While I was reading, I could feel Felix’s emotions and his internal debates. Callender writes so magnificently that I felt like I was in Felix’s inner thoughts while I also could relate to the identity dilemma Felix was going through from my own personal experiences. This book is an excellent example of representation for readers of all ages, especially teenagers. Not only is Felix a character of multifaceted identities, but the friends that surround him throughout the book have characteristics I feel all can relate to. What I loved most about this book was the support system Felix had. Felix’s friends cared so deeply for him and were there to support Felix throughout the book. Every time one of them stood up and fought for Felix’s right to occupy a space, I cried a little bit because everyone deserves that love.
This book is so dynamic where I feel I cannot touch on everything that Callender writes in Felix Ever After. This book not only represents a multifaceted character who is questioning their identity but they also writes about racism within the queer community. Callender writes incredible examples of what allies look and sound like and how white queer individuals also need to be allies to BIPOC in the LGTQIA community. This book is perfect for the time we are living in as we all must remember this June and forever that the first Pride began as a riot started by a Black transgender woman named Marsha P. Johnson. I highly recommend this book for everyone, but it will especially speak to young adults who are looking for someone to relate to.

Review! 5

I have been recently getting into audiobooks more and I play them on whenever possible. The audiobooks I love to listen to are typically memoirs or nonfiction read by the authors. The cadence in the authors voice while reading their own written word is so powerful.

To be honest, I saw this book all over instagram with its gorgeous cover and was influenced to pick up this book. When I saw on Libro.fm that Glennon is the one to read her book, I knew I had to listen to it, rather than picking up a physical copy. Going into listening, I knew very little about Glennon Doyle or her previous books about her life. Because of this, I had not realized she is married to the famous soccer player, Abby Wambach. As a result, it was much to my surprise that Glennon is queer and that they’re married.

I really loved listening to Glennon’s writing. She has a way with telling stories that makes it feel like you are there watching it all happen. Although, a lot of what Glennon wrote about is intended for an older audience with children, I still found many parts of this book impactful. Some of my favorite parts of the book were Glennon reflecting on her younger self and wishing she could impart her wisdom. My favorite pieces that Glennon shared were about how she realized she was born complete and that she can do hard things. These two statements: “I was born complete” and “We can do hard things” are really powerful and as someone who is in the beginning of my adulthood, will be something I think about often.

Are you looking for a Pride read to finish out the month or are you lying for a book to read and support queer Black authors year round? Then All Boys Aren’t Blue is perfect for you!

All Boys Aren’t Blue is such a nuanced and unique read that I wish I would have had access to as a teenager. George M. Johnson writes this memoir reflecting on their multifaceted identities and growing up in the Black community as a queer and effeminate person. George wrote this book because they did not see themselves in the books and movies they read/saw as a child and they used this book as a way to connect to their younger self.

George has beautiful writing that explores such deep and nuanced topics of sexuality, gender identity, racism, and more. That being said, George does not leave anything behind with their writing and makes sure to address all of the topics that are often brushed over when adults speak to young adults such as sexual assault and sex education. George makes people feel seen and heard in their writing of George’s experiences. I feel that a lot of young adults will feel a connection to this novel, especially because it is so original with the essay memoir format.

Although I could not connect completely to George M. Johnson, I could relate to George’s experiences of questioning one’s identity and trying to find where you fit into this world. That being said, the essay that spoke to me the most was “Honest Abe Lied to Me” because it speaks about the American schooling system and how it is not serving all of our students. The school to prison pipeline is something I am working hard to dismantle in my own practices and reading George’s essay about their experience with school and the content taught was incredible.

George M. Johnson is so vulnerable in their debut novel and I cannot wait to see what they write next.

I have been seeing Wilder Girls going around bookstagram recently and it’s for good reason! This YA science fiction novel grabs you right from the beginning with a mysterious illness called the Tox that causes the girls at a boarding school on an island to mutate. Some girls grow second spines, others grow scales, but the mutations and effects of the Tox differ for each girl leading to tense relationships while fighting for food while being quarantined. I am typically not the biggest fan of science fiction but this book definitely kept my interest and makes me interested in reading more YA science fiction because it was really thought provoking while also being out there enough to be a quick and unique read. I have heard a lot of people describing this as a feminist “Lord of the Flies” which I can see but I also think this book was just a great novel with incredible and deep young women as characters. The only reason this book did not get five stars is because I felt the end was rushed and I would have enjoyed more of the story before the ending came

I LOVED this book! These Witches Don’t Burn is the young adult fantasy that I needed to help me escape the confines of my apartment. This book tells the story of Hannah, an elemental witch, who is learning to use her powers while also managing a recent breakup with her coven member and lifelong friend, Veronica. While Hannah and Veronica are trying to rebuild their friendship an unknown threat arrives in Salem which will change the coven forever. This book was such a fun read and I loved how LGBT inclusive the book was with characters all along the spectrum. This book has drama, action, romance, and suspense to there is truly something for every reader. I cannot wait for the second book in this series, This Coven Won’t Break, to come out next month because I am looking forward to see how Hannah fights back against the threat to her coven.