[Review] Brave Face by Shaun David Hutchinson

Brave Face

Shaun David Hutchinson

What rating would you give it?
♥ 5 of 5 Stars ♥

Give us a summary.

(Goodreads Description)
Critically acclaimed author of We Are the Ants—described as having “hints of Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five” (School Library Journal)—opens up about what led to an attempted suicide in his teens, and his path back from the experience.

“I wasn’t depressed because I was gay. I was depressed and gay.”

Shaun David Hutchinson was nineteen. Confused. Struggling to find the vocabulary to understand and accept who he was and how he fit into a community in which he couldn’t see himself. The voice of depression told him that he would never be loved or wanted, while powerful and hurtful messages from society told him that being gay meant love and happiness weren’t for him.

A million moments large and small over the years all came together to convince Shaun that he couldn’t keep going, that he had no future. And so he followed through on trying to make that a reality.

Thankfully Shaun survived, and over time, came to embrace how grateful he is and how to find self-acceptance. In this courageous and deeply honest memoir, Shaun takes readers through the journey of what brought him to the edge, and what has helped him truly believe that it does get better.

What did you think of the book?

And this is how you get a person who HATES MEMOIRS to read a memoir.

WOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOW

First off, this is one of the books I featured on W2RO2 (Want To Read Or Own) AND I managed to find it at my local library last month to read for my N.E.W.T.S.

Secondly… I said this before, and I’ll most certainly say it again: TBH, I’m actually NOT the biggest fan of memoirs, autobiographies, and biographies. I have nothing against them, I just tend not to wast–EHEM–spend my money on them. XD EVEN IF THEY’RE AMAZING. That being said…

Third… IT ABSOLUTELY LIVES UP TO THE HYPE. ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

I knew I’d love this book from it’s catch line:

“I wasn’t depressed because I was gay. I was depressed and gay.”

Because I can SO relate.

What a fantastic, emotionally charged read. I’m still feeling that IN MY BONES.

Holy cow. There was so many relatable moments in there for me. You just would NOT believe. I felt his isolation, his pain, his struggles, his desolation, his despair, and inevitably his acceptance of self (even if it came at the expense of deciding he that acceptance came in the form of hating oneself until he finally learned to stop doing that and ACTUALLY live with who he is).

Listen. Anyone like me who honestly can’t understand why someone else would wanna read a memoir (Like, whhhhyyy??), you NEED to read this. It will change your life and your perspective of why memoirs (NOT ALL, BTW) are really, REALLY important and need to exist and continue to exist for generations to come.

This is one of those types of memoirs. I’m SHOOK.

Any warnings you wish to make for your readers?

Well… this IS a memoir about some pretty heavy topics, so go in understanding that.

Brave Face delves into life with depression, suicide, as well as what life is like being gay and not having a strong sense of self and acceptance, in part because the world around us offers none of the role models we deserve to see. Whether you are gay, lesbian, biThe author is raw and honest about his life, including many of the poor decisions he made and behaviors he engages in that shine in him a negative light. He keeps it real to the very end and I greatly appreciate that (because we all make stupid mistakes and I cannot stress enough that we NEED to own them and not simply hide them away, never to see the light of day, or deny them when they DO come to light because someone unearthed a “dirty little secret”).

Does it count towards any reading challenges?

• 2019 GoodReads Reading Challenge
• 2019 N.E.W.T.S.

Would you recommend this book?

IS THAT A TRICK QUESTION?!

OF COURSE GO READ IT!!

Reviewed by AMS (amomentsilence)

Publisher: Simon Pulse Publication Date: May 2019 Format: Hardcover Pages: 369 Genre & Themes: Nonfiction, Memoir, Autobiography, LGBTQUAI+

Age: Adult Reviewer: AMS (amomentsilence) Source: Borrowed from local library Challenge:  Goodreads 2019 ReadingChallenge, 2019 N.E.W.T.S.,

[Review] Choco Strawberry Vanilla [チョコストロベリー バニラ] by Delico Psyche (manga)

Choco Strawberry Vanilla

Delico Psyche

What rating would you give it?
5 of 5 Stars

Give us a summary.

Hiroi always shared what he liked, things and people alike, with his childhood friend Take. Take always returned Hiroi’s affections. Mine, who because of his deep love for Hiroi, accepts both of them. The relationship of these three classmates was in a good balance, but because of a subtle change in their feelings, this balance slowly gets unhinged…?!

What did you think of the book?

That was delicious. I am so glad I decided to read this. I’m not one to read threesome stories, but this one was DELISH. The relationship between the three MCs is not one of love per se, but it is addicting to watch unfold as the chapters progress. Abusive at times, tender at others, twisted throughout.

I totally get Hiroi’s need to “share” his things with his best friend Take, although I can understand why other people don’t. That’s actually the most fascinating part of this story, the relationship between Hiroi and Take. How they see themselves and how they see themselves fitting into the world and WHY this sort of relationship and behavior for them is natural. Also like parasitic or even conjoined twins, except in verse. They almost share one mind while inhabiting two bodies and somehow navigating through life in this manner. For them, “what’s yours is mine and what’s mine is yours and you are me and I am you” is just their perpetual state of being.

Mine is also a strangely complex character, namely for being able to not only put up with this bizarre relationship, but also for eventually finding his own rhythm in it — one which he even finds to “dislike less” than he once did (which is actually his tsundere self saying he’s lovin’ it, freak that he be, bless his soul. <3)

Such great storytelling without getting into too much. Letting us see into each character’s mindset, getting to know their very different, but also similar personalities. Seeing how important each one is in different ways and just… UGHHH

This was good. This was SO. GOOD.

All the stars. ALL OF THEM.

