tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6694092506511551308.post3116469968910808101..comments2023-04-12T10:45:21.979-04:00Comments on Deathday Letters: YA & Sexuality - Part III: Do SomethingShaun Hutchinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01480241164653893038noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6694092506511551308.post-91295639751278205622010-04-05T07:19:11.893-04:002010-04-05T07:19:11.893-04:00Shaun,
I just finished Nick Burd's debut nove...Shaun,<br /><br />I just finished Nick Burd's debut novel THE VAST FIELDS OF ORDINARY. It's a 2009 pub and is up for a Lammy award this month. I have to say, this is perhaps the BEST lgbtq book I've read. When I finished it, all I could think was, "Wow." It's a must read for all your fans here.<br /><br />Nick has agreed to an interview for my blog, so be sure and watch for it. In the meantime, you might be interested in my interview with James Howe: http://janettrumble.wordpress.comJ.H. Trumblehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09580608594564334263noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6694092506511551308.post-37628414750479008262010-03-31T19:02:58.552-04:002010-03-31T19:02:58.552-04:00I've only read Ash but was definitely impresse...I've only read Ash but was definitely impressed by it! I can't wait to check all of these other books out, and yes, I tend to be turned off when a book featuring a GLBTQ character has that character's sexuality as their defining and only characteristic. I mean, I think those characters deserve a bit more.April (BooksandWine)https://www.blogger.com/profile/15268544465552896599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6694092506511551308.post-57984003332556439522010-03-25T18:29:45.666-04:002010-03-25T18:29:45.666-04:00I love Levithan and Cohen's Naomi and Ely'...I love Levithan and Cohen's Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List. That's a fun read. <br /><br />But one of my all-time favorites is James Howe's Totally Joe. Jim is visiting my school tomorrow and has agreed to an interview. I'm working on some fun and, I hope, profound questions for him. You can see my interview on my blog this weekend: http://janettrumble.blogspot.com. <br /><br />And finally, Michael Harmon's Last Exit to Normal. The teenage protag isn't gay, but his dad is. This is a fabulous book!<br /><br />I'm hoping to add my own novels to the list soon. I have the first of three with my agent. I'm a sucker for love stories, so expect some serious passion!J.H. Trumblehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09580608594564334263noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6694092506511551308.post-48926404978974153062010-03-20T16:19:28.996-04:002010-03-20T16:19:28.996-04:00Wow, 4 times as likely? That's just insane and...Wow, 4 times as likely? That's just insane and really sad. Thanks for the great series, Shaun. I now have a bunch of new books to add to my reading list.B.J. Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10767654810069240472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6694092506511551308.post-51356479900998002062010-03-18T17:53:20.916-04:002010-03-18T17:53:20.916-04:00I just found these posts (I've been on a bit o...I just found these posts (I've been on a bit of an internet exile), and they are seriously AWESOME! Thank you so much for them!<br /><br />Off the top of my head I can't think of any othet GLBT books that haven't been mentioned (WILL GRAYSON, WILL GRAYSON; NICK & NORAHS INFINITE PLAYLIST; NAOMI & ELI'S NO KISS LIST; MORTAL INSTRUMENTS SERIES; ASH) I know I must have read more so if I remember I'll be sure to share:)Dani.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13783346928650932709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6694092506511551308.post-14461251340585777672010-03-18T15:49:49.543-04:002010-03-18T15:49:49.543-04:00Terrific post. I really liked Naomi and Ely's ...Terrific post. I really liked Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List and also Jacqueline Woodson's (I love all her books) The House You Pass on the Way and From the Notebooks of Melanin Sun. Her writing is just beautiful, along with her themes.Margie Gelbwasserhttp://www.margiewrites.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6694092506511551308.post-53942873249287367972010-03-16T10:44:14.832-04:002010-03-16T10:44:14.832-04:00Wow! So many great books. My reading wish list i...Wow! So many great books. My reading wish list is getting out of control! Thank, everyone :) Keep 'em coming. In a week or two I'll compile a list to add to this post.Shaun Hutchinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01480241164653893038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6694092506511551308.post-70964204520973062042010-03-15T23:29:22.422-04:002010-03-15T23:29:22.422-04:00I just finished a wonderful MG book called The Pop...I just finished a wonderful MG book called The Popularity Papers by Amy Ignatow. It was a very funny. I loved it. <br /><br />It features two best friends. One of the girls has two dads.Dorethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08676911030014718403noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6694092506511551308.post-54138105928283570302010-03-15T18:43:16.345-04:002010-03-15T18:43:16.345-04:00I read Boy Meets Boy last week and loved it so muc...I read Boy Meets Boy last week and loved it so much, almost as much as Nick and Norah. I'm so looking forward to Naomi and Eli's No Kiss List.