#Lavash at First Sight

[lgbtqreads]

Happy Bi Visibility Day 2024!

Happy Bi Visibility Day! We’re celebrating as we do, with great books helmed by bisexual main characters! With absolutely no consistency, I’ve bolded the names of some of the bi MCs who aren’t called out as such in the copy. For even more recs, check out past years’ posts! Middle Grade Lulu Sinagtala and the City of Noble Warriors by Gail D. Villanueva Lulu Sinagtala can’t wait for a fun…

[the-final-sentence]

She kisses me then, and I know we will continue forging our paths to happiness, together.

Taleen Voskuni, from Lavash at First Sight

[justapayneaway]

This week I'm reviewing Lavash at First Sight by Taleen Voskuni 🧆

Follow me on IG at @ritasbookclub for more content!

[bidotorg]

"Taleen Voskuni’s Lavash at First Sight (2024), is a refreshing romance that tells the story of two bi women navigating love, family, and career." - #BiBookClub 📕

[detdeldragons]

Lavash At First Sight, by Taleen Voskuni - Review

I really loved this book! It is so funny and so heartwarming, and I loved reading about Nazeli embrace who she is and how she fits within her culture and family history while falling in love with another Armenian-American girl. I cried, I laughed, I took breaks to snack on some dolmades. It was a wonderful read.

[whimsicaldragonette]

Blog Tour: Lavash at First Sight by Taleen Voskuni

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Publication Date: May 7, 2024

Welcome to the Lavash at First Sight Blog Tour with Berkley Publishing Group. (This Blog Tour post is also posted on my Wordpress book blog Whimsical Dragonette.)

Synopsis:

Sparks fly between two women pitted against each other in this delectable new romantic comedy by Taleen Voskuni, author of Sorry, Bro . Twenty-seven-year-old Nazeli “Ellie” Gregorian enjoys the prestige of her tech marketing job but is sick of the condescending Patagonia-clad tech bros, her micromanaging boss, and her ex-boyfriend, who she’s forced to work with every day. When Ellie’s lovingly overbearing parents ask her to attend PakCon—a food packaging conference in Chicago—to help promote their company and vie to win an ad slot in the Superbowl (no big deal), she’s eager for a brief change and a delicious distraction. At the conference, she meets witty, devil-may-care Vanya Simonian. Ellie can’t believe how easy it is to talk to Vanya and how much they have in common—both Armenian! From the Bay Area! Whose families are into food! Their meet-cute is cut short, however, when Ellie’s parents recognize Vanya as the daughter of the owners of their greatest rival, whose mission (according to Ellie’s mother) is to whitewash and package Armenian food for the American health-food crowd.   Sworn as enemies, Ellie and Vanya must compete against each other under their suspicious parents' scrutiny, all while their feelings for each other heat to sizzling temps.

About the Author:

Taleen Voskuni is an award-winning writer who grew up in the Bay Area Armenian diaspora. She graduated from UC Berkeley with a BA in English and currently lives in San Francisco, working in tech. Other than a newfound obsession with writing rom-coms, she spends her free time cultivating her kids, her garden, and her dark chocolate addiction. Her first novel, Sorry, Bro, received starred reviews from Kirkus and Booklist, was named an Amazon editor's pick, and was favorably reviewed in The New York Times. Sorry, Bro is also winner of the 2023 Golden Poppy award for best romance. Lavash at First Sight is her second published novel.

My Rating: ★★★★★

My Review:

This was really cute. There was definitely instalove, or like, 'I just met you but you're perfect for me', but it was balanced with 'buuuuuut our families hate each other so I guess we have to sneak around' which is a dynamic that I really enjoy. Nazeli was so committed to her life in the tech world that she didn't see how unhappy it was making her and how it was constraining her. The weekend with her parents at the food convention, and with Vanya, opened her eyes to possibilities she hadn't considered. It was such a joy to watch her blossom and start to realize what horrible, horrible people her coworkers were. The family feud was absolutely hilarious and I found myself grinning as I read most of the book. I also flew through it in one day because I was so into it I couldn't stop. I also really love that as much as it finally ended up bringing the two families together, it brought Nazeli closer to her parents so they could finally appreciate each other and what each had to offer. I loved all of the Armenian Lebanese foods - they sounded absolutely delicious - and phrases and bits of culture that the author brought into this book. It really gave it that extra something that made it so much more engaging than your standard family feud book. Even the way Nazeli and Vanya's parents spoke and treated their daughters felt very authentic to immigrants to the US. I love when an author includes a different culture *and clearly knows what they're talking about.* The culture really permeates this book and you can't separate it out. I also love the way Taleen Voskuni wrote about San Francisco and Tech culture (which I am somewhat familiar with, and it was definitely recognizable) and also the way she wrote about Chicago. It made me want to explore Chicago when I'd previously had no desire to do so. I would absolutely read more about Nazeli and Vanya and their romance and their adventures with their families. I've had Sorry Bro on hold at my library for a while now - I actually hadn't realized this was written by the same author - so I'm excited to dive into that one now. *Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for providing an early copy for review.

[battyaboutbooksreviews]

Minimalistic Monday

🌶️ Rival Families 🌶️ Queer / Sapphic Romance 🌶️ Bi & Pan FMCs 🌶️ Cooking Competition 🌶️ Banter 🌶️ Third Act Breakup

[magpizza]

Mag’s Sapphic Book Recs Part 2

Part 1

I read more sapphic books in 2024 so here are more books to check out! Note: these are not necessarily books that came out in 2024, just books I read last year.

