Like any genre I’ve liked some classics and haven’t liked others. Here are ones I have liked!
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
This is the only book I remember reading for school that I actually liked. It made me cry and I felt for the characters. They felt real and relatable. I reread it once so far as an adult and still loved it.
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
Talks about racism, sexism, love. Real. Beautiful. Heart-breaking. I’ve read it 3 times. And I didn’t realize it’s the first in a series so i’m going to have to reread it and continue the series at some point.
Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
Yes, I know, it’s about an appalling topic. You aren’t supposed to like Humbert. It’s beautifully written about an awful topic and it even says at the end you aren’t supposed to fall for Humbert. It’s an interesting book with how it’s written.
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass by Lewis Carroll
When I first started reading this I was very confused and was like “this makes no sense!”. Once I realized that’s the point and turned my brain off, I had fun with it.
We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
An interesting and gothic tale. I still have to read The Haunting of Hill House, I know, I suck.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
The shoes are silver. Also, this is much darker than the movie!
Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
Tugged at my heart and made me cry (at 30 years old). Charlotte is best spider.
The Call of the Wild by Jack London
Sad. Made me cry. Do not think it’s a children’s book despite it saying it is, like holy fuck. There is some kindness in it too.
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
Gothic romantic suspense.
There is also a character who appears to have down syndrome. I say that because he is described but I googled it, the name down syndrome did not exist when this book was written. I want to bring this up only because the way he was described/talked about in some cases, if written today, would be offensive, but looking up what was known at the time this book was published, it seems like it was handled as best as it could be for the time (tis why knowing history can be important).
And there is stuff that happens later in the book (I won’t spoil anything) that made me go “Fuck yes!!” when it was brought up. Stuff I didn’t expect to get mentioned more, was, and it made me so happy. The characters (well except one asshole, but he’s an asshole) treated him, Ben, very nicely. And I loved that it showed his fear of being sent to the asylum (which makes even more sense when you read it), that the asylum isn’t a nice place, and that no one was going to send him anywhere.
Haunting, beautiful and sad at the same time.
The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi
That was fun. I enjoyed it. Not completely sure why. Definitely didn’t age well in all respects (which is to be expected), a bit disjointed and overly moralistic (and not as nuanced as I usually prefer but it’s old and a children’s classic), with a few things that don’t make sense but I still found it a fun tale that got me thinking a little bit but mostly just fun. Pinocchio can be such a pain, but he learns and he has a heart. I want to tell him “you always were a real boy, just before you were a marionette boy and now, you’re a human boy”.
Much darker than expected too!
Nutcracker and the Mouse King by E.T.A. Hoffmann
If you know me you know i’m usually a Grinch. Why do I enjoy this classic? Honestly, I don’t know. I had fun with it.
The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
A very important and heart-breaking book.
Frankenstein (1818 original text) by Mary Shelley
My favorite! Where to even begin? The creature is abandoned by his creator, his father, Victor, who runs away from him in horror. The creature has a heart, he just wants a friend. He tries to make friends but everyone is shallow and runs from him in horror based on his looks, so of course after awhile, it gets to him, as it would anyone. Nothing like the original movie portrayal! Victor is the real monster.
And no, i’m not saying what he ends up doing is ok, but you can understand his feelings and where he’s coming from. He’s sympathetic and I wanna be his friend before all hell breaks lose. Show him that there are some people that aren’t shallow assholes.
I said what I said.
Also, the creature is relatable to me, being disabled and having deformities. Obviously not as bad as the creature and I know it could be worse but I could still put myself in his shoes. There are deformed people in real life that get that treatment, sadly this book and that message is still relevant. He’s an outcast who just wants some companionship. That shouldn’t be too much to ask.
Kindred by Octavia E. Butler
Heart-wrenching and important.
1984 by George Orwell
Terrifying and realistic. Supposed to be a warning, not an instruction manual!
The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen
Just a fairy-tale fantasy that I enjoy.
Animal Farm by George Orwell
Again. Supposed to be warning, not a friggin instruction manual!
Planet of the Apes by Pierre Boulle
Have I watched any of the movies or anything? Nope. I need to do that at some point. Brings up some interesting questions about ethics and is thought-provoking.
Satan, Are you there? It’s me, Laura by Aisling Fae
This is hilarious!
