M/M romance
The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue is the epic, high-adventure novel starring a witty bisexual that we all need in our lives. Don't let the length intimidate you because it will fly by. Not only are Monty and Percy perfect for each other, but writing is fabulous and the plot never slows. I enjoyed every page, which is not something you can always say with a book that's 500+ pages.
If you haven't heard of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, then you've been living under a rock. Becky Albertalli has a gift for writing lovable, realistic characters and books that you want to devour in one sitting. If I ever need a cozy, fluffy, romantic book in order to destress or take my mind off of things, I will go back to this book (or "Love, Simon").
Carry On's protagonist, coincidentally enough, is also named Simon, though this book is nothing like the one above. This is the answer to every Harry/Draco fan's dreams. But while I don't ship Harry and Draco, I do love Simon and Baz. Full of magic and snark, you should pick up this novel when you're looking for something fun and imaginative (but only after reading Fangirl first!).
History Is All You Left Me was my first introduction to Adam Silvera and now I'm a full-fledged fan. This is not a fun or fluffy book like the ones I mentioned above. It is deep and depressing, but also raw and emotional. You care about the characters like you actually know them, which is one of the best marks of a good writer.
They Both Die at the End is another Adam Silvera book, and my favorite one so far. The concept is pretty eerie, but super fascinating to read about. I loved Mateo and Rufus and how even in the quieter moments of the book, I enjoyed spending time with the characters. This is also a really depressing book, so fair warning.
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is such a mouthful, but the title fits the book so well, because the writing is poetic and beautiful. Ari and Dante are such sweet boys, you can't help but love them and their friendship. If you ask me, the perfect way to read it is to listen to the audiobook (narrated by Lin-Manuel Miranda), outside, during summer, under a tree, with an ice-cold glass of lemonade beside you. It's that kind of book.
Trans/Intersex characters
I combined these two because clearly this category is lacking! If you've got recommendations for me, drop a comment or send me a message on Twitter.
If I Was Your Girl was the first book I read with a trans protagonist and I really enjoyed it. Clearly I'm no expert on how good the representation was, but it was nice reading the story from the POV of a trans person. It's just not something you see that often. It highlights the everyday struggles of being trans, but overall the tone was lovely and hopeful. (And a trans model is featured on the cover! How cool is that?)
Again, None of the Above was the first (and only) book I've read with an intersex protagonist. Being intersex was something I'd never heard of before picking this book up and not only did it help explain what it was, but there was also a plot outside of Kristin discovering that she's intersex. The author did a good job balancing those two things.
F/F romance
Queens of Geek is like cotton candy in book form. I mean, just look at that cover! I don't remember many specifics from the story, but what I do remember is that I had fun reading it. It was so positive and my spirits were high after I finished it. Not only does it feature an F/F romance, but it has fantastic representation all around. One character is autistic and another is bisexual and Asian.
Becky Albertalli does it again with Leah on the Offbeat! Don't want to give too many spoilers since it's technically a sequel to Simon, but boy did I love this one, too. It's a sweet, summery, fun read that both allows Simon fans to catch up with their favorite characters in the future and fall in love with a brand new romance at the same time. Highly recommended.
I've read a lot of A.S. King books, but Ask the Passengers was one of my favorites. It's both simple and philosophical, very character-driven, and has a writing style that captivates you, even with a slower-than-usual plot. It's not very long, but I enjoyed all of it.
Honor Girl is a graphic memoir by a very cool author (I met her at a book festival and she is the nicest person alsdfjilr). I loved the simplistic art style and the heartfelt story. The romance felt very sweet, innocent, and real. It was like getting a glimpse of Maggie Thrash's diary. You feel extremely connected to the people in the book.
How to Make a Wish is the beachy romance I didn't know I was craving until I read it. It's a little longer than usual for a contemporary, which caused it to drag sometimes, but addictive romance made up for it. It has bisexual/lesbian rep and an interracial couple. There's also a big focus on families and mother-daughter relationships (the good, the bad, and the ugly). It's a bittersweet slice of summer.
Currently reading . . .
Even though I haven't finished it yet, I knew I had to include Ramona Blue on this list, because I downloaded the audiobook on a whim and I am loving it. It's a simple story featuring a whole cast of diverse characters, including a protagonist who has always identified as a lesbian but starts to question her sexuality when she finds herself attracted to her male best friend. I love these characters already and find myself missing the story when I'm doing something else. It's been a great book to listen to on long drives and even during shopping trips.
On my TBR list
Talk to me! What are your favorite LGBTQ+ books? What gaps are you struggling to fill? Do you have any fantasies, F/F romances, or books with trans characters to recommend? Leave a comment!
