Senior Year of College and THE BOYFRIENDS are back! Meet Jock the abs-sporting, culinary, football player. Meet Prep, the fashionista with anxiety aboSenior Year of College and THE BOYFRIENDS are back! Meet Jock the abs-sporting, culinary, football player. Meet Prep, the fashionista with anxiety about his relationship. Meet Goth, who joins the Occult club and develops a fondness for cats. Meet Nerd, whose hormonal urges and academic desires may be as unprecedented as his big heart. They all love each other and they must navigate their poly relationship and what that means and entails. From Halloween and Christmas, to meeting Jock's family (and his sister's own friend circle), to kitchen and wardrobe mishaps, and how do four people kiss at once. From tender care to passionate turnons, these four Boyfriends are a delight to read, laugh, watch them fall (literally and metaphorically) in further love in their relationships.
Pure delight!
Also, for those that know me and my reviews, and I don't say this often about any book, manga or series, the Boyfriends series is going on my "must own" shelf! ...more
Pizza and Taco are BFF's. They love Super Awesome Water Slides and hanging out with each other. When a question rises of "who is the best", Pizza and Pizza and Taco are BFF's. They love Super Awesome Water Slides and hanging out with each other. When a question rises of "who is the best", Pizza and Taco will go through an election, races, and other methods to determine who is the best. Who will win and will their friendship survive? Also, who can they ask for a second opinion? Nobody? (Hamburger waves frantically in the background).
A fun and humorous Juvenile Graphic Novel for emerging/reluctant readers about friendship! Features minimal text and simple illustrations, but Shaskan's humor is what makes it. ...more
Extroverted Meg Adams and her wonderful introverted husband Carson and their two precious pups, give us a hilarious slice of life vignette of their reExtroverted Meg Adams and her wonderful introverted husband Carson and their two precious pups, give us a hilarious slice of life vignette of their relationship, home life, emotions, empowerment, sense of humor, and genuinely make you want to read more and more by Meg every day. Even the bad days or rough situations, Meg and Carson address them together and do so with great enthusiasm. Meg's artwork keeps it grounded, even when the punchline is 100% accurate and melodramatically visualized. If you want a feel-good, happy graphic novel about a woman and her husband just going through life as they know how to, enjoy it....more
From Sex Toys to STI's, simulation to stimulation, CONSENT, communication, to history and step-by-step guide, Faith G. Harper gives any reader, regardFrom Sex Toys to STI's, simulation to stimulation, CONSENT, communication, to history and step-by-step guide, Faith G. Harper gives any reader, regardless of identity, ability or any potential inhibition, an observatory look at how to make fellatio sensational for yourself and your partner.
Honestly, I am kind of surprised that I took away some new information from this book. For more blunt and humorous information, be sure and check out the rest of Faith G. Harper's self-help books....more
Dan Jones does a fantastic job with these myths and legends. While I did predominantly focus on the gay male specific characters, I did find out new iDan Jones does a fantastic job with these myths and legends. While I did predominantly focus on the gay male specific characters, I did find out new information about some that I thought I knew. The classic figures of Greek, Roman, and Nordic myth that are well-known, as well as figures of lore (like Robin Hood), brought to light some interesting factoids and ideas about what history has or hasn't erased. Using pop-culture and contemporary films, television and new book retellings of these myths that are incorporated beautifully into these figures' stories, Dan makes them contemporary. I laughed. I looked up a lot of things that have been written or made into pop culture that have definitely queer-coded some of these figures, many of which I'd watched or read about. I appreciated it. This was by far one of the most fun and not textbook boring myth and legend collections. ...more
An artist who has let himself get swept into a shitty office job finds himself back on a luxury cruise to the Galapagos Islands to teach a watercolor An artist who has let himself get swept into a shitty office job finds himself back on a luxury cruise to the Galapagos Islands to teach a watercolor class as a favor to the Tour Coordinator. He didn't expect his ex, a zoologist with a passion for Darwin's finches and exotic wildlife, to be the other event lead onboard. He also didn't expect to have to share a bed with his hot, hairy, British, Ex! Can this pair learn to let their hearts soar like a bird again or will they be sitting ducks in the water?
