Lez Lit Review

I love books about women loving women. Totally open to recommendations, so please feel free to drop me a line in "Ask."

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One of my favorite lines from the book. I actually felt the electricity and passion that Jenna felt in this moment. 

However, I found it hard to visualize how Adrienne and those amazing green eyes of hers actually look like since none of the people I imagined in my head seemed worthy enough to be Adrienne Kenyon. Can anyone help me out? Who would you choose to play Adrienne if this book was turned into a movie? 

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Upcoming review!

I just finished “Reality Lesbian” by Q. Kelly and am currently reading “Reality Lesbian 2.” Will immediately post a review once I’m done with the second book since I wanna read both books in the series before creating a review.

“Reality Lesbian” reminded me a bit of “A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila,” which is the only lesbian dating show I’ve seen so far (are there even other lesbian dating shows?). Anyone here seen it? Thoughts?

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If You Could Be Mine by Sara Farizan

One of the first lesbian books I’ve read, Sara Farizan’s debut novel, If You Could Be Mine, remains to be one of my favorites. The story starts with the usual “finding love in a hopeless place” theme that probably all lesbians can relate to, but what makes it interesting for me is the fact that it’s set in Iran, where homosexuality is still punishable. 

Sahar and Nasrin are childhood best friends living in Tehran. They’re in love, but keep their relationship a secret. Things start to get complicated when Nasrin’s parents arrange her marriage. As the wedding approaches, Sahar finds a possible solution to her problem. Homosexuality is punishable in Iran, but transsexuality is tolerated. If Sahar undergoes a sex change, then maybe, she and Nasrin can finally be together. How far will she go to be with the one she loves?

Read it for:

1. the writing: I usually highlight lines I adore in a book and I ended up marking a few by the time I finished this book 

2. a glimpse into the lives of lesbians in other societies, especially in one that’s dominated by religion

3. the inspiring theme of realizing your true self and owning and loving it

Deets:

Release date: August 2013

Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers 

Genre: Teens

Part of a series?: No

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First Position Playlist

Here’s a playlist I made inspired by Melissa Brayden’s First Position. 

Let Me Be Your Star - Katharine McPhee and Megan Hilty 

Scene: Ana convinces Bill that she’s ready to be promoted to principal

B.F.G. - Eprom

“...as the music rose and pulsed around her, the techno beat vivid and all encompassing. Once the light hit, Natalie was off. The choreography was slow at first, by design, but the tempo picked up and the projected images behind her were timed to the beat. Robotic lighting followed every move.”

Scene: Opening number for Wheels

I love the beats on this one and can imagine how cool it would be with the projections on the drops. 

Cheap and Cheerful - The Kills 

Scene: Wheels after-party at Mustang Mike’s 

Slow Tendu 3/4 Improvisation - Nina Miller

Scene: The City Ballet dancers take class when Natalie arrives late for the class

Etude No. 2 - Philip Glass

Scene: Auditions for Aftermath

This is how I imagine the music for Aftermath would be. Slow, strong, and full of passion. It picks up in the middle, which could signify the turn of events described in the book. 

What Is This Feeling? - Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel from the musical Wicked 

Scene: Any scene that involved Ana getting annoyed at Natalie and vice versa

Suddenly I See - KT Tunstall

Scene: Ana watches Natalie sleeping on her couch and finds her extremely attractive

Bolero M. 81 - Maurice Revel, performed by Semyon Bychkov and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra 

Scene: Ana and Natalie rehearse the pas de deux, with Ana taking Jason’s place

Sexy classical music for this passion-filled scene that’s basically an entire paragraph of tease.

Weak - Wet

Scene: Ana and Natalie watch TV in Ana’s apartment. Natalie falls asleep and finds Ana asleep on her shoulder. 

Shower - Becky G

Scene: With Natalie’s help, Ana starts opening up to others. 

Can’t Stop Dancing - Becky G

Scene: Natalie convinces Ana to freestyle to help her loosen up. 

