LGBTQIA+

This is a searing feminist novel that explores female rage through a lens of magical realism. This book really shines in its exploration of female relationships, especially between Alex and her family. They love each other deeply, but that love is often tempered by resentment or fear or secrecy, and Barnhill does a great job depicting that complexity. -Chelsea

The relationship between Red and Blue reveals the false dichotomy of nature vs technology. As they write to each other, Red finds the humanity within the machine, and Blue observes the algorithms that govern the natural world. I could spend ages thinking about this book. The strands of this world have been woven into my veins. -Chelsea

So many romance novels are about the opening stages of a relationship, and it was really refreshing to watch Reyna and Kianthe navigate the conflicts that can arise in an established relationship. Thorne does a great job balancing the cozy atmosphere with intriguing political drama and world building. The sequel, "A Pirate's Life for Tea," was also a great read, and I'm excited to see what else this series has in store later this year! -Chelsea

The Tea Dragon Society by Kay O'Neill introduces us to an incredible world filled with miniature dragons that, when loved and cared for properly, produce magical tea leaves. When these tea leaves are brewed and consumed, they have the power to share memories. Check out this trilogy for an incredibly heartwarming universe -- complete with a miniature tea dragon guide that I just adored! -Violette

"Between Earth and Sky" is an excellent series, and it just concluded with "Mirrored Heavens" this year. Roanhorse creates a detailed and intriguing wold inspired by Native American cultures. I love how messy the politics get in this series. The main characters are frequently at odds with one another and the tensions that creates are fascinating to explore. -Chelsea

A cozy queer romance seasoned with cosmic horror. "Someone You Can Build a Nest in" asks what it really means to be monstrous, and challenges us to break away from cycles of familial abuse. -Chelsea

This book is top-notch queer horror, with fun characters, a good sense of atmosphere, and a chilling plot that pulls you forward. -Chelsea

Alice Oseman writes my favorite graphic novel series -- Heartstopper! Nick and Charlie's love story is guaranteed to melt hearts. If you, too, can't get enough of this series, be sure to check out the TV show, which Alice Oseman also helped produce. -Violette

Nicola Griffith has queered the Hero's Journey, and it is delightful. This is not a quest for glory, or power, or salvation; this is a quest for connection, and joy, and a life worth living. Spear is a lovely, lyrical retelling of Arthurian myth with an interest in historical accuracy and the attendant diversity. Like all Arthurian myth it is haunted by the sorrow of its own promised ending. The sorrow does not spoil any of the moments of sweetness or triumph, but it adds a weight to the story like the air before a storm. -Chelsea

"We are all just trying to find a place to call our own." A beautiful, poetic and visually stunning memoir by artist Theo Parish as they discover their true identity as trans and nonbinary. The analogy of feeling at home in your body is an eloquent explanation for all ages to better understand the way it might feel to not feel like the gender assigned at birth... ‘They say that ‘your body is a temple,’’ Theo writes, ‘but mine has felt more like a rental.’ The flow of the story of Theo's life is seamless, and I devoured this uplifting memoir in one short sitting...but don't forget to admire the lovely drawings in all their calming hues of purple! -Mari

Always Matt is a beautiful tribute to the life and memory of Matthew Shepard. As someone who grew up in Wyoming and went to school in Laramie, Matt's story is always on my mind. I appreciate that author Lesléa Newman tells this incredibly important narrative in verse style, leaving "a great deal of empty space on the page, which mirrors the empty space Matt left behind when he was taken from this world." A must read! -Violette

I love this book because it illustrates what it's like to be a young queer woman navigating the world through self discovery. I would recommend Old Enough to anyone who is questioning their identity, as Haley Jakobson shows the power of finding your community and loving yourself just as you are. -Violette

Delightful and whimsical illustrations fill the pages along with wonderful text from a child's point of view about how a family is a family no matter what yours may look like. -Angie

Ever thought about who might have invented the high five? It was 1970s pro baseball player Glenn Burke! This biographical picture book follows Glenn Burke's brief but illustrious career in the major leagues, including the moment he and fellow player Dusty Baker spontaneously invented the high five. For Burke, a unique individual who was always joking, cheering, and dancing in the dugout, it was a natural progression. Burke also happened to be a Black gay man in the 1970s, and, heartbreakingly, he was pushed out of the league and later struggled with homelessness and substance abuse, dying of AIDS-related illness at only 42. These topics are dealt with sensitively but honestly in this picture book biography. I hope readers think of Burke every time they high-five someone after reading this story - a man who only now is being recognized for his legacy, not only in inventing such an iconic gesture, but in paving the way for LGBT+ athletes. If you want more on Burke, there is a middle-grade fiction title also by Phil Bildner that ties together the stories of Burke and a modern-day LGBT+ young male baseball player, also an excellent book. -Anne W

The characters in this book feel like family, like a big group of friends that lives in the apartment above you causing good-natured chaos. Jane is one of my favorite characters. I love her hard edges and her drive to fight for her community, and I love that with August, she finally gets to have someone fight for her. -Chelsea

Gender Queer is one of my favorite graphic novels of all time. In this memoir, we follow Maia's journey of self discovery in finding eir gender identity, coming out to eir friends and family, and making eir place in this world. A truly essential text for LGBTQ+ young adults, advocates, and anyone wishing to make the world a kinder, more compassionate place for everyone to exist in. -Violette

Our Work Is Everywhere is a beautiful graphic novel depicting the history of queer and trans resistance. Syan Rose's illustrations are so stunning--I could read this book over and over again. You should too! -Violette

A very informative and gripping dystopian novel that will make you think about the U.S. prison system and how we consume modern-day professional sports. -Annie

A cool reimagining of the 1872 classic "Carmilla" that takes queer vampire murder mystery to a new level by incorporating Chinese folklore in the heart of 1990s New York. Perfect for the dark season! -Annie

These characters are fictional but they went through some real stuff. Simultaneously sad and exciting, I had to put it down a few times but I always came back. -Mykle

I love the idea of a city being a living organism with avatars in charge of defending it. Jemisin has created some very lively and interesting characters for this modern fantasy novel. -Mykle