Reviews (4)

Another classic from Leslie Feinberg!
"Drag King Dreams" is another powerful, political book from trans liberation activist Leslie Feinberg, author of the classic, "Stone Butch Blues". In this deeply compassionate (and compelling) novel, Feinberg proves once more to be one of the most important voices in comtemporary queer literature. I especially love hir class consciousness, an element sorely lacking in so much lgbt fiction, i.e. Edmund White, Paul Monette and Radclyffe Hall. In all of hir writings, Feinberg testifies to the reality of economic hardships experienced by so many in our queer communities, counteracting the widespread misconception that all queer people are able-bodied, white gay men with disposable income (a myth perpetuated both by conservative heterosexuals and conservative gays). Furthermore, I was really moved by the way s/he connected various forms of oppression in this book (transphobia, racism, classism, ableism) and hir choice to speak out against the war. Reading this book will fill you with outrage for the injustices being committed against immigrants, workers, people living with AIDS, and of course, transgendered women and men. Thank you Leslie Feinberg for being a voice for the millions who are silenced.

a must-read
Wow, good book!It's about a courageous lesbian who works at a bar, dealing with the struggling world and trying to live the best life she can possibly live with all the problems in the world.The main character, Max, is always fearful of the future and doesn't always know what the future will hold for, not only her, but everyone else.When she becomes an activist for gay rights, the story really picks up and will certainly keep your interest.

Build community!Organize!Practice Activism!
Building community, organizing, and practicing activism, are three strong currents in Leslie Feinberg's Drag King Dreams.
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Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - General    3. Gay    4. Lesbian    5. Manhattan (New York, N.Y.)    6. Transsexuals    7. Fiction / Gay   

Reviews (1)

Quite a jewel

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Subjects:  1. Fathers and daughters    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - General    4. General    5. Kidnapping    6. Lesbian    7. Literary    8. Fiction / General    9. Modern fiction   

Reviews (8)

This book is a pure joy to read
One of the most delightful books you will ever read.
Kallmaker Never Disappoints...
Kallmaker's books all have steamy elements, and this one is no exception.The first chapter draws the reader in with an exquisite romp in the hay between strangers.The author throws humor into the mix because Melissa thinks Sarah is straight and believes she's initiating Sarah into the world of women.Little does she know...
Sex, Romance, Sex, Romance -- Great Read!
Like many heroines in the early pages of a lesbian romance, Sarah takes one look at Melissa and falls into a state of red-hot lust. Chapter 1 of this book is steamy stuff! Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - Romance    3. Lesbian    4. Romance - Contemporary    5. Erotic fiction    6. Literature of special Lesbian interest    7. Modern fiction   

Reviews (4)

Proof that there is a Dog
I have been an admirer of D. Gottlieb's poems for nigh unto a lifetime, and have always wondered what they might look like, if they were drawings as well. Would they look like the pictures I had in my head? Apparently not. How fortunate, though, that she and Diane DiMassa have found each other, because clearly as pictures her words are even scarier and more gut-wrenchingly pretty than I ever imagined. I have absolutely no idea who this book is for. If there is a target audience, I have no doubt that they would resent being considered targets. But as a former hunting and leather enthusiast, I can unqualifedly state that this is a book for anyone who ever had a heart. It's rare to see two such singular talents mesh so swimmingly. I cannot remember life before this book.

Highly recommended
I don't normally read graphic novels, but as a long-time fan of Gottlieb's searing poetry I was curious about this book and how her voice would translate. It works gorgeously. This is an interesting, stunning collaboration--deeply sad, deeply funny, deeply wise. Each page feels like some sort of revelation. The loose, changing format--coupled with DiMassa's ingenious art--give Gottlieb free rein to be as raw and transcendant as she is in her best poems. I definitely recommend this book.

