Hero

An easy read with genuinely helpful advice. The tone is never preachy or judgey, as some self-help books can be, and the advice is simplified without feeling dumbed down. All of the advice is manageable and easy to digest. I've already found myself repeating some of the parts that stuck out to me! Even without sitting down and doing some of the exercises, just reading it has already helped me improve my day to day habits. I recommend getting a version you can annotate!

Taproot is a cute story about self-love, death, and moving on. It's an easy read with a delightful art style and a lovely story. The author's use of death within the story is more uplifting than usual, adding a soft feel to what could be a darker story. It's a good book to read while cozy in bed with a cup of tea.

A staple to the science-fiction genre, The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is a collection of Douglas Adam's works. Comedic and poignant, Adams pokes at the insanity of our lives and space, combining them into a headspinning story of survival. Even if science-fiction isn't your genre, I recommend reading it in your free time. There's a reason this book is considered a classic and it's a fun read.

I cannot express my love for this book enough. It's truly inspiring. Jemisin is an artist able to create completely unique and fulfilling stories in only a few pages. The only problem with it is that the stories are not longer. Another new favorite book has been added to my collection, I only wish I read it sooner.

I read this book for my literature class and had to write a review for an assignment, so I thought I'd include some of my assignment just for fun!

""Reclaim the Stars" is an anthology of stories focusing on justice, prison reform, love, feminism, dictatorship, and other timely topics written by a collection of bestselling and acclaimed YA authors with a focus on Latine characters and culture contrasting against the fantastical elements. The main characters are children and young adults coming of age but facing apocalyptic and magical settings that force them to become wise before their time. It is a collection of fantasy and science fiction that breaks borders, realms, and proves stories are universal. Literally."

The book prominently featured feminine and queer characters in the forefront with stories centering on issues facing those communities. Like all anthologies, some stories may not be your favorite but the wide assortment of moods means you'll find at least a few you will enjoy. It was an easy and entertaining read. I'd definitely recommend it to others interested in these genres!

A biographical look at the author's experience of coming out, it's a quick read but very emotional and realistic. It's awkward, relatable, heartwarming, sad, and a worthwhile look into the queer identity and experience.

I read it in an hour, maybe less. It was so good I couldn't put it down. There's nothing quite like seeing yourself in a person that makes a book so gripping. Maia had so many experiences that were similar to mine that I couldn't help but laugh or almost cry because saaaaaaaaaaaaame.

Definitely worth a read. A new fave on my bookshelf!

I picked up this book in the children's section at Barnes & Noble because I was looking for positive queer books that I could recommend for young readers. Especially in future education settings.

Oh my god this book is adorable.

The stories are cute & positive. There's a theme of acceptance & love throughout the entire book which helps when reading the moments where the characters are scared of being accepted, so if you're worried about reading queer stories (especially young ones) that may contain unhappy themes you'll be just fine here.

The added fantasy elements to some of the stories are amazing as well. It's great to show the idea of queer people being in all kinds of media and literature, even to younger kids.

It's a solid 4 stars since this book wasn't written for me (the recommended ages are 8 - 12), so I can't really judge the quality of some of the stories. I did still enjoy it and will absolutely recommend it in the future for young readers.

My favorite stories were the first four!

Orlando: A Biography is a fantastical period piece surrounding the titular character as they traverse life. It is beautifully written in Virginia's poetic voice and focuses on sexuality, identity, and societal expectations.

I cannot express my love for this book enough. I have never read something that so poetically encapsulates my own feelings of gender. Virginia Woolf's writing is hard to read at times due to the poetic aspects as well as old English, but taking the time to understand is well worth it. It's definitely not a quick read because of that, but it's an enjoyable one nonetheless.

If you're looking for an interesting and unique piece on queer identity set in the Elizabethan period, I can't recommend this enough. Absolutely in my top 10!

A really hard-to-read must-read that will tug at your heartstrings. Maurice follows the titular characters as he understands his identity through his own perspective and other's perceptions of him.

I truly loved this book. It was amazing to read something that felt so realistic at times when it came to how Maurice was treated for being himself, as well as how he treated himself. Without spoilers, Alec saying "I know" was by far one of the most heartbreaking and heartwarming moments I have read as someone who was also closeted for a long time.

I also recommend the movie starring James Wilby, Hugh Grant, and Rupert Graves. It's a very good adaptation and stays true to the source material. If you find the book to be too slow, the movie is a good way to enjoy the story without missing too much.