Black Queer Hoe by Britteney Black Rose Kapri
This poetry hits hard! I know it wasn’t made with me in mind, but certain things I did relate to (being queer, afab, deformed and feeling ugly) but even though I didn’t personally relate to a lot of it, it still hit hard and made me stop. Stop and think, take the poems in. I also appreciated that it remembers trans women are women! I’m a nonbinary trans guy but of course i’m still going to appreciate anytime trans people are remembered and seen as who they are.
I highly recommend this book, and don’t read it too fast.
My Rainbow by Trinity Neal and Deshanna Neal
This is a beautiful children’s book about an autistic black trans girl who needs long hair, but her mama can’t find what she needs in a store, after all she’s a beautiful black girl with curly hair and the wigs in store are so straight, so she makes Trinity her own rainbow wig and she loves it!
This brought tears to my eyes. It’s so wholesome and loving.
Beyond the Gender Binary by Alok Vaid-Menon
This is a wonderful book! It talks in easy to understand language as well as personal things. It talks about how the gender binary hurts everyone, yes even masculine men and feminine women, and how we could be more inclusive and kind. Words aren’t doing this justice. This is a book I wish everyone would read and I think everyone can get something out of. It’s also not long, yet packs a punch.
We Have Always Been Here: A Queer Muslim Memoir by Samra Habib
My review right after I read it
My nose is sore from all my crying/nose blowing thanks to this book. Sadness, Happiness, Hope. I loved hearing Samra’s story of their life! I looked them up on twitter and it lists their pronouns as they/them. I listened to it on audio book through the library. This will be on my top favorites of the year!
I needed this in some ways. I don’t know what to say otherwise.
Capable Monsters by Marlin M. Jenkins
Pokemon. Poetry. Talks about racism and being queer and mental health and the darker side of pokemon. I mean think about it, a small child is let loose in the world by themselves to battle beasts and just read some of the pokedex entries about the pokemon, some of them are really dark! I loved this book.
Masquerade by Parker Lee
My review from when I read it last year
I loved this book of poetry! Some of the poems did hurt though and I feel bad for hurting because they were poems about them and their wife and I lost my husband early this year, and just stuff I don’t have anymore but i’m happy for them. I won’t go into all of it because it’s personal.
This book has quite a range imo. I felt these poems deep in my soul. The author is nonbinary (as am I) and that’s explored but so are other things. Some of them I literally went “I know this isn’t about autism but my nonbinary and autistic ass felt that in both ways”. I think a lot of people could relate to at least some of it. There’s also themes of abandonment and more. And it’s so very accessible. I highly recommend it!
When Aidan Became A Brother by Kyle Lukoff
A wonderful children’s book about a trans boy who gets a little sibling!
Transmuted by Eve Harms
As a deformed trans person myself this hit so many feels! The feelings of dysphoria, of being fetishized, of being looked at like a freak, of feeling like a freak. The way people treat you. I loved Isa. I want to gush about this book but i’m at a loss for words. I read it on KU and loved it so much I had to buy myself a physical copy. Highly recommend!
Growing Up Trans: In Our Own Words edited by Lindsay Herriot and Kate Fry
This book is so very much needed! Trans youth in their OWN words! Tips, book recommendations for further reading … I highly recommend this.
Golem Girl by Riva Lehrer
This is one of those books I wish everyone would read! I loved listening to her and learning her story. I need more memoirs like this, by disabled people. She is Jewish, disabled and queer.
The Cybernetic Tea Shop by Meredith Katz
Such a sweet romance! I wanted to hug Sal so badly, and i’m scared of robots. I cried at the end. I want more. I read it via Libby and had to buy myself a physical copy. It’s a romance between an F/F romance between an asexual human and a very human robot.
Love & Other Disasters by Anita Kelly
Initially it did take me a little bit to get into it because the characters annoyed me but i’m so glad I stuck with it because I fell in love with them and understood them! I love the nonbinary rep with London! A female/nonbinary romance is what i’ve wanted for so long! Seriously, my queer nonbinary heart is so happy! I need MORE female/nonbinary romances please! Pleeeeeease.
