Boys Weekend

Boys Weekend | Mattie Lubchansky

pick

More satire and less horror than I expected, this was painfully real in its portrayal of immature tech bro masculinity and so-called allies who can't be bothered to get something as simple as someone's pronouns right. It had me cringing. I loved Sammie as a character and the art style was fun! #TransBooks #QueerBooks #HorrorBooks

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CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian

Boys Weekend | Mattie Lubchansky

Halloween season TBR! 🎃👻🏚

I'm thinking of starting Boys Weekend first, since it's a graphic novel and from the library

The middle book is Withered, by A.G.A. Wilmot, a queer psychological horror about a haunted house and small town.

On the lighter side, If I Stopped Haunting You by Colby Wilkens is an enemies to lovers story set in a spooky Scottish castle with bi+ Indigenous characters!

#Horror #QueerHorror #Romantsy

28 likes

TieDyeDude

Boys Weekend | Mattie Lubchansky

pick

I really enjoyed this exploration of navigating personal growth and toxic friendships through the lens of a bachelor party weekend and an apocalyptic cult. An excellent LGBT graphic novel with very fun, stylized art. #comicscount

43 likes

BkClubCare

Boys Weekend | Mattie Lubchansky

Look what I picked up from the library! Via ILL ❤️

I have gotten away from posting my readings 😢 Let‘s get back to it.

Updated later: found it confusing, but I am glad to have read it. It was a MUCH quicker read than I expected!!!!

AmyG Hahahaha for a split second I thought-a dog???? 2y

BkClubCare @AmyG 🤣🤣🤣 2y

dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 2y

dabbe @AmyG I did, too! 🤩😂😃 2y

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Larkken

Boys Weekend | Mattie Lubchansky

pick

Newly transitioned, non-binary Sammie goes on a debauched bachelor‘s weekend for their best friend from before they transitioned. They contend with micro- and macro aggressions as they try to figure out if these relationships are worth saving - literally saving, as it turns out, since the weekend happens at the site of an apocalyptic cults‘ bid to awaken their eldritch god. So… lots going on. The part with the clones felt most thought-out. ⬇️

Larkken I am confused (? Conflicted?), however, by this book‘s inclusion in #tob2024. What were the judges thinking? It‘s unlike anything else on the bracket, is uneven in its dealing with some themes, and is really unlikely to go far, given the historical decisions made by judges. This feels like a one-off, a “hey, why not?” And I feel like it deserves better than a footnote in a literary contest. Or is that unfair, and placing these kinds of books in ⬇️ (edited) 2y

Larkken The public discourse should be a POINT of the #tob? What do y‘all think? I don‘t think it‘s a perfect book, but that also shouldn‘t necessarily be the point of the tourney, and it does have some great themes even if I think other authors/books/formats have done them in a way I thought held together better or at least that I appreciated more. 2y

TieDyeDude I've never heard of the Tournament of Books. Is that a new thing? I have the same conflicting thoughts about the Oscars, though. Is it patronizing to put a movie on the ballot that has no chance of winning but deserves recognition, or is it “an honor just to be nominated“? 2y

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Larkken @TieDyeDude Tob has been around for a while, but I've only started reading books from it in the past couple of years bc they are always outside my comfort zone and I usually find a new author to obsess over from every year. Here's the website if you're curious https://www.tournamentofbooks.com. However, I've been enjoying even more the ersatz #LitsyToB crew that's been active... Due to general disaffection with the official short list, 🔽 2y

Larkken @Megabooks @squirrelbrain and @BarbaraBB organized a vote and a separate shortlist ? and a mini readalong camp last summer. It's been fun integrating my "find authors outside my go-to list" quest with the comradery of the litsy fam. (edited) 2y

Larkken @TieDyeDude but also, yes! You're right, my feelings are very similar to how I feel about the Oscars. I'm impatient with both groups for having "go-to" authors/directors but then annoyed at the token genre picks that are elevated to being worth recognition -why just them? 2y

Hooked_on_books I liked seeing this on the TOB list because it‘s topical and different. I‘m glad they included it. But I agree, I don‘t want it to suffer from tokenism, and I‘m concerned it will, especially since it‘s going up against the National Book Award winner in the first round. That seems a little unfair. I‘m really curious to read the judgement for the pairing and see how the judge deals with this. 2y

