Review: This Book Is Gay

THIS BOOK IS GAY

by James Dawson

Pages: 271pages

Publisher: Hot Key Books

Publication Date: September 4th 2014

ISBN: 9781471403958
Received From: Hot Key Books

Summary 

Former PSHCE teacher and acclaimed YA author James Dawson gives an uncensored look at what it's like to grow up as LGBT. Including testimonials from people 'across the spectrum', this inclusive book explores everything anyone who ever dared to wonder wants to know - from sex to politics, how to pull, stereotypes, how to come-out and more. Spike Gerrell's hilarious illustrations combined with funny and factual text make this a must-have read.

Review

Listen up ladies, gentleman and carrots I'm about to tell you why you need to read THIS BOOK IS GAY! 

So I like to think at 21 - almost 22 - I've got a pretty good understand of LGBT. I mean, my aunts a lesbian (of the butch variety) and one of my best friends throughout my teen years changed his sexual preference more times that he changed his sock, so it's not like I've had blinkers on when it comes to being LGBT. However, this book blew my mind. It's not just intriguing and at times down right hysterical it's also preceptive and informative. I don't think I went a chapter without learning something new. It's a fantastic read that, if I had the power, would get into every school library in the country stock THIS BOOK IS GAY. 

Unlike every other book I've ever reviewed This Book Is Gay is non-fiction. I don't usually read non-fiction for fun... in fact I think the only time I do is for my degree and they're art books (so basically lots of pretty pictures). In all fairness this book DID have lots of epic illustrations by the talented Spike Gerrell, but it was about so much more. It's a book about acceptance and finding out who you really are and knowing that no matter what label you find sharpied to your forehead it's okay to be whoever you are. For example, I'm a mostly straight, cis woman in her early twenties with big boobs, red hair and a tendency to crush on chicks. And in the word of Mr. Dawson himself, THAT'S OKAY! 

This Book Is Gay is split into different sections and each chapter tackles something different. From smashing the stereotypes of LGBT and the difficult task of 'coming out', to ways in which to meet like minded people and the nitty gritty of gay sex. It's the stuff that's not taught in schools, it's the things that, in the 21st century, most people should know but are too afraid to ask about. Although, should we really have to ask? 

I think that in general sex isn't talked about enough and I know that growing up I got into one or two little predicaments because I didn't understand what it meant to do certain things but it's even more so for people who have feelings for the same sex. It wasn't until my mid teens that I knew what happened between a woman and a women when it came to sexy time, I mean they doesn't have the pointy parts so how does it work? I think we need to ask more questions. I think that when it comes to sex ed classes we should be taught about all kinds of sex because I'd say at least 75% of the people I've met in my humble 21 years have had relationships (or at least experimented) with people of the same sex. 

Excuse the language... I'm sure he meant Motherlovers! 

Look, I could literally go on and write a book about how much I love this book but no one want to read that. What I will say is This Book Is Gay gives the reader the information they may not have been given at school. It's a book that answers the questions you might be too afraid or embarrassed to ask and above all else it's real, it's honest and it's a bloody funny book! 

Whether you're gay, straight, bi, trans or something else entirely this book is worth the read. It's educational and captivating. AND it's also got little sections for you to drawn in! What more could you want? 

P.S. Can we make Hug a Bisexual Week a thing? 

**I received this book as an ARC from Hot Key Books to read & review. This is a 100% honest review.**

Review: BOY21

BOY21

by Matthew Quick

Pages: 277 (paperback)

Publisher: Headline

Publication Date: June 19th 2014

ISBN: 9781472212900
Received From:  Headline Publishers via BookBridgr

Summary 

It's never been easy for Finley, particularly at home. But two things keep him going: his place on the basketball team and his girlfriend, Erin - the light in even the darkest of his days.
Then Russ arrives. He answers only to Boy21, claims to be from outer space, and also has a past he wants to escape. He's one of the best high school basketball players in the country and threatens to steal Finley's starting position.
Against all the odds, Russ and Finley become friends. Russ could change everything for Finley, both for better and for worse. But sometimes the person you least expect can give you the courage to face what's gone before ...and work out where you're going next.

Review

"Whenever I think the world is ugly - that life has no meaning at all - I remind myself that this is here, always waiting for me."

I think that even if I combed through every word in the English language I wouldn't be able to find the right ones to describe just how amazing this book is. It's Epic with a capital E! The story itself is relatively simple and yet it's characters are complex and the writing effortless. Boy21 drags you into its pages from the very first sentence and doesn't let you go until the very end. Which was. In fact. Awesome! If you hadn't guess already, I kinda liked this one.

Finley and Erin have been best friends since they were kids. They know each other's strengths and they know their weaknesses and they love each other for that. Even if Finley is a little quiet. They have each other and they don't need anything or anyone else. However, one day Finley gets a knock at the door from his basketball coach and everything changes. Coach wants him to get to know a boy named Russ, however Russ believes he's from outer space and will only answer to Boy21. Boy21's arrival into Finley's life will change the way he sees things and he'll have to question what is really important to him.

These characters are just phenomenal. They are all incredibly diverse and flawed. They make the story come alive. Finley, our main protagonist, is quiet and hardworking. I loved that fact that at times - like once or twice - his trail of thought could come across as selfish, it made him seem more relatable and real. He's an honest character with a huge heart and the way in which is takes Boy21 in and lets him become an interrogated part of his life was beautifully written.

This story is about finding ways to deal with impossible situations and learning that whatever way you chose to cope is okay. If you need to keep to yourself, that's fine. If you need to make up some elaborate backstory that explains what is happening to you, that is also okay because as long as you have the right people around you to help put you back together you've got nothing to fear. It's a story about trust and it's a story that I found both touching and memorable.

