Queer as All Get Out: 10 People Who've Inspired Me (graphic novel) by Shelby Criswell - Paul's REVIEW

*I received this book as an eARC from Street Noise Books via Edelweiss. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

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Title: Queer as All Get Out: 10 People Who've Inspired Me
Author: Shelby Criswell 
Release Date: November 23, 2021


Synopsis: This graphic novel paints a picture of the lives of 10 specific LGBTQIA people from history, framed by the personal struggles of the author to find acceptance and to carve out a meaningful life as a genderqueer person. Each chapter focuses on a different relatively little-known historical character, presented within the context of the author’s own life. Shelby Criswell’s art is fun and engaging and brings a comic book feel to this enlightening and important subject matter.

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Review: This is the kind of book I wish I had read as a young queer person. This graphic novel begins in a memoir format and then the style leads nicely into ten life stories focusing on activism and change makers. These ten people should be more well known and I hope books like this get queer history into young people's brains earlier in their life. It's important to see people like you succeed and to learn their stories, the people who made the world a better place for all of us to inhabit.

Nancy Cardenas: An activist and writer from Mexico who came out in her 30s as a lesbian and later had breast cancer. 

Ifti Nasim: A gay poet from Pakistan who was an activist at a young age.

Sister Rosetta Tharpe: A queer Black woman who was an innovator of Rock n' Roll.

We'wha: A Zuni lhamana who was born in 1849 and met with the President at the time.

Mary Jones: Born in 1849 to formerly enslaved parents and worked at brothels before being found guilty of grand larceny. 

Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld: A doctor for queer and trans folks born in Germany in 1868 who campaigned for fair treatment of queer people and the decriminalization of gay sex.

Carlett Brown: A famous intersex person who was born in 1927.

Dr. Pauli Murray: A person born in 1910 Maryland who was hunger for justice and education, but they were denied hormone treatment.

Wilmer "Little Ax" Broadnax: A musician who started out in gospel and lived as a man.

Simon Nkoli: An anti-apartheid, gay rights, and AIDS activist from South Africa.

I love educational graphic novels, especially when I learn more about queer people from history. I give this book a 5/5 and recommend it to young people interested in queer history. It's great to see a book like this that isn't focused on white cis gay men. 

--PAUL

Dick Fight Island, Vol. 1 (manga) by Reibun Ike - Paul's REVIEW

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Title: Dick Fight Island, Vol. 1
Author: Reibun Ike
Release Date: May 11, 2021


Synopsis: Eight mighty island warriors battle to become king. The deciding factor? The one who comes last, of course!

Eight islands represented by their best warriors must battle it out in a tournament to decide their king. To win this battle of endurance, it’s not the last one standing but the last one coming that matters!

The tournament to choose the next king of the islands is about to begin. The rules are simple—whoever comes first loses! Participating warriors protect their mighty swords with armor that grows larger and more elaborate with each tournament. But one warrior has returned from studying abroad with a technique certain to force a pleasurable eruption! Is there a competitor alive able to withstand it? Or is this deft warrior destined to become king?!

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Review: The title of this book alone can give you the reason to read it. It did for me. A friend had bought the book so of course I needed to borrow it. After my husband read it, it was my turn. This book starts out fun as you are introduced to the world. There's a group of islands with different tribes that compete...sexually? The worldbuilding is a lot of fun, but you definitely have to suspend quite a bit of disbelief to enjoy this book. 

There are some really hot panels in this manga. Full frontal, pornographic nudity. I was a little confused how this society functions and the views of sex by the people. Characters are surprised by sex acts you would think had already existed in a world where there's armor for your penis. But I understand that's not where the focus of the book stands.

There are a lot of characters in this book to keep track of and they each have histories and allegiances. Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was fun to read something different, but it didn't quite connect with me. There was too much focus on the unrealistic sex without the plot making sense to me. I give this book a 3/5. 


--PAUL

Money Shot, Vol. 2 (graphic novel) - Paul's REVIEW

*I received this book as an eARC from Vault Comics via Edelweiss. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

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Title: Money Shot, Vol. 2
Authors: Tim Seeley & Sarah Beattie 
Artist: Rebekah Isaacs 
Release Date: May 11, 2021


Synopsis: The XXX-plorers embark on their second mission to a naughty world (that may have inspired the biblical Hell...or at the very least ripped it off). But whips, chains and spanks have nothing on the torture of STD testing! Meanwhile, a powerful romance rocks an alien empire to its core, with intimate consequences for our scientists-turned-porn-stars!

A great jumping on point for new readers -- or a comfortable place to sit and rock for current fans. Collects Money Shot #6-#10.

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Review: It's volume 2! Time for the team to find a new mission that will deliver on both ratings and subscriptions. This volume gives us a look at them back on Earth. This volume is great and filled with so much. An STI scare. President Luke Kirk. An intergalactic incident. Even a Power Rangers reference!

I really enjoy this series. It's sex-positive and filled with fun sci-fi tropes. I love seeing sex and science save the day. The characters show growth even within this volume. I give this book a 5/5. Absolutely my vibe. 

--PAUL

Money Shot, Vol. 1 (graphic novel) - Paul's REVIEW

*I received this book as an eARC from Vault Comics via Edelweiss. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

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Title: Money Shot, Vol. 1
Authors: Tim Seeley & Sarah Beattie 
Artist: Rebekah Isaacs 
Release Date: March 24, 2020


Synopsis: In the near future, space travel is ludicrously expensive and largely ignored. Enter Christine Ocampos, inventor of the Star Shot teleportation device with a big idea: She'll travel to new worlds, engage--intimately--with local aliens, and film her exploits for a jaded earth populace trying to find something new on the internet. Now, Chris and her merry band of scientist-cum-pornstars explore the universe, each other, and the complexities of sex in MONEY SHOT!

