EPBOT Readers discussion

Just finished Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe and I can't recommend this enough. it's YA and definitely suitable for teens or tweens, especially if they or someone they know is struggling with where they fit on the glbtq scale.

I did the audiobook, so while I had 8 hours of an amazing narrator (Lin-Manuel Miranda), I did feel like I missed something by not seeing the names and Spanish phrases in print - my comprehension of spoken Spanish isn't good at all. I know that the name "Jaime" is pronounced "high-mee" but there are other words and names I couldn't picture; I was halfway through the book before I realized Dante's last name began with a "Q"! But I'm glad they got a Latinx to read it.

Oh man, I loved that book, but I didn't know LMM did the audio! I will have to see if the library has it. I just read an arc of the author's new book, The Inexplicable Logic of My Life. While the lead character is not gay, there are other prominent gay characters, including his adopted dad, and it talks about some of his struggles. I really loved the story.

Thank you for this recommendation. My teen recently expressed that he thinks he is bi and of course feels alone. I'll give this to him.

I really like Every Heart a Doorway. I love Seanan MacGuire anyhow, but that one stands out to me because the lead character is asexual which is not seen terribly often. Also there's a trans character that I think is handled pretty well. But the story is also really great, exploring the idea of what happens to the children who go through a magic door to a fantasy land...but then have to come back? In it there's a school for "wayward girls" (and some boys) for children whose parents think they are mentally disturbed after running away from home and returning full of stories about fantasy worlds that couldn't possibly exist.

Thanks, Sheri, I'll add that to my list. asexual characters are not something I think I've even run across in books. Where were these books when I was a teen/tween???

Cyd wrote: "Thanks, Sheri, I'll add that to my list. asexual characters are not something I think I've even run across in books. Where were these books when I was a teen/tween???"

I think it's probably partially do to being easier to get published, with self publishing and everything. Plus while things are certainly not GOOD for lgbtq, it's at least openly acknowledged that they exist and there's more of a fight for inclusion. I feel like I'm seeing way more stuff popping up recently.

Adventure Time and Steven Universe are nominally kids shows, and they both at least have oblique references to lgbtq storylines. Steven Universe is actually more overt. I guess you can argue the gems are space rocks and not human, but they express as females and use feminine pronouns.

If you like (or don't object to) bdsm stuff, Sunstone Vol. 1 is fantastic. It's a really sweet love story between two women who start as friends, become friends with benefits to explore their particular fetishes, and realize they're falling in love. there's a lot of boobs and fetishwear, but it's not meant to be porn. Most of the actual sex is never shown, more just suggested. It's a way healthier look into that lifestyle than say 50 Shades, or the Secretary.

One thing this book focuses on is not the question of gay or straight, but strong feelings for one particular person. Ari has fallen for his best friend, Dante, and the internal struggle is tearing him up. I was glad to see them not pigeon-hole them into labels, but focus on the struggle of feelings and, to a lesser degree, puberty, what happens when you keep it all bottled up inside. I hope your teen finds this helpful.

Madderakka wrote: "Thank you for this recommendation. My teen recently expressed that he thinks he is bi and of course feels alone. I'll give this to him."

By the way, I finished the audio book for Dante and Aristotle. It was great, as you said! And lin Manuel Miranda did a great job reading.

By the way, I just read Lizard Radio the other week, it's a good one to add to the list. It's quasi-dystopian sci fi, but that's more just set dressing for the main story about a person who's coming to terms with being nonbianary and learning to accept it and refusing to conform to the society norms.

I'm so glad you liked it! my book club at work is reading it in a couple months and i'm nervous everyone will hate it.

Will definitely get Lizard Radio soon. Thanks!

Sheri wrote: "By the way, I finished the audio book for Dante and Aristotle. It was great, as you said! And lin Manuel Miranda did a great job reading.

By the way, I just read Lizard Radio the other week, it's..."