Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me

 As I've become more comfortable identifying as LGBTQ, I've also come to realize that I also have a lot to learn.

Not only do I need to do better at identifying other groups within our community but I also need to become more well versed at our culture. There have been many LGBTQ artists, musicians, and writers over the years and I feel it's important to study their work.

Being a lover of books (I try to read as much as I can), I was immediately drawn to that realm. I looked up online and also consulted my best guy friend (he's a librarian and also works at a bookstore) on which books I should consider. As previously mentioned, I did recently pick up a copy of Heartstoppers volume 1. I'll be reading that after I finish the manga Uzumaki (the Fall season has me getting into the mood for horror).

One book that I previously read was Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me; a graphic novel written by Mariko Tamaki and beautifully illustrated by Rosemary Valero-O'Connell.

It's about a high school girl named Freddy who goes through the issues of her girlfriend (the title girl Laura Dean) constantly breaking up with her, only to return when it suits her. This situation has started to separate Freddy from her core group of friends, especially her best friend Doodle.

Without spoiling too much, Freddy ultimately has to decide if she wants to continue in this Sisyphus lifestyle or break out of it and remain close to her friends (who, of course, are also having their own issues).

As you can tell, I just absolutely loved this book. The characters, the illustrations, the comedy, the drama, it all just worked for me.

Lots of points definitely hit me a certain way, especially in Freddy's interactions with Laura Dean. Tamaki did an excellent job in capturing the drama of high school itself.

It was nice that (outside of one interaction) the LGBTQ members of the school seemed to fit right in with the entire populace. It even featured a discussion about Harvey Milk during class. Now, I graduated from highschool 20 years ago (wow, I feel old now) and I've never been to Berkeley, California (the setting of the story) but I love the idea that people can be that accepting of our community. I wish my hometown was more like this.

The story has an absolute recommendation from me. No they're not sponsoring me or anything.

Like I said, some of the points in the story hit me hard. The reason being that they reminded me of my interactions with my own Laura Dean. I'll go more in depth on that story next week.

As usual, I'll be taking the weekend off. Plus, I'll also be away on Monday due to Labor Day.

I'll be back with a new posting on Tuesday next week.

Until then, take care loves.

-Trixie 😘 ❤️ 








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