Welcome to Litsy!

I skipped this one when it came out, figuring since I‘d read And The Band Played On that I had the story. But that book is an epidemiologic/public health story of how HIV established in the US and this is the activist/patient side. These men were treated absolutely abominably (even Fauci doesn‘t look so good here) and really fought for treatments and basic care. The book is superb.

I did an ILL for this book based on a mention from Rebecca Makkai in her afterword for “The Great Believers.” It‘s heartbreaking but important to honor those who lost their lives to AIDS - plus honor the many caregivers who did so much ♥️ #TBRtarot

Verghese wrote two of my favorite works of fiction so I had to read his memoir about his time as an infectious disease specialist in Johnson City, TN during the early days of the AIDS crisis. His perspective as an immigrant was really unique I thought and the stories of his patients were very touching. This was another Verghese five star read for me.

Just realized the $3 copy of this paperback I got from Thrift Books is signed!

This book is written in verse, which is something I‘m recently getting into. I got a used copy and found that many of the pages were written, with questions and phrases that made it even more intriguing✨

Starting this for the #transrightsreadathon. I saw him speak last year and he signed my copy!

JVN is famous for doing hair & makeovers on Queer Eye but is also known for being outspoken about being #nonbinary (he/they/she pronouns) and for living publicly with #HIV. He was well spoken and I hope the essays in the book are interesting!

He‘s also written a memoir: “Over the Top: A Raw Journey to Self-Love”

#lgbtq #lgbtq2024 #lgbtqbookbingo2024

#ItTakesAllKinds #InspiredByTvOrFilm

A behemoth of fine journalistic writing. Shilts was a reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle when AIDS first began to ravage the city. The disease soon shone a spotlight on the stunning health disparities in the US as the federal government, scientific and public health institutions as well as blood banks refused to initially take seriously what they condescended as “the gay virus.” Shilts later succumbed to AIDS, seven years after publishing.

An incredibly important YA novel about a teen who‘s HIV+. It was informative and moving. Navigating HS is hard enough & Simone has the added fear of someone telling her secret when anon notes begin showing up with that threat.

I loved when she showed her vulnerability & when others embraced her. She has a strength & determination that‘s admirable; however, at times I felt she was judgmental & rude toward her friends who were supportive of her.