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Another Word for Happy
by
What does it take to come out of the closet?
Since he was thirteen, Caleb has always known he’s gay. Now a college freshman, he falls in love for the first time. If it’s true that love conquers all, then will Caleb finally find the courage to reveal his secret?
In this tale about family, friendship and self-discovery, find out how Caleb discovers the path to the freedom he’s ...more
Since he was thirteen, Caleb has always known he’s gay. Now a college freshman, he falls in love for the first time. If it’s true that love conquers all, then will Caleb finally find the courage to reveal his secret?
In this tale about family, friendship and self-discovery, find out how Caleb discovers the path to the freedom he’s ...more
Paperback, 130 pages
Published
January 30th 2017
by CreateSpace Independent Publishing
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Not a romance, but a romantic YA/NA coming-out story of Caleb, 19yo piano prodigy and bow tie wearer, coming to grips with his sexuality, starting his first relationship, and working through home issues. This is only the second queer #romanceclass I've read after Don't Tell My Mother, and it makes clear at least some of the social and religious pressure and problems for LGBT+ people in the Philippines, a conservative and largely Catholic country. (Text includes a few slurs, voiced by the hero tr
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Like its title Another Word for Happy balances the exhilarating realism of coming out, and the fun.
Books that center around coming out isn’t the same from one another, and that’s because universal experience for an entire marginalization doesn’t exist. The experience might be comparable but there’s nuances. They are not the same at some degrees. Coming out stories always has something new to bring. For me, it always brings a bittersweet twang. I feel as if my heart is being gripped by an iron ...more
Books that center around coming out isn’t the same from one another, and that’s because universal experience for an entire marginalization doesn’t exist. The experience might be comparable but there’s nuances. They are not the same at some degrees. Coming out stories always has something new to bring. For me, it always brings a bittersweet twang. I feel as if my heart is being gripped by an iron ...more
Hoooooly guacamole. Another Word for Happy is the reason I'm crying right now. I'm still crying. It was so good; the characters, the story, the secondary characters are so!! ~ This is such an adorable read. I recommend everyone to pick it up!
It's the first LGBT+ book I've read from the #romanceclass books. It's about Caleb, who has known he likes boys since he was 13, and how his life changes when he meets cute boy Franco at a poetry club. It's a story about coming out and Agay wrote a beautifu ...more
It's the first LGBT+ book I've read from the #romanceclass books. It's about Caleb, who has known he likes boys since he was 13, and how his life changes when he meets cute boy Franco at a poetry club. It's a story about coming out and Agay wrote a beautifu ...more
I’ve been so excited about this since I found out this was coming out in October 2016! I’ve even hyped it up in my blog on National Coming Out Day even though I haven’t read it yet because I had a feeling it would be so good. And it definitely is! Even though I had to take several reading breaks because my heart could only take so much! Haha!
It’s a story about Caleb, a piano protégé who’s got so much more to give than what he lets on. He’s got a secret, something that is eating away at him daily ...more
It’s a story about Caleb, a piano protégé who’s got so much more to give than what he lets on. He’s got a secret, something that is eating away at him daily ...more
Growing up, I only encountered two Asian characters in fiction meant for people my age, the goddess Claudia Kishi from The Baby-Sitters Club and Cho Chang from Harry Potter.
Just two.
Pretty sad, I know. It's even sadder if you take into account that neither of them grew up in an environment remotely similar to mine.
I didn't know it then, but I desperately wanted to see myself--or someone like me, at the very least--in the books I was reading. Someone who has relatives who work in places like Saud ...more
Just two.
Pretty sad, I know. It's even sadder if you take into account that neither of them grew up in an environment remotely similar to mine.
