KATHY DAWSON BOOKS

Sneakily exploring the meaning of life, one protagonist at a time. 

[kathydawsonbooks]

Find me on Reedsy.com if you need help with your children's novel!

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Falling in Love With a Woman Feels Different Than With a Man

Falling in Love With a Woman Feels Different Than With a Man

Author: Laura Brooke Robson Partway through college, I realized I had an insurmountable crush on one of my roommates. So, that wasn’t ideal. Up to this point, there had been no signs I might not be straight, other than in first grade (when I fell in love with a girl on the slide), and in eighth grade (when I wanted to hold my friend’s hand at the movies so badly I thought I might die), and in…

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[lovecakeandmore]

It's only been a few hours since i finished winterkeep and i miss the world already. Is it too early for a reread yet?

[kathydawsonbooks]

Never

[ladyofthedells]

I am stronger than the way they’re trying to make me feel

Bitterblue, Winterkeep (via ladyofthedells)

One of my favorite quotes from WINTERKEEP

[jinlian]

i’ve been thinking a little bit about how uniquely kristin cashore utilizes the fantasy elements in the graceling realm. we have mind-reading and super skills and telepathic creatures so there’s obviously fantasy elements to it, and it’s technically a high fantasy, but not in the sense i would think of, like–tolkien or the witcher or dragon age. 

she’s created fantastical elements that are… subtle? there’s no magic in this world, and yes, there are graces and telepathy but there isn’t magic like casting spells and waving wands and whatnot. there are magical creatures–monsters, silbercows, silver foxes, the keeper–but how are they magical? they literally all communicate through thought (or, in the case of monsters, suggestion). and that’s it. they don’t have magical healing powers or fire breathing or curses. they touch minds.

it’s the same with the gracelings. leck? lies, suggestion, manipulation. hava? she’s not physically shapeshifting and changing her form, she’s changing other people’s perception of her form. saf? thought or communication through the manifestation of dreams. po? deep perception of how the world and the people around him relate to him. as for the ones with non-mind-reading skills, well–they’re skills. they may be enhanced to superhuman results, but as far as it seems from the books no one flies or shoots fire from their hands. katsa’s was so subtle in the truth of it she was eighteen before she realized what her true power was. saf couldn’t even guess.

so what does this mean? that it allows, i think, for cashore to avoid using fantasy as a crutch for the story. no ham-fisted oppression metaphor, no dark lord, no magical solutions through magical items. sure, fantasy absolutely is a pretty huge factor in the books; but when perception and manipulation are your major fantastical powers, you have to write a story that centers on the characters and the people. i’ve said before that i think of these books as human stories that just use fantasy as the medium, and i stand by it. she uses the fantasy to delve deep on issues that are so deeply relatable, and that’s why years later i’m still so in love with them.

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Love this

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The 100 Best YA Books of All Time

With a panel of celebrated authors—including Jason Reynolds and Jenny Han—TIME presents the most influential YA books

Proud to see GRACELING on the TIME magazine list!

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The highly anticipated next book in the New York Times bestselling, award-winning Graceling Realm series, which has sold 1.7 million copies.

For the past five years, Bitterblue has reigned as Queen of Monsea, heroically rebuilding her nation after her father’s horrific rule. After learning about the land of Torla in the east, she sends envoys to the closest nation there: Winterkeep—a place where telepathic foxes bond with humans, and people fly across the sky in wondrous airships. But when the envoys never return, having drowned under suspicious circumstances, Bitterblue sets off for Winterkeep herself, along with her spy Hava and her trusted colleague Giddon. On the way, tragedy strikes again—a tragedy with devastating political and personal ramifications. Meanwhile, in Winterkeep, Lovisa Cavenda waits and watches, a fire inside her that is always hungry. The teenage daughter of two powerful politicians, she is the key to unlocking everything—but only if she’s willing to transcend the person she’s been all her life. The Graceling Realm books are a companion series, not direct sequels, so they can be enjoyed in any order.

[elleybug]

“ I like to hear him say words. I trust the deep way he says “ Yes, Lady queen.”

More Giddon and Bitteblue maybe reading some poetry or stories. Its so cute how much she says she likes the sound of his voice.

[kathydawsonbooks]

Have you ever wondered about the future of Bitterblue and Giddon?

[kathydawsonbooks]

* "Belongs alongside Holly Goldberg Sloan's Counting by 7s, Cindy Baldwin's Where the Watermelons Grow, and Ali Benjamin's The Thing about Jellyfish. Highly recommended."--School Library Journal, starred...

