#brian d kennedy

[haveyoureadthisqueerbook]

[stardustandrockets]

What's something you've accomplished since joining bookstagram?

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd be working with authors and reviewing books early when I joined booksta back in 2017. I didn't even know that was a thing. I just wanted to share my love of books with people who cared.

Fast forward to last month. I am absolutely stoked to be on Brian D. Kennedy's street team for My Fair Brady. I submitted an application because I positively adored A Little Bit Country and was SHOCKED to see I got picked. It's super chill, but I'm just happy to be part of it.

Pub date is January 23, 2024. You can pre-order a copy wherever books are sold. Submit your receipt to the link in @/bdkennedybooks' (insta) bio to receive a bookmark, a sticker, and a signed bookplate. Or you can order a signed copy from @booksofwonder and receive both bookmarks and all three stickers. No form needed.

SYNOPSIS:

Wade Westmore is used to being in the spotlight. So when he’s passed over for the lead in the spring musical, it comes as a major blow—especially when the role goes to his ex-boyfriend, Reese, who dumped him for being too self-involved.

Shy sophomore Elijah Brady is used to being overlooked. Forget not knowing his name—most of his classmates don’t even know he exists. So when he joins the stage crew for the musical, he seems destined to blend into the scenery.

When the two have a disastrous backstage run-in, Elijah proposes an arrangement that could solve both boys’ problems: If Wade teaches Elijah how to be popular, Wade can prove that he cares about more than just himself. Seeing a chance to win Reese back, Wade dives headfirst into helping Elijah become the new and improved “Brady.”

Soon, their plan puts Brady center stage—and he’s a surprising smash hit. So why is Wade suddenly less worried about winning over his ex and more worried about losing Elijah?

[more-profound-bond]

Queer Books for Pride Month:

"My Fair Brady" by Brian D. Kennedy

This is a very nearly perfect YA romcom.

I warn you though. This is not  a romance targeted to adults.

Even though it's for a younger audience, it's a very pleasant read, that touches on many differnt issues.

If you're looking for a sweet story, in which a shy wallflower learns that he can make friends and attract boys while remaining his nerdy self, and in which a self-centered star with a good heart learns what a pleasure it is to relax and stop worrying about impressing people, this is definetly a book for you.

You'll also learn a lot about producing a musical, so have fun.

[destielblamscilesinfinity]

Wow, A Little Bit Country was so so so good. Emmett and Luke were so cute. If only I was inspired enough to write some fanfic. Because their story could be continued.

[books-to-add-to-your-tbr]

Title: A Little Bit Country

Author: Brian D. Kennedy

Series or standalone: standalone

Publication year: 2022

Genres: fiction, romance, LGBT+, contemporary

Blurb: Emmett Maguire wants to be country music’s biggest gay superstar...a far reach when you’re seventeen and living in Illinois. For now, he’s happy to do the next best thing: stay with his aunt in Jackson Hollow, Tennessee, for the summer and perform at the amusement park owned by his idol, country legend Wanda Jean Stubbs. Luke Barnes hates country music. As the grandson of Verna Rose, the disgraced singer who had a famous falling-out with Wanda Jean, Luke knows how much pain country music has brought his family...but when his mom’s medical bills start piling up, he takes a job at the last place he wants: a restaurant at Wanda World. Neither boy is looking for romance, but sparks fly when they meet, and soon, they’re inseparable...until a long-lost secret about Verna and Wanda comes to light, threatening to unravel everything. Will Emmett and Luke be able to get past the truths they discover, or will their relationship go down in history as just another sad country love song?

