#tggtvav – @rustandruin on Tumblr

Hiya Rust 😊 Probably quite a strange ask but I'll go ahead anyway... Are there any books that you'd recommend reading?? I haven't read a book for my own enjoyment for years and I really want to but I don't know where to start!! I'm going to read Good Omens as I desperately want to read the book before watching the TV show. Any genre's good (apart from horror or romance). If you can't think of any don't worry!! Just thought I'd ask saying I found out about Good Omens from you 😂 x

Charlie! This is such exciting news! I’m so so excited for you. Reading is good (even though I have been so lax about it lately) and Good Omens is truly an excellent book. Come hit me up as you’re reading it! I’m aiming to do a reread before the show premieres on May 31st!

But let's get you some other book recommendations! (I tried to keep these kind of general and across the board in the hopes that you’ll find at least one thing you’ll like? If not, please do come back and tell me. That way I can generate a new list!)

CORALINE: I don’t know how familiar you are with Neil Gaiman’s writing, or even this book (or the movie based on it), but I figured I’d throw at least one book on here by him, because he really hasn’t produced any clunkers. This is just a really good story about being brave and facing your fears -- something I feel is relevant in your college years. (And at various other points in your life!) You might also want to check out his book Stardust, and the excellent movie based on it.

HIS DARK MATERIALS: This iconic trilogy from Philip Pullman is easily three of my favourite books, and they get better each time I reread them. It starts as the story of a young girl setting out to rescue her friend and grows into something much larger. It seems meant for kids, but to me feels universal, and each time I’ve reread it, I’ve come away with new meaning. I hope it does the same for you.

GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO VICE AND VIRTUE: A historical YA novel that tells the story of Henry “Monty” Montague, a young bisexual disaster of a man who is hopelessly in love with his best friend, Percy. It’s one of my favourite books of all time, and has a modern sensibility to it as it examines sexuality, gender, and race in that time. One of my favourite characters in it, Felicity, happens to be asexual and is the lead of her own novel, Ladies Guide to Petticoats and Piracy. (Which I also adored.) [Side note: There is a romance in this, but it isn’t of the “romance” genre, which is what I took you to mean.]

SIX OF CROWS: The first part of a duology (the second is called Crooked Kingdom), that is basically a heist novel. It’s tense, action-packed, and filled with an inclusive cast, each of whom is my children and I would die for them. Netflix is adapting both books, as well as Leigh Bardugo’s trilogy, which is set in the same universe as this, so it’ll be nice to get a jump on that!

ARISTOTLE AND DANTE DISCOVER THE SECRETS OF THE UNIVERSE: I have yet to meet someone who didn’t love this book, which is about two young Mexican boys growing up in, I think, the 80s and their friendship as they discover who they are and what it means for their friendship and each other. The coming of age story the author weaves is super tender and very heartfelt, but what really sings is his wriing. He’s an incredible author and you just feel everything he describes. I feel like this one really stayed with me.

CUCKOO’S CALLING: The first Cormorran Strike novel has a great mystery at its heart and is a fine introduction to Strike and his partner Robin. It’s a nice reminder that Rowling can write a very good mystery and that she makes it all seem effortless. (I also breezed by all the books in the series during a rough reading patch, and I feel like that might help you.) This has also since been adapted.

THIRTEENTH TALE: It’s part mystery, part examination of the tales we tell ourselves and what stories can mean and how they can guide us. I love it so much, and I read it one fell swoop. The writing is quite lush and she sucks in you effectively. It’s about a young woman asked to write a biography of this older woman, and her days spent doing that. Olivia Colman starred in the BBC movie of it. I quite enjoyed that too.

NIGHT CIRCUS: I always pair this one with the one above, because I read them the same summer and they both just took me by the hand and made my heart run. But this is more romantic fairy tale fantasy, about two dueling magicians who are trying to prove what is better, nature vs. nurture while outdoing each other with magic tricks, while falling deeper and deeper in love with each other. It’s incredible.

GIANT DAYS: This is a comic, but it’s one of my absolute favourites in that I fucking pay to get each issue as it comes rather than waiting for a collected volume. The pop culture references are on point and John Allison is a wiz with humour, but I think the thing I love most is just how relatable it is on so many levels. You get the joys and pain and humour and ridiculousness of friendships and college life and I think it’ll really speak to you. (Also, Daisy’s coming out is rather nice.)

SAGA: I had to take a break from reading it because I just sat around thinking about how good this comic series is. There’s a reason it wins so many awards, and that’s because it’s just masterful. The art is exquisite, and the writing top notch, and I fall in love with it more every time I read it. I can’t sum it up accurately. But just know that it’s about love and family and doing what you have to in order to survive in the face of a universe that wants you apart. It’s gorgeous. (Also, kind of a space opera.)

rustandruin

Anonymous asked:

Happy Friday! For the sleepover ask: Idk if I’m supposed to rec or if you’re supposed to rec stuff but I was wondering if you had any good book recs? 😊

Heyo Anon!

