YA LGBT Books discussion
Book Related Banter
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What YA Friendly Book Are You Currently Reading?
I typically read books in one sitting as is the case with this one from last week. It's an LGBT, historical, fantasy, romance, mystery and it was super cute!!!Timekeeper - Tara Sim
There's going to be a second one :)
I am reading The Lies We Tell Ourselves by Robin Talley. It tackles both racism and sexuality, and the story is told from the two main characters. It's pretty rough to read through the beginning but it becomes a reading experience as you keep going.I prefer to read more historical and psychological LGBT books.
I just finished Option Four. Jon is one of our group members and this is his first published YA title. It is very much a period piece set in Southern California in the 90's. I had forgotten that until about a quarter of the way in when some of the events started to ring bells in my memory, reminding me of the actual events that happened locally (So. California) at the time. It is very good writing to be both a period piece and not immediately date itself with language so that you canforget it's a period piece.
The pacing was quick and the characters were highly relatable. The plot resolution was predictable, but that's actually a good thing in this case because the MC's character flaw is his teenage obliviousness and it makes for a truly groan-worthy moment like we all have had (or will have... it's one of those things that once you're past that stage in life, you can look back and just cringe at your younger self). Four-stars from me. Read-a-likes: Openly Straight, The Misfits; these all deal with topics of prejudice and preconceptions.
Up next I'm reading one of Geoff Laughton's YA titles, three of which are on sale on Harmony Ink and Amazon until the end of the month. I'm still deciding between Under the Stars and At the Lake.
Whoops, I lied. I found Autoboyography in my library's eBook system. I started it last night and I'm loving the main character. The marketing tag line, "Fangirl meets Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda in this funny and poignant coming-of-age novel..." isn't wrong; the narration is strikingly similar to Simon Vs. and I'm enthralled. I'm only 15% into the book, and already I've got a feeling it might end up on my 5-star list... I hope it doesn't let me down.
There is a tiny little bit of a reliance on knowing some things about the Mormon faith. But if you're good at inference, you can understand the references in the book.
Added to my TBRs. I'll be interested to see how you rate it.
Rez wrote: "I just finished Option Four. Jon is one of our group members and this is his first published YA title. It is very much a period piece set in Southern California in the 90's. I had..."
Um, Rez, when I clicked the Geoff Laughton link it took me to a guy who's a psychologist writing self-help books (GR "site"). When I clicked under the stars and then GL it took me to the author page you intended.
Thought you'd want to know...or, of course, it could be just my weird new computer doing weird sh...tuff.
Eric
Eric wrote: "Rez wrote: "I just finished Option Four. Jon is one of our group members and this is his first published YA title. It is very much a period piece set in Southern California in the..."
Appears to be two authors with the same name.
Goodreads is frustrating that way because inside a comment box they only show you one, and the others with the same name may have two spaces between them. It's a bad algorithm.
Eric wrote: "Um, Rez, when I clicked the Geoff Laughton link it took me to a guy who's a psychologist ..."Goodread's add book/author widget messed up. I picked the right author when making the link, but it dumped the wrong numeric value in the html. I fixed it now.
Update on Autoboyography. It made it to my 5-star list.
I'm really, really impressed by how well the emotions are conveyed. I grew up in a town were the Mormon faith is large presence and I knew what was going to happen at the climax of the novel because I've seen the exact scenario played out in person. There's only two ways it ends and both suck: repression or disowning. The book manages to conceal which way it goes with a single POV swap, which was superbly executed, until the very final chapter. (view spoiler)
Wow, sounds good. I wish the ebook wasn't so expensive, but I'll try to convince my library to get it.I'm reading History Is All You Left Me and it's good although it hasn't yet pulled me all the way in.
Reading 'Thousand Year Switch' by ELatimer. About a youth who has seriously weird stuff happening to him throughout. He cheats death on quite a few occasions while he puzzles out what is happening to him to find a solution to this puzzle. The plot is believable as are all the intrigues he gets embroiled in, which have added humour to them, so it's a rollercoaster adventure with lots of twists and turns to keep you excited...
