Another interpretation of The Modern Prometheus. In Victorian England, a private, isolated, queer couple creates a horticultural Galatea in the name of science. As their creation becomes sentient so does the couple's obsession over their horrific offspring. A beautifully written gothic novel focusing on ethics and arrogant, abusive knowledge.

Magic and reincarnation surround a pair of queer lovers through three eras of Chinese history, beginning with Emperor AI and his male lover, Dong Xian, an innkeeper and a kitsune during the 1700's, and a two men attending a rave in the modern world. Told with a danmei (Chinese male pairings) lyrical style but added with an extra dose of spice, this will appease M/M romance readers who want a little more.

A fun, coming of age gossipy, fictional read set in the music industry of the late 90's and early 2000's. A talented songstress from New Jersey is whisked to stardom after joining a short-lived girl group and becomes a successful solo artist but must manage the pratfalls of exploitation and abuse in the entertainment field. An homage to the Britneys, Christinas, and Rhiannas of the era, this Jeanette McCurdy style storytelling pulls you in!

Once again, I've opened Pandora's Box and went down the rabbit hole! In this series of short interviews and commentaries, author Jesselyn Cook examines several families who have lost loved ones to the QAnon conspiracy cult. From the religious fervor, socio-economics, internal hatred, and insane brainwashing that occurred after the election of 2016, this is a horrible car wreck that you can't look away.

A ballet teacher and widowed father that plays for a Canadian hockey team find serendipity and love in this second chance romance that includes fake dating, personal baggage, and healing in this rom-com style sports romance.

This may fall into light reading, but it had substance. Good guy, Brian, believed he had a happy marriage until his wife, Lily, vanished seven years ago. A hint from an online review gives him hope, and he sets himself on an adventure to find her and to have his questions answered. Flashing back and to the present, it examines their marriage and relationship as he searches for closure, a new love, and redemption in this fictional read.

This had tons of potential for a short story collection involving themes of desire, romance, friendships, the supernatural, dreams, and many others. However, the writing felt juvenile and simplistic and should've been focused more on a teen/young adult audience. The characters felt vapid and shallow, and the pretentious, superficial prose didn't help any. This was more of a beginning MFA attempt than a cohesive collection.

Writer and artist Tania De Rozario provides her perspectives on various topics as a citizen of Singapore and as a queer woman in a series of essays. Using the metaphor of monsters and femininehood, she tackles themes of family, sexuality, religion, and national politics. Such examples are her forced exorcism, Christian hypocrisy, her attraction to women, and contradictions of Singaporean society and government, this is a visceral read!

Set during the political influence of Castro in Cuba during the 70's, young Rauli struggles with their identity and the influence of Greek mythology of the character of Cassandra by secretly adopting her name. However, with their homelife in turmoil and society's pressure to serve the military, Rauli must navigate a balance of their true gender while maintaining appearances in this cultural trans fictional novel.

Raw and honest, this is an urbanized fictional perspective of an individual who grew up in the rough streets of Brooklyn, New York. Afro-Latina and trans protagonist Carlotta is released from prison on probation and tries to assimilate back into her community. However, her new identity ostracizes her from everyone as she attempts to navigate while dealing with themes of family, crime, gender, queerness and the threat of gentrification.

Such a charming delight! A UK Golden Gal named Mrs. Quinn enters a reality show baking contest (think Great British Bake-Off) and rises through the ranks while dealing with secrets of her past. Just a sweet read if you like Fannie Flagg, Fredrick Backman, and Jennifer Ryan.

Tor Publishing is now accepting extreme horror. This book is not for everyone, but if you're a fan of the genre, this is a book for you! NOTE: Tons of trigger warnings. Basically, a terrorism hate act causes a trans survivor to enter into a depraved relationship of deviant kink and fetishism that involves parasites and tons of unspeakable horrors. Again, not for the faint of heart, but if this is your thing, check it out!

