Glitter and Concrete: A Cultural History of Drag in New York City | Elyssa Maxx Goodson | Book Review

Glitter and Concrete: A Cultural History of Drag in New York City is such an important piece of glittery work that is so needed right now. Parts of the American world is going crazy right now targeting the LGBTQIA+ community especially transgender individuals and drag performers. This book provides a history that declares that drag is not a new phenomenon but instead started in the 1860’s. The main focal point is the history of drag in New York City which has changed and reinvented itself multiple times. This was such an interesting read!

New York City is a city filled with history for multiple reasons including drag queens. The drag queens of the past have helped the drag queens of today because without their bravery and commitment to their art, it may have never moved forward. These performers were resilient and desperately wanted to perform their art. I will be honest with you that my knowledge of drag was pretty limited prior to reading this book. I now feel like I have a stronger foundation and understand of this often glittery world.

The drag world has always been political and it has had a strong influence on the city of New York. Even if it was tucked away in some back corner it was still having an influence. New York City also had an influence on the drag culture. What was going on in the city impacted what exactly the drag queens were doing for a performance. Like I said, drag has always been a political art form, and New York City was the perfect place to represent that.

Glitter and Concrete: A Cultural History of Drag in New York City is very well researched and holds so much information. Every page has an important piece of history not only for the Queer community but American society overall. I highly recommend that you check it out. Hopefully you’ll learn something new just like I did!

Rating: 5 Stars

Her Good Side | Rebekah Weatherspoon | Book Review

Her Good Side is an adorable YA contemporary romance. Bethany Greene and Jacob Yuen are each having dating troubles and decide they should try to figure them out together by fake dating. No feelings involved and they both get more experience for the real thing. Except their spending alot of time together and starting to see each other in a new light.

Bethany has been called a late bloomer by several people in her life. She is believed to be inexperienced and wants that to change so that she can finally have a boyfriend. Meanwhile Jacob has been dumped twice in two months and wants to prove that he can hold onto a relationship. I loved how the dynamic was created between Bethany and Jacob. Their banter, their growing friendship, and the way they understand each other in ways that no one ever has was written so well!

High school can be so cringeworthy and Rebekah Weatherspoon does such a good job of writing those type of moments. As Bethany and Jacob experiment with their fake relationship there are several awkward moments. There are also several sweet moments. I loved how they trusted each other during their fake dating “experiments”. Neither one pressured the other and was understanding if they needed to stop. This sends such a good message to the reader, especially a younger reader.

Her Good Side not only has good messages about trust and relationships it also has fantastic representation. Bethany is black, has two moms, and tries her best to be body positive. Meanwhile, Jacob is Asian American, and is parents love tattoos. They’ve each had their teenage struggles and can come together to be a stronger unit. Watching their relationship evolve is honestly a beautiful thing. It will leave your heart warmed and a smile on your face.

Rating: 4 Stars

The Wishing Game | Meg Shaffer | Book Review

Since she was a little girl Lucy Hart has been playing The Wishing Game. Her childhood hasn’t been the best as she always felt neglected by her parents. The one thing that always kept her company was The Clock Island series. Her dedication was so strong that when she was thirteen she ran away from home to the island where the author lived. It was her dream to get away from her rough life and instead be the sidekick of her favorite writer. Jack Masterson This is not exactly how things panned out but, she remained a fan of his writing even when he stopped writing all together.

These days she is twenty-six years old, a teachers aid, and enjoys spending time with an orphan named Christopher. She has even introduced him to the Clock Island series! She wishes to adopt him but that doesn’t seem possible with her current living situation and finances. That is until one day she receives an invitation to return to the island where Jack Masterson, and potentially win the only copy of his newest book.

Lucy is one of four contestants each of whom once had run away to meet “The Mastermind”. They are now all adults but the pull that this author has on them is stronger than ever. I swear that this entire story was a love letter to the power of children books or books in general. It pulled me right in and kept me intrigued with the various challenges that were put in place for them. Each character had some sort of fear, and ultimately the goal of this competition is not just to win the copy of the new book but to face their fears.

The other part of the story that kept me intrigued was the dynamic between Hugo Reese and Lucy. The two characters had a brief encounter when she was first on the island and Hugo recognizes her immediately. I really enjoyed the way they played off each other and the deep concern both of them had for Jack Masterson. Hugo is the illustrator for the Clock Island series and has stayed by Jack’s house helping support him. There is something there between Lucy and Hugo but it is hard to put a label on especially with them being so focused on the competition.