And I didn't even mention all the Harry Potter references... if there is a way to my heart, Harry Potter is it.

All in all this book was just incredible and I know this seems like a bit of a gush fest but I honestly can't think of a bad word to say about it. I think this is a book for everyone. It covers some intense issues and yet still keeps it's warm-hearted nature. I highly recommend this one lovelies, you won't regret it!

"Maybe we were both playing roles just to get by."

**I received this book as an ARC from Headline & BookBridgr to read & review. This is a 100% honest review.**

The lovely people at Headline were kind enough to give me an extra copy of BOY21 to giveaway! So to be in with a chance at winning just enter bellow. 
UK only I'm afraid. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Set Me Free

SET ME FREE

by Melissa Pearl 

Pages: 240

Publisher: Evatopia Press
Publication Date: May 3rd 2014

ISBN: 1630990256
Received From:  Mark My Words Book Publicity

Summary 

Lucy Tate has spent the last 5 years on the run. That is, until she met Zach, the one guy she couldn't bear to leave even though it could cost both of them their lives. Hunted by a crooked FBI agent who killed her parents, Lucy has taken on one disguise after the next. But Zach knows exactly who she is and in spite of mounting evidence indicating her guilt in her parents' death, he knows she's innocent. Convinced that it's time to put her years on the run behind her, Zach and Lucy vow to fight back, clear her name, and take down the real killer. With support from Zach's loyal friends and his uncle, an investigative reporter, they set out on a dangerous mission hoping that the truth...will set them free.

Review

Set Me Free is the suspense filled conclusion to Lucy Tate's story. I have to admit I've missed Zach and I couldn't wait to get my teeth stuck into this book! This book has everything! We have a little Charlie's Angles undercover work going on as well as a smidgen of computer hacking, a bloody handprint or two and a heap load of sexy Zach and LuLu moments! 

The beginning of Set Me Free overlaps slightly with the end of I Know Lucy with Lucy Tate introducing herself to Zach. She came back but everything she was running from is still very much after her and her sudden reappearance will only put the ones she loves in danger. And she knows it. This book is told, again, through both Zach and Lucy however where as before we had a first person account from Zach and a third from Lucy this time it's the other way around. This time we get to go through everything Lucy does as her finally discovers why the man with the pale green eyes is after her.  

I adored the prequel to this book, I Know Lucy. It was fast paced and captivating from the very beginning and even though it had the mother of all cliffhangers I still really enjoyed reading it. However, Set Me Free lacked a little of I Know Lucy's charm for me. I'm not saying it was bad, it wasn't! In fact it was just as well written and concluded Lucy's story perfectly. The problem I had was that the things I loved most from book one were missing in this instalment. For example Zach's group of friends were missing from about two thirds of the story and when they were there it was more about how Lucy was coming between them rather than the super sweet and quirky little family dynamic they had before.

I feel that these books didn't need to be separate. I think that if you took out the ending of I Know Lucy and the very beginning of Set Me Free this story would have made an epic standalone that would have had most people hooked from start to finish. It was one story and as much as I understand the authors need to change prospective, that could have just as easily been achieved with a Part 1 & 2. Although this is just my opinion. It doesn't take anything away from the story, I just feel that it would have worked better as one. 

Overall though this is a satisfying ending and I'm so happy with the way in which Lucy's life turned out. She's still a little broken but she's stronger and braver than she ever was before. Her growth throughout these two books was moving and even when her courage wavered there was still so much bravery behind everything Lucy did.

Lucy’s life has been difficult at best and Set Me Free gave her something she never thought she could have.

A happily ever after. 

**I received this book as an ARC from Mark My Words Book Publicity to read & review. This is a 100% honest review.**

Friday Finds #6

Friday Finds is a weekly post the tells you lovelies about some of the books I've found this week. Whether it be an ARC, a classic or anything in between; these are books I've discovered over the past 7 days.

Melt
by Selene Castrovilla

Melt is a brutal love story, set against the backdrop of The Wizard of Oz. Sixteen year old “good girl” Dorothy just blew into the small town of Highland Park – where the social headquarters is Munchkinland (Dunkin’ Donuts.) There, she meets Joey – a “bad boy” who tells no one about the catastrophic domestic violence he witnesses at home. Can these two lovers survive peer pressure, Joey’s reputation, and his alcoholism? And then there’s his family's secret – about to be unleashed.Told in dual first person, Joey's words are scattered on the page - reflecting his broken state. Dorothy is the voice of reason - until something so shattering happens that she, too, may lose her grip. Can their love endure, or will it melt away?
Melt is based on true events. It is both a chilling tale of abuse, and a timeless romance. It will hit you like a punch in the face, and also seep through the cracks in your soul.

Cinderella's Dress
by Shonna Slayton

Being seventeen during World War II is tough. Finding out you’re the next keeper of the real Cinderella’s dresses is even tougher.Kate simply wants to create window displays at the department store where she's working, trying to help out with the war effort. But when long-lost relatives from Poland arrive with a steamer trunk they claim holds the Cinderella’s dresses, life gets complicated.
Now, with a father missing in action, her new sweetheart, Johnny, stuck in the middle of battle, and her great aunt losing her wits, Kate has to unravel the mystery before it’s too late.
After all, the descendants of the wicked stepsisters will stop at nothing to get what they think they deserve.

Thoughts

I was lucky enough to get my hands on ARC's of both of these for tours and I'm super SUPER excited about these two!

The story for Cinderella's dress sounds really interesting and new. It sounds like a great summer read and I hope that I enjoy it as much as I think I will. Review will be posted on the 13th June as part of the  tour for Rockstar Book Tours.
And as far as Melt is concerned, I love all things relating to Oz so I don't think I even need to explain this. Tour post goes up on the 27th June as part of a tour hosted by JenHalliganPR.


What did you find this week?