Beyond Coming Out: Fantastic Books with LGBT+ Characters
As a member of the LGBTQ community, I love discovering queer characters on the page. Coming out stories, while an essential part of the canon, are just a tiny part of the complicated, beautiful world that is LGBTQ literature. Here are some titles that cover a wide range of genres and styles all featuring characters that openly identify as LGBTQ+.
Moonstruck: Magic to Brew
by Grace Ellis with illustrations by Shae Beagle
Julie and her new girlfriend—who happen to be adorable werewolves—visit a magic show only to discover a malicious plot to steal magic. Queer characters abound in this graphic novel, as do the adventures.
What If It's Us
by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera
Ben's a native New Yorker and Arthur is a summer intern from Georgia so when they meet it seems to be fate, but maybe it's just not meant to be. From the authors of Simon vs. the Homosapiens Agenda and They Both Die at the End comes the queer love story we all need.
Her Body and Other Parties
by Carmen Maria Machado
This story collection for adults is not for the faint of heart, though YA readers who enjoy the dark and twisted will delight in Machado's works. From a modern retelling of the girl with the ribbon to a fantastically weird look into the Law & Order universe, you won't be able to look away.
Release
by Patrick Ness
This is the tribute to Judy Blume and Mrs. Dalloway that you didn't know you wanted.
Labyrinth Lost
by Zoraida Córdova
Alex is a Bruja but she’s not a huge fan of that fact. When she tries to get rid of her power she accidentally sends her family to an otherworld called Los Lagos. In this land, the gruesome and terrifying awaits but at least there’s a cute boy and—plot twist—a cute girl to keep things interesting.
Wild Beauty
by Anna-Marie McLemore
The only thing that makes lush magical realism better is when it’s queer and McLemore’s works are perfect. The Nomeolvides sisters can call forth flowers from their fingers but they are also cursed. What will happen when they all fall in love with the boyish girl Bay Briar? And what dark backstory is the land hiding?
The Hammer of Thor
by Rick Riordan
Riordan's series is already wildly popular but my favorite character in this fresh take on Norse mythology is the transgender genderfluid Alex who, by the way, is a child of Loki and is not here for your sh*t. With hijab-wearing valkyries, Ragnarok in peril, and zany chaos galore, these books are always a fun read.
Dear Rachel Maddow
by Adrienne Kisner
Brynn Harper's teacher gives her one assignment: to write to their hero. Brynn drafts emails to Rachel Maddow outlining every last detail of her breakup with her girlfriend, her brother's death, her terrible step-father and more. What starts off as a joke quickly becomes more serious but more importantly, there's a cute new girl in class and Brynn might get elected school president if she's not careful.
Taproot: A Story about a Gardener and a Ghost
by Keezy Young
Blue is totally in love with his best friend Hamal but Blue also just happens to be...dead. Hamal's eerie abilities start to disturb all of the other afterlife in town and that's when things really go sideways. Another beautifully illustrated graphic novel to add to your TBR.
DeadEndia: The Watcher's Test
by Hamish Stelle
Barney has a job at Dead End, a haunted house in a theme park which - spoiler - is actually a portal to hell. Time travel, demons, magic, trans teens, and generally awesome friendship makes this graphic novel a must read.