Happy book birthday to BIRDIE AND ME -- a middle grade gem by debut author J.M.M. Nuanez. On shelves now

An emotional and uplifting debut about a girl named Jack and her gender creative little brother, Birdie, searching for the place where they can be their true and best selves. * “This singular story of a grieving and unconventional family belongs alongside Holly Goldberg Sloan’s Counting by 7s, Cindy Baldwin’s Where the Watermelons Grow, and Ali Benjamin’s The Thing about Jellyfish. Highly recommended.”—School Library Journal, starred review

* “This strong, emotional, and engaging read is a must-have for any library. The issues are dealt with realistically and challenge the reader to examine their personal feelings, the various modes for dealing with grief, gender fluidity, and how to appropriately support students in their search for who they truly are. A great coming-of-age story.”—School Library Connection, starred review “Nuanez carefully unfolds a tale of loss, individuality, and community . . . [and] a broken family becoming whole once more. . . . Fans of Jerry Spinelli will flock to Jack and the peculiar residents of her new town and may learn something about acceptance while they’re there.”—BCCB, Recommended “Nuanez’s debut tells an endearing story of family in the wake of tragedy, anchored by the wonderfully loving and supportive relationship between Jack and Birdie. . . . [T]he prose flows seamlessly and the dialogue feels undeniably real.”—Booklist “Sure-handed storytelling . . . [A] strong middle grade debut.”—Publishers Weekly “A beautiful, sensitive story about a sister and brother finding their way through tragedy and grief. Readers will love this eminently satisfying tale; its courageous characters will stay with them long after they turn the last page.”—Patricia Reilly Giff, Newbery Honor author of Lily’s Crossing and Pictures of Hollis Woods “There is so much tenderness in Jack and Birdie’s story that you will feel like a better person for having read it. Here is book you will want to hug before you put it down. You will want to share it with all your friends. You will especially want to give it to anyone who has ever felt like an island. Then you will open the cover and read it again. I promise.”—Kathi Appelt, Newbery Honor winner and National Book Award Finalist “Nuanez’s outstanding debut shines with exceptionally well-drawn characters, all hobbled by one unspeakable loss, and all taking seemingly disparate measures to mend their tattered hearts. BIRDIE AND ME is an absorbing, hope-giving story about family love and acceptance.”—Leslie Connor, author of National Book Award Finalist, The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle “Both hopeful and heartbreaking, Birdie and Me is a tender story about grief, identity, and the beauty and comfort that comes from letting yourself love and be loved. A luminous debut.”—Ashley Herring Blake, author of the Stonewall Honor book, Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World “CJ and I loved Birdie and Me, a heartbreakingly moving story about family, change, creativity, and home. Nuanez captures the tender and tragic aspects of love and loss, grief and growth. It is a much needed and beautifully written story that brings to life a flawed family courageously and carefully navigating loss, learning how to celebrate one another in all their differences. We can’t wait to share it as far and widely as possible.” —Lori Duron, author of Raising My Rainbow: Adventures in Raising a Fabulous, Gender Creative Son “Brimming with heart, humor, and hope, Birdie and Me is a touching exploration of grief, mental illness, and the many beautiful definitions of family.”—Greg Howard, author of The Whispers “Rarely has a sister-brother relationship been portrayed with such tenderness as in Birdie and Me. In her heart-opening debut novel, Nuanez shows how, in the midst of loss and grief, young people can find love and hope and a deep sense of family in the most unexpected ways.”—Ruth Behar, Pura Belpré Award-winning author of Lucky Broken Girl

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https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/538291/birdie-and-me-by-j-m-m-nuanez/

An emotional and uplifting debut about a girl named Jack and her gender creative little brother, Birdie, searching for the place where they can be their true and best selves.

After their mama dies, Jack and Birdie find themselves without a place to call home. And when Mama's two brothers each try to provide one--first sweet Uncle Carl, then gruff Uncle Patrick--the results are funny, tender, and tragic.

They're also somehow . . . spectacular.

With voices and characters that soar off the page, J. M. M. Nuanez's debut novel depicts an unlikely family caught in a situation none of them would have chosen, and the beautiful ways in which they finally come to understand one another. Perfect for fans of The Thing about Jellyfish and Counting By Sevens.

