Queer YA Bookstravaganza! Let's talk about 40 (!) queer YA books! 

Finished reading a clutch of YA books and figured I’d go for something of more immediate concern. Affected deeply by what’s happening in Florida (and other states) 🤢I’ve started reading *The Passing Playbook*. I noticed the title on your bookshelf Thom, so I figured it must be a good book. It’s about this sophomore (15-16) trans boy who enrols in a new high school. Will post a short assessment when I’m done.

I've read Check, please and adored it ! I've read When London Snow Falls and liked it. I've read A Little Bit Country and I'm not sure what to think of it. The setting of the book is uniquely different but country music is so foreign to me that I'm having problems getting into the mindset. I've read What If It's Us, Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda and Leah on the Offbeat by Becky Albertelli (et al) in German from the library and didn't like them. I'm having problems with German translations so this could be the reason as so many seem to love the books. German translations are always a hit or miss. One classic example of a typical (how I call it) google translation is the novel Boy Queen by George Lester. The translator used the literal translation of "down the rabbit hole" which makes no sense in German at all. The rest of the book felt awkward too. Then I got the English original and - surprise - my rating changed from 2 stars to 4 stars. It's a good book but the translation sucks. So I guess I might give Becky Albertelli another try. I own Self-Made Boys, the Tim Federle trilogy, Small Town Pride, Running with Lions, The Gravity of Us, Icebreaker and Jack of Hearts (and Other Parts) as ebooks and The Sunbearer Trials as a physical copy but haven't started as of now. 40 books in one month is just WOW !

Third viewing of your video to refresh my memory and add items on my TBR list. I so enjoy your presentation Thom ! Originally I staunchly avoided sadness and drama but slowly I find myself expanding my criteria and finding new authors. Can we hope for more ? Like 5-10 books at a time - I’m sure you have so many under your belt !

Sorry for the length, I got carried away… *Honestly Ben* by Bill Konigsberg. This is the sequel to *Openly Straight* and should be read as a continuation instead of a standalone story. All the characters are the same, but this time around the pov is reversed. The story takes place after the Christmas break at their private high school in Mass. Both books are narrated at the first person but while OS was through Rafe’s pov, HB is through Ben’s. Both boys are so totally different (family, cultural, social, financial backgrounds) that the story acquires a different perspective. Also, it was written 3 years later. The pacing is slower too, Ben (the narrator) being an introspective intellectual. He’s also a sports jock - a complex, intriguing mix . The book’s argument is not about the boys’ love story but about how each identifies his sexuality. Rafe is from a wealthy, very liberal Flower Power family from Boulder, Colorado (USA’s most liberal and queer-friendly city). He has been out for years. Ben is from a hard-working, patriarchal family in rural NH where feelings are never discussed and everything must be earned the hard way. Ben is introverted and values honesty and his privacy. And he is straight. Never had feelings for boys. But he falls in love with Rafe. Their relationship has its ups and downs and Ben struggles with his feelings. He doesn’t identify with a label. Rafe’s parents insist he is gay or at least bi (they love labels) but, no: he’s ‘gay-for-Rafe’. Emotionally and sexually he’s 100% into Rafe, but if it wasn’t for Rafe he’d be into girls. Ben is the type of person whose thought process is lengthy, arduous, often second-guessing himself. Once he’s made up his mind he’s a rock. The dynamic between the two boys is sometimes tumultuous. Once again I find myself totally rooting for Konigsberg’s characters. His writing style is both poetic (as befits a first person narration by someone who is always lost in his thoughts) and pithy. Not a word, not a sentence is wasted. It’s a fascinating mix of concision and deliberation. The main characters are completely fleshed out and totally believable and their love story is simply beautiful. Anyone liking the *Aristotle and Dante* books would find OS and HB worthy of their time. Highly recommended.

*Golden Boys* was a fantastic read. The blurb tells us the characters are in their junior year but since it never mentions if it’s high school or college I was under the impression they were college boys (20 yr old) but no, they’re high schoolers, age 16. The fragmentation of the 4 interconnected stories made it a bit of a challenge to read and the alternating pov through very short chapters gave it a kaleidoscopic feel, like a fast-paced, clip style-edited movie. This makes for a breathless page turner. All the stories are heart warming, bittersweet and make a very satisfying whole. I look forward to read the sequel (ordered yesterday).

Just finished *Openly Straight*… Bill Konigsberg writes about meaty, tough issues. At least they are felt/lived as such by their characters. To some the question of identity is a non-issue. To others it’s a powerful identity marker. In *The Music of What Happens* Konigsberg paired two totally opposite characters that, despite awkwardness and fortune mishaps come to value and support each other. In *Openly Straight* the main characters are not all that different, but they’re at different levels of awareness and different places in their journey to define their identity. That mismatch is compounded by Rafe’s bad choices and he gets kind of stuck in his own web of lies and deceit. Walking through that minefield becomes his downfall. I still have to read the sequel (written in Ben’s pov this time) but even without a happy ending Openly Straight is a fascinating, thought-provoking book that raises some very serious issues. The book is densely written. Short sentences, no digressions, no side characters’ sub-plots, no plot twists, no really important events, just thoughts, reflections and plenty of angst as the characters become entangled in their struggle with labels/identity. If The Music of What Happens resonated with you, *Openly Straight* will probably hit just as hard - although I hasten to add it’s not a totally angsty book. I’ve ordered the sequel, should arrive when I’ve finished *Carry On*.

