Task 5: A Book By or About Someone Who Identifies as LGBTQ

[Angie]

Just read Lucky Us by Amy Bloom. By coincidence one of the main characters is lesbian so would that count?

[Katie]

Jennifer wrote: "Currently reading Texts From Jane Eyre by Mallory Ortberg. So far very funny and surreal."

Thank you so much for mentioning this book! I had no idea what I was going to read for this category, but this book looks really interesting. I read a lot of classics, so it looks like something that I will enjoy, especially for the humor. The preview look hilarious!

[Melissa]

I have Jacqueline Woodson's Brown Girl Dreaming and I think I'm going to choose that book for this task. Highly recommended, by a person of color, and both by and about a person who identifies as lesbian.

[Sarah]

Lies we tell ourselves by Robin Talley

[Shannon]

I am reading Without You: A memoir of love, loss and the musical RENT by Anthony Rapp.

I'm a RENThead and actually needed a reason to dig into this book, because I expected to just hold on to it forever. I'm glad I got it!

[Melissa]

I read Coffee Will Make You Black by April Sinclair. It's a YA about girl growing up during the later years of the civil rights movement. She's mostly still questioning.

[Dee]

I read Coffee Will Make You Black already. It deals very little with any LGBTQ themes.

[Dee]

I read Coffee Will Make You Black already. It deals very little with any LGBTQ themes.

[Jessica]

Kimberly wrote: "PAYING GUESTS is my read for this category. I got it from the library right on time...it was quite a wait!"

That's my pick, too. I'm on my library's waiting list for the e-book--I think I'm number 10 in the queue!

[Shatterlings]

Would reading about Alan Turing count, he was definitely gay and it doesn't actually say it has to be fiction ?

[Robin P]

Ultra wrote: "Would reading about Alan Turing count, he was definitely gay and it doesn't actually say it has to be fiction ?"

I say yes - It would be about someone who is LGBTQ, it doesn't have to be fiction.

[Jennifer]

Katie wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "Currently reading Texts From Jane Eyre by Mallory Ortberg. So far very funny and surreal."

Thank you so much for mentioning this book! I had no idea what I was going to read for t..."

It was a really fun book :-).

[Vauna]

Depending on what you are looking for I found a wonderful read. This could also be used for short stories if anyone is still looking for one.

[Rosemary]

I've just read Breakfast at Tiffany's by Capote, but Dorian Gray and Bad Feminist are both also on my list!

[Sonnie]

Shannon wrote: "I am reading Without You: A memoir of love, loss and the musical RENT by Anthony Rapp.

I'm a RENThead and actually needed a reason to dig into this book, because I expected to just hold on to it ..."

^^^LOVED this book!

I'm listening to now, and it's such a beautifully written book. I highly recommend!

[Rebecca]

The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon

[Stacy Lee]

I read Grasshopper Jungle for this task. Not great.

[Michael]

I bought The Dyke and the Dybbuk by Ellen Galford some time ago completely on a whim at a used bookstore (it's an eye-catching title, let's be honest, and I'm a sucker for Jewish folklore). Now I can read it for this task!

[Amanda]

Janet wrote: "Planned on checking out "The Miseducation of Cameron Post" today so this one is easy!"

That was my book for this category since it had been on my TBR already -- I really liked it!

[Fabi NEEDS Email Notifications]

Is this category supposed to be by or about a real person or can it be a fictional character?

[Robin P]

Fabi wrote: "Is this category supposed to be by or about a real person or can it be a fictional character?"

A fictional character is fine.

[Kathy]

Just finished Map of Ireland by Stephanie Grant. Amazing.

[Tara]

I highly recommend Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. I haven't decided what to read for the challenge. I have Middlesex but never got into it. Maybe I will give it another go this year.

[Grace]

I'm reading Like People in History by Felice Picano. Hundred pages in so far, and really enjoying it. It's referred to as "the gay Gone with the Wind."

[Srividya]

Just finished How to be Both by Ali Smith. An amazing read.How to be both

[Mary Sue]

I just finished Fingersmith by Sarah Waters. I loved this book - rated it 4 stars.

[Britany]

Finished by Jeffrey Eugenides-- 4 Stars!!

WOW! Fascinating read about the life of one hermaphrodite and her journey from Calliope to Cal.

My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Joanne]

Jenny wrote: "Planning on reading Roxane Gay. Either An Untamed State or Bad Feminist"

I didn't know she qualified for this challenge. I just read An Untamed State for the indie press challenge. OMG - I loved it, and am having a hard time wanting to start another book yet. Just be warned, it's very intense. But, definitely worth the read.