The perspective of the Vietnam War has always been written by men who served, but what about the women who served as support? This is the story of Frances 'Frankie' McGrath, who assists on the battlefront as a military nurse after her brother is deployed. From her camaraderie with her fellow nurses to seeing firsthand the horrors of war, Frankie must deal with the aftermath and her torn feelings concerning the conflict.

This was a lot of fun and everything you need in a short fantasy. A badass POC female assassin is resurrected as part of a godlike ploy and has to uncover secrets, encounters with enemies, and treachery from all sides.

Inspired by the Mulan story, a corrupt nobleman's daughter is used as a political pawn, forcing the young girl to flee across China during 923 AD. Disguising herself as a male soldier, she enlists in one of the armies involved in the Three Kingdom War where she encounters magic, romance, bravery, honor, and gender politics in this epic read.

A fun, thrilling page turner from start to finish that pays an homage to action films like John Wick and Mr. and Mrs. Smith. A retired, former hitman joins a support group to redeem himself, but his old enemies come after him. With humor and pop cultural references, this is a hoot to read!

Following up Manhunt and her gory queer horror genre, author Gretchen Felker-Martin does her version of conversion camp terror. A group of LGBTQ+ teens must survive the true horrors of their gay conversion camp peoson while uncovering the macabre truth that establishment is hiding.

Humor and cultural elements are reflected in this fictionalized satire of a group of wealthy Iranian-American daughters trying to develop their own reality TV show Kardashian style. As the girls search for superficial pursuits like social media influencing, health lifestyle guru, and fame and fortune, family secrets and dysfunctional drama bubble up to the service crazy, rich Middle Eastern style.

I normally don't read political books, but this one had me going down the rabbit hole. POC political commentator and columnist Clay Cane examines the history of black conservatives and Republicans and how the political party has changed in terms of perspectives and ideals to extreme views since the 2016 election and Trump's administration. Cane also provides theories on why a marginalized group would vote and support against their own interests.

Humorous but poignant, author Brodeur focuses on the hyper-masculine ideal of the perfect physique, the issues of body dysmorphia, and the history of the famous male muscular form in art, media, and celebrity in society. Tackling issues affecting the health industry and even the queer community, these series of essays commenting on impossible beauty standards on males is a topic that is not touched upon.

Manchuria 1908, the death of young girl connects a new maid, a detective and an affluent family. Filled with magical realism and Asian mythology and folklore, secrets and retribution become the main themes in this historical literary novel.

Another dragon themed fantasy. This time in this magical universe, dragons and humans coexist and the elite control dragons. An indigenous, queer girl bonds with a dragon egg and reluctantly is recruited into an academy to raise and train dragons. As she navigates being an outcast and the prejudice of this world's colonizers, she will have to brave through the ignorance and change society's minds.

London 1888, a trans teen who is also a medium is sent to an asylum disguised as a finishing school. When the spirits inside begins to reveal the horrors inside, he will have to battle the conspiracies and corrupt males in order to free the victims being abused in this gory, horror young/teen novel.

It's the year of the dragon! YA author Matharu makes his adult fantasy debut in this palate cleanser of a novel of a corrupt kingdom, usurper conspiracies, and a rebel fugitive slave trying to free the land. Then, of course, there are dragons! For readers of Christopher Paolini, Rebecca Yarros and the classic Anne McCaffrey.

A literary debut of fiction focusing on sex workers. College age Agnes and her party ways leads her on a path desperate for money. Financially strapped, she begins a career as a 'sugar baby', offering herself to affluent older men. Eventually, this lifestyle shifts her attention to prostitution as she sells her soul and her sanity in an industry that is unflinching and unkind to workers in the industry.

A page turning psychological mystery. A sheriff's lieutenant tries to hide her past as the daughter of a known serial murderer. When a copycat killer begins to emerge using her late father's M. O., she will risk her life and her sanity to uncover the truth in this upcoming debut.

