I’m the kind of person who likes to organize everything in my life, so naturally I have meticulous shelves for everything I mark as read on Goodreads, including genres, tropes, and more. Since my LGBT+ shelf on Goodreads recently hit 100 books, I thought I’d share with you everything I’ve got on there!
I started using Goodreads in 2016, so these are all books I’ve read in the last four years. I’ve done my best to include what representation all of these books include, but it’s been a long time since I read some of them, so forgive me if I’ve gotten anything wrong! I’m not giving any thoughts beyond my rating for any of these (since this post is already long enough), but I’ve included a link to my review, if I have one on this blog, so you can check them out if you’d like.
Now let’s take a look at all 100 book on my LGBT+ Goodreads shelf!
* = my favorites
In order from most recent:
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune *
my rating: 5 stars
genre: fantasy
representation: gay main character, other queer side characters
Bonds of Brass by Emily Skrutskie
my rating: 3 stars
genre: YA science fiction
representation: bisexual main characters
The Sound of Stars by Alechia Dow
my rating: 2.5 stars
genre: YA science fiction
representation: bisexual/demiromantic main character, other queer and nonbinary side characters
The Weight of the Stars by K. Ancrum
my rating: 4 stars
genre: YA contemporary/science fiction
representation: lesbian main characters, other queer side characters
The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin
my rating: 4 stars
genre: fantasy
representation: gay and lesbian main characters, other queer and trans side characters
Pet by Akwaeke Emezi
my rating: 3 stars
genre: YA fantasy
representation: trans main character
Heartstopper: Volume 3 by Alice Oseman
my rating: 5 stars
genre: YA contemporary graphic novel
representation: gay and bisexual main characters, other LGBT side characters
Deathless Divide by Justina Ireland
my rating: 4.5 stars
genre: YA historical fantasy
representation: bisexual main character, aromantic/asexual main character
The Deep by Rivers Solomon
my rating: 4 stars
genre: fantasy
representation: queer & gender-nonconforming main character
When We Were Magic by Sarah Gailey
my rating: 3 stars
genre: YA fantasy
representation: bisexual main character, other LGBT side characters
We Used To Be Friends by Amy Spalding
my rating: 4 stars
genre: YA contemporary
representation: bisexual main character
Crier’s War by Nina Varela
my rating: 4 stars
genre: YA science fantasy
representation: lesbian main characters
A City Inside by Tillie Walden
my rating: 4 stars
genre: YA graphic novel
representation: lesbian main character
In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan *
my rating: 5 stars
genre: YA fantasy
representation: bisexual main character, gay main character
The Tea Dragon Festival by Katie O’Neill
my rating: 4 stars
genre: MG fantasy graphic novel
representation: nonbinary main character, queer side characters
Call Down the Hawk by Maggie Stiefvater
my rating: 5 stars
genre: YA urban fantasy
representation: gay main character, bi/pan main character, other queer side characters
The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern *
my rating: 5 stars
genre: fantasy
representation: gay main character, other queer side characters
Are You Listening? by Tillie Walden *
my rating: 5 stars
genre: YA contemporary graphic novel
representation: lesbian main characters
Orpheus Girl by Brynne Rebele-Henry
my rating: 1.5 stars
genre: YA contemporary
representation: lesbian main character, other LGBT side characters
Wayward Son by Rainbow Rowell
my rating: 4.5 stars
genre: YA fantasy
representation: bisexual and gay main characters
The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater *
my rating: 5 stars
genre: YA fantasy
representation: gay main character
Real Queer America: LGBT Stories from Red States by Samantha Allen *
my rating: 5 stars
genre: nonfiction; memoir
representation: queer trans author; stories from various other queer identities
Wilder Girls by Rory Power
my rating: 4 stars
genre: YA horror
representation: bisexual main character, various other queer side characters
Carry On by Rainbow Rowell *
my rating: 5 stars
genre: YA fantasy
representation: bisexual and gay main characters
If I Loved You Less by Tamsen Parker
my rating: 2 stars
genre: romance
representation: queer main character, other LGBT side characters
Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
my rating: 4 stars
genre: science fantasy
representation: lesbian main characters
Whiskey When We’re Dry by John Larison
my rating: 2.5 stars
genre: Western
representation: queer and gender-nonconforming main character
Like a Love Story by Abdi Nazemian *
my rating: 5 stars
genre: YA historical
representation: gay main characters, other LGBT side characters
You Know Me Well by Nina LaCour & David Levithan
my rating: 4.5 stars
genre: YA contemporary
representation: gay and lesbian main characters, other queer side characters
This Winter by Alice Oseman