Finished Husband Material, sequel to Boyfriend Material (Alexis Hall). Main characters are Luc and Oliver. Following their story in BF Material they have now been together for 2 years and everybody around them (queer or not) is getting married. This is their journey toward To Be or Not To Be. Lots of repetitive plot elements and potentially uninteresting dialogue (they can be quite argumentative). However, there is one trope I found very pertinent : how do you live your queerness? Luc and Oliver have totally different views on the subject. Luc thrives in the sense of community and affirmative markers of queer life (symbolized by the rainbow-coloured ballons arch he wants for their eventual wedding) while Oliver is much more individualistic. He does not feel represented by such symbols, claiming they have been chosen/adopted by another generation of queers (1980s gay activism). He is uncomfortable with the elements of flamboyance and affirmation and feels he does not need such exterior signs to affirm his identity. In terms of personality Luc is insecure while Oliver is not at all. The debate is explored at length (too much so IMO) and the author freely admits he blatantly cribbed the book’s structure from the movie 4 Weddings and a Funeral. Those events are literally there in the book. I feel Hall could have made his point in about 100 pages less (Luc is an obstinate, argumentative prick who never learns when to shut up). All’s well that ends well, but I’d recommend the book only if the aspect of queer identity is of interest. As for the romance, it’s minimal since they’re already together. Romance was the main subject of BF Material, which I enjoyed. 6/10 for this one, on account of the adorable character of Oliver (he’s a gay saint).

I have just started Never been kissed. The one thing I don't like about it is that the font is so small that it makes it hard to read. I am also so glad that you started the heartstopper comics vs show vids for season 2. I really love those.❤

Great video! Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on these books! I’m currently building my TBR for pride month!

I’m checking out “The Gravity of Us” based on your recommendation, so thank you for that.

*EPIC*, a novella by the Bowen&Kennedy duo. It’s short (abt 40 pages), and the story takes place 3 years after the events in US and can be read as the real epilogue to HIM/US. A wonderful ending to a truly EPIC love story among college/professional hockey players. These hunky hockey men are considerate, loving men who have dreams to live both on and off the ice. A truly wonderful ending to the best MM YA romance I’ve read so far.

I took me a while to get to Bill Konigsberg’s *The Bridge*. I knew it was about depression and suicide, two topics that are loaded and not much fun to read about. I love Konigsberg’s honesty and special kind of writing so I decided to take the jump. I know, that’s a bad pun because the premise is about these two teens who contemplate jumping off George Washington Bridge in NY. They have never met and are unrelated. There are four distinct but related stories in the book. In the first, one of the protagonists, a gay teen named Aaron jumps and kills himself while the other one, a girl named Tillie is scared off and does not jump. The story is about the aftermath of a suicide and an attempted one (reactions from the survivor and from both families). In the second story it’s the reverse (the girl jumps, the boy doesn’t). Again, aftermath of a successful suicide and an attempted one, but the pov shifts. In the third, both jump and the story takes place at different moments in the future, with friends and family members trying to cope with the events as they age. Although life goes on the memories, the guilt, the pain are there 1, 5, 10, 35 years later. In the fourth story neither jump, scared at the last second by the consequences on their respective families. While both kids are hit by severe depression they manage to form a bond and help each other go on with their lives. I found this last part almost unbearably beautiful yet painful. It’s not an easy read. It’s utterly sincere, frank and compassionate, leaving an ashen taste that lingers. Although there is queer representation (not just Aaron), there is no romance. We feel the mental isolation, fear and powerlessness of both protagonists and those who love them (Aaron’s dad and Tillie’s mom). Both teens react to immediate events (bullying, indifference) but they are intrinsically broken kids, unloved by one of their parents since childhood, hence their mental fragility. It’s a truly beautiful book, but it may be quite triggering.

A Goodread review I just posted about London Snow, featured in Thom’s video. Sorry for the length, feel free to jump to the last paragraph for the conclusion: This is author Hayden Stone’s second book (#1 was An Unexpected Kind of Love) and there are many, many similarities btw the two. Both have in common a pair of MC where the narrator is a shy, poor, hard-working, insecure, emotionally unstable, self-deprecating lad and the object of his admiration and love is a brilliant, gorgeous, successful, extraverted, self-confident and caring young man a few years older. In both books relationships start in the same way. Brilliant Boy meets Shy Lad at the latter’s place of work in the bohème Soho section of London and sparks fly the wrong way. Brilliant Boy doesn’t give up and arranges further encounters during which an emotional contact is established. In no time they meet for a rapid, torrid tryst where they engage in unprotected sex and voilà ! They can’t get enough of each other. There are kisses aplenty throughout: fierce, torrid, soft, etc. Stone repeatedly describes Brilliant Boys’ sweetest kisses as ‘reverent’, a term I wouldn’t have thought of - quite nice. To fill up the remaining 300 pages or so Stone develops the characters’ history (troubled family relationship, financial hardship, road to success, etc), as well as planting interesting side characters (co-workers, friends, family members). Eventually Shy Lad’s chronic insecurity submerges him and convinces himself Brilliant Boy can’t possibly be interested in a real relationship and will get bored and I’ll be ditched, poor, poor me etc. But Brilliant Boy has a heart large as a mansion and is really, totally, madly into Shy Lad and will have none of that nonsense. Of course at the end violins sing a sweet song and all’s well that ends well. Why write basically the same story twice and, more importantly why should the reader bother read the second one (either 1 or 2, as both can be read independently) ? For one thing, all the characters (main and side ones) are interesting, well-developed and really engaged me. Their story is not entirely believable but not improbable either. Stone’s writing style is eminently readable and he knows when to apply sweetness, angst, sexiness, drama and action (in both stories there’s a road trip of sorts that is quite charming and nicely supports the narrative). The only thing that made my eyebrows raise and had me tuttuting was the fact that the sex episodes are rather crude and feature unprotected sex throughout (Shy Lad#2 is a barista and knows that not a drop of…good coffee should be allowed to go to waste). In this day and age it’s rather weird. OTOH the reader can’t be bothered with constant condom unwrapping as sex scenes in a MM romance book should not read as school sex-ed tutorials either. Writer’s license and all that. So, to return to the original remark: why bother with the same story told twice ? Quite simply because the total package bears repetition even if in a slightly different wrapping (a London summer heat wave in 1 and a winter of sleet, slush and snow in 2). 4 stars since the pros nicely outweigh the cons.

