If you love books as much as I do, you want to branch out to other types of genres out there. Some YA books are pretty generic, with their Twilight-type romantic tropes and they’re just not cutting it (even though they’re sometimes super addictive).
So, if you wish to read books about characters of differing sexualities in order to branch out from your normal and mundane straight novels, here are our top picks of LGBTQ books that you should read!
Aristotle And Dante Discover The Secrets Of The Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz
I’ve never cried so hard throughout an entire book, as I did when reading this phenomenal piece by Benjamin Alire Saenz. Aristotle And Dante Discover The Secrets Of The Universe is a coming-of-age narrative that follows two boys from the age of 15 to the age of 17. They meet in a pool and first bond over their uncommon names, but they quickly find themselves spending much of their time together. We follow them through comical incidents, awful tragedies, and devastating losses, witnessing their uncomfortable and hesitant relationship blossom into the kind of bond that will test Ari’s beliefs about himself and his ability to love.
Click HERE to buy.
Benjamin Alire Saenz finally blessed us all with a sequel to this multiple award-winning book titled Aristotle And Dante Dive Into the Waters of the World. So, if you wish to purchase the first, you might as well buy the second book as well!
Click HERE to buy.
Simon VS The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli
If you wish to read a book that is so addicting and adorable – this one is for you. Simon Spiers is a not-so-openly gay high school student who has been chatting flirtatiously via email with an anonymous person named Blue. However, because of a circumstance that resulted in his email slipping into the wrong hands, his secret is in jeopardy. Simon is now being blackmailed: if he doesn’t play wingman for Martin, his sexuality will become public knowledge. Worse, Blue, the boy he’s been messaging, will have his privacy violated.
FYI, the book was adapted into a movie and it’s a must that you watch it after reading this romantic-comedy book!
Click HERE to buy.
South of Sunshine by Dana Elmendorf
Kaycee Jean McCoy is a rural Tennessee high school senior. She’s also a lesbian, but she’s been dating guys as a cover since she’s so far in the closet that she can’t even utter the term out loud. Bren, unlike Kaycee, does not hide her true identity. Nobody at school appears to bother her since she’s the cool new girl. Maybe it’s not such a bad thing if Kaycee becomes closer to her as well, as long as she can keep that aspect of her life hidden from her family and closest friend. However, the more serious things become with Bren, the more difficult it becomes to hide from the rest of the world.
Click HERE to buy.
The Space Between by Michelle L. Teichman
A sweet and loving coming-of-age romance centering on two high school students – one is popular and the other is a loner – which just hits the nail on the head for us romance lovers. Harper Isabella is the most popular girl in ninth grade and everything seems to go well for her – right until she meets Sarah Jamieson. A loner who has no friends, indulges herself in creating art and only wears black. However, for some reason, Harper can’t stop thinking about her, even though Sarah isn’t accustomed to having people stare at her, particularly popular girls like Harper. The feelings between these young ladies develop until they each approach their breaking points, forcing them to make a decision about who they are and if they can and cannot live apart.
Click HERE to buy.
Peter Darling by Austin Chant
If you want to completely escape your reality and dive into some fantasy reading – then opt for this re-telling of our favourite childhood story, Peter Pan.
After a decade in the real world, Peter Pan returns to Neverland in this gay, transgender reimagining of Peter Pan. He returns to England, according to the Lost Boys, because of Wendy Darling, but Wendy is only an old life he left behind. His true home is Neverland. As a result, when Peter returns to Neverland after 10 years in the real world, he is astonished to find a Neverland that no longer requires his assistance. Captain James Hook, who is overjoyed to have his old adversary return, is the only one who actually missed Peter. However, as a new conflict breaks out between the Lost Boys and Hook’s pirates, the accompanying carnage becomes all too real, and Peter’s rivalry with Hook becomes considerably more intricate, passionate, and deadly.
Click HERE to buy.
More book recommendations? Read these:
https://lipstiq.com/books/183586/book-tastic-book-recommendations-for-your-reading-streak/
https://lipstiq.com/books/181574/book-recommendations-of-the-month-the-hating-game-the-upside-of-falling-and-more/
