I'm a big fan of the "Quick and Easy" series of books and recommend them to everyone. I also really liked this one, but, unfortunately, I wasn't a fan of the illustrations. The illustrations were visually distracting, and I read tons of comics and graphic novels so this isn't a problem I tend to have.

In sum, I highly recommend this for the subject-matter, but the illustrations were a bit chaotic and distracting for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and OniPress for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I think this book provides some great examples on how so many people in the world are drastically different when it comes to their identity and how it is all a spectrum. While I think the conversation style was fun at times it did feel a little distracting from the over all purpose of the book. This book could be helpful for people from many walks of life, but there are other books out there that work better to help people get a full picture of coming out.

I wish I had this book when I came out three years ago!

I loved that the book touched on that if it is not safe for you to come out, that it is okay to not come out for your safety. It doesn’t make you any less valid in your identity. In pervious books that I have read about coming out, I don’t often see this point mentioned. And if it is, it is briefly and not with any emphasis placed on this important factor when coming out to someone.

Another thing that I loved that the book touched on is that the labels you use for your identity can change overtime. With experience and time the way you understand yourself can grow and develop. In my personal experience I first thought that I was bisexual, then pansexual, then I found the term Queer and I have used it since. So you could find a term that suits you more and you could use it, that is completely okay. It is a constant process that takes time to understand ourselves and our identity.

Coming out can be nerve-racking, whether you’re queer, trans, questioning, or somewhere in between. Luckily, writer Kristin Russo and cartoonist Ravi Teixeira have crafted a guide to help you along the way. Covering supportive resources, navigating tough conversations, and celebrating queer joy, this book is here to make sharing your true self a little easier.

This is the book I would have needed before I came out! It would have made life much easier.

Themes:
Acceptance
LGBTQIA+
Coming Out

An easy to understand and affirming guide to coming out. Definitely targeted towards those new to learning about the LGBTQIA+ community with easy to understand language and helpful tips.
The artwork was done in a sketch-style with lovely simple colours.
Great tips and definitely something I’ll recommend to LGBTQIA+ youth.

I really wish I had something like this when I was younger. It's so informative and easy to digest, I think it will be really helpful to a lot of young queer people who are trying to find themselves.

The art style is absolutely beautiful and really tied it all together.

I can't recommend this highly enough!

Huge thanks to Oni Press and NetGalley for providing me with this arc.

[Digital copy provided by Netgalley]

Actual rating 4.5 stars

The art style of this book is absolutely stunning and I enjoyed the approach taken to the subjects covered. It's definitely aimed at those new to coming out and a bit of a younger demographic, but that's not a bad thing at all. It's cute and educational and delightful!

1000% recommend. This is presented in an encouraging and digestible way.
I think this is appropriate for many age ranges.

I love this series; it deals with information in a very clear, easy-to-access way! Some areas of this I might have wanted to talk more about general experiences and to not be so "I think this is fine so maybe it is fine" way, but still deals with a lot of important discussions!

"A Quick & Easy Guide to Coming Out" by Kristin Russo and Ravi Teixeira is a really insightful read. It offers practical tips on how to approach coming out, what to do (or avoid), and provides a realistic perspective on how the experience can unfold. I found it incredibly helpful in breaking down the complexities of coming out in a way that's approachable and clear.

The guide also highlights valuable resources for those looking for support, and what I appreciated most was how it addresses the tough moments, like dealing with hurtful comments or reactions. The advice is straightforward, yet compassionate, making it a great resource for anyone navigating this journey.

Whether you're thinking about coming out or just looking to better support someone going through it, this book offers plenty of advice and reassurance. It’s an empowering, thoughtful guide that feels like a comforting companion during such a personal process.

4.5/5 stars rounded to 5 because I love my queer community.

What an entertaining and informative book! I wish I read this back then when I was still at my confused stage. As someone that now identifies as a genderfluid bisexual, it fills my heart that more and more people are being open and guiding other queer people. We needed this after so long.

I carry the rest of this series at my store and was excited for this one to join the collection. The authors created a lovely and accessible guide for anyone who might be considering coming out, or who needs some tangible suggestions on how to go about it. I'm glad they touched on safety, and the importance of building a community, and specific responses to some common responses. It's certainly not all-encompassing but a very good place to start for those who need a lil support!

Thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC- will definitely be ordering for the shop.

Most of the “Quick and Easy Guide to” series that I’ve read have been aimed at learning about others, or perhaps noodling yourself out. But this time, it’s not identity, but activity. Ravi and Kristin are PROFESSIONAL gay people, and they’re here to educate you about the process of “coming out.”

Also, their cats are here. :D

Time is taken to define a few terms relevant to queer identity. Many readers will, of course, already have a pretty firm grasp on these terms, if not a firm grasp on which apply to themselves, but it’s always a good reminder.

I appreciate that the book covers the actual origins of coming out, as being similar to the “coming out” of debutantes into fashionable society, adapted to joining queer society. They proceed to connect the old idea to a new one: coming out to a truer, happier self, and into a vast and seemingly ever-expanding community.

A few testimonials are given by people who have gone through the coming out process. A fair number are sadder stories, of friends and family who didn’t accept this new facet of the narrator, but things are generally brought around to a positive ending. BUT, they do make sure to note, before you come out, to have someone on check-in duty, in case things go bad, as well as giving a few helpline numbers.

The big takeaway from this book is that there can be many responses, and even acceptance can be worded awkwardly. Make sure you have a support system in place, especially for BIG comings out (like to parents), and make self-care a priority.

Advanced reader copy provided by the publisher.

⭐ Rating: 4.5/5 stars
🗓 Publish date: Sept 24, 2024
🌈 Representation: Various identities (authors are a gay non-binary man and a cisgender queer/bi woman)

This was a straightforward and engaging guide that I think could help a lot of people exploring their identities or looking for advice around coming out.

I liked that it includes things like the history of the phrase “coming out” and basic definitions of LGBTQ+ terms. I also liked that the advice felt a bit like a conversation with lots of anecdotes and light-hearted jokes. The focus on community (even online community) was really lovely, too, since I think it’s so important!

The discussions of race and its intersections with queerness was important, as well, and I’m glad they mentioned it.

The art was also so lovely (especially the cats!) and helped explain their points and engage readers in the story.

Thank you to Oni Press and NetGalley for the eARC. All thoughts are my own!

This was a really solid quick read that covers the process of coming out to your friends and family. The art was beautiful as well.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Oni Press for the copy of this ARC for an honest review.

5 out of 5 stars.

At first glance 'A Quick & Easy Guide to Coming Out' by Kristin Russo is a graphic novel about coming out. The cover is warm and friendly with a queer group of fellow humans gathered together in a safe space. I, personally, find the cover encouraging and tantalizing to pick up. And from reading the blurb and the first few pages, I feel that it is a safe read for younger generations.

Going into this I had no expectations, but I was pleasantly surprised by just how much I enjoyed the art and information (and support) the book offered.

The whole vibe is almost 90s or early 2000s and I really love the characters with their different quirks and personalities.

I would recommend this to anyone wanting to touch on their first queer read. It offers plenty even for a oldie like myself.

Thoroughly enjoyed this one.

I liked it a lot. I think it is such an important book, especially for young readers.
I liked how the authors combined a very important topic with the casualness of a comic, i think there are a lot of people out there who could relate to this book, and find hope and strength in it.

Quick and easy is just the way to describe this - both in the accessibility of the language and the layout. What I loved about this guide which I have found to be an annoyance in other similar titles is just how digestible it was. I read it in one sitting purely because it was laid out in such a way that it felt as if I could dip in and out if I wanted to. Each time there was a natural break, I'd think 'oooh just one more section' and keep going. The only reason this wasn't a 5 star is that I've unfortunately just read a lot of books in this sphere, and I would've loved for it to bring something completely unique to the table. However, I still enjoyed it and the fact it fits so nicely alongside other comps is just proof that Russo is definitely a force to be reckoned with in the LGBTQ non-fic game.

Great reference book to give/make accessible to young folks. Lots of really great and empowering information here. I didn’t love the text bubbles as some of them I had a hard time reading all the way (letters ran together) but overall really enjoyed this. Thank you to NetGalley for the arc copy.

This was a lovely little book that is very thoughtful and surprisingly thorough for how quick it is. At times it felt a little bit chaotic in the delivery but I think that probably makes it more appealing to what I assume is the intended audience. It's very gentle and affirming with very practical advice and little scripts to address common things people might hear when coming out.