Now with all 4 parts that’s a lot of LGBTQ+ Rec’s! Remember, you can read LGBTQ+ books all year round, as LGBTQ+ people exist all year round. 🙂
This story hit me hard from the very beginning. I was so angry at the Wajinru for putting the burden of their entire history all on Yetu’s shoulders. All alone, in so much pain, pain they should have been sharing together rather than dumping it all on Yetu and it was killing her, literally. As the story progressed though I understood why they did it. I felt so much for Yetu. At times I related to certain things from being disabled, neuro-divergent and a rather sensitive INFP. I just wanted to hug Yetu and scream at the rest of the Wajinru that they were killing Yetu and didn’t even seem to notice.
The writing flowed and sucked me in. The book may be short but it packs a powerful punch and has so much weaved within it I can’t believe it’s short. No sentence felt wasted, everything important. It is a complex story with several layers but I was never confused by it. Though I think I might have been if I had read it too fast rather than taking my time with it as I did.
A classic for a reason! It talks about racism, sexism, love and more.
Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender
Part of my review when I read it
Felix feels like he is one marginalization too many as black queer and trans, and I can relate. I am not black but I am disabled. Obviously those are entirely different (though not mutually exclusive of course) but that is the same amount of marginalization’s (i’m aslo queer and trans-even if I don’t “look” like it, though spoiler alert, queer and trans don’t have a look) and i’ve felt that “too much” a lot. I’m also fat now and am mentally ill and neurodiverse in more ways than one. I’m not trying to make it a competition i’m just explaining how I get that “too much” feeling.
Felix feels so real. He makes mistakes, he isn’t perfect, he struggles with his identity. We get to see him fuck up, like people do. He felt like a real person and a real teenager, which is a good thing! He’s going through life and trying to figure so much out and having been so hurt by things. He thinks that he isn’t worthy of love (at least in part because of parental abandonment), and even pushes people away because of it, but eventually learns that he IS worthy of love and respect.
My full review Here. Suffice it to say this book meant a LOT to me! And it’s the only book i’ve seen so far to say the word demiboy! Felix is a demiboy like me and it states it on the page!
To Be Devoured by Sara Tantlinger
This is queer horror and very, very creepy!
The Curse of Doll Island: A Paranormal Suspense Thriller by Ocean
2 very different lesbians, one is famous the other is a quiet teacher who loves to knit, end up on a boat cruise to see a supposed island with cursed haunted creepy dolls. They later end up taking out a boat on their own for a picnic and end up stuck on it, at night, when the dolls are said to come alive. Of course they do and the curse is true.
Creepy cursed haunted dolls. crocodiles. snakes. clowns. I found this book fun and creepy. I enjoyed it.
There is a sequel that I was annoyed by some cis-normativity and other things but over-all still loved and gave 4.25 stars.
All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson
A memoir about growing up black and queer.
Soft on Soft by Mina Waheed
A cute fluffy romance between 2 fat (and fat-positive) women of color. One, Selena, is a black demisexual model, and the other, June, is an Arab-Persian Pansexual with anxiety and 2 cats (and a bisexual muslim mom). At one point Selena has a baby shower for some friends, a Female/Nonbinary couple and the nonbinary person uses she/her pronouns, showing that not all nonbinary people use they/them pronouns. Her name is Noor and she is also black.
Whenever someone’s pronouns isn’t known they/them is used, as well as some nonbinary people who use they/them all the time. I love how that is normalized.
This cute queer diverse fluffy romance made me queer heart so happy! It’s pure fluff and I loved it.
So many queer, nonbinary and trans feels! Yet I should reread this first volume because I haven’t continued the series and I have volumes 2 and 3.
Disabled Voices edited by S.B. Smith
This is an amazing anthology of diverse disabled voices! It has a mix of fiction, nonfiction, poetry and artwork. It has a variety of disabilities represented, both physical and neurodiversities. It has authors of color, queer, nonbinary and trans writers/artists. It is packed with awesome! I related to some, as a fellow disabled queer nonbinary person, and learned from others about specific disabilities I don’t have. I loved nearly everything in here! It is BY disabled voices FOR disabled people!
Nonbinary: Memoirs of Gender and Identity edited by Micah Rajunov
A diverse range of nonbinary voices. Related to some as a fellow nonbinary person, learned a lot and was thought-provoking. Showed a range of ages too with older nonbinary people as well, showing it’s not a “young person” thing. Nonbinary folks have always been here.
