Tales from the Bottom of My Sole

by David Kingston Yeh

When a long-lost sister shows up as a trans man named Luke, a series of precipitous events throws the lives of boyfriends Daniel and David into turmoil. While David attends an extravagant family reunion in Sicily, Daniel's ex Marcus plans the world-premiere of his one-man show. The couple's vertiginous exploration of sex, intimacy and love comes to a head when a shocking revelation tests their commitment and future together.

Genres: LGBT, Fiction, Queer

391 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2020

About the author

David Kingston Yeh holds his MA in cultural sociology from Queen’s University, is an alumnus of George Brown Theatre School, and attended Post Graduate Studies in Expressive Arts in Saas Fee, Switzerland. He has worked twenty years as a therapist and educator in Toronto, Canada. David resides up the street from a circus academy, along with his husband and a family of racoons. His short fiction has appeared in numerous magazines. He is the author of three novels: A Boy at the Edge of the World (2018); Tales From the Bottom of My Sole (2020); and The B-Side of Daniel Garneau (2023) – the Boy at the Edge Trilogy. David has been listed among "writers to watch" by CBC Books.

Reviews

[Richard Derus · Rating 4 out of 5]

I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.

My Review: First, read this:
"{David's mother} is pretty Catholic. I think it's turn the woman's life upside-down if she ever found out one kid was gay and the other one trans." {says Daniel}

Nadia sat straight-backed, observing the sailboats slipping past, chaperoned by raucous gulls. Her thin nostrils flared.

"'I am made and remade continually,' she said. 'Different people draw different words from me.'"

When I glanced at her, she said: "Virginia Woolf."

Apposite, no? Here's a well-read and deeply cultured person responding to a friend's revelation of the crisis affecting the other side of his family...his husband's family, in other words...with a pointer to the author of Orlando: A Biography, a famously trans-affirming novel, and a person of Sapphic preferences despite a long and loving marriage to a man.

I did not know this was a sequel when I requested it; I found that it made very little difference in my pleasure of reading it. The delights of family sagas complete with infidelity, deep love, family mishegas, and blending your life with another person's are not reserved to straight people. Anyone who read and enjoyed Tales of the City or The Cazalet Chronicles will find themselves in deeply satisfying, familiar territory with an able guide.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tales from the Bottom of My Sole is a jubilant celebration of life. It's about love and family that transcend traditional views of acceptance. This is easily at the top of my best books of the year; most enjoyable and best written.

David Kingston Yeh first introduced us to the fascinating world of Daniel and David in A Boy at the Edge of the World, two years ago. I remember how enamored I became with Yeh's writing. Tales from the Bottom of My Sole is so much more. Though you really don't need to have read the first book to understand and enjoy this one, I highly recommend it. The story-telling is perfection.

David Kingston Yeh has the amazing ability to make dialogue so fluid and natural, that the voices explode off the page. Equally fluid is the way he tells the story, with perfectly blended flashbacks that have heightened importance in the moment. I wish more authors had this ability. Here, Yeh's prose completely takes you away from the (your) present, and launches you on a journey that feels classic and romantic, yet perfectly contemporary. A stunning feat on its own.

Told primarily from Daniel's point of view, the copious amounts of dialogue bring every character to life in vivid detail. It feels as if the characters propel the story with Yeh's vision as merely the architect. Each and every one have their say. The colorful, extraordinary characters and storyline all feel perfectly natural, in spite of some fantastical moments. I loved every minute of it.

Nothing about this book feels like a 'series book', unless you might want to compare it possibly to something like Maupin's, Tales of the City. This book is perfect on its own. Still, I can't help but to hope that Yeh brings us back to this world again and again with future stories. I will be the first in line to read them.

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Amos Lassen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yeh, David Kingston. “Tales from the Bottom of My Sole”, Guernica Editions Inc, 2020.

Sex, Intimacy and Love

Amos Lassen

David Kingston Yeh’s “Tales from the Bottom of My Sole” celebrates life, love and family. that transcend traditional views of acceptance. -telling is perfection. Filled with wonderful dialogue and wonderful characters, this is a story that will keep you turning pages as quickly as possible.

