Jennifer Dugan

Fun summery YA wlw romcom. Hardcover kept in great condition

Light Hardcover (1 lb or less)

Oregon

From the author of Some Girls Do and Hot Dog Girl comes a sweet and salty queer YA rom-com about two girls on a summer road trip in an ice cream truck.
Fallon is Type A, looks before she leaps, and always has a plan (and a backup plan). Chloe is happy-go-lucky, flies by the seat of her pants, and always follows her bliss. The two girls used to be best friends, but last summer they hooked up right before Chloe left for college, and after a series of misunderstandings, they aren't even speaking to each other. A year later, Chloe's back home from school, and Fallon is doing everything in her power to avoid her. Which is especially difficult because their moms own a business together--a gourmet ice cream truck where both girls work. When a meeting with some promising potential investors calls their parents away at the last minute, it's up to Fallon to work a series of important food truck festivals across the country. But she can't do it alone, and Chloe is the only one available to help. Tensions heat up again between the two girls as they face a few unexpected detours--and more than a little roadside attraction. But maybe, just maybe, the best things in life can't always be planned.

Melt with You

01827dfa-5267-4747-a2e3-4ae527e50110-1

Adib Khorram

This one is supposed to be excellent. Bought used so there are small imperfections.

Light Paperback (1 lb or less)

Darius Kellner speaks better Klingon than Farsi, and he knows more about Hobbit social cues than Persian ones. He's a Fractional Persian-half, his mom's side-and his first-ever trip to Iran is about to change his life. Darius has never really fit in at home, and he's sure things are going to be the same in Iran. His clinical depression doesn't exactly help matters, and trying to explain his medication to his grandparents only makes things harder. Then Darius meets Sohrab, the boy next door, and everything changes. Soon, they're spending their days together, playing soccer, eating faludeh, and talking for hours on a secret rooftop overlooking the city's skyline. Sohrab calls him Darioush-the original Persian version of his name-and Darius has never felt more like himself than he does now that he's Darioush to Sohrab.

Darius the Great Is Not Okay

0cd9b82f-27cb-4975-912a-51a84167d6d4-1

Alex Gino

This middle grade book about a trans girl is a staple in any queer kids' library or banned book collection. I bought it used, and there is small bending on the corners and some color fading (sun damage?) on the spine. Pages may be starting to yellow.

note: the handwritten alteration to the cover is encouraged by the author (google "#sharpieactivism"). Later editions of the book are published under the title Melissa rather than George, but the story is the same either way.

The unforgettable debut from Stonewall Award Winner Alex Gino.

George joins the Scholastic Gold line, which features award-winning and beloved novels. Includes exclusive bonus content!

When people look at George, they think they see a boy. But she knows she's not a boy. She knows she's a girl.

George thinks she'll have to keep this a secret forever. Then her teacher announces that their class play is going to be Charlotte's Web. George really, really, REALLY wants to play Charlotte. But the teacher says she can't even try out for the part . . . because she's a boy.

With the help of her best friend, Kelly, George comes up with a plan. Not just so she can be Charlotte -- but so everyone can know who she is, once and for all.

George

c25f5075-5923-4e23-b75f-a49d1d49dc36-1

Isabel Sterling

Modern-day witches in Salem, MA, with a sapphic lead. This was enjoyable but a little too high school for my tastes.  
Light wear on the spine edges and corners, a bit of damage (the die rubbing off) where I removed a sticker from the back


When evidence of dark magic begins to appear all over Salem, Massachusetts, Elemental Witch Hannah and her ex-girlfriend Veronica are forced to team up to stop the deadly attacks.

These Witches Don't Burn

13cb4815-efd4-4011-8d96-9426d79d9f4a-1

From Rainbow Crate October 2020 box. It’s sort of like a coaster with a heating element built-in. When plugged in, it can keep your warm drink atop it from going cold. It features an empowering quote from Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender on the front/top side. 

Out of its original packaging, but clean with no signs of wear - I think I tried using it once or twice before storing it away. I'd recommend this more as a display piece for fans of the book/quote than for practical use. (If you’re in the market for a mug warmer, there are more powerful ones out there.)

