#reading diversity

I only started reading sometime in late October very year November but in that time:

17 books finished

4 Currently Reading

1 Arc of long term series finished (Phèdre's Trilogy #1 - Kushiel’s Series)

7 different Series 

Kim Harrison’s Hallows

ACOTAR

Kushiel 

Iron Widow 

Nevernight

Lunar Chronicles 

1 finished Series (Nevernight)

1 standalone book

And this was all from mostly reading only while at work. Which I think is pretty good. Its an average of 7 books a month. 

So based on that, I am setting my goal for reading to 85 books this year. I am going to likely start trying to also read at home every now and then. Because I am finding myself missing it on days I am not working. As well as attempting to check off squares on a reading bingo card my family is attempting also do. 

Just One More Page Book Photo Challenge - June 2019 - Day 13: “Representation Matters”

"Being beloved was fucking though."

Write about what you know, right? Well, Chris Colfer apparently knows very well what it means to be a fan of something, the star of something, and LGBT in an unaccepting environment. And he translates all of that beautifully into this book. 

There is quite a lot of quirky, nerdy humor - original and absurd enough to make you laugh out loud in public. However, there is also plenty of serious material: from the struggles of a closeted transgender, to a gay boy living in a strictly religious family to a disabled family member and that toll on the family, to racial / ethnic diversity. 

I loved the description of the fandom (as always) of this fictional show which is a mix between Harry Potter and Doctor Who. I also loved the insight behind the scenes as the arrogant star of said show gets to reveal the hardships of a public life and fame. And the road-trip plot, including wacky sights, was also amazing. 

A few details of the plot might be a bit too convenient and not realistic (an internet connection good enough for 5(!) Skype video calls and multiple internet tabs, one of them YouTube?), but they are not so otherworldly as to ruin the experience. 

At 17, life seems complicated. There are new and old friendships and crushes to juggle, older siblings leaving for college, the first tastes of "real life" coming around the corner, hobbies that take up a lot of time, the choice of the right university ... Tash has all of that, and to top it off, she is figuring out how to be asexual in a world that seems to consist only of sex. Oh, and her web series' fame just sky-rocketed, so she has to deal with sudden semi-celebrity status, as well.

I immediately liked Tash' narrative voice. It was realistic, relatable and fun. Realistic also applies for the diversity: there was low-key inclusion of racial and ethnic diversity (Tash herself is half Czech and half ... New Zealandian? New Zealandish?? Kiwi?), as well as LGBT - besides her being ace, obviously. THAT was the biggest selling point of this novel, as I normally despise YA. And it was awesome! She explores so many important questions and issues openly - from self acceptance to coming out to telling a romantic partner to making compromises with them to facing society. I also love the more minor things, like the fact that there was a character who was bad at school and that was completely okay. I loved these teenagers interacting - their anger, for example, was so realistic, yet the treatment of it was healthy and there was a lot of growth and realistic apologies.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

"Real is subjective." This is an amazing novel about what it means to be a teenager with schizophrenia. It does not patronize or romanticise, simply explains. And Julia Walton finds some of the best descriptions ever to convey the feeling of schizophrenia to others. I loved that our protagonist Adam also goes through other stuff and that his illness is not the only plot point of the book - while still being constantly present. There was a variety of reactions from other characters, which was very believable. Even though the side characters were portrayed in broad strokes, they remained interesting and deep. I loved all of the Harry Potter references and little details, such as the love interest being Filipino. Overall,  it was very well done, also sending a message of hope to other non-typical people.

I had just two issues, which contribute to the 4/5 stars rating. Firstly, why the age recommendation of 12+? That seems too low. There is some sexual content, discussion of suicidal thoughts and the descriptions of schizophrenia are meant for a more mature audience. The characters are Juniors in high school, so I would recommend at least a 14+. Secondly, I did not buy the frame narrative of the book being diary entries written in lieu of verbal communication with the therapist. They were way to literary and polished for that. But those are minor and personal details - this is still a very imporant novel!