Daniel narrates the story and introduces us to an array of characters that stay with us long after we close the covers. David and Daniel are a gay couple whose lives are interrupted by the appearance of Luke (who was David’s sister), a transmanwho throws the couple’s lives into a hurricane. David goes to a family reunion in Sicily and while he is there, Daniel’s ex, Marcus, plans the world-premiere of his one-man show. Is trouble coming? (You will have to read the book to find out). I simply state this to make you curious.

We read of reunions, couples explorations into sex, sexuality and intimacy through the various characters. The story is told episodically and it is in these episodes that we are able to get to know the characters. What we really see are the changes people make as they live their lives. Life is a struggle that we do not always overcome and we often have to make peace with situations as they are. As freeing as coming out usually is, we need to remember that prejudice does not disappear after we accept ourselves. I was so reminded that “none of us are free until all of us are free”. In fact, coming out is a daily experience and happens many times in life. We also feel the emotional intensity that David feels when he introspects. He realizes that our existence is really based upon our interactions with others and that fluidity is the key.

David and Daniel face a shocking revelation that tests them and their lives together. I think the main point that the books makes is that all of us may be different in many ways, yet we are all the same in the long run. Experiences change us but rolling with these and facing what we have to face makes us stronger. I realize that this paragraph might seem ambiguous to many but when you think about it, you will understand that it takes “a village” for us to become who we are. Here that village is composed of Daniel’s friends.

This is a sequel to Yeh’s “A Boy at the Edge of the World” (which I have yet to read) but it stands alone. All in all, it is a rewarding read and highly recommended.

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hooked when I read David’s first novel and have been waiting two years for this sequel.

As a 35-year-old gay man who grew up in rural Saskatchewan, David’s writing validated similar feelings and experiences that I felt and had with family and friends. His writing also brought back realities I experienced during my dating life. Ironically these experiences are similar regardless of living in rural Saskatchewan or an urban city centre.

David’s first novel resonated with me in the way it related to my personal life experiences. I was expecting more of the same in the second novel but was surprised that it progressed to the point of discussing gender, sex, and sexual fluidity. I read a lot of a gay fiction and notice that the point of view is typically that of two gay men, a couple of their friends, and family trauma. I was impressed that David’s second novel expanded beyond that. The number of stories being written these days that tell the life and love of gay men and their relationships is increasing. It is wonderful to have our stories written so they can be shared, detailing experiences of how a lot of us have lived our lives.

I personally enjoy that David packs a lot into his novels and, for me, that makes his stories more real. I know I am not the only gay man that has been on the journey of not knowing who they are and what they value to then end up working on themselves and discovering who they are. That in-between part has made a lot of us do some crazy shit and make questionable decisions, and then come Monday morning pivot to something new pretty quick, forgetting everything that had just happened. I think this is captured very well in the sequel.

I have never read a character so well-developed as the ex-boyfriend. He is the classic definition of that toxic man we all date when we don’t know who we are but cant seem to let go of until we heal. In both of David’s novels, this character had me more triggered than any other character. I could feel my anxiety level climb while reading and nearly wanted to yell at David to get away from him when he would come back into the story!

It is refreshing to read a familiar story of a family that is supportive and inclusive without all the usual hang-ups. A lot of stories about gay men focus on trauma and not getting what they want and deserve—to be happy and loved. This is why I love David’s writing and story telling.

[Sarah C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not know that this book was a sequel when I picked it up. I was intrigued by the cover and the synopsis, and I'm glad that I did not let the fact that I hadn't read the first book deter me from this.

This book features some of the best characters I've ever had the joy in meeting. The main characters, David and Daniel, are an established gay couple - something that you see too rarely in media. They are surrounded by colorful characters that stand out on the page - from David's brother Luke and his girlfriend Ai Chang to Daniel's ex-boyfriend Marcus and friends Parker, Nadia, and Karen. Every character adds a splash of color to the story and every character is just so unique that they leave an impression, even if they are seen only briefly.

The novel itself feels like connected short stories spanning several years. They are snapshots into David and Daniel's lives as seen through the eyes of Daniel Gernau. The world these characters exist in is vibrant and artistic and inviting in its warmth. The language of the book pulls you in. I fell asleep in a hotel in Dallas with this book open because I simply could not put it down despite my own exhaustion.

I will be finding the first book, reading more about Daniel and David and how they came to be the couple I met in this book. David Kingston Yeh has found a fan for life with this one endeavor and I cannot wait to read more.

