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Music from Another World
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It’s summer 1977 and closeted lesbian Tammy Larson can’t be herself anywhere. Not at her strict Christian high school, not at her conservative Orange County church and certainly not at home, where her ultrareligious aunt relentlessly organizes antigay political campaigns. Tammy’s only outlet is writing secret letters in her diary to gay civil rights activist Harvey Milk…un
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Music from Another World
, Robin Talley's new book, is a poignant look at sexuality, identity, courage, and music, set against the struggle for gay rights in the 1970s.
“There’s no point worrying so hard you can’t breathe. Life’s short, and you’ve got to make sure there’s time to live it.”
Sharon and Tammy are paired up as pen pals for a program implemented at religious schools across the state of California. Sharon attends Catholic school in San Francisco; Tammy attends a Christian school in O ...more
“There’s no point worrying so hard you can’t breathe. Life’s short, and you’ve got to make sure there’s time to live it.”
Sharon and Tammy are paired up as pen pals for a program implemented at religious schools across the state of California. Sharon attends Catholic school in San Francisco; Tammy attends a Christian school in O ...more
This completely amazing book tells the story of two teen pen pals in 1977, one of whom, Tammy, is a closeted lesbian. Tammy and Sharon, who lives in San Francisco, are matched through the California Pen Pal Project. Each attend strict religious schools, where the idea of being lesbian is an utter and complete sin. The story is told entirely through their letters, Sharon's diary entries, and Tammy's diary, which takes the form of letters to gay rights activist Harvey Milk. The two have their reli
...more
This queer historical YA was good, but not great. It's the kind of book I'd recommend to younger LGBTQ teen readers especially, but not to adults who read YA. The characters aren't especially dynamic and while there are some interesting historical details, I didn't feel like the period (late 1970s) really permeated the book. The dialogue, for example, was no different than you might see in a contemporary YA and there were a few times when I was like, uh, did teens in the 70s say that?? And the e
...more
Sep 26, 2019
sarah
added it
July 11th 2020: yep this is by far robin talley's best book in my opinion!! the audiobook was a great choice, i enjoyed both narrators, and the main characters go through actual character development!
have i been let down by every robin talley book except for as i descended? yes. will i still read all her books? also yes ...more
have i been let down by every robin talley book except for as i descended? yes. will i still read all her books? also yes ...more
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Music From Another World is a powerful and emotional read, about fighting for freedom and acceptance and the amazing feeling when you finally find a crowd where you can really fit in!
Synopsis:
It’s summer 1977 and closeted lesbian Tammy Larson can’t be herself anywhere. Not at her strict Christian high school. Not at her conservative Orange County church. And certainly not at home, where her ultra religious aunt relentlessly organiz ...more
Music From Another World is a powerful and emotional read, about fighting for freedom and acceptance and the amazing feeling when you finally find a crowd where you can really fit in!
Synopsis:
It’s summer 1977 and closeted lesbian Tammy Larson can’t be herself anywhere. Not at her strict Christian high school. Not at her conservative Orange County church. And certainly not at home, where her ultra religious aunt relentlessly organiz ...more
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Inkyard Press in exchange for an honest review.
