The Magnificent Sons by Justin Myers

Rating:

3 Stars

Themes:

Psychological Fiction, LGBTQ+, Contemporary Fiction, Queer Lit, Romance

Thoughts:

I struggled with this story as I found both Jake and Trick (the so-called magnificent sons) somewhat insufferable. Jake is filled with prejudices and hate and instead of figuring out who he is and what it means, he instead spent years taking it out on his baby brother and then expects everyone to just accept him and forget everything while still somewhat using those around him. Trick, on the other hand, seems to accept but dislike Jake at the beginning then spends half the book denying his brother’s identity and taking cheap shots when possible. The parents are also insufferable hypocrites who seemingly love and accept Trick for being who he is (camp and gay) but the tables turn the moment their older son comes out, as if they can only accept one gay child or they need the assurance of bloodlines continuing before the happiness of their children.

Favourite Quote:

"Look, they might not get who you are now, but don't write them off. You need "forever friends", trust me; someone who knew you before, who gets your essence."

Comments

The War of Sober by Edward Rand

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Non-Fiction, Self-Help, Addiction, Psychology Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is a great book not just for addicts trying to establish and maintain their sobriety but also psychologists, counsellors and the people working with them. It approaches the experience of addiction from the perspective of going to war and may help those who can’t get along with the 12 steps, contingency management or other forms of therapy traditionally used. It’s also helpful to have Edward detail his own experiences and approaches throughout so it feels less clinical and shows he does know what he’s talking about when he mentions the difficulties so it comes across less patronising than some self-help addiction books. Favourite Quote: "It doesn't matter what happened yesterday. Win or lose, if we are still alive, we must decide to be different today and then make the correct choices today, because friends, ...

Broken Glass by Sarah Kay

Rating: 3 Stars Themes: Poetry Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This collection is mixed for me, some of the poems were really good and all were definitely emotive but I think so many poems on the Hamas attack and subsequent war which is highly politically charged a little difficult to tackle. Favourite Quote: "What good is it to open my heart when in the end, you will stab it in the back?"

Shame-Sex Attraction by Lucas Wilson

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Non-Fiction, LGBTQ+ Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is definitely a difficult read and it took me quite a while to get through it for that very reason. It is split up into 17 different peoples experiences with a foreword and afterword. It’s definitely an important read for many as these practices are still legal in many countries, including my own, and without knowledge of the damage of the practices many may not join in the protests or sign the petitions to try to get laws in place. As a member of the community myself I found some of these stories such as the ‘Sniffing the Gay Away’ and ‘Convert’ especially difficult to read and reminded me just how lucky I was to have such a supportive and loving community around me. I appreciated that the afterword highlighted the limitations of the collection such as having little to no religious, geographical or racial diversity but that they did try to ga...

KJK Reads

Search This Blog