What to read this weekend: Vampires and more vampires
These are some recently released titles we think are worth adding to your reading list . This week, we read Hungerstone , a retelling of Sheridan Le Fanu's Carmilla, and EC Comics' first serialized miniseries, Blood Type.
I was pretty late in getting to this one, as it's been on my list for a good while now, but I really can't think of a better time to have finally picked up this retelling of the original sapphic vampire story, Carmilla , than during Pride Month. And what a treat it is. Hungerstone is a gothic novel that follows Lenore, a woman who has been uprooted from London and moved to the British moorlands by her husband, Henry, to fulfill his career ambitions. Henry is… not the best, and Lenore could definitely do with some companionship. Then, in walks Carmilla. Cue the yearning and craving.
Carmilla is actually brought in after a carriage accident to recover and overstays her welcome, making everyone in the house uncomfortable with her strange behaviors (wandering at night, forgoing food at mealtimes, etc). From the moment she arrives, Lenore can't stop thinking about her. Lenore is also having strange dreams, and girls in a nearby village soon begin catching a strange illness. This is all pretty familiar. There are some big differences between Hungerstone and the novella it's based on, though. Hungerstone further explores industrialization and the expectations and treatment of women in this time period. It delivers feminine rage and some really satisfying moments. $21 at Amazon
Blood Type , by Corinna Bechko and Andrea Sorrentino, is the first serialized miniseries from EC Comics, an imprint known for its anthologies that made its comeback to publishing last summer after a decades-long hiatus. We first met the series' bloodthirsty vampiress Ada in the third issue of EC's Epitaphs of the Abyss, but she now has her own dedicated spinoff. Blood Type #1 is kind of the perfect start-of-summer horror read: a vampire who has been at sea feasting on sailors makes a stop on a vacation island and finds some other evil has already taken root there. It's bloody, the tone strikes the right balance of dark and humorous and it's overall a pretty good time. Well, not for everyone in the story (except Ada), but I'm certainly having fun. $5 at Amazon
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Geek Girl Authority
3 hours ago
- Geek Girl Authority
11 New Young Adult LGBTQ+ Books You Should Read for Pride Month
It's time for Pride month, and I'm here to tell you about some of the many, many LGBTQ+ books coming out in June 2025, starting with books for young adults. From romcoms to horror, there's something for every reader to celebrate in their own way. Here's a list of Young Adult LGBTQ+ books to read for Pride! Young Adult LGBTQ+ Books June 3 I'll Pretend You're Mine by Tashie Bhuiyan Pop star Summer Ali is finally free from her controlling stage parents and ready to chart her own course. When writer's block stalls her momentum, she agrees to a risky PR stunt: a fake romance with reformed tabloid heartthrob Jules Moradi. At first, Jules keeps things strictly business—but as the facade slips, Summer discovers the real man behind the headlines. And the more real their connection becomes, the more Summer must ask herself: Is chasing her dream worth risking her heart? I'll Pretend You're Mine is a powerful book about unlearning abuse, the road to recovery and regaining agency. Tashie Bhuiyan's newest release features a pansexual protagonist, fake dating and the wild world of the music industry. Nobody in Particular by Sophie Gonzales Princess Rose of Henland is focused on salvaging her reputation after a scandal cost her the public's trust, and her best friend. Distraction is not an option. But then Danni arrives. A gifted pianist on scholarship at Rose's elite boarding school, Danni expects to be an outsider. Instead, she's unexpectedly welcomed, especially by the intriguing, tightly wound princess. As sparks fly between them, so do the rumors. With the palace watching and gossip mounting, Rose and Danni must choose: keep their growing feelings hidden, or risk everything for a chance at love. Because if Rose slips up again, the crown won't hesitate to tear them apart. Sophie Gonzales knows how to write a YA romance. With a vibrant, light writing style and well developed characters, Nobody in Particular is