Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
Like a Love Story
Like a Love Story | Abdi Nazemian
A love letter to queerness, self-expression, and individuality (also Madonna) that never shies away from the ever-present fear within the queer community of late '80s New York, Like a Love Story made me feel so fullof hope, love, courage, pride, and awe for the many people who fought for love and self-expression in the face of discrimination, cruelty, and death. "A book for warriors, divas, artists, queens, individuals, activists, trend setters, and anyone searching for the courage to be themselves.Mackenzi Lee, New York Times bestselling author of The Gentlemans Guide to Vice and Virtue Its 1989 in New York City, and for three teens, the world is changing. Reza is an Iranian boy who has just moved to the city with his mother to live with his stepfather and stepbrother. Hes terrified that someone will guess the truth he can barely acknowledge about himself. Reza knows hes gay, but all he knows of gay life are the medias images of men dying of AIDS. Judy is an aspiring fashion designer who worships her uncle Stephen, a gay man with AIDS who devotes his time to activism as a member of ACT UP. Judy has never imagined finding romance...until she falls for Reza and they start dating. Art is Judys best friend, their schools only out and proud teen. Hell never be who his conservative parents want him to be, so he rebels by documenting the AIDS crisis through his photographs. As Reza and Art grow closer, Reza struggles to find a way out of his deception that wont break Judys heartand destroy the most meaningful friendship hes ever known. This is a bighearted, sprawling epic about friendship and love and the revolutionary act of living life to the fullest in the face of impossible odds.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
Pick icon
100%
blurb
jen_hayes7
Like a Love Story | Abdi Nazemian
post image

Doing some #audiocrafting with my little peanuts. #huey #lennox #catsoflitsy

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Awwww 🐾❤️🫶🏻 8mo
17 likes1 comment
blurb
LorelaiG
Like a Love Story | Abdi Nazemian

This quote “My mom once told me that no matter where you stand, you‘ll think the Mona Lisa is looking right at you” is an allusion to the famous painting by Leonardo da Vinci. The meaning behind the allusion is telling us that no matter what you do or where you are, someone is always watching you.

review
OriginalCyn620
Like a Love Story | Abdi Nazemian
post image
Pickpick

This book is absolutely beautiful. I have no other words for it!

#bookspinbingo
#booked2022 - about the AIDS epidemic
#pop22 - set in the 1980s

Cinfhen Ohhhh, good to know!! I own this one 3y
Itchyfeetreader I adored this book last year 3y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3y
42 likes3 comments
review
Itchyfeetreader
Like a Love Story | Abdi Nazemian
post image
Pickpick

#12booksin2021 My June read was my first every buddy read and I ADORED this book. The characters were really well developed and the author tackled first love so well. My TV show of the year was probably It‘s A Sin and there was some similar themes here. A beautiful book that I can not recommend enough.

marleed I loved this book and read it via library loan. I couldn‘t get it out of my head so I finally bought the book so I could just see it (beautiful spine on my hard copy) on my shelves! 3y
Itchyfeetreader @marleed yes it was a beautiful book, may treat myself to my own copy at some point. It‘s defiantly one for a re-read 3y
29 likes2 comments
blurb
Soubhiville
Like a Love Story | Abdi Nazemian
post image

My #LMPBC has made its way back to me from the last round. I‘m looking forward to reading everyone‘s comments 💜

WanderingBookaneer I absolutely loved it. 3y
57 likes1 comment
blurb
phantomx
Like a Love Story | Abdi Nazemian
post image

I am 50 pages away from finishing Like A Love Story, and then I will write down all of my reactions and thoughts on the book and final thoughts in the journal. I'm going to send the book back to @Soubhiville this week, and I'll be offically done with Round 12 for LMPBC for GroupP #lmpbc #round12 #GroupP @WanderingBookaneer @bibliobard

WanderingBookaneer It mentions some of the ACT UP actions in Like a Love Story. 3y
13 likes2 comments
blurb
phantomx
Like a Love Story | Abdi Nazemian
post image

Hit the halfway mark for this book. There is a lot happening in this story that really pulls at my heart, and everyone's annotations adds a depth to the story--I can feel the emotion of the other readers from #GroupP who've read the book #Round12 @Soubhiville @bibliobard @WanderingBookaneer

bibliobard I haven‘t mailed my book back yet — just haven‘t had money or time. Hoping to change that this weekend 😩 3y
15 likes1 comment
blurb
phantomx
Like a Love Story | Abdi Nazemian

I've been in a funk with reading lately, and I will be late in sending this pick back @Soubiville I am enjoying Like A Love Story though. I might not write as many comments in the book, but I will keep posting my progress. I have my bubble mailer ready! #lmpbc #round12 #lgbtq

Soubhiville As always no hurry! 🙃 3y
6 likes1 comment
review
TiminCalifornia
Like a Love Story | Abdi Nazemian
post image
Mehso-so

Fair to good. The author‘s note at the end was better than the book. 2nd book I have read from Nazemian and my second lukewarm response. I like the characters and want to connect with them but never quite click. Enjoyable enough though, well researched and mostly believable.