I thought What if It's Us and Here's to Us were excellent, and as a musical theatre nerd I loved all of the Broadway/musical references.

Finished Heat Wave, book III of the Extraordinaries trilogy by TJ Klune. I must confess Nick and Seth have become my queer book/comic/fantasy heroes. They are unmatched as a pair of almost incompatible queer boys totally in love with each other. In this book they FINALLY start to consummate their relationship. There was plenty of teasing in books I and II, but that was coherent with Nick’s million-thoughts-a-minute ADHD and his boyfriend Seth’s indefatigable patience and faithfulness. Klune has become one of my favorite authors and I’ll definitely explore his earlier works (House in the Cerulean Sea and Extraordinaries I-III are his latest opuses). This trilogy is highly recommended !

Thanks. Once again an excellent update and I added your faves and honorable mentions to my wish list on Audible. Only one of them was not available in audiobook format. Side note: I decided you have really pretty eyes while watching this one. Not sure why I decided this today. Just thought you should know. If you aren't into the pretty vibe, feel free to go with compelling or something similar. 🙂

Thom, that’s the video I was waiting for !! 🥳 So glad you’re talking about books - my main interest. I’ve read maybe 10 of those, but it would be nice if you posted a list for our perusal. I definitely want to read everything you’ve included in the video, but I know I won’t recall all the titles or the order you’ve followed. Check, please ! has been my chef’s kiss discovery. It is sooo sweet and heartwarming. We all need a Bittie or a Jack in our lives !

the first ever gay novel i read many decades ago was "The Front Runner"....unforgettable...always tried to imagine and wanted a movie made out of it....there was some talk, but nothing came of it....sign of those times....Patricia Nell Warren...Front Runner (1974)...sequels ...Harlen's Race (1994.....Billy's Boy (1997)...as you can see big gap between first book and sequels....still wishing for a movie.....

I've read a few of these: The Gravity of Us (liked it fine but didn't love it) What if it's Us (really fun read) Here's to Us (pretty decent sequel) The Music of What Happens (probably my favourite of the ones I've read recently - I thought it handled the dark/tough topics really well, and the main characters were really well drawn, kind of unusual but really credible) I put off Simon Versus the Homo Sapiens Agenda because I didn't love the film adaptation, but I think I'll give it a whirl now. I'm interested to read Check, Please as people seem to really enjoy it! Bloom sounds cute too. And Cemetery Boys is still on my TBR pile based on your earlier recs!

I am waiting for someone to transform your videos into a podcast, or for you to have an actual one! 😍 I would listen to you endlessly, your voice is chef's kiss 😊 Love from Italy 😘🇮🇹

*AutoBoyography* by Christina Lauren. The 2 authors specialize in MF romance and this appears to be their only foray into MM YA romance. The story revolves around a school project (write a book in 1 semester) and it’s the story of that book writing project we follow here. It takes place in a high school in Provo, Utah, where 90% of the population is mormon and home of the Brigham Young mormon university. The MC quickly falls in love with the 19-year old tutor who assists the prof and he decides to make their developing love story the subject of his school project. One of the various problems this poses is that he can’t submit it without outing the tutor, a devout Mormon whose father is bishop of his ward (and his mother an Anita Bryant-like übercontrolling parent). The book faithfully explores the hurdles of the religious ramifications that conspire to make their relationship a total disaster. I readily related to the subject, as I was myself a born again christian (and gay) in my early twenties. The internal contradictions for young religious gays are soul-destroying. The 2 authors are female, one a bi woman and the other worked in Salt Lake City as a high school counsellor. There wasn’t a week when she didn’t have a youth in her office telling her his religious parents would rather have a dead son than a gay one. The book is very faithful and objective in describing the family and social structure of that community. Not all Mormons are religious but those that are are depicted as devout and totally good people. Everything works swimmingly if you’re straight, but excommunication and banishment are your lot if you’re gay. I found this book absolutely enthralling, a page burner I couldn’t put down. Extremely well written. Lots of angst as fully half of the book takes place when everything goes to shit. I haven’t been so emotionally engaged in a romance story in a long time (Aristotle and Dante maybe?). The romance between Sebastian and Tanner is absolutely, achingly beautiful.

