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!

ARC Review: Freakboy by Kristin Elizabeth Clark

448 pages

Expected publication: October 22nd, 2013

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux

From the outside, Brendan Chase seems to have it pretty easy. He’s a star wrestler, a video game aficionado, and a loving boyfriend to his seemingly perfect match, Vanessa. But on the inside, Brendan struggles to understand why his body feels so wrong—why he sometimes fantasizes having long hair, soft skin, and gentle curves. Is there even a name for guys like him? Guys who sometimes want to be girls? Or is Brendan just a freak?

In Freakboy's razor-sharp verse, Kristin Clark folds three narratives into one powerful story: Brendan trying to understand his sexual identity, Vanessa fighting to keep her and Brendan’s relationship alive, and Angel struggling to confront her demons.

This novel is such a refreshing read. I've read some amazing books this year but I've been having the nagging feeling that most YA novels are starting to blend together and the majority of new releases have not been catching my attention. Then Freakboy came along. The entire novel is written in verse (which is a first for me) and it tackles heavy issues and raises a lot of questions. This novel addresses sexuality and how it is not black and white. It shatters the notion that you are either gay or straight, male or female. It opens discussion and leaves lots of room for future research. At the end of the novel, there's a list of resources and one for further reading. I think that alone elevates this novel to a whole new level.

On one side we have Brendan, who is not sure what to call himself and is struggling to make sense of his life. Even though he is attracted to his girlfriend, he dreams of being a girl. On the other we have Angel, who is transgendered. She is fully adapted as a female and her past is represented throughout the book. This works so well because we can see the beginning, the middle, and one of the possible ends to such a transformation. Vanessa is another key player to this story. She's Brendan's girlfriend, a wrestler in the boys' team. She is in the receiving end of Brendan's realization and her evolution adds an interesting layer to the story.

The writing style is wonderful. The book length verse feels intimate and complex. l felt like I was reading someone's diary. There are three points of view in this novel--Brendan's, Vanessa's, and Angel's--and each one developed in a very fluid way. It is rare to find a unique novel that also takes your breath away and makes you go deep into your soul to not only empathize with the main character but also analyze the world around you. Personally, Freakboy is the standout novel of the year. I was not only hooked from the very first page but I was also yearning to understand Brendan and his struggles. Even though I couldn't relate to him, I did empathize with his journey to self discovery and the many hurdles along the way. The characters are flawed, complex, and very relatable. At the end of the day, this is a coming of age story. Growing up and accepting yourself is never easy but growing up and feeling like you're in the wrong body? That's a whole other beast.

Poetic, insightful, raw, and unique, Freakboy will rip your heart out. This novel is a brave YA debut that will not only leave you breathless but it will also make you think of sexuality in a whole new way.

Note: I won this book through the Cuddlebuggery LBBA program. It was donated by the lovely Kat. Thanks again. :)