Hello, world! June was a hectic month, but I read some really great (and really meh) books!
So here is my June 2022 Wrap-Up! 1. What’s the T? The no-nonsense guide to all things trans and/or non-binary for teens by Juno Dawson 5 out of 5 stars I really, really loved this book. It breaks down trans and non-binary identities and issues in a way that is very easy to read and understand. It's geared towards youth, but doesn't seem like it's talking down to the readers. I would recommend it to adults as well. I appreciated the inserts from various trans and non-binary individuals throughout, which shows a wide variety of perspectives. I also loved the chapter with guidance for parents/caregivers. On a personal note, as someone who has been questioning their gender in the past year or so, I found this book very comforting. I've been hesitant to really speak about it too much because I didn't feel like I was "non-binary enough" or something. But this book emphasizes that there is no right or wrong way to be trans/non-binary/queer/whatever and even though I already knew that, reading this just made me feel better. 2. Icebreaker by A.L. Graziadei 5 out of 5 stars Content Warnings: anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation LGBTQIA+ characters AND hockey??? Yes, please! I picked this book up because gay hockey players. But it also tackled the pressures of professional sports and living up to family legacies, and the effect these can have on mental health. This book was honestly even better than I was expecting it to be. 3. Inheritance: A Visual Poem by Elizabeth Acevedo and Andrea Pippins 5 out of 5 stars A beautiful, powerful story told with gorgeous illustrations and words. 4. Baby Teeth by Meg Grehan 2 out of 5 stars It's an interesting premise and story, but I just wasn't really feeling it. It's a really quick read, but I still felt like I was slogging through. 5. Ham Helsing #1: Vampire Hunter by Rich Moyer 5 out of 5 stars This is one of the funniest and cutest books I have ever read. 6. I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston 5 out of 5 stars GIVE ME ALL THE SMALL-TOWN QUEER KID BOOKS. This book was dramatic, funny, and heartfelt. I know that so many teens will be able to relate to it…well, maybe not the “trying to find your academic rival who mysteriously disappeared and left you clues to find them” part. But the “feeling like you have to be a certain way to survive in a small town” part. I just really loved this book. 7. Blaine for the Win by Robbie Couch 5 out of 5 stars Robbie Couch is easily becoming one of my favorite YA authors. I adored The Sky Blues, so I was so excited for this one. Blaine's "perfect" boyfriend dumps him (In a fancy restaurant. On their one year anniversary), because Blaine isn't "serious" enough. So, to prove that he can be a Serious Guy, Blaine abandons his passion for painting murals and decides to run for class president. I love a good "learn to be yourself" and "don't change yourself for others" book. And that's what this book is. It's funny, heartwarming, and I just really loved it. 8. How to They/Them: A Visual Guide to Nonbinary Pronouns and the World of Gender Fluidity by Stuart Getty 4 out of 5 stars This is a funny and easy to understand overview of they/them pronouns and gender fluidity. The illustrations are fun and there are some great charts and explanations. 9. The Okay Witch by Emma Steinkellner 5 out of 5 stars 13-year-old discovers she has magic powers and also fights against her town's worship of their founder? Yes, please. Also, I am just a sucker for a good, cute graphic novel. 10. Chef’s Kiss by Jarrett Melendez, Danica Brine (Illustrations), Hank Jones, Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou 5 out of 5 stars This was just so much fun. Ben is a college graduate, struggling to find a job in the writing field. But then he gets an opportunity to work at a restaurant, which leads him to question what career path he really wants to follow. I really loved that it explored the idea of exploring careers after college and finding what you are really passionate about, not what is expected of you. Also, a taste-testing pig decides the restaurant's menu, so of course that's adorable. 11. Seen: Rachel Carson by Birdie Willis, Rii Abrego (Illustrations) 5 out of 5 stars I had never heard of Rachel Carson until an episode of Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum (thank you, PBS Kids). So when I saw this book, I wanted to read it and learn more about her. This is a very short, quick read that illustrates her legacy. She did such amazing work for the environment. It's a shame that more people don't know her story. 12. Melt With You by Jennifer Dugan 3 out of 5 stars You know those books that are so frustrating because if the characters would just have a dang conversation, everything would be okay? This is one of those books. Don't get me wrong, I loved the whole "exes stuck on a road trip in an ice cream truck" plot. I enjoyed this book. And Fallon was fully aware that she needed to talk to Chloe, but it was still just SO frustrating at times. 13. The Witch Boy by Molly Knox Ostertag 4 out of 5 stars I love the illustrations and it was just such a cute, sweet story. 14. The Hidden Witch by Molly Knox Ostertag 4 out of 5 stars I just love this series. This book expands on the world of the first, and we see more of Aster's family and more of Charlie and her world. It's a great second book for this series. 15. The Midwinter Witch by Molly Knox Ostertag 5 out of 5 stars This is a great ending (it seems) to an adorable series. This volume follows Aster in his mission to become the Midwinter Witch, despite the disapproval from his extended family. We also see more of Ariel as she tries to find her place in the Vanissen family. I really enjoyed this series and will read anything Molly Knox Ostertag writes/illustrates. 16. Strong Female Protagonist by Brennan Lee Mulligan and Molly Knox Ostertag 3 out of 5 stars So. I really liked each issue in this book. But they also felt very disjointed. Like, the last issue gives a great backstory, but it doesn't connect to any of the plot that had been building up in the previous ones. I enjoyed them all, but I also felt it was lacking a bit. 17. You are Obsolete by Mathew Klickstein 1 out of 5 stars Y’all. The first issue sets up such a chilling, creepy atmosphere. Then it all just falls apart. It was confusing and I honestly don’t understand the explanations given. Around the third issue, I was at the point where I was over it, but just wanted to finish so I could be done. 18. Mamo, Vol 1 by Sas Milledge 5 out of 5 stars I just loved this. I love the illustrations. the story is magical, with witches, fae, trolls, and more. It's all about finding your own power and learning how to wield it. Just, yes. 19. Very Bad People by Kit Frick 2 out of 5 stars This book is built around some great mysteries, but the resolutions just left me feeling kind of meh? The characters weren't particularly likeable (except a couple side characters). And the ending left me pretty unsatisfied.
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AuthorI'm HaileyAnne! I'm a queer librarian who loves books and kpop. Archives
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