Tag: LGBTQA

Book Review · Books

Shameless: A Sexual Reformation

Openly BookishLeave a comment

If you love edgy, outside the box Christian then you’ll love any book by pastor Nadia Boltz-Weber. When I saw Shameless, as an option to possibly get to review I had to request it since I loved reading her book, Pastrix.

Shameless is a book about how the church and Christianity has made sex and sexuality something to be ashamed of if it doesn’t fit in the white conservative Christian picket fence family dynamics. Pastor Nadia shares some stories from a few of her parishioners that are gut wrenching and disturbing. She also, shared stories from her own life in how the way the church talked about sex was seen as dirty unless you were married. Pastor Nadia also, talks about the gender stereotypes kids are shaped into by their church and family. If you aren’t straight you can be viewed as sinful, off the straight and narrow and needing to be reigned in.

If you were a Christian teen in the 90’s you may recall the True Love Waits Movement that swept Christendom up in its hype. Did this movement prepare young Christian couples for intimacy in marriage? I’d wager no. Hearing your whole life you have to wait till marriage doesn’t exactly prepare you for the wedding night part. I get waiting for sex till you’ve found your forever partner, but just being told no without any directions on what to expect once there’s a green light is the blind leading the blind.

Sadly Christian schools and some Christian families are against sex education in schools. If Mom and Dad won’t have any in-depth talk then all those kids being pulled out of Sex Ed are oblivious to potential dangers when they slip up and go too, far when their sex drive awakens and I’m not meaning the potential pregnancy scenario.

This book was a really personal read for me being raised in a Christian home. I did survive public school Sex Education class. All I recall is there being a fill in the blanks body part test in fifth grade. I recall my parents helping me study for that. Only main thing I was told was not to wind up pregnant like so and so. Ah, how could I forget the book for preteens my parents gave me to read. I’ve always been a bookworm, but something’s are more personal when talked out vs being given a manual of sorts. I know talking about literal private things can be awkward for a parent, but I’d rather hear from my own parents on what to expect. I can relate in more ways than that with this book, but that could be a separate blog post.

This book gives me hope for Christendom. I have so many evolved views on sexuality, marriage, education and more. This one is a keeper and I can’t wait for it to come out so I can have a physical copy to highlight and notate to death.

This review is for a digital ARC of Shameless: A Sexual Reformation by Nadia Boltz-Weber from NetGalley and is my own unbiased opinion. I loved this book. I adore how wise and snarky Pastor Nadia is with such an important topic. If you need someone who understands and has been through a similar upbringing then you’ll want to preorder a copy of Shameless. If you need someone to talk to or vent to feel free to contact me.

Book Review · Books

Girlish

Openly BookishLeave a comment

As soon as I heard the title of this book I just had to read it. Yes, honestly a lesbian family household is outside of my life experience, so I was interested to hear what it is like. Enter in, Girl, who talks about her life from childhood, elementary, junior high, high school, college and beyond living with mother and stepmother. Girl has a variety of siblings, half siblings and a father who lives off in Alaska. Girl is best friends with Brother who is a witness to their lives with two moms and visiting Father in Alaska when it was summertime.

This memoir is about Girl and her struggle to find her place in the world where Father favored Brother and Mother had to cow-tow to Stepmother. Girl is honest, stubborn, free spirited and a survivor. Her writing drops you into her world. I got sucked in from page one.

I received my free digital ARC of Girlish by Lara Lillibridge from NetGalley in exchange for my review. Skyhorse Publishing was kind and sent a courtesy copy. Thank you Angela. If you enjoy LGBTQA memoirs I do recommend this book. Girl lets you into her world and you won’t be the same after.

Book Review · Books

The Truth About Goodbye

Openly BookishLeave a comment

When searching for a title to read, The Truth About Goodbye, stood out to me. This novel follows the story of Sebastian whose learning how to live life without his husband Frank, who had passed away almost a year prior when the story begins. Thankfully he has Frank’s cat Arthur who keeps him company along with his best friend Chloe.

Sebastian struggles with anxiety, self-esteem and trusting people. He lost his parents years ago, so Sebastian feels even more adrift after loosing Frank. He misses Frank and at times is positive Frank’s ghost has been visiting him. One night Chloe introduces Sebastian to her new apartment friend Reid. Sebastian hasn’t thought of dating because he’s still mourning his husband’s loss. Reid is patient putting up with Sebastian’s mixed signals because of course Chloe makes friends with an attractive man.

This novel covers the important topic of grieving and what that can look like for different people. It also, discusses how difficult it can be to move into a new relationship when the previous one might not have had the closer it needed or was cut off prematurely.  I think the biggest topic this novel handles is learning to allow others to love and care for you when it’s hard to be motivated to love yourself when you are immersed in grief.

If you are looking for a sweet, thoughtful read I recommend this book. I appreciate NetGalley for allowing me to read this book for free in exchange for my honest review. Thank you Mr. Ricard for writing such a sweet novel about relationships, family and how to get through surviving the death of a loved one.

