To Shape a Dragon's Breath

To Shape a Dragon's Breath

by Moniquill Blackgoose
Del Rey, 2023. 511 pages. Fantasy

Book #1 in the "Nampeshiweisit" series

The remote island of Masquapaug has not seen a dragon in many generations—until fifteen-year-old Anequs finds a dragon’s egg and bonds with its hatchling. To her people, Anequs is revered as Nampeshiweisit—a person in a unique relationship with a dragon. Unfortunately for Anequs, the Anglish conquerors of her land have different opinions. Only with great reluctance do they allow Anequs to enroll in a proper Anglish dragon school on the mainland. Anequs and her dragon may be coming of age, but they’re also coming to power, and that brings an important realization: the world needs changing—and they might just be the ones to do it.

I'm always a fan of a protagonist that goes to lengths to disrupt the social hierarchy, especially one that is racist and sexist. While it has roots in reality, the world that Blackgoose has created is complex and rich in its history and scope. I particularly enjoyed learning  the details about their fantasy version of chemistry, which others in the genre gloss over or ignore altogether. However, I see how this could be a bit laborious and cumbersome to those with a different academic background. Also, dragons are always fun, but I feel they could have been developed a little further as characters. And the romance was a very slow burn: IIRC first kiss somewhere around 70%. This one definitely needs a sequel.

The Daughters of Izdihar

The Daughters of Izdihar

by Hadeer Elsbai
Harper Voyager, 2023. 384 pages. Fantasy

As a waterweaver, Nehal can move any water to her will, and she desires nothing more than to attend the Weaving Academy, take control of her powers, and pursue a future with the first all-female military regiment. But her family cannot afford to let her go, and Nehal is forcibly married into a wealthy merchant family. Her new spouse is indifferent and in love with another woman, a bookseller named Giorgina. Giorgina has her own secret, however: she is an earthweaver with dangerously uncontrollable powers. Her only solace comes from the Daughters of Izdihar, a radical women's rights group with a simple goal: to attain recognition for women to have a say in their own lives. Tensions are rising with a neighboring nation that desires an end to weaving. As Nehal and Giorgina fight for their rights, the threat of war looms in the background, and the two women find themselves struggling to earn--and keep--a lasting freedom.

I absolutely loved the magic system: elemental magics are my jam! It was also lovely to have the cultural influences of Egypt and Western Asia reflected in this work. I'm usually not a fan of multiple POVs, but Elsbai made the work flow effectively and smoothly between the two tightly intertwined storylines. There were times when the gentle pacing seemed to drag, and the allusions to (and outright portrayal of) civil rights seemed a bit heavy-handed. I wish we had seen more of the protagonist's relationship with Malak, the leader of the Daughters of Izdihar. I also was disappointed that this book was quite long, and yet the ending was extremely unsatisfying. I understand that it's part of a duology, but it felt like the plot was arbitrarily interrupted by the end of the book.

How to Be Remy Cameron

How to Be Remy Cameron

by Julian Winters
Duet, 2019. 340 pages. Young Adult

Everyone on campus knows Remy Cameron. He's the out-and-gay, super-likable guy that people admire for his confidence. The only person who may not know Remy that well is Remy himself. So when he is assigned to write an essay describing himself, he goes on a journey to reconcile the labels that people have attached to him, and get to know the real Remy Cameron. 

I enjoyed how this book presented true-to-life depictions of queer adolescence (which, if you're a regular of this blog, you know that YA sometimes misses the mark for me in that regard). I also love how Remy refuses to let either his race or his sexuality be his sole defining characteristic, and Winters grapples with this important issue head on. This book is beautifully written, and there are passages and lines that really captivated me. This work is not so plot-driven and focuses more on introspection while maintaining a lighthearted and positive tone.

The God Box

The God Box

by Alex Sanchez
Simon & Schuster, 2007. 272 pages. Young Adult

Paul, a religious teen living in a small conservative town, finds his world turned upside down when he meets Manuel—a young man who says he’s both Christian and gay, two things that Paul didn’t think could coexist in one person. Doesn’t the Bible forbid homosexuality? As Paul struggles with Manuel’s interpretation of the Bible, thoughts that Paul has long tried to bury begin to surface, and he finds himself re-examining his whole life.