Felix Ever After mug warmer

Emmeline Duncan

This came from my mom's collection - bought new and read once. 

The first in a cozy mystery series set in Portland, Oregon. I think the target audience skews younger for this one than you might typically associate with the "cozies" genre. Features recipes in the back 

Series information from publisher's website.

Fresh Brewed Murder

d4474d8a-a9db-41dc-aa43-2c60a98e5735-1

Over 20 small items!  Most of these are from a HP Advent calendar some years back, but I've thrown in a few other cheap HP items from other sources. Would make fun stocking stuffers or party favors.

Scroll to see all three photos. Includes everything pictured: "wizard glasses," a small toy wand, a wand pen, pencils x2, erasers x4, notebooks x4, ruler, washi tape, coaster, tattoos, and an iron-on patch. 


over 20 pieces!

misc. Harry Potter items

From OwlCrate July 2021 box, "Potions & Poisons." Clean and never used.
Fill this silicon mold with juice (or yogurt or anything you want) and pop it in the freezer. Once it's frozen, you can squeeze the bottom and eat your popsicle out of the holder. 


Three Dark Crowns popsicle mold

Kate Dicamillo

Cute middle grade animal story with illustrations throughout. Newbery award winner by a beloved author. 

There is a tear on the back barcode where I tried to take the sticker off (and a little sticker residue left, because I didn’t want to make it worse haha)

The Illuminated Adventures

Rescuing a squirrel after an accident involving a vacuum cleaner, comic-reading cynic Flora Belle Buckman is astonished when the squirrel, Ulysses, demonstrates astonishing powers of strength and flight after being revived. By the Newbery Medal-winning author of The Tale of Despereaux.

Flora and Ulysses

738e90a3-bd5f-48f5-81f5-c2630163060c-1

Allie Brosh

Heavy Paperback (2 to 4 lbs)

Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened

Collects autobiographical, illustrated essays and cartoons from the author's popular blog and related new material that humorously and candidly deals with her own idiosyncrasies and battles with depression.

Hyperbole and a Half

92356480-541f-4a59-83a8-d02c5f69fe48-1

R. E. Stearns

Queer scifi featuring space pirates and a killer AI!  One bent page, and some minor grubbiness from buying secondhand. 

Paperback (1 to 2 lbs)

Two engineers hijack a spaceship to join some space pirates--only to discover the pirates are hiding from a malevolent AI. Now they have to outwit the AI if they want to join the pirate crew--and survive long enough to enjoy it.

Adda and Iridian are newly minted engineers, but aren't able to find any work in a solar system ruined by economic collapse after an interplanetary war. Desperate for employment, they hijack a colony ship and plan to join a famed pirate crew living in luxury at Barbary Station, an abandoned shipbreaking station in deep space.

But when they arrive there, nothing is as expected. The pirates aren't living in luxury--they're hiding in a makeshift base welded onto the station's exterior hull. The artificial intelligence controlling the station's security system has gone mad, trying to kill all station residents and shooting down any ship that attempts to leave--so there's no way out.

Adda and Iridian have one chance to earn a place on the pirate crew: destroy the artificial intelligence. The last engineer who went up against the AI met an untimely end, and the pirates are taking bets on how the newcomers will die. But Adda and Iridian plan to beat the odds.

There's a glorious future in piracy...if only they can survive long enough.

Barbary Station

81f16c34-9a03-4339-a6c1-509bd3d406bd-1

Cayla Keenan

In great shape (possibly never read!) but beginning to yellow on top edge. 

Jayin Ijaad is in hiding. A witch with powerful abilities, she carves out a life for herself in the slums of Pavaal, a city rotting from the inside out. When an old acquaintance tracks her down, Jayin is dragged back into a world she tried to escape -- and is determined to escape again. Maddix Kell is on the run. After two years in prison for crimes he did not commit, Maddix escapes and seeks out a legendary order of witchhunters who are his only chance to find justice. But all is not as it seems and Maddix soon finds himself on the run from the people he sought as allies. When their paths collide, Jayin and Maddix must put aside their prejudices and forge an uneasy alliance that could crumble at any moment. But if they want to survive in Aestos -- a brutal kingdom where magic and corruption lie hand in hand and enemies lurk around every corner -- they must first survive each other.

