Sayers, Joey Alison. Just So You Know. Autobiographical Comics Ser. #1. Oakland, 2009. softcover. [36] pages. $5.00.

Cartoonist Joey Alison Sayers has the talent—critical in comic art—for getting to a point quickly and making a sharply perceptive observation.

Just So You Know #1 gathers together two years of strips about Sayers' transition from male to female. Hormones, social acceptance, getting a new ID, and coming out to herself and her parents are all dissected on Sayers' drawing pad. The most poignant strip may be "Freaking Out the Parents." At a particularly illuminating point in a conversation with her parents, Sayers explains, "I've been horribly depressed for as long as I can remember and for a bunch of years I was getting drunk and using drugs as a coping mechanism." Her parents listen to everything in silence, wearing twin expressions of concern. Their response comes in the last panel: "Wait?! You did drugs?!!" It's a bittersweet moment.

They aren't hurling invective, which is good, but they can't acknowledge what their child is really sharing, and only react to a side issue. Additionally, Sayers slips in some basic facts about the MTF transition process, which is helpful for any library collection. The final page even includes a small glossary to help readers understand, for example, the difference between transgender and transsexual.

Just So You Know #1 is recommended for public and high school libraries. It's available online through Sayers' website. Payment is through PayPal.

Reviewed by Ruth Ann Jones
Special Collections Cataloger
Michigan State University Libraries

Alan, Kage. Andy Stevenson vs. The Lord of the Loins. Austin, TX: Zumaya Boundless, 2008. $14.99. ISBN 9781934841006.

Andy returns to college in a small town in western Michigan. The first semester goes by without his secret slipping out—not that he doesn't hint to his friends, just that they are oblivious. Then, Andy's first date since Jordan turns out to be less than he's hoped for. Andy wants a soul mate; instead, he ends up in a one-night-stand with Tristan, the "Lord of the Loins" of the book's title. When Tristan determines that the reason Andy wants nothing more to do with him is because Andy is still too closeted, he outs Andy to the whole campus—just as Andy has started getting serious with Alan, a cute, but domineering Asian who insists on a discreet relationship.

Andy Stevenson vs. Lord of the Loins has the same slapstick sensibility as A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to My Sexual Orientation, but Andy is now more mature. His tongue does get the better of him at times—particularly when dealing with Tristan—but his ease with himself allows him to first escape a trap Tristan set for him, then to exact revenge and end Tristan's manipulations for good.

Unbound Books first published A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to My Sexual Orientation in 2003, but the press went out of business in 2006. Zumaya Boundless republished it in 2008 when they released Andy Stevenson vs. Lord of the Loins. Kage Alan is working on the third volume, which will also be published by Zumaya, and is expected in 2010.

Both books in this series are strongly recommended for all public and academic libraries. They are acceptable for high school libraries also, but the characters are college age and older.

Reviewed by John Bradford
Head, Automation & Technical Services
Villa Park (IL) Public Library

Alan, Kage. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to My Sexual Orientation. Austin, TX: Zumaya Boundless, 2008 (2003). $14.99. ISBN 9781934135914.

Home from college for the summer of 1989, but with no car and no girlfriend, 19-year-old Andy Stevenson just hoped for a break from his dull Detroit suburban life when he agreed to accompany his addled, cantankerous grandmother to her brother's 50th anniversary party in California. But a chance meeting with his handsome cousin Jordan leads to his first same-sex kiss and a six-day comedic whirlwind that ends up bringing Andy out of the closet.

Kage Alan takes the familiar theme of the vacationing teen who suddenly sexually blooms, and tells it from the point of a gay teen in denial. Andy narrates his own story with self-deprecating humor, but the slapstick antics of his family, the girls of California, and Andy's own impromptu performance at a gay bar lead to several laugh-out-loud moments.

There is tenderness, too. Jordan sweetly engages Andy and patiently helps him shed his Midwestern reserve. When, towards the end of the book, Andy and Jordan make love, Andy's innocent awe and excitement over what he has been missing leaps out at the reader.

