YA LGBT Books discussion

Zandra wrote: "Sammy Goode wrote: "Zandra wrote: "The last science fiction book I can remember reading is proxy and more happy than not. Science fiction and fantasy are my favorite genres. I haven't read a scienc..."

As far as I know, if you buy the paperback version, the illustrations are there. Obviously, they are not on the Kindle edition. I found it really fascinating, incredibly fast paced and action-packed. It kept me on the edge of my seat. I hope you like it.

Zandra wrote: "The last science fiction book I can remember reading is proxy and more happy than not. Science fiction and fantasy are my favorite genres. I haven't read a science fiction book in a while. I am thi..."

Consider Carnival - the characters are not YA, but the book is fine for all ages;
Knight Errant - a wonderful light M/M YA-ish series (adventure with some sex as plot, but not on page); One book has a genderqueer MC.

Zandra wrote: "The last science fiction book I can remember reading is proxy and more happy than not. Science fiction and fantasy are my favorite genres. I haven't read a science fiction book in a while. I am thi..."

Try checking out Miranda Lo. Her books are sci/fi or fantasy and incorporate lesbian/bisexual themes.

Sammy Goode wrote: "Zandra wrote: "The last science fiction book I can remember reading is proxy and more happy than not. Science fiction and fantasy are my favorite genres. I haven't read a science fiction book in a ..."

Anything by TJ Klune is pretty much fabulous!!! :) I just read Wolfsong ... *swoon*

i can also point you at a dozen adult M/M Sci Fi that are excellent, but too erotic to mention here. PM me if you want a list.

Sammy Goode wrote: "Zandra wrote: "The last science fiction book I can remember reading is proxy and more happy than not. Science fiction and fantasy are my favorite genres. I haven't read a science fiction book in a ..."

I'm so excited for the second installment. Before I came across the MM genre, dystopian stories were some of my favorites. Me and a friend will be doing a buddy read of C+S in the M/M and Queer Romance Group upon it's release. If you're interested in joining in Sammy, let me know.

Jason wrote: "Sammy Goode wrote: "Zandra wrote: "The last science fiction book I can remember reading is proxy and more happy than not. Science fiction and fantasy are my favorite genres. I haven't read a scienc..."

I'd love that!! The first was outstanding.

Sammy Goode wrote: "Jason wrote: "Sammy Goode wrote: "Zandra wrote: "The last science fiction book I can remember reading is proxy and more happy than not. Science fiction and fantasy are my favorite genres. I haven't..."

Cool beans, I'll PM you with the details when it get's closer to release.

Hey! Does anyone have some recommendations in the following: genderfluid/agender/girl to boy trans? :)x

Like - a trans guy in a relationship with a genderfluid person only? Or also a trans guy with a cis girl?
Or are you just looking for F2M trans characters? (If so, start with Spy Stuff but the relationship is gay.)

Sorry, I'm just not parsing your sentence.

I think she meant a book with a character who previously identified as genderfluid/agender/girl realizing they are a transgender male?

If so, I'm not sure about genderfluid/agender, but What We Left Behind has a previously lesbian MC identifying as genderqueer. Don't know if they are fully identifying as FTM by the end of the book.

Otherwise, there's the f2m-transgender shelf on this group.

Rainbowheart wrote: "I think she meant a book with a character who previously identified as genderfluid/agender/girl realizing they are a transgender male?

If so, I'm not sure about genderfluid/agender, but [book:What..."

Yeah, the character from What We Left Behind identifies as genderqueer (view spoiler)[but, by the end of the book, is identifying as a guy (hide spoiler)]. However, I personally wouldn't recommend the book, especially if someone's looking for good genderqueer/trans representation. It certainly does a poor job with that (and with lesbian representation).

Hey guys just wondering if you know any books with vampires + gay MCs? I've found some but they arent YA and they're mostly erotic and have too much focus on sexual stuff :(

We have a vampire bookshelf - I haven't actually read any of these though - https://www.goodreads.com/group/books...

Right, Im sorry! Completely forgot to check there, thanks!

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell had a gay vampire

Yes (: I read that one, but thank you!

Hello. :)
I was wondering if anyone could help me...
Do any of you are familiar with the book series The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater and All For The Game by Nora Sakavic? I'm looking for YA/NA books like those, with that heavy, complex, messed up feeling to them, you know? Do you know of any books like that? Darkish, meaningful, M/M read with messed up guys? With complex characters like Ronan Lynch and Andrew Minyard? Something every aesthetic? Thank you.

I am very excited to read your book.

Joana Aleixo wrote: "Hello. :)
I was wondering if anyone could help me...
Do any of you are familiar with the book series The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater and All For The Game by Nora Sakavic? I'm looking for YA/NA..."

You're not getting any suggestions here - I'm not a big help. You might like Vintage: A Ghost Story although it's much simpler.

Popson wrote: "I am really glad this group is really functioning. So please tell me some non fiction dealing with our subject . Only suggest the books you have read ."

Any suggestions for good YA-appropriate LGBTQ non-fiction folks?