ADULT

Can we start off light with some romance? -Bachelorette Number 12 by Jae - A really sweet and fun book, about two medical professionals who don't get along having to go on dates due to a charity bid snafu. The banter was really fun, and as they get to know each other, it turned super sweet. -Lavash at First Sight by Taleen Voskuni - Two women get to know and develop feelings for each other despite their family's rivalry, all set during a food packaging conference. Really sweet and made me very hungry. -Satisfaction Guaranteed by Karelia Stetz-Waters - Two strangers inherit a sex toy shop, which forces them to work together and get to know each other. A good amount of fun sexiness but also great emotions and sweetness! -Loser of the Year by Carrie Byrd - Two teachers clash but then work together on the school play and develop a relationship. The humor in this book is wonderful, as are all the little reveals about the characters and their history as the story goes along. One of the most entertaining reading styles, so much heart and humor. -Looking for a Sign by Susie Dumond - A sweet and spicy story about a woman determined to date someone from each astrological sign. Some of the dates go well, some go disastrously, and all throughout you root for her to find someone who will be her match! -Outdrawn by Deanna Grey - Set at a comic company, two rivals attempt to work together to reboot a cult classic comic. I loved the peek into artist life and how the two clash and get together. While a novel, the book had some really fun art and sketches throughout!

How about romance but make it a little sad? -Here We Go Again by Alison Chochrun - Two childhood friends-turned-rivals who then had a falling out are roped into a cross-country road trip with their dying English teacher. A standout book about love, adventure, and loss. Get your tissues ready. -Forgetting With You by Robin Clairvaux - After an unlikely one-night-stand, two women find themselves still pulled together, and help each other through loss and life issues. Really sweet overall.

I know it's January but I'm still in the mood for some holiday romances! -I'll Be Gone for Christmas by Georgia K. Boone - swapping houses for the holidays is already tricky, but with the complicated dynamics of the lives they leave behind, this one gets deliciously messy at times! -It's a Fabulous Life by Kelly Farmer - an adaptation of the Christmas classic film It's a Beautiful Life, but the angels are drag queens with special powers! That alone caught my attention, but then the characters and lovely town kept me glued to the story. -Season of Love by Helena Greer - Your classic "woman inherits a Christmas tree farm and now she has to decide if she wants to save it from going under" story but with a fun twist: she's Jewish and gay! A really sweet romance.

Got anything way spicier? -The Black Diamond series by Anna Stone - this three-book series follows each sister in the Black family as they get down and sexy but also find love. The connected story through all three volumes was also very interesting with some fun twists along the way. -Triple Sec by TJ Alexander - a bartender is wooed by a polyamorous couple. I love a sexy book but I especially love a sexy book with a lot of warmth and heart to it and this one definitely had that! -One Weekend in Aspen by Jamie Clevenger - an amazingly heartfelt and emotional story about a lesbian weekend sex party in Aspen, and how two women meet and fall in love during it. -Dragon Queens by Kathleen de Plume - this one is a fantasy but has so much spice I wanted to include it here. A princess flees to avoid her marriage and is captured by a bounty hunter, but the two make a deal to pretend to be involved so the princess' betrothed won't want to go through with the marriage.

Romance is fun, but how about something more based in history? -Cantoras by Caro de Robertis - This book is one of my top reads for 2024, it was incredibly emotional, about five queer women who meet during the Uruguayan regime and find refuge and solace in each other and in a quiet beach cottage they decide to claim as their own. -The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye by Briony Cameron - queer pirate adventures on the high seas, this book filled that Our Flag Means Death hole in my heart with its sweet found family and daring action. -The Duke's Sister And I by Emma-Claire Sunday - a period drama where the main female character falls for her male suitor's sister. The characters are lovely and the story has a slow, cozy pace.

Can we get into some fantasy now? -The Alamaxa Duology by Hadeer Elsbai - I loved both books in this series. Really interesting society, elemental-based magic system, and two women fighting against misogynistic laws. Loved so many of these characters and found myself surprisingly emotional when something happened to them. -A Sweet Sting of Salt by Rose Sutherland - There's nothing like a selkie story and this one was so sweet and a bit heartbreaking. Loved it dearly. -The Order by TJ O'Shae - A young woman is kidnapped by an assassin rebel, part of a group trying to topple her father's regime. This book is a slow, winding burn. Really well-developed characters with complicated backstories and motivations. -Three Women in Paradise by Victoria Avila - A story inspired by Dante's Inferno, with many references to other classic art. Another favorite read for 2024. Loved this absolutely bizarre story that tore me apart and put me back together again. The writing really pulled me in. -Faebound by Saara El-Arifi - Two elven sisters have to leave the Elf Court and find themselves in an unknown wilderness where they encounter the Fae court. There's magical creatures, special bonds, and falling in love with the wrong people, it's got it all! Excited for the sequel coming out soon. -This Will Be Fun by E. B. Asher - The title says it all, it was fun! A group of adventurers already saved the world and broke apart due to the strain and trauma afterwards, but now have to come back together for one more important mission. -The Phoenix Keeper by S. A. MacLean - I love a story around animals, and this one takes place in a zoo for magical and mythical creatures! The main character and her love interest are rivals but as they came to understand each other, their relationship became very sweet. -Road to Ruin by Hana Lee - this book has three POV characters and I loved every single one of them. There's such a sweet way each one of them is described and how they connect and move throughout this very original world. The ending broke my heart a bit and I hope the sequel will fix it! -A Dark and Drowning Tide by Allison Saft - While on an expedition to find a fabled spring that promises untold power, two academic rivals must team up together to solve their mentor's murder! Can you tell I love people who hate each other teaming up? Cause I dooooo.