Reviewed by John Bradford
Head, Automation & Technical Services
Villa Park (IL) Public Library

Baumbach, Laura. The Lost Temple of Karttikeya. Albion, NY: MLRPress, 2008. softcover. 194p. $14.99. ISBN: 978-1-934531-93-8.

The Lost Temple of Karttikeya begins as a love triangle: Brandon, a police officer, is dating Phil, his partner, an older man who is bisexual and who is also seeing a lawyer named Susan. Brandon is shocked to hear through office gossip of Phil‘s engagement to Susan and abrupt move to the Homicide Division. Phil has also canceled vacation plans with Brandon in favor of one with Susan, leaving Brandon alone to solve a case of a missing mystical jade object said to help one find his heart's fondest desire. Brandon decides to pursue the object (outside of departmental time) with Christian, an archaeologist and owner of an antiques store.

Traveling with Christian to India in search of his holy grail, Brandon eventually realizes errors in his commitment with Phil, and begins considering a relationship with Christian. The adventure turns deadly, as Brandon encounters a vampire out for his blood. This gives Christian a chance to save Brandon, which leads to a realization of their undying love for each other.

Laura Baumbach has written a tale of romance, self awareness, adventure, vampires, and true love. This story is also suitable for those in abusive or unequal relationships. Moreover, the novel is well-researched, and Baumbach intertwines the Hindu legend of Karttikeya with vivid descriptions of India's Landscape.

The Lost Temple of Karttikeya opens with a lengthy and vivid sex scene, which will captivate readers who enjoy this particular genre. It is recommended for libraries with adult romance collections.

Reviewed by Sara Rofofsky Marcus
Electronic Resources Librarian
Queensborough Community College

Blue, Ally. Easy. Albion: MLR Press, LLC, 2008. 201p. paperback. $14.99. ISBN-978934531624.

Easy tells the story of Dan Corazon and Stevie Sanger, how they meet and fall in love. Dan lives a quiet life as an employee in a landscaping business. He struggles with the idea of coming out to his best friend and coworker, Carlos. Having been raised by a strict father, and then orphaned as a young man, Dan is independent and protective of his feelings and private life.

Dan meets Stevie when he rescues him from a dangerous encounter, and the two are immediately drawn to each other. Stevie is a high-demand sex worker, but he decides to give it up once he meets Dan. But because of his "pimp," this isn't easy, and once again Stevie needs Dan's help.

Unfortunately, Easy, has several issues that make it impossible to recommend. This book contains many stereotypes that distract from the story. Dan and Carlos' Latino ethnicity is stereotyped in both the dialogue and character development ("Hola" and "Amigo" at the beginning and end of every sentence, for example). Additionally, Stevie's life as a sex worker is simplified as a life consumed by violence and abuse.

A second aspect of this book that rankles is that it contains racy scenes that, rather than being sexy or exciting, fall short of the mark. When reading erotica, one expects to tolerate a inadequately written or simplified story line for the sake of a good scene, but in the case of Easy, the sex scenes fall frustratingly flat due to the writing style.

Olshan, Joseph. The Conversion. New York: St. Martin's Griffin, 2009. paperback. 278 p. $14.95. ISBN: 9780312565565.

The Conversion is a sexy, classy spin on Henry James's conceit of the young American adrift in Europe. Thirtyish Russell Todaro is the engaging narrator. A translator and would-be writer, Russell has only written a novella because he squanders his creative energies on obsessive liaisons with married men. "Another man, another motorcycle, another country," seems to be his motto. Wealthy Michel takes Russell around Paris on his BMW motorcycle. Lorenzo, a carabiniere, guides Russell through the Tuscan countryside on his Ducati. Russell finds that his American straightforwardness—and his vulnerability—is no match for his European lover's brutal, yet civilized treatment of him.

Left alone after a tragic incident in Paris, Russell accepts a mysterious invitation from the novelist Marina Vezzoli to stay at her villa. He brings with him the manuscript of an unpublished memoir by deceased poet Edward Cannon. Edward believed that living for love had kept Russell from writing anything good. Spurred by Edward's censure, manipulated by Marina, and inspired by his love for language, especially Italian, Russell finds that he is ripe for the powerful conversion that occurs at the novel's surprising conclusion.

