Girl in a Band
By Kim Gordon
Kim Gordon’s memoir is a great dive into the world of music, art, and interpersonal relationships. Being one-half of the lead singer of indie rock band Sonic Youth, Kim gives a history of the band through her loving-turned-failing marriage to band member Thurston Moore. It’s heartbreaking, funny, groundbreaking, and insightful about how women in the alternative scene need to dictate their own femininity and power.
Nona the Ninth
By Tamsyn Muir
One of my most anticipated reads and it did nothing but supersede my expectations. The third book in The Locked Tomb series, Muir introduces readers to the ray of sunshine named Nona. It’s probably the most challenging book in the whole series thus far, but it is also the most emotionally riveting one. Nona loves everyone so much and through her love, we see how the future is carefully constructed through either love and hate and how to stand by a found family.
Siren Queen
By Nghi Vo
2022 had multiple great LGBTQ+ books. However, Siren Queen blended beautiful prose with the harsh realities for queer people in Hollywood. Luli, our protagonist, is a Chinese American woman who is obsessed with fame. Hollywood is a magical place that fosters systematic abuse over marginalized people. I don’t think I’ve read a book that transported me so well into the smoke and dazzle of film and first romances.
I’m Glad My Mom Died
By Jennette McCurdy
This was a brutal read. Having grown up watching iCarly, I looked up to the stars on that show and Jennette was no exception. In her devastating memoir, Jennette describes the immense amount of abuse she experienced from her mother. As a survivor, it’s hard to re-live such a pointed and authentic account of how abuse can break you down. There’s so much strength in Jennette telling her truth and while it was difficult to get through, it provides much catharsis to survivors everywhere.
Love in the Time of Serial Killers
My favorite romance novel of the year. What’s not to love? Paramore lyrics, Crash Bandicoot, and a pet cat subplot are all amazing things readers can expect. However, the core of this story is how PhD Candidate Phoebe Walsh learns how to be vulnerable and accept love. Her interest in true crime is used as a front to keep her at arms distance from people. It’s a really great dynamic that is often unexplored so I really appreciated it in Love in the Time of Serial Killers.
