Fantastic LGBTQ+ Books That Leave Me Wanting More

This month is Pride Month, which I figure means I should do at least one listicle post about all the wonderful LGBTQ+ books I’ve read (and some still on my TBR). Because phew, there are a lot of great LGBTQ+ books that deserve some love.

One of my bookish goals last year was to read more diverse books, which included LGBTQ+ books. Boy am I glad I made that decision, because let me tell you, I have read some of the best books thanks to intentionally seeking them out. Which means obviously I’m going to share them with you. That’s how this works here, okay? Then you add them to your TBR, whether you read them or not, and your friends see it and add them to theirs, and eventually the books rise up and destroy us all. Not sure why Hollywood hasn’t caught onto that one yet, but rest assured, it’s happening.

This week’s Top Ten Tuesday is books I loved that make me want more books like them. I’m just giving this prompt a bit of a Pride twist!

Okay, that’s kind of a lie. Technically, if you want to get all picky about it, this week’s TTT is books on my summer TBR. But you know what? Dates are hard, okay? How am I supposed to know what day or week or month it is? So last week I accidentally posted Upcoming 2021 Releases On My Summer Possibility Pile, which covered this week’s prompt. So I’m just . . . swapping prompts around. Gotta keep y’all on your toes, right?

The books on this list are sort of special, because I loved them so much that I just wanted more, darn it. So I’ve decided to pair some books I loved with some similar books I still have on my TBR thanks to them. The best of both worlds, right? Plus, who doesn’t want more LGBTQ+ recommendations? The more, the merrier!

The House in the Cerulean Sea

Goodreads || My Review

A magical island. A dangerous task. A burning secret.

Linus Baker leads a quiet, solitary life. At forty, he lives in a tiny house with a devious cat and his old records. As a Case Worker at the Department in Charge Of Magical Youth, he spends his days overseeing the well-being of children in government-sanctioned orphanages.

When Linus is unexpectedly summoned by Extremely Upper Management he’s given a curious and highly classified assignment: travel to Marsyas Island Orphanage, where six dangerous children reside: a gnome, a sprite, a wyvern, an unidentifiable green blob, a were-Pomeranian, and the Antichrist. Linus must set aside his fears and determine whether or not they’re likely to bring about the end of days.

But the children aren’t the only secret the island keeps. Their caretaker is the charming and enigmatic Arthur Parnassus, who will do anything to keep his wards safe. As Arthur and Linus grow closer, long-held secrets are exposed, and Linus must make a choice: destroy a home or watch the world burn.

An enchanting story, masterfully told, The House in the Cerulean Sea is about the profound experience of discovering an unlikely family in an unexpected place—and realizing that family is yours.

Reasons to read:

• Super sweet romance between two cinnamon rolls.
• Set in an interesting, magical fantasy world.
• Leaves the reader with a lot to think about.
• Hufflepuffiest of all Hufflepuff romances.
• Lots of little moments that’ll make you laugh.

Want more? Give these a try:

       

In Deeper Waters

Goodreads || My Review

A young prince must rely on a mysterious stranger to save him when he is kidnapped during his coming-of-age tour in this swoony adventure that is The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue meets Pirates of the Caribbean.

Prince Tal has long awaited his coming-of-age tour. After spending most of his life cloistered behind palace walls as he learns to keep his forbidden magic secret, he can finally see his family’s kingdom for the first time. His first taste of adventure comes just two days into the journey, when their crew discovers a mysterious prisoner on a burning derelict vessel.

Tasked with watching over the prisoner, Tal is surprised to feel an intense connection with the roguish Athlen. So when Athlen leaps overboard and disappears, Tal feels responsible and heartbroken, knowing Athlen could not have survived in the open ocean.

That is, until Tal runs into Athlen days later on dry land, very much alive, and as charming—and secretive—as ever. But before they can pursue anything further, Tal is kidnapped by pirates and held ransom in a plot to reveal his rumored powers and instigate a war. Tal must escape if he hopes to save his family and the kingdom. And Athlen might just be his only hope…

Reasons to read:

• Queer fairy tale that twists common fairy tale tropes.
• Super sweet romance between cinnamon rolls.
• Set in an interesting, magical (but dangerous) world.
• Utterly perfect sibling bonds and interactions.

