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Are you building your reading list for Pride Month? Or maybe you just need an awesome book to read at any time of the year. Here are 10 books I read (or reread) recently that feature LGBTQ+ characters.
Books With LGBTQ+ Characters
Don't Let The Forest In by C.G. Drews
Young Adult Horror
High school senior Andrew Perrault finds refuge in the twisted fairytales that he writes for the only person who can ground him to reality―Thomas Rye, the boy with perpetually ink-stained hands and hair like autumn leaves. And with his twin sister, Dove, inexplicably keeping him at a cold distance upon their return to Wickwood Academy, Andrew finds himself leaning on his friend even more.
But something strange is going on with Thomas. His abusive parents have mysteriously vanished, and he arrives at school with blood on his sleeve. Thomas won't say a word about it, and shuts down whenever Andrew tries to ask him questions. Stranger still, Thomas is haunted by something, and he seems to have lost interest in his artwork―whimsically macabre sketches of the monsters from Andrew's wicked stories.
Desperate to figure out what's wrong with his friend, Andrew follows Thomas into the off-limits forest one night and catches him fighting a nightmarish monster―Thomas's drawings have come to life and are killing anyone close to him. To make sure no one else dies, the boys battle the monsters every night. But as their obsession with each other grows stronger, so do the monsters, and Andrew begins to fear that the only way to stop the creatures might be to destroy their creator.
Why I recommend it: The body horror in this thing will give you literal nightmares. If a book can make me throw up in my mouth, I'm going to give it at least 4 stars.
Everything about this novel is intense. The characters' emotions are stuck at level 10. Even the writing style is constantly at top intensity. The characters don't fall in love. They rip their hearts out and giftwrap them. Or something like that. The nonstop intensity makes the book impossible to put down. I wanted to know how weird and twisted it would get.
If you enjoyed The Wicker King by K. Ancrum, then this is your next read.
So This Is Ever After by F.T. Lukens
As a temporary safeguard, Arek’s best friend and mage, Matt, convinces him to assume the throne until the true heir can be rescued from her tower. Except that she’s dead. Now Arek is stuck as king, a role that comes with a magical catch: choose a spouse by your eighteenth birthday, or wither away into nothing.
With his eighteenth birthday only three months away, and only Matt in on the secret, Arek embarks on a desperate bid to find a spouse to save his life—starting with his quest companions. But his attempts at wooing his friends go painfully and hilariously wrong . . . until he discovers that love might have been in front of him all along.
This fantasy novel is set after the characters finish their quest and fulfill a prophecy. They've killed the evil king and taken control of his kingdom, but now what? How do you rule a kingdom? And what about the expectation that the new king will get married and produce heirs?
This book will make you smile. The characters are endearing because they're fumbling through life with the best possible intentions. They want to do the right thing. They're just . . . really bad at everything. Their banter is hilarious. Every character is fabulously chaotic. I loved them all immediately and didn't want to put the book down. I was having too much fun.
Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
Adult Fantasy
After a lifetime of bounties and bloodshed, Viv is hanging up her sword for the last time.
The battle-weary orc aims to start fresh, opening the first ever coffee shop in the city of Thune. But old and new rivals stand in the way of success—not to mention the fact that no one has the faintest idea what coffee actually is.
If Viv wants to put the blade behind her and make her plans a reality, she won't be able to go it alone.
But the true rewards of the uncharted path are the travelers you meet along the way. And whether drawn together by ancient magic, flaky pastry, or a freshly brewed cup, they may become partners, family, and something deeper than she ever could have dreamed.
Why I recommend it: An orc, a succubus, and a Ratatouille open a Medieval Cinnabon . . .
I'm not sure why a book about working at a coffee shop is labeled "cozy." Have you ever had a customer service job? "Cozy" is the last thing I'd call it. Technically, the book is "cozy fantasy." The "fantasy" part is where the customers are nice to the staff.
Mostly, this novel made me crave cinnamon rolls.
Legends & Lattes is subtilty hilarious. Most of the humor comes from watching the characters step outside of stereotypes. Orcs and succubusses succubi aren't usually the heroes of stories. And there's an entire movie about how people don't want their cinnamon rolls cooked by Ratatouilles. It's amusing to watch the characters enthusiastically pursue their dreams while sidestepping everybody's expectations. There are even moments where Viv has to sidestep her own expectations. She's not a violent soldier anymore. Now she's a coffee shop owner and has to act accordingly.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It's quick and fun. I like fantasy worlds where customer service is "cozy."
The Death Of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi
Adult Literary Fiction
Raised by a distant father and an understanding but overprotective mother, Vivek suffers disorienting blackouts, moments of disconnection between self and surroundings. As adolescence gives way to adulthood, Vivek finds solace in friendships with the warm, boisterous daughters of the Nigerwives, foreign-born women married to Nigerian men.
