Best LGBTQ+ Books December 2024

Attachments

Eleanor’s world turns upside down when she meets Park on the school bus. Misfit and outcast, she’s drawn to his quiet strength and comic book obsession. As their unlikely friendship blossoms into first love, they navigate the treacherous waters of high school, family drama, and self-discovery. Rowell’s poignant storytelling captures the raw intensity of teenage emotions, painting a vivid picture of 1986 Omaha. This bittersweet romance will tug at your heartstrings and remind you of your own first crush.

Will Grayson, Will Grayson

Two teens named Will Grayson collide in a chance encounter that changes both their lives. One, depressed and closeted, finds unexpected connection. The other, struggling with his larger-than-life best friend Tiny Cooper, discovers new perspectives on friendship and love. Their intertwining stories unfold with humor, heart, and raw honesty, capturing the rollercoaster of adolescence. Green and Levithan’s collaborative novel pulses with authentic teen voices and the messy, beautiful journey of self-discovery.

This Is How It Always Is

Rosie and Penn’s family seems perfect: five rambunctious boys and two loving parents. But their youngest, Claude, has a secret. He wants to be a girl. As Claude’s journey unfolds, the family grapples with acceptance, fear, and the complexities of raising a transgender child. Frankel’s tender prose weaves a tale of unconditional love, challenging societal norms, and the lengths parents will go to protect their children. This poignant story will tug at your heartstrings and leave you pondering the true meaning of family long after the last page.

Will Grayson, Will Grayson

Two teens named Will Grayson collide in an unexpected encounter that changes both their lives. One, depressed and struggling with his sexuality, finds solace in online chats. The other, more outgoing, grapples with friendship and loyalty. Their paths intertwine through Tiny Cooper, a larger-than-life gay football player staging a musical. With humor and heart, this collaborative novel explores identity, love, and the messy beauty of human connections.

One Last Stop

August Landry’s life takes an unexpected turn when she moves to New York City and meets Jane, a mysterious, punk-rock girl on the subway. There’s an instant connection, but August soon realizes Jane is literally displaced in time from the 1970s. As August falls deeper in love, she becomes determined to unravel the mystery of Jane’s past and find a way to bring her into the present. A charming, queer romance that blends nostalgia, found family, and a touch of magic in the bustling heart of the city.

The Priory of the Orange Tree

Sabran Berethnet, last of her line, must conceive an heir to protect her realm from the dragons that threaten its borders. But as she struggles with this burden, her lady-in-waiting Ead Duryan harbors a secret: she’s a mage, sworn to protect Sabran from unseen dangers. Across the sea, Tané dreams of becoming a dragonrider, even as an ancient evil stirs. As their paths intertwine, these women must unravel long-buried secrets to save their world from destruction. A sweeping epic of magic, dragons, and destiny.

The Song of Achilles

Achilles, the golden warrior, and Patroclus, the awkward prince, forge an unlikely bond that deepens into a passionate romance. Miller’s lyrical prose breathes new life into Homer’s epic, exploring the tender moments between battles and the raw emotions of young love. As the Trojan War looms, their relationship is tested against duty and fate. A heart-wrenching tale that had me captivated until the final page, pondering the enduring power of love and the cruel whims of the gods.

Carry On

Simon Snow’s final year at Watford School of Magicks is anything but ordinary. As the prophesied “Chosen One,” he’s struggling with his unpredictable magic and the looming threat of the Insidious Humdrum. His roommate and nemesis, Baz, is suspiciously absent, and Simon can’t shake his obsession with uncovering Baz’s secrets. When Baz finally returns, their antagonistic relationship takes an unexpected turn, forcing Simon to question everything he thought he knew about magic, destiny, and his own heart.

Red, White & Royal Blue

Alex Claremont-Diaz, the charismatic First Son of the United States, has a nemesis: Prince Henry of Wales. When their rivalry sparks an international incident, they’re forced to fake a friendship for damage control. But as they spend time together, their pretend bond evolves into something deeper. Suddenly, Alex finds himself falling for the prince he once despised. This witty, heartfelt romance explores love, duty, and the courage to follow your heart, even when the whole world is watching.

The House in the Cerulean Sea

Linus Baker, a by-the-book caseworker, finds his orderly world turned upside down when he’s sent to investigate an orphanage on a remote island. There, he meets six extraordinary children and their enigmatic caretaker, Arthur Parnassus. As Linus uncovers the island’s secrets, he discovers a family unlike any other and a love he never expected. This heartwarming tale of found family and acceptance will leave you misty-eyed and smiling, reminding us all that home is where you make it.