‘history, huh? bet we could make some’ and ‘you don’t make it fucking easy. but i’m in love with you’ and ‘on purpose. i love him on purpose’ and ‘your spine is a ridge i’d die climbing’ and ‘you and me and history, remember?’ and ‘you love so much bigger than yourself, bigger than everything. i can’t believe how lucky i am to witness it- to be the one who gets to have it, and so much of it, is beyond luck and feels like fate’ and ‘you had the absolute audacity to love me back. can you believe it?’ and ‘have i told you lately that you’re brave?’ and ‘henry kisses his mouth over and over again and says quietly, “you are good.”’
“Should I tell you that when we’re apart, your body comes back to me in dreams? That when I sleep, I see you, the dip of your waist, the freckle above your hip, and when I wake up in the morning, it feels like I’ve just been with you, the phantom touch of your hand on the back of my neck fresh and not imagined? That I can feel your skin against mine, and it makes every bone in my body ache? That, for a few moments, I can hold my breath and be back there with you, in a dream, in a thousand rooms, nowhere at all?”
— Casey McQuiston, Red, White & Royal Blue (via sheisraging)
I saw that you like Red, White & Royal Blue and Gentleman's Guide To Vice and Virtue. Do you know any other books like that?
Oh wow, Anon. You sent me this forever ago. But I’m perennially bad at answering asks, so here’s a very late response! Hope you found some good books though!
NOTE: Both those books are excellent, and also, quite singular. It’s very hard to rec anything that comes close to the same “feel” of either. (I’m guessing you want something of the MLM variety.) But here’s my best attempt nonetheless. (I would like to add that I haven’t really read much in a while, beyond the few comics I’ve been keeping up with.) Also, important to note is the fact that RWRB is not YA, and rather a new adult romance. Since a majority of what I usually read is YA, a lot of this list will scratch that itch, apologies in advance!
BONUS: Simon Vs. The Homo Sapien Agenda by Becky Albertalli: This is the book that the movie Love, Simon is based on. It’s extremely popular and you’ve probably already read it, but it doesn’t hurt to recommend it! It’s a sweet romance and an easy read. The movie is pretty great too.
6. Carry On by Rainbow Rowell: A Harry Potter-esque “chosen one” falls for his main nemesis and mortal enemy, and man is it a fun read. It’s based on a book referenced in Rowell’s earlier book Fangirl, and is basically her love letter to her love of Harry Potter, which makes sense because the book reads like a Harry x Draco enemies to friends to lovers-type fic, and I mean that in the best way possible. (Sometimes I wish published fiction hit like certain fics, and boy does this done.) The sequel (Wayward Son) is actually out soon. So this would be a perfect time to read it.
5. The Music of What Happens by Bill Konnigsberg: Full disclosure: I started this novel earlier this year, and have yet to finish it. But I love everything Konnigsberg writes, and this is possibly my favourite. It’s set in the 1980′s and tells the story of Jordan and Max as they spend the summer working in a food truck. It’s a case of “opposites attract” and everything I’ve read has been pretty solid. I cannot wait to eventually finish it.
4. The Song of Achillesby Madeline Miller: The myth of Achilles but told from his boyfriend/soulmate’s (Patroclus) POV all the way till the bitter end. It’s gorgeous from the get-go. Miller’s way with words is exquisite, and her descriptions of gay yearning is *chef finger kiss*. The whole novel feels like a feat of storytelling on its own. And that’s probably because it is one. (Also, one of my weird opinions about this book is that sometimes it feels like what Percy would think if this were an AU of GGtVaV.)
3.Iceman Vol. 1 by Sina Grace and Alessandro Vitti: One of the few Marvel comics I’ve read in recent years. It’s basically Iceman navigating the world as a recently out young mutant, and it focuses on his attempts to date and also balance his identities. It’s a shame it got cancelled too damn early, but what we got was pretty great.
2. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universeby Benjamin Alire Saenz: I know everyone and their mother recommends this book for any and every reason possible, but my god are we all right to do so. Benjamin Alire Saenz is one of my favourite authors of all time, and his way with words moves me beyond all measure. Ari and Dante’s romance is an eventual tale of friends to lovers, though, on many levels, they’ve been in love with each other forever. Saenz’s writing is lush and lyrical and captures every emotion possible. His second novel is also great. But this one is sheer magic.
1. Fence by C.S. Pacat and Johanna the Mad: One of BOOM! Studios best series is set at a fencing-obsessed boarding school and tells the extremely slow-burn story of two roommates and rivals (Nicholas and Seiji), as they try and win one of two available spots on the school fencing team. The world is well built and the supporting cast is awesome. The art is so much fun to look at. Side note: It doesn’t follow Nick and Seiji as closely as those two books, but the book is still plenty queer, and there is another guy pining for his best friend, who remind me of Monty and Percy. (Nick and Seiji are very early Alex and Henry.)
“Looks like it’s your lucky day,” Alex says, smiling.
“Truly a momentous occasion,” Henry agrees. His own smile is bright white and immaculate, made to be printed on money.
The most annoying thing of all is Alex knows Henry hates him too—he must, they’re naturally mutual antagonists—but he refuses to outright act like it. Alex is intimately aware politics involves a lot of making nice with people you loathe, but he wishes that once, just once, Henry would act like an actual human and not some polished little wind-up toy sold in a palace gift shop.
@booksociety‘s lgbt+ pride event: red, white, and royal blue ( casey mcquiston )
Every person who bears a legacy makes the choice of a partner with whom they will share it, whom the American people will hold beside them in hearts and memories and history books. America: He is my choice.
Like countless other Americans, I was afraid to say this out loud because of what the consequences might be. To you, specifically, I say: I see you. I am one of you. As long as I have a place in this White House, so will you.I am the First Son of the United States, and I’m bisexual. History will remember us.
✦ @booksociety’s LGBT+ Pride event: Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
Thinking about history makes me wonder how I’ll fit into it one day, I guess. And you too. I kinda wish people still wrote like that. History, huh? Bet we could make some. Affectionately yrs, slowly going insane, Alex, First Son of Founding Father Sacrilege
Hi! I can’t tag you in the comments of the message so I’m going to fangirl on her instead. I’m listening to Red, White and Royal Blue too! I’m listening at work. I’m at the part when they kiss for the first time and I’m just...I love this cute story so much! So adorable. I care about these characters so much. So good! :-)
So sorry for the late response. I just got a bunch of notifications!!!
But yes. Can we talk about what an excellent (audio)book it is???
I think I’m just a little bit ahead of you, but man-oh-man am I dying over the “enemies”-to-friends-to-lovers-ness of it all. Not to mention how delicious the slow burn is, and just how well Alex and Henry’s relationship has been developing!
It’s so insanely romantic and even the political subplot is really compelling? I genuinely found myself pausing to think about it today! I’m just so so invested.
Ugh. This whole novel is just so inspiring writing-wise, and the author has done so many things well. I adore how charming and romantic it is and just Alex’s whole (and very relatable) journey in terms of his sexuality. It feels like a novel I’d been waiting for for a long time and I’m so glad it’s here now. What a complete and utter gift.
Also, I don’t know about you, but I’m really enjoying this narrator, and he’s doing a pretty good job of it! PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHEN YOU FINISH IT.
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