LGBTI+ characters are headlining novels everywhere from the young adult category to science fiction. Here are some great LGBTI+ novels to crack open this year!

1. Tash Hearts Tolstoy by Kathryn Ormsbee

Young adult literature has frequently been mentioned as a genre that highlights the LGBTI+ experience. This book might be one of the first, though, to prominently feature a romantic asexual lead character.

In it, Tash’s web series suddenly becomes insanely popular, leaving her to deal with all of the things that come with being famous. She also starts up a flirtation with a guy that’s nominated for the same award that she is. Throughout all this, she struggles with still being closeted and how she should go about coming out to both the guy she cares about and all of her new fans.

2. In Ageless Sleep by Arden Ellis

This sci-fi book also contains a subtle lesbian romance that builds up as the book goes along. While short, it’s a heck of a story. Mal is tasked with hijacking a cryo-ship because a king’s daughter is on board. However, a crucial component of the cryostasis system breaks — and the king’s daughter, Aurora, is the only person who can keep them alive. Mal and Aurora find themselves interacting quite often.

3. Sappho’s Bar And Grill by Bonnie J. Morris

History professor Hannah Stern goes into her local lesbian bar — and discovers that when she makes a certain toast, she gets taken back in time to meet with the very women she teaches her classes about. Meeting with all these historical ladies helps to reignite both her love for history and her love for women.

4. The Angel Of History by Rabih Alameddine

This book won the 2017 Lambda Literary Award for gay fiction, so it’s definitely on the must-read list. The book takes place in a single day, focusing on Jacob, a gay, Arab writer that lives in San Francisco. After having a meltdown and checking himself into a mental hospital, he revisits key points in his life — including living through the AIDS crisis in the 80s. Satan, Death and 14 saints also show up for good measure.

5. Marriage Of A Thousand Lies by SJ Sindu

Lucky and Krishna pretend to be a happy, heterosexual married couple to appease their Sri Lankan families. However, they’re both gay and dating other people on the side. It seems to work for them, but then Lucky reconnects with her first lover who’s soon to be married off to a man in an arranged marriage. Lucky wants to save her from the marriage but also has to save herself after 10 years of living a lie.

6. Love Interest by Cale Dietrich

A spy novel with a twist, Love Interest features Caden, considered a “Nice,” and Dylan, considered a “Bad.” They’re tasked with luring in a girl that their agency needs for an investigation — and whoever she doesn’t pick pays the ultimate price. However, they have a hard time trying to focus on winning the girl when they’d rather win over each other instead.

7. Radio Silence by Alice Oseman

Young adult literature continues to hit it out of the park with its portrayal of LGBTI+ characters. Frances is focused on getting into a prestigious university but sparks up a friendship with Aled, the secret mastermind behind her favorite podcast. Aled also happens to be the brother of Frances’ ex-crush. However, the biggest thing in this book is the prominence of a major demisexual character.

This is just a fraction of all the great LGBTI+ literature that’s out there — but it’s definitely a good start! Curl up in a cozy spot with one of these and find your new favorite book.

7 Great LGBTI+ Novels To Check Out This Year

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