Title: Read With Pride
Author: Lucy Powrie
Genre: Contemporary YA
Format: Paperback
Length: 400 pages
Series: The Paper and Heart Society #2
Publisher: Hodder Children’s Books
Publication Date: 28th May 2020
My Rating: ★★★★★ (5 stars)
Goodreads | Storygraph
Synopsis:
The much anticipated second book in The Paper & Hearts Society series by Booktuber Lucy Powrie. Will you be the next recruit for The Paper & Hearts Society book club? For fans of Holly Smale and Super Awkward.
Olivia Santos is excited for her last year at secondary school. But when a parent complains about LGBTQ+ content in one of the books, the library implements a new policy for withdrawing books. Olivia is distraught – she’s demisexual and knows how important it is for all readers to see themselves represented.
Luckily, she’s the mastermind behind The Paper & Hearts Society book club, and she knows exactly what to do: start a new club, find ways of evading the system, and change the policy for good!
With two book clubs to run, exams to prepare for, and a girlfriend, just how long will it be before Olivia burns out? After all, creating a book club and trying to get the #ReadWithPride hashtag to get noticed is going to take a lot of energy.
Sometimes, when you’re in too deep, it’s up to your friends to look out for you …
My Review:
I loved the first novel of this series and was so excited to pick up the next instalment. Powrie did not disappoint with this beautiful blend of drama, social awareness, pride and bookish love.
This novel follows Olivia Santos, who learns when she returns to school that LGBTQIA+ books now come with a warning and a parental permission slip all because one parent complained about her son having access to the books. Olivia is a diehard book lover, and she will not stand for it. Outraged, she decides to do something about it.She is the complete opposite of Tabby, the protagonist from the first novel. Olivia is extroverted and is not afraid to take charge, but she does put a lot of pressure on herself; trying to juggle her social life, social justice and schoolwork.
This novel also draws attention to burnout in teenagers and how it impacts them physically and mentally. Olivia takes everything on her plate and doesn’t take time for herself. This is the first YA book that I’ve come across that tackles this, and Powrie takes time to emphasise to her readers how important it is to take time for themselves; to find the balance between personal and social time.
Read with Pride introduces new characters from the LGBTQIA+ community. We are introduced to Nell, Rocky, Morgan, and Alf. Together who band together and support each other as they fight for the students at school to be able to #ReadwithPride. Powrie gives each of these characters their own story and takes time to share their experiences with the reader.
This is a story about friendship and fighting for what is right. To be able to be who you are without a big red warning label stuck to the front of you. Just like its predecessor I adored this novel and can’t wait to see what Powrie brings out next.