Delico Psyche you haven’t failed me yet. Another great job!!

PS – For those of you planning to or already giving this a one star rating b/c you were looking for some sappy lovey-dovey shit, go elsewhere. This story has a HEA ending of sorts, but it’s not all roses and butterflies and puppy dog tails. There’s a reason it’s called “CHOCO STRAWBERRY VANILLA.” Choco = sadomasochist, Strawberry = Sadist, Vanilla = Masochist. I’ll let you all decide who’s who in this savagely beautiful throuple.

Any warnings you wish to make for your readers?

God, if you only knew. XD I can’t even begin to describe what to warn about. Umm… let’s just say there isn’t anything like… torture or anything like that. It’s just REALLY messed up with SO MUCH EMOTIONAL MANIPULATION GOING ON. LORD.

Does it count towards any reading challenges?

Just the two…

• 2019 GoodReads Reading Challenge
• 2019 M3W2 Reading Challenge (Manga, Manhua, Manhwa, Webcomic & Webtoon)

Would you recommend this book?

OHMYGOD

GO GET IT.

(Just keep all the warnings in mind before you read it. That’s all. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.)

Reviewed by AMS (amomentsilence)

Publisher: — Publication Date: September 2013 Format: Paperback Pages: 190 Genre & Themes: Yaoi, Erotica, M/M/M Threesome, Romance, Slice of Life, Smut, Dubcon, LGBTQUAI+, Polyamory, Bisexual, Jealousy, Group Intercourse, Emotional Manipulation

Age: Adult (18+) Reviewer: AMS (amomentsilence) Source: Bought Challenge: 2019 GoodReads Reading Challenge, 2019 M3W2 Reading Challenge

[TBBReview] @Full Moon series by Sanami Matoh (manga)

Although I’m categorizing this as a Totally Biased Book Review (TBBR), it’s actually much more like an angry chapter-by-chapter reaction rant rather than an actual review.

SPOILERS ABOUND!!  You have been warned…

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@Full Moon (Vol. 1 & 2)

Sanami Matoh

What rating would you give it?
1.5/2 of 5 Stars

Give us a summary.

(Goodreads Description)
VOLUME 1
After ten years apart, aristocratic vampires and childhood friends Marlo and David are back together– as fiancés! Being half werewolf and half vampire, Marlo undergoes a peculiar transformation, becoming a woman rather than a beast under the full moon. So there’s no problem for a wedding and David’s womanizing fangs– right?

VOLUME 2
CAN’T MAN UP!
Half vampire, half werewolf, Marlo is a bit of an anomaly. When exposed to the light of the full moon, HE becomes a SHE! To make matters worse, it seems as though his rivals have plans to keep Marlo trapped as a woman – FOREVER! Join us as this epic vampire romance reaches its dramatic conclusion in this final volume of At Full Moon!

What did you think of the book?

Lord.

The weirdly misogynistic, toxic masculinity, homophobic bullshit of this series. =A=

Let me just start by saying, JUST HOW PROBLEMATIC this whole series (Until The Full Moon and it’s sequel @Full Moon) is TO BEGIN WITH.

Then I’m gonna say how — EVEN THOUGH IT’S PROBLEMATIC — I still, at least, liked the first series, Until The Full Moon.

But this one…

But thing here….

WHAT THE eFF EVEN DID I READ

WHY DID IT–

HOW—

Okay… Okay…

Lemme just explain something before I get into my “in-the-moment-thoughts-while-reading-this” commentary.

This series COULD have been REALLY cool and interesting and breaking gender boundaries and empowering towards the LGBTQUIA+ community. Or at least, I dunno, ACTUALLY MADE SOME COHERENT SENSE IN TERMS OF GENDER IDENTITY AND HOW YA DEAL WITH IT AND THE SPECTRUM OF SEXUALITY AND ALL THAT.

But no.

Nooooooo.

It was SO CAUGHT UP IN KEEPING WITH THE “NO HOMO” VIBE THAT IT COMPLETELY MISSED THE MARK ON ALL REGARDS – SAVE ONE.

David continually makes it clear that he doesn’t care which version of Marlo he’s with. He loves him regardless of whether or not he’s in his male form or his female one.

WHICH IS AWESOME.

Except he insists he isn’t gay. (Which he’s not. I’m not concerned with that.)

And Marlo’s “an exception”. (Which I suppose IS true, but not in the way you’d think, or at least hope he’s indicating.)

And Marlo loves David. And David loves Marlo. In fact, here’s where the BIGGEST PROBLEM LIES:

They’ve BOTH HAD THESE FEELINGS SINCE THEY WERE CHILDREN AND DIDN’T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT MARLO BEING ABLE TO CHANGE INTO A GIRL ONCE A MONTH.

SO WHY DO THEY INSIST THEY’RE NOT ATTRACTED TO “MEN”? They’re AT LEAST attracted to each other, even if they don’t necessarily find other men attractive or sexually appealing or whatever. And they’re attracted to each other WHILE BOTH BEING IN THE MALE FORM. They both get aroused with each other. There’s no woman in their bed or superimposed their heads when they’re being intimate or kiss.

AND THEY BOTH LOVE EACH OTHER.

HAVE SINCE FOREVER.

SO WHAT IS WITH THE OVERBEARING NO HOMO THEY KEEP PUTTING UP LIKE IT ACTUALLY HAS ANY VALIDITY WHATSOEVER IN REGARDS TO THEM?!?!

I…. I…..

Okay… Let’s get on to my chapter-by-chapter reactions before I honestly couldn’t keep them up anymore and was just left with a big “WTeffingF?!”

THOUGHTS AFTER CH.1

Okay, so I’ll be totally honest. It’s weird getting used to the new art style. I LIKE it… like AT LOT. But it’s sooooo different from the previous style that it’s really throwing me for a loop.