Told in breathtakingly sensuous prose, Russell's story is perfect for fans of Edmund White's The Married Man and André Aciman's Call Me by Your Name. A finalist for the Stonewall Book Award and the Lambda Literary Award, The Conversion is highly recommended for libraries that collect gay fiction of literary quality.

Reviewed by W. Stephen Breedlove
Reference and Interlibrary Loan Librarian
La Salle University Library

Ruff, Shawn Stewart. Finlater. New York: Quote Editions, 2008. paperback. 300p. $15.50. ISBN: 9781604023954.

Cliffy, a gifted boy from the projects, finds himself one of only a few African-American kids in his accelerated classes at school. In his recently desegregated school, this is a tough position to maintain. As Cliffy starts to leave behind some of his old crowd, he meets a new friend: a similarly outcast Jewish classmate: Noah. Noah and Cliffy turn their backs on the persecution at school and their complicated home lives, and turn toward each other.

As the novel progresses, Noah and Cliffy's affection becomes unselfconscious sexual play, and eventually, as each boy grows up a bit, a more self-aware sexual and emotional relationship.

Finlater is Shawn Stewart Ruff's debut novel, and winner of the 2008 Lambda Literary Award for Debut Fiction. Ruff's language is slangy and explicit, and the resulting roughness drives the story hard and fast over what might otherwise be drowsy spots in the plot. Although its main character is a young teen, Finlater is meant for adult readers; they will enjoy this fast, engaging read that turns a precociously mature eye on teenage love and lust. Ruff will surely continue to grow as a writer, but in Finlater, he has already produced a confident and appealing gay coming-of-age novel.

Grant, Storm. Gym Dandy: A Gay Romance. Albion, NY: MLR Press, 2009. softcover. 193 p. $14.99. ISBN: 978-1-934531-94-5.

I don't normally enjoy romance novels, but Storm Grant's Gym Dandy is a wonderfully light confection. Set in Toronto, it is the love story of Victor Brighton, a personal trainer, and his gym client, Douglas Newkirk, who comes to accept his sexuality over the course of his relationship with Victor.

The novel is geared more toward humor than romance; and although that humor can be a bit corny, it is never forced. It is also juxtaposed to a surprising complexity in the characters. For example, it is refreshing to find an openly bisexual character, Victor, in a beach read. Too often, bisexuality is ignored in GLBTQ pop culture. Victor's comfort with himself was a pleasant change of pace. The ending was also legitimately surprising, except, of course, for the fact that it's a happy ending. Grant offers readers a fun book to take on vacation.

One caveat: there is some Canadian English that might be confusing to American readers, such as "First Nations" and "poutine," but nothing that interrupts the flow of the story or that a curious reader could not easily decipher.

Recommended for public libraries with adult romance sections, or those libraries interested in increasing their number of popular GLBTQ titles.

Brill, Stephanie and Rachel Pepper. The Transgender Child: A Handbook for Families and Professionals. San Francisco, CA: Cleis Press, 2008. Soft cover. 252p. $16.95. ISBN: 978-1-57344-318-0.

Stephanie Brill and Rachel Pepper's guide for parents of transgender and gender-variant children seeks to fill a gap in both parenting and transgender literature. Building on existing research, as well as the authors' experiences working with families, the book provides an overview of issues ranging from medical care to negotiating what a child will wear to a formal family event. Brill and Pepper offer a mix of practical suggestions and philosophy to guide and reassure parents at all points in their understanding and acceptance of their child.

Starting with clear discussion of relevant terminology, the book speaks to a broad range of issues. The emphasis is always on love: parents must navigate a course that will allow them to support and unconditionally love their child. The book then offers concrete solutions to common problems (for example, recommending that parents role-play answering questions from strangers). To address specific challenges, the authors include sample letters for parents to revise, such as a physician’s recognition of the child's gender status, which the child can carry to show to authorities. Quotations from parents, children, and community members provide real-life perspectives.

