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Books Editor (673 KP) shared own list

Oct 10, 2017
Queer representation in the young adult book world has improved in recent years as authors and stories have focused on more than just the coming out process, which while an important milestone, isn’t a defining one.

As a result, readers who do identify as LGBTQIA can now pick up a steampunk adventure set in Victorian London, a contemporary tale about a gender fluid protagonist finding fame on the internet, and a fantasy novel featuring a lesbian romance.

Entertainment Weekly has been highlighting the best LGBTQIA representation in pop culture by putting together a list of young adult novels that showcase the wealth and diversity of the LGBTQ spectrum.


Wild Beauty

Wild Beauty

Anna-Marie McLemore

6.0 (4 Ratings) Rate It

Book

Love grows such strange things. Anna-Marie McLemore's debut novel The Weight of Feathers garnered...


Young Adult LGBTQ Fantasy Romance
Spinning

Spinning

Tillie Walden

(0 Ratings) Rate It

Book

Ignatz Award winner Tillie Walden’s powerful graphic memoir Spinning captures what it’s like to...


LGBTQ Young Adult
They Both Die At The End

They Both Die At The End

Adam Silvera

9.0 (22 Ratings) Rate It

Book

n September 5th, a little after midnight, Death-Cast calls Mateo Torrez and Rufus Emeterio to give...

Mask of Shadows

Mask of Shadows

Linsey Miller

8.5 (6 Ratings) Rate It

Book

"I love every aspect of this amazing book―a genderfluid hero, a deadly contest, and vicious...


Young Adult LGBTQ Fantasy
Gentleman's Guide To Vice And Virtue

Gentleman's Guide To Vice And Virtue

Mackenzi Lee

8.9 (18 Ratings) Rate It

Book

SIMON VS. THE HOMOSAPIENS meets the 1700s in this hilarious and swashbuckling standalone teen...

and 10 other items
     
     
The Upside of Unrequited
The Upside of Unrequited
Becky Albertalli | 2017 | Young Adult (YA)
9
8.2 (25 Ratings)
Book Rating
My Review: "What a great read! Honestly, I needed this after reading so many fantasy/young adult books. I don’t read many contemporary books, but when I do, this is what I look for.

First of all, it was relatable on multiple accounts. Second, the characters were so diverse and realistic. Those two things are important for me when I read a contemporary. For me, I know what it’s like for twins, especially twin sisters, as I have younger twin sisters. They two are fraternal and VERY different. They are basically the embodiment of Cassie and Molly; I was shocked how similar they were to my own sisters." Read the entire review here: https://thenerdybookwormsite.wordpress.com/2017/09/20/the-upside-of-unrequited-by-becky-albertalli/
  
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Merissa (11716 KP) rated Cross in Books

May 11, 2018  
Cross
Cross
D.A. Roach | 2018 | Paranormal, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
8
7.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
Cross by D.A. Roach
Cross is a young adult contemporary fantasy that not only deals with our main character having vEDS, but also we find out about magic, and barriers, and witches, and dragons. Trust me, there is never a dull moment. Ray is an excellent character, being charming but not cocky. He reacts to his parents' news in a completely understandable way without overreacting. He also sees people as they are, and doesn't prejudge them at all. With an action-packed story, this fantasy is one to enjoy.

With a solid story-line, great world-building, and excellent characters, this story was a delight to read. There were no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow, making this a very smooth read. Absolutely recommended by me.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
Disjointed Lives
Disjointed Lives
Morgan Sheppard | 2018 | Contemporary
10
9.0 (5 Ratings)
Book Rating
Disjointed Lives by Morgan Sheppard
Disjointed Lives is the first non-fantasy story from Morgan Sheppard. It is only a short story, based around two friends meeting for coffee, and one of them needing help. It does mention gas lighting and mental/emotional abuse, but without going into too much detail.

One of the things that is becoming clear is that Morgan Sheppard writes character based stories. The world building is very good, but what gives these stories the emotion behind them, is the characters. They are completely relate-able, with foibles and quirks that readers will recognise in themselves and those they know.

Whether you like fantasy or contemporary/women's fiction, I would definitely recommend this book, and others by this author.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
Yeah... I wasnt impressed with this at all but i persevered and finished it.

