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Road to My Top Reads of 2024 (Part 2)

☕ In this cozy 10-minute ramble, I dive into the next 6 books that made my year unforgettable. Expect bookish banter and a whole lot of love for queer stories. Let’s snack, sip, and celebrate these amazing reads together! 📚✨

Road to My Top Reads of 2024 (Part 2): The Video Edition

🪽🌈 “Angels & Man” by Rafael Nicolás is a deeply contemplative and tragic queer fantasy set in the aftermath of Lucifer’s fall, where Heaven lies in ruins and its angels are fractured and lost. The story follows Azazel and Samyaza, two fallen angels grappling with their own flaws, complex relationships, and the oppressive remnants of Heaven. The book is intense and unrelenting, with long passages about God’s cruelty and the angels’ struggles, making it a tough and emotionally charged read. While it offers moments of tragic beauty, especially in its romantic arcs, the ending is devastating and heartbreaking. With its diverse cast of characters and beautiful, vivid prose, this dark tale is not for everyone, but it leaves a lasting impact for those willing to dive into its complexity. #booktok #orlandoreads #CapCut 

🌈 “Angels & Man” by Rafael Nicolás is a deeply contemplative and tragic queer fantasy set in the aftermath of Lucifer’s fall, where Heaven lies in ruins and its angels are fractured and lost. The story follows Azazel and Samyaza, two fallen angels grappling with their own flaws, complex relationships, and the oppressive remnants of Heaven. The book is intense and unrelenting, with long passages about God’s cruelty and the angels’ struggles, making it a tough and emotionally charged read. While it offers moments of tragic beauty, especially in its romantic arcs, the ending is devastating and heartbreaking. With its diverse cast of characters and beautiful, vivid prose, this dark tale is not for everyone, but it leaves a lasting impact for those willing to dive into its complexity.

“Angels & Man” by Rafael Nicolás: Video Review

Y’all, I’ve started the Queer as Books Book Club on the Fable app! We’ll be reading one queer book every month, focusing mainly on fantasy and romance, though I might switch it up now and then. Our journey kicks off in January 2025 to start the new year right. Our first pick is Prince of the Sorrows by Kellen Graves!

Book Club in 2025

Join me as I highlight some of my favorite books of the year, leading up to my ultimate Top 15 Reads of 2024!

🦖🌈 “Rogue Community College: A Liberty House Novel" by David R. Slayton is an absolute blast! #booktok #orlandoreads #fantasybooks 

🦖🌈 “Rogue Community College: A Liberty House Novel" by David R. Slayton is an absolute blast!

“Rogue Community College" by David R. Slayton: Review

📚🌈 November was a whirlwind of eclectic reads! From tragic angels and swoony vampire love to magical schools and a k*ller robot, it was a mix of heartbreak, adventure, and thrills. I also dove into a secret fear test club, devoured some stunning graphic novels, and binged a variety of manga—from spine-chilling horror to the spiciest stories. This month truly had everything ✨. #booktok #orlandoreads 

📚🌈 November was a whirlwind of eclectic reads! From tragic angels and swoony vampire love to magical schools and a k*ller robot, it was a mix of heartbreak, adventure, and thrills. I also dove into a secret fear test club, devoured some stunning graphic novels, and binged a variety of manga—from spine-chilling horror to the spiciest stories. This month truly had everything ✨.

November Reading Wrap Up: Lazy Edition

Here’s a breakdown of the 10 books I have on my End of the Year TBR list. Will I be able to read them all? Absolutely not, but maybe some of you will be interested in adding some of these to your endless TBRs. Y’all are WELCOME!

10 Before the End

📚 My 10 Before the End: because who doesn’t love the chaotic energy of cramming 10 books into 1 month? Will I triumph or be crushed under my TBR? Either way, it’s going to be a journey! 😂📖 #booktok #orlandoreads  

📚 Because who doesn’t love the chaotic energy of cramming 10 books into 1 month? Will I triumph or be crushed under my TBR? Either way, it’s going to be a journey! 😂📖

10 Before the End: The Video

😱🔪🩸 As a horror movie fan, “The Mary Shelley Club” was a total treat! Goldy Moldavsky weaves a thrilling YA mystery about Rachel, an outcast Latina girl navigating the elite halls of Manhattan Prep and joining a secretive group obsessed with Fear Tests—elaborate pranks inspired by horror tropes. #booktok #orlandoreads #horrorbooks #thrillerbooks #mysterybooks #CapCut 

😱🔪🩸 As a horror movie fan, “The Mary Shelley Club” was a total treat! Goldy Moldavsky weaves a thrilling YA mystery about Rachel, an outcast Latina girl navigating the elite halls of Manhattan Prep and joining a secretive group obsessed with Fear Tests—elaborate pranks inspired by horror tropes.

“The Mary Shelley Club” by Goldy Moldavsky: Review

A Queer Adult Fantasy Retelling of the Watcher's Flood

Angels & Man by Rafael Nicolás: Review

Celebrating love and identity through queer stories.

Queer as Books

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My Real Name

I’m José Orlando, a Puerto Rican gay reader and reviewer who found healing and love for reading through queer books. Growing up without representation and discovering these stories in my 30s was life-changing. I began sharing my journey on TikTok, connecting with the amazing BookTok community. Now, my mission is to celebrate diverse, queer stories and champion authors—especially indie—so queer readers find themselves in these stories and allies can grow from them.