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Powell's Staff:
Five Book Friday: In Memoriam
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Every year, the booksellers at Powell’s submit their Top Fives: their five favorite books that were released in 2023. It’s a list that, when put together, shows just how varied and interesting the book tastes of Powell’s booksellers are. I highly recommend digging into the recommendations — we would never lead you astray — but today...
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Brontez Purnell:
Powell’s Q&A: Brontez Purnell, author of ‘Ten Bridges I’ve Burnt’
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Rachael P.:
Starter Pack: Where to Begin with Ursula K. Le Guin
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Customer Comments
Kevin L. has commented on (5) products
Two Boys Kissing
by
Levithan, David
Kevin L.
, November 09, 2018
Without hesitation or fear, Levithan invites readers into a gay boy's world. We follow various stories throughout the novel, from Avery and Ryan who just met, to Neil and Peter who are ongoing, to Harry and Craig are kissing after breaking up, to Cooper struggling on his own, and Tariq who is recovering after an assault. The narrators are their gay forefathers who died during the AIDS epidemic, abandoned for the arbitrary reason that it doesn't affect those who aren't gay. Speaking as a gay man, I found many of these experiences to be relatable. Levithan is unafraid of showing the realities of our world and the thoughts that run rampant due to our insecurities. He discusses the inadequacies we see in our own bodies and selves. He talks about why it's so hard to have a conversation when you have a secret so big. He shows the audience that the challenges we face from homophobes are terrifying. Eight different boys with different circumstances, but there's something for everyone to relate to. Because of that, there's a universality to this book that makes it worth reading at least once for anybody. We don't get much development for the characters in terms of having the grow from start to end but this is a slice of life to me. That slice comes from a gay boy's life and we don't always change because of the trials we face. We're just trying to live life as best we can. The real change is what the chorus sees, from a bitter past to a better present and a hopeful tomorrow.
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When the Moon Was Ours
by
Anna-Marie McLemore
Kevin L.
, October 19, 2018
When the Moon was Ours follows Miel and Sam as they learn to accept the hard truths about themselves that they have already accepted about one another. Miel was born with a curse, roses blooming from an ever-present wound in her wrist. Sam was born in the body of a girl but is actually a boy, though he finds it difficult to come to terms with for a majority of the novel. The story introduces us to these childhood friends turned new lovers as they figure out what it is that they want. Anna-Marie McLemore uses magical realism to create this fairy tale landscape, complete with visuals such as pumpkins and glass coffins in the woods. It’s enchanting, inviting, and keeps the reader wondering what’s going to happen as Sam refuses to acknowledge who he is and Miel resists remembering her traumatic past. The catalyst for these events are the Bonner sisters who once ruled with their pretty faces and red hair. But when they lose their power, they threaten and even blackmail Miel (though not maliciously) into giving them her roses to retrieve it. I personally think this is such an important book that delves into what it’s like to carry an identity that others you in the eyes of those around you. How it looks from an outsider’s and insider’s perspective. It’s a love story but it’s so much more. It’s about coming to terms with yourself, it’s about being honest with yourself, and it’s about facing your past no matter how much it can hurt. Even the Bonner sisters had to learn this lesson too.The style is very poetic and imagistic which makes it harder for the more realism-based reader to read but it’s definitely worth reading at least once. It’s a love story that’s important to tell.
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When the Moon Was Ours
by
Anna-Marie McLemore
Kevin L.
, October 19, 2018
When the Moon was Ours follows Miel and Sam as they learn to accept the hard truths about themselves that they have already accepted about one another. Miel was born with a curse, roses blooming from an ever-present wound in her wrist. Sam was born in the body of a girl but is actually a boy, though he finds it difficult to come to terms with for a majority of the novel. The story introduces us to these childhood friends turned new lovers as they figure out what it is that they want. Anna-Marie McLemore uses magical realism to create this fairy tale landscape, complete with visuals such as pumpkins and glass coffins in the woods. It’s enchanting, inviting, and keeps the reader wondering what’s going to happen as Sam refuses to acknowledge who he is and Miel resists remembering her traumatic past. The catalyst for these events are the Bonner sisters who once ruled with their pretty faces and red hair. But when they lose their power, they threaten and even blackmail Miel (though not maliciously) into giving them her roses to retrieve it. I personally think this is such an important book that delves into what it’s like to carry an identity that others you in the eyes of those around you. How it looks from an outsider’s and insider’s perspective. It’s a love story but it’s so much more. It’s about coming to terms with yourself, it’s about being honest with yourself, and it’s about facing your past no matter how much it can hurt. Even the Bonner sisters had to learn this lesson too.The style is very poetic and imagistic which makes it harder for the more realism-based reader to read but it’s definitely worth reading at least once. It’s a love story that’s important to tell.
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Akata Witch (The Nsibidi Scripts #1)
by
Nnedi Okorafor
Kevin L.
, October 09, 2018
Akata Witch follows Sunny who is an outsider in every community she enters. She's an American in Nigeria, an albino among black people, a girl in a male-dominated household (and sport), and a free agent in the world of Juju. She ends up meeting friends who join her adventure through this new world of magic and learns that she (and her group) have the duty to fight a mass murderer trying to upturn the magical society. Okorafor introduces a western audience to an extraordinary culture with her use of language and allows readers to worry for Sunny as she gets thrust into various situation that test her abilities and teamwork. The diversity in the characters' personalities is compelling and entertaining.I'm a little older than the target audience so I understand that this book is meant to be relatable for teenagers and under (given that that's the main characters' age range) but I can't help asking why it has to be these kids. In most books, there's some haphazard explanation about how only the kids know about the villains or some prophecy that tells of how only the kids can fight. But in Akata Witch, the adults admitted that they sent several groups of kids to fight in the past but they all died. Not only that but they never explain why the adults couldn't fight either. Nothing other than the kids being expendable. Does it empower young readers? Perhaps. But I feel like there needed to be a reason other than that. I enjoyed the story nonetheless but wish there was some explanation.
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Simon Snow 01 Carry On
by
Rainbow Rowell
Kevin L.
, September 21, 2018
Carry On takes the familiar tropes of Harry Potter and turns them on their head. The story follows several characters as they traverse the magical world, threatened by someone stealing magic. Simon Snow is our Chosen One, he's known this ever since he started attending Watford. He was raised to be a weapon against the headmaster’s enemies, including the Old Families. Baz is the son of one such family and Simon's roommate at Watford. Simon and Baz are not friends. The trope that gets subverted most is the idea of the Chosen One’s happy ending. He saves the world, gets the praise, and marries a beautiful girl. That doesn’t happen. For the first 150+ pages, Simon obsesses over his roommate’s disappearance. Every other sentence included “Baz” even though the actual character had yet to appear. This hyperfixation gradually becomes a romance as he and Baz get closer in the course of the story. As a gay man, I appreciated seeing representation of my sexuality yet I was conflicted on the actual relationship. Any time Baz expressed romantic interest in Simon, it would be followed by a violent thought. Likewise, the animosity between them is apparent in the way Simon originally perceives Baz. However, I understand that they were raised to think and act this way towards each other. Personally, I think a relationship like this is incredibly unhealthy but they ARE developing teenagers who have a lot to unlearn and learn. So I’m excited to see how they grow in the upcoming sequel.
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