An epic, Asian 90's soap opera dramedy of the filthy rich spanning international waters from Hawaii, the UK and Europe. From a scheming, penniless lord to the revelations of secrets, lies, and even a murder, this would be a wonderful follow-up to Kwan's fun Crazy Rich Asian's trilogy. Instead, the writing staid, the storytelling bland and the characters unlikable which loses momentum in the second half. A meh read.

As someone who has been a retail slave of the big box discount stores, this fictionalized novel of struggling employees dealing with corporate greed, wage survival, difficult managers, and a changing consumer base will trigger and connect with readers. The similarities between the TV show Superstore is uncanny, but this is a more realistic and sad portrayal of the poverty and working class who rely heavily on these companies.

Fourth what? Wing who? Banished as folklore in a mythical realm, a dragon masquerades as a human male in order to free his tribe. Enter a nonbinary thief who agrees to assist their comrade in a quest to find magical artifacts to complete a prophecy. As their quest becomes treacherous so does their bond and deep connection as antagonists and villains enter the fray trying to stop them in this queer fantasy novel.

Author Jonthan Rigsby worked as a criminal analyst for the government but a divorce, child support, and alimony required him to take a second job as an Uber driver. Sharing stories from drunken passengers, unruly customers, crazy riders, and one that became a violent incident that led to a criminal court case, Rigsby details the greed of corporate capitalism, the exploitation of employees, and wage stagnation for those rely on rideshare company.

Cultural examination is viewed through protagonist Cyrus Shams, a recovering addict and alcoholic. As he researches the meaning of martyrdom, he makes connections with his own family, Muslim refugees that made selfless sacrifices for him in order to have a better life. As he digs deeper, he realizes the meaning of history, identity, perseverance, heritage, family, queerness, and the real meaning of being a martyr.

Historical fiction starting in the 1960s and set during the blueberry farming community of Nova Scotia. An Native Indigenous child vanishes, setting off a mystery that will span several decades that will spark themes of racism, classism, xenophobia, and secrets among two groups of families that are affected by the tragedy.

Before the introduction of the MCU films, comic books were telling stories in print that were reflective of a progressing society. All of the Marvels highlights important issues on the social and political spectrum from the criticism of the government, the feminist movement, civil rights, and promoting diverse and inclusionary stories. Author Douglas Wolf showcases an essay and compiles significant issues for any comic book fan!

A lyrical historical fiction filled beautiful prose. A talented seamstress married to a fraudulent Scottish Apothecary arrives in America and meets Nathaniel Hawthorne, who makes her his muse for The Scarlet Letter. Making this story unique is the protagonist struggling with synaesthesia, the ability to see colors through sounds and words. An amazing interpretation of the classic!

A plus size teen outcast creates a homophobic incident in his small town that goes viral and turns him into a social pariah. In order to save his reputation and dignity, he enlists the help of his BFF drag queen who decide to produce a drag extravaganza event that brings all members of the LGBTQ+ community together in this YA story of love, acceptance, friendship, and the power of having a fierce look. SLAAAAAY QUEEN!

It's a year for Dr. Evil stories and minions! Starter Villain, an unsuspecting nephew inherits his late uncle's supervillain company and all his nefarious duties. However, his hench dolphins are mutinizing, his minions are hapless, and he has to contend with a competing conglomerate of other supervillains. At least he has cats! What's a potential evil lord to do? Find out in this hilarious satire of the spy espionage genre.

Historical fiction mixed with a bit of mystery and the western genre. Post-Civil War, Union soldier John Chenneville returns home, broken and shell shocked. Upon discovering the murder of his sister and family, Chenneville hunts the man responsible through a pre-Reconstruction south. Encountering struggling characters along the way, this is a reflection of the era of the aftermath of war and its victims in American history.