Enough magic, anything more sciency? -No Shelter But the Stars by Virginia Black - Two women from opposite sides of an intergalactic conflict become stranded on the same strange alien planet and have to work together to survive. An absolutely gripping journey. -Afterparty by Daryl Gregory - This book was amazing. A drug is making people believe they can see god with dangerous outcomes. A woman has to delve back into her past to find out who's released the drug and for what purpose. Gregory writes with surgical precision.

Now can you scare my socks off? -Please Stop Trying to Leave Me by Alana Saab - okay, not technically a horror book, but one that filled me with a lot of dread and fear just due to its subject matter. The main character deals with a lot of mental and emotional issues, things like that god sends her signs through instagram or that she needs to breakup with her girlfriend to finish writing her manuscript. The book takes a turn I wasn't expecting and I found it very touching by the end. -We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer - A couple just moved into a new home they intend to flip and a family claiming to have lived there before asks if they can come inside to see the house again. Reads like a creepypasta in the best way. This book kept me on my toes. -Someone You Can Build a Nest In by John Wiswell - A shapeshifting monster finds herself falling for a human woman and wanting to implant her with her eggs, but that would kill her. What's a shapeshifting monster to do? This book is surprisingly sweet and romantic despite that description. And it explores themes like who are the real monsters. -The Girl With All the Gifts by Mike Carey - Unlike most of the books on this list, this book doesn't have a sapphic relationship, but the main character is sapphic. A very unique take on the usual zombie apocalypse story

I want to read something with lots of art! -Crowded written by Christopher Sebela, with art by Triona Farrell, Ro Stein, and Ted Brandt - this three-book series is an absolute, fun, action-filled adventure. This world has a hit-man crowdfunding website and a woman has a hit put out on her that gets so many contributions she has the whole country after her! She has to hire a bodyguard and both their lives go to shit from there. -A Thing Called Truth written by Iolanda Zanfardin with art by Elisa Romboli - A workaholic scientist and a woman who fears nothing end up on a road trip where they re-enact scenes from movies. It's a story of self-discovery, and dealing with change and loss. They just had a successful Kickstarter for the second book to end the series!

YOUNG ADULT

Phew, okay I'm ready for some sweet romances again! -The Falling in Love Montage by Ciara Smyth - Two young teens agree to a no-strings-attached summer of dates that imitate a romance movie's usual "falling in love montage." But of course, you can't have the montage without the falling in love part! A very sweet romance. -Hot Dog Girl by Jennifer Dugan - I love stories set in theme parks and this one did not disappoint! A young girl wants to get the boy she likes to fall in love with her and break up with his perfect gf, and save the park from closing down. Much of it doesn't go as she expects. ;) -If You Still Recognize Me by Cynthia So - Two old friends connect after a long time and find themselves feeling as if they had never left. A surprisingly complex story about friendship, lost love, and reconnection. -Wish You Weren't Here by Erin Baldwin - Two girls who can't stand each other also can't avoid each other in their small town and friend groups. Generally, they avoid each other but somehow get put into the same cabin at their sleepaway camp. From there, they get to grow a better understanding of each other!

Alright I'm ready for more of a thriller vibe! -The Girls I've Been by Tess Sharpe - This book was a fun thrill ride all the way through! Three friends dealing with some secrets coming out amongst each other find themselves caught up in a bank robbery. The main character has a complicated history that makes her uniquely equipped to deal with this dangerous situation. I also include the sequel, The Girl In Question in this rec!

Some escapism please, now back to fantasy! -The Invocations by Krystal Sutherland - three girls go after one supernatural killer. This book has such great structure and pacing. I loved how the three girls have very different goals and reasons that all align towards the same objective. Loved the writing and it stuck with me even after finishing. -The Misadventures of an Amateur Naturalist by Ceinwen Langley - one of the most original retellings of Beauty and the Beast! Loved all the changes and the way the author really made this classic story their own -This Ravenous Fate by Hayley Dennings - New take on vampires set in the backdrop of Jazz Age Harlem? Sign me the fuck up. Also, this has problematic past-best friends who are now enemies who now have to work together which is deeeelicious.

Now let's get into some science fiction! -Monstersona by Chloe Spencer - Two girls escape their small town after a vicious large monster attack leaves it all burnt down. I don't want to say too much more because the fun mysteries and surprises this story weaves are better discovered by reading it!

Now can you scare me but just a little bit? -I Will Never Leave You by Kara A. Kennedy - This book deals with a very toxic and controlling relationship, one that continues even after death. It touched on a very real and difficult topic in a great way that only horror could really pull off. I felt so much for the protagonist as she struggled to figure herself out through this relationship. -The Blonde Dies First by Joelle Wellington - This book had a great combination of mystery and thriller along with horror. It deals with evil spirits along with teen horror movie tropes in really interesting and original ways. All the characters were very engaging and their relationships were very complex, especially the sisters' relationship.

