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Maiden, Mother, and Crone

Fantastical Trans Femmes by Lilah Sturges, Alexa Fae McDaniel, Kylie Ariel Bemis, Ellen Mellor, Izzy Wasserstein, Audrey Vest, Gwen Benaway, Kai Cheng Thom

Publishing date: 30 Apr 2019 Disclaimer: I recieved this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Mother, Maiden, Crone is a, at the lack of a better word, fantastical antology, gocusing on the lives and experiences of Trans Femmes  -  a viewpoint too often overlooked in representation and actvism both. The book contains 11 different original short stories from various writers, with various writing experience. The latter detail might be noticable through parts of the books, as certain texts seem to struggle with the balance between world building and representation, but over all, I really did like the book, and will be putting it on the list of “future bookshelf fillers”. I’m especially excited to re-read LIlah Sturges' "Undoing Vampirism" and Crystal Fraiser's "Perisher". 

I have to admit that reading fell in second line after exam prep, and so I did not get to know the book as thouroughly as I might have wished, but all in all, it’s a decent 4/5 stars on my count.

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Human Enough, by E.S. Yu

Publishing date: 7th Oct. 2019 Disclaimer: I recieved this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

When Noah Lau joined the Vampire Hunters Association, seeking justice for his parents’ deaths, he didn’t anticipate ending up imprisoned in the house of the vampire he was supposed to kill—and he definitely didn’t anticipate falling for that vampire’s lover. 

Six months later, Noah’s life has gotten significantly more complicated. On top of being autistic in a world that doesn’t try to understand him, he still hunts vampires for a living…while dating a vampire himself. Awkward. Yet Jordan Cross is sweet and kind, and after braving their inner demons and Jordan’s vicious partner together, Noah wouldn’t trade him for the world. 

But when one of Jordan’s vampire friends goes missing and Noah’s new boss at the VHA becomes suspicious about some of his recent cases, what starts off as a routine paperwork check soon leads Noah to a sinister conspiracy. As he investigates, he and Jordan get sucked into a deadly web of intrigue that will test the limits of their relationship—and possibly break them. After all, in a world where vampires feed on humans and humans fear vampires, can a vampire and a vampire hunter truly find a happy ending together?

Tags: LGBT, romance, paranormal, Ace, Pansexual, Autism, Crime, Alt Universe, law enforcement, vampires, friends to lovers, interracial.  Content warning: Ableism, graphic violence, allusions to past emotional abuse, abduction, hate groups.

I really liked this book. I can say that about loads of books, sure, but Human Enough managed something only a few couple have managed before - it dragged my head-first out of my reading slump, and was finished in just over 24 hours. I spoke with a friend just the other day on how so much of queer literature is just about coming out and nothing more - “Where are our fantasy novels? Where are our paranormal romances?” Well, it’s here, and it’s bloody brilliant.

Yu manages to do just the right amount of world building to pull us in as readers, whilst not going all exposure all the time. I as a reader believe in the world I’m getting - the secrets of vampires uncovered with time, the research to find a solution, the hate groups and the support groups both. There are several things we only get glimpses of, whenever Noah tags along with Jordan, but they are still only glimpses, and they make me want to learn more about the world. 

Seeing a main character be so unapologetic about his neurodiversity (whilst also, at times, giving a big mental middle finger to the norm for autistic representation in media) was truly marvellous to read. The paragraphs on overstimulation, on auditory processing, on masking, on executive dysfunction… As a person who has for quite some time now been believed to be somewhere on the neurodiverse spectrum, these paragraphs felt incredibly validating to read. And whilst this is not entirely my topic to judge, and so I might’ve missed certain things, I would 100% recommend the book for this representation alone. 

On that note, I also adore all the focus on communities - whether it’s a support group where certain vampires can talk through their thoughts and feelings, or online forums and message boards. So often in media we get presented with a minority character who the text completely isolates, because the writer - for whatever reason - can’t be bothered to give them any form of community or others to relate to, leaving both the character and the represented reader feel… not very good.  Human Enough manages a good mix, both between people of different marginalized identities helping each other out in solidarity, and characters finding support amongst their own that I recognize from my own life and friends. Helping where you can when you can, and then when you cannot, helping to find someone who can. 

