My Year in Books (Part 1)
I set myself a goodreads challenge of 50 books, and I gotta say, WHEW, I did it. Last night I read the last one, and, feeling better about my achievement and realizing no one gives a shit about my sincere, paragraph long reviews, I’m gonna review the books in approximately one to five sentences. They are going to be in the order I read them, my apologies for the chaos!
1. I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver
This one is a very gay, very good coming out one. Nonbinary protag is great; we love representation! Also a cute love story.
2. Vicious by V.E. Schwab
The premise behind this one is what if a villain were the protagonist? I would have liked this one to be more gay. There is a distinctly gay vibe I got from the protag but then he does some messed up shit over a girl, and anyway, maybe that's just my Disney programming showing. Overall, I enjoyed it, though I would not recommend it over the other stuff I've read by Schwab. There is a sequel I have not read yet, so maybe that’s better. Supporting characters are all pretty dope.
3. Meddling Kids by Edgar Cantero
Imagine if a youth detective group like the Scooby gang were famous as children and then grew up as kind of crappy adults, who then have to pull it together to do it all again. Loved how gay this turned out to be, also how spooky and irreverent. Think Cthulhu meets Scooby Doo, meets some really awesome, weird/good use of the English language.
4. Horns by Joe Hill
Good horror, this was my first Joe Hill book. There is a lovely magical realism element and I loved it. It wasn't gay, but I forgive it. If you enjoyed the weird-ass movie with Daniel Radcliffe, you'll enjoy the book too. [TW for sexual assault and murder though.]
5. Empress of the World by Sara Ryan
Good coming of age, identity stuff. Definitely geared toward teens in that awkward stage where everything seems really tough--I am not one anymore. I think I’d be more passionate about this book if I’d read it when I was.
