Month: April 2014

Link Round Up: April 24 – 30

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IfYouCouldBeMine   FriedGreenTomatoes   KillMarguerite

Autostraddle posted Culinary Classics of Crypto-Lesbian Fiction: Fried Green Tomatoes.

Lambda Literary posted

Lo_Adaptation_HC_600x900   KickedOut   inheritance

Malinda Lo posted Diversity in 2013 New York Times YA Bestsellers.

True Colorz posted New Releases for April, 2014.

Women and Words posted Somebody Please Peel Me Off the Ceiling AND an E Book Giveaway.

Sassafras Lowrey posted Queer Book Diorama Show!

“A fully loaded Arsenal: two decades on, indie publisher is queerer than ever” was posted at Daily Xtra.

Ladyfish   circumstanceofmarriage   giveittome

Ladyfish by Andrea Bramhall was reviewed at Lesbian Reading Room.

Give It To Me by Ana Castillo was reviewed at Lambda Literary.

The Tropic of Hunter by Cheyne Curry was reviewed at Lesbian Reading Room.

The Circumstance of Marriage by Mala Kumar was reviewed at The Rainbow Reader.

everysecondcounts   tolerancetrap   Sweat

Every Second Counts by D. Jackson Leigh was reviewed at Lesbian Reading Room.

Sweat: Chapter One (A Lesbian Soap Opera) by LezIntellect was reviewed at Sistahs On the Shelf.

The Tolerance Trap by Suzanna Danuta Walters was reviewed at Bisexual Books.

This post, and all posts at the Lesbrary, have the covers linked to their Amazon pages. If you click through and buy something, I might get a small referral fee.For even more links, check out the Lesbrary’s twitter page! We’re also on Facebook, Goodreads, Youtube and tumblr.

Rachel reviews Good Moon Rising by Nancy Garden

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While most fans of lesbian literature will recognize Nancy Garden for her classic romance Annie on my Mind, there are still plenty of other books she has written that young lesbians can relate to. Good Moon Rising is one of them. It has a combination of lesbian lovers, theatre and acting, and intolerance and ignorance of homosexuality.

Seventeen year old Jan Montcrief, a budding young stage actress, returns to her school after a pleasant time at a summer acting program. The theatre coach, Mrs. Nicholson, is putting on The Crucible, a play about the Salem Witch Trials, and Jan auditions for the female lead, Elizabeth Proctor. She is soon shocked to learn that she will not be playing Elizabeth; she will be a stage manager. The new girl, Kerry Ann Socrides has gotten Jan’s part. At first upset, Jan grows to enjoy her new role, and to befriend Kerry as they work on Crucible together. Soon, Mrs. Nicholson is in poor health, and Jan must take over as director. She and Kerry fall deeply in love, which their classmates pick up on pretty fast. And some are determined to use that against the girls.

Good Moon Rising does a wonderful job with the characters, making Jan and Kerry likeable. Also Jan’s wondering “Am I gay?” will strongly resonate with any lesbian doing her own soul-searching. The supporting characters add to the story. Ted, Jan’s lifelong best friend, has his own feelings for Jan that complicate their friendship. Kerry’s eccentric and silly Aunt Elena provides some laughs, though she has her reservations about homosexuality. Perhaps the most conflicted and prejudiced character is Kent, a classmate playing John Proctor. He is openly gay-bashing and always trying to prove himself as a “real” man. But Jan soon suspects that Kent is hiding his own homosexuality. It’s ironic; Kent, a homosexual himself, actually does the most bullying in the book.

The prejudice Jan and Kerry face parallel to the hysteria and ignorance of those who participated in the Salem Witch Trials. All over school, signs saying “I saw Jan Montcrief with the devil, I saw Kerry Socrides with the devil” are posted, sounding like the lines used in The Crucible. Kerry and Jan are thrown Bible quotes alongside threats and prank phone calls. Their classmates are going out of their way to ruin the two girls and break them apart; all because of their own fears and hatreds, much like Crucible and the Salem trials.