Chapters on educational and medical issues also serve as a guide for professionals working with transgendered or gender-variant children. Rather than recommending a single path, the authors acknowledge the different challenges faced by transgender children and gender-variant children. The authors recognize that all families must start where they're at, but offer practical tools for advocating and parenting.

Reviewed by Kelly McElroy
School of Library Archival and Information Studies
University of British Columbia.

Queer Youth Cultures. Edited by Susan Driver. State University of New York Press, 2008. softcover. 307p. $28.00. ISBN:978-0-7914-7338-2.

Susan Driver's Queer Youth Cultures is a refreshing, analytical view of contemporary queer youth, seen not as victims or martyrs, but as cultural and political catalysts in the everyday world. Such diverse cultural practices as lesbian punk rock, zines, on-line dating (The Pink Sofa), drag performance, and sissy boys are examined by a variety of primarily academic researchers (including several based in Australia). Permeating throughout are the voices and views of queer youth.

The book is divided into three handy sections: 1. "Performative Queer Youth Cultures, Embodiments, and Communities"; 2. "Desiring Youth and Un/Popular Cultures"; and 3. "Transforming Political Action." A photo spread by Cass Bird is also included. And, just in case you are not up-to-date, "queer youth" encompasses GLBTTIQQ (gay-lesbian-bisexual-transsexual-transgender-intersex-queer-and/or questioning individuals).

Enough said, get this for your library. It fills an important role in any cultural/gay/women's studies collection, and could be a lifeline for the queer youth that grace your doorstep.

Knoop, Savannah. Girl Boy Girl: How I became JT Leroy. New York, NY: Seven Stories Press, 2008. softcover. 223p. $17.95. ISBN: 978-1-58322-851-7

Imagine living a double life. That's not so really hard to envision. But think of doing it as an internationally recognized author who hangs with the likes of Debbie Harry and Winona Ryder. Suppose you stumbled into this because your sister-in-law was in a jam and needed the physical manifestation of her alter-ego, known as JT.

Girl Boy Girl reveals the details of Savannah Knoop's six year experience portraying JT Leroy in the international literary and party circuit, where she presents herself as a "gay-male-ex-truck-stop-prostitute-turned-literary-wunderkind." While this story has not gained the notoriety other recent literary frauds have been given, it has been covered in the national press.

This memoir is unexpected, and while the storyline is rather fascinating, it leaves the reader with more questions than answers. The author did not quite go deep enough to explain what may very well be too hard to explain without serious discomfort: questioning definitions of gender, sexuality, family, love, and loyalty. Knoop may need a little more time to experience life and, thus, gain enough perspective before she truly understands what happened during what was surely a chaotic time in her young adult years.

I recommend this book to any library seeking to offer the most current and hip books. It might interest those readers who dream about the international literary circuit.

Kissack, Terence. Free Comrades: Anarchism and Homosexuality in the United States, 1895 – 1917. Oakland, California: AK Press, 2008. 237p. $17.95. ISBN: 978-1904859116.

I'm always delighted when I read a book that, on first glance, I'd pass over, only to find myself challenged with new material and ideas. Originating from Terrence Kissack's dissertation, completed at the City University of New York, Free Comrades examines anarchism's concerns with the conflict between individual freedom and state power, a conflict with which members of the LGBT community will identify.

Kissack possesses a thorough knowledge of anarchist literature, by both American and European writers. He examines the extensive anarchist
writings on varied topics, including the trial of Oscar Wilde, the view that marriage as an institution was an attack on individual freedom, and the changing view of Walt Whitman's sexual orientation between 1895 and 1917.

Based on these and other examinations, Kissack describes the intellectual contributions that many anarchists made toward the changing view of homosexuality, and the subsequent groundwork this laid for the LGBT community. And he makes clear the irony of the anarchist attack on marriage, which—in part—prepared for the current legal efforts for marriage.

Free Comrades is a challenging book, but its importance makes it well worth the effort. It, to the best of my knowledge, breaks new ground in LGBT studies. The index must be used with care as personal names, while alphabetical by surname, are listed with the forename first.

This title is highly recommended for all academic and special libraries that collect for gender studies, US intellectual history, anarchism, and American literature.

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