Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan

I realise that I've let my blog slip into disuse in the last year or so, it was the typical story of too much vying for my attention and, sadly, the inessential being trimmed.

This weekend gone I read Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan and suddenly, even if only for this one book, blogging became essential. I don't even know if anyone reads this long dead blog, but that's not what's important here. I need to write about this book regardless of how many people happen to stumble upon this dark corner of the internet.

Each book is a story, obviously, but I'm also strong in the belief that the reading of each book is a story in itself. True, not always an interesting one, but there's always something that led us to chose that particular book at that particular time. If you want to skip to the review of the book itself, I understand. Jump down to where it starts... It's the most important part anyway. I think I've rambled a bit. But, my blog, my rules.

My 'Two Boys Kissing' story starts long before it was even published, not that I knew it. The last 3 years I've been working towards my Masters in Children's literature, and towards the beginning of last year I made an important decision: What to do for my thesis. I'd tossed around a couple of ideas, a research paper analysing Patrick Ness' Chaos Walking Series, or an exploration of gay teen YA, a few other ideas, but what I really wanted to do was write a novel. So I decided to do a creative work: write and submit a novel along with an exegesis about it. So, I stopped writing the steampunk fantasy bizzo that I was working on, and undertook the book I've always known I've had in me. I'll leave the details about that for another time, but I should say that it is a gay teen YA novel. 

I got to writing...

One thing I often hear authors say is that while they were writing any given novel, they read widely, but stayed well away from the same genre as what they were writing. I've had editor friends give me the same advice directly. So, for nearly 18 months, all books with a gay YA theme were hands off. This has been difficult, as, through my studies I've become aware of more books than I ever knew existed. Not only that, but then David Levithan (by all accounts among booksellers the go-to-guy of gay YA) releases a book proudly called Two Boys Kissing with a cover that reinforced its subject matter unapologetically. Further, people who's opinion I trust and are usually aligned with asked me regularly if I had read it yet, because it's so good.

But, alas, I was still only halfway through my own novel and was abstaining.

Then (let's skip forward 6 months) I finally finished my novel (enough for uni, at least). Yet, I still have my exegesis to write before I can hand it in. AND because an academic discussion of a novel isn't really complete without comparing it to others in the genre, I found that the long list of gay YA novels of which I'd been taking note, had to be read all of a sudden in order to be analysed.

Now I know my own book isn't completely polished, and I probably should have held off until I knew it was done and dusted, but uni called for it. Who was I to argue?

So, letting go, I succumbed to the inner urge I'd been denying for months and finally started reading the books I wanted to. The first cab off the rank was one called 'The Boy's Own Manual To Being A Proper Jew' by Eli Glasman. It's not out until July, but a friend scored me an advanced proof because she knew the subject matter of thesis. I won't go on about it, other to say I read it in one sitting and it's great! Definitely look it up.

Then, I reached for my copy of Two Boys Kissing. I'd bought it when it came out, knowing that I had to own it, regardless. (My only grief now is that I will have to buy it again in HB, as you'll find out why)

So then... My Review...

I have to admit that when I began reading I was really worried I'd find the whole thing a bit pretentious. It's not, but I want to say this upfront for those of you who start it and think the same thing and wonder if you should give up. Do not give up. Press on (if indeed you need to be pressed). The reason for my reaction is that the narrator is a collective 'we' made up of the generation of gay men who lived (and died) through the height of the AIDS epidemic. I quickly learned that this is a very effective narrative device. It powerfully brings to light what often remains unspoken or even unknown about their suffering, without the book being about their suffering.

Instead, we follow an assortment of gay teenage boys each trying to find their way through varied levels of acceptance from their families, their friends and their communities. The main story that ties most of them together is that of Craig and Harry who are attempting to break the world record for the longest kiss. They see this as a form of advocacy in light of the recent homophobic assault that put one of their classmates in hospital. This, essentially, is the two boys kissing of the title. Yet, as we also follow Peter and Neil who have been dating for a year, and Avery and Ryan who have only just met and feel those first stirrings of something special, we realise that there are many types of kisses, many types of relationships. There is more, but I'm sure other reviews and blurbs will fill you in. Really, it's even better going into it knowing as little as possible.

