Spin Me Right Round

Spin Me Right Round

by David Valdes
Bloomsbury YA, 2022. 352 pages. Sci-Fi

All Luis Gonzalez wants is to go to prom with his boyfriend, something his “progressive” high school still doesn’t allow. Not after what happened with Chaz Wilson. But that was ages ago, when Luis’s parents were in high school; it would never happen today, right? He’s determined to find a way to give his LGBTQ friends the respect they deserve (while also not risking his chance to be prom king). When a hit on the head knocks him back in time to 1985 and he meets the doomed young Chaz himself, Luis learns firsthand that a conservative school in the ’80s isn’t the safest place to be a gay kid.

I love how this story featured voices from a variety of ethnic and racial backgrounds, as well as a variety of LGBTQ identities. It certainly went far beyond tokenism to provide a richly developed cast of characters that each felt true-to-life. I do wish Valdes had unpacked Luis's selfishness a little more, as there was an opportunity for some real growth that wasn't fully realized. He was also relatively unlikable, and it never really got resolved. That said, the writing was top notch, and it was fun to see the compelling, Back-to-the-Future-esque plotline adapted for a modern audience.

The Charm Offensive

The Charm Offensive

by Alison Cochrun
Atria, 2021. 354 pages. Romance

As the most successful producer in the history of the long-running reality dating show Ever After, Dev Deshpande always scripts the perfect love story for his contestants, even as his own love life crashes and burns. But then the show casts disgraced tech wunderkind Charlie Winshaw as its star. He doesn’t believe in true love, and only agreed to the show as a last-ditch effort to rehabilitate his image. In front of the cameras, he’s a stiff, anxious mess, and behind the scenes, he’s cold, awkward, and emotionally closed-off. As Dev fights to get Charlie to connect with the contestants, they begin to open up to each other, and Charlie realizes he has better chemistry with Dev than with any of his female co-stars. But even reality TV has a script, and they’ll have to reconsider whose love story gets told.

My friend recently introduced me to Bachelor Nation (thanks, Mickala!), and I've been hooked on watching Bachelor in Paradise, mostly because other people's drama is easier to deal with. I love the idea of the behind-the-scenes realness of reality TV (since you know the show is very scripted). I was pleasantly surprised to see how Cochrun addressed the issue of LGBTQ+ inclusivity in show biz, and it made me hopeful for the future. And now I'm off to watch season 8 of MTV's Are You the One?

It's Elemental

It's Elemental: The Hidden Chemistry in Everything

by Kate Biberdorf
Park Row, 2021. 304 pages. Nonfiction

Have you ever wondered what makes dough rise? Or how your morning coffee gives you that energy boost? Or why your shampoo is making your hair look greasy? The answer is chemistry. From the moment we wake up until the time we go to sleep (and even while we sleep), chemistry is at work—and it doesn't take a PhD in science to understand it. Biberdorf demystifies the fundamental principles of the science that may have eluded you in high school and shows how chemistry comes alive in everything we do.

I studied chemistry in university, and it's always made sense to me. I loved this crash course in the basic concepts of the field, but if I put myself in the shoes of someone who didn't "get" chemistry in high school, I fear I might have been lost after the first few chapters. Biberdorf can get a bit technical with her details, but that was no issue for me. I loved exploring the chemical principles at play in our everyday life, but it might go over some people's heads.

Dolly Parton, Songteller

Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics

by Dolly Parton and Robert K. Oermann
Chronicle, 2020. 380 pages. Biography

In this celebration of the remarkable life and career of a country music and pop culture legend, Parton reveals the stories and memories that have made her a beloved icon across generations, genders, and social and international boundaries. As told by Parton in her own inimitable words, explore the songs that have defined her journey, illustrated throughout with previously unpublished images from Parton's personal and business archives.

For the full experience, I would recommend a combination of the print and audio formats of this book, which provides access to images of rare artifacts and memorabilia as well as Parton's own voice in spoken word and song through what feels like a casual extended interview.

