Welcome back and happy PRIDE! It’s been so crazy with work and New York City opening up so I hope if you went to the parades in any of the big cities who are having them that you all were safe and had fun and celebrated! I hope I’m not too late to the party but of course I had to come on here to talk about books with you guys. Most specifically, LGBT+ books. So, we’ll start with the books I’ve read and recommend and then the books I’m hoping to read now and in the future. The one thing to remember about any and all months that call us to be ally’s if you are not a part of the community is that this is not the only time to wear your rainbow flags and then go silent on LGBT+ issues once the month of June is over. Educate yourselves in all the ways that you can and make an effort in your daily life to diversify your reading, your watching and your listening. Stay tuned and I might even give some song, movie and show recommendations for all your enjoyment. But until then, let’s get into the BOOKS!
Books I Read (And loved) So, many of these books you guys already know about because I’ve talked about them A LOT. Either on my Instagram or on the blog so I'll link all the appropriate articles discussing them down below but it’s always nice to have a reminder of good things. We start with Take a Hint Dani Brown because Dani is our bisexual queen and we stan her of course. The second book in Talia Hibbert’s Brown Sisters’ Trilogy follows Dani as a workaholic professor and her friend turned fake-dating lover and school bodyguard, Zafir as they navigate a relationship under the public eye. Zafi is an ex rugby player so the popularity would help the charity that he’s working for after he’s caught carrying Dani out of an elevator in a very romantic gesture. Dani has to learn how to be a better partner to someone she loves and Zafir is just amazing. There’s anxiety rep in here so trigger warning for that but I love this book, I read this book and I will always recommend it. So please go read it. I’ve also talked about Xeni by Rebekah Weatherspoon because it’s freaking phenomenal, that’s why, and deserves to have another moment to shine. Xeni and Mason are also both bisexual icons and it’s a story that follows a marriage of convenience. Since Xeni’s aunt dies, in order for Xeni to get her part of the will, she has to marry Mason, a man she’s never met before but thinks is gloriously hot and with the Scottish accent? Please. Sign me right up. While Xeni navigates the loss of her aunt, her tumultuous family and a sweet new husband, it takes them coming together to truly understand why her aunt set them up together. (Because she knew they’d be absolutely perfect together, duh.) And they are. Work for It by Talia Hibbert is a M/M romance I just recently read and loved and wrote about. (Sorry for the repeats ya’ll). BUT it’s still worth the mention and at least a reread if you’ve read it already. This story follows Griffin (who runs a freaking plant nursery! How cool is that?!) and Keynes who’s new to town and looking for a place to heal after his life in the city has become...overwhelming. Keynes takes solace in Griffin despite Griffin being the social pariah of the town. It’s a touching story that handles mental health so trigger warning for discussions of depression, suicide, and assault. But it’s a book about growth and healing and learning how to do that with someone you would have never expected. Spoiler alert: I had the biggest book hangover after reading this book so maybe you will too. 😜 The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune is a book I’ve never mentioned on here but everyone who knows me knows it’s all I’ve been talking about. Basically this book is pure gold. It’s sunshine and happiness and joy just wrapped all into one. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Linus Baker meets Arthur on the island of Marsays because Linus is a case worker for children with special powers (magical youth, they call them). Extremely Upper Management requested him for his thorough reports to document the state of affairs on the house that holds the most dangerous children–who is upkept by Arthur. Linus soon learns that children, for one, are not dangerous and the notions that we perceive people to be just because others tell us so, aren’t always true. And rules are made to be questioned if we come to find out that they don't always benefit those they were made to protect. It was a lovely story, and truly the children were the star of the show. So please give it a read because it might even be one of my favorite books of the year. 