"A luminous debut."--Ashley Herring Blake, author of Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World, Stonewall Honor book

Birdie and Me by J. M. M. Nuanez: 9780399186776 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books

* "Belongs alongside Holly Goldberg Sloan's Counting by 7s, Cindy Baldwin's Where the Watermelons Grow, and Ali Benjamin's The Thing about J

[kathydawsonbooks]

Young Heroines Who Are Saviors, but Not Saints

In novels by Lissa Evans, Roshani Chokshi and Diane Magras, girls go on urgent rescue missions. That’s only fair, since they caused the trouble themselves.

From the New York Times, a round-up of strong girl protagonists, including Drest from The Mad Wolf’s Daughter by Diane Magras. “12-year-old Drest, who lives in medieval Scotland, shouldn’t be on her quest either. When her father and brothers are captured by knights, her father’s parting orders are clear: Save yourself and hide. But Drest is a ferocious heroine, and after finding a wounded knight left behind by the enemy, she conjures a plan to travel to Faintree Castle and exchange the knight for her family before they’re hanged. “

[kathydawsonbooks]

The stunning new novel about silenced female voices, family secrets and dangerous truths from the author of The Accident Season. 

When Deena’s wild older sister Mandy goes missing, presumed dead, Deena refuses to believe it’s true. Especially when letters start arriving–letters from Mandy–which proclaim that their family’s blighted history is not just bad luck or bad decisions but a curse, handed down to women from generation to generation. Mandy’s gone to find the root of the curse before it’s too late for Deena. But is the curse even real? And is Mandy still alive? Deena’s desperate, cross-country search for her beloved sister–guided only by the notes that mysteriously appear at each destination, leading her to former Magdalene laundry sites and more–is a love letter to women and a heartbreaking cathartic journey.

“[A]n astonishingly potent offering to women who break the mold.”—Booklist, starred review “With a memorable blend of magic and reality, Fowley-Doyle tells a harrowing and ultimately empowering story . . .” —The Horn Book “Beautiful and visceral, All the Bad Apples is for readers who’ve had enough of shame and secrets. This essential book unearths what patriarchy wants to keep buried, dragging truth into the light with a fierce belief in the power of telling stories. Moïra Fowley-Doyle has crafted a tale devastating in its universality.”—Joy McCullough, author of Blood Water Paint “An uncompromising, raw tale . . . Told in a mix of letters, family stories, and narrative, this devastating novel manages to find hope for the future while sending pointed messages that are as vital as they are timely.”—Publishers Weekly “[T]he echo of past trauma is hauntingly underscored by the invocation of the banshee scream, and the book has a simmering, authentically righteous fury . . . Give this to readers of Wallace’s The Memory Trees or Griffin’s Other Words for Smoke for a similarly eerie look at how present ills are informed by past sins.”—BCCB “An emotional journey through Ireland’s unspoken history. . . . Simultaneously enjoyable and difficult to read, Fowley-Doyle’s fast-paced, evocative novel introduces . . . unsettling truths, both historical and contemporary, such as incest, rape, abortion, child labor, and violence against women and those in the LGBTQ community. These topics, however, are important and are handled with great care . . .  Recommended for readers who enjoy realistic and historical fiction.”—School Library Journal

[seraph-grace]

*hyperventilating* IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY READING THIS, I AM PASSED OUT ON MY FLOOR SEND HELP.

but seriously, this is exactly how i picture Po, this is great.

holy jesus.

[kathydawsonbooks]

How have I never seen this before?

[kathydawsonbooks]

A STARRED review in Kirkus Reviews for the last book in the Three Times Lucky series by Sheila Turnage!

“. . .lively cast rich with heartfelt emotion and quick-witted charm. Exceptional command of voices delivered with wit propels this fast-paced treasure-hunt tale into a pitch-perfect delight. . . . Lovers of the previous books will delight in the return of Mo, and if they can get through the end without welling up, they’re tougher than most—it’s absolutely worth the wait.”

https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/sheila-turnage/the-law-of-finders-keepers/

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Powell’s Pick of the Month: “an unforgettable adventure that you'll simply have to experience for yourself.” Recommended By Madeline S., Powells.com

http://www.powells.com/book/jane-unlimited-9780147513106/18-0

[fortuneredding]

Spellbook of the Lost & Found || June 1 2017

One stormy summer night, Olive and her best friend, Rose, begin to lose things. It starts with simple items like hair clips and jewellery, but soon it’s clear that Rose has lost something bigger; something she won’t talk about. Then Olive meets three wild, mysterious strangers: Ivy, Hazel and Rowan. Like Rose, they’re mourning losses - and holding tight to secrets. When they discover the ancient spellbook, full of hand-inked charms to conjure back lost things, they realise it might be their chance to set everything right. Unless it’s leading them towards secrets that were never meant to be found …