*Jackdaw* by KJ Charles. This is a spinoff to Charles' 3-book series of the Magpie Lord adventures. 1850s England, this time in a rural setting. The book tells the tale of Jonah Pastern, a 'windwalkwer' on a run from Justice (men's and the magicians' because of his misuse of magical powers). In the 3rd book form the Magpie Lord trilogy he was an über-baddie, but here we learn he may just have been a lost chid after all… Oliver Twist meets Harry Potter (or rather, Draco Malfoy ?) in this dickensian tale of magic and poverty. Also, a tale of love and unwavering devotion. Superbly researched and written. Anyone with a hankering for books by P.D. James or Agatha Christie will relish the storytelling, characterization and witty dialogues. An adult MM book, but with intimacy scenes totally incidental to the characters’ beautiful relationship. Recommended as a follow up to the other books in the series - a satellite as unusual and captivating as its main planet.

40 BOOKS? OMG THOM YOU ARE INSANE HAHA I saved some of them to read after I finish my long list of books. I slowed down my reading a little bit because I'm playing Final Fantasy XV a lot recently. I also read Out of the Blue (Wonderful book by the way), Bloom, Can't Take That Away (A good book, but with a heavy message in the end that kinda ruined the good stuff that happened during the story), Every Word You Never Said (Very Very cute ending), What If It's Us/Here's To Us (I'm so glad you enjoyed them. I love these books so much, I already read it 2x), Blane for the Win and The Sky Blues. From your list, I'm interested in reading Nate Plus One, The Faekeeper (Love stories with fae mythology, highly recommend Prince of the Sorrows by Kellen Graves), Never Been Kissed, The Music of What Happens, How Not To Ask a Boy To Prom, Self Made Boys and Stay Gold. Icebreaker and The Gravity Of Us are in my list. I'm sure you won't do another recommendation video with 40 books so soon.... haha XDD Thanks for another great vídeo Thom. Have a Nice Day!!!

*The Gravity of Us* by Phil Stamper I hesitate to give it 4 stars, as I found the story better than the characterization. The premise is excellent and the plot really involves the reader. I particularly liked the parts about the Mars mission being a teamwork of front and backstage specialists and all the e-journalism process. When it comes to the main characters it’s a bit hard to understand the author’s choices. Cal’s reactions and goals/motivations are described well enough, but Leon’s story is rather obscure and his whole persona insufficiently explored. Stamper seems reticent to give physical descriptions of the characters (we get a lot more information about the clothes they wear). There is but a single bit of sentence that lets us think Leon is coloured (at least partly Black, but he may also be Latino), but even that is undefined: his mother has important parts but she is never described physically. We have no clue as to his parents’ ethnicity/race - unless I missed them. What we know of Leon is that he has a dark skin, high cheekbones, brown eyes and ‘well sculpted’ gymnast’s muscles. Hair, height, mouth: could be anything. As for Cal, he has dark hair, a stubby nose and is not as well built as Leon. Period. Eye colour, facial features, height, hands, all is left to the imagination. I like to form a mental image of the character’s physical traits. As it stands, I didn’t feel I had enough info for that. At least the nice cover illustration supplies what is missing. The attraction between them happens instantly, with Leon’s sister conveniently spilling that his brother finds Cal ‘cute’ right at their initial meeting, so at their very first encounter the boys’ urge to kiss is instant and strong. Talk about love at first sight ! 2 chapters’ worth could have been added to describe both their physical appearance and their interactions. IOW, the romance is cute but insufficiently and credibly fleshed out. Despite these deficiencies the story is very compelling and I loved the suspense that builds steadily about the future of the Mars mission. So, 3.75 stars, I guess

Here’s a transcript of a review I posted on Goodreads: *Darius the Great Deserves Better*. Sequel to Adib Khorram’s debut novel *Darius the Great is not Okay* Although the author didn’t plan to write a sequel, he (and his readers) thought Darius had more to say. From reading many comments on the Goodreads website, it would appear that readers are totally wishing for a third volume. Khorram writes books where little happens, but with interesting, complex characters that the reader totally roots for. Themes are complex and often hit hard: depression, racism, homophobia, identity (sexual, national, cultural), body issues, bullying, death of a family member, breaking up, etc. And tea. Khorram uses tea (the drink, the rituals, the infinite varieties) as the glue that holds Darius’ family together. Among the many reviews I’ve read, a lot mention self-esteem and body issues. They are indeed central to Darius’ discovery of his identity. One very short review reads like this: « i can't believe his crotch was the central character in each chapter HELP ». I wrote a comment to this: « That’s because you don’t know an important fact about teenage boys: a lot of their body issues are about their genitals. Like it or not, it’s a fact. Some derive a great deal of pride and confidence in their masculinity, others experience it as a damning, shameful part of their body. No wonder the slang term for it at that age is ‘junk’. ». Now you know. Darius has issues with that part of his body. About being uncircumcised (other boys in the book call it ‘uncut’, he prefers the term ‘intact’). In the 1st book that takes place in Iran 6 months earlier (family trip to visit a dying family member) a soccer game ends with the team showering and the Iranian boys mocking him for having a penis that looks ‘like the ayatullah’s turban’. To his profound and abiding embarrassment. Body issues can be deep and confidence-destroying, whether you’re a boy or a girl. While never being fat-shamed for his love handles, Darius is deeply embarrassed by them. And so it goes. Nothing is easy for him. Never mind the fact that, at 17, he is 6’3’’ and described by others as beautiful (must be his long iranian eyelashes, he reasons). His journey into early manhood is arduous and fraught with doubts - but also victories. It’s a truly heartwarming story. Representation in the book is very strong. Apart from Darius, there are other queer characters, including a duo of queer grandmothers. There are extremely supportive characters, but some totally homophobic ones and there are signs of uneasiness among various others. The story takes place in Portland, Oregon, a rather liberal place by american standards. Romance is there but tentative, uneasy and certainly not fluffy. Again, awkwardness is often present. Khorram writes realistically about real, complex characters and does not offer fluff to sweeten the story. This sequel is both more involving and better written than the first book, which was already at a high level. I, for one, would welcome a third volume

