3.5
Color outside the Lines
By Sangu Mandanna & Samira Ahmed &Publisher Description
This modern, groundbreaking YA anthology explores the complexity and beauty of interracial and LGBTQ+ relationships where differences are front and center.
When people ask me what this anthology is about, I’m often tempted to give them the complicated answer: it’s about race, and about how being different from the person you love can matter but how it can also not matter, and it’s about Chinese pirate ghosts, black girl vigilantes, colonial India, a flower festival, a garden of poisons, and so, so much else. Honestly, though? I think the answer’s much simpler than that. Color outside the Lines is a collection of stories about young, fierce, brilliantly hopeful people in love.—Sangu Mandanna, editor of Color outside the Lines
With stories by:
Samira Ahmed | Elsie Chapman | Lauren Gibaldi | Lydia Kang | Michelle Ruiz Keil | Lori M. Lee | Sangu Mandanna | L.L. McKinney | Anna-Marie McLemore | Danielle Paige | Karuna Riazi | Caroline Tung Richmond | Adam Silvera | Tara Sim | Eric Smith | Kelly Zekas & Tarun Shanker
When people ask me what this anthology is about, I’m often tempted to give them the complicated answer: it’s about race, and about how being different from the person you love can matter but how it can also not matter, and it’s about Chinese pirate ghosts, black girl vigilantes, colonial India, a flower festival, a garden of poisons, and so, so much else. Honestly, though? I think the answer’s much simpler than that. Color outside the Lines is a collection of stories about young, fierce, brilliantly hopeful people in love.—Sangu Mandanna, editor of Color outside the Lines
With stories by:
Samira Ahmed | Elsie Chapman | Lauren Gibaldi | Lydia Kang | Michelle Ruiz Keil | Lori M. Lee | Sangu Mandanna | L.L. McKinney | Anna-Marie McLemore | Danielle Paige | Karuna Riazi | Caroline Tung Richmond | Adam Silvera | Tara Sim | Eric Smith | Kelly Zekas & Tarun Shanker
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3.5
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“Turn the Sky to Petals by Anna-Marie McLemore: 5/5
Not the writing style I normally read, but absolutely enchanting and lyrical.
Prom by Danielle Paige: 4/5
Short, but cute.
What We Love by Lauren Gibaldi: 5/5
I would read a whole book about these two. It's so incredibly nerdy and cheesy, and I dig it.
Giving Up the Ghost by Tarun Shanker and Kelly Zekas: 3/5
I was super confused when I first started this, but it ended up being pretty cute.
Your Life Matters by L.L. McKinney: 3/5
It was fine. I wish I could've gotten into it more because the subject matter is very important.
Starlight and Moondust by Lori M. Lee: 5/5
I didn't realize I was so into magical realism, but I really liked this one.
Five Times Shiva Met Harry by Sangu Mandanna: 3/5
I like that this one had a white boy who actually took steps to educate himself on his own privilege, though I think it could've been more impactful if it were longer.
The Agony of a Heart’s Wish by Samira Ahmed: 4.5/5
Oh, okay. This one is so sad wow. Two young souls, who met and connected so deeply and profoundly in one night but were kept apart by way of circumstances and demography, fated never to see one another again? God, kill me.
The Coward’s Guide to Falling in Love by Caroline Tung Richmond: 4/5
I felt this one. I felt the high school nerves and anxiety of when you really like someone and you don’t know where you stand. I want to give this sweet girl a hug and tell her everything is going to be alright, even if it doesn’t feel that way now.
Death and the Maiden by Tara Sim: 5/5
Omg, who is this woman? Can I read all her books pls? Can I be married to Hades pls? I freaking loved this.
Faithfull by Karuna Riazi: 3/5
Was pretty ehh on this because it seemed like too much to bite off for a short story and ended up feeling a little superficial (the mother-daughter conflict reminded me a lot of https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26626118.How_to_Make_a_Wish ), but I liked the last pages on the MC and her stepfather’s relationship.
Gilman Street by Michelle Ruiz Keil: 4.5/5
Oooh yes. Queer Mexican American girl discovering parts of herself in 1980s San Francisco? Yes pls, thank you.
“The Boy Is” by Elsie Chapman: 3.5/5
I liked the energy from this- and I also personally relate to the Asian American family trying to assimilate to Western culture- but it really just cut off way too soon and would have done better if it was a little longer.
Sandwiched in Between by Eric Smith: 3/5
Super interesting concepts lightly touched upon, but pretty ehh overall.
Yuna and the Wall by Lydia Kang: 4/5
Yessss. I’m realizing that I’m really liking the fantasy stories in this anthology.
Something Gay and Magical by Adam Silvera: 3/5
Cute and I relate.
Average of 3.9 stars, rounded to 4.”
About Sangu Mandanna
Sangu Mandanna, the editor of Color outside the Lines, is the author of The Lost Girl and the forthcoming trilogy A Spark of White Fire. Born and raised in Bangalore, India, she now lives in the UK with her husband and three kids, and she has an alarming Netflix addiction.
Other books by Sangu Mandanna
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