Looking for a YA book about...

[Reed]

so does anyone know of a gay themed book with the main couple being a badboy and a jock (or not a jock but still popular).

I'm also okay with a lesbian book equivalent to that so a badgirl and a cheerleader (or not a cheerleader but still popular).

[Eric]

Reed wrote: "so does anyone know of a gay themed book with the main couple being a badboy and a jock (or not a jock but still popular).

I'm also okay with a lesbian book equivalent to that so a badgirl and a ..."

Trust Me. Sort of a bad boy/nerd book. A couple of Jeff Erno's Dumb Jock series would fit. Mark Roeder also has several books that fit. (He doesn't have very many listed in GR, but has written a couple dozen novels. The more recent books are more NA than YA, be forewarned.) Rounding Third. I'll try to think of a few more.

[Reed]

to Eric

thanks, tbh if it's more adult then I'll probably like it more, I actually asked this same question over on mm romance group so if you have any non-YA recommendations then I'd absolutely love to hear them, but u might wanna answer over there instead. :)

[Kaje]

Or by PM message - I'm trying to think of this combo. Not remembering any yet...

[Reed]

this is a dark topic but does anyone know any books where the mc attempted suicide and/or self harmed.

[Rainbowheart]

First one that comes to mind is Suicide Notes by Michael Thomas Ford. There's also More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera. For lesbian self-harm, there's Scars by Cheryl Rainfield. I'll have to do some research for books on on gay male self-harm.

[Kaje]

Reed wrote: "this is a dark topic but does anyone know any books where the mc attempted suicide and/or self harmed."

Vivaldi in the Dark - One MC had previous attempts and then the second and third books in the series (which are a little more NA than YA) his depression worsens again.

Suicide Watch was very good;

We have 11 books on the group "self-injury" bookshelf and 23 on "suicide"

[Maxman217]

two big things I'm always on the look out for is better representation of minorities and people with disabilities, to date I've read a few books with Latino/hispanic main/major characters and one or two with Asian, even a few Native Americans, but so far none with black main or major characters which is upsetting

on the disability front, 2 books with mute major characters, one with a deaf main character but to date none with blind people, or people in wheelchairs, one with an Autistic main character and lots with stress disorders, PTSD etc, but so far no other metal illnesses etc

[Kaje]

Maxman217 wrote: "two big things I'm always on the look out for is better representation of minorities and people with disabilities, to date I've read a few books with Latino/hispanic main/major characters and one o..."

I put a couple of recs into the "What are you looking for in YA" thread, including The Thunder in His Head

This is our "disabilities" shelf https://www.goodreads.com/group/books... -
And our "mental Illness" shelf - https://www.goodreads.com/group/books...
I haven't read most so I can't speak to the content

We don't have a "minority MC" shelf, but it's not a bad idea to start one. Representation is definitely lacking.
Gives Light is a great series with a Native American MC; also Falling From The Sky

[Linda ~ they got the mustard out! ~]

Kaje wrote: "We don't have a "minority MC" shelf, but it's not a bad idea to start one. Representation is definitely lacking."

It really is, and I'm always on the lookout for books with minorities as MCs. They're so few and far between. I think a Minority/POC MC shelf would be a great idea.

[Kaje]

Linda ~ chock full of hoot, just a little bit of nanny ~ wrote: "Kaje wrote: "We don't have a "minority MC" shelf, but it's not a bad idea to start one. Representation is definitely lacking."

It really is, and I'm always on the lookout for books with minorities..."

It looks like we have a Hispanic-latino shelf with 2 books; also a "poc" shelf with 100, which surprises me. I don't know enough about the books on it to know if they really all have minority main characters, or a poc character somewhere in them even if minor... Rainbowheart added many of them though, and she tends to be fairly diligent in her cataloging.

[Linda ~ they got the mustard out! ~]

Kaje wrote: "Linda ~ chock full of hoot, just a little bit of nanny ~ wrote: "Kaje wrote: "We don't have a "minority MC" shelf, but it's not a bad idea to start one. Representation is definitely lacking."

It r..."

Thanks! I'll go poking through those. :)

[Reed]

ok so I'm looking for a book where the mc isn't what they seem, like by keeping secrets and/or not being what you'd expect. Here's some examples of what I mean;

1. mc acts happy (and is possibly popular) but is actually depressed.