Finished *Loveless*. I subconsciously dreaded reading about a 440+page book dealing with an aromantic/asexual MC. I knew I was wrong, but preconceptions tend to linger. in the mind. This is the most cogent and well written book Oseman wrote so far. Not that I’m belittling her literary talents. I think that even in her first novel (*Solitaire*) she displayed a real flair for drawing the reader into the MC’s mind frame and setting exciting plot twists into the story line. That was even better done in *Radio Silence* and *I Was Born for This* , both of which I loved. In *Loveless* Oseman draws on Heartstopper (the show) to portray a wide gallery of really great side characters (HS the show was better at this than the comics). Curiously and not for the first time, my impression was that the female characters were harder to understand (emotionally) AND to relate to/like than the male ones. In this instance the most likeable, pure and emotionally stable were the male characters: Sunil and Jason, both of which would be high on my list of ‘people you’d most like to have a drink/meal with’. In *Loveless* the HS influence is pervasive, whether it’s in the themes, characters, or even dialogue lines. One of the chapter’s titles is ‘Love ruins everything’ (meaning friendship) - almost a Tao Xu maxim. Then there is the theme of true-friendship-is-as-pure-a-kind-of-love-as-physical (iow: aro-ace), which I’m SURE will be featured in HS season 2 with Isaac and maybe Tao-Elle as the main protagonists. I have no objection to that. Really none. We live in a society (culture) where TV/Internet has made physical attractivity the litmus test of desirability. Algorithms make my own YT page littered with 6 abs videos as the kind of thing I crave most. And yet nothing could be further from the truth. What I most relate to is the connection (the spark) between people, especially the beginning (not the development or conclusion) of a relationship. And yet, YT and other media jump to the totally unrelated/illogical conclusion that there HAS to be some kind of carnal fest to cap it all. It’s sad. As every HS fan will testify, it’s the ignition, the spark of love that burns brightest. Who cares how they choose to live it ? The lights are out, the door is closed. Get out !

*Flight of the Magpies* by K.J. Charles. Wow ! Just, wow ! The final installment in the Magpies trilogy is one roller-coaster of adventure, paranormal stuff and some of the steamiest sex scenes in print. Fast pacing, deliciously witty dialogues and a beautiful way with exploring the emotional connection of the MC. Lucien and Stephen are a most unusual pair of lovers. By all rights their romance ought to be viewed with a hefty dose of disbelief, but KJ. Charles is so good at convincing us that this pair is utterly, smokingly fusional - they’re the alphas of MM lovers. This book is superbly written. A winner.

*Loveless*. This is Oseman’s best written book. Her first, ‘Solitaire’, felt a bit clumsy in places, overdramatic in others. And yet it showed a very original and compelling author at work. Oseman still has the same bent for choosing underdog personalities (‘borderline outcasts’, as per Heartstopper’s Tao Xu) prone to making mistakes and wrong choices, but eventually working hard at redeeming themselves (not always successfully), adding drama at the end (all her novels feature some form of cliffhanging wild chase) and a becalmed ending where the main protagonists finally find peace with themselves. What characterizes Loveless is the quality of the writing (solid structure, very good writing, relatable characters), a very interesting subject (the overlooked, misunderstood topic of aromanticism and asexuality) and the objective, non dogmatic, unpreachy pov. Oseman writes as much about important topics as about the characters that carry them. Her novels are almost essays in the form of novels. They engage the intellect as much as the emotions while still putting in enough personality in their complex characters to keep the listener rooting for them in their journey. Proof of that is that the names Tori, Aled, Frances, Jimmy Kaga-Ricci, Angel, Georgia are solidly etched in the reader’s mind and continue to live long after the book has been closed. Osman’s is one of the most important contemporary voices in the queer community and our world is a better place because of her contribution.

Running with Lions was such a disappointment to me. There just seemed to be...nothing between the two main characters (one of which was mean to everyone for no apparent reason?).

*Afterglow*, the sequel to Golden Boys, has been published a couple of months ago. I just finished reading and I highly recommend it. If anything, it’s even better than the first book. The action takes place immediately after their eventful summer and follows their last year together as seniors. It’s angstier in many aspects. In Golden Boys Reese and Gabriel had a slightly bigger place in the story than Heath and Sal. In Afterglow the balance tilts in the other direction. Again: top recommendation.