Outside of that, I’m surprisingly enjoying it so far. Definitely looking forward to seeing where this goes.

Also, I like that the first kiss scene we see between Marlo and David is with Marlo in his male form, because back then there was A LOT of censoring going on and it was like the mangaka or publisher or whoever was trying to make it a very exclusive “They only kiss when Marlo’s female” kinda thing. I’m glad I’m seeing more of a reverse of that now, this many years later.

THOUGHTS STARTING CH.2

NEVERMIND. Not even 3 pages in and they’re wholly sticking to the whole “we’re not gay” blah blah blah bullshit again. *SIIIIIIGGGHHHHH* Such a disappointment. Ya’ll ARE gay or at least bi or sumthin’, because long before you could transform into a woman, Marlo, you were in love with him and he was in love with you. Suddenly being able to change into a woman only makes it convenient for the world to accept you better (I GUESS????!?) but that’s really about it. Marlo is STILL A GUY SOME 27 DAYS out of EVERY MONTH. He’s not trans or doing this for drag. He still SEES HIMSELF AS A MAN… So then, WHAT THE HELL IS THE PROBLEM?!

THOUGHTS AFTER CH.2

OKAY… so after reading chapter 2 completely I’m even MORE confused. I mean, it’s not like he only started liking Marlo AFTER he found out he could become a girl. He liked him since THEY WERE CHILDREN. In fact, the reason he was always only “playing” with the girls he went out with was because he was already in love with someone he thought he couldn’t have AKA Marlo. So… I mean… what gives? Why do you guys keep saying “Oh Marlo’s a special case” and all that, when it really doesn’t mean a damn thing since you were in love with him (and him, with you) since ya’ll were children? I DON’T UNDERSTAND and quite frankly, I don’t think the writer or translator does either.

Like… I don’t know if this is just bad translating, westernizing, censoring, or something… but this is someone trying TOO FUCKING HARD to say “NO HOMO!!!” because I’m just like…

…over here. IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE SO FUCKING COMPLICATED. You’re a guy who likes girls, but fell in love with another dude who happens to become a girl once a month for like 3 days TOPS. Even if your preference is still basically females, it really doesn’t apply to THE DUDE YOU’RE MARRIED TO, now does it? I mean, after all, it’s not like you don’t love him when he’s a guy. That’d be like a guy saying to a girl that he can’t love her or have sex with her unless she’s wearing makeup or looks a certain way or something. And if that’s actually what he’s saying, then that’s some serious denial shit going on there LEFT AND RIGHT. (It’s fine if it arouses you or you like the way they look dolled up, BUT ACTUALLY SAYING YOU CAN’T LOVE A PERSON BECAUSE UNLESS THEY LOOK A CERTAIN WAY IS REALLY… I mean… WOAH.)

God… I was SO hoping this series would be better than the first. Now it’s looking just a problematic – perhaps EVEN WORSE (even if I *DO* actually really like all of the characters)… *SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGH*

THOUGHTS AFTER CH.3/BEGINNING OF CH.4

What even. This is getting ridiculous (And I don’t mean in a good way either…) Why the fuck is Marlo mad at David if he wanted him to be jealous in the first place? This is just plain dumb.

THOUGHTS ON CH.4 – DATE

Awwwwww… okay. So even if the rest of it is a bit of a tragedy, I REALLY like Chris. He loves his momma and he’s awkward AF and adorable AF and I’m diggin’ him. (Any man who loves his mom and isn’t ashamed to admit it is a good man. Means he’ll treat his woman right, too. <3)

I will say though, I’m curious to find out how he reacts to finding out that Marlo is married (since I kinda think he actually doesn’t know yet and this is all the butler’s doing giving him bad advice… he seems like the really innocent, socially awkward type, y’know?). How he reacts to this news is really how I’ll judge him.

AFTER READING CH.4

Okay… so I don’t know how I feel about reading this chapter. If *I* were writing this, then I know I’d have nothing to worry about, especially in regards to how things are shaping up with Chris’ personality (and the fact that he DID know Marlo’s married but still wants to make him his wife??? Waaaah???). But since I’m *not* the one writing this, and I’ve already seen the HIGHLY questionable life choices the writer/translator/mangaka has been going with in regards to this series and its characters… I’m concerned. I really don’t want to hate Chris (because he’s super adorbs) but I have a feeling I’m going to regret saying anything good about him because this writer is just…

DO YOU EVEN KNOW HOW TO CREATE AND DEVELOP CHARACTERS AT ALL?!

THOUGHTS FROM CH.5 ONWARD

UGHHHHHHH….

SOMEBODY SHOOT ME NOW

FINAL THOUGHTS

I sort of want to scratch my eyes out after reading this. I’d actually been fine with never knowing this sequel existed.

Any warnings you wish to make for your readers?

Dun read it.

Especially if you ACTUALLY LIKED the first series, Until The Full Moon. This sequel series literally ruins it, like you have NO IDEA.

Does it count towards any reading challenges?

Just the two…

• 2019 GoodReads Reading Challenge

…and my own self-imposed one. Guess I should give it a name or something, huh? Hmm….

• 2019 M3W2 Reading Challenge

Y’know… M3=Manga, Manhua, Manhwa; W2=Webcomic, & Webtoon

Sounds doable. Maybe I’ll add parentheses or something to it to explain it. Whatevs.

Would you recommend this book?

Like I said before… I certainly wouldn’t recommend it. It seriously does NOT portray a good picture of… anything. And the fact that it also tries to lay on comedy to mask some of the serious issues going on in it really doesn’t help.

.

