Here at Bookstr, our Three to Read series and its offshoot, Three to Read Jr., bring you weekly themed recommendations perfect for every reader. Except, we seem to have forgotten one audience: teenagers! Young adult literature is a formative part of the reading experience, and the genre is full of gripping stories and amazing characters. It’s about time we celebrated YA fiction, so our new series, Three to Read Teen, does exactly that!
Our first article for Three to Read Teen brings you three novels that celebrate the queer experience. Whether you’re a part of the LGBTQIA+ community or an ally, we’re sure you’ll love these incredible books!
FIRE READ
Our Infinite Fates by Laura Steven
SYNOPSIS:
Evelyn has been reincarnated for centuries on end, and she remembers every single one of her lives. But that also means she remembers how all of them end… and it’s not pretty. Arden appears in every lifetime, and the two are destined to fall in love and kill each other before either of them turns 18. Evelyn’s current life seems picture perfect: a quiet existence on a Welsh farm. But when her little sister Grace falls ill, Evelyn must stay alive in order to save her. If only she could find out how to avoid Arden… and avoid falling in love with them all over again.
WHY:
Laura Steven is known for expertly weaving social commentary into her YA novels, and Our Infinite Fates is a marvelous example of her skill. Evelyn and Arden’s fated love story spans 1,000 years, and through it all is an undercurrent of gender fluidity. As they reincarnate, their physical appearance and gender expression change each time, but their love for one another never fails. In Our Infinite Fates, Steven shows her readers that love transcends the societal limits of gender.
TEA TIME READ
The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King by Harry Trevaldwyn
SYNOPSIS:
Patch has never had a boyfriend, and he’s determined to finally change that this year. Unfortunately, all the other gay guys at his school are taken! By a stroke of luck, two new boys enroll and join the drama club. Patch is sure that either Peter or Sam will be the perfect first boyfriend. Whether or not they’re also gay or even attracted to Patch is an issue for later. After all, Patch has his mom’s (admittedly outdated) self-help books. What could go wrong?
WHY:
Harry Trevaldwyn is an actor and comedian, and his debut novel, The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King, is full of his sparkling wit. Patch is the perfect protagonist for anyone who feels like their big personality always seems to get in the way of social situations. If you’re a fan of Heartstopper or Derry Girls, you’ll love Trevaldwyn’s wildly funny book!
HEAR ME OUT
I Can’t Even Think Straight by Dean Atta
SYNOPSIS:
Everyone else seems to have Kai all figured out, but he can’t decide how he feels about himself. One thing he does know is that he’s gay, and he’s ready to come out. The only problem? His best friend at school, Matt, wants Kai to stay closeted with him. Matt fears what his conservative parents will do if they know he’s gay, and it’s easier to do something hard when you’re not alone. Kai’s other best friend, the nonbinary Vass, has a not-so-secret crush on Kai and disapproves of this new arrangement. When a rumor starts spreading that Kai and Matt are dating, it’s only a matter of time before their worlds implode. Kai starts writing to express his frustration, and what he has to say could change everything.
WHY:
Dean Atta is an award-winning poet who often explores gender, race, and sexuality in his work. I Can’t Even Think Straight is written in Atta’s lovely verse and incorporates these delicate issues throughout the story. The biracial Kai will be a familiar protagonist to any person who struggles to balance their intersectional identities.
Thanks for tuning in to our first edition of Three to Read Teen! Be sure to check back in later this month for more fabulous YA recommendations.
Click here for more LGBTQIA+ fiction.
Visit our Three to Read bookshelf on Bookshop.org for the perfect curated reading list.
