Hi community,

I’m thinking a lot about that song, “What the world needs now, is love, sweet love…” In 2002, as part of the wedding ceremony my husband and I had (it wasn’t yet legal but it had all the meaning) we did a sing-along with everyone who joined us to celebrate. As we all sang along to the Jackie DeShannon version, we were creating the community we needed. Co-creating it, together.

Co-creating the community we need feels like a theme I keep noticing, and humming along to…

As part of the We Are Stronger Than Censorship program (the freedom to read project I’m co-running that buys two books to offset every one book challenge) this very cool organization Amazeworks had been creating wonderful discussion guides for each of the twenty books we’re buying and distributing. Amazeworks is based in Minneapolis, and to respond to the terrible situation there, they started donating books and care packages for children whose families are sheltering in place. It was so cool that We Are Stronger Than Censorship could give them 550 books to add to those care packages!

It’s also very cool to recognize how multi-talented and versatile we can be, as individuals, as organizations, and as a community.

Coming together as a community is also part of the publication process, even before publication. It really helps when launching a new book, especially from an indie publisher, to have some strong blurbs early. This is big ask, because there’s not much time (review copies are sent out while the book is still going through the final proofreading edits), and the potential blurber has to read the whole book, and then only if they really love it, put their name behind it by saying they thought it was great. With A DIFFERENT KIND OF ENEMY coming out May 19, 2026, I have four incredible blurbs:

“This is the book series I wish had been around when I was a teenager… Whatever your age, if this ever-changing world in which we’re livin’ makes you give in and cry, pick up this reminder of queer joy.”
—David Lowbridge-Ellis, MBE, Licence to Queer

“Lee nails that balance of capable-and-badass with vulnerable-and-human, especially as Nico and Sam stumble through miscommunication and the stuff they haven’t learned how to say out loud yet—until they finally have the conversation they need to have.”
—Jeff Adams, author of the Codename:Winger series

“An imaginative twist on the classic spy novel. What if James Bond was an American? Married? A teenager? And gay? How would that affect his mission to save the world from a mysterious threat from outer space?”
—Kathryn Hall, reviewer for Jewish Book Garden

“A delightful page-turner that combines world-ending events and the possible detonation of teenage superheroes Nico and Sam’s young marriage, courtesy of stunning secrets, temptations, and betrayals. . . James Bond for a new generation.”
— Lyn Miller-Lachmann, author of Torch

They’re amazing, and I’m really grateful to David, Jeff, Kathryn, and Lyn. Thank you!

The themes of community and versatility weave through this month’s book recommendations as well. I’m so impressed by the versatility of Kelly Mangan. Kelly is the illustrator of Like THAT Eleanor, our picture book that’s making a big impact by celebrating the allyship of Eleanor Roosevelt and connecting it to how each of us—even kids—can be better allies today, especially when it comes to nonbinary and other gender diverse folks. Our picture book came out in 2025, the same year that Kelly’s debut middle grade novel was published: Maeve Mulvaney Has Had Enough. I finally had a chance to read it, and it’s so impressive to know that Kelly is not just a talented illustrator, but a talented author as well!

Maeve Mulvaney Has Had Enough by Kelly Mangan is one of my three book recommendations this month. It’s a page-turner about an eighth grader who becomes an activist to stop bullying in her school. It’s messy, and feels real, and I really cared about Maeve and her friends, and how they were trying so hard to figure out their lives and make things better. It was also great to see such powerful Fat-positive and Queer-inclusive representation.

Wake Now In the Fire by Jarrett Dapier, Illustrated by AJ Dungo is my next recommendation. This graphic novel was inspired by the banning of Persepolis in Chicago public schools in 2013. The author did extensive research into what really happened, interviewing many of the students who stood up to protest, and wove a compelling multi-POV tapestry of what went down. Having it as a graphic novel, talking about the banning and defense of a graphic novel, is brilliant. And there are so many teen characters to root for and love, with Queer and BIPOC representation too!

All That’s Left In the World by Erik J. Brown (YA) is a post-apocalyptic Queer YA adventure romance. It’s a bleak future world but on Jamie and Andrew’s journey to find hope (and somewhere safe) they end up finding love as well. I listened to the audiobook of this one, and it was great.

All three of these books were addictive, in the best way. Enjoy!

That’s the update for now. I’ll sign off with a quote that is really inspiring me, from this article by Clive Thompson on Solarpunk in Mother Jones:

“If you want to nudge people toward a better tomorrow, start with art.”
—Clive Thompson

Stay safe and strong,
Lee