Want more? Give these a try:

       

The Ruthless Lady’s Guide to Wizardry

Goodreads || My Review

A charming historical fantasy with a tender love story at its core, from the author of Unnatural Magic.

Hard-drinking petty thief Dellaria Wells is down on her luck in the city of Leiscourt—again. Then she sees a want ad for a female bodyguard, and she fast-talks her way into the high-paying job. Along with a team of other women, she’s meant to protect a rich young lady from mysterious assassins.

At first Delly thinks the danger is exaggerated, but a series of attacks shows there’s much to fear. Then she begins to fall for Winn, one of the other bodyguards, and the women team up against a mysterious, magical foe who seems to have allies everywhere.

Reasons to read:

• Historical fiction with a queer twist.
• Will they/won’t they sort of romance.
• A magical mystery that needs to be solved.
• Sarcastic narrator . . . and characters. Just sarcasm galore.
• Lots of action and fun plot twists.

Want more? Give these a try:

           

The Extraordinaries

Goodreads || My Review

Some people are extraordinary. Some are just extra. TJ Klune’s YA debut, The Extraordinaries, is a queer coming-of-age story about a fanboy with ADHD and the heroes he loves.

Nick Bell? Not extraordinary. But being the most popular fanfiction writer in the Extraordinaries fandom is a superpower, right?

After a chance encounter with Shadow Star, Nova City’s mightiest hero (and Nick’s biggest crush), Nick sets out to make himself extraordinary. And he’ll do it with or without the reluctant help of Seth Gray, Nick’s best friend (and maybe the love of his life).

Rainbow Rowell’s Fangirl meets Marissa Meyer’s Renegades in TJ Klune’s YA debut.

Reasons to read:

• Sweet romance between cinnamon rolls.
• Super relatable ADHD rep.
• Superheroes and powers and fights.
• Shout-outs for fanfiction and fanfiction authors.
• Lots of moments that’ll make you laugh.

Want more? Give these a try:

       

Gideon the Ninth

Goodreads || My Review

The Emperor needs necromancers.

The Ninth Necromancer needs a swordswoman.

Gideon has a sword, some dirty magazines, and no more time for undead bullshit.

Brought up by unfriendly, ossifying nuns, ancient retainers, and countless skeletons, Gideon is ready to abandon a life of servitude and an afterlife as a reanimated corpse. She packs up her sword, her shoes, and her dirty magazines, and prepares to launch her daring escape. But her childhood nemesis won’t set her free without a service.

Harrowhark Nonagesimus, Reverend Daughter of the Ninth House and bone witch extraordinaire, has been summoned into action. The Emperor has invited the heirs to each of his loyal Houses to a deadly trial of wits and skill. If Harrowhark succeeds she will become an immortal, all-powerful servant of the Resurrection, but no necromancer can ascend without their cavalier. Without Gideon’s sword, Harrow will fail, and the Ninth House will die.

Of course, some things are better left dead.

Reasons to read:

• Sarcastic protagonist.
• Lesbian necromancers in space.
• Space opera turned murder mystery.
• Did I say necromancers yet?!
• Plot twists galore.
• An antihero protagonist that is easy to root for.

Want more? Give these a try:

       

The Tea Dragon Society

Goodreads

From the award-winning author of Princess Princess Ever After comes The Tea Dragon Society, a charming all-ages book that follows the story of Greta, a blacksmith apprentice, and the people she meets as she becomes entwined in the enchanting world of tea dragons.

After discovering a lost tea dragon in the marketplace, Greta learns about the dying art form of tea dragon care-taking from the kind tea shop owners, Hesekiel and Erik. As she befriends them and their shy ward, Minette, Greta sees how the craft enriches their lives—and eventually her own.

Reasons to read:

• Graphic novel with the cutest illustrations.
• Tea. Dragons. Enough said?
• Super sweet found family story.
• Really cute romance.
• Characters with unique and deep backstories.
• Very uplifting, happy story.

