Queer book lovers unite! We are assembling for our first book club session, where every month we will read a book written by a fellow LGBTQ woman or non-binary person.
To kick us off, we’ll be discussing “Juliet Takes A Breath” by Gabby Rivera on Zoom on Monday 22 February 2020, 7pm.
SYNOPSIS:
Juliet Milagros Palante is a self-proclaimed closeted Puerto Rican baby dyke from the Bronx. Only, she’s not so closeted anymore. Not after coming out to her family the night before flying to Portland, Oregon, to intern with her favorite feminist writer–what’s sure to be a life-changing experience. And when Juliet’s coming out crashes and burns, she’s not sure her mom will ever speak to her again.
But Juliet has a plan–sort of. Her internship with legendary author Harlowe Brisbane, the ultimate authority on feminism, women’s bodies, and other gay-sounding stuff, is sure to help her figure out this whole “Puerto Rican lesbian” thing. Except Harlowe’s white. And not from the Bronx. And she definitely doesn’t have all the answers.
In a summer bursting with queer brown dance parties, a sexy fling with a motorcycling librarian, and intense explorations of race and identity, Juliet learns what it means to come out–to the world, to her family, to herself.
ABOUT GABBY RIVERA:
Gabby Rivera is a Bronx-born queer Puerto Rican babe on a mission to create the wildest, most fun stories ever. She’s the first Latina to write for Marvel comics, penning the solo series AMERICA about America Chavez, a portal-punching queer Latina powerhouse. In 2017, Gabby was named one of the top comic creators by the SyFy network, and one of NBC’s #Pride30 Innovators. Gabby now makes magic on both coasts, currently residing in California. She writes for all the sweet baby queers and her mom, and hosts Joy Revolution, the podcast that brings together her favourite revolutionary humans to honour joy in a chaotic world.
NOTE FROM SAPPHO:
Sappho first came to know about Gabby when Brene Brown interviewed her on the “Unlocking Us” podcast. Listen to Gabby talk about writing the book here: https://brenebrown.com/podcast/brene-with-gabby-rivera-on-superheroes-storytelling-and-joy-as-resistance/. Watch her excellent Ted Talk below!
Cost: £5