Roof Beam Reader

Fiction

Wolfsong by T.J. Klune: I’ve had so much to say about this incredible fantasy novel by popular author Klune. I’ve read one other book by this writer, House in the Cerulean Sea, and I enjoyed it but did not think it lived up to all the hype. This one, on the other hand, blew me away. It was highly emotional, to the point of being melodramatic, which is not usually “my thing,” but in this case, the story was so beautiful that it swept me away willingly into the drama. I loved the two main characters and adored their journey, though it started out a bit oddly. I thought some of the pacing could have been improved but to do so, the book would probably have needed to be twice as long. Honestly? I wouldn’t have minded that. This one definitely could have been an epic as long as Lord of the Rings and I’d be okay with that. The side characters are interesting and become important to the plot. The fantasy elements, though not usually my cup of tea (werewolves) was done in an interesting and entertaining way. I honestly couldn’t put this one down. I was crying and laughing through the entire thing.

Songs and Lovers by D.H. Lawrence: This is my first Lawrence novel, believe it or not. Well, the first one I’ve finished. I tried Lady Chatterly’s Lover many years ago and couldn’t get into it. I was pleasantly surprised by this one, though, and it has me ready and willing to read more from him. It reminded me in many ways of Gaskell’s North and South, which I read last month, except I found the characters and situations in this one much more interesting, even though the general setting (rural England/mining town versus rural England/manufacturing town) was about the same. I’ve read that this one is Lawrence’s most autobiographical, which makes one a bit worried. Why was he so disturbingly attached to his mother?

This Winter by Alice Oseman: Oh, what a treat to be back in the world of Heartstopper! Apparently this novella came out years ago but is only just being released in early-September (I got my copy a few weeks early). This is also what happened with the recent rerelease of Nick and Charlie a couple months ago. This one is told from the perspectives of all three Spring children, which is fun since I just read Solitaire a week prior, which is narrated by Tori Spring. I was tickled that even the youngest Spring sibling got a bit of his own story at the end, as he’s been mostly a side character in the Charlie and Tori installments. This episode is all about Christmas and takes place shortly after Nick and Charlie/during Heartstopper, volume 4 (I think?). It fits in well with the rest of their universe and has me really looking forward to the upcoming Heartstopper, volume 5 and, eventually, the concluding chapter, volume 6. I love these stories so much and can’t thank Alice Oseman enough for creating them. (As of this writing, I’ve watched Heartstopper season 1 three times and season 2 twice.)

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini: Wow, I was not prepared for this book. I knew it was sad, but that’s putting it too mildly. The story is unrelenting in its misery. The story is about a boy growing up in Afghanistan when the monarchy is overthrown in 1973. Just prior to the coup d’etat, he witnesses something brutal and terrible happen to his friend (his servant, really, but one who is treated more like a brother by the narrator and the narrator’s father). He refuses to step in and help, and that refusal, as well as his cowardice in general, becomes a theme and factor in his life story, until the very end when he must return to an Afghanistan torn apart by the Taliban in order to find and save someone important to him and his family. The novel ultimately ends on a relatively happy note, with some hope for the future, but it’s an emotionally shredding ride to get there. This book is well written and important. I’ve seen it called “emotionally manipulative,” but it just seemed realistic to me. Also, many have complained about the protagonist’s “unlikability,” and while that’s mostly true, I guess, it didn’t bother me. I am glad I finally read this and I’m adding A Thousand Splendid Suns to my TBR.

Boy Like Me by Simon James Green: This coming of age and coming out story takes places in 1994, in England, where a law called Section 28 makes it a crime to mention homosexuality in schools, including in books. (“Don’t Say Gay,” anyone?) A friendly librarian, an ally, helps queer kids navigate their young adulthood by introducing them to novels they might relate to, but of course these novels are “hidden” in the library under false titles and covers. It’s through one of these titles that two boys meet and begin a conversation. What follows is a mystery, an adventure, and an inspiring story for those of us who seem to be living through another cycle of repeating history. A solid 3.5 but I rounded up on Goodreads to 4, for sentimental reasons. An important and honest piece of —creative memoir?—often delightful, often sad, ultimately hopeful, but cautiously so. Things move much too quickly for my liking and the young people seem suspiciously wise, but I loved the story anyway. And the message, of course.