Honestly, this book was difficult to read because of how relatable it was. I also grew up religious in a Latinx family in a conservative town, and I struggled (and to a certain extent, still struggle) to reconcile my beliefs with my homosexuality. Sanchez raises some good points in regards to Christian beliefs and Biblical passages regarding homosexuality, like the needed "reformation" of "same-sex attracted" individuals into something less "sinful". While I'm unconvinced as to its efficacy as a tool for "converting" Christian readers into tolerance and acceptance, I don't think that was his goal to begin with. Understandably, some of the events (particularly towards the end of the work) are a bit dramatized and overexaggerated, and some plot elements are a bit predictable, but perhaps that's par for the course for a YA novel written in the mid-2000s. But notwithstanding, it reads as an authentic, believable story in terms of the experience as a homosexual Latino Christian.

Deaf Utopia

Deaf Utopia: A Memoir - And a Love Letter to a Way of Life

by Nyle DiMarco with Robert Siebert
William Morrow, 2022. 317 pages. Biography

A heartfelt and inspiring memoir by Nyle DiMarco, actor, producer, model, advocate, and cultural icon of the international Deaf community. DiMarco is half of a pair of Deaf twins born to a multi-generational Deaf family in Queens, New York. At the hospital one day after he was born, Nyle “failed” his first test—a hearing test—to the joy and excitement of his parents. In this moving and engrossing memoir, Nyle shares stories, both heartbreaking and humorous, of what it means to navigate a world built for hearing people. From growing up in a rough-and-tumble childhood in Queens with his big and loving Italian-American family to where he is now, Nyle has always been driven to explore beyond the boundaries given him. Deaf Utopia is more than a memoir, it is a cultural anthem—a proud and defiant song of Deaf culture and a love letter to American Sign Language, Nyle’s primary language. Through his stories and those of his Deaf brothers, parents, and grandparents, Nyle opens many windows into the Deaf experience.

I haven't seen the reality shows where DiMarco earned his fame, and I didn't really know who he was when I started this book, but I did have an interest in his story, and it only grew the more I read. Intersectionality is the concept that any given individual belongs to several different identities at the same time, such as LGBT and Deaf, in DiMarco's case. It's refreshing to hear stories about how multiple identities interact and overlap in the life of a single person, and I was grateful for the safe spaces DiMarco has been working to create for many marginalized communities. I'm also always interested to self-discovery and coming out stories; it really is so different for each of us.

Jack of Hearts and Other Parts

Jack of Hearts and Other Parts

by Lev A. C. Rosen
Little, Brown and Company; 2018. 352 pages. Mystery

Jack Rothman is seventeen and loves partying, makeup and boys. His sex life makes him the hot topic for the high school gossip machine, but when he starts writing an online sex advice column, the mysterious love letters he's been receiving take a turn for the creepy. Jack's secret admirer loves him, but not his unashamedly queer lifestyle. And if Jack won't curb his sexuality voluntarily, they'll force him. As the pressure mounts, Jack must unmask his stalker before their obsession becomes genuinely dangerous.

I wish I'd had this book when I was in high school, but Teenage!Daniel never would have read it. This irreverent and raunchy novel frames sex-positive advice for audiences of diverse sexualities in the context of humor with well-developed characters and remarkable queer representation. Rosen does get a bit graphic with the sex, yet he tackles heavy issues like consent, gender fluidity, BDSM, and the fetishization of the queer community by straight people. If you're shy about teenagers having casual (gay) sex, you may want to skip this one.

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?

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. 

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.

Boy Erased

Boy Erased: A Memoir

by Garrard Conley
Riverhead, 2016. 340 pages. Biography

The son of a small-town Arkansas Baptist pastor, Conley was terrified and conflicted about his sexuality. While at college, he was outed to his parents and forced to make a life-changing decision: either agree to attend a church-supported conversion therapy program; or risk losing his family, his friends, and his God. Through an institutionalized Twelve-Step Program, he was supposed to emerge heterosexual, ex-gay, cleansed of impure urges. Instead, even when faced with a harrowing and brutal journey, Conley found the strength to break out in search of his true self and forgiveness.