👀😗 Something Like Love by Chrisina C Jones is the perfect novella featuring two bisexual characters. It’s about Eddie and Astrid being on–seemingly–different planes of existence. He’s a cocky tattoo artist and she’s a fun, free spirited yoga instructor and artist and yet they~also seemingly~just work. In a moment of spontaneity, they decide to test out that chemistry and realize that they simply can’t stay away, so they don’t. Or they try at least. Tilting each other both on each other’s axis’, it’s not quite hate, it’s not quite love, it might even be fate but it’s a little something...like love. See how clever I am? Please. That was good, you can’t even lie. Lol. Okay, onto the final book. Treasure by Rebekah Weatherspoon is the sapphic romance we all need and love. Alexis meets Trischa at her sister’s bachelorette party except Alexis knew her name to be Treasure at the time. Trisha gave Alexis (and her sisters too of course) the dance of her life but when they find out they’re in the same computer science class, suddenly things begin to click. I loved how sex positive this story was and I love how Alexis was able to find ways to grow into herself through Trisha who was stripping in order to pay the bills. A short novella about two women falling in love, ya’ll have definitely seen this on my Instagram so you know the drill but I loved this book. And that’s it! I could go on and on and honestly, this list is longer than I thought but I wanted to end it here to give some space to the books that I'm hoping to read in the future. Let’s get into it! Books I Plan to Read Drag Me Up R. M Virtues was a book I saw on bisexual_booknerd’s Instagram and was soo intrigued. I love a good Hades and Persephone retelling as much as the next girl and the trans representation is mad luxurious. I‘ve never heard of this author but the cover is beautiful. If you don’t know the story of Hades and Persephone...well, she makes a deal with the devil and he intends to keep her. Of course the variations to the tale depend on who’s writing it but you get the gist. I hope this book lives up to the hype though because the girlies are eating this trope UP. Is it even a trope at this point? Probably. Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston. The Tik Tok girlies have been blowing this shit up and so now I’m disinterested in reading it again but I’ve heard great things! Plus I’m trying to make an effort to read my YA books this summer since I’m teaching and want something to share some books with the students (although I’m not sure I should…) so this is on my list. If you don’t know about this book, you must have deleted Tik Tok like the rest of us should so, good for you. But basically, prince meets president’s son and they fall in love. Happily ever after, right? Well, first there’s a little bitterness between the two but I’d say that’s pretty on par with the story. Hate to love, America against Britain...Too soon? I thought it was funny. lmao She Drives Me Crazy by Kelly Quindlen is another effort on my YA journey. Can we talk about how this genre is really coming through with their covers? Kids aged 12-17 are really thriving with the visual aesthetics right now lmao. Were they always this good? Anyways, this is another rivalry romance between a basketball player and a cheerleader. Scottie and Irene are forced to carpool together after a fender bender accident and honestly, I don’t know much else about it. But it’s sapphic, it’s high school, what’s not to love? Hold Me by Courtney Milan has been a book on my radar for soo long now. Maria is a trans woman and Jay na Thalang is bisexual and it’s another hate to love. (Are we seeing a trend here?) Apparently they work together and it’s hate on sight but online…“no one else is in the room when it happens”. And online is when the sparks begin to fly. Maria has a blog–I have a blog!–so basically I think that means we’re destined to be best friends. I’ve heard great things about Courtney Milan so I’m hoping I can get to one of her books this year and this one has always been at the top of my list. That and one of her historical romances but that’s neither here nor there. But this is the end of this list. I hope you guys all enjoyed! Let me know if you’ve read any of these books, what you liked or didn’t like about them, if you have any recommendations! My tbr is a mile long but I’m a mood reader and always looking for something new so anything that I can add to this list or another let me know. That’s all for now! Until Next Time! With love, Arianna
0 Comments
Okay, so Happy Summer! And Happy Pride Month. The weather in Rochester is finally beautiful and I’m so excited to just relax and hopefully visit some friends, go to the beach, and do some things I’ve been waiting all winter for. But the first thing I can’t wait to do, of course, is read! So a few weeks ago (like two) I had an article out about upcoming Spring/Summer book releases that I was excited for. So please check that out. I just finished working for the magazine Study Breaks and it was so much fun so shoutout to Kris for the amazing opportunity. ANYWAYS. You can read that article, here. But those books are a mixture of genres. (So yay me for pushing my boundaries and if anyone is tired of me talking about romance, you’re welcome. *haha*). But THIS list is romance. So if you really are tired of me talking about romance...too bad. Let’s get into it!
