It’s the final wrap-up post for Pride Books! I had so much fun writing these posts. This one is extra-special to me because of the final installment, which is progressive Christianity. It was a little scary to write because I know how much pushback these things can get, but it’s important to me, so I hope you will check it out.
Pride Books Day 26 – Lagrasse by Kara Lowndes
Isn’t the cover on this book so awesome? I’m a sucker for pink, and I love the illustration style! I was on the ARC team for this book by a former Gurt Dog Press author, and it’s one of my favorite queer books. In fact, I think I’m going to reread it this month!
The blurb:
“Lagrasse follows the story of Matty McKenzie, a young Scottish woman who inherits a mysterious old house in a medieval town in France from her late, estranged uncle. She travels out to the house with her dog after a break-up with her long-term boyfriend who she could never quite make it work with. She intends for it to be a brief trip, but, when she arrives, she finds herself caught up with a series of strange events and the house’s dark history – not to mention the beautiful local librarian, Emma.
Matty, who has spent her life dating men, starts to fall for the new woman in her life, and tries to uncover the truth behind her uncle, his house, and everything that has brought her to France.”
And my review:
An absolute delight to read.
★ cute French librarian
★ figuring out your sexuality
★ fantastic spicy scenes that are very well-written
★ dog companion
★ mystery set in the French countryside
★ gorgeous cover
★ easy and fun read
It led me to read Kara Lowndes’ other book, which I also loved, so I will be following everything this author writes.
Pride Books Day 27 – Paper Girls
Check out this chonker of a graphic novel! Paper Girls is a series of comics by Brian K. Vaughn (author) and Cliff Chiang (illustrator). This edition has them all bound together so you can read it without stopping. I tore through the entire thing in about four days and it was a seriously epic read.
It’s Halloween, 1988, and four girls are out delivering the morning papers when they see something unexplainable. This throws them into an epic adventure with time travel, monsters, meeting their future selves, and first love.
There were some really touching moments where the girls interact with their future selves. I won’t spoil anything beyond that, but it was really nicely done.
Brian K. Vaughn is the author of Saga, another graphic novel series that I absolutely love. I read Saga first and had to check out his other work. Saga is more popular, but I think Paper Girls might be my favorite. Both of them have a diverse cast, but Saga takes it to a new level because it’s set on other planets with alien species.
Have you read any of these books? What are your favorite queer graphic novels?
Pride Books Day 28 – Orpheus Girl by Brynne Rebele-Henry
A lyrically written, thought-provoking, harrowing account of conversion therapy by a gifted writer. This book evokes strong connections to The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily Danforth, one of my favorite books of all time. However, this book stands on its own.
It’s a short book at 176 pages, but it didn’t feel short – it felt just right. A lot happens in this book, and at some points I would have liked to read more, like about how Raya and Sarah first started dating. We learn a lot through flashbacks. The story isn’t told in exactly linear fashion, which adds to the poetry quality of the writing. It makes the most of its 176 pages.
*Trigger warning for the next paragraph*
My goodness, this conversion therapy is nasty. They use electroshock “therapy” for the harder-to-“fix” teenagers. It’s heartbreaking and terrifying to read about. The author didn’t shy away from depicting it, and I applaud her for that.
The connection between Raya and Sarah is beautiful and I love them together. I do question the plausibility of them being sent to the same conversion camp, but that’s okay, I could suspend my disbelief. I didn’t really connect with any of the other characters they meet at conversion therapy. Leon felt like a bit of a gay guy cliché. But, there are gay guys like him out there, so there’s some truth to it. I couldn’t feel much sympathy for Char. Raya is a better person than me.
I don’t feel that the Orpheus myth added anything to the book, but it didn’t take anything away, either. Some of the Greek references felt a little forced, but it wasn’t a big deal.
All in all, this is the perfect book for anybody who wants to learn about conversion therapy, is interested in the history of LGBTQ+ culture and oppression, or liked The Miseducation of Cameron Post. Basically, it’s a fantastic book that takes you on an emotional journey.
I was fortunate enough to snag an ebook ARC of this book and liked it so much that I bought the paperback when it came out.
Pride Books Day 29 – On a Sunbeam by Tillie Walden
I absolutely loved this chonker of a graphic novel. Even though it’s quite long, it’s a quick read because it’s a graphic novel, which I love. I really like the art and the characters. I have read the author’s other graphic novels, and they weren’t my cup of tea, but I liked this one so much that I got my own copy. Here is the blurb from Goodreads:
“Throughout the deepest reaches of space, a crew rebuilds beautiful and broken-down structures, painstakingly putting the past together. As new member Mia gets to know her team, the story flashes back to her pivotal year in boarding school, where she fell in love with a mysterious new student. Soon, though, Mia reveals her true purpose for joining their ship—to track down her long-lost love.”
Do you have any favorite graphic novels?
Pride Books Day 30 – Progressive Theology
For the last day of Pride month, I want to share some of my journey as a queer Christian.
There is so much I could say, but I’ll keep it simple. I am bisexual and a Christian. I believe in a loving God who doesn’t make mistakes. So God made me bisexual on purpose and there is nothing sinful about who I am. The same goes for my queer and trans community.
I have been Lutheran and Catholic. I now consider myself a non-denominational progressive Christian. (But my preferred Bible translation is still the Catholic Bible, or the NABRE, because of the extra books.) Progressive Christians have a lot of unkind things thrown at us, like “you’re not a real Christian” or “read the Bible.” I can tell you that I do indeed read the Bible. Here are a few Bible verses that I think are LGBTQ-affirming.
1 John 4:7-8: “Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.”
Galatians 3:23-29: “There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.”
Acts 10:28: “But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean.”
Wisdom 11:24: “For you love all things that are and loathe nothing that you have made; for you would not fashion what you hate.”
I am working on a book with more of these affirming Bible verses, because there are a lot more!
If you would like to learn more about affirming Christian theology, here is some recommended reading:
God and the Gay Christian: The Biblical Case in Support of Same-Sex Relationships by Matthew Vines
The Bible’s Yes to Same-Sex Marriage: An Evangelical’s Change of Heart by Mark Achtemeier
Torn: Rescuing the Gospel From the Gays-Vs.-Christians Debate by Justin Lee
And here are some accounts I recommend checking out:
@nakedpastor
@thereformationproject
@rainbowtheology
@godisgrey
There is so much more to say on this subject, but I will leave it here for today. I am passionate about queer-affirming Christianity and progressive Christianity in general. There are so many people who have been hurt by the teachings of the Church, and I’m one of them. So I feel called to spread the good news that God loves you just the way he/she/they made you.
Happy Pride Month!