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Birthday
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Boyhood meets The Sun Is Also a Star in this unconventional love story by award-winning author Meredith Russo!
Two kids, Morgan and Eric, are bonded for life after being born on the same day at the same time. We meet them once a year on their shared birthday as they grow and change: as Eric figures out who he is and how he fits into the world, and as Morgan makes the diffic ...more
Two kids, Morgan and Eric, are bonded for life after being born on the same day at the same time. We meet them once a year on their shared birthday as they grow and change: as Eric figures out who he is and how he fits into the world, and as Morgan makes the diffic ...more
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Equally soul crushing and heart warming
Meredith Russo, this book absolutely blew me away.
Eric and Morgan have known each other since birth. That's not hyperbole—they were born on the same day in the same hospital, and there was a snowstorm, so both families were snowed in. Their families were close, at least until Morgan's mother died of cancer. But the boys have been best friends their entire lives.
As their 13th birthday approaches, Morgan knows things are changing. What Morgan knows more than anything is that he isn't whom he's sup ...more
Eric and Morgan have known each other since birth. That's not hyperbole—they were born on the same day in the same hospital, and there was a snowstorm, so both families were snowed in. Their families were close, at least until Morgan's mother died of cancer. But the boys have been best friends their entire lives.
As their 13th birthday approaches, Morgan knows things are changing. What Morgan knows more than anything is that he isn't whom he's sup ...more
I'm not going to rate this book. I thought a long and hard time about whether I should read this or not and I'm glad I did. It is an important novel about a trans teenager written by a trans author and I truly believe it comes from a good place. It was heartfelt and emotional and it hurt.
What I cannot condone, though, is the author's own history of abuse. Reading about violence and abuse leaves a very bitter aftertaste when you know the author, too, is an abuser. It's not just hypocritical, it's ...more
What I cannot condone, though, is the author's own history of abuse. Reading about violence and abuse leaves a very bitter aftertaste when you know the author, too, is an abuser. It's not just hypocritical, it's ...more
well, folks we may just have our next A.J. Finn
article 1
article (reddit thread) 2
Article 3 - note: The Post Millennial has a problematic background and transphobic posts. Enter at your own risk. Their opinions and beliefs do not reflect my own.
Art vs. Artist
Article 4
Article 5
I urge you to read this article before reading any of Russo's books.
none of these articles are absolute or definite and I do not stand by any offensive terms or language that may be used within them
i'm not trying to complete ...more
article 1
article (reddit thread) 2
Article 3 - note: The Post Millennial has a problematic background and transphobic posts. Enter at your own risk. Their opinions and beliefs do not reflect my own.
Art vs. Artist
Article 4
Article 5
I urge you to read this article before reading any of Russo's books.
none of these articles are absolute or definite and I do not stand by any offensive terms or language that may be used within them
i'm not trying to complete ...more
Nov 17, 2019
demi. ♡
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
owned-physical,
lgbtq
❥ 5 / 5 stars
I read this one without knowing anything but it’s a story about two friends who were born on the same day, includes LGBT and ...... that’s it. So, when I discovered that Morgan was a trans, I was completely shocked (but in a good way) because I’ve never read a single book that includes a transgender as the main character before. It’s a definitely brand new experience and also a good start for me. It makes me understand those who are transgenders much more than I did before, knowing ...more
I read this one without knowing anything but it’s a story about two friends who were born on the same day, includes LGBT and ...... that’s it. So, when I discovered that Morgan was a trans, I was completely shocked (but in a good way) because I’ve never read a single book that includes a transgender as the main character before. It’s a definitely brand new experience and also a good start for me. It makes me understand those who are transgenders much more than I did before, knowing ...more
Jun 18, 2019
Chelsea (chelseadolling reads)
rated it
really liked it
Recommended to Chelsea by:
Madalyn (Novel Ink)
Shelves:
queer
I am crying so hard in this club 😭😭😭😭
TW: suicide, death of a parent, homophobia, transphobia
TW: suicide, death of a parent, homophobia, transphobia
Jun 19, 2019
chan ☆
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
ya-contemporary,
2019
favorite book of the year, hands down.