a great way to start off Pride month. Lady's Knight by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner Gwen is tired of hiding: her blacksmithing skills, her dreams of knighthood, and especially her attraction to girls. Lady Isobelle of Avington has never had to hide anything, until she's named the prize in a tournament where the victor wins her hand. Desperate for a way out, she strikes a deal with Gwen: Gwen will enter the tournament disguised as a knight, and if she wins, they'll both get what they want—freedom and glory. But as sparks fly and dragons loom, one thing becomes clear; love was never part of the plan, but it might just change everything. An irresistibly fierce, laugh-out-loud queer feminist romp through medieval England, Lady's Knight delivers an epic quest full of valor, freedom and unexpected love. Bestselling authors Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner bring sharp wit and big heart to a story that's part A Knight's Tale and part My Lady Jane , with a splash of The Great . RELATED: New Release Radar: New Books Coming Out on June 3 Kill Creatures by Rory Power Last summer, Nan's three best friends vanished in Saltcedar Canyon. She's spent the year grieving – and hiding the truth. Because Nan knows what no one else does: she's the one who killed them. Now, on the anniversary, their families gather for a memorial. But the vigil is shattered when one of the missing girls returns…alive. Everyone is thrilled. Everyone, that is, except Nan. Kill Creatures is an atmospheric, fast-paced thriller about secrets, jealousy and revenge. I love Rory Power's work, and her new book release is perfect for fans of A Good Girl's Guide to Murder and Gone Girl . Devils Like Us by L.T. Thompson Cas has two secrets: their discomfort with their gender, and visions of death that never lie. They only broke that rule once, and it cost them their best friend, Remy. Remy's spent years hunting the secret society that stole her father. She doesn't need Cas, or their version of the past. And Finn, hopelessly in love with Remy, is hiding a bargain with deadly consequences. When Cas sees a future none of them can survive, the three must reunite to face buried secrets, forbidden magic and the truth about who they really are before time runs out. Our Flag Means Death meets The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue in this YA historical fantasy about three queer and trans teens. L.T. Thompson's debut has just the right amount of scary elements alongside themes of found family and self-discovery, making it a great Pride month adventure. RELATED: LGBTQ+ Books to Keep Pride Going for the Rest of 2025 June 10 Amelia, If Only by Becky Albertalli Amelia Applebaum is not in love with moderately famous, chaotically bisexual YouTuber Walter Holland. She just invited him to prom—totally ironically. (Unless he says yes.) When a surprise meet-and-greet offers a chance to finally meet Walter, Amelia convinces her best friends to hit the road for one last adventure before graduation. Even Natalie, her newly single, guitar-strumming, cynicism-fueled best friend, is in. But somewhere between the playlists, gas station snacks, and promposals, Amelia starts to wonder: what if the butterflies she's chasing aren't for Walter at all? Becky Albertalli, the queen of Pride YA, is back with a new story of a fantastic, fully-realized friend group. Amelia, If Only is perfect for anyone who's ever had a slightly parasocial relationship with a celebrity. Finding Prince Charming by Jamar J. Perry Tyriq Howell is done with love. After his cheating ex costs him a college scholarship interview, he swears off dating until Desmond, a charming guy from the scholarship office, offers him a second chance. The catch? Tyriq has to pose as Desmond's date to a swanky gala. Tyriq expects awkward small talk and fancy snacks, not the revelation that Desmond is Prince Desmond of Catalina. Now that they've been outed as a couple, the palace is calling. When Desmond begs Tyriq to keep up the act a little longer – to help convince the King he's serious about coming out and giving the crown to his sister – Tyriq agrees. But between navigating royal expectations and very real feelings, Tyriq may have broken his biggest rule: never fall in love again. With elements of Red, White and Royal Blue and Coming to America , Finding Prince Charming is a swoony love story. Jamar J. Perry's YA