Summer Reading

So glad I have a little more time and energy to read now that it's summer. I've been REALLY happy with what I've read so far, and look forward to all the books yet to come!

The Lover's Dictionary by David Levithan
I've been a HUGE Levithan fan since I came across Boy Meets Boy years ago, but just recently read this 2011 novel. It reads more like a book of poetry than a novel, and though I haven't always been drawn to poetry, I really enjoyed this book. This narrative approach was similar to the alphabiography in James Howe's Totally Joe, however, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Besides, I love words, and so Levithan's use of "dictionary" entries to tell this story quickly captivated me. It's a book I know I can read over and over again, letting the words and the stories they tell echo in various ways through different contexts in my life.

It's Our Prom (So Deal With It) by Julie Anne Peters
Julie Anne Peters is another novelist whose YA fiction I've enjoyed over the years, though perhaps not as consistently as David Levithan. Never having attended either my junior or senior proms, It's Our Prom was an interesting read. I don't think I ever seriously considered attending my own proms (or even the annual Capital Queer Prom) for many of the reasons Peters presents. While I'm still not convinced that prom is for me, the story successfully conveyed a nostalgia that resonated with me.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Spurred by the hype accompanying the recent film release, I took advantage of the opportunity to borrow a copy of this book. I can see why so many are drawn to Katniss' character and despite the horror behind the premise of the hunger games, become eager to witness the contest. The queer in me isn't quite sure what to make of use/exploitation of a relationship between Katniss and Petta. On one hand, all the favors (literally) that they gain from their romance (and kissing!) strikes me as reflective of heterosexual privilege in our society. On the other, being privy to Katniss' thoughts calls to mind passing and a critique of heterosexism. I'm intrigued by how things will play out in the second book of the trilogy...