Care Work: Dreaming Disability Justice by Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha
Nonfiction essays about disability justice, by disabled queer femme’s of color. So much packed into this book! As a queer disabled afab person there was so much I related to, I swear it helped heal something inside of me, and as a white person there is so much that I learned from.
If you are abled, or white, or masc, or cishet…honestly, I recommend this book to everyone.
Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
Latinx trans boy brujo mc, m/m romance with said trans boy and a ghost. So many feels. The amount of tissues I went through while reading this book O.O. So many tabs. Tabs for days. A rainbow of many, many tabs. The plot, the characters, the world, ALL OF IT!🥰🥰
I don’t know what to say, except READ IT! *Rolls around in feels*
Yes that was my review when I read it.
The Gilda Stories by Jewelle L. Gómez\
Lovely. Thought-provoking. Black lesbian vampire.
Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-first Century edited by Alice Wong
I can’t express my love and joy at this book through words! My disabled self is LIVING! So many emotions I had while reading this book! Anger, at ableism and injustice, seeing that i’m not alone and relating to others on things that most just don’t get, and joy at all the disabled joy! This is a book I HIGHLY recommend to EVERYONE! If you are disabled you’ll find stuff to relate to and to love in this book. If you aren’t I truly think it’ll help you understand disabled people, disability justice and the ableism we face more.
These essays (37) feature a huge diversity of disabled people! Queer, Trans, People of Color, physical and mental disabilities, all very much featured in here! It’s accessible and so very much needed. If I could ask everyone to read just ONE book, it’d be this one! No question about it!
A latino gay trans man (also a chef) and a undocumented immigrant from Russia (forced out of Russia) who is half-blind, Jewish and gay. Age gap. M/M Chanukah HEA romance.
So many feels! I really felt like I got to know these 2 guys, I wanted to hug them, rooted for their happiness. It touched on so many important things in regards to both of them. This is definitely a favorite!
Trans girl thief lures men, but only the bad ones, to her man eating mermaid girlfriend, who if you ask me doesn’t really love her. Laria deserves so much better. The Lady (the mermaid) was so emotionless, so cruel in her lack of any emotion. The story made me want to cry. Love how it talks about obsession and respecting yourself.
I know what it’s like to need to advertise to the world what you are, so that people don’t just assume you are what they think you are.
The Backstagers, Vol. 1: Rebels Without Applause by James Tynion IV, Rian Sygh
Queer, funny, emotional and supernatural. Shows guys experiencing a range of emotions, healthy communication and conflict resolution between friends. I’m already obsessed! Super cute. Super weird. Loving it <3. All boys school, has a trans guy in it!
Stake Sauce, Arc 1: The Secret Ingredient Is Love. No, Really by RoAnna Sylver
Has transgender and M/M rep.
I love how the writing is accessible and flows easily, yet manages to deal sensitively with hard topics. I was in a house fire years ago. And while I was saved by my neighbor and physically made it out ok (barely) I have PTSD from it. This book deals a lot with fire, and ptsd. And I loved every bit of it. It’s not something that’s easy for me to get through. But I absolutely love RoAnna’s stories! Well this is the third book of theirs i’ve read so far (i’ve also read Chameleon Moon and Moon-Bright Tides-loved both of those as well!).
Just like Chameleon Moon and Moon-Bright Tides it has characters i’ve fallen in love with and deals with real life issues in a sensitive and healthy way. All without being too long (though i’d gladly spend more time with the characters). And of course it’s all with a dash or 2 of fantasy (like vampires in this case).
I don’t think i’ll ever make it through one of RoAnna’s books without at least getting teary.
Alone and Palely Loitering by Julian Stuart
My initial review.
This short story managed to rip out my heart, give me all the feels, have me relating to the MC SO HARD (MC is ungendered and I am agender, also depression feels), crying tears of sadness and happiness.
Like I WANT TO SAY MORE but it’s a short story and anything else I say WILL SPOIL IT. ASSUME NOTHING. I repeat, assume nothing. I has a new favorite. Now leave me be in my bucket of feels. ❤ And I highly recommend this short story.
I have since realized I am a demiboy, which for me is part agender so …
Lumberjanes, Vol. 1: Beware the Kitten Holy by Noelle Stevenson
This is a comic series. I’ve read the first 3 volumes. There is 20 right now. I have no idea if it’s done yet or not. Queer, camping, friendship. Cute.
