Tag: Wayfarers

Happy Wednesday, bibliophiles!

I’ve had a few pride-related book tags that I’ve been waiting to do since last June, so I figured I’d break this one out right about now. I found this one over at The Corner of Laura, who also created the tag.

Rules

• Link back to the original creator (The Corner of Laura) and link back to this page (otherwise, the original creator won’t get a notification).
• Thank whoever tagged you and link back to their post
• (Optional) Use the graphics and don’t forget to credit the original creator (Text prompts are at the end of the tag if you’d prefer to use those)
• (Optional) Tag 5 or more other people.

Let’s begin, shall we?

🏳️‍🌈THE LGBTQ+ HISTORICAL ICONS BOOK TAG🏳️‍⚧️

SAPPHO: Greek poet known for her lyric poetry which is believed to describe homoerotic feeling | A book of poetry (or written in verse)

Nothing Burns as Bright as You is a beautiful novel in verse about the complicated relationship shared by two Black queer girls.

ALAN TURING: Mathematician known for cracking the Enigma code but who was persecuted for his homosexuality | A character who deserved better

As sweet as The Girl from the Sea was, I found myself getting so stressed out about how Morgan treated Keltie in the beginning. She just kept pushing her around and neglecting her, and while it did resolve itself neatly and they fell in love, I still felt so bad for Keltie. She’s just an adorable creature, dude, she doesn’t need all that human baggage…

GILBERT BAKER: Creator of the rainbow Pride Flag | The most colorful book you own

Skyhunter has one of my favorite book covers in my collection—it dazzles me every single time I look at it!

ANNE LISTER: Landowner, industrialist and considered to be the first modern lesbian | A book written as a diary (or includes diary entries)

I have fond memories of reading the copy of I Capture the Castle that my mom bought for me while I was out sick years ago, and re-reading it several times since. It’s seriously the sweetest, most charming book—a big thank you to my mom for turning me on to this one.

MARSHA P. JOHNSON: Prominent figure in the Stonewall Uprising and founder of several LGBTQ rights organisations | A character you’d would want fighting at your side

Sona and Eris from Gearbreakers are both formidable in their own ways—either one (or both) would be an easy pick to have fight at my side.

ALFRED KINSEY: Creator of the Kinsey scale | A book set in academia

I haven’t read a whole lot of books sets in academia (and I’ve never gotten the hype for dark academia, so I tend to steer clear of those), but Leigh Bardugo never misses, so obviously this prompt has to go to Ninth House.

LUCY HICKS ANDERSON: First trans woman to defend her identity in court | A book where a major scene takes place in court

It was so hard to think of any books besides To Kill a Mockingbird (Laura’s answer) with a courtroom scene, but I read Meru not long ago, and it has a particularly climactic and poignant courtroom scene—a futuristic one, but a courtroom scene all the same.

OPEN PROMPT: Your choice | A book that inspires you

Of course, I’m going with David Bowie as my LGBTQ+ historical icon of choice—who else? He’s been a hero of mine for years, and a hero to so many. Even in the 60’s, before he rose to stardom, he was already breaking down barriers, and continued to do so in all aspects of his career thereafter. Calling somebody “ahead of their time” is thrown around quite often, but I really think that the world wasn’t ready—and wouldn’t be ready for today—for Ziggy Stardust. And personally, I can’t think of a better beacon of hope to me than him; I started getting into his music at a time when I was struggling to find my place and looking for a light at the end of the alternative weirdo tunnel. And here was Bowie, wearing dresses in the 70’s, openly declaring his bisexuality, and creating a cosmic persona that touched the hearts of so many people. I’ve certainly felt like an alien all my life, but he, if anyone, is to credit for teaching me to embrace that feeling—to quote him, “oh no, love! You’re not alone.” From one bisexual alien to another: thank you.

As for a book that inspires me, I’d easily give that title to Becky Chambers’ Wayfarers series. Sci-fi always seems defined by cosmic stakes and harrowing violence, and while that can work in moderation, these books really cemented the idea that a narrative doesn’t have to be centered around struggle or suffering to be worth reading—and writing. Here, Chambers has created a vast, creative space opera universe with complex political background noise and dozens of strange creatures, but they’re not embroiled in some lofty, intergalactic conflict: they’re just going about their lives. It’s something that almost no other piece of sci-fi media has ever done—it’s very common in realistic fiction, but the concept that happiness and healing as genuine plot points can exist alongside aliens and starships just blew my mind. I aspire to write at least one thing as comforting and cozy as Becky Chambers someday.

And remember, kids: grimdark is just as unrealistic as sunshine, lollipops and rainbows, because they represent opposite ends of the same literary spectrum. Making a book excessively dark and gritty doesn’t automatically make it deep, and giving a character an excess of trauma and a tragic backstory doesn’t automatically make them fleshed-out and well-written.

I tag:

• Amaya @ Mauve Mumblings
• Elli @ AceReader
• LitForQueers
• Becca @ Book It With Becca
• + anyone else who wants to participate! If you see this tag and want to do it, I’d love to see your answers! If I tagged you and you’ve already done this tag/don’t want to do it, my bad.

Today’s song:

That’s it for this book tag! Have a wonderful rest of your day, and take care of yourselves!