Solitaire by Alice Oseman: I wanted to love this one so badly because Tori Spring is one of my favorite characters in the Heartstopper graphic novels and television show. It was hard to see more of her story because she is depressed, self-isolating, and perhaps struggles with other mental health issues, but unlike Charlie, she doesn’t seem to recognize that she has problems, or is at best unwilling to self-reflect and think about self-care. She is still a strong support for her brother, Charlie, and has many redeeming qualities, particularly when it comes to being a good sister for her two brothers. The story, though, as Oseman herself admits, has some “first novel” problems. I imagine that a contemporary adaptation would be much kinder to Tori (by which I mean, more fully develop her story, even if she is still in a dark and difficult place, which is of course perfectly human and fully acceptable for a story and its protagonist.)

Non-Fiction

Boyslut: A Memoir and Manifesto by Zachary Zane: This one is probably a helpful read for those who are new to LGBTQ studies and/or those who are newly coming out and just entering the LGBTQ “lifestyle.” That said, a lot of the examples are graphic ones from the writer’s own life (he is a sex columnist, after all, and an admitted “boy slut”), so the perspective might not be for everyone. I thought the commentary on prejudices as well as the explanations about various terms and situations were well done, but I must say I was concerned about the writer’s cavalier attitude about sexually transmitted diseases and his near-advocacy for things like condom-free sex. Beyond irresponsible, in my opinion. (To be fair, he admits that people are going to have a problem with this and he doesn’t necessarily recommend people do it, except he sort of does, by example.)

What the Buddha Taught by Walpola Rahula: This is an excellent introduction to some of the Buddha’s core teachings, with explanations. Rahula addresses erroneous translations and interpretations, and he includes excerpts from the Suttas and the Dhammapada. Despite covering a range of ideas, this one is easy to read and a great place for beginners to start the journey. Additional readings and resources are cited and included as well, which helps give beginners some direction for continuing their studies or practice.

Manga & Graphic Novels

Dick Fight Island, Vol. 1 by Reibun Ike: This one is fine for what it is: a group of tribes living on neighboring islands meet every so often for a “dick fight” to determine who will be the island group’s leader for the next cycle. Each island is populated by different “types,” and these types have their strengths and weaknesses when it comes to the fighting and the leaderships. You can probably guess by the title how these battles unfold, and you’d be right! It’s a funny idea, generally silly, but with some interesting themes about gender and sexuality.

Dick Fight Island, Vol. 2 by Reibun Ike: This one is somewhat more of the same from volume one, but with more backstory and off-island storytelling. It’s a prequel, I guess, to explain how the main character/hero from volume one learned his “secret weapon” to win in these island battles. It didn’t really seem necessary, but if you’re more interested in romance than the erotica, this would probably be the volume you prefer.

Platinum Blood by Mor Ichigaya: This vampire/priest fantasy BL manga was a lot of fun. It’s told episodically, which I don’t particularly enjoy (especially in manga, which is already a short form), and some of the episodes seem disjointed. The jump from chapter one to chapter two, for example, left me a little confused about the timeline. That said, I thought this one was creative, fun, and romantic.

Poetry

Monument: Poems New and Selected by Natasha Trethewey: This is a gathering of excerpts from Trethewey’s other collections, plus some new material. Since it’s the first time I’ve read Trethewey, I wouldn’t have known what was new or different. In a way, I’m glad I didn’t know, because now I get to find all of those other collections and read them, too, which is something I’m really looking forward to after reading these brilliant poems.