[kathydawsonbooks]

I love this

[dykerightsmp3]

could you rec some wlw ya books? thanksss

this keeps getting longer!! but I’ve read all of these, so ask me if you have any questions about them! If you’re looking for more masterposts, try @wlwbooksource

Genre Fic w Major WLW Couples

The Abyss Surrounds Us Duology by Emily Skrutskie: lesbian pirate x lesbian sea monster trainer in the future. Literally. One of my proudest achievements is giving this book hype. The author draws fanart of Swift and Cas kissing and posts it to her tumblr (again, not kidding, there’s some on my blog). Main character is asian. otp: equal footing

Jane Unlimited by Kristin Cashore!!! oh my god I love this book. it’s got a bi girl as the protagonist and it’s super atmospheric and interesting and references all these classics but is also modern and her romance plot is genuinely Iconic

Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant: an ICONIC novel about killer mermaids and a sarcastic bi scientist who falls for an autistic PR girl. also it’s fucking terrifying bye

The Scorpion Rules Duology by Erin Bow: literally one of my fave books of all time, amazingly complex villain, super strong bi girl protag and her adorable bi gf, you will be genuinely confused which side is good and which side is bad, the three main characters are So Good, tw for an unhappy ending to this one but it’s… not any of the tropes. also a semi-hopeful end in the sequel which was?? good??

The Long Way To A Small Angry Planet by Becky Chambers: This book is such hopeful and interesting and character-driven scifi. 

In Ageless Sleep by Arden Ellis: if you want a sci-fi novella with some hella good romance. especially for being approximately 50 pages. 

Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire!! if you want a wlw novella that talks about gender roles and is the sequel to A FUCKING HUGO AWARD WINNER. this series is super diverse in so many ways. 

That Inevitable Victorian Thing by E.K. Johnston: wow can’t believe E.K. Johnston invented writing stories driven by women?? it’s about polyamory in a scifi futuristic victorian Canada. and yes, it is exactly as amazing as it sounds. 

Girls Made of Snow and Glass by Melissa Bashardhoust: character driven wlw snow white retelling!!! 

The Accident Season and Spellbook of the Lost & Found by Moira Fowley-Doyle: two weird vaguely magical realist books about Lesbians. Spellbook is the gayer one - it’s double pov and one lead is a bi girl who falls for a guy and one lead is a lesbian who falls for another bi girl and it’s!! pure!!

Dreadnought Duology by April Daniels: okay it’s about a trans girl who becomes a superhero and dates another superhero girl and yes it IS amazing. 

Otherbound: f/f romance with a bi girl as main character. There’s literally not a single white character. It’s about body swapping and fantasy! talks frankly about the issues in the main relationship, suspenseful. Sense8 in a way.  

Ash and Huntress by Malinda Lo: occur in the same world, although you don’t have to read both. Ash is lesbian cinderella. Huntress focuses more on character development and is my personal favorite, but tw for a bittersweet ending. Malinda Lo also wrote the Adaptation series, featuring a bisexual protag and her alien gf, but that one wasn’t my favorite. I know a lot of people who love it though!

The Dark Wife by Sara Diemer: girl Persephone / Hades. My gay classics student ass unabashedly loved this. I think you can get it free on the author'a blog? Attempted rape tw (not between the main couple, their relationship was entirely consensual)

Monstress by Marjorie M. Liu and Sana Takeda: Another Hugo Award winner but this time a graphic novel!! it’s complicated but it’s super worth it and all the mcs are morally ambiguous woc

Contemporary w Major WLW Couples

A & B by J.C. Lillis!! y'all have GOT to read this. it’s seriously the most delightful enemies-to-lovers filled-with-banter novel and maybe my fav romance book ever?? it’s fucking HILARIOUS.

Love Letters To The Dead: the wlw “side-romance” is honestly given just as much screentime as (if not more than) the main romance. literally one of my all-time favorite romances in anything ever, I read this book in my questioning phase and it changed my life

This Is Where It Ends: lesbians at a school shooting, primarily non-white characters, you will cry (spoilers: they both live and stay together)

Lies We Tell Ourselves by Robin Talley: 1960s civil rights era lesbians, ends happily. It emphasizes all of the problematic tropes often used in “overcoming racism” stories and why they’re not okay. This was recced to me by a black person so I trust that assessment. I also really love her other books, which have a lot of wlw as well. 