More Than a Body

More Than a Body: Your Body Is an Instrument, Not an Ornament
by Lexie Kite and Lindsay Kite
Mariner, 2020. 352 pages. Nonfiction

"Positive body image isn’t believing your body looks good; it is knowing your body is good, regardless of how it looks."

Our beauty-obsessed world perpetuates the idea that happiness, health, and ability to be loved are dependent on how we look, but Kite and Kite offer an alternative vision with an action plan to reconnect with your whole self and free yourself from the constraints of self-objectification. From media consumption to health and fitness to self-reflection and self-compassion, Kite and Kite share powerful and practical advice that goes beyond “body positivity” to help readers develop body image resilience. In the process, they show how facing your feelings of body shame or embarrassment can become a catalyst for personal growth.

I was gifted a copy of this book by the husband of one of my book club gals, and I'm so grateful he did. This book truly changed my life and helped me to begin addressing some of the long-standing issues I have had with body image. Although it is written for a female audience, it is tremendously beneficial for anyone dealing with body image and/or dysmorphia issues, regardless of gender. 

The Guncle

The Guncle
by Steven Rowley
G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2021. 326 pages. Realistic Fiction

When tragedy strikes and Maisie and Grant lose their mother and their father has a health crisis of his own, their gay uncle Patrick finds himself suddenly taking on the role of primary guardian, despite the fact that he's been hiding out for years, dealing with his own personal grief. Quickly realizing that parenting—even if temporary—isn’t solved with treats and jokes, Patrick’s eyes are opened to a new sense of responsibility, and the realization that, sometimes, even being larger than life means you’re unfailingly human.

It can be difficult to address grief in fiction, particularly without being morose and heavy. Yet Rowley manages to do just that, tackling this serious subject with humor and warmth. The main focus of the book is on moving forward and making new relationships and friendships. Patrick and the children slowly realize that they need one another (I don't even think that's a spoiler), and that it's only through their shared bond that they can overcome the hardships in their lives.

I Have Something to Tell You

I Have Something to Tell You
by Chasten Glezman Buttigieg
Atria, 2020. 256 pages. Biography

A moving, hopeful, and refreshingly candid memoir by the husband of former Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg about growing up gay in his small Midwestern town, his relationship with Pete, and his hope for America’s future.

In 2020, I was very excited to see an openly gay candidate run for presidential office with his husband by his side; I honestly didn't think I'd live to see that happen in the United States. Politics aside, it was lovely to read this engaging and emotional memoir of a sensitive, genuine gay man coming to terms with his identity, making his way in the world, and finding love with someone who would eventually run for president. (I'm still rooting for Buttigieg to become our country's first First Gentleman, but only time will tell.)

Happy Pride Month!

The House in the Cerulean Sea

The House in the Cerulean Sea
by T. J. Klune
Tor, 2020. 396 pages. Fantasy

Quiet homebody Linus Baker spends his days overseeing the well-being of magical children in government-sanctioned orphanages. When he is unexpectedly given a curious and highly classified assignment regarding the Antichrist, Linus meet the charming and enigmatic caretaker Arthur Parnassus, who will do anything to keep his wards safe. As Arthur and Linus grow closer, long-held secrets are exposed, and Linus must make a choice: destroy a home or watch the world burn.

This heartwarming story has such a witty and engaging writing style that I didn't want to set it down. But the real gem is the intricately crafted characters, and they felt so realistic. Arthur is the embodiment of kindness, purely steadfast and dependable. His magical charges are colorful and eclectic, which contrast sharply with Linus's restrained and monochromatic personality. These disparate pieces come together to prove that family has nothing to do with blood and everything to do with love. 

Furia

Furia
by Yamile Saied Méndez
Algonquin Young Readers, 2020. 368 pages. Realistic Fiction

In Rosario, Argentina, Camila lives under her brother's shadow, her mother's expectations, and her father's abusive rule. But on the field, she is La Furia, a powerhouse of skill and talent. When her team qualifies for the South American tournament, everything is set for her rise to greatness -- only her parents would never approve if they knew she was playing fútbol, and she'll need their permission to continue. As life becomes even more complicated, Camila faces her secrets and makes her way in a world with no place for a girl's dreams and ambitions. 