Let's get into some stories with lots of pictures again! -Sunhead by Alex Assan - There was such a sweetness to this graphic novel, about a girl feeling like she's pulling away from her friends but then makes a new friend who she feels oddly close to, as more feelings start to develop. -Bunt! Striking Out on Financial Aid by Ngozi Ukazu and Mad Rupert - Really great art style but also such a fun ensemble of characters all dealing with very relatable money problems. The story hooked me and the characters kept me thinking about them long after I had finished!

[the-bi-library]

Bisexual books coming out in 2024!

Let me know of the books I didn't include!

Here is the goodreads list link. You can add books to this too!

Books listed:

Dear Bi Men: A Black Man's Perspective on Power, Consent, Breaking Down Binaries, and Combating Erasure by J.R. Yussuf

Breaker of Fates by Vaela Denarr, Micah Iannandrea

Fake Dating a Witch: A Magical Summer Solstice Romance by Brigid Hunt

The End Crowns All by Bea Fitzgerald

Rupture in Total Eclipse by Sem Thornwood

The 7-10 Split by Karmen Lee

Every Time You Hear That Song by Jenna Voris

Not for the Faint of Heart by Lex Croucher

Better Left Buried by Mary E. Roach

Rani Choudhury Must Die by Adiba Jaigirdar

The Afterdark by E. Latimer

Truthfully, Yours by Caden Armstrong

The Only Light Left Burning by Erik J. Brown Don't Be a Drag by Skye Quinlan

Digging for Destiny by Jenna Jarvis

Exes & Foes by Amanda Woody

Under All the Lights by Maya Ameyaw

Off With Their Heads by Zoe Hana Mikuta

An Education in Malice by S.T. Gibson

The Pairing by Casey McQuiston

The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett

Lavash at First Sight by Taleen Voskuni

Court of Wanderers by Rin Chupeco

The Loudest Silence by Sydney Langford

Practical Rules for Cursed Witches by Kayla Cottingham

The Sins on Their Bones by Laura R. Samotin

Mewing by Chloe Spencer

London On My Mind by Clara Alves, Nina Perrotta

What Is Love? by Jen Comfort

Late Bloomer by Mazey Eddings

Hearts Still Beating by Brooke Archer

The Phoenix Keeper by S.A. MacLean

Road to Ruin by Hana Lee

Rise by Freya Finch

The Dark We Know by Wen-yi Lee

Truly, Madly, Deeply by Alexandria Bellefleur

Honeybloods by I.S. Belle

The Girl in Question by Tess Sharpe

Saints of Storm and Sorrow by Gabriella Buba

The Phoenix Bride by Natasha Siegel

The Poisons We Drink by Bethany Baptiste

The Perfect Guy Doesn't Exist by Sophie Gonzales

One Killer Problem by Justine Pucella Winans

Heavenly Tyrant by Xiran Jay Zhao

Lulu Sinagtala and the City of Noble Warriors by Gail D. Villanueva

Redsight by Meredith Mooring

Finally Fitz by Marisa Kanter

The Last Love Song by Kalie Holford

Trouble by Lex Croucher

Playing For Keeps by Jennifer Dugan

Something To Be Proud Of by Anna Zoe Quirke

[tinydefector]

Star Gala Dress 3

Starscream x human

Word count:1.2k

Warnings: smut, vavleplug, tiny/giant. Sex with emotions

Took me a while to finish this because I lost motivation for a little, finally finished it tonight, now I'm gonna head to bed because it's 2am.

Starscream masterlist

1

11

________________

The flight back was quick. And when starscream landed their hands were on him the Starscream lets out a low possessive growl as his human eagerly grasped at his frame the moment they returned to his suite. impatient hands roaming his helm and faceplate, pressing kisses to his mouth as he carries them through the halls towards his Berth.

He traces his digits against their skin pulling lightly at the dresses straps before his servo wraps around pulling them closer, relishing their sweet little sigh against his lips. “So eager, my little spitfire," he rumbled approvingly.

 "You are a rather subtle tease with that display tonight. It has left me...thoroughly overcharged, and I intend to indulge." He outrightly purs against their skin. They lean into his touch, Their hands slowly undoing the top of their dress for Starscream. biting their lip lightly as part of the dress drops leaving their chest exposed to his optics.

Starscream let out a low appreciative rumble as they began undoing the fine material of the dress under his gaze. Tracing feather light touches against their back and sides. 

As more of their skin is revealed, his engine revved faintly in response. "So tempting, my pet," Starscream purred. Leaning in, his lips trace their shoulders as he indulges in the texture of their skin. passing his glossa across the beauty marks and blemishes without a care, eliciting a delightful sigh from them as they lean back into him, one hand tracing the side of his face. 

Trailing light touches down their sides, Starscream paused by their hip joints. "Hmm, it seems this troublesome dress has one more secret," he purred silkily. With quick digits he pulls at the remaining fabric down, revealing even more of their skin to his gaze. "So responsive to my touch, primus. you're such a delightful little thing to unwrap. all just for me." Sliding his fingertips lower, Starscream traced designs on their abdomen. "I detect your overheating, my pet." he mumbles against their skin. Slowly he guided them back, onto the Berth which made them giggle softly as they continued to admire him.

