I grow your TBR once again!! // LGBT books that I’ve loved or need to read asap

HI GUYS!! Guess who messed up the order of her own blogging schedule?? Meeeeeeeee! I had been intending for this post to be my first post of June but I accidentally scheduled my mini list of websites/html codes that I find useful for book bloggers ahead of this one so OOPS. I don’t even know how that happened???? -_- But I digress.

We’re now in June, which means it’s Pride Month!! ❤ In honor of all the people in the lovely LGBTQ community (ILY guys) and for those looking to support Pride Month book-wise, I wanted to do a post recommending LGBT books I’ve read/recommend and also the LGBT books that are on my TBR* (BECAUSE I HAVEN’T READ ENOUGH OF THEM. And I neeeeeeeeeeeeeeed to!) Warning: this will be a longggggg list because of course I’m on a mission to grow your TBR once again. 

*I’ll be linking up with Top Ten Tuesday for this week’s prompt of 10 Books From X Genre That I’ve Recently Added To My TBR List even though LGBTQ+ isn’t a genre and I have more than 10 books here and also despite the fact this post wasn’t originally planned to be a Top Ten Tuesday post? LET ME LIVE.

featuring a LGBTQ+ main character

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli: I can literally squeal about this book ALL DAY. All I can say: readitreaditreaditreaditreaditreadit if you haven’t already!! Features some of my favourite characters ever (SIMON MY LOVE), a super adorable romance and great relationships plus m/m romance and gay protagonist!! LOVE SO MUCH.

More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera: OH HI it’s just one of my most favourite author/books ever??? This book will break your heart, put it back together, and break it AGAIN. And you will loveeeee it. Deals with a lot of tough issues though, including homophobia. HEARTBREAK. Features a gay protagonist and side characters!

History is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera: The second novel from Adam Silvera was no less outstanding!! Perhaps a tad bit less heartbreaking than the debut, but omg still SO MANY FEELS. My heartttttttttt, omg Adam Silvera what are you trying to do to us???? Obviously not BREAK IT. *glares* Sooooo much love for this! Ft. gay protagonist and side characters.

I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson: Dual-narrated and so UTTERLY BEAUTIFUL!! One of the narrators, Noah, is gay and so precious and aghhhhhhh there were so many wonderful, complex relationships and I had SO MANY FEELS. ❤ ❤ Just read it!!

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell: SIMON AND BAZ omgomgomgomg *squeals* *dies* Rainbow Rowell is such an amazing author, and yes, this has hints of Harry Potter influences but AGH. Doesn’t matter because it’s just so fabulous and its own story with an m/m romance I ADORE.

What We Left Behind by Robin Talley: SO MUCH queer and LGBT diversity!! One of the main characters, Gretchen, is lesbian, and in a relationship with Toni, who’s genderqueer and spends a lot of the book questioning where she falls on the male-female spectrum. Was so interesting to delve into these characters’ stories!

The Impostor Queen by Sarah Fine: AHHH a non-sexist fantasy with magic that also features a bi main character??! I KNOW. It’s just as fabulous as it sounds!! Though I’ll admit the bi rep flew over my head when I first read it OOPS. But looking back I totally can see it! There isn’t as much of a focus on it as I would’ve liked, though nonetheless appreciated!

The Love Interest by Cale Dietrich: A love triangle where two guys are supposed to win the hand of a girl but end up falling for eachother! LOVED the concept, I was a bit disappointed by the execution but props for the romance, it was so lovely to read! M/m romance. ❤

More Than This by Patrick Ness: Seth, our protagonist, is gay, but the focus isn’t on that at all. It just is. Most of the book is like, sci-fi and oh my gosh it’s SO WEIRD and very disturbing?? But I really liked it and loved how Ness integrated Seth’s homosexuality seamlessly! ❤

Symptoms of Being Human by Jeff Garvin: Featuring a gender fluid main character and exploring different relationships and the utter meanness of some people (ugh). Really liked it, props for tackling another area of the LGBT spectrum.

If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo: Featuring a transgender female main character!! This actually reminded me a lot of the previous book, despite the difference in topic, simply because a) I read them both around the same time and b) the plot was kind of similar? Like certain parts? But maybe that’s just me. Either way, really enjoyed it!