Good Moon Rising, compared with Annie on my Mind, is somewhat darker in tone, as the prejudice the girls face is bolder, and Jan must come to terms with Mrs. Nicholson’s terminal illness and eventual death. The book has a few sadder scenes, and Jan and Kerry are dealt a lot of homophobic blows. For a while, things between them are uncertain. And the story is set in late fall, giving a dreary atmosphere.

But there is still hope for Jan and Kerry. With help from Jan’s gay friend Raphael, the girls begin to come out and take braver steps in telling their families and remaining together. Though some questions are left unanswered, Good Moon Rising ends on a happy note. Jan and Kerry’s love for each other seems stronger, and both feel more comfortable as lesbians. And they do have the support of friends to pull them through. While Good Moon Rising is a more somber read, it is a masterpiece in its own right, and should be remembered as one of Nancy Garden’s best novels.

Abigail reviews She Overheard Murder by Jean Sheldon

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I never thought to wonder why, but Chicago is the best place for a mystery, and that’s a fact.

Lately I have been craving a mystery to read, so I decided to check out She Overheard Murder, by Jean Sheldon. This LAMBDA-nominated story is set in Chicago after the end of WWII and is the first in the new Nic & Nora series of mystery novels. The heroine of the story has just found a job voicing a female private eye for a radio program. A dark cloud hangs over her new job, however, for the voice actress she replaced in the cast has been murdered. When police suspicion falls on her, she is motivated to find out who the real killer is.

When I started reading, I thought the length of the book, at just over 450 pages, was daunting. However I was pleased to discover that the pacing was so good that I was able to breeze through the book in a matter of a couple days. The writing style is fresh and uncomplicated, making the focus fall on the characters. Our heroine Nic Owen investigates alongside Nora, who was the girlfriend of the deceased actress and the police’s number-one suspect. Nic is convinced that Nora did not kill her partner, and Nora is equally certain Nic did not murder her to further her career, so the two band together to prove the police wrong about both of them. Joining and practically heading up the amateur sleuthing is Nic’s Aunt Anna, a middle-aged woman who voraciously reads mystery novels and idolizes Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple.

The setting of a radio station is interesting and evocative of the past, and I wish the author had gone into some more detail to get a real noir atmosphere. I suppose, however, considering the many problematic practices and mindsets of the 1940s, I shouldn’t complain that the narrative’s perspective seemed somewhat modernized. Even so, it felt as though the setting of big, bold, dark, magical, mysterious Chicago was under-utilized in the overall story. Chicago should feel larger than life but it came off as diminished, just a place to have the characters live, rather than a living, breathing, aesthetic influence in and of itself.

The plot is simple and direct. Unlike some mystery novels there was no mind-blowing twist ending. It is in the style of the classic whodunnit where the clues are all there for the reader to solve the mystery alongside the detective characters.

Overall the charm of this book lies in the characters themselves, and their growth as people. Each of the characters is recovering in their own way from the war. In addition, Nora has to deal with her lovers’ death and the danger she is in during the investigation. Nic is acclimating to her new job and new thoughts and feelings she learns from her new co-workers and friends. Aunt Anna shares some of her past, things she has never told her niece until now, and is given an opportunity to pass on some wisdom she had learned from difficult times she went through. The entire main cast of characters are lovely women and their adventures are enjoyable.

Readathon Hours 23 & 24: The Final Update!

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Currently reading: The Complete Spiderwick Chronicles  by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black

And how is it? Definitely the right pick for the last hours of the readathon. I was zoning out so much, anything more difficult would have been impossible.

Pages read this hour: Hour 23; 152, Hour 24: 190, but those are both very generous estimates for little pages, illustrations, big margins, etc. I would probably half that.

Pages read in total: 1575! I broke 1500!