The Wishing Game is just mystical and magical. It feels real even in a suspended sense of reality. I must applaud Meg Schaffer for creating a world I wanted to go to with characters I could root for. Every aspect – the characters, the relationships that are formed, the island – each pull you in even deeper. Like I said before, this truly feels like a love story for children’s books who are always there for children in need. With the way that everything wrapped up, I feel like there is potential for a sequel and honestly hope that there will be. I’d love to go back into this world again!

Rating: 4.5 Stars

The Build Up | Tati Richardson | Book Review

The Build Up starts with a hilariously awkward meeting between Ari and Porter but it gets even more awkward when they discover they will actually be working together. The two of them have hot hot chemistry but their coming together as more than work partners is a slow burn. Thankfully even though it is a slow burn, the book is fast paced and kept me engaged the whole time.

The character of Ari is so badass. She’s confident and knows her worth. This is why she is fighting so hard for a promotion in a male dominated field. She is a professional and honestly a little over dedicated to her work. I could completely relate to this and enjoyed watching her take a step back to actually live her life. Porter brings out the fun side of her and I loved watching it happen.

Porter is also a bit of a workaholic but, from the moment they are introduced Ari throws him for a loop. At first he isn’t sure what it is about her that draws him in but he knows he’s having a really hard time ignoring it. He treated Ari so good even when they were simply co-workers/friends. He is a sweetheart and it annoyed me whenever Ari lashed out at him. He didn’t deserve it and while he called her out on it, I don’t think she showed enough remorse for it. Especially since it continued to happen.

To me, The Build Up has a duel meaning in it’s title. The first meaning was the way Ari and Porters relationship grew and changed through the book. There was a really strong tension between them that just kept growing. The second meaning was the way that Ari and Porter both hold themselves in high esteem and are confident in what they do. Whatever they don’t believe they are confident in, the other helps build them up and reassure them. Overall, I really enjoyed this and the way everything was brought forward in their dynamic, not only with each other but with the other people in their lives.

Rating: 4 Stars

Well That Was Unexpected | Jesse Q. Sutanto | Book Review

As Well That Was Unexpected begins, the reader is quick to learn that Sharlot and George are each children of slightly overbearing parents who want the best for them. When each of them are found in compromising positions, their parents form a plan. Each of them creates a dating profile for their child and when it connects them, they talk as their children to each other. When Sharlot and George find out, they are both mortified but agree to go on one date to appease their parents. Right away they can tell they don’t belong together but because they are seen out in public together, they continue seeing each out. Each time they are together, a new layer is uncovered, and they realize perhaps first impressions aren’t always what they seem.

After Sharlot is caught in her compromising position, her mother sends her to Indonesia. She has never been there but, she has family. Her mother left when she was pregnant and does not like to discuss her homeland. Sharlot is seeing this punishment also as a reward because now maybe she can learn more about her family history. I loved the way Indonesian culture and history was presented in this book. I’ve never been there but it was almost as if I had been by the descriptions. They are so well done! And the food sounds delicious. Oh, and Sharlot’s family – her aunties are hilarious!

As for George’s family, he is the only male heir of their dynasty. Thus image is very important and once he is seen with Sharlot, he knows he must continue with some fake dating. As they spend together, they find that neither is like who they appeared in the dating app. Their real personalities were so much better than what their parents had pretended them to be. Unfortunately, there is a secret hanging over their heads – each of them know that their parents were the ones doing the talking on the dating app but they don’t realize that it was happening the other as well. The secret created a real tension for the book as I knew what was going on, and I wanted them to just tell each other!

Overall, I really enjoyed Well That Was Unexpected. It was funny and sweet and dealt with real issues that families can go through. It gives a perspective of what it is like to be in a country where certain things may not be accepted. The importance of family and familial relationships is also stressed through of this book and this helps creates ways for Sharlot and George to see their overbearing parents/families in a new lights. They may be pushy but they do it out of love and will when asked kindly step back. They might not like stepping back but they will do so out of respect. It’s all in the way you phrase things!

Rating: 4 Stars

the book starts off with sharlot and george, caught in awkward situations (not together, they’re in different countries) by their parents. sharlot’s mom whisks her away to indonesia for the summer.

Top Ten Tuesday: Books Linked To Specific Moments In My Life

Top Ten Tuesday is held by Jana over at That Artsy Reader Girl.

Today’s topic is a freebie so I decided to do books linked to specific moments in my life! Here we go:

1. Searching for David’s Heart – Cherie   Bennett

This book reminds me of sixth grade reading club. 

