What Book/Books Are You Reading?

[Denv12]

I got to admit,I love reading at the best of times.Those of us who love to read tend to get the most out of books.I'm a big fan of books that I can learn from.Self help books,relationship books,etc.There's something worth learning.I even read up on dating books just to relearn some skills.As a guy I also love the guy stuff,cars,hobbies,interests,man cave,etc.

What book are you reading? What books are you reading? What helps you?

Thanks.

[Croix]

I'm re-reading "The Winds of War", 1971, Herman Wouk

Amazing the parallels with today's world

[Willow Jude]

I have just started reading Finding Nevo by Nevo Zisin. For Pride Month this year I read a lot of LGBTQ+ books and really enjoyed many of them, particularly the memoirs/autobiographies, so have continued reading further in this genre. 

[ecomama]

Hey Willow Jude, would you mind sharing some titles you could recommend in the LGBTQI+ genre please? 

I would LOVE to have them in our Family Library. Personally I want to develop understandings as much as possible. For my youngest daughter I call "Yvette" on the forums (not her real name), she wants to be referred to as gay regarding her sexuality. 
A response Yvette said to her friend in front of me when asked "How did you 'come out' to your family?".... warmed my heart and soul to the core, omg SO GRATEFUL! ... she said "Oh in our family we don't have to 'come out', we just are who we are". 

I'm currently still trying to read "Braving the Wilderness" by Brene Brown. I'd rather listen to her Netflix special in the bath tbh! I used to read in the bath alot before children lol... it's a risky process lol. Better to set up my phone SAFELY away from the bath and listen happily. 

Love EM

[ecomama]

Hey Katy, how have you found "The Body Keeps Score"? 

Alexa said it's been hard for her to read, "it's very triggering" she said.

I would love your feedback, please, if you're inclined?

Thankyou
EMxxxx

[Willow Jude]

Hi ecomama, 

It makes me so happy to hear how supported your daughter feels and everything you are doing to be a great parent for her! 

I’m more than happy to share some of the titles I enjoyed. I will preface it by saying that:

a) my journey into LGBTQIA+ literature is only a relatively recent one so I’m definitely not an expert!, and

b) my experience of reading these was informed by my own perspectives (I’m queer, I’m an adult, and I have an understanding of LGBTQIA+ topics/identities), so with everyone being different and having their own perspectives, I can’t guarantee these titles will be enjoyed by or meet the needs of everyone. 

But hopefully my suggestions will be at least a little useful for you and/or your family, or can set you on a path of finding something that is! 

Non-fiction titles I enjoyed were 

- Rainbow Revolutions: Power, Pride and Protest in the Fight for Queer Rights

- Sissy: A Coming-of-Gender Story by Jacob Tobia

- Not That I’d Kiss a Girl by Lil O’Brien 

- ¡Hola Papi!: How to Come Out in a Walmart Parking Lot and Other Life Lessons by John Paul Brammer 

Fiction titles I enjoyed (which happen to both be Young Adult novels) are:

- Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender

- Tim Te Maro and the Subterranean Heartsick Blues by H.S. Valley 

Wishing you all the best on your reading journey! 

[ecomama]

Thankyou Willow Jude, for writing your list of faves in the LGBTQI+ genre! 

I appreciate it so much. 

I took a photo of your list and hope to purchase all of these soon. 
I know they're "only" your faves from your perspective but it's important for me / us that I have a variety because I have several children and grandchildren, who are all avid readers. 
So I really appreciate your recommendations! 
I can't get my head around being any other way with my own children AND ANY ONE... I've worked with Youth and families for decades. I just can't understand some peoples' thinking and feel so confronted when faced with such bs tbh. 

Love to you and thank you again WIllow
EMxxxx

[Willow Jude]

You're so welcome ecomama, I'm so glad you're finding my recommendations useful in continuing to be a great ally! I'm sure your family appreciates your efforts to be so inclusive of diverse perspectives and identities 🙂 

[ecomama]

Hello again Willow Jude, we need to keep meeting like this lol.... 

I actually went into the bookshop today. I wasn't intending to but my children did, I had some birthday money so thought why not? 
Zero of the titles you gave me were there. 
I was happy to see a whole section though! 
Is there somewhere you order books from online? 

I got wandering lol and found 3 books I didn't know I desperately needed lol... 

so tonight I hope to delve into the books I bought: 
~ "Atlas of the Heart; Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience" Brene Brown. 
~ "The Green Witch's GARDEN; Your complete guide to creating and cultivating a Magical Garden space" Arin Murphy-Hiscock
~ "Setting Boundaries; Care for yourself and stop being controlled by others"  (LOL) Dr Rebecca Ray. 

Thankyou for calling me an ally, that's so sweet! 
I've been called an advocate. 
There's power in all of us to create positive change, in our circles and beyond, with every utterance and word we speak. Using the pregnant pause is helpful too at times! hahaha. 

I'm SO excited about my new BOOKS! 
A nice balance I think. 

Happy Reading everyone, 
Love EMxxxx

[Willow Jude]

Hi ecomama, 

I'm sorry to hear you weren't able to find any of my recommendations, but it's great that there were a lot of other titles from the genre! All the titles I've read have been borrowed from my local libraries, but if I do find myself wanting to buy a book I generally look online at Book Depository. 

I'm glad you discovered some books that you're keen for, they sound interesting! Hope your reading has been going well 🙂 

[Willow Jude]

Since my last reading update, I've read:

First Spring Grass Fire by Rae Spoon
All Out: The No-Longer-Secret Stories of Queer Teens throughout the Ages by Saundra Mitchell
When You Call My Name by Tucker Shaw
Heartstopper vol. 1 and 2 by Alice Oseman 
and some Doctor Who comics