I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver
Part of my review for this book
So onto all the love I have for this book! For years I refused to look into “this non-binary business”. I mean sure i’d respect people, it’s not that hard and nothing good comes from being an asshat. But I refused to look into it/research it at all because I was already in my mid 20s before I heard the term and was afraid at what i’d find, for multiple reasons. I grew up not feeling like a girl, or boy, so I figured “well I must just be awful at being a girl because those are the only choices”. I didn’t know there was anything else. By the time I heard the word non-binary I figured it was too late, after all…you have to know everything about yourself by the time you’re 20 right? WRONG. But that’s what I was telling myself out of fear.
Almost 2 months ago I got slapped in the face so to speak and realized…I’m non-binary. Not only can I not “pick a side” in terms of attraction (i’m bi), I can’t “pick a side” to be. And that’s ok. This is me.
I wish this book existed when I was a teen and that somehow i’d have been able to read it. I’m so glad it exists now. And that, if you are still alive, it’s never too late.
I needed this book 20 years ago. Words can not describe how much I love this book. It’s a memoir about growing up and figuring out that one is non-binary and asexual. While I am not asexual, I am non-binary…and while I can look back on my life now and realize I have always been this way, it took until age 30 to find the words. To realize, i’m not a freak. I’m not wrong. I’m not confused (anymore-and if I had had the words and someone else saying “me too” I never would have had to be). That i’m not alone.
So many instances of “OMG ME TOO!” “Yes, so much yes” “I feel this so hard” “Wait…there is a WORD for that? And it’s not just me?” It’s a memoir of someone else’s life but so much of it mirrored my own. Not 100% obviously, but a lot of it. And it made me feel so incredibly seen. I am still trying not to cry while writing this…and i’m failing.
I’m so glad to finally understand my struggle with gender that i’ve had as long as I can remember. To finally know i’m not a freak, alone, wrong for feeling this way. And that there are words. Words can mean the entire world.
Full review Here. And FUCK YOU to the assholes that keep trying to ban this book!
A Quick & Easy Guide to They/Them Pronouns by Archie Bongiovanni
My review from 3 years go
Exactly what the title suggests. A quick and easy guide to they/them pronouns, which are increasingly being used (though have been used for literally centuries). I’m non-binary and, having just came out this year, am still getting used to they/them pronouns for myself and it even mentions misgendering yourself. Which I have done. It’s awkward. But it’s normal. I mean i’ve used she/her pronouns for 30 years, of course it takes getting used to.
I then gave it to my cis male husband who has been wonderfully supportive of me coming out as non-binary. His exact words when he was done “Everyone needs to read this”. It took both of us less than half an hour each to read. It’s quick. It’s easy. And it’s seriously helpful. 🙂
This review hurts because my husband has since died, but I believe this is important still and he was a wonderful man. My pronouns are also They/He now (and were before died, he was completely supportive).
Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker
Part of my review
The MC’s are both Chinese-American and queer. Nova is a witch who is hard of hearing and has hearing aids and Tam is an enby werewolf. Nova also has 2 grandma’s in a relationship with each other. I squeaked out loud when I saw that! SO. MUCH. CUTENESS.
Good witches protecting and interacting with nature. When I saw the nature creatures my first thought was I WANT TO PAINT THEM. I don’t even paint (yet-but I do want to get more into art). THEY ARE SO CUTE.
Tam’s ears are pointy. Loved that quiet detail.
Tam also uses they/them pronouns and does correct other characters, who end up being so wonderfully respectful of them.
How to Understand Your Gender: A Practical Guide for Exploring Who You Are by Alex Iantaffi and Meg-John Barker
My review from 3 years ago
Words do not describe how I have fallen in love with this book! It took me on a journey of reflecting on gender and sexuality, in myself and society. It is accessible and very kind. There are pages that remind you to stop and breathe. To take a break if you need it. Of course you can ignore them if you want but I found that I needed them and was so glad they were there.
I truly believe anyone can get a lot out of this book. Cis, Trans, Non-binary.
There is stuff in here that I wish everyone would hear.
It also talks a lot about intersections and how they interact with each other. Class, Race, Ethnicity, Disability, Gender, Sexual Orientation, Religion. For example I’m White, Middle-Class, Physically Disabled, Neurodivergent, an afab Non-binary person, bisexual, and Wiccan. All of these things interact with each other and matter.