debut has star-crossed lovers, fake dating and a truly royal romance. RELATED: 10 More LGBTQ+ Webtoon Series to Read for Pride Month June 17 America's Not-So-Sweetheart by Blair Hanson Alec Braud may have won Campfire Wars, but betraying fan-favorite Joaquín Delgado made him the most hated teen in America. But Joaquín forgave him, so why can't anyone else? When Joaquín invites him on a road trip to recreate iconic movie kisses, Alec sees a chance to fix his image—and maybe their relationship. But as fake kisses start to feel real and a shot at Campfire Wars: All-Stars looms, Alec must choose between chasing redemption on-screen or something real off-camera. America's Not-So-Sweetheart is messy and witty with a unique premise. Blair Hanson's writing blurs moral lines and doesn't shy away from big emotional moments. If We Survive This by Racquel Marie Six months into a rabies mutation outbreak that's turned people into violent 'rabids,' Flora Braddock Paz is still alive – despite never seeing herself as a survivor. With her mother dead and father missing, she and her brother set out for their childhood cabin in Northern California, hoping for safety and answers. But the road north is littered with danger, old wounds, and the truth that death is never far behind. The Walking Dead meets Yellowjackets in Racquel Marie's tense and emotional YA horror novel. I f We Survive This is her first horror novel, but it's also an intense, moving character study just right for anyone that wants to add some healthy fear to their Pride month. RELATED: 6 Great Books to Help Satisfy Your Yellowjackets Craving June 24 A Treachery of Swans by A.B. Poranek Raised by a sorcerer, Odile is ready to pull off the heist of a lifetime: impersonate a princess, steal the king's enchanted crown and restore magic to the realm. But when someone murders the king, Odile must team up with the real Princess Marie d'Odette. Falling for her, however, was never part of the plan. A Treachery of Swans is a sapphic Swan Lake retelling full of deception, magic and impossible choices. A.B. Poranek's second novel is perfect for Pride month, and perfect for fans of Allison Saft and V.E Schwab. Arcana: The Lost Heirs by Sam Prentice-Jones Eli Jones never knew other witches existed, until he meets James and discovers the magical world of the Arcana. As Eli, James and their friends dig into the truth behind their parents' deaths and the Arcana's ruling Majors, they uncover a dangerous curse that ties them all together. To survive, they'll have to unravel dark secrets, challenge powerful forces and decide who they ultimately want to become. Debut author-illustrator Sam Prentice-Jones explores defying fate and confronting ancestral legacies in his tarot-inspired fantasy graphic novel. Arcana: The Lost Heirs is a strong start to a promising new series. These are just a few of the amazing new Young Adult LGBTQ+ books coming out this Pride month. All are available for purchase or preorder now at your local, queer-owned bookstore or What are you reading to celebrate Pride this year? Let us know below, and happy reading! Sapphics with Swords: 6 Books Featuring Queer Lady Warriors
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
I couldn't wait until Prime Day, so I bought a TCL TV from Amazon for $280 — the value is unbeatable, and I wish I had it sooner
I was recently in the market for a new smart TV and given that I've never actually been in charge of selecting a device on my own, I was pretty stumped. All I knew was that I didn't want to spend a fortune and that the TV needed to have the ability to stream apps like Disney+, Prime Video, Netflix and other favourites. Other than that, I wanted something that was fairly light and with decent visuals After doing some research, I settled on a relatively inexpensive TCL Smart TV from Amazon Canada that seemed to fit all my criteria. However, given that it's regularly only $350 — and currently on sale for $280 ahead of Amazon Prime Day 2025 — I was skeptical about whether it would actually be decent quality. I've been using it for a few months now, and I'm happy to report that I shouldn't have been skeptical — this cost-effective TV is fantastic and has seriously improved our leisure time. Scroll onwards to read my full review of the TCL 43-Inch Class S4 4K LED Smart TV and see if it's the right fit for your home. Unbeatable value and excellent quality. The TV has 