Catching Stars

4a4c447b-7996-46eb-9249-80832f8ede89-1

Rainbow Crate exclusive chibi magnet from November 2022 box. 

Lore & Lust magnet

Exclusive chibi magnet from Rainbow Crate May 2022 box. Cute trading card artwork for a mm romance set around a comic convention. 

Conventionally Yours magnet

Tanvi Berwah

I 100% bought this for the pretty wave design on the naked hardcover, but I’ve come to accept I’m not going to read it anytime soon…

Hardcover (1 to 2 lbs)

*A Book Riot Must-Read South Asian Book of 2022*

*A BuzzFeed Highly Anticipated YA Book of Summer 2022*

She grew up battling the monsters that live in the black seas, but it couldn't prepare her to face the cunning cruelty of the ruling elite.

Perfect for fans of The Hunger Gamesand Fable,this South Asian-inspired fantasy is a gripping debut about the power of the elite, the price of glory, and one girl's chance to change it all.

Sixteen-year-old Koral and her older brother Emrik risk their lives each day to capture the monstrous maristags that live in the black seas around their island. They have to, or else their family will starve.

In an oceanic world swarming with vicious beasts, the Landers--the ruling elite, have indentured Koral's family to provide the maristags for the Glory Race, a deadly chariot tournament reserved for the upper class. The winning contender receives gold and glory. The others--if they're lucky--survive.

When the last maristag of the year escapes and Koral has no new maristag to sell, her family's financial situation takes a turn for the worse and they can't afford medicine for her chronically ill little sister. Koral's only choice is to do what no one in the world has ever dared: cheat her way into the Glory Race.

But every step of the way is unpredictable as Koral races against competitors--including her ex-boyfriend--who have trained for this their whole lives and who have no intention of letting a low-caste girl steal their glory. As a rebellion rises and rogues attack Koral to try and force her to drop out, she must choose--her life or her sister's--before the whole island burns.

Perfect for fans of:

 * Dystopian Fantasy
 * Sea Monsters
 * Exes-to-Rivals-to-?
 * Golden Boy x Pariah
 * Deadly Competition
 * Rebellion
 * Angsty Teenagers
 * Female Friendship

Praise for Monsters Born and Made:

"An exhilarating race of willpower and defiance, set on an utterly unique world filled with glorious monsters." --Xiran Jay Zhao, #1 New York Timesbestselling author of Iron Widow

"Monsters Born and Madetakes well-beloved YA tropes and turns them on their heads, creating an action-packed rallying cry against oppression and a riveting tale of one girl's desperation to survive no matter the odds." --Roseanne A. Brown, New York Timesbestselling author of A Song of Wraiths and Ruin

Monsters Born and Made

ffb9bfae-e98f-4d8a-bdbc-c15c18d03687-1

Christina Lauren

THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER One Christmas wish, two brothers, and a lifetime of hope are on the line for hapless Maelyn Jones in In a Holidaze, the quintessential holiday romantic novel by Christina Lauren, the New York Times bestselling author of The Unhoneymooners. It’s the most wonderful time of the year…but not for Maelyn Jones. She’s living with her parents, hates her going-nowhere job, and has just made a romantic error of epic proportions. But perhaps worst of all, this is the last Christmas Mae will be at her favorite place in the world—the snowy Utah cabin where she and her family have spent every holiday since she was born, along with two other beloved families. Mentally melting down as she drives away from the cabin for the final time, Mae throws out what she thinks is a simple plea to the universe: Please. Show me what will make me happy. The next thing she knows, tires screech and metal collides, everything goes black. But when Mae gasps awake…she’s on an airplane bound for Utah, where she begins the same holiday all over again. With one hilarious disaster after another sending her back to the plane, Mae must figure out how to break free of the strange time loop—and finally get her true love under the mistletoe. Jam-packed with yuletide cheer, an unforgettable cast of characters, and Christina Lauren’s trademark “downright hilarious” (Helen Hoang, author of The Bride Test) hijinks, this swoon-worthy romantic read will make you believe in the power of wishes and the magic of the holidays.