4.5 stars
I truly do not have the words to describe how utterly fantastic this book was. It just . . . wow. WOW. Wow a million times. I adored this book with my entire heart, and I want to go back and read it again from the start. I stayed up til three in the morning reading this, and had tears streaming down my face by the end. (good tears. despite the dark tone, this book is ultimately hopeful)
I don't even know ...more
4.5 stars
I truly do not have the words to describe how utterly fantastic this book was. It just . . . wow. WOW. Wow a million times. I adored this book with my entire heart, and I want to go back and read it again from the start. I stayed up til three in the morning reading this, and had tears streaming down my face by the end. (good tears. despite the dark tone, this book is ultimately hopeful)
I don't even know ...more
4.5 - Queer girls! Queer history! 1970s! Punk rock!! This just incorporated so many things that I love reading about. Tammy and Sharon live in different parts of California but are paired up as pen pals for a school assignment. They’re supposed to ask some basic questions to get to know one another. But their letters end up blossoming into a deep friendship. However, they haven’t told each other the full truth yet. Tammy is a closeted lesbian in an extremely religious family and Sharon is learni
...more
Apr 23, 2020
mjraves
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
april-2020-quarantine-reads
I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS BOOK WOW JUST WOW
I will never stop loving and crying over Robin Talley’s books. Music From Another World is another edition to her works of queer historical fiction. Here’s why I loved it so much: Two girls from two separate parts of California, both from religious families, both going to a catholic school, both have secrets. Sharon’s brother is gay, and Tammy is a lesbian. Both of these secrets could put an end to their lives. The story is told through letters and journal entries. Tammy and Sharon are put toget
...more
![laurel [the suspected bibliophile]](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1546974316p2/7494844.jpg)
It's the summer of 1977 and a resurgence of conservatism is thrumming through the United States. Closeted lesbian Tammy has been caught up in the middle of it—her aunt and uncle are two of the ringleaders of the West Baptist Church advocating for a return to family values and an eradication of gay people from schools (and well, life). When she's assigned Sharon from San Francisco as a pen pal for a school assignment, it's like a dream come true. The two bond over punk music, and slowly begin to
...more
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Inkyard Press in exchange for an honest review.
Music from Another World by Robin Talley is one of the best books I've had the opportunity to read so far in 2020. It's an engrossing epistolary YA LGBTQ+ historical fiction story told primarily in a series of letters and diary entries between pen pals and personal entries written to Harvey Milk. The journeys that both Tammy and Sharon take are both powerful and heartbreaking. I have to admit that it's crushing t ...more
Music from Another World by Robin Talley is one of the best books I've had the opportunity to read so far in 2020. It's an engrossing epistolary YA LGBTQ+ historical fiction story told primarily in a series of letters and diary entries between pen pals and personal entries written to Harvey Milk. The journeys that both Tammy and Sharon take are both powerful and heartbreaking. I have to admit that it's crushing t ...more
Since Pulp was one of my favourite books of 2019, I started this audiobook as soon as I could. And wow. She just did it again.
This was hard to read at times, because it deals with a lot of homophobia, but it's also such an important read. There's something so very special about reading about LGBTQ+ history.
The characters were incredibly loveable as well, and I loved how all of them has a really different experience being queer.
I'm not in the mood to write a long review, but I couldn't recommend ...more
This was hard to read at times, because it deals with a lot of homophobia, but it's also such an important read. There's something so very special about reading about LGBTQ+ history.
The characters were incredibly loveable as well, and I loved how all of them has a really different experience being queer.
I'm not in the mood to write a long review, but I couldn't recommend ...more
I received an ARC copy of this book from NetGalley
Really liked this one! I'm always a bit afraid of reading LGBTQ books set in this time period because there's always the chance that something Really Bad is going to happen that I don't want to deal with as a reader, but I have enjoyed other books by Talley so I decided to give it a shot. This one reminded me a lot of 'Ziggy, Stardust and Me' both in terms of it being an LGBTQ YA book set in roughly the same time period but also because it deals ...more
Really liked this one! I'm always a bit afraid of reading LGBTQ books set in this time period because there's always the chance that something Really Bad is going to happen that I don't want to deal with as a reader, but I have enjoyed other books by Talley so I decided to give it a shot. This one reminded me a lot of 'Ziggy, Stardust and Me' both in terms of it being an LGBTQ YA book set in roughly the same time period but also because it deals ...more
I really enjoyed this story! There were some historical elements in here that really taught me more about the 70s Gay rights movement in California. This was a great story about friendship, acceptance, and learning more about yourself. I am also a big fan of seeing religion and queer intersectionality in books, so this was right up my alley. I think it was handled very well, especially considering the time period, however religion was handled a little more antagonistically.