Books finished: Inheritance by Malinda Lo (almost done when I started the readathon), Extras by Scott Westerfeld, Lizzy & Annie by Casey Plett (a zine), The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson, When I Was Straight by Julie Marie Wade (poetry), This Is What Happened In Our Other Life by Achy Obejas (poetry), Paper Towns by John Green, Books 1-4 of The Spiderwick Chronicles

Food eaten: None. It’s 5 am!

Interruptions: None: everyone’s asleep!

Anything else? I am so very tired. Too tired for a photo. BUT I MADE IT. This is the first readathon I’ve lasted the full 24 hours! Now sleep

Hours 19, 20, 21 & 22

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Currently reading: The Complete Spiderwick Chronicles  by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black

And how is it? I like it! I’ll definitely recommend it more at my bookstore. And such a quick read! I needed that.

Pages read this hour: Hour 19: 66, Hour 20: 0 pages, Hour 21: 92, Hour 22: 119

Pages read so far: 1385

Books finished so far: Inheritance by Malinda Lo (almost done when I started the readathon), Extras by Scott Westerfeld, Lizzy & Annie by Casey Plett (a zine), The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson, When I Was Straight by Julie Marie Wade (poetry), This Is What Happened In Our Other Life by Achy Obejas (poetry), Paper Towns by John Green

Food eaten: Finished my kettle corn, but that was about it.

Interruptions: Had an hour-long conversation with my roommate about drama in their life. This is a readathon tradition.

Anything else? I’m definitely yawning, but I don’t want to wake myself up too much so I can’t sleep in two hours. But I think I’ll make it! Also Pance made another appearance, now that everyone’s asleep and he’s lonely. He likes to like my books.

Readathon Hours 16, 17 & 18

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Currently reading: Paper Towns by John Green

And how is it? I really wanted to like it, but I’ve got to say, I’m not impressed so far. I heard that this book critiques the manic pixie dream girl trope, and we’ll see how that plays out, but I don’t think it can make up for the casual sexism (and cissexism) of the rest of the book. Also a white girl paints her face black. Also there’s a gay slur used repeatedly. Yes, by a “bad guy” and yes it’s criticized later, but it just seems so unnecessary and jarring.

Pages read this hour: Hour 16: 52, Hour 17: 47, Hour 18: 32

Pages read so far: 1108

Books finished so far: Inheritance by Malinda Lo (almost done when I started the readathon), Extras by Scott Westerfeld, Lizzy & Annie by Casey Plett (a zine), The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson, When I Was Straight by Julie Marie Wade (poetry), This Is What Happened In Our Other Life by Achy Obejas (poetry)

Food eaten: Delicious green tea

Interruptions: Spent a lot of time hanging out with my roommate these hours. Still, cracked 1000 pages!

Anything else? Everyone’s going to bed (it’s 11 pm here), so hopefully I can keep going with minimal distractions. Maybe this year will be my first to make it to hour 24!

Readathon Hours 13, 14 & 15

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Currently reading: Between books! Just finished those two poetry books, and about to start Paper Towns by John green!

And how is it? I liked When I Was Straight a lot (especially the first half), but I felt like I wasn’t grasping the poems in This Is What Happened In Our Other Life. I tend to get impatient with highly symbolic poetry? I haven’t had a lot of practice with it.

Pages read this hour: Hour 13: 56, Hour 14: 82, Hour 15: 71

Pages read so far: 977

Books finished so far: Inheritance by Malinda Lo (almost done when I started the readathon), Extras by Scott Westerfeld, Lizzy & Annie by Casey Plett (a zine), The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson, When I Was Straight by Julie Marie Wade (poetry), This Is What Happened In Our Other Life by Achy Obejas (poetry)

Food eaten: Thai food!

Interruptions: Had to requisition my roommate’s room for reading because the neighbour was blasting music in the room next to mine.

Anything else? I don’t know if it was dinner, the caffeine kicking in, or just me having a second wind, but I’m ready for more readathoning! No longer so sleepy.