Not your average picture book...
This book tried to kill me.Seriously.It reached out through vicious, honest words and wild artwork with arresting fingers and grabbed hold of something inside of me.I didn't think I would survive, its fingernails were digging in so fiercely.I had no choice but to read the book from start to finish without stopping to breathe.It had me hostage.It finally eased up on its grip when I got to the end, but it left behind deep claw marks that aren't going to fade anytime soon.
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Subjects:  1. Comics & Graphic Novels    2. Fiction    3. Graphic Novels    4. Graphic Novels - General    5. Lesbian    6. Lesbians    7. Literary    8. Medical    9. Comics & Graphic Novels / Literary   

Reviews (1)

Thoughtprovoking, Insightful
avjaah@aol.com Sacramento, Ca As a sister who has read feminist writing,lesbian writing and African American authors, I find this anthrology atimely and long overdue dessert.Although I had already read the pieces byA. Lorde, this anthology puts them within a historical framework andliterature genre.This anthology is the first light of a newly createdliterary constellation. A constellation that has only been whisperedabout and reviewed in dark corners.The writing is fresh, personal,insightful and witty as it explores the oftentimes harsh, lonely, andperplexing paradoxes of not only being Black and female but also lesbian. We all have stories in us and these writers have searched their souls tobring to the sunlight their many pains on their journey to self healing andgrowth.Write on Sisterfriends! Thank you for your truth! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. African American Literature    2. African American authors    3. African American lesbians    4. American literature    5. General    6. Lesbian    7. Literary collections    8. Social conditions    9. Sociology    10. Women As Authors (American Literature)    11. Non-Classifiable   

Reviews (20)

Kallmaker Never Disappoints...
I recently ready Kallmaker's newest book (Just Like That) and liked it so much that I'm reading back through all the Kallmaker books I own.She is really a talented writer and this is one of her best.
Bask in the Moon Light
Bella Books has re-released Painted Moon, one of this reader's favorite Karin Kallmaker romances. The novel deals with issues of grief and healing, self-discovery and coming out, falling in love and loving again.Leah Beck is an artist who lost her lover and partner in a freak accident two years ago.Jackie Frakes is a young architect who is struggling with her dissatisfaction with life. One of My Favorites
Every once in a while, I like to re-read one of my Naiads (I have quite a collection at this point).This is one of those books that I love re-reading.It's a perfect one for someone looking to curl up with a good romance.I never seem to be able to put Kallmaker's books down once I've started reading them! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - General    3. Lesbian   

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - Mystery/ Detective    3. Lesbian    4. Mystery & Detective - General    5. Crime & mystery    6. Fiction / Lesbian   

Reviews (31)

Funny, witty and down to earth.
This was the first book I read by RMB and I became a serious lover of herbooks. Six of One is still by far my favorite. I have discovered through out the years that whenever I'm going through a difficult time in my life, I reach out for this book. This book makes me laugh, cry and at times it makes me angry at the injustice of it all.I keep lending my copy and for some strange reason I never get them back. Today I'm ordering another copy. I cannot imagine anyone reading this book and not loving it.

Reality shown hanging, in all it's twisting honesty
Rita Mae Brown has written a modern classic about the vagaries of life itself and the interaction of various people throughout life and from a variety of perspectives. It is easy to love the characters in this book, mainly because they are presented as well rounded and complete people, but also because we see in them members of our own lives. I read constantly and from all genres of writing, without any doubt this is my favorite book of the thousands I have read. I first read "Six of One" twenty years ago and am right now waiting for my fifth copy from the bookstore. I wore the pages out of the others amid much laughter and tears.

One of my 2 favorite all time reads...
I read this when I was very young, not long after reading the gripping but totally depressing Well of Loneliness.Six of One was the first lesbian title I read that made me laugh and feel hopeful.What a Joy!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Brown, Rita Mae - Prose & Criticism    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - General    4. Historical - General    5. Lesbian    6. Fiction / Historical   

Reviews (19)

The people we grow up to be...
I enjoyed Unforgettable. This is the first book I have read by Karin Kallmaker and I look forward to reading more of her work. The story and its characters are very believable. You will like the humor and great romance this book has to offer. It was an easy read. Unforgettable is worth your reading time.

Some Memories are Better Forgotten...
Successful singer Rett Jamison is the victim of a horrendous past, with little hope for a bright future.She is invited to her high school reunion and finds herself revisiting many unpleasant memories from that time in her life.Her alcoholic, trampy mother raised a Rett with no self esteem, and has been absent from Rett's life since she moved out after high school.Cinny Keilor took advantage of Rett's feelings of uselessness and sexually teased her behind the bleachers and in the back seat of her car.
Perhaps the best
This is perhaps the best lesbian novel I've every read. Its not just a compelling story, the writing is first rate. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - General    3. Lesbian    4. Literature of special Lesbian interest    5. Modern fiction   

Reviews (4)

LOVED IT!!!
This was incredible, I loved each story. Some broke my heart. I could read this book over and over again. I'm waiting on the follow-up to the bonus story.

