Six Books With LGBTQIA+ Characters That You Should Add to Your TBR

 Greetings, friends! So, June is Pride Month, and yet I haven't done any posts on it yet. I have one that's about writing LGBTQIA+ characters well, but that's sort of long and involved, so I'm starting with this. 

This isn't really in any specific order, and they vary in genre quite a bit, so some books may appeal to you, and some might not. OK, onto the actual post.

Disclaimer: All summaries are taken from Goodreads. 

#1: These Witches Don't Burn by Isabel Sterling

Summary: Hannah's a witch, but not the kind you're thinking of. She's the real deal, an Elemental with the power to control fire, earth, water, and air. But even though she lives in Salem, Massachusetts, her magic is a secret she has to keep to herself. If she's ever caught using it in front of a Reg [read: non-witch], she could lose it. For good. So, Hannah spends most of her time avoiding her ex-girlfriend [and fellow Elemental Witch], Veronica, hanging out with her best friend, and working at the Fly by Night Cauldron selling candles and crystals to tourists, goths, and local Wiccans. 

But dealing with her ex is the least of Hannah's concerns when a terrifying blood ritual interrupts the end-of-school-year bonfire. Evidence of dark magic begins to appear all over Salem, and Hannah's sure it's the work of a deadly Blood Witch. The issue is, her coven is less than convinced, forcing Hannah to team up with the person she least wants to see: Veronica. 

While the pair attempts to smoke out the Blood Witch, Hannah meets Morgan, a cute new ballerina in town. But trying to date amid a supernatural crisis is easier said than done, and Hannah will have to test the limits of her power if she's going to save her coven and get the girl, especially when the attacks on Salem's witches become deadlier by the day. 

Basically, if you want to read a book about gay witches, I highly recommend this. 

Not really related to the book, but I felt like there needed to be a GIF break, and I blame these two for my high expectations for fictional gay witches.

The way Isabel Sterling wrote the magic system is really cool, and the characters are all complex and well-developed. Hannah is very likable, and she's very sweet, but also very fierce, and Isabel Sterling did a great job writing her emotions. This book will definitely keep you on your toes, and there are several plot twists that I didn't see coming. The romance is good, too. Not OTP level, but I still liked it.

I also loved how this book was set in Salem [which had the potential to be cliche, but wasn't], and how there were fantasy elements in a contemporary world.

My main issue with this book is that there's something that happens in the past that's very important that I don't think was touched on as much as I would've liked.

Another thing that you should be aware of is that this book is quite a bit....darker than the cover makes it seem. There's animal sacrifice, the death of a main character, a car crash, and some other violence. Just a warning here. 

Still! Gay witches. I repeat, gay witches.

#2: The Girls I've Been By Tess Sharpe

Summary: Nora O'Malley's been a lot of girls. As the daughter of a con artist, who targets criminal men, she grew up as her mother's protege. But when her mom fell for the mark instead of conning him, Nora pulled the ultimate con: escape.

For five years, Nora's been playing at normal. But she needs to dust off the skills she ditched because she has three problems:

#1: Her ex walked in on her with her girlfriend. Even though they're all friends, Wes didn't know about her and Iris. 

#2: The morning after Wes finds them kissing, they all have to meet to deposit the fundraiser money they raised at the bank. It's a nightmare that goes from awkward to deadly because:

#3: Right after they enter the bank, two guys start robbing it.

The bank robbers may be trouble, but Nora's something else entirely. They have no idea who they're really holding hostage. 

Who doesn't love a good thriller with a con artist as a main character? This book is another that's really, really hard to put down because it's just so interesting. Nora is fascinating, and an amazing main character, but my favorite would have to be Iris. She's soft and sweet, yet she has this strength that you wouldn't expect of her. Also, she has great taste in clothes. 

I love all the flashbacks in this. It's really hard to do flashbacks well, but I think Tess Sharpe succeeded in writing them well here. 

#3: The Last Summer of the Garrett Girls by Jessica Spotswood

Summary: One summer will change everything the Garrett sisters thought they knew about themselves-and each other. 

Kat lands the lead in the community theater's summer play, but the drama spills offstage when her ex and his new girlfriend are cast, too. Can she get revenge by staging a new romance of  her own?

Bea and her boyfriend are heading off to college together in the fall, just like they planned when they started dating. But Bea isn't sure she wants the same thing as when she was thirteen....

Vi has a crush on the girl next door. It makes her happy and nervous, but Cece has a boyfriend, so it's not like her feelings could ever be reciprocated, right?

As the oldest, Des shoulders a lot of responsibility for her family and their independent bookstore. Except it's hard to dream big, when she's so busy thinking about everyone else. 

Okay, look, I'm sure by now you're all tired of hearing me talk about this book, but it's one of my favorites. First of all, I love all the sister relationships in this! Also, it's just summery and fun to read, and I can always go back to it. And all of the characters are so good! Especially Vi. I think I maybe related to her the most [I mean, bookish fangirl who writes femslash? That's basically me]. They're all great, though. Also, there are so many literary and pop culture references, and I love it. It's described as a mix between Gilmore Girls and a modern Little Women, so if you like either or both of those, then you might enjoy this.

#4: Cinderella is Dead by Katlynn Bayron

Summary: It's been over 200 years since Cinderella found her prince, but the fairy tale is over. 

