Vanilla by Billy Merrell

Vanilla by Billy Merrell

Review by Lauren

source: copy from ALA17; all opinions are my own

Official Summary (add on Goodreads): Hunter and Vanilla become boyfriends before they're even teenagers, and stay a couple even when adolescence intervenes. But in high school, conflict arises -- mostly because Hunter is much more comfortable with the sex part of sexual identity. As the two boys start to realize that loving someone doesn't guarantee they will always be with you, they find out more about their own identities -- with Hunter striking out on his own while Van begins to understand his own asexuality.

In poems that are romantic and poems that are heartbreaking, Vanilla explores all the flavors of the spectrum -- and how romance and love aren't always the same thing.

Review: I have such a hard time reviewing books that have controversy surrounding them because I'm not someone who wants to get enmeshed in all the drama. Regardless, here we go! This book is about Vanilla and Hunter who have been dating for years, but now that they are a bit older, Hunter wants to take the romance to a new level. It makes sense. I think most teenage boys have sex on the brain and Hunter really does love Vanilla. Where the controversy comes in for this is that Vanilla is asexual. Here's the thing though - Vanilla doesn't realize he's asexual until near the end of the book. This means that when Hunter is pushing for more, he doesn't realize that Vanilla isn't just nervous. He tells Vanilla that he'll want it eventually, because he isn't thinking "hey, my boyfriend might be asexual" and I can't blame him. It's not a sexuality widely talked about and I think this book shows that. I feel like it might have helped if Vanilla had applied asexuality to himself a little earlier in the story, but everyone's coming out experience is different. Sometimes you just don't know how to label your feelings, you know?

I was a little iffy on the names though - everyone has a bit of a nickname in the book, so you know, Vanilla isn't actually the kid's name. People have issue with this too because it makes it sound like Vanilla is only called that because his sexuality is so vanilla, but I feel like Hunter explains in the book that that's never why he called his boyfriend that. Also, the book is told in verse - and it's mostly Vanilla and Hunter's point of views - so that might make some aspects of the story difficult to really understand. Maybe aspects of the book are getting lost in translation, if you will. I don't know.

Obviously if the book upsets you, stop reading it, but I also know that some asexual men and women have reviewed the book in a positive manner so it's one of those "you do you" type of books. I liked it - though I almost wish it was a regular narrative and not in verse just because of the nature of the subjects talked about.

Asexual Characters in YA Fiction

do not own photo - source

My last post, with author Tiffany Rose, brought up the topic of asexuality, which might not mean much to everyone. Therefore, I thought it was important to share this post from YALSA about asexual characters that have been featured in YA novels. You can check out the article here and learn a bit more about asexuality as well as some book titles that are trying to bring it more into the mainstream.

The Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy by Laini Taylor is mentioned, as well as Afterworlds by Scott Westerfeld, just to name two. What I also really appreciate about this article is that they include a variety of links at the end under Resources so that you can go and read more about asexuality. I won't go too into the topic on here because I know there is a variety of components and one person identifying as asexual doesn't mean the next person who identifies as such will have the exact same outlook on it.

I know one person in my personal life who identifies as asexual. It does not mean they do not have sexual urges, but rather, they do not feel sexually attracted to anyone in their life. Whereas the majority of people (gay, straight, etc.) are sexually attracted to certain people, this person I know does not have that type of attraction. They can find someone good looking and like their personality and they do want close relationships, but sex isn't part of that. At least, not right now. It would probably take a special person, and even then, it probably wouldn't be a large component of the relationship. Like I said, this is the person I personally know, but that does not mean all people who identify as asexual have these same ideas or experiences.

What are your thoughts about the books mentioned? Do you know any books, YA or not, that feature asexual characters?

-Lauren

Interview with Author Tiffany Rose

I'd like to welcome Tiffany Rose to the blog today. She writes a science fiction story titled Bone Diggers on Wattpad. She will also be releasing her novel Hello World (the first in an adult science fiction series) in the fall, from Pandamoon Publishing.

1. For those that don't know, tell us a little about your writing and how you feel it fits the LGBT+ spectrum?

My bio reads, “I write about magical girls and the morally gray”, but what would be more accurate is I write LGBT+ leads. Every novel coming out, or currently on my to be written list has main character representation. Bone Diggers has a bisexual lead, Hello World has an asexual lead. I also have a fairytale retelling with an aromantic lead, and another video game inspired story with a demi-girl lead. I think it’s important to show LGBT+ characters, and the diversity within the spectrum. Readers will also find representation scattered throughout, but having ignored groups telling the stories is especially important, even in heavy science fiction or fantasy.

2. What are some of your favorite LGBT+ books and authors?
This year, I’ve decided to read exclusively works with LGBT+ characters or authors on that spectrum. I just finished reading From Under The Mountain by Cait Spivey. It was wonderful to read high fantasy with representation, but without the sexist and harmful tropes I normally have to ignore. Other favorites this year include anything by Rachel Sharp. I’m on my third book from her right now.  

3. Your website states that you do design as well as write. Do you design your own covers? What is some work you have done in the past?

I do! Sometimes authors have zero say in their cover design, but thankfully so far I’ve gotten say (or complete say) in the matter. That is in large part because of the indie and wattpad elements. But, I’ve even been known to make a cover before I’ve written down official words. Sometimes because of NaNoWriMo and sometimes because it’s just fun. The Bone Diggers cover was designed by me, and you can find several more covers at Design Over Chaos.

4. You also run a Tumblr website all about asexuality. What made you start this? What information can people find on this site?

Fuck Yeah Asexual was originally created to help me figure out my own feelings on the matter. It was a way I could collect little posts about asexuality and share them in a way that wasn’t outing myself. But now, it’s three years later and the blog is solely around to spread asexual awareness and pride. Most of the site’s popularity came from activist moments, we took a strong stance for asexual, aromantic, and agender inclusion and peopled rallied to protect all a- people. It’s also a continuing reference location for books with asexual characters, articles about intra-community issues, and really anything else asexuality related.  

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Thanks to Tiffany for answering my questions! I love that she has a blog about asexuality, because it's a topic that people tend to forget when thinking of LGBTQIA.

Be sure to keep up with Tiffany and all she is doing at the following places (more links to be found here):

Art Over Chaos website - https://artoverchaos.wordpress.com/

Fuck Yeah Asexual Tumblr- http://fuckyeahasexual.tumblr.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FromPawnToQueen