#queer

blurb
phantomx
Like a Love Story | Abdi Nazemian
post image

Jumping into the last book for LMPBC, I've read about 10 pages so far, and it's cracking me up #lmpbc #GroupP @Soubhiville @WanderingBookaneer @bibliobard

Soubhiville Yay! 3y
15 likes1 comment
quote
WanderingBookaneer
Like a Love Story | Abdi Nazemian
post image

I just woke @BookishMarginalia up with my sobs. #GroupP #LMPBC

phantomx Gotta emotionally prepare myself for this book 3y
53 likes5 stack adds1 comment
blurb
WanderingBookaneer
Like a Love Story | Abdi Nazemian
post image

@LibrarianRyan : Jace is getting a box, but I put one extra thing that didn‘t fit in your #LMPBC box. Everything is gift wrapped.
@phantomx : Almost done with tagged book and will ship both #LMPBC books on Monday.

LibrarianRyan Yeahhhh. I‘ll be sending out books Monday. I have 2/3 done and I was working today so I couldn‘t get to the post office but they are on their way 3y
phantomx @WanderingBookaneer No problemo! Take your time 3y
32 likes2 comments
review
rjsthumbelina
Like a Love Story | Abdi Nazemian
post image
Pickpick

I have trainings all day today and tomorrow, so I'm working from home. Hoping I can catch up on reviews for the month!

I loved this book so much. These are characters that I miss. Set in the 80s, a gay male Iranian teen moves to a new place and confronts his sexuality, develops relationships, gets a closer look at the AIDS crisis.

The audiobook was fantastic, as well!

marleed I loved it too and experienced it on audio. Then I had to own the physical book! 3y
19 likes1 comment
review
Noveldrama
Like a Love Story | Abdi Nazemian
post image
Pickpick

Please look at the cover page and appreciate its beauty😍
Now, where should I even start, this book is all about loving each other no matter what your race, religion, color, identity & sexuality is, it was so diverse blossoming with those tender emotions & feelings which inspired me, A lot of respect & love to this beautiful book which it deserves indeed !!!

marleed One of my favorites! 3y
3 likes1 comment
review
bibliobard
Like a Love Story | Abdi Nazemian
post image
Pickpick

#bookspin read complete! I really enjoyed this book about 3 teens and their experiences with the LGBTQ+ community and coming of age during the AIDS crisis of the 80s/90s. It was such an emotionally rich book and got to the point I couldn‘t put it down! Good pick @Soubhiville #lmpbc #round012 #groupp 🏳️‍🌈

Soubhiville I‘m glad you liked it too 😊📚. It‘s been a good #LMPBC round so far. 3y
TheAromaofBooks Great progress!! 3y
WanderingBookaneer Received! 3y
18 likes3 comments
blurb
broughtyoubooks
Like a Love Story | Abdi Nazemian
post image

This got me trying to listen to Madonna again. My [redacted] had Madonna albums, and I remember being like 8 singing to Like a Prayer. But the version of Madonna I had from her was heavily sanitised, kind of the way Hozier's Take Me to Church got christian co-opted. So it was this weird nostalgia, as well as a learning experience, to see her centred as the queer icon she is.

49 likes1 stack add
blurb
Soubhiville
Like a Love Story | Abdi Nazemian
post image

I managed one Bingo in July, but I could have used a few more Free spaces 🤣. I quickly filled in all of those.

I liked every one of these books, so I‘d call July a win for sure!

#BookSpinBingo

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! Great month!!! 3y
Larkken I always fill up the free spaces, too 😂 3y
Soubhiville @Larkken right? Every time! 3y
52 likes3 comments
review
Soubhiville
Like a Love Story | Abdi Nazemian
post image
Pickpick

This is my #LMPBC book for the new round. It‘s a beautiful friendship story, but incredibly sad as it takes place during the AIDS crisis. I needed tissues (but I cry really easily.)

I loved all the late 80‘s nostalgia, especially Madonna!