***I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.***

[Coty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Following A Boy at the Edge of the World, in which a young man named Daniel comes to terms with his own sexuality and the lifestyles of others, we are gifted with the continuation of Daniel’s story with his boyfriend David and the myriad of people that encompass their world. Tales from the Bottom shows that upon aspects of ourselves change and evolve over time and is a refreshing lesson for those coming into their own adulthood or those needing a reminder of this. The eclectic crew assembled into this novel each have their own struggles that exemplify that adults do not have it all together and that it is okay for that to happen.
Yeh’s bold addressing of numerous issues that are prevalent in the LGBT is commendable. This story addresses that prejudices and assumptions are not magically erased upon one’s coming out. It recognizes that it is confusing and that education is needed within the LGBTQIA community.
The author is able to put years of events within in under 400 pages and is successful in doing so for the most part. There were moments when I found myself confused about what was happening as the novel moves very quickly, an aspect that took away from the author’s previous novel. Instances in which characters from the previous book make appearances require anyone who reads this book to ensure they are familiar with all the characters from A Boy at the Edge of the World.
I found the book compelling as the author’s tying of only some loose ends adds to the overall message of the book. Daniel’s story is not over because Daniel is very much alive in his own world. The living cannot have their “The End”. There is growth and learning that needs to happen. By not having a clear end for Daniel and David, Yeh is allowing them to grow and for us to have the chance to see Daniel again in the future.

I was given the chance to read this book on Netgalley in return for an honest review.

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sequel to A Boy at the Edge of the World continues to follow Daniel Garneau as he navigates life as a gay, twenty something medical student in Toronto. Daniel is now living with his boyfriend David and is in love. Only when David’s sister, now a trans man, arrives does he realize how little he really knows about his boyfriend. With David away at a family reunion in Italy, advice from his closest friend Karen sets Daniel on a road to self discovery. Along the way he learns relationships, like people, evolve - and one act can change everything, forever.

In the sequel the author delves deeper into the characters and their relationships. Through a queer lens, the author explores how boundaries are set within a relationship and what happens when they are ignored. Relationships with family, friends, lovers and ex-lovers are all explored leaving nothing taboo.

Queer individuals, particularly queer youth, will likely relate to the struggles in the novel having experienced many themselves. I would recommend this to those interested in a light read about queer relationships.

[Andrew Kaszowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! What a sequel.

I was already hooked on the inner thoughts of Daniel Garneau in the first book of this series. A thoughtful, confident yet questioning himself as every man does, deeply formed protagonist that was a delight to get to know.

David Kingston Yeh has significantly upped his writing game with Tales from the Bottom of My Sole. The writing is stunning, yet not pretentious to the point that it's annoying. Far from - it's English at its finest. The sentence craft is utterly elegant and makes you grateful for every word you read pouring out from the pages. The narrative is breathtaking, touching and deep. Daniel and his friends are fully formed characters you can really believe in - and their challenges and triumphs are ones you deeply invest yourself in for they are so richly drawn.

This book is a work of art - bravo! I can't wait for more writing in this series. Any man can relate to the inner drama of Daniel exploring the confidence of being who he is.

[Don · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this engaging and honest coming of age story. Tales From The Bottom Of My Sole follows the main character Daniel Garneau, a small town Northern Ontario boy moving to the big city for school, coming out and falling in love with his boyfriend David. In this sequel Daniel and David move in together and their relationship strengthens. When David leaves on an extended trip to Italy Daniel is faced with feelings of loneliness and insecurity. Oh, not to mention the fact that David comes back with a secret that will test their relationship to new heights. This book put a smile on my face and gave me some laugh out loud moments. This book is fun, easy to read and relatable. I highly recommend it to young queer readers and their allies.

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

A continuation of the first book that does not disappoint! These are the most fully-formed characters I have ever encountered, with contradictory motivations and deeply complex personalities. Despite a wide range of positive and negative experiences, the tangling and loosening of the characters’ intertwined lives emanates a sense of connection and hope. Overall, this and A Boy at the Edge of the World are quite possibly the best things I’ve read all year. I am at a loss for how to describe them, other than to say that they are not merely read, but experienced.

