It’s summer, it’s Pride month, and I went a bit wild choosing books for BeautifullyBookishBethany’s Queer Romance Readathon!
This is a story about queer teens dealing with depression and eating disorders while holding on as tightly as they can to friendships and new love. The immense weight of these teens’ emotions is never diminished, and it seems to me (a very middle-aged lady) like this might be fabulous reading for a real YA audience (despite its “vintage” setting in 2002).
This is an astounding book, full of fury and force. It’s like if you took Sorrowland, foregrounded the religious dystopia even more, added toxic white evangelism along with dashes of Wise Blood and Evangelion, and tied it all together with one hell of a strong trans boy protagonist. I fucking loved it.
This is a weird, lyrical, complex book. It won’t be for everyone, but if you’re into girl groups, revenge, and a slow-burn mystery with supernatural elements, consider this one.
This is a massively cute and visually lush work–if you like Kay O’Neill’s Tea Dragon world, definitely check this out!
This book is SOOOOOO GOOD. If you love furious, queer femmes literally smashing the patriarchy, read this NOW.
Between the eye-catching art and the heartwarming message of trans affirmation, Niki Smith has created a lovely ode to the importance of community and being open to change. It’s really good.
This is a gorgeous YA contemporary coming-of-age/romance that balances heavier topics with a lush, ultimately feel-good plot. Plus, it’s a reimagining of Jane Austen’s Persuasion–what more could you want?!
FUCK YES. I love this book.
I loved King’s ‘Dig,” but this was such an exercise in misery porn, I couldn’t get past page 30.