I have read five of the books you talked about: “Jack of Hearts,” the three books from the Simonverse, and “What if It’s Us” (and I very much want to read “Here’s to Us,” too. As I think I’ve said, the Simon movie resonated with me more than the book, in large part due to Nick Robinson‘s performance that really hit home, but I do like the book a great deal, as well as the other two; I especially like where she takes the relationship between Simon and Bram in the second book, even though they are not the primary focus. I’ve also wondered if you have read any of the “Something Like” books by Jay Bell, which at least start out in high school but carry their characters into adulthood. And another book that is more of a middle grade book that I was very impressed by is “The Whispers” by Greg Howard.

Read *Boy Meets Boy* by David Levithan. This is one of the 40 books Thom reviews in this video. The edition I had was a 10th anniversary release with an author Q&A section at the end and a ‘bonus’ short story featuring one of Boy Meets Boy’s most characterful side characters, Infinite Darlene (quarterback of the school’s football team and flamboyant Homecoming Queen). It’s a short read (under 200 pages), with short chapters and fast pacing. Written in 2003, I think it must have influenced Becky Albertalli when she wrote Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda, especially with regard to the MC’s High School friends and their interactions. The feel and pulse of their world is very real at the same time as it is totally utopic. Levithan creates a city where queerness is normal and unobjectionable, an oasis within a queer-unfriendly world. The title more or less gives away the plotline: boy meets boy, boy loses boy, boy gets boy back. That’s the story of Paul and Noah (the new boy in town). Levithan chronicles their bumpy relationship in a tongue-in-cheek, deadpan manner. The large cast of Paul’s friends play an important role as well (as in Simon): Joni, Kyle, Tony, Infinite Darlene, Chuck… It’s simple as that, but it still got me hooked to the characters’ vagaries. There are some really beautiful, whimsical moments. Practically all the characters have an eccentric, unpredictable side - including switching sexual identity according to the circumstances. I can see why Boy Meets Boy has acquired a certain cult status. It cheerfully thumbs its nose at homophobia and bigotry by inventing a city where queerness is as unremarkable as sandwiches in a school cafeteria. Its characters are sharply delineated and utterly original. It’s hard not to root for Paul, Noah, Tony and Infinite Darlene. Joni and Chuck otoh are as likeable as Ben and Harry.

Read 3 books from Rachel Reid’s hockey series (mostly very good) and 3 from KJ Charles’ historic series (set in 1920s London) - all 3 excellent. Lots of angst due to homophobic people, homopobic and repressive society, but also truly beautiful, supportive relationships btw the MC. These guys can’t live without the support they give each other, which transcends the (very real and intense) physical attraction btw them. Also just finiished Kacen Callender’s *King and the Dragonflies*, a book I predict will become a classic. It’s set in a Louisiana middle grade school and the characters are younger than those we’re used to read about. Beautifully written, hauntingly evocative, it deals with the difficulty of finding one’s place in a society that staunchly rejects homosexuality. For the Black MC’s parents and their friends being gay is even more of a stain than for White people. For them one simply cannot be gay (on top of being Black, that is). The angst quotient is high but the tone of the book remains heartwarming. Recommended.

*The Alpha’s Son* by Penny Jessup. Fans of wolves will love this one. The premise is original: wolves living as humans shift for certain occasions like the great Mating Run festival, in which they shed clothes and run around to find their mate (it would appear wolves are monogamous). The Alpha is of course the Great Leader, and his son Jasper, who is supposed to replace him eventually is in the running to find his mate. Except that the Mating Run produces unexpected results for Jasper and another he-wolf… Some Goodreads reviewers roundly criticized the book, whether because it was felt to be very politically incorrect (didn’t provide all the LGBTQ+ letters proper representation) or worse, because it had an unhappy ending. The thing is, the book clearly states that the story is ‘to be continued’ and a second volume is in the works. Some people are never satisfied if their own very specific agenda is not strictly met. Their loss. As it stands *The Alpha’s Son* is a good queer fantasy novel and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

*Darius the Great Is Not Okay* by Adib Khorram. This is the coming of age story of Darius, a boy of mixed American (dad) and Iranian (mom) parentage. When his Iranian grandpa is diagnosed with a fatal brain cancer the whole family goes to Iran to visit him for the first and last time. Darius is a depressive teenager who has trouble finding his proper place in his own family (he’s never good enough for his father) and with his Iranian relatives. He befriends a neighbour of his grandparents’ and starts to have feelings for him, but cultural differences make things awkward between them. This is not a romance and the boys never get to express anything beyond friendship. I found the story very refreshing and the emotions entirely relatable. Not an easy read, but a beautiful story nonetheless. There is a sequel (*Darius the Great Deserves Better*). I look forward to reading it.

Finished The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas. It’s a complicated story and getting into the world of the dioses and semidioses was quite a challenge. It’s a 400 page book that just came out recently and it’s ‘to be continued’. Not sure I’ll still be interested to follow the story when that 2nd book eventually comes out. The potential for a nice romance is there, but it’s not really explored into this first book (an extremely slow burn).

A couple of days ago I posted here about JK Charles’ *Magpies* books (a trilogy) but somehow it vanished from the net. Anyhow, just a word of recommendation for a truly original, spicy, superbly written series. A mix of Sherlock Holmes (tales of the bizarre, London, mid-1800s) and a very racy tale of lust btw implausibly matched MC. I haven’t enjoyed something that much in a long time.

Thom, have you read Ari and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe and its sequel Dive into the Waters of the World ? Also, the Extraordinaries trilogy by TJ Klune ? I’d be very interested to hear your comments on these. Also, let us know what you thought of I wish You All the Best. The character of Nathan is so winsome. His presence lightens what is a sometimes dark story.

