Top 5 Wednesday

Hey guys! I'm here writing a T5W on a Saturday, again. I got a lot of homework done and I'm writing my third post...I think a nerdy alien has possessed my body. 

This week's topic is: Favorite LGBTQ+ Reads. 

They can be either books with LGBTQ+ characters or books written by LGBTQ+ authors. I guess I'll have to do some research for this one, huh.

Let's get started!

*Disclaimer: for most of these books I can't say who it is because of spoilers*

1) The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare

If you have ever heard of The Mortal Instruments then you've probably also heard about #Malec. They're everyone's babies and you can't touch them. I mean it, don't. 

2) 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher

You probably have also heard about this one, but since it's a spoiler, and I'm a nice person, I won't talk about it. Read the book or watch the show!

3) Weirdos by Kat Kruger

I don't consider this a spoiler, because it is described as a self-discovery story. But I won't say who it is, just in case. This is a lovely story and you should all check it out, or at least check my review and then decide.

4) Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

THIS IS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL STORY. Sorry. I'm okay now. I don't think it's a spoiler...the title pretty much gives it away. 

5) Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

My babies 💜 Again, I can't say who it is even if it's not that important. Check this book out, okay? I HAVE to read book 2 because I've heard some really interesting things about it regarding romantic relationships.

I have two extra ones

Extra 1) Arclight by Brandon Graham and Marian Churchland

As I said in my review, there are genderqueer characters here, which I find fantastic.

Extra 2) Eggshels by Ziggy Schultz (a story from Behind the Mask)

In this case, the author is part of the LGBTQ+ community. You guys should check this compilation of superhero stories. Her story was one of my faves. I'll leave the link to my review!

Alright, guys. See you later!

Do you have any good recommendations? I'd love to know!

Book Review: Weirdos by Kat Kruger

Weirdos by Kat Kruger                         

Release date: March 28th 2017

Publisher: Joe Books Inc.

Pages: 240

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Summary                                               

From Goodreads:

It s the summer of 1976, and Kit is fed up of his small town life in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, where he lives with his Dad and grandmother. Dreaming of a more exciting life in the big city, Kit enlists the help of his girlfriend Alice, and they hitchhike towards a new home with his glamorous, artistic mother Laura. As Kit and Alice reach their final destination, their relationship is tested, and Kit faces a difficult realization that will change his life forever.

Kat Kruger's novel adaptation of the film Weirdos retells this tender story of a young man s journey to self-discovery.

Review                                                                                     

Whether it is a book based on a movie or a movie based on a book, they usually don't work out. Movies have a certain pace, usually a faster one than a book, which can make a written story feel rushed if not done correctly. I'm highlighting this in particular because Weirdos is an example of a perfectly achieved adaptation.

This novel is based off the 2016 movie of the same name, but it doesn't feel like it. I know writers can't deviate much from the original story, so I'm thinking that the movie is the same plot-wise, but Kat Kruger has such a way with words that makes the phrase "a picture is worth a thousand words" sound silly. 

The author managed to get inside the minds of two believable fifteen-year-old teens and still make this a mature and heart-warming coming of age story. 

This novel made me judge the characters from the very beginning and then made me regret it. Character development was wonderfully achieved. I was pleasantly surprised with Alice; I begun the story feeling like she was just a selfish girl who feared being left alone, but she proved me wrong in the end, just like many other characters did. 

I loved the weird yet deep conversations Kit and "Andy Warhol" had. I loved the development of the "lucky/unlucky" meaning throughout the novel. I loved the third eye. I loved many things of this story.

It's a beautiful narration of self-discovery, but more importantly, it's a story of acceptance.

Rating                                                                                      

4 out of 5 stars*

Rating System

*I'm rating this story no higher than 4 stars because, although I loved it and moved me, it still is an adaptation. 

I got an early review copy from Edelweiss.