And what better way to celebrate the festivities and warm weather than with some of 2017's YA reads?! Here's some of what to pick up this summer:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23447923-the-inexplicable-logic-of-my-life
Writer of multiple award-winning YA novel: "Aristotle and Dante Discover The Secrets of the Universe" returns with a new story about Mexican-American teen named Sal and his best friend Samantha. It's a coming-of-age tale that deals with faith, loss, and grief, that promises to be just as lyrical and thought-provoking as Ari and Dante.
And of course, if you haven't read Ari and Dante yet, definitely do that for the #summeraesthetic. But fair warning: have tissues on hand!
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29073707-it-s-not-like-it-s-a-secret
Sana Kiyohara has a lot to face at just sixteen years old: stresses about her peers, her father having a possible affair, and blossoming feelings for the beautiful and smart Jamie Ramirez.
Sugiura creates a relatable character and a world that struggles with honesty while also touching on the issue of racism.
I'm very pleased to see another WOC writing about YA WOC lesbian characters and hope this book can resonate well with its diversity.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31449227-ramona-blue
Six-foot-tall, blue-haired, Ramona likes girls, is loyal to her family, and believes she meant for more than her small, stressful life in Eulogy, Mississipi (a real place that exists, I checked!)
When childhood friend Freddie returns and reignites her love of competitive swimming, and ignites possible feelings for him too, Ramona will find her life and identity are as fluid as the very water she loves to swims in.
I stole that from my friend Vicki so I, unfortunately, can take no credit for the cleverness. Oh well.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30095473-the-pants-project
Liv's school has a strict uniform policy: boys wear pants and girls wear skirts. There's a problem however because while Liv is a girl on the outside, he is a boy on the inside.
My co-worker and I found this a couple of weeks ago and were so excited because it's a middle grade book! It's fantastic to be finding more transgender stories focused on younger characters and a younger audience. Especially a character that is brave, humorous, and smart--someone who can be a hero to other transgender youth.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33961524-noah-can-t-even
Noah Grimes is dealing with the disappearance of his father and his mother's embarrassing Beyonce tribute act, all while harbouring a crush on classmate Sophie. And then his only friend Harry kisses him at a party and things get just a tad more complicated.
Okay, there's a banana on the front cover of this, y'all. Why? Why not? It might be the reason it stood out for me but it's also very well rated on Goodreads and promises to be a hoot! So yeah, why not?!
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31447601-noteworthy
When Jordan Sun gets rejected for the musical for the third time, she considers another option to add some pizzazz to her college applications: The Sharpshooters, her performance arts school's elite (and all male) a cappella group. Donning her best drag, she gets accepted and begins a journey of juggling two identities, crushing on a guy and a girl, and finding out who she is.
L I S T E N . I am all about the performance arts AU, the Raise Your Voice's of the world, and this just calls to me. Not to mention it's an F-to-M drag that pushes the gender norms and explores what it means to be really be a "girl" or a "guy". I honestly cannot wait to read this!
Plus the tagline is: A cappella just got a makeover. I AM LIVING.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29283884-the-gentleman-s-guide-to-vice-and-virtue
GAY YA HISTORICAL FICTION INCOMING!
Taking place on a grand tour of 18th-century Europe, Henry "Monty" Montague desires a life of pure pleasure despite his father's expectations and a secret crush on best friend and travelling companion Percy. But when some unsavory mistakes lead to a continent-wide manhunt, Monty has to come to terms with the life that he knows and a choice between friendship and love.
This book sounds so intriguing. If not simply for the outfit of two rambunctious teens traversing from 1700's Paris to Rome but for how their homosexual romance develops at a time where it would be most dangerous. Could be a very interesting read!
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28243032-we-are-okay
Marin takes her phone, her wallet, and a picture of her mother, and leaves her old life at the California coast for a college in New York. She hasn't spoken to anyone since then, not even her best friend Mabel. However, when Mabel comes to visit, she'll have to face her past. This is a story that focuses less on plot and more on the human experience of forgiveness, loneliness, and hope.
You might want to save this one for when you've got a couple of days off because I hear it can really get in your head and tear at your heartstrings. I am not ready.
Important Note: If you live in or near Brampton, Ontario, Canada, feel free to join Chapters Brampton's LGBTQIA+ Book Club who will be discussing LaCour's book on Tuesday June 6th @ 7:00PM. Located at: Chapters Brampton, 52 Quarry Edge Drive.
And those are the YA books I'm looking forward to the most this summer! If you'd like a more lengthy list, here's the brilliantly compiled one I used as reference from Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/90241.2017_YA_Books_with_LGBT_Themes
What do you think of these titles? What are you excited about reading this summer? Hit me up in the comments below and enjoy that sunshine!
Stay happy my darlings,
~ Tilly ~
