YA LGBT Books discussion

I know this comment is years after the initial posting, but my YA novel, The Unintentional Time Traveler works through gender identity issues and also has other LGBT characters in it. It's aimed for 14-16 year old readers, but you know, hopefully anyone can enjoy it. I've also got a current list of trans-themed YA that I think doesn't replicate negative stereotypes of trans people, here: http://transplantportation.com/2014/0...

Thanks for the previous recommendations I saved some.

Now I'm looking for some sweet romance. Best lesbian. I don't mind erotica, but I'd prefer something sweet. No sex. Just sweet romantic love.

I was going to recommend Annie on My Mind, but there is sex in that. It's not explicit though, and the focus is on the emotional part of their relationship.

I'll try to see if I can come up with some lesbian romances that don't have any sex at all.

Any suggestions for ya appropriate novels with adult characters? I don't know if that would fit into this group or not. Maybe a good gay for you novel that isn't explicit, I like novels where the character realizes they have feelings for someone of the same sex later in life but that always takes it out of the ya category and you never know how explicit it will be. Not that I have a problem with some sex it just seems like everytime I find a good slow burner romance it eventually gets to the point that it is nothing but sex and I lose interest in the story. If this request is not appropriate feel free to delete it or send recs through pm.

Justin wrote: "Any suggestions for ya appropriate novels with adult characters? I don't know if that would fit into this group or not. Maybe a good gay for you novel that isn't explicit, I like novels where the c..."

The request is fine, and I recommend some of those here. Usually we stay with younger adult characters, perhaps early 20s, where there is an element of self-discovery that fits a broader YA theme. If fantasy is okay, then

Guardian series
Swordspoint
Luck in the Shadows series
Smoke and Shadows series
The Fire's Stone

If you prefer contemporary then
Know Not Why
Louder Than Sirens, Louder Than Bells
Tigers and Devils (not younger MCs but excellent and sports-based and fine for YA)

Historical
Faster Than the Speed of Light
Whistling in the Dark
The Celestial

SciFi
Queen's Man

There are actually quite a few non-explicit adult M/M books with older characters - I'll PM you.

Know Not Whysounds good and its only 3.99 for the kindle edition so im going to go with that one. thanks!

Justin wrote: "Know Not Whysounds good and its only 3.99 for the kindle edition so im going to go with that one. thanks!"

I hope you like it - the humor is almost over the top, but I thought saved by the writing. It's sweetly funny.

Amy, Hayden's datefriend wrote: "Thanks for the previous recommendations I saved some.

Now I'm looking for some sweet romance. Best lesbian. I don't mind erotica, but I'd prefer something sweet. No sex. Just sweet romantic love."

Would check out Everything Leads to You by Nina Lacour! Lies We Tell Ourselves by Robin Talley is sort of like that as well, although it is DEFINITELY not a fluffy book. But the romance is sweet, and there is no sex.

Empress of the World by Sara Ryan is pretty good, but it has one sex scene. I'd also check out Everything Changes by Samantha Hale, The You Know Who Girls by Annameekee Hesik, and some of KE Payne's books...though I haven't read them and don't know if they contain sex or not.

Patrick wrote: "I would like to read a book with YA gay male characters and explcit / detailed sex scenes, any recommendations?

Thanks :)"

Try Blake Teen Vampire or The Orchid Club both by Step Alexander and available on Amazon,

Rikke wrote: "not really into vampire stuff, but other then that im up for anything.
im looking for the happy ever after kinda endings, not the 'got disowned, homeless, my bf/gf broke up with me BUT I learned to..."

You might enjoy THE ORCHID CLUB by Step Alexander. It is on Amazon for $3.99

I own Parrotfish, I am J and F2M. I want to know if there are any more FtM teen stories out there. If there are I'd like to know about them. I'm a FtM myself so love these types of stories, plus gay teen too. I own all Alex Sanchez and a few others.

Hi Raven, here's a thread for YA books with FTM characters....

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

And here's a general FTM list, which might be helpful....

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/6...

I'm FTM and an author. I made a list of YA with trans characters in it a little while back. It's here: http://transplantportation.com/2014/0...

Thanks for linking it :)

Kate wrote: "Hi guys! I've been wanting to read a good MM romance but I don't care for sexual content. Any suggestions?"

If you are good with sex in the plot, just not on the page this is our "M/M" shelf for the group (which should mean there is a romantic relationship, while the "gay" shelf means gay MC but not necessarily romance.) - https://www.goodreads.com/group/books... (some may have a small amount of described sex but none should be erotic - if they are, they don't belong there.)

I enjoyed
Know Not Why - funny coming out but also sweet
One Man Guy
Vivaldi in the Dark
Just Between Us
Thinking Straight
Rainbow Boys
The Celestial (historical)

There is more in fantasy
Lord of the White Hell (tiny amount of sex)
Luck in the Shadows
Swordspoint
Magic's Pawn
The Fire's Stone

There are also adult M/M romances without on-page sex, but with older characters.

