Literally one of my favorite books I have ever read! Represents the LGBTQ community, talks about racism, and the trials and errors of friends and lovers. Must read!
The Dos and Donuts of Love by Adiba Jaigirdar, (List Price: $12.99, Square Fish, 9781250842121, June 2024)
Reviewed by Jennifer Jones, Bookmiser in Savannah, Georgia
The Dos and Donuts of Love by Adiba Jaigirdar Read More »
Cactus Country is a lucid and tender coming-of-age memoir of class and gender expression. With an enjoyable ease, Zoë Bossiere vividly paints the Tucson desert, the colorful residents of the trailer park, which gives the memoir its title, and the search for understanding and acceptance. Explores a young person’s gender journey without prescriptiveness but rather sensitivity and care.
Cactus Country by Zoë Bossiere, (List Price: $27, Abrams Press, 9781419773181, May 2024)
Reviewed by Luis Correa, Avid Bookshop in Athens, Georgia
Cactus Country by Zoë Bossiere Read More »
King-Miller’s The Z Word captures the same cackling, DIY, gory energy of the first time I ever watched Return of the Living Dead. Set during the sweltering energy of small-town, Southwestern Pride, Wendy finds herself experiencing the start of the zombie apocalypse in the midst of Pride festivities. There’s found family, betrayal, and evil corporations, all centered around the fun bonding activity of hitting zombies with your car.
The Z Word by Lindsay King-Miller, (List Price: $16.99, Quirk Books, 9781683694076, May 2024)
Reviewed by Mikey LaFave, Avid Bookshop in Savannah, Georgia
The Z Word by Lindsay King-Miller Read More »
I’m happy to report that Women! In! Peril! lives up to its obsession-worthy title and cover. This short story debut is full of smart, fresh fiction that I wanted to savor. Marshall brings a hilarious voice to inventive literary stories about women whose struggles range from divorce to the destruction of the human race. Singular characters like a former ballerina with memory loss and a lesbian whose girlfriend thinks she’s carrying the baby Jesus make up this exciting and unabashedly queer collection!
Women! In! Peril! by Jessie Ren Marshall, (List Price: $17.99, Bloomsbury Publishing, 9781639732272, April 2024)
Reviewed by Julia Lewis, Fountain Bookstore in Richmond, Virginia
Women! In! Peril! by Jessie Ren Marshall Read More »
As someone who adores Pride and Prejudice, I am very protective of its main characters, and I am happy to report that Gabe Cole Novoa gave them brilliant new lives in this retelling. My little queer heart was bursting at the seams!
Most Ardently: A Pride & Prejudice Remix by Gabe Cole Novoa, (List Price: $19.99, Feiwel & Friends, 9781250869807, January 2024)
Reviewed by Rachel Randolph, Parnassus Books in , Tennessee
Most Ardently: A Pride & Prejudice Remix by Gabe Cole Novoa Read More »
I wanted to tell the story of a woman who sometimes wasn’t even the main character of her own life. I think it’s an idea that might resonate with other women of color: We live in a society that values men over women, children over mothers, and white people over people of color. Through fiction, I wanted to explore how that sort of hierarchy devalues women of color and how that shapes a life.
― Ursula Villarreal-Moura, Interview
What booksellers are saying about Like Happiness
About Ursula Villarreal-Moura
Ursula Villarreal-Moura was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. She is the author of Math for the Self-Crippling, a flash fiction collection. Like Happiness is her first novel.
Spotlight On: Like Happiness by Ursula Villarreal-Moura Read More »
In We Are Okay Nina LaCour carefully reveals Marin’s grief and coming of age with depth and clarity. LaCour’s work is striking and memorable, with a singular attention to detail and arresting emotional honesty. This novel is beautifully executed and will resonate with every one of its readers.
We Are Okay by Nina LaCour, (List Price: $17.99, Dutton Books for Young Readers, 9780525425892, February 2017)
Reviewed by Johanna Albrecht, McIntyre’s Books in Pittsboro, North Carolina
We Are Okay by Nina LaCour Read More »
A searing debut that deftly explores the effects of an unhealthy relationship between a predatory male writer and a young woman on the cusp of adulthood – I couldn’t stop reading it! The characters in this story are all too real, and post #MeToo we see Tatum grappling to understand her story and the abuse she suffered from the toxic man she viewed as her superior for far too long.
