loved reading about every part of it. Of course, crushes and sex are a big topic for queer teens just as much as they are for straight teens and Camp is nothing but sex positive - in a safe way.
As I already said, Camp consists of a lot of different kids and I love how every kid gets a voice about their sexuality. I have briefly mentioned demisexuality, which I loved because I feel that it is underrepresented in fiction in general and it was lovely to read about the conversations Ashleigh had with her best friends Randy and George. George is Randy's other best friend and he is as fabulous as you can be. With a fan at the ready for dramatic effects and what feels like a thousand different shades of nail polish, he is here to slay. Besides our main trio, we are also introduced to an ex-olympist trans woman who coaches the kids in their sports electives, the musical theatre director who doubles as drag queen performer and so many more characters who will worm their way into your heart and STAY THERE.
The story itself is a whirlwind of emotion because I wanted Randy to be able to be himself, wanted Hudson to see him for who he is - the coolest kid on the block! - and for him to sing his heart out at the musical performance. At the same time, it was an absolute swoon fest. I am talking underwater kisses. I am talking kisses stolen at the back of the hut shortly between lights out. I am talking Hudson calling Randy "babe". And I am talking lots and lots and lots of hand holding.
Most importantly, though, and I know that a lot of my fellow reviewers have already talked about this: But Lev A. C. Rosen manages to take apart the concept of toxic masculinity within a couple of hundred pages. The idea that a man has to behave a certain way. The idea that the stereotype of the gay man with glitter and fans and tears and - god forbid - feelings, was something to be ashamed of. Toxic masculinity is one of the things deeply wrong with this world and with the world's society at large and here it is, a book that sings "Fuck all that" in a high note while dancing pirouettes around the haters in a bow tie and a tutu.
And while this book encourages you to search for, find and be your truest self, it also proposes to only do so "in public" when you're safe. Because safety always comes first. Camp is like a best friend who says: "even if you can't be who you are with anyone else, you can be yourself with me". Camp Outland is one of those fictional places that will always be there for the people who need a safe space to call their home, even when they're physically somewhere else.
Let this be my last point: This book should be read by everyone. I need this book to be read by everyone. I don't care about your gender or age or sexuality or beliefs: READ. THIS. BOOK. And tattoo its message onto your heart: Everyone is valid just the way they are. Be unapologetically, proudly yourself. And most importantly: Let everyone else be their best self they can be in a safe and loving environment as well.
Lev. A. C. Rosen. Damn, what a book.
When I first read that Lev A.C. Rosen's new novel was going to be entitled "Camp", I immediately thought of extravagance, glitter, riddiculousness and pure sass.
Then I read, that the book was going to be about an actual summer camp. Now that I have read it, I am very - very - happy to report that this is the campiest camp there ever has been and that can ever be.
Camp is all about being your true queer self - and owning it. It is about queer teens getting space to find themselves and to be unapologetically themselves without judgement from classmates, straight friends who just don't understand and most of all: parents. Camp Outland is a save space to question and to change and to just be.
It's about 16-year old Randy who butches himself up because he's fallen in love with a guy in the previous years at camp and wants to match Hudson's preference for a "masc" boyfriend. He chooses sports over theatre and mismatched clothing over glitter nailpolish and a fan, much to the disappointment and confusion to the rest of his friends (read: other theatre kids).
While Randy - who is now called Del - and Hudson get closer, Randy can't help but feel sadness at not being part of the annual musical show, especially since all his friends are and starts questioning "the plan" he had to get Hudson to fall in love with him. Can Hudson even fall in love with him if he doesn't even know him? As the summer progresses, it becomes harder and harder to keep the charade up and Randy starts to figure out that there is more to Hudson than a tough and hot exterior.
I read this book in less than 24 hours because I was immediately sucked into the world of Camp Outland. I fell in love with every single of the characters and I still cannot believe how lucky I am to have gotten to read this before it's official release date. Especially because this is one of my most anticipated reads in 2020. After reading it, I can confidently say that it is already one of my absolutely favourite reads this year.
We are introduced to camp kids in every shade of queerness and I was especially excited to see a demisexual lesbian as one of the main characters. The camp program is a mixture of queer history, fun nature trips and electives such as sports and musical theatre and I loved reading about every part of it. Of course, crushes and sex are a big topic for queer teens just as much as they are for straight teens and Camp is nothing but sex positive - in a safe way.
As I already said, Camp consists of a lot of different kids and I love how every kid gets a voice about their sexuality. I have briefly mentioned demisexuality, which I loved because I feel that it is underrepresented in fiction in general and it was lovely to read about the conversations Ashleigh had with her best friends Randy and George. George is Randy's other best friend and he is as fabulous as you can be. With a fan at the ready for dramatic effects and what feels like a thousand different shades of nail polish, he is here to slay. Besides our main trio, we are also introduced to an ex-olympist trans woman who coaches the kids in their sports electives, the musical theatre director who doubles as drag queen performer and so many more characters who will worm their way into your heart and STAY THERE.
The story itself is a whirlwind of emotion because I wanted Randy to be able to be himself, wanted Hudson to see him for who he is - the coolest kid on the block! - and for him to sing his heart out at the musical performance. At the same time, it was an absolute swoon fest. I am talking underwater kisses. I am talking kisses stolen at the back of the hut shortly between lights out. I am talking Hudson calling Randy "babe". And I am talking lots and lots and lots of hand holding.
Most importantly, though, and I know that a lot of my fellow reviewers have already talked about this: But Lev A. C. Rosen manages to take apart the concept of toxic masculinity within a couple of hundred pages. The idea that a man has to behave a certain way. The idea that the stereotype of the gay man with glitter and fans and tears and - god forbid - feelings, was something to be ashamed of. Toxic masculinity is one of the things deeply wrong with this world and with the world's society at large and here it is, a book that sings "Fuck all that" in a high note while dancing pirouettes around the haters in a bow tie and a tutu.
And while this book encourages you to search for, find and be your truest self, it also proposes to only do so "in public" when you're safe. Because safety always comes first. Camp is like a best friend who says: "even if you can't be who you are with anyone else, you can be yourself with me". Camp Outland is one of those fictional places that will always be there for the people who need a safe space to call their home, even when they're physically somewhere else.
Let this be my last point: This book should be read by everyone. I need this book to be read by everyone. I don't care about your gender or age or sexuality or beliefs: READ. THIS. BOOK. And tattoo its message onto your heart: Everyone is valid just the way they are. Be unapologetically, proudly yourself. And most importantly: Let everyone else be their best self they can be in a safe and loving environment as well.
Lev. A. C. Rosen. Damn, what a book.