Book Review · Books

Aristotle And Dante Discover The Secrets Of The Universe 

Openly Bookish5 Comments

Aristotle is a loner whose content to keep to himself until one day Dante arrives on the scene. Aristotle who prefers to go by Ari is at his local neighborhood swimming pool. He doesn’t know how to swim, but at least he can stick his feet in the water. Dante notices him and offers to teach him to swim. This starts a new friendship for both teens. Dante is well liked, but doesn’t have any friends. Ari is the quiet, brooding type. Both teens learn to let their guards down and trust each other. Both of them are struggling with who they are in the world.

I can relate with Ari. His relationship with his dad is one of occasional conversation, but nothing too, deep. Ari’s dad is a veteran who won’t talk about the war, is very reserved and quiet. My dad isn’t a vet, but he can be quiet and reserved around me. I think the relationship between these two characters is a great picture of how through life’s challenges the wall between a parent and child can be torn down.

Mr. Saenz provides yet again a beautifully written book about friendship, love, figuring out who you are whether you like girls, boys, or possibly both. Ari’s story grabs you from chapter one. The cast of characters from Ari, Dante, their parents, Ari’s brother whose not mentioned at home and his extended family have all unique personalities. Ari and Dante’s friendship shows what true friends will go through for a best friend they truly care about. If you are looking for a story with funny, contemplative moments this is the book for you.

Book Review · Books

The Upside Of Unrequited 

Openly BookishLeave a comment


I got this book for last month’s OwlCrate. The cover is a gorgeous blue and the title is uniquely displayed. I wasn’t quite sure what this book was about till I watched one of my favorite booktubers give a synopsis of the storyline.

This book was a fast read aka 2 days. It’s about Molly whose a bigger girl with a sweet, creative personality. She has a twin Cassie who is her opposite. Cassie is gay and determined for Molly to get a boyfriend. Molly has never had a boyfriend or a first kiss. Ever. Being 17 and never been kissed is embarrassing. Cassie tries to set Molly up with her girlfriend’s best friend, but Molly possibly has her eye on a different guy.

This novel is about sisterhood, family, being different and not allowing it to stop you from living your life and most of all about love. I read Becky’s first novel Simon VS The Homo Sapien’s Agenda.  This second novel is even better.

I would recommend this book highly. I giggled from the first sentence and snorted through out. When a book makes you laugh right away you know it’s going to be a great book. The only thing that turned me off is the amount of swearing the characters did. I don’t think it enhanced the storyline or dialogue, otherwise I would have given it 5/5. This book would make a sweet romantic movie for teens. I think even adults would love it.

Personal

I’m Such A Brat: Birthday Reflections

Openly BookishLeave a comment


Today I turned 39. I’m starting to feel my age even though I could possibly pass for a high schooler minus my visible tattoos. I was born premature, so every year it’s a gentle reminder that I could be an adult who is a vegetable, or highly handicapped, or not even alive. I have a very small amount of palsy, an eye I’ve had surgery on because of it being lazy and have scars where I had chest tubes. Other than this I’m a functioning adult. Unless I openly mentioned my challenging start to life you’d have no clue.

Being called a miracle baby is a blessing and yet a spiritual curse sometimes. I have a rich Christian family heritage and start to life, yet sometimes I feel like my faith was handed to me on a silver platter. I feel like I don’t get the luxury of wrestling with my faith and what I believe as an adult vs what I was taught growing up. I didn’t have a sudden coming to Jesus moment. I was probably in preschool or Kindergarten when I knelt to ask Jesus into my heart. I was baptized at 9 and told the congregation it was like marriage because I was making a vow to God.

Today I was a brat and spoiled myself through purchasing a fufu purse and books I truly don’t need since my TBR is one shelf worth with more on my Kindle. Birthdays and being the center of attention have always made me feel weird, awkward, shy, undeserving, etc. Maybe it’s my introvert side coming out.
Then my coming out two years ago, my search for a girlfriend, entering the LGBTQA world and figuring life out. I’m hoping this last year in my 30’s is a year filled with growth spiritually even if it’s not identical to my childhood and that I grow in all areas of my life. I want to expand my LGBTQA friend circle. If you can relate and want a new friend I’d love to hear from you!

Personal

Pride

Openly BookishLeave a comment

Today I am going to Pride for the first time. I’m a tad nervous since I’ve heard people might be scantily dressed. I might get an eyeful, sensory overload, but then again I might fit right in. I’ve never before been around this many GLBTQA people. My tribe I don’t socially mix with. Yes, I’m an introvert with a side of brief social interaction. I’m hoping I might make a friend, or two. I might click with a wonderful woman. Thankfully I am going with a few friends, so I won’t be alone.

Have you gone to Pride? If so, what was your experience? Would you say attending enriched you feeling comfortable in your own skin, your identity? Please feel free to comment and share your stories.