Books in the Freezer discussion

Comment what you're planning on reading for this topic

I'm always a little torn on categories like this. On the one hand, it's great to give a boost to writers who have frequently been left out of traditional publishing. On the other hand, to some extent it falls into the "defining a writer by their gender" category. I know when Book Riot challenges had categories involving gay or trans writers, some writers would report having people contact them demanding to know their sexual preference or gender "for a book challenge".

In the end, I come down on the side of including categories like this, and just hope people will respect a writer's privacy if they choose not to openly identify in neat categories. One change I would humbly suggest is changing the challenge to "trans, non-binary, or gender fluid" to avoid the nitpicky debates. Okay, done with soapbox now.

Whitney wrote: "I'm always a little torn on categories like this. On the one hand, it's great to give a boost to writers who have frequently been left out of traditional publishing. On the other hand, to some exte..."

You are absolutely right! I will update it to those options. That is something I had not thought of, and definitely wouldn't want that. Thank you for bringing up that point.

I'll likely use this as an excuse to read more Caitlín R. Kiernan. Not that an excuse is needed...

Ooh, I have one of Kiernan's but haven't read it yet (The Drowning Girl). I didn't know they were genderfluid, very cool.

I only found out after reading 3 of their books. The Drowning Girl is next on my list!

Burn The Dark by S.A. Hunt

I read Viscera by Gabby Squailia. This one needs to be more popular. A wildly inventive fantasy world, with lots of body horror (believe the title). It deals with trans and other identity issues in its world of puppets animated with guts, repeatedly eviscerated immortals, drugs manufactured from the glands of buried gods, etc..

Agents of Dreamland by Caitlín R. Kiernan.

Brian wrote: "Agents of Dreamland by Caitlín R. Kiernan."

Did you love it?

Whitney wrote: "Brian wrote: "Agents of Dreamland by Caitlín R. Kiernan."

Did you love it?"

No, no love from me. I enjoyed the story but didn't like any of the characters. It made a novella feel like an epic length novel.

Brian wrote: "No, no love from me. I enjoyed the story but didn't like any of the characters. It made a novella feel ..."

Ah, well, vive le difference. Its Lovecraft fungus - early X-Files- Manson Family - Salton Sea mash-up felt tailer-made for me. But I can certainly get how it may have a somewhat targeted fan base.

I'm having a lot of difficulties finding a book in this category. Caitlín R. Kiernan seems an obvious and easily available choice, but I found out that I absolutely hate anything that can be described as «like a fever dream» (thanks Books in the Freezer for helping me put a name on this style!) That description seems to pop up super often with this author, and other authors in this category. Any recommendations for a non-binary author that does not read like a fever dream? Thanks!

Laurie wrote: "I'm having a lot of difficulties finding a book in this category. Caitlín R. Kiernan seems an obvious and easily available choice, but I found out that I absolutely hate anything that can be descri..."
That's understandable, some of Hailey Piper's stuff is on the cosmic side, but something like Benny Rose the Cannibal King by her might work. Also, Rin Chupeco has a few YA horror titles

Laurie wrote: "I'm having a lot of difficulties finding a book in this category. Caitlín R. Kiernan seems an obvious and easily available choice, but I found out that I absolutely hate anything that can be descri..."

I'm not sure "like a fever dream" applies to all of Kiernan's books, but if they don't sound like your cup of tree you might try Billy Martin / Poppy Z. Brite, or Aiden Thomas (Cemetery Boys, which I'm currently reading for the YA category).

Stephanie wrote: "Laurie wrote: "I'm having a lot of difficulties finding a book in this category. Caitlín R. Kiernan seems an obvious and easily available choice, but I found out that I absolutely hate anything tha..."

Thank you so much for your answer Stephanie! I had no idea Hailey Piper and Rin Chupeco were trans, non-binary or gender fluid! I loved Benny Rose, which I read last year after hearing about it on the podcast. I have The Girl from the Well on my TBR list, so I'll go with that!

Whitney wrote: "Laurie wrote: "I'm having a lot of difficulties finding a book in this category. Caitlín R. Kiernan seems an obvious and easily available choice, but I found out that I absolutely hate anything tha..."

Thanks for all the recommendations! So many authors to discover! I tried reading Poppy Z. Brite's Exquisite Corpse, but it was a bit much for me! I don't do well with extreme horror!

I think, I might finally read Poppy Z Brite’s (now Billy Martin) Lost Souls. It’s been on my tbr for quite some time.