my rating: no rating
genre: YA contemporary novella
representation: gay and bisexual main characters
Nick and Charlie by Alice Oseman
my rating: no rating
genre: YA contemporary novella
representation: gay and bisexual main characters
Heartstopper: Volume Two by Alice Oseman
my rating: 5 stars
genre: YA contemporary graphic novel
representation: gay and bisexual main characters, other LGBT side characters
Once & Future by Amy Rose Capetta & Cori McCarthy
my rating: 2 stars
genre: YA science fiction
representation: queer main characters, other LGBT side characters
The Tea Dragon Society by Katie O’Neill
my rating: 4 stars
genre: MG fantasy graphic novel
representation: queer main characters and side characters
Summer Bird Blue by Akemi Dawn Bowman
my rating: 3 stars
genre: YA contemporary
representation: aromantic/asexual main character
This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar & Max Gladstone
my rating: 4 stars
genre: science fiction
representation: queer main characters
Summer of Salt by Katrina Leno
my rating: 4 stars
genre: YA contemporary/fabulism
representation: lesbian main character, other LGBT side characters
Witchmark by C.L. Polk
my rating: 3 stars
genre: historical fantasy
representation: gay main characters
I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver *
my rating: 5 stars
genre: YA contemporary
representation: nonbinary main character, bisexual side character
The Song of Achilles *
my rating: 5 stars
genre: fantasy/mythology
representation: gay main characters
Tell Me How You Really Feel by Aminah Mae Safi
my rating: 4 stars
genre: YA contemporary
representation: lesbian main characters
I Hate Everyone But You by Gaby Dunn & Allison Raskin
my rating: 4 stars
genre: YA contemporary
representation: bisexual main character
Radio Silence by Alice Oseman *
my rating: 5 stars
genre: YA contemporary
representation: bisexual and gay/demisexual main characters, other LGBT side characters
The Past and Other Things That Should Stay Buried by Shaun David Hutchinson
my rating: 2 stars
genre: YA contemporary
representation: gay main character
The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon *
my rating: 4.5 stars
genre: fantasy
representation: gay, lesbian, and bisexual main characters, other LGBT side characters
You Asked For Perfect by Laura Silverman
my rating: 4 stars
genre: YA contemporary
representation: gay main character, other LGBT side characters
Her Royal Highness by Rachel Hawkins
my rating: 3.5 stars
genre: YA contemporary
representation: bisexual and lesbian main characters
The Legend of Korra: Turf Wars by Michael Dante DiMartino & Irene Koh
my rating: 4 stars
genre: YA fantasy comics
representation: bisexual main characters
The Infinite Noise by Lauren Shippen
my rating: 4.5 stars
genre: YA contemporary
representation: bisexual and gay main characters
Bloom by Kevin Panetta & Savanna Ganucheau
my rating: 4 stars
genre: YA contemporary graphic novel
representation: gay main characters
The Devouring Gray by Christine Lynne Herman
my rating: 3 stars
genre: YA fantasy
representation: bisexual and queer main characters
Dreadnought by April Daniels
my rating: 3 stars
genre: YA science fiction
representation: trans lesbian main character
i love this part by Tillie Walden
my rating: 4 stars
genre: YA contemporary graphic novel
representation: lesbian main characters
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston *
my rating: 5 stars
genre: NA romance
representation: bisexual and gay main characters, other LGBT side characters
Heartstopper: Volume One by Alice Oseman *
my rating: 5 stars
genre: YA contemporary graphic novel
representation: gay and bisexual main characters
The Disasters by M.K. England
my rating: 4 stars
genre: YA science fiction
representation: bisexual main character, other queer and trans side characters
Sawkill Girls by Claire Legrand
my rating: 4 stars
genre: YA horror
representation: lesbian, bisexual and asexual main characters
On a Sunbeam by Tillie Walden *
my rating: 5 stars
genre: YA science fiction graphic novel
representation: lesbian main characters, other queer and nonbinary side characters
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo *
my rating: 5 stars
genre: historical fiction
representation: bisexual main character, other gay and lesbian side characters
An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green *
my rating: 5 stars
genre: science fiction
representation: bisexual main character
Spellbook of the Lost and Found by Moira Fowley-Doyle
my rating: 4 stars
genre: YA fantasy
representation: bisexual and queer main characters
Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan
my rating: 4 stars
genre: YA fantasy
representation: queer main characters
What If It’s Us by Becky Albertalli & Adam Silvera *
my rating: 5 stars
genre: YA contemporary
representation: gay main characters
The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzi Lee *
my rating: 5 stars
genre: YA historical fantasy
representation: aromantic/asexual main character, other queer side characters
Space Opera by Catherynne M. Valente
my rating: 4 stars
genre: science fiction
representation: pansexual main character
Dread Nation by Justina Ireland *
my rating: 5 stars
genre: YA historical fantasy
representation: bisexual main character, aromantic/asexual side character
Anger Is a Gift by Mark Oshiro
my rating: 4.5 stars
genre: YA contemporary
representation: gay main character, other LGBT side characters
The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang
my rating: 5 stars
genre: MG historical fiction graphic novel
representation: genderfluid main character
That’s Not What Happened by Kody Keplinger
my rating: 5 stars
genre: YA contemporary
representation: asexual main character
The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee *
my rating: 5 stars
genre: YA historical fantasy
representation: bisexual and gay main characters, aromantic/asexual side character
The Summer of Jordi Perez (And The Best Burger in Los Angeles) by Amy Spalding
my rating: 4 stars
genre: YA contemporary
representation: lesbian main characters, other LGBT side characters
All Out: The No-Longer-Secret Stories of Queer Teens throughout the Ages, edited by Saundra Mitchell
my rating: 4 stars
genre: YA anthology
representation: various LGBT identities
Spinning by Tillie Walden
my rating: 4 stars
genre: memoir, graphic novel
representation: lesbian author
The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily M. Danforth *
my rating: 5 stars
genre: YA historical
representation: lesbian main character, other LGBT side characters
More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera
my rating: 4 stars
genre: YA contemporary
representation: gay main character, other LGBT side characters
Afterworlds by Scott Westerfeld
my rating: 3.5 stars
genre: YA contemporary/paranormal
representation: queer/demisexual main character
I Was Born For This by Alice Oseman *
my rating: 5 stars
genre: YA contemporary
representation: gay trans main character, other queer side characters
Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel
my rating: 4 stars
genre: memoir, graphic novel
representation: lesbian author
Leah on the Offbeat by Becky Albertalli
my rating: 5 stars
genre: YA contemporary
representation: bisexual main character, bisexual and gay side characters
The Cancer Journals by Audre Lorde
my rating: no rating
genre: memoir
representation: lesbian author
They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
my rating: 5 stars
genre: YA contemporary
representation: bisexual and gay main characters
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli *
my rating: 5 stars
genre: YA contemporary
representation: gay main characters
Let’s Talk About Love by Claire Kann
my rating: 4 stars
genre: YA contemporary
representation: biromantic/asexual main character
Jane, Unlimited by Kristin Cashore *
my rating: 5 stars
genre: YA contemporary/mystery
representation: bisexual main character
Of Fire and Stars by Audrey Coulthurst
my rating: 3 stars
genre: YA fantasy
representation: queer main characters
More Than This by Patrick Ness
my rating: 4 stars
genre: YA science fiction
representation: gay main character
Wild Beauty by Anna-Marie McLemore
my rating: 4 stars
genre: YA fantasy
representation: bisexual main and side characters, genderfluid side character
Call Me By Your Name by Andre Aciman
my rating: 4 stars
genre: literary fiction
representation: bisexual main characters
History Is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera
my rating: 5 stars
genre: YA contemporary
representation: gay main character, gay and bisexual side characters
Everything Leads to You by Nina Lacour
my rating: 4 stars
genre: YA contemporary
representation: lesbian main character, other queer side characters
Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo *
my rating: 5 stars
genre: YA fantasy
representation: gay and bisexual main characters
We Are Okay by Nina Lacour *
my rating: 5 stars
genre: YA contemporary
representation: lesbian and bisexual main characters
The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli
my rating: 5 stars
genre: YA contemporary
representation: lesbian and queer major side characters
The Abyss Surrounds Us by Emily Skrutskie
my rating: 3 stars
genre: YA science fiction
representation: queer main characters
Tash Hearts Tolstoy by Kathryn Ormsbee *
my rating: 5 stars
genre: YA contemporary
representation: asexual main character
Amberlough by Lara Elena Donnelly
my rating: 3 stars
genre: fantasy
representation: gay main character, queer side characters
Passing Strange by Ellen Klages
my rating: 4 stars
genre: historical fantasy
representation: lesbian and queer main characters
Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire
my rating: 4 stars
genre: fantasy
representation: asexual main character, queer and trans side characters
Ash by Malinda Lo
my rating: 4 stars
genre: fantasy
representation: lesbian main character
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz *
my rating: 5 stars
genre: YA historical
representation: gay main characters
Whew, that was long! Kudos to you for making it all the way to the bottom.
