my name is Sunny (they/she) and I read, recommend, and review books of all genres, with a particular emphasis on lesbian and queer literature, speculative fiction, and women writers.
i just discovered your youtube channel and i really like your book recommendations! i'll definitely add many of them to my tbr :)
@oro_mo410 сағат бұрын
they hate lesbians, but they hate us lesbians butchs even more. i still haven't found a butch character that i feel indentified with (and i read a lot of books living for the hope of it all)
@lunamoon-qw5cyКүн бұрын
Free Palestine
@fidyldounmccreeКүн бұрын
I’m reading Cleat Cute by Meryl Wilsner right now, and I highly recommend it! Very lesbian 😍
@cul2catКүн бұрын
love your recommendations they are always so unique and interesting
@deeingram35952 күн бұрын
🐰 🐇 ❤
@eden31182 күн бұрын
Its always sapphic and never lesbian :(
@CaptianKuvira3 күн бұрын
The best lesbian romace novels would be the real life lesbians story 🎉
@serinat21813 күн бұрын
Thisss
@elisepatterson3393 күн бұрын
No, you're so right. I do think it's a bigger issue across all those bad 2D cover art romance novels, but especially for the lesbian ones. Not enough representation or depth to them! I'd recommend loved Mortal Follies, that one is a good fantasy romance imo
@gracegerely73313 күн бұрын
Thank you so much for this though.. because it's SO HARD TO FIND GOOD LESBIAN ROMANCE THAT FEELS ACCURATE!
@deesmith40243 күн бұрын
I have found some great authors of lesbian erotica on the website literotica. It took a bit of digging, but there are gems ( I am a queer women btw, just on the more masc end of the spectrum)
@gracegerely73313 күн бұрын
Y'all need to read TRUTH & MEASURE and it's sequel ABOVE ALL THINGS by Rosalyn Sinclair. It's written by someone who not only has loved and cherished women but who's also F*CKED women. So well written! Based on Devil Wears Prada too...
@camilla1234567zz4 күн бұрын
I hate that film so much, garbage to the max
@barbarabarbosa69215 күн бұрын
idk i feel like a lot of books are falling into the same recipe and i think authors don't want to take risk i started to read the last girls standing i mean its good but that's it it's fine i was expecting a lot... i don't know how to explain it since i'm new to actually reading ff novels as a newly discovered lesbian myself and wanting to see myself more in these books but it doesn't feel hot enough and i know a lot of ppl will say ah delilah green is hot etc etc but... give me something else
@itsGabrielaCristina5 күн бұрын
I don't think it's a problem where the two main characters are fem or one or both are bi. What does bother me that it's so prevalent to the point that it feels like it's the only thing being written. But I wouldn't say their existence (simply because of that) is lesbophobic. The publishing industry and authors need to be better at representing a wider and more representative variety of books that capture more of the lesbian experience.
@pyenygren22995 күн бұрын
I am late to the party, and bring algorithm food.
@annapirkovskaia5 күн бұрын
I think that some authors try to move away from the butch/fem trope because they might find it rooted in heteronormative culture. Like, the stereotypical or even mysoginistic vision of a couple, where there must be a stronger and masculine person paired with a very feminine and weaker person. So this authors create stories about two feminine women in order to create more "equity", though usually it doesn't work because they still lack chemistry. In my case, I met lesbian couples where both women are more in a femenine spectrum in terms of appearance, but have for example, strong personalities or interests that aren't stereotypically seen as for women. To be honest, for me at least, appearance doen't matter as much if there is chemistry and the characters aren't your stereotypical opposites that attract because the author said so. I crave characters that end up clicked like two suitable puzzles, because of how their personalities align together. And by the way, it would be interesting to have a storiy about two maculine women.
