LGBTQ Book Recommendations!

After the lovely emily m. danforth wrote this post about the unfair censorship of the Blue Hen Reading List for Summer 2014, it got me thinking. I was introduced to the LGBTQ literary world by Freakboy, a novel that won me over instantly. So, since a book shouldn't be censored just because it contains a lesbian teen, I thought I would share with you some of my favorite novels in this genre.



1. Freakboy by Kristin Elizabeth Clark


This is the book that started it all. It is lyrical, beautiful, touching, and it opened up my eyes to a whole new world.  I wrote a review of it a couple of months ago. You can read it here if you want to know more about it!







2. The Miseducation of Cameron Post by emily m. danforth


This one is the only one in the list that I haven't read. However,  I really admire Danforth and her fight against censorship.  Based on the reviews I've read about this one, I am sure I'll love it. I can't wait to read it and share my thoughts with you!






3. Great by Sara Benincasa


Great is a retelling of one of my favorite classics: The Great Gatsby. What makes this novel unique is the fact that Gatsby is a girl! Also, the story is unique, captivating, and short enough that you can devour it in a day.







4. Ask the Passengers by A.S. King


I love A.S. King and Ask the Passengers is one of my favorite novels of all time. Our main character is dating a girl and she's keeping it a secret. This novel is raw and beautifully written. If you haven't read it already, please do yourself a favor and buy it!






5. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz


I think I've been talking about this novel nonstop since I read it (here and here) but it really is THAT good! Apparently the author is working on a companion novel told through Dante's point of view. I'm tempted to sleep until that novel is released because I can't wait to get my hands all over it.




6. More Than This by Patrick Ness


I love when novels don't make a big deal about a character's sexuality. More Than This is the perfect example of this. He's gay and that's that. Even though we get glimpses of the relationship and the issues that developed because of it, his sexuality is not necessarily the focus of the entire book and I really appreciate this.





If you have any recommendations, please send them my way!

Author Spotlight: A.S. King

The other day I was doing what I do best: scrolling through the YA section of Book Outlet.  I found a scratch & dent copy of Please Ignore Vera Dietz for about $1.99.  I was aware of A. S. King but I never bothered picking up one of her books. After doing some research on Goodreads and Amazon, I ended up buying that copy and hoping for the best. Now, fast-forward a few days to a Saturday afternoon.  I didn't know what to read next so I stood in front of my bookcase and picked up the first book that caught my eye: Please Ignore Vera Dietz. Best decision ever.  I am now a hardcore fan of King.  I was still reading PIVD when I ordered Ask the Passengers and Everybody Sees the Ants. So, why do I love her so much?

1) Realistic characters: I was really impressed by the likability factor of the main characters in Please Ignore Vera Dietz and Ask the Passengers (I haven't read Everybody Sees the Ants yet). I honestly love them both. They are so relatable and their lives & the people around them are multilayered and captivating.

2) The writing: A.S. King's writing is phenomenal. It is clever, beautiful, fluid, complex, and emotionally charged. It is sprinkled with so many little unique details and it always feels like a mature take on YA.  It is humorous and influential. It is socially conscious and relatable. It is art.

3) The stories: Do you know that feeling you get when you finish a great book? Like you want to hold on to it forever? And share it with friends and family? And talk about it nonstop? Because it was so great? That's what I feel when I read A.S. King. I feel great.

Her new book, Reality Boy, is out now. Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy. And while you're at it, buy all of her other works (most of which are on sale on Book Outlet!). You'll treasure them forever.