YA LGBT Books discussion

Charlotte wrote: "Hi! I'm looking for f/f books with interracial couples for a project I'm doing for university. Any sub-genre is okay with me. Thanks!
P.S. I already own Lies we Tell Ourselves and I hope to read it..."

by J.C. Lillis
Also, : protag has f/f interracial parents.

Charlotte wrote: "Hi! I'm looking for f/f books with interracial couples for a project I'm doing for university. Any sub-genre is okay with me. Thanks!"

Some that may suit your parameters include: Lisa Freeman's Honey Girl series, Malinda Lo's Adaptation series (if interspecies f/f is acceptable for the project), Jen Wilde's Queens of Geek , Brent Hartinger's Russel Middlebrook series, Mayra Lazara Dole's Down to the Bone , the Runaways graphic novel series (Brian K. Vaughan's run, for example), Jennie Wood's Flutter graphic novel series (depending on how the main character identifies at a given time), Tom Pollock's Skyscraper Throne series, and Dahlia Adler's Daylight Falls series.

Charlotte wrote: "Hi! I'm looking for f/f books with interracial couples for a project I'm doing for university. Any sub-genre is okay with me. Thanks!
P.S. I already own Lies we Tell Ourselves and I hope to read it..."

Juliet Takes a Breath has some of that, though the book itself is more about the MC's journey than her romantic life, it's got a lot about the dynamics of a (secondary character) mixed race couple, intersectional feminism, etc. It's worth a look, anyway. I think it's YA? NA anyway. There's some drug use, but no more than I've seen in some other YA books. I don't know if it's exactly what you're after, but it's a good read. If you have a Scribd subscription, it's free to read on there, too, if that helps.

Grrrls on the Side is probably worth a look, too. Its MC is a white girl, but the main love interest is black, and they talk about the whiteness of punk and the Riot Grrrl movement and how feminism needs to have room for viewpoints other than those from a position of white privilege. This book is also on Scribd.

Thanks for all the recommendations!

Hey, does anyone know of any good comedies? Or just a light-hearted cute book? Maybe with a bi character? I haven't found many books with them recently. Tho I really just need something that'll make me laugh.

I'm a cat-astrophe wrote: "Hey, does anyone know of any good comedies? Or just a light-hearted cute book? Maybe with a bi character? I haven't found many books with them recently. Tho I really just need something that'll mak..."

Boy Meets Boy is cute and made me laugh. Geography Club was also on the lighter side. Two Boys Kissing was cute and made me laugh, too. I haven't read any books recently, that come to mind, with any bi MCs though.

It only came out a few days ago, but Leah on the Offbeat! It’s a contemporary comedy/ romance, and the main character is Bisexual! I’m reading it right now, and I love it.

Seth wrote: "I'm a cat-astrophe wrote: "Hey, does anyone know of any good comedies? Or just a light-hearted cute book? Maybe with a bi character? I haven't found many books with them recently. Tho I really just..."

I'm pretty sure Two Boys Kissing is already on my list, but I don't think I've read it yet, so I'll probably read that one first. I'll check out the other ones too. Thanks for the recommendations! ^^


McKenna wrote: "It only came out a few days ago, but Leah on the Offbeat! It’s a contemporary comedy/ romance, and the main character is Bisexual! I’m reading it right now, and I love it."

I'm actually waiting to get that one from my library! XD But thanks anyways :3

I'm a cat-astrophe wrote: "Hey, does anyone know of any good comedies? Or just a light-hearted cute book? Maybe with a bi character? I haven't found many books with them recently. Tho I really just need something that'll mak..."

I just read Drag Teen, and though I wouldn't call it a comedy, it's sweet and fun and lighthearted. A good read if you're tired of tragedy and gay angst and want something where there isn't inevitable bad, just a cute if slightly unbelievable resolution. We all need fairy tales. :) No bisexual character, but I think you should give it a go.

I'm a cat-astrophe wrote: "Hey, does anyone know of any good comedies? Or just a light-hearted cute book? Maybe with a bi character? I haven't found many books with them recently. Tho I really just need something that'll mak..."

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda
Love Spell
Maps
Know Not Why
The Suicidal Peanut

are all light, although mostly gay MCs not bi

I wouldn't call Two Boys Kissing that light, more poignant - but then it has a chorus of voices of gay men gone too soon from AIDS in the background, and as someone who lived in the 80s and 90s that's always going to make my heart ache a bit, whatever the underlying story. It's all in how you perceive things.

I consider Carry On and The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue to be light, but I'm not sure that's universally true.

Iamshadow wrote: "I'm a cat-astrophe wrote: "Hey, does anyone know of any good comedies? Or just a light-hearted cute book? Maybe with a bi character? I haven't found many books with them recently. Tho I really just..."

That sounds like it's exactly what I need, thank you! I've been reading too many sad books recently, I just want something sweet to read for once X'D


Kaje wrote: "I'm a cat-astrophe wrote: "Hey, does anyone know of any good comedies? Or just a light-hearted cute book? Maybe with a bi character? I haven't found many books with them recently. Tho I really just..."

I've already read Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda and The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue (I loved them both), but I'll check out the other ones.

Oh, then I think I'll save Two Boys Kissing for another time. Thanks for letting me know, and for the recommendations ^^

I'm a cat-astrophe wrote: "Iamshadow wrote: "I'm a cat-astrophe wrote: "Hey, does anyone know of any good comedies? Or just a light-hearted cute book? Maybe with a bi character? I haven't found many books with them recently...."

Yeah, I just read two Adam Silvera books back to back with a combo of hate crimes and partner death in them, and I needed something fun and a bit silly, and Drag Teen did the job nicely, hence passing it on.

In a similar vein, if you want something with friendship, dreams and growing up, The Moonlight Dreamers and its sequel Tell It to the Moon are nice, gentle books. I mean, the characters are dealing with issues like being the child of adoption/surrogacy, parental illness, smutty selfies sent to the wrong people, parental addiction/eating disorders, school, bullying, and sexual and gender identity, but it's done in a way that's not harrowing. I don't think there's bi rep, but there's a character who comes out as gay in book two, and another character who has gay dads and is questioning ace with gender nonconforming dress/presentation. Also, they've got the loveliest covers of any book I've read this year.

In the light-hearted / comedy area, I really enjoyed How to Repair a Mechanical Heart and Exiled to Iowa. Send Help. And Couture .

I also wouldn't describe Two Boys Kissing as light, though it's very good.

Jay wrote: "... I also wouldn't describe Two Boys Kissing as light, though it's very good. "

I'm listening to the audiobook, or trying to, but it keeps making me tear up. Levithan poured his soul into narrating it.

Jay wrote: "In the light-hearted / comedy area, I really enjoyed How to Repair a Mechanical Heart and Exiled to Iowa. Send Help. And Couture.

I also wouldn't describe Two Boys ..."

I have so much love for both of these!

Also, Know Not Why was a lot of fun.

And, though I haven't read it, Noah Can't Even is supposed to be very funny.

Iamshadow wrote: "I'm a cat-astrophe wrote: "Iamshadow wrote: "I'm a cat-astrophe wrote: "Hey, does anyone know of any good comedies? Or just a light-hearted cute book? Maybe with a bi character? I haven't found man..."

Ah, I read They Both Die at the End in December, it's a good book, just not what I would've wanted to end the year with X'D
But I finished Drag Teen the other day and it was a really nice read, it definitely helped ^^

That sounds like something I'd enjoy, I'll check it out. Thanks :3


Jay wrote: "In the light-hearted / comedy area, I really enjoyed How to Repair a Mechanical Heart and Exiled to Iowa. Send Help. And Couture.

I also wouldn't describe Two Boys ..."

I've been wanting to read How to Repair a Mechanical Heart for a while, but sadly my library doesn't have it. I'll check out the other one tho. And thanks for the recommendations :3


J.S. wrote: "Jay wrote: "In the light-hearted / comedy area, I really enjoyed How to Repair a Mechanical Heart and Exiled to Iowa. Send Help. And Couture.