*US* a hockey romance by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy. sequel to *HIM*. I loved HIM, the prequel to US. Gave it 4 stars on Goodreads (4.5 for the best written smut I’ve read). But this one is a solid 5 stars. Curiously, it has less love scenes than the first book, but their character has changed from steamy to fusional. Wes and Jamie’s love has grown even more intense if that’s possible. Also, US has a lot of angst and drama that made it impossible to put the book down. This is one of those rare occasions where a successful book gets an even better sequel. Probably the best YA MM romance I’ve read.

"SO MANY QUESTIONS." I do want to read the Nate Trilogy for the titles alone, I did not notice unraveling of the mind (but good to know), the child was yelling in support, as they always do (although I never really hear them, so I guess it's more distracting for you recording the video, than it is for us watching them), I loved the video and am looking forward to the next Comics vs Show episode. And I _must_ second the podcast request. Many people have written they could listen to you for hours.

*Talking About Fungus* by our own TJ Baer. About midway btw a novel and a novella both in terms of length and storyline, wittingly written. Features a really lovable side character (Aaron) and some surprisingly serious issues (death, making some hard choices). Not exactly fluffy stuff, but not dark either. I look forward to the next Thom book on my Kindle library (Following Grandpa Jess).

*Kiss & Tell* by Adib Khorram. Just love this book. Definitely NOT a fluffy read as the book cover might lead us to think. Serious and angsty, but in the end friendship, love and living your dreams carry the day. I wrote a detailed review on Goodreads under the moniker Calafthereader.

Started *Loveless* by Alice Oseman. The most recent Oseman opus, and one I was almost apprehensive to engage in. Because of the title. It bears a feeling of emotional void, of barenness. Of course that’s untrue and probably a reflection of our society’s expectations regarding personal relationships. An important side character (Rooney) seems hellbent hooking up never-been-kissed Georgia (the MC) with a boy - ANY boy - asap. So maybe my reaction is typical in the wrong, Rooney-type sense. I absolutely love Oseman’s writing and the way she develops characters and action - slowly, methodically, with brush by brush strokes like an impressionist painter. Jane Austen’s influence maybe ? I know this will be an important reading. And yet I know I’ll read other stuff in parallel (fan fics, comics or some cheesy MM romance) - I need the quiet time before I dive back into Oseman’s world. I did the same with Radio Silence and I Was Born for This. Oseman in full-fledged novel mode is as heady, intense and dense as Jane Austen or one of the Brontë sisters. Fans of Heartstopper (the graphic novels) need to think more of vol 4 than the first 3 volumes to get an idea. Oseman’s is an important voice.

It’s pretty busy here at the moment and I will go into detail with your 40 books titles a little later. Just one thing in advance: I’m currently reading The Feeling of Falling in Love by Mason Deaver. HIGHLY recommend !! Also: no more SKAM episodes ? 😢

Thom, have you read Jay Bell’s series Something Like (…) ? I just finished reading *Something Like Summer*. I thought it’d be a fluffy summer teen romance. It cut much deeper than I expected. It left me emotionally reeling, I’ll follow it up with the graphic novel version and the other 3 books (Autumn, Winter, Spring).

Any Way the Wind Blows (Carry On # 3). I think it’s my new favourite MM book, on a par with Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the World. I’ve read some stupidly picky reviews on goodreads. Why can’t people just appreciate what’s good and forget about their damned expectations ? Even if a book has defects it doesn’t mean it’s not a great read. This one definitely rises to the top. Simon Snow rules and Baz is the sun in his life.

Thom, I notice that you have on your bookshelf *Carry On* by Rainbow Rowell. I don’t think you’ve mentioned it in your videos. Did you like it ?? It’s my next read, I should be starting it today.😀

Of these, I have read: Jack of Hearts Icebreaker Jay’s Gay Agenda The Gravity of Us Never Been Kissed Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda Leah on the Offbeat What if it’s Us Small Town Pride Check Please (Well, I’m almost done with volume 2 of Check Please, so I’ll count it.) I’m wondering why there are so many queer hockey stories compared to other sports. I have a hard time keeping them straight (no pun intended). Add in Goalie Interference, the Him series, and I think I’ve read at least one more. I’m not a hockey fan, so it feels over-represented. Need more soccer! (And I still haven’t finished Running With Lions, having said that.) Quite a few on your list have come up in my recs regularly so I’ll take your info under advisement. I read Jack of Hearts because it had a big to do with a school book ban near here, and when you live in Seattle, that doesn’t come up very often. I was glad to see right after that that it suddenly became heavily waitlisted at all the regional libraries where I have memberships. Want to read Here’s to Us, but might need to skim What if it’s Us again to remember it more clearly first. Appreciate your comments about A Little Bit Country. I’ve avoided it because of my dislike of country music for memories of the place I grew up. I’d like to jump into the fantasy ones though.

Last week I just read ‚I wish you all the best‘ and ‚The music of what happens‘, which I really liked both. This week I read ‚Openly straight‘ by Bill Konigsberg, which was okay, but the sequel ‚Honestly Ben‘ in my opinion wasn’t as good as the first part. Btw, Tom, have you seen the teaser of Heartstopper Season 2?

