Welcome to Litsy!

I realize in my last review I claimed to never read YA, and here I am posting a review of a YA novel lol.
But truly, I have abandoned this genre for the most part and picked this up as a #transrightsreadathon audiobook. V reminiscent of Mad Honey (tagged ⬇️) though this was written first. Allows readers to put themselves in the shoes of the MC as she navigated teen social life with the added complexity of her trans identity.

I would absolutely buy this for a teen if I knew one. Positive, sweet, honest but optimistic trans representation for young people is so important and I wish there had been more like this when I was a teen looking for queer books.

Having said that, it‘s a rare YA book that wins me over to not just wishing I was reading something for adults. That didn‘t seem fair to hold against the book though as I knew what it was going in.

It is a happy trans story but in such a way that feels all too neatly packaged.

I had a tough day yesterday and the day off today (thank you, veterans!) so I indulged in some retail therapy. #bookhaul I was wavering on whether to buy the candle, but once I found a book I wanted, I figured I might as well go for both!

Another very YA book. Some of it was a little cringe-y (the perfect nights as teenagers falling in love) but from the perspective of a trans woman (teen). Overall though, I liked it.

This is a photo of Eve Lindsey, a trans actress, who had a prominent role in the Jason Segal TV production, “Dispatches From Elsewhere”. It was filmed in Philadelphia, and I was an extra in a scene with her. She is gorgeous! As I listened to Amber‘s story of what it was like to be trans as a high school student, I couldn‘t help, but have her image in my mind. It‘s a YA book, and the writing reflects that. A great resource for young trans people.

Current audiobook. #lgbtq #pridemonth

This was such a beautiful, often heartbreaking, story. I listened to it on audio and really enjoyed the narrator's voice. It tells the story of a transgender teenage girl who moves to a new town to try to start over.

I started this book yesterday, so it was a super fast read. Amanda is trans girl, who was severely bullied at her old high school. She moves to a new school, and struggles with how much to share with others, including the boy she starts dating. I thought it was a good book, and it made me emotional at times. However, when I googled the author, I learned that she was abusive to her ex wife, even being arrested for domestic abuse. (More in comments)

I‘m listening to this story of the “new girl” in high school. The high school part is a bit eye-roll. CAVEAT: she‘s trans and is the new girl because she had to switch schools—and towns.
The fear of being found out. Of believing she could be liked and found beautiful for who she is. That‘s what I need to learn. (And a lot more.)
Thanks @ChasingOm for the #integrateyourshelf challenge that‘s getting me to read books like these!

Snuggling up with my book and my ‘Bou. Ready to start tackling this year‘s @bookriot Read Harder challenge.

My first read of #Newyearwhodis This is an important book which would never have been on my radar without @SaturnDoo The story is quite straightforward and the writing is a little sweet, but the content is important. The author notes that she made Amanda‘s journey as smooth as possible to make it accessible to cis-readers as this is one of the first YA books about trans issues. Hopefully such smoothing won‘t be needed in future books.

People have to read book like this, especially people who cannot understand and accept that we're all unique in our own way.
I really wish to have a world more equal and more open minded. It's terrible that nowadays we cannot accept each others.
We should stop to judje others because of their sexual orientation or their genre or what else.
I fight for equality. Always.

#fightforequality #lgbtq+ #ifIwasyourgirl #meredithrusso #recommendsday

Started today, during some boring hours at work... I already know I will cry a lot! 🤣

#LGBTQ+ #Transgender #ifIwasyourgirl #meredithrusso #equality #loveislove #ya #ebook

In the second half of this book one of Amanda's friends tells the whole school Amanda's secret, that she is transgender. This causes Amanda to get abused by Grants friend on her way home the night of the dance at school, as well as Amanda has to move back to live with her mom. This book is written in first person POV, and the author establishes this by having Amanda be the character we feel when we're reading. I'd recommend this book if you like

If I was your girl is a book about a transgender girl named Amanda, we get to see her make friends and she even has a boyfriend now too. In the second half of the book one of Amanda's friends shares her secret with the whole school. After this happens Amanda moves back with her mom and leaves Lambertville with her dad and friends. If you like Romance books I would definitely recommend this book to read. The book is written in first person POV.

I can handle things that it ain't simple and I can handle things that are hard

In this book, the author Meredith Russo paints a picture of a young women named Amanda. The beginning of the book we get to read about her moving to Lambertville to live with her father, and to go to school there. She is worried she may get too close to someone and she‘s scared her secret with get out. She meets a boy named Grant and she starts to like him a lot, they begin to get close and she‘s worried he is going to find out her big secret.

🌟🌟🌟🌟

Read this book for the Popsugar Reading challenge this year. I am using the prompt: A book by a trans or non-binary author. This book was about a person born a boy who wanted to be a girl and the process of transformation. I truly enjoyed this book.

“For as long as I could remember, I had been apologizing for existing, for trying to be who I was, to live the life I was meant to lead.”

“Just because you have a past doesn‘t mean you can‘t have a future.”

