#fin & rye & fireflies

[slaughter-books]

Day 16: JOMPBPC: Cool Colours

[morebedsidebooks]

10 LGBTQIA+ Books from Around the World

In honour of Pride this June here is a list of ten books that show it’s a very queer world.

 Amora Stories by Natalia Borges Polesso, translated by Julia Sanches

From Brazilian writer Natalia Borges Polesso, Amora is a collection of many vignettes around wlw, from teenage first times to wizened women together for decades, running the gamut of tragedy to triumph.

 La Bastarda by Trifonia Melibea, translated by Lawrence Schimel

A notable book in several ways, La Bastarda by bisexual feminist Trifonia Melibea is the first novel by a woman from the Equatorial Guinea translated to English. A short YA novel told in the perspective of budding lesbian 16-year-old Okomo who faces a lot. Yet a story that is ultimately uplifting.

  Dark Soul by Aleksandr Voinov

Originally created for an erotic piece around guns, Dark Soul by England based emigrant German author Aleksandr Voinov is a mafioso title that stacks up content warnings like its body count. While also offering several characters that are not straight or monogamous. Including one holding a special place in my memory, the genderfluid, hypersexual, and pansexual Silvio Spadaro.

  The Diesel by Thani Al-Suwaidi, translated by William M. Hutchins

Equated as a piece of shock fiction to great buzz and controversy, originally published in 1994 but not available and largely ignored in the Emirates for a decade, The Diesel by Thani Al-Suwaidi is a curious achingly little book like the folklore it sits with endures. Taking its name from the nonbinary protagonist and narrator, from a village in the northernmost Emirate, who in this coming-of age story becomes a popular and subversive entertainer in the vein of mukhannathun.

  Baker Thief by Claudie Arseneault

A treat of a fantasy queerplatonic novel from a Québécoise author Baker Thief plays with not only romantic tropes but English and French. Claude/Claire (bigender aromantic) bakes by day and steals gems, what are actually witches’ souls, by night. While Adèle (biromantic demisexual) a cop, that was just unceremoniously transferred because of her tendency to try and root out corruption wherever it lies, has made it her mission to apprehend the masked thief.

 Fin & Rye & Fireflies by Harry Cook

Set in Australia Fin & Rye & Fireflies begins with Fin, (gay) a teen new to town after he was outed and his conservative religious parents uproot the family moving closer to a “therapy camp” (i.e., the conversion sort). Still Fin develops a crush on Rye (gay) who has lived in the seaside hamlet his whole life. Along with Fin quickly making fast friends with other queer teens. This YA novel dedicated by the celebrity author to all the LGBTQIA+ love stories he wishes he read as a young gay kid, channeling a little of cult musicals too, is likely to bring all the feels.

  Halfway Human by Carolyn Ives Gilman

American author Carolyn Ives Gilman in 1998 made a striking debut with the science fiction novel Halfway Human. When an unprecedented and genderless visitor from the currently closed off planet of Gammadis lands in one of the clinics on the moon Capella Two after a suicide attempt, xenologist Val is called in. A unique opportunity she finds much more than one could first imagine as the patient named Telda begins to share its story. This is one of my favourite novels in the genre, if not in general of all time. Nominated for awards, even today a reader might see why this was such a buzzed about book. Themes examining gender, class, exploitation, and capitalism continue to resonate. (FYI, please consult the content notes provided in the link.)

 The Kiss Murder by Mehmet Murat Somer, translated by Kenneth Dakan

A bit of a semi-retirement project for author Mehmet Murat Somer, the Hop-Çiki-Yaya mystery series crafted to a bit of a different beat first began publishing in Turkey in the early 2000s. In The Kiss Murder, a feisty trans drag queen protagonist, styled in old Hollywood fashion Audrey Hepburn in particular, tries to the find the murderers of one of the girls from their club.

  Herculine Barbin translated by Richared McDougall

French intersex figure Herculine Adélaïde Barbin sadly committed suicide in 1868. Still, a life not only inspiring the date of Intersex Solidarity Day on November 8th, leaving behind a memoir that has also been the basis for adaptations on both stage and film. The English edition comes with an introduction by Michel Foucault and other added material.