Want more? Give these a try:

       

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

Goodreads

A lyrical novel about family and friendship from critically acclaimed author Benjamin Alire Sáenz.

Aristotle is an angry teen with a brother in prison. Dante is a know-it-all who has an unusual way of looking at the world. When the two meet at the swimming pool, they seem to have nothing in common. But as the loners start spending time together, they discover that they share a special friendship–the kind that changes lives and lasts a lifetime. And it is through this friendship that Ari and Dante will learn the most important truths about themselves and the kind of people they want to be.

Reasons to read:

• Tense, dramatic will they/won’t they relationship.
• Lots of soul-searching and coming out.
• Super cute parent/child interactions.
• Large, searching questions that give the reader a lot to think about.
• Slow burn, character-driven romance.

Want more? Give these a try:

           

The House of Always

Goodreads || My Review

What if you were imprisoned for all eternity?

In the aftermath of the Ritual of Night, everything has changed.

The Eight Immortals have catastrophically failed to stop Kihrin’s enemies, who are moving forward with their plans to free Vol Karoth, the King of Demons. Kihrin has his own ideas about how to fight back, but even if he’s willing to sacrifice everything for victory, the cost may prove too high for his allies.

Now they face a choice: can they save the world while saving Kihrin, too? Or will they be forced to watch as he becomes the very evil they have all sworn to destroy.

Reasons to read:

• Epic fantasy set in a dark, mysterious world.
• Queer romances and gender fluid characters.
• All the backstabbing, betrayal, and plot twists.
• Sarcastic characters.
• A cast full of antiheroes and gray characters.
• Enemies forced to work together.

Want more? Give these a try:

       

White Trash Warlock

Goodreads || My Review

Guthrie was a good place to be from, but it wasn’t a great place to live, not when you were like Adam, in all the ways Adam was like Adam.

Adam Binder hasn’t spoken to his brother in years, not since Bobby had him committed to a psych ward for hearing voices. When a murderous spirit possesses Bobby’s wife and disrupts the perfect life he’s built away from Oklahoma, he’s forced to ask for his little brother’s help. Adam is happy to escape the trailer park and get the chance to say I told you so, but he arrives in Denver to find the local magicians dead.

It isn’t long before Adam is the spirit’s next target. To survive the confrontation, he’ll have to risk bargaining with powers he’d rather avoid, including his first love, the elf who broke his heart.

The Binder brothers don’t realize that they’re unwitting pawns in a game played by immortals. Death herself wants the spirit’s head, and she’s willing to destroy their family to reap it.

Reasons to read:

• Supernatural with a more realistic, queer twist.
• A dark urban fantasy world overlaid on the real one.
• Supernatural/paranormal events that’ll give you the creeps.
• An accurate portrayal of poverty and the lasting effect it can have on a person.
• Super sweet M/M romance … even a baby M/M love triangle.

Want more? Give these a try:

           

Raybearer

Goodreads || My Review

Nothing is more important than loyalty. But what if you’ve sworn to protect the one you were born to destroy?

Tarisai has always longed for the warmth of a family. She was raised in isolation by a mysterious, often absent mother known only as The Lady. The Lady sends her to the capital of the global empire of Aritsar to compete with other children to be chosen as one of the Crown Prince’s Council of 11. If she’s picked, she’ll be joined with the other Council members through the Ray, a bond deeper than blood. That closeness is irresistible to Tarisai, who has always wanted to belong somewhere. But The Lady has other ideas, including a magical wish that Tarisai is compelled to obey: Kill the Crown Prince once she gains his trust. Tarisai won’t stand by and become someone’s pawn—but is she strong enough to choose a different path for herself?

Reasons to read:

• West African inspired world.
• Lots of lovely, platonic found family relationships.
• Asexual rep.
• A dark story filled with endless hope and light.
• A struggle to overcome one’s “destiny” and choose their own future.
• Rich, beautiful worldbuilding.

Want more? Give these a try:

       

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