Starscream gazed down at his eager lover with half-shuttered optics, engine rumbling approvingly at the tempting sight before him. Trailing light touches along their body, Starscream paid close attention to each tiny sigh and shiver. His fingers gradually grew more focused, teasing sensitive skin as they dip down between their thighs. His glossa follows lapping against their skin as he nips at the tender flesh of their stomach. digits  pumping slowly at first, steadily increasing pace and pressure with each moan that falls from their lips. 

He nips and whispers praise in both Cybertronian and Terra to them as he worships their smaller form, learning every curve, mark and print of their skin as he presses kisses to each freckle as if they were constellations. He's slow, sweet and tender with them. He would never allow anyone else to ever see him like this, so willing to please another. 

When he judged them ready, Starscream withdrew his fingers, letting his glossa lap against their sex when he finally pulled away his bulk slowly moving, letting out loud creaks and clicks as he positioned his spike. Slowly, he began to press into their much smaller and softer body, lavashing in the sweet tightness as they cling to the ridges of his plating. Starscream lets out a low moan at the exquisite sensation that is their body. Inch by inch he filled them, pausing when needed, asking if they needed to stop and  to allow their much smaller frame to adjust to his size.  "By the Allspark, you feel divine..." the jet rumbled once fully seated. 

The bulge of their stomach is almost sinful under the gaze of his optics, one of his servos cup their face admiring his little human split on his spike. Eager moans and whines fall from their lips as they try rocking back against his spike. “Starscream” his name comes out as a desperate whimper and it sets his fuel line Alight. 

Bracing on sturdy arms, Starscream set a deliberately slow pace, not wishing to rip or tear anything with his spike. Each thrust has him reaching deeper to rub every sensitive spot within. His free hand roamed their body cuping, squeezing and pulling at their skin as it leaves bruises,  bite marks and hickeys across their form as if they were a painting.  

the Seeker let out a satisfied vent and drew them close. "Simply divine," he purred, nuzzling them gently. They moan loudly, hooking their legs around his waist. they look divine under him so full for such a small frame yet they took him just as any Cybertronian would. Starscream rumbled appreciatively at the sight of their abdomen bulging with his spike. His fans kick on as he nuzzled against their neck. " You take my spike so perfectly I can think of nothing but you..." he purred silkily against their ear. 

"Fuck starscream don't stop please don't stop!" They gasp out through the moans that slip past their lips, pulling him into another kiss which drives the Seeker feral. Arms lock around his neck.

Starscream lets out a hiss from how tightly they grip him as their body desperately attempts to milked his spike, urging him closer to the brink of overload. Breaking the kiss just enough to speak, the mighty Seeker growled, "By Unicron, you squeeze me so perfectly,. I won't last much longer at this pace!" pistoning his hips with urgency while his other servo once again cups their face intending to watch them as they orgasm. 

The steamy sounds of their frames slapping together and the cries of pleasure spurred him on more, he becomes rougher digits digging into the berth as he restrains himself from losing control fully. with a final thrust and cry of their name, a blinding overload claimed his sensors. Load after load of transfluid flood his lover's much smaller body, it leaks out onto the berth but neither could care at that moment. 

Venting heavily in the aftermath, Starscream nuzzled his tiny human affectionately. "Stunning like little light," Starscream purred with a sated smirk. They lay there panting, slowly tracing Starscream's face, leaning up to kiss him. Whining at how full they feel, slowly melting against his frame as starscream rolls over bringing them to rest atop of him. 

"You seemed to find great pleasure in teasing me," the Seeker mumbled against their skin. They let out a content sigh followed by laughter. “That I do Handsome, and you seem to enjoy it just as much” they coo back at him. 

He trailing light touches along their back, following the path of their spine down to their butt which he grabs and slaps earning him a shout of protest. Starscream chuckles as the pleasant vision of their saited form. “stay with me tonight, I… I enjoy having you close” it wasn't often Starscream asked instead of demanded things and it makes them smile. “I didn't plan on leaving” they call hum as they sprawl out across his chestplates soaking in the warmth that radiates off his large form. “goodnight Stars” “easy recharge sweet light” 

__________________

Let me know if you would like to be added to tag list (tagged for every fic)

Taglist

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[queerliblib]

Any books that have the same fun campy summer vibe as Mamma Mia! ?

hello! we did have a ‘hot for the summer’ list up back in july/aug, lots of those would have fit this vibe… lemme see if I can remember;

Cool for the Summer by Dahlia Adler

The Secret Summer Promise by Keah Brown

Fake Dates & Mooncakes by Joshua Chang

Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers

The Hideaway Inn by Philip William Stover

Lavash at First Sight by Taleen Voskuni

[lgbtqreads]

New Releases: May 7, 2024

Picture Books It’s Pride, Baby! by Allen R. Wells (text) and Dia Valle (illustration) Lift your soul to the sky. Like summer sunbeams― Don’t live behind clouds. You shine! It’s Black Gay Pride Day in Washington, DC, and two gay parents are getting their child ready for a day at the National Mall. From cheerful neighbors to colorful outfits to fireworks, the vast LGBTQIA+ community is represented…

[the-forest-library]

