I had no idea there were so many challenges out there when I first started signing up last fall. Each one I heard about sounded so interesting that I just couldn't turn them down. When I heard about a challenge called "The Challenge that Dare Not Speak its Name" I just couldn't resist! I don't even think I knew what type of books it was when I first saw the post about it.
I had never read any GLBT lit on purpose before so this was a great challenge for me. I feel like I've discovered a genre that is quite ignored by the mainstream. But, the best part is that I now have lots of great books to recommend to our LGBTQ students at the high school where I work. We have a Gay-Straight Alliance (well, we did last year) and I gave them a book list, we've now got an LGBTQ section in our "Books listed by genre" binder at the front desk, and LGBTQ book reviews are posted on my library blog. So, I feel like this challenge has had a really positive effect on my work place.
I initially signed up for the Lambda Level, which meant reading 4 books by GLBT authors or about GLBT characters. As you can see, I ended up reading twice as many.
- Debbie Harry Sings in French (Brothers)
- Freaks and Revelations (Hurwin)
- Pedro and Me (Winick)
- The God Box (Sanchez)
- The Perks of Being a Wallflower (Chbosky)
- Love is the Higher Law by David Levithan
- The Vast Fields of Ordinary by Nick Burd
- Angry Management by Chris Crutcher
- Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan
I can't even pick a favorite from all of these though The God Box, Boy Meets Boy, and Freaks and Revelations were probably my top ones.
What are some of your favorite GLBT books/authors?
4 comments
I finished this one too. I think I'll keep going though and see how many more books I add.
This is a challenge I plan to do next year, if it will still be there! I saw this one late this year, so I didn't jump in. COngratulations!!
Stephanie--I posted the "I'm done" post, but will probably read one more before the end of the year. It's such an interesting genre and I do think it helps my students at school
Aths--I hope the challenge is around next year!
Yes, the challenge will still be around next year (though probably not the mini-challenges). :) Congrats on finishing! And twice your goal, too!
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