 Tentacle by Rita Indiana, translated by Achy Obejas

Tentacle by Rita Indiana from the Dominican Republic is a subversive and award-winning cli-fi novel. The main character described in the original title, (La mucama de Omicunlé) Acilde is a maid and sex worker desiring to get a dramatic expensive drug for a sex change. And as it happens also prophesied as the male saviour in a traditional Afro-Caribbean religion. This one book I still haven’t come to a complete assessment of. Tentacle is writing likely worth the dive but, just as beautiful as sea anemones are, there are those that pack a powerful sting.

BONUS: For comic lovers I also have posts on LGBTQ+ characters in comics from the 21st Century and LGBTQ+ characters in comics from the 20th Century

[interludepress]

Now Available: FELIX SILVER, TEASPOONS & WITCHES by Harry Cook

“FELIX, SILVER, TEASPOONS AND WITCHES is a delightful brew of a book, and a beautiful reminder that there’s magic to be found in friendship, family, love and mystery.“ – Abdi Nazemian, author of Stonewall Honor Book Like a Love Story and The Chandler Legacies

FELIX SILVER, TEASPOONS & WITCHES

After his parents announce that his bizarre, emerging abilities are getting in the way of their divorce, Felix Silver relocates to Dorset Harbor and becomes the charge of his Grandma Aggie. As Felix adjusts to life in a new school, Aggie decides that it's time he learn The Silver Way, and teaches him all she knows about sorcery and magical arts. When Felix and his new friends decide to solve the mystery of local teenagers who have gone missing, Felix learns that his crush, Aero, has a big secret. Is dark magic creeping into the town, and can Felix learn enough from Aggie and the witches of Dorset Harbor to combat it? From actor and author Harry Cook, Felix Silver, Teaspoons & Witches is a charming and funny Golden Girls-meets-teen wizard YA fantasy adventure.

Price: $12.99 print / $6.99 eBook 

Details: Trade paperback, 5.25"x 8”

Pages:  300

ISBN: 978-1-951954-14-7 print // 78-1-951954-15-4 eBook

Cover art by C.B. Messer.

About the Author

Harry Cook is an award-winning actor, writer, and LGBTQI+ activist. He has appeared opposite actors including Geena Davis, Sam Neill, and Bryan Brown in films and television shows, and won the Best Supporting Actor award at FilmOut San Diego Film Festival for his role in the feature film Drown. 

His debut memoir, Pink Ink, was published in September 2018 to rave reviews. Felix Silver, Teaspoons & Witches is Harry’s second young adult novel. His first YA, Fin & Rye & Fireflies, was released in August 2020 and received the Scottish Teenage Book Prize in 2022. He currently lives in Los Angeles.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

Add FELIX SILVER, TEASPOONS & WITCHES to your Goodreads TBR here.

Available from the IP Web Store, Chicago Review Press, Bookshop, Amazon, Apple, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Book Depository, and an indie bookstore near you.

[yourpagesrnumbered]

Fin, Rye and Fireflies

WARNING: SPOILERS

One of my most recent reads was fin, rye and fireflies by Harry Cook. This was for school for the Scottish teenage book prize.

I did really like this story but it was one of those ones where you would really enjoy it but something cringey would pop up and you’re like “yeah that’s minus 12 points”.

I feel so mean for saying this but some parts just felt like it was a millennial pandering to a gen z audience and failing. I also had a problem with the whole “you’re a hot activist lols” like THERE’S A TIME AND PLACE. A counter protest to an anti-trans movement is not the time and place. I also would’ve enjoyed it more if fin wasn’t immediately head over heals with rye and they had a little more development. I also think this book had a lot of stereotypes in it, especially with the whole ‘I loved Cher as a kid, how did you think I was straight’ kinda narrative.

However, it was quite good and I was happy that fin had at least one supportive family member and that his parents did come accept him at the end. I’m really happy that I read this book, especially for a school book. It’s also good to see some trans representation and it being one of the main plot points of the book.

Towards the end it got real. Like so real, it was heartbreaking. It’s really maddening to know that it takes conversion therapy for parents to realise that they are in the wrong.

I gave it 3/5 stars ⭐️

start date: 14/03/22

end date: 20/03/22

(disclaimer: I may have said it was cringey at parts but this book is a gay love story and I’m not gay nor am I a boy so don’t take my opinions too seriously)

[thereadingchallengechallenge]

Quick Review: Fin and Rye and Fireflies by Harry Cook Rating: 3/5

“Well . . . It started with a kiss . . . as most love stories often do."