Readathon Hours 10, 11 & 12

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Currently reading: The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson

And how is it? I’m still enjoying it, but it’s definitely not a light read. I really don’t know how this is going to wrap up.

Pages read this hour: Hour 10: 0 (I took a break), Hour 11: 88, Hour 12: 84

Pages read so far: 768

Books finished so far: Inheritance by Malinda Lo (almost done when I started the readathon), Extras by Scott Westerfeld, Lizzy & Annie by Casey Plett (a zine)

Food eaten: More kettle corn and a mug of what’s supposed to be highly caffeinated tea, but I’m still tired.

Interruptions: Mostly just me wandering around, trying to feel less sleep.

Anything else? I may have to resort to a nap later in the readathon! I’m feeling it! But still having fun.

Mid-Event Survey

(skipping the questions that are already answered above)

3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon?

Probably The Summer Prince by Alaya Dawn Johnson if I can get to it!

4. Did you have to make any special arrangements to free up your whole day?

I do usually work Saturday, so I booked the time off. Apparently a lot of people are sick or taking the day off, but readathons are non-negotiable!

5. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those?

Not really, mostly just my own, cheering, or my roommate coming to chat. I think some distractions are fine, I just try to get back to reading as soon as I can!

6. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far?

I’m a lot sleepier than I remember from most readathons. Maybe I just forget that in hindsight.

7. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?

I don’t think so: it’s fantastic!

8. What would you do differently, as a Reader or a Cheerleader, if you were to do this again next year?

Hmm… schedule a nap?
9. Are you getting tired yet?

Yep!

10. Do you have any tips for other Readers or Cheerleaders, something you think is working well for you that others may not have discovered?

I think it’s all been covered before, but to reiterate: short books, light books, lots of snacks (especially fruit), and try changing where you’re reading. Being in one place for too long can get tiring.

Readathon Hours 8 & 9

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Currently reading: The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson

And how is it? I like it, but I’m not loving it yet. Some of the main character’s statements rub me the wrong way, but I’m pretty sure she’s supposed to be flawed. I’m interested to see where it goes. I actually like the love interest so far, which is hard to do with straight romances.

Pages read this hour: Hour 8: 21, Hour 9: 88

Pages read so far: 596

Books finished so far: Inheritance by Malinda Lo (almost done when I started the readathon), Extras by Scott Westerfeld, Lizzy & Annie by Casey Plett (a zine)

Food eaten: A bag of these delicious addictive snacks. They’re like cheese puffs, without the cheese.

Interruptions: I don’t really know what happened hour 8?

Anything else? Alright, I’ll admit I’m starting to lag a little. My roommate has some people over, and I’m starting to get a little sleepy. Maybe I’ll cheer again for a bit.

Readathon Hours 6 & 7

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Currently reading: Between books!

And how is it? Extras was good! I really enjoyed it. Though, again, I’ll be looking up reviews to cement my feelings about the Japan setting

Pages read this hour: Hour 6: 67, Hour 7: 71

Pages read so far: 487

Food eaten: Cucumber slices with hummus, kettle corn, and some delicious juice.

Interruptions: Chatted with my roommate a bit and grabbed food, but that’s all.

Anything else? Pance (the cat) left, but he came back. I couldn’t resist using him for another shot! I’m contemplating heading to the park, since it’s so nice out. I read on our front step in the sun for a bit, but it looks like the clouds are already moving in.

Hour 6 Mini Challenge: Best of Your Reading Year

Best YA Book of Your Reading Year: Definitely Adaptation by Malinda Lo!

Best Author of Your Reading Year: I could give this to Malinda Lo again, but I’m going to say Tamora Pierce, since I have been flying through her books and only read hers for the first time this year.

Best Fiction Book of Your Reading Year: Wow, I haven’t read a lot of general fiction this year so far. I have to go it to The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister