My Virtual Bookshelf

Do NOT change the story to make it palatable to them. They will never like it. There is nothing you can do to make them like it

But there are so many people out there who will like it. And if you tone down the things that make other people not like it, you’re also toning down the things that make these people really like it

Would you rather have a story that’s loved and hated, or a story that nobody finds notable, and thus is easily forgotten?

Don’t tone yourself down to make people like it — tone yourself up. Make it so unapologetically you that instead of merely disliking it, they absolutely hate it

Here's this year's display of LGBTQ+ books and DVDs to help you celebrate 🌈

As always, please DO take items from this display to check out! We have a great mix of fiction and nonfiction for kids, teens, and adults alike, including some DVD documentaries if that's your jam.

You'll find some favorite classics like:

Trans+: Love, Sex, Romance, and Being You by Kathryn Conzales and Karen Rayne

Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe

The Pride Guide by Jo Langford

Plus some great reads of local interest, like:

Real Queer America: LGBT Stories from Red States by Samantha Allen

Chicago Whispers: A History of LGBT Chicago Before Stonewall by St. Sukie de la Croix

Out and Proud in Chicago: An Overview of the City's Gay Community edited by Tracy Baim

7 Covers in 7 Days

Rules: Each day, I will post the cover of a book that I love and nominate someone new to start the challenge.

had a contract law exam today!📚 it went meh, but at least it's all done... that was today's setup for the pre-studying :).

next week I have a criminal law exam and a writing assignment - will keep you updated 🫂.

BIPOC Sports Romance Books for Fans of Heated Rivalry 🏒

While creating my "What to Read After Watching Heated Rivalry" guide, I was torn between creating an all-inclusive guide, a queer guide, and a BIPOC guide (especially after seeing so many "What to Read After Watching Heated Rivalry" guides that were focused solely on mm romances). I decided to split the guide into two posts, to ensure they were more focused. Despite that, nearly EVERY comment I received regarding my first Heated Rivalry book guide (pretty much exclusively on TikTok, because my Booklr bats are MUCH better behaved) asked "why isn't this book included" (though hardly in such polite terms). 🏒

Please remember that there's a human being creating these guides; a human who makes mistakes, is juggling a stressful life, and is constantly trying yet failing to make everyone happy. I love seeing people shout-out additional books, because I physically CAN'T include every book in every guide (and I used to include 100+ books per post and got burnt out in the process). Please be patient, kind, and respectful to all bookish content creators who are trying to help you discover your next five-star read. 🏒

With that being said, here are a few BIPOC sports romance books for fans of Heated Rivalry. They're not all focused on ice sports (which was the primary purpose of yesterday's guide while highlighting sapphic books many people were neglecting). I highlighted the sports romance books that were queer, in case that's your main interest. Happy reading! 🏒