Okay, look, this is not a book to be taken too seriously. It's set in Australia but uses American terminology. It's a jumble of plot lines that aren't quite given the right proportions. It's not The Miseducation of Cameron Post, it's Glee - it's campy and silly and a little confused but it's got the spirit.

Because even though it touches on big issues like conversion therapy and transphobia and anxiety, it's just a sweet, fun little romance. Straight YA romance gets to be fluffy and silly and dramatic so why can't LGBT+ YA romance be that too? I love me an issues book but sometimes I just want something light-hearted that I know is going to end well and that's what I got from Fin and Rye and Fireflies.

Warnings: conversion therapy, homophobia, transphobia, drug use, panic attacks, brief references to OCD.

[auslgbtqya]

Fin & Rye & Fireflies by Harry Cook

(2020)

From the Publisher:

A gloriously upbeat LGBTQI+ novel of love, hope and friendship — showing that although it's not always rainbows and fireflies, life's too short to be anyone but yourself…

It started with a kiss…as love stories often do. Jesse Andrews had the arms of a Greek god and he was on the track team. The night of our kiss fell on a Friday.

Then, only a few days later, Fin's world is turned upside down — and not in a good head-over-heels-in-love way — when Jesse cruelly outs him. An event which ultimately leads to his family leaving town.

But a fresh start isn't going to change the truth of who Fin is. And it's not going to stop his sexuality causing everyone all sorts of problems. Everyone, that is, apart from his new best friend Poppy, her girlfriend-in-waiting June, and his latest crush Rye…So, while Fin and Rye are enjoying some seriously intimate moonlit moments together, Fin's parents decide to pack him off to the local ReSouled 'therapy camp'.

It's a nightmare — and there's no easy way out. Can Fin's squad hatch a plan outrageous enough to spring him before the 'conversion' acolytes force him onto the straight and narrow?

Goodreads

[wexregolden]

Tumblr be like.

[Fin & Rye & Fireflies - Harry Cook]

[beautifulpaxielreads]

June Wrap-Up

Books Completed (ratings out of five stars)

A trio of Sophies by Eileen Merriman (★★★★)

The long way to a small, angry planet (Wayfarers #1) by Becky Chambers (★★★★)

Fin & Rye & fireflies by Harry Cook* (★★★)

A song of wraiths and ruin (A song of wraiths and ruin #1) by Roseanne A. Brown (★★★1/2)

Indigo owl by Charlie Archbold* (★★★)

The gaps by Leanne Hall* (★★★★1/2)

Books currently in progress

Dangerous women by Hope Adams [pseudonym for Adele Geras]

The ones we’re meant to find by Joan He

A closed and common orbit (Wayfarers #2) by Becky Chambers

The summer before the war by Helen Simonson

*Australian author/s

Reflections on June and Goals for July

I have been reading a LOT of sci-fi lately – The long way to a small, angry planet (and I’m currently reading book 2 in that series), Indigo owl, The ones we’re meant to find. That means many, many occasions where the word “bot” was used. I’m hilarious, I know. I may need to take a break from sci-fi pretty soon.

In terms of reading, June was an excellent month. I read six books, and although some I enjoyed less than others, there were good things to be found in all of them. My favourites this month included The long way to a small, angry planet (slice-of-life sci-fi), A trio of Sophies (psychological thriller with a really innovative narrative style), and best of all was The gaps, a book that took me a long time to finish but was well worth it. On the surface, it’s about the kidnapping of a private school girl – so far, so standard police procedural, right? But it actually goes much deeper than that, because the crime is not the focus of the novel – instead, it’s on how the girl’s family, friends, and classmates cope in the aftermath of the event. It’s a fascinating, compelling read.

In terms of goals for July, I think for now I’m just going to focus on making my way through my physical TBR plus any books borrowed from the library. I haven’t bought any books for some time and to be honest, I don’t really feel a need to. I think I may have learned something!

As you may have seen, I’m returning from my hiatus on a limited basis (see here for more info) so feel free to tag me in things again. I may take a little longer to respond given I’m only going to be using Tumblr in desktop mode for now.

That’s it for now. As always, stay safe and well and I’ll see you in August for my July wrap-up. Until then, happy reading!

[reddiehearts]

do I start the raven boys or fin and rye and fireflies????