Huge thanks to Flat Iron Books for the ARC!
Holy crap, I loved this book. I loved it so much more than I thought it would. I finished it one one day and it’s been a while since I’ve done that. I just absolutely adored Morgan and Eric.
The premise of this book is super vague so I’m going to try to keep this review as vague as possible - but wow. My fucking heart hurts and this book is so powerful and so important. I love the way this story is told, we get to follow these two characters every year ...more
Holy crap, I loved this book. I loved it so much more than I thought it would. I finished it one one day and it’s been a while since I’ve done that. I just absolutely adored Morgan and Eric.
The premise of this book is super vague so I’m going to try to keep this review as vague as possible - but wow. My fucking heart hurts and this book is so powerful and so important. I love the way this story is told, we get to follow these two characters every year ...more
Aug 12, 2019
Lyn❤Loves❤Listening #AUDIOBOOKADDICT
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Lyn❤Loves❤Listening #AUDIOBOOKADDICT by:
Jan and Moony's reviews
Audio – 4.5 stars
Story – 5 +++ stars
I don’t really have the words to review this book, but I do have two words for the author, Meredith Russo…THANK YOU!!!
As a mother who very recently found out that her 13-year-old child is FTM trans, this story and the interview at the end between the narrator and the author (who are both MTF trans) proved to be more enlightening than any pamphlet could ever be.
The story may be fictional, but it comes from a place of truth. Even though Morgan and Eric have bee ...more
Story – 5 +++ stars
I don’t really have the words to review this book, but I do have two words for the author, Meredith Russo…THANK YOU!!!
As a mother who very recently found out that her 13-year-old child is FTM trans, this story and the interview at the end between the narrator and the author (who are both MTF trans) proved to be more enlightening than any pamphlet could ever be.
The story may be fictional, but it comes from a place of truth. Even though Morgan and Eric have bee ...more
![destiny ♡⚔♡ [howling libraries]](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1614916030p2/15335689.jpg)
ffs, if I have to read the f-slur one more time I'm going to cry. It's immensely triggering for me and it's used in such an overkill amount here.
...more
Absolutely a favorite of the year. I was immediately invested in these characters and loved the format of only seeing them once a year on their birthdays, seeing how their lives had changed since we last checked in.
I did not expect the grief element in this book. Morgan's mom died from cancer when she was 12, and my mom died of cancer when I was 12. To say that Morgan's feelings hit home is an understatement. Her mother wrote letters before she died, and so on the other side of things, as a mom, ...more
I did not expect the grief element in this book. Morgan's mom died from cancer when she was 12, and my mom died of cancer when I was 12. To say that Morgan's feelings hit home is an understatement. Her mother wrote letters before she died, and so on the other side of things, as a mom, ...more
I started reading Birthday on 5/10/2019 and finished it on 5/11/2019. This book is a fantastic read! As soon as I read Morgan’s view I felt heartbroken for him because of his mom. Gosh, I cried so much reading this book! I also really like Eric too. Eric’s such a good person and a caring friend despite having those jerks for brothers and dad. Their struggles felt so real and the secrets they live with makes me ache for them. Both of the main characters are well liked. I love Morgan’s birthday le
...more
Aug 09, 2019
Moony Eliver
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Moony by:
h o l l i s
Oof. This one’s hard to talk about. Here’s why…
I highlighted 2 lines in Birthday. TWO. Normally I would have at least 20. But people, I forgot I was reading. I didn’t reach out to highlight for the same reason I don’t reach out to highlight the air when a friend in front of me says something great.
(Although…hmm…put a pin in that. Someone please make this capability??)
I wasn’t reading a novel, I was living Morgan’s life. I wasn’t seeing into her head, I WAS her. With the added bonus of also gett ...more
I highlighted 2 lines in Birthday. TWO. Normally I would have at least 20. But people, I forgot I was reading. I didn’t reach out to highlight for the same reason I don’t reach out to highlight the air when a friend in front of me says something great.
(Although…hmm…put a pin in that. Someone please make this capability??)