*Game Changer* by Rachel Reid. A closeted star hockey player falls for a gay smoothies bar barista. This is an adult MM novel with LOTS of graphically detailed sex scenes. From what I’ve glanced in Goodreads reviews this has been an issue with many readers. At times the book was almost uncomfortable to read. The two MC hit it off early (quick burn) and fall into each other’s arms with no holds barred. Once under bed sheets they never come up for air. Just about every position is explored with much relish and no orifice is left untouched. I had never read a book with a phone sex scene and a skype one in it. These hockey players are often on the road… The carnal frenzy abates somewhat in the last third of the book, as the issues of closeting, unbalanced monetary situation and career take a toll on the guys’ relationship. If one sets aside the oversexualization of the relationship, what remains is a well-written story, an in-depth characterization of the protagonists (3rd person narration), a plainspoken exploration of the closet situation the hockey player MC is trapped in and the other MC’s forced ‘return to the closet’ that brings about. Not a stellar book, but for the sake of a beautiful love story I must say I enjoyed it. Any story set in the hockey world starts with a big plus in my book, so maybe I’m biased in that regard. From what I’ve seen many readers enjoyed Rachel Reid’s next hockey-based book (*Heated Rivalry*) a lot more. I’ll give it a go eventually, I guess.

*HIM* by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy. I enjoyed HIM a lot more than I had anticipated. I was expecting a flighty sport jocks rom-com but the depth of the boys’ feelings took me aback. Also, I didn’t think there would be so many sex scenes and certainly not that they’d be presented as an almost mystic, initiatic ritual. I repeatedly had to put the book down (get a cup of tea, grab some chips, walk the dog) just to let the steam cool off the pages. On the minus side I didn’t expect the old trope of miscommunication to be exploited so blatantly. Fair enough. I was game and went along with it all right - who could resist Jamie and Wes anyway? In the end I found this book kind of perfect as light, entertaining, sexy as hell MM rom-com reading. 4 solid stars for the writing and characters. Maybe 4 1/2 cuz the sex is so good !

I read Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda, what if it's us, and here's to Us. I heard of a little country butnever read it. Now I got new books to read so thank you for that

Thom, have you read *Like a Love Story* by Abdi Nazemian ? I picked it up at the library but I read it deals heavily with some loaded (sad) topics. These days I’d rather avoid depressing stuff (like the Something like series…). Any thoughts ?

Reading book 3 of the Carry On trilogy. I’m at page 67 and my heart is broken. Simon has pushed Baz away and Baz has given up on him. Will this book be sad ? I have 500 pages to find out…

Thom, if you have read them and if you have time, I’d like to have your opinion on *Felix Ever After* and *Right Where I Left You*. 😃

New video! 🤩 Coincidence that this idea happened after someone linked to Joel Rochester's channel the other day?

Not sure this link works. Pls let me know…

Hi,loved your videos OF GAY MIAMI!

.bit of constructive criticism....if you take notes after or during your readings, you won't appear to guess or think about what the book was about...or review a shorter list?....

Another long post. *Felix Ever After* surpassed my expectations. Strongly recommended. Here’a copy of my review on Goodreads: Felix Ever After, by Kacen Callender. Description of the premise has to be kept at a minimum to avoid spoilers. It goes like this: Felix is a trans guy of 17 studying art in a private NY school. His mom left her husband and son many years ago and has severed any and all communication with Felix. He keeps drafting and saving emails to her (476 of them as the book starts) that serve as a kind of journal of his life: struggles with his identity, problems, hopes, etc. However he has never pressed the ‘send’ button… One day he finds that the Instagram account in which he kept a few pictures of him before he transitioned (showing him as a girl) has been hacked. The pictures have been printed and displayed in the school’s gallery along with his dead name. Moreover, he starts receiving messages demeaning him and denying his sexuality (‘You are a fraud. You were born a girl and will always be one’). Someone is after him. The rest is a whodunit in which Felix tries guessing who is behind the cyber harassment, helped in his search by some of his friends. The stalker seems to be a fellow student from his art class… Interweaved in this plot is Felix’ quest for his identity (he’s still not sure how the word ‘trans’ defines him as an individual), his falling in and out of love with fellow classmates, and the many mistakes and false assumptions (‘nobody can possibly feel true love for someone like me’) that lead him to some questionable choices. Also, the delicate subject of how sexuality works for a trans guy is not shirked. There is nothing graphic, no sex scenes, but the author tactfully hints at the fact that things are (obviously) different. Shades of Heartstopper, in which Tao reveals that he and Elle have ‘tried a few things’ (graphic novel, vol 3 or 4 - can’t recall the exact scene). I found the book an absolute page burner. The story line itself is very clever and subject to many twists and turns. Felix’ first person musings, reflexions and soul-searching monologues are poignant, in turns inspirational, heart-wrenching and filled with hope. The gallery of side characters is very rich, with complex, well-developed teen portraits (male and female, most of them queer). The adults around them are also well - if succinctly - portrayed. The author doesn’t hesitate to show that queer teens can be jealous, petty, even bigoted. This is a frank, unvarnished portrait of human hopes and failings. The portraits of Ezra and Declan in particular are engrossing. I only wish ALL of them had a happy ending. Felix Ever After is an inspirational book. Kacen Callender’s refusal to gild the lily and frank depiction of teen trials and errors moved me a lot. I couldn’t help rooting for even the flawed characters in it. An important voice speaks through the book’s pages. It deserves to be heard with all our attention.