It talks about how gender is complex in that it’s a mix of biological, psychological and social. Even though it’s a complex topic, it was never confusing. Always accessible.
I highly recommend this!
Bingo Love by Tee Franklin
Second chance romance between 2 black women later in life. Made my bisexual heart so happy!
Bodymap by Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha
Poetry about being a queer disabled femme of color. Raw, emotional, heart-breaking, thought-provoking, beautiful. I related to some of it, being queer and disabled myself. I am not femme (though I am AFAB) or a poc. What I couldn’t relate to still moved me to tears. I don’t have words for how amazing this book of poetry is. Poetry for me seems to be either hit or miss and this was one hell of a hit!
The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Olivia Waite
I freaking loved this! I adored the characters, especially Lucy. A very strong woman who knows what she wants and doesn’t take crap. Don’t get me wrong, she has her insecurities for sure, but she still has a strength within her than shines. Catherine has been hurt in the past and is very insecure in the beginning despite having the countess act down in public. She hides it well but she’s hurting. I loved her character arc and seeing her grow stronger. Both women have their own interests and personalities that I really enjoyed getting to see. Both are interesting characters that I loved in their own rights. I also felt for Catherine with what she had been through and some stuff rang quite true for me too.
How to Be You: Stop Trying to Be Someone Else and Start Living Your Life by Jeffrey Marsh
I can not express my love for this book! Nor do I have a clue what to say other than wanting to recommend it to absolutely everyone! There is so much love and truth within these pages. Gentle and caring words even as it made me cry, in a good way. Things I needed to hear. That I think everyone could use. Self-care, true deep self-care, is so hard for most people. And yet it’s so important.
I took my time with this book because I wanted to sit with what I read, to truly absorb it. The best books are like that for me, I take them slow.
I will take this book to heart going forward and hopefully, every so often, re-read it to remind myself. I highly recommend this book!
That’s my review from over 2 years ago. I really should reread this book.
Defining Myself: Transmasculine Experience Through Poetry by Michael Eric Brown
Part of my review from over 2 years ago.
This book is divided into 3 sections. Section 1: Beginnings, Pronouns, Therapy, Hormones, Surgery. Section 2: Fears, Anger, Loss, Dysphoria, Discrimination. Section 3: Changes, Living Authentically, Peace/Joy/Acceptance. Each sections starts out with a few pages talking about the sections within that section as each of those mini-sections gets some poetry. In the introduction to the entire book it does explain that they choose to keep 18+ content out because then they’d have to rate the book 18+ which would keep a lot of transmasculine teens who could really use this book from accessing it. So it is PG-13. That said though it goes into a lot of deep and emotional stuff.
I am transmasculine. I am a demiguy and I happen to be afab (assigned female at birth). This book contains poetry by binary trans men as well as non-binary transmasculine individuals. A wonderful spectrum of transmasc people. I had to take this book slow because it hit so hard with me. I just came out as trans this year. I had to take it slow because I related so much to the words in this book and it spoke to fears as well as joys…to so much. I could not handle reading this book in one sitting even though time-wise i’m sure I could have, if I had been able. It was that powerful for me.
Unbroken: 13 Stories Starring Disabled Teens by Marieke Nijkamp
My initial “review” before reading it:
I only read the dedication and i’m already crying. It says
“To every disabled reader, dreamer, storyteller- We can be heroes. This one’s for us.”
I have been disabled my entire life, born with vacterl association (and then some) I’m a medical nightmare. vacterl is rare so i’m not expecting to see it in a book but even with that difference, many disabled people end up facing the same stigmas, ableism and feelings from it all.
I am so glad something like this finally exists ❤
After Reading it:
13 stories, and many tears. I found quite a bit to relate to in these pages as a disabled person. My updates mention all the stories, my ratings and some feelings. There were a couple of “???” stories, a few stories that while they didn’t really resonate with me personally I did like them enough and could see them being perfect for someone else, and just over half of them I really loved! The ones I loved I found stuff I related to in the pages even when I didn’t share the exact disability, I cared about the characters, cried or at least got teary, they spoke to me in some way.