I like the overall pacing of the story. The time jumps had me confused for a hot second, as the text explicitly tells us when it jumps back but not forwards, though after figuring out the (eventually) rather obvious pattern of “every other chapter”, it all went swimmingly. I might’ve felt that the plot was maybe a little predictable at times, having called certain plot twists several chapters ahead of time, but less to the point where it spoilt the story, and more like I’m “Poirot, detective genius”, solving the mystery alongside the characters. The overall storyline felt… I wouldn’t say lacking, but rather… almost too short? Despite the 6 month-divide, both plots only last a couple of weeks, making the story feel more of perhaps a slice-of-life than I was prepared for. 

I’d like to personally thank Yu for including one of my favourite tropes, friends to lovers, but also for the clearly loving way in which various marginalized identities are included and discussed within the text. The characters strike a good balance between talking about their various identities in a way that feels real, and lived, and honest, and just being downright salty over the lack of respect the majority often has for minorities. Which, oof, big mood.

A quick and easy read, yet captivating and warm. All in all, book gets a strong 4.5/5 stars - at the very least.

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I’m reading this queer anthology and the first story is a fairytale about a queer Latina girl whose anger was so fierce it literally poisoned the rich white men who unfairly captured the transgender soldier she was in love with and my heart is literally bursting I’m going to cry

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The Queer and Transgender Resilience Workbook by Anneliese Singh

Publish Date: 01 Feb 2018 I'm always happy to read an #OwnVoices book, and this was no exception. Disclaimer: I received this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Picture source: https://www.newharbinger.com/   https://www.newharbinger.com/queer-and-transgender-resilience-workbook

There are quite a lot of things to mention about this book, yet at the same time, I'm not quite sure how to word them all. As an educative work on queer identities, it does an exellent job, not only in what it teaches, but also in whom it includes. The book exells in it's intersectionality, and with an identity inclusion only topped by Ash Hardell's The ABC's of LGBT. I wouldn't say it's, as they say, "all-inclusieve", as there are quite a lot of identities out there, and it might be difficult to fit them all in one short book, but overall it felt good to find a text covering so many different experiences. It's not all-compasing, but really quite inclusive. In adition, all the information is presented in a manner that feels neither dry not academical, but rather friendly, and easy to understand.

I did, however, also come across several things I was less pleased with, though not all are neccecarily to blame on the author. The ebook can only be discribed as poorly planned, or at least porely executed. It's quite clear that the book is meant to be read in it's physical form, leaving pretty much all the workbook tasks looking squed, out of order, and difficult to understand. I also failed to find even a single picture throughout the book - which is nitpicky, I know, but it feels odd to me that a workbook, and a queer one at that, should be nothing but a wall of text.

Also, whilst there were several things I loved about the book, it felt a bit like "Baby-Queer's First Self-Help Book". Not that that's a bad thing at all, as I would have adored to have access to such a fundamental overview over a queer experience. Now however, as I have already made it past most of what the book learns on my own, it probably has less of an inpact than it could have had.

A lovely read I would definetly reccommend to anyone struggling with their identity, or who simply wants to explore it further -  4/5 stars.

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If the Fates Allow by Pene Henson, Erin Finnegan, Lynn Charles, Killian B. Brewer, Lilah Suzanne

A review long overdue, but as they say, better late then pregnant. Disclaimer: I received this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Picture source: http://www.killianbbrewer.com/

Yet another short story collection; different authors, same theme. If The Fates Allow covers five different holiday themed queer romance stories - the first four alternating between male and female couples, and the fifth going all the way with one of each (and an explicitly mentioned bi man at that). Like with all short story collections, not all were my cup of tea, but overall I really enjoyed the book.

Killian Brewer's "Gracious Living Magazine Says It Must Be a Live Tree." didn't really work for me, though might easily be a personal matter. Like Gracious Living, it felt almost glossy. It's quite strong on exposition quite early on, some of which are then repeated in later dialogue - something which really doesn't feel neccacary in such a short story. Overall it cute, I guess, but not really my thing.