Why don’t we play this both ways? You give me some books, and I offer some back?

Well. First up, I’m not too sure what you’re looking for so here is a smattering because my general interests lie in the YA/LGBTQIA/thriller/comics zone. ~~Also I just haven’t read any new books in a while unless they have an audiobook so sorry about the datedness~~:

The Gentlemen’s Guide to Vice and Virtue and The Ladies’ Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzie Lee: Have you ever wanted a historical novel centered on a bisexual disaster slowly pining for his biracial best friend as well as one focused on his asexual aromantic younger sister? Then oh boy is this series for you. Lee manages to set this really great tone while infusing it with a modern sensibility. I would burn down cities for both siblings.
Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo: Not one, but two impeccably crafted heist novels with three sets of canon ships that are *chef finger kiss.* At least two bisexuals on this crew, both of whom I love dearly.
When the Moon Was Ours by Anna-Marie McLemore: I love magical realism as a genre, and McLemore does it such justice. Each book of hers is queerer than the one before, but this one has my heart in a way I can’t describe. It’s a hell of a love story and so gorgeously written. Welcome her into your life.
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz: What a tremendously heartstopping, gut wrenching novel about being young and in love and discovering yourself and your own truth. Every word this man writes is a gift.
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller: Looking for some premium Achilles x Patroclus angst that spans the entirety of their relationship together until it’s tragic end? Then this is for you. (What I need is an entire fic from Achilles’ point of view because I need to know... When did you fall for my son???)
Pride by Ibi Ziboi: It is no secret that I love Pride & Prejudice more than some people in my life, so yeah, this adaptation but with an Afro-Latino take on the Bennet family and their ensuing romances was a complete treat for me.
The Wicker King by K. Ancrum: If it were a drawing it would be a big angry scribble done in graphite pencil, but it would also capture the eye and make you stare at it for a good bit. The writing is good and the ship pulls you in. I still think about this one.
All Out: Queer YA Anthology that tells the stories of teens throughout time and even let’s them have happy endings.
Toil and Trouble: Do you like your witch-based anthology multicultural and queer? Here it is.
Darkling by Brooklyn Ray: A queer romance between male witches, one of whom happens to be trans? Be still my beating heart.
The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith (AKA JK Rowling): Say what you will about Harry Potter, but She Who Must Not Be Named can write a hell of a mystery and so far I have remained riveted. The TV adaptation is also pretty good.
Saga by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples: This series just continues to astound and amaze me with the art and the effortlessness with which they tell this literal saga about family and war and love and parenthood and hope and faith and trust and... Yeah. Staples is in a class of her own artistically.
Fence by C.S. Pacat and Johanna the Mad: Slow burn enemies to friends to eventual boyfriends set in a fencing academy. Great background ships, story progressing at a nice pace and my favourite part: crazy good artwork.
The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang: A lyrical fairytale that will sweep you away while still examining gender and the clothes we wear at its heart. The art is so damn lovely.
Lore Olympus (on Webtoon for FREE): HADES AND PERSEPHONE SLOW BURN COMIC AS THEY SLOWLY DISCOVER THEIR FEELINGS, THEMSELVES, AND EACH OTHER. My Greek son also has five dogs. I love it so much.
Hawkeye by Matt Fraction and David Aja: Only took me this long to give in and slap this treat of a comic run. The art is exquisite, the writing sparse and so damn hilarious. I cannot believe it exists.
His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman: The series that made me as a person. The complexity and scope of what he is able to pull off is staggering and dovetails in this lovely way. The writing is classic, the imagery picturesque, and the themes, resounding. Going to be a TV series soon. ~~Kill me now.~~
Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Sir Terry Pratchett: The other book that made me. Basically an angel and a demon ~~who are basically married~~ join together to stop the apocalypse. So much brilliant humour and wit. The writing has aged incredibly well. Also going to be a TV show. ~~Seriously, end me now~~.

sleepover ask game

#rust and ruin answers #rust and ruin ask games #books #lgbtqia #ya novels #tggtvav #tlgtpap #six of crows #when the moon was ours #cormoran strike #his dark materials #good omens #lore olympus #hawkeye #saga #fence

rustandruin reblogged

smittenwithsugden

Can you guys recommend me good LGBTQ books?

I loved Lies We Tell Ourselves it’s historical, set in America in the 50s during the fight for civil rights. About a black girl who enrols in an all-white highschool. where she has to somehow follow lessons/graduate while nobody wants her there. And while working on a school project she starts crushing on her white classmate. it’s told from both girls pov but the LGBTQ relationship is more the B plot. and

If You Could Be Mine about two girls who are in love but live in Iran where homosexuality is illegal, but being trans is considered a disease that can be cured by letting the person transition. One of the girls wants to do this so they can be together as man and woman.