Every Day by David Levithan: This book is so unique! It follows ‘A’, who wakes up every day in the body of a new sixteen-year-old, regardless of gender, sexuality, appearance, etc. As such, Levithan takes the opportunity to explore a wide variety of stories, some short, some long, all worth reading. There’s a trans character, gay/lesbian, and tons more diverse characters apart from that as well!!

ft. LGBT side characters

The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli: AHHHH Becky Albertalli will forever be one of my number one recommendation for diversity and contemporary!! This book is one of my favourites, featuring fat rep, two lesbian moms (who are so utterly fabulous I can’t even) and an interracial f/f romance between Molly’s twin and this girl named Mina. AGH. So much love!!

The Inexplicable Logic of My Life by Benjamin Alire Saenz: The main character’s dad, Vicente (who is also one of the BEST BOOKISH FATHERS EVER) is gay and there is also lots of diversity and food and no romance!

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky: It’s been a while since I read the book, but Patrick is gay I think? I, like so many others, love this book so much!! It does not shy away from hard topics but it’s just such a great coming-of-age story. ❤ One of the best!

Six of Crows & Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo: Okay, so it’s not the main focus of the book at all but Jesper is gay and there is a side m/m romance!! Also this book gets extra points for POC and disability rep and it’s also a fantasy novel?! Diversity is big in contemporary lately but fantasy is still lacking I think so this is FABULOUS.

Shades of Magic series by V.E. Schwab: RHYYYYYYYY!!! One of my favourite princes who is also POC and gay and ahssfjahgojreogknjvna. He’s not the main character, but he might as well be by the way he STOLE MY HEART. *cries* I adore him and Kell’s bromance so so much and his romance with a certain someone ofc *winks* This series is one of my absolute favourites, GO READ IT. ❤

The Raven Cycle series by Maggie Stiefvater: Omg in addition to the fact that this series is magical and has fabulous characters, we also have gay main characters??! AND I SHIP IT SO MUCH AND AGH. My precious children. I need to read The Raven Cycle though omggggg somebody give me that push I know it will be amazing??!

Chaos Walking trilogy by Patrick Ness: I don’t talk about this series enough??! But I ADORE IT SO MUCH and Patrick Ness is one of my favourite authors of ever!! And plus, Todd’s adoptive fathers Ben and Cillian are so great. ❤ ❤  Patrick Ness is so great with including LGBT characters in his books! (Also #ownvoices!)

The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare: MAGNUS omg. ❤ I know he’s a favourite for a lot of people, and I’m no exception?? He’s bisexual and just so comfortable in his own skin (I suppose living for as long as he has can do that) I love his character. Him and Alec thoughhhh omggg. (Is that a spoiler? I don’t think so?) Also ugh I hate using the City of Bones cover but the alternate one is in a different size and it wouldn’t look good. #struggle

Released books

Bisexual Rep

Queens of Geek by Jen Wilde: ONE OF MY MOST ANTICIPATED READS EVER and I still haven’t read it?!?! AGHHH. I swear I will! A fandom book with POC, autistic and bi rep??! Mineeeeeee!! This book might also fall into the f/f romance section (other books listed below) but I’m not 100% sure.

It’s Not Like it’s a Secret by Misa Sugiura: Tons of diversity including bisexuality rep and an f/f interracial romance also #ownvoices and it released this May and I NEED TO READ IT.

Noteworthy by Riley Redgate: Another May release and eeeeeeee  features a bisexual Chinese-American MC, lots of diverse side characters (I think) and a f/f romance (I’ve heard)! SO ❤

How to Make a Wish by Ashley Herring Blake: Features lesbian/bisexual MCs (one or the other or possibly both?) and sounds AMAZING.

Ramona Blue by Julie Murphy: Book that explores sexuality and has bisexual rep! YES PLEASE. I actually started this a bit back but then had to shelf it because I wasn’t in the mood and I didn’t want that to affect how much I enjoyed it. Will pick it up again for sure!