<br /><br />A few of my favourites right now are:<br /><br />Empress of the World - Sara Ryan <br />The Mariposa Club - Rigoberto Gonzalez<br />What they Always Tell Us - Martin Wilson<br />Saints of Augustine - P E Ryan<br /><br />and I just went on a big GLBT YA book buying binge, which sort of just started out as me buying the follow up to the Sara Ryan book...but it's so easy to buy much more. I wish you'd had access to the wealth of books that are around now and I'm glad that literature is now able to provide a safe space for teens to examine sexuality and see that how they feel is ok. And do you reckon there will be some sort of gay boys own mystery series soon, because I'm desperate for someone to write one.Jodiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11462660276240016464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6694092506511551308.post-70249213174533313772010-03-15T18:15:33.315-04:002010-03-15T18:15:33.315-04:00Shaun,
Thanks for this series of posts. Your hone...Shaun,<br />Thanks for this series of posts. Your honesty and motivation for writing are really powerful - and will make a difference!<br />Just to share, I've been compiling a list of all the YA and Middle Grade books with GLBTQ characters and themes for the last two and a half years - it's at my blog, <a href="http://www.leewind.org" rel="nofollow">I'm Here. I'm Queer. What the Hell do I Read?</a>. <br />I look forward to reading your book!<br />Namaste,<br />LeeLee Wind, M.Ed.https://www.blogger.com/profile/06314692778355984313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6694092506511551308.post-34641906639041791652010-03-13T20:30:04.733-05:002010-03-13T20:30:04.733-05:00I love this blog series! I've read and loved b...I love this blog series! I've read and loved both ASH and A LOVE STORY (I got the ARC on the Tenner tour) and they should be high on the list. LIAR has a little bit of sexual ambiguity that is done nicely as well. <br /><br />My very first (not published) book has a gay uncle as the father-figure, but I always feel a bit odd writing gay characters as a straight gal - like I'm treading on other's territory. Just like I don't think I'd write from a first person, African American POV, I don't think I could do justice as a first person gay character (and apparently I can only write first person). <br /><br />It's up to you! Go write the books that you needed to read.CJ Omololuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15691702701853775480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6694092506511551308.post-7255222955558761272010-03-12T21:04:55.554-05:002010-03-12T21:04:55.554-05:00Thanks for the shout-out, Shaun!
I think in a lot...Thanks for the shout-out, Shaun!<br /><br />I think in a lot of ways LOVE STORY was the kind of book I needed to read when I was a teenager. Although I'm not gay, I was bewildered enough by the very idea of sexuality that I needed to hear that things were going to be okay however they turned out, and that I didn't have to be in a rush to figure things out. I think maybe everyone could stand to hear that. <br /><br />A couple years ago, in a bookstore, I saw two teen girls in head scarves and an awkward teen boy sitting on the floor and reading manga. The boy was reading "Gravitation," a gay love story, and I was startled by how much suburban North Carolina had changed in the years since I'd been to high school there. But there's still such a long way to go.Emilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16547702089102195894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6694092506511551308.post-62938552604413832142010-03-12T19:54:33.972-05:002010-03-12T19:54:33.972-05:00Ash is in my pile, I just haven't gotten to it...Ash is in my pile, I just haven't gotten to it yet. I actually just bought Hero also. I'm looking forward to reading both of them.<br /><br />Someone mentioned Lee Wind. His blog, I'm Here, I'm Queer, What the Hell do I Read, reviews a lot of LGBT books.Sherrie Petersenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11670339498152684137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6694092506511551308.post-70821200360746643662010-03-12T18:13:05.567-05:002010-03-12T18:13:05.567-05:00While I've definitely read numerous books with...While I've definitely read numerous books with lgbtq characters, the first that comes to mind for me is <i>Geography Club</i>, by Brent Hartinger. (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/94072.Geography_Club)Rebeccahttp://elephantsontrapezes.