TheBookHippie I loved that book. Took me right back there :protesting on campuses …Washington …💔 (edited) 3y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3y
51 likes3 comments
blurb
Soubhiville
Like a Love Story | Abdi Nazemian
post image

What happens when I‘m reading and marking up my #LMPBC book? Venkman steals ALL the things. My bookmark, book tags, and pen all belong to him now. Lol. Excuse my messy writing Group P, he likes to bat my pen as I try to write notes.

WanderingBookaneer #BonBonCat does the same! 🤣 3y
phantomx 🤣 3y
suvata Finders keepers 😆 3y
65 likes1 stack add3 comments
review
ChristinasBookChronicles
Like a Love Story | Abdi Nazemian
post image
Pickpick

This was a favorite. Like a Love Story will get you right in the heart. It follows 3 teenagers in the 1980s at the beginning of the AIDS epidemic as they learn who they are and how to love in a period of immense fear and prejudices. The characters feel real. You love them and are frustrated for and by them at the same time.

review
Emmybird01
Like a Love Story | Abdi Nazemian
post image
Pickpick

4:5 for this one! This was such a wonderful hard read. It was sad and honest and great. There were points when I wanted to stop reading because I knew something sad was coming. I couldn‘t put it down though. I had to know what happened.

marleed I have recommended this book so many times. I think it‘s a great companion to 3y
ChristinasBookChronicles Just finished this one. Loved it! 3y
4 likes2 comments
blurb
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
Like a Love Story | Abdi Nazemian
post image

#Love
#ForeverNovember

I started this one for our #Book4Book but was in a reading slump!! Hoping to restart it!!

blurb
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
Like a Love Story | Abdi Nazemian
post image

#Adolescence #AboutAugust
#Book4Book Slow progress, but great book!!

#Felix 🖤😽

Trashcanman ❤🤗🤗😘 4y
AmyG I am happy to hear it‘s good! 4y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @AmyG I‘m behind though... y‘all may have to just skip me.. I‘m just in a rut 😫 4y
See All 6 Comments
Eggs 👏🏻❤️🤗📚👍🏼 4y
AmyG I don‘t care HOW long you take. I have so much to read anyway. 4y
76 likes6 comments
blurb
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
Like a Love Story | Abdi Nazemian
post image

Making some progress!! Maybe I should have gotten a bigger journal!! 💜 🐼

#Book4Book

Soubhiville Wow! 4y
riversong153 Those are the cutest page flags! 4y
Hooked_on_books I love that your book looks like a panda party. So cute! 🐼🐼🐼 4y
See All 7 Comments
AmyG Ididn‘t write very much. Uh oh. 😳 I DO love the pandas! 4y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @AmyG I probably wrote too much! I‘m only on page 70... remember I‘m in my feelings too 🤣 @Soubhiville 4y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Hooked_on_books it does!! Thank you 🐼 4y
78 likes7 comments
quote
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
Like a Love Story | Abdi Nazemian
post image

“The most important four letter word in our history will always be LOVE.”

So true ❤️❤️

#Book4Book

Cinfhen Awwwww 4y
Soubhiville Hooray for reading buddies! 4y
88 likes4 comments
blurb
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
Like a Love Story | Abdi Nazemian
post image

Getting into this one!! Really enjoying it so far!!

🦥 🖤💜

#Book4Book

AmyG Yay! 🎉🎉🎉 4y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @AmyG I‘m so behind 🙊 4y
AmyG I don‘t think it matters that much. We all have books to read. 4y
See All 7 Comments
marleed I love this. It gave me the vibes of 4y
Lucy_Anywhere I love your notebook! 🦥 4y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @marleed my favorite!! Did you suggest this one to me? I can‘t remember! 4y
86 likes7 comments
blurb
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
Like a Love Story | Abdi Nazemian
post image

1) Like A Love Story, The Downstairs Girl, Verity
2) The Nightingale ❤️
3) Hmmm I only post books on Litsy!

#Weekendreads

Prairiegirl_reading I also only post about books on Litsy. I got instagram to post about books but it turned out to only be pictures of my dog! 4y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Lol!! I have IG, but rarely ever look at it 🤷🏼‍♀️ 4y
51 likes2 comments
blurb
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
Like a Love Story | Abdi Nazemian
post image

“There should be a limit on how long any human being has to wear braces.” 😬

#FirstLineFridays
#Book4Book

TheBookHippie 🤣🤷🏽‍♀️ toooo long for me 4y
AmyG I was so lucky. My grandfather was my dentist. I dodn‘t want to wear braces and he said....okay. Problem solved! 4y
60 likes3 comments
blurb
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
Like a Love Story | Abdi Nazemian
post image

1) Strawberries 🍓
2) All of Kristy Woodson Harvey‘s books
3) I‘ve seen dolphins 🐬 so beautiful!!

thank you all for the tags!! 💗💗💗

@dandy.punk @viirastus @j.rye have you all played?!