I was so utterly moved by this book. Those who know me well will know that I rarely cry (I mean actually cry) in books and films. Sure, I can get teary, sure I get emotionally invested, but actual tears come so infrequently that I can be quite astounded by the books that do manage to get me weeping.

I was crying all the way through this book.

Tears of joy; tears from hard personal memories; tears from sweet personal memories; tears of shared pain in what others have gone through; but, most frequently, pure tears of hope that things are changing, and things can change; get better. That we are moving in the right direction. One particular character brought on these tears of hope more than any other, and he only exists in only 3 paragraphs. I just re-read those paragraphs as I write this, and cried again. He is Max, and I'll let you find him for yourself. (Thank you, David Levithan, for Max).

I finished this book (in fact, it was well before I finished) and knew that it was perhaps one of the most special and important books I had read. I found myself sad that it had not been written 15 years ago so that I could have read it as a teenager and maybe had a much happier time of it. I found myself happy that such a book existed and was now available for anyone to read. Which they should. Anyone. While it is truly a spectacular work of fiction that practically any gay teen in the western world will most likely connect with, it is also one that offers so much insight into what has gone before, and how much further we have to go, and we will never get there if it is only gay teens reading this book. This is a book for everyone. I will try not to get carried away and say that to disregard this book because of its themes is to wantonly perpetuate closed-minded bigotry, but that is how I feel.

If someone had told me that they were attempting to write a novel that encapsulates so much of the joint experiences of multiple generations of gay men, I would have told them that it could not be done. David Levithan has proved me wrong, and I am so happy for it.

So go out and share it. Share it with your partners, your boyfriends and girlfriends. Share it with your teenage children or nieces and nephews. Share it with your parents, with your friends. Because if this book has even a fraction of the power that I feel it has, it will only be realised by people sharing it.

 

5 Gold Stars 

(Can I give it more?)

Find it on Goodreads

 

Top 10 for 2012

As I said in the last blog post, I wanted to do my highlights of 2012. Now I’m going to start off by saying that these are not necessarily books published this year, but I read them this year and so they have helped make up my Year of Reading.

I understand that the year isn’t over, but If I read anything stand out between now and New Year I’ll be sure to let you know.

I figured I’d give you my Top 10. Now, these are only in a loose order, it can be very hard to rank several different kinds of genius, and so I’ll do my best.

# 10

The Boy Who Swam with Piranhas by David Almond and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers

This is a tame book for a David Almond Title, but for me, that will give it more general appeal. It’s quirky, fun, and tender at its core. There is one passage that won me over. He basically describes techniques writers use to tell stories, to jump from place to place and back and forth in time, while actually telling you the story! It was brilliant! I’d quote it, but it goes on for a few pages, so I’ll let you read it for yourself.

Find it on Goodreads

Skellig by David Almond

Having worked with Children's books for nearly 8 years now, I had heard of Skellig around about, and always thought I might read it one day. I mean, it won the Carnegie and the Whitbread book of the year and was turned into a movie. In recent years, I've read a few of David Almond's other books and each time I'm surprised by something else. He is a brilliant writer.

Earlier this year, my lecturer at uni and I were talking about good books etc. and she asked if I had read Skellig. I hadn't, at the time, and she said I must. She told me that when she first started as an assistant to a lecturer when she had just left uni, her boss asked her the same question and when she said no, her boss handed her the book and said 'go home, and do nothing today other than read this book'.

Last year I watched the movie that had been made from the book, which was good, but now that I have read it, I can see why there has been so much fuss over this book.

Michael's new born sister is having health issues. She's in the hospital and his parents are worried sick, but are trying to keep a brave face and not neglect Michael in their concern. they have just moved into a new home. A Fix-er-up-er is putting it mildly. Michael is also worried about his sister, he feels that if he stops thinking about her then she might die.

