“I THINK I’M YOUR SISTER…”
MY BROTHER’S NAME IS JESSICA
by John Boyne
This Irish writer is well-known to gay readers, especially after the enormous success of his two recent novels The Heart’s Invisible Furies and A Ladder To The Sky. But he is equally well-known as a writer of young adult fiction and probably his bestknown book is the WWII/Holocaust story The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas.
This new book is a return to young adult fiction and, as the title makes clear, it’s about a teenage boy’s journey towards acceptance of his sister, Jessica who transitions from male to female.
Sam Waver is 13-years-old and a bit of a loner. He’s dyslexic and struggles with reading and making friends. His mother is a very highprofile politician and the heir apparent to becoming the new Prime Minister of Britain. His father works as her Private Secretary, so they are both extremely focused on their allimportant work. Home life isn’t always the top priority and, when it is, the fact that the family is in the public eye is always a consideration.
His parents are somewhat absent and preoccupied (Sam and his brother Jason experience a long succession of au pairs) but Sam can rely on Jason, four years older and someone who seems to have everything sorted. Jason is popular with his peers and especially with girls, and even has an opportunity to become a professional footballer.
So when Jason announces to Sam and his parents that, “I don’t think I’m your brother. I think I’m actually your sister,” they all struggle to process this startling news.
Boyne says that he “became interested in exploring how a child would deal with complicated issues of gender and sexuality, not when it’s a struggle that he’s facing, but when the struggle belongs to someone he loves”. And it’s a very clever way of narrating the story, drawing the reader in. Many of Boyne’s readers may have little knowledge of trans identity and so as Sam learns, so does the reader.
Like Boyne’s other recent books, this novel is an absolute page-turner - extremely readable, very moving, and serves up some serious issues with plenty of humour and heart.
BANG LIKE A PORN STAR: SEX TIPS FROM THE PROS
by Winston Gieseke
“You’ve jerked off to them. Now it’s time to listen to them.”
This is a how-to guide on everything from hooking up to getting down and dirty as told by some of today’s leading gay porn stars.
In preparation for a sex date, Dallas Steele recommends showering, douching, trimming body hair, brushing your teeth, using mouthwash, and wearing something sexy. Several stars cite deodorant as a turn-off for them and though they appreciate hygiene, they also like a natural man scent.
When it comes to blowjobs, Raphael Alencar, Antonio Biaggi and Bravo Delta all say that they don’t like deep throat unless it’s done well. Diesel Washington cites constantly asking, “Are you close?” during a blowjob as a major turnoff.
When it comes to fucking, Adam Killian says that “a good bottom should be hungry for it. Flexibility, creativity and sphincter control are a winning combo.” Dirk Caber recommends that the top should pay attention during fucking, taking his time to “find the things that make his eyes roll back in his head”.
Bang Like A Porn Star does not claim to be a definitive sex guide, rather, the author wanted to get the porn star’s perspective on a number of crucial topics and create a guide that is informative and entertaining.
The book is also liberally illustrated with plenty of explicit black-and-white images from major porn studios such as Naked Sword, CockyBoys, Raging Stallion and Falcon.
SINS OF THE SON
by Christian Baines
This book continues Australian-Canadian author Baines’ acclaimed Arcadia Trust series of paranormal mysteries.
Blending horror, humour, romance (it’s complicated), and plenty of queer action, this Darlinghurst-set series opens up the darker side of Oxford Street through the eyes of Reylan, a Blood Shade (vampire) who just wants to forget his lost werewolf lover and return to the life of blood and beautiful boys he’s always known. Not so easy when his first meal as a single man tries to kill him!
Keeping the dark and sometimes erotic tone of the previous books, Sins Of The Son is the “action movie” of the series, with heartstopping scenes in settings that range from a church to a gay sauna.
Plunging powerful new enemies and a charismatic new ally into this rich supernatural universe, Sins Of The Son offers newcomers a thrilling read, while deepening the mysteries and mythology of the last two instalments. Like a queer, supernatural Die Hard by way of David Lynch, this is a book fans of dark fantasy will devour.
MORE: The Bookshop Darlinghurst specialises in gay and lesbian books. Tel: (02) 9331 1103. Email: info@thebookshop.com.au.
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How would a child would deal with complicated issues of gender and sexuality… when the struggle belongs to someone he loves?