LGBTQIA+ Reads (YA)

These are some of our favourite titles -- in no particular order of preference (except alphabetical by the author's surname, of course!) -- that feature LGBTQIA+ characters or themes. Of course, there's way more than just this in our collection. Check out the Out On The Shelves booklists for more titles -- if you find any that we don't have, please let us know!

Updated June 19, 2024
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Wellington City LibrariesYouth team at Wellington City Libraries
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Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens agenda
Albertalli, Becky
Paper Book
Now a major motion picture: Love, Simon, starring Nick Robinson and Katherine Langford! William C. Morris Award Winner: Best Young Adult Debut of the Year * National Book Award Longlist "A remarkable gift of a novel."--Andrew Smith, author of Grasshopper Jungle ...
Reps: gay, bisexual, lesbian
The darkest part of the forest
Black, Holly.
Paper Book
A girl makes a secret sacrifice to the faerie king in this lush New York Times bestselling fantasy by author Holly Black In the woods is a glass coffin. It rests on the ground, and in it sleeps a boy with horns on his head and ears as pointed as knives.... ...

Reps: gay

The long way to a small angry planet
Chambers, Becky
Paper Book
LONGLISTED FOR THE BAILEY'S WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION 'A quietly profound, humane tour de force' Guardian The beloved debut novel that will restore your faith in humanity #SmallAngryPlanet

Reps: lesbian, gay, bisexual, diverse genders

I wish you all the best
Deaver, Mason
Paper Book
Perfect for fans of Adam Silvera and Becky Albertalli, Mason Deaver's stunning debut will rip your heart out before showing you how to heal from tragedy and celebrate life in the process."Heartfelt, romantic, and quietly groundbreaking. This book will save lives." -- Becky Albertalli,...

Reps: nonbinary

Pet
Emezi, Akwaeke
Paper Book
NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALIST * STONEWALL BOOK AWARD WINNER * ONE OF TIME MAGAZINE'S 100 BEST YA BOOKS OF ALL TIME NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR by The New York Times * Time * Buzzfeed * NPR * New York Public Library * Publishers...

Reps: trans

Symptoms of being human
Garvin, Jeff
Paper Book
Starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Booklist * YALSA Top Ten Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers * ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults List * 2017 Rainbow A sharply honest and moving debut perfect for fans of The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Ask the Passengers. ...

Reps: genderfluid

Picture us in the light
Gilbert, Kelly Loy
Paper Book
Danny Cheng has always known his parents have secrets. But when he discovers a taped-up box in his father's closet filled with old letters and a file on a powerful Silicon Valley family, he realises there's much more to his family's past than he ever imagined. As Danny digs deeper, he uncovers a...
Reps: gay
That inevitable Victorian thing
Johnston, E. K
Paper Book
Speculative fiction from the acclaimed bestselling author of Exit, Pursued by a Bear and Star Wars- Ahsoka. Victoria-Margaret is the crown princess of the empire, a direct descendent of Victoria I, the queen who changed the course of history. The imperial tradition...

Reps: intersex, bisexual

Magical boy : a graphic novel. Volume 1
Kao Studios
Paper Book
A breathtakingly imaginative fantasy series starring Max--a high schooler chosen to become the next "Magical Girl." There's just one catch . . . he's a trans boy!Although he was assigned female at birth, Max is your average trans man trying to get through high school as himself. But on top of...

Reps: trans

Girls like girls : a novel
Kiyoko, Hayley
Paper Book
*INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER* Trailblazing pop star, actor and director, Hayley Kiyoko debuts her first novel, a coming-of-age romance based on her breakthrough hit song and viral video, GIRLS LIKE GIRLS. It's summertime and 17-year-old Coley has...

reps: lesbian

The Extraordinaries
Klune, TJ
Paper Book
An Indie Bestseller! An Indie Next Pick! A Gold Nautilus Book Award Winner! Some people are extraordinary. Some are just extra. New York Times bestselling author TJ Klune's YA debut, The Extraordinaries, is a queer coming-of-age story about...

Reps: gay, bisexual, lesbian

Last night at the Telegraph Club
Lo, Malinda
Paper Book
Winner of the National Book Award A New York Times Bestseller "The queer romance we've been waiting for."--Ms. Magazine Seventeen-year-old Lily Hu can't remember exactly when the feeling took root--that desire to look, to move closer, to touch....

Reps: lesbian

Every heart a doorway
McGuire, Seanan
Paper Book
Winner of the Hugo Award, Hugo Award for Best Series, Alex Award, Locus Award, and Nebula Award Nominated for the World Fantasy Award, British Fantasy Award, and Tiptree Honor List "A mini-masterpiece of portal fantasy -- a jewel of...

Reps: asexual, bisexual, gay, lesbian, trans

I kissed Shara Wheeler : a novel
McQuiston, Casey
Paper Book
*INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER* *INSTANT #1 INDIE BESTSELLER* *INSTANT USA TODAY BESTSELLER* From the New York Times bestselling author of One Last Stop and Red, White & Royal Blue comes a romantic comedy about chasing down what you...

Reps: bisexual, lesbian, nonbinary

Red, white & royal blue
McQuiston, Casey
Paper Book
* Instant NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY bestseller * * GOODREADS CHOICE AWARD WINNER for BEST DEBUT and BEST ROMANCE of 2019 * * BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR* for VOGUE, NPR, VANITY FAIR, and more! * What happens when America's First Son falls in love with the...

Reps: gay

Heartstopper. Volume 1
Oseman, Alice
Paper Book
Boy meets boy. Boys become friends. Boys fall in love. A sweet and charming coming-of-age story that explores friendship, love, and coming out. This edition features beautiful two-color artwork. Now streaming on Netflix! Shy and softhearted Charlie Spring sits next to...

Reps: gay, bisexual, lesbian, trans, demisexual, asexual

Carry on : the rise and fall of Simon Snow
Rowell, Rainbow.
Paper Book
Rainbow Rowell's #1 New York Times bestseller Carry On, now available in this special bookshelf edition with a brand new case stamp and designed endpapers! Simon Snow is the worst Chosen One who's ever been chosen. That's what his roommate, Baz, says...

Reps: gay

Lumberjanes [1] : beware the kitten holy
Stevenson, ND
Paper Book
Friendship to the max! Jo, April, Mal, Molly and Ripley are five best pals determined to have an awesome summer together...and they're not gonna let any insane quest or an array of supernatural critters get in their way! Not only is it the second title launching in our new BOOM! Box imprint but...

Reps: lesbian, trans, nonbinary


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