Emanuel > Recent Status Updates

I am devouring this at an alarming rate and I'm loving it. It reads like a diary and I'm realising this might be my favourite type of book: no fillers, just good writing, pacing that keeps the story moving, real characters (I know, sorry, but I had to!), messy love stories and a lol or two.

I think 2026 might be the year that I start reading books based on their cover. I downloaded this completely at random cos I was drawn to the scene and the excellent choice and use of that font, so now I guess I'll have to finish it!

Ok, this has no right being this good but I get it now. I get the hype and the craze and the love about this book and these two. I like them more the more they grow up and I can't wait to watch the show so I can watch the steamy scenes live! 🤭🫣

Seeing I'm probably the only gay right now who hasn't read this, I've finally started this book I've been avoiding for ages and I hate to say I kinda like it so far. These two together are so funny. And f cking hot!

I don't remember how I came across this but I'm so glad I did. This is highly enjoyable so far, and what a peculiar story.

I'm actually surprised at how easy it is to get lost in this. There's something about dysfunctional family over Christmas that hits different!

"I don't think that people want to revert to who they were or to a time when things seemed better. What they want is something else, something better, a new me who's been trailing them like a shadow but that they wouldn't recognize it if it rang their bell or punched them on the nose."

I don't know if I'm reading fiction or a self-help book but I'm so hooked on this so far.

"We had earned the privilege to wear our trousers gathered up against our boot tops; and lost it. [...] I came in boot camp with a strong fashion sense, so this slight was slightly more personal."

I've said it before and I'll say it again: I love this kid so much. He's a perfect example of how a minor inconvenience, even in the army, can be felt and expressed through the gay lens.

Gay kid getting ready to join the army:

"I packed my bags with skill and organization, adding enough clothes so that I could carefully rotate outfits for the entire session. Thirteen weeks is a long time. What if I saw the same people over and over? Plus they might have formal nights."

Formal nights! I can't, I love that kid so much and I love all the gays right now, bless us; any excuse to dress and impress!

Closeted gay and wannabe Marine at the recruitment center, 1979:

"'Have you practiced or supported homosexual activities?' he asked.
'No'.
Actually, I had practiced in high school with Casey, the quarterback. I did support him in the shower once."

Oh, I am loving this already!

"He can't even explain the love. He loves Banjo in a way he has never loved anything and ever will. It's a necessary love, a love to teach him how to love. It's not romantic, no, but also not paternal or platonic. To restrict it to any one category reduces it entirely."

I'm not gonna lie, I was getting a bit annoyed with all the self-hate but the reunion call between these two boys was everything!

I've been reading this for a while now and it feels like I met characters I already know: Charlie from Heartstopper and Benji from The Winners (IYKYK). Every time I read 'Banjo' I can't help but think of him 🥹

I'm a bit lost for the last couple of chapters, the dates confused me but I'm so in this story, in the sense of art and self and forbidden love and sex and debauchery. And all that in the middle of a war...

There is art and travelling through Europe in the 30s and two boys in love. What's not to love? I kinda wish that they would kiss and tell a little bit more but this is not that kind of book!

I'm so hooked on this I'm asking chatgtp to explain to me the mechanics of a Ponzi scheme! This reads like a dream inside a dream inside a book; I rarely experience books like this when their mood lingers inside me for days and I love when that happens.

I can't get enough of her writing. It reads so effortless, the way it draws you in.

This is getting too good too fast, I need to slow down. How clever to use the order of the chapters to "time travel".

Who the f ck is Gaspery Roberts and why is he everywhere!?

This book will mess with my head, won't it? I'm not even 15% in and I have soo many questions!

"She set them on the coffee table and assumed her place in the pile while reaching for a palmier cookie. She studied the layers of pastry swirled in a knot and almost asked where they had materialized from, but she knew — they arrived with the Jordans; homosexuals never come empty-handed."

No, honey, never!

'"You know, I was with Fleetwood Mac when you called."
"THE Fleetwood Mac?", Marielle asked.
"No, Fleetwood Mac and Cheese, a lounge act in Reno. Yes, THE Fleetwood Mac."'

Every time I read this aloud it makes me laugh! Oh, how I've missed a Steven Rowley book...

"Instead he dons a pair of dark blue trousers and his best Alexander McQueen button-down, telling himself it's impossible to feel insecure when you look and smell this amazing."

Probably. It is also very possible to dislike someone so full of themselves as Rav. He's starting to get on my nerves.

Not sure how I feel about this one so far. The plot is engaging and I enjoy the writing but the fashion references and brands, combined with an English posh guy are starting to get a tad annoying.

Halfway in and the struggle is real. It's not (very) bad, it's certainly not good, it's just very meh. So many contestants, so many names, so much tea! I still can't let that go.

I don't get it; some really hot 20-something year-olds, guys and girls are in a villa in Mallorca, in summer; what's with the bloody tea?!