Pene Henson's "True North" didn't go quite the way I first thought. It starts out introducing the main character going home for Christmas with her friend, only for the two of them to be mistaken for a couple, thoroughly supported, and given their own room - in short, it feels like a pretty basic 'fake dating' trope; until the narrative introduces an old crush, and everything changes.

Erin Finnegan's "Last Call at the Casa Blanca Bar & Grill" was the first story I found I really liked. It tells of Jack Volarde, political advicor to the mayor, during his first Christmas after his partner's death. I wouldn't place it in the noir genre, but the overall mood of the story definetly reminded me of dark lighting and strong contrasts, of main characters with far too many walls up, and of old fashioned bars. Good read, and whilst I might've waited for the twist, it still surprised me.

Lilah Suzanne 's "Halfway Home" tells of a young woman not quite at home in her life, and how she eventually finds home through a local dog shelter, a certain demon dog, and an adorable Dog Rescuer and Holiday Enthusiast.

Lynn Charles' "Shelved" was probably my favourite, and not only because I have a weak spot for libraries. The characters are all lovely (except for one certain father), and I found myself really enjoying their different personalities and interactions. It is the kind of story where, of course, everything goes just as planned, and works out just as the main character dreams they will, but honestly, it's a Christmas story, and they're allowed to be sappy at times.

It's a good collection, of varying stores, characters, and plots, but with an overall good holiday feel that feels like a good cup of cocoa and a nice warm blanket - 4/5 stars.

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Two Moons: Stories by Krystal A. Smith

Publishing date: 20 Mar 2018  Disclaimer: I recieved this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

It always feels just a bit unnerving, reading through a collection of different short stories from equally different authors, as you never quite know what you'll get - some might be right up your alley, whilst others might have missed your (subjective) field of interest entirely. Some stories I loved, adored even, and would easily have given 5 stars, whilst others felt like they fell somewhat short, to the point where, individually, I'd give them maybe 2 stars. So how then, to take on the book in its entirety?

I ended up with 3 stars, although it's really 3.5, but that hardly translates to a rigid five-star-system. The book is a collection of stories of black women, queer themes, and magical realism; though other than that, they're based rather widely appart both in characters and plot. And, as mentioned, whilst there were definetly good stories, others felt, in the lack of better words, rather flat and almost empty. The dialogue felt odd, and at times almost chunky, though whether that is a problem with the dialogue or my non-fluent English is beyond me.

There were though, again like mentioned, several good, strong stories, that might give young women good to read. Stories of magic, og godesses - both in contact with women, and within the women themselves; of women loving the moon, and being loved in return; of celestial beings just trying to get by.

Some favourites include Two Moons, Meena & Ziya, and Life Cycle. I'd also like to give Search an honorable mention, for being the second story I've ever found who manages to pull of a 2nd person narrator.

Although this isn't my favourites amongst the books I've been given, I'd definetly reccomend it to anyone looking for stories about women, queer women, and woc.

Though also, I would reccomend looking into content warnings, as the book covers several potential triggers (illness (both mental and somatic), terminal illness, hospitals, issues with infertility (both miscarriages and stillborn children), and death and loss of lovers, amongst others)

Definetly an interesting read - 3.5/5 stars.

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I'm reading Anneliese Singh's The Queer and Transgender Resilience Workbook (Pub Date 01 Feb 2018) after finding it on netgalley, and came across this little tibid in chapter one:

"Finally, we should acknowledge people who identify as asexual—they tend to not want to engage in sexual behavior, and they may or may not feel strong attractions to others."

Struck me as a bit odd to mention behaviour before identity, but overall I was rather thrilled to find the mention. Really looking forwards to reading this book.

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TRANS/gressive by Riki Wilchins

TRANS/gressive: How Transgender Activists Took on Gay Rights, Feminism, the Media & Congress... and Won! by Riki Anne WilchinsTRANS/gressive: How Transgender Activists Took on Gay Rights, Feminism, the Media & Congress... and Won! by Riki Anne Wilchins - long name, for a wonderful book.

I came across this on netgalley a little while back, and have been all but desperate to read it ever since.