2. The Tea Rose –  Jennifer Donnelly

This book reminds me of the time I had to sit with an elderly man whose wife recently died and who was experiencing increased safety risk without her being there. He simply didn’t know what to do without her.

3. Revolution – Jennifer Donnelly

The first Oblong Books event I went to was for this book. I went with April and found out that Rhinebeck has an annual Sheep and Wool festival. 

4. The Crucible – Arthur Miller

The sound of one of my male classmates doing the female voices for this book is forever imprinted on my brain.

5. Tiger Lily – Jodi Lynn Anderson

I had the privilege of meeting Jodi Lynn Anderson at BEA 2014 and she was so gracious about my recently posted review of this book.

6. Come Away With Me – Karma Brown

I was introduced to Karma Brown at the BEA 2015 Harlequin Tea gathering. We were also given advanced copies of this book and from that moment forward I’ve been hooked on Karma Brown and her books.

7. Insignia – SJ Kincaid

I met SJ Kincaid at the birthday party of a mutual friend. She was so sweet! Plus she’s also a great photographer. 

8. Level 2 (The Memory of After) – Lenore Applehans

I was so excited for this book! I had met Lenore at BEA 2012 and we had instantly clicked. Seeing her first book get published and out in the world was so cool. 

9. Titanic: The Long Night – Diane Hoh

I first read this book when I was recovering from back surgery in 2002. I became obsessed with it and have read it several times since then.

10. Falling Up – Shel Silverstein

This book was a gift from my grandmother so it holds a very special place in my heart.

Do you have any books connected to moments in your life?

Fancy Meeting You Here | Julie Tieu | Book Review

Fancy Meeting You Here pulls the reader right into the world of weddings. It is crazy, funny, and emotional. It is easy to see how the main character, Elise Ngo, feels overwhelmed at times. Especially trying to juggle her business, helping her friends, and…possibly in love.

Elise is a florist and owns her own business. The business is currently barely making ends meet and she’s struggling with the decision if she should close it or not. At the same time, her three best friends are each getting married. Each of them has asked her to bridesmaid and to do the flowers for the wedding. It doesn’t take long before she realizes that balancing the weddings and her business is actually harder than she expected…she needs help.

The help she seeks comes in the form of Ben Yu. The two characters do not get along at first. Ben is a caterer and they disagree on most things related to helping with weddings. As they spend more time together a sense of peace comes between them. And that peace grows into the possibility of more. I really enjoyed watching these two characters come to together even when there were multiple things could keep them apart.

Ben is also helping his mother with her reelection and offers Elise the opportunity to be the official florist for her campaign fundraisers. He is trying to get her business out there to the public and his family has alot of connections. Mixing business with pleasure isn’t always the best idea though and often adds to the two of them being at odds with each other. Julie Tieu does a fantastic job of bringing the reader into the world of politics and showing the lengths people will go in order to win. She also shows how politics can be interconnected with local businesses and weddings. You’re always campaigning!

There are two prominent themes running through the story. First, finding your true self. Both Elise and Ben are trying to find out who they are and who they want to become. There is growth for both characters. The second them involves money – who has it, who doesn’t, and what it can be used for. The political and wedding plotlines each demonstrate various ways that money is used and how it influences the characters. There were a few times when I wanted to shake her friends though regarding finances. How could they not known about Elise’s struggles? She must have been really good at masking them but I would think if her friends knew her so well they would be able to see her truth. Overall, while I enjoyed Fancy Meeting You Here, I found it to be a pretty slow read. I wanted things to come together must faster than they did so it would keep my interest. It does pick up a bit during the second half of the book and that helps bring everything together in a very pleasant way.

Rating: 3.5 Stars

My Week with Him | Joya Goffney | Book Review

My Week with Him is a mixed bag of emotions and it is so good! Nikki and Mal are seniors who are each trying to figure out their futures. They’ve been best friends for years even though don’t always hang with the same crowd. When Nikki gets kicked out of her house by her mother, the first person she wants to talk to is Mal but seems preoccupied with someone else. She wants to flee Texas and never look back yet somehow Mal convinces her to stay for the rest of spring break. He is determined to support her but also wants to try and keep her with him in town. His plans quickly get interrupted when it is discovered that Nikki’s younger sister Rae is missing and they must find her.

The last time Nikki saw her younger sister she was so angry at her. Rae had betrayed her to their mother, a woman who she already had a tense relationship with. And now she has to work with this woman to try and find her little sister before anything happens to her. There is so much tension and emotion when it comes to Nikki’s relationship with her mother. As the reader, I could see the impact their relationship had and how complicated family dynamics can be. It also showed the impact of generational trauma as it is continually being passed down. Some of this was almost painful to read because is was written so well.