[Alli]

I think I might read Middlesex when I come around to this task but I cannot recommend Adam by Ariel Schrag highly enough. It's probably pushing the boundary for sure for some folks but it's a great coming of age novel.

[Alli]

I think I might read Middlesex when I come around to this task but I cannot recommend Adam by Ariel Schrag highly enough. It's probably pushing the boundary for sure for some folks but it's a great coming of age novel.

[Joana]

Thinking of reading The Danish Girl for this task. Any opinions on this one?

[Jeimy]

Joana wrote: "Thinking of reading The Danish Girl for this task. Any opinions on this one?"

A few years ago there was a rumor that Nicole Kidman had been courted for the role and I decided to read the book--coincidentally, that is what motivated me to finally read The Family Fang, a book that had been gathering dust in my Kindle for years--and I devoured it. It was interesting to learn about such an important person in transgender history, even if it was a fictional account.

[Leanne]

I am reading "Fun Home" by Alison Bechdel - I am loving it so glad I finally got around to it.

[Anissa]

I highly recommend anything by Stephen McCauley. He writes contemporary, smart, witty fiction. His most well known novel is The Object of My Affection, but they're all good.He's one of my auto-buy authors!

[Brenna]

I chose GOLDEN BOY by Abigail Tarttelin for this one. The main character is intersex, but I think that still counts! And it's a great read.

[Megan]

I'm reading Fingersmith by Sarah Waters... I'm 200 pages in and finding it a bit dull but I think that's thanks to the narration being from a future self who does a lot of foreshadowing.

[Missy]

Just finished this task as my 3rd challenge. I read Ask the Passengers by A.S. King. I LOVED it!

[Thegirlintheafternoon]

I went with Nick Burd's The Vast Fields of Ordinary for this task. The author is a queer man of color, and the protagonist is a gay teenage boy. Really lovely writing in this one.

[Nenna]

Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel. This one is a triple-whammy: a memoir, a graphic novel, and an LGBTQAX read.

I'm also reading Hero by Perry Moore.

[Mel]

I think I'm going to read Redefining Realness: My Path to Womanhood, Identity, Love & So Much More, she is so amazing!

[Betsy]

Mel wrote: "I think I'm going to read Redefining Realness: My Path to Womanhood, Identity, Love & So Much More, she is so amazing!"

I read this last year and really enjoyed it!

[N.C.]

Shannon wrote: "I am reading Without You: A memoir of love, loss and the musical RENT by Anthony Rapp.

I'm a RENThead and actually needed a reason to dig into this book, because I expected to just hold on to it ..."

I've never heard of this book, but now I really want to read it!

[Sophia]

I just finished Sarah Waters' The Paying Guests. I haven't read any other books by her, but this one I found a bit frustrating on a lot of levels and felt it was a couple hundred pages too long. There were some good descriptions of the atmosphere in post-WWI England though.

[Robin P]

Sophia wrote: "I just finished Sarah Waters' The Paying Guests. I haven't read any other books by her, but this one I found a bit frustrating on a lot of levels and felt it was a couple hundred p..."

My sentiments exactly. I think her strongest book is Affinity.

[Jeimy]

Sophia wrote: "I just finished Sarah Waters' The Paying Guests. I haven't read any other books by her, but this one I found a bit frustrating on a lot of levels and felt it was a couple hundred p..."

I agree, this is not her best work. Although Tipping the Velvet holds a special place in my heart for being the first book by her that I have read,Fingersmith is by far my favorite. Though slow at times, the ending makes it a worthwhile read.

[Sophia]

Jeimy and Robin - I was very much looking forward to The Paying Guests because I've heard such good things about her as an author. I'll have to give one of her other books a try.

[Chloe]

Ditto to the above on The Paying Guests. I had heard so much hype about Sarah Waters... but it dragged (excuse the pun?) more than I had expected, though I did like the relationship with Christina.

Maybe I should try Fingersmith?

[Sophia]

Chloe wrote: "Ditto to the above on The Paying Guests. I had heard so much hype about Sarah Waters... but it dragged (excuse the pun?) more than I had expected, though I did like the relationship with Christina...."

I liked her interactions with Christina as well. In some ways, I felt that relationship was more genuine than the one between Frances and Lilian. That was one of the biggest issues I had with the book--the central relationship wasn't strong enough, it didn't pull me in and make me root for/against them. Her past and present with Chrissy was much more striking.

[Robin P]

I feel like Fingersmith is Gone Girl set in the 19th century. Unfortunately, coming from me, that's not a compliment. When the 4th reversal of the plot/characters came up, I quit reading. I liked Tipping the Velvet which was quite original at the time, and Affinity.

[Karin]

I really enjoyed The Paying Guests. Just finished it tonight.