Pretty much what it says on the box, badass trans folks taking on the world and somehow winning. Yet, somehow, it feels like a whole lot more. We have so little LGBTQIAPN+ history - more now than we used to, but still far less than we should, and even within the stories of queer stories, it so often feels like the T is forgotten. Thus, coming across a full book of trans and queer history took me a little aback, and it took far longer to read than what I'd expected. This both caused by sudden business in my own life, but also simply because it's so much.

Wilchins doesn't stick to any single 'side' of history, neither the good nor the bad, and although the book definetly covers amazing activist work and the many ways it changed the world, it also covers many of those lost in the process - so make sure to take some time, take breaks, and pace yourself and your reading.

What makes the book really stand out for me is the fact that, whilst it tells the story of the American trans community as a more or less whole, it's written as a memoir; covering not only the goals achieved, but also Wilchins' own experiences along the way, giving, not quite a face, but rather a personality to the work done - both Wilchins' own, but also the countless friends and others that have somehow helped, or influenced and affected. Wilchins never shyes away from taking credit for all the work they've done, but they also makes sure to name the people they met through the community, and all the work they did.

A bit heavy on the language at times, making it a somewhat slow read, but all in all, a strong 4/5 stars!

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Now Available for Pre-Order: “If the Fates Allow: An LGBTQ Holiday Anthology”

During the holidays, anything is possible—a second chance, a promised future, an unexpected romance, a rekindled love, or a healed heart. Authors Killian B. Brewer, Pene Henson, Erin Finnegan, Lilah Suzanne, and Lynn Charles share their stories about the magic of the season.

Gracious Living Magazine Says It Must Be a Live Tree by Killian B. Brewer

Determined to make his first Christmas with his new boyfriend magazine-perfect, Marcus seeks the advice of lovable busy bodies, the Do-Nothings Club. When he learns that his boyfriend, Hank, may have ordered a ring, Marcus’ attempts to transform his home into a winter wonderland get out of hand.

True North by Pene Henson

Shay Allen returns to her hometown in Montana for the holidays with her best friend Devon with the intent to return home to L.A. by New Year’s Eve. Instead, the weather traps them in the small town, but the there’s a bright spot: her old crush Milla is still in town.

Last Call at the Casa Blanca Bar & Grille by Erin Finnegan

As the one-year anniversary of his lover’s death rolls around on Christmas, Jack Volarde finds himself at their old haunt—a bar called the Casa Blanca, where a new bartender helps him open up about loss, and see brightness in a future that had grown dim.

Halfway Home by Lilah Suzanne

Avery Puckett has begun to wonder if her life has become joyless. One night, fate intervenes in the form of a scraggly dog shivering and alone in a parking lot. Avery takes him to a nearby shelter called Halfway Home where she meets bright and beautiful Grace, who is determined to save the world one stray at a time.

Shelved by Lynn Charles

When library clerk Karina Ness meets a new patron, lonely business owner, Wesley Lloyd, she puts her own love life on hold and begins a holiday matchmaking mission to connect Wes with her uncle Tony.

Price: $16.99 print / $6.99 multi-format ebook

Release Date: December 1, 2017

Details: Trade paperback, 6"x9"

Pages/Words: 246 // 70,800

ISBN: 978-1-945053-47-4 print // 978-1-945053-48-1 eBook

US/Canada: If you purchase the print edition of If the Fates Allow before December 1, 2017 from the IP Web Store, you will automatically receive the multi-format eBook for free with your order.

International: Order the print edition by February 1, 2018 from your favorite book retailer and receive free multi-format eBook by submitting a copy of your receipt to contact@interludepress.com.

About the authors:

Killian B. Brewer lives in his life-long home of Georgia with his partner and their dog. He has written poetry and short fiction since he was knee-high to a grasshopper. Brewer earned a BA in English and does not use this degree in his job in the banking industry. He has a love of greasy diner food that borders on obsessive. Lunch with the Do-Nothings at the Tammy Dinette was published in January, 2017. His debut novel, The Rules of Ever After, is available from Duet Books, the young adult imprint of Interlude Press.