The only gripe I had ...more
The only gripe I had ...more
Mar 30, 2020
Sarah 🌺 Books in Their Natural Habitat
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
A lot of the thoughts and struggles of the young characters are likely something any teen could relate to. There’s a more specific subset whom I think would relate to their core which is incredibly important. That being said, I really like this book explored the struggles of teenagers in a way that, if I were still that age, would make me feel less alone.
I admired the strength of the young men and women in this book as well. It’s hard to not live up to your parent’s expectations so I can’t even ...more
I admired the strength of the young men and women in this book as well. It’s hard to not live up to your parent’s expectations so I can’t even ...more
Part of me wishes I had had Robin Talley’s books when I was a teenager and part of me is just so thankful I have them now. Even at 33, I still need queer stories like this. I love this book almost as much as I love Patti Smith and that’s saying something. 💖 Can’t wait for the release date in March! Thanks to Netgalley for the arc!
I'm currently reading a lot of fanfiction, so haven't gotten around to reading many books this year, but when I saw that Robin Talley's books was out, I had to read it.
There's always something so relevant about the stories she tells. Whether they be about the pulp novel era, black rights, or the Harvey milk time period.
"All the forces in the world are not so powerful as an idea whose time has come." - Victor Hugo
Thank you Robin talley for always getting me to think. And even more, for getting ...more
There's always something so relevant about the stories she tells. Whether they be about the pulp novel era, black rights, or the Harvey milk time period.
"All the forces in the world are not so powerful as an idea whose time has come." - Victor Hugo
Thank you Robin talley for always getting me to think. And even more, for getting ...more
ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
I didn't know I needed this book until it came into my life. It was a book with lots of heart and a lot of history embedded in its narrative. I loved reading on about the LGBTQ+ protests and riots in the 70's especially since I haven't read a book set during those times. I thought it was extremely relevant to the current state of the world especially since 2020 really has been the year of change and protest. Altho ...more
I didn't know I needed this book until it came into my life. It was a book with lots of heart and a lot of history embedded in its narrative. I loved reading on about the LGBTQ+ protests and riots in the 70's especially since I haven't read a book set during those times. I thought it was extremely relevant to the current state of the world especially since 2020 really has been the year of change and protest. Altho ...more
Music From Another World is written in the form of hesitant letters and confessional diary entries and I loved every page! Mention good old snail mail and I am there, I adore writing and receiving letters so a book featuring letters heavily is something I will always love reading. Closeted lesbian Tammy is paired up with Sharon in a pen pal scheme between two Christian schools, what begins as a forced school assignment turns into a lifeline for both girls to share their true selves with each oth
...more
(Thanks to my Mum for typing this up for me).
This book follows 2 main characters, Tammy and Sharon, living in California in 1977. The book is told in an epistolary format after Tammy and Sharon are paired up as pen pals. It follows the girls as they open up to each other and their struggles with their faith, family and sexuality.
What I Liked:
- Characters. Tammy and Sharon were strong main characters who felt like real people, I think the form of letters and diary entries made me feel connected ...more
This book follows 2 main characters, Tammy and Sharon, living in California in 1977. The book is told in an epistolary format after Tammy and Sharon are paired up as pen pals. It follows the girls as they open up to each other and their struggles with their faith, family and sexuality.
What I Liked:
- Characters. Tammy and Sharon were strong main characters who felt like real people, I think the form of letters and diary entries made me feel connected ...more
Another beautiful historical novel set during such important time in LGBTQIA+ history. This one is told epistolary with letters between two Christian girls who are penpals for a school project in California who both are entwined in the rise of Harvey Milk and the christian attacks on the gay community. Especially loved the incorporation of how important punk rock and bookstores and community centers were so important in building a resistance. This one has some tough topics, including abandonment
...more
Solid three star read! This book would be great for middle school to early high school baby dyke that wants to learn a little about gay history. It is VERY white, but it’s also set on opposing sides of prop 6, so you get this Christian vs. Castro and Harvey Milk aspect to the story that is really nice to have in young adult.