Joya Goffney also knows how to write a sweet romance. It was fun watching Nikki and Mal go from being best friends to something more. The two of them are awkward and adorable and have such a strong connection. I loved how Mal continuously supported Nikki when it came to her dreams to be a singer and her troubled relationship with family. In return, she supported him and their connection grew even stronger. Throwing the fact that Rae is missing into their dynamic allowed it to strengthen and for Nikki to be come to actually unfold her dynamics with her sister. It is the perfect blend of drama and romance.

My Week with Him did not disappoint me as a reader. From the moment I picked it up, I knew I was going on an adventure especially after feeling the tension between Nikki and her mother. I really loved the sweetness and the awkwardness that was Nikki and Mal’s relationship. Everything was just so well written! I left wanting even more.

Rating: 4 Stars

The Unstoppable Bridget Bloom | Allison L. Bitz | Book Review

The Unstoppable Bridget Bloom is a story of growth and redemption. Bridget Bloom believes that she born to be on the stage. Her whole world is organized based on where music and theatre fit in. No one else in her small Nebraska town seems to appreciate how talented she is so she sets her sights on a prestigious arts academy in Chicago. It is a very expensive school and the only way she can afford to go is on scholarship but she is able to convince her fathers to let her go.

When she arrives at the school Bridget is surprised to learn that she got a low score on the music entrance exam and will not be able to participate in anything musically related for the school year. The dean also tells her it would be good for her learn some humility. And does Bridget ever need some humility! She drove me crazy! Major kudos to Allison L. Bitz for creating a main character who was like nails on a chalkboard yet who I was also secretly rooting for as she grew as a person.

Bridget puts herself right in the middle of everything by becoming a piano accompanist. The catch is she is forcing herself to not sing for the entire year. By being in the middle of it all, she is able to meet several of the other students and actually starts bonding with them. This is a new feeling for her as she didn’t really have any friends in Nebraska. She also finds herself the intricacies of having a crush or two; and making peace with her roommate. I loved her group of friends, they were such fun characters! I also loved how her roommate didn’t backdown when Bridget started pressuring her. These challenges and experiencing are what she needed to help her grow as a person.

The Unstoppable Bridget Bloom is a book that I can see transferring to the silver screen. It is a good coming of age story featuring a character who is able to learn and grow. It brings forth a positive message of believing in yourself while also being willing to extend yourself in new and exciting ways. If it ever does move to the silver screen though, the writers might want to bring Bridget’s level of unawareness down a notch. Otherwise, her way out of control ego may push viewers not to watch as it also may do for anyone who reads this book.

Rating: 3.5 Stars

The Widely Unknown Myth of Apple and Dorothy | Corey Ann Haydu | Book Review

The Widely Unknown Myth of Apple and Dorothy tells the story of Apple and Dorothy, two young girls trying to find their way in their world. They are descendants of a multitude of Gods who once upon a time went to the Earth and got involved with the human population. Their moms are best friends so they find themselves spending alot of time together following all of societies traditions. This included the one day where they are allowed to have a look at the Olympus. All was well until….it was not…and the girls find themselves deciding if they want to forever live as a God on Olympus or a human on Earth.

Apple and Dorothy are completely different. Apple is a descendent of Hara which means her role in society has been made to be a truth teller and a destroyer of Evil. Meanwhile, Dorothy is a descendent of Pandora which means she is often seen as evil and the holder of disaster. In many ways, Apple begins to think that she must protect Dorothy so that she will never turn to the evil side. Honestly, she becomes very clingy which can be seen as annoying until you remember that she is just a young girl in her pre-teens.

Corey Ann Haydub does such a good job of creating a world which you really feel like you are in. As the reader I felt like I was right there with Apple and Dorothy when they were together. The years right before becoming a teenager can be so hard. Things are beginning to change and often times, pre-teens have not learned the proper way to deal with change. Struggling to fit in, growing friendships, and the hardship of grief are different themes that are explored through out this story. Like I said before, there were times when I felt like I was going through all of this with them.

The Widely Unknown Myth of Apple and Dorothy is a middle grade book filled with myth and humanity. Apple and Dorothy are such strong characters and the world in which they live is very well crafted. As an older reader, I did not feel like anything was being oversimplified for the audience. I think this book will be a good read for middle grade readers but, if you’re an adult you might want to check it out too!

Rating: 4 Stars