April Reads

Another successful reading month!

Just Kids by Patti Smith

My first non fiction book of the year??? Danggg. Anyways, Smith is a great writer, and the friendship between her and photographer Robert Mapplethorpe is beautiful and heartbreaking. And it was great to hear Smith narrate the book, and it was ESPECIALLY cool to hear her sing one of the songs. I am very excited to read M Train next.

Biography of X by Catherine Lacey

One of the books I got from Charlie’s Queer Books in Seattle! I think this is one of the few times where I wish I would have read the physical copy instead of listening to the audiobook. Formatted like an actual biography, it has photos and maps (since this takes place in an alternate timeline where the Southern States succeeded for a bit), which I always love in my books, though the narrator read the copyrights of the fake photos and maps (like the footnotes or endnotes at the bottom of the page). It interrupted the flow of the story and took me out of it. I also wished the author described more about the alternate timeline bit, instead of assuming the audience knew (even though the in-universe author wrote the book for the in-universe audience).

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

Not much to say about this classic! It was just as gay as everyone said it was. Part of me wishes I had read this in one of my English lit classes back in school as I would have had a FIELD DAY analyzing this.

Babel by R. F. Kuang

This was my most anticipated read of the month (as well as the longest–22 hours as an audiobook!). I read Kuang’s Yellowface and immediately bought this one. Very VERY impactful, with a lot of parallels to today. I also enjoyed the science behind everything as well, and how language, both the words and the actual language, have an enormous impact on the world. And after reading two of Kuang’s books, I can confidently say: never trust a white woman in her books.

Hell Followed With Us by Andrew Joseph White

Another one of my anticipated reads for this month. I originally tried to read the physical book, but I couldn’t seem to get into it. The audiobook helped with the visual elements, like the monsters and the main character’s condition. I felt the queer rage in this read. Definitely read it. Me personally, this was an important read, though I don’t think I will read it again.

A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. LeGuin

I am going to be very honest: I didn’t quite retain a lotta information in this audiobook. I kind of wanted to get ONE more book this month, and this six hour fantasy was the perfect length to finish out my work day on the last day of April. BUT Harlan Ellison is a phenomenal audiobook narrator. He was so much fun to listen to, he seemed like he had a lot of fun reading this.

Rise to the Sun by Leah Johnson

The only DNF this month. I LOVED Johnson’s You Should See Me in a Crown, I had a hard time liking the main characters. I also felt that there was a lot of repetition of themes and thoughts of the characters, which I notice in a lot of YA novels (and again, maybe YA isn’t for me!!). I loved the cameo from You Should See Me in a Crown though!

Once Ghosted, Twice Shy by Alyssa Cole

Another short three hour read to round out my workday! Very cute, very sweet, love lesbians. 

No Boy Summer by Amy Spalding

I’m currently reading Spalding’s For Her Consideration in paperback, and I’m enjoying that immensely. This YA novel, however, I wasn’t too big of a fan of. The main character’s sister seemed like a stereotype of an autistic or ADHD person, and it’s chalked up to just wanting to be super prepared. And being not so prepared is one of the main character’s faults? And like I said with Rise to the Sun, there is just so. much. repetition. Also, the conflict between the two sisters would have just been talked about instead of miscommunication, or at least “withholding information resulting in miscommunication,” which I feel like is worse. 

The Only Safe Place Left is the Dark by Warren Wagner

Another one I got at Charlie’s Queer Books! A nice short horror novella, I loved the themes and the symbolism in this. It was also kinda spooky?? I mean obviously, but still. Also, I love supporting indie presses!