Reviewed by AMS (amomentsilence)

Publisher:  Kodansha Comics Publication Date: Nov 2011 & Jan 2012 Format: Paperback Pages: 384 (192+192) Genre & Themes: Fantasy, Romance, Gender Bender, Bisexual/Gay Sexualities, Comedy

Age: Teen/OT Reviewer: AMS (amomentsilence) Source: Bought Challenge: 2019 GoodReads Reading Challenge, 2019 M3W2 Reading Challenge

[Book TBBReview] In Despair (Princes of the Blood, Book 3)

In Despair

(Princes of the Blood, Book 3)

Megan Derr

What rating would you give it?
4.5 of 5 Stars

Give us a summary.

(Taken from GoodReads)
Prince Telmé Guldbrandsen has been groomed since childhood to become a Prince of the Blood and Commander of the Legion. He will be the youngest person to ever take the Blooding—if he can behave long enough to prove he can be trusted with the responsibility. But behaving is difficult when he is constantly forced to endure Korin: heir to the Reach of the House and the Temple of the Sacred Three, and the snotty brat Telmé is expected to someday marry.

Then the unthinkable happens, leaving Castle Guldbrandsen—and the Legion—in pieces. Overwhelmed by fear and grief, Telmé convinces Korin to help him attempt the impossible. But rather than relief, Telmé’s triumph is met with anger and rejection …

What did you think of the book?

Note of point, I originally sorta skimmed In Despair on 1/22/15, but didn’t actually pick up the book to read until later. 🙂

Now, onto the review!

I gotta say, this wasn’t what I was expecting. AT ALL.

Thankfully, that means it was FANTASTIC and HIGHLY ENTERTAINING and WHOLLY PRECIOUS all rolled up in one.

I think, this one might just be my favour–second favourite in the series. XD I don’t know if I can ever like it better than the first book, which absolutely captured my imagination and made me fall in love with the wonder of this world, its characters, its customs, and its obvious build-up of potential storytelling that only grew and grew with each and every book. As I mentioned before in my review of With Pride, I truly love the aspect of moving backwards in time as you read each novel of this series, how with each book it builds on the last even as you descend further and further back in the original cast of characters’ lives. This story tells of the fateful events that led to Telme and Korin becoming the serious power-couple they are, as the youngest EVER Commander of the Legion and High Priest of the Sacred Three. I always wanted to know how they came to be who they were, ever since the first book when it was so obvious there was a story to be told there. I couldn’t have been happier with the results this book provided.

Now, lemme first start by saying — what little shits you both were! XDDD

oh my GOD you are both SO annoying but I can’t help but love you even more anyway ❤

What I really, REALLY did not understand, or perhaps didn’t grasp from the first novel, was that they were betrothed and – at least in Telme’s case – Blooded so young. (Telme wasn’t so bad since he was at least 17, but damn! Korin was only 15!) Furthermore, I didn’t realize they were such… oh, what’s the word? oh yes – BRATS for pretty much the duration of their ENTIRE younger lives. XD Hell – in fact, they never grew out of it (which I LOVE, by the way! XD) and continued to be as infuriating as they grew older. They just got a lot better at hiding it in front of others. XD I was really happy to be able to see them in a light that showed… that they were normal, average teenagers too. (Well, as normal and average as one could be given their circumstances.) They fought each other. They got emotional. They were both the most adorable crybabies, completely warranted for crying at the horrifying, COMPLETELY UNWARRANTED, fucked up, unbelievable events that literally turned their lives upside-down in a matter of days. And then kept their lives IN DESPAIR (aha? Aha? See what I did there? ;D ;D ) for longer than I think MY OWN sanity would have allowed before I tore the whole kingdom down and showed them what it means to be a half-demon.

Which only shows that Telme is seriously a better person than me. I wouldn’t have endured that crap for as long as he did. And Korin, too – although he needed to stop whining so much throughout the book. That’s probably my only quip. That, and the abrupt… uh… sorta ending because I would have really liked to see what happened after they walked into that hall [highlight for spoiler] after they defeated the Incubus and went to check to see if people still hated their guts or not[/end spoiler]. I also think the book would have been better had Korin’s side of the story been seen as much as Telme’s… Y’know. So we could get the chance to sympathize a little more with his troubles and worries, instead of just hearing him complain about it or only seeing it from Telme’s occasional glimpses into the disrespectful actions of the Priests and the rest of the Legion towards him. Those mere glimpses seemed overshadowed by the utter ridiculousness of Telme’s situation, and I think if we had followed Korin around in some chapters instead of Telme, seen how bad it was for him as well, I (at least) would have had a bit more sympathy for him. As it was, I often found myself groaning whenever I heard Korin once again go off in a rage, and only sometimes caught myself to remember that he had it just as bad, if not worse in the long run.

That being said… I really enjoyed this book. I wasn’t quite expecting some of the theatrics those two pulled in their misadventures or the turn of events that transpired in the walls of Castle Guldbrandsen, but hell, was it an amazing ride!

Highly recommended!

Any warnings you wish to make for your readers?

Ehh… not really. There’s the usual blood and gore and youngins in bad situations, but nothing too horrific or graphic that you’ll lose your stomach. Some underage sexual situations, but no actual sex in this book.

Does it count towards any reading challenges?

As per usual:

• 2015 GoodReads Reading Challenge
• 2015 LGBT Challenge (OTHER/YA)
• You Read How Many Books?
• 52 Books in 52 Weeks
• Read A Million Pages
• 105 Reading Challenge (Categories: 1, 3, 4, 6, 9)
• Ethereal 2015
• Readathon Day 2015
• 2015 Monthly Motifs & Keyword Reading Challenge (I’m skipping around with this one)
  • Keyword: (MAY) In = “In” Despair

Would you recommend this book?