I like several of Kaje's recommendations, but there is actually a lot of explicit sex in Thinking Straight and some milder sex in Rainbow Boys, so if you don't want any sex, you might want to avoid those two.

The Blue Lawn by William Taylor has zero sex. From what I can remember, there's just a cuddling scene. I'll see if I can think of more that might fit the description.

Rainbowheart wrote: "I like several of Kaje's recommendations, but there is actually a lot of explicit sex in Thinking Straight and some milder sex in Rainbow Boys, so if you don't want any sex, you might want to avoid..."

I guess it's all relative. I think Rainbow Boys has very little, but the next book in the series has more. Thinking Straight has some, it's true. I read so much adult M/M that my "no sex" meter is perhaps a little skewed. All of those books have sex as plot (other than "The Fire's Stone") but most are pretty low on the erotic scale. If you want minimal description then don't pick "Thinking Straight".

Hey! I am looking for adaptations of Shakespeare or Shakespeare-like books with queer girls. I know about Robin Talley's 2016 book, and nothing else. Rather specific, I know. :P Anyone know of any?

Wow, good question...

Vee wrote: "Hey! I am looking for adaptations of Shakespeare or Shakespeare-like books with queer girls. I know about Robin Talley's 2016 book, and nothing else. Rather specific, I know. :P Anyone know of any?"

Not Shakespeare, but Good Moon Rising by Nancy Garden has the characters performing in The Crucible. I thought one of Sandra Scoppettone's also revolved around Shakespeare, but I'm not totally sure.

Kaje wrote: "I guess it's all relative. I think Rainbow Boys has very little, but the next book in the series has more. Thinking Straight has some, it's true. I read so much adult M/M that my "no sex" meter is perhaps a little skewed. All of those books have sex as plot (other than "The Fire's Stone") but most are pretty low on the erotic scale. If you want minimal description then don't pick "Thinking Straight"."

True, I'm sure they're a lot less graphic than most of the adult stuff! I remember Nelson has unprotected anal sex in Rainbow Boys (can't remember about sequels) but it wasn't described in explicit detail. Another book I really like with minimal sex is Openly Straight. Rafe has a sexual encounter with a boy (not described in detail) and then later sleeps with Ben, also not described in detail.

Vee wrote: "Hey! I am looking for adaptations of Shakespeare or Shakespeare-like books with queer girls. I know about Robin Talley's 2016 book, and nothing else. Rather specific, I know. :P Anyone know of any?"

The only one I can recall off the top of my head is Judy MacLean's Rosemary and Juliet .

Kaje wrote: "Wow, good question..."

I know, right? I was rather dumbfounded when I couldn't think of any.

Rainbowheart wrote: Not Shakespeare, but Good Moon Rising by Nancy Garden has the characters performing in The Crucible. I thought one of Sandra Scoppettone's also revolved around Shakespeare, but I'm not totally sure.

Ooh, thanks! Let me know if you remember that Sandra Scoppettone one? I couldn't find anything on it.


Kim wrote: The only one I can recall off the top of my head is Judy MacLean's Rosemary and Juliet.

Thank you!!!!!


Also, okay, now I'm curious... does anyone know of any featuring queer guys?

Vee wrote: "Also, okay, now I'm curious... does anyone know of any featuring queer guys?"

I'll think about that in terms of books, but, in the meantime, I'll recommend a movie I love that fits the bill, Were the World Mine . =)

John Goode's Lords of Arcadia series that starts with Distant Rumblings is based loosely around Midsummer Night's Dream's characters

Rez wrote: "John Goode's Lords of Arcadia series that starts with Distant Rumblings is based loosely around Midsummer Night's Dream's characters"

Very loosely. But it's a good series, although I think we're still waiting for book 3.

Vee wrote: "Ooh, thanks! Let me know if you remember that Sandra Scoppettone one? I couldn't find anything on it."

I'm actually not sure. I thought it was either Happy Endings Are All Alike or Trying Hard to Hear You, but none of the reviews mention it, so I could be way off base. Although I seem to remember one of them involving a school play.

Vee wrote: "Also, okay, now I'm curious... does anyone know of any featuring queer guys?"

Oh, I just remembered! Swimming in the Monsoon Sea by Shyam Selvadurai involves a school production of Othello.

Rikke wrote: "I feel like there are too few LGBT books with happy endings.

Anyone know of any?"

Hi Rikke, I have felt the same way. Moreover, I've had a hard time finding LGBT books with a happy beginning and middle too Sometimes I want to read an LGBT book where the main character is not ashamed or persecuted or a party boy. Sometimes I want to see an LGBT character dealing with more universal themes. I have three recommendations below. In the interest of fair disclosure, (a) I wrote one of them and (b) I have not read Imogene yet, but it sounds like a great concept and lots of fun. It's on my list to read soon.