@lindsaythemorallygay45865 күн бұрын
I feel like the lack of sexual tension partly comes from some people being too scared to sound like men LOL
@kakawaiipotato47446 күн бұрын
I'm pan and I kinda have a similar complaint about FF romance having bi women mainly: they're not really bi either ? Like they're not out and claiming it. Whether lesbian or bi or pan, it's like they just happen to like women instead of having a core part of their identities. The way I approach dating and life is VERY different from straight people and it's not just bc of the gender of the people I'm attracted to (but partly bc seriously ?? i just don't happen to like women, i LOVE them)
@bisousxoK6 күн бұрын
I am so late with this comment but read the Southern reach trilogy! Authority is a slog to get through but Acceptance had my jar on the floor and was my favourite. They do change in tone quite a bit but I still think it’s worth it. Also Jeff Vandermeer did a video of the place that inspired Area X, it’s on KZread and I think on his website if I’m not mistaken! It’s really beautiful and serene. Also also a fourth book is coming out and I’m hesitantly excited because I love this series but it was rounded off with acceptance so well that I just simply can’t image what else there is to come.
@DolceSuono96 күн бұрын
I just found your page, and I’m so thankful to see this video! 💜
@elizaschuyler99676 күн бұрын
As someone who is exclusively attracted to masc women I really really hate how little representation there is. I just can't crush on book characters or see my relationship dynamic represented because it's always like omg let's wear dresses together and do each others makeup. Also in more spicy books I really miss variation in the sexual dynamics. Like it's always two switches and nobody is more dominant or a top.
@sofiamilla78096 күн бұрын
🐰
@RachelWatsonLifeAsALeo12346 күн бұрын
🐰
@Heothbremel6 күн бұрын
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
@chorapkitenababa7 күн бұрын
🐰
@LaughingStockfarm17 күн бұрын
🐰
@oliviapembrokeshire88977 күн бұрын
You got me at Marxist Theory
@LykinReads7 күн бұрын
🐇
@aloemae21068 күн бұрын
The only sapphic book I have read that genuinely embraces sapphic/lesbian identity, resonates, and explores the depth of its stories and characters, was Last Night At The Telegraph Club. We need more of that!
@XiaoranMa-x9g8 күн бұрын
Hey I wanna recommend another lesbian movie called Intimates (the original Chinese name is "Zishu"). It's a movie made in Hongkong, China, in 1990s I guess...? Anyway, it is really gooooood because the love between two main characters is so tender, soft, and moving.( the story is so touching that i could not stop thinking about it for a long time right after i watched it) Not saying it's good just because I'm Chinese and that's a Chinese movie tho. Actually I think the movie should've been seen by the world, but it did not have a chance to be seen.
@authorkiterafrey8 күн бұрын
As a Bi girlie, I can understand the MFC being Bi. However, it is really really really unlikely for both women in a sapphic relationship to be Bi. As a Bi woman, it's easier to date a man, they throw themselves at you. But all but one woman I've had something with, even if it was as small as a mutual crush, was a lesbian - the one who wasn't was Bi and us very young both trying to figure out how to come out. But that is a good note to keep in mind as an author. As a Bi woman it hadn't occurred to me how much it was happen because I'm just so comfortable in accepting and understanding Bi tropes so this was very education for me in how to outline my first sapphic relationship.
@NikiKuchipudi8 күн бұрын
worry was SO funny. i’m currently reading demon copperhead by barbara kingsolver
@LimaBeanxx8 күн бұрын
Thumbnail shows Boy Parts by Eliza Clark but it's not listed in the overview. Timestamp pls?
@pseudoname3608 күн бұрын
47:49 she's gonna talk about it in another video
@LimaBeanxx8 күн бұрын
@@pseudoname360Thanks. That's not misleading at all I guess
@heavenbones8 күн бұрын
the problem is these relationships never feel queer, its like these books just happen to have a wlw relationship in it. the author doesn't insert the identity that comes with being a lesbian. being a lesbian is so political and breaking away from society norm that it needs to be included in the characterisation in these novels. which is why I only stick to reading taboo queer fanfics and lesbian literary fiction. i do not trust the romance publishing sphere to ever get it right.
@dreamhobbit8 күн бұрын
Bunny and Worry sound right up my alley! 🐰
@asunnybooknook8 күн бұрын
@@dreamhobbit yesss such fun books!
@pyenygren22998 күн бұрын
🐇
@austongreen98838 күн бұрын
nice!
@lucymbriggs8 күн бұрын
Always love to find other booktubers/bookstagrammers that are into nonfiction, especially when it leans left 🫡
@lucymbriggs8 күн бұрын
I loved The Pain Gap when I read it. I'll have to check out your other recs!
