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alyskarstark's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Listened to the audiobook, read by various authors.
marshy_'s review against another edition
3.0
I think I should start off by saying that I did not finish all of this book, due to having to return it at the library, however I do not believe I would've finished it even if I didn't need to return it.
It was certainly insightful reading about the stories of many different queer people. I enjoyed this read, however I was quite disappointed by the lack of asexual/aromantic and genderfluid representation. Some of the stories seemed to be a repeat of the previous ones, however there were a handful of authentic stories that were lovely to read. I would not say that any of the stories were bad, however it would've been nice to have seen more variety.
Overall, 3/5 stars for me.
It was certainly insightful reading about the stories of many different queer people. I enjoyed this read, however I was quite disappointed by the lack of asexual/aromantic and genderfluid representation. Some of the stories seemed to be a repeat of the previous ones, however there were a handful of authentic stories that were lovely to read. I would not say that any of the stories were bad, however it would've been nice to have seen more variety.
Overall, 3/5 stars for me.
theveryhungrythesaurus's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
thehaikubandit's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
moonagle's review against another edition
5.0
What a gorgeous group of stories. Beautifully written. Such a wonderful resource for young people. I'm so glad my school is using it.
jardinet's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
2.0
carolinethereader's review against another edition
3.0
It's always hard to rate a compilation of stories and essays. There was some great variety in this book (though perhaps not as much rep for asexual or non-binary/ genderfluid people as there could've been). It was also lovely that they all felt so distinctly Australian and familiar. I don't think there are any bad stories in here but there were definitely some standouts so I might just share my thoughts on those.
- Rob and Queer family by Nayuka Gorrie had me crying at the end. It's about family and the first gay person, a man named Rob, our author encounters when young and the impact he has on their life.
- Boobs, Rags & Judy Bloom by Phoebe Hart discusses the beginning of puberty for an intersex teen. There's some hints of jealousy when falling behind the crowd and the story of finding about about being intersex and learning what it meant from their parents. Just great.
- Training to be Me by Cindy Zhou is about her parents having a negative reaction to her coming out and putting restrictions in place. It goes into the impact this had on her, including delaying her coming out to people outside the family. The intersection of race and queerness was dealt with in this, particularly in regards to the postal vote. One of the best.
- Reunion by Kelly Parry is a reflection on high school, coming out and family at a 40 year high school reunion. It was contemplative and well-written, I really enjoyed it.
- Radelaide/ Sadelaide by Gemma Killen is about lesbianism as a teen in Adelaide. I didn't write down much about this one. Just "it was sad, but I liked it."
- Q&A Georgie Stone. Trans activist and actor realised they were a girl very young (around 2 if I remember correctly). There was a lot of detail given in their answers which wasn't the case in all of the other Q&As so I loved that. Quite sad as they discussed experiencing suicidal thoughts at age 8 when school forced 'maleness'.
- Coming Out, Coming Home by Adolfo Aranjuez was about moving to Australia as an international student from the Philippines. It looks at the chasm between family and the impact on life as a whole as well as the path of a migrant to citizenship.
These were just some that I really enjoyed. This review is also based of notes I scrawled a month ago when I finished this book so I hope I have remembered things correctly. I listened to the audiobook which was great and I'd highly recommend.
- Rob and Queer family by Nayuka Gorrie had me crying at the end. It's about family and the first gay person, a man named Rob, our author encounters when young and the impact he has on their life.
- Boobs, Rags & Judy Bloom by Phoebe Hart discusses the beginning of puberty for an intersex teen. There's some hints of jealousy when falling behind the crowd and the story of finding about about being intersex and learning what it meant from their parents. Just great.
- Training to be Me by Cindy Zhou is about her parents having a negative reaction to her coming out and putting restrictions in place. It goes into the impact this had on her, including delaying her coming out to people outside the family. The intersection of race and queerness was dealt with in this, particularly in regards to the postal vote. One of the best.
- Reunion by Kelly Parry is a reflection on high school, coming out and family at a 40 year high school reunion. It was contemplative and well-written, I really enjoyed it.
- Radelaide/ Sadelaide by Gemma Killen is about lesbianism as a teen in Adelaide. I didn't write down much about this one. Just "it was sad, but I liked it."
- Q&A Georgie Stone. Trans activist and actor realised they were a girl very young (around 2 if I remember correctly). There was a lot of detail given in their answers which wasn't the case in all of the other Q&As so I loved that. Quite sad as they discussed experiencing suicidal thoughts at age 8 when school forced 'maleness'.
- Coming Out, Coming Home by Adolfo Aranjuez was about moving to Australia as an international student from the Philippines. It looks at the chasm between family and the impact on life as a whole as well as the path of a migrant to citizenship.
These were just some that I really enjoyed. This review is also based of notes I scrawled a month ago when I finished this book so I hope I have remembered things correctly. I listened to the audiobook which was great and I'd highly recommend.
marshmallow_'s review against another edition
3.0
I think I should start off by saying that I did not finish all of this book, due to having to return it at the library, however I do not believe I would've finished it even if I didn't need to return it.
It was certainly insightful reading about the stories of many different queer people. I enjoyed this read, however I was quite disappointed by the lack of asexual/aromantic and genderfluid representation. Some of the stories seemed to be a repeat of the previous ones, however there were a handful of authentic stories that were lovely to read. I would not say that any of the stories were bad, however it would've been nice to have seen more variety.
Overall, 3/5 stars for me.
It was certainly insightful reading about the stories of many different queer people. I enjoyed this read, however I was quite disappointed by the lack of asexual/aromantic and genderfluid representation. Some of the stories seemed to be a repeat of the previous ones, however there were a handful of authentic stories that were lovely to read. I would not say that any of the stories were bad, however it would've been nice to have seen more variety.
Overall, 3/5 stars for me.
saviross's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.0
It was amazing to hear so many different queer stories from people living all across Australia. As a small town queer myself, I felt camaraderie when hearing stories I related to, and appreciated hearing about the experiences I haven't necessarily had myself.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Racism