What's striking to me is how Camila never yields to her circumstances and difficulties. She lives a double life and has deep secrets, and Méndez effectively conveys the agony of concealing oneself and passions. We also feel the stigmatizing stereotypes regarding sports and gender in Latinx culture, as well as the (in some cases, toxic) family dynamics and friendships. The fact that this novel is set in my mother's hometown added an extra layer of personal interest and begged me to compare Camila to my own strong mother who also wasn't afraid to break the mold and be herself.

Here's to Us

Here's to Us
by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera
Quill Tree, 2021. 466 pages. Romance

Book #2 in the "What If It's Us" series

Two years after the events of What If It's Us, Ben has totally moved on -- until he hears that Arthur is back in town. And while Arthur is living his dream in a Broadway internship, he is more bothered than he expects when he comes upon Ben with a mystery boy. Did his feelings for Ben ever really go away? What if they're actually meant to be?   

Never have I been this joyful over a sequel. Sometimes, a sequel can feel like a cash grab rather than the continuation of a story. But that wasn't the case here. When I read the first book, I was hooked up until the ending, which was very unsatisfying; I understand the importance of portraying two characters who realize their relationship isn't right for them and walk away staying friends, but it was hard to process that in a work of YA literature. I also appreciated how the people they were dating (Mikey and Mario) don't become characters we should hate, which rings true. It seems Albertalli and Silvera have redeemed themselves (and their characters) in this much-needed second installment.

The Midnight Library

The Midnight Library
by Matt Haig
Viking, 2020. 288 pages. Sci-Fi

Somewhere out beyond the edge of the universe there is a library that contains an infinite number of books, each one the story of another reality. One tells the story of your life as it is, along with another book for the other life you could have lived if you had made a different choice at any point in your life. Nora Seed finds herself faced with the possibility of changing her life for a new one, following a different career, undoing old breakups, realizing her dreams of becoming a glaciologist; she must search within herself as she travels through the Midnight Library to decide what is truly fulfilling in life, and what makes it worth living in the first place.

Have you ever had a wonderful idea for a book to write, only to realize it had already been written by someone else? From time to time, we all wonder what our lives could have been like if only there had been some small change. Haig expertly explores these parallel universes to imagine what Nora could be living in another life. It is a bit heavy-handed on the self-help sprinkled throughout, but it certainly generates some food for thought. I guess I'll have to find another way to express my existential crises and the incidental crippling ennui. 

Hello, Universe

Hello, Universe
by Erin Estrada Kelly
Greenwillow, 2017. 320 pages. Realistic Fiction

In a single day, the lives of four children are woven together in unexpected ways. The shy Virgil Salinas  feels out of place in his loud and boisterous family. Valencia Somerset, who is deaf, is smart, brave, and secretly lonely. Kaori Tanaka is a self-proclaimed psychic, whose little sister Gen is always following her around. When the school bully pulls a prank that traps Virgil and his pet guinea pig at the bottom of a well, it's up to Kaori, Gen, and Valencia to find him. Using luck, smarts, and bravery, a rescue is performed and friendship blooms.

Kelly's diverse characters surpass tokenism; their varying ethnic backgrounds (and Valencia’s disability) affect the characters’ lives without defining them. They are not diverse for diversity’s sake; their life experiences color their perceptions, as occurs in reality.

In her Newbery acceptance speech for Hello, Universe, Kelly said, “[T]he truth is, I write books for my characters…. Because I was – and still am – all of them.” She continues, “You have given me a tremendous honor tonight. And it’s my hope that you will remember, each day, how you honor the dreams of underdogs everywhere.” Kelly’s authenticity is born of lived experience, and she conveys it in a format that is easily digestible by tween readers.