Look, this isn’t directly related to queer books, but I have to tell you that Viola Davis reposted a comic based on an article I wrote. Viola Davis read words I wrote!! It’s funny, I wrote this article a year ago and it completely flopped. But it got a second life as a Twitter thread, and now a third life as a comic! I hope it helps in the fight against book bans.
Speaking of the fight against book bans, Amanda Gorman — after her poem was banned — is raising money for PEN America to fight book bans (you have to open that link on the Instagram app, or go to her IG account through the app). PEN America, along with Penguin Random House, are the ones suing a Florida school district for violating the first amendment by banning books. Or, you can donate directly on their website.
Check out Book Riot’s newest podcast! BookRiot.com co-founder Jeff O’Neal explores the wide bookish world. Interviews, lists, rankings, retrospectives, recommendations, and much more, featuring people who know and love books. Subscribe to First Edition on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your podcatcher of choice.
Bookish Goods
Lesbian Flag Wave Beach Towel by SubtlePrideShop
Some of the new releases this week are very summery, so I had to go looking for some queer beach towels, and this one is stunning (if a little pricey). $58
New Releases
The Luis Ortega Survival Club by Sonora Reyes (Bisexual YA Contemporary)
This is the newest from the author of The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School! Ari is an autistic teenager who rarely speaks, and she feel invisible in her school. So when Luis, one of the popular guys, shows an interest in her, she’s flattered. Then he pressures her into sex at a party, and Ari is torn — she didn’t say no, but she also didn’t say yes. Soon, unflattering rumors about her are flying, and that’s when she gets an invitation to The Luis Ortega Survival Club, where she finds real friendship — and begins to fall for one of the girls in the group as they make a plan to stop this from happening to anyone else.
Something Like Possible by Miel Moreland (F/F YA Contemporary)
Madison has a clear vision for her future as a political staffer, and she knows just how to get there: gaining experience by being a campaign manager in student elections. Luckily for her, her girlfriend is running — but unluckily, Madison was just dumped. Now she’s campaigning for a different candidate that she might also be falling for. Along the way, though, she stumbles on a pattern of harassment within student government that will prove to be a much bigger fight.
Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating by Adiba Jaigirdar (F/F YA Contemporary) (Paperback Rerelease)
Riley Weaver Needs a Date to the Gaybutante Ball by Jason June (Gay YA Contemporary)
Forever Is Now by Mariama J. Lockington (Bisexual YA Novel in Verse)
If You Still Recognize Me by Cynthia So (Sapphic YA Contemporary) (American Release)
Constellations by Kate Glasheen (Nonbinary YA Graphic Novel)
Sasaki and Miyano, Vol. 8 by Shou Harusono (BL YA Manga)
Love Is Love: The Absolute Must-Have Guide To Coming Out From TikTok’s Favourite Agony Uncles by Matthew Mackinnon and Ryan Payne (LGBTQ YA Nonfiction)
Matteo by Michael Leali (Gay Middle Grade)
Candidly Cline by Kathryn Ormsbee (Sapphic Middle Grade Contemporary) (Paperback Rerelease)
The Small and Tall Ball by Frank J. Sileo and Katie Dwyer (Two Dads Picture Book)
The Good Hair Day by Christian Trimmer and J Yang (Gender Creative Picture Book)
Rebel Girls Celebrate Pride: 25 Tales of Self-Love and Community by Elena Favilli (LGBTQ Children’s Nonfiction)
For more new releases, check out our New Books newsletter!
Riot Recommendations
There are so many great LGBTQ YA and MG new releases out today, I had to double dip and shout out a few more!
If You Still Recognize Me by Cynthia So (Sapphic YA Contemporary) (American Release)
I’ve been hearing tons of praise of this book since its UK debut, and how we have a U.S. edition! Elsie is in love with her long distance friend Ada, and this summer, she’s finally going to confess. But then her childhood friend Joan reappears in town, just as suddenly as she once ghosted. To make things even more complicated, Elsie is also working on a plan to reunite Ada’s grandmother with the woman that was once her penpal (and maybe her long lost love) as a grand gesture.
Matteo by Michael Leali (Gay Middle Grade)
This is a gay, middle grade retelling of Pinnochio. Matteo is trying to be the boy his father wants him to be when he joins the baseball team The Blue Whales. But he soon starts sprouting leaves and growing bark, and clues point to this being related to a mysterious oak tree in the center of town. Matteo will have to uncover town and family secrets, as well as figure out his own truth, to know what to do next.
Second Chance Summer by Sarah Kapit (Lesbian Middle Grade Fiction)
Maggie and Chloe used to be best friends. Then Chloe became the star of a TV show, and Maggie, a fat Jewish girl, felt left behind. It’s made worse when Maggie’s dyspraxia results in an embarrassing incident that goes viral. When they’re assigned to the same cabin in summer camp, they’ll have to decide whether to give their friendship another chance. For the queer content, Chloe is a lesbian, and Maggie has two moms.
All the Links Fit to Click
Penguin Random House sues Florida district over book bans
Objection to sexual, LGBTQ content propels spike in book challenges
“It feels all made up”: Queer comic creators talk about attacks on their books
Maia Kobabe: America’s most banned author won’t be silenced (this includes discussion of eir next book!)
New Podcast Bypasses “Don’t Say Gay” to Bring Queer YA Novel and History to Teens
7 Queer Book Sagas to Lose Yourself In
On Reclaiming Vampires as Queer and Jewish
The Color Purple Trailer Is Here, But Is It Queer?
In dapperQ Style: Ungendering Fashion, Queer Style Is Centered and Celebrated
Tegan and Sara’s Junior High Brings Their Origin Story to a Graphic Novel
Wild Things by Laura Kay was reviewed in the New York Times
That’s it for me this week! Until next time, you can find me at my sapphic book blog the Lesbrary and (sigh) Twitter. You can also hear me on All the Books or you can read my Book Riot posts.
Happy reading!
Danika