Lists: glbtq

Eighteen-year-old James has always been a loner, always been a little depressed, but at times lately he’s been wondering if he wants to live. At the very least, he’s decided he doesn’t want to live the way his family and peers expect him to—namely, going to college, where he’ll be surrounded by all those dreaded people his own age. Working in his mother's art gallery the summer after senior year, James reflects on his life and contemplates the future, while poring over midwest real estate ads, trying to attract the attention of John, the gay gallery manager, and deflecting his parents' attempts to talk.

The book is definitely character-driven; it’s quiet, only a couple of things could be said to “happen,” action-wise, and James often lapses into poetic musing and metaphor. Yet it's never boring and often hilarious. This is one of those deeply touching books I wanted to pass on to all my friends. Highly recommended for teens and adults.

Maurice Hall has known he was different since he was a schoolboy, but it isn't until he goes to Cambridge and meets Clive Durham that he begins to understand why. Even though this book was written nearly 100 years ago, Maurice's journey toward accepting his sexuality and finding love is as relevant ever. And in spite of the very restrictive society of the time, he does find happiness—though not where he ever would have expected! Forster's writing is just exquisite, with brilliant dialogue, lots of humor, and tingly, heart-wrenching romance. I've reread this book about a dozen times; highly recommended for teens and adults!

Teen lesbian books have come and gone over the past 30-40 years, but Annie on My Mind is here to stay! Realistic and romantic, this is the story of two teens, Liza and Annie, who meet at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, fall in love, and overcome nastiness at school without (unlike many books that preceded it) anyone getting killed, raped, or tarred and feathered! Highly recommended for junior high on up.

Dylan has felt—and denied—fireworks between herself and her best friend Jocelyn for years. The past couple years their friendship has grown strained, as each has pursued romantic relationships with boys. Now Dylan has had it with denial and wonders what it would be like to finally give in to her sexual feelings for girls. But she’s having trouble confronting Joc, Dylan’s jock pals are openly homophobic, and she’s dating the most wonderful boy in town – a boy she’d love to marry and have children with, if only her groin were in synch with her heart.

Hello, Groin is affirming to queer and questioning youth, as well as very sex-positive in general, as Dylan discovers it’s okay to be a sexual being and explore sexual urges, both in fantasy and real life. Recommended for teens.

High school friends Russel, Min, and Gunnar are spending the summer as counselors at a camp that has, among other things, a program for burn survivors. Russel—who is gay—is surprised to learn that he has a lot in common with these kids, when it comes to staying strong in an often insensitive and intolerant world. Meanwhile, he's also falling in love! To make things even more interesting, Min (who's bi) and Gunnar (who's straight) are tangled up in their own romances.

Russel is one of the most likeable characters I've ever met in a book. He makes a lot of mistakes, but he's always well-meaning and has a great sense of humor. I know, I know, I should probably tell you to start with The Geography Club, which is where these characters start their stories. But I like this book even better, maybe because I spent so many summers at camp as a camper and counselor myself. You can read more about these characters in Split Screen. Recommended for junior high and up.

Mike is a butch lesbian living in a small Kansas town without many romantic prospects. Mike's having trouble seeing prospects, period. Her parents are dead, but she's struggling to keep her dad's plumbing business alive. She loves softball but doesn't have the money to pursue the intensive training she needs next. And the beautiful new girl in town, Xanadu, is hopelessly straight. It's high time for things to turn around...

Julie Anne Peters has written many wonderful LGBTQ books for teens, including the award-winning Luna about an M2F transgendered teen, but Far from Xanadu is my favorite. Recommended for teens.

Nicola has always been firmly in the boy-liking camp, until she attends a pre-college program across the country and meets Battle. As the attraction between them grows, Nic is suddenly faced with the possibility that she's not straight after all—but not necessarily gay, either. Empress of the World stands out as one of the only novels available starring a bisexual teen. Recommended for teens.

Xio is a sweet and exuberant L.A. girl who has a major crush on the new, shy boy James. Only problem is, James doesn't like Xio; he likes another boy instead! This is a gently humorous, sensitive, and positive book about friendship, identity, and budding romantic relationships, both gay and straight. Recommended for middle school on up!

In this poignant coming-of-age graphic novel, high schooler Kim (called Skim because she's often overlooked) comes to grip with life in the wake of a fellow teen’s suicide. She seeks to define her identity through her diary and exploration of goth culture and Wicca. Her best friend, Lisa, seems to be drifting away. Kim’s hopelessly in love with her English teacher, Ms. Archer (significantly complicated by Ms. Archer seeming to reciprocate). She feels terribly out of place among the phonies at her all-girls school, all of whom seem to think she's suicidal just because she's different and on the morose side.

The writing is beautifully spare with plenty of wry humor, and the brushy illustrations are gorgeous. The characters are sympathetic and fully realized. Highly recommended for teens and adults.

Marisol is eighteen years old, smart, gutsy, and gay, and she doesn't care who knows it. She's taking a gap year in Cambridge, Mass, to (mostly) make her own way in the world while writing her first novel. When she shows up for Day One of her novel-writing course, two surprises await her. First, old friend Gio/John, who had a horrible crush on her last year, is in the class. (Awkward...) Second, the teacher, Olivia Frost, is drop-dead gorgeous, overflows with writerly wisdom, and thinks Marisol is a real talent! And that crush Marisol has on her just might be requited...

Wittlinger's well-developed characters and realism delve neither into melodrama nor easy solutions. This is good, solid writing in a good, solid story, recommended for teens and up.