zero’s guide to really gay books
because everyone is tired of the same cishet romance
for @adorkablebarry
I’ve read quite a bit of queer fiction; some of it was bad, some of it was eh, some of it was awesome. This is mostly a list of ones that were Great, but some might only have vague summaries if I haven’t read them in a while.
Okay so my #1 fave of all time is Adaptation by Malinda Lo. There's two books in the series, I've read it like 3 times at least, and I'd read it again. It's my heart and soul.
A basic summary: Reese and David get in a crash by Area 51 and they're merged with alien DNA to save their lives. Now they're hybrids, and they've got empathy powers and shit. It's cool. Also, government conspiracies.
What's great about it: Bisexual female character as a main!! Aliens!!! Some are nonbinary aliens!!!!!! Also, there's a poly relationship in book 2!!
Fan Art – Sarah Tregay
A basic summary: Jamie is in his last year of high school and he’s fallen for his best friend. The girls in his art class are very determined to get them together.
What’s great about it: It’s really cute, and there is actual fan art haha (I need to reread this, sorry).
Girl Mans Up – M-E Girard
A basic summary: I don’t know how accurate of a summary I can give here, but it’s about a girl named Pen who doesn’t act feminine, so people think she’s trans, but she just wants to do her own thing? It’s really good so far and I’m not doing it justice with this summary.
What’s great about it: I actually just started this today, but I’m really enjoying it. It explores the concept of gender in a very interesting way, I feel like it’s gonna be really great.
Additional warnings: So far there’s been manipulative behavior as well as underage drug use.
Everything Leads to You – Lina LaCour
A basic summary: Emi is a set designer, and at an estate sale she finds a mysterious letter that leads her to Ava, the secret granddaughter of a famous actor.
What’s great about it: Beautifully written and a super cute romance!!
Symptoms of Being Human – Jeff Garvin
A basic summary: Riley is genderfluid and starts a blog about their experiences with gender, but the blog goes viral.
What’s great about it: Explains being genderfluid really well, Riley has a support group too and that’s A++
Additional warnings: Bullying, transphobia, hate crimes, I think there was a mention of suicide
I'll Give You the Sun – Jandy Nelson
A basic summary: Twins Jude and Noah are inseparable at thirteen, but after the death of their mother, they drift apart.
What’s great about it: This book is amazing. Noah tells the story of before they drifted apart, and Jude tells the present. They’re both artists, Noah is gay, this book is a gift.
Simon vs the Homosapien’s Agenda - Becky Albertalli
A basic summary: Simon is in the closet, and has been emailing this guy Blue about it. This jerkface finds the emails and tries to blackmail Simon into setting him up with Simon’s best friend, so Simon has to decide if he’s ready to come out and all that and the outing is BAD but the book is a good read.
What’s great about it: Simon and his pen pal are really gay and cute??? I didn’t do this justice with the summary sorry
h e ck this got long sorry. let me know what you think if you end up reading any!!!