MoonWitch94 Thanks for playing ⛵️☺️♥️🍉 4y
56 likes1 comment
blurb
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
Like a Love Story | Abdi Nazemian
post image

Slowly making progress... great, sad so far!! Trying to healthier ughh ignore the ranch dressing!! 🙊🙈

#Book4Book
#Friends4Life

AmyG Glad to hear it‘s good. I finished mine. Do we all send at the same time? To the next person? 4y
Soubhiville We‘ll all mail by Aug 8th (if possible.) you‘ll mail to the same person every time. Mail the book and journal, hold on to your colored pen and page flags, you‘ll use the same ones throughout all 4 books and journals 🤗 4y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @AmyG @Soubhiville I‘m trying to concentrate!! I‘ll try not to be the slacker! All of you read faster than I do! 4y
Soubhiville @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks don‘t stress! Remember I have a copy of this book, so it‘s easy for me to read that one instead if you need more time. No big deal. 4y
AmyG Thanks @Soubhiville. And @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks You have time! I have just had alot of time to read this week. 4y
85 likes1 stack add5 comments
blurb
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
Like a Love Story | Abdi Nazemian
post image

Starting this one today for #Book4Book 📚 I may be a little behind!! 🤦🏼‍♀️ I‘ve been churning out #LitsyLove!!

MemoirsForMe Yum! And what beautiful dishes you have! 🤗❤️ 4y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @UwannaPublishme thank you 💗💗💗 4y
Soubhiville I hope you love it! I‘m looking forward to this one. 😊 4y
AmyG I‘m looking forward to reading this, too! 4y
80 likes4 comments
blurb
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
Like a Love Story | Abdi Nazemian
post image

Starting this one for a book exchange with an awesome group of friends!!

I love sloths 🦥

#Book4Book

AmyG Yay! 🎉 4y
Soubhiville Yay! I‘m looking forward to this one! 4y
Ruthiella I have that sloth notebook too. So cute! 😀 4y
See All 7 Comments
Mrs_B So cute! 🦥 4y
79 likes7 comments
blurb
Soubhiville
Like a Love Story | Abdi Nazemian
post image

I got your package today Misty! Thank you so much. This book sounds great, I‘m looking forward to it. I love that you matched the bookmark and card, too. You‘re the sweetest 💕

Crazeedi 💝💝💝 4y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I hope you like it!! I got a copy too! I saw it on your list! I‘ve heard great things about it!! 🎊🎉🎊🎉❤️❤️❤️ 4y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I‘m happy it made it! I got a copy too! 🎊🎉💕🎊😘💕 4y
57 likes3 comments
blurb
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
Like a Love Story | Abdi Nazemian
post image

I am posting one book per day from my extensive to-be-read collection. No description and providing no reason for wanting to read it—I just do. Some will be old, some will be new. Don‘t judge me—I have a lot of books. Join the fun if you want. This is day 5!

#TBR

67 likes1 stack add
review
That-Bookish-Hiker
Like a Love Story | Abdi Nazemian
post image
Pickpick

It‘s 1989 in NYC and the AIDS pandemic rages on. Reza an Iranian immigrant is terrified of being gay and convinced he will die at a young age because of it. Art is a rich boy who finds beauty in the pics he takes and is trying to live his true self along with his best friend Judy. Judy loves fashion and her gay Uncle who is dying of AIDS and can‘t wait to fall in love.

This story about first love and friendship is just beautiful and amazing. ⬇️

That-Bookish-Hiker I really enjoyed the friendship between the three and how fiercely they loved each other. I will be recommending this book to everyone lol. 5y
marleed I thought this was a beautiful book. Whenever I see that someone loved Tell the Wolves I‘m Home I recommend this one as well. I think they have similar feels. Both so good. 5y
ChristinasBookChronicles @marleed I haven't read that one but I did love this one. I'll have to check that out. 3y
50 likes1 stack add3 comments
review
Skeeterisme
Like a Love Story | Abdi Nazemian
post image
Pickpick

Beautiful.

