One of my recent joys has been discovering Malinda Lo’s fantasy YA books. In her novel, Ash, Lo creates a beautiful Queer re-imagining of the Cinderella fairytale, complete with a complex main character, a fresh take on the plot, and gorgeous use of language, description, and world-building. Huntress is sort of a prequel to Ash, but it was written after Ash was published; you don’t have to have read it to read Ash. Here is … Continue reading Ash by Malinda Lo
Huntress is a GORGEOUS book. It’s beautifully written and exciting and magical. However, romance fans should know that the ending is bittersweet, and while I can accept a bittersweet ending in fantasy (this is marketed as fantasy, not romance) it felt unfinished. I keep looking for a missing chapter, or, better yet, a sequel. Here’s the publisher’s intro to the plot: Nature is out of balance in the human world. The sun hasn’t shone in … Continue reading Huntress by Malinda Lo
“Composed with equal parts sweetness, care, and stubborn queer perseverance.”—Casey McQuiston, #1 New York Times best-selling author of Red, White & Royal Blue In this gripping queer YA romance perfect for fans of Malinda Lo and Becky Albertalli, an Asian American teen longs to break free of the conservative cult she was raised in. Valerie Danners is in a cult. She just doesn’t know it yet. But when she stumbles upon a queer romance novel at the library, … Continue reading Gay the Pray Away
We’re wrapping up September with our second Whatcha Reading. We want to know what you’re reading to close out the month. Elyse: I’ve been knitting more than reading lately, but I did just start Salt Kiss by Sierra Simone. Sarah: I have been listening to a book that KJ Charles recommended on the podcast – definitely not a romance: Johannes Cabal the Necromancer. He has a year to collect 100 souls for the devil so … Continue reading Whatcha Reading? September 2023, Part Two
At Midnight, edited by Dahlia Adler, is a creative, inclusive mix of fairy tale reimaginings from a diverse YA perspective. Some of the stories are funny, some horrifying, but all are inventive and subversive. Different people will of course have different favorites, but my favorite story was “In the Forests of the Night.” In this retelling of “Fitcher’s Bird,” author Gita Trelease creates a bloody, vengeful, feminist and anti-colonialist version of the fairytale set in … Continue reading At Midnight edited by Dahlia Adler
Fairy tales have been spun for thousands of years and remain among our most treasured stories. Weaving fresh tales with unexpected reimaginings, At Midnight brings together a diverse group of acclaimed YA writers to breathe new life into a storied tradition. Fifteen celebrated authors reclaim classic fairy tales for a new generation: Dahlia Adler, “Rumplestiltskin” Tracy Deonn, “The Nightingale” H.E. Edgmon, “Snow White” Hafsah Faizal, “Little Red Riding Hood” Stacey Lee, “The Little Matchstick Girl” … Continue reading At Midnight
Award-winning author Malinda Lo returns to the Bay Area with another masterful coming-of-queer-age story, this time set against the backdrop of the first major Supreme Court decisions legalizing gay marriage. And almost sixty years after the end of Last Night at the Telegraph Club, Lo’s new novel also offers a glimpse into Lily and Kath’s lives since 1955. Aria Tang West was looking forward to a summer on Martha’s Vineyard with her best friends–one last round … Continue reading A Scatter of Light
April is still here, though it’s quickly on its way out in favor of May! I am personally so tired, but there’s a light at the end of the tunnel in terms of trying to get to normalcy. We hope you all have been reading something great and we want you to tell us all about it! Catherine: I am having such a good reading week! Just finished The Devil Comes Courting by Courtney Milan, … Continue reading Whatcha Reading? April 2021 Edition, Part Two
We are approaching the end of February and I could not be more excited. There’s something about this month that makes me so unbelievably tired and sluggish. I hope I’m not the only one! But of course, let’s talk books! Sneezy: I’m pinging between so many books and webtoons right now that I’m almost confused by this question. I remember reading… What did I read? Did I actually read??? I’m re-reading City Kitty and Country … Continue reading Whatcha Reading? February 2021 Edition, Part Two
I’ve recently added several paid subscription newsletters to my inbox – which is hilarious because if you told Past Sarah that Present Sarah was going to be paying for more email, she’d have erupted. My inbox used to give me a LOT of stress, but now that I’ve managed it more aggressively, I have time, space, and eagerness for deliberately and carefully reading newsletters from journalists and writers I respect and admire on topics I … Continue reading Newsletters We Love and Recommend
Acclaimed author of Ash Malinda Lo returns with her most personal and ambitious novel yet, a gripping story of love and duty set in San Francisco’s Chinatown during the 1950s. “That book. It was about two women, and they fell in love with each other.” And then Lily asked the question that had taken root in her, that was even now unfurling its leaves and demanding to be shown the sun: “Have you ever heard of such … Continue reading Last Night at the Telegraph Club