Pene Henson has gone from British boarding schools to New York City law firms. She now lives in Sydney, Australia, where she is an intellectual property lawyer and published poet who is deeply immersed in the city’s LGBTQIA community. She spends her spare time enjoying the outdoors and gazing at the ocean with her gorgeous wife and two unexpectedly exceptional sons. Her first novel Into the Blue (Interlude Press, 2016) received a Lambda Literary Award for Gay Romance. Her second novel, Storm Season, was published by Interlude Press in 2017.

Erin Finnegan is a former journalist and a winemaker who lives in the foothills outside Los Angeles. Her novel Luchador was named one of Publishers Weekly’s Best Books of 2016, and along with her 2014 debut novel, Sotto Voce, received both a Foreword Reviews INDIES Book of the Year award and a PW starred review.

Lilah Suzanne has been writing actively since the sixth grade, when a literary magazine published her essay about an uncle who lost his life to AIDS. A freelance writer from North Carolina, she spends most of her time behind a computer screen, but on the rare occasion she ventures outside she enjoys museums, libraries, live concerts, and quiet walks in the woods. Lilah is the author of the Interlude Press books Spice, Pivot and Slip, and the Amazon bestselling Spotlight series: Broken Records, Burning Tracks and Blended Notes.

Lynn Charles’ love of writing dates to her childhood, when thoughts, dreams, frustrations, and joys poured onto the pages of journals and diaries. She lives in Central Ohio with her husband and adult children where a blind dog and his guardian cat rule the roost. When she’s not writing, Lynn can be found planning a trip to New York or strolling its streets daydreaming about retirement. Her novel Black Dust (2016) was named a finalist for a Foreword Reviews INDIES Book of the Year award. Her other novels include Beneath the Stars (2017) and Chef’s Table (2014).

Cover design by C.B. Messer.

Find it on Goodreads.

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Juliet Takes a Breath, by Gabby Rivera

I came across the book in netgalley's LGBTQIA shelf, and, falling fast for both the cover and the blurb, downloaded, and sped through it in three short days. Slight spoilers below the readmore.

The book tells of 19 year old Juliet, who leaves the Bronx, NYC for an internship with her favourite author in Portland, Oregon. It's the story of a young baby queer's first meating with a queer world outside her own, including everything from upbeat, well-meaning, white lesbian hippie-feminists, to judgemental guys who'll leave you mid-town on your first day there, and to queer friends and family both. Through a first-person narrative, we're given insight into Juliet's thoughts and feelings as she travels across country, discovers, and rediscovers herself, in a way that whilst somewhat chaotic and confused, feels just right for the mind of a 19-year old. And whilst her life and mine are different in numerous ways, I can still remember and recognize the feelings from leaving home at a similar age. It can be exciting and liberating, but also both confusing and terrifying, all of which we see in Juliet. There was a couple of times throughout the book where I was so 'iffed' by that good old second wave insistance of the connection between womenhood and vaginas/periods that I almost had to put it down due to dysphoria. After all, whilst a part of feminist history, this really is a rather outdadet view on womanhood and feminism both, and words can not descrie my joy when [shit finally hit the fan, Harlowe's bullshit was called out, and we along with Juliet find solace in lovely cousin Ava and her queer community (hide spoiler)].

Whilst somewhat long at times, and a bit too "spaced out" for my personal taste (oh, Harlowe), it's an absolutely lovely read. 4/5 stars!

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Generations by Flavia Biondi

I became interested this through netgalley after strong reccomendations from a friend, and recieved it through netgalley. Sure to say, I was not disappointed.

Generations tells the story of Matteo, a man in his early twenties who left his hometown and his family after an argument with his father. Now, three years later, the man he moved to be with has broken up with him, he has no job, and no plans. Rather than face his father, he moves in with his extended family; grandmother, three aunts, and cousin, all in one house. We follow them all through Matteo’s eyes, as he discovers and re-discovers his family, their history, and what they mean to each other, and to him.

The book covers several topics, including family, both the complications family can bring, and the support they can give. However, it also brilliantly illustrates the feeling of emptiness one can so often feel in one’s early twenties; especially combined with one’s queer early twenties, when there usually are very few examples to follow. The feeling of not knowing what to do in life, when there is no pre-planned heteronormative life to settle into. 

