I’ve got one hundred unread lesbian/queer women books I own (one hundred and four, to be exact) and probably about three hundred more at the library I can access at any point, so even the queer women books I have I’m probably not going to read for a while yet. That’s why I have Sneak Peeks: a look at books that I’ll eventually be reviewing, but I haven’t read yet. I got three queer women books in the mail this week (thanks Bookmooch!), so I thought I’d do my first sneak peek post on them.
Stone Butch Blues is a queer classic and it’s one I’ve been meaning to read for ages. It’s by trans activist Leslie Feinberg and is about the character Jess Goldberg who deals with being differently-gendered/butch in a blue-collar town in the 50s, 60s, and 70s. This is said to be one of the first novels that explicitly dealt with transgender issues. I’ve heard this is an incredibly powerful book and I’m very much looking forward to reading it and sharing it at the Lesbrary.
On a completely different note, I also got the book Night Mares in. 
I haven’t read a lot of mystery… as a matter of fact, I think I’ve only read one mystery, one of the Rita Mae Brown Sneaky Pie Brown ones. I didn’t like it very much, and now that I think about it, that might have been all that it took to turn me off the entire genre. I know that’s ridiculous, so I’ve been searching for queer women mysteries to read and challenge that. This one features a lesbian veterinarian. I doubt I’m the only lesbian that grew up wanting to be a vet, so I figured this would be a great place to start. It’s the second in the series, but I doubt that will make much of a difference.
This one I think speaks for itself. Lesbian feminist science fiction? Sign me up! I haven’t read a lot of scifi, but again, I’m trying to start. This collection is from the 70s and 80s, so it’ll be interesting to get that viewpoint.
Lots of fun new books! Have you gotten any queer women books lately? Are there any you’re particularly excited to read?
Also, have you read The Needle on Full, Night Mares, or Stone Butch Blues? What did you think of them?
Amy Dawson Robertson says
Hi — speaking of mysteries, have you tried Ellen Hart and JM Redmann? They are both long time biggies in the genre. I recently read a mystery I liked by Anne Laughlin called Veritas. And the Lambda Literary Award finalists were just announced and the winner of last years award in mystery is nominated again for her second in the series — Josie Gordon.
In terms of literary fiction, you really ought to try The Children of Mother Glory by C.M. Harris. Full disclosure: she is published by the literary fiction imprint of my publisher, Bella Books, and I know her virtually. But this is truly a great novel that should be getting more attention than it is. Check out her rave reviews on Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Children-Mother-Glory-C-M-Harris/dp/193522610X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268757435&sr=8-2
Danika says
Wow, thanks for all the great recommendations! Luckily there are a whole stack of Ellen Hart books at the library, but the rest I’m just hoping will be added to Bookmooch, so that might take some time.
bookish butch says
Stone Butch Blues is a must read. I read it only recently (last week) and have been wondering ever since “what took me so long?”. Such truth is rare. Magnificent book.
Danika the Lesbrarian says
I have heard it’s incredible, but also not a cheerful book. I can’t wait to start it!