Radio Silence by Alice Oseman: There’s amazing friendship and no romance?? *gasp* Tons of diversity! MC Frances is bisexual and befriends Aled, who is asexual (!!!!) and likes boys. (Says me who hasn’t read the book but bless detailed reviews)

F/F Romance

We Are Okay by Nina LaCour: F/F romance! Everyone makes it sound AMAZING and I haven’t read any books by Nina LaCour yet but they sound utterly fabulous.

You Know Me Well by Nina LaCour and David Levithan: Nina LaCour again! And David Levithan! I imagine this must be great pairing omg. ❤ Ft. gay characters and a f/f romance AND m/m romance too I believe! I heard it’s adorableeeee and I WANT.

Our Own Private Universe by Robin Talley: I’ve only read one other Talley book, showed above, but she writes amazing YA contemporary featuring TONS of LGBT diversity and queer teen girls!! This is no exception, featuring POC and a f/f romance!

Ash by Malinda Lo: I adoreeeee retellings so hearing this is a Cinderella retelling WITH a lesbian main character and hints of f/f romance? Give me all the rep, please, thanks, also it’s so great to see a queer retelling, and this was released a while back too! #success

The Seafarer’s Kiss by Julia Ember: This is a pretty recent release–either May or April of this year–and it’s a Little Mermaid retelling featuring (#ownvoices) bisexual rep and a f/f romance that I’ve heard to be AMAZING. GIMME. ❤

Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit by Jaye Robin Brown: A F/F (forbidden?) romance that sounds so utterly cute and also explores familial relationships! I think.

Look Both Ways by Alison Cherry: F/f romance that sounds super adorable!! I saw this book at my library, I really need to check it out.

Of Fire and Stars by Audrey Coulthurst: I actually had started this one before?? I was like, 20% in but I kept picking up other books in favour of reading this one because I was just SO BORED and I never got this finished! OOPS. I hardly DNF books soooooooo UM. I really do plan on picking it up again though!! Features f/f romance between main characters and it’s a fantasy too!!

The Cursed Queen by Sarah Fine: The first book, The Imposter Queen also has bisexual rep though at the time of reading that had kind of flown over my head oops. But woo! This book features an f/f romance between the MC and a side character. I really need to read this sequel soon!

10 Things I Can See From Here by Carrie Mac: Features a lesbian main character plus a f/f romance I think? with anxiety and explores a variety of relationships! I NEED.

M/M romance

Meg & Linus by Hanna Nowinski: Features two gay main characters (Meg and Linus) and their lives. I believe there is either a m/m or f/f romance? Both, I think actually. Just putting it under f/f romance because Meg’s name comes first haha but anyway it sounds so great and I love the cover!

Fans of the Impossible Life by Kate Scelsa: Ummm so this falls into multiple categories?? But I’m like kind of confused because there have been contradicting reviews. The blurb says it’s about a girl, her gay best friend and the boy in love with both of them? So bisexual rep too! Possibly a m/m romance?? Sorry, I’m way clueless on this one.

True Letters from a Fictional Life by Kenneth Logan: This sounds a bit like To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (which I ADORE) but with a gay/questioning boy and I believe a m/m romance! ME WANT.

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz: I WILL READ IT THIS SUMMER I promiseeeee!! Features a gay protagonist and m/m romance, if I’m not mistaken! Everyone loves this and I have no doubt I will tooooooooo. Probably my most anticipated m/m romance book.

Highly Illogical Behavior by John Corey Whaley: Ahhhh this book is an absolute must read for me for sure!! It focuses on Sol, who is agoraphobic and has anxiety plus panic attacks, and who also happens to be gay. From what I’ve read, this isn’t his only defining quality and that is MUCH NEEDED because he sounds like a well-rounded character and aghhh I need this.

Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan: Unlike most of these other books, this one was released back in 2005 and also #ownvoices! I haven’t read many of Levithan’s books before, but I heard this has great characters and romance (I mean… the title and cover?) and people always recommend Levithan for a m/m romance and queer rep so. #needtoread

We Are the Ants by Shaun David Hutchinson: So this is like a sci-fi contemporary kind of book?? Idk. But so many people loved it! Featuring a gay boy as protagonist, this book does deal with really tough topics as well (trigger warning!!) like suicide and rape. According to reviews, anyway.