May 2024 Reads

Ready or Not - Cara Bastone

Playing for Keeps - Jennifer Dugan

Right on Cue - Falon Ballard

Truly, Madly, Deeply - Alexandria Bellefleur

Happily Never After - Lynn Painter

Check & Mate - Ali Hazelwood

Love at First Book - Jen McKinlay

Lavash at First Sight - Taleen Vaskuni

Mrs. Quinn's Rise to Fame - Olivia Ford

The Book of Doors - Gareth Brown

Harriet the Invincible - Ursula Vernon

The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents - Terry Pratchett

The Horse and His Boy - C.S. Lewis

Summer: A Solstice Story - Kelsey E. Gross

Dalmartian - Lucy Ruth Cummins

Mr. Postmouse's Rounds - Marianne Dubuc

Mr. Postmouse Takes a Trip - Marianne Dubuc

Bunny's Book Club Goes to School - Annie Silvestro

Yours in Books - Julie Falatko

Be Prepared - Vera Brosgol

Perfect Example - John Porcellino

Diary of a Mosquito Abatement Man - John Porcellino

King-Cat Comics and Stories #74 - John Porcellino

Hawkeye, Volume 4 - Matt Fraction

She-Hulk, Volume 4 - Rainbow Rowell

One Star Wonders - Mike Lowery

My Good Life in France - Janine Marsh

My Four Seasons in France - Janine Marsh

The Backyard Bird Chronicles - Amy Tan

90s Bitch - Allison Yarrow

Stay Sexy & Don't Get Murdered - Karen Kilgariff, Georgia Hardstark

The Land Before Time Management: ADHDinos - Ryan Keats

ADHD is Awesome - Penn Holderness, Kim Holderness

The Planets - Dave Sobel

The Secret History of Bigfoot - John O'Connor

The Age of Magical Overthinking - Amanda Montell

Everyday Vitality - Samantha Boardman

The Autoimmune Cure - Sara Gottfried

The Anxiety Reset Method - Georgie Collinson

Hit 'Em Where It Hurts - Rachel Bitecofer

Bite by Bite - Aimee Nezhukumatathil

Cooking in Real Life - Lidey Heuck

Seriously So Good - Carissa Stanton

Bold = Highly Recommend

Italics = Worth It

Crossed Out = Nope Thoughts:  Favorite fiction of the month: Ready or Not, which takes a whole bunch of tropes I don't love, but makes me love them. Loved the audiobook narrator, as well.

Favorite non-fiction of the month: Bite by Bite, which is a love letter to food and family. Check it out if you like Ross Gay.

Goodreads Goal: 192/200 2017 Reads | 2018 Reads | 2019 Reads | 2020 Reads | 2021 Reads | 2022 Reads | 2023 Reads | 2024 Reads

[bookcub]

Mid-Year Book Freak Out

it's that time of year again!! I love this tag so here we go!

Number of books you’ve read so far: 65

Best book you’ve read so far in 2024: The Fifth Season by N K Jemisin

Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2024: I have not read that many sequels but I enjoyed Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett

New release you haven’t read yet but want to: Lavash at First Sight by Taleen Voskuni (I liked the author's debut a lot and excited for her next) and Escaping Mr. Rochester by L. L. McKinney (a sapphic retelling of Jane Eyre as a thriller)

Most anticipated release for the second half of the year: LONG LIVE EVIL BY SARAH REES BRENNAN

Biggest surprise favorite new author (debut or new to you): Tehlor Kay Mejia has caught my attention and I want to read more of their works!

Newest fictional crush: Mika and Jamie (from A Very Secret Society of Irregular Witchs by Sangu Mandanna) are both soooooo crush worthy, I loved both of them a lot and the best romance I've read in a while.

Book that made you cry: Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia made me quite emotional, even at the beginning! I teared up really early on.

Most beautiful book you’ve bought so far this year (or received): my fiancée @iamtheholyghost bought me a BEAUTIFUL copy of The Name of the Wind, cover shown below. she also got me the UK version of The Adventures of Amina al-Sarafi by Shannon Chakraborty which is also stunning!!

Book that made you happy: Harriet the Invincible by Ursula Vernon was absolutely hysterical and Other Ever Afters by Melanie Gillman was a fantastic collection of queer fairy tales in a graphic novel

What books do you need to read by the end of the year? The Obelisk Gate and The Stone Sky by NK Jemisin

tagging: @logarithmicpanda @aliteraryprincess @howlsmovinglibrary @the-forest-library @dustjacketmusings @lizziethereader

[ringo-ichigo]

Sapphic Books Recommendations

Since I’m miffed about terrible articles, I want to share some sapphic romances that I loved. Rather than giving those articles more time than they deserve while trying to stir infighting among not just the queer community in general, but also between bisexual authors in particular, I would rather share actual good books during Pride Month. (To be clear, these are not all the books I've read with sapphics in them, but my faves. And I'm reading more all the time.)

A Rare Find by Joanna Lowell—a historical Regency romance with an archaeologist female lead and a nonbinary love interest. Genuinely, it was wonderful to read this.

Infamous by Lex Croucher—a historical Regency romance with an aspiring bisexual author falling for *gasp* two people at once while exploring how toxic relationships can sneak up on you and slowly change you. Genuinely, I liked how explicitly bisexual the lead was in the book. 