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6694092506511551308.post-22498753382463104022010-03-12T17:37:05.544-05:002010-03-12T17:37:05.544-05:00Thanks so much for these posts, Shaun.Thanks so much for these posts, Shaun.Andrea Cremerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03326332737401772239noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6694092506511551308.post-62207598100212348782010-03-12T16:14:34.642-05:002010-03-12T16:14:34.642-05:00Great third post, Shaun. I don't know you pers...Great third post, Shaun. I don't know you personally (we're both Upstartians) but this series of posts has truly made an impact on me. <br /><br />One of my best friends wrote the book THE WAY HE LIVED about a boy in a conservative town grappling with these issues. Actually, the story is told after the boy dies on a boy scout hike, and it's told from six different perspectives.<br /><br />That's not a very good description, but it's great. It's by Emily Wing Smith, and I highly recommend it.<br /><br />Can't wait to read more from you.Brodi Ashtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13895732483547245372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6694092506511551308.post-65749690783533797242010-03-12T14:41:50.157-05:002010-03-12T14:41:50.157-05:00Inked: A friend at work keeps trying to get me to...Inked: A friend at work keeps trying to get me to read those...I'm going to have to take her up on it now :) Thank you!<br /><br />Emily: You are SO lucky! I can't wait to read it. And thanks for the websites. :)<br /><br />MissAttitude: I've heard a lot about Alex Sanchez, and I'll have to pick up the others. Thanks for the suggestions :) I love your points and I agree. Books should be more about people than about race or sexuality or any other characteristic over which people have no control. Thanks for dropping by :)Shaun Hutchinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01480241164653893038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6694092506511551308.post-32136642518350027022010-03-12T14:04:13.061-05:002010-03-12T14:04:13.061-05:00I LOVED Ash! I would recommend anything by Alex Sa...I LOVED Ash! I would recommend anything by Alex Sanchez, Down to the Bone by Mayara Lazara Dole, Orphea Proud by Sharon Dennis Wyeth and Hero (which I haven't read but I've heard it's really good, GLBT superhero).<br /><br />as someone who promotes books about people of color, I completely understand what you're saying. Just like, I want to see more books where race isn't the main focus, it just so happens that the cast is diverse. So too, do I want to read more books where people are just GLBT and it's no big deal and it doesn't necessarily have to be all about the pain of coming out.<br /><br />I haven't read the rest of your posts yet but bravo for this one! I wil read parts 1&2.<br /><br />It makes my heart break that people are so cruel to those who are GLBT, I hear people say derogatroy words in reference to those who are GLBt far too often for my test and I'm working on speaking out agnainist it even more. I've told my friends that I don't want to hear them using those words, at least not around me. Ugh theose statistics you showed me made me SO MAD. And the sad thing is, they aren't suprising. When will people become more open minded and let people love who they want to love?MissAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11042352415616854651noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6694092506511551308.post-72175141779346501552010-03-12T13:47:20.152-05:002010-03-12T13:47:20.152-05:00Excellent post, Shaun! And I agree that there is a...Excellent post, Shaun! And I agree that there is a need to show all kinds of people, including lgbtq people, as multi-faceted human beings in books for teens and kids.<br /><br />Lee Wind has a fantastic website where he has a comprehensive list of lgbtq books for teens: bookshttp://www.leewind.org/<br /><br />Also, check out ALA's Rainbow Books Project for annual best of lists of lgbtq books for teens and kids:<br />http://rainbowlist.wordpress.com/rl-2009/<br /><br />You've hit on some of my favorites already. But a great one coming out soon is Will Grayson, Will Grayson, a terrific collaboration by John Green and David Levithan. I was lucky enough to get my hands on an arc, and it's a great read, with more to say about love and friendship than sexuality.E.M. Kokiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00453541159643901257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6694092506511551308.post-31107504909168685602010-03-12T13:35:23.634-05:002010-03-12T13:35:23.634-05:00The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare h...The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare has gay and lesbian characters. Awesome books.Travishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17137617317266043318noreply@blogger.com