"I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book!"
― Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
|
|
Needless to say, as soon as I was made aware of this lack, I hastened to track some good asexual and aromantic stories down. Quick queer vocab lesson for those who need it: people who are asexual don't experience sexual attraction and people who are aromantic don't experience romantic attraction. Like all queer identities, asexuality and aromanticism are spectrums. Some people are one, some people are both, some people do experience sexual or romantic attraction but only rarely, some people are actively repulsed by the idea. Everyone deserves representation, so I've tried to include a good mix.
This is probably one of the better known ace books because Seanan McGuire is well known in both the queer community and the science fiction/fantasy universe. Susan, our protagonist, is asexual, but that's not what drove her to Eleanor West's Home for Wayward Children. That's spending years in a magical world and then being spat back out with no way to return to the world that felt more like home than any other. Her asexuality is important to her as a character, but it's far from what defines her and it isn't the plot.
Alternate history where the Civil War was derailed by the zombie uprising. This book is fantastic for so many reasons, but let's focus on the secondary main character, Kate. While they never use the word, they make it clear that she doesn't experience romantic or sexual attraction at all, and more, that she's comfortable with that. She's got bigger things to worry about. Like zombies and racism. Romance and sex just seem terribly inconvenient.
Sal's sexuality isn't revealed explicitly until the second book, but it's still pretty clear from reading it that he's aromantic. Admittedly, romance would be hard for anyone to focus on when you can tear holes through the multiverse and bring alternate, living versions of your dead mother into your own world. But other people are definitely interested and he'd just rather focus on his magician skills. In Sal and Gabi Fix the Universe, Gabi clears things up completely and says "if you were any more aro, I'd shoot you out of a bow," which is great because it's both explicit representation and a pun.
This is a modern retelling of the Arthur mythos that centers on Rani Arturus after she pulls the sword from the stone. Like any good Arthur, she immediately finds herself a Gwen and a Lancelot, but in this case, the love triangle aspect at least goes a little differently. See, Lance is asexual, though not aromantic, and Gwen is smart enough to make everyone talk about their feelings and work out how to make them work as a romantic triad. Now all they have to worry about are the rampaging fae that want to destroy the world! Easy.
I tried not to include too many robots here, but I'll make an exception for Murderbot. The universe Murderbot inhabits is so enthusiastically and openly queer, and Murderbot is so human (though it would be offended if you said so to its face) that its asexuality never comes off as a robot thing, more a thing that is specific to Murderbot. It loves overwrought soap operas but fastforwards through the sex scenes. It develops feelings despite its best efforts and keeps making friends but certainly not romantic or sexual partners. Just people it has to keep from dying no matter how stupid the choices they make are.
Bonus: Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger
This book isn't out until August 26 and I'm still reading it, so no spoilers!! But Ellie, the titular character, is explicitly uninterested in dating and plans never to get married. What she is interested in is her ghost dog, Kirby, that she raised from the dead using secrets passed down through the line of her Lipan Apache family. She's also interested in solving her cousin's murder, which was definitely not a car crash no matter what the authorities believe.
--Shana
|
|
Read our reopen policies and updated hours! |
|
Thanks to all our friends who've visited so far -- it's been wonderful to see everyone's face (well, the top half above the mask anyway) and we're so grateful to everyone who has been so respectful of our policies!
Updated In-Store Shopping Hours:
Monday: CLOSED
Tuesday-Friday: 3PM-7PM
Saturday: 9AM-6PM, with 9AM-11AM set aside for vulnerable customers
Sunday: 3PM-7PM
Curbside Pick Up: Daily, 3PM-7PM
We really appreciate your support!
|
|
Join our next virtual events! |
|
Megan Collins with Megan Miranda
|
|
Register for the event here: https://www.crowdcast.io/e/behindthereddoor
|
|
Join us for a virtual event with Megan Collins, discussing her new novel Behind the Red Door in conversation with Megan Miranda! This event is free and open to all, and is hosted on Crowdcast.