[Vincent · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of reading David’s first novel after what felt like years waiting for the book to be released. I read the first last year and loved the story, and received this sequel as a gift. The story was a good continuation, and tackled new subjects. I thought it portrayed a very apt description of the LGBTQ community and situations/dilemmas that may occur to some. I saw some good maturity in the characters and was left with a good ending.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sequel to A BOY AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD is just as gloriously delightful and brimming with the essence of life as the first in this series. Though it can totally be read as a standalone, I adored the magic of meeting up with the crew from BOY and hearing the characters discuss their memories of things that happened in that first book.

I remain in awe of David Kingston Yeh's writing. The world-building, the storytelling and depth of each and every character he writes is vivid and rich as we are taken on this journey of nights out and relaxed afternoons. In TALES FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY SOLE, we are quietly handed jewels of the family histories and legacies behind characters we'd never know so intimately in any other novel. Beyond the characters, the author has their conversations place so many real-life stories of feminism, revolution, liberation, queer theory and queer history in here --moments that are quirky, silly, inspiring, empowering, and just-so-damn-interesting are contained within the narrative. TALES is a story that unwraps itself so many times over the more you think about each scene.

We spend a lot of time around David's family: when his brother lives with Daniel in their apartment for a while, in Italy where there's an extended family reunion taking place, in discoveries of the unspoken secrets between them all. We even have chapters told from David's mother's perspective.

The unfolding of David's brother coming back into his life, and the level of authenticity that's felt from every side is astonishing, and comforting. There is one accidental instance of deadnaming, and it's not in his presence, but outside of that I felt the story to be told with sensitivity and unflinching patience and openness. The struggles we see of David coming to terms with meeting Luke are not related to his gender, but around the power dynamics of when secrets are shared and how much information is held back. Each character (again, even the seemingly-small-parts) plays a pivotal role in embracing Luke in this casual but intentional way. I really enjoyed and appreciated it.

The story invites us into the intricacies and antagonism that can tangle between siblings when they've gone through so much change apart from each other. --and we witness the same struggles in the way Daniel is continuously confronted with his exes and the echoes of those endings.

As always, and I know it is the intention of the author, TALES is filled with queer joy and queer sex and conversations about all of it spoken freely. I loved reading Daniel's ever-present, almost incidental sexual thoughts and fantasies even in the most random moments!

I've discovered that I've outgrown love stories where the characters walk in and out of each other's lives at will, regardless of whether it's in response to betrayal or hurt or misunderstandings. The love between David and Daniel, the ups and downs and time apart and together in TALES felt so tangible throughout. I didn't want it to slip through my hands, and I also didn't think it ever would, but as life continued and bloomed around them and between them, I held onto it hard in case. Which kind of reminds me of how David and Daniel seem to see each other in this book. It is truly something special to know that their relationship is as sacred to the author as it is my wish to be. It makes the ride feel so much easier, allowing me to enjoy every detail we are handed about this messy, magnificent world of Daniel Garneau.

Once again, Daniel's story made me long to visit Toronto. I waited until I finished the book (which I read in two sittings over two days, and only stopped reading that one time because there's a casual Xavier Dolan cameo and I simply could not deal with the amount of fireworks I felt inside at suddenly meeting him inside Daniel's world) [Alexa, play Selena Gomez & Demi Lovato's timeless Disney hit 'Two Worlds Collide'] before I delved into Googling everything I'd highlighted: Is this cafe a real place? (Yes! Though, sadly, some of them are closed down by now) How did I not know about the Bible's David and Jonathan? (A story as overwhelmingly beautiful and unforgettable as Patroclus and Achilles, who are also mentioned in the book!) Patriarchy-crushing children's books, protests in solidarity with sex workers, a circus-themed cake shop! (Real, but not the one in this book; real and epic; real, but closed-down.)

*I seriously think this would make an INCREDIBLE graphic novel. This book should come with an illustrated guide or map of Daniel's Garneau's Toronto. I couldn't help drawing so much of the book as I read it! I would totally buy an illustrated map of places Daniel visits / mentions / made me want to come to Canada for!

As with BOY, at the end of this book I felt like I'd really truly LIVED, but also that I couldn't wait to go out and find a collective of queer kids and found family and their extended family, to embrace and engage with the eccentricities out there in the world, in my city and in Daniel's! Being so full with that feeling as the wave of reality hit: That we are living in a pandemic. That there are no crowded bars, no restaurants spilling over into sidewalks, no cafes to go for tea, no spontaneously meeting a kindred spirit, not even an obnoxious one who somehow intrigues you while you're waiting line for the fitting room --was such a strange, heavy heartache. I went from a moment of being so overcome by emotion with longing for a life as full and radiant and ever-changing as Daniel and David's, to a longer moment in the quiet calm of not knowing what to do with this feeling.

