Boundless Press | Last Night at the Telegraph Club
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Last Night at the Telegraph Club
Malinda Lo
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Winner of the National Book Award
A New York Times Bestseller.
“The queer romance we’ve been waiting for.”—Ms. Magazine.
Seventeen-year-old Lily Hu can't remember exactly when the feeling took root—that desire to look, to move closer, to touch. Whenever it started growing, it definitely bloomed the moment she and Kathleen Miller walked under the flashing neon sign of a lesbian bar called the Telegraph Club. Suddenly everything seemed possible.
But America in 1954 is not a safe place for two girls to fall in love, especially not in Chinatown. Red-Scare paranoia threatens everyone, including Chinese Americans like Lily. With deportation looming over her father—despite his hard-won citizenship—Lily and Kath risk everything to let their love see the light of day. (Cover image may vary.)
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Boundless Press\ \ Jananie\ \ • Apr 10
all the books I want to read this spring 🌸📚 a long overdue book haul!
open for an exclusive giveaway! 👀
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Posts about this book from across Bindery
Children of Diaspora\ \ Rae the Reviewer\ \ • Apr 25
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Happy Independent Bookstore Day + Book Club Announcement!
Celebrate Independent Bookstore Day with free standard shipping on all orders made through @bookshop_org on April 25th and 26th!
#ad #bookhaul #indiebookstore #independentbookstoreday #reader
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Boundless Press\ \ Jananie\ \ • Apr 10
all the books I want to read this spring 🌸📚 a long overdue book haul!
open for an exclusive giveaway! 👀
22 books
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Peppered Ink\ \ Mary\ \ • Oct 9 2025
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Some of my favorites (and a few more).
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The Very Queer Library\ \ Jacob Demlow\ \ • Aug 14 2025
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\ \ Explore the 1950's through the eyes of members of the queer community! Next week will be the 1940's!\ \ Join for free or login](https://theveryqueerlibrarian.binderybooks.com/item/cuSABepId4dqzqsLrhEn/)
📚 Queer History: Books Set in 1950's
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Wanderland Reads\ \ Sayer\ \ • Aug 13 2025
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[You definitely aren’t alone, I’m also navigating the wild, winding road of self-discovery—and let me tell you, it’s not a one-and-done kind of deal. For many of us, “coming of age” happened in adolescence—awkward braces, bad haircuts, and maybe a few embarrassing crushes. But honestly? That was just the opening act. The real, adult coming of age happens when you realize that life, love, and even your own desires are way more complicated (and way more exciting) than a teen rom-com.\ \ A Second Coming of Age—Because Who Says It’s Over?\ \ If you’re anything like me, you've spent years unpacking some pretty heavy stuff—religious upbringing, conservative values, judgments about your body, your sexuality, your worth. Maybe you’re still peeling back those layers, questioning everything you once believed. That’s what I call the second coming of age. And surprise: it’s just as messy, honest, and life-changing as the first.\ \ This second round is about re discovering yourself—your desires, your boundaries, and your capacity to love and be loved. It’s about deconstructing old narratives and rebuilding a version of yourself that’s more aligned with who you really are. And let’s be real: navigating this while unlearning a lot of shame—especially around sex and intimacy—can feel like trying to do a puzzle in the dark. But here’s the thing: you’re allowed to stumble, fumble, and laugh at yourself along the way.\ \ As a therapist, I see so many clients (myself included) who are just unraveling the layers of what society, religion, or family told us about our bodies and feelings. It’s often uncomfortable, sometimes heartbreaking, but also incredibly empowering. One thing I’ve learned: exploring our sexuality and love is a profoundly human experience. It’s about curiosity, honesty, and damn, a lot of patience with ourselves.\ \ Romance Novels: Your Secret Weapon (And Yes, They’re Actually Good for You)\ \ Now, here’s a little secret I tell my clients: romancelandia is more than escapism—it's a safe space to learn about desire, consent, emotional intimacy, and even—let’s be honest—how to flirt without dying of embarrassment. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, validation, or just a good laugh, romance books can be a tool for understanding your own wants and needs.\ \ They give us permission to explore love in all its messy, imperfect glory. Plus, reading about people falling in love might just inspire you to do the same—without the heartbreak of bad dates or awkward moments (well, mostly). It’s like practice for real life, but with less risk and more happily-ever-afters.\ \ Books That Might Help You Level Up in Love and Self-Discovery\ \ Coming of Age in Youth:\ \
- "Last Night at the Telegraph Club" by Malinda Lo is a coming-of-age storythat explores themes of self-discovery, first love, and navigating identity during a time of social and political upheaval in 1950s America. \ \
- "The Build-a-Boyfriend Project," by Mason Deaver, is a coming-of-age story that explores themes of self-discovery, ambition, and love within the queer community, particularly focusing on the experience of a trans man. \ \ \ Coming of Age in Adulthood\ \
- "The Kiss Quotient" by Helen Hoang—A story about a woman figuring out what intimacy really means on her own terms. \ \
- "Get a Life, Chloe Brown" by Talia Hibbert—A witty, heartfelt story about self-love and finding joy in your own skin and your relationships. \ \
- “Bad for Boss” by Talia Hibbert–\ \
- “Club Shadowlands” by Cherise Sinclair–A women stumbles on a sex club after her car gets stranded and her eyes are opened to a whole new world. Honestly this is probably my favorite BDSM series.\ \
- “The Awakening of Ivy Leavold” by Sierra Simone - a historical BDSM with a governess who finds herself in the context of BDSM\ \
- “ See You Yesterday” by Rachel Lynn Solomon–The story explores themes of self-discovery, second chances, and the complexities of relationships, all while navigating the challenges of college life and a unique romantic entanglement with the boy also trapped in the loop\ \
