Books

Autumn Catch Up & TBR

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It’s been a while! It feels like forever since I’ve just sat down and talked to you. Because it’s been so long, I thought I would just catch you up on what’s been going on in my life, and share my plans for the next few months.

What I’ve been reading...

In August, I read lots of books that I really enjoyed. I read Perfume, which is my Mum’s favourite book of all time. While I didn’t love it as much as she did, I found it interesting and the writing and descriptions to definitely live up to all the buzz in the literary world surrounding them.
Another book I read for the first time was What We Left Behind. I’ve been wanting to read this ever since it came out, but I could never find it. When I did find it in a second-hand bookshop on holiday (in perfect condition!), I was obviously very excited to read it. Robin Talley can’t write a book that I won’t love, so if you haven’t read a book by her, you need to!
I also re-read one of my favourite books, The Glass Castle, with Jennifer. We read it in preparation for the film, which is already released in America/Canada (I have no idea when it’s coming to the UK though!). Both of us love the book, so it was only fitting that we read it together. I thought it was so much better this time around, and reading it with Jennifer made it even more special because she was the one who introduced me to the book.

What I plan on reading soon...

My grandma visited a few weeks ago, and she bought me a book as a present. The one I selected was Our Dark Duet, which I have been excited for ever since last summer, when I read This Savage Song. Another book I’m really excited to read is The Well of Loneliness. It’s been branded a few times as the best lesbian book ever written, so obviously I need to read it! I know it was a turning point in queer fiction, as it was banned for ages, so it will be a very important read.

What I’ve been watching...

I have been watching a lot of Netflix recently. Not too long ago, I finished Orphan Black and... wow. My girlfriend made me watch it, and I’m so glad she did, because I loved it. It was so twisted, dark, and intense - if you’re looking for a heartfelt and intriguing sci-fi to binge, look no further!
If you follow me on Twitter, you’ll know how much I adored Jane The Virgin. My sister recommended it to me, and I think it’s become my favourite show of all time. It’s so funny, quirky, and addictive - the characters feel like family to me.

What I plan on watching soon...

I’m ashamed to admit that I’ve never watched RuPaul’s Drag Race... but I plan on rectifying that very soon! My best friend adores it, and I felt very left out at pride not knowing any of the references, so I’m going to start it as soon as I can.

I trust my sister with Netflix recommendations, so the next show I need to watch is Shameless (U.S). I love the UK version (it’s set in my area too!), so I’m a little worried that it won’t live up to my high expectations, but if my sister likes it, I need to give it a go!

What I’ve been doing...

I don’t really have an excuse for not blogging in the summer holidays, except for the fact I wanted a rest. I’ve been loaded down with school work - in a few days I’m going into Year 11 (the final year of high school), so I’ll be very stressed about my upcoming exams. I want to keep busy in the new academic year, so I also have plans to join more orchestras (I play the clarinet!) and do some volunteering. I know I’ll be busy, but I’m excited for it!
I’ve also been spending more time with my friends and loved ones. I’ve been spending as much time as I can with my girlfriend (which isn’t very much, because she’s always busy!) which has been lovely. I’ve become close with a lot more people recently, so hanging out with my friends has been really relaxing.
Last weekend, I went to my first ever pride. I can honestly say it’s been one of the best experiences of my entire life. The parade was magical, but my highlight was definitely the main festival. I hugged strangers, danced to ABBA, and sang my heart out to queer anthems. Pride is an emotional time for everyone, and last weekend made me realise why. The LGBT+ community is a group of wonderful people, and I’m so proud to be a part of it.

What have you been up to recently? Have you read anything interesting?

Books

The Queer Books That Have Helped Me

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Books have always helped me in ways that are almost indescribable; the power of literature is one that is so great, especially for someone struggling with their identity. When I first realised I was queer, something that really helped me was reading about characters that had been through similar situations. Here are some of the books that helped me the most:

The Mortal Instruments

While this series isn’t necessarily queer, it’s been one of the most important books me. A very close friend and I were big fans, and we talked about it a lot together - in particular, Magnus and Alec (a canon m/m couple). At the time, I didn’t really know this was how I felt, but after a while, having the knowledge that people I cared about weren’t homophobic was very comforting. I was still absolutely petrified of coming out, but at least I had the knowledge that I wasn’t going to be hurt by my closest friends for being gay.

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

Everyone always says that this is such an important book, and I can completely understand why. It’s an endearing and charming story - so I can completely see why everyone loves it! - but that’s not the reason why it’s so special to me. When Simon told his family he was gay, they were all accepting, welcoming, and supportive, which gave me the confidence boost I needed. Coming out stories that tell rejection and heartbreak are necessary and so important, but happy ones are equally as needed, and this is proof of that.

Our Own Private Universe


I read this one pretty recently (when I was out), but it’s still just as important to me as all the others. This was the first book I read where two girls unashamedly just fancy each other! The way that Aki feels about Christa made me realise that it’s okay to feel that way. It also taught me a lot about safe lesbian sex (because there isn’t enough information about it) and what it’s like being bisexual.

If you're queer, which books have helped you the most? June is pride month, so any recommendations for queer books are welcome! How have books helped you in other aspects of your life?

Books

My Unpopular Bookish Opinions

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I like to think of myself as a bit of a black sheep when it comes to my favourite books and my reading habits - I often see people raving about books that I didn’t like, or that I don’t want to read! I feel like more recently, more people have shared their unpopular opinions, but I still feel like there’s some things that haven’t been discussed as much. Hopefully I won’t be alone in some of these views!