@Aleenlacabina8 күн бұрын
If you want a well written book, one of the best options is Tipping the Velvet from Sarah Waters. It is a bit old, but very good, in my opinion.
@sld999448 күн бұрын
Sunny, can you make a video about Alexandria Bellefluer books? Sorry if I'm annoying about this. I'd love to hear your opinions on her books bc I think you have great points on it.
@chocolateoreo64899 күн бұрын
I’m sending you love (:
@waadalsaidi54409 күн бұрын
Something is up with the audio 😢
@asunnybooknook9 күн бұрын
I know I’m so sorry :( it got really fucked up in the audio processing because of the super loud cicadas in the background
@waadalsaidi54409 күн бұрын
I’m still watching till the end anyways 🫶🏻
@waadalsaidi54409 күн бұрын
@@asunnybooknook it’s okayyyy still a great video!
@asunnybooknook9 күн бұрын
@@waadalsaidi5440 you’re so sweet ☺️🥹
@annabananabones089 күн бұрын
"A solid book about a woman who has a job" has me cackling
@asunnybooknook9 күн бұрын
Hehehe my favorite type of novel
@jay-pv6nh9 күн бұрын
I would recommend Baihe novels, my personal favs are Ruzhui, Female General and Eldest Princess, Clear and Muddy loss of love. All 3 of these are written by PDL (lesbian author who is dating a woman). Currently I'm reading Miss Forensics which is quite intriguing for now atleast... As the lack butch/Masc characters i agree with you on that but like i haven't finished half of your video but i do have complaints about wlw romance!!
@MayDawney9 күн бұрын
All I can say is yáll need to read more indie authors if these are your issues with wlw fiction ^^;;
@futchslug9 күн бұрын
I feel like some ppl see the label "lesbian" as like inherently sexual & are often the ppl also focused on stripping lesbian sexual desire away & making everything "wholesome." Like gd forbid we as women express overt lust or sexual desire for another woman 🙄🙄
@v789819 күн бұрын
I know this video is like, 5 months old but you didn't say it in the video and I'm kinda surprised I didn't see it in the comments: WHERE IS THE BUTCH FOR BUTCH CONTENT Like, yes sure the butch/femme dynamic is cute, but as a butch I've only ever had one partner who came close to femme-femme, everyone else I've dated and most of their partners have also been butch and/or some kind of gnc. Also here for the lesbian grindr, has anyone gotten to work on that?
@yojayoung9 күн бұрын
But I do find there's hardly any epic lesbian romances where the conflict is something that they are fighting in the world that isn't related to their relationship, like, an epic fantasy where they are fighting the forces of evil and just happen to fall in love...
@jay-pv6nh9 күн бұрын
I think you should give Baihe novels a try ! i can only recommend the ones I've read so Ruzhui (Matrilocal Marriage) this is Modern Lesbian x Rich Business woman in ancient time, Genre is Time travel but we get a lot of different genres mixed in this also Sci-Fi at the end and its really amazing! There are 2 more novels written by the same author of this novel you can check it out !
@yojayoung9 күн бұрын
I feel like, in contrast to the femme-for-femme romance books, queer women in movies have either been represented as 'accidental gay- no actually I'm straight'/two straight women cheating on their male partners with each other or a straight feminine woman dating a butch woman. For example the TV show "I kissed a Girl" had one femme-for-femme lesbian and everyone else was paired off femme/masc.
Пікірлер
i just discovered your youtube channel and i really like your book recommendations! i'll definitely add many of them to my tbr :)
they hate lesbians, but they hate us lesbians butchs even more. i still haven't found a butch character that i feel indentified with (and i read a lot of books living for the hope of it all)
Free Palestine
I’m reading Cleat Cute by Meryl Wilsner right now, and I highly recommend it! Very lesbian 😍
love your recommendations they are always so unique and interesting
🐰 🐇 ❤
Its always sapphic and never lesbian :(
The best lesbian romace novels would be the real life lesbians story 🎉
Thisss
No, you're so right. I do think it's a bigger issue across all those bad 2D cover art romance novels, but especially for the lesbian ones. Not enough representation or depth to them! I'd recommend loved Mortal Follies, that one is a good fantasy romance imo
Thank you so much for this though.. because it's SO HARD TO FIND GOOD LESBIAN ROMANCE THAT FEELS ACCURATE!
