Jan 2026 Book of the Month - NOMINATIONS > Likes and Comments

What YA LGBTQ book would you like to read, or do you think members who haven't read it should try, (and those who have read it can discuss), as our BotM for Jan-Feb 2026?

What book made a difference to you, and might to other readers? What sounds interesting, appealing or different that you want to read?

If possible, link the book page on GR and tell us a little about it or why you picked it, or post the blurb.

The titles of past books of the month that we have read are on all the threads in this "Book of the Month" folder, and you can also check with a search of the group's book-of-the-month Bookshelf at -
https://www.goodreads.com/group/books...

Please do not repeat a book we have read as a past Book of the Month - and please only nominate the first book in a series, unless a later book stands alone as a solo read.

Up to two nominations per member. Nominations will be open through Midnight Dec 31st or sooner if we get 8 nominations - the max for voting. Feel free to renominate a book that did not win in a past vote, if it fits this category. (You can find previous nominations in either the old polls (under the "polls" link) or in the "Old BOM Nominations" folder well down the group page.)

Authors please do not nominate your own books - but readers can definitely nominate a member author's work

I recently finished reading Marcus Herzig’s “Perfect Boy”
This is a new release by Marcus. I really enjoyed it It’s a well crafted story with interesting characters and witty dialog. It’s available on Amazon as a Kindle Unlimited offering.

Bob wrote: "I recently finished reading Marcus Herzig’s “Perfect Boy”
This is a new release by Marcus. I really enjoyed it It’s a well crafted story with interesting characters and witty dialog. It’s available..."

Thanks for posting Perfect Boy by Marcus Herzig

I've recently read a lot of Holden Sheppard's books and found them all really good, and one that I think would be a good BotM is Invisible Boys.

It's been adapted into a TV series that aired earlier this year and has a sequel book coming out next year.

Blurb included below:

In a small town, everyone thinks they know you: Charlie is a hardcore rocker, who's not as tough as he looks. Hammer is a footy jock with big AFL dreams, and an even bigger ego. Zeke is a shy over-achiever, never macho enough for his family. But all three boys hide who they really are. When the truth is revealed, will it set them free or blow them apart?

Invisible Boys is a raw, confronting YA novel, tackling homosexuality, masculinity, anger and suicide with a nuanced and unique perspective. Set in regional Western Australia, the novel follows three sixteen-year-old boys in the throes of coming to terms with their homosexuality in a town where it is invisible – and so are they. Invisible Boys depicts the complexities and trauma of rural gay identity with painful honesty, devastating consequence and, ultimately, hope.

Garry wrote: "I've recently read a lot of Holden Sheppard's books and found them all really good, and one that I think would be a good BotM is Invisible Boys.

It's been adapted into a TV series that aired earli..."

Thanks for the rec - I will definitely include it.

I've just started The Hollow and the Haunted and it seems good so far. Hopefully it wasn't a previous read - I checked the "ghosts" shelf and didn't see it.

I was able to get an ebook from the library, so if other members have Libby they may also be able to borrow this.

Mere wrote: "I've just started The Hollow and the Haunted and it seems good so far. Hopefully it wasn't a previous read - I checked the "ghosts" shelf and didn't see it.

I was able to get an ..."

Not familiar to me - I'll add it to the list for Jan.

Can I recommend an older book, Gives Light by Rose Christo? This made a huge impact on me when I read it 10+ years ago, since it had queer representation of course, but it was also very much based on living on a Native American Reservation and in that culture. It also has a mute MC (not deaf). Such wonderful story telling as well.

Meghan Reads M-M wrote: "Can I recommend an older book, Gives Light by Rose Christo? This made a huge impact on me when I read it 10+ years ago, since it had queer representation of course, but it was also ..."

We did Gives Light as a BOTM in May 2013 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I agree I enjoyed that series.

There's an interesting comment about what Eagledancer said about the corrupt adoption system etc as related to that series.
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Thanks, Kaje. Wasn't sure if it had been too long, so don't include for 2025!

But thank you for including this old post. It's really important. And it sucks that it pretty much hasn't changed in decades.