Busboys and Poets Books Presents YA/Teen Book Club

Welcome, reader, to the YA/Teen Book Club! Every last Sunday of the month we'll be hosting YA/Teen Book Club led by Dee, the 14th & V Bookstore Supervisor, at Busboys and Poets Takoma. This book club will be guided by questions crafted by our bookstore staff, as well as any points the participants want to raise. Show up for good food, good books, and great company- plus, the more frequently you show up, the more goodies (in the form of discounts and priority book-picks) you can collect.

This book club is special because participants can pick any of the three books that fit that month’s theme. In honor of Pride, the June theme is “Transitions” - we’ll explore the experiences of trans teens at school, at home, and sometimes when they’re out and about dealing with ghosts!

• I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver (audiobook available) - When Ben comes out to their parents as nonbinary, they’re thrown out of the house. Ben moves in with their estranged older sister, and begins to rebuild their life.
• The Art of Being Normal by Lisa Williamson - David is still trying to come out as a trans girl, and Leo is trying to pass as a trans guy. They build a friendship and find the support they need as David comes out and Leo is outed.
• Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas (audiobook available) - Trans boy Yadriel is determined to prove to his family that he can be a Brujo. However, the ghost he summons has his own agenda, and isn’t planning on leaving until Yadriel helps him tie up some loose ends.

Now, you might be wondering: How does everyone reading different books for one book club work?

Each of the three books are specifically chosen to not only fit the theme, but to converse with one another within that theme umbrella. Through our bookseller’s questions, the book club will explore what these books have in common, discover what they interpret differently, and what new and interesting takes they have- plus, participants get to hear about even more books and authors as a result!

This club will discuss spoilers for all books involved- so we recommend if you’re saving one of these titles for later you skip out on that month’s book club meeting. You can pick up these books at any Busboys bookstore or wherever books are sold, including through our Bookshop.org page. This club is specifically for teenagers ages 13-18, with the exception of our bookstore staff moderators. We’ll be meeting once a month on Sunday afternoons at Busboys and Poets Takoma (235 Carroll Street NW).

Dee (they/them) is a bookseller by night and a TTRPG Facilitator by day. They have a Masters’ of Education, which they have proceeded to squander on reading books and playing games. Dee particularly likes fantasy and sci-fi books, and the gayer the better. They have a very cute dog, who unfortunately is not allowed to join any book clubs because he eats the books.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Busboys and Poets - Takoma, 235 Carroll Ave NW, Washington, United States