[lovebooksgroup]

Fin & Rye & Fireflies by Harry Cook - @HarryCook @inkroadbooks @lovebooksgroup #lovebookstours #Aug2020 #TourRecap

Fin & Rye & Fireflies by Harry Cook – @HarryCook @inkroadbooks @lovebooksgroup #lovebookstours #Aug2020 #TourRecap

Fin & Rye & Fireflies by Harry Cook

Fin Whittle is sixteen and he likes guys. A fact which seems to be complicating his life.

One minute Fin’s kissing the godlike Jesse; the next he s been cruelly outed. His family’s response? To up sticks in search of a ‘fresh start’.

A fresh start won’t change the truth of who Fin is. Obviously. But it does introduce him to the best squad in town:…

[darkmatterzine]

Harry Cook

Harry Cook talks to Nalini Haynes in this #podcast about his #LoveOzYA #LGBT #romance, his friendship with Geena Davis, and her influence on him as an activist. Also Mark Latham might have been mentioned. Maybe. In jest.

In this podcast I interview Harry Cook, an award-winning actor, writer and LGBTQI activist whose latest novel, Fin & Rye & Fireflies, has just been released.

I reviewed Fin & Rye & Fireflies over here but you can also gauge my reaction from the podcast

, which is at the top of this post and on all good podcasting platforms.

You can find Harry at his website and on twitter.

Harry’s bio on his…

[slaughter-books]

Day 13: JOMPBPC: Would Want In Your Squad

I want this friend group in my squad! 💛

[thefaeriereview]

Tour: Fin & Rye

https://ift.tt/3e5rY7u

  Fin & Rye & Fireflies by Harry Cook 

Young Adult Fantasy

Fin Whittle is sixteen and he likes guys. A fact which seems to be complicating his life.

One minute Fin's kissing the godlike Jesse; the next he s been cruelly outed. His family's response? To up sticks in search of a 'fresh start'.

A fresh start won't change the truth of who Fin is. Obviously. But it does introduce him to the best squad in town: kick-ass Poppy, her on-off girlfriend June and the super cute, super irresistible Rye.

Fin soon has a serious crush. And Rye might just feel the same way. But Fin's parents aren't happy. If their son won't change his 'lifestyle', they ll force him onto the straight and narrow . . . by way of 'conversion therapy'. An outrageous plan is needed to face down the haters and to give Fin and Rye (and their fireflies) a chance at the happy-ever-after their story deserves . . .

From moonlit meet-ups to vintage diners, pride parades to a passion for old vinyl, Fin & Rye & Fireflies is a gloriously upbeat tale of being true to yourself no matter what.

5 out of 5 fairies

Fin & Rye & Fireflies is emotional and heartwarming. I really wish books like this had been more accessible to me as a teenager. It's not easy being a teen and even harder when your parents don't accept you for things you can't change. There are some things covered that may be difficult for some readers, but it's offset by love and hope and friendship. Highly recommend!

Where to buy: Amazon, Amazon UK

Add to your TBR list: Goodreads

About the Author: Born in the UK, Harry Cook is an Australian actor and international LGBTQI+ activist. He has starred in major film, TV and theatre productions, including the lead opposite Geena Davis in Accidents Happen. In 2013, at age 22, Harry came out to his fans on YouTube. The video went viral and Harry became front-page news in Australia, the UK and the US. Harry lives in Sydney with his rescued English Bulldog Poppy.

Instagram | Twitter 

Blog Tour Organized By:

Love Books Tours

via Blogger https://ift.tt/3hhj2yl

[interludepress]

COVER REVEALED!

FELIX SILVER, TEASPOONS & WITCHES by Harry Cook

Coming this November from author Harry Cook (Fin & Rye & Fireflies), a Golden Girls-Meets-Teen Wizard comic fantasy YA.

After his parents announce that his bizarre, emerging abilities are getting in the way of their divorce, Felix Silver relocates to Dorset Harbor and becomes the charge of his Grandma Aggie. As Felix adjusts to life in a new school, Aggie decides that it's time he learn The Silver Way, and teaches him all she knows about sorcery and magical arts. When Felix and his new friends decide to solve the mystery of local teenagers who have gone missing, Felix learns that his crush, Aero, has a big secret. Is dark magic creeping into the town, and can Felix learn enough from Aggie and the witches of Dorset Harbor to combat it?

Cover design by C.B. Messer.

[slaughter-books]

Day 21: JOMPBPC: Favourite Title

[slaughter-books]

Day 25: JOMPBPC: Grateful

I'm grateful for diverse books! 💕