Spent by Alison Bechdel
Spent: A Comical Novel is my second LGBT book in honour of Pride Month. Alison Bechdel, the creator, is perhaps best known for her graphic memoir Fun Home, which was adapted into a much-lauded Broadway musical. Her newest graphic memoir is a satirical self-skewering of Bechdel herself, who contemplates her life as a writer amidst the chaos of climate change and political upheaval, drawing on characters from her cult-favourite Dykes to Watch Out For. It's funny and sweet and definitely one to add to your to-read list if you're already familiar with Bechdel's previous works. If you haven't, start with Fun Home and go from there!
Olivia
Scuttler's Cove by David Barnett
Merrin Moon left the Cornish village of Scuttler's Cove where she was raised to go to university and never looked back. Following the death of her mother she returns home, and sees with the eyes of an outsider the undercurrents and strange goings on of the village.
This is a dark, atmospheric and twisty folk horror, with plenty of commentary on native versus incomer, rich versus poor, and the tensions that arise when new money collides with old ways of living.
I really enjoyed the strangeness and strong sense of place and the presence of the sea of this novel. It's a perfect thing to read all in one go if you're in the mood for something pacy and dark.
Marianne
The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar
To be honest with you, I did first pick this book up because it was pretty and I was definitely judging the book by its cover! Noticing who the author was, I was doubly excited, as This is How You Lose The Time War was one of my favourite reads of 2024.
It's a small book that very easily pulls you into its dream-like world. From the gorgeous illustrations and the atmospheric fantasy, it is rich in story and character.
As you read, you learn of the love the two sisters have for each other and how deeply it runs, particularly when tragedy strikes and they have to consider what they’re willing to sacrifice for the other.
Alisha
The Night Ship by Jess Kidd
After quite a few dystopian reads recently, I decided to branch out to a bit of magical historical fiction (more like moving down the branch a little). I have been staring at this book on my shelf for too long and finally picked it up. And oh was it worth it, but I was not prepared for just how heartbreaking and emotionally connected to the story I would be. I loved the alternating between the children in 1629 and in 1989 and quickly became very attached to the wild, voracious explorer of Mayken and the lonely and weird Gil. I didn’t expect the connections to Dutch and Australian folklore, which were an added bonus! Brace yourself for a bit of heartbreak- especially if you love a character -driven story! These two main characters are well fleshed-out and you can’t help but love them both.
Aishah
Neon Roses by Rachel Dawson
This book was very much a bit o' me! Vibrant, queer and working class voices, a buzzy coming-of-age narrative set against the backdrop of the miners strikes in the 80s, and a love story that takes its course among the artist squats, lesbian bars and radical bookshops of Cardiff, London and Manchester, this is a punchy novel with a great flow to it. It's funny, impeccably researched and will have you wanting to make zines and join a union. If you've watched and loved the films Pride or Blue Jean, this one's for you.
Olivia