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller: I think this book features a m/m romance?? But I’m not 100% sure, though I’m pretty sure? Feel free to correct me on this! It’s about Achilles (duh) and his friend/lover Patroclus.

Other areas of the LGBT spectrum:

Girl Mans Up by M-E Girard: This book sounds AMAZING. Featuring a trans character (I think!!) and exploring gender stereotypes/roles in society. Also set in Canada, which is totally unrelated but GO CANADA! I’ve saw this a few times in my library, really need to pick it up!

When the Moon Was Ours by Anna-Marie McLemore: I lovedddd the author’s other book, The Weight of Feathers and I’ve heard so many great things about this one??! It’s also a magical realism kind of book and features a transgender Pakistani boy and just AGH. I NEED.

The Art of Being Normal by Lisa Williamson: This book has a transgender teenage main character (actually I think it’s dual narrated so there might be two MCs) and it sounds so good!!

None of the Above by I.W. Gregorio: I almost forgot about this book!! Omg. I heard so much about this book waaaayyyyy back when I first started blogging and the book was released. It features an intersex main character, which I’ve never ever seen represented so far and apparently it’s great rep at that! I WANT TO READ.

Tash Hearts Tolstoy by Kathryn Ormsbee (June 6, 2017.): This book releases tomorrow!!! *cue squeals* And it has asexual rep!! This list has been SO FULL with gay/lesbian, bi books and that is so great but we’re lacking characters on other parts of the LGBT spectrum? SO YESSSSS for this book!!

Unreleased books

The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee (June 27. 2017.): I hear this book to be filled with tons of diversity, including a bisexual narrator, m/m romance, possible asexual side character?, ethnicity diversity and SO MUCH MORE great traits (apparently lots of sass and touring and so LOVE) I absolute can’t wait for this book.

27 Hours by Tristina Wright (Oct, 3. 2017): I could CRY with joy at the amount of amazing, amazing, AMAZING diversity rep in so many areas!! A cast of diverse characters including; multiracial & bisexual boy, afrolatinx bisexual trans girl, gay boy, pansexual and POC girl, asexual boy with two moms and many more side characters are queer. Info retrieved from Shauna’s lovely review! I NEED THIS BOOK SO MUCH PLEASE WHY IS IT SO FAR AWAY??!

Mask of Shadows by Linsey Miller (Sept. 5. 2017.): A fantasy ‘perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Leigh Bardugo’ featuring a gender fluid main character?!? YES PLEASE oh my gosh how amazing is this??! Fantasy needs major advancement in terms of LGBT+ main characters and this is so great. I only hope it’s good rep!!

They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera (Sept. 5. 2017.): Y’all know already how much I love Silvera’s books!! AGH. I will die at the end of this book* for sure omg. Featuring a m/m romance that I believe takes place over a day? Something like that and ahhg IJGI EJefH fjikjfo *cries*

*Horrible pun I’m sorry. 😛

That took SO MUCH MORE TIME than I thought it would! I really need to take the time to create a Goodreads shelf for LGBTQ+ reads?! Omg. I just spent over an hour on this post?? But it honestly felt like nothing??? #lifeofabookblogger I hope you guys liked this list of LGBTQ+ books in honor of pride month!! I tried to include as many as I could because obviously I am not giving up on my evil plan to make sure your TBR grows even larger than it already is I wanted to make this as inclusive as possible. 🙂 Kind of hard though because so many YA books feature the same type of LGBT rep, but hey, it’s progress!! I adore the amount of diversity found in YA contemporary books these days (but fantasy needs to up its game yo). Also this post has made me notice the ratio of my books read to books unread in this list and it is too large (*cries*) Must change that. I have too many books on my TBR aghhhhh.

But let’s talk!! What did you think of my list of LGBT+ books? Did I grow your TBR??! Mission accomplished! Which of these books have you read/do you want to read?? Any particular favourites?! Talk to meeeeeee so we can fangirl about diversity and all the good things. Happy Pride Month to everyone as well!!