In a Holidaze

e616db80-8d1a-4c06-85c8-fda7c7b730a6-1

Maurene Goo

Great shape for a secondhand buy, besides some sticker residue on the back I couldn’t get off. 

A funny young adult novel about a Korean-American girl who uses K-Drama techniques to snag the boyfriend of her dreams. One of Publishers Weekly's Best Books of 2017 One of Seventeen.com's Best YA Books of 2017 "Hilarious." —Publishers Weekly, starred review "Powerful messages of inclusion and acceptance." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review Desi Lee knows how carburetors work. She learned CPR at the age of five. As a high school senior, she has never missed a day of school and never had a B. But in her charmed school life, there's one thing missing—she’s never had a boyfriend. In fact, she’s a known disaster in romance, a clumsy, stammering humiliation magnet. When the hottest human specimen to have ever lived walks into her life one day, Desi decides it's time to tackle her flirting failures. She finds her answer in the Korean dramas her father has watched obsessively for years—in which the hapless heroine always seems to end up in the arms of her true love by episode ten. Armed with her “K Drama Rules for True Love,” Desi goes after the moody, elusive artist Luca Drakos. All's fair in love and Korean dramas, right? But when the fun and games turn to feelings, Desi finds out that real-life love is about way more than just drama. Maurene Goo's I Believe in a Thing Called Love is a fun, heartwarming story of falling in love—for real. A Margaret Ferguson Book Praise for I Believe in a Thing Called Love: “Desi's implementation of measures such as ‘Be Caught in an Obviously Lopsided Love Triangle’ yields hilarious, at times unintended results, lending this teen rom-com a surprisingly thoughtful conclusion . . . [Goo's] funny, engaging narrative also delivers powerful messages of inclusion and acceptance.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review “The art-centric romance that develops between Desi and Luca is rewarding to follow, as are their parental relationships, particularly that between Desi and her widowed Appa. Goo simultaneously honors and deconstructs romantic tropes, both in general and specific to K dramas, and does so using a wonderfully diverse cast.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review “In the tradition of best-laid plans, Desi’s goes painfully awry in ways that elevate the story above the level of fluffy, cross-cultural rom-com. Friends and family are well crafted to inspire discussions about the comfort and complications they afford . . . Readers who crave believability with their fun and wit will be satisfied with the way the plan works out.” —VOYA "This is the book I desperately wish I could have read when I was in high school. I love this book so much, and I can't wait to give it to my kids and every teen I know. Fun, snarky, flawed-but-great characters come alive on the pages and make you wish you could hang out with them every day. And a romance so sweet you find yourself rooting desperately for it all to work out. But possibly my absolute favorite part is that it has one of the best father/daughter relationship dynamics I've ever read in a YA novel. I fell in love with the relationships as well as the characters. Charming and awkward and hysterically funny, this is simply awesome!" —Ellen Oh, author of the Prophecy series and founder of We Need Diverse Books "I Believe in a Thing Called Love is the perfect summer read—really, the perfect anytime read. I laughed and I swooned and I streamed way too many K dramas. Maurene Goo's fresh, funny writing had me hooked from the first chapter. I loved it!" —Morgan Matson, New York Times–bestselling author of The Unexpected Everything "This is a hilarious and endearing romance full of zany Korean-drama fun. You'll fall in love even as you're falling into a pool!" —Melissa de la Cruz, #1 New York Times–bestselling author of The Isle of the Lost: A Descendants Novel and Something In Between

I Believe in a Thing Called Love

5ed8ae5e-69e8-40a6-9c1b-160753f2ca30-1

Adam Silvera

The highly-regarded debut novel from the author of They Both Die at the End. 

light wear on the spine edges, and the ghost of a sticker on the back (see 2nd pic - all stickiness is gone, but it’s visible depending on the light)