This book was difficult to read because of how close it hits to home. I came out in a geographic location and at a time that made me a prime candidate for conversion therapy. Somehow, I fortunately was never put in a program designed to change my sexuality. The more research I do and the more stories I hear about the heartbreak and irreparable damage caused by this practice, the more humbled I am to have dodged this bullet. The historic struggles of the LGBTQ+ community have shaped our culture and how we react to the world around us. I seek to honor the pain and sorrow experienced by those who paved the way before me.

Flamer

Flamer

by Mike Curato
Henry Holt and Co., 2020. 368 pages. Graphic Novel

It's the summer between middle school and high school, and Aiden Navarro is away at camp. Everyone's going through changes, but for Aiden, the stakes feel higher. As he navigates friendships, deals with bullies, and spends time with Elias (a boy he can't stop thinking about), he finds himself on a path of self-discovery and acceptance.

As a queer reader, it was a unique experience reading this poignant, emotional graphic novel; I rarely read works to which I can relate so fully. There were parts that were uncomfortable and almost painful to read because of how personal and powerful the narrative is. I can easily see how this work lives up to the claim on its cover that "this book will save lives." 

Content warning: this work addresses difficult topics such as suicidal ideation, homophobia (including use of the f-slur), racism, fat-shaming, and teen sexuality.

The Song of Achilles

The Song of Achilles
by Madeline Miller
Bloomsbury, 2011. 378 pages. Fantasy

Brought together by chance, Achilles -- a strong and irresistible warrior -- and Patroclus -- an awkward, exiled prince -- forge an inseparable bond, risking the wrath of the gods. When word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped, all the heroes of Greece are called upon to lay siege to Troy in her name. Seduced by the promise of glory, Achilles joins their cause, and torn between love and fear, Patroclus follows. Little do they know that the cruel Fates will test them both as never before and demand a terrible sacrifice.

A fresh take on a Greek classic, this work showcases the character development of Achilles, the helplessness of Patroclus, and their innocent, strong love, all while preserving the characterization of the capricious, vengeful gods found in Homer's works. The descriptions were vivid and vibrant, if at times at the expense of the plot progression. It's worth noting that the women in this work are reduced to tropes, as seen in the misogynistic original myths; Miller's Circe is recommended as a companion read to highlight the true power of women.

Bloom

Bloom
by Kevin Panetta, ill. by Savanna Ganucheau
First Second, 2019. 368 pages. Graphic Novel

Now that high school is over, Ari is dying to move to the big city with his band — if he can just persuade his dad to let him quit his job at their struggling family bakery. But while interviewing candidates for his replacement, Ari meets Hector, an easygoing guy who loves baking as much as Ari wants to escape it. As they become closer over batches of bread, love is ready to bloom... that is, if Ari doesn’t ruin everything.

This heartwarming queer love story between two teenage boys is paired with a satisfying monochromatic color palette and a gorgeous art style. Both of the main characters (and several of the side characters) are very well developed. Bonus points for authentic looks at multiple cultures, including Ari's Greek family and Hector's Samoan heritage. That said, the plot is nothing extraordinary: slow-burn small-town summer romance, sprinkled with family drama throughout. Still a delightful, light-hearted read.

LGBTQ and Street Lit

Me with my partner at the Christus in Salt Lake City.

I'm a gay, religious person of color, but you might not know it looking at my face. My queerness and my faith-based beliefs are not physically manifest in my outward appearance (no matter how good you think your "gay-dar" is). Due to my mixed racial heritage, my ethnicity is also not immediately discernible in certain situations. In short, I can pass as a member of the majority in many circumstances. As a cis male, I often am a member of the majority in certain aspects.

With my tremendous amount of privilege, it is my responsibility to inform myself and advocate for minorities, which includes confronting racism, misogyny, homophobia, transphobia, biphobia, and religious discrimination. As a librarian, the venue where I use my privilege is quite often the public library. A public library exists to serve the public, and the public is diverse. All members of a community deserve to be represented and valued in the library. 

LGBTQ literature should not be separated from the general collection, and neither should it be identified with spine labels. What message does a library send when it separates out certain groups of books into their own "special places"? In my experience, there are three main results that stem from such a policy: 1) the pigeonholing of these works and the restriction of their limits, 2) the ostracism of these items and their readers, and 3) a lack of anonymity for patrons who choose to consult these items.