The Year of Ice: A Novel
Bohunk's Big To-Do
Imogene in New Orleans

Julian wrote: "Rikke wrote: "I feel like there are too few LGBT books with happy endings.

Anyone know of any?"

Hi Rikke, I have felt the same way. Moreover, I've had a hard time finding LGBT books with a happy..."

I actually have a harder time thinking of LGBT YA books without happy endings. Most of what I read ends positively.

Now happy middles are harder, because starting with angst is a YA tradition.

Books with YA characters where the LGBT isn't the main focus? Lots out there in Fantasy (eg. John Goode's Eye of the Storm series) or the classic Magic's Pawn series or Luck in the Shadows or Ash and more.) Harder in contemporary though.

Wide Awake - homophobia is the theme, but not so personally for the MCs
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe - lovely coming of age where the gay part is just a flavor
Sock it to Me, Santa! - cute and sweet
Exiled to Iowa. Send Help. And Couture - fun and not too angsty

I would love to see more YA that is about other things and just happens to have an LGBT MC - like the fantasy genre books but in mystery or sci fi or contemporary about pollution or parental divorce or whatever.

A great book with a trans character is Almost Perfect by Brian Katcher

Kaje wrote: "Julian wrote: "Rikke wrote: "I feel like there are too few LGBT books with happy endings.

I'm not sure if it's kosher to mention my own books, but you might be interested--DON'T LET ME GO, WHERE YOU ARE, AND JUST BETWEEN US. All published by Kensington. They're kind of a YA/Adult crossover.

J.H. wrote: "Kaje wrote: "Julian wrote: "Rikke wrote: "I feel like there are too few LGBT books with happy endings.

I'm not sure if it's kosher to mention my own books, but you might be interested--DON'T LET M..."

In case it's not kosher, let ME say JH Trumble's books rock!! You should read them.

I really enjoyed "Just Between Us" and the ending is positive, although there is no denying the middle is angsty :)

Most books by authors like Robin Reardon, Mia Kerick, C. Kennedy, John Goode, Malinda Lo, Brent Hartinger, Chris O'Guinn (although not "Fearless"), Alex Sanchez, Matthew J. Metzger, Sara Alva, Madison Parker, Sara Ryan, Julie Anne Peters and more have happy endings.

Most have angsty beginnings and middles though.

Any suggestions for a novel with a bisexual main character preferably male but either is ok. I'm looking for something that is centered around bisexuality not just a character that happens to be bisexual. Thanks in advance.

Cut Both Ways by Carrie Mesrobian would be a good one.

You could also try Bi-Normal by M. G. Higgins

Sounds perfect thanks! Pre order though so until it comes out (sept 1) im Still looking for sugestions.

Both sound good. Thanks

You might also check the Bisexual Fiction in YA list.

If you don't mind short, you could check out Life Skills - it's also a charity book so the royalties go to LGBT charity.

Lucky by Eddie de Oliveira :)

Grasshopper Jungle by Andrew Smith

Lots of suggestions, thanks everyone. I havn't decided which one I'm going to pick yet (or pick first i should say), don't suppose anyone would lend me one of them?

Vee wrote: "Lucky by Eddie de Oliveira :)"

This one don't look like it is available for Kindle unless digital edition is sold somewhere other than amazon. Sounds good though, i put it in my cart for whenever i order next.

DSindja wrote: "....Since coming out as a lesbian, Nina has always had straight women wanting to use her for their “experimenting”, and usually without telling her. But when Ellie, her co-maid of honor for her bes..."

One of the reviews mentioned this book is sexually explicit. Just wanted to check: is this book YA appropriate?

Serith wrote: "One of the reviews mentioned this book is sexually explicit. Just wanted to check: is this book YA appropriate?
..."

Since DSindja has been promoting this series of books on the group repeatedly over the last month without replying to any of my questions or PMs, and since the content sounds both explicit and with older non-YA characters, I am deleting the mentions of the book. I will PM again, and discuss blocking if this promo continues. Thanks for noticing and questioning.

Can anybody reccomend gay male books for the 12-15 age, fun,adventure, but nothing explicit regarding couples other than kissingand cuddles

Raymond wrote: "Can anybody reccomend gay male books for the 12-15 age, fun,adventure, but nothing explicit regarding couples other than kissingand cuddles"

Maybe Totally Joe
Better Nate Than Ever
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe (beautiful book but not fast-paced)
So Hard to Say
Absolutely Positively Not
Another Kind of Cowboy
Exiled to Iowa. Send Help. And Couture

I don't think these have anything beyond a kiss, but it's a while since I read any of these.

My own book, The Unintentional Time Traveler, is just such a book!