The two group reads for 24 in 48.
Both of these books have been on my list to read so I quickly library loaned them to read along. The books didn’t come in on time, however. I instead read both books this week. Two different mornings. Lots of coffee. Lots of tears.
From Stonewall and Lambda Award–winning author Kacen Callender comes a revelatory YA novel about a transgender teen grappling with identity and self-discovery while falling in love for the first time.
Felix Love has never been in love—and, yes, he’s painfully aware of the irony. He desperately wants to know what it’s like and why it seems so easy for everyone but him to find someone. What’s worse is that, even though he is proud of his identity, Felix also secretly fears that he’s one marginalization too many—Black, queer, and transgender—to ever get his own happily-ever-after.
When an anonymous student begins sending him transphobic messages—after publicly posting Felix’s deadname alongside images of him before he transitioned—Felix comes up with a plan for revenge. What he didn’t count on: his catfish scenario landing him in a quasi–love triangle….
But as he navigates his complicated feelings, Felix begins a journey of questioning and self-discovery that helps redefine his most important relationship: how he feels about himself.
Felix Ever After is an honest and layered story about identity, falling in love, and recognizing the love you deserve.
I adored Felix. What this book would have meant decades ago to a school friend of mine I can’t put words to. To have had this story would have been not possible, but I so wish we could have this book. I often think nothing has changed. I’m exhausted from fighting “powers that be” then I stop. Realize this book exists. I am grateful. I’m just going to sit in that moment. Someone today will read this and see themself. It’s enough.
American culture loves blackness. From music and fashion to activism and language, black culture constantly achieves worldwide influence. Yet, when it comes to who is allowed to thrive from black hipness, the pioneers are usually left behind as black aesthetics are converted into mainstream success—and white profit.
Weaving together narrative, scholarship, and critique, Lauren Michele Jackson reveals why cultural appropriation—something that’s become embedded in our daily lives—deserves serious attention. It is a blueprint for taking wealth and power, and ultimately exacerbates the economic, political, and social inequity that persists in America. She unravels the racial contradictions lurking behind American culture as we know it—from shapeshifting celebrities and memes gone viral to brazen poets, loveable potheads, and faulty political leaders.
An audacious debut, White Negroes brilliantly summons a re-interrogation of Norman Mailer’s infamous 1957 essay of a similar name. It also introduces a bold new voice in Jackson. Piercing, curious, and bursting with pop cultural touchstones, White Negroesis a dispatch in awe of black creativity everywhere and an urgent call for our thoughtful consumption.
White Negroes quite possibly the best book I’ve read so far this year. Every single word. Truth. For me the activist chapter, touched my heart, I will carry it with me forever. I learned yet again. Funny how that works.
Reading a quote about 1980 RAGE. I too have had similar thoughts about 1980s and now. It has been quite a journey these past years and they remind me so much of the 80s. Things I have said or realized in 1984 -people just now “see”. Also who thought I’d be listening this closely to Fauci again?
Screaming daily. It’s unfathomable to me. Personally the same people are doing the same things they’ve always been doing, they just get to be more vocal, are emboldened, and it’s captured on film. As a whole being outraged has been my daily life since the 80s. I have not changed my view. What’s interesting to me is now people dislike my ANGER, “you’re too angry”. Why aren’t they ?These four years permit people to be vocal.
News flash: I’m no different. And under this current administration I’m still outraged, still fighting. I’m old, white, privilidged -anger on the outside and in public isn’t as a rule dangerous for me. I hope I live to see the day that’s true for everyone. Justified anger. I’m not free unless my sister is, is a chant we use to chant.
I’m not free until we all are.
We all aren’t free.
Work to do.
Peace.
