Task #15: Read a YA or middle grade novel by an author who identifies as LGBTQ+

[Lorrea - WhatChaReadin'?]

The book is LGBTQ+ as well as the author!!

[Laura]

I'm curious why this task has to be a YA book? Would an adult book by an LGBTQ+ author (the one I'm reading now is a memoir of growing up gay in North Dakota) count?

[Dee]

Laura wrote: "I'm curious why this task has to be a YA book? Would an adult book by an LGBTQ+ author (the one I'm reading now is a memoir of growing up gay in North Dakota) count?"

I believe the idea behind this category is to fight the myth that children and teens can't be LGBTQ+. So they've required a middle grade or YA novel.

[CalamityMane]

I read "Through the Woods" by Emily Carroll. If you like horror and have no aversion to the graphic novel format, I highly recommend it. After I read it, I wanted more.

[Viv]

I am considering reading Malinda Lo's lesbian retelling of Cinderella, Ash, for this task. I wasn't sure if she identified as LGBTQ+ but just found the answer on her blog, and yes, she does.

[Rayne]

Melissa wrote: "Lisa wrote: "I highly recommend We Are the Ants by Shaun David Hutchinson. It is sooooo good!" I think this is the one I am going to try. Thanks for the recommendation!!"

That is an awesome book! I loved it!

[Rayne]

I'm going with What They Always Tell Us because I can triple up on this one. It also works for Debut Novel and within 100 miles.

[Jodi]

This one is hard one for me. Not because of the LGBTQ+ topic but because I stopped reading YA novels altogether. I've browsed through some books but I just can't find a book that I'm interested in...

[Bonnie G.]

Joanna wrote: "This one is hard one for me. Not because of the LGBTQ+ topic but because I stopped reading YA novels altogether. I've browsed through some books but I just can't find a book that I'm interested in..."

I also do not read YA as a rule, but really enjoyed my book for this challenge. Here is my review of Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Jodi]

Bonnie wrote: "Joanna wrote: "This one is hard one for me. Not because of the LGBTQ+ topic but because I stopped reading YA novels altogether. I've browsed through some books but I just can't find a book that I'm..."
Thank you very much, Bonnie! I read your review and will read the book for the callenge as well. This helped a lot!

[Shelldon (Aspiring Ninja)]

I'm thinking of reading A Monster Calls for this one. It been on my to-read list for ages.

[Amy]

Two Boys Kissing would be a great choice for this one. I loved that book.

[Rayne]

Joanna wrote: "Bonnie wrote: "Joanna wrote: "This one is hard one for me. Not because of the LGBTQ+ topic but because I stopped reading YA novels altogether. I've browsed through some books but I just can't find ..."

It was one of my favorite books read last year. Just beautiful.

[Pamela]

I read Luna by Julie Ann Peters. It was just okay. Kinda longer than my interest level in it. I guess I'm just not much of a YA reader.

[Brandy]

Was reading The Marvels for a different challenge but it works here. Loved it. This one tends to be rated a little lower than Brian Selznick's other work, but I think I loved it more than Wonderstruck. But Aristotle and Dante keeps popping up on rec lists so I might leave the Marvels where it is and read Aristotle and Dante for this challenge.

[Hayley]

I've opted for On the Edge of Gone. Fantasy, author identifies as bisexual, the protagonist is biracial and autistic, and there's LGBT and POC side characters. Sounds really good!

[Monica]

Looking at We Are the Ants, Lies We Tell Ourselves and None of the Above for this one.

[Georgiana]

Many, many thanks to those who recommended Aristotle and Dante. I think this is the first time I've ever listened to an entire audiobook in one day, I loved it that much!

[Bonnie G.]

Joanna wrote: "Bonnie wrote: "Joanna wrote: "This one is hard one for me. Not because of the LGBTQ+ topic but because I stopped reading YA novels altogether. I've browsed through some books but I just can't find ..."

Hope you enjoy it!

[Katie]

For this one I plan on reading Nimona. Gonna cross another book off the TBR!

[Teresa]

I am uncomfortable looking into an author's romantic and/or sexual life so I'm skipping this task.

[Bonnie G.]

Teresa wrote: "I am uncomfortable looking into an author's romantic and/or sexual life so I'm skipping this task."

