Welcome to Litsy!

A powerful, candid memoir of a young black queer man‘s coming of age, written specifically to help other LGBT teens not feel so alone. George Johnson grew up knowing he was different from most other boys. But he had no guidance, no language, no peers to help him understand his queer identity. He shares his story so that other gay teens will see themselves reflected in it and recognize a friend on their journey.

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Such a cutie 💕

Got the new Nook Glow Light 4e today 😄

“American history is truly the greatest fable ever written.”
re: learning american history in school as a young black boy.

Such a special, thoughtful and powerful book. George shares his story with unflinching grace and an open heart in a way that I hope helps people appreciate and understand the the LGBTQIA+ community. I‘m so thankful he has shared his truth with us. Highly recommend! #BookspinBingo @TheAromaofBooks 🏳️‍🌈

1. A View of the Harbour / Elizabeth Taylor #BookSpin and Burning Questions by Margaret Atwood
2. The Overstory / Richard Powers
3. All the Boys Aren‘t Blue - finished audiobook #audiowalking #audiogardening #DoubleSpin

ABaB checked from the library to boost community support for LGBTQ+ 🏳️‍🌈 #gaymay #BannedBook

I appreciate the fierceness, vulnerability & bravery of George M Johnson sharing his experiences & views for this mid-life memoir.

My list for May #BookspinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

I don‘t read a lot of NF and even less that are classed as memoirs! But I‘m glad I read this, an informative, engaging read. There is a lot of heart ache in this book, but the author offers their advice on getting through tough things and how it was for them, in the hope that it will help others.
Well worth a read.
#booked2022 #acomingoutstory

#motherdaughterread
She‘s home for Easter holidays ❤️ left is hers, right is mine.

George Johnson's memoir of growing up in NJ simultaneously trying to define his identity and hide it. Def. ✔️ trigger warnings for this book! I wanted to read it b/c it recently made some banned books lists. Overall I enjoyed it and I hope that kids in similar circumstances have access to books like this so they have a sense of solidarity. I hope that kids in differing circumstances also read books like this to develop empathy and acceptance 4.5⭐️

What a book. As a white, straight woman, that works with lgbtq kids, I always want to try to understand more. This was outstanding. So thankful he wrote it!

Finished reading this ages ago and forgot to post a review. It‘s really good and even though I‘m not the target audience, I‘m still really glad it exists and hope many more people will read it.

A powerful memoir that I highly recommend.

All Boys Aren‘t Blue is both a memoir & a manifesto. Its tone is both academic & intensely personal. It‘s a lot of things all at once — which makes total sense, given the subject matter (and the nature of humanity)! Specifically, it‘s about growing up queer & black in America - as a middle-class person with a loving & supportive family (not a narrative we hear often). Though it feels crummy to say, I didn‘t think I was going to like it at first.👇

These are just a small handful of books that have recently been challenged/banned/pulled from curriculums and school libraries in this country. Make no mistake...this type of censorship is getting worse and worse and is a direct threat to POC, ethnic minorities, and Queer kids and teens. We have to keep vigilant and help libraries allow access to all different types of materials to their patrons! Kids and teens need access to diverse stories!💕📚

Here‘s my next 2 (cause I‘m cheating for ) #12booksof2021 #2ndbookof2021 #February

Love these two books so much it was too hard to decide and there were other great books I read in Feb as well!

These are both moving stories that really open your eyes to what is going on in the world around us. I truly love both these authors and they‘re on my must read list now.

@Andrew65

I always struggle with any kind of nonfiction. Took a break from this in May or June and just now finished it. It was very interesting for a nonfiction book.

Very good

This book was well written. I learned a lot from George. This book should become a required reading for high schoolers. I cried, laughed, and learned from George.

This one threw me for a bit cause I'm used to memoirs being more chronological (note: I don't read that many) but as a collection of varying short stories and letters to loved ones, it was better for it. It kept constant interest without the filler of a timeline check list, with the stories each leading to a greater example about the life and experiences of a queer black boy, and expanding to encompass other queer family members.

#Bookreport #WeeklyForecast Out of the 4 finished books the top 2 were excellent. The Hurley Maker‘s Son was quite good and is my July #Bookspin. I finished Mr. Knightley‘s Diary but was bored. So glad James Baldwin is our #AuthorAMonth and am looking forward to the 2 shown. A great week of books overall.