Don’t Want You Like a Best Friend by Emma R. Alban—a historical Victorian romance set around the 1850s with their huge hoops. A change from the usual late Victorian setting choice of most novels and one I appreciate. This is a tale of two girls realizing their lesbianism mixed with shades of The Parent Trap. It also touches on the realities of how abuse was treated in that time which I appreciated. Next book just dropped I believe and is an Achillean tale.

Gail Carriger: I’m not going to list all her works, but her steampunk novels have always striven to ensure that there is plenty of rep to go around. Even if they are sideplots, there’s always someone queer in the book. In the Custard Protocol, we get an entire book to enjoy a sapphic romance building slowly. 

Longshadow by Olivia Atwater—a fantasy Regency romance that has a young woman grappling with proving her abilities to her parents as well as her emerging sexuality. She struggles with her feelings towards the new woman (?) in her life, her past, and her hopes for the future. While the third in the series technically, you can read it as a standalone fairly well.

A Ruthless Lady’s Guide to Wizardry by C. M. Waggoner—a fantasy novel with some sapphic romance. While rather desexualized compared to the previous book Unnatural Magic (which ironically reads more queer if you ask me), I do like how this book chose to make our queer lead very morally grey. She’s a con artist, a drunkard, a short-tempered witch with pyro tendencies… but she has good in her. She’s been broken by a world that never gave her many chances and even when it did, those chances were rarely altruistic.

The Honey Witch by Sydney J. Shields-- a fantasy romance set in the Regency period. Our lead discovers she has more power than she realizes when her grandmother arrives and reveals she is a witch. After this, she sets out on a journey of discovery and romance. While the beginning was a bit slow and the ending was a bit rushed, overall, I did like the book. Hopefully with future books, Shields will fix the pacing issues.

Even Though I Knew the End by C. L. Polk-- 1940 lesbians with fantasy. Our detective female lead is about to die from a deal with a devil when she finds a much larger conspiracy afoot. She sets out to solve the mystery in hopes of maybe buying more time or at least wrapping up the loose ends in her life. As the conspiracy widens, her girlfriend gets drawn into the mystery as well.

Late Bloomer by Mazey Eddings—a modern sapphic romance. Have you ever wanted to just run away with your girlfriend to a flower farm and paint the flowers while your girlfriend gardened? No? Just me? This book was wonderful. Not only is our one lead a proud bisexual artist, but both leads are neurodivergent in a way that affects their world views. Just saying, this book is my dream life: lost in flowers and art with a girlfriend.

Lavash at First Sight by Taleen Voskuni—another modern sapphic romance. An Armenian woman struggles to juggle her family obligations, her job, and romance in this book. I personally loved this book.

Sorry, Bro by Taleen Voskuni—modern sapphic romance. This one focuses on the struggles of coming out and embracing your sexuality from the view of an Armenian woman. It also touches on getting back in touch with your roots as a child of immigrants.

Count Your Lucky Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur—modern sapphics. This was actually one of my favorite books by Bellefleur. I don’t know. Something about watching these two childhood friends turned enemies fall in love again really spoke to me. I cannot explain why, but it did. 

Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur—modern sapphics. I enjoyed this one a lot, but not quite as much as Count Your Lucky Stars. 

The Fiancée Farce by Alexandria Bellefleur—modern sapphics.I loved how this book showed how damaging bullying can be on one’s self-esteem long term. But more importantly, I liked seeing these two come together at the end. Adorable.

In the Event of Love by Courtney Kae—modern romance. I enjoyed this one for the Christmas vibes. Also enjoy it when my leads are shown to be bisexual clearly on the page. Kiss a boy. Kiss a girl. Kiss everyone. 

Honorable Mentions!

A Merry Little Meet Cute by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone—While it is technically a hetero-looking couple, technically both Bee and Nolan are bisexual. It was a fairly fun Christmas romance romp. Plus our female lead is also plus size. If you still have unresolved issues involving lusting after boy bands as a kid, this book might scratch that itch.

Saints of Storm and Sorrow by Gabrielle Buba—a fantasy novel set in an AU of the Philippines during the early parts of the Spanish Colonial period. While our ending couple is a mixed orientation (so far as it’s shown) couple, our lead is a bisexual woman of color struggling to cope with colonization, religious oppression, sexual trauma (not directed at her though), and more as she tries to protect her people. Again: points for having the lead be irrefutably bisexual on the page. Kiss boys. Kiss girls. Kiss people.

Inkmistress by Audrey Coulthurst—a fantasy novel that is a prequel to the rest of the series. While the rest of the series focuses on a sapphic couple, I personally found the prequel more endearing. This ends up being a book where we see how the world in the later books came to be and how it changed all thanks to one bisexual woman’s messy love life. We end the book with a hetero-looking pairing (while it is a male/female couple, both are bi), but much of the plot is driven by the aftermath of our lead’s disastrous first love with a woman.

Hang the Moon by Alexandria Bellefleur—A mixed orientation couple. It’s a throwaway line early on, but the female lead is bisexual. I wish it had been a bit more explicit but I’ll live.

Dishonorable mentions.