But Vivek’s closest bond is with Osita, the worldly, high-spirited cousin whose teasing confidence masks a guarded private life. As their relationship deepens—and Osita struggles to understand Vivek’s escalating crisis—the mystery gives way to a heart-stopping act of violence in a moment of exhilarating freedom.
Why I recommend it: It's a literary murder mystery set in Nigeria. Two parents hear a noise outside their house. When they open the door, they discover the dead body of their adult son. He has a head wound, and his clothes and jewelry are missing. The parents suspect that their son's friends may be keeping secrets about his murder. Intriguing, right?
It's a book about parenthood and how it's impossible to completely know somebody, even if that somebody is your own son. Vivek had a whole life that his parents didn't know about until after his death. In addition to being a gripping mystery, it's a story about grief and accepting your child's choices.Carry On by Rainbow Rowell
Young Adult Fantasy
Simon Snow is the worst Chosen One who's ever been chosen.
That's what his roommate, Baz, says. And Baz might be evil and a vampire and a complete git, but he's probably right.
Half the time, Simon can't even make his wand work, and the other half, he starts something on fire. His mentor's avoiding him, his girlfriend broke up with him, and there's a magic-eating monster running around, wearing Simon's face. Baz would be having a field day with all this, if he were here—it's their last year at the Watford School of Magicks, and Simon's infuriating nemesis didn't even bother to show up.
Why I recommend it: The entire Simon Snow series belongs on this list, but that would be annoying and spoilery, so I'm just going to blather about the first book.
Carry On is ridiculous, but it’s ridiculous in the most epic way possible. Seriously, this book is over 500 pages, and I blew through it in two days because I loved it so much.
Rainbow Rowell does amazing things with fantasy tropes. She really lets you see how ridiculous and overused some of them are by flipping the tropes on their heads. Simon is an incompetent Chosen One. Baz is a loveable villain. The magic system is silly. The witches and wizards drive cars, own laptops, accidently forget their wands at home, rely on Google to solve their problems, and talk like modern teenagers. This book is full of literal laugh-out-loud moments.
This series is brilliant because of how average the characters are. They're normal kids who just happen to be wizards. It's a refreshing take on the genre. These characters aren't heroes. They're kids with magic. And dragon wings.
King And The Dragonflies by Kacen Callender
Middle Grade Contemporary Fiction
Twelve-year-old Kingston James is sure his brother Khalid has turned into a dragonfly. When Khalid unexpectedly passed away, he shed what was his first skin for another to live down by the bayou in their small Louisiana town. Khalid still visits in dreams, and King must keep these secrets to himself as he watches grief transform his family.
It would be easier if King could talk with his best friend, Sandy Sanders. But just days before he died, Khalid told King to end their friendship, after overhearing a secret about Sandy—that he thinks he might be gay. "You don't want anyone to think you're gay too, do you?"
But when Sandy goes missing, sparking a town-wide search, and King finds his former best friend hiding in a tent in his backyard, he agrees to help Sandy escape from his abusive father, and the two begin an adventure as they build their own private paradise down by the bayou and among the dragonflies. As King's friendship with Sandy is reignited, he's forced to confront questions about himself and the reality of his brother's death.
Why I recommend it: Do you remember middle school? Kacen Callender does. This book perfectly captures the confusion and drama of teenage friendships. The kids are trying to sort out their own identities while dealing with pressure from their peers and families. It's relatable.
The Animals At Lockwood Manor by Jane Healey
Adult Historical Fiction
August 1939.
Thirty-year-old Hetty Cartwright is tasked with the evacuation and safekeeping of the natural history museum’s collection of mammals. Once she and her exhibits arrive at Lockwood Manor, however, where they are to stay for the duration of the war, Hetty soon realizes that she’s taken on more than she’d bargained for.
Protecting her charges from the irascible Lord Lockwood and resentful servants is work enough, but when some of the animals go missing, and worse, Hetty begins to suspect someone—or something—is stalking her through the darkened corridors of the house.
As the disasters mount, Hetty finds herself falling under the spell of Lucy, Lord Lockwood’s beautiful but clearly haunted daughter. But why is Lucy so traumatized? Does she know something she’s not telling? And is there any truth to local rumors of ghosts and curses?
Why I recommend it: If you love gothic books or Victorian sensation novels, then you need to read this one! It's got the vibes of a classic, but it's written in modern times and set during WWII. It has everything you'd expect from a Victorian sensation classic: unexpected deaths, madness, forbidden romance, plot twists, untrustworthy servants, arrogant men, potential ghosts, bad weather, a creepy atmosphere. It's a mash-up of all the greatest hits. Actually, this book is like a museum for other books. As you wander through it, you see bits of Jane Eyre, Rebecca, The Woman In White, etc. It's a lot of spooky fun.