Please You - Angus and Julia Stone

Scene: Natalie and Ana’s first kiss

You Don’t Get Me High Anymore - Phantogram

Scene: Natalie and Morgan break up.

Closer - Tegan and Sara

Scene: Natalie and Ana finally get together.

Creep - Radiohead

Scene: Jason asks out Ana, but she rejects him

A song that I think Jason would’ve probably listened to after that eventful lunch with Ana. 

Tenerife Sea - Ed Sheeran

Scene: Ana’s opening night...and that damn gown. 

Wrapped Up - Olly Murs

Scene: Natalie’s opening night, which she killed, according to Ana. 

Rude - MAGIC!

Scene: Natalie meets Klaus Mikhelson, who basically shoots her down. 

Souvenirs - The Province

Scene: After the accident, Ana shuts out everyone. 

It Never Changes - The Province

Scene: Natalie confesses to Ana that she misses her. 

Unwritten - Natasha Bedingfield

Scene: Ana finds a new purpose in teaching. 

Let’s Stay Together - Al Green

Scene: Ana confesses to Natalie that she loves her and they agree to stay together. 

Moonlight Sonata (Remastered Dubstep Remix) - Blue Claw Philharmonic

Scene: Epilogue

This is my idea for the music used in Ana and Natalie’s retelling of Romeo and Juliet. It’s classic with a modern twist, something that will probably suit both their styles. 

BONUS: Here’s a video of an actual ballet set to Etude No. 2 by Philip Glass. Choreographed by Benjamin Millepied and performed by New York City Ballet dancers Janie Taylor and Jared Angle, though we can pretend they’re Ana and Jason dancing Aftermath. ;) 

Do let me know what you think! :) 

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Waiting in the Wings Playlist

I made a Spotify playlist of songs that remind me of certain scenes from Melissa Brayden’s Waiting in the Wings:

What If? - Idina Menzel, from the musical If/Then

Scene: Jenna watches Adrienne for the first time

“The character, Evan, sang quietly, asking herself how and when her life had taken a turn.” (p. 22)

Clean Slate is a fictional musical (although I wish it really existed), but this is my idea of how Adrienne’s opening number might sound like, minus the other characters singing because it was described in the book as a solo.

Sugar - Robin Schulz feat Francesco Yates

Scene: Jenna’s first meeting with Adrienne, who’s in a towel. 

Adrienne looked so hot that Jenna’s sapphic desires just leaped off the page. 

Hungry Eyes - Eric Carmen

Scene: At the bar, Georgette pulls Jenna to the dance floor when this song comes on. 

Crazy For You - Madonna

Scene: When this song plays, Georgette asks Jenna to dance, but Ben cuts in, so Jenna and Adrienne are left to dance with each other. 

I hear this song until the scene when Adrienne goes in to kiss Jenna. 

Rather Be -  Clean Bandit feat Jess Glynne

Scene: Jenna and Adrienne’s day at the pier.

Marvin Gaye - Charlie Puth feat Meghan Trainor 

Scene: Adrienne and Jenna get it on for the first time. 

Explosions - Ellie Goulding

Scene: The breakup (Adrienne’s perspective)

Like I’m Gonna Lose You - Meghan Trainor feat John Legend

Scene: The breakup (Jenna’s perspective)

The breakup was so abrupt, a large part of it due to Adrienne shutting off Jenna immediately. I dunno, but this song gives me a glimpse of what was probably going through Jenna’s head after Adrienne left. 

Ho Hey - The Lumineers 

Scene: Basically any scene that involved Jenna getting jealous of Kim

Latch - Sam Smith

Scene: Jenna and Adrienne finally confess their true feelings for each other.  

I Love You Always Forever - Betty Who

Scene: Epilogue

BONUS: Life of the Party by Idina Menzel, from the musical The Wild Party

Scene: Jenna’s audition song for Clean Slate  

It wasn’t explicitly mentioned in the book, but the title of Jenna’s audition song is Life of the Party, so I just had a hunch that it must be this song...

