I got through wayyyy more books than I thought I would lol. Pride month was one of my best reading months in a while. Almost all of the books were 5-star books. Ohh man the emotions, the feels, the love, the loss, found family, too many amazing elements in these books that I read. Everything was so palatable. While some of the books are not all queer I had to make a few exceptions and you'll see why. Let's get into it.
Such A Fun Age by Kiley Reid was the first book I finished in June. I started it in May but finished in early June. This book explores the stickiness of transactional relationships, what it means to make someone family, and the complicated reality of being a grown-up. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I read some of the bad reviews and agree with their assessment of some of the characters, but I feel like that made the book good. It was realistic. There are really white men and women who act like this. And Black women who act like Alex's friends. And it is extremely realistic for Emira to have gone to college but still not really know what she wants to do. I felt like this book was written at a good pace and gave what it needed to give. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Nothing Burns As Bright As You by Ashley Woodfolk made me cry, smile, feel pain, feel joy, and feel love. This is a poetry-style YA sapphic book about two best friends destined to be more, learning what love and life are. Soooo amazing. It was written in a way that truly makes you cry, smile, laugh, and relate. Literally so poetic and beautiful. Love that crushes you, lights you on fire and makes you question everything. I listened to the audiobook and immediately brought the Kindle version. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do: Take Back Your Power, Embrace Change, Face Your Fears, and Train Your Brain for Happiness and Success by Amy Morin. This was another book that wasn't queer but was started in May and finished in June. Honestly, all I have to say about this was that it gave me toxic positivity. Like girl, please. ⭐️
The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School by Sonora Reyes was phenomenal and I knew it would be by the title alone. This book explores the joys and heartaches of living your full truth out loud. I absolutely loved and adored this book and all the characters in it. Seeing their mom show them love no matter what and stand up to their father for them. Each sibling comes to their own realization regarding their identity and overall the family dynamic becomes so much better. They each were able to stand up for themselves and love themselves a bit more. Like okay character development, I see you! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Revive Me: Part 3: The Apology by J. L. Seegars y'all KNOW I HAD to read this as soon as it came out. I was so ready for Mal & Chris to have the HEA (happily ever after). Whew! There are so many aspects of this book that I loved. Most importantly Mal & Chris both were freed from all their troubles, trauma, and the past that hurt them both. They finally found and were able to be happy together. Closing up their story was so well done. All the advice given in the book and the conversations between the characters were very thoughtful and insightful. Just amazing storytelling. J. L. did it AGAIN ! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Yerba Buena by Nina LaCour was recommended to me monthssss ago and I finally got around to it and I am glad I did. This book follows two women as they find their way towards one another and through this crazy world, we live in. Just trying to make it. Trying to find passion. Trying to find love and support. Complicated family dynamics, death, grief. I did not know what I was getting into when I first started this book. It starts off pretty dark and very heavy. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas was another phenomenal read. This is a YA Latinx queer fantasy with of course romance in it. I definitely cried a bit while reading this. I love books with a found family aspect. Reading all about the culture and rituals was beautiful. This book was written so well. I can say so much about this book but I don't want to spoil it. Yads & Jules were perfect together. Their "last day" was magical and sad all at once. Omg. Please. Please read this.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Bloodmarked (Legendborn #2) by Tracy Deonn. If you haven't read Legendborn yet, what are you doing with your life? One of my all-time favorite books. I do not read a lot of fantasy books but this series has made me a believer. The black unity, hearing so much about ancestors and our power, and perfectseeing Alice be a total badass lol. This book was perfection. From the start, it had me on my toes and ready for more. And the ENDING omg I cannot wait for the third book. All hail King Bree! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rosewater by Liv Little took me over a month to finish. This was a pick from the virtual book club I joined. I started it in early May and finally finished it halfway through June. I struggled with giving this a 3 or a 4. I didn't care too much about this book until about 30% in. I felt like that's when it started getting really good. I loved Juliet and lowkey hated Elsie (the main character). Especially when she started realizing how she felt. It was so unfair of her the way she was acting when she completely ghosted Juliet beforehand. Either way I'm glad things worked out for Elsie but she really annoyed me throughout the book. I enjoyed seeing her relationship with her mom gets a bit better and her finding out about her Nan. I also loved the London language and Caribbean feel. ⭐️⭐️⭐️ .5
Café Con Lychee by Emery Lee is a YA queer romance that just warms your heart. I love a good coming to age YA novel. A Romeo & Juliet type of conflict between their two families with a common goal that ultimately brings them together. I appreciated how all the conflicts were wrapped up nicely by the end. Nothing felt rushed and it all flowed so effortlessly. Both characters were absolutely relatable. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I did DNF one book this month and that was Teacher of the Year by M.A. Wardell about 10% in. I just was interested at all. The main character was self-deprecating and I couldn't stand it.
Anyway, this month bought so many good reads that I am soooo nervous about July lol. Hopefully, July does not disappoint. I honestly have no idea what I even want to read in July so drop some recs for me :) Please & Thank You!
Love Always,
VanessaClair
Comments