I think I said that already!

A P.S. for any potential readers: Although this series does NOT have to be read in order, I have the feeling that the reader would enjoy it better if read in its proper book order (books 1-2-3) and not in its time order (books 3-2-1). And if anyone wants to completely skip around, I would still suggest this book be read last. Something about… getting to meet these two in their older and, ehem, “wiser” selves first AND THEN reading about their teenage bumbling (and super-duper-holy-crap-rockin-woozers! heroics, too) makes it so much more… refreshing, I guess? It all sorta comes full circle to see that underneath those masks of professionalism are still two boys, who are still brats, but are also still so very much in love.

Reviewed by AMS (amomentsilence)

Publisher: Less Than Three Press Publication Date: July 2014 Format: ebook, RvC Pages: 221 Genre / Themes: Medieval Fantasy, Bisexual, Paranormal, M/M Romance, Magic, QUILTBAG / LGBTQUIA, Shifters, Demons, Pseudo-vampires, Coming of Age, Idiot Teenagers, Royalty, Nobility, Misunderstanding, War, Monsters, Arranged Marriages, Love+Hate Relationships

Age: Young Adult / Adult (I think…) Reviewer: AMS (amomentsilence) Source: Provided upon request by Publisher/Author Challenge:  2015 Good Reads Reading Challenge (21), 52 Books in 52 Weeks, You Read How Many Books?, Read A Million Pages, 105 Reading Challenge, Readathon Day 2015, 2015 LGBT Reading Challenge, 2015 Monthly Motifs & Keyword Reading Challenge, Ethereal 2015,

[Play Review] The Normal Heart by Larry Kramer

The Normal Heart

Larry Kramer

What rating would you give it?
4 of 5 Stars

Breakdown is as follows:

Actual rating is both…
3.75 Stars (mostly due to the unremarkable writing)

and 5 stars (for the incredible, heartbreaking tragedy that can’t even be described as a “story,” for it effected too many lives, brings rage to my heart some thirty years later, and tore apart a man who was simply trying to be the voice of a denied people)

Thus, to be fair, it gets a rounded 4 stars so we’re even.

Give us a summary.

(From Goodreads)
THE NORMAL HEART is the explosive drama about our most terrifying and troubling medical crisis today: the AIDS epidemic. It tells the story of very private lives caught up in the heart-rendering ordeal of suffering and doom – an ordeal that was largely ignored for reasons of politics and majority morality.

Filled with power, anger, and intelligence, Larry Kramer’s riveting play dramatizes what actualy happened from the time of the disease’s discovery to the present, and points a moral j’accuse in many directions. His passionate indictment of government, the media, and the public for refusing to deal with a national plague is electrifying theater – a play that finally breaks through the conspiracy of silence with a shout of stunning impact. As Douglas Watt summed it up in his review for the New York Daily News,THE NORMAL HEART is “an angry, unremitting and gripping piece of political theater. You are bound to come away moved.”

What did you think of this play?

Now, I want to say something about this understandably powerful play – I think… seeing it would have been more beneficial and successful an endeavor than simply reading it. Watching the actors put on the performance of a lifetime and searing into your eyes, your mind, your… very soul the profound impact of a government turning its back on its own people, simply because of their sexuality or social-economic backgrounds. Realizing that had they done something sooner, helped – people sooner… much of the tragedy of AIDS would not have spread so quickly or so staggeringly throughout the U.S.; a country supposedly in the height of First World privilege.

I was über curious about this play from the moment I heard Mark Ruffalo would be making a movie from a play of the same name. I can’t say I ever heard about it prior to that (which – I know – is a tragedy all in itself) but I’m thankful to have been able to read this and have the events through this play now part of my life.

I try not to read books about the HIV-AIDS epidemic (or the horrors of black slavery, or the Holocaust, or native american “relocation”), not because I want to close my eyes to the situation, but because I am too acutely aware of exactly what is going on. Sometimes, to have to relive it again and again in books sometimes more appalling than one might expect, is just too much.

This play has that sort of effect on you. You read it, and suddenly you are there in 1981, and you live through that four year period of utter hell. You see a government… a free, representative democracy, a “by the people, for the people” government…literally fuck everyone over by ignoring the cries of their gay citizens, by refusing to be involved with the gay cancer, by default… aiding in the spread of the disease. The overall writing might have been mediocre, but – let me tell you – the message was loud and clear.

My heart goes out to Ned, who feels like he hasn’t done enough; to Dr. Brookner who’s righteous anger mirrors my own so clearly; to all the men, women, and others of varying genders who suffered because their voices weren’t heard. We hear you. Even if it took thirty years – gods… we hear you.

Does it count towards any reading challenges?

Sure does~ Although it was specifically read for the 2015 Play On Reading Challenge, it also fits these challenges as well:

• 2015 GoodReads Reading Challenge
• You Read How Many Books?
• 52 Books in 52 Weeks
• Read A Million Pages
• 105 Reading Challenge (Categories: 3 + 4)
• 2015 LGBT Challenge (OTHER)
• 2015 New To You Reading Challenge (New Author To Me)

Would you recommend this book?

If for no other reason than to educate yourself on a topic very often pushed under the rug. As I said before, the writing itself could use some work, but the message definitely outweighs the faults in this one.

So, GET TO IT!