History Is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera: When Griffin’s first love and ex-boyfriend, Theo, dies in a drowning accident, his universe implodes. Even though Theo had moved to California for college and started seeing Jackson, Griffin never doubted Theo would come back to him when the time was right. But now, the future he’s been imagining for himself has gone far off course.

Our Own Private Universe by Robin Talley: Fifteen-year-old Aki Simon has a theory. And it’s mostly about sex. No, it isn’t that kind of theory. Aki already knows she’s bisexual—even if, until now, it’s mostly been in the hypothetical sense. Aki has dated only guys so far, and her best friend, Lori, is the only person who knows she likes girls, too.

I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson: At first, Jude and her twin brother are NoahandJude; inseparable. Noah draws constantly and is falling in love with the charismatic boy next door, while daredevil Jude wears red-red lipstick, cliff-dives, and does all the talking for both of them.Years later, they are barely speaking.

The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily M. Danforth: Orphaned, Cameron comes to live with her old-fashioned grandmother and ultraconservative aunt Ruth. There she falls in love with her best friend, a beautiful cowgirl.When she’s eventually outed, her aunt sends her to God’s Promise, a religious conversion camp that is supposed to “cure” her homosexuality. At the camp, Cameron comes face to face with the cost of denying her true identity.

If You Could Be Mine by Sara Farizan: Seventeen-year-old Sahar has been in love with her best friend, Nasrin, since they were six. They’ve shared stolen kisses and romantic promises. But Iran is a dangerous place for two girls in love–Sahar and Nasrin could be beaten, imprisoned, even executed. (Already rec’d but so good pls read!!!)

If you like Adventure and magic stuff:

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell: Simon Snow is the worst Chosen One who’s ever been chosen. That’s what his roommate, Baz, says. And Baz might be evil and a vampire and a complete git, but he’s probably right.

@smittenwithsugden sorry I jumped your post! @bijou1986

rustandruin

@smittenwithsugden @bijou1986 @peterbeale

Sorry for piggybacking this already stellar list, but queer YA is my JAM. (And so is reccing the hell out of it.) It’s one of the few spaces where we get stories with happy endings and in different genres.

Check out:

All Out: A recently published anthology of short stories by queer YA authors featuring an inclusive range of protagonists from across the LGBTQIA spectrum. A bunch of my favourite authors I’m about to rec are in here.

The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue: A disaster bisexual ends up getting himself, his male biracial main love interest, and his asexual younger sister embroiled in an intercontinental adventure that sees him slowly grow up and come to terms with his feelings. It’s historical fiction with a modern sensibility that makes it all the more worth reading. (The asexual sister has a book coming out in October: The Ladies Guide to Petticoats and Piracy)

When the Moon Was Ours: A gorgeous magical realism filled tale of a romance between a Latina girl and a Pakistani American trans boy. It’s a personal, respectfully told story with enough lyrical imagery to make you swoon. (The author’s latest book, Wild Beauty, is about a biracial Latina protagonist dealing with her family’s curse.)

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe: Beautiful poetic writing that tells the story of two Mexican boys in the late ‘80s as they slowly uncover their sexualities and fall in love.

Timekeeper: A boy falls in love with the teen boy spirit of a clock tower he’s assigned to fix. It’s a sort of steampunk Alternate Universe, and the first of a trilogy. It’s the kind of story you’d want as an AU for any OTP.

Let’s Talk About Love: An asexual teen girl falls for her summer library co-worker. It’s cute and has total romcom vibes, not to mention an actual asexual character getting to be at the centre of a romance.

The Prince and the Dressmaker: This graphic novel is about a talented young dressmaker who is hired to design dresses for the genderbending prince of a small kingdom. The art is so beautiful and the whole story feels like a timeless fairytale. (Definitely read with “I could have danced all night” from The Sound of Music playing the background because this book is the written equivalent of that.) Might also become a movie, fingers crossed.

Lumberjanes: The many comic adventures of a group of female and gender nonbinary campers. It’s a complete delight in so many ways, the best of which is that we get to see young female (and nonbinary) characters being depicted in many non traditional and stereotypical ways. What a fresh breath of air.

Goldie Vance: Queer teen girl detective solving crimes and flirting with her girlfriend in this Art Deco-inspired Florida resort town. (The art is stellar and it’s my favourite comic tbh.)

Mask of Shadows: I haven’t read it, but I’m super excited about the fact that the protagonist is a genderfluid assassin!

Of Fire and Stars: Princess sets out to marry a prince from a neighbouring kingdom, but falls for his cooler rogue of a sister. There’s also magical stuff and palace intrigue.

Six of Crows: A group of teens set out to commit a heist. A solid half of them are queer. (The writing is stellar and the plot is fast moving and tight. What a masterclass of fiction.)

#rust and ruin has thoughts #lgbtqia #ya novels #books #book stuff #tggtvav #gentleman’s guide to vice and virtue #six of crows #soc