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Celebrate Pride with LGBTQ Reads: The Unmagical Life of Briar Jones and Father Material

9 Jun

The Unmagical Life of Briar Jones
by Lex Croucher
The Unmagical Life Life of Briar Jones is the latest by Lex Croucher. Briar and Seb were inseparable as children, but when wealthy, privileged Seb gets picked to attend an elite private school rumored to teach magic, Briar is heartbroken and their friendship crumbles. They don’t reunite till Briar gets a summer job at the school, cleaning out an old attic that has been used as a dumping ground for unwanted items. Briar discovers that the rumors are true about the magic, but the school is filled with brutal hazing and cruel students including Seb, now called Bastian, who is feared by his classmates. Briar befriends a group of students who are struggling against the Status Quo. Briar must come to terms with not only their feelings for Bastian, but also their own past in this riveting tale. Croucher themselves is non-binary and though Briar’s gender is not a main focal point of the story, their journey and perspective are an integral part of their identity. This was a page turner that I did not want to put down. If you love Dark Academia stories then this is one you will want to check out.

Father Material
by Alexis Hall
Father Material is the third in Alexis Hall’s terrific London Calling series. Luc and Oliver’s friends have all begun settling down and starting family’s of their own. At the novel’s opening, they themselves take the next big step of becoming dog dads to a frisky puppy named Spud. There is a lot of humor in their adapting to their new adorable pet, but there is also a lot of heart in Luc taking on a new responsible role and further exploring his feelings about his own absentee father. Oliver also must come to terms with his own experience with his childhood and his understanding of what defines good parenting. Their exploration of options for being parents, brings more serious themes into the work. The book is filled with complex characters and quippy banter that has made Hall one of my favorite authors. Hall’s books will appeal to those looking for well crafted and nuanced LGBTQ characters. Fans of British Rom-Coms will especially be charmed by the London Calling series.

Written by:
Aimee Harris
Information and Digital Services Manager

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Fantastic Fantasies: Field Guide for the Formerly Villainous and Samantha Spük: Paranormal Wedding Planner

2 Jun

Field Guide for the Formerly Villainous
by Autumn K. England
Field Guide for the Formerly Villainous is a charming cozy fantasy tale by Autumn K. England who has also written works under the name M.K. England. Oakland Nettlewood wanted to learn magic, but unfortunately the group they joined turned out to be a cult, whose leader, the Enchantrix, used mind control to force followers to do horrible things including murder. Now that the cult has been defeated, Oakland is attempting to turn over a new leaf and settle into farming and perhaps even form some friendships in the quaint town of Mossley’s Rest. The last thing they want to do is to use magic, but the ghost of the farm’s former owner has other ideas. The novel will especially resonate for those who have struggled to create a new path for themselves and/or are dealing with past trauma. Oakland’s love interest is also dealing with her own issues of grief, guilt and reinvention. Another of the characters is dealing with burn out and all are recovering from the losses that occurred due to the battles with the Enchantrix.
Field Guide for the Formerly Villainous will also appeal to those looking for stories set in a queernormative world; Oakland use they pronouns and though it is mentioned several times about their wearing of a chest binder, their gender identity is never discussed or questioned by any of the world’s inhabitants. If you enjoy this story you might also want to check out Violet Thistlewaite is not a Villain Any More which also focuses on rehabilitated magic user.

Samantha Spuk: Paranormal Wedding Planner
by Aleese Lin
Since childhood, recent graduate, Samantha “Sabby” Spuk has only ever wanted to be boringly normal which she thinks her new job as an accountant will allow, but when her grandmother passes away and names Sabby her will’s executioner, the supernatural comes raging back in to her life in the form of temporary jobs as a wedding planner to creatures such as vampires along with a “pet” talking human head, and a manic pixie assistant. As kooky as Sabby’s experiences are, the desire to break free from one’s family is one many new adults will find relatable. There is a bit of romance from the mysterious Hanry, who is also aware of the supernatural world, but claims to be fully human. Samantha Spuk: Paranormal Wedding Planner, Aleese Lin’s debut novel, is full of “spuky” fun and will appeal to those looking for light, funny urban fantasy escapism. If you enjoy this story you may also want to check out MaryJanice Davidson’s Undead/Queen Betsy Vampire series that has a similar humorous urban fantasy vibe.

Written by:
Aimee Harris
Information and Digital Services Manager

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