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Help our community find their next great read! Our book review survey asks the following questions:

1. Reviewer Name
2. Book Title
3. Author
4. Genre
5. Star Rating
6. What did this book mean to you personally?
7. Who in the LGBTQ+ community would this most appeal to and why?
8. Is there anything else that you think is important?

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Something to be Proud of

Reviewer Name Ceri Book Title Something to be proud of Author Anna Zoe Quirke Genre YA, queer Star Rating Excellent ★★★★★ What did this book mean to you personally? Young people have a voice. It shows if you're passionate about something do something with it. You are allowed to take up space in the world. Who in the LGBTQ+ community would this most appeal to and why? It has good rep of neurodivergence and disability. It would appeal to those who have a bit of fight in them.

You Weren't Meant to be Human

Reviewer Name Ceri Book Title You Weren't Meant to be Human Author Andrew Joseph White Genre Horror, adult, queer Star Rating Excellent ★★★★★ What did this book mean to you personally? It's the conversation of body autonomy. Especially in the era that we are around reproductive rights. Who in the LGBTQ+ community would this most appeal to and why? This has rep of trans, mutism and autism. It is not for the faint of heart as it is body horror but it is an important topic. Is there anything else that you think is important? I cannot stress enough to read the triggers going into this. Again it is not for everyone. But for those who are will enjoy it a lot.

Never After

Reviewer Name Felix Book Title Never After Author Alexis Hall Genre Historical Romance Star Rating Excellent ★★★★★ What did this book mean to you personally? This book was an incredible and moving read. The relationship between Micha and Reverend Thomas was both heartwarming and heartbreaking to read, and the way Thomas' crisis of faith upon developing feelings for another man was handled with absolute care and respect. Who in the LGBTQ+ community would this most appeal to and why? Those who are looking for queer religious representation and fans of historical queer romance and drama!

Convenience Store Woman

Reviewer Name Rhys Book Title Convenience Store Woman Author Sayaka Murata Genre "Weird Girl Lit" Star Rating Excellent ★★★★★ What did this book mean to you personally? Sayaka Murata's masterpiece follows the life of Keiko, a woman who has never really fitted in with society, and who is happy in her job at a convenience store. Despite this, she still faces pressure from her family and friends to get a "better" job and a husband, and is forced into desperate measures to appease them. I'm not asexual/aromantic, but it gave a voice to feelings and struggles I've had my entire life. Who in the LGBTQ+ community would this most appeal to and why? Whilst Keiko is heavily Asexual-coded, this book will appeal to anyone who feels, or is seen as too weird for (or perfectly happy without) relationships/dating, but have people demanding that you still try to date anyway. Is there anything else that you think is important? This is a classic example of the "Weird Girl Lit" subgenre, and is only 163 pages long, perfect to devour in one sitting.

Murder Most Unladylike Series

Reviewer Name Sarah Book Title Murder Most Unladylike Series Author Robin Stevens Genre Crime Star Rating Excellent ★★★★★ What did this book mean to you personally? As an English teacher, I read a lot of young adult / children's books in order to recommend to kids, or read in lessons. I stumbled over this series around 2014, when the first novel - "Murder Most Unladylike" - was published, and I was delighted to find hints of an LGBTQ+ heroine. I don't want to give any spoilers, but the character in question doesn't come out fully until the seventh book: "Murder in the Spotlight". I love this slow reveal, it builds a credible lesbian character and is a gentle way in to LGBTQ+ fiction for 9 - 12 year olds. The books are set in the 1930s and focus on school girl detectives Hazel Wong and Daisy Wells. As Hazel is from Hong Kong, the novels deal well with the theme of racism within the historical backdrop of the British Empire. If I had had this series to read when I was growing up, I would have been astounded to find a character like me in a novel - a girl who loves girls. So happy for today's youth that they can see themselves represented in such a colourful range of literature. Who in the LGBTQ+ community would this most appeal to and why? Whilst this series is aimed at junior readers, Robin Stevens' writing style is hilarious, and who doesn't love a good who dunnit? They are real page turners and have very short chapters suitable for readers with lower capacity for concentration - especially those in the neurodiverse community (AKA me). Is there anything else that you think is important? The novels are written in the first person, as case notes of the Detective Society's secretary, Hazel Wong: "It is very difficult to be a detective when you are also a schoolgirl. People are always telling you to go to bed or do your prep, and no one ever thinks that you might have something more important to do, like finding out who killed your Science mistress. It is quite insulting, really. It is as though grown-ups think that murder is only for them, and that children should stick to lacrosse and Latin." This is typical of Stevens' style of boarding school obsession and accidental macabre humour. Nofela stocks this series. Go buy a copy at their next pop up event.

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