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 WILL GRAYSON, WILL GRAYSON by John Green & David Levithan.
Dutton Books, hardcover, $17.99.
Yeah!! Three cheers for WILL GRAYSON, WILL GRAYSON!
Ed found it a charming, heartwarming, humorous gay novel of high school in the era of texting and facebook. Set in Chicagoland, and very cleverly written in alternating chapters by two separate authors, WILL GRAYSON, WILL GRAYSON is as fun as an episode of GLEE, only even gay-er!!
Shane thought this original novel by John Green and David Levithan may just be THE gay novel of the year. WG, WG is the story of two different teenagers who share the same name. Told in alternating chapters from each Will's point of view, their stories intersect in clever and unexpected ways. This rumpus through those formative high school years has enough plot twists to keep you from putting it down, and a cast of relatable characters who are just trying to figure out how to be themselves. The heartbreak in this book is paralyzing, the joy is infectious - oh, did we mention it takes place in Chicago?!
A must read! Shane Loved!
And ...
Ianni said, John Green & David Levithan, two superstars of young adult fiction come together to tell the story of two boys named Will Grayson, each from two different Chicago suburbs, who, through a series of unfortunate events, have their worlds collide in a porn shop in the middle of the city. It is also the story of Tiny Cooper ( 6'6" = 300 lbs, football player, and the GAYEST character you'll read all year) who is someone you'd want to meet in real life! Excellent character development, often laugh-out-loud funny, this poignant story of male friendship and its realistic portrayal is the book you've been waiting to read and pass along to your friends!
Ianni recommends!!
 THE FAMILY MAN by Elinor Lipman
Fiction, Mariner Books, paperback, $14.95.
"If Jane Austen palled around with Fran Lebowitz," says Julia Glass, you;d have this sparkling tale of a gay man of a certain age reconnecting with his grown daughter while also searching for love. It's witty, quick-paced, and perfect for fans of Stephen McCauley and "Sex in the City." This is social comedy complete with gossip blogs and insta-celebrities.
Robert highly recommended.
 HOT STUFF by Alice Echols.
W.W. Norton and Co., hardcover, $26.95.
As someone who has always loved both classic rock and disco, I find the "disco sucks" revolution of the late 70s to be one of the most elitist and silliest forms of music snobbery. After all, how can you hate fun? Alice Echols finally puts disco into its proper perspective with HOT STUFF. Echols argues that disco embraced the marginalized groups that felt alienated from the white, male, hetero-sexist music culture of the time. This new dance music reflected and shaped black, gay, and women's identities and culture. While HOT STUFF focuses on the political and social complexities of the time, like the mainstreaming of the gay rights movement and the gay subtext of much of disco music/culture, it never loses sight of the music itself.
This fun and informative romp is a must for anyone with an interest in disco or music history.
My only complaint is that it didn't come with a CD! :-) Shane loves!
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