Double BluffI just read this book and I would definitely recommend it if you're after a cute feel good contemporary. I don't want to give too much away because certain aspects are revealed through the book, but there are 3 different 'non straight' sexualities represented in here
I am currently reading #8 from the Hamilton high series. It’s called love rules. The story features lesbian character, that comes out to her best friend.You can check it out on my currently reading shelf. I was so happy to finally find this book, in an electronic format from Amazon. I love this authors work, she covers a lot of different teenager and young adult issues. Happy reading.
That's funny - I guess the title is a common a gaming phrase. Every occupations has its lingo but it seems pretty thick and fast in gaming. :)
Ann wrote: "I am currently reading #8 from the Hamilton high series. It’s called love rules. The story features lesbian character, that comes out to her best friend.You can check it out on my currently readin..."
Good to know - this is the first one? The DUFF
I think Ann means the Hamilton High series by Marilyn Reynolds. #8 is Love Rules.https://www.goodreads.com/series/6428...
I'm currently reading Cinnamon Toast and the End of the World - it's not one I've heard many (if any) one mention before but I'm enjoying it
That is odd that I hadn't heard of that one. I usually keep up with books from Hatchet group. It's on my TBR pile now. Thanks, Carrie-Anne.
I started Cinnamon Toast . . . quite a while ago, back when it was close to new and I had just persuaded my library to buy it, but -- through no fault of its own -- I got distracted by other books and haven't yet returned to it, although I keep intending to do so. Maybe a positive review of it from someone in this group will bump it back up my list. =)
It made me ugly cry. That is a positive review from me, I love crying at books!It's definitely worth checking out. Set in the 80's in a small town in Canada :)
There's a lot of time shifting, so the MC will be talking about now, then tell you a story of when he was 9 then come back, but it's done in a way that everything still feels cohesive and it doesn't get confusing
Charles wrote: "So I am currently -trying- to start reading 27 Hours ... have gotten a couple pages in but keep getting distracted by discord, comics, anime, and star trek :)"
Sounds like it's not quite grabbing you yet. I hope it improves. (Not that those aren't great distractions.)
I just finished Release by Patrick Ness
It thankfully did not end the way I thought it was going to, after getting about 100 pages in. Really interesting read, two concurrent storylines, one about an almost high school senior, and one about a ghost/spirit, both in Frome, Washington.
Currently reading
! I stumbled across this book on a book festival list and have yet to see it anywhere on social media...so I have a strong feeling it is not getting the recognition it deserves. I have less than 100 pages left and I definitely recommend it! 16 yr old Adrian is closeted and determined to remain invisible to bullies at school. But after witnessing a hate crime on when of his classmates decides to use his art to do something about. The beginning is a bit sad and the hate crime is terrible, but then the story picks up and I couldn't put it down. It's sweet and funny and has good friendship drama and romance.
Heather C wrote: "Currently reading ! I stumbled across this book on a book festival list and have yet to see it anywhere on social media...so I have a strong feeling it is not gett..."Good to know. Did you add it to the group shelves? If not, I can do so. Would you add a warning for abuse or is it off page?
Kaje wrote: "Heather C wrote: "Currently reading ! I stumbled across this book on a book festival list and have yet to see it anywhere on social media...so I have a strong feel..."I didn't add it to the group shelves , wasn't sure of the rules here since I haven't been very active.
Probably add the warning. It's on page and there is another character with a verbally abusive parent. Lots of homophobia and bullying.
Also, I want to add the author provided all of the artwork inside the book and all of it is beautifully done! Here is the link to view the trailers. http://www.drawthelinenovel.com/
Thanks for the info - I'll add it. In this group people can add books so we build our shelves, (I have an info thread in Hot Topics on how to do that) but we ask people not to remove books but PM us if something doesn't seem to fit the group (like too adult or no LGBTQ).If you want to attach more shelves that a book fits on to its listing we also encourage that, to help with searches.