I also wouldn't descri..."

That does sound like it'll be good. Thanks ^^

I'm a cat-astrophe wrote: "Hey, does anyone know of any good comedies? Or just a light-hearted cute book? Maybe with a bi character? I haven't found many books with them recently. Tho I really just need something that'll mak..."

Check out Openly Straight and Honestly Ben by Bill Konigsberg, they are fun and talk about labels and liking people rather than gender. (I wouldn't say Bi because the character doesn't identify as that)

Autoboyography is super cute and has a bi main character

Sprout is funny with a nice romance

Double Bluff is a really great read if you don't want anything heavy, there's no angst or miscommunication, it's just a really simple sweet book (with asexual rep too!)

If you want a comic that is the most wholesome sweet precious thing ever then read Heartstopper - it's free on Tapas and Tumblr, just google it and you'll find it!

I'm having a rough time mental health-wise, so what I want is your rec for the happiest, fluffiest hug of a book. It doesn't need to have romance, but if it does, that's okay, and a little sad is fine so long as it has a happy ending. I don't care if it's one I've read before or something completely new to me, I just want your comfort reads you turn to when you need something positive and fun and sweet.

Iamshadow wrote: "I'm having a rough time mental health-wise, so what I want is your rec for the happiest, fluffiest hug of a book."

Starting from Here usually makes the list of fluffy lesbian books with happy endings.

Rainbowheart wrote: "Starting from Here usually makes the list of fluffy lesbian books with happy endings. "

Thanks, I haven't read that one! One spoilerish question, though - (view spoiler)[Does the dog die? Only I'm an animal lover, deeply in love with my furkids, and I am in a headspace where I don't want the anxiety of potential pet death going in to this read. (hide spoiler)]

Iamshadow wrote: "I'm having a rough time mental health-wise, so what I want is your rec for the happiest, fluffiest hug of a book. It doesn't need to have romance, but if it does, that's okay, and a little sad is f..."

Maps is sweet fun
Love Spell
Sock it to Me, Santa!

Iamshadow wrote: "Thanks, I haven't read that one! One spoilerish question, though"

(view spoiler)[No! The dog survives. :) (hide spoiler)]

Not YA but I thought I'd ask here. I met a guy at Pride who is an elementary teacher and librarian for the school, and he was looking for LGBTQ-positive picture books, but ones with POC adults in them. (POC parents or teachers or whatever)

Any suggestions? ( I did browse the Listopia lists)

Kaje wrote: "I met a guy at Pride who is an elementary teacher and librarian for the school, and he was looking for LGBTQ-positive picture books, but ones with POC adults in them."

Asha's Mums (at least one of Asha's mothers is black)

My Chacha is Gay (gay uncle is Pakistani)

Real Sisters Pretend (one of the moms is Asian, I believe)

Baby's First Words (one of the dads is black)

Felicia's Favorite Story (one of Felicia's moms is Latina)

Harriet Gets Carried Away (one of Harriet's dads is black)

Antonio's Card/La tarjeta de Antonio (Antonio's mom is Latina)

Los Mejores Colores/Best Best Colors (one of Nate's moms is black)

Dad David, Baba Chris and Me (one of the dads is black)

One Dad, Two Dads, Brown Dad, Blue Dads (one of the dads is black)

How Would You Feel If Your Dad Was Gay? (at least one of the dads is black)

There could be more! A lot of these are older books, and in 90% of them, only one parent is a person of color.

Three new books that I just read, Jessica Love's Julián Is a Mermaid , Michael Genhart's Love Is Love , and Christian Trimmer's Teddy's Favorite Toy , would fit the bill. =)

A couple years ago I read and really enjoyed an older title, Bruce Mack's Jesse's Dream Skirt , and I'm pretty sure Jesse's teacher was a POC, but I could be misremembering; also, it's tough to find the book, unfortunately!

