Escape from Syria

Written by: Samya Kullab, Jackie Roche, & Mike Freiheit

First line: The day it happened, I was rushing home...

Why you should read this book: When the civil war in Syria comes too close to home in Aleppo City in 2013, Amina's family must flee to Lebanon for their own safety, but life in not easy for refugees. They are not allowed to integrate into the community, they don't speak the language, and they can barely afford food or healthcare. Although hopeful that they might return home one day, it becomes clear that someday will never come, and when they finally find safety, it's in Canada, where life is so different from home it's like living on another planet. 

Why you shouldn't read this book: Like most stories about refugees fleeing war zones, it's brutal, full of violence that no child should ever experience. 

Salome's Last Dance

Written by: Daria Tessler

First line: Unfulfilled? Success got you down?

Why you should read this book: A con man inexplicably posing as a psychologist and his sort of daft partner embark on an inexplicable con in an attempt to learn the secret to a magician's dancing dog. After dosing their mark and themselves with psychedelics, they are able to enter their victim's brain and explore the inexplicable mindscape. When they finally discover Salome the dancing dog deep within the meat of the magician's mind, the magician has a few more tricks up his sleeve.

Why you shouldn't read this book: The whole thing is inexplicable. I'm not sure I got anything out of it. 

Thirsty Mermaids

Written by: Thirst Mermaids

Why you should read this book: You just scared all the fish away, you MONSTER!

Why you should read this book: Three unusual mermaids living happily in a queerplatonic triad "pod" find themselves stranded on land after a night of drunken debauchery in which a spell to give them legs turns out to be more difficult to reverse than anticipated. With the help of a friendly bartender, they begin to learn about land customs, including wearing clothes, paying your own way, and watching DVDs. An absolutely delightful story about perseverance, love, and taking care of others while still honoring oneself.

Why you shouldn't read this book: You are offended by topless mermaids. 

Blackward

Written by: Lawrence Lindell

First line: You got this, Lika. Deep breaths.

Why you should read this book: A group of four queer, Black youths meet up to build community and foment Black joy, but not everyone they meet understands them or their mission. With the help of an older book store owner, they begin to branch out, creating a new group called "Blackward" (for people who are Black and awkward) and a new event where people can share their zines. After a little struggle and a lot of effort, they are able to grow their community and achieve their goals.

Why you shouldn't read this book: You're the kind of person who joins clubs for people who are different than you and then derail their meetings by monopolizing the conversation with your explanations as to why people shouldn't be different from you.