It’s the beginning of a new year and a new autumn, and with that crisp, cloudy weather and breeze comes also the scent of books– newly bought from downtown Amherst, brought from home, cracked open from the worn shelves of the library. Each syllabus comes loaded with essays, textbooks, dense research articles, films short and long, and other media, some works more interesting than others.
I’m certain that I’m not the only bookworm at Hampshire who feels daunted by this influx of academia that I’m supposed to be diligently consuming on a daily basis (but will more likely skim mere hours before the class). Why do my assignments when I can lay on the grass and leaf through a well-loved novella I’ve read countless times before?
This is a fair question, and not one that I mean to answer here. After all, your time should be spent as you please. But for those of you who’ve been meaning to read more this year, branch out into different genres, or simply want that dewy, erudite sheen that comes from being “well-read,” look no further than this column for book recommendations.
For this issue of Leapfrog, I have decided to strike out in comfortable territory with queer fiction — a broad category, whose subdivisions I hope to at least somewhat fairly represent in this scattered but high-quality selection.
The House in the Cerulean Sea
by T.J. Klune
A fantastical, wholesome, found-family favorite with odd creatures and a main character going through a midlife crisis. Scores a 4.4 out of 5 on Goodreads.
An Unkindness of Ghosts
by Rivers Solomon
A science-fiction epic exploring the regeneration of structural racism on a worldship. Has, in the words of Professor Caoimhe Harlock, “gender-fucked narrators” (shoutout). Scores a 4 out of 5 on Goodreads.
The Portrait of Dorian Gray
by Oscar Wilde
A man’s obsessively created portrait takes on sinister life. Scores a 4.1 out of 5 on Goodreads.
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
A heartwarming and heart-wrenching read that makes poetic use of its stream-of-consciousness narration. Scores a 4.3 out of 5 on Goodreads.
This is How You Lose the Time War
by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone
Another recent favorite, a series of correspondents between enemies in a futuristic war. Scores a 3.9 on Goodreads.
On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous
by Ocean Vuong
A poetic history of family and identity. Scores a 4 out of 5 on Goodreads.
Nevada
by Imogen Binnie
A woman’s critical look at herself and the world, stuttering on a forgetfulness to take her estrogen. Scores a 4 out of 5 on Goodreads.
The Chromatic Fantasy*
by H.A.
A devilish graphic novel following two transmasc thieves. Scores a 4.4 out of 5 on Goodreads.
Breakfast on Pluto*
by Patrick McCabe
A girl growing up in Ireland sets out on a fabulous quest for love. Scores a 3.5 out of 5 on Goodreads.
On a Sunbeam
by Tillie Walden
Another space saga, whimsical, and gorgeously illustrated. The author has made this one free online! Scores a 4.3 out of 5 on Goodreads.
Freshwater*
by Akwaeke Emezi
A girl’s reckoning with her spiritual heritage and identity. Scores a 4 out of 5 on Goodreads.
The Gilda Stories*
by Jewelle Gomez
An eclectic mix of science fiction, fantasy, and the vampire mythos against the backdrop of 19th-century America. Scores a 4 out of 5 on Goodreads.
*: To be completely transparent, I have not read these particular books yet, but I hope you will join me in adding them to your ever-expanding to-read list. Happy reading!