- “Whenever You’re Ready” by Rachel Runya Katz–Estranged childhood friends-to-lovers, a road trip, siblings, grief and healing, a dual timeline. \ \
- “There’s Something About Mira” by Sonali Dev–from growing up in an immigrant community to conforming to her parents' expectations to finally finding her own happiness.\ \
- "The Rosie Project" by Graeme Simsion—Quirky and sweet, about embracing imperfections and authentic connections.\ \ \ Why This Matters—and Why It’s Still Tough\ \ Deconstructing from religious fundamentalism or conservative backgrounds adds an extra layer of complexity. It’s like trying to redesign your entire interior while living in the house. There’s guilt, confusion, fear, and moments of triumph and clarity—all rolled into one. Taking the time to really explore what love, sex, and self-worth mean outside of those old narratives isn’t just important; it’s revolutionary.\ \ You’re re-writing your story—one that reflects the person you’re becoming, not the person those old beliefs tried to define for you. And let me tell you from experience: that’s hard work, messy work, but also the most vital work you can do.\ \ You Are Allowed to Re-Discover Yourself\ \ So, if you’re in the thick of your second coming of age, remember: You’re not alone. It’s okay to stumble, to question everything, and to take your time. Rebuilding your understanding of love, intimacy, and your own worth is a brave act—one that deserves patience and compassion. Embrace the mess, celebrate your progress, and trust that every step you take is a powerful step toward a more authentic, liberated you. Your story isn’t over; it’s just evolving. And honestly? That’s where the magic happens.\ \ Join for free or login](https://wanderlandreads.binderybooks.com/item/96RFHM7ERA5FYAkj1LvS/)
The Second Coming of Age: Self-Discovery, Love, and a Little Rebellion
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Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Jun 28 2025
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speak up against book banning!
speak up against book banning!
and remember to read, support, and uplift books by marginalized authors today and every day.
📚 books mentioned: - Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas - Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo - Kindred by Octavia E. Butler
#bannedbooks #readbannedbooks #diversebooks #fantasybooks #historicalfictionbooks #sciencefictionbooks #scifibooks #starrysteph #nycinfluencer #bookstagran @swoonreads @fiercereads @duttonbooks @doubledaybooks @penguinrandomhouse
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Reads with Rachel\ \ Rachel\ \ • May 1 2025
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Wanderland Reads\ \ Sayer\ \ • Apr 7 2025
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📚✨ Join me as I kick off our ongoing series on Banned Books!
These are must-read titles that challenge censorship and spark meaningful conversations. These books often face banning for their themes of social justice, sexuality, and political dissent.
Let’s celebrate our freedom together! What’s your favorite banned book? Share your suggestions for our library!
#BannedBooks #FreedomToRead #LiteraryAwareness #representationmatters #wanderlandreads
65 books
Bookish AfroLatina's Library\ \ Gabby\ \ • Feb 20 2025
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Banned Books Club - Book 1- Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo
Banned Books Club - Book 1- Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo Last Night at the Telegraph Club has been banned in school districts in the following states: North Carolina, Florida, Utah, South Carolina, Maryland, Texas, Virginia, Iowa, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Tennessee, & Alaska (2021-2024 school years) https://pen.org/book-bans/pen-america-index-of-school-book-bans-2023-2024/
According to the author Malinda Lo, BookLooks* rated Last Night at the Telegraph Club as “Not For Minors,” and claims the book “contains obscene sexual activities; sexual nudity; alternate sexualities; and derogatory term.” As someone who actually read the book, i know that none of the experiences the main character has are graphic or lewd. They just depict the life of an average teenage girl. Teens explore and it’s wild to pretend that this book would be the inspiration for that. Of course, the “alternate sexualities” they’re referring to is likely tied to the main character being a lesbian.
According to Book Riot, "across Moms For Liberty Facebook groups, as well similar “parents rights” groups across the country, a new resource has emerged heeding the call: BookLooks...It is a tool developed by Moms For Liberty being used to push their agendas even further under the guise of protecting children."
Why I Recommend This Book: I love this book for so many reasons! Malinda Lo places readers in Lily's (MC) shoes and includes timelines, footnotes, flashbacks, and an author's note in order to help readers understand the context of Lily's story. The timelines include the Chinese Exclusion Act, World War II, and McCarthyism, among other things. Lo is able to include traditional Chinese characters, as well as romanizations of Mandarin & Cantonese w/ the help of footnotes.
How to Access This Book: Queer Liberation Library @queerliblib , The Banned Book Club by DPLA @digpublib , Books Unbanned (by Brooklyn Public Library), & your public library. [ID: Black ripped paper reveals a colorful bookshelf. Text at the top, "Bookish AfroLatina's banned books club." Below the text, a brown hand holds up a copy of the book.] #Books #BannedBooks #ChineseAmericans #BannedBooksClub #LGBTQBooks
1 book
Sapph-Lit\ \ Nina\ \ • Nov 7 2024
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Duh. But especially now that I run a sapphic publishing imprint.
8 books
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Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Sep 28 2024
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there’s only one day left in Banned Books Week, but please continue to read books that have been removed from schools & libraries and support the freedom to read!
3 books
Fat Forward Books\ \ Samantha Puc\ \ • Dec 29 2023
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After much consideration, these are my favorite reads from 2023. What would you recommend based on these picks? What were your favorite books this year? 📚🪩✨
#ReadIn2023 #FavoriteBooksOf2023
9 books
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