Wow wow wow what a great book. I was swept up in Lamya's story and their smart and compassionate writing right away. Although this is a memoir, it's sWow wow wow what a great book. I was swept up in Lamya's story and their smart and compassionate writing right away. Although this is a memoir, it's structured thematically by Isamic prophets and moves around somewhat in time. Lamya intertwines personal history and journeys with her interpretations of the prophets' stories in the Quran. Every chapter surprised and moved me by the unexpected ways in which the Quranic story was connected to the author's. This is a new classic of queer literature, just like its allusive title implies. It is really exciting that in the past five years that brilliant queer Muslim writing like this is getting the platforms and attention it deserves. Recommended in audiobook format!...more
Healing and enraging at once, this is a heartfelt and generous book with a unique premise. Ivan Coyote gets a lot of letters, because their work as a Healing and enraging at once, this is a heartfelt and generous book with a unique premise. Ivan Coyote gets a lot of letters, because their work as a writer but especially as a live storyteller who performs relentlessly around the world touches so many people. When the pandemic hit, they finally had time to sit down and write proper responses to some of them. The book collects both the original letters sent to Ivan and their letters back.
I know the beautiful vulnerability in the letters Ivan received is there because of the original vulnerability that Ivan shares in their work. Mostly it's trans and nonbinary people, young and old, who have written in to share themselves (and in one case it's the dad of a trans kid). Everyone has amazing, heartbreaking, joyful stories that are a privilege to hear. Ivan's warm responses and consequent storytelling are equally compelling.
Soemtimes the letter writer writes back and Ivan writes again. One such exchange is between Ivan and Ferron, an iconic Canadian lesbian folk singer. The two trailblazing queers had formed a creative friendship which is abruptly interrupt when Ferron posts transmisogynist crap on Facebook. Ivan's letter is so, so thoughtful and generous, a moving intervention into TERFism.
Another stand-out exchange is with Niko Stratis (who is a writer at Autostraddle like me -- check out her stuff, I love it!). Niko and Ivan are two born and bred Yukoners and I felt lucky to get a glimpse of their bond as trans people from the Yukon.
On a personal note, I was delighted to hear so many references to one of Ivan's last live pre-pandemic shows at the library in North Nanaimo. That's the library system I work for and I was there that night working at the event. It is thrilling to hear how this one library program touched so many lives.
I've been reading Ivan Coyote since I was a baby queer in the early 2000s. One of their shows at UVic was one of the first queer events I went to ever. Listening to this audiobook was like coming home....more
Well I have to conclude this one is not for me. I think the bad southern accent in the audiobook distracted me from the fact that the writing is not wWell I have to conclude this one is not for me. I think the bad southern accent in the audiobook distracted me from the fact that the writing is not working for me. I'm being told a lot of things but I don't feel like I'm really *feeling* them, you know? This friend Cole that Miriam has, I can tell he's supposed to be funny and charming but I just find him annoying lol. Oh well, good thing are so many sapphic holiday romances this year!...more
A page-turning YA book that has a nice balance between a sweet f/f cheerleader and football player romance and a parallel plot about misogyny and homoA page-turning YA book that has a nice balance between a sweet f/f cheerleader and football player romance and a parallel plot about misogyny and homophobia in a small conservative Florida high school. Jaclyn aka Jack is Atherton's newest quarterback, there to replace their previous one who died in a car accident. She is immediately met with outright malice from her teammates and obliviousness from the coach. Amber is gunning for head cheerleader next year and it's one of the reasons she's in the closet. When Amber and Jack meet, its instant sparks. But they've got a lot of obstacles!
Some of the scenes where Jack is facing down intense misogynist pushback from her teammates and when Amber's religious friend spouts off homophobia were hard to read. FYI, the book isn't as uniformly light as the sunny cover might suggest.
This book actually had me interested in a football game for a whole chapter so I have to give it points for that. And I loved how frank it was about teen sexuality (including masturbation!). And there is some cute queer solidarity and a bisexual mom!! (Lol I'm old I identify with the moms in YA now).
I wasn't too interested in the villains being as (halfway) redeemed as they were though and I wished there had been more buildup to Amber and Jack getting together. I felt a bit let down when they were kissing so early...but that's a personal preference.
4.5 stars. What a treat and privilege to get a new Ivan Coyote book! I've been reading their work for a decade and it always makes me feel strengthene4.5 stars. What a treat and privilege to get a new Ivan Coyote book! I've been reading their work for a decade and it always makes me feel strengthened and empowered and full of community. It's a collection of personal essays, anecdotes, and other unclassifiable memoir-ish stuff, with an often more elegiac tone than I've seen in their writing before. Ivan writes about their work talking to schools about anti-bullying, being in the world as a queer non-binary person (esp. being used as a spokesperson), queer elders, travel, family, and random human connections. Although they write about tough stuff and do not suffer oppressive bullshit, this collection leaves me feeling like I can face the world. The power of storytelling indeed. Full review on my blog here!...more
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