Books I didn’t enjoy

ACOTAR/ACOMAF

I feel like I’m the only person in the entire community who doesn’t like this series. Everyone calls out Throne of Glass for lacking in diversity, but what about this series? I’m really not excited for the release of ACOWAR because I know everyone will be talking about how much they love the series, and I’ll just feel really left out! I really don’t rate this series at all, and I don’t know why everyone else does. It’s so problematic, which you can read more about in my review of A Court of Mist and Fury here.

Never Never

I’m not sure about the general opinion on this one, but I know that I really hated these books. To me they just seemed so pointless? Nothing really seemed to happen, and to me, the plot seemed really unoriginal. I’d read a few books by Colleen Hoover, but none before from Taryn Fisher - I don’t want to read one from either again.

History is All You Left Me

I think I might be the only person on the planet who didn’t enjoy this, which I’m really disappointed about. By the synopsis, this book sounds perfect for me (and the main character basically could be me) - a gay protagonist with OCD? That’s everything I look for in a book! I’m so sad I didn’t enjoy this, but I just feel like it was melodramatic and unnecessary. I don’t usually like books about grief, and this reminded me why.

'Weird' reading habits

I listen to music whilst I’m reading

I never used to think this was weird, but it turns out most people don’t! I’m really good at multi-tasking, so I think that explains it. I don’t just listen to instrumental music, or quiet relaxing songs - I love punk and indie rock, so I like listening to my favourite bands whilst I’m reading! For me, it helps create the right atmosphere too.

I annotate my books

Scrawling all over my books makes them mine. When I’m reading, I have lots to say about the books - so why not write what I’m thinking? I usually write in my favourite books, and those are the ones I re-read, so it’s nice to see what I thought the first time around. I can also write really nicely in cursive, which means it doesn't make the pages too messy!

Do you do any of these things? Or do you have any weird reading habits like me? Help me feel less alone!

Books

Feminism TBR

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As you know, I love reading, and I’m a very passionate feminist, so obviously, I find books about feminism so interesting. I have so many on my TBR, so today I thought I’d show you some of the ones I’m most excited to get to.

Non-fiction

I mainly read fiction, but I find non-fiction about feminism fascinating. I’ve read the classics (Bad Feminist, We Should All Be Feminists, anything by Caitlin Moran, etc...), but there’s still so much out there that I’m yet to read.

Shrill by Lindy West

I love reading essay collections/memoirs because they feel so personal. I’ve been hearing so many good things about Shrill, so when the hardback (which is gorgeous!) was on sale, I knew I just had to buy it.

It’s about learning that your opinion is valid as a woman, and that we do not need to be quiet, small, or take up less space. I haven’t read anything from Lindy West before, but I follow her on Twitter, and she’s so funny! I’m hoping to pick up this book when I’m feeling down, because I know this will make me chuckle, and essay collections have a way of making me feel less lonely.

Girls Will Be Girls by Emer O'Toole

My sister bought this without me, and ever since I’ve been jealously eyeing it. I hadn’t heard of it until she brought it home, but since it’s been on my radar, I can’t stop hearing about it! I love books that take a critical look instead of telling personal stories (I like those too!) because they get me so angry, so passionate, and so ready for change.

Fiction

Needlework by Deirdre Sullivan

I picked this up at YALC last summer, and as soon as I bought it, I have been itching to read it. I have no idea why it’s still unread! Grace has recommended it on her blog so many times, and I trust her opinion greatly, so I know this will be one for me. Louise O’Neill has blurbed it too, so if she says it’s brilliant, it must be!

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

This book is a bit out of my normal comfort zone, but I know I’m going to love it. I don’t think this one is explicitly about feminism (correct me if I’m wrong!), but I know it’s about the power of sisterhood, and women sticking together. It seems like a beautiful book, and everyone’s talking about it, so I know I need to read it soon so I’m not left behind!

The Female of the Species by Mindy McGinnis

Again, I’m not really sure if this is specifically about feminism like the others, but I’ve read the synopsis and I’m pretty sure the women this are pretty badass. It’s about Alex, who after her sister died, learned the art of fighting and violence. Just the title makes me want to read it!

Classics

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

I can’t believe I haven’t read this one yet! If you ask someone for a feminist fiction recommendation, they’re bound to mention this. I’ve been desperate to read it for ages, so when I convinced my sister to buy it last week, it might have been they best thing I’ve ever done.

Sales of this have risen by something ridiculous since Trump was elected, which makes me scared yet very excited to read it. I know it will be an important book, even if it is hard to get through because of how poignant it will be. The world is shitty, but at least we have good books to lose ourselves in.


Villette by Charlotte Bronte

I’ve never read a book by any of the Bronte sisters (I know, it’s shameful!), so this will be my first. I think it’s so important and interesting to read books about feminism written over a hundred years ago, because any books about women’s rights will be so ahead of their times. I’m so enthusiastic to see Charlotte Bronte’s perception of how society treated women in the 1800s, even if I am a little scared because long classics intimidate me!

Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf

I’m almost scared to admit that I’ve never read a book by Virginia Woolf. I know a little bit about her, so I know she was a brave and admirable writer - and a revolutionary feminist, even for her times. I’m scared to read this one too because I’ve heard that her writing style can sometimes be hard, but I’m so ready to read this that I’m sure it won’t matter. I’ll just have to try a bit harder, which is probably a good thing!
Have you read any of these books? If so, what did you think? Any other recommendations for feminist books I need to add to my TBR?