Well gosh this book is just perfect. So perfect that, when I tried to tell my friend about it, I just ended up flailing incoherently while shouting "Read it!"7

But that doesn't really cut it as a book review, sadly. So let's see...

Proud is a collection of short stories and poetry by leading YA writers, all of whom identify as LGBTQ+. And each piece of writing is accompanied by a piece of art, by an artist who also identifies as LGBTQ+. And everything - from the writing to the art to the cover - is just wonderful. There's a real variation in theme, genre, setting and tone, but each piece is just a nugget of beauty and hope and loveliness. I can't even, as I usually do with collections, identify highlights, because the standard was so consistently high and each piece offered something new.

If I'd had this book when I was 14 and queer and confused I would have treasured it; hell, I'm 40 and I will treasure it.

Unfortunately I cannot read it as my phone is so old that reader apps are unable to update to the latest version in order to read PDFs. But I have it pre-ordered so will be back in March with a full review :)