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thebrainlair's review against another edition
4.0
Will be excerpting on blog and giving away 2 copies
bookish_smorgasbord's review against another edition
5.0
"The Letter Q: Queer Writers' Notes to their Younger Selves" is an inspiring collection of essays. The collection contains letters written by authors who write for audiences ranging from kids to adults. Each author's approach is as unique as their journey to adulthood.
thelivermorebulb's review against another edition
3.0
I was excited initially, and the letters themselves were heartwarming and sweet. My issues lie with the chosen authors.
The book's cover stated it was a book of "queer" authors, and yet most were gay/lesbian with like 2 or 3 bi authors. I didn't see a single trans or ace person, there was one person talking about not fitting into any box, but that was one of the short comic letters, and didn't really discuss things. If I had read this as a teen, I would have felt even more lost and confused. I had been so certain that with THIS MANY authors there would have to be someone who was trans or ace.
I left it feeling sobered by this being what the publishing world sees as queerness. No inclusion of myself.
The book's cover stated it was a book of "queer" authors, and yet most were gay/lesbian with like 2 or 3 bi authors. I didn't see a single trans or ace person, there was one person talking about not fitting into any box, but that was one of the short comic letters, and didn't really discuss things. If I had read this as a teen, I would have felt even more lost and confused. I had been so certain that with THIS MANY authors there would have to be someone who was trans or ace.
I left it feeling sobered by this being what the publishing world sees as queerness. No inclusion of myself.
christajls's review against another edition
5.0
Originally posted at Hooked on Books
How do I even begin to write a review of this collection? No matter what I write it won't be enough to express the impact this The Letter Q had on me.
Every single letter in this collection was incredibly thoughtful, moving and most of all brave. These authors really put themselves out there. All their fears, struggles, confession - they didn't hold back. And I have a huge amount of respect for them. It couldn't have been easy for Julie Anne Peters to admit that she sat in a park and thought about someone murdering her or for David Levithan to admit that he had bullied one of his teachers.
It also amazed me how young so many of them where when they began to realize they were gay/lesbian/bisexual. So often when the sex in YA debate comes up, you hear opponents claiming teens are too young to think about "that kind of stuff." But these letters prove that kids do have questions, and books, of all things, should make them think about these things instead of pushing them away.
For the rest of this review I just wanted to share some of my favourite passages from the collection and why they were so meaningful:
From Stacy D'Erasmo's letter: "You're just as you should be. All that desire is going to turn out to be your compass in life. You're going to fall in love with incredible women, incredible men and they are going to fall in love with you" (p. 53) --> Because that's all any of us want right? To know we will be loved.
From Erik Orrantia's letter: "sometimes things get worse before they get better, but they do get better" (p. 65). --> Maybe not the ideal, but will definitely stick with me when things are getting difficult. And remind me that there is always hope.
From Arthur A Levine's letter: "With books in particular you are drawn to stories where a person has hidden talents, unappreciated skills, a great destiny perhaps. Remember the name Harry Potter" (p. 82) ---> This was probably the passage I could most relate to. I'm sure many of us can. Harry Potter was truly something magical and inspirational.
From Gregory Maguire's letter: " You actually get PUBLISHED! And you get to be friends with some of your HEROES! Like oh not to name names but like MAURICE SENDAK! I know! I KNOW! SCREAMMM!" --> Reassured me that you can grow up and be successful and still totally be a fanboy/girl for the things you love. And you'll find other people who feel that way too.
From Brent Hartinger's letter: "but it's one of life's strange paradoxes that the only way to find true love is to be willing to risk being devastated by losing it. Who knew love was so much like a Star Trek episode?" (p. 187) --> For being honest yet inspirational. And refrencing Star Trek while doing so.
Whether GLBTQ or straight this book should be on your to-read list. Every school library should have a copy, or twelve. Letters like these can change lives. They can save lives.
Final recommendation: I think everyone should read this book. Even if you've never questioned your sexual orientation, this collection has the power to inspire you.
How do I even begin to write a review of this collection? No matter what I write it won't be enough to express the impact this The Letter Q had on me.
Every single letter in this collection was incredibly thoughtful, moving and most of all brave. These authors really put themselves out there. All their fears, struggles, confession - they didn't hold back. And I have a huge amount of respect for them. It couldn't have been easy for Julie Anne Peters to admit that she sat in a park and thought about someone murdering her or for David Levithan to admit that he had bullied one of his teachers.
It also amazed me how young so many of them where when they began to realize they were gay/lesbian/bisexual. So often when the sex in YA debate comes up, you hear opponents claiming teens are too young to think about "that kind of stuff." But these letters prove that kids do have questions, and books, of all things, should make them think about these things instead of pushing them away.
For the rest of this review I just wanted to share some of my favourite passages from the collection and why they were so meaningful:
From Stacy D'Erasmo's letter: "You're just as you should be. All that desire is going to turn out to be your compass in life. You're going to fall in love with incredible women, incredible men and they are going to fall in love with you" (p. 53) --> Because that's all any of us want right? To know we will be loved.
