7 YA LGBT+ Novels You Should Add to Your Summer Reading List

In honor of #Pride2019, here are six LGBT+ books that you should add to your summer reading list:

1. 'I'll Give You The Sun', by Jandy Nelson

I'll Give You The Sun is a coming of age story that follows the life of Noah and his twin sister Jude. The story follows a nonlinear path where Noah’s story works up towards the day their mom dies, and Jude’s works it way back towards the same event.

This book is a landmark to young LGBT+ kids, because it shows the struggles that they face within themselves, rather than external or superficial conflicts.

While it's important to have LGBT+ literature that is about queer identity, it's important to showcase queer characters in books that don't revolve around queer identity. I'll Give You The Sun implements LGBT characters without having the entire plot surround that two of the characters are gay. The love story between Noah and Brian is just an addition to a book that has themes revolving around family, self image, guilt, and pride.

2. 'Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda', by Becky Albertalli

You might have heard about Love, Simon, a memorable LGBT+ movie that showed up on the big screens last summer... but have you read the book it's based on? Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda follows our young protagonist—Simon Spier—as he deals with internalized homophobia, first love, and the emotional growing pains that come with self-discovery.

Simon's story is important, because it shows that whether or not you grow up in a supportive household, that journey of self-acceptance is one that needs to be taken in your own time.

3. 'Brave Face', by Shaun David Hutchison

As of right now, I'm reading Hutchison's Brave Face in preparation for June. What sets apart his work from others on this list is that it's a memoir. Hutchison transparently shares his journey in accepting his queer identity, and his struggles with mental health.

In the very beginning, Hutchison emphasizes, "I wasn't depressed because I was gay. I was depressed and gay."

From the get-go, I appreciate that Hutchison has found a balance between being transparent about his struggles, and taking care of his audience. One reason why I am not particularly drawn to YA novels (at this point in my life, anyways) is because they tend to romanticize depression, and leave out resources. In contrast, Hutchison opens up the book with a content warning, and a list of resources.

Brave Face is a memoir that I wish reached me much sooner. To see another LGBT+ person rise to success and self-realization is not only encouraging, but empowering.

4. 'The Song of Achilles', by Madeline Miller

The Song of Achilles is a rewrite of the classic tale between Achilles and Patroclus. Still set in Ancient Greece, Patroclus narrates the rise and fall of his lover, Achilles. Miller's ability to take a legend and revamp it into a relatable, beautiful novel is nothing short of magic.

5. 'They Both Die At The End', by Adam Silvera

While the title sounds gruesome, Silvera's novel is an essential read that delves into how deeply intertwined we all are with each other.

They Both Die At The End is set in a world where everyone receives a warning twenty-four hours before their death. Our protagonists—Mateo Torrez and Rufus Emeterio—meet under happenstance during their "End Day." But, much like I'll Give You the Sun, Silvera doesn't fixate on either of their queer identities. Mateo and Rufus spontaneously find themselves exploring the world together, and happen to fall in love in the process.

What I appreciate about They Both Die At The End is how Silvera used quality relationships to show the irrelevancy of the quantity of time. In their last twenty-four hours, Mateo and Rufus mature as individuals in a journey that would've otherwise taken a lifetime.

So, they both die at the end. It's not a new concept. We all run out of time. But Silvera's point isn't about death: it's about life, and what it means to truly live.

6. 'Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe', by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

Sáenz's multiple-award winning masterpiece is set in 1987, exploring the lives of two Mexican-American boys, as they struggle with identity.

What personally drew me to this novel is that it acknowledges how other identities affect the queer experience. Yes, it's a coming-of-age novel about two boys that happen to fall in love. Our protagonist, Aristotle "Ari" Mendoza, tackles "his own private wars": complex family dynamics, internalized homophobia, and mental health.

As a gay Latino man himself, Sáenz understands what it's like to be both queer, and a person of color, and why it's important to show stories of queer POC.

An added bonus? Lin Manuel-Miranda—one of the most well-known modern composers of today—reads the audiobook.

7. 'Symptoms of Being Human', by Jeff Garvin

Symptoms of Being Human is one of the few books that stars a genderfluid character. Riley Cavanaugh, our protagonist, explores what it means to explore gender identity without familial support through social media: a challenge that plenty of gender nonconforming people today can empathize with.

As a nonbinary person who does experience a level of gender fluidity, Riley's story is especially important to me, because of how Garvin illustrates family dynamics and gender dysphoria. Reading about a character who battled with internalized and external transphobia, while pursuing authenticity, gave me hope: and there's no doubt that plenty of gender non-conforming kids feel the same way.

If Riley could do it, then so can I.

Conclusion?

While this is definitely not a comprehensive list of young adult LGBT+ novels out there, it's a starting point. The power of relatability and representation in today's culture is so strong, yet underestimated. At such a vulnerable age, LGBT+ young adults should be educated and empowered. That's why it's important for queer kids to see themselves in any/all media: not as a punchline or the sidekick, but as writers of their own stories. What's great about these books is that they're applicable to anyone who's finding themselves... LGBT+ or otherwise.