Reviewed by AMS (amomentsilence)

Published: October 29, 1985 (by Plume) Format: PDF Pages: 128 Genre & Themes: Play, Theatre, Queer, LGBT, QUILTBAG, Drama, AIDS epidemic, American History, Politics, Human Rights, Activism, Closeted Gays, Morality (Or The Lack Thereof)

Age: Adult Reviewer: AMS (amomentsilence) Source: jcc rochester. Click here. Challenge:  2015 Good Reads Reading Challenge (79), 52 Books in 52 Weeks, You Read How Many Books?, Read A Million Pages, 105 Reading Challenge, 2015 Play On Reading Challenge, 2015 LGBT Challenge, 2015 New To You Reading Challenge

The Re-Read Challenge Review ~ Update 4

THE LIST of Books I Re-Read Last Month (April)

   

   

1. Songs of the Earth (Sumeria’s Sons, #2) by Lexi Ander  [Review]
2. Ikenai Otoko by Hiroi Takao  [Review]
3. Ore ni Koi Shite Dounsunda by Kou Yoneda [Review]
4. Jigoku Meguri #1 & 2 by Siam Kuju  [Review]
5. Dark Prince (The Dark Earth manga, #3) by X. Aratare & T.Wolv  [Review]
6. Haito Diamond #1-4 by Mika Sadahiro  [Review]
7. The Abyss: Upon A Midnight Clear by X. Aratare  [Review]
8. The Erl-King: Jealous Sons and Mistletoe by X. Aratare  [Review]

WHAT I Remember

About Songs of the Earth… that everything was STILL NOT OKAY, NOT OKAY MAN!

About Ikenai Otoko… nothing actually. XD That is until I saw the cover and then one thing led to another and I ended up reading the whole thing in one go. No joke – the title does NOTHING to jog my memory of the story. Only the cover art brings the comedic escapades back in full swing.

About the Jigoku Meguri series… that I… I read it before… but somehow I felt like I hadn’t finished reading it or something? It’s possible that I started this series when it was being scanlated and never got back to it, which could very much so explain away why at least the ENTIRE SECOND BOOK and, maybe… the second-to-last chapter in the first book was such a blank to me.

Either that, or I have shit memory.

S’toss up between the two, fer sure.

About Dark Prince… that I had read most of it when it was being serialized but hadn’t finished it because 1) wasn’t completed yet and 2) membership ran out. Now that both of those things have been rectified, I decided it was about time to catch up on my favourite series.

About Ore ni Koi Shite Dounsunda… that… once again THE TITLE GAVE AWAY NOTHING TO ME. xD Just like with Ikenai, the only thing that helps is the cover art. Once I got a glimpse of that I had the same sort of feeling as I did with Jigoku, knowing that I HAD read it, but not ALL of it, so… yeah. *needs to get a physical copy of this one SOON* Anyone know where I can get one? xD

About the Haito Diamond series… that it will forever be one of my favourite fucked-up series that will live on in infamy till the end of time, because

About Upon A Midnight Clear (A short holiday tale from The Abyss)… that it was fuckin’ cute and I wanted to re-read it. END OF STORY.

About Jealous Sons and Mistletoe (A short holiday tale from The Erl-King)… that it was EVEN MORE FUCKIN CUTE, AND I WANTED TO FUCKIN’ RE-READ IT. GOD 

WHY I Wanted to Re-Read

I think I made myself clear with Jealous Sons and A Midnight Clear, so I won’t reiterate.

For Haito Diamond, I was actually dusting off my ATF (All-Time-Favourites) bookshelf and ended up picking up one book, dusting it off, reading it. Picking up the rest of the books, dusting them off, and reading all of them one after another. Then upon putting down my dusting cloth, went over to my computer and looked through my scanlations of all four books to compare and contrast the horrible “translating” to the original raws.

It was a gloriously entertaining afternoon. ❤

The rest were basically spurred on by random, “Oh! What’s that title? I don’t remember reading this—OHHH. Yes I do. Yup. Yes, I doo~ooh——fuck, I’m actually already halfway through this one, aren’t I? Might as well finish reading it. 8DDDD”

Only Songs of Earth was re-read again for the sake of refreshing myself for the next book.

HOW I Felt After Re-Reading

And I think that was pretty much for each and every book on this list. Nothing disappoints. XD

WOULD I Re-Read Again

I think the answer for all of them would be…

[Book Review] Travels With Penny by David Morrison

Travels With Penny: True Travel Tales of a Gay Guy and His Mom

David Alan Morrison

What rating would you give it?
4 of 5 Stars

Is there anything special going on for this book right now? 

Yup! There’s a virtual blog tour and giveaway going on right now. It’s ending on the 1st though, so enter while you still can!!

Also, I created an 8tracks playlist for the book from the author’s selection of roadtrip and character related songs. Go check it out here ❤

Give us a summary.

.
Two things flashed through my mind when I opened the door to the sex shop to find my mother standing in front of the display case talking to a tall salesman wearing a leather harness, jock strap and a dog collar. The first was, “Oh, crap!” The second was, “I hate it when Dad’s right.”

Thus begins David Alan Morrison’s hilarious memoir about the evolution of a family. Following the sudden death of his right-wing, conservative father, a middle-aged, liberal gay guy struggles with the idea of his own mortality by reminiscing about the quirky travel experiences he shared with his gregarious mother. Told through a combination of journal entries, random thoughts and interviews, TRAVELS WITH PENNY takes us on an adventure both funny and touching as David tries to make sense of seemingly random vacations that, somehow, weaved a new relationship with his estranged parents. As he and Penny travel through an Amsterdam hash bar, a New York gay theatre and the most conservative states in the USA, they learn that the events of their stormy past does not mean they must face the future in a broken relationship. They learn love trumps traditional notions of “family,” despite the pain of change and a society filled with anti-LGBT bias.

What did you think when you first started the book?

PFFFFFTTTTTT this book is hilarious. Good gods man! If you have a mother, then you will understand this poor guy’s plight. xDDDDD The whole sex shop scene was probably the best thing ever. That and his mom being an evil lady and tattling on him to his father. xD I could just hear them all so clearly in my mind. I just know, this is going to be an awesome read.