In his twisty, gritty, profoundly moving debut--called "mandatory reading" by the New York Times--Adam Silvera brings to life a charged, dangerous near-future summer in the Bronx. In the months after his father's suicide, it's been tough for 16-year-old Aaron Soto to find happiness again--but he's still gunning for it. With the support of his girlfriend Genevieve and his overworked mom, he's slowly remembering what that might feel like. But grief and the smile-shaped scar on his wrist prevent him from forgetting completely. When Genevieve leaves for a couple of weeks, Aaron spends all his time hanging out with this new guy, Thomas. Aaron's crew notices, and they're not exactly thrilled. But Aaron can't deny the happiness Thomas brings or how Thomas makes him feel safe from himself, despite the tensions their friendship is stirring with his girlfriend and friends. Since Aaron can't stay away from Thomas or turn off his newfound feelings for him, he considers turning to the Leteo Institute's revolutionary memory-alteration procedure to straighten himself out, even if it means forgetting who he truly is. Why does happiness have to be so hard? "Silvera managed to leave me smiling after totally breaking my heart. Unforgettable." --Becky Albertalli, author of Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda "Adam Silvera explores the inner workings of a painful world and he delivers this with heartfelt honesty and a courageous, confident hand... a mesmerizing, unforgettable tour de force." --John Corey Whaley, author of Where Things Come Back and Noggin From the Hardcover edition.

More Happy Than Not

bf47ba31-0885-43f6-b788-fe9a4bc9ceb4-1

Claire Christian

in great shape for a thrift store find! There’s a drip in the top left I couldn’t clean off (4th pic), but imo it blends in with the painterly illustration style. 

What if you made yourself your number one priority? Of all the women and men Noni Blake has pleased in her life, there's one she's often overlooked--herself. After the end of a decade-long relationship, Noni decides it's time for that to change. She's finally going to prioritize her wants and desires and only do things (and people) that feel good in the moment. As she embarks on a pleasure-seeking quest that takes her halfway around the world, she discovers that maybe she can have everything, and everyone, she's ever wanted. Effortlessly hilarious and relatable, Claire Christian spins a fresh, feel-good tale about starting over as a thirtysomething woman who's been living life for everyone else. A story of self-discovery for the ages, Noni's journey serves as a sparkling reminder that life is what we make of it--so why not enjoy it?

It's Been a Pleasure, Noni Blake

3f87679d-056e-4db7-9e84-85d16c23c272-1

Patricia Forde

Middle grade dystopia about censorship and the power of words. Read once. 

Farenheit 451 meets The Giver in this gripping story about the power of words and the dangers of censorship In the city of Ark, speech is constrained to five hundred sanctioned words. Speak outside the approved lexicon and face banishment. The exceptions are the Wordsmith and his apprentice Letta, the keepers and archivists of all language in their post-apocalyptic, neo-medieval world.On the death of her master, Letta is suddenly promoted to Wordsmith, charged with collecting and saving words. But when she uncovers a sinister plan to suppress language and rob Ark's citizens of their power of speech, she realizes that it's up to her to save not only words, but culture itself.

The List

d4e751c6-1dee-475b-9013-fbe1f68ff900-1

Sophie Gonzales

First edition, bought new and then never read. Some shelf wear. 

A Novel

"Perfectly wonderful.” —Becky Albertalli, New York Times–bestselling author of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda In Sophie Gonzales' Perfect on Paper, Leah on the Offbeat meets To All the Boys I've Loved Before: a bisexual girl who gives anonymous love advice to her classmates is hired by the hot guy to help him get his ex back Her advice, spot on. Her love life, way off. Darcy Phillips: • Can give you the solution to any of your relationship woes—for a fee. • Uses her power for good. Most of the time. • Really cannot stand Alexander Brougham. • Has maybe not the best judgement when it comes to her best friend, Brooke...who is in love with someone else. • Does not appreciate being blackmailed. However, when Brougham catches her in the act of collecting letters from locker 89—out of which she’s been running her questionably legal, anonymous relationship advice service—that’s exactly what happens. In exchange for keeping her secret, Darcy begrudgingly agrees to become his personal dating coach—at a generous hourly rate, at least. The goal? To help him win his ex-girlfriend back. Darcy has a good reason to keep her identity secret. If word gets out that she’s behind the locker, some things she's not proud of will come to light, and there’s a good chance Brooke will never speak to her again. Okay, so all she has to do is help an entitled, bratty, (annoyingly hot) guy win over a girl who’s already fallen for him once? What could go wrong?

