LGBT Reading Challenge 2011
I read very few books last year. That’s not to say I didn’t read at all, I did, but mostly blogs, articles, textbooks, history books. Basically, I read nerd books.
So while perusing Twitter today I came across a reading challenge for the year. I was planning to read more LGBT themed books this year anyways, and now that I’m part of a challenge I’ll have to be accountable. There is no set goal, but the more you read and review the more chances you have to win prizes! Who doesn’t love prizes! The prize could be dog poo on a stick and I wouldn’t care so long as I won it!
I already know I’m pitifully behind on reading LGBT themed books. For as many books as I’ve read in my life (and I have read many, many books) only a handful come from the LGBT genre.
That ends this year.
I’ve downloaded (and am reading on my new fabulous iPad!) a book called “Gar Bar: The Fabulous, True Story of a Daring Woman and her Boys in 1950s.” I chose this book because it was the first book to be written by a straight woman who wrote positively about gay men and the bar she owned in West Hollywood in the 1950s. Studying mid-century American history is like porn to me, I can’t get enough.
If you have a favorite LGBT themed book, leave a comment below or email me and I’ll put it on my list. I have 3 in mind that I want to read after I finish “Gay Bar” but I’ll need a lot more than that.
(So far I highly recommend “Gay Bar.” It is a fascinating look at gay life in the 1950s. Seriously, everyone should read this book.)
Hey. You…don’t know me.
Saw ‘Disciples’ from a link on Matt’s page and found you from there. Hope I’m not being too much of a stalker.
Anyways, I really like this idea. As for some suggestions, I don’t know how much you’re into the more young adult genre. If you are, I found ‘Will Grayson, Will Grayson’ a very good read. ‘A Tale of Two Summers’ was also enjoyable, as was ‘Someday This Pain Will Be Useful to You’. ‘No Going Back’ by Jonathan Langford is a book that’s specifically about a SSA LDS boy, but I wasn’t able to find it at the Mesa Public Library. Books that can be found at the MPS library, other than the ones previously mentioned, include ‘In Mike We Trust,’ ‘A Really Nice Prom Mess,’ and a lot of stuff by Alex Sanchez.
I also need to read ‘The Meaning of Matthew: My Son’s Murder in Laramie, and a World Transformed’, as a non-fiction break from all that teen angst stuff.
In terms of adult LGBT lit, I liked Robin Reardon’s works, especially ‘Thinking Straight,’ which is about a gay Christian boy sent to “correction camp.” And if you want a break from constant “LGBT,” then I highly suggest ‘The Perks of Being A Wallflower.’ There is a minor gay character in the book, so it’s sorta considered to be LGBT, but the primary plot isn’t very much concerned about that. For another one that is, however, there’s ‘Sexy’ by Joyce Carol Oates. Not as scandalous as the title suggests.
And that should keep you busy for a while. Hopefully.
Perfect!! Thank you. I’ll put those on the list.