[mavilez]

i was commissioned by @bdkennedybooks to create these bookmark illustrations for the preorder campaign of MY FAIR BRADY ✨

the preorder campaign is going on right now until jan 22 and is open internationally. if you like books and swag go check it out! 🎭🎶

[lgbtqreads]

Most Anticipated Queer Young Adult Fiction: January-June 2024

Just Happy to Be Here by Naomi Kanakia (January 2nd) Tara just wants to be treated like any other girl at Ainsley Academy. That is, judged on her merits—not on her transness. But there’s no road map for being the first trans girl at an all-girls school. And when she tries to join the Sibyls, an old-fashioned Ainsley sisterhood complete with code names and special privileges, she’s thrust into the…

[pleasedontlookatmeokay]

help me choose what to read next

this will be 3 polls total, this is poll n3!

poll n1 was should i read a fiction or non fic, you chose fiction!

poll n2 was what genre, you chose ya queer romance!

now, for the final poll

[b00kkat]

K's Book-Recap of 2023

Der Herr der Ringe: Die Rückkehr des Königs - J.R.R. Tolkien (Original Title: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King)

I Kissed Shara Wheeler - Casey McQuiston

One Last Stop - Casey McQuiston

Red White & Royal Blue (Collectors Edition) - Casey McQuiston

Anne Frank Gesamtausgabe (English Title: Diary of a Young Girl)

A Song of Silver And Gold - Melissa Karibian

Die sieben Männer der Evelyn Hugo - Taylor Jenkins Reid (Original Title: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo)

Paradise Lost & Found - Jennifer Knightley

A Little Bit Country - Brian D. Kennedy

Eine Frage der Chemie - Bonnie Garmus (Original Title: Lessons In Chemistry)

Circe - Madeline Miller

Verstand & Gefühl - Jane Austen (Original Title: Sense & Sensibility)

Emma - Jane Austen

From Bad to Cursed - Lana Harper

Back In A Spell - Lana Harper

Galatea - Madeline Miller

Die Abtei vom Nordhanger - Jane Austen (Original Title: Northhanger Abbey)

Die Liebe der Anne Elliot - Jane Austen (Original Title: Persuasion)

Der Hobbit - J.R.R Tolkien (Original Title: The Hobbit)

Mansfield Park - Jane Austen

She Gets The Girl - Rachel Lippinscott & Alyson Derrick

A Court of Thorns and Roses - Sarah J. Maas

Frankenstein - Mary Shelley

In Charm's Way - Lana Harper

Der Große Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald (Original Title: The Great Gatsby)

Tausend strahlende Sonnen - Khaled Hosseini (Original Title: A Thousand Splendid Suns)

Me and White Supremacy - Layla F. Saad

Verlorene Der Zeit - Amal El-Mohtar & Max Gladstone (Original Title: This Is How You Lose the Time War)

[l-just-want-to-see]

the sea & the stars

as both an escape from and a return to oneself (home lies infinity infinities away from here)

vocabulary.com, definition of astronaut / ? / Altered Carbon, S1 E3: In a Lonely Place / Swirling Magnetic Field around Our Galaxy’s Central Black Hole, EHT Collaboration + Scylla & Charybdis, ? / Rocket Man, Elton John + Ad Astra (2019) / Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me), Train + Life of Pi (2012) / How Far I’ll Go, Auli’i Cravalho/ The Farthest Shore, Ursula K. Le Guin + Odyssey over Martian Sunrise, 3-D (Artist Concept), NASA + The Odyssey, Homer / Pluto, Sleeping at Last / @theedorksinlove + Artist’s Rendition of NASA’s Cassini before it entered Saturn’s atmosphere / Cosmos, Carl Sagan / Olympics.com + Solar Sail, Bert Willemsen / The Farthest Shore, Ursula K. Le Guin / Star Trek (original series) narrative introduction / Where no man has gone before, Wikipedia / Space Oddity, David Bowie + Interstellar (2014) + Seascape Great Ofean Waves Rock Before Storm, ? / The Little Prince, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry / Story People, Brian Andreas + One Piece (anime) / ? / @ghostwriterofthemachine / Chinese Satellite, Phoebe Bridgers / We’re Finally Landing, Home / Ad Astra (2019) / John F. Kennedy / @heypvrker / Astronomical Tidbits: A Layperson’s Guide to Astronomy, Gerald D. Waxman + Made of Star Stuff, Samrae Duke

[the-forest-library]