Have you read any of these books? What LGBT+ books do you recommend to me?
x Margaret
goodreads | twitter | indiebound
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This must’ve been so much work, but I’m also so happy you made it! Lots of books I also liked here, but also new ones I want to check out ❤
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Thanks so much! 😄 It definitely did take a while to put together… I hope you enjoy any of these that you decide to read!
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I love how you organized this 😮! There’s so many books here that I still need to read! I started both I Was Born For This and An Absolutely Remarkable Thing this past year, but I put them on hold for now haha 🙈. Also, I just read Pet last month, and I gave it 3 stars too! Thanks for putting this all together, Margaret 🙂!
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Thanks so much! 😄 Ahh those books are both fantastic (in my opinion), I hope you decide to pick them back up! You’re so welcome, and thanks for commenting! 😊
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This post is a treasure trove of amazing books. Thank you for the effort you put into this, I can’t wait to read some of these books now that I’ve added them to my tbr 😊
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I’m so glad to hear that I could help you find some great books! 😀 I hope you love them!
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This is post is a GIFT, I’ll now be spending the next solid hour on Goodreads adding books.
I’ve only read 24 of these, so I definitely need to get my butt in gear!
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Yesss that’s great to hear! 😀 I hope you love all of the ones you decide to read! And hey, 24 is almost a full quarter of the list, so that’s not bad at all!
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Just wanted to say thank you for this post, I’m so happy to see some books with aromantic/asexual characters. 🙂
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You’re so welcome! And yes, absolutely, gotta get that aro/ace rep 😀
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Ahh.. what an awesome list !! I’m glad to see The House In The Cerulean Sea marked as your favourite as I’m excited to read that !!
I see so many books I love like Aristotle and Dante, Girls of Paper and Fire, I was Born For This and More !!!
And there so many that I need to read too !!! I’m excited to check out Patrick Ness’s More Than This as I love his writing !! And Adam Silvera and Tillie Walden’s books as well 😍😍
Epic list and it was so satisfying to go through!! 😊
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Thanks so much! Yesss The House in the Cerulean Sea is my most recently finished book and I ADORED IT. Hope to have a review out soon!
I’m so glad some of your faves are on here! I love Patrick Ness’ writing too 😀 Adam Silvera and Tillie Walden are both incredible writers! I hope you enjoy all of these, and thank you! ❤
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We have so many favourite books in common! So glad you loved Priory, In Other lands and Starless sea! You’ve made me excited to read Wayward Son, I have low expectations for that book but seeing your 4.5 star rating has me intrigued!
I didn’t realise The City We Became has a lesbian mc too! I’m reading it now and I’m only 50 pages in, and I’m glad you’re enjoying it so much!
Great post! 💕
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Yay, that’s so great to hear! You must have great taste in books 😀 And yes, I really enjoyed Wayward Son (even though that seems like kind of an unpopular opinion??)
Yesss, The City We Became is full of great queer characters! I hope you enjoy it 😀
Thanks so much!
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Ahh what a list! I love how organized you are as well, I can’t be bothered more than with my to-read and read shelves on goodreads and the year of publication hahahaha. I cant’ WAIT to read both The Weight of the Stars and Crier’s War, they sound SO good! 🙂
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Thanks so much! 😀 Ahaha I do like to keep my books organized 😅 I hope you enjoy both of those books, they’re both wonderful!!
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Ahh this is such a cool list 🙂 It’s fun to see some of my favourites on here + I’ve been able to add a bunch to my TBR. In particular, I have never heard of Dreadnought before now and I need to read it ASAP!
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I’m so glad to hear it! 😀 I hope you enjoy Dreadnought – it’s a great book!
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That’s such a great list of LGBTQ reads!! 😊🌈 I love so many books on your list, among them, of course, Simon VS, Carry On, Radio Silence, Heartstopper and Red, White & Royal Blue! I also hope to read I Wish You All the Best soon, as I have been meaning to read it 😄
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Thanks, Caro! 😀 Ahhh those are all fantastic books. And I hope you love I Wish You All the Best as much as I did!!
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