#ownvoices

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Just finished "Thief of the Heights" written by Son M. and illustrated by Robin Yao. It's a very cool graphic novel about the illusions of meritocracy and loyalty to one's roots, with an interesting setting and better politics than most stuff out there, even if the plotting is a little rough and perhaps a bit too straightforward. The neat ending and reliance on heroism are themes I don't love in these kinds of tales, but I'm grateful for more stories in this category to exist in the first place, so I can't complain too much.

It's got disability, queer, and POC representation and some of that is , which is cool, although those dimensions of the work aren't its focus.

Ulysses reviews the "Romance in Autumn" anthology:

"Offers a wide range of romantic settings and a diversity of characters (not all white, not all young)... all stories by gay men exploring their own truths. I don’t give anything away, because I had such fun discovering the authors’ intentions in the surprises they offer us. 5 stars."

https://www.queeromanceink.com/2025/09/18/review-romance-in-autumn-anthology/

@MMbookstodon @lgbtqbookstodon @diversebooks @bookstodon @Anthology

Just finished "Punk Rock Karaoke" by Bianca Xunise. It's a really cool graphic novel about a high school punk band's journey as they graduate and try to juggle shifting responsibilities. It's with a Black queer protagonist and has a relentless optimism and no-nonsense vibe, plus great facts about racism in music history, and probably if you are into punk music, a cool discography woven throughout (I hasn't rally heard of any of the songs mentioned to set the mood, but then again I'm not exactly a punk aficionado).

A tasty tidbit from my latest story, "Miz Fortune's Lonely Hearts Salon," in the brand new gay own voices anthology:

He sat back to admire the results of his labors, spreading his fingers and waving his hand in the air to admire the glitter of jewelry. He’d created Faye as a way to escape the pain, and she had taken on a life of her own. Her lips spread wide in thrilled anticipation.

“Miz Fortune has arrived.”

https://books2read.com/u/mgnBEv

@Books