1. Pigeonholing

Pigeonholing is "a process that attempts to classify disparate entities into a limited number of categories" (Pigeonholing in Wikipedia, 2021). When we label a book as "LGBT literature," we assign it to a category. The National Coalition Against Censorship (n.d.) highlights the downfalls of this categorization, stating, "Calling a book 'gay-themed' or even 'LGBTQ-themed' doesn’t tell you much about it. In fact, it creates an artificial category....  [Books] under the label 'LGBTQ-themed' are really just books about everyday life. While they may have gay characters or address homophobia, those themes are often not central to the plot." When we pigeonhole a work, we reduce it to only one of its many aspects, to the detriment of its literary richness.

Discussing her decision as to the location of LGBT literature in her school library, library media specialist Vanessa Perez (2019) asked for input from her patrons: "While students wanted the books to be visible, they didn’t want the books segregated in a separate section or stickered with a rainbow. LGBTQ is not a genre. There are not queer romances, there are romances with queer main characters. There are not lesbian mysteries, there are mystery books with lesbian detectives. Trans students are not the only students who can or should read books with trans heroes." Just as a person is more than their sexuality, we do works of literature a disservice when we limit them to the sexuality of their characters or creators.  

2. Ostracism

Have you ever felt different? I certainly have. I’m going out a limb here to say that I think most of us, if not all of us, have felt different at some point in our lives. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing. They say that variety is the spice of life, and I firmly believe that can be true. But sometimes being different is hard.

Imagine your difference from the norm resulted in insults and mean, unkind language. The society you live in teaches that your differences from everyone else are bad: shameful, unnatural, even disgusting. People will ask you to hide who you are so they don’t feel uncomfortable. Even if your family accepts you with your differences, there will almost certainly be relatives who don’t. You hear horrifying stories of people like you who have been physically attacked or even killed because of who they are.

How would you react? You might try to hide your differences, or wish them away. Your life could quite easily be filled with shame and fear. There are countless LGBT people who could tell our life stories. Many of us have learned pride and hope in the face of strife, and we have found a community that loves and accepts us. While our stories are certainly not all the same, most LGBT people share (at least in some degree) a legacy of shame in who we are, as a product of the society we live in.

Many of us have learned pride and hope. 

Speaking of her school library, Perez (2019) points out that "[d]eclaring a book with LGBTQ characters inappropriate for school is the same as declaring LGBTQ students and families inappropriate for school. It sends the message, 'You don’t belong here. We’ll remove this book and we’ll try to remove you, too.'" She goes on to discuss how educators and librarians can make a difference; "[T]hey can defend and protect students through acceptance: 'You belong here with us. We see you and your life matters.'"

Only marginally better than banning it outright, separating LGBT literature from other fiction works creates a sense of otherness and alienation. It also implies that LGBT people should be separated from other people and denies us our humanity. Regarding the separation of LGBT children's materials to a "special location" away from the general collection, former librarian Kelly Jensen (2016) argues that this "sends the message that queer people aren't people. They're an issue."  Jensen continues that this policy "tell[s] queer children and families, as well as those from families that aren’t, that they’re an issue that needs to be dealt with separately. That they’re not part of their own community." 

By the same token, integrating the fiction collection can help all members of our community feel welcome and accepted. Hearing those stories enrich us all -- whether we are LGBT or not -- on our journey to finding who we are and embracing the rich diversity of our world.

3. Lack of Anonymity

How would you feel if everyone knew what books you were reading? What if everyone could see that you checked out a book on how to file for divorce, or how to leave an abusive relationship, or how to improve your sex life?

Certainly there are topics that should be allowed the dignity of privacy, and sexuality is certainly one of them. The right to privacy is a fundamental building block of public libraries, and isolating or labelling LGBT materials can cause a breach of privacy. Amanda Wilk, a branch manager at Kitchener Public Library, notes that "identifying books with LGBTQ+ labels may prevent library users from accessing them for fear of being outed" (Open Shelf, 2018). 

The toolkit "Open to All" by the American Library Association Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Round Table (n.d.) states, "In any community, there are GLBT persons who are not ready to be recognized as such.... People who are 'in the closet' or questioning often need information resources the most, so it is essential to provide safe and anonymous access, without judgment" (p. 2). It continues, "Interfiling GLBT materials can be a positive move for libraries; when these materials are placed alongside other books and materials, GLBT users feel welcomed" (p. 6).