2. (similar to #1) mc acts like they're unaffected by anything but is actually affected by a lot of stuff

3. A person (possibly mc) who acts confident but you find out they had in the past attempted suicide or self harmed, but they're better now.

4. feminine/delicate looking character (can be female but doesn't have to be) acts masculine or takes part in something that's considered masculine/rough (such as fighting, football, hockey, etc.)

any recs for something similar-ish r welcome :)

[Reed]

oh sorry I forgot to add that I need the books to be either HEA or HFN

[Maxman217]

Reed wrote: "ok so I'm looking for a book where the mc isn't what they seem, like by keeping secrets and/or not being what you'd expect. Here's some examples of what I mean;

1. mc acts happy (and is possibly p..."

well, maybe try Vivaldi in the Dark not sure it hits everything you're looking for but I think it covers a lot

[Rez]

Reed wrote: "ok so I'm looking for a book where the mc isn't what they seem, like by keeping secrets and/or not being what you'd expect. Here's some examples of what I mean;"

I can't think of anything that fills all four of those examples, but I can think of a few that follow the general theme of what you're looking for.
Mia Kerick's The Red Sheet. Take this rec' with a grain of salt (because it is one of my favorites and I will never not recommend it). The main character is not what I expected.

Jandy Nelson's I'll Give You the Sun An award winning title and fits well with the keeping secrets theme.

Nina Rossing's Fjord Blue This one is brand new and fits the keeping secrets and 'masculine' activities.

Andrew Smith's Stick The MC is not the one with the secret, his brother is, and then everything falls apart. (This one needs lots of trigger warnings: Abuse, rape, drug use, and murder; but it has a HFN ending)

I'm sure others will chime in with more suggestions.

[Maxman217]

Reed wrote: "ok so I'm looking for a book where the mc isn't what they seem, like by keeping secrets and/or not being what you'd expect. Here's some examples of what I mean;

1. mc acts happy (and is possibly p..."

idk if this is fits with people being not what they seem, but there are secrets and its one of my all time favorites so 366 Days read it, its emotional rough so be warned

[Robin]

Reed wrote: "oh sorry I forgot to add that I need the books to be either HEA or HFN"

I confess to having no idea what these abbreviations stand for (Happy Ever After, maybe?), but my novel EDUCATING SIMON is written in the first person by a gay teen who thinks he has it all figured out, thinks he knows exactly who he is and what he wants, and really by the end of the book (which does have a happy ending) realizes he was all wrong.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

[Kaje]

"Happy Ever After" and "Happy For Now" - most YA books will be HFN because it's hard to imagine two teenagers with a real HEA (fairytales notwithsatnding.)

And Educating Simon would fit as a HFN in my opinion.

[Jason]

Rez wrote: "Reed wrote: "ok so I'm looking for a book where the mc isn't what they seem, like by keeping secrets and/or not being what you'd expect. Here's some examples of what I mean;"

I can't think of anyt..."

I'll Give You the Sun, looks delightful, gonna add that one. Thanks!

[Anna]

(FREE) SNOWFLAKES OVER GEORGIA

If anyone's looking for a short, no-drama, feel good story about two girls falling for each other, I wrote this story a little while ago vaguely based on my very first love. I'd be happy to read any criticism / comments at all.

[Kaje]

Anna wrote: "(FREE) SNOWFLAKES OVER GEORGIA

If anyone's looking for a short, no-drama, feel good story about two girls falling for each other, I wrote this story a little while ago vaguely based on my very fir..."

If it's a freebie, feel free to put a link in the "free reads" thread - FREE YA BOOK giveaways and posted stories - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Jason]

Anna wrote: "(FREE) SNOWFLAKES OVER GEORGIA

If anyone's looking for a short, no-drama, feel good story about two girls falling for each other, I wrote this story a little while ago vaguely based on my very fir..."

Sweet! I'd love to read it. I don't do criticism however, so critique will have to come from someone else. I love freebies tho, thanks for sharing.

[1 DVS BSTD]

Just curious if anyone can direct me towards some sci-fi lgbt books. I'll be honest and admit a preference for a male protagonist, but won't shy away from alternatives!

[Jason]

1 DVS BSTD wrote: "Just curious if anyone can direct me towards some sci-fi lgbt books. I'll be honest and admit a preference for a male protagonist, but won't shy away from alternatives!"

I'm still fairly new to lgbt books in general, but I also am looking for a good sci-fi or fantasy book(s) as well.

