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tortello_alla_zucca's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
5.0
cogowno's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
The beginning made me cry fr
jbowman19's review against another edition
3.75
Nice collection that I would’ve liked to have found when I was younger (cool that others do have a resource like this now). The format and structure offers neat intro to various people, themes, and moments, and it’s a good mix of topics. Chapters from Mae Martin, Munroe Bergdorf, Joseph Cassara, Paula Akpan, and Paul Mendez are some highlights.
readingwithsierra's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.25
pewterwolf's review against another edition
4.0
Review Taken from Upcoming Blog Post to be found at The Pewter Wolf Reads from mid-July 2021
***Audiobook given by UK publisher,HQ, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review/reaction***
I’m quite lucky that I managed to get approved, listened and finish this audiobook before the end of June 2021 (aka Pride Month). I am going to admit that non-fiction isn’t my normal reading/audiobook area. I don’t mind dipping my toe into non-fiction every now and again, it’s a genre that always intimidates me. So, when I saw the audiobook of The Queer Bible on NetGalley UK, I requested it so fast that even I was surprised over my reaction. As someone who identifies as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, I feel that it’s important for me to know our history. Or herstory, and this was going to be a good place to start, right? I mean, it’s a collection of essays, written from people all over the community (Elton John, Courtney Act, Graham Norton, Tan France, etc) about trailblazers who inspired them (David Bowie, George Michael, Tim Curry, Paris is Burning, Divine, Sylvester, etc), and edited by Jack Guinness, the founder of popular website The Queer Bible (as well as being a model and activist) and with each story illustrated by queer or ally artists (sadly, I didn’t get to see these as I audiobooked it, though I do think that if you buy this via Audible or other audiobook outlets, you might get them as a PDF).
So, where do I fit with this as, like I said, non-fiction and collections of essays aren’t my normal reads (and throughout a good chunk of Pride 2021, I’ve been reading MM romances so I might not have audiobooked this at the right time)? It was interesting listening and I do think collections of essays like this are important to shine light on areas of life we don’t normally look at or think about.
But, like most collections (of short stories, essays, poems, etc), some essays are going to click with readers more than others. I found the essays on George Michael, David Bowie, Harvey Fierstein, Edward Enninful, and a few others (I am not going to list them all!) gripping while others didn’t hold my attention in the same way, but I found what the authors were trying to say interesting.
I do have one or two niggles with the audiobook. Of course I do, this is me we’re talking about here.
The first is narration. Stay with me here. Now, I fully understand that not everyone who wrote an essay for the collection either could find time to record their essay or want to record themselves reading their essay. That’s fine, I get that. But to have only Paul Guinness reading them is a problem because there are occasions where he is reading several essays and author bios back to back and, for me, they began to merge together and made me feel tired and drained, while thinking to “Is this essay ever going to end?!”
Another niggle is something I spotted in a few reviews and, once I saw it, I couldn’t unsee it. But this collection, while vital, did at times feel very cis gay male heavy in its contributors and subject matter. Now, I know there were authors who are lesbian, bi, trans, drag, intersex and authors of colour, but it’s a feeling I had and couldn’t really escape from.
But I do think this is an important collection and, like Juno Dawson’s [b:This Book is Gay|22074335|This Book is Gay|James Dawson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1399929705l/22074335._SY75_.jpg|41409374] and [b:What's the T? The no-nonsense guide to all things trans and/or non-binary for teens|52937573|What's the T? The no-nonsense guide to all things trans and/or non-binary for teens|Juno Dawson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1586006561l/52937573._SY75_.jpg|79304418], is vital for teens and adults who want to educate and empower themselves around LGBTQIA+ and its history.
***Audiobook given by UK publisher,HQ, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review/reaction***
I’m quite lucky that I managed to get approved, listened and finish this audiobook before the end of June 2021 (aka Pride Month). I am going to admit that non-fiction isn’t my normal reading/audiobook area. I don’t mind dipping my toe into non-fiction every now and again, it’s a genre that always intimidates me. So, when I saw the audiobook of The Queer Bible on NetGalley UK, I requested it so fast that even I was surprised over my reaction. As someone who identifies as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, I feel that it’s important for me to know our history. Or herstory, and this was going to be a good place to start, right? I mean, it’s a collection of essays, written from people all over the community (Elton John, Courtney Act, Graham Norton, Tan France, etc) about trailblazers who inspired them (David Bowie, George Michael, Tim Curry, Paris is Burning, Divine, Sylvester, etc), and edited by Jack Guinness, the founder of popular website The Queer Bible (as well as being a model and activist) and with each story illustrated by queer or ally artists (sadly, I didn’t get to see these as I audiobooked it, though I do think that if you buy this via Audible or other audiobook outlets, you might get them as a PDF).