What The ---- ??????????
This is the most disgusting stuff I've ever read!!!!!I can't believe Amazon would allow this immoral behavior to grace the cover as an excerpt.This should not be allowed.This is why we have so many children turning to this profane lifestyle because of authors writing stuff like this just to make a sale and to turn out young girls.Yuck! Yuck! and more Yuck!

DAMN! IMPRESSIVE!
I have never read erotica like this!! The most amazing thing is that she wrote ALL of the stories despite the fact all of the writing styles are different! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. African American Novel And Short Story    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - General    4. Lesbian    5. Popular American Fiction    6. Romance - Adult    7. Short Stories (single author)    8. English    9. Fiction / General    10. Modern fiction    11. USA   

Editorial Review

LAPD homicide detective Kate Delafield is shot in a routine drug bust.It's her first line-of-fire accident, but when it turns out that the bullet thatwinged her came not from the suspect's gun but from a police weapon, the casetakes on a different hue. Was Kate's injury the result of a bias against gaysand lesbians in the department? And how does it tie into the charges leviedagainst Luke Taggart, a cop whose partner, a closeted gay man, was killed inwhat he believes was a hate crime? Read more

Reviews (7)

Kate finds out she's human
Kate Delafied is shot and wounded in a "routine" bust. What really blows her mind is when she finds out that the bullet came not from the criminal but from one of her fellow officers, all of whom are loathe to speak to Kate which makes her even more cranky. Then out of the blue comes a request from Luke Taggert, who is accused of having killed a drug dealer in cold blood and he wants Kate as his advocate. Kate is initially unwilling to take the case but boredom and the inconsistencies she finds when she starts investigating keep her going. She is astonished when Taggert is less worried about his own fate and more concerned about the murder of his closeted partner Tony Ferrera, who was more like a brother than a partner to Luke. As Kate works on Taggert's case, she finds herself also looking into Tony's death as well. She finds that Tony made a computer disk of closeted gays that he intended to publish. THis makes the LAPD the prime target. Did one of them kill Tony to keep him quiet? and what of Luke's story. Kate begins to find it has more holes than swiss cheese. As an aside, I found her sparring with psychologist Calla very interesting and Calla's warning to Kate before she releases her to return to "light" duty shakes Kate and we can only hope she will listen. A lot is going in in this book and it is very complex and exciting.

Not the best in the series...
Of all the Delafield books, this was one of the weakest.Too manyintersecting stories to really keep up.Had a hard time believing Aimeewould be working so hard after the shooting.Worth reading for the sake ofkeeping up with the series.

Incredibly Boring
This book is definetely "no frills". The writing is terse, tense, clipped and unembellished to the point of tedium. Never again! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - Mystery/ Detective    3. Lesbian    4. Mystery & Detective - Police Procedural    5. Mystery & Detective - Women Sleuths   

Reviews (8)

I'd rather go to a Ren Faire instead....
Still, "From the Ashes" has a lot of appeal for both Rennies and Mundanes (if you have to ask, you probably are one, but the definition is loosely folks who don't participate in Ren Faires, sci-fi cons, etc.) Anyone who's ever attended a RenFaire or been curious about one gets a good look at what goes on behind-the-scenes.In some ways, too good of a look, though.Brunner's anecdotes are interesting in relation to character development, but they bog the plot down.
A Magical Book
The magic of Renaissance faires is that, for a few weekends a year, you can visit times far past and lose yourself in the world of the rennies, the people who become the peasants, nobles, gypsies and thieves populating the medieval villages. There's plenty of that magic in Meghan Brunner's From the Ashes. There's also plenty of real Magick.
Live the faire and feel the magick
When magick spills over between this world and the Otherworld, you have Pendragon. New author Meghan Brunner holds her own with some of the best story tellers of our time. Her annecdotes of the fun, heartache and hardships that happen during the mythical Pendragon Renaissance Faire bring to life the ambiance of faire and put the reader into the middle of the action, pranks and out-and-out fun. But over and above that, she weaves a complex tale of karma that spans centuries and blends true magick, mystery, passion and loyalty that keep the reader wanting more.Read more

Subjects:  1. Bisexual women    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - Fantasy    4. Fantasy    5. Fantasy - Contemporary    6. Renaissance    7. Fairs    8. New Age    9. Reincarnation    10. Neopaganism    11. Lesbian   