February 2024 Reads

Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands - Heather Fawcett

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes - Suzanne Collins

Mislaid in Parts Half Known - Seanan McGuire

Love at 350 - Lisa Peers

I Hope this Email Doesn't Find You - Ann Liang

The Lily of Legate Hill - Mimi Matthews

Set the Record Straight - Hannah Bonam-Young

At Her Service - Amy Spaulding

Don't Want You Like a Best Friend - Emma R. Alban

My Fair Brady - Brian D. Kennedy

Simon Sort of Says - Erin Bow

Paola Santiago and the River of Tears - Tehlor Kay Mejia

A Knot in the Grain - Robin McKinley

Freshman Year - Sarah Mai

When I Was Your Age - Kenan Thompson

I Survived Capitalism and All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt - Madeline Pendleton

White Supremacy is All Around - Akilah Cadet

Sex with a Brain Injury - Annie Liontas

All the Women in My Brain - Betty Gilpin

One in a Millennial - Kate Kennedy

I'll Be Just Five More Minutes - Emily Farris

Outofshapeworthlessloser - Gracie Gold

The Woman in Me - Britney Spears

The Year of Magical Thinking - Joan Didion

The Liars' Club - Mary Karr

Secure Love - Julie Menanno

The 5 Resets - Aditi Nerukar

Tiny Traumas - Meg Arrow

A Dirty Guide to a Clean Home - Melissa Dilkes Pateras

Gut Renovation - Roshini Raj

Veg-table - Nik Sharma

Soup Club - Caroline Wright

Soup Season - Shelly Westerhausen Worcel

Bold = Highly Recommend Italics = Worth It Crossed out = Nope

Thoughts: 

Emily Wilde II didn't disappoint, but Mislaid in Parts Half Known did. I was really hoping we'd be immersed in a world of dinosaurs similar to Across the Green Grass Fields, but we spent such little time there.

The non-fiction reads this month really outshone the fiction reads. I especially enjoyed Betty Gilpin's All the Women in My Brain. It was weird and wonderful.

Goodreads Goal: 76/200

2017 Reads | 2018 Reads | 2019 Reads | 2020 Reads | 2021 Reads | 

2022 Reads | 2023 Reads | 2024 Reads

[battyaboutbooksreviews]

🌈 Queer Romances to Love All Year Round

🦇 Good morning, my beloved bookish bats. We're halfway through pride month, but there are still so many amazing queer books to read! To celebrate that love is love mentality, here are 78 queer romance novels you can add to your tbr! Don't forget to #readqueerallyear, and that none of us are free until all of us are free. 💜

❤️ Delilah Green Doesn’t Care - Ashley Herring Blake 🧡 Skye Falling - Mia McKenzie 💛 The Breakup Lists - Adib Khorram 💚 Prince of the Palisades - Julian Winters 💙 Solomon’s Crown - Natasha Siegel 💜 The Borrow a Boyfriend Club - Page Powars

❤️ Full Shift - Jennifer Dugan 🧡 A Shore Thing - Joanna Lowell 💛 Showmance - Chad Beguelin 💚 Exes & Foes - Amanda Woody 💙 Full Disclosure - Camryn Garrett 💜 When You Were Everything - Ashley Woodfolk

❤️ Playing the Palace - Paul Rudnick 🧡 I’m So (Not) Over You - Kosoko Jackson 💛 When Katie Met Cassidy - Camille Perri 💚 Captive Prince - C. S. Pacat 💙 The Lovers - Rebekah Faubion 💜 That Summer Feeling - Bridget Morrissey

❤️ Wild Things - Laura Kay 🧡 Experienced - Kate Young 💛 Lose You to Find Me - Erik J. Brown 💚 The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School - Sonora Reyes 💙 Nate Plus One - Kevin van Whye 💜 Countries of Origin - Javier Fuentes

❤️ The Passing Playbook - Isaac Fitzsimons 🧡 But How Are You, Really - Ella Dawson 💛 Looking for a Sign - Susie Dumond 💚 The Prospects - KT Hoffman 💙 Last Night at the Telegraph Club - Malinda Lo 💜 Malice - Heather Walter

❤️ You Should See Me in a Crown - Leah Johnson 🧡 Let’s Talk about Love - Claire Kann 💛 Bonds of Brass - Emily Skrutskie 💚 Looking for Love in All the Haunted Places - Claire Kann 💙 The Stars and the Blackness Between Them - Junauda Petrus 💜 In Charm’s Way - Lana Harper