Larkken @Hooked_on_books oh man, I didn‘t realize Blackouts was a winner in other award venues already. I hadn‘t gotten to it yet myself. That will be… interesting 🤨 2y

BkClubCare The ToB is unashamedly absurd - the whole point is that you CANNOT pick a “winner”! Read the history and explanation; I never try to take any of it too seriously. Yes, highlighting obscure offerings to the “battles” is somewhat what they want to do to make it all very interesting to discuss books for book-sake. I am enjoying the tourney this week very much even if I was half enthused about a few titles. 2y

Larkken @BkClubCare yeah, fair, the absurdity is fun, also I like to read the judgements and feel inadequate in how think about books (🙃 kidding! Mostly). But also I think tokenism in any form is damaging. To me, it‘s like saying that the majority of *something* that is like the one example chosen is generally forgettable, but this one thing can be elevated as somehow worthy. And to that, I absolutely balk. (edited) 2y

BkClubCare @Larkken - okay, I can accept and ponder that. Or,also,maybe? I would have zero exposure and most of the ToB crowd, if you will, would welcome the introduction to these works of art. I appreciate the opening of my mind, introduction to new ideas and perspectives. I certainly understand that this is not meant to be “hey look, this is the best of Xyz”! Celebrate it as an example. (edited) 2y

BkClubCare Plus, the commentariat really tends to try and keep it informed, respectful, considerate of all angles of analysis. I learn so much and this challenges me and my reading motivations. 2y

Larkken @BkClubCare the judges and the thoughtful interaction with the books is def my fav part! No complaints on that score - I love how much I learn about the books and even why I engaged with a book how I did just by reading the judgements et al. Even when it‘s a genre or a book I know fairly well, my reading is always deepened by the experience! 🥰 2y

29 likes13 comments

AlizaApp

Boys Weekend | Mattie Lubchansky

pick

In this fun graphic novel set in the future, a non-binary person on a bachelor weekend must contend with a group of former friends who can‘t get their pronouns right, and also a mysterious murder cult.

20 likes

psalva

Boys Weekend | Mattie Lubchansky

pick

This was a wild, strange read. It took me a while to sink into what was happening. I think the terror-filled, apocalyptic, other-worldly weekend away resonated with me in the end as an excellent metaphor for what it can feel like when queer people of many stripes are in extended situations when they have to pretend to be something they aren‘t and accept all manner of uncomfortable and inappropriate situations to survive. Was this over the top? ⬇️

psalva Yes. But in the end I enjoyed it and I feel like it has something interesting to say. That‘s a win for me. 2y

Reggie I love that she was saved by her other self. Glad you like it! 2y

psalva @Reggie I agree- I loved that ending! 2y

20 likes3 comments

RamsFan1963

Boys Weekend | Mattie Lubchansky

so-so

17/150 Sammie, a newly out transgender woman, is invited by her best friend to join him and their college buddies at El Campo, a swanky floating resort, for his bachelor party. The guys are pretty much jerks, refusing to see Sammie as a she now, inforcing male stereotypes on her. This is an odd mix of gender drama, social satire (all the men talk in business buzzwords and marketing lingo), paranoia and Elder Gods horror. I thought parts ⬇️

RamsFan1963 of the story were a little heavy handed and lacked subtlety, but overall I liked Sammie. 3 ⭐⭐⭐💫 2y

RamsFan1963 17th book finished for #Readaway2024 @DieAReader @GHABI4ROSES @Andrew65 2y

DieAReader 🥳Great 2y

Andrew65 Well done 👏👏👏 2y

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Caryl

Boys Weekend | Mattie Lubchansky

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I‘m looking forward to reading more about this one in the Tournament of Books. I had a hard time with it, as I was so upset by Sammie‘s college “friends.” I think that‘s part of the point. Plus, capitalism is painful, too. The ending was a relief. Go, Sammie!

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jlhammar

Boys Weekend | Mattie Lubchansky

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Clever and moving graphic novel. A mix of horror, humor and identity politics in a futuristic setting. Really glad #ToB24 put this on my radar.