Mortal Follies by Alexis Hall—Look, he may write well in other books, but this one rubbed me the wrong way on so many levels. Let’s start with misgendering our one lead constantly. Especially when in text, she states that she dislikes when people do this. Then add in the… choice of an omniscient narrator who is quite literally a fly on the wall at points. Specifically during a love scene between our female leads… which is just… why. Why are you making the reader take the role of creepy fetishizer like this? Queer women deal with this type of stuff on the nigh on daily irl directed at them. Why would you think any one of them would want to be put in that position? And finally, the way he approached pagan religions felt heavily steeped in Christian bias and as someone who specifically worships one of the gods in this book, the portrayal felt nasty. I ask Hall to actually talk to a non-Christian about how we view our gods next time. The views in this explicitly centered on a “Aren’t you glad Christianity is an option now instead of these petty vindictive beings?” view which is not only reductionist, but outright Christian propaganda, and based on poorly understood/bad takes on myths.

Edit: I AM ASHAMED. I forgot one of my faves. My Lady's Choosing by Kitty Curran and Larissa Zageris-- Do you remember those Choose your own adventure books as a kid? Yes? Have you ever wished for one that's geared for adults? Congrats, you have it here! In this novel, you play the role of a Regency woman, orphaned and penniless... with a sudden turn of luck gives you not one, but four options to woo. You can choose 3 different male love interests (essentially a Mr. Darcy expy, a Scottish highlander, and a Mr. Rochester expy) OR you can choose the lesbian widow and go romp around in Egypt with her. There are also some other love interests along the way for each one, but no matter what, the selling point of this book is the humor infused throughout it. Did I mention it's also illustrated? Absolutely a hilarious ride no matter which option you choose. You are made the ultimate chaotic Regency bisexual woman. EMBRACE IT.

[musingsofmonica]

May 2024 Diverse Reads

May 2024 Diverse Reads:

•”Lies and Weddings” by Kevin Kwan, May 21, Doubleday Books, Romance/Romantic Comedy/Women/Cultural Heritage/Asian & Asian American

•”América del Norte” by Nicolás Medina Mora, May 07, Soho Press, Literary/Political/Cultural Heritage/Hispanic & Latino

•”Ella” by Diane Richards, May 07, Amistad Press, Biographical, Historical/Women/Cultural Heritage/African American & Black

•”Daughters of Shandong” by Eve J. Chung, May 07, Berkley Books, Literary/Historical/Political/Women/World Literature/China

•”A Crane Among Wolves” by June Hur, May 14, Feiwel & Friends/Historical/Mysteries & Detective Stories/Romance/Royalty/Political/World Literature/Korea

•”The Ministry of Time” by Kaliane Bradley, May 07, Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster, Science Fiction/Spy Thriller/Time Travel/Romance/Workplace

•”The Return of Ellie Black” by Emiko Jean, May 07, Simon & Schuster, Thriller/Suspense/Women

•”Exhibit” by R. O. Kwon, May 21, Riverhead Books, Literary/Women/Friendship/Cultural Heritage/Asian American

•”Oye” by Melissa Mogollon, May 14, Hogarth Press, Contemporary/Humorous/Family Life/General/Cultural Heritage/Hispanic & Latino

•”Lavash at First Sight” by Taleen Voskuni, May 07, Berkley Books, Romance/Romantic Comedy/LGBT/Women/Cultural Heritage/Armenian American 

•”The Library Thief” by Kuchenga Shenjé, May 07, Hanover Square Press, Literary/Historical/Gothic/Cultural Heritage/African American & Black/World Literature/England/Jamaica 

•”Cecilia” by K-Ming Chang, May 21, Coffee House Press, Literary/Magical Realism/Cultural Heritage/Asian American/LGBTQ

•”Goddess of the River” by Vaishnavi Patel, May 21, Redhook, Literary/Historical/Fantasy/Fairy Tale/Folk Tale/Legends & Mythology/Ancient/Magical Realism

•”Cinema Love” by Jiaming Tang, May 07, Dutton, Literary/Cultural Heritage/Asian American/LGBTQ

•”Bad Seed: Stories” by Gabriel Carle, translated by Heather Houde, May 07, Feminist Press, Contemporary/Short Stories/Coming of Age/LGBT/World Literature/Caribbean & West Indies

•”How to Make Your Mother Cry” by Sejal Shah, May 01, West Virginia University Press, Literary/Short Stories/Women/Cultural Heritage/Asian American/Own Voice

•”Magical/Realism: Essays on Music, Memory, Fantasy, and Borders” by Vanessa Angélica Villarreal, May 14, Tiny Reparations Books, Personal Memoir/Essays/Short Essays/Essay Collection/Memoir in Essay/Popular Culture/Ethnic Studies/Hispanic American Studies

•”Accordion Eulogies: A Memoir of Music, Migration, and Mexico” by Noé Álvarez, May 28, Catapult, Personal Memoir/Cultural, Ethnic & Regional/Cultural Heritage/Hispanic & Latino/Folk & Traditional/Ethnic Studies/Hispanic American Studies 

•”But What Will People Say?: Navigating Mental Health, Identity, Love, and Family Between Cultures” by Sahaj Kaur Kohli, May 07, Penguin Life, Personal Growth/Psychotherapy/Happiness/Emotions/Cultural, Ethnic & Regional 

•”Black Meme: A History of the Images That Make Us” by Legacy Russell, May 07, Verso, Art & Politics/Commentary & Opinion/Ethnic Studies/African American Studies/Communication Studies/Race & Ethnic Relations