There is are lists
Non-Fiction Resources for LGBT Teens, Youth & Families
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...
Best Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Non-Fiction - https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1... with adult books primarily although many non-fiction are fine for teens


I haven't read many but do recommend
Coming Out Under Fire: The History of Gay Men and Women in World War Two
The Mayor of Castro Street: The Life and Times of Harvey Milk
And the Band Played On: Politics, People, and the AIDS Epidemic
For lighter autobiographical books I really enjoy Dan Savage's stuff (he's not always right, or sensitive to non-gay issues, but he's sharp and funny)
The Kid: What Happened After My Boyfriend and I Decided to Go Get Pregnant, The Commitment: Love, Sex, Marriage, and My Family, Skipping Towards Gomorrah, (Note that he tends to discuss sex frankly and in strong language - not erotically, but perhaps not for some 13 year olds.)

A friend really liked Raising Ryland: Our Story of Parenting a Transgender Child with No Strings Attached

(You might also check out our Hot Topics threads for online resources and personal non-fiction accounts.)

I'm having one of those moments where I can't decide what I want to read.Recommendations helped last time.

I am looking for something more contemporary .. it can also have fantasy elements like wonders of the invisible world. Something that deals with mental illness. The mc preferably isn't in high school but it can be. can be ya or adult.

Zandra wrote: "I'm having one of those moments where I can't decide what I want to read.Recommendations helped last time.

I am looking for something more contemporary .. it can also have fantasy elements like w..."

Vintage: A Ghost Story
in high school but a favorite about depression - Vivaldi in the Dark (no fantasy)
Social Skills (college, no fantasy)

I don't link adult books here, because many of my favorites are erotic romance that is 18+, but if you are looking for adult I can PM you.

Zandra wrote: "I'm having one of those moments where I can't decide what I want to read.Recommendations helped last time.

I am looking for something more contemporary .. it can also have fantasy elements like w..."

Have you tried We Are The Ants? It does take place in high school and it has a touch of "is it even real" sci-fi about it, but it is an absolutely fantastic and painful read about a character with depression and what I guess you could call passive suicidal tendencies, in the aftermath of his boyfriend's own suicide. Gutted me and I thanked it for it.

Hi!

I was looking for something where at least one character is asexual, it's awfully complicated to find a story where the plot does not ultimately end up in a romance of some kind - Does anyone know a book like that? Something centred more in the friendship of people of different orientations than in their romances?

Thank you so much! :D

Qoyari wrote: "Hi!

I was looking for something where at least one character is asexual, it's awfully complicated to find a story where the plot does not ultimately end up in a romance of some kind - Does anyone ..."

There's a YA spec fic book called and both the MCs are on the ace spectrum. One is asexual, the other demisexual, and it's not romance driven as far as I know :D

Qoyari wrote: "Hi!

I was looking for something where at least one character is asexual, it's awfully complicated to find a story where the plot does not ultimately end up in a romance of some kind - Does anyone ..."

https://www.goodreads.com/group/books...

Take a look here as well, you might find something you like.

Guinevere wrote: "Qoyari wrote: "Hi!

I was looking for something where at least one character is asexual, it's awfully complicated to find a story where the plot does not ultimately end up in a romance of some kind..."

Jason wrote: "Qoyari wrote: "Hi!

I was looking for something where at least one character is asexual, it's awfully complicated to find a story where the plot does not ultimately end up in a romance of some kind..."

Thank you so much! I will take a look at all of them and see if I find what I'm looking for :D

Princess wrote: "Hi!

I was looking for something where at least one character is asexual, it's awfully complicated to find a story where the plot does not ultimately end up in a romance of some kind - Does anyone ..."

I read Every Heart a Doorway not so long ago, which has an ace character in. It's kind of a creepy speculative fiction novella. Very diverse cast of characters. No romance plot.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

You should Jo Ramseys' books Accepting Me and Ball caps and Khakis.

Penny wrote: "Hi!

I was looking for something where at least one character is asexual, it's awfully complicated to find a story where the plot does not ultimately end up in a romance of some kind - Does anyone ..."

If you like YA supernatural fiction, I recently published a novel called Stranger & Stranger that features an asexual character and has minimal romance.

Thanks to all for the recommendations! I'll check them all out, I'm not much into supernatural or fantasy YA fiction but I'll take a look at them anyhow, asexual characters are hard to find so I'll be thankfull for whatever I find :D

Thanks, Teresa!

Just as a heads-up to everyone, Accepting Me is currently out of print, or at least is supposed to be according to the publisher. I hope to re-release it sometimes after the first of the year.

Hi Jo, thanks for the update :)

looking for a book where the main character starts off in a m/f pairing of some sort but then by the end of the book is in a same sex pairing. I'd prefer that they learn that they are attracted to the same sex in the book rather knowing at the start. As for the same sex paring, m/m or f/f is fine with me. But if you know one of each I'll give both a go. theme can be anything from modern day romance to fantasy/science fiction.

Thank you! Any help you can give me is greatly appreciated

Off the top of my head....