I put this under
bullying, coming-out-of-age, gay, high-school, homophobia,abuse,
Kaje wrote: "Thanks for the info - I'll add it. In this group people can add books so we build our shelves, (I have an info thread in Hot Topics on how to do that) but we ask people not to remove books but PM u..."Thanks! I will take a look at what you have and maybe add a few ;)
Ok I give up lol. I tried to add The Love Interest but it keeps saving my rating. :(
Heather C wrote: "Ok I give up lol. I tried to add The Love Interest but it keeps saving my rating. :("I think it only shows for you. My ratings show on the books I added, to me, but not if i go look when I'm not signed in. Just like when you look at someone else's shelves, it also shows your rating too.
Charles wrote: "waiting to get Final Girl #3 by Michelle Schusterman It's the third book in a series (of 3 so far) that has a gay sidekick."Oh, cool, I didn't realize there was one! Which character is gay?
Heather C wrote: "Ok I give up lol. I tried to add The Love Interest but it keeps saving my rating. :("I'm actually reading The Love Interest now. I'm about 40% of the way through. I like the slow lead-up to the 'oh, sh*t, I'm gay and attracted to my rival' moment. I'm actually kind of glad for the way it's paced since I don't typically like thrillers; the slow exposition and world-building give it more of a slice-of-life feel. I'm sure that would drive thriller readers crazy, but it works for me.
I recently finished We Are Okay and it was so good. I waited a while to read it because I knew I would hate when I finished it, but it was definitely worth the read.
Currently, I am very slowly making my way through reading Of Fire and Stars by Audrey Coulthurst. I've been liking well enough, but it certainly isn't a page turner for me. I find there are quite a few places that just drag on for me and it took me about half the book (I am roughly 60% finished) to start liking Mare. Overall, for me, it is an okay read, though things could change by the time I am finished. I do plan to read the prequel that is coming out.
(This cover is gorgeous!)
That is a great cover. I hope the story picks up for you.
I want to give a shout out to Nobody's Butterfly
my 5-star review
These two authors have a knack for giving me unusual characters - the guys who are damaged, lost, neuroatypical, down on their luck, and pushed into uncomfortable roles. And yet they manage a tone that has light touch, a matter-of-factness to it, a determination and warmth, that wrings the heart but is not manufactured angst. They make these men multifaceted, rounded, fascinating, heart-breaking, and ultimately uplifting. With this YA book they have done it again.
Johnny is an older teen who is in a care home. We don't ever get all the details of why his past life fell apart, but what happened has left him without family, bruised at heart, and so lost that he hasn't spoken aloud since he arrived over a year before. The other kids in the home come and go, and none of them have tried to get close to weird Johnny who freaks out and hates sports and is an easy target at school. His best moments are in his room, talking to the "ghost" in the spiderweb outside his window, finally spilling his hurts and fears and questions to the only confidant he trusts.
Enter Finn, a boy his age who first arrived very ill in a wheelchair. Now healthier, Finn pushes into every part of Johnny's life, teasing him, supporting him, calling himself Johnny's wizard. He's funny and skinny and crazy and hoards food, and sees things that may or may not be there. But he also hears the words Johnny can't manage to say, and wants to be around him. Finn is a gift to a very isolated boy who desperately needs someone on his side, someone who sees the ordinary in him more than the extraordinary. Finn in his playful off-kilter way, just assumes Johnny will be along for the ride. And Johnny can't help warming his heart at the flames of Finn burning bright in his drab world.
This is lovely, heartwarming, and the villains here turn out to be human too. Highly recommended tale of two damaged sixteen-year-olds finding new life through their connection to each other.
I'm working through The Gay Teen's Guide to Defeating a Siren, by one of our own, Cody Wagner.It is billed as fantasy, but the fantasy elements don't make a prominent appearance until the 80% mark. The setting is adorable, and I hope beyond hope that something like it actually existed (though, I doubt it). It's a slow burn of a read, with a lot of character and setting development up front with just enough foreshadowing to keep me reading until I hit the main body of the plot arc (somewhere past the 75% mark). Once the main conflict starts, the story ignites brilliantly with a lot of suspense and emotion.