Then he discovers a strange man who is sitting in the old, junk-filled shed. He looks like he has been there for years, unmoving, he eats spiders and bugs and has some strange humps on his back under his coat.

Michael then meets Mina, a precocious home-schooled girl who becomes his friend. And together they do what they can to help this strange man they can scarcely believe exists.

This book is amazing. It is such a well synthesised family-drama/fantasy/identity-themed/discussion of evolution and the afterlife it is really something!

Not a word is wasted. It's not a very long novel (170 well-spaced pages) but for all that, it holds so much.

What should I say now? I feel like echoing the question that was passed to me: 'Have you read Skellig? If not, you must!'

 

5 Gold Stars

Find it on Goodreads

So Few Of Me by Peter H. Reynolds

When I found this picture book, I felt it had been written for me. Surely Peter H. Reynolds had somehow found out what I was like and wrote a book about me, changing names to protect the innocent and the guilty...

But, apparently, I'm not the only one.

I list things. I am a little crazy about it too. I write lists for work, as most people do, but then I develop further lists and half the time an item on the main one will be "do other list" until I've pretty much got a list of lists.

During Uni semester I write a weekly list of what needs to be done that week. 

When I've got any length of time off approaching, I always make a list of things I'd like to achieve by the end. Heaven forbid I be unproductive! I've made lists of things that I could do that are pure procrastination. I've made lists of things I want (books, dvds, cds etc.) regardless whether they get referred to again or not.

And it's not just unfinished or to-do things that get listed. I have a excel spreadsheet of books I've read. I keep a list of every movie that I watch, so I know if, when, and how often I've watched any particular title.

Anyway, what is this? a review? or confessions of a list-a-holic?

So Few Of Me is brilliant!

Leo's List of things to do

grew longer and longer.

"So few of me and so much to do. 

If only there were TWO of me."

Just then, there was a

knock at the door.

I wonder how many times I've had that thought.

Then Leo begins to multiply which achieves and creates more and more work. I think my favorite page is:

Five Leos were still not enough.

A sixth came in to help organize them all. 

After a long meeting, they decided

they needed a seventh.

Then the original Leo becomes exhausted and decides that he wants to take some time to dream.

Leo wondered,

"What if I did less -

but did my BEST?

Which is sometimes what I have to tell myself.

This is a picture book for children of all ages. Even grown up ones, like myself, that feel they must be working ALL the time.

 

5 Gold Stars

Find it on Goodreads

The Enemy by Davide Cali and Serge Bloch

There is a war on.

Here's something that could be a desert ...

in which there are two holes.

In the two holes, two soldiers.

They are enemies.

This prologue appears over five double page spreads before we even reach the title and imprint page. It is fantastic in the way it sets the scene. Describing all we need to know of the setting, which is very little. It could be any war, any where, and any two soldiers.

I picked up this book knowing absolutely nothing about it. The cover was eye catching enough and piqued my interest. The prologue unfolding before me.

We then learn that one of the soldiers knows nothing of the war other than what his generals and his manual have told him: That the enemy is evil and a monster, it is kill or be killed. But how he longs to be back with his family. But that is not possible. For if he leaves his post, the enemy will kill him. He knows this. His manual told him so. Then they will kill his wife and children. Even his animals.

We are shown how his days unfold, and what he must do each day to survive in his hole.

But one night he knows he must carefully attack the enemy in the dead of night, if this war will ever be over. so he crawls over in 'Disguise Number Three: A Branch'.

I would love to describe how the book ends, to make this review feel more fulling to you, the reader, but I feel I would rob you of what I experienced when I read it for the first time. Trust me, this one is worth reading for the end. Particularly if you hold anti-war sentiments.

This is a powerful book.

 

5 Gold Stars

Find it on Goodreads

JudgeABook Revisited: Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan

Guess what, I've read it! After nearly two years of its beauty staring at me from the bookshelf, I've read it! and Oh, how I loved it!.

As this is a revisited post, you can all refresh your memories on this book, and my relationship with it's cover in the original JudgeABook post: HERE.

