I had a LUSH reading month in February – I even read a book that I think could be my favourite of the WHOLE HECKING YEAR!
And it’s this – Adult Assembly Required by Abbi Waxman. This could broadly be called a romcom, and it does contain some of those elements, but for me this is more about a group of housemates (and friends) who are hurting and gently put each other back together a little. There is some fantastic PTSD rep, cute dogs who will melt your heart, and a wonderful bookshop. I wanted to inhabit this novel and surround myself with all the kind characters. A compassionate and loving read!
Another book I really enjoyed this month was Jay’s Gay Agenda by Jason June. For me, this book brought together everything that’s great about young adult fiction. There’s VSBs (Very Sexy Boys), first kisses (quickly followed by many more), juggling new friends and old, and so many funny bits that made me smile. Jason’s writing is fun and I was hooked on Jay’s comprehensive lists from page one. Read this is you need an extra heaping of queer joy in your life.
A couple of other books I want to give a quick shout out to:
- The Dinner Lady Detectives by Hannah Hendy – this is cosy crime at its finest. The first scene is two women scandalised by someone knocking on their door at such a late hour (about 6pm) – which I couldn’t help laughing at (mainly because I’m exactly the same)
- The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon is the ultimate enemies to friends to lovers to enemies to lovers again. You’ll be swept up in this beautifully written romance (and there’s a dog, so you know it’s good)
Read them all and we can be chums, okay? 😊
Anna Britton 