“Stop killing us.”
5/5 The story that Mark Oshiro tells through this book was so impactful. I felt every fraction of hope, sadness, and anger that Moss felt as his story progressed. Anger is a Gift holds such truth at the frustrations people of color have as we face oppression. Also, almost every single character is marginalized in some way. I would not hesitate to recommend this one!

“There is not always a good guy. Nor is there always a bad one. Most people are somewhere in between.”
5/5 This book doesn‘t have any lgbt+ representation, though it was written by a gay writer. It also wasn‘t what I expected. Going into it I was under the impression that this book was going to be YA Horror, but it was more of a heart-felt middle grade. And even though it wasn‘t what I originally thought, it was still so beautiful!

“But now there is stillness and drips of candlewax and quiet. There are the ghosts of who we used to be.”
5/5 This book was super short, yet filled with such depth. You can feel the loneliness and sorrow the protagonist, Marin, is dealing with as she copes with loss, both familial and romantic. Nina Lacour has such a talent for writing emotion. I found myself being being transported back to my university days where I felt as loney as Marin.

“The black seeps into her, masking any sentiments, mangling any desire to forgive, hardening the weak pulp of a muscle beating inside her chest.”
5/5 This book is so raw and honest. It touches on heavy subjects such as sexual assault, colorism, fetishization, homophobia, and how tourism negatively affects the native community in Jamaica. Overall, this book truly reflects the harsh reality of life as a woman in Jamaica in its fictional pages.

Happy Black History Month! I wanted to post a little appreciation post for my very favorite writer-James Baldwin! His work perfectly sums up the complexity of how race, sexuality, and gender intersect and relate to one another in America! I‘m definitely going to be posting about his work more soon! ✊🏽🏳️‍🌈

“I‘ve learned how to live with nightmares. I could cope with one more.”
tw: for sexual assault in this book.
I would give this book 10/5 stars if I could! I literally could not hype it up enough! Everything about this book is amazing, from the writing to the storyline. My favorite sections of the books are the romantic ones (of course), and they definitely do not disappoint! As far as I‘m concerned, Natasha Ngan is a literal literary genius.

3/5 “Maybe the ending isn‘t even really the point. Just as long as there was a happy somewhere along the way.” I loved the cute m/m teen fluff but I felt there was a major lack of character depth. After finishing this almost 300 page book I felt as though I didn‘t know much about the characters, almost as if they were assigned one character flaw each and then the character development was abandoned. But ultimately it was still worth the read.

Resident On My Bookshelf:
“Shit was about to go down.”

This wonderful anthology is written by and about Black lesbians. My favorite short story in the collection is called “The Other Side of Crazy,” about a woman who believes her girlfriend is cheating. The story ends on a twist that made me practically drop my jaw.
I‘m looking to read more lgbt+ short story collections, so if anyone has any recommendations please send them my way!

“Sometimes it seems like everyone knows who I am except me.”
This is the only book I‘ve ever owned that‘s also signed by the author, which is so cool to me! It‘s also the first book I ever read by Becky Albertalli, which launched me into a serious Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera addiction! The only book left of either of theirs I haven‘t read is The Upside of Unrequited by Becky, though I‘m sure I‘ll get to it soon!

“Love must be the rarest, most precious thing on earth, brother, where is it hiding?” -Just Above My Head, James Baldwin

“Please don‘t leave me unloved.”
This book follows two separate narratives that intersect through location and the mutual need to find “release.”
I really enjoyed the dual narrative in this book and I loved seeing one of the main character‘s (Adam‘s) journey as he moved on from his ex and allowed for a new healthier relationship to form, all while dealing with the limitations of his religious family. #lgbt

In case you need a reminder...

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! 🎄

"The way she's looking at me makes me lose my breath."
I loved getting to see the same characters and setting from the Simon Vs. book from Leah's perspective. Leah's story was definitely relatable to me as someone who was closeted in high school and Becky has such a talent for writing easy going narratives with believable characters.
#lgbtya

I don‘t know if anyone here is into literary journals, but I‘m the associate editor of Coffin Bell Journal and our first print anthology just arrived and it‘s so beautiful! If you‘re into dark lit please check it out at coffinbell.com or pick up the anthology https://coffinbell.com/product/coffin-bell-one/

“‘Déjate querer.‘ Let yourself be loved.”

Focused on identity, prejudice, and grief, this book is an easy read that deals with complex topics and emotions. Benjamin Alire Sáenz always does such a wonderful job of creating characters that are so beautiful and sweet. This is a great book to read while waiting for the Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe sequel to finally be released!

#lgbtreads #gayya

"Faith is just arrogance disguised by God."

After reading Adam Silvera's other novels, I can definitely tell that this was a debut work. I found it took me almost halfway through the book to be truly interested, but once I got there I was eager to pick up where I left off. Although it was a great story, it didn't leave me with that heartbroken feeling after reading a beautiful book that his other books did, but I still remain a huge fan.

“I love you, but I can‘t stay longer.” Beautiful, suspenseful, heart-warming, devastating, genuine. This is my favorite Adam Silvera book so far. This book is so so wonderful for anyone struggling with heartbreak.

This book was so devastatingly beautiful, I cried and cried and cried. #lgbtqreads #lgbtreads #gayya

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH so good! #whatifitsus #lgbtreads #gayya

#Thriftfinds

“Along the coast, beaches stretch indifferently. You can rot here without feeling it.”
#lgbt

"Damn, I wished the world would let me be myself."
This book was as hilarious as everyone who has reviewed it before me said it would be. It was amazing reading a typical "coming of age" story from a lesbian's perspective, not to mention incredibly refreshing.

"Love must be the rarest, most precious thing on earth, brother, where is it hiding?"

This book had me on a ride of a lifetime. I've never had such a hard time reading a novel, yet wanted to continue so bad in my life. James Baldwin never fails to amaze me with the talent he possessed in writing.
(I also took this book on the ride of it's life, hence its beat up looks ?)

"Don't tell me what I am," she said. "I get to say what I am."
This book made me feel so many feelings. Amazing and emotional, I loved it.

Re-reading one of my favorite books while preoccupied with assigned readings for lit classes 😻❤️😻

It's that time again for a literature student when your assigned novels get mixed in with your personal collection 😭😥😓

"Have you no shame?"
"Not really"

I loved reading every second of this one. Such an amazing coming out story told by a young girl as she grows older and more thoughtful throughout her childhood and teenage years. The way Jeanette Winterson writes each chapter more mature and intelligent as the story unfolds to signify the protagonist getting older is remarkable. Loved it.

"Much has been written of love turning to hatred, of the heart growing cold with the death of love. It is a remarkable process"
Although I am about sixty years too late, James Baldwin continues to impress me with his writing. As the last sentence rang through my head, I knew I would never forget this book.

"That was how I met Giovanni. I think we connected the instant that we met."

This book was everything I thought it was going to be: fun, gay, and light hearted. It definitely lives up to the hype, a great read when I'm in the mood for something not too dramatic but still want to pick up something worth reading.

This book literally shook me, I'll be a huge fan of James Baldwin for the rest of my life after reading this novel.