delicate eternity logo
A haven for lovers of the written word
separate post

thoughts

Books for Thought is where I post a discussion topic related to books, reading, writing, or something pertaining to one of the three. I hope you’ll join in, and discuss today’s topic of

favourite lgbtqia+ novels

I have been quite forthcoming with my posts on LGBTQIA+ novels as of late (see: i, ii, iii, iv, v), but since it’s Pride Month I thought I’d honour you all with yet another one *sunglasses emoji* This time, I wanted to focus on some of my favourite #ownvoices LGBTQIA+ titles. If you haven’t heard of #ownvoices before, it means that the/a POV character in the book shares an identity (marginalised/minority) with the author. So, here are some of my favourite #ownvoices LGBTQIA+ books, and I hope you find some titles to read so you can celebrate Pride Month!

Peter Darling by Austin Chant

Everything about this book just makes me happy? The cover, the title, and most importantly the inside. I think reading this book will confirm to anyone that trans stories written by trans writers need to be published more often. Forget the cis hot takes on trans characters. Give the opportunity of writing trans characters to trans writers. Because that’s the way it should be.

And if you need more convincing to read this book then let me say that the ship is delightful.

The Realm of Possibility by David Levithan (review)

This is my favourite David Levithan book. I read this book in one sitting, and then hugged it to my chest afterwards. It’s told in an incredibly unique format, and the relationships between the characters were just gorgeous. Like, I can’t recommend this book enough because it’s really beautiful, and has stuck with me ever since I read it.

Huntress by Malinda Lo

I REALLY LOVE THIS BOOK, OKAY? I don’t know why more people aren’t reading it? High fantasy with a POC protagonist who is also a woman loving woman? And the romance is lovely? And it’s an #ownvoices book? Come on, people! Read this book, please.

Gena/Finn by Hannah Moskowitz and Kat Helgeson (review)

Oh, the feels in this book are real. Honestly. It was an emotional rollercoaster of, well, emotions. There were adorable highs, and crash-burning lows. And through it all there was fandom and friendship. I absolutely adored the fact that Gena/Finn focussed on how important relationships made over the internet can be, and how much fandom can mean to you.

A Conjuring of Light by V.E. Schwab

Okay, so I should actually have put the first book here, but Rhy (our bisexual prince) doesn’t have any POV chapters in that book, and A Conjuring of Light is my favourite of the whole trilogy. This series is so darn MAGICAL. And I absolutely loved it. The hype is deserved (for once). If you like magic, fantasy, incredible world building, characters you’ll fall head over heels for, and ships you can set sail then the Shades of Magic books are 100% up your alley.

History Is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera (review)

Don’t touch me.

I could just leave it at that, really. And perhaps it might entice you to read this freaking incredibly heartbreaking yet beautiful book. There is so much to love about History. But most of all is how very real the characters felt. How much Theo’s pain becomes your pain, and how much you want to grab him and hug him and help him through everything. History is hands down one of my favourite books of 2017 so far, and I urge you to read it ASAP.

What about you? What are some #ownvoices LGBTQIA+ books you’ve read and loved? Are you going to add any of these to your TBR? Are you reading LGBTQIA+ books for Pride Month?sig-chiara

Tagged with: /
separate post
Posted on: June 6, 2017 • By: Chiara

12 Responses to Some Fave #ownvoices LGBTQIA+ Books

  1. Ahh!! Yes & yes & yes for #OwnVoices recommendations – it’s been so delightful watching the hashtag pick up speed on Twitter & seeking out / supporting beautiful books written by marginalised authors.

    I have a few slightly tangentially related recommendations of LGBT+ books that I think you might be interested in, dear Chiara. I’ve found that sometimes the experiences of LGBT+ individuals are most beautifully explored through poetry – I’m thinking books like Ocean Vuong’s Night Sky With Exit Wounds, Danez Smith’s [Insert]Boy, Darshana Suresh’s Fleur, Lydia Eileen’s Heda, Richard Siken’s Crush, & a great many more that I will not overwhelm you with at this very moment. ;) They’re a different style than novels with LGBT+ characters, of course, but still so beautiful & raw & true. I could not recommend them enough. <3

    • Chiara says:

      I love the hashtag so much because supporting authors who are writing of their own identities is something that should be celebrated!

      I really need to read more poetry, especially queer poetry, so I cannot thank you enough for these recommendations, my love! I will let you know what I think ASAP <3

  2. HISTORY IS ALL YOU LEFT ME IS AMAZE OMG! I also really want to read More Happy Than Not!

  3. Oh, I totally agree with you on Peter Darling and History is All You Left Me. I really did like Gena/Finn too. I need to read the rest of the Shades of Magic series – I loved the first one!

  4. Kayla says:

    The only one of these I’ve read is Gena/Finn and that was WONDERFUL, so obviously I have to get around to reading the rest of the list!

  5. I’m really digging that you decided to place a focus on #OwnVoices reads – I think supporting books by and about authors from marginalized groups is so important. I really enjoyed History Is All You Left Me, though I preferred More Happy Than Not a little bit more! Adam Silvera is such a talented writer. I also really want to get to Peter Darling; I don’t think I’ve heard a single negative thing!

    (Psst, I love your blog, it’s so beautiful and aesthetic!)

    • Chiara says:

      I totally agree with you! Sharing #ownvoices books is something I’m really passionate about ^.^ I haven’t actually read More Happy yet! I think it will break me, though, because I finished They Both Die at the End last night and I am Emotional. Oh, I hope you like Peter Darling when you read it, Aimal!

      (Thank you so much <3)

  6. Aah, all the wonderful books! I adore Huntress and ACOL, though I agree I haven’t really seen people talk about Huntress. I’ve really enjoyed everything I’ve read by Malinda Lo, though! Peter Darling & History is All You Left Me are both on my TBR, and I hope to be reading them soon. *nods* Thanks so much for the recs :)

    • Chiara says:

      Right? And YES – I will never stop talking about Huntress because I want more people to fall in love with it! The only other Lo book I have read is Ash, which wasn’t a good fit for me :(

      Yay! I hope you like them as much as I did, Eve :D No problem <3

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *