Recommended Reading
Middlesex County Library ADULT Never Been Kissed by Timothy Janovsky If you’re in the mood for a light and fluffy rom-com, Never Been Kissed is the novel for you. Wren Roland is a 20-something movie buff and recent college graduate who has never been kissed. While working as a manager at Wiley’s Drive-In, he tries to save the establishment from closure. The drama gets kicked up a notch when Wren decides to send out emails to all the
London Public Library ADULT The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi
Southeastern Nigeria. Raised by a distant father and an understanding but overprotective mother, Vivek suffers disorienting blackouts, moments of disconnection between self and surroundings. As adolescence gives way to adulthood, Vivek finds solace in friendships with the boisterous daughters of the Nigerwives, foreign-
boys he has loved. The excitement builds when Derick Haverford, a former crush and email recipient, starts working at Wiley’s drive- in with Wren. Kirkus Reviews describes Never Been Kissed as a mix of All the Boys I’ve Loved Before meets Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda. Will Wren receive his movie-perfect ending? YOUNG ADULT Only on the Weekends by Dean Atta
born women married to Nigerian men. But Vivek’s closest bond is with Osita, the worldly, high-spirited cousin whose teasing confidence masks a guarded private life. As their relationship deepens, an act of violence leads to a family’s struggle with loss and transcendence. FAMILY Bathe the Cat by Alice B. McGinty Illustrated by David Roberts Cats + water: What could go wrong? This riotous romp of a picture book follows a frantic family as they try to get some chores done—with no help from the family cat, who keeps scrambling the list of chores to hilarious effect. Get ready for a rollicking read-aloud with a truly purrfect ending.
Stonewall Award-winning author Dean Atta, crafts a beautiful novel in verse that explores the roller coaster of emotions of first love. In this coming-of-age novel, we meet Mack, a Black British 15 year- old of Nigerian Yoruba descent who has experienced a very non-traditional childhood of growing up on his father’s film sets. As a result, Mack is a hopeless romantic on a path of self-discovery. This
novel explores the difficulties of hiding relationships, working through insecurities, managing long-distance relationships and ultimately discovering love can be something completely unexpected.
Chosen Family Tell me your story and I’ll tell you mine, I’m all ears, take your time, we’ve got all night Show me the rivers crossed, the mountains scaled, show me who made you walk all the way here Ooh, settle down, put your bags down Ooh, you’re alright now We don’t need to be related to relate, we don’t need to share genes or a surname You are, you are, my chosen, chosen family So what if we don’t look thе same? We been going through the samе thing, You are, you are, my chosen, chosen family
Hand me a pen and I’ll rewrite the pain, when you’re ready, we’ll turn the page together Open a bottle, it’s time we celebrate, who you were, who you are, we’re one and the same We don’t need to be related to relate, we don’t need to share genes or a surname You are, you are, my chosen, chosen family So what if we don’t look the same? We been going through the same thing You are, you are my chosen, chosen family I chose you, you chose me. I chose Chosen family, I chose you, you chose me. we’re alright now We don’t need to be related to relate, we don’t need to share genes or a surname You are, you are, my chosen, chosen family So what if we don’t look the same? We been going through the same pain, yeah You are, you are my chosen, chosen family We don’t need to be related to relate, we don’t need to share genes or a surname You are, you are my chosen, chosen family
Performed by Elton John and Rina Sawayama Source: Musixmatch Songwriters: Jonny Lattimer / Rina Sawayama / Danny L. Harle Chosen Family lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Ltd., Covered Infinities Ltd
PRIDE Villager
Page 6 Issue 9 • Fall 2022
To advertise here, please contact Barb@VillagerPublications.com
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs