trinitylynne

[trinitylynne]

A Trash Heap of a Post

Okay so obviously I forgot that this account existed. I’ve been taking a summer course and have a lot of work. I’m getting ready to go to college and it was a free credit so why wouldn’t I take it, right? It’s a power of narrative class, and most of it is speculative and science fiction, which I don’t ever read unless I’m forced to. It’s actually really interesting, and honestly a little scary how authors can predict things that happen in the future with so much detail. I need to be open to more genres. I especially like the short stories we’ve read, like “The Morning and the Evening and the Night” by Octavia E. Butler. It was kind of creepy and gross, not gonna lie, but I do recommend it (trigger warning though: self harm). Anyways, onto the most recent book I’ve read!

A while ago, I read Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston. I absolutely loved it. I laughed at least once on just about every page. The book is written in third person, but the way McQuiston narrates it makes it seem like the main character, Alex, is speaking directly to you. I appreciate that readers can have that experience while knowing more about Alex than they would if it were in first person. I’ve noticed that characters in first person books reveal less about themselves because they are still learning about themselves, and then there is a whole reflection period at the end of the book. That’s also fine, but I find it fun to know secrets about characters that they don’t even know about themselves. 

Should I be trying harder to write well since this is a blog about books? Probably. Am I going to? Probably not. It’s easier to tell you my thoughts if I just word vomit :)

Red, White & Royal Blue took me on an emotional rollercoaster. I fell in love with most of the characters (not romantically, I just really love them, man), especially Prince Henry. I connected with his journey more than Alex’s, if I’m being honest. It probably has something to do with letting my guard down like he had to learn to do, which is something I refuse to do except when I’m with my boyfriend. He sees all my tears...thanks, love. Going on, this book was LGBTQ+. It focuses on the pressures of world leaders and the way they handle their private lives while trying to stay true to themselves. I knew it was difficult, obviously, to be famous, but this book really put into perspective how literally every move of theirs is watched. They’re normal people, just like everyone else! Give them a break. Pretty much looking out the window makes the headline of a newspaper. Alex has a hard time coming to terms with his sexuality in this book, and watching him grow as a human is incredible. The only major problem I had with Red, White & Royal Blue is that it wrapped up too quickly. It felt very rushed, like the author was about to miss a deadline. I was kind of hoping it wouldn’t “wrap up” so there was a solid chance of there being a second book. I don’t want to give too much away since the book revolves around figuring out Alex’s love life, but please go read it for yourself. McQuiston is a truly incredible writer.

[trinitylynne]

The Symptoms of Being Human

I finished reading The Symptoms of Being Human by Jeff Garvin literally yesterday, and I am already having trouble remembering details. See? Bad memory.

Anyways, I really liked The Symptoms of Being Human! I felt connected to Riley, the main character, probably because I have struggled with gender identity and sexuality myself. I can’t compare my experiences to Riley, though, because they went through so much, and I have been lucky and privileged enough to not face harassment and bullying just for being who I am.

On the outside, the friends Riley finds at their new school look like a couple of misfits, but they have each dealt with more than anyone should have to in their whole life. Bec’s history made her into a badass, and Solo is secretly a sweetheart. Thinking about how amazing Riley’s friends are made me question my own decisions. I love my friends, but I realized that I choose not to hang out with people who don’t look like me or fit the picture of “socially acceptable.” I need to check myself and stop doing that because I’m sure I’ll find some pretty amazing humans by not caring about what other people think.

I would really like to bitch slap Riley’s bullies, but the way Riley handles the situation throughout the whole book is admirable for their situation (besides that one incident...but I won’t give it away). Riley’s story gave me more confidence to be vocal about the LGBTQIA+ community. Like them, I knew that I had the opportunity to do that without encountering hate, so I put my own fears aside for the bigger picture, for those who can’t fight.

So those are my thoughts on The Symptoms of Being Human. Thanks for sticking with me if you’ve read this far. Oh, by the way, I got the idea to write about what I read from this book, ya know, cause Riley writes their thoughts in a blog. Haha.

[trinitylynne]

first post

I decided that because I have a horrible memory (like, it’s really bad), I am going to write about the books I read here. I love reading and discussing stories with my friends, but I can never remember what happened in a book more than a week after I read it. I’m not gonna write whole essays about them because I like to think I have a social life, just little blurbs so I know what I’m talking about. So...here’s to hoping that Tumblr can help.