Filling the slasher trope with page turning fun! A former child star turned journalist reluctantly returns to the horror film set that is getting a recent remake only to discover that many of her ex-castmates and crew have died under mysterious circumstances. Upon further investigation, she finds a connection between the fictional movie's Needle Man killer and a real-life copycat.

Food writer Annabelle Tometich reflects on her childhood in Florida as the product of immigrant parents, Filipino and European, in this memoir. Focusing more on her spitfire of a widowed mother and her cultural upbringing that shaped her in terms of generational trauma, identity, and ethnic differences and assimilation. For readers of Amy Tan, Michelle Zauner, and Eddie Huang.

Pure guilty pleasure mind candy that has taken TikTok by storm. Basically, a comical and ridiculous satire of a struggling peasant girl who accepts a job offer to the kingdom's handsome supervillain. Expect hysterical fantasy tropes and your typical murder and mayhem that proves being a gopher to the Big Bad of the land isn't it's all cracked up to be.

A brief overview of the marginalization of trans woman and the attitudes society places upon them that lead to violence, ostracism, and obliviousness. In a series of essays, author Jules Gill-Peterson gives a summarized and condensed version of how transgendered females are treated in history due to fear and misogynistic attitudes made by the patriarchy.

Melancholiac and depressive literary fiction focusing on a struggling Irish family living in London in the 90's. Told from third person perspectives through its characters, a horrible crime is connected to the group as the media and the public already lay blame to the accused. However, this is a commentary on poverty, neglect, abuse, dysfunction, and societal attitudes the world ignores that takes place in our own homes.

This was a riot! A teen horror that encapsulates the the typical slasher trope but makes it queer. A serial killer stalks a group of teens at an LGBTQ+ club leading to a final girl...er final boy...um final nonbinary individual. It's Scream meets Clueless!

The enigmatic death of Chris Remick's father leads him to his family's record store and a cursed album that opens a malevolent force to the world of the dead in this horror novel. Unique storytelling with a supernatural element, this chilling read offers from twists and turns.

A follow-up to Tommy Orange's previous novel There There revisits his characters focusing on Orvil Redfeather and his ancestors that shaped his culture in the modern world. Beginning with the Sand Beach Massacre, the forced assimilation of tribal schools like the Carlisle Institution, and the trauma, abuse, and struggles Natives endure in modern society.

Madonna, Cher, Rhianna, Patty Smyth. Iconic musical women who inspired fans and rose to diva perfection, but more importantly influenced the queer community by becoming strong role models in society. In a series of essays, Zachary Pace comments on their talents, vocal resonance, and musical abilities and how it has affected the LGBTQ+ into becoming activists and cultural revolutionaries toward social change.

Stuck in a mundane life of boredom and working as a L. A. theme park character princess, Maeve Fly lives with her ailing grandmother, a former actress, and engages in the Hollywood partying lifestyle. A chance meeting with an eccentric young man awakens her inner psychopath inspiring her serial killer tendencies in this gory, feminist horror.

A 2021 Manbooker shortlist contender. Einstein, Grothendiek, Mochizuki, the Nazis. Each has a dark history of contributing to the destruction and bleak dystopia of human discovery via science and mathematics in two world wars. Author Labatut details the rise of human innovation, invention, and uncovering knowledgeable secrets, but provides a sinister reality of how these wonders can be abused. This nonfiction read is jarring but eye-opening.

All right I'll admit it! I have my guilty pleasure reads and spicy romance I'm a sucker for! This "so hot I'm blushing" m/m romance has a frat boy and his roommate study buddy going all 'bow chica wow wow' all over this story as they hide their relationship while finding the time to bump uglies. Spicytok online is giving the ? up on this one! So excuse me while I take cold shower due to this indie read!☺️

Shakespeare's classic is reimagined as a queer love story. Sensitive artist Romeo falls for Valentine in Verona, Italy and the pair must conceal their love as their families fight and all major players get involve in the story. Even Juliet makes an appearance but instead of a naive teen to an independent feminist and free thinker in this teen historical fiction.