I didn't know it then, but I desperately wanted to see myself--or someone like me, at the very least--in the books I was reading. Someone who has relatives who work in places like Saud ...more
Falling in love for the first time is already a grand mess. What more if the type of love you're feeling comes with a heavy secret? 17-year-old Caleb is gay, and he doesn't think anyone can accept him for it. It is a persistent weight he carries around with him as his tale unfolds. But what is beautiful about Caleb's tale, and about his awareness of the life he is living, is that being gay is not all there is. He is a musical prodigy and a college freshman struggling with schoolwork. He is best
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"Closets are for clothes. Not for that part of yourself you loathe. If you want to see the light, Outside the closet, you must take flight."
I grew up in an environment where there is so much rainbows and all and I know that you know what I mean and I really really appreciate this story so much. Every word of this book made me cry, literally made me cry. The title of this book truly encapsulates the aspect of being in a unique community where we all know has struggle being accepted by everyon ...more
I grew up in an environment where there is so much rainbows and all and I know that you know what I mean and I really really appreciate this story so much. Every word of this book made me cry, literally made me cry. The title of this book truly encapsulates the aspect of being in a unique community where we all know has struggle being accepted by everyon ...more
Heartfelt and hopeful. This is a realistic—at times painfully realistic—look into homosexuality and how deeply rooted the ways Filipinos view it are in religion and outdated, harmful prejudices.
Another Word for Happy
by Agay Llanera
4.5 out of 5 stars
If there is one word to describe this book, it is this: vivid.
Agay did a great job of weaving the story of Caleb through an amazing way of showing, not telling. Each scene was vividly described, each emotion clearly depicted, that I can actually feel I am there, with Caleb. In his school, in his home, with his mother, with Ginny. And with Franco.
The tone of the story was set at the first paragraph. It was neither happy or sad, or hot or cold ...more
by Agay Llanera
4.5 out of 5 stars
If there is one word to describe this book, it is this: vivid.
Agay did a great job of weaving the story of Caleb through an amazing way of showing, not telling. Each scene was vividly described, each emotion clearly depicted, that I can actually feel I am there, with Caleb. In his school, in his home, with his mother, with Ginny. And with Franco.
The tone of the story was set at the first paragraph. It was neither happy or sad, or hot or cold ...more
What a beautiful story.
Agay's writing is so gorgeous and vivid. Caleb's love for music colours how he views everything and I loved that. I love when a character's passions are reflected in how they see they world, and there's a lot of great musical symbolism woven in here. It adds so many more layers to Caleb's characterization that feels so real to who he is.
I mentioned how vivid and beautiful Agay's way with words are and this stood out the most for me in the scene where Caleb's playing Moza ...more
Agay's writing is so gorgeous and vivid. Caleb's love for music colours how he views everything and I loved that. I love when a character's passions are reflected in how they see they world, and there's a lot of great musical symbolism woven in here. It adds so many more layers to Caleb's characterization that feels so real to who he is.
I mentioned how vivid and beautiful Agay's way with words are and this stood out the most for me in the scene where Caleb's playing Moza ...more
Finished this story in a day. I swear, I could not put it down!
Agay’s prose is beautiful. It grips your heart and squeezes it for all its worth. Add a solid, sensitive, emphatic story to the mix, this is definitely a book everyone should read.
I loved Caleb, and reading about his journey made me want to give him a BIG hug. His thoughts and reflections, juxtaposed against the music he loves and the poetry of the spoken word sessions is a revelation … unfamiliar, but inviting the reader into his wo ...more
Agay’s prose is beautiful. It grips your heart and squeezes it for all its worth. Add a solid, sensitive, emphatic story to the mix, this is definitely a book everyone should read.
I loved Caleb, and reading about his journey made me want to give him a BIG hug. His thoughts and reflections, juxtaposed against the music he loves and the poetry of the spoken word sessions is a revelation … unfamiliar, but inviting the reader into his wo ...more
As usual, as with any story by Llanera, I jumped head first into this book and fell in love. The way she writes is masterful and the way she crafted this story showcases these very skills.