Sixteen-year-old Sophia would rather marry Erin, her childhood best friend, than parade in front of suitors. At the ball, Sophia makes the decision to flee, and finds herself hiding in Cinderella's mausoleum. There, she meets Constance, the last known descendant of Cinderella and her stepsisters. Together they vow to bring down the king once and for all-and in the process, they learn that there's more to Cinderella's story than they ever knew.....

So, this is one of those books that's kind of hard to read because it's a dystopia, and it was one of those books that actually made me angry while reading it, because the world Sophia was living in was so unfair in so many ways. The whole plot is just really interesting in this one. It centers around Cinderella's story, but it's done in a new and different way, which was really interesting to me. 

#5: Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda and Leah on the Offbeat by Becky Abertali

Summary for Simon Vs.: Sixteen-year-old and not-so-openly gay Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for the school musical. But when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight. Now Simon is actually being blackmailed: if he doesn't play wingman for class clown, Martin, his sexual identity will become everyone's business. Worse, the privacy of Blue, the pen name of the boy he's been emailing, will be compromised. 

With some messy dynamics emerging in his once tight-knit group of friends, and his email correspondence with Blue is growing more flirtatious every day, Simon's junior year has gotten all kinds of complicated. Now change-averse Simon has to find a way to step out of his comfort zone before he's pushed out--without alienating his friends, compromising himself, or fumbling a shot at happiness with the most confusing, adorable guy he's never met.

This book is pretty well-known, so some of you might have read it already, but it's really good, and I think it's worth the hype. Simon is both relatable and likable, and I enjoyed reading his story. Also, I love his friend group! And Simon's family! They're all so great. A little weird, but supportive, and definitely good parents, and I love them. Also, I love the mystery of finding out who Blue was. Also, Simon's a Harry Potter fan! 

Summary for Leah on the Offbeat: When it comes to drumming, Leah Burke is usually on beat-but real life isn't always so rhythmatic. An anomaly of her friend group, she's the only child of a young, single mom, and her life is decidedly less privileged. She loves to draw, but is too self-conscious to show it. And even though her mom knows she's bisexual, she hasn't mustered the courage to tell anyone-not even her openly gay best friend, Simon. 

So Leah really doesn't know what to do when her rock-solid friend group starts to fracture in unexpected ways. With prom and college on the horizon, tensions are running high. It's hard for Leah to strike the right note while the people she loves are fighting-especially when she realizes she might love one of them more than she ever intended.

This is sort of a sequel to Simon Vs, from Leah's [one Simon's friends] point of view. I honestly really like her as a narrator. She's sarcastic and fun, and I love her a lot, though there are a few places in the book where I got really frustrated with her. I also really liked her mom, and, again, I love her and Simon's friend group. And, also, she's a fangirl, and she ships multiple fictional couples, which is really fun to read about.

#6: The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue and The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzi Lee

Summary for The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue: Henry 'Monty' Montague was born and bred to be a gentleman, but he was never one to be tamed. The finest boarding schools in England and the constant disapproval of his father haven't been able to curb any of his roguish passions-not for gambling halls, late nights spent with a bottle of spirits, or waking up in the arms of a women or men.

But as Monty embarks on his Grand Tour of Europe, his quest for a life filled with pleasure and vice is in danger of coming to an end. Not only does his father expect him to take over the family's estate upon his return, but Monty is also nursing an impossible crush on his best friend and traveling companion, Percy.

Still, it isn't in Monty's nature to give up. Even with his younger sister, Felicity, in tow, he vows to make this yearlong escapade one last hedonistic hurrah and flirt with Percy from Paris to Rome. But when one of Monty's reckless decisions turns their trip abroad into a harrowing manhunt that spans across Europe, it calls into question everything he knows, including his relationship with the boy he adores.

Summary for The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Pirates: A year after an accidentally whirlwind grand tour with her brother Monty, Felicity Montague has returned to England with two goals in mind-avoid the marriage proposal of a lovestruck suitor from Edinburgh and enroll in medical school. However, her intellect and passion will never be seen as enough in the eyes of the administrators, who see men as the sole guardians of science. 

But then a window of opportunity opens-a doctor she idolizes is marrying an old friend of hers in Germany. Felicity believes if she could meet this man he could change her future, but she has no money of her own to make the trip. Luckily, a mysterious young woman is willing to pay Felicity's way, so long as she's able to travel with Felicity, disguised as her maid. 

In spite of her suspicions, Felicity agrees, but once the girl's true motives are revealed, Felicity becomes part of a perilous quest that leads them from the German countryside to the promenades of Zurich to the secrets lurking beneath the Atlantic.

Both of these books are absolutely fantastic! Monty and Felicity are both fantastic main characters, and some great examples of representation [Monty is bisexual, and Felicity is asexual/aromantic]. Also, the story in each story is so fascinating, and I love the supporting cast in both books. The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue is the first one in the series, but you could read The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy first if you want. 

So, those are six book recommendations with LGBTQIA+ characters. There are many more that I've read and liked, so these are just a few. If you want more recs, feel free to ask. 

So, let's chat. Have you read any of these? Do you want to? What are some of your favorite books with LGBTQIA+ representation?