I have found some great authors of lesbian erotica on the website literotica. It took a bit of digging, but there are gems ( I am a queer women btw, just on the more masc end of the spectrum)
Y'all need to read TRUTH & MEASURE and it's sequel ABOVE ALL THINGS by Rosalyn Sinclair. It's written by someone who not only has loved and cherished women but who's also F*CKED women. So well written! Based on Devil Wears Prada too...
I hate that film so much, garbage to the max
idk i feel like a lot of books are falling into the same recipe and i think authors don't want to take risk i started to read the last girls standing i mean its good but that's it it's fine i was expecting a lot... i don't know how to explain it since i'm new to actually reading ff novels as a newly discovered lesbian myself and wanting to see myself more in these books but it doesn't feel hot enough and i know a lot of ppl will say ah delilah green is hot etc etc but... give me something else
I don't think it's a problem where the two main characters are fem or one or both are bi. What does bother me that it's so prevalent to the point that it feels like it's the only thing being written. But I wouldn't say their existence (simply because of that) is lesbophobic. The publishing industry and authors need to be better at representing a wider and more representative variety of books that capture more of the lesbian experience.
I am late to the party, and bring algorithm food.
I think that some authors try to move away from the butch/fem trope because they might find it rooted in heteronormative culture. Like, the stereotypical or even mysoginistic vision of a couple, where there must be a stronger and masculine person paired with a very feminine and weaker person. So this authors create stories about two feminine women in order to create more "equity", though usually it doesn't work because they still lack chemistry. In my case, I met lesbian couples where both women are more in a femenine spectrum in terms of appearance, but have for example, strong personalities or interests that aren't stereotypically seen as for women. To be honest, for me at least, appearance doen't matter as much if there is chemistry and the characters aren't your stereotypical opposites that attract because the author said so. I crave characters that end up clicked like two suitable puzzles, because of how their personalities align together. And by the way, it would be interesting to have a storiy about two maculine women.
I feel like the lack of sexual tension partly comes from some people being too scared to sound like men LOL
I'm pan and I kinda have a similar complaint about FF romance having bi women mainly: they're not really bi either ? Like they're not out and claiming it. Whether lesbian or bi or pan, it's like they just happen to like women instead of having a core part of their identities. The way I approach dating and life is VERY different from straight people and it's not just bc of the gender of the people I'm attracted to (but partly bc seriously ?? i just don't happen to like women, i LOVE them)
I am so late with this comment but read the Southern reach trilogy! Authority is a slog to get through but Acceptance had my jar on the floor and was my favourite. They do change in tone quite a bit but I still think it’s worth it. Also Jeff Vandermeer did a video of the place that inspired Area X, it’s on KZread and I think on his website if I’m not mistaken! It’s really beautiful and serene. Also also a fourth book is coming out and I’m hesitantly excited because I love this series but it was rounded off with acceptance so well that I just simply can’t image what else there is to come.
I just found your page, and I’m so thankful to see this video! 💜
As someone who is exclusively attracted to masc women I really really hate how little representation there is. I just can't crush on book characters or see my relationship dynamic represented because it's always like omg let's wear dresses together and do each others makeup. Also in more spicy books I really miss variation in the sexual dynamics. Like it's always two switches and nobody is more dominant or a top.
🐰
🐰
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
🐰
🐰
You got me at Marxist Theory
🐇
The only sapphic book I have read that genuinely embraces sapphic/lesbian identity, resonates, and explores the depth of its stories and characters, was Last Night At The Telegraph Club. We need more of that!
Hey I wanna recommend another lesbian movie called Intimates (the original Chinese name is "Zishu"). It's a movie made in Hongkong, China, in 1990s I guess...? Anyway, it is really gooooood because the love between two main characters is so tender, soft, and moving.( the story is so touching that i could not stop thinking about it for a long time right after i watched it) Not saying it's good just because I'm Chinese and that's a Chinese movie tho. Actually I think the movie should've been seen by the world, but it did not have a chance to be seen.