Caleb is a character you care about so deeply, you root for him from page one. However, I also found myself rooting for everyone else in the story too. The girl who hoped Caleb was straight, the mom who couldn't understand but so desperately tried to, the best friend who wasn't just a token character but one wh ...more
Caleb is a character you care about so deeply, you root for him from page one. However, I also found myself rooting for everyone else in the story too. The girl who hoped Caleb was straight, the mom who couldn't understand but so desperately tried to, the best friend who wasn't just a token character but one wh ...more
Thank you to Ms. Agay Llaner for a digital copy of this book in-exchange of honest review.
When I read the synopsis of Another Word for Happy, I’m thrilled so I immediately signed up for the blog tour. Another thing that caught my attention is how diverse this book. I haven’t read a book about a boy coming out of the closet. I am always curious of the thoughts, feelings, behavior and emotions of those people part of the LGBT community especially how they struggle yet still strive for acceptance a ...more
When I read the synopsis of Another Word for Happy, I’m thrilled so I immediately signed up for the blog tour. Another thing that caught my attention is how diverse this book. I haven’t read a book about a boy coming out of the closet. I am always curious of the thoughts, feelings, behavior and emotions of those people part of the LGBT community especially how they struggle yet still strive for acceptance a ...more
Can I pretty please give this a 7/5 because of awesomeness? I love getting lost in Agay's worlds and Another Word for Happy is no exception. The way she makes characters relatable is a gift. You can't help but cheer for them and wish them happiness.
Another Word for Happy is such a satisfying read. ...more
Another Word for Happy is such a satisfying read. ...more
It says right on the cover that it’s ‘a story about coming out,’ and it is, and in more ways than one. The writing is heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time, complete with wisdom and inspiration.
Read the rest of my review on Bookbed. ...more
Read the rest of my review on Bookbed. ...more
a cute, fluffy read that manages to perfectly balance the hardships and happiness of coming out. totally recommend.
First of all, I am grateful because I was able to read and review Another Word For Happy by Agay Llanera and I am one-hundred percent sure that this is my first ever book from her. I could say that I am a satisfied reader.
Another Word For Happy is a thin book with an entertaining story that is simple, direct and beautiful in all possible way. It is a story of acceptance, self love and friendship. It has a little love story on the side but the story is focused on Caleb. He's gay, a musician and ...more
Another Word For Happy is a thin book with an entertaining story that is simple, direct and beautiful in all possible way. It is a story of acceptance, self love and friendship. It has a little love story on the side but the story is focused on Caleb. He's gay, a musician and ...more
THIS BOOK IS AMAZING. AM-AHHH-ZINNNG.
I'd been having a bit of a reading slump lately, being a bit of a grouch because I couldn't turn my inner 'story engineer' off. You know, that voice in your head that thinks of stories like shapes and buildings, noticing the symmetry of the plot or how dialogue and characterization can otherwise decorate faulty bones. (Just me? Heh.) But this book shook me out of that grouch potato mode. Trust Agay Llanera to deliver a perfectly constructed story in a way th ...more
I'd been having a bit of a reading slump lately, being a bit of a grouch because I couldn't turn my inner 'story engineer' off. You know, that voice in your head that thinks of stories like shapes and buildings, noticing the symmetry of the plot or how dialogue and characterization can otherwise decorate faulty bones. (Just me? Heh.) But this book shook me out of that grouch potato mode. Trust Agay Llanera to deliver a perfectly constructed story in a way th ...more
Another Word For Happy is one bold book.
It's a story about Caleb. A story of accepting who you really are and being free. It's a story about family, friendship, love and freedom.
Caleb's story is relatable to EVERYBODY. All of us, whatever gender you might be in, we are all experiencing hardships just like him. Just like Caleb we have been through keeping the best act we have because we don't want to disappoint people we love. Just like Caleb, we got our heart broken. And just like us, Caleb and ...more
It's a story about Caleb. A story of accepting who you really are and being free. It's a story about family, friendship, love and freedom.