******

These same principles apply to several other groups of books, such as works by or about individuals with disabilities, of particular races or ethnicities, belonging to religious or political groups, etc. That is to say, given the inappropriateness of creating a separate LGBT section, it would be equally inappropriate to separate out a "Disabled People" section, a "Asians" section, a "Muslims" section, or a "Republicans" section.

However, the issue becomes somewhat more complicated when it comes to street lit. Librarian Rollie Welch (2011) asserts that "distinctions between street lit and mainstream fiction are evident. Street lit is a subgenre of fiction, similar to romance and western novels" (p. 266). He also argues against the grouping of street lit in a section of "African American fiction" or "black fiction," calling up the hypothetical of separating out works by Danielle Steel and Louis L'Amour into a section based on the author's race.

A library may separate or label its fiction collection according to genre if its intent is to "facilitate access by making it easier for users to locate resources" (American Library Association, 2015). However, the American Library Association (2015) warns against "[p]rejudicial labels [that] are designed to restrict access, based on a value judgment that the content, language, or themes of the resource, or the background or views of the creator(s) of the resource, render it inappropriate or offensive for all or certain groups of users" (2015). A label or a separate shelving location may be appropriate based on genre, including street lit, but the utmost care should be taken to prevent this labeling from relying on a value judgment about the content of the work or the background of the creator.

References

American Library Association. (2015, July 13). "Labeling systems: An interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights". Retrieved April 13, 2021, from http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill/interpretation/labeling-systems Document ID: 211cf21a-4164-b9e4-658b-35ef709f3e22

American Library Association Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Round Table. (n.d.). "Open to all: Serving the GLBT community in your library." Retrieved April 13, 2021, from http://www.ala.org/rt/sites/ala.org.rt/files/content/professionaltools/160309-glbtrt-open-to-all-toolkit-online.pdf

Jensen, K. (2018, October 13). "Queer phobia and the public library." Book Riot. Retrieved April 13, 2021, from https://bookriot.com/public-libraries-you-owe-your-queer-patrons-better/

National Coalition Against Censorship. (n.d.). "LGBTQ right to read resource guide." Retrieved April 13, 2021, from https://ncac.org/resource/krrp-lgbtq-content-right-to-read-resource

Open Shelf. (2018, April 3). "Respecting anonymity through collection development." Retrieved April 13, 2021, from https://open-shelf.ca/180403-respecting-anonymity-through-collection-development/

Perez, V. (2019, February 28). "Libraries can be LGBTQ-affirming spaces on school campuses." National Council of Teachers of English. Retrieved April 13, 2021, from https://ncte.org/blog/2019/02/libraries-can-be-lgbtq-affirming-spaces-on-school-campuses/

Pigeonholing. (2021, February 18). In Wikipedia. Retrieved April 13, 2021, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pigeonholing&oldid=1007536700

Welch, R. (2011). Everything street literature. Libraries Unlimited.

*Portions of this blogpost first appeared on Provo City Library blog.*

It Takes Two to Tumble

It Takes Two to Tumble

by Cat Sebastian
Avon Impulse, 2018. 286 pages. Romance

Book #1 in the "Seducing the Sedgwicks" series

Setting: Rural England, 1817 (Regency era).

Plot Summary: Captain Phillip Dacre can't wait to get back to his ship, but since his wife's death, his three unruly children have driven away a number of tutors and governesses, so it falls to Phillip to set things right at home. The cheerful vicar Benedict Sedgwick has looked after them in Phillip's absence, and the two men soon feel drawn to one another in ways that could change their entire lives. Is their budding romance is worth risking the lives they've worked so hard to secure?

Subject Headings: Men/men relationships, naval captains, clergy, single fathers, sexual attraction, marriages of convenience.