❤️ Everything Leads to You - Nina LaCour 🧡 Marriage of a Thousand Lies - SJ Sindu 💛 I Think I Love You - Auriane Desombre 💚 Lavash at First Sight - Taleen Voskuni 💙 The Bump - Sidney Karger 💜 The Disenchantment - Celia Bell

❤️ The Dos and Donuts of Love - Adiba Jaigirdar 🧡 Riley Weaver Needs A Date To The Gaybutante Ball - Jason June 💛 Epically Earnest - Molly Horan 💚 Out of the Blue - Jason June 💙 Flip the Script - Lyla Lee 💜 Imogen, Obviously - Becky Albertalli

❤️ Café Con Lychee - Emery Lee 🧡 A Little Bit Country - Brian D. Kennedy 💛 Late to the Party - Kelly Quindlen 💚 The Key to You and Me - Jaye Robin Brown 💙 What If It’s Us - Becky Albertalli & Adam Silvera 💜 The Falling in Love Montage - Ciara Smyth

❤️ The Love Curse of Melody McIntyre - Robin Talley 🧡 Meet Cute Diary - Emery Lee 💛 Love & Other Natural Disasters - Misa Sugiura 💚 Date Me, Bryson Keller - Kevin van Whye 💙 Just Your Local Bisexual Disaster - Andrea Mosqueda 💜 Pumpkin by Julie Murphy

❤️ She Gets the Girl by Rachel Lippincott - Alyson Derrick 🧡 Home Field Advantage - Dahlia Adler 💛 The (Un)Popular Vote - Jasper Sanchez 💚 Melt With You - Jennifer Dugan 💙 Cool for the Summer by Dahlia Adler 💜 Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating - Adiba Jaigirdar

❤️ I Kissed Shara Wheeler - Casey McQuiston 🧡 Jay’s Gay Agenda - Jason June 💛 Triple Sec - TJ Alexander 💚 Finally Fitz - Marisa Kanter 💙 I’ll Be the One - Lyla Lee 💜 This Is Kind of an Epic Love Story - Kacen Callender

❤️ May the Best Man Win - ZR Ellor 🧡 One Last Stop - Casey McQuiston 💛 Late Bloomer - Mazey Eddings 💚 The Fiancee Farce - Alexandria Bellefleur 💙 Stars Collide - Rachel Lacey 💜 Truly, Madly, Deeply - Alexandria Bellefleur

[stardustandrockets]

Strap in. This is going to be a long one. (CW: religion, Christianity)

As I'm sure you may have seen, there's a group of people on booksta trying to "reclaim" the rainbow from the gays because "Christians had it first" by hosting a bigoted reading challenge. I've seen some fellow gays taking this opportunity to flood their hashtag with queer book recs.

I grew up in church. My family is technically Baptist, but we quit going when I was in college. I never felt like I fit in or understood what I was supposed to be getting out of the experience. I faked it a lot. I followed what those around me were doing even though I didn't get it and was often scolded for asking questions. I always felt like an outsider and was so relieved when I quit going. I know a lot of people get a lot out of that experience, but I didn't. It was just something to do because I grew up in small-town Texas and that's just what you did. You attended church.

Now, all these years later, I have incredibly mixed feelings about organized religion and Christianity in general. Especially those who choose to spread hate instead of the love Jesus says to spread. This isn't the format to get super deep into my feelings, but seeing #JesusJune pop up as a hateful rebuttal to #PrideMonth brought up a lot of feelings. So instead of bashing these people, I'm adding my rainbow recs to their tag. Starting with my queer purple books.

[bookaddict24-7]

NEW YOUNG ADULT RELEASES! (JANUARY 23RD, 2024)

___

HAVE I MISSED ANY NEW YOUNG ADULT RELEASES? HAVE YOU ADDED ANY OF THESE BOOKS TO YOUR TBR? LET ME KNOW!

