Here and Queer by Rowan Ellis

Rating:

5 Stars

Themes:

LGBTQ+, Non-Fiction, Graphic Novels

Thoughts:

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I wish I had a book like this when I was figuring out my own identity. The book covers a great selection of important issues in the community, especially a whole section with multiple chapters on coming out through to taking care of your mental health. Including some signs of an unhealthy relationship was a great idea since it is easy for young queer individuals to fall into toxic or unhealthy relationships while they’re trying to figure themselves out. I also found the sections on what sex is, safe sex and consent to be very important as there is often a severe lack of queer sex education included in the schools sex education programmes. I liked the inclusivity of the finding your community section covering online and in real life as a disabled individual my socialisation is more online now and it helped make my form of socialisation more acceptable than some people do. Finally, I loved he presence of a queer history timeline, take it further resources and support sources being included towards the end of the book.

Comments

Vincent: A Graphic Biography by Simon Elliott

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Comic, Non-Fiction, Biography Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is a great little book on Vincent van Gogh. It is very detailed containing pieces of his life such as changing careers and failed love interests that are often not considered when we think of van Gogh, instead favouring his art and mental health. The illustrations were really well done and at times helped to bring levity to the story which isn’t often the happiest of lives.

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?"

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