Thanks - Some new ones there for me. <3 I passed them all along to this guy.

Mysteries! I'm on a real mystery kick right now, reading a bunch of Kerry Greenwood, Agatha Christie, etc, and I was wondering if there were some good queer YA mysteries out there with the same sort of feel to them. Murder is fine, but I'd be just as happy with a bloodless mystery like a missing jewel or a disappearance. Doesn't have to be strictly a cosy mystery, but nothing super grim. Heist stuff is great, too. I'm a big fan of Leigh Bardugo and Leverage. Hit me with your recs!

Iamshadow wrote: "Mysteries! I'm on a real mystery kick right now, reading a bunch of Kerry Greenwood, Agatha Christie, etc, and I was wondering if there were some good queer YA mysteries out there with the same sor..."

Last Seen Leaving or White Rabbit by Caleb Roehrig
Three Truths and a Lie by Brent Hartinger

Though these might be more "thriller" than mystery.

James wrote: "Last Seen Leaving or White Rabbit by Caleb Roehrig
Three Truths and a Lie by Brent Hartinger

Though these might be more "thriller" than mystery. "

Thanks, I'll check them out!

Black Rabbit Summer is a good LGBT mystery.

Rainbowheart wrote: "Black Rabbit Summer is a good LGBT mystery."

Thank you, that one's new to me!

Can anyone recommend a book about pirates with some romance in it. Multiple recommendations are appreciated!

Bianca wrote: "Can anyone recommend a book about pirates with some romance in it. Multiple recommendations are appreciated!"

The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue/The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy is the obvious first port of call. Also, if futuristic sci-fi is allowed, The Abyss Surrounds Us/The Edge of the Abyss are well worth your time.

I've heard good things about the Princeless, Vol. 1: Save Yourself comic book series, and it needs support, so you could do a lot worse than support indie comics with plenty of diversity.

Iamshadow wrote: "Mysteries! I'm on a real mystery kick right now, reading a bunch of Kerry Greenwood, Agatha Christie, etc, and I was wondering if there were some good queer YA mysteries out there with the same sor..."

My Favorite Thing Is Monsters, Vol. 1 is a gorgeous graphic novel focused on a big mystery and the main girl in it is dealing with her sexuality as well

The ShatteringThe Shattering is told from different perspectives and also deals with the struggles of Maori people in New Zealand

Far From YouFar From You has a bi main character who is disabled. She is framed for her best friend's death and tries to figure out what really happened.

Sascha wrote: "My Favorite Thing Is Monsters, Vol. 1 is a gorgeous graphic novel focused on a big mystery and the main girl in it is dealing with her sexuality as well

The ShatteringThe Shattering is told from different perspectives and also deals with the struggles of Maori people in New Zealand

Far From YouFar From You has a bi main character who is disabled. She is framed for her best friend's death and tries to figure out what really happened."

I haven't read any of these, and I haven't heard of the first one at all! *adds to to-read*

Ooh, The Shattering was on my to-read list, but that description makes me even more interested. I'm a Pākehā, but I have Cook Islander and Maori family members.

Bianca wrote: "Can anyone recommend a book about pirates with some romance in it."

The Unbinding of Mary Reade has lesbian pirate romance. Seafire also has a lesbian couple who are supporting characters.

Peter Darling has a trans character (f2m) and the ultimate pirate, Captain Hook. Well worth a read :)

Looking for well written books with gay characters - like Half Bad. Or a YA type of Call Me By Your Name - quality writing.

Any suggestions??

Meyer wrote: "Looking for well written books with gay characters - like Half Bad. Or a YA type of Call Me By Your Name - quality writing.

Any suggestions??"

There are a lot of great YA with gay MCs. Given your book, you might look at Autoboyography which has two gay MCs within the context of the Mormon church (and of two different religions.)
Other favorites of mine with gay MCs include
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe,
Vivaldi in the Dark
Nobody's Butterfly
Wallaçonia
Foxes
Trailer Trash
Silent

Meyer wrote: " Or a YA type of Call Me By Your Name - quality writing."

