Favorite LGBTQ+ Reads

I’m back with another Top 5 Wednesday post! Top 5 Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Samantha and Lainey over on YouTube. Each week there is a new book-related topic to answer! If you’re new to Top 5 Wednesday and want to participate, check out the Goodreads group for information and weekly topics!

This week’s topic is Favorite LGBTQ Reads – Talk about your favorite books that feature LGBTQ+ characters or are by LGBTQ+ authors.

I’d just like to note that this post is severely outdated (it’s one of the first few posts I’ve ever published) which is why some of the answer may be seen as “cliché”. I’ll hopefully be making another post like this including some newer LGBTQ+ releases soon.

*click on the covers to be directed to the Goodreads page*

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

I am currently reading this and I am already completely in love with it. This is about a boy named Simon who is gay but not openly so. When one of his classmates finds out about his sexuality (by accident), he threatens to let the whole school know about it. I’m only a few chapters in and this is already so great!!!

Of Fire & Stars by Audrey Coulthurst

I haven’t read this one yet and I’ve seen some mixed reviews on it but I feel like this is a book that I would love! Apparently there is a sweet, SWEET love between two princesses—and I love anything that has royalty in it so I’m sure I’ll love it! And you might too! I can’t really say much else so you probably have to read it and form your own opinion 😛 Also, this is #ownvoices!

Future Leaders of Nowhere by Emily O’Beirne

I’ve read this at the beginning of the month and I totally fell in love with it! This is set in the Australian bush where several groups from different school participate in a leadership/survival game. It is about an unexpected, but super sweet romance between the two only female leaders and they both kick ass! One is Indian-Australian and a lesbian and the other one is bi! Check out my review if you want to know more 🙂 I believe this was recently added to Netgalley, so go request it! It’s totally worth a read!

Juliet Takes a Breath by Gabby Rivera

This is another #ownvoices book about a Puerto Rican girl who just came out to her family. She doesn’t know if her own mother will ever speak to her again. She leaves her home and becomes an intern for her favourite author. This story is about her basically trying to figure out her life and some of my fellow blogger friends keep recommending it to me! I think it is still up for request on Netgalley if you’re interested!

Blue Is the Warmest Colour by Julie Maroh

This is a coming of age story about a girl named Clementine who happens to meet a girl with blue hair at a lesbian bar and they immediately feel attracted to each other. It’s a story about falling in love and finding yourself. I honestly cried so much at the end! This is a graphic novel that will touch you emotionally—it’s so beautiful ❤ I have a mini-review up for it here.

Julia Ember

I haven’t read her book Unicorn Tracks yet but I’m very excited for The Seafarer’s Kiss which releases in May! Julia Ember is a polyamorous, bisexual writer who regularly participates in events regarding queer teens. Her book The Tiger’s Watch features a genderqueer character and it’s a Fantasy too! I loved it soooo much and I’d totally recommend! Here’s my more detailed review if you’re interested! I heard great things about her as an LGBTQ+ writer so you should really check her out!

Honorable Mentions AKA books that I feel like everyone else is going to mention in their T5W posts so I won’t but know that I thought of them: Aristotle & Dante Discover The Secrets of the Universe, The Raven Cycle

As I said, this post is kind of outdated but I hope you did get some new recommendations! Some of these books are never mentioned by the big bloggers or booktubers and I think it’s important to share the hidden gems when it comes to diverse books! Especially if they’re #ownvoices!

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What are some of your favourite LGBTQ+ reads? Who are your favourite LGBTQ+ characters, whether they’re a main or side character? Do you have any LGBTQ+ authors or books to recommend? I’d love to get some new recs, especially if they’re #ownvoices! Let’s chat in the comments!