So I read it again immediately after finishing it, and you will want to do the same. I could not recommend this book enough. It's precious and powerful and I could not put it down.

Content warnings: Luke is deadnamed two or three times at the very beginning of his time with them, not in his presence and it's entirely accidental as they've just been introduced, but still. A miscarriage.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tales from the Bottom of My Sole
Book Review | 📚📚📚📚 4/5
David Kingston Yeh | Guernica Editions

Tales from the Bottom of My Sole is the second book I read by David Kingston Yeh. I really enjoyed his first book, A Boy at the Edge (read my review here). What I liked most about the first book, was also experienced in Yeh’s new book – he tells the stories of people without judgement. Even those that should be judged for their behavior are positive characters with redeeming qualities. In Tales from the Bottom of My Sole, I especially liked how he not only continued to include people’s diversity as incidental, but that the group of friends have so many different personalities and lifestyles and everyone is treated humane.

This is a fun book that has lots of humor and awkward moments. The relationships are key, both the blood relationships, the dating relationships, and the friendships, new and old. I really enjoyed reading this book having read some heavy books just before. Also like the first book, TFBMS makes lots of references to Canada and Canadian culture. It is refreshing not to have everything in a US perspective and, frankly, I enjoyed learning about Toronto.

While fiction is just that, I have a suspicion that if I were in Toronto and looked up author David Kingston Yeh, he might very likely channel his inner Daniel and show me around with all the hospitality and willingness to help out a friend (new or old) as his protagonist.

There are just a couple of comments about this book itself that I questioned. First, this reads as a collection of short stories and I really think that this could have been fleshed out into a much more cohesive novel. All of the storyline elements were there. It just seemed to jump around and not always connect or reference previous chapters. Also, I am confused why the book would be titled in reference to the protagonist’s ex-boyfriend’s artistic show. There’s not much reference to the show or the title and it, frankly, doesn’t seem to have much to do with Daniel or the story (stories). Unless, I missed something….

DISCLAIMER: I received an ARC through NetGalley.com, but had planned to read this book since I enjoyed Yeah’s first book so much.

MY BLOG: Read my other reviews about books, music, films, etc., at my blog, TuggleGrassReviews or https://tugglegrassblues.wordpress.com/

TAGS: #TuggleGrassReviews #David Kingston Yeh

[Daniel Bois · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tales from the Bottom of my Sole picks up right where its predecessor left off! The gang is back and ready to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Toronto’s Kensington Market. While Pat Garneau and his band take center stage, Parker Kapoor takes on the mosh pit, and David Gallucci disappears into the night with his brother, leaving Daniel Garneau to make awkward small talk with a reveler’s mysterious edgy date. As the evening unravels with all its mischievous adventures, and thought provoking and illuminating conversations, as a reader you know you’re in for a treat!

The sexual and adventurous shenanigans continue in this second installment (which I thoroughly enjoyed), but this time David Kingston Yeh takes a much deeper dive in the psyche of its principal characters, including David Gallucci’s family. Never losing his sense of humor and lightheartedness, Yeh fleshes out the cornucopia of relationship styles with all the joy, curiosity, nostalgia, pain, acceptance, and bliss they bring about. By doing so, you are reminded of how expansive the heart and mind are.

At times, I wanted to tell some of the characters to shut up or to snap out of it. I rooted for some, felt empathy and sorrow for others, and imagined how I could fall in love again, all the while I wondered what those shenanigans would look like on screen!

Societal constructs force-feed what relationships and love ought to look and feel like. As the storytelling beautifully examines life un-bashfully, I am reminded that ‘normal’ doesn’t really exist. Each character of this novel manifests love in their own unique way, and all of it is bright and wondrous.

As I read the last pages of the epilogue, it became very clear to me that the lives of these characters are but a mere reflection of our lives and the lives of others, which surround us every waking moment.

I thought the first installment was great, but this one -magnifico!

[Rafael Rodriguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

With this being the sequel to A Boy At The Edge Of The World I was so excited to see that it had come to be. With They day Danie being able to accept and discover his sexuality. only to come to terms with the little knowledge he has of his boyfriend starting the new adventure also as his sister comes back as a trans man throwing their world into a tail spin.