There is a diverse range of disabilities, both physical and mental, in the pages as well as poc and queer characters. If you are disabled, in any way, I imagine you’ll find some stories to love in these pages, even if not every single one hits home. I am really glad this book exists and that I read it. My average ended up being 3.7 over-all.
Review Here. I don’t remember how many of the stories have lgbtq+ rep but some of them do. All have disabled rep.
I’ve read this twice. I started really reading in late 2015 and that’s when I read this. It was the first bisexual rep i’d ever seen! And i’ve known i’m bisexual since I was 13, and I read it when I was nearly 27. I was sobbing from happiness. The MC is a bisexual black girl recovering from an eating disorder, in love with ballet, not fitting into boxes other people want her to, flawed, human. Etta “kick it in the ass” Sinclair. I fucking love Etta. I have a longer review Here if you wanna check it out.
YA Fantasy/Sci-Fi with lesbian pirates and sea monsters. Seriously, I don’t know why anyone would need to know more before dying to pick this up! At least that’s how I feel anyway. Also has morally gray characters. I actually read the sequel The Edge of the Abyss via an E-ARC via Netgalley. I own it physically now but don’t think i’ve read it yet? I’m not sure. I’m overdue for a reread.
Lesbian. Pirates. and Sea Monsters. Morally gray characters. Character development. World-Building. Well thought out plot. Lots of action. Never confusing. Slow-burn F/F romance. Emotional.
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
Two Mexican-American boys fall in love. Honest, raw, heart-breaking. Character depth. I absolutely loved Ari! I should reread it before reading the sequel.
M/M romance between a gay merman and a gay male human. I read it back in 2017 and stupidly haven’t continued the series. Need to do that. I enjoyed it when I read it.
This book is about a Queer Puerto Rican 19 year old girl, Juliet. She goes to the house of an author she looks up to for an internship. The author, Harlowe, wrote raging flower. A feminist book. Along the way she learns Harlowe…is flawed to say the least. Juliet is trying to learn where her queer chubby brown self fits into feminism that ends up being whitewashed. Also before she left for the internship she came out to her family…and the reaction wasn’t great.
Contemporary YA with an Asian Austrailian bisexual MC and an MC that is autistic, has anxiety and is fat (and ok with that!). I related SO HARD to Taylor, the autistic/anxiety/fat MC, because anxiety and I read it when I didn’t know i’m autistic. This is one of the books that eventually lead me on my journey to realizing I am! I’m also bisexual so that rep was awesome. Involves a con like comic con.
This is so much more than a space opera! If you are looking for an action-packed thrill ride, this may not be your cuppa tea, but if you love character-driven books about friendships, people, diversity, politics and a pretty relaxing read that will mostly give you happy tears then this will probably be your cuppa tea!
It explores gender, sexuality, being sapient, existence, politics, differences in people and how even if you are different, you can still get along and respect each other. It’s not hard, generally, and if it is you can still work it out.
There are queer relationships and no one cares or is bothered by it in the slightest, it just is! I still need to continue this series.
The main character, Jordan Sun, is bisexual and Chinese-American (the author is also Chinese-American so that part is Own Voices and from what i’ve seen others say it’s also own voices for bisexuality). The Sharpshooters also includes Isaac who is Japanese (though I must admit I completely missed that), Nihal who is Sikh and gay and Trav who is black. Nihal is easily my favorite side character, he is too precious! Jordan’s best friend (who you don’t really see but is mentioned) is a curvy lesbian. Jordan comes from a poor family whose father uses a wheelchair and they can’t afford the hospital bills.
Also one of the sharpshooters has anxiety and one has dyslexia. Also the author was in an A Capella group in college herself and I could see she knew what she was talking about music-wise. The diversity in this book feels real and authentic. Different sexualities, physical and mental abilities, religions, body types and cultures…just like how it is in the real world.
I have more on my review Here. It’s a no longer active blog of mine but it still exists. I should give this a reread since I read before realizing i’m a trans guy, to see how i’d feel about it now. If you read the full review you’ll see why, but I think i’d still enjoy it.
This is BDSM done right! Talks about the trust needed, the nervousness, the human feelings. It’s also funny and has great artwork, but even without that the story alone is amazing enough! That was my initial review of volume 1. I’ve read 6 out of 7 volumes. It’s an F/F BDSM romance.