I'm at the 93% mark, but the resolution is still to come (way to keep me hanging until the last possible moment...); so far it's reading at a solid 4-stars. (I'm crossing my fingers for a drastic turn in the final chapters that could bump it up to 5-stars, or maybe a cliff-hanger and a sequel.)
Kaje and Rez - both of these books sound great!Rez - If you're interested in books with a gay storyline but with fantasy elements I read
at the end of last year (and your questioning about there being a sequel to the book you're reading reminded me that this book seemed like there was more story to tell, and yes! I just checked and there's a sequel to A Strong And Sudden Thaw too!)
I have Strong and Sudden Thaw on my TBR pile, but if I recall, it's in the New Adult age-group, which may contain more sexual content than is allowed in this group. I wasn't really concerned about the latent fantasy elements (I actually like contemporary better and sought it out because of the high-school setting), I just wanted to point it out upfront in case people were expecting more fantasy; don't want to set people up for disappointment.
I just finished George by Alex Gino (which is probably aimed slightly below YA), and I am currently reading Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, which is amazing so far.
What did you think of George? I love having more LGBTQ inclusive books for younger ages, but I haven't read it.
I'm behind the curve on this one, but I'm listening to Will Grayson, Will Grayson on audiobook, and holy hilarity is it funny. I don't think the written version would even compare to the audio; the musical parts are actually sung by both of the two narrators, and there are parts where the two narrators do imitations of the other with ridiculous accuracy. I'm pushing Hold Me Closer: The Tiny Cooper Story up my TBR pile because of how amazing his audiobook is; I absolutely must hear the whole play.
I liked but didn't love the written version - it's cool that they did a good job with the audio.
I'm reading
so far I am enjoying it! I like how the f/f romance is treated...totally normal. It's not a focus or a source of drama.
Casey wrote: "I'm reading Foolish Hearts so far I am enjoying it! I like how the f/f romance is treated...totally normal. It's not a focus or a source of drama."That's cool - we need more YA with LGBTQ characters where identity and coming out are not the plot focus.
I am currently reading this: https://www.wattpad.com/story/8629616... . I have been following this author since July of last year. It is a science fiction/romance book. The description of the book: This is a story of the future. A future that seems to have reverted to past ways. Humans made slaves of hybrids, selling them and using them to work, to fight, or to sexually please. But even if this is the future humanity has come to, not everyone agrees with this and follows those beliefs. Some are against it, some disobey the law, some fight in the shadows and help the hybrids who were condemned to such a cruel fate. And this is the case of Kian Alastair, Captain of one of the most powerful ships in the Nebula Space Fleet.
He helps the hybrids he finds and takes them somewhere safe, where law won't find them. But when he finds himself in a Fight Arena Zone, and sees a small kid fight to the death, he can't help but feel intrigued by his inspiring fighting spirit. Will he be able to gain his trust? And will he be able to hide from the demons that seem to be trying to catch up with him?
*Contains LGBT scenes, sensitive themes, violence and a crazy shipper. Beware. Tho is very light hearted... most of the time.*
Sounds cool, if a bit dark in theme (interesting that it says "lighthearted") . The violence is okay for YA?
Kaje wrote: "Sounds cool, if a bit dark in theme (interesting that it says "lighthearted") . The violence is okay for YA?"In later chapters, it has some trigger warnings, but it is not Gladiator - the movie - graphic, but it is pretty descriptive. The author does warn about it beforehand, so you can skip it. But overall, the story is a very good read. But be forewarned it is a SLOW BURNER. It took the characters 54 very long chapters to admit their feelings.
YA LGBT Books
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Authors mentioned in this topic
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It's technically mor..."
How cool - both bi and middle-grade? We can use more of those.