“All Boys Aren‘t Blue” is a memoir following George M. Johnson‘s coming of age in their early, middle, and late adolescence. The memoir also explores family dynamics, masculinity ,gender expectations, finding community, finding oneself, sexual exploration /discovery, dating, and more. “All Boys Aren‘t Blue“ asks us to consider a world where those deemed as other, misfit , and marginalized can be multidimensional rather than monolithic.

Since this book has been written, Johnson identifies as non-binary and prefers they/them. This book is such an important read. You can tell their ultimate goal is to reach children who don't receive adequate sex education. This results in pain. What an advocate!!! Very graphic scenes, but I understand they are using their experiences as information. #LGBTQ+ #Nonfiction2021 @Riveted_Reader_Melissa

Perfect yard work memoir. This was completely dif than I expected, but it was a great listen. I love listening to memoirs read by the author. Great voice and solid, relatable stories, as well as stories that are completely outta my wheelhouse- eye opening while still accessible and enjoyable.

#BlackAuthors #LGBTQ #2021

I hope femme boys, tomboys, and their parents find this book. George M. Johnson writes honestly about growing up as a queer black boy whose effeminate ways were obvious even from a young age. The tension between the desire to express his true love (like double-dutch jump-roping) with the society‘s expectations of boys, especially black boys (get on the football field) is eloquently expressed by the adult Johnson. Glad I audiobooked this.

This book was amazing, but has parts that are very difficult to read (or listen to, in my case). The author narrates this, which is brilliant. I‘m committed to learning and trying to gain some understanding and empathy for those different than me. Highly recommend this book but be very aware of the authors content and trigger warnings at the beginning of the book. 💙

Johnson writes with love and vulnerability about growing up and discovery their identity as a Black queer human. They are unafraid to delve into difficult experiences with racism, homophobia, sexual assault, and loss by always through a lens of self love and family love (truly, everyone should have the opportunity to grow in a family like this).

#OppositeDay #Girl @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

I loved reading this story. The author does a fantastic job telling the reader about his life and experiences growing up as queer. I also feel that he comes off as authentic and tells his readers about his experiences in hope that they will help someone else. Wonderful read!

February was a bit of a month being stuck in quarantine for half of it. I got in a bit of a funk and then got out of it. I read 40 books, most on audio.

TBR books: 12
Library books: 28
Rereads: 2
Graphic novels: 6
Audiobooks: 34
Ebooks: 4

Some standouts include Concrete Rose, The Turnaway Study, All Boys Aren‘t Blue, and Witch Hat Atelier is becoming my new fave manga right now.

See any you loved? I read so many good ones this month.

“If one person is helped by my story, than it was all worth it.”

Johnson‘s memoir-manifesto is written for young adults, but I just want to shove it in everyone‘s hand. Johnson writes about their experience growing up Black and queer and does not hold back. I am thankful that they are here to share their story with all of us and look forward to their next one out later this year. #Booked2021 Color in title #BookspinBingo

Johnson has penned a searing, vulnerable memoir of the joys and traumas of being a young Black queer person. Essays arranged to paint a picture gathering specific experiences that shaped them as a Black queer person, writer, and activist. A valuable book for young queer people navigating their identities and belongingness in the world. (Note: A young trans cousin mentioned in the book is deadnamed and misgendered in one chapter, with context)

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I don't think Breeze appreciates me using his butt as a reading stool but it's SO convenient. 😂

Happy @24in48 friends! So glad this #readathon is back. Kicking off my weekend with this book (psssst #Kindle users it's on sale at $2.99) and some coffee in bed.

How about you?

#24in48

I really think Johnson has some important things to say regarding the intersection of being Black and queer and I think this will be a life-changing books for YA audiences that are going through similar challenges. I appreciate that Johnson doesn't just show the trauma but also talks about support from biological and found family and Black joy. I just think some places there needed to be more and that pulled me out of the book at times.

Kristen!!!!! Thank you so much for this book!!! I almost bought it for myself because I want to read it so much!!! You are the best, most kind person ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️ #LitsyLove

Damn Target and their spring loaded shelves!
I‘m excited to read the tagged book.

This one is on my line up for this month. I've heard so many great things about it and can't wait!

#2020ReadYouNeverGotTo #CoverLove #JumpStart2021
@Clwojick @Lizpixie

Simple but extraordinary memoir about the daily life of teenage and college experiences of a queer person!

This was a really good memoir. It was emotional and had me in tears at times. But it also had some fantastic moments of humor and family love. I really enjoyed listening to this.

One of my favorite books from last year has a great kindle deal today! Actually there are a ton of really excellent books on sale today if kindle is your main platform.