Stover does a fantastic job of not only laying the reader close to the burn which is very justifiable in this fast-pace book. He also adds laugh-out loud fantastic humor in the form of our protagonists' snark. He does a great job with his characters, though our protagonist is a bit more non-descript than the rest of the cast. He does make sure that the readers understand his themes and metaphors before continuing on (which I appreciate), but it never weighs the story down. This is one of those fun fast, mildly sexy, romances of finding yourself and maybe finding love again. Perfect read for a day at the beach...or on a cruise ship pool deck. ...more
I LOVED THIS BOOK! I know I usually only review books that I think highly of. As a theatre kid who lives in a town with historic houses (and similar iI LOVED THIS BOOK! I know I usually only review books that I think highly of. As a theatre kid who lives in a town with historic houses (and similar immersive experiences exist) this one hit the nail on so many heads.
Finn and his family turn their historic home into an immersive murder mystery play that silent guests will solve. Everything must go according to plan. Naturally, very little does, but when you have a family of theatre people, a diverse theatre and history-loving cast of supporting characters, and mishaps galore, you're in for a treat. I LOVE the diversity, the family dynamic, how certain situations might make a reader second-guess some things but Nicole Kronzer writes them soooo smoothly, there's no room for contest, the awkwardness of the mishaps, FINN as the protagonist (he really is one of those great root-for-them protagonists), the 'unspoken' dialogue of most of the primary characters is often hilarious and very accurately portrayed in the family and theatrical cast dynamics, the historical details of the house/the fake family/the Victorian customs and fashion were all very thoroughly researched and included, but from a fun perspective so it never felt like it dragged the story. I realize that this is probably the world's worst run-on sentence, but.... Let me just say a gist about this read: 1) If you like Historical reenactment or immersion, you'll enjoy this book. 2) If you like the upstairs/downstairs drama of Downton Abbey (I know, slightly different time periods), 3) If you love heroes you can root for, 4) If you like books about theatre, 5) if you like diversified family dynamics, 6) if you like good humor, you will probably enjoy this book. Final thing: I work in a public library so I am fortunate enough to be able to read a lot without purchasing a book, BUT, I enjoyed this one so much, its going on my to-own shelf! ...more
For fans of Shake-Shake Boom-Boom, you will love Don't wake the Dragon. Bianca Schulze gives a perfect interactive story-time adventure as the narratoFor fans of Shake-Shake Boom-Boom, you will love Don't wake the Dragon. Bianca Schulze gives a perfect interactive story-time adventure as the narrator urges the reader NOT to wake up the Dragon. Can the reader fulfill the request by NOT waking up the Dragon? Shake, twist, and play with the book as you try and make sure the Dragon stays asleep despite noisy mishaps and humorous circumstances.
Enjoy the equally fun illustrations by Samara Hardy that accompany this.
This would be a great read-aloud before bedtime, school and library story-time, or just a fun way for grown-ups and their youth to enjoy a fun read together.
This was the perfect book to read right now. It is just shy of St. Patrick's Day when I read this, and much like the plot, it fit perfectly.
LeprechauThis was the perfect book to read right now. It is just shy of St. Patrick's Day when I read this, and much like the plot, it fit perfectly.
Leprechaun is gearing up for his spot to hide his gold, when the Easter Bunny shows up. What follows? A hilarious hijinks for each to one-up the other. Who will come out as the Top Holiday? Find out.
I actually thoroughly enjoyed Todd Tarpley's wit and Steph Laberis' vibrant and cartoonish illustrations (felt a little bit Looney Tunes nostalgic in humor and style) and I absolutely loved it.
A fun read-aloud for families and storytime; ...more
THANK YOU WALLACE WEST! Man I wish I had this fairytale version of Little Red Riding Hood growing up.
All of the tropes and factors of the story are hTHANK YOU WALLACE WEST! Man I wish I had this fairytale version of Little Red Riding Hood growing up.
All of the tropes and factors of the story are here, except that Red is a little boy who loves his swishy hooded red cape and the wolf is nothing more than a Big Bad Bully. Added humor and addressing some biases in a kid-friendly way shows that being your true self is your best self and how to shut down naysayers...with muffins.