I wasn’t reading a novel, I was living Morgan’s life. I wasn’t seeing into her head, I WAS her. With the added bonus of also gett ...more
You know when you read a book and you just know it’s going to have a long lasting impression on you, that’s what this book has done for me. Amazing
CW/TW: Grief, Homophobia, Transphobia, Suicide, Abusive Parent.
This book follows Morgan and Eric, who are best friends and also share the same birthday. Morgan’s mother has recently passed, and they are struggling with grief and also beginning to question their gender. Eric’s father takes out his anger on his wife and sons. Morgan and Eric have such d ...more
CW/TW: Grief, Homophobia, Transphobia, Suicide, Abusive Parent.
This book follows Morgan and Eric, who are best friends and also share the same birthday. Morgan’s mother has recently passed, and they are struggling with grief and also beginning to question their gender. Eric’s father takes out his anger on his wife and sons. Morgan and Eric have such d ...more
I feel like crying. I couldn’t put this down because I fell in love with both Eric and Morgan. This broke my heart and twisted it and made me tear up. But it was also so triumphant. This is going to save lives.
I loved this. I want to give Morgan and Eric the biggest hug.
I’m just sitting here crying??? This was so wonderful, and I think Morgan’s story (and Eric’s) will resonate with so many people. The format— Birthday is told through snapshots of the two main characters’ birthdays from age 13-18– was executed to perfection. The Southern small-town setting was all-too realistic. Birthday is a great reminder that coming out stories are still important and that there are so many coming out narratives that still need to be told.
Content warnings: death of a parent ...more
Content warnings: death of a parent ...more
Wow. This was some book.
I loved the characters, i loved the concept and i loved the execution.
I loved the characters, i loved the concept and i loved the execution.
Cried like a baby. 5 stars.
BIRTHDAY blew me away.
"I don't think we have much choice in who we turn out to be, as much as we might want to."
I honestly don't even know what to say. But my god. I was choking back the sobs by page thirty and that more or less was what I did throughout the rest of the book, too. And just thinking about the journey makes me want to cry.
What do you do when you can't swim up, you can't swim down, and staying put will suffocate you?
As always I went in with only a very very vague idea as to what t ...more
"I don't think we have much choice in who we turn out to be, as much as we might want to."
I honestly don't even know what to say. But my god. I was choking back the sobs by page thirty and that more or less was what I did throughout the rest of the book, too. And just thinking about the journey makes me want to cry.
What do you do when you can't swim up, you can't swim down, and staying put will suffocate you?
As always I went in with only a very very vague idea as to what t ...more
This book is so important and good🤩 , I personally don't know a ton about people who are transgender or the LGBTQ in general but this book gave me some insight and now I know how important this book is to make people aware for these important topics ,100% recommend , 3 ⭐⭐⭐
...more
I am not going to lie, this is one of the hardest books I've ever read. it was very dark, it was painful to read at times, but most importantly this book is hopeful. so hopeful. I cannot recommend it enough. I truly cannot. this is one of the best & most important books you'll ever read, and I am so thankful for Meredith Russo. we need more ownvoices transgender books. trans lives do matter.
trigger warnings (please take care): internalised transphobia, homophobia & transphobia from other people, ...more
trigger warnings (please take care): internalised transphobia, homophobia & transphobia from other people, ...more
Morgan had to find who he was and when he did he could not show it to anyone. He had to live for years, suffocating. Either trying to live as a girl just to hide it again; either embracing his masculinity, wearing it like a mask until everything shattered inside.
Add to his/her suffering the yearly letters left by his deceased mother and to be read at every birthday and I was a sobbing mess most of the time!
This book hit me hard.
I am someone who will empathize with the character, live his lif ...more
Add to his/her suffering the yearly letters left by his deceased mother and to be read at every birthday and I was a sobbing mess most of the time!
This book hit me hard.
I am someone who will empathize with the character, live his lif ...more
I can’t describe how much I loved this book.
I spent the most glorious weekend traversing London and the Harry Potter Studios with a bunch of book lovers. One of my highlights was finally getting to visit the renowned Gays the Word bookstore. This isn't a review of the shop so I'll keep my ravings about it brief, but if you ever get the chance to visit do not hesitate to do so as it is an LGBT+ HEAVEN!
