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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
     
     
LA
Live and Love Again
Jan Gayle | 2016
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Three years ago, Sarah lost her partner, Cheryl, in a terrible accident. A former Colonel in the military, Sarah remains shattered by Cheryl's death and closed off to those around her. She focuses on her furniture business and her dog, Benny. But on a flight to Chicago, she meets Jessica Whitney, a beautiful, successful, businesswoman. The two hit it off immediately and feel an instant connection. The sudden sparks force Sarah to re-think everything - is she ready to move one? Can she really imagine herself with a wealthy and strong woman?

This book is admittedly, a fairly stereotypical cheesy romance. But if the New Adult genre can write them so prolifically, then I think it's refreshing to find a novel that actually offers lesbian characters. True, I probably overlooked a few flaws in this book because I'm completely starved for books with lesbian protagonists and romance, but it was still an enjoyable story. The book engages you early on, when Jessica and Sarah meet. I read the first 150 pages rapidly - it drew me in immediately. Sarah is a likable character; as is Jessica, really. You can imagine knowing either of them in your lesbian circles (beyond Jessica's money, perhaps).

Speaking of the money, the book hammers home that point a bit much: Sarah has no money, Jessica has plenty of it. That gets a bit repetitive and the book stalls a little in the middle. That stall is helped by the cliche of the "wounded character hurt by a death in a previous relationship who can't move on." However, that cliche is found in plenty of genres, not just LGBT. Still, Gayle maneuvers her characters around all their issues fairly deftly. You're pretty sure you know how Jessica and Sarah will wind up, but it's still fun watching them get there. The book is sexy (especially early on - maybe that's the real lesbian cliche - ha!), fun, and, as always, refreshing to see some lesbian characters portrayed as real people. Points for the sweet and loyal supporting character of Jimmy the Driver, too. Definitely a fun, quick read.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley (thank you!); it is available for publication on 1/19. You can check out a review of this novel and many others on my <a href="http://justacatandabookatherside.blogspot.com/">blog</a>;.