Perfect on Paper

5951692f-cbc2-48ee-96e3-be39548c1ea9-1

Tehlor Kay Mejia

Book 2 in duology. Unread - I bought it again in paperback to match book 1 on my shelf

In this nail-biting sequel to Tehlor Kay Mejia's critically acclaimed fantasy novel We Set the Dark on Fire, La Voz operative Carmen is forced to choose between the girl she loves and the success of the rebellion she's devoted her life to. Perfect for fans of The Handmaid's Tale and Anna-Marie McLemore. Being a part of the resistance group La Voz is an act of devotion and desperation. On the other side of Medio's border wall, the oppressed class fights for freedom and liberty, sacrificing what little they have to become defenders of the cause. Carmen Santos is one of La Voz's best soldiers. She spent years undercover, but now, with her identity exposed and the island on the brink of a civil war, Carmen returns to the only real home she's ever known: La Voz's headquarters. There she must reckon with her beloved leader, who is under the influence of an aggressive new recruit, and with the devastating news that her true love might be the target of an assassination plot. Will Carmen break with her community and save the girl who stole her heart--or fully embrace the ruthless rebel she was always meant to be?

We Unleash the Merciless Storm

6cb92fdf-273a-4ff4-87cc-92760f42a088-1

Ruby Barrett

Unread (received in a book subscription, but I already own it as an ebook)

"Ruby Barrett's writing leaves me breathless." --Rosie Danan



A fiery restaurant owner falls for her enigmatic head chef in this charming, emotional romance 



Amy Chambers: restaurant owner, micromanager, control freak. 



Amy will do anything to revive her ailing restaurant, including hiring a former reality-show finalist with good connections and a lot to prove. But her hopes that Sophie's skills and celebrity status would bring her restaurant back from the brink of failure are beginning to wane...



Sophie Brunet: grump in the kitchen/sunshine in the streets, took thirty years to figure out she was queer. 



Sophie just wants to cook. She doesn't want to constantly post on social media for her dead-in-the-water reality TV career, she doesn't want to deal with Amy's take-charge personality and she doesn't want to think about what her attraction to her boss might mean...



Then, an opportunity: a new foodie TV show might provide the exposure they need. An uneasy truce is fine for starters, but making their dreams come true means making some personal and painful sacrifices and soon, there's more than just the restaurant at stake.





Carina Adores is home to romantic love stories where LGBTQ+ characters find their happily-ever-afters.





Book 1: Hot Copy

Book 2: The Romance Recipe



 

The Romance Recipe

a4d55778-75e1-4bc5-b7f6-56f058364d29-1

Nina LaCour

Smaller book that packs a punch!  Goodwill find. There’s a red smudge on the bottom. 

A beautiful new edition of the stunning debut novel by Nina LaCour, award-winning author of We Are Okay "Hold Still may be the truest depiction of the aching, gaping hole left in the wake of a suicide that I've ever read. A haunting and hopeful book about loss, love, and redemption." - Gayle Forman, #1 bestselling author of If I Stay and I Have Lost My Way That night Ingrid told Caitlin, I'll go wherever you go. But by dawn Ingrid, and her promise, were gone. Ingrid's suicide immobilizes Caitlin, leaving her unsure of her place in a new life she hardly recognizes. A life without the art, the laughter, the music, and the joy that she shared with her best friend.... But Ingrid left something behind. In words and drawings, Ingrid documented a painful farewell in her journal. Journeying through Ingrid's final days, Caitlin fights back through unspeakable loss to find renewed hope. Hold Still is the indelible debut that launched Nina LaCour, the award-winning author of We Are Okay. LaCour's breakthrough novel brings the changing seasons of Caitlin's first year without Ingrid to the page with indelible emotion and honesty. Includes an all-new essay from the author to commemorate 10 years in print!

Browse by categories