The story feels a little slow paced, but not enough to make it a problem, and overall it fits well with the feeling of early adulthood, when you’re struggling to figure your life, and time just doesn’t seem to matter.

It tells of apathy, of plans, and surprises. Of disgust and accept both. Of a delayed coming off age. And of lack of communication and understanding on both parts of a conflict. Overall it holds a lot of heart, and a lot of good thoughts.

I would say the art style took a while to get used to, though once I had it down, it was nothing but pleasant. The greyscale makes for a calm, mellow read, which rather compliments the story. 

A pretty a good read. 3/5 stars, and once again, would recommend.

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Mick & Michelle, by Nina Rossing

I came across the book by chance whilst browsing netgalley’s LGBTQIA one evening, downloaded after skimming the blurb, and devoured it in less than two days - a rare feat these days. 

The book tells of Mich Mullins, the 15 year old youngest child of two cop parents. As a notorious good kid, Mich is constantly pointed out as a very well behaved boy by family and friends, and grandfather alike -  the perfect son. The thing is though, Mich is a girl, and her name is Michelle.

We follow Mich's first person narrative through a warm summer holiday between sophomore and junior year of high school, visiting grandfather Mick in his nursing home and clearing out his old home. We follow Michelle through the same summer, as she becomes increasingly aware of the fact that her time is running out. Puberty is well away, and every day brings her closer to irreversible strides towards "manhood" she would rather be without.

What I will say, is that overall, I honestly really liked the book. Michelle's hopes and fears for her future and fore her life; the issues and obstacles that are either brought up, or that she has to work through her self; the reactions she faces when people learn of her truth, both good and bad. Most of all I loved the ending - spoiler allert, it's a happy one.

Concidering the world we live in, writing a book about trans stories that is happy yet true can be difficult, but I feel Nina Rossing did good. Her story manages to maintain a ballance between good and bad, whilst focusing, for the most part, on the positive. It doesn't ignore or overlook the problems one can face as a trans person, but for most part the focus remains on Michelle's life, her sister, her parents, and the friends that stick around.

I was bothered by the rather ableist language that popped up at times - presented as angry or insulting dialogue, for reasons and in ways kids really do use them, but still there, and still, possibly and probably, hurtful for for people affected by them. I am well aware of how normalized this kind of language has become, but I really wish it wasn't so, and that we could do better.

Whilst Michelle’s life could hardly differ more from my own, I still found myself relating more and more to her character and her feelings as the story progress. The feelings of fear, doubt, guilt, and despair are all far too familiar; the feeling that time is running out, of having to do something, but not quite knowing how to start, and how to proceed. I’d be lying if I said my eyes stayed dry throughout.

The book is set for release on the 31st of October 4.7/5 stars, 10/10 would recommend!

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Taproot, by Keezy Young

“Keexy Young is a comic artist based in Seattle, Washington. She draws and writes stories she wanted to seemore of growing up --- stories starring queer characters, brightness, a little creepyness, and a lot of heart.“ -Taperoot

I’m a sucker for a lot of things. For art, for plants and flowers, for softness, both in form and contents, and, apparently, for queer ghosts and gardners.

What struck me first about the books was just the look of it. The soft lines, the warm mellow colours used to fill the pages, creating a world that is bright but in no way garish. A visual representation a  warm fuzzy feeling, which is just what Taperoot left me with.

Young tells us the story of Hamal, a young gardner soft and kind enough to make Samwise Gamgee proud and then some, his life at the flower shop he works at, it's patrons, and it's ghosts. Or, more like, Hamal's ghosts. It must have been somewhat weird as a kid, finding out that your supposed imaginary friends were in fact the ghosts of dead people, but what can you do? You push through it, you befriend them, you help them out as well as you can, and along the way, someone falls in love. At times the the pacing felt a wee bit rushed, but that's really just me nitpicking. I adored the art, both the form and colours of it as already mentioned, but also especially the artist's attention to detail - the fleshed out backgrounds really helped give the story life.

It's always feels really good to see queer stories created and published, and Taproot is no exception. It feels warm and safe, and just like the kind of book I would've liked to have on my nightstand as a kid. 

4/5 stars, 10/10 would recommend!