What do you think of my list? I can’t seem to find songs that capture Sienna and Paige. Any suggestions? :) 

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The Gravity Between Us by Kristen Zimmer

While I love books that don’t tackle coming out or being forced into the closet, it’s still nice to come across books like The Gravity Between Us to remind us once in a while that there are still people in the world who aren’t lucky enough to love who they love freely. As someone who’s not fully out of the closet, I related very much with Kendall’s struggles throughout the book, even though I’m not a Hollywood superstar. 

Payton Taylor and Kendall Bettencourt are childhood best friends, but Payton has a big secret she’s never told her best friend - she’s gay. When she finally gets the courage to come out to Kendall, the two are forced to acknowledge the feelings that have always been there. To add to the complications, Kendall is a huge Hollywood celebrity on her way to A-list superstardom and coming out will only threaten her career. Will the two get a happy ending? 

Read it for:

1. the endearing, witty banter between the two leads that can only come from years of knowing each other 

2. the setting since it’s set in the glam backdrop of Hollywood and the fact that everyone seems so cool 

3. the heart-wrenching struggles of Kendall in her coming out process

Deets:

Release date: October 2013

Publisher: Bookouture

Genre: New Adult 

Part of a series?: No, but I sure hope this isn’t the last we read of Kendall and Payton. 

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First Position by Melissa Brayden

Ahhh, Melissa Brayden. In case it’s not obvious, I’m totally in love with her work. This is the second book by Brayden that I finished and can I just say, she just gets better with each passing book! 

As a kid, I took ballet lessons for six years. Apart from not really being that great of a dancer and having slight stage fright,  I always had a gnawing fear during those years. I was already aware that I was different in the love department, as I was developing feelings for almost every attractive dancer (hormones!) in our school. However, my dance teacher was a bit homophobic and threatened to kick out anyone who was in a lesbian relationship. Thank heavens for this book because it finally made my lesbian ballerina dreams come true!

Natalie Frederico is a ballet prodigy, but to her, ballet is an uptight art that doesn’t really suit her personality and style. However, when she receives an offer from the prestigious New York City Ballet, Natalie thought “WTH” and set out to become a professional ballerina. In City Ballet, she meets Anastasia Mikhelson, who was been nicknamed “Frozen” by her peers because of her seeming unwillingness to warm up to others. When the two women are cast side-by-side for the same role, intense feelings bubble up to the surface making both Natalie and Ana rethink their goals and ambitions. 

Read it for:

1. a glimpse inside the world of professional ballet

2. the awesome relationship that blossoms between two completely opposite individuals

3. the comeback of two well-loved characters from Waiting in the Wings who play pretty big roles in shaping the story

Deets:

Release date: August 2016

Genre: Romance

Publisher: Bold Strokes Books

Part of a series?: Not exactly, but some familiar characters appear. 

Don’t forget to check out my First Position-inspired playlist and let me know your thoughts! 

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Waiting in the Wings by Melissa Brayden

This book made me fall in love with Melissa Brayden’s work. Waiting in the Wings took me on an emotional rollercoaster. Both leads are lovable (and hot!) and it’s hard not to root for them. Personally, what first drew me first to the book is the fact that it’s Broadway-centric because I absolutely LOVE the theater. 

Jenna McGovern is a triple threat on her way to Broadway stardom. She can sing, dance, and act well, so it’s no surprise that her first professional work after graduating from university is in a Broadway production called Clean Slate. Filling in as the production’s new Alexis, a supporting role, she has to act alongside superstar Adrienne Kenyon. Sparks fly between the two co-stars, but when SHTF, can Jenna give up what she worked for all her life for Adrienne?

Read it for: 

1. the awesome writing (Brayden actually won awards for this book)

2. relatable and extremely gorgeous characters

3. an almost multi-sensory experience brought about by the original productions described in the story (dying to see these on stage somewhere)

Deets: 

Release date: September 2011

Publisher: Bold Strokes Books

Genre: Romance

Part of a series?: Not exactly, but two characters reappear briefly in First Position

Also, check out my Waiting in the Wings-inspired playlist!