Moonstone: The Boy Who Never Was by Sjón
Adult Literary Fiction
Máni Steinn is queer in a society in which the idea of homosexuality is beyond the furthest extreme. His city, Reykjavik in 1918, is homogeneous and isolated and seems entirely defenseless against the Spanish flu, which has already torn through Europe, Asia, and North America and is now lapping up on Iceland's shores. And if the flu doesn't do it, there's always the threat that war will spread all the way north. And yet the outside world has also brought Icelanders cinema! And there's nothing like a dark, silent room with a film from Europe flickering on the screen to help you escape from the overwhelming threats—and adventures—of the night, to transport you, to make you feel like everything is going to be all right. For Máni Steinn, the question is whether, at Reykjavik's darkest hour, he should retreat all the way into this imaginary world, or if he should engage with the society that has so soundly rejected him.
Why I recommend it: This is one of the weirdest books I've ever read. You need a pretty high tolerance for abstract literature to enjoy it. It's a book for poetry lovers. I think it's supposed to be a metaphor for AIDS? It's both odd and memorable.
It stars a teenage boy prostitute who lives in Iceland in 1918. He's going through some stuff and uses movies as a way to escape from his problems. Then, the Spanish flu arrives in Iceland, kills tons of people, and sets his life on a new course.
This is a 140-page novella that I read in a few hours. I'm not sure how I feel about it because it's such a weird little book! It's surreal and dreamlike. I never knew where it was going next.
(Also, this book is NOT safe for work. The main character is a prostitute, so prostitute activities occur and are described in great detail. Use caution if you're reading in public.)
CEMETERY BOYS BY AIDEN THOMAS
Young Adult Paranormal Fiction
When his traditional Latinx family has problems accepting his gender, Yadriel becomes determined to prove himself a real brujo. With the help of his cousin and best friend Maritza, he performs the ritual himself, and then sets out to find the ghost of his murdered cousin and set it free.
However, the ghost he summons is actually Julian Diaz, the school’s resident bad boy, and Julian is not about to go quietly into death. He’s determined to find out what happened and tie up some loose ends before he leaves. Left with no choice, Yadriel agrees to help Julian, so that they can both get what they want. But the longer Yadriel spends with Julian, the less he wants to let him leave.
The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Adult Historical Fiction
Monique is not exactly on top of the world. Her husband has left her, and her professional life is going nowhere. Regardless of why Evelyn has selected her to write her biography, Monique is determined to use this opportunity to jumpstart her career.
Summoned to Evelyn’s luxurious apartment, Monique listens in fascination as the actress tells her story. From making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the ‘80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way, Evelyn unspools a tale of ruthless ambition, unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love. Monique begins to feel a very real connection to the legendary star, but as Evelyn’s story nears its conclusion, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique’s own in tragic and irreversible ways.
Why I recommend it: I never thought I’d be obsessed with the love life of fictional celebrities, but here we are. Evelyn Hugo is one of my favorite protagonists. She’s confident, cunning, and will do anything to get what she wants. This novel is beautifully written and full of twists and surprises.
I really want to read Don't Let the Forest In!
ReplyDeleteBravo! I love the idea for this post.
ReplyDeleteGreat picks! I need to pick up Don't Let the Forest In asap!
ReplyDeleteThe Death of Vivek Oji is still one of my favourite literary reads! Ugh, it was so emotional and really hit where it hurt, lol. 😂 The same can be said for Evelyn Hugo though and I adore that book so much. Cemetery Boys is also great and I can't wait for the sequel to come out! Very awesome list :)
ReplyDeleteGreat topic. I haven't read these yet. As I travel around the blogs today, I'm finding more and more books to add to my growing TBR.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great list. If you enjoyed reading Heartstopper, I would like to recommend If You'll Have Me by Eunni.
ReplyDeletePam @ Read! Bake! Create!
https://readbakecreate.com/mature-citizens-of-the-world-books-featuring-mature-characters/
An important list. I just finished a book on this topic: SMALL RAIN. It was so beautifully written, too.
ReplyDeleteI love the Simon Snow series!
ReplyDeleteGreat topic! To my shame I have to admit I barely have read any from your list. I have multiple of these on my TBR though.
ReplyDeleteMy TTT: https://laurieisreading.com/2025/03/11/top-ten-tuesday-books-including-books/
Great list! I loved how fun Legends and Lattes and Carry On were, and I'm so curious about Don't Let the Forest In (I'm hoping it isn't too scary) and Moonstone, so those are going right on my TBR. Thanks for sharing some great recs, for us readers who love reading books by and about LGBTQIA+ people without the harmful representation. And I love how you included a range of book types so that there's something that can appeal to everyone!
ReplyDelete