This book is simply amazing! There is no other way to put it. There is no way I can do this book justice. I read it for diverseathon as an own voices book (own voices for sexuality and disability). It has POC, LGBT+ people including a kick-ass transgirl MC, it deals with anxiety, depression, PTSD, as well as physical disability. Themes include, but not limited to, love, friendship, self care, resistance (it’s not futile!), caring about people. There is a poly relationship with f/f/f that includes the transgirl and they have a little boy named Jack. There is a non-binary character as well. The author is non-binary, queer, and deals with chronic pain, medical issues and is neurodivergent.
They live in a police state. There are so many things that make it so relevant to today and the current political climate and society. So many things that make it feel as if it were written today, and it was published a few years ago. So many important messages and themes. It’s a dystopia, that feels oddly realistic about dark realities, but this is an oddly optimistic dystopia and I mean that in a great way. It’s powerful, hopeful, it talks about resistance, about being there for each other, about inclusion, about love and humanity. The characters are all strong, flawed, human, caring, and different with their own struggles.
There is a romance (pretty big part of the plot) and while it is often sweet (and very sexy) conflicts and misunderstandings did come about, and there were talked through and figured out.
There is stuff going on between the girls that I initially rolled my eyes at, but it all comes together in the end in such a powerful way! This definitely ends on a note of girls supporting girls, please trust it knows what it’s doing!
The vampires in here can also co-exist with humans. Yes it does get dark sometimes but over-all is a fun sexy time, with vampires that can co-exist with human, characters making mistakes and learning from them, and a sorority full of girls who are different from each other and definitely make a great bunch!
Full review Here. Lesbian vampires. I need to reread it so I can finish the trilogy, which I own.
Man this short book packs a punch! Shea lost her twin brother a few years ago to suicide, now she lost her father and it about to lose her farm because she can’t pay for it. She gets drunk and when she wakes up, her ex, Rian, from high school is there. She’s in her late 20s now. There is more to the story but I don’t want to spoil everything. He is also with his boyfriend Jai. Rain is bi, Jai is pan. They are also moth people, well shapeshifters. They have a human form, a moth-person form and a giant moth form. They are all also into bdsm.
Yes, I read a m/m/f polyamorous kinky triad involving moth people…and it was AWESOME.
It deals with grief. Despite being less than 100 pages you also really get to know all 3 of the characters. There is a huge emphasis on communication and consent. If someone says consent can’t be sexy, show them this story!
Gayle’s dad is the captain of a pirate ship, Original Sin, who gets injured so Gayle, who has been on the ship since she was like 13 (her mom passed away and her dad does love her), becomes temporary captain. The crew actually respects her, she’s proven her worth, even though pirates typically believed that women on ships were bad luck, let alone taking orders from one? It takes place in 1702.
They want to abduct a Dr, but Celia’s fiance, a Dr, is a coward who doesn’t actually care about Celia, hides and let’s her, a Seamstress, get taken instead.
There is adventure. Everything does make sense (I don’t want to spoil things) in the narrative. It’s a historical lesbian pirate romance adventure novel with some feminist themes in it and I freaking loved every second of it!
It may be a short story but it made me cry, happy tears!! It was emotional and sad, but it ends up very happy and cute f/f romance between a witch and a mermaid! I loved how it talked about Riven’s anxiety and all that. I was able to relate to her and it touched me. The world-building was fantastic for such a short story. The mermaids name can not be pronounced by humans. The witch, Riven, has no choice but to call in the tides with a shell and a song because the moon was lost long ago, no one knows where it went/what happened to it, and the tides must go on. She is all alone. Both her and the mermaid, named Moon-Bright because her name that isn’t pronounceable by humans, ment how the moon would shine on the water, are lonely for different reasons.
I loved the characters and their depth! I was very much able to relate and put myself in Meela’s, the MC’s, shoes. I love the water too and she felt a connection to the ocean even though she wasn’t “supposed” to. There is so much more to her than meets the eye. It’s in first person POV so you get her thoughts and I connected with her so much! She is also a POC, many of the characters are on Eriana Kwai.
She has a best friend Annith and I really enjoyed seeing their friendship. Stuff gets tested, but female friendships <3.
Full review Here. F/F. Mermaids. YA Fantasy. I have finished the trilogy and loved it!
Is this all my LGBTQ+ rec’s? No. But that’s enough for 1 post. There will be more!
Literary Stoner 