Rust and Ruin

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 Achilles by 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 Universe by 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.)