As a Bi girlie, I can understand the MFC being Bi. However, it is really really really unlikely for both women in a sapphic relationship to be Bi. As a Bi woman, it's easier to date a man, they throw themselves at you. But all but one woman I've had something with, even if it was as small as a mutual crush, was a lesbian - the one who wasn't was Bi and us very young both trying to figure out how to come out. But that is a good note to keep in mind as an author. As a Bi woman it hadn't occurred to me how much it was happen because I'm just so comfortable in accepting and understanding Bi tropes so this was very education for me in how to outline my first sapphic relationship.
worry was SO funny. i’m currently reading demon copperhead by barbara kingsolver
Thumbnail shows Boy Parts by Eliza Clark but it's not listed in the overview. Timestamp pls?
47:49 she's gonna talk about it in another video
@@pseudoname360Thanks. That's not misleading at all I guess
the problem is these relationships never feel queer, its like these books just happen to have a wlw relationship in it. the author doesn't insert the identity that comes with being a lesbian. being a lesbian is so political and breaking away from society norm that it needs to be included in the characterisation in these novels. which is why I only stick to reading taboo queer fanfics and lesbian literary fiction. i do not trust the romance publishing sphere to ever get it right.
Bunny and Worry sound right up my alley! 🐰
@@dreamhobbit yesss such fun books!
🐇
nice!
Always love to find other booktubers/bookstagrammers that are into nonfiction, especially when it leans left 🫡
I loved The Pain Gap when I read it. I'll have to check out your other recs!
If you want a well written book, one of the best options is Tipping the Velvet from Sarah Waters. It is a bit old, but very good, in my opinion.
Sunny, can you make a video about Alexandria Bellefluer books? Sorry if I'm annoying about this. I'd love to hear your opinions on her books bc I think you have great points on it.
I’m sending you love (:
Something is up with the audio 😢
I know I’m so sorry :( it got really fucked up in the audio processing because of the super loud cicadas in the background
I’m still watching till the end anyways 🫶🏻
@@asunnybooknook it’s okayyyy still a great video!
@@waadalsaidi5440 you’re so sweet ☺️🥹
"A solid book about a woman who has a job" has me cackling
Hehehe my favorite type of novel
I would recommend Baihe novels, my personal favs are Ruzhui, Female General and Eldest Princess, Clear and Muddy loss of love. All 3 of these are written by PDL (lesbian author who is dating a woman). Currently I'm reading Miss Forensics which is quite intriguing for now atleast... As the lack butch/Masc characters i agree with you on that but like i haven't finished half of your video but i do have complaints about wlw romance!!
All I can say is yáll need to read more indie authors if these are your issues with wlw fiction ^^;;
I feel like some ppl see the label "lesbian" as like inherently sexual & are often the ppl also focused on stripping lesbian sexual desire away & making everything "wholesome." Like gd forbid we as women express overt lust or sexual desire for another woman 🙄🙄
I know this video is like, 5 months old but you didn't say it in the video and I'm kinda surprised I didn't see it in the comments: WHERE IS THE BUTCH FOR BUTCH CONTENT Like, yes sure the butch/femme dynamic is cute, but as a butch I've only ever had one partner who came close to femme-femme, everyone else I've dated and most of their partners have also been butch and/or some kind of gnc. Also here for the lesbian grindr, has anyone gotten to work on that?
But I do find there's hardly any epic lesbian romances where the conflict is something that they are fighting in the world that isn't related to their relationship, like, an epic fantasy where they are fighting the forces of evil and just happen to fall in love...
I think you should give Baihe novels a try ! i can only recommend the ones I've read so Ruzhui (Matrilocal Marriage) this is Modern Lesbian x Rich Business woman in ancient time, Genre is Time travel but we get a lot of different genres mixed in this also Sci-Fi at the end and its really amazing! There are 2 more novels written by the same author of this novel you can check it out !
I feel like, in contrast to the femme-for-femme romance books, queer women in movies have either been represented as 'accidental gay- no actually I'm straight'/two straight women cheating on their male partners with each other or a straight feminine woman dating a butch woman. For example the TV show "I kissed a Girl" had one femme-for-femme lesbian and everyone else was paired off femme/masc.