Final Thoughts?

It was great. Just like I thought it would be! I don’t think I could have asked for better. I typically don’t read nor particularly like memoirs (even fictional ones), but this? This was perfection! It was told like any great story would be, except you realize… “Wait. Wait this ACTUALLY HAPPENED. That makes it 10,000x better. XD” You sympathize with the characters, see yourself in some of the crazy happenings that befall this adventurous duo (and friends, as they’re often accompanied by a colorful entourage as well), and even find yourself equally embarrassed, mortified, or spleen-splitting laughin’-your-ass-off from the things that come out of people’s mouths. (I know I certainly did! It will never ceased to amaze me…)

A truly insightful piece, riddled with laughter and good times. Anyone who has a parent can sympathize even if they have never been in the situations depicted in this memoir. A great read! Don’t miss out on it! You’ll be rolling in laughter for days.

Any warnings you wish to make for your readers?

There’s lots of innuendo in this book, but it’s not raunchy or anything. It’s comedy, so there are moments of clean comedy and moments of not-so-clean comedy. You decide. I

Does it count towards any reading challenges?

Yup! A whole bunch. xD

• 2015 New To You Reading Challenge (New Genre That I Don’t Read: LGBT Travel Memoir)
• 105 Reading Challenge (Categories: 1, 3, 10)
• 2015 GoodReads Reading Challenge
• 2015 LGBT Challenge (NON)
• You Read How Many Books?
• 52 Books in 52 Weeks
• Read A Million Pages
• 105 Reading Challenge

Would you recommend this book?

Yes, it is so quotable and funny and—

Reviewed by AMS (amomentsilence)

Publisher: Booktrope Publication Date: April 2015 Format: eBook, RvC Pages: 139 Genre & Themes: Parents, Travel, Children, Dealing With Loss, Coming Together, Grief, Acceptance, LGBT (mostly gay) themes, Humor, Comedy, Real Life, Memoir

Age: Adult Reviewer: AMS (amomentsilence) Source: Provided by Good Tales Book Tours (GTBT) Challenge:  2015 Good Reads Reading Challenge (67), 52 Books in 52 Weeks, You Read How Many Books?, 2015 LGBT Reading Challenge, Read A Million Pages, 105 Reading Challenge, 2015 New To You

[Book Review] Lukos Heat by Megan Derr

Lukos Heat

Megan Derr

What rating would you give it?
3 (maybe 3.5) of 5 Stars

Give us a summary.

(Taken from GoodReads)
Najlah is on the hunt for the traitorous coward who attempted to assassinate the king and nearly killed Najlah’s brother in the process. But the hunt has taken his team deep into the Shide, the treacherous, freezing mountains controlled by the mysterious Lukos, feral wolf shifters who do not tolerate trespassers.

When the Lukos come upon them, Najlah is reluctantly intrigued. The Lukos, especially the one called Barkus, are nothing like the soft humans he spends most of his time around. They thrive in the brutal cold the way he thrives in volcanic fire. For the first time, it feels like Najlah may have found someone who can equal the fierceness of dragons, and see them as more than demons.

But if he hopes to explore the bond forming with the Lukos, he must first survive the enemy—and the Shide.

What did you think of the book?

I actually enjoyed this book, but I wasn’t 100% sold. I’ve read better by Megan Derr, so I can’t give it the high ratings I normally would. As per usual, I love, love, LOVE her grumpy characters and interesting dragons. XD They’re so ridiculously loveable, it isn’t even funny.

However, this story was waaaay too info-dumpy especially in the stilted dialogue, with equally too many odd moments for side-tracked conversation. That was easily my biggest problem with this book. I’ve seen much better writing from Megan Derr, so I’m a little disappointed on that aspect. But other than that, the world-building was good. There needs to be more of it, and the story needs to be way WAAAY longer, but you get enough of this world to understand most (although not all) of what is going on and why.

The plot was a bit weak and uninteresting, but it made up for it in the characters — specifically the character interaction. (My favourite moments are the ones that play out between the brothers. They’re ridiculous, and precious, and gods — where are they now to brighten my day? Silly dragons. xD)

And on that note, I did actually like all of the main and supporting characters, however I could *not* get over the really dumb name of “Barkus,” for a WOLF shifter. It’s just too… it wasn’t even funny after awhile. @__@  Other than that, the characters are great. I absolutely love Derr’s interpretation of dragons in this book and what we’ve learned of their society, culture, sexes/genders/roles in their dens, and personalities. I just wished everything didn’t seem so… so… scripted. Like I opened an encyclopedia on Tahjili dragons.

Also all of the characters need to stop eating dictionaries and just spewing information out of their mouth like an out of control fax machine.

Yet still! All in all, I *did* like it. I’m just on the fence as to whether or not I’d ever recommend it to anyone.

Any warnings you wish to make for your readers?

Uhh… although I wouldn’t call it bestiality, there is a scene where the characters have sex in their shifted forms so… beware~~ And all that jazz.

Does it count towards any reading challenges?

Obviously. XD It was done for the NetGalley & Edelweiss challenge, but also worked perfectly for the 2015 The Eclectic Reader (#2 A Book set in a country starting with the letter S) reading challenge. It also fits into all these:

• 2015 GoodReads Reading Challenge
• 2015 LGBT Challenge (MM/OTHER)
• You Read How Many Books?
• 52 Books in 52 Weeks
• Read A Million Pages
• 105 Reading Challenge (Categories: 1, 3, 9)
• 2015 New To You Reading Challenge (Brand New Series — I didn’t know it at the time but it is Book 1 of the Heart of Fire series)

Would you recommend this book?