Reviews (13)

trashy romance novel meets inconceivably unimaginative plot
i was disappointed with this novel, especially after reading its rave reviews from this site.the characters are relatively flat, the plot is predictable and uninteresting, and the typos and overall poor writing is the icing on the lesbian meatloaf. OK!
Its disappointing somewhat since the actual romance starts nearly at the end of the book. It's about Anne and her realization that she's in love with her best friend but doesn't know the asummed straight friend is also in love with her. So, she divert her attention from her friend to the irresistable Rae Sheldon who well know to me as Ms.Bed-hop. But found out that Rae only loves Rae. The story starts at college and jumps 18 years later and Anne became a succesful lawyer and found herself in the middle of a dilemma with the summer intern Elizabeth. But reacquanting with Rae and finding out her firends feelings for her make this book worthwhile to read.

a great read
A quick and easy read. Very entertaining. A touching coming of age story. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Coming out (Sexual orientation    2. Coming out (Sexual orientation)    3. Fiction    4. Fiction - General    5. Lesbian    6. Lesbians    7. New York (N.Y.)    8. Women lawyers    9. Literature of special Lesbian interest    10. Modern fiction   

Reviews (2)

Fantastic love story!A real page-turner...
Seasons is the first book I have read from Anne Azel and I look forward to reading more. This book is long but I enjoyed it all the way through. This story did not drag in any spots. It was a thrilling, romantic, heart-felt story with the touches of humor on every page. Seasons was an easy read and a novel that I will keep in my collection to read again! You will enjoy the main characters and all their little quirks. Family is what this book stands for. No matter how crazy your family is there has got to be a Williams family around somewhere to make yours seem normal! The added bonus of Indian Summer leaves you wanting more of the Crazy Williams clan and I hope there will be more to their story.

Delightful Novel - Romantic, Witty and a Mystery to solve!!
This story gives you everything you want in a novel. Great writing, wonderful characters and a terrific story. The secondary characters are as interesting as the main characters. The story is a real page turner but the characters are so endearing (and hilariously funny) that you don't want it to end. This isn't a lightweight romance. The characters suffer through some pretty serious tragedies, none of them gratuitous but all very well written.
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Subjects:  1. Fiction / Lesbian    2. Lesbian couples    3. Lesbian mothers    4. Motion picture actors and actresses    5. Romance - Contemporary   

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - General    3. Lesbian    4. Popular American Fiction    5. Romance - General   

Editorial Review

You don't have to be part of the emerging postpunk subculture of queer urban girls to relish this smooth ride of a novel, like Kathy Acker on Prozac on a sunny day, in which many exciting things happen without affecting much of anything, and one of the most profound moments is a mild, drug-induced insight into the meaninglessness of life. Michelle, the main character, is a person for whom blue hair is as big a style change as blue pants. She lurches between women, more in love with the idea of love than with Iris or Willa or Gwynne or Petra. Her work experiences are equally brief, although she can't bring herself to actually quit jobs. She just stops showing up. "Are you going to work?" her current lover asks one morning.Read more

Reviews (28)

Not for everyone, but I loved it
I thought this book was amazing, beautiful and gritty. It takes you on an amazing ride, and it made me laugh and cry. Not everyone's cup of Tea (No pun intended), but Michelle Tea is one of my favorite authors and I enjoyed this book thoroughly. If you are like me you just might fall in love with this woman's incredible, unique style of writing.

i dig it
i wouldn't say this book is well written, but i'm willing to overlook that for the sake of the content, or lack there of in some cases.i was fully and whole heartedly entertained throughout.as i read the book i wasn't sure if i wanted to date michelle tea, be her, or steer clear of her entirely.this book reminded me of some people i know, some i want to know, and some people i hate.overall, i found it personal, accessable, and had trouble putting it down.
ive been reading some michelle tea
to see what all the hype is about, and i think i figured it out. when i was a teenager, everyone loved lame movies like empire records, and i never understood why. now as ive seen those fans grow up a bit, i see that they love books, movies, etc that depict the kind of people they wish they could be, dyed hair, drugs, fast life blah. basically, if you aspire to be a writer with lots of tattoos and you want alot of attention, michelle tea is for you. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bildungsromane    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - General    4. Gay/Lesbian Nonfiction    5. Lesbian    6. Lesbians    7. Love stories    8. San Francisco (Calif.)    9. Literature of special Lesbian interest    10. Modern fiction   

Reviews (18)