Caleb's story is relatable to EVERYBODY. All of us, whatever gender you might be in, we are all experiencing hardships just like him. Just like Caleb we have been through keeping the best act we have because we don't want to disappoint people we love. Just like Caleb, we got our heart broken. And just like us, Caleb and ...more
A story of love and acceptance that we should all read.
A book with imperfect and realistic characters.
All that i liked caleb was those thoughts and reflections.
Caleb e sun chico of 17 years who is homosexual and he believes that the people of his environment will not accept him for that and it is something that is seen in the development of history.
What you find in this history is music, poetry, life and love.About the colors caleb, a talented pianist with a penchant for colorful bow ties. Ginny ...more
A book with imperfect and realistic characters.
All that i liked caleb was those thoughts and reflections.
Caleb e sun chico of 17 years who is homosexual and he believes that the people of his environment will not accept him for that and it is something that is seen in the development of history.
What you find in this history is music, poetry, life and love.About the colors caleb, a talented pianist with a penchant for colorful bow ties. Ginny ...more
Remembering gay is another word for happy...
This line and everything inside the book is a gem! OMG!
Agay your story made me happy, sad and it touched deeply until my soul. Caleb is such a talented angel that I want to give a bear hug. He reminded me so much of my best friend. All of your characters also shine in your story, I super love them!
My heart is overflowing with emotions while reading the book. I believe this is so far the best LGBT Young Adult novel that I read.
This line and everything inside the book is a gem! OMG!
Agay your story made me happy, sad and it touched deeply until my soul. Caleb is such a talented angel that I want to give a bear hug. He reminded me so much of my best friend. All of your characters also shine in your story, I super love them!
My heart is overflowing with emotions while reading the book. I believe this is so far the best LGBT Young Adult novel that I read.
This book is one of our Recommended Reads! Read our post here.
Please note: We don't use ratings but for this purpose, we tag books with three stars by default.
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We also accept review requests. More info here. ...more
Please note: We don't use ratings but for this purpose, we tag books with three stars by default.
Would like to be a reviewer/contributor to Bookbed? Sign up here!
We also accept review requests. More info here. ...more
I do think it's a cute story, but it's really held back by its novella length. That's the reason why I chose not to rate it any higher.
This was a very, very quick read for me. I think I finished it after a little over an hour? The events that occur seem to come off as super condensed for me, which detracted my immersion in the story. It felt like everything got resolved pretty quickly, like the events just flew by without being thoroughly expounded on. Same goes with all the characters that were ...more
This was a very, very quick read for me. I think I finished it after a little over an hour? The events that occur seem to come off as super condensed for me, which detracted my immersion in the story. It felt like everything got resolved pretty quickly, like the events just flew by without being thoroughly expounded on. Same goes with all the characters that were ...more
This book has been a fulfilling read, much to my surprise. Seeing Caleb move slowly out of the closet was quite like a mother watching her toddler walk for the first time— it's really good. (view spoiler)
...more
Lovely coming out story.
Caleb is a thoughtful and careful boy. A classical pianist just starting college and finally coming to terms with his sexuality and with other people's expectations of who he is. This is a gentle story, low on the angst, but it drew me in and kept me invested all the way. ...more
Caleb is a thoughtful and careful boy. A classical pianist just starting college and finally coming to terms with his sexuality and with other people's expectations of who he is. This is a gentle story, low on the angst, but it drew me in and kept me invested all the way. ...more
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The book honestly felt eh to start off with. I'm not the biggest fan of in media res, which is how it started, but yeah. I was generally super confused, especially in the beginning. I didn't feel emotionally attached to any of the characters, so it took me forever to read. The imagery was good I guess though. The ending was cute, which was the only thing that saved the book. It was also not own voices so yeah.
Also, TW for homophobic parents ...more
Also, TW for homophobic parents ...more
Another word for happy, indeed.
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