What You Missed Wednesdays – LGBTQIA+ Edition

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What You Missed Wednesdays is exactly as it sounds!

Book reviews of each week’s genre of choice that you might have missed, and I think you should really hear about.

3 Books a Week with 3 Words/Phrases to Describe Them 

Click on the title of each book to be taken to my full review.

I hope you find new books that you’re excited to add to your TBR!

 

Most Precious Blood by Vince Sgambati

4 stars 

authentically Italian American, slow meaningful development, struggles with sexuality

 

The Pirate’s Booty by Alex Westmore

4 stars

badass female pirates, ever lasting friendship, feminism throughout history

 

The Summer of Jordi Perez by Amy Spalding

5 stars

adorably fun, blogger babes, can’t get enough 

 

Well there you have it!

Another edition of What You Missed Wednesdays.

Keep coming back each Wednesday for more Can’t Miss Books!

Which book(s) are you now adding to your TBR?

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Seriously Underrated Books – less than 100 ratings

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Scrolling through my Read List on Goodreads, I realized that I have read a lot of underrated books. Or at least books that many people haven’t taken the time to give a star rating. Now obviously Goodreads is not the only place to determine if a book is popular or not. But it is where I add, rate, and review books that I read.

 

Since I tend to read somewhat eclectically, there were way too many books to recommend all at once. I’ve split it into 3 categories. Over the coming few weeks, look out for more posts in this series of underrated books. 

 

Right now I will introduce you to books I’ve enjoyed, but have less than 100 ratings on Goodreads. 

 

Room for Another Heart by Yvonne C. Hebert

A heartwarming story about love, loss and filled with the sweetest dogs.

 

Most Precious Blood by Vince Sgambati

A wonderful coming of age story about an Italian American teenager in New York. Struggles with family, sexuality, and the future fill the story with important conversations. 

 

Unfinished: A Personal Journey of Healing, Self-Discovery and Resilience by Isana

The story of a child growing up in an abusive home, who learns to do what’s best for herself as an adult. Wonderful strength, courage and hope throughout.

 

Floating: A Life Regained by Joe Minihane

A transcendent memoir about the discovery and life changing benefits of wild swimming. The descriptions of swimming outside across the English countryside are absolutely unbeatable. 

 

Running for Yellow by Christina Varrasso

The journey of one woman’s self discovery balanced against the life others want for her. Gorgeous, sweet, romantic. A perfect blend of old world European and modern day American vibes. 

 

A Perfect Universe: Ten Stories by Scott O’Connor 

Engaging short stories of ordinary people in ordinary situations. The cumulative result is anything but ordinary. Wonderful inner monologue with a unique perspective into the characters’ lives. 

 

When It Counts by Lauren Hopkins 

A well written, dynamic novel that follows 3 gymnasts trying to make the Olympic team. Authentic and without any of the over the top drama that many young adult sports books contain. 

 

I highly recommend that you give some of these underrated books a read. Click the titles to be redirected to Goodreads for a full summary. Enjoy!

 

Let me know which of these books you’re adding to your TBR list!

 

Also, look out for more posts in the series . . .

next up: Underrated Books with less

than 500 ratings

Book Review: Most Precious Blood by Vince Sgambati

 

Most Precious Blood by Vince Sgambati 

Published by Guernica Editions On March 1, 2018

Pages: 300

Genres: literary fiction, LGBTQIA+ fiction

Rating: 4 stars

Recommend to fans of: authentic stories, struggles with one’s sexuality

Read with food: any sort of authentic Italian food . . . be sure to make enough for the whole family

 

Synopsis: 

Hard Luck Lenny Lasante is the quintessential good son, brother, and father. He fears a calamity will derail his son’s future the way his own dreams were derailed years ago and is adamant that Frankie leave home for college, but Frankie is preoccupied with thoughts of Gennaro DiCico, the son of a small-time mobster. Lenny’s fears are realized when a cabdriver’s son avenges his father’s murder. Most Precious Blood, set in the eleventh-hour of a declining Italian-American neighborhood, speaks of complex and often destructive loyalties, consequences, and forgiveness.

Review:

I received this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways. As always, an honest review.

Most Precious Blood tells the stories of Italian Americans living in New York City. Like most families, life is messy, filled with heartbreak, struggles, and attempts to find oneself despite what family might think. It’s Italian family life written into a story format.

At the beginning, I wasn’t really enjoying the book. It didn’t really draw me in. As I kept on reading, I learned more about all the characters and grew to enjoy their stories more and more.

Most Precious Blood mainly focuses on Frankie, a teenager growing up in the neighborhood. He’s in love with Gennaro, the son of a small time mobster. They don’t want to reveal their relationship to others, for fear of judgment and lack of acceptance. I ended up really enjoying the story as it continued to unfold. I could even see a sequel being written.

Overall, I would recommend Most Precious Blood for it’s traditional but open minded characters, rich storytelling, good food, and relevant topics.