So my prompt for this challenge is to talk about my favorite, or most anticipated LGBTQIA+ YA books. Unfortunately, I haven't read too many YA books where the main character doesn't identify as cis and het. SO, this post ventures a bit beyond my usual realm and shall dive into important books in queer history (aka not YA) and my anticipated YA reads that are available to us because of the books that opened the door before them!
History
1890
A Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. What would this list be without the most famous closeted, subtext-riddled book? Dorian, can be interpreted as bisexual, and the affectionate painter as gay. It's a pretty tragic story of corruption and untimely deaths, but we would be amiss to not include Oscar Wilde on our list!1936
Nightwood by Djuna Barnes. Honestly this book isn't just about queer people, it embodies queerness. The novel is a disorientation from reality, centered around Robin Vote who is also a bisexual character, though is mostly seen with female lovers. This book is seriously a piece of work and tough to tackle, I don't think I'll ever fully understand this novel. It's been called "a masterpiece of modernism" by the Washington Post Book World, and a "lesbian classic" by Dorothy Allison.1973
Rubyfruit Jungle by Rita Mae Brown. Honestly this is my favorite book on this list. This book is about growing up a lesbian in America. It's pretty humorous, and tackles being human and her sexuality in a less serious tone than the rest of this list. Now you may be questioning this book's artistic merit- fair point. It's not quite the prose of Nightwood, however, it contains radical ideas. It shows that society values women as a necessary component to male sexuality. Women are objects for the male libido. It's 'thesis' is about having value as an individual, outside of men, which is so important.1982
Zami: A New Spelling of My Name by Audre Lorde. Audre Lorde is a technical and emotional master with a pen. An important Feminist and Civil Rights Activist, this book is an "biomythography" about herself. In my personal opinion, this is the most powerful book on this list. Audre Lorde gives us a look into her poor, lesbian, POC life in (primarily) New York. This is so multifaceted, facing a wide range of issues starting early in her childhood.2008
A Life Apart by Neel Mukherjee. A gay, illegal Indian immigrant in London, and a (presumably) cis, straight English woman in India during Partition having intertwining stories in this novel. Partition isa bit of a taboo topic that we do not hear talked about much out in the world, and this book contains so many important elements that should be talked about. They both go through a lot with culture shock and have parallel journeys of working towards self-discovery.2015
Hanayome wa Motodanshi (The Bride Was a Boy) by chii. This is in manga form and will be one of the cutest things you ever read. This manga is about a trans women and the experiences that led her to her present situation. Written by chii, about her own life, makes this a very powerful to read. chii describes meeting her husband, many of the tricky laws in Japan regarding sexuality and gender, and her experience navigating everything.Anticipated Reads!
A Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee. Bisexuals in 18th century Europe. (June 27th 2017)
Ship of the Dead by Rick Riordan. Genderfluid child of Loki. (October 3rd 2017)
Let's Talk About Love by Claire Kann. Asexual Biromantic librarian. (January 23rd 2018)
What are your most anticipated LGBTQIA+ books?
You can check out my fellow #BroodyBFF responses on Twitter!
Brooding YA Hero: Becoming a Main Character (Almost) as Awesome as Me
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