Not so wild
Faith is dating Sydney's brother, but doesn't feel the same electricity as she does around Sydney.
Heroine is anything but wild ...
Faith is 34, lives at her parents, who are conservative catholics and her dad is violent. Faith is going out with a guy who seems to have everything a girl could wish for, except he's a guy. Faith had a short and unsatisfying relationship with another girl in college, but that left her feeling ashamed of her feelings towards girls. That's until she meets Sidney, her boyfriend's sister, who is running for Senator and has quite a reputation as ex-alcoholic and womanizer. Circumstances make Faith take bold decisions in her life, that are steps towards accepting herself and giving her relationship with Sidney a chance. I thought that Faith's background and interest as a writer in historical fiction was a bit of a bore that brought nothing to the story. I thought she was a weak heroine, slow to make decisions and undecided, and at the end her change of mind towards herself was just too fast to be realistic I thought. So overall I would not recommend this book.
Wonderful intense story - not to be missed

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Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - Romance    3. Lesbian    4. Romance - Contemporary    5. Literature of special Lesbian interest    6. Modern fiction   

Reviews (12)

Thank you, Pat!
This was the "Mr. Benson" for us leatherdykes. I can't tell you how many of us used to use character names as our secret codes for what we were into and what we were looking for. Hard core s/m porn written by someone who has really done this stuff - and it shows.

Not for the weak willed or easily icked
A collection of very rough and often bloody porn from Pat Califia.These aren't nice romantic tells, these stories cross gender lines, orientation boundaries, and get into SM in ways that only gay male writing had done before.If you like your sex rough yet the plots still deep and consider your constutition strong, you check out this book.I, personally, find a lot of the stories too intense but there are a few I've read over and over and I do not normal like lesbian SM porn.

Quite the eye/heart/mind opener!
This was my BDSM "coming out" book.No, MACHO SLUTS, isn't for the faint of heart. I first read it many years ago and was both shaken andthrilled to have my ideas about what constitutes normality,pleasure,painand love so thoroughly brought into question.It was a riveting read. Ihad trouble putting it down even when I was finished. To this day I willpick up my ragged copy and re-read it.Again, it's NOT for the faint ofheart -- or for those who are dyed-in-the-wool vanilla. If your mind isclosed and your world is small, this book will scare the s--- out of you.Personally, I loved it. It's one of my all-time favorites. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American Short Story Collections    2. Erotic stories, American    3. Erotica - General    4. Fantasy    5. Fiction    6. Fiction - Adult    7. Lesbian    8. Lesbians    9. Sexuality In Literature    10. Fiction / General    11. Modern fiction    12. Erotica    13. Sadomasochism   

Reviews (4)

Moving and Strong
The title story is just devastatingly beautiful.I've read and heard many stories about coming to the United States from Cuba, but this one so vividly conveys the emotions of discovery and loss that a part of being anexile, I wept.I teach a course on US Latino Literature, and I will nowask my students to read this.And anyone else I can convince.

A great mix of fun stories
I loved this work from Obejas.It was such a fast read that I read it again.If you look beyond the surface, you see a world that many will relate to in their own lives...maybe not in whole, but at least partially.

important topics, poor writing
The important topics that Abejas broaches can not override the overall flawed structure, lazy sentences, and underdeveloped characters.Lousy writing. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cuban American women    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - General    4. General    5. Lesbians    6. Short stories    7. Modern fiction   

Reviews (7)

And You Thought You Had Skeletons In Your Closet?!?!
I, for one, think Blanyne Cooper is one of the top 5 authors in the lesbian fiction genre.Her books are extremenly well written, interesting and sexually graphic.With 'Cobb Island' she has done it once again.I first read this book over a year ago and had an itch to revisit it recently... It was better the second time around.
A fun book for the beach or in front of the fire with a terrific romance dating back to colonial America
I love historical romances and was delightfully surprised that this novel included a wonderful romance dating back to colonial times.
Page Turning Read
I'm not much of a thriller fan and when you add in the paranormal my eyes start to glaze over. Hah, little did I know that Kayla's trip to the Redding estate on Cobb Island was going to take me on a heart-pounding trip into the past and become engrossed in the story of Bridget, a late 17 century ancestor, whose relationship with her sister-in-law Faylinn is marked by her btother's arrogance and cruelty.
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Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - Romance    3. Romance - General    4. Fiction / Romance / General    5. Romance    6. Lesbian