From Erik Orrantia's letter: "sometimes things get worse before they get better, but they do get better" (p. 65). --> Maybe not the ideal, but will definitely stick with me when things are getting difficult. And remind me that there is always hope.
From Arthur A Levine's letter: "With books in particular you are drawn to stories where a person has hidden talents, unappreciated skills, a great destiny perhaps. Remember the name Harry Potter" (p. 82) ---> This was probably the passage I could most relate to. I'm sure many of us can. Harry Potter was truly something magical and inspirational.
From Gregory Maguire's letter: " You actually get PUBLISHED! And you get to be friends with some of your HEROES! Like oh not to name names but like MAURICE SENDAK! I know! I KNOW! SCREAMMM!" --> Reassured me that you can grow up and be successful and still totally be a fanboy/girl for the things you love. And you'll find other people who feel that way too.
From Brent Hartinger's letter: "but it's one of life's strange paradoxes that the only way to find true love is to be willing to risk being devastated by losing it. Who knew love was so much like a Star Trek episode?" (p. 187) --> For being honest yet inspirational. And refrencing Star Trek while doing so.
Whether GLBTQ or straight this book should be on your to-read list. Every school library should have a copy, or twelve. Letters like these can change lives. They can save lives.
Final recommendation: I think everyone should read this book. Even if you've never questioned your sexual orientation, this collection has the power to inspire you.
tomikorobson's review against another edition
4.0
I’m going to give this one a 4 because it seems wrong not to (but I had to double check my own rating system...this is really more like a 3.5). There were some gems in here; there were other bits that just didn’t speak to me. Nevertheless, it is a worthwhile read. For me, it is probably serves more as a source to mine for some great bits to pass on in my classes than something for my own pleasure and growth.
gimchi's review against another edition
5.0
really, smashingly, fantastic; often moved me to tears.
this compilation works so well because it's so personal and partly because they're all following a prompt - to write a letter to your younger self.
it was so interesting and enlightening to see how these writers thought of themselves, to see how they struggled, the love they have now (whether physical, emotional, or general) and to see at what age they choose to address themselves. at what point in their lives did they choose and for what reason?
despite the sadness and bullying and horror that's in these stories, it's still an amazingly uplifting book.
this compilation works so well because it's so personal and partly because they're all following a prompt - to write a letter to your younger self.
it was so interesting and enlightening to see how these writers thought of themselves, to see how they struggled, the love they have now (whether physical, emotional, or general) and to see at what age they choose to address themselves. at what point in their lives did they choose and for what reason?
despite the sadness and bullying and horror that's in these stories, it's still an amazingly uplifting book.
cccarinacc's review against another edition
3.0
Well it took me almost a whole year to finish this book but I FINALLY did it and I’m so glad that I did. (Which also means that this doesn’t really count toward my 2023 reading challenge, as I literally had 20 pages left)
Originally I picked this up because of David Levithan. But again, whatever the reason was I’m so glad I did it.
I love the way queer stories through different times are depicted here. As someone in LGBT community I found myself relating to a lot of these letters to these former teenage selves, and using them as a way to reflect on my own life.
When I picked up this book I was really struggling with my own identity, and it really provided me a sense of relief. Some of the letters were harder to follow than others, and some were wildly captivating. I hope that whenever I’m feeling insecure I can pick this back up and read one quick chapter (or well…letter) to remind myself that I’m A. Not alone and B. Just fine the way that I am.
Originally I picked this up because of David Levithan. But again, whatever the reason was I’m so glad I did it.
I love the way queer stories through different times are depicted here. As someone in LGBT community I found myself relating to a lot of these letters to these former teenage selves, and using them as a way to reflect on my own life.
When I picked up this book I was really struggling with my own identity, and it really provided me a sense of relief. Some of the letters were harder to follow than others, and some were wildly captivating. I hope that whenever I’m feeling insecure I can pick this back up and read one quick chapter (or well…letter) to remind myself that I’m A. Not alone and B. Just fine the way that I am.
gaykittens's review against another edition
4.0
Did anyone else notice that Sarah Moon thanked her co-editor in the acknowledgements but he didn't thank her back?? Cold.
ama_reads's review against another edition
3.0
For the most part I enjoyed reading the letters in this book, especially the inclusion of the graphic novel style ones; however, as I was reading one after another, several seemed repetitious. On the one hand, this is great as it shows that even though they felt they were alone in their experiences, there were others who were feeling and experiencing the same. On the other hand, this made for a somewhat boring read at times.
Additionally, many of the writers are not names that would be known to the intended audience - teenagers. I would imagine that the impact of reading about a beloved author's experience would be more powerful than reading about strangers.
Additionally, many of the writers are not names that would be known to the intended audience - teenagers. I would imagine that the impact of reading about a beloved author's experience would be more powerful than reading about strangers.
girlgeekcyclist's review
3.0
I liked this book but it was a bit repetitive. It's a nice message / concept but I felt like more could have been done with different ways of storytelling like comics.