___

NEW STANDALONES/FIRST IN A SERIES:

Out of Our League by Various

Not Dead Enough by Tyffany D. Neiheiser

My Fair Brady by Brian D. Kennedy

The Getaway List by Emma Lord

Into the Sunken City by Dinesh Thiru

The Colliding Worlds of Mina Lee by Ellen Oh

NEW SEQUELS:

Against the Darkness (In Every Generation #3) by Kendare Blake

The Summer Queen (The Buried and the Bound #2) by Rochelle Hassan

Destroy the Day (Defy the Night #3) by Brigid Kemmerer

___

Happy reading!

[crazylistlady]

Queer books

Anything 18+ will be in red. content warning will have a *

Lesbian

The do's and donuts of love by Adiba Jaigridar

These Witches don't burn by Isabel Sterling

Reaping the benefits by E.J Noyes

Robber Girl by S.T Gibson

Snow Roses by Taryn Tyler*

The Unlocked Tomb series by Tamsyn Miur*

Not your sidekick by C.B Lee

Orpheus Girl by Brynne Rebele-Henry

Gay

Cafe con Lychee by Emery Lee

Tales of Verania by T.J Klune

History is all you left me by Adam Silvera*

When Harry met Harry by Sydney Smyth

Simon vs. the Homo sapiens agenda by Becky Albertalli

What if it's us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera

Consorting with Dragons by Sera Trevor

the Dragori series by Ben Alderson*

A little bit country by Brian D Kennedy

Jays Gay agenda by Jason June

Lord of eternal night by Ben alderson*

Bisexual

The Green Creek series by T.J Klune *

The Captive Prince trilogy by C.S Pacat *

Hani and Ishus guide to fake dating by Adiba Jaigridar

Tale from the High Court series by Megan Durr*

A Dowry of Blood by S.T Gibson*

The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee

The Alphas Son by Penny Jessup

Iceabreaker by A.L Graziadei*

The Meet cute Diary by Emery Lee

The seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid*

So this is Ever After by F.T Lukens

Trans

Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

The Witch King by H.E Edgmon

Fierce Femmes and Notorious Liars : A Dangerous Trans Girl's Confabulous Memoir by Kai Cheng*

Transmogrify! 14 Fantastical Tales Of Trans Magic by various authors

The Deep by Rivers Solomon*

The Heartbreak Bakery by A.R Capetta

Hell followed with us by Andrew Joseph White*

The Spirit bares it's teeth by Andrew Joseph White*

Asexual

Every Heart a doorway by Seanan McGuire

The Summer of Bitter and Sweet by Jen Ferguson*

If it makes you happy by Claire Kann*

Love letters for joy by Mellissa See

The Lady's guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzi lee

This is by no means a complete list, if you have any you want to add feel free!

[khushi156]

Celebrate Pride Month with These 10 Must-Read LGBTQ+ Books

Pride Month is a time to honor and celebrate the rich tapestry of LGBTQ+ voices and stories that shape our world. This June, dive into these ten captivating books that not only entertain but also enlighten, offering diverse perspectives and poignant insights into the queer experience. From business guides to young adult fiction, each book on this list is a unique journey worth embarking on.

1. “Queeristan: LGBTQ Inclusion in the Indian Workplace” by Parmesh Shahani

Genre: Business / Memoir

Parmesh Shahani's ‘Queeristan’ is more than just a business book; it's a manifesto for change in the Indian corporate world. Shahani, known for his pioneering work in LGBTQ+ advocacy, blends his personal experiences with actionable strategies for creating inclusive workplaces. Through engaging storytelling, he illuminates the challenges and triumphs of being queer in corporate India and presents a compelling case for diversity and inclusion. This book is a must-read for anyone looking to understand the intersection of business and LGBTQ+ rights in India.

2. “It Has No Name” by Payal Dhar

Genre: Young Adult Fiction

In a landscape where LGBTQ+ representation in Indian literature is sparse, *It Has No Name* shines brightly. Authored by Payal Dhar, an Indian non-binary writer, this YA novel explores the tender and tumultuous world of two high school girls in a small Indian town discovering their love for each other. Despite its raw and sometimes uneven narrative, Dhar's debut offers a heartfelt and genuine portrayal of young love and identity. It's a refreshing addition to the world of queer Indian fiction and a beacon of hope for more stories like it.

