As I mentioned last month, I watched Heartstopper for the first time while I had Covid, and it was exactly the queer joy pick-me-up I needed. That became a new hyperfixation, so I spent May reading the graphic novels, the webcomic, the novellas, and the book that inspired the comics. And then rereading the comics two or three more times. At least that checks off task #10: Read a book recently adapted for film, TV, or musical! (The final graphic novel and the Heartstopper Forever movie both come out in July.)
For my book club, I read Game Changer by Rachel Reid—this is the first book in the series that inspired Heated Rivalry. I can’t say it was a new favourite, but it does complete task #7: Read a sports book by a woman, trans, or nonbinary writer—and could also be used for task #10.
Brigands & Breadknives by Travis Baldree, the newest book in the Legends & Lattes series, was one I was really excited about, because I loved the previous two books. I appreciate that this one is doing something a little different—it’s not quite as cozy—but I didn’t enjoy it as much.
For a quick read, I picked up the YA fantasy graphic novel Forgive-Me-Not by Mari Costa, which was a classic fae enemies-to-lovers story, but sapphic! It was a fun time, and I’d count it for task #9: Read a romantasy book with a queer and/or BIPOC main character.
As for my June reading plans, they aren’t set in stone. I’m almost done Taiwan Travelogue by Yáng Shuāng-zǐ, translated by Lin King, which recently won the International Booker Prize. I’m really enjoying it so far—by which I mean I have wept multiple times.
Another book I have checked out right now is the newest poetry collection from my favourite poet, Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha: The Way Disabled People Love Each Other.
And my book club is reading Crier’s War by Nina Varela, so I’ll have to read that soon.
Also on my list this month is Check, Please! Book 1: #Hockey by Ngozi Ukazu, which looks like it will be the perfect followup to Heartstopper!
English (US) · 