I knew I was going to purchase a book from the store but had no preconceptions which one I would pick. Almost immediately upon entering, thi ...more
I knew I was going to purchase a book from the store but had no preconceptions which one I would pick. Almost immediately upon entering, thi ...more
May 12, 2019
Lea (drumsofautumn)
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
arcs-done
♦
Video Review
♦
Birthday is one of the most heartbreaking and simultaneously hopeful novels I have read in a long time. Meredith Russo had a perfect balance between creating a realistic novel with all the hard hitting, devastating truths of life while giving us an ending that is so full of hope and light that it still leaves you with a wonderful, warm feeling.
While ...more
Birthday is one of the most heartbreaking and simultaneously hopeful novels I have read in a long time. Meredith Russo had a perfect balance between creating a realistic novel with all the hard hitting, devastating truths of life while giving us an ending that is so full of hope and light that it still leaves you with a wonderful, warm feeling.
“Maybe that's what life is about: suriving what you can't control and clinging to the good things the winds whip up.”
While ...more
If you’ve read any of my past reviews, you may well be aware that I like my contemporaries to rip out my heart, and stomp all over it. This one didn’t disappoint at all, I was dead set on giving it alllll of the stars, right until the very end, at which point I felt 4.5 stars was a bit more accurate.
Birthday surprised me, I expected it to be a lighthearted read, it was anything but lighthearted. There are so many themes and issues covered, with of course the central being Morgan’s gender identi ...more
Birthday surprised me, I expected it to be a lighthearted read, it was anything but lighthearted. There are so many themes and issues covered, with of course the central being Morgan’s gender identi ...more
4.5 Stars.
This books feels important.
This book is important.
From time to time you stumble upon something that truly marks you. Things that you will keep with you as long as you live. Birthday will always occupy a space of my mind.
I don't want to talk too much about the story because I went in a bit blind and I loved it.
It's a love story, a story of acceptance, of family, bullying, identity, friendship and freedom.
My only tiny complaint is that I wanted more from it. It ends on a beautiful note, ...more
This books feels important.
This book is important.
From time to time you stumble upon something that truly marks you. Things that you will keep with you as long as you live. Birthday will always occupy a space of my mind.
I don't want to talk too much about the story because I went in a bit blind and I loved it.
It's a love story, a story of acceptance, of family, bullying, identity, friendship and freedom.
My only tiny complaint is that I wanted more from it. It ends on a beautiful note, ...more
I am putting my thoughts together, so wait for my controversial review ♡♡♡
Say what?? Controversy??? *sips tea*
Visit me at: Book Blog / Instagram
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Birthday by Meredith Russo is another introspection into the struggles and live of being transgender in a highly patriarchal society.
The story of Erick and Morgan is so sweet and tender that gave me cavities and the ending was too much for my taste. Yes, a happy ending for the trans girl and cliché phrases. The “problem” I have is not with ...more
Say what?? Controversy??? *sips tea*
Visit me at: Book Blog / Instagram
-------------
Birthday by Meredith Russo is another introspection into the struggles and live of being transgender in a highly patriarchal society.
The story of Erick and Morgan is so sweet and tender that gave me cavities and the ending was too much for my taste. Yes, a happy ending for the trans girl and cliché phrases. The “problem” I have is not with ...more
5/5stars
this was perfect. i cried. please read this.
this was perfect. i cried. please read this.
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YA LGBT Books: * May 2020 BotM - "Birthday" - possible spoilers | 2 | 47 | May 07, 2020 11:39AM |
Readers also enjoyed
MEREDITH RUSSO lives in Brooklyn with her cat Shadow and probably more books than is responsible for a New York apartment. When she isn't upsetting Yankees by smiling and making eye contact on the 3 train she spends her time lifting weights, playing fighting games, blowing up the mic at karaoke, glancing anxiously at her TBR pile, and, of course, working on her next book.
Meredith's debut novel, If ...more
Meredith's debut novel, If ...more
![[Don't] Call Me Crazy](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1519829411l/33803157._SX98_.jpg "[Don't] Call Me Crazy")
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—
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