The author of the “suspenseful, atmospheric, and completely riveting” (Megan Miranda, New York Times bestselling author) debut The Winter Sister returns with a darkly thrilling new novel.
|
|
|
|
When Fern Douglas sees the news about Astrid Sullivan, a thirty-four-year-old missing woman from Maine, she is positive that she knows her. Fern’s husband is sure it’s because of Astrid’s famous kidnapping—and equally famous return—twenty years ago, but Fern has no memory of that, even though it happened an hour outside her New Hampshire hometown. With the help of her psychologist father, Fern digs deeper, hoping to find evidence that her connection to Astrid can help the police locate her. But when Fern discovers more about her own past than she ever bargained for, the disturbing truth will change both of their lives forever. |
|
Rebecca Kim Wells with Rory Power and Sara Farizan
|
|
Porter Square Books is delighted to celebrate the paperback release of our Staff Pick of the Year with a virtual event featuring our own Rebecca Kim Wells, author of Shatter the Sky, in conversation with Sara Farizan and Rory Power! Join us for a panel discussion on queer kidlit perfect for your summer reading list, order your signed paperback edition of Shatter the Sky - and if we're lucky, get a sneak peek into the upcoming second book in the duology, Storm the Earth, on sale this fall! This event takes place on Crowdcast, and is free and open to all. |
|
A determined young woman sets out to rescue her kidnapped girlfriend by stealing a dragon from the corrupt emperor in this stunning fantasy debut that’s perfect for fans of Margaret Rogerson, Rae Carson, and Rachel Hartman. Raised among the ruins of a conquered mountain nation, Maren dreams only of sharing a quiet life with her girlfriend Kaia—until the day Kaia is abducted by the Aurati, prophetic agents of the emperor, and forced to join their ranks. Desperate to save her, Maren hatches a plan to steal one of the emperor’s coveted dragons and storm the Aurati stronghold. If Maren is to have any hope of succeeding, she must become an apprentice to the Aromatory—the emperor’s mysterious dragon trainer. But Maren is unprepared for the dangerous secrets she uncovers: rumors of a lost prince, a brewing rebellion, and a prophecy that threatens to shatter the empire itself. Not to mention the strange dreams she’s been having about a beast deep underground…
With time running out, can Maren survive long enough to rescue Kaia from impending death? Or could it be that Maren is destined for something greater than she could have ever imagined?
|
|
|
|
Want to show your love of Porter Square Books? Order your very own Porter Square Books T-shirt! |
|
|
We haven't always been booksellers, but all of us here at PSB have always been readers. We dug out some old photos, and really, it's not any surprise we ended up here. |
|
The picture that started it all, Caleb in his quiet reading tree. |
|
Kate has been enthralled by books from a young age. |
|
Little Leila was very serious about reading. |
|
Katie was a reading princess. |
|
Meaghan formed her love of complicated protagonists early. |
|
Shana has always found time for reading, whether in their living room or at Versailles. |
|
Marika was an al fresco reader in her youth. |
|
Reading, putting books away, reading some more -- Sarah was born ready for the bookseller life! |
|
Visit your friends at Cafe Zing! |
|
Did you know our beloved Cafe Zing is open for customers? Now you know!
Open Wednesday-Saturday, 8AM-2PM! See you and your extra-shot, biggest-size-you-have iced latte at the cafe.
|
|
Newsflash! Our top 2019 adult staff pick, This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone was just awarded the 2020 Hugo Award for best novella. Congratulations to the authors! We like to think we have good taste in books, but it's not every day the Hugo Awards backs us up. This was Shana's staff pick, so we're going to revisit their plea to vote for This Is How You Lose the Time War to be our top 2019 book, because even though we're not voting anymore, these are all good reasons to read it. Also, it's 20% off all year. |
|
Dear readers of all potential timelines,
I'm here to tell you why you should vote for This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone. This beautiful book is like poetry that tricks you into thinking it's prose. We have two heroes, Red and Blue, both ruthless agents for their respective timelines. Two post-human women that haven't quite left their humanity behind no matter how different the future has made them. Blue's hunger. The way Red doesn't quite fit in with the others in her high tech future. As they begin to learn about each other and their respective timelines, you'll start to fall in love just as they do.
But that's not the only reason you should vote for This is How You Lose the Time War.
As any good story about time travel should, this shows the way small changes can cause ripples through time. For instance, an individual comes into Porter Square Books and sees that This is How You Lose the Time War is 20% off and decides to buy it. That individual leaves it in a cafe when they've finished reading it, where another person picks it up, finds the story so good that they tell the story to their child as a bedtime tale. That child grows up to run for president and uses their power to usher in an age of environmental reform and social justice.
Do you want to risk that future? Do you want the dark future that comes if This is How You Lose the Time War loses? Better vote for it just to be sure!
