LGBTQIA+ Book Recommendations by Genre (Part 1)

It’s Pride Month! But there are enough books on this list to carry you through more than just June.

Happy Pride to everyone! This is part 1 of my queer book recommendation list!

In Part 1 we’re hitting Young Adult and Middle Grade. I’ve broken this into 5 sections: High Fantasy, Speculative Fantasy/Urban Fantasy, Contemporary, Middle Grade, and Graphic Novels.

Part 2 will be adult – Fantasy, Contemporary, Indie, and Novellas.

I’ve linked full reviews for each book I’ve written one for!

YA High Fantasy

These are fantasy books set in a fantastical world!

1. In the Ravenous Dark by A.M. Strickland

Goodreads Page

Representation: Pansexual, Lesbian, Asexual, Nonbinary

A pansexual bloodmage reluctantly teams up with an undead spirit to start a rebellion among the living and the dead.

2. Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust

Goodreads Page

Representation: M-spec

“A girl cursed to be poisonous to the touch, and who discovers what power might lie in such a curse…”

3. Girls of Paper and Fire series by Natasha Ngan

Goodreads Page

Representation: F/F relationship, Asian MCs

A paper girl with golden eyes is chosen as a concubine for the Demon King and stolen to the palace. Every year there are 8 girls. But this year there are 9. And the 9th girl fights back.

4. Strange Grace by Tessa Gratton

Goodreads Page

Representation: M-Spec, Poly Relationship

“Once, a witch made a pact with a devil. The legend says they loved each other, but can the story be trusted at all?”

5. Cinderella is Dead by Kaylnn Baron

Goodreads Page

Representation: Lesbian, Black MC

200 years ago Cinderella found her prince. But the truth behind the fairytale isn’t as romantic as it appears. Now girls are forced to attend the ball to be chosen as a wife. And the girls not chosen are never heard from again.

6. Sweet and Bitter Magic by Adrienne Tooley

Goodreads Page

Representation: Lesbian

“A witch cursed to never love meets a girl hiding her own dangerous magic, and the two strike a dangerous bargain to save their queendom.”

YA Speculative/Urban Fantasy

These fantasy books are set in our world but with a magical twist.

1. Blanca & Roja by A.M. McLemore

Goodreads Page

Representation: Trans, Non-binary, Pansexual, Latinx

The del Cisne girls are cursed – one of the sister will be taken by swans at trapped in the body of a swan. But when 2 local boys are drawn into their world, and all four of their fates depend on facing truths that could either save or destroy them.

2. A Dark and Hollow Star by Ashley Shuttleworth

Goodreads Page

Representation: Non-binary, Gay, Gender Fluid, F/F relationship

Fae, urban fantasy about 4 queer teens who ban together to uncover who is behind a series of brutal murders that threatens to reveal the faeries.,

3. Wilder Girls by Rory Power

Goodreads Page

Representation: F/F Relationship

It’s been 16 months since the island housing an all-girls boarding school was put under quarantine. When the mysterious Tox started to change everything living on the island.

4. Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

Goodreads Page

Representation: Trans, Gay, Latinx

A trans boy falls in love with a bad-boy ghost while trying to prove his identity as a Brujo to his family.

4. Sawkill Girls by Claire Legrand

Goodreads Page

Representation: Asexual, F/F Relationship

A band of teen girls try to take on a demon haunting their town and stealing girls with the help of a sentient and magical island.

YA Contemporary

These YA contemporaries feature some amazing queer romances!

1. She Drives Me Crazy by Kelly Quindlan

Goodreads Page

Representation: Lesbian, Black MC/Side Character/Best Friend

Rivals and polar opposites are forced together after an accident that leaves them car-less and strike a bargain to fake date.

2. You Have a Match by Emma Lord

Goodreads Page

Representation: F/F Relationship, Adoption

When a teen discovers she a sister she never knew about, she finds herself at a summer camp getting to know the girl she never knew existed. And tries to uncover why this has been kept a secret her entire life.

3. The Henna Wars by Adiba Jairgirdar

Goodreads Page

Representation: Lesbian, Bangladeshi

Two teen girls have an immediate connection but butt heads when they start rival henna businesses for a completive school project.

4. Her Royal Highness by Rachel Hawkins

Goodreads Page

Representation: Lesbian

A Houston native flees to a prestigious Scottish boarding school after a disastrous breakup. But she’s not expecting to find a beautiful but infuriating princess as her new roommate.

Middle Grade

Unfortunately I don’t have many recs here. But I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to recommend this books.

1. The Mighty Heart of Sunny St. James by Ashley Herring Blake

Goodreads Page

Representation: F/F, Chronic Illness

Sunny just got a new heart. And now she has a plan: do awesome amazing things, find a new best friend, kiss a boy. But when she finds a new best friend she realizes she might not want to kiss a boy at all…

Graphic Novels

1. Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker

Goodreads Page

Representation: F/F, Nonbinary, Disability

An adorable story about witches, werewolves, second chance romance, and family.

2. Heartstopper by Alice Oseman

Goodreads Page

Representation: Gay, Bisexual, Mental Health

Two high school boys strike up a friendship that may be much more. It’s a heartwarming story of their love.

Part 2 is coming later this week! So make sure to check back for even more LGBTQIA+ recommendations ❤️

3 thoughts on “LGBTQIA+ Book Recommendations by Genre (Part 1)

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