#7days7covers #covercrush

#AyupAugust
Some YA books from my shelves where the cover models are giving good look #OverMyShoulder poses. 😆

Omg have you read this??? Go read it. Now. #yalit #contemporary #translit #romance

This is one of those books that is good to read, and yet, hard to read. It is one of those books that I am just waiting for the other shoe to drop and so scared for her that things will get worse…and they do, and I find my heart breaking for Amanda a little more each page I read. I agree with a comment her father makes toward the end of the book in which he says she is the strongest person he ever met, she is, and Amanda, you are loved.

I read this book all in one sitting and it made me cry.

This is really interesting so far.

A trans girl - in a small town - in the south - in high school. Wow, what a journey! I've learned so much.

#pridemonth 🏳️‍🌈

💙📚

A really powerful story about being a trans woman. It starts out light with emotional pieces scattered throughout. It wraps you up in the niceness only to sucker punch you and leave you emotional. Handled the trauma of the characters well.

I truly believe that reading opens hearts & minds. When you fall in love with a character, their struggles become your struggles. And their happiness matters to you. I feel so blessed to be able to read anything I could possibly want! Happy #PrideMonth everyone! ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🖤

#diversebooks #lgbt #lgbtq #queerbooks #pride #rainbow #bookrainbow #readtherainbow

This quick read shows the struggles of a transgendered young lady.

What a perfect day to start a new book!! 💜💜💜 #perfectsundays #newbook

If I hadn‘t heard the authors note at the end, I wouldn‘t recommend this book to many people. However, the author explained her overuse of stereotype and that she chose to alter the story to make of more palatable to cisgender readers.

Thus one has been on my list for awhile. Decided I wanted a less dense read as I‘m about to start classes again this weekend. Stonewall book award. And I love listen to a southern accent, since the book is set in Georgia.

I burned through this in one day. I think I‘d have liked it better in print, but the audio made it easier for me to accomplish other stuff while I listened. The audio is fine, but the narrators accent irritated me a bit. The book, though, was fantastic. I loved hearing Amanda‘s story unfold, even if it was heartbreaking. I particularly appreciated the author reading the author‘s note at the end, from her perspective as a trans woman. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

“For as long as I could remember, I had been apologizing for existing, for trying to be who I was, to live the life I was meant to lead.”

Very enjoyable listen! I really appreciated the author‘s note. When certain topics are written about or portrayed in the media, people like to criticize it‘s realism. This is a work of fiction and I loved what the author was trying to say with this story.

#ReadHarderChallenge #ReadHarder2019 @bookriot

5/70 (They didn't have Birthday in their database yet so I used her last book)
My first goodreads giveaway for 2019 and this book has been so good.

The author is from the same state I am (Tennessee) so a lot of the landmarks in the book I know and have been to.

Really good book. The afterword was great in explaining a bit more about the book overall. #lgbt

Quick read, liked it. The author says in the afterword that this is a somewhat simplified version of being trans, and I see that. Amanda still goes through a lot of fear and self-doubt, which I think was well-written. The author is trans herself and I think she did a good job of communicating Amanda‘s internal life. Not exactly a perfect happy ending, but one that leaves you hopeful about what‘s next for Amanda.

I found this book very interesting. It is a world I don‘t know a lot about and don‘t know how to relate to.

I listened to on audio, the southern accent was a little annoying at first but I slowly got use to it.

This is the first book I‘ve read about a trans experience (I don‘t know if that‘s how I should say it), so I don‘t know if it‘s a unique book. I felt for Amanda and am glad I got to hear her story.

#booked2018
#pop18

I absolutely loved this one. 💕

Of course all my library holds came in at once. I only have 2 weeks to read A Place for Us, so the pressure is on!

#bookhaul #librarybookhaul

I really enjoyed this book! I started it and I could not put it down! The writing flowed and Russo did an awesome job creating characters I really cared about and I quickly became invested in Amanda‘s life and her experiences. I highly recommend this one :) #bibliophile #YA #pridemonth

Day 26 of the RiotGrams Challenge: Set in Your City, State, or Country

This book is set in a fictional small southern town in Tennessee, and the author was born and raised here, so she gets the setting just right. Wonderful book!

@bookriot #riotgrams #setinyourcitystateorcountry #day26 #LGBTbooks

I loved reading this book. 🏳️‍🌈 I‘m cis but queer and have so so many dear friends who fall all over the gender and sexuality spectrum. The insight this novel gives is beautiful and it‘s written so it‘s easy for those with little experience or knowledge of the topic to be able to step right into the character‘s life. Plus, it‘s queer fiction written by a trans author. I want more literature like this. Honest, open, and beautiful. ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

An excellent read for #pridemonth! Also, this was a great book to listen to on audio - the reader is absolutely STELLAR. This is not a book to read if you want to giggle and be happy throughout - Meredith Russo had me in tears for about half the book. I would strongly recommend this book, especially to my cishet friends. 10/10, will probably reread and cry all over again.

I‘m about halfway done this, and just loving it so, so much. I love Amanda, I love Grant, and I even like Amanda‘s over-protective yet well-meaning dad. Such an important book for cis readers 🔵💗⚪️