Like Happiness by Ursula Villarreal-Moura, (List Price: $28, Celadon Books, 9781250882837, March 2024)
Reviewed by Maggie Robe, Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Like Happiness by Ursula Villarreal-Moura Read More »
Like Happiness is an incisive and blistering coming of age novel that emanates a quiet and methodical rage. Through Tatum, Ursula Villarreal-Moura explores power imbalance, hero worship, and emotional exploitation in a way that keeps the pages turning, while also grappling deftly with sexuality and race. A searing portrait of a young woman trying to understand herself and the older man who irrefutably tangles her identity with his.
Like Happiness by Ursula Villarreal-Moura, (List Price: 28, Celadon Books, 9781250882837, March 2024)
Reviewed by Gaby Iori, Epilogue Books Chocolate Brews in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Like Happiness by Ursula Villarreal-Moura Read More »
Perfectly tailored for the reader lingering weirdly between Gen-Z and millennial in title, this book kicks butt and takes names. Deftly navigating (justified) teen angst with a humorous voice and unmatched compassion, Nerada has taken up residence on my list of authors to watch. A book that commits to the bit, Skater Boy destroys labels and points directly at systemic failings we’ve had a propensity to overlook. Nerada’s debut cheekily plays with how the intersections of those two issues create divisive and dismissive behavior. Wesley’s confinement to “punk” and “failure” parallel Tristan’s shining “poise” and “success” as the two boys fall into their predetermined roles, but Nerada’s characters compel the story forward, pushing against the oppressive, frustrating isolation of their respective archetypes and finding themselves wholly realized. Do yourself a favor, get to know the skater boy.
Skater Boy by Anthony Nerada, (List Price: $18.99, Soho Teen, 9781641295345, February 2024)
Reviewed by Shae Jordan, Avid Bookshop in Athens, Georgia
Skater Boy by Anthony Nerada Read More »
Alex is the son of the first woman POTUS. Henry is a prince of England. Alex has considered Henry to be his archenemy pretty much since they met, and he’s convinced that Henry feels the same. Until one night at a party when Henry kisses Alex, and Alex has to reconsider all of his feelings. But as the children of powerful world leaders, they have to consider their image and decide what damage they could cause and whether it’s worth it to them to pursue a relationship. This is such a fun book, and I found myself laughing out loud in so many places. The world can be hurtful to people who are “other”, but this book is the hope that counters that.
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston, (List Price: $16.99, St. Martin’s Griffin, 9781250316776, May 2019)
Reviewed by Melissa Oates, Fiction Addiction in Greenville, South Carolina
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston Read More »
This adorable graphic novel about a shape-shifting selkie and a teen lesbian who hasn’t fully accepted her queerness is heartwarming and heartbreaking all at the same time. This is a great book for young queer people with a diverse cast of characters and a lovely sapphic romance that you can easily devour in one sitting. Can’t wait to get this into the hands of young readers!
The Girl from the Sea by Molly Knox Ostertag, (List Price: $24.99, Graphix, 9781338540574, June 2021)
Reviewed by Candice Huber, Tubby & Coo’s Traveling Book Shop in New Orleans, Louisiana
The Girl from the Sea by Molly Knox Ostertag Read More »
A truer than most story written in verse like it should be. Tony relates how he became the first person in his family to become openly gay and a university graduate. It is a moving story of his trials and tribulations.
How the Boogeyman Became a Poet by Tony Keith, Jr., (List Price: $19.99, Katherine Tegen Books, 9780063296008, February 2024)
Reviewed by Judith Lafitte, Octavia Books in New Orleans, Louisiana
How the Boogeyman Became a Poet by Tony Keith, Jr. Read More »
Jordan is positive that she’s about to land the editor position for her school newspaper, despite the fact that she’s just a junior. But when assignments come out, she’s disappointed to see that not only has she not nabbed editor, but she’s been assigned to covery volleyball. Jordan is not sporty and her nemesis has just been named captain of the volleyball team. Could it get any worse? This fun, sweet YA romcom was a delight to read!
We Got the Beat by Jenna Miller, (List Price: $19.99, Quill Tree Books, 9780063243385, February 2024)
Reviewed by Jennifer Jones, Bookmiser in Marietta, Georgia
We Got the Beat by Jenna Miller Read More »
The title’s topic immediately sets this book apart, but it’s the 6 first-person narratives and the stunning photography that will bring you and your teen(s) together in your understanding of individuality and humanity. One of the most important books published this year.
Beyond Magenta : Transgender Teens Speak Out by Susan Kuklin, (List Price: $14.99, Candlewick, 9780763673680, March 2015)
Reviewed by Jenesse Evertson, Bbgb in Richmond, Virginia
Beyond Magenta : Transgender Teens Speak Out by Susan Kuklin Read More »