Daniel narrates the story and introduces us to an array of characters that stay with us long after we close the covers. David and Daniel are a gay couple whose lives are interrupted by the appearance of Luke (who was David’s sister), a transman who throws the couple’s lives into a hurricane. David goes to a family reunion in Sicily and while he is there, Daniel’s ex, Marcus, plans the world-premiere of his one-man show. Is trouble coming? (You will have to read the book to find out). I simply state this to make you curious.

I have never read a character so well-developed as the ex-boyfriend. He is the classic definition of that toxic man we all date when we don’t know who we are but cant seem to let go of until we heal. In both of David’s novels, this character had me more triggered than any other character. I could feel my anxiety level climb while reading and nearly wanted to yell at David to get away from him when he would come back into the story!

David’s bold addressing of numerous issues that are prevalent in the LGBT is commendable. This story addresses that prejudices and assumptions are not magically erased upon one’s coming out. It recognizes that it is confusing and that education is needed within the LGBTQIA community.

Over all it is an amazing book to pick up and read and would Definitely recommend to anyone to read.

[Shelf Blame · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Guernica Editions Inc for the digital ARC of this book!

Tales from the Bottom of My Sole is David Kingston Yeh's follow up to Boy At the Edge of the World. The story follows Daniel as he navigates adulthood and the nuances that come with being gay and in a relationship.

This book felt more like a collection of stories, as opposed to one cohesive book. It doesn't follow the pattern of conflict, climax, resolution. Not that this detracts from the story.

David and his boyfriend Daniel are three years into their relationship, so we see all the benefits and pitfalls of this. We see them try to avoid things getting boring, trying to make 'monogamish' work, and avoiding jealously. David has a whole queer cast of friends, and I especially appreciated the inclusion of an ace character.

I think Yeh also really captured the frustration we can sometimes have with family as well. We love them, but having to worry over them and take care of them can be taxing. The stress of life is hard to deal with, and Yeh did a great job capturing how David deals with the different factors.

Overall I think this was a good read. There were a few times when I felt like there was an information dump I didn't really care about (a lot of things about Italy in here that didn't really add much to the story), but overall an interesting story with a likeable cast.

[Dhrish · Rating 5 out of 5]

C/W: Mentions of abortions, mentions of miscarriage, dead-naming of a trans character, mentioned drug use, mentions of homophobia and transphobia

"Tales from the Bottom on My Sole" is incredibly personal, yet casual and encompasses the messiness and structure of someone in their twenties with such ease. It was as if I was watching these events happen in my own friendship groups and we were just catching up on it.

The structure of this story is unapologetically and frighteningly human. It uses the multi-cultural setting of Toronto contrasted with the small town of Sudbury with incredible ease. The cast of characters are delightful and there was so much respect with the way multiple storylines were dealt with.

While I felt like this story had a really slow start and a massive amount of characters, the investment is one that easily pays off by the end of the first part, especially as the reader gains an understanding of the relationships highlighted by David. This book is aware, present and tries for a moment to show the reader that life will never fail to surprise, hurt but love just as hard.

Thank you to NetGalley and Geurnica Editions Inc for allowing me to read an e-arc of "The Tales from the Bottom of My Soul"

[Rebecca G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow such a fun filled continuation story of Daniel and David. In the first book there was definite complexity and chemistry between the character's that I really appreciated making me fall in love with Daniel and Karen the most. This continuation coming of age story kept me on the edge of my seat, leaving me wanting more. This is another soul reaching, epic adventure that is truly captivating. Daniel and Davids adventures return with David's older sister arriving on their doorstep. Although I do not want to give too much of the juiciness away. The fun-filled adventures of course continue with David spending the summer in Scilly, and the exciting appearance of Luke.

I must say this fiery continuation delves deeper into young adulthood, queer relationships, identity, barriers many face in family and society, exploration of sex and intimacy on yet another level. I imagine people in Toronto reading this book by a fire and or under a cozy blanket, as it leaves you wearing for the steamy adventures, and playful plus heartwarming feeling inside. Definitely a must read!!

[Gavin Stephenson-Jackman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun filled continuation of the story of Daniel and David as they grow into their lives together.  The adventure begins when David's older sister appears on their doorstep as Luke, a trans man. David's mother and sister are estranged and neither have shared with her about their sexual orientation so David, spending the summer with her in Sicily will prove interesting, especially when Luke makes an appearance. Daniel has his own drama back in Toronto with his brothers and their relationships.


