April book review

That's a wrap on another month, another book.

Thanks to everyone who made it to the library today to discuss My Government Means to Kill Me- by Rasheed Newson. A very well researched and live retelling of 1980s New York.

This month's theme was community, and we voted for 'My Government Means to Kill Me' which focused on the gay community in the 80s during the AIDS crisis in New York City. The community that Trey our protagonist finds in New York bath houses, rental complexes and activist groups included key historical figures which created a fun blend of fiction and reality that made the story engaging and allowed it to lean more into the history of the gay community.

Our members found the writing style engaging and easily readable. Its messaging and themes were well delivered.

We overall enjoyed the footnotes and found them informative without feeling like we were being over explained to. One member enjoyed the socio-political and hisotorical context of the book so much that they checked out a book on the AIDS crisis of the 80s to learn more.

As a whole we enjoyed the book, even members who said they wouldn't read it again still enjoyed it.

It does have a fair bit of sexual content which some may struggle with and some members found the ending felt a little abrupt and wanted an epilogue but overall the book was well received.

Voting is now up for next month's book where the theme is solarpunk/hopepunk so do check out the options and vote .

Keep an eye out for more information on our upcoming fundraisers for Rainbow home and for an update on next month's book