So this has been a long time coming, and while I would say it's worth the wait, it's only worth the wait if it is forced upon you. As in, if it hadn't been published and you knew it was coming... Sadly, I must hang my head in shame; I owned it for so long and have nothing but a dusty pile of excuses to cling to.

I can strongly recommend this beautiful book! it is heart wrenching, and honest. Uncomfortable in places and so homely in others. I just melted in its magic.

I would have to say that the opening is difficult. Difficult and harrowing. But it makes sense eventually. And you must get past that point where you feel like saying 'I'm only 20 pages in and it's already like this, I'm just going to stop there.' because in another 20 pages you'll have broken through to the beauty that was born of such ugliness.

I always wondered why I thought so much about this book, sitting on my shelf, when I knew little of the author and nothing other than the cover. I don't think I even read the blurb on the back in all those years. But now its as if my subconscious is saying, see, I knew it would be important.

And it is important. To me as a reader, to me as a writer. It has shown me something that is too easily left out of young adult books, and handled in entirely different ways by 'grown-up' fiction. It is the cross over that belongs in both sections and definitely has found a home on my shelf.

If you read my review of Sea Hearts, you'll know that I was somewhat critical of the spineless, powerless, crewel males of that book. I have since come to terms with them as a whole in the context of the story after a fantastic Book Club meeting where Margo was present and all perspectives were discussed. However, 20 pages into Tender Morsels, at that point of 'Do I go on?' I found myself wondering will there be any redeemable male in this book. I am please to tell you yes. YES! Davit Ramstrong is the best of men. I was so strongly moved by him (of course among others - there were many equally moving females) I think I fell in love a little.

Now I have so many short stories to look forward to (I've only read a handful of one of her 4 or 5 collections) and I'm looking forward to being inspired and challenged; as a reader, and as a writer.

5 Gold Stars

Find it on Goodreads

Other JudgeABook posts

The Great Bear by Libby Gleeson and Armin Greder

You only need glance at the cover of this amazing picture book to see that it is probably going to be dark. After all, it's night time, and there is a crowd staring at you in what you could interpret as an off putting way. The title tells us it's about a bear, little do we know that we have already been put into the bear's point of view and we haven't even opened the book yet.


I love it. I love how arresting it is. These people demand you look at them, perform for them. The bear is all but neglected, until it is harassed into performance. and you experience it all with the her.

That is, until the bear's anger is unleashed and it roars, looking for an escape. From here on, we get to watch as the bear flees to the stars.

It is beautiful and poetic. Moving and intriguing.

Clearly not a bedtime story for a three year old, but not all picture books are.

I have long considered this as one of my favourite picture books. It is full of emotion of many kinds. Have you read and felt this book?

5 Gold Stars

Find it on Goodreads

Usborne Puzzle Adventure Series Celebration!

This blog post is a little celebration that will expose me (further) as a giant nerd (crazy person). 

I have completed my collection of the
Usborne Puzzle Adventure Series!!

When I was in primary school, I was obsessed with the Usborne Puzzle Adventure Series. They are awesome! (note the use of ‘are’, their awesomeness has not faded with the years).

In primary school I borrowed a large number (not sure exactly 10-14 or so) of them from my best friend.  He then went to a different high school, and we lost touch for a number of years. In year 12, we were re-united and I realised that I still had them so I asked if he wanted them back. No-longer being in primary school, he said no, I could keep them. *SCORE!*

So a few years later I started trying to collect all the missing titles. This proved to be more difficult than I first thought. Then over the last year or so it kind of slipped from my mind. You can see one of my very early blog entries where I tried to read and review all the ones I had.

Last week, that same friend and his lovely wife (the mutual friend that facilitated our reunion in high school as she had kept contact with him, then went on to marry him) came over for dinner. Nostalgia had him browsing this series on my shelf and he asked if I had the complete set. I checked and saw I had only one left to collect. They both offered to check their local second hand bookshops. The next day, he sent me a text saying that the one I needed was on Amazon. I looked into it, and it would have cost me $16-$20 all up including postage. I figured I should check ebay while I was at it and there was a copy for $6 with free postage! *WIN!*

So this is a little celebration of my childhood (adulthood) nerd-dom (craziness). I even threw together a video to mark the event!