Lies My Girlfriend Told Me: Basically: Girl #1 finds out her dead girlfriend was cheating on her with Girl #2. Girl #1 and Girl #2 fall in love. This book is so adorable. The author has several thousand other wlw books so knock yourselves out. 

Tell Me Again How A Crush Should Feel by Sara Farizan: a cheesefest with racial diversity. I love this book so much (it’s so good and PURE) even though it’s not hugely deep. 

You Know Me Well by David Levithan + Nina Lacour: The authors alone should be enough to make you want to read this. I still am lowkey bitter the two boys didn’t end up together, but they stay friends and all so it’s fine. Found family!

Afterworlds by Scott Westerfeld: Storyline between two girl authors in New York, ends happily!! also the protagonist was confirmed acearo spec on Twitter which is pretty obvious if you read the book. I’ve heard his other series Zeroes has lesbians too

Everything Leads To You by Nina Lacour: moviemaker wlw! cheesy as all hell, but adorable and really deep. very much recommended if you’re into moviemaking or acting

Queens of Geek by Jen Wilde: I think everyone has read this already but it’s Pure and about fandom

Get It Together Delilah / the Flywheel by Erin Gough: read this if you want cute cheesy girls falling in love at a coffee shop!!

for some of my fav shorts!! the story How from Roxane Gay’s Difficult Women is one of my fav wlw short stories ever. Also try out Alyssa Wong’s Hungry Daughters of Starving Mothers, it’s free from tor and really fucking great!! and Nic Stone’s Happy Beginning from the Welcome Home anthology is a beautiful cinnamon roll of a story that I’ll never get over and I’d die for her

Some That Aren’t Love Stories Quite As Much: 

Far From You by Tess Sharpe: crime thriller with bi / recovering drug addict main character and major f/f romance. Not a happy ending for the couple bc the romance is in the past, but happy ending for the protagonist. This is one of my all time fave books not even lying

Exit Pursued By A Bear by EK Johnston: About the main character’s rape and her subsequent abortion. Main character does not have a romance plot, but her best friend (the second most important character) is a lesbian and falls in love with another friend. This one doesn’t belong quite as much, but it’s one of my all time favorite books ever and it’s all about female friendship / love and it’s?? pure?? (ALSO READ HER OTHER BOOK A THOUSAND NIGHTS ID DIE FOR EK JOHNSTON)

Cherry: About female friendships and relationships with sex, really feminist. There are four girls, one realizes she’s gay, and her friends are just so pure and supportive about it???? there’s a bit of romance but I still feel like it’s more about the friendships between the girls. 

Beauty Queens by Libba Bray: f/f romance, one lesbian one bi girl and one trans girl. Hilarious social commentary, very feminist, lots of woc. Libba Bray also has another hist fiction series that I’ve heard is gay (the first book is called A Great And Terrible Beauty) but I don’t know much about it. 

Kissing The Witch: Sometimes-gay versions of fairytales, really really interesting and pure and GREAT. 

Tricks and sequel Traffick by Ellen Hopkins: about kids forced into prositution, so all the tws. among main characters, there’s a gay guy and a bi girl!  Ignore the back that says “four straight one gay” because it’s a lie and publishers need to shut up. The bi girl is just?? such an amazing character and I love her with all my heart. 

If You Could Be Mine by Sara Farizan: realistic fiction about what wlw in Iran have to go through. tw for a not-great end for the couple, but there’s no death and the main character is happy. It’s more about the self-acceptance of the main character than about the romance. 

Ask The Passengers by A.S. King: magical realism kind of? more about coming out than about romance. Happy ending. 

The Miseducation Of Cameron Post by Emily Danforth: again, more about coming out, but wow this book is amazing. Happy ending for the girl, not for the couple. 

Fucked-Up Female Friendships Aesthetic

Suicide Notes From Beautiful Girls by: This book is so freaky and messed up and I’m still not exactly sure how it ended, but it still blew me away. The Mr and Mrs Smith wlw au you never knew you wanted, although I’m not going to spoil how. Fucked up ending but still happyish? 

Dare Me by Megan Abbot: This book is creepy as fuck and revolves around the relationship between two girls which is… really gay, like canonically gay. I liked this a lot, but be warned that it’s not a romance. Happy ending mostly?

Dangerous Girls by Abigail Haas: This one had a lot of wasted potential in the form of a well-built story about the craziness of rich kids partying, but it is a very good murder mystery focused around two girls. 

[kathydawsonbooks]

This list!