A story about scientists having sex with aliens for the glory of mankind--and money.

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Review: In 2027, aliens offered humans to join the greater universe. BUT, they retracted that when they got to know how messed up we really are. This story takes place a few years later in 2032. This book is a really fun, sex-positive sci-fi story. It's full of adult content, obviously. 

I really enjoyed reading this book. It's like if a Star Trek bridge crew decided to all have sex together on a live cam. The characters are each interesting, bringing their own histories together to their mission. Sex, humor, and interpersonal connections. I give this book a 5/5. I will definitely continue reading this series. 


--PAUL

The Strangest Thing in the Sea: And Other Curious Creatures of the Deep - Paul's REVIEW

*I received this book as an eARC from Hachette Book Group via Edelweiss. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

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Title: The Strangest Thing in the Sea: And Other Curious Creatures of the Deep

Author:  Rachel Poliquin
Artists: Byron Eggenschwiler
Upcoming Release Date: October 5, 2021


Synopsis: An intriguing look at some very strange creatures in the sea --- but which is the strangest? A feathery tutu dancing through the water? A tiptoeing rock wearing a wig? A mountain of skulls on the ocean floor? Not everything is quite as it seems in this fascinating exploration of 12 bizarre and little-known sea animals. Each creature is introduced with an imaginative first-person depiction of its appearance, accompanied by an artistic interpretation and the question, “Am I the strangest thing in the sea?” Then, open the gatefold, and an illustration and full description of the actual creature in its habitat are revealed, along with the tantalizing answer that, no, this is not the strangest thing in the sea. That is, until the last creature, which is the strangest. But what could it be? The question-and-answer approach and gatefolds in this innovative and engaging book of wonderfully weird sea creatures are sure to pique children's curiosity and encourage scientific inquiry. Rachel Poliquin has included a range of the very oddest sea creatures --- the yeti crab, goblin shark and vampire squid, to name a few --- and she provides unique, interesting and quirky information about each as well as their size, prey, habitat and depth. Award-winning illustrator Byron Eggenschwiler's beautiful art gives the entire book an otherworldly feel, as all the creatures seem to be fantastically imagined. The material aligns with elementary life sciences curriculum: animal adaptations and characteristics, evolution, ecology, habitats, ecosystems, biodiversity and food webs. A final gatefold shows all the creatures together. Includes a glossary.

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Review: This is a great book for kids interested in weird animals and the ocean. This nonfiction book has facts, poetry, and great artwork. It's both informative and fun. The animals covered include giant siphonophores, peacock mantis shrimp, and yeti crabs. There's even a glossary at the end. This book gets a 5/5 from me.


--PAUL

An Earth-Bot's Solution to Plastic Pollution (picture book) by Russell Ayto - Paul's REVIEW

*I received this book as an eARC from Kids Can Press via Edelweiss. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

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Title: An Earth-Bot's Solution to Plastic Pollution
Creator: Russell Ayto
Upcoming Release Date: September 7, 2021


Synopsis: In his signature quirky style, Russell Ayto takes on plastic pollution with this story about a video game-loving boy named Neo and some unexpected aquatic visitors who need his help. Neo lives next to the ocean, where there's a big plastic pollution problem. But Neo doesn't notice. He's too busy playing his favorite video game, joining forces with all the other Earth-bots to defend the planet against invading aliens. One day, though, Neo's sea creature neighbors keep interrupting his game, as one after another comes to his door, pleading with him to help them clean up the plastic that's ruining their home. Finally, to get them to go away, Neo agrees to check it out. And the plastic mess he sees in the ocean shocks him. He suddenly realizes there's an actual invasion taking place right outside his door --- one that's too big for him to handle on his own! With a refreshing approach to the timely topic of plastic pollution in the world's oceans, here's a readable picture book that manages to be offbeat and loads of fun without making light of the issue. Award-winning author-illustrator Russell Ayto's one-of-a-kind storytelling and hilarious illustrations will keep the pages turning, leading readers to concrete suggestions for how they can help. With its important environmental message and positive themes of teamwork, responsibility and stewardship, this book offers excellent connections to life science, earth science and social science curriculums. 

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Review: This picture book contains a relatable story about kids playing video games who learn about plastic in the ocean. The artwork is very cute. There's a great message about conservation. The wonderful 3 R's are referenced. There need to be more books like this that encourage children to make an impact on their world. I give this book a 5/5.


--PAUL

My Sister, Daisy (picture book) - Paul's REVIEW

*I received this book as an eARC from Capstone via NetGalley. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

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Title: My Sister, Daisy
Author: Adria Karlsson
Artist: Linus Curci
Upcoming Release Date: September 1, 2021


Synopsis: Daisy’s older brother is thrilled when he gets a new sibling. They are best buddies who do everything together. But in kindergarten, things change. His sibling tells him she is a girl and wants to be called Daisy. Daisy’s brother must adjust to the change — including what it means for him and their relationship. A powerful, moving picture book based on a true story, My Sister, Daisy handles a sensitive subject with warmth and love.

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Review: The author of this book didn't see any books that represented her family situation so she wrote one! There's a lovely story at the end of the book explaining the background. This book is an excellent introduction to young people who may be going through similar experiences, especially for kids who have a trans sibling.

An older sibling is told by his younger sibling that she is a girl. The older brother questions his sister in an understanding way. The emotions are very evident.

I give this book a 5/5. This is a beautiful picture book for children these days. I highly recommend it for parents with toddlers or slightly older children.

--PAUL