It’s true, I panicked for a moment when I looked on Wikipedia and saw that did have ‘Agent Arthur’s Mountain Mission’. But thankfully there is always someone crazier in the world and I found *this website* that told me once and for all that it never existed. I kind of wish my Agent Arthur's Island Adventure had a matching cover, but beggars can't be choosers.

It is also true that I don’t have all the other series either. I do have the 3 Advance level ones, but not all of the other series. I am missing:

Science series # 2 – The Time Warp Vrius

Whodunnits # 2 – Murder Unlimited

Spinechillers # 1 – Midnight Ghosts

Spinechillers # 2 – House of Shadows

Spinechillers # 6 – Nightmare at Mystery Mansion

Spinechillers  - Clock of Doom

Then of the Young Series, the only one I do have us # 7.

But a win is a win and I've got the whole original series now! I'm so happy! If only my Emily Rodda Teen Power Inc series were as complete (I'm missing 4 of those)

Anyway, I’ll wrap it up there, those of you who are collectors can celebrate with me and the others, well, you can think what you will. It won’t change how I feel about it! J

5 Gold Stars

Flotsam by David Wiesner

I've written about David Wiesner before, but Flotsam is rather different to the quirky and fun Three Pigs. It is a sweeping and majestic wordless picture book that deals with connectivity and the mystery of fantasy. Looking closer is strongly encouraged as we learn what the ocean holds.

A boy exploring the beach and it's creatures, finds a underwater camera washed up by a wave. When it isn't claimed, he discovers it has film in it and takes it to be developed. When the photos are ready, he is amazed to discover more about his world than he thought existed.

All sorts of magical things are hidden by the waves. But when he finds the final photo, he is confused. It is of a girl, holding a photo of a boy. At closer inspection, that boy is holding a photo of a boy who is holding a photo of a girl and so on, getting smaller and smaller, the original boy first uses his magnifying glass, then his microscope to zoom in so far that there is a boy standing on a beach in a black and white photo. He then joins the ranks of children, connected throughout time and across the world by taking a photo of himself, holding this last photo.

Then, returning the camera to the ocean, we get to follow the journey of it, helped by creatures of all kinds, till it washes up in front of a girl on some distant shore.

I love the journey this book takes you on. I love the idea of a camera like this. And the fantasy element is so perfectly achieved! David Wiesner is a genius!

5 Gold Stars

Find it on Goodreads

The Lion And The Mouse by Jerry Pinkney

What is it?

The Lion & The Mouse

Who wrote it?

Jerry Pinkney (kind of… read on)

 

Where can it be found?

On its own (Picture Book).

Adaptation?

Fairly straight forward telling (or should I say showing) of the Aesop fable.

My thoughts in exactly 10 words:

Pinkney’s version has everything it needs: words were not included.

The Foggy Foggy Forest by Nick Sharratt

"What can this be in the foggy, foggy forest?" - only a book that is brilliantly fantastic in it's simple concept and perfectly executed innovation. 

I should clarify, the innovation of which I speak is the use of vellum pages, that, by their own properties, create a foggy effect where the printed parts of the page form shadows and genuinely establish the feeling of seeing into a fog where the further things are the lighter they are. 

Therefore, I also need to point out that this vellum is only in the hardback edition of this book, as printing and binding made it implausible for the paperback edition. So while they printed solid pages to mimic the effect of the hardback, it doesn't quite have the same amazement.

That said, this book is worth it in either format. Nick Sharratt at his best. Each page offers us a silhouette against the gray fog, and asks the refrain: "What can this be in the foggy, foggy forest?" and you and your child are left to work it out. Then turn the page and find out what it is! (Always something linked to fairy tales, or fantasy etc.) for example: "A little elf all by himself." (Look, I'm in a book!)

Love it? 

Indeed!

5 Gold Stars

Find it on Goodreads