I’m still not sure. I mean… maybe. Yeah. I think so. I dunno. It was an interesting read, even if it did seem very… incomplete. I just wished it was longer and not so… “word-dumpy” in the dialogue. If you can get passed that, then you’ll enjoy it as a quickie read.

Reviewed by AMS (amomentsilence)

Publisher: Less Than Three Press Publication Date: December 2013 Format: ebook Pages: est. 58 Genre / Themes: Romance, Gender Study, QUILTBAG / LGBTQUI, Coming of Age, Historical Fiction, Sex, Nudity, Friendship (Male Friendship), Gender & Sexual Identity & Study, Fantasy, Betrayal, War, Peace, Warring Nations, Holiday Short, Holiday Celebration, Master And Slave (non- sexual), Social Injustice, Social Hierarchy

Age: Young Adult (I think…) Reviewer: AMS (amomentsilence) Source: Index From Author’s Website Challenge:  2015 Good Reads Reading Challenge (18), 52 Books in 52 Weeks, You Read How Many Books?, 2015 New To You Reading Challenge, Read A Million Pages, 105 Reading Challenge, Readathon Day 2015, 2015 LGBT Reading Challenge, The Eclectic Reader (#2 A Book Set In A Country Starting With The Letter S),

[Webcomic Review] 14 Nights (COMPLETE)

14 Nights

Kristina Stipetic

What rating would you give it?
4.5 of 5 Stars

Give us a summary.

This story is about a guy who is afraid of sex.

What did you think of the book?

So… the story is about a guy who is afraid of sex.

But trust me, it’s about so much more than that. This is a brilliant piece of fiction and artistry – both in the storytelling and the art – that has captivated me for over x years. I have been following this strange, and yet poignant tale from its first pages and can honestly say I am happy with the final results.

Unusual characters in an unusual story with an equally unusual ending. My only “problem,” you could say, is that Lucian is not so much afraid of sex, as he is just uninterested in it and lacks the desire for it. I mean, yes – to an extent, he is genuinely afraid of the idea of having sex with someone else. You can see that clearly in the nightmarish dreams he has so often through the pages. But it’s much more than that. Lucian is asexual, or some spectrum thereof. Probably aromantic. I’m not going to speculate further since titles aren’t used in the comic. Nevertheless, the story circles around this topic and the relationship he eventually builds with Nikita, a man who loves him and whom he too loves just as much.

Any warnings you wish to make for your readers?

Because of the obvious nature of the content: nudity, sex, cursing, and some horror-esque graphic imagery.

Is it available to read for free? Where can I purchase it?

The answer to both questions is right here.

You can read it for free here! Just click the link.

Does it count towards any reading challenges?

Yup! A whole bunch. xD

• 2015 Graphic Novel and Comic Reading Challenge
• 2015 GoodReads Reading Challenge
• 2015 LGBT Challenge
• You Read How Many Books?
• 52 Books in 52 Weeks
• Read A Million Pages
• 105 Reading Challenge

Would you recommend this book?

Reviewed by AMS (amomentsilence)

Publisher: Self-published (I believe…) Publication Date: (Completed) May 2014 Format: electronic, webcomic Pages: 128 Genre: Webcomic, Romance, M/M Romance, QUILTBAG / LGBTQUI, Asexual, Disabled / Handicap Main Characters, Contemporary Fiction, Comic / Graphic Novel, Sex, Nudity, Surrealism

Age: Young Adult / New Adult (I think…) Reviewer: AMS (amomentsilence) Source: CLICK HERE Challenge:  2015 Good Reads Reading Challenge (18), 52 Books in 52 Weeks, You Read How Many Books?, 2015 Graphic Novel and Comic Reading Challenge, Read A Million Pages, 105 Reading Challenge, 2015 LGBT Reading Challenge,

Repost “Kinda” Mini Review – KONOYO IBUN (March 25, 2014)

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Supernatural, Yaoi

Volumes: 7 (complete)

Released in English?: Only up to Vol. 3

In the immediate family of the story’s protagonist everyone seems to die early, and other relatives talk about a curse. When soon after his grandfather’s death he comes down with an incurable disease, and is overwhelmed by grief and loneliness, in desperation he remembers his grandfather’s last words — that somebody was watching over them. He can only find an odd fossil tooth where his grandfather had pointed, but when he picks it up and accidentally gets some of his blood on it, that summons a guardian spirit, who promises to cure him. Maybe he should be pleased, but said guardian has some strange methods for healing.

Side Story (about director Keiichiro & Tetsu-chan): “Konoyo Ibun Sono no San”

Source: MangaUpdates

Alternative Names:  A Strange and Mystifying Story (English); My Demon & Me (French)

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My thoughts: I have always loved this story from the very first book. Sadly, however, it would seem that whoever the publisher was here in the States publishing it decides to bail and leave us all hanging at the 3rd book – which, by the way, I thought we were merely up-to-date and waiting for the managaka in Japan to finish making the next book already! @A@;;; I really don’t know what the say in terms of how I’ll get the rest of this series, but somehow or another I will. Basically I’m stuck with either buying it in French – since they finished their publication of it eons ago – or in the original Japanese. I’d probably want it in the Japanese since it’ll be in its completion that way, but I have very few options on where to purchase it. I’ll probably check out BookOff and YesAsia and even Amazon.jp but… I get the feeling I’m going to be hunting for this one for awhile. -A-;

That aside, I really loved this series. Don’t ask me why. It had something to do with the strange nature of the story being told, the genuine yet still fanciful qualities to the characters and their problem/solution to said problem. I’m 100% on how they eventually decide to work things out though. That much is entirely okay by me.

Rating:
5 Stars (for the 3 books I’ve read thus far)