Very wholesome.
Very gay and bi!
Very wholesome.
Very gay and bi!
Robin Talley has built this beautiful corner of the book world (sapphic historicals) and I just want to live in it.
Maybe more of 3.5 . I really enjoyed it
Apr 21, 2020
Mandy
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
young-adult,
printz-worthy
It seems strange that Robin Talley's new YA novel is being called 'historical fiction' because the 1970s don't seem all that long ago but it reminds us that LGBTIA rights were only won recently in many countries and the fight still continues in others. Music From Another World is set in California in the heady days of the late 1970s. Harvey Milk is running for election to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors while individuals like Anita Bryant and John Briggs seek to deprive gays and lesbians
...more
To see more reviews check it out here.
I got an ARC of this book.
I keep reading Talley and thinking that things will go better. The issue is so far Talley and I have not clicked perfectly. I feel like one day we will, but today was not that day. The closest Talley and I came to clicking was the very first book I read by her that had so many trans issues.
This book did not have trans issues, but it had another large issue. If you read enough of my reviews you will see a trend. This is one of those ...more
I got an ARC of this book.
I keep reading Talley and thinking that things will go better. The issue is so far Talley and I have not clicked perfectly. I feel like one day we will, but today was not that day. The closest Talley and I came to clicking was the very first book I read by her that had so many trans issues.
This book did not have trans issues, but it had another large issue. If you read enough of my reviews you will see a trend. This is one of those ...more
i received a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. all opinions below are my own.
i have always wanted a pen pal. i find the idea of writing back and forth with someone you’ve never met, and fully trusting them with stuff you wouldn’t even tell your closest friends really exciting. in this book, we learn about tammy and sharon’s struggles of growing up gay in a religious environment through the letters they write to each other through the pen pal programme they sign up for.
i ...more
i have always wanted a pen pal. i find the idea of writing back and forth with someone you’ve never met, and fully trusting them with stuff you wouldn’t even tell your closest friends really exciting. in this book, we learn about tammy and sharon’s struggles of growing up gay in a religious environment through the letters they write to each other through the pen pal programme they sign up for.
i ...more
I loved it so much. Not only did I love Sharon and Tammy (and Peter), but I also loved the late seventies setting and music talk! Additionally the way the story was told was so wonderful (with everything via letters or diary entries), I especially enjoyed the diary entries written to Harvey Milk. I can’t wait to get a physical copy of the book once it comes out at the end of the month!!!
I really didn't know much about Harvey Milk and 1970's LBGTQIA history before reading this book. Now I'm so glad I did! Talley is a genius at making history come alive through her characters, and pen pals Tammy and Sharon are no different. Both are from very religious backgrounds, and are assigned to write to each other in order to bond over Christian values, and keep from sinning during the dangerous time also referred to as summer break.
They have more in common than they know - Tammy has real ...more
They have more in common than they know - Tammy has real ...more
This is my favourite Talley book so yet. I came here for the wlw content and left thoroughly happy with the story.
The story is told as an epistolary novel, in letters and diary entries between our two main characters. Both Tammy and Sharon live in California during the 70s and attend very Catholic schools. The two girls are assigned as pen pals, but become friends, and they grow close while also each hiding big things.
Tammy is dealing with her uber religious aunt who puts her in charge of orga ...more
The story is told as an epistolary novel, in letters and diary entries between our two main characters. Both Tammy and Sharon live in California during the 70s and attend very Catholic schools. The two girls are assigned as pen pals, but become friends, and they grow close while also each hiding big things.
Tammy is dealing with her uber religious aunt who puts her in charge of orga ...more
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I live in Washington, D.C., with my wife, our baby daughter, an antisocial cat and a goofy hound dog. Whenever the baby's sleeping, I'm probably busy writing young adult fiction about queer characters, reading books, and having in-depth conversations with friends and family about things like whether Jasmine's character motivation was sufficiently established in Aladdin.
My website is at http://www. ...more
My website is at http://www. ...more
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