This isn't an investigative task, there are many people who very publicly and proudly identify as LGBTQ+ -- its not something to cover up or be ashamed of. No need to look into anything.

[Teresa]

I don't think anyone's persuasion is something to hide or feel bad about. My decision is based on my feelings about my activities.

[Sara]

I know this means more to others than to me but I don't really care about an authors sexual orientation. It's not like I wont read a book or will read a book based on whether an author identifies as LGBTQ. I changed this task to read a romance book or something like that.
it's my reading challenge and I'll do what I want. That is the great thing about these challenges, you can modify to suit yourself.

[Ashley]

I think part of the purpose of this task was to encourage us readers to read something from someone who may or may not have a different life experience than ourselves. Just like any "read a book by a PoC" or "read a book where the main character is a different ethnicity/race/etc than you" task, the idea is to expose ourselves to writers who will broaden our experiences through reading. I hope you might reconsider and possibly read a romance (if that is your genre of choice) by an author who identifies as LGBTQ+. Whichever way to you, I hope you have a good time!

[Katie]

If you are just going to change the categories to suit your comfort zone for reading, what was the point in joining in with this reading challenge?
The challenge isn't about making you care they are LGBT+, its to have you read something by someone with a specific perspective. Think if you said "nah, I'd rather read a classic by a caucasian person" or "I don't want to look into if they are a POC".
I think we shouldn't be stretching challenges to fit ourselves, but really getting into the spirit of Read Harder by truly challenging ourselves and stepping into the shoes of as many diverse lives as we can.

[Bonnie G.]

Katie wrote: "If you are just going to change the categories to suit your comfort zone for reading, what was the point in joining in with this reading challenge?
The challenge isn't about making you care they a..."

Amen

[Brooke]

Katie wrote: "If you are just going to change the categories to suit your comfort zone for reading, what was the point in joining in with this reading challenge?
The challenge isn't about making you care they a..."

I couldn't agree more! Well said, Katie.

[Jenny]

Katie wrote: "If you are just going to change the categories to suit your comfort zone for reading, what was the point in joining in with this reading challenge?
The challenge isn't about making you care they a..."

I couldn't agree more....challenges present a wonderful opportunity to broaden our reading...

[Jenny]

Ashley wrote: "I think part of the purpose of this task was to encourage us readers to read something from someone who may or may not have a different life experience than ourselves. Just like any "read a book by..."

Totally...

[Jenny]

Teresa wrote: "I am uncomfortable looking into an author's romantic and/or sexual life so I'm skipping this task."

That's a shame...this challenge should broaden our outlook in all
things, familiar and unfamiliar...

[Tanya C.]

Katie wrote: "If you are just going to change the categories to suit your comfort zone for reading, what was the point in joining in with this reading challenge?
The challenge isn't about making you care they a..."

Well said.

I also think these type of challenges help to increase the PUBLISHING community's acceptance of various writers.

Once upon a time, women had to publish under a man's name just to get their books out there... People of colour and LGBTQ+ folks are currently underrepresented in publishing so these things help to increase their visibility.

[Katie]

Tanya C. wrote: "Once upon a time, women had to publish under a man's name just to get their books out there... People of colour and LGBTQ+ folks are currently underrepresented in publishing so these things help to increase their visibility. ."

Also a very important point Tanya! Especially when it comes to YA or MG authors, coming out publicly as LGBTQ+ can be damaging to their careers which can be seen in how often their books are challenged. I see this challenge as a small step over a rather large hurdle towards acceptance.

[Bonnie G.]

Katie wrote: "Tanya C. wrote: "Once upon a time, women had to publish under a man's name just to get their books out there... People of colour and LGBTQ+ folks are currently underrepresented in publishing so the..."

I keep just saying "amen" because others have been so much more articulate than I. I love seeing this discussion.

[Jenny]

I like your thinking here Katie !

[Michelle]

Jenny wrote: "Teresa wrote: "I am uncomfortable looking into an author's romantic and/or sexual life so I'm skipping this task."

That's a shame...this challenge should broaden our outlook in all
things, famili..."

Teresa wrote: "I don't think anyone's persuasion is something to hide or feel bad about. My decision is based on my feelings about my activities."