Curses, by Lish McBride, gives readers a new take on Beauty and the Beast. Meet Merit, a beautiful and spunky princess, who refuses to marry after havCurses, by Lish McBride, gives readers a new take on Beauty and the Beast. Meet Merit, a beautiful and spunky princess, who refuses to marry after having her heartbroken. She is then cursed to periodically transform into a Beast. She must marry either with mutual reciprocated love or accept someone of her mother's choosing. Tevin, is a con artist with a literal gift of charm, whose parents owe Merit's Beast a debt. Tevin, his brother, and his fairy cousin, agree to help Merit find her a suitable husband. Between three contenders: the bird-loving Cedric, the awkward Freddy or the picture-perfect prince, Latimer, Tevin must help Merit make a life-defining decision. You can probably tell where its going, but between the political intrigue, the smart-aleck humor of all of the characters, secondary fairytale characters, smirk-worthy innuendos, magical and mythical fantasy, you are definitely in for a wild ride. I appreciate the concept and love the characters of the novel. 1 teeny downside was (like any good story), does sag a bit before it reaches the action-packed climax. This is a great read-alike for fans of Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine, Marissa Meyer's Lunar Chronicles, or Jessica Day George's stories. I'd also recommend this for fans of the Tales of Pell trilogy by Delilah S. Dawson. I look forward to reading more fairytale spin-off's from Lish McBride. ...more
Althea has problems. Her family "castle" is crumbling, set precariously on a cliff. She and her mother, with her toddling little brother, are struggliAlthea has problems. Her family "castle" is crumbling, set precariously on a cliff. She and her mother, with her toddling little brother, are struggling to stay afloat financially. Thea must deal with several good-and-not so good suitors and her stepsisters, aptly named Prudence and Charity. Thea must suffer the smart-aleck and lacking social decorum of Mr. Fredericks. However, Mr. Fredericks becomes very kind to Thea Crowley's family, especially her little brother Alexander and a gifted puppy, Fido. Thea knows time is running out for her to find a suitable husband that will save her family.
So, take an Austen-type heroine, throw in a crumbling castle, some false assumptions, some social situations, two bad stepsisters, and a few handy tips about resourcefulness, and a few circumstances involving animals, and you have a fun rom-com.
One major upsell that puts Patrice Kindl's mildly-historic romance into the same vein as Austen, was the repeated inclusion of how the girls initially think about the romanticized nature of love, the reality that society only wanted women for homemaking skills, and that wealth (at the time) spoke much louder than affection. This does infuriate me and makes me feel very GRRR to society at that time.
What set this particular one apart for me, beyond the Austen-style writing and large cast of characters (which could deter some readers), was how much of a smart-ass Thea is. She's such a spunky heroine. She plays to the social norms when she has to, but when she's got the cogs turning grin on her face, even other characters comment as to "Oh crud what is she thinking?"
The only downside of any Historical romance (esp. similarly to Jane Austen) can be the large cast of characters. You may find yourself flipping back and forth a few times from the Dramatis Personae page at the beginning, but never fear. Patrice Kindl (whether certain characters, mostly secondary, are married or go by different titles) Kindl won't change up the name. She also does a great job of mostly keeping the characters to their title and last name in most cases to make them easier to follow. Despite the large cast, Kindl does make the readers focus on x group, even in large gathering scenes, so you never lose sight of who your primary players are.
Clearly, I liked this one. Enjoy a fun romcom. ...more
If you are a parent, educator or librarian, you need to read this to your kids. If you know someone who has kids, you need to get them this book. If yIf you are a parent, educator or librarian, you need to read this to your kids. If you know someone who has kids, you need to get them this book. If you know someone who could just use a good fun picture-book laugh, give them this book.
Swedish author David Sundin gives us the perfect book...one that does not want to be read. I don't want to give anything away, but if you know about action books like "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom", and enjoy it, I know you'll love this book. It really is one of those books that reminds grown-ups to let loose. Fun read for storytime (maybe not bedtime), but definitely a fun read-aloud together book. ...more
Once upon a time....there was an orphaned princess who could sense the whereabouts of witches and their familiars. When the crowned prince is attackedOnce upon a time....there was an orphaned princess who could sense the whereabouts of witches and their familiars. When the crowned prince is attacked, it is up to Evony to save him from a powerful sorceress. But when the Prince's little sister is kidnapped and the magical barrier breaking, is there any way for there to be a happy ending?