3. “Just Happy to Be Here” by Naomi Kanakia

Genre: Fantasy

Naomi Kanakia's ‘Just Happy to Be Here’ is a thrilling adventure set in a world inspired by Jamaican folklore. Faron Vincent, blessed with divine powers, must navigate complex choices that pit her loyalty to her homeland against her love for her sister. This fantasy novel combines rich cultural elements with a gripping plot, offering readers an immersive experience. Kanakia's storytelling weaves themes of identity, family, and sacrifice, making it a standout in the realm of LGBTQ+ fantasy.

4. “My Fair Brady” by Brian D. Kennedy

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Blending the charm of ‘My Fair Lady’ with the spirit of teen rom-coms like *She’s All That*, Brian D. Kennedy’s *My Fair Brady* is a delightful read. When Wade Westmore, a high school musical star, and Elijah Brady, a shy sophomore, team up to reinvent each other, they both embark on a journey of self-discovery and unexpected romance. This book is perfect for fans of heartwarming tales about finding love and identity in the most unexpected places.

5. “Daniel, Deconstructed” by James Ramos

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

In ‘Daniel, Deconstructed’, James Ramos offers a touching exploration of life through the lens of a high school photographer and film buff, Daniel Sanchez. Navigating his autism and queer identity, Daniel's world is a carefully constructed script until a new classmate, Gabe, challenges everything he thought he knew. This novel beautifully captures the complexities of growing up different and the transformative power of genuine connections.

6. “The Fox Maidens” by Robin Ha

Genre: Young Adult Fiction

‘The Fox Maidens’ follows Tara, the first out trans girl at an all-girls school, as she struggles to find her place in a traditionally rigid environment. Robin Ha’s narrative dives deep into themes of identity, acceptance, and the courage to be true to oneself. With its richly drawn characters and poignant storyline, this YA novel is an inspiring read for anyone navigating the complexities of gender and belonging.

7. “City of Laughter” by Temim Fruchter

Genre: Historical Fiction / Folklore

Temim Fruchter’s debut novel, ‘City of Laughter’, is a mesmerizing journey that intertwines the lives of a modern young woman and an 18th-century Jewish badchan. As Shiva Margolin delves into her family’s past in Poland, she uncovers a tapestry of history, humor, and heartache. Fruchter’s narrative, praised for its deep understanding of queer and Jewish traditions, offers a poignant exploration of identity, grief, and the enduring power of storytelling.

8. “Crooked Teeth: A Queer Syrian Refugee Memoir” by Danny Ramadan

Genre: Memoir

Danny Ramadan’s ‘Crooked Teeth’ is a powerful memoir that chronicles his journey as a queer Syrian refugee navigating life through the tumultuous backdrop of political upheaval and personal discovery. From Damascus to Canada, Ramadan's story is a testament to resilience, community, and the enduring quest for belonging. This memoir is both heart-wrenching and hopeful, offering an unflinching look at the struggles and triumphs of finding one's place in the world.

9. “Blessings” by Chukwuebuka Ibeh

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Chukwuebuka Ibeh’s debut novel, ‘Blessings’, tells the intertwined stories of Obiefuna and his mother, Uzoamaka, as they navigate their lives in Nigeria amidst societal and personal upheaval. Set against the backdrop of the Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act of 2013, this novel explores themes of identity, family, and the quest for freedom. Ibeh's storytelling is intimate and evocative, making *Blessings* a significant contribution to LGBTQ+ literature.

10. “Wish You Weren’t Here” by Erin Baldwin

Genre: Romantic Comedy

‘Wish You Weren’t Here’ by Erin Baldwin is a delightful enemies-to-lovers rom-com set against the backdrop of a summer camp. When high school rivals Juliette and Priya end up as roommates, sparks fly in more ways than one. Baldwin’s immersive storytelling and richly drawn characters make this book a perfect summer read. It's a charming exploration of love, rivalry, and the surprises life has in store.

This Pride Month, let these books take you on journeys of self-discovery, love, and resilience. Whether you’re looking for heartfelt memoirs, exciting fantasies, or charming romances, these ten reads offer something special for everyone. Happy reading!