Welcome to Litsy!

I finished this tiny train engine while I listened to REAL QUEER AMERICA. Next up: the detachable boxcar that goes behind it.

I loved the book. It helped me feel a little more hopeful and a little less scared. Not enough that I‘ll be giving the US my tourist dollars any time soon, but I‘m glad to know the people who live there have strong support systems in troubled times. #audiocrafting

It‘s pretty unusual for me to bail on something I‘m enjoying but this is just #goognotgreat and doesn‘t add much to the genre IMO. If you haven‘t read much #lgbtq lit this is a good intro to the queer scene in red state America circa the trump presidency, the type of activism there, and the flavor of found families these days. It‘s written by a trans ex-Mormon journalist so it focuses a lot on both those communities. ⬇️⬇️⬇️

Samantha Allen and her friend Billy travel across the country to cities and towns not really known for having a LGBTQ scene, to find the little queer pockets and find out how and why people live there. Visits with friends and checking out businesses, all while discussing some of each region‘s political recent history.

There was a part about found/ chosen family that resonated with me- essentially a feeling of fate bringing people into your life.

Finished this one as the sun came up this morning. It is part memoir, part road trip with a ton of footnotes! It was a good read and I learned a lot!

2022 Read Harder Challenge
#17: Read a memoir written by someone who is trans or nonbinary

For some reason, I thought this was a book of essays from multiple queer contributors. Rather, it‘s trans woman Allen‘s tale of traveling to different red state places that have been important in her life and exploring the queer oases present there. It‘s such a positive, hopeful book. I just loved it.

I guess Litsy doesn't have Amazon originals in their library? Anywho, this audio short from the author of Real Queer America tells her and her partner's love story. Aspects of it were touched on in Real Queer, but it was nice reading the whole thing. Allen also discusses her trans experience, and the anxiety of transitioning.

I love library notices

Privilege check.

I can imagine the awkwardness and detachment that would come with big changes in how you identify - I threw a lot of things and relationships out when I was open about polyamory. But having the physical transition makes the dissociation so much harder. So happy with this read for #GroupL #LMPBC

This little girl is keeping me from my usual reading habits! I complained to a customer that it's taken me 5 days to read 3 chapters and she laughed at me. "But... That's how we normal people read", she says.

I now happily claim "reading freak of nature" to my otherness and will continue to be frustrated when it takes me multiple days to finish books.

A transgender journalists memoir about a road trip through red states and the queer communities that are there. A very informational but primarily happy and hopeful read!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Humans are humans are humans. Why are people so afraid of those who are not exactly like them? This is where personal essays really shine, eliciting empathy and understanding. This collection is a good mix of personal stories and relevant commentary. Samantha Allen, an award-winning journalist, who happens to be transgender, takes us on a journey through LGBT communities in conservative states. Insightful read!

A mix of good journalism, moving memoir, and insightful commentary about thriving queer communities in conservative, typically red states. A transgender reporter travels the country, seeking out stories of LGBT folks building vibrant queer communities in small towns. Allen also discusses the unifying themes underlying their success: tenacious activism, inclusive safe spaces, and the unshakable bonds of queer friendships and chosen families.

Really loving this book.

#LGBT #Queerbooks

To my Litsy pals residing in the USA, Happy Turkey Day! 🦃 If you celebrate the holiday (and not its abundantly problematic roots!) may you be happy to give it a new definition and enjoy some delicious food & pie in the company of friends and loved ones 😁 To all of you gorgeous souls elsewhere, happy Thursday! May your day be beautimous and productive!

Here is a little #progressreport of where I'm at with the #weeklyforecast 😊

@Cinfhen

#BookReport one day late 😁

🎧 I made some decent progress with the tagged audiobook and hope to have it finished soon 😊

📚 Read a bit more of Grimoire Noir (graphic novel) and hope to finish it tonight!

📚 Made slight progress in the Hungry Hearts anthology and hope to dive into the next story later today.

📚 Book club pick has had a slow start 😕

Hubby and I are about to start our outdoor project - hanging up Christmas lights!

@Cinfhen

I return triumphant from the Monster Used Book Sale! I had no idea there were Rivers of London graphic novels! I‘m so excited!

#bookhaul #booksale

#7covers7days #covercrush

7 book covers. 7 days. No explanations. Day 5.

Whoo-hoo! Going to kick off the Decatur Book Festival tomorrow night with this award night!!! Can‘t wait to see some of you around the festival this weekend!!! #DBF2019

So enjoyed this perspective on the very conservative parts of the country which many liberals are always quick to discredit as dangerous for the LGBT+ populations there. The author made a great point about how even though some towns/states are vehemently working against them it is still their home & they want to stay and flourish regardless. I also liked how she described & aligned her transition with her travels across the country for this book.

Already really digging this book.

This one is a strong so-so for me. 🤷🏻‍♀️ I, perhaps problematically, like my non-fiction to read like fiction. I still want to connect with the narrator and felt a bit detached here as much as I appreciate the important work the author has done with this.

I‘m so excited to start reading this one!

Here‘s #bookhaul number two of the day from the library. My hold (tagged) came in and I was delighted my little library is open Sundays, even in the summer. I couldn‘t help but pick up a couple more titles I‘ve wanted to read. #BlameItOnLitsy

I love this discussion of home because I‘m the exact opposite. I spent nearly my entire life in Arizona. There are roots. But the first time I experienced Northeastern brusqueness, it was a matter of weeks before I knew this was my place.

What is home anyway?

Happy Pride y‘all!

@ReadosaurusText might have reminded me about #succulentsaturday while I was reading this book. 😁🌵

I don‘t know. I‘d love to see this from the perspective of a transgender Texan or a lesbian from Utah, not a person with the perspective of a city dweller looking in. I know too many LGBT people from rural and conservative areas maybe.

I believe this is the first time an author has liked my post about their work. Very cool! 😍

An excellent account of a road trip through the deep South to explore the LGBTQ culture in areas most Americans assume it can't survive. But people are standing strong against prejudice and choosing to stay where they call home instead of taking the perceived easy road and heading north. It also serves as a story of the author's life as she returns to places that shaped her. Excellent writing! Highly recommended

Fantastic read. Clear, researched, and focused yet with personal stories and lots of heart. I found this really hopeful after a depressing week. #queerbooks #readwomen

And if we could literally count every queer person in America — if we could wake up one day and see everyone whose lives or desires cut across the heteronormative mainstream, whether they are currently in a same-sex relationship or not—we would never look at our country the same way again.

Yes! A hopeful book about living in a red state world. I especially enjoyed the sections that highlighted communities I have lived in: Atlanta and Johnson City. Also, noteworthy how many places she visits are college towns.

Well done Samantha and all the brave and honest people who contributed their stories to this book and also all those who support them. This book is very well written and hits all the right notes of funny, heartwarming and sincere. Samantha is a smart, thoughtful woman who is flying the flag large for all her LGBTQ comrades. Bravo!

“The newly out boy, Amber says, went back to school on Monday with new pronouns and a new name and a new bathroom and he lost zero friends because kids don‘t give a fuck.”

Amber - Max‘s Mum

Amazing package from @LittleBrownBooks ! Sooooooo many good things to read!!! P.S. The Gorey bio is out tomorrow and I happen to know someone who talked about it on an upcoming podcast. 😉📚❤️