Celebrating Diversity: Top LGBTQ+ Books for Young Adults
Pride Month is here, and at Books2Door, we couldn't be more excited! We're bouncing off the walls with joy to share our fantastic collection of LGBTQ+ books for young adults with you, our fabulous community. We know you're just as pumped to dive in and celebrate Pride as best as possible. But hey, we totally get it – sometimes, the excitement can leave you wondering where to start. No worries, we've got you covered! So, everybody, get ready to explore some fantastic reads that celebrate diversity and love. Let the Pride festivities begin!
What makes young adults fall in love with books? It's the stories that celebrate differences, focus on diversity, and normalise things we wish to see every day. Books that embrace allyship and explore queer power captivate young readers. Discover these compelling themes in the books we recommend with love from Books 2 Door.
To begin with, consider Heartstopper by Alice Oseman: Volumes 1-5 Collection Set. True to its name, this series is indeed a heartstopper. Perfect for binge-reading, you will fall in love with Nick and Charlie. The contemporary narrative and rich diversity will capture your heart, making it an impeccable choice for Pride celebrations!
We guarantee that this is not just a one-time read. It gets better each time, and you'll fall more in love with the characters with every reread. It's a delightful queer book that makes hearts flutter with happiness. The vibe is cute and heartwarming, something you'll want to keep close to forever. Plus, the illustrations, adapted from webcomics, beautifully enhance the flowy narrative. We think it's cute and wholesome, and we're sure you will too!
Next up, Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston: 3 Books Collection Set. Yes, yes, the fan favourite! Red, White & Royal Blue is the first book in this set, and maybe it should be your first read, too! It's a delightful story about America's first son and the Prince of Wales falling in love. We couldn't get enough of these two cuties, especially when the film came out! This book is gay personified. But guess what? It gets even better! We have two more gems in this collection, and you'll fall head over heels for these recommendations, making it easier for you to sit and binge!
For our cute lesbians, we've got you covered, too! Dive into One Last Stop. Do you think love stories in New York City are unreal? Let August prove you wrong. Walk with August as she falls for the gorgeous girl on the train, Jane. You'll adore this descriptive narrative and start believing in love, after all, just like Jane and August. We ship this cute couple, and you will, too!
Finally, I Kissed Shara Wheeler. The perfect blend of McQuiston's signature humour and young romance makes this a great way to finish the collection. The plot is dedicated to the queer in you, with characters you'll probably crush on (we did). We all love a good rivals-to-lovers plot, right? If slow-burn queer romance is your thing, this is for you. Follow along as Shara kisses Chloe and vanishes. The journey begins there but travels through parties, break-ins, puzzles, and secrets revealed on monogrammed stationery.
This collection is about breaking the rules, getting messy, and finding love in unexpected places. Isn't that what growing up queer is all about?
Next up is a beautiful book from our favourite Simonverse! Love, Simon fans, assemble! If you don't know yet, Love, Simon is the movie adaptation of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda. We're sure you remember the iconic character Leah from it, right? Of course, you do! Leah is on the beat when it comes to drumming, but gosh, when it comes to life, she is a little off-beat indeed. Leah has a supportive mom but hasn't told her friends about her bisexual orientation, not even her openly gay BFF! Follow along to see what happens when she comes out to her friends. Laugh along as she says things like, "I might actually like my body." I mean, YES, girl!!! Also, you'll enjoy the references to Harry Potter. Just one question: We love her, but also, what, even Leah? Such a complicated character!
We were ready to jump to The Upside of Unrequited the minute we finished this. TBH, one of us even started romanticising heartbreak at this point; not saying who for obvious reasons, but OMG, how does Becky Albertalli do this? How can you not fall in love with "A perfect alignment of feelings and circumstances. It's almost unfathomable that it happens as often as it does." Sad but cute vibes to this!
You didn't think we would ditch Alice Oseman, did you? They're obviously one of our favourites, so they make another (major) appearance on this list! You've had enough time to take in Heartstopper's cute bits; now dive into the Alice Oseman Collection 6 Books Set. This set is perfect for Heartstopper fans, as Nick and Charlie make cameos! Enjoy the characters Tori, Charlie, and Oliver, the three Spring siblings, in This Winter.
Now it's time for Nick and Charlie fans to shine! "Two idiots in love. Couple goals." Navigate life with these adorable lovers, who have been together for two years now, as they face the inevitable and sad goodbye. First, love is hard to stick with, but it's Nick and Charlie, for heaven's sake! Have fun with this novel. Brb crying!
We're back, but there will be a little more crying as we move on to the next book in the collection, Radio Silence. Witness the beauty of Alice's narrative as it authentically portrays teenagers, academic pressure, fandom, and friendships.
Speaking of representation, this collection is perfect, especially with the asexual coming-out story set at Durham University in Loveless. Join Georgia and experience her vulnerable life as she lets you in. Moving on to the second last of this collection, we have I Was Born for This. Discover the beauty of reality; fall in love with the characters and worry about them throughout!
Finally, we have Solitaire. Oh, and in case you're wondering, this is not a love story! Walk along with the protagonist battling undiagnosed depression with self-deprecating jokes and learning to find joy in the world. Fall in love with Alice's debut novel and understand their process!
Now that you have a fantastic range of books to celebrate this month, dive in and enjoy! We're on the edge of our seats, eager to grab these collections, a cookie, and get started. Let's immerse ourselves in these beautiful queer stories, share our thoughts, and keep the conversation going. Happy Pride!