The (Un)Popular Vote audiobook

what I found most interesting about this book was how the trans main characters father was very unaccepting and transphobic, and he was a democratic politician. I thought this was super interesting because democrats are often reflected as perfect angels especially in LGBT books when the authors are neo-liberals, which this book didn't do. just because American liberals are typically more accepting doesn't mean this shit doesn't exist! ESPECIALLY with politicians. as a leftist, I finally felt as like I could truly like the author and enjoy the politics of the book because it didn't feel like typical liberals-can-do-no-wrong cringe like red white and royal blue does. I really enjoyed this book! 4.5/5 stars

I saw someone saying that you'll enjoy this if you loved The Politician on Netflix (and not only because of Ben Platt but the actual storyline but also BEN) and I couldn't agree more - the protagonists of the respective stories could for sure be best friends.

I am so glad this was my first book of the year. It was beyond incredible, and I just absolutely loved it. It was funny, it was heartfelt, it was joyous. Highly recommend.

this was very good! I spent a little too much time cringing in secondhand embarrassment, and I had a couple bits I didn't love, but overall, I thought this book was very powerful. I did have to suspend a bit of disbelief at how seriously these kids were taking their school presidency, but maybe that's just me being a homeschool kid, I'm not sureeither way, they characters were great, and this is super fun!

If you don't like anything about politics and how it works, you may not like this book. Buuuuuut I think you need to read it either way! I don't really like politics so, for me, the book had a slow start, but I genuinely loved how Mark and his friends went beyond everything to try to change things at their school. It is such an important read. We need to have more books like this for teens (and adults). It helps to open our eyes to the reality of the LGBTQIA+ community, more even in the light of the events happening more and more in the US where difference is trying to get banned. Please, read it.Many thanks to HarperCollins Canada for the complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thank you so much to Katherin Tegan Books for the ARC of this book!If you don't like reading about politics or dramatic monologues or kids who are smarter than you, this book isn't for you. That said, you'd be missing out terribly if you didn't read it. Mark Adams is new to Utopia Heights. He moved with his mom to get away from his old life and his old name and his old gender identity. Mostly, to get away from his politician father who refuses to acknowledge that he has a son instead of the daughter he thought he had. Mark has been enmeshed in politics since childhood and when he sees one of his friends bullied for their sexual orientation, he decides the only way to make true change is to run for student body president. The only trick will be doing it while hiding who he really is.The entire plot of this book is a story is a study in democratic pillow talk. The kind of political strategy that says 'we're with you. we want to help you. it gets better.' with no real action behind it at all. Mark's father is a democrat, and while they'd have you believe they're the party of progression, this book makes it quite clear that the difference between the two-party system in the US is basically non-existent. Mark feels like he needs to make the big promises he knows he can't really keep to win the election because that's what we've been given our entire lives in this country.The characters are diverse both in race and orientation/how they identify, and I loved seeing a guy asexual character. I feel like so many times it's a girl and yes I'm also a girl but it's nice to see the guys being repped out there too. Mark's friends call him on his shit when he's being a shit, but mostly they're a group of queer found family who have been drawn to each other for their 'otherness'. Safety in numbers, and I loved seeing this group come together for each other.Overall, a really, really enjoyed this book, big dramatic speeches and all.

When I first started reading this I thought it took itself a little too seriously, but by the end, the characters had stolen my heart. I think especially looking at it from the perspective of someone outside the USA the amount of effort they put into their school president elections seems a bit ridiculous? I'm not sure you'd enjoy this book if you weren't at least somewhat interested in USA politics, because it's full of it. At the same time, I really enjoyed the main character's development. I was on edge because I was sure there was going to be a forced outing scene, and there wasn't, so that's a huge bonus because I hate that trope with a passion. I also loved how the tension with the main character's dad was handled, because I've seen too many books just brush behaviour aside because 'family'. Topics in this book were handled thoughtfully and with a lot of heart, so if it sounds like something you'd enjoy you should pick it up!Thanks to Harper360 for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.Follow me on my Blog, Twitter, and Instagram.

Tw: homophobia, transphobiaThis book follows Mark, who is a transgender teen who after seeing acts of homophobia in his school, decides to run for student body president.If you like politics and diverse reads, this is the book for you. It has trans, bi, pan, asexual, aromantic, lesbian, non-binary, and poc representation and I felt it was aimed at queer people everywhere who feel like they’re underrepresented in media.I really liked this book and what it represented. The author is also a trans man so I can trust the transgender representation is well written.Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book.

4.5 Main rep: transmasc, Pan, gay, Jewish Side rep: bi, ace, aro, lesbian, non-binary, genderqueer, demigirl, POC, MuslimCW: transphobia, homophobia, dead-naming, underage drug usage, underage drinking, anxiety attacks, bullying

4.5 but rounding up for the sake of the début novel.I might be out of the loop, but this is the first YA story I’ve read that has some serious student body issues going that are not prom related. Not to dismiss any other queer YA out there that was either a coming out story or dealing with any other personal issues, but this one tackles bigger (even though still on the school level) political issues in a school setting and that was refreshing to me.The pop cultural references were Scandal, the West Wing and Veep, rather than Harry Potter and the profound knowledge of US politics and literature classics was a bit over my head and pretentious, but it works… The plot kept going from adorably naive (I will change the world) to hopelessly frustrating (that man is an asshole!) and while it got a bit tiresome at certain points, I also thing it was done in purpose to reflect some other points mentioned in plot (no spoilers).The representation and inclusion among the characters is impressing and the Mark’s self awareness sometimes came at the right time to smack my privileged perspective along with his own. So overall, a great read & highly recommended to all Simon, Felix, and co fans out there

i love teenagers who go crazy for politics

“Maybe I haven’t done enough to earn a reward, but what the hell have I done to deserve your wrath? Tell me. Was this body a punishment? What about the hate your gospel planted in this world? Did I deserve the hurt that bloomed in me? I’ll plead guilty to pride and wrath and lust. Hear this as my confession: I may be broken and flawed, but legend has it, you made me in your image. If I’m imperfect, then what does that say about you?”this book did what so many other ya contemporaries have tried. it actually tackled issues of intersectionality and privilege without tearing other groups down. it discussed religion and both its positive and negative effects, it was effortlessly diverse and engaging and its main romance was adorable. read it!!!!!

I truly loved this book so much! Mark is such an amazing character and does the most to try and make his school a better place for his friends and those coming after him. I think he is such a strong character and I LOVED the romance aspect in this book. I thought it was really well done and beautiful and I loved it!Content WarningsGraphic: Transphobia, Deadnaming, Homophobia, Bullying, and ViolenceModerate: Abandonment

Sometimes I like to read cute, fluffy ya books. But sometimes I like to read books that shows how imperfect, messy growing up can be. It shows the irresponsibility of being the responsible one. And I like how it talks about queer issues without blasting the reader with them. It's a very different type of ya book. And a very good book in general.