La Cage Aux Folles

From our friends at Book Moon: “We compiled this list with themes and plot points from La Cage Aux Folles in mind, including chosen family, queerness, drag, and the joy and antics that may be found in some of the most complicated situations. Our recommendations vary in format, genre, and reading level, in hopes that readers of all ages, experiences, and preferences can find something to enjoy.” Glitter and Concrete: A Cultural History of Drag in New York City by Elyssa Maxx Goodman A comprehensive non-fiction read for those looking to learn more about the history of drag and its role in queer liberation and community building. Drag historian Elyssa Maxx Goodman takes the reader on a journey through the streets of New York City and its history, from Harlem Renaissance balls to the Stonewall Uprising to AIDS activism, and much more, highlighting the galvanizing power of drag and the ways in which it has permeated so many parts of culture, then and now. Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo Lily, a Chinese-American teenager living in San Francisco’s Chinatown discovers her sexuality, falls in love, and reckons with her identity and the fraught political circumstances in which she lives. Set against the historical backdrop of San Francisco’s lesbian bar scene and the Red Scare of the 1950s, this young adult novel deals with ideas of chosen family and self-realization, and provides a thoroughly-researched look into an under-represented queer community’s history. Glitch Feminism by Legacy Russell A challenging, fascinating text that proposes a creative method of understanding the way that normative gender systems are constructed – and how we may expand beyond them – through the lens of our contemporary age of technology. Russell presents these demands as a manifesto, investigating the radical possibilities that lie “within the fissures between gender, technology, and the body,” boldly combining new media, academic research, and work from equally innovative thinkers. The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang Prince Sebastian’s parents want to find him a wife, but he is focused on sneaking out of the castle at night, dressed in gowns and turning heads in Paris as the glamorous Lady Crystallia. The only person who knows Sebastian’s secret is Frances, a dressmaker who dreams of fame but feels held back by her commitment to protecting Sebastian. A sweet story of friendship and defiant self-expression for all ages, told by way of a lavishly-illustrated graphic novel. Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston Simultaneously silly and poignant, this novel follows the unlikely love story of Alex, the son of the American president, and Prince Henry, the heir to the British throne. Equal parts family, interpersonal, and political drama, this book has a comedy of errors vibe that’s sure to charm even the most reluctant of romance readers. It was also made into an Amazon Prime movie!

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BEYOND THE PLAY A READING LIST INSPIRED BY A Tender Thing From our friends at Chatham Bookstore: “A Tender Thing is a miraculous adaptation, managing to craft something entirely new out of one of the most well-known literary works of all time. When generating a reading list for this play, we gravitated towards inventive, experimental works that remind us of language’s infinite possibilities. We have poetry and twisted classics, books with mature love and bittersweet endings.“ Enter Ghost by Isabella Hammad In this masterful and timely recent work, a Palestinian theater troupe attempts to bring Hamlet to the West Bank. The novel is another example of Shakespeare’s significance across cultures and contexts, as samples of his tragedy take on fresh meaning throughout the book. Vinegar Girl by Anne Tyler Many have attempted to update or adapt Shakespeare’s work, with varying results. This modern day retelling of The Taming of the Shrew succeeds because it is a lovely romantic comedy in its own right—indebted to Shakespeare’s original text, but certainly not wedded to it. Gray Love edited by Nan Bauer-Maglin Featuring a number of local authors, this anthology of essays about dating and new relationships after 60 is a moving and clear-eyed look at both romantic partnership and singledom — imagine Juliet if she was still looking for her Romeo, or even thriving without him! In Love by Amy Bloom This slim memoir is a natural companion to A Tender Thing: the real-life story of how Bloom helped her beloved partner end his life. In both works, lingering grief is ultimately outmatched by a sense of boundless, overpowering love. These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong A perfect gateway text to get teens into Shakespeare, this Romeo and Juliet-inspired YA novel transports our young lovers to 1920s Shanghai. There are gangs, blood feuds, decadent party-goers in flapper dresses, and even a monster hiding in the Huangpu River. Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys Possibly our favorite novel based on a classic text, Jean Rhys’ feminist prequel to Jane Eyre is told from the point of view of Antoinette Cosway, the “mad woman” in the attic. Reclaiming Antoinette’s POV is an inspired intervention; this is a beautiful, fragrant, and eerie work of genius. Autobiography of Red by Anne Carson Using surviving fragments from Stesichorus’ ancient lyric poem, Geryoneis, Carson somehow manages to craft a fresh, beautiful and urgent bildungsroman. Zong! by M.NourbeSe Philip Erasure poetry functions similarly to this play, by taking texts and sampling/rearranging them into new life. Zong! is a paragon of the genre, telling the story of a 1781 slave ship massacre by altering the only remaining legal document related to the crime.

Visit our friends at The Chatham Bookstore on their website.

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In their brick-and-mortar store in Chatham, NY. Need directions?

From our friends at the library: As well as relating directly to Boeing Boeing and other classic sex romps, we chose a variety of materials associated with the airline industry, flight attendants, stereotypes, women's liberation, sexual relationships, international cuisine, and time management (something Bernard almost masters!). Enjoy the selections below and see more on display at the Athenaeum: Come Fly the World: The Jet-Age Story of the Women of Pan Am by Julia Cooke Glamour, danger, liberation: in a Mad Men–era of commercial flight, Pan Am World Airways attracted the kind of young women who wanted out, and wanted up. How to Fall Out of Love Madly by Jana Casale This novel asks the age-old question: Why do so many smart, compassionate, otherwise empowered women tolerate egregious behavior from the men they love? The State of Affairs: Rethinking Infidelity by Esther Perel A provocative and controversial look at infidelity with practical, honest, and empathetic advice for how to move beyond it. The Great Stewardess Rebellion: How Women Launched a Workplace Rebellion at 30,000 Feet by Nell McShane Wulfhart The empowering true story of a group of spirited stewardesses who “stood up to huge corporations and won, creating momentous change for all working women.” (Gloria Steinem). Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman Delivers an entertaining, humorous, practical, and ultimately profound guide to time and time management.

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In their brick-and-mortar store in Pittsfield, MA. Need directions?

Forgiveness

Visit our friends at The Bookloft on their website.

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In their brick-and-mortar store in Great Barrington, MA. Need directions?

Next to Normal

Visit our friends at The Lenox Bookstore on their website.

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In their brick-and-mortar store in Lenox, MA. Need directions?

Primary Trust

Visit our friends at The Bennington Bookshop on their website.

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In their brick-and-mortar store in Bennington, VT. Need directions?