4K Ultra HD Resolution, Motion Rate 120 and HDR PRO that provides exceptional visual detail, improved motion clarity and enhanced contrast. It also has Dolby Atmos which provides an immersive, cinematic audio experience. For streaming, it has Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Spotify and dozens of other popular services as well as the ability to search and download less popular apps. It has three HDMI inputs for gaming and other needs, and has Alexa technology that let's you hold down the voice button and ask her to find and launch content. In terms of appearance, the TV has an edge-to-edge glass design that would look perfect in any setting. Amazon Prime Day is set to return to Canada sometime in July. The retailer has yet to release the official dates, but last year, it ran from July 16-17, 2024, so we can more or less expect the same timeline. For those unwilling to wait, Amazon Canada has released a ton of early Prime Day deals in its famed Deals Store. To shop the best early deals on tech, home and living, beauty and more, click here. The interface: As mentioned, I'm not very tech-savvy, so I anticipated that I'd struggle — but I truly had no issues. It's extremely user-friendly to find what your looking for and to start watching right way. It also has voice control technology, so you can ask it to launch programs for you when you don't feel like typing. The interface is also customizable and you can change the audio-visual options tor the different streaming apps. Streaming options: The TV comes loaded with all of the most popular apps like Netflix, YouTube and more — and you can search and download more niche apps. For instance, my partner downloaded the Kanopy app so he can watch library-sourced documentaries and Armenian animations. As well, we found it easy to stream from our phones and laptops and cast it to the TV. The visuals: One of the first things we did was watch The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King and the difference in visual quality between the TCL and our old TV was immediately noticeable. A few quotes from my fiancé: "Shit, that's crisp!" "I'm getting lost in Elijah Woods's blue eyes." "There's even enough brightness settings to make The Rings of Power watchable." The set up: From taking the TV out of the box to getting it mounted on our wall and watching Netflix, the entire process took maybe 10 minutes. It likely would have taken us less than that but it took us a a bit to figure out how to attach it to our wall mount (entirely our own fault, not a negative to the TV at all). The weight: I was genuinely shocked at how light this TV is! Our old, non-smart TV weighs about 30 pounds. The TCL weighs under five pounds, which made it extremely easy to carry up the stairs to our apartment and subsequently hang on the mount we already owned. The size: The only thing I dislike about this TV is the size, and that's entirely my own fault for choosing a 43" instead of a 50." When doing the measurements, I made the error of measuring the width of the wall we would mount it on. From that I surmised I needed a 43" TV, but the way TVs are measured is across the diagonal. Because of my error, the television is a little too small for the area we have it in, but it's not the worst problem to have! The TV has a 4.1-star rating on Amazon Canada and has been bought more than 100 times in the last month. "The best budget TV I've ever owned," says one customer. "I would recommend it all day." Another notes that they're "impressed with what this TV offers," particularly "at such an affordable price point." Others write that "the colours are rich and vibrant," it's "very easy to set up" and offers "unbeatable value." However, a few people say "the sound isn't the best" — I would agree that it's not exactly cinematic or comparable to what you'd get out of a sound bar, but the sound quality is not a concern at all for me. I am extremely pleased with the TCL 43-Inch Class S4 4K LED Smart TV, and would 100 per cent recommend buying it. In fact, I'm likely going to repurchase this TV in a bigger size when it's on sale. I've been using it for a few months now and I'm impressed with the quality of this device, its weight and how easy it is to set up — and at just $280, it doesn't break the bank, which is always a bonus. If you're on the hunt for an affordable TV that gives excellent performance, I'd definitely check it out.