So, where do I fit with this as, like I said, non-fiction and collections of essays aren’t my normal reads (and throughout a good chunk of Pride 2021, I’ve been reading MM romances so I might not have audiobooked this at the right time)? It was interesting listening and I do think collections of essays like this are important to shine light on areas of life we don’t normally look at or think about.
But, like most collections (of short stories, essays, poems, etc), some essays are going to click with readers more than others. I found the essays on George Michael, David Bowie, Harvey Fierstein, Edward Enninful, and a few others (I am not going to list them all!) gripping while others didn’t hold my attention in the same way, but I found what the authors were trying to say interesting.
I do have one or two niggles with the audiobook. Of course I do, this is me we’re talking about here.
The first is narration. Stay with me here. Now, I fully understand that not everyone who wrote an essay for the collection either could find time to record their essay or want to record themselves reading their essay. That’s fine, I get that. But to have only Paul Guinness reading them is a problem because there are occasions where he is reading several essays and author bios back to back and, for me, they began to merge together and made me feel tired and drained, while thinking to “Is this essay ever going to end?!”
Another niggle is something I spotted in a few reviews and, once I saw it, I couldn’t unsee it. But this collection, while vital, did at times feel very cis gay male heavy in its contributors and subject matter. Now, I know there were authors who are lesbian, bi, trans, drag, intersex and authors of colour, but it’s a feeling I had and couldn’t really escape from.
But I do think this is an important collection and, like Juno Dawson’s [b:This Book is Gay|22074335|This Book is Gay|James Dawson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1399929705l/22074335._SY75_.jpg|41409374] and [b:What's the T? The no-nonsense guide to all things trans and/or non-binary for teens|52937573|What's the T? The no-nonsense guide to all things trans and/or non-binary for teens|Juno Dawson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1586006561l/52937573._SY75_.jpg|79304418], is vital for teens and adults who want to educate and empower themselves around LGBTQIA+ and its history.
spookynerd's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
This isn't the style of book/genre I normally read, but I picked this up due to a bookclub, and I'm glad I did.
I may be happily queer, out, and proud, but I don't always stop to think about the history we share. Growing up closeted in small town Idaho didn't give me queer role models or the ability to immerse myself in the rich culture we share. The warmth and joy these writers exuded writing about LGBTQIA heroes/institutions was so very clear. There's a reverance to it, and to the culture they've helped build.
I appreciate the acknowledgement of the struggles queer people have endured in the past, the celebration of how we've come, AND the awareness that we still have so far to go in so many aspects - particularly in the safety and rights of people of color and transgender and nonbinary people.
I may be happily queer, out, and proud, but I don't always stop to think about the history we share. Growing up closeted in small town Idaho didn't give me queer role models or the ability to immerse myself in the rich culture we share. The warmth and joy these writers exuded writing about LGBTQIA heroes/institutions was so very clear. There's a reverance to it, and to the culture they've helped build.
I appreciate the acknowledgement of the struggles queer people have endured in the past, the celebration of how we've come, AND the awareness that we still have so far to go in so many aspects - particularly in the safety and rights of people of color and transgender and nonbinary people.
jennifergallo's review against another edition
5.0
Bought this for Adam rippon & gus kenworthy but it was SO MUCH MORE! Elder queer stories so important
powisamy's review against another edition
Reading the audiobook of this is the way to go. Most of the celebrities or famous people read their own stories and overall I think this does add to the experience of the audiobook. I believe they may also have illustrations so maybe just get both.
Having a history degree and going into LGBTQ+ history in the latter half of it, I already did know some of the people mentioned but it is clear that those writing about their inspirations know far more than I ever could. I still then learnt so much from the book.
Another thing that I want to mention is that there are some great well-written pieces throughout. I have never encountered some of them before and I was there listening to some of the essays going, 'wow this person can write.' With a lot of them coming from a personal angle I think this really helped add to the narrative of the book.
Basically, it was a well-written and great look into LGBTQ+ people across modern history and is a must-read for anyone who wants to know more about it!
Having a history degree and going into LGBTQ+ history in the latter half of it, I already did know some of the people mentioned but it is clear that those writing about their inspirations know far more than I ever could. I still then learnt so much from the book.
Another thing that I want to mention is that there are some great well-written pieces throughout. I have never encountered some of them before and I was there listening to some of the essays going, 'wow this person can write.' With a lot of them coming from a personal angle I think this really helped add to the narrative of the book.
Basically, it was a well-written and great look into LGBTQ+ people across modern history and is a must-read for anyone who wants to know more about it!