Elements of Romance: (From Wyatt & Saricks, 2019)

• Focus on a developing relationship (with reader's vicarious participation): evocative, emotional tone. "Romance appeals... to the emotions" (p. 217), and this work is no exception. The story of Phillip's family and Ben's interactions with them -- in addition to the attraction between the two men -- helps readers "feel the power of love at all levels" (p. 217), including the love each man has for the Dacre children, and Ben's feelings for Alice and Hartley.
• Satisfaction and fulfillment in its emotionally resonant conclusion. "[A]ll Romances deliver an emotionally satisfying ending" (p. 217). Readers won't be dissatisfied by the "requisite happy ending" (p. 217), which goes all around the table to encompass not only Phillip and Ben, but also Alice, Mrs. Winston, and Alton. By the end of the work, "the romantic future for the characters looks bright" (p. 218).
• Vivid characters. The characters in this novel, particularly the protagonists, "come to understand themselves and each other in revealing, intimate ways" and ultimately "relinquish preconceptions about themselves" (p. 217), which in this case include an awareness of their sexualities and mutual attraction, as well as grief. Below is a passage that describes the aftermath from the passing of Phillip's lieutenant and lover:
  
  Neat categories of valid relationships that everyone understood, phrases of belonging that could be etched concisely onto tombstones: beloved son, devoted wife. There were even rules for how to grieve people in each category, how many months to wear a black armband and whether one could dance. Captain Dacre didn’t have any of that, and Ben felt his heart twist in his chest at what that must cost him. (p. 49)
  
  The development of Hartley without a resolution segues into the second novel of the series with Hartley as the protagonist, a common practice for Romance series.
• Misunderstanding or external separating force with satisfactory resolution. The primary separating force in this novel is a sense of obligation: Ben's obligations to God, his parish, and Alice's family; Phillip's obligations to his wife and his previous male lover (both deceased); and the societal pressures condemning the union of two men. Together, the men work to overcome these obstacles and provide a satisfying conclusion to the work.
• Engages with time and place. Set in Regency England, this work "provid[es] vivid and authentic glimpses into the time period" (p. 219), which in particular engages with the topic of religion and sexuality at a time when same-sex relationships were not only taboo but illegal and punishable by death under the Buggery Act 1533. As is common in Historical Romances, "the time period is romanticized.... [T]hat world is veiled to allow readers to focus on the romance of the era" (p. 221).
• Fast-paced. This novel is certainly a short read, clocking in at just over 275 pages. As with most Romance works, this book "rel[ies] more on dialogue than description" (p. 219), particularly "witty and sexy conversations" (p. 220).   
• Recognizable language and style. The use of descriptive adjectives, "lush and expressive language" (p. 219), and the way in which the characters "flirt with outrageous charm" (p. 219) denote this work as a Romance. Consider this passage and its "adroit use of language" (p. 219):
  
  Phillip knew he could spend the rest of his life memorizing the ways Ben responded to his touch, charting the ways his strong frame went supple when Phillip pushed close. Now, pressed against the wall, he seemed to almost melt against Phillip's body. (p. 224)

Rule of Three: (From Saricks, 2009) 

1. Fast pace. As with many Romance books, the rapid pacing of the book is driven by dialogue and moves towards the clearly projected outcome.
2. Steamy and atmospheric (Regency England). The reader gets a feel for the time period and location, engaging with the cultural and societal pressures of the day. Also, the steamy details of the work leave very little to the imagination.
3. LGBTQ+ diverse. Starring a relationship between two adult men and the decisions they make about how they will live the rest of their lives. (This should be obvious from the cover.)

Similar Works (Read-alikes): 

• A Fashionable Indulgence by K.J. Charles
  The first of a trilogy, this novel features a fast-pace romance between two Regency-era gentlemen, punctuated by witty banter and steamy scenes. Whereas Sebastian's protagonists are a local clergyman and a middle-class captain, Charles' leading men belong to the upper-crust of society.
• The Governess Game by Tessa Dare
  In this witty Regency romance, unruly children guide their caretakers to unconventional relationships. These intricately plotted, steamy Romances both address challenging issues and create situations that readers can resonate with.
• Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
  This engaging and witty novel describes the steamy romance between two men in the present day. While McQuiston includes greater cultural diversity than Sebastian, both novels keep the reader engaged through well-crafted dialogue and explicit sexual encounters.
• An Italian Affair by Laura Fraser
  This steamy autobiography gives readers a strong sense of place as it recounts Fraser's long-term love affair that followed the breakup of her marriage.
• I Can't Date Jesus: Love, Sex, Family, Race, and Other Reasons I've Put My Faith in Beyoncé by Michael Arceneaux
  A set of witty essays that discusses the reconciliation of sexuality and religious beliefs.
• Mad and Bad: Real Heroines of the Regency by Bea Koch
  The engaging life stories of real Regency-era women (including queer identities) who broke societal norms and made their own decisions about how to live.