BarbaraBB Such good reviews about this one. I am tempted to read it too! 2y

Megabooks Such a surprise hit! Glad you enjoyed it! 2y

72 likes2 comments

Reggie

Boys Weekend | Mattie Lubchansky

pick

Came to return books and saw this on a display. I loved this. Sammie, a trans woman, is best man at her college friend‘s bachelor weekend at an anything goes, in the future, in the middle of the ocean resort. While grappling with the fact that her buddies haven‘t caught up to who she is now, Sammie starts to notice that not all is right at the resort. There are a lot of details to love in here. The itinerary, the capitalism in here was👇🏼

Reggie suffocating and the part where they have to hunt clones of themselves. Only, Sammie‘s is the guy she used to be. Some powerful stuff. Pick! (edited) 2y

psalva I‘ve got this on my library stack across from me as I write this! I‘m excited to get to it :) 2y

BarbaraBB Sounds great. I thought I‘d skip it but now I am hesitating again! 2y

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Reggie @psalva I think you will love it Peter. I cried at the end. 2y

Reggie @BarbaraBb Idk how it will go for you. There‘s some cosmic horror in here and all the illustrations remind me of the Simpsons. The story and details did it for me. 2y

Megabooks I loved this too!! Agree with the Groening influence. Very Futurama-like. 2y

Reggie @Megabooks one of my favorite things in some books explore friendships that have to die sometimes because they no longer are healthy. This is one of those books. Also Loved the message at the end that sometimes you have to save yourself. When the worker turns out to be her before transition…..oof. 2y

Kenyazero Library finds are my favorite! This sounds like a super fun read 🤩 2y

70 likes2 stack adds8 comments

Jas16

Boys Weekend | Mattie Lubchansky

so-so

I don‘t read many graphic novels but I was pleased to see one make the cut for #tob24. I am glad my library had it so I could give it a try although it ended up not being for me. I appreciated the parts about Sami spending time with friends from before they came out as trans. I don‘t really enjoy the supernatural horror parts.

48 likes

Megabooks

Boys Weekend | Mattie Lubchansky

pick

Another read from before Christmas!

This is definitely one of the better titles on the real #tob24 shortlist! I am here for trans joy and acceptance. 🫶🏻🏳️‍⚧️ Lubchansky takes a look at a recently out transfeminine person who heads to a debauched island for a bachelor party with cis male college friends. They use humor and horror to great effect to tell a story of self-acceptance. Love seeing a graphic novel chosen by the tob, too!

BkClubCare I need to try to get this in print, yes? 🙌 2y

Megabooks @BkClubCare yes! I think it is only available in print or ebook. I think either would be good because you definitely don‘t want to miss the art!! 2y

BkClubCare @Megabooks - I will search for the physical and might just buy it for my TOB reading buddy (she buys one or two, I buy 1 or 2, and we swap) 2y

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squirrelbrain I wanted to try this, but it‘s so expensive over here. Particularly for a GN, which I always think won‘t take me long to read. I‘m keeping an eye out on Everand but it‘s not there yet. 2y

Megabooks @squirrelbrain 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻 it comes there! It was kinda expensive here, but I really wanted it. 2y

Hooked_on_books Hooray! I‘m not a gn reader, but glad I read this one. I loved the creativity of it. 2y

Megabooks @Hooked_on_books yes, agree! Loved your review! 2y

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Flaneurette

Boys Weekend | Mattie Lubchansky

so-so

Campy, over the top and not subtle. It‘s fine but unmemorable, definite borrow not buy- glad my library had it.
#tob24

27 likes

Hooked_on_books

Boys Weekend | Mattie Lubchansky

pick

Not my usual fare, as I‘m not a GN reader, but the description of this grabbed me immediately from the #tob24 longlist, and I really enjoyed it! I liked that there was a focus on trying to be accepted by an old crowd as a trans person amongst the silliness of some strange goings on all around. It would be fun to see this in the tournament.

squirrelbrain I‘m not a GN reader either so didn‘t plan to read this. Your review made me think I should try it but, of course, I can‘t get it on any ‘free‘ platforms. 2y

BarbaraBB What is GN?? Or am I being very stupid now? 2y

Megabooks @BarbaraBB graphic novel 👍🏻 Holly, this caught my eye, too, and I‘m thinking of buying it because I don‘t have library access. Glad to know it‘s good! 2y

BarbaraBB Thanks @Megabooks! 2y

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