Don't know if it's any good or not but one that caught my eye the other day was Caleo by James Crawford. But I need suggestions as well.

[1 DVS BSTD]

Jason wrote: "1 DVS BSTD wrote: "Just curious if anyone can direct me towards some sci-fi lgbt books. I'll be honest and admit a preference for a male protagonist, but won't shy away from alternatives!"

I'm sti..."

I'm intrigued, adding it to my list! In exchange for the good find, I'd suggest Carry On, however since there is a high chance you've already heard on it I'll also just leave this here: Aspect of Winter!

Hope they peak your interest!

[Linda ~ they got the mustard out! ~]

Not YA (but there's little to no on-page sex throughout the series), but a fantasy series with LGBT characters you may want to check out is the Nightrunner series by Lynn Flewelling. The first book is Luck in the Shadows.

[Jason]

Nice. Carry On I have on my to-read list already, but gonna add Aspect of Winter for sure.

[Jason]

Linda ~ chock full of hoot, just a little bit of nanny ~ wrote: "Not YA (but there's little to no on-page sex throughout the series), but a fantasy series with LGBT characters you may want to check out is the Nightrunner series by Lynn Flewelling...."

I bought that one the other day Linda, since you recommend I'll have to put in my priority-to-read shelf, thanks!

[Linda ~ they got the mustard out! ~]

They're not lendable, unfortunately, but you may be able to borrow them from your library. I wouldn't recommend the audiobooks of the first three or four books, as the narrator is awful. The narrator changes after that though.

I actually liked her Tamir Triad series better, but I had some issues with how the trans* issues were handled. (Most of this series could be considered YA, but some of the material is pretty heavy, so I would only recommend it for older teens on up.)

[Kaje]

1 DVS BSTD wrote: "Just curious if anyone can direct me towards some sci-fi lgbt books. I'll be honest and admit a preference for a male protagonist, but won't shy away from alternatives!"

I really enjoyed Knight Errant - there is sex as plot but not on page so the series is fine for YA readers. Light space-opera adventure gay romance.

Ethan of Athos is older but I enjoyed it.

Carnival has older protagonists so not really YA but would be fine for teen readers too.

In YA fantasy -

Lord of the White Hell, Book 1 is great,
The Student Prince is excellent free Merlin fanfic
-both have a little bit of on-page sex although not very erotic

Vintage: A Ghost Story
Distant Rumblings
Seidman - historical with a fantasy arc
Triane's Son Rising
Every Day
Swordspoint
Guardian

Or you can also browse our group shelf for YA LGBT fantasy which has 222 books on it https://www.goodreads.com/group/books...

[Jason]

Kaje wrote: "1 DVS BSTD wrote: "Just curious if anyone can direct me towards some sci-fi lgbt books. I'll be honest and admit a preference for a male protagonist, but won't shy away from alternatives!"

I reall..."

Wow Kaje, thanks a bunch. Carnival looks really good. And a friend recommended Vintage to me the other day. Thanks again for the recs.

[Reed]

so I'm looking for a book with an MC who's part of the popular crowd and is pretending to be happy, when in reality they're dealing with something big (ie. things like self harm, abuse, rape, ect.)

any recs are welcome even if they don't fit exactly what I described

TIA

[1 DVS BSTD]

Second Reed's request!
Siunds super interesting!

[Rez]

(I'm on the mobile app right now, so I can't generate the book links, sorry)
I can only think of a handful remotely close (but that may just be my tendency to read the happy fluff)
Happy for Now
The Five Stages of Andrew Brawley (sort of fails the 'popular' requirement)
Fjord Blue (fails the 'secretly' portion of the dealing with issues)

[Kaje]

Reed wrote: "so I'm looking for a book with an MC who's part of the popular crowd and is pretending to be happy, when in reality they're dealing with something big (ie. things like self harm, abuse, rape, ect.)..."

Maybe Tales from Foster High - Brad is a baseball star; he's not hiding a huge problem but there are issues at home.
I am sure there are others where the popular jock is hiding issues, but I'm blanking at the moment...

[Justin]

Been awhile since i read this genre, I'm looking for a good coming out book. Lgb or t don't matter, I'm also ok with non ya as long as it isn't super explicit. I would prefer ya though and also for it to have a good love story. [Edit] i dont think i have ever read a coming out bi book before maybe something where the mc struggles with weather or not its worth it to come out since they can be happy in a hetro relationship and don't want to deal with the hardships but also hates hiding it. Anyone know any of those?

[Justin]

D.J. wrote: "Kira wrote: "I'm looking for a m/m romance/humor YA, it's Totally fine if there's sex scenes and/or cursing.(feel free to PM me any suggestions, there are some young teens on here!) I don't really ..."


I liked this one

[Kaje]

Justin wrote: "Been awhile since i read this genre, I'm looking for a good coming out book. Lgb or t don't matter, I'm also ok with non ya as long as it isn't super explicit. I would prefer ya though and also for..."

I enjoyed Trailer Trash - one MC is out, the other comes out
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda - a little humor, a little angst
Maps - an Aspergers kid figures himself out
Social Skills
Know Not Why Not explicit and college age and light/funny
Freakboy - I loved this story of Brendan figuring out his gender identity, although I can't remember to what degree he came out. No real romance.

We need more books with Bi characters for YA - too often sexual orientation is presented as either or, despite the fact that more and more young people identify as pan or poly or bi.

[Justin]

Thanks, i have read and enjoyed know knot why. The rest look good. I will have to check the library since they are not lendable, and if i don't find any there i will probably buy a couple

[Jason]

I read Simon vs...... not long ago and really enjoyed it.

[Reed]

Do u guys have any enemies to lovers recs with MCs being in high school?

TIA :)

[Kaje]

Reed wrote: "Do u guys have any enemies to lovers recs with MCs being in high school?

TIA :)"

The Red Sheet has a bully and his victim.

[Morgan Elizabeth]

Does anyone have any recs for books with any pansexual characters? I've been looking for some, but so far no luck. The most I've been able to find are bisexual characters. Help? :)

[Reed]

@Morgan

I second your request!

I've never read a book that has a character that identified as pansexual, BUT I did read one book that has a mc that was basically pansexual (the mc refuses to identify himself as any specific sexuality, he instead states gender doesn't play a part in his attraction to someone)

here's the link to the book (it's free!) https://www.wattpad.com/story/5862413...

[Kaje]

Even bi can be hard to find in YA books. (And pan in adult fiction - there's not that much out there.) Thanks for that link.

One story that is kind of gender-doesn't-matter sexuality, although it's pretty empty of non-cis-gender characters, is the fantasy The Door Into Fire . Most of the characters in that book are open to same sex and opposite sex relationships, without much distinction between them.

[Morgan Elizabeth]

@Reed
Thank you so much for the link! I've found a mass list of bisexual books, with a few recs for characters that seem to be pansexual, but do not outright identify as pan. Here's the link: https://theillustratedpage.wordpress....

I've also found this book which has a collection of LGBTQ characters, but also one who definitely identifies as pan! (I'm pretty sure his name is Lucas? But am not 100% positive) Seven Ways We Lie


@Kaje
Thanks for the rec! I'll have to see if I can find it soon.

It seems like in literature most authors who have elected to make a character bisexual, assume that if any are pan, they are actually bi because its 'essentially the same thing'. (One of the lists I found literally stated that exact phrase... Ughhh)

[Zandra]

The last science fiction book I can remember reading is proxy and more happy than not. Science fiction and fantasy are my favorite genres. I haven't read a science fiction book in a while. I am thinking of reading willful machine next.

I am looking for science fiction books or comics with lgbtia themes and characters. It dosesn't have to be YA. I like dystopian or apocalyptic also but it has to have really good world building.

[Sammy Goode]

Zandra wrote: "The last science fiction book I can remember reading is proxy and more happy than not. Science fiction and fantasy are my favorite genres. I haven't read a science fiction book in a while. I am thi..."

This is not YA-but I really enjoyed TJ Klune's WIthered + Sere. The second novel is coming out soon and it is called Crisped & Sere. Because its not YA I don;t want to link it here.

[Zandra]

Sammy Goode wrote: "Zandra wrote: "The last science fiction book I can remember reading is proxy and more happy than not. Science fiction and fantasy are my favorite genres. I haven't read a science fiction book in a ..."

Wow. I saw that the book had illustrations. That's really cool. Are they in the book or separate? I wish more books had spot illustration.

Thanks so much for the recommendation.I'm not picky about if it is ya or not I just want a good book to listen to while I draw. I am definitely going to read it. Now I have no idea what I am going to read next.