E.J. She/Her. Lesbian. Here, queer, and ready to talk about the spectrum of LGBTQ+ books! CURRENTLY READING: “Ander and Santi Were Here" by Jonny Garza Villa.
“Have I ever told you why I call you ‘cielo’? Because I’d started believing that my life was going to be hell. It’s been struggle after struggle for a little time and I was almost convinced that’s just how it was going to be until I died. And sometimes wondering if existing is even worth it. Trying so hard to get nowhere. Until I met you…and you became my Heaven. You are the person who takes me to a place where, maybe the bad things still exist—obviously…but you also make me feel like I can overcome them. And you’re the person who helps me leave all the bad behind for a while. It’s so easy to leave reality with you. To go with you to a place that’s our own. Nuestro cielo. Y eres mi cielo.”
—Santi to Ander, Ander and Santi Were Here by Jonny Garza Villa
Today marks 25 years since the attack that ended Matthew Shepard’s life.
Imagining the events of that evening was the hardest part of illustrating Always Matt but I hope these pages can help others to revisit and reflect on this tragedy with a new sense of clarity and purpose.
“The moment his hand is holding mine…is healing and reaffirming. No more tears. We let our eyes take in each other and we kiss…I wrap my arms around him…And I tell myself once, twice, and then once more that we are not alone…with every touch, I am reminded that we are powerful. That our existence is powerful. That we can be both protector and protected…Together. Right here and now, with each other. And no man or government or racist ideology can ruin this.”
—Ander, Ander and Santi Were Here by Jonny Garza Villa
Can one of the Queen’s private guard and the most powerful mage in existence leave their lives behind to settle down in their new bookshop that serves tea? This cozy fantasy is steeped in sapphic romance and nestled on the edge of dragon country.
Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune
The long-awaited sequel to The House in the Cerulean Sea is a story of resistance, lovingly told, about the daunting experience of fighting for the life you want to live and doing the work to keep it. Welcome back to Marsyas Island—home to six magical and purportedly dangerous children. This is Arthur’s story.
“I wish this didn’t have to be so complicated. But I guess an easy life would be boring, right? If I was scared of failing, there’d be so many things I would’ve never tried.”
—Ander, Ander and Santi Were Here by Jonny Garza Villa
“You know that life isn’t about letting opportunities pass you by. Every big leap, every cliff you’ve dived off of has had a cloud to catch you, because, ultimately, you know what you’re doing, whether we see it or believe it or not.”
—Zeke, Ander and Santi Were Here by Jonny Garza Villa
Zeke: You should make a mural that says ‘Soy puta en mi corazon.’
Ander: Te odio. (I don’t need him knowing I think that’s actually a really good idea.)
In honor of the anniversary, I have a little sequel of my own.
Thirteen years after the events of "Little Matters," one night in the Fox-Claremont-Diaz family shows that life means change, but some things never do...