Whatever by S.J. Goslee
The God Box by Alex Sanchez
Been Here All Along by Sandy Hall
Keeping You a Secret by Julie Anne Peters

Sarah wrote: "looking for a book where the main character starts off in a m/f pairing of some sort but then by the end of the book is in a same sex pairing. I'd prefer that they learn that they are attracted to ..."

Guyliner
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
Connor starts off in a relationship with a girl, meets a guy he's really attracted to, wrestles with his feelings, and ends up with the guy.

Hi! I've just ended up with one book and I don't know what to read next. It would be great to read something about two boys, ideal in teen years :) I'll be glad if you recommend me something :)

Adelle wrote: "Hi! I've just ended up with one book and I don't know what to read next. It would be great to read something about two boys, ideal in teen years :) I'll be glad if you recommend me something :)"

Wow, there are a bunch of good ones.

Realistic, sweet with serious themes (depression) - Vivaldi in the Dark
Medium/coming out - Openly Straight
Light/humor - Maps or One Man Guy
Funny, coming out - Know Not Why
Dark and angsty - The Glass House
A little genderqueer - Love Spell
One trans guy, one cis guy - Spy Stuff
Paranormal - Vintage: A Ghost Story
Fantasy - Distant Rumblings (trilogy)
Gaming/fandom - How to Repair a Mechanical Heart
Highschool, bullying - Tales from Foster High
Native American issues - Gives Light
Historical - The Celestial
SciFi - The Star Host
POC characters - The Thunder in His Head

Boosting signal here for Ollie who is looking for books for his sister - need recs for-13 y-o queer latina with divorced parents - the thread Ollie started is here:

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

Kaje wrote: "Adelle wrote: "Hi! I've just ended up with one book and I don't know what to read next. It would be great to read something about two boys, ideal in teen years :) I'll be glad if you recommend me s..."

Thank you very much! I'll look for them ^^

I would like to read about fictions or true stories about gay males, would be a big plus if its a love story, and very touchy.

Also I have never read any LGBT book before so where is best to start?

Davíð wrote: "I would like to read about fictions or true stories about gay males, would be a big plus if its a love story, and very touchy.

Also I have never read any LGBT book before so where is best to start?"

There are a whole lot of good books out there - what you choose depends a bit on what you like to read.

I wrote out a starter list of my favorite gay YA for another reader:

Realistic, sweet with serious themes (depression) - Vivaldi in the Dark
Medium/coming out/not as solid a romance ending - Openly Straight
Light/humor - One Man Guy
Funny, coming out - Know Not Why
Dark and angsty - The Glass House
A little genderqueer - Love Spell
One transgender gay guy, one cis gay guy - Spy Stuff
Paranormal - Vintage: A Ghost Story
Fantasy - Distant Rumblings (trilogy)
Gaming/fandom - How to Repair a Mechanical Heart
Highschool, bullying - Tales from Foster High
Native American issues - Gives Light
Historical - The Celestial
SciFi - The Star Host
Person Of Color characters - The Thunder in His Head
Fun and light - Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda
Autism spectrum character - Maps or Shut Your Face, Anthony Pace!


Or tell us what kind of book you like to read in general, and we can suggest one or more with gay characters for you to try.

Athena wrote: "Hello, I'm looking for thriller/suspense/mystery with a slow burn romance as subplot. In addition, with no sexuality focus or love triangle, and preferably with little to no sexual content.
Thanks"

I could name a dozen adult books like that - with no sex content (and fine for all ages) would include The Only Gold - gay MCs but not YAs. (historical) Mystery is harder to find in YA - maybe One Boy's Shadow which has a little paranormal aspect but otherwise might fit. (only 3.5 stars for me but the average is over 4)

Hello fellow group members!

I have been role-playing as a conman, and I now wish to find a book with a similar lead.

Does anyone by chance know of a book or series that features a conman (yes, a male lead, not a woman) that is conning a target for whatever purpose, and ends up falling in love with the other man?

I don't read slice-of-life type books (have a hard time enjoying them), so something that's on that action side..or anything really, I'll take anything but slice-of-life.

I have read the Broken Mirror series, that features a lead that's good at conning people for money, but he didn't do it as a living.

Thanks for the help.

i know a couple on the adult side, but YA is tougher - I'm not coming up with one but I'll give it thought. There might be something with a street kid who cons for money to survive...

Kaje wrote: "i know a couple on the adult side, but YA is tougher"

I'll take the adult side of recommendations, too. There are so many groups on this site, it's hard to know which is best to join for certain needs.

Melissa wrote: "Kaje wrote: "i know a couple on the adult side, but YA is tougher"

I'll take the adult side of recommendations, too. There are so many groups on this site, it's hard to know which is best to join ..."

I'll PM you - we don't link anything over-18 here...

Silvia wrote: "Ehy, I... I don't know if it's the right place, but I would like to read a lgbt book (I prefer m/m) written like an epistolary novel...

It seems really difficult, I know, but do you know any?
Tha..."

Have you checked out Steve Kluger? He has a few that should be YA friendly, though I can't say for certain as I haven't read them.