Alex (Pucksandpaperbacks) | The Beautiful Something Els...

The Beautiful Something Else

Ash Van Otterloo

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Full of humor and heartbreak, this story about a nonbinary character navigating a binary world is perfect for fans of Alex Gino and Kyle Lukoff.It’s exhausting trying to be the perfect daughter. Still, getting good grades without making any waves may be the only way to distract from the fact that Sparrow Malone’s mother is on the verge of falling apart. Which means no getting upset. No being weird. No standing out for the wrong reasons.But when Mom’s attempts to cope spiral out of control, Sparrow is sent to live with Aunt Mags on a sprawling estate full of interesting, colorful new neighbors. And for the first time, trying to fit in doesn’t feel right anymore. Even Sparrow’s shadow has stopped following the rules.As Shadow nudges Sparrow to try all the scary, exciting things Mom has always forbidden, Sparrow begins to realize something life-changing: They don’t feel like a girl. Or a boy. And while this discovery is exciting, now Sparrow must decide whether to tell everyone―their new family and friends, not-so-secret crush, and, most importantly, their mom―the truth, especially if it means things change forever.

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Posts about this title from Alex (Pucksandpaperbacks)

Alex (Pucksandpaperbacks)\ \ Alex (he/him/his)\ \ • Jul 7

[Poll:\ \ Will you be joining us??\ \ Hi everyone! This weekend is our seasonal readathon to celebrate summer! It goes from Friday, July 10th to Tuesday, July 14th starting at midnight in your time zone and going until 11:59PM to Tuesday, July 14th (in your time zone). Join us in Discord! \ \ The Rules: This is a laid-back readathon. Read as much or as little as possible, mood read or use the bingo card linked below. My only ask is that the books you're reading have queer rep and/or are written by a BIPOC author. I'm cultivating a space where we diversify our reading.\ \ I'll be hosting sprints for free and paid members on Sunday, July 12th from 12pm to 3pm EST. CLICK HERE to access the stream. I'll make an official post leading up to the sprints for an extra reminder. The stream will be available to access afterward. \ \ For anyone who wants it, I created a bingo card. CLICK HERE to access the bingo card. \ \ \ \ BINGO CARD PROMPTS\ \ 01. Read a book set at the beach\ \ 02. Read a book where the character completes a bucket list \ \ 03. Read a novella \ \ 04. Read a book that starts with 'J' \ \ 05. Attend reading sprints\ \ 06. Read a book featuring ice cream \ \ 07. Read a book published in July \ \ 08. Read a book with disability/neurodivergent rep (It's Disability Pride Month!) \ \ 09. Read a book on your summer TBR\ \ 10. Read a book with your favorite color on the cover \ \ 11. Read a graphic novel, comic, or manga \ \ 12. Read a book set during the summer\ \ 13. Read a romance book \ \ 14. Read a middle grade book \ \ 15. Have a summer treat \ \ 16. Write a book review \ \ \ RECOMMENDATIONS \ \ Disability & Neurodivergent Rep\ \

Here We Go Again by Alison Cochrun (ADHD)\ \
Hell Followed with Us by Andrew Joseph White (Autism)\ \
How to Become a Planet by Nicole Melleby (anxiety & depression)\ \
Someone to Daydream About by Sydney Langford (deaf FMC, MMC w/ ADHD, dysgraphia & dyslexia)\ \ \ Graphic Novels\ \
Magical Boy by The Kao\ \
The Chromatic Fantasy by H.A.\ \
Homebody by Theo Parish\ \
This One Summer by Mariko & Jillian Tamaki \ \ \ Manga\ \
Blue Flag by KAITO\ \
Dinosaur Sanctuary by Itaru Kinoshita\ \
Confessions of a Shy Baker by Masaomi Ito (CW: Dieting, calorie counting)\ \
Cat + Gamer by Wataru Nadatani\ \ \ Summer (Beach) Reads\ \
Melt My Heart by Bethany Rutter\ \
The House of Now and Then by Edward Underhill \ \
The Summer of Everything by Julian Winters\ \
If You Change Your Mind by Robby Weber \ \
Our Way Back to Always by Nina Moreno \ \ \ Books starting with 'J'\ \
Just As You Are by Cameron Kellogg \ \
Jonny Appleseed by Joshua Whitehead\ \
Just Between Us by Adeline Kon\ \
Joy, to the World by Lisa Bunker, Kai Shappley\ \
Junior High by Tegan & Sara\ \ \ Books Published in July\ \
Buried Feelings by Kit Rosewater (July 7, 2026)\ \
Heartstopper: Volume Six by Alice Oseman (July 2026)\ \
Melt My Heart by Bethany Rutter (July 23, 2020)\ \ \ Middle Grade books\ \
The Beautiful Something Else by Alder Van Otterloo\ \
The House of Sunrise Lagoon series by Nicole Melleby\ \
Glitch Girl! by Rainie Oet\ \
Dear Mothman by Robin Gow\ \ \ Novellas\ \
Finna by Nino Cipri\ \
Peter Darling by Austin Chant\ \
Read Between the Lines by Bee Medina\ \
Loading...The Machine Child by T.T. Wadden\ \ \ Romance Books\ \
The Next Chapter by Cameron Kellogg \ \
And They Were Roommates by Page Powars\ \
Xeni by Rebekah Weatherspoon\ \
The Broposal by Sonido Reyes](https://pucksandpaperbacks.binderybooks.com/item/B1nc8GruxQPomxEEQ3bt/)

Summer Seasonal Readathon This Weekend (July 10th - July 14th) | Bingo Card, Recommendations, & More!

Join us for our readathon this weekend!

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Alex (Pucksandpaperbacks)\ \ Alex (he/him/his)\ \ • Jun 28

50+ trans book recommendations 🏳️‍⚧️

Over 50 trans book recommendations for the Trans Rights Readathon and Trans Reading Challenge ranging from memoirs, nonfiction, romance, contemporary, YA and middle grade, and some SFF.

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Alex (Pucksandpaperbacks)\ \ Alex (he/him/his)\ \ • May 1

May Book Club Theme, Recommendations, & What I'm Reading!

Our May book club theme is "Trans Author." Here's what I'm reading & my recommendations.

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Alex (Pucksandpaperbacks)\ \ Alex (he/him/his)\ \ • Apr 14

Spring Seasonal Readathon This Weekend (April 17 - April 21st) | Bingo Card, Recommendations, & More!

I'm hosting another seasonal readathon this weekend! Enclosed are recommendations, the reading sprint schedule, and access to the bingo card.

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Alex (Pucksandpaperbacks)\ \ Alex (he/him/his)\ \ • Apr 10

I Found My Best Book of the Year! | March Wrap Up

These are the seven queer books I read in March and which ones I recommend...including my best book of the year!