Representation matters when it comes to media and books are no different, which is why we’re highlighting the best queer books each month.
Being able to see yourself in books as you grow up helps you to figure yourself out and find the words to describe your experience. This is why LGBTQ+ young adult books are so important – especially in the current political climate.
With this in mind, for PinkNews’ April Book Club, we’re highlighting some great YA queer reads that we’ve enjoyed and that provide a great range of LGBTQ+ representation for teen readers – and adults too!
The Blonde Dies First – Joelle Wellington
Perfect for fans of teen horror movies, The Blonde Dies First is a fast-paced and trope-savvy supernatural slasher that is hard to put down. A group of teens face a demonic force that seems to be hunting them down in order according to horror movie rules.
The group needs to find a way to defeat the demon while dealing with changing dynamics, sibling issues and romantic feelings. All while trying to stay alive.
The Blonde Dies First handles the horror movie elements incredibly well, but also shows the queer teens of the group existing in an accepting environment without their identities being a big deal – even if some of their friends want a couple of them to just get together already.
Buy From Amazon
Buy From BookShop.uk
The Rebel’s Guide To Pride – Matthew Hubbard
With Pride events being targeted by the mayor, wannabe-bad-boy Zeke starts hosting “Pride Speakeasies” to bring the town’s queer community together. The Rebel’s Guide To Pride is a coming-of-age story that’s full of lively characters and queer joy.
With a focus on rebellion, self-discovery and community, this is a book that really reflects a lot of what is happening in the world right now and shows the importance of the LGBTQ+ community and allies coming together.
The high-energy story isn’t about being perfect, instead The Rebel’s Guide To Pride shows that you can make mistakes and have doubts while trying to figure yourself out.
Buy From Amazon
Buy From BookShop.uk
Fable For The End Of the World – Ava Reid
Combining powerful commentary on capitalism with love despite literally every obstacle you can think of, Fable For The End Of The World is a dystopian sapphic love story that is perfect for fans of The Hunger Games.
In a world where lower classes are encouraged to accumulate massive amounts of debt, a single corporation is in complete control of society. When an individual’s debt grows too great, they could be selected for the Lamb’s Gauntlet – a televised event where a sacrificial Lamb is hunted down by a trained and surgically enhanced assassin.
Following Inesa, whose mother volunteers her as a Lamb in payment for her debts, and Melinoë, the assassin tasked with taking her out, Fable For The End Of The World is a story of sacrifice, survival, love and sticking it to The Man.
Buy From Amazon
Buy From BookShop.uk
Our Infinite Fates – Laura Steven
This fantastical love story will have you hooked from page one. Evelyn and Arden have loved each other in a thousand lifetimes, but they’ve always killed each other in one – every time before they turn 18. The pair are tethered to always being born on the same day, find each other and die together, but Evelyn can’t remember why.
This time, she wants things to be different so she can stay alive long enough to be the bone marrow donor for her sister who is fighting cancer. But can she stop Arden from killing her long enough to save her sister? And can this time be different so she can actually live past the age of 17?
Our Infinite Fates provides glimpses of the couple’s many lives together, showing that the physical forms and genders they inhabit in each life don’t matter, only the way they feel for each other. This is one book you will need to have a box of tissues at the ready for.
Buy From Amazon
Buy From BookShop.uk
The Poisons We Drink – Bethany Baptiste
An urban fantasy story featuring a queer main character and non-binary rep, The Poisons We Drink is set in a world divided between humans and witches. It follows Venus as she brews illegal love potions to support her family while dealing with the painful side effects and avoiding getting arrested, all while being drawn into a mystery when her mother is killed.
Venus must deal with her grief and keep her sister out of trouble as she gets drawn into the city’s political underbelly and the risks to her safety grow. She must be careful who she trusts while trying to connect the dots to see what is truly going on.
The Poisons We Drink features compelling characters, dynamic relationships and delivers a great commentary on how power corrupts.
Let’s Split Up – Bill Wood
Another great and queer slasher-inspired book, Let’s Split Up is the dynamic first book from Bill Wood. When the ‘it-couple’ are brutally murdered in a manor at the edge of town, rumours spread that they were killed by a supernatural force. A group of friends take it upon themselves to investigate the murder while also dealing with new and changing relationships.
Using a lot of the tropes you’d expect from a slasher movie, the group of four work to uncover the truth behind the murders and the continuing violence. With tension that will keep you turning pages and great twists and turns to keep you guessing, Let’s Split Up delivers Scream and Scooby Doo vibes in a fantastic YA murder mystery.
Even better, a sequel is due to be published later this year so now is the right time to add this book to your TBR.
Buy From Amazon
Buy From BookShop.uk
Always The Almost – Edward Underhill
A trans pianist makes a New Year’s resolution to win back his ex and to win at the biggest classical piano competition in the Midwest but things don’t quite go to plan in Always The Almost.
Miles’ ex broke up with him two weeks after he came out as trans and now won’t even look at him while his piano teacher says he’s playing like “he doesn’t know who he is”. The last thing he needs is for the new boy in town to start making his stomach flutter – especially when they’re only meant to be fake dating.
Always The Almost is a coming-of-age story about discovering exactly who you are and what you want – even if it isn’t what you thought you wanted in the first place.
Buy From Amazon
Buy From BookShop.uk
Bitterthorn – Kat Dunn
An ancient curse, a sinister castle and a monstrous witch – but is everything as it seems? Bitterthorn follows Mina as she is chosen as the new companion for the mysterious witch – a job that means she’ll likely never be seen again.
While dealing with her own grief, Mina makes a home in the witch’s castle and tries to uncover the mystery of the witch herself, who seems like a lonely creature just like Mina. As her feelings for the witch grow, Mina starts to unravel the mystery of what happened to the previous companions and what this means for her life.
Bitterthorn is a beautifully atmospheric and magical tale that deals with different types of grief and love in an enthralling way that will capture the imaginations of YA and adult readers alike.
Buy From Amazon
Buy From BookShop.uk
The post PinkNews Book Club: Eight essential queer reads for April appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.