The family unit was just...strange--at least Alex's parent's were anyway. Do people really react like that? Her sisters were okay but also a little wooden. The secondary characters also didn't really sit well with me.

It could all do with the fact that I'm really into reading my urban fantasy/paranormal romance books right now and deviated off track since I'm starting to run low, but i just don't think I was in the right headspace for contemporary romances.

It didn't draw me in and i was continually bored throughout.
  
Dark Dates (Cassandra Bick Chronicles #1)
Dark Dates (Cassandra Bick Chronicles #1)
Tracey Sinclair | 2012 | Romance
4
4.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I struggled with this from the beginning. I'd finish one of the short chapters and put it down for days, not at all interested in picking it back up again. Then do the same again a few days later. Until last night when I just decided to give up. It wasn't working for me. Over two weeks I've been reading this and I wasn't getting anywhere.

It may be that my taste has changed from my recent obsession with Paranormal/Urban Fantasy and back into Contemporary Romances as I've just read entire backlog of books pretty much back to back.

I may attempt to read this again at a later date when my taste changes back to paranormal
  
SG
Shadow Game (GhostWalkers, #1)
4
5.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
It's taken me forever to read this. I struggled with it from the start. I've drifted from my love of Paranormal Romances into Contemporary Romance and Urban Fantasy Romances so this just seemed too focused on the romance side of things. Sounds strange, I know, considering that's all I read but...I just couldn't get into it.

The writing seemed so old fashioned in the chemistry/romance parts. It was written back in 2003, when I was 12 and I would probably have loved it back then, but I'm now 28 and I prefer a more modern wording to my romances.

I have a few more paperbacks from this series but I'm not in any hurry to read them.
  
The Night House
The Night House
J.C. McKenzie | 2019 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
THE NIGHT HOUSE is a standalone post-apocalyptic fantasy romance that seamlessly blends medieval knights and sword-play from a different planet with current day earth.

This was a fantastic read, ticking most of my boxes. Thane and Taya have sparks flying aplenty when they are meet and these continue throughout the book. I loved not only Thane though, but his whole team. They were all strong characters with a strong sense of duty and loyalty. Once Taya was part of their team, that was it. No stupidity or senseless behaviour, just helping the newbie out where possible.

If I could give out half stars, this would be a four and a half! The reason for that half star being knocked off would be the ending. It felt very quick to me, almost as if the author was running out of available words in her word count. Big build-up followed by events happening very quickly and not taking up much page space. Still, I loved this book anyway, so perhaps that's why it seemed to end too quickly!

If you like fantasy and contemporary genres merged together, then I would definitely recommend this book!
  
Escape from Witchwood Hollow
Escape from Witchwood Hollow
Jordan Elizabeth Mierek | 2014 | Paranormal, Young Adult (YA)
8
7.5 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is a Young Adult Fantasy set in a contemporary setting. Honoria, and her brother Geoffrey, are still recovering from the loss of their parents in the Twin Towers. They now live with their aunt and uncle and have moved to Arnn where Honoria quickly becomes intrigued and ensnared by the local legend of Witchwood Hollow.

Set in many different times, they do link up as the story progresses. Elizabeth, Lady Clifford, I just couldn't figure out how I felt about her. Honoria and Leon were fantastic characters that were completely real to their natures and the times.

Well written, with a fast-moving story, this definitely has more of a mystery theme than romance, although there is a hint of it. I liked how it all tied up together at the end, complete with the twist.

If you want a Young Adult Fantasy Mystery, then I can definitely recommend this.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Mar 13, 2016
  
Monster Manual (Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition)
Monster Manual (Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition)
2014 | Adventure, Dice Game, Fantasy, Game System, Roleplaying
A menagerie of deadly monsters for the world’s greatest roleplaying game
 
The Monster Manual presents a horde of classic Dungeons & Dragons creatures, including dragons, giants, mind flayers, and beholders–a monstrous feast for Dungeon Masters ready to challenge their players and populate their adventures.
 
The monsters contained herein are culled from the D&D game’s illustrious history, with easy-to-use game statistics and thrilling stories to feed your imagination.
 
The leader in providing contemporary fantasy entertainment, Dungeons & Dragons is the wellspring for the entire modern game industry, digital as well as analog. This newest edition draws from every prior edition to create a universally compelling play experience, and exemplifies the true spirit of a game that holds captive the hearts and minds of millions of players worldwide.