Or vote for it because it's an epistolary time traveling lesbian spy book that's unlike anything else you've ever read. Either way.
Love,
Shana
|
|
We want to hear from you! |
|
|
Have you stopped by the store now that we're reopened?
|
|
Not me - I'm still shopping online and staying at home.
|
|
|
|
|
I haven't yet, but I'm planning to visit this summer!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Porter Square Books is proud to partner with the Prison Book Program to help provide access to books to people in prison. Order any title off this wish list and select the "Curbside Pick Up" shipping option and we'll give to the Prison Book Program to distribute. |
|
|
|
Antiracism Books: A Place to Start |
|
|
|
Empire of Wild by Cherie Dimaline, read by Michelle St. John
A bold and brilliant new indigenous voice in contemporary literature makes her American debut with this kinetic, imaginative, and sensuous fable inspired by the traditional Canadian Métis legend of the Rogarou—a werewolf-like creature that haunts the roads and woods of native people’s communities.
“Cherie Dimaline’s latest novel packs a wallop of a story. Absolutely stunning in every way, this latest offering follows the story of Joan, whose husband has disappeared, and her courage when confronted with truths and lies. She and her husband, Victor, live in a Métis community, close and tight knit. As Joan deals with the fallout of her emotions after Victor disappears, she comes across another man, Eugene Wolff, who bears her husband’s face. He does not carry Victor’s memories and insists he has no idea who Joan’s husband is. Turning over rocks to find the truth, Joan reaches out to whomever she can in her community for help. What waits for her at the end of her quest is incredible. This novel will have you at the edge of your seat!” --Annie Carl, The Neverending Bookshop
|
|
|
 |
Digital Audio Books:
A terrific way to support local indies!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Want book recommendations, personalized just for you?
Fill out our form with your likes and dislikes, genres and favorites, and we'll crowdsource a bunch of great picks for you with our crack team of real life booksellers. Give it a whirl!
|
|
|
|
Our 'get 3 paperbacks' bundle options have expanded to include Caleb, Meaghan, and Shana! Get 3 paperbacks handpicked by the bookseller that fit in with their theme. You can find all bundles. |
|
|
|
EXPANDED OPTIONS:
Journals, Stationery & Crafts
|
Sometimes a new notebook is what it takes to get the juices flowing!
We have now made a much wider variety of notebooks, journals, and even calendars available for order from our website, like this classic Moleskin. Now, along with items with an inventory status of "On Our Shelves Now," you can order journals, notebooks, diaries, calendars, planners, and more with an inventory status of "Available at Warehouses."
|
|
|
|
Face Masks
Face coverings are going to be with us for a while, so we’re now offering non-medical grade cloth masks (including kid size) from a variety of makers. Right now quantities are limited, but additional styles are on the way. We’ll keep you posted! |
Book Bundle Offerings
Make your shopping easy by buying bundles, handpicked by our expert booksellers!
|
|
|
|
Our dear friend Neil reads the second chapter of The Graveyard Book!
|
|
Support Cafe Zing Baristas! |
|
Although Cafe Zing is its own business separate from ours, we really don't see it that way: Zing workers are part of the Porter Square Books family. They keep us well supplied - very well supplied - with caffeine, kindness, and some great tunes. Sometimes they give us staff picks; sometimes we give them exact change because we've bought the same, perfect, comforting, delicious beverage twice a day five days a week for how long, now?
|
|
New month, new discounts! Check out what our booksellers are loving this summer. |
|
|
Featured Staff Pick for Children |
A missing diamond! Mystery across two continents (and several languages)! A tour around all of the neatest attractions of Paris, with plenty of shenanigans and sleuthing along the way. This story has tons of fun, plenty of fascinating tidbits, and my new favorite girl detective. Julieta immediately feels like a classic children's lit star!
--Caleb
|
|
|
|
Featured Staff Pick for Adults |
As England puts itself back together after World War II, two friends open a marriage bureau -- which quickly becomes a detective agency as well.
--Sarah
|
|
|
|
See you next time here at Shelf Stable! |
|
Did you miss an installment, or want to share with a friend? The Shelf Stable Archive has all our past issues! |
|
And don't forget to subscribe to our Events Newsletter for the full line up of events coming up, and our Kids Newsletter for all the latest on events, new books, reviews, and more for young and young-at-heart readers.
|
|
Looking for other ways to keep up with us? Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube: |
|
25 White St. Cambridge, MA 02140
617-491-2220
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