58 likes1 comment
review
Lindy
Like a Love Story | Abdi Nazemian
post image
Pickpick

Bittersweet, with the joy and heartbreak of first love and coming out, set during the tragedy of the AIDS crisis in 1989 in New York City. I relived the emotions of that era, cheering the courage of activists in the novel while remembering the brave actions of real life people. A rich #audiobook experience with three narrators—Lauren Ambrose, Vikas Adam & Michael Crouch—interpreting the three first-person viewpoints. #LGBTQ #YA #ownvoices

ChristinasBookChronicles Just fished this and loved it! Imagine it was even better with the audio book. 3y
Lindy @ChristinasBookChronicles I‘m glad to hear when other people enjoy something I‘ve also read. It‘s been a year and so this one had slipped from my mind. Thanks for bringing back to the front of my mind how good it is! 3y
ChristinasBookChronicles @Lindy glad to help. Hope you got a moment to enjoy it again 🤪 3y
53 likes2 stack adds4 comments
blurb
Lindy
Like a Love Story | Abdi Nazemian
post image

This story is set in 1989. The music references—Pat Benatar, New Order, Blondie, and so much Madonna—are happy reminders of my younger days. I need those, because at the heart of this story is the AIDS crisis and so much fear. I remember that too. 😔

49 likes1 stack add
review
Devyn
Like a Love Story | Abdi Nazemian
post image
Mehso-so

I‘m actually bummed how indifferent I feel about this one. It‘s an exceptionally important story to tell and for that I‘m very glad it exists, but it ultimately feels repetitive, forgiving of characters that shouldn‘t be forgiven, overly preachy, and more. I‘m thrilled to see a book where young queer kids find their way in the world, I just wish it had been more polished.

blurb
Sharpeipup
Like a Love Story | Abdi Nazemian
post image

Love when I read a story that reminds me of someone I know...and admire.

27 likes3 stack adds1 comment
review
DarcysMom
Like a Love Story | Abdi Nazemian
post image
Pickpick

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

blurb
DarcysMom
Like a Love Story | Abdi Nazemian
post image
blurb
Cinfhen
Like a Love Story | Abdi Nazemian
post image

🚨🚨🚨#KindleAlert #DailyDeal It‘s September 1...a whole new batch of books on sale 😊🙌🏻🎉I picked up this one because MADONNA ♥️ #OnceAnEightiesGirlAlwaysAnEightiesGirl

Lovesbooks87 This is one of my top reads of the year! 5y
JoScho This one is fantastic! 5y
Cinfhen Oh good!!!! I was a little worried it was going to be angsty and TOO YA @Lovesbooks87 @JoScho but MADONNA 😊🎵🙌🏻 5y
shawnmooney 😍😍😍 5y
Cinfhen Hi 👋🏽 @shawnmooney 😘😘Happy belated anniversary 5y
84 likes1 stack add5 comments
blurb
IndoorDame
Like a Love Story | Abdi Nazemian
post image

August Wrap-up

I read 12 books this month. The tagged book was my favorite! But I enjoyed most of these. I feel like this was a good reading month.

6 audiobooks
4 ebooks
2 physical books
9 women authors
2 authors of color

review
alisonrose
Like a Love Story | Abdi Nazemian
Mehso-so

Sadly didn‘t live up to hype/expectations. I super appreciate a story about young queer ppl, & giving teens today an insight into what life was like in the earlier days of AIDS. But there were more cons than pros: overly long & repetitive, instalove & irrational instahate, characters w/little depth (& an example of a man not knowing how to write a teen girl, IMO), too heavy-handed at times. An important book, just wish it was more polished. 2/5 ⭐️

quote
alisonrose
Like a Love Story | Abdi Nazemian
post image

Sigh. I don‘t know if he gets corrected on this at some point later, but it annoys me when people think every place in the central Bay Area is part of San Francisco. Berkeley is a completely separate city, across the bay. There‘s not even a shared border! Why couldn‘t it say “near the city...”? Humph. The author lives in Los Angeles and I know there‘s a lot of weird overlapping down there, but not up here.

Caterina Haha I just moved to Berkeley for seminary, and before I came I was like "I'll be so close to San Francisco!" and now that I've headed in once, I'm like "ohhhh." ? But Berkeley is pretty cool in its own right! 5y
alisonrose @Caterina Haha, well, it IS close! But close is different than “actually located within”. Berkeley is a great little city though! 5y
30 likes2 comments
quote
alisonrose
Like a Love Story | Abdi Nazemian

And I wish she knew that her ability to even utter all these doubts out loud means she thinks highly enough of herself to respect the emotions inside her.

quote
alisonrose
Like a Love Story | Abdi Nazemian

I wonder if he‘s also thinking about that time he told me that Cher‘s voice is like a foghorn, calling all the queens to her shores and warning them of the many navigational hazards ahead.

[This line gave me an amazing image in my mind‘s eye!!]

blurb
alisonrose
Like a Love Story | Abdi Nazemian
post image

A queer book featuring POC set in the 80s in New York? YES PLEASE. Also this cover is gorgeous 😍 #nowreading

35 likes1 stack add