Welcome to Read This Book, a newsletter where I recommend one book that I think you absolutely must read. The books will vary across genre and age category to include new releases, backlist titles, and classics. If you’re ready to explode your TBR, buckle up!
Today’s pick is a YA novel that delighted me and made me laugh/cry/sigh and everything in between. Heads up that there is some homophobia and racism, religious gaslighting, talk of suicide ideation, and forced outing. Nothing is graphically depicted, but just know this going in so you can take care of yourself!
The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School by Sonora Reyes
Yami is all set to follow her brother Cesar to the swanky new Catholic school he won a scholarship to, even though she has reservations about the Catholic part. She doesn’t mind that she has to come up with half the tuition money herself—anything to get away from her former best friend who outed her after she came out to her. After that experience, Yami is prepared to keep her head down and play it straight at school. That becomes pretty difficult when she meets Bo, a classmate and out lesbian who never seems to back away from proclaiming her truth and sticking to her ideals. As they slowly become friends, Yami finds it difficult to hide her attractions to Bo…but she’s not yet willing to risk rejection at school and home by living her truth.
I’ve been reading queer YA for a long time now, and around 6-7 years ago there was a big push to move queer YA beyond the coming out story, which was absolutely needed, but I also believe we absolutely need books like this one: Big-hearted, intersectional novels about queer Mexican girls struggling with their own internal homophobia, homophobia within their families, and the homophobia within institutions like the Catholic Church. Yami is such a bright and funny protagonist, and she cares deeply about her family. I found my heart breaking for her as she planned for the future, saving money for when she’ll surely be kicked out of the house while trying to figure out who her allies were. Her reality is still all too relatable for so many teens, but her strength, creativity, and love for others were also really inspiring.
This book gets messy and isn’t afraid to tackle really big issues like immigration, religion, and mental health, but it’s absolutely the type of book that everyone, especially those who don’t live in inclusive homes or communities, need to read because it empowers readers to stand up for themselves while also embracing the imperfect people who love them, and offering a hopeful look at the future. I appreciated that Yami’s story doesn’t wrap up neatly with everyone in the book suddenly becoming LGBTQ+ allies because that wouldn’t be realistic, but Reyes offers readers a slice of hope that is greatly needed and much appreciated.
Happy reading!
Tirzah
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