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
‘A giant parenting group': how online comedians are making a living by laughing about the chaos of kids
Many Instagram-frequenting parents of small children will have seen George Lewis's sketch about two toddlers discussing their feelings of abandonment and relief wrapped in a game of peekaboo. 'It was a normal day, I was just playing with Dad. And then he put his hands in front of his face and he was just gone,' the British comedian and father says in the widely shared video. 'He was behaving so erratically.' Life through a two-year-old's lens – especially in relation to their sleep-deprived parents – is fertile ground for a growing group of online parent comedians whose content is clocking up millions of views. At the heart of the material lies age-old truths: toddlers are sometimes barmy and parenting is often mad. There is a special solidarity among the carers of young children whose days revolve around coaxing vegetables into mouths and bottoms on to potties. In Canada, Farideh Olsen's take on the absurdities of motherhood has one eye firmly on the patriarchy. A sexy husband, her songs suggest, is one who does housework, has therapy and respects women. The 42-year-old singer says it has been a surprise to see how much mothers love watching other mothers 'joking about children and partners and marriage and their love for their children'. 'And, I think that's because a lot of mothering is extremely lonely,' she says. 'You're at home with your kids by yourself, maybe you meet up at a park, but then you don't have the depth of a relationship to joke about your kids.' In the odd three minutes or so that mothers have to check their phones, 'they see something that kind of reflects their life – they find the levity in it,' she says. UK comedian Michael McIntyre was a forerunner when it came to mining laughs from parenting struggles. He told packed theatres well before Covid: 'You never love your children more than when they are unconscious, but still breathing.' Today's troupe of parenting commentators home in on micro moments – a request to cut a toastie exactly in half, the unhinged cackle that follows being asked how the toddler slept, that game of peekaboo – that capture the same sentiment. Farideh thought her music career had been both serious and over before she began writing songs about motherhood. She never considered herself a comedian, nor was she interested in material about parenting, until she had children. While many parenting influencers are female, comedy – including the short-and-sharp social media variety – 'is still very male-dominated', she says. Sydney-based stay-at-home father Sean Szeps' video about the ABCs of parenting – 'A is for 'Absolutely not', B is for 'Brush your teeth'…' delivered with more than a little loopy energy – has almost 40m views on his social media platforms. Last year, all of the 37-year-old's video posts, inspired by his twin seven-year-olds, had a combined 228m views, according to Szeps. Zach Mander, 35, based in Brisbane, has 265,000 TikTok followers and his most popular post has more than 10m views. He has followers all over the world but, as with Szeps, most are in English-speaking countries. They both credit their successes to the pandemic when creative communities on social media took the edge off lockdowns with children. Like their overseas counterparts, they've earned sizeable niche audiences that wouldn't have been accessible to real-world comedians playing clubs with disparate audience members. And they're doing it with disarming honesty. 'Up until that point, my style was incredibly positive, and then the pandemic hit, and I couldn't hold back any more,' says Szeps, who's married to TV presenter and podcaster Josh Szeps. 'Technology,' he says, exploded 'at the same time as we evolved to realising that it would be much better if we were honest about parenthood'. The result was that a 'shit-ton of mums and dads now make an entire career and a living on just sharing what women mostly, but parents overall, have been feeling for decades, which is: it's hilariously hard. It is undeniably difficult. If we can't laugh about it, we're going to sob uncontrollably'. Mander's spoof investigative examinations of Bluey characters, and a video about his children inexplicably losing a slice of pizza in the car (it emerged weeks later 'almost mummified'), are among his biggest hits. 'I've always made content on things that I was experiencing, and it doesn't come much bigger than parenting,' he says. 'I'm amazed we don't talk about it more.' For some, it's really paying off. Szeps, who has a background in social media advertising, has been living off his Instagram account's sponsored content for four years and growth is up 50% year on year. It helps, too, that there will always be new parents. Mander, whose children are two and four, says that because the early years parenting cohort resets about every five years, so does a 'whole lot of people experiencing this for the first time – and those are my cohort'. Viewers are mostly women, both Szeps and Mander say. Szeps, who moved to Australia from America in 2017, has a theory as to why some of the dozen or so male 'power hitters' in the parenting humour space are men talking exclusively to women – and it's down to old-fashioned gender roles. 'We don't want women necessarily to be brutally honest about how hard parenting can be, because that makes us worried for the kids. When a man does it, it's much more accepted,' he says. Parenting jokes sometimes break into the wider satirical space, of course. The Betoota Advocate recently ran a headline: 'Toddler who refuses toast cut the wrong way allegedly ate four servings of vegetable dahl at daycare.' For Szeps, Instagram has become a 'massive, giant parenting group'. 'You still have to navigate the complications. You still have to navigate the perfect parents. You still have to navigate comparison. 'Parenting is so hard, but I don't feel alone in it any more, the way that I felt prior to sharing my experiences online.'