Saricks, J. (2009). At leisure: The rule of three. Booklist, 106(3), 25.

Wyatt, N., & Saricks, J. G. (2019). Romance. In The readers' advisory guide to genre fiction (pp. 215-234).

Tabernacles of Clay

Tabernacles of Clay: Sexuality and Gender in Modern Mormonism
by Taylor G. Petrey
University of North Carolina, 2020. 273 pages. Nonfiction

This very well-researched book discusses Latter-day Saint (LDS) teachings on gender and sexuality since WWII, including such topics as interracial marriage, the ERA movement, feminism, birth control, homosexuality, gender identity, and same-sex marriage. Various changes in Church policy over the decades are shown in the context of an evolving American mentality, comparing formal statements on a wide array of topics. Petrey's conclusion: there is ongoing conflict in Mormon doctrine between the ideas of fixed, eternal gender and sexuality, and fluid, malleable gender and sexuality.

What I appreciated most about this book (besides the beautiful cover) is the plain presentation of the facts; Petrey didn't mangle them into a pretty picture, but rather showed them in their tangled, confusing form. It's safe to say that Mormon ideas about gender and sexuality have changed over time. While these shifts may make some members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints uncomfortable, I believe that it's in this fertile soil of discomfort that empathy and self-awareness can grow. I recommend this book to those ready for a deep dive, replete with fresh insights to gender and sexuality in a modern church.

*This blogpost first appeared on Provo City Library Staff Reviews blog.*  

Reading Suggestion: Diverse Reads for Kids!

Have you ever felt different? Like you didn’t fit in? I have! I think most people have felt different at some point. Different isn’t a bad thing. But sometimes being different is hard.

Sometimes people are mean to you if you’re different. Sometimes they say being different is bad. They might say things to make you wish you were like everyone else. You might feel ashamed or afraid of being different.

You should never feel ashamed of being different. Pride is the opposite of shame: you feel good about who you are and what makes you different -- and special. I hope that one day, everyone can feel pride about who they are, and no one has to live in fear.

Here are some books for kids about people who might be different from you. You should talk about your thoughts and feelings with a parent or trusted adult.

This post is a special children’s installment of Diverse Reads, a series that gathers books with diverse characters or authors: people who are LGBTQIA+, Native, people of color, gender diverse, people with disabilities, or ethnic, cultural, or religious minorities. I hope that these books help open a window for you into other worldviews.

Rainbow: A First Book of Pride
by Michael Genhart
(2019)

Children from different kinds of families show the original meanings of the colors in the rainbow flag. Then they come together at a parade to share in a day when we are all united.

Prince & Knight
by Daniel Haack
(2018)

Once upon a time, there was a prince in line to take the throne. His parents set out to find him a kind and worthy bride. While they were away, a terrible dragon threatened their land! The prince hurried to save his kingdom and was met by a brave knight in a suit of brightly shining armor. Together they fought the dragon and discovered that special something the prince was looking for all along.

Julián Is a Mermaid
by Jessica Love
(2018)

While riding the subway home from the pool with his abuela, Julián notices three women spectacularly dressed up. When he gets home, all he can think about is dressing up just like the ladies in his own fabulous mermaid costume. But what will Abuela think?

I’m Not a Girl
by Maddox Lyons
(2020)

Nobody seems to understand that Hannah is not a girl. His parents ask why he won't wear the cute outfits they pick out, his friend thinks he must be a tomboy, and his teacher insists he should be proud to be a girl. But a birthday wish, a new word, and a stroke of courage might be just what Hannah needs to finally show the world who he really is.

Plenty of Hugs
by Fran Manushkin
(2020)

Two mommies spend a sunny day with their toddler: on a bike ride, at the zoo, and finally back home. All along the way, there are “plenty of hugs for you and me.”

*A version of this blogpost first appeared on Provo City Library blog.*