Their relationship is tested when David returns and they not only explore the idea of opening their relationship and the revelation of an indiscretion that occurred during the summer, brings up issues of trust.  Through this and with the support of his friends Daniel learns more about himself and human nature and becomes stronger for it and in his relationship with David.

[R.J. Gilmour · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished Yeh's second book, Tales from the Bottom of My Sole. The book continues the adventures of Yeh's protagonist, Daniel and his circle of friends who live in downtown Toronto. While written in a light and breezy manner, akin to something you would want to read on the beach, it is a pleasure to read about queer characters and their exploits in downtown Toronto. It is also fun to follow Daniel and his friends as they travel back and forth the city and all the landmarks of queer underground Toronto culture. Yeh's style and short chapters would make it an easy adaption for television, attention any CBC producers looking for content.

[crystal fletcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was important to David Kingston Yeh to create a gay coming of age story that "captured the adventure, levity and wonder of young adulthood." He has beautifully accomplished this.

From the chapters being titled after a relevant Canadian song--Robbie Robertson’s “Somewhere Down this Crazy River" to Tom Cochrane’s “Boy Inside the Man"--to all of the cityscapes, rural locations and misadventures...I felt like I was navigating them with protagonist Daniel Garneau (with an incredible playlist in my head).

[Nuha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to Guernica and NetGalley for a Reader's Copy!

Now available.

Daniel and David seem like a match made in heaven - a couple of young Toronto urbanites with both passion and vulnerability. Yet life is hardly ever that simple. As David Yeh chronicles in Tales from the Bottom of My Sole, life has a way of bringing out characters from your past. Whether it is Daniel's old boyfriend Marcus or dealing with David's conservative Italian family, Tales from the Bottom of My Sole show how much work and dedication is needed to make a modern relationship work. A fun, relaxing read.

[Val Lem]

Although a sequel to Yeh's debut novel A Boy at the Edge of the World (2018), the present volume can stand alone. Daniel Garneau, originally from Sudbury ON buzzes around Toronto with his gay and straight friends, celebrates life with his two triplet siblings, and confronts some challenges in his monogamish relationship with his beloved David. This is escapist reading but fun for those who remember the Toronto environs of the early 2000s before the condo developers ruined so many neighbourhoods.

[Pierre Bois · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like meeting up with old friends.

Tales from the Bottom of my Sole is a wonderful follow-up to Yeh’s first novel A Boy at the Edge of the World. It’s funny, sexy, nostalgic, and although it tackles some serious subject matter, the story never takes itself too seriously. It is the perfect diversion for the moment we find ourselves in and leaves you wanting more more more!

[Cristie Underwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the sequel to A Boy at the Edge of the World, which I have not read. The author captures the struggles of dating in your teens when you are gay. The realistic portrayal of loneliness and insecurity can help many young people experiencing these feelings. I am going to go back and read the other book now.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a wonderful segue from A Boy at the Edge of the World. Revisiting Daniel Garneau, his brothers and friends. The characters would be fun to see either on the big screen or small screen. I just can't get enough of them. The flow of the book kept me wanting more hoping there is another book or two to read about this young man and his family and friends

[Janine Rutledge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved everything about this book. It was like catching up with old friends. Friends you’ve missed and are happy to see again. I love how David Kingston Yeh brings Canada into his writing, it’s comforting, not over the top. I love everything about his writing and look forward to reading more. Bravo!!

[Zach · Rating 4 out of 5]

A welcome return to the world of Daniel Garneau, his brothers, his friends and lovers. Can't wait to read where these characters go next.

Well-written, thoughtful, insightful, imaginative. I especially liked the way the story telling often circles back on itself before reaching resolution. It was a bit like a dance. David Kingston Yeh is great at leading.

[Pamela Durkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am halfway through David Yeh's second novel and I can't put it down. With every word, I find myself being further immersed into the world of Daniel and David and their favourite Toronto haunts. Highly recommended!

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful exploration of life, love, sex, family and friendships. It’s a sequel to his first book which I also loved but it is not necessary to have read it first. Although why wouldn’t you want to his writing is enchanting, fun, clever, and deeply meaningful.