For a more literary perspective, I'd recommend Someday This Pain Will Be Useful to You.

Meyer wrote: "Looking for well written books with gay characters - like Half Bad. Or a YA type of Call Me By Your Name - quality writing.

Any suggestions??"

I would suggest the All For The Game series if you liked Half Bad, it has that dark aspect like Half Bad does and has gay and demisexual main characters and lesbian side characters
The Foxhole Court
The Raven King
The King's Men

(Also, I made a video going through over 120 books & series with lgbt characters - 98% YA or Middle Grade here - https://youtu.be/19nGTBRA0N8 - and in the description there's a spreadsheet that links every Goodreads page and has info on own voices / trigger warnings / other diversity etc) :D

I would suggest any book by Malinda Lo. Her writing is excellent, and nearly all of her lead characters are in the lesbian genre. Her books are low key, with not a lot of graphic sex, although the fantasy side of some of them may be violent. The book "Ash" is a wonderful adaptation of the classic Cinderella story.
Ash
Huntress
A Line in the Dark
Hope that helps,
Brook
PS, not to toot my own horn, but you could try my book:
Ivy Hall
Happy hunting.

Carrie-Anne wrote: "Meyer wrote: "Looking for well written books with gay characters - like Half Bad. Or a YA type of Call Me By Your Name - quality writing.

Any suggestions??"

I would suggest the All For The Game s..."

I would note that All For the Game series is borderline for Young Adult - there is no erotic sex (although a little on page as plot), but there is violence and abuse and torture, histories of sexual and physical abuse and on-page (although minimalist description) rape.


And wow, that's quite a work of cataloging books! Very cool.

Great list in response to Meyer's query, Kaje! Thanks!

I might add . . .

By the Creek by Geoff Laughton [Amish/gay conflict]
In the Absence of Men by Philippe Besson, echoes of Call Me By Your Name
Picture Us in the Light by Kelly Loy Gilbert

And a few more incredible reads . . .
Fearless by Chris O'Guinn
A Forbidden Rumspringa by Keira Andrews
rock by Anyta Sunday
Memorizing You by Dan Skinner

But by all means begin with Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe as Kaje suggests. This one sets the bar.


Kaje wrote: "Meyer wrote: "Looking for well written books with gay characters - like Half Bad. Or a YA type of Call Me By Your Name - quality writing.

Any suggestions??"

There are a lot of great YA with gay M..."

Pablito wrote: "Great list in response to Meyer's query, Kaje! Thanks!

I might add . . .

By the Creek by Geoff Laughton [Amish/gay conflict]
In the Absence of Men by Philippe Besson..."

Some good ones, although "A Forbidden Rumspringa" has too much sex content to be YA.

Carrie-Anne wrote: "Meyer wrote: "Looking for well written books with gay characters - like Half Bad. Or a YA type of Call Me By Your Name - quality writing.

Any suggestions??"

I would suggest the All For The Game s..."

Thanks for taking time out to reply. This series looks great :)

Meyer wrote: "Carrie-Anne wrote: "Meyer wrote: "Looking for well written books with gay characters - like Half Bad. Or a YA type of Call Me By Your Name - quality writing.

Any suggestions??"

I would suggest th..."

It's my favourite series so I hope you enjoy it! :D

Looking for YA titles that feature Male sexual assault/rape survivors.

Any assistance in determining whether such a book even exists is appreciated. I've found a lot with female leads, but none with guys. Which is a shame because, sadly, boys/men (especially those ID'ing as LGBTQ+) can be victims too. They need to know they're not alone, and books can help do that.

James wrote: "Looking for YA titles that feature Male sexual assault/rape survivors.

Any assistance in determining whether such a book even exists is appreciated. I've found a lot with female leads, but none w..."

Suki Fleet's This Is Not a Love Story & Sara Alva's Silent come to mind x

Oh, and the All for the Game series by Nora Sakavic. The Foxhole Court is the first one x