I have a hard time thinking in terms of an author's orientation, too. I want to read about many different subjects, eras, etc. I don't want to choose an author just because of their race, gender,... in fact, I'd rather not know their political stances at all. I've read so many novels since I have a master's degree in lit., For example, I had to read Lolita and I was having a very hard time with the subject matter due to my own past. I tried to think of the main character as a psychological study and was able to go through it, but it was in no way pleasant. I won't force myself to read something very painful or disturbing either. Just good writing from anywhere.

[Katie]

Michelle wrote: "Jenny wrote: "Teresa wrote: "I am uncomfortable looking into an author's romantic and/or sexual life so I'm skipping this task."

That's a shame...this challenge should broaden our outlook in all
..."

Then it's lucky we have this wonderful group, with many wonderful recommendations spanning all sorts of genre and subject matter! I am sure reading through what others recommend here you will find the perfect book for you and one that fits the challenge.

[Elizabeth]

Not only are LGBTQ people underrepresented in publishing, but also, they have a unique perspective to offer.

I think I've grown a lot from my decision to start reading more women writers, and also more recently, more writers of color. I'm happy to see this challenge is pushing some readers' comfort zones.

[Addie Dehart]

Tonya and Katie thank you for your eloquence. To me the entire purpose of this challenge is to read more diversely. I feel like everyone should embrace the challenge as it is and learn something.

[Henriette]

I am currently reading "More than this" by Patrick Ness. That will be my choice. Wonderfull novel!

[Bridgid]

Bonnie wrote: "I think The Miseducation of Cameron Post will be my read -- it is also a banned book for those who double up."

Also a debut, I believe.

[Ptaylor]

I just finished The Great American Whatever by Tim Federle. It isn't the great American novel and Quinn Roberts isn't "A Holden Caulfield for a new generation", but it isn't the worst thing I've ever read.

[Jane]

Teresa wrote: "I am uncomfortable looking into an author's romantic and/or sexual life so I'm skipping this task."

The subject of the book does not have to be romantic or sexual, or even LGBTQ+. While I am reading something with an LGBTQ+ subject, it is also valuable to acknowledge that LGBTQ+ authors don't only write on that subject. These books might be a bit hard to find, but if you get a list of LGBTQ+ authors who write for YA, I'm sure you can find something. Talk to your YA/children's librarian. (For me, the research in finding books that fit the categories is almost as much fun as reading the books.)

[Susan]

I really liked More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera. It is somewhat of a sci fi/futuristic book, which I usually don't like, but it was realistic enough for me. It was also a reminder that although it is getting easier, to the point of being considered really cool, according to some teens, to be a teen who identifies as LGBTQ, this is not true in all communities.

I must admit that I was probably swayed in my opinion of this book by meeting the author on one of his very first book tour stops ever before I even read the book (went to the event to hear another author). He was so excited, unpolished, and self-deprecating and extremely endearing.

[Tytti]

This would be a difficult task for me, too, because I don't read YA or "middle grade" (whatever that is, really). I know some LGBTQ+ authors but all of them write "just" fiction. One has even written about growing up as a (future?) gay boy/man but that is clearly adult fiction, even though one of the novels ends when he moves away from home to attend school at 17.

[Elyse]

Jenny wrote: "Going to read Drag Queen by Jeffery Self for this one. Happened to meet him by chance last year at Chicago's BookCon and got his book, so perfect time to read it."

I couldn't find this one. Could you link it please?

[Anna]

Erin wrote: "Like many others, I read Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. Cute book, though I don't think it lives up to the 5 star hype."

I felt the same way.

[Elyse]

All of these are great recs and most are already in my TBR! How to choose just one?! I *loved* Lin-Manuel Miranda's narration of Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe.

[Ashley]

Just started diving into A Gathering of Shadows. The author, V.E. Schwab, has Tweeted about her bi status and writes with characters from the LGBTQ community in her books. Not to mention she is just an awesome writer!

[Yrinsyde]

I'm going to read Luna by Julie Anne Peters who I discovered through a Bustle article. Luckily my local library has a copy.

https://www.bustle.com/articles/72362...

https://www.amazon.com/Julie-Anne-Pet...