One of the nice things about this particular (and seemingly simple) fairytale spin-off (Think Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters meets The Snow Queen and Sleeping Beauty combined) is the strong heroine who is going through an identity crisis of who she truly is. Now, the title and the cover art may also imply that this is a more romanticized story, but I love that its not. It makes it a great recommendation for an Ace-identifying reader too. Despite the lack of diversity (all of the characters are white), the illustrations by Angela DeVito and the text by Leigh Dragoon, provide a fun, action-driven story, with some light humor thrown in by 2 unlikely allies. This would be a great read-alike for fans of (any fairytale spin-off story), Melissa Albert's Hazelwood, Melissa de la Cruz, Jessica Day George, and any witchy-loving reader. ...more
What if Dada rewrote Mother Goose rhymes? Chaos and laughter ensues. Explore the nonsensical rhymes of Old Mother Hubbard (with a pet iguana), Humpty What if Dada rewrote Mother Goose rhymes? Chaos and laughter ensues. Explore the nonsensical rhymes of Old Mother Hubbard (with a pet iguana), Humpty Dumpty (what if he didn't fall off a wall?), Hey Diddle Diddle (pop quiz!), Hickory Dickory Dock (using Egyptian Hieroglyphs), Jack B. Nimble (told in code) and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star (or simile excessiveness-Mr. Scieszka's words there). Combining coding, humor, activities any reader of the book can do, and new ways to bring Mother Goose into STEM and/or revive Nursery Rhymes in a unique way.
Fun and good humor. Great for reluctant readers and puzzle-decoding fans! ...more
Zack is desperate to be the soccer team captain. In fact, he takes the heat for the graduating senior captain and finds himself doing community servicZack is desperate to be the soccer team captain. In fact, he takes the heat for the graduating senior captain and finds himself doing community service at the Marine Biology Institute for the summer. There he meets a cute but shy intern, Chip. Things snowball from there. Adorable, casually-paced, meet-cute about wrong first impressions, finding ones' self, knowing self-worth, fighting for the right things, and building up others (friends, teammates and possible romance); There are a few clever twists that make this as enjoyable as any other. One of the big stand-outs for me (which is usually not a part of Queer Lit) is that both Zack and Chip's sexuality is never put into question or negated in any way and is just accepted as the norm. That deserves applause.
Robby Webber does it again! Who would think soccer and the ocean blended so well together?...more
Cat tries to read Dog the story of Little Red Riding Hood. However, I don't think Dog quite follows. So, naturally, dog asks questions and offers up iCat tries to read Dog the story of Little Red Riding Hood. However, I don't think Dog quite follows. So, naturally, dog asks questions and offers up ideas. What if Little Red is a super hero with a basket of exploding eggs? Why does the wolf want to dress up like a woman? What happened to grandma? Does Little Red get lasers?
Read and find out!
The illustrations are simple, but the text by Diane Fox is HILARIOUS. This is a great read-aloud to explore a new version of the story (there is a twist that may shock some readers, while I was surprised, it was still funny in the context) and as much fun for the adults as it is for kids.
An often hilarious, but highly educational account of all things sex! From Diseases to Undergarments, to everything in between, this was a very informAn often hilarious, but highly educational account of all things sex! From Diseases to Undergarments, to everything in between, this was a very informative book. While some may be deterred by the cover art, it was in all reality, a very informative book, which I enjoyed and learned some interesting historic and factual things. Very well-researched and thought out and structured; I don't want to give away anything, but if you want to know more about a "taboo" or "closed door" topic, read this book.
A witchy host is filming an episode of how to make frog soup. She demonstrates all of the ingredients, but when it comes time to catch the frogs to puA witchy host is filming an episode of how to make frog soup. She demonstrates all of the ingredients, but when it comes time to catch the frogs to put them in....well....you'll just have to read and see. This is a fun and comedic book that takes a VERY different turn than what anyone expects. The cartoon like illustrations of Vera Brosgol lightly mock cooking show hosts and provides a fun storyline. A great read-alike for Stone Soup or great for a Halloween-themed storytime or classroom project; *Spoiler, but not: The book does actually make something, but is it frog soup? ...more