One Last Stop-Casey McQuiston (june 1) Next up on the bucket list? Sunset Boulevard. So maybe I’m in the wrong state but did you know you could take the train there? I didn’t. (and sunsets are ~summer-y~) But this book revolves around the TRAIN! Ugh. The city girl in me is thriving already. August doesn’t believe in love and at 24 all she’s focused on doing is waiting on tables, navigating her interesting roommates and perhaps deterring her gaze towards the gorgeous girl on the train. Except Jane doesn’t look like she’s from this year. In fact, she’s stuck on this train in a time loop where she’s actually from the 70s. So of course it’s August’s job to help her get back home...and perhaps start to believe in love all the same. I still have “Red, White, and Royal Blue” on my TBR so I need to jump on this right away and you should too. Let me know how you like it! The Heart Principle-Helen Hoang (August 17) Summer ice cream flavors include: chocolate, vanilla, pineapple, raspberry and this book. (I’m so good with these puns, sign me up for dad of the year). But the third book in the Kiss Quotient series is the perfect story to add to this list of sweet & savory treats. Violin, youtube sensation Anna Sun finds a hard time with recapturing the moment that launched her career and after a surprising breakup, Anna decides the only way to get over her career burnout and boyfriend is through a series of one night stands. Enter Quan Diep {Hamilton’s voice}. Motorcyclist, tattoo ridden hottie is Anna’s three strikes you’re...in? He becomes something more than a one-night stand and when tragedy strikes Anna’s family, in order to fight for each other they have to first learn how to fight for themselves. I’m sooo excited for this book. In college, I’m apparently drawn to books with characters who overcome burnout struggles and a bad boy in theory is always going to be my favorite book boyfriend. Sign me up! The Road Trip-Beth O’leary (june 1) I’m not one for camping but you know road trips always require a good sleeping bag. Or a backseat. *winky face* And who’s better to share the back seat for a cramped period of time other than exes with a tragic breakup story? Addie and her sister are on their way to a friend’s wedding and after they crash into Addie’s ex, Dylan and his friend’s car they have no choice but to carpool–they are headed to the same wedding after all. So will the ride allow them to rekindle what they once lost or confront the past and allow them to move on for good? I’m not one to predict successful outcomes but it’s a romance! I can’t wait to see how they fall in love again. Better yet, spill the tea on their history and give me all the drama of four people on the road because that’s bound to have a good story. Lucky for you, we can all read it now. The Hellion’s Waltz-Olivia Waite (june 15) The perfect summer date will not be complete without a night under the stars. Ooh a Ferris wheel at night? What a vibe. To all the parents who tell their children not to read in the dark...you’re right but the ~romance~ of it all. Anyways, this book is the perfect book for a starry night. The third book in the Feminist Pursuits series, I’ve heard great things about this author and her first book “The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics”. But a piano teacher and a swindling silk-weaver? Sign me up. Sophie and her father want the chance to start over without anyone else disrupting their lives, since the last time someone conned her father out of his shop. And Maddie just wants the chance to fund her weavers’ union–and the best chance to do it is through the greedy man Sophie works for. It sounds like a good enemies to lovers and I can’t wait to see how Sophie and Maddie get together. Okay, so we already can tell that some of these dates are past. That’s why this title is “New Book Releases I’m Excited For” as in, just recently released, not yet released (left to creative interpretation), and not yet read by me. All the same feelings apply. So I hope you enjoy, happy reading, happy summer! I hope it’s nice weather wherever you guys are. I hope you can rest and relax even if you’re working or interning. And I’ll talk to you guys soon. Until Next Time! With love, Ariana |
AuthorI'm an 21 year old girl who lives in NY. I love to read and write and fashion is my life. Follow me to find out more! Archives
January 2023
CategoriesAll Anxiety Black Empowerment Black History Blog Books Depression Fashion Halloween LGBT Lifestyle Mental Health Movies Music Poetry PreCollege Review Self Love Thoughts Tips And Guides Writing |