Looking for queer/lesbian books http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882 liralen Hi all, I'm not sure where to ask this, but I figure that somebody here might know. I'm looking for contemporary queer/lesbian fiction, and I'm having a terrible time finding decent books. YA is fine, adult-focused is fine, mystery or romance or science fiction is fine -- as long as the book is actually written well. I'd prefer something fairly light, which sort of leads me to believe that I really just want chick lit with two females. I read a <em>lot</em> and am slightly nervous that I've exhausted my options. (But! I can, at least, recommend one: <em>Sister Mischief</em> by Laura Goode. YA and excellent. Also, all of Mabel Maney's books are kind of hilarious.) I've found a fair amount of m/m or trans stuff, but that's not really what I'm looking for. So! Any recommendations for light queer/lesbian fiction? Or, barring that, dark queer/lesbian fiction? Or just really good queer/lesbian books? Thanks! Liralen Mon, 17 Oct 2011 04:46:09 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_90640 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_90640 Sexmuffin_Cannibal The Rainbow Boys series by Alex Sanchez. Very good books! Mon, 17 Oct 2011 04:48:37 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_90674 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_90674 Maemi As far as YA, my favorite one is Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan. Kissing Kate by Lauren Myracle was the first LGBT-themed book I ever read, and I've reread it a few times over the years and it never loses it's magic, so I'd say that's a good one as well :D Mon, 17 Oct 2011 05:00:54 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_90830 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_90830 unrulydreamer My Favourite is "Keeping You A Secret" by Julia Anne Peters Mon, 17 Oct 2011 06:22:56 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_91693 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_91693 Rastaban.Zozma I've been meaning to read Kissing Kate. I don't have any lesbian recs of my own to make, though. Are you only looking for females? Mon, 17 Oct 2011 07:19:46 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_92118 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_92118 liralen Yes -- I've read my fair share of gay male fiction, and although some of it's great, it's just...not what I'm looking for. I'll look for <em>Kissing Kate</em>, though. Mon, 17 Oct 2011 14:05:55 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_94208 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_94208 liralen Yes! That's one of my favourites of her books too. But -- I wish there were more good books with queer main characters in which the plot didn't revolve around them being queer. Mon, 17 Oct 2011 14:07:15 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_94214 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_94214 Loki Mischief-Maker Have you read Malinda Lo's Ash or Huntress yet? Both are retold fairy tales, the first one being Cinderella [I'm not familiar enough with Chinese fairy tales to tell you what Huntress is a retelling of, I can just tell you that I have a thing for bittersweet fiction and really enjoyed it.] Mon, 17 Oct 2011 18:16:55 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_96626 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_96626 liralen Oooh I forgot about <em>Huntress</em>! I read <em>Ash</em> when it first came out, and I thought it was quite good. I think <em>Huntress</em> failed to capture my attention in the same way, but I didn't get very far...so I'll put that back on my to-read list. Thanks :) Tue, 18 Oct 2011 02:14:50 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_102747 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_102747 unrulydreamer I must agree with you. It is the only book off the top of my head that was good, enjoyable with queer characters. Keeping an eye on this list though. Tue, 18 Oct 2011 10:42:18 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_107056 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_107056 theartofflight Here's a loooong list of YA fiction with queer characters: http://tanuki-green.livejournal.com/329393.html I've been looking through it myself and I've heard good things about The Shattering by Kathryn Lasky... Tue, 18 Oct 2011 22:48:10 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_114179 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_114179 oazan Any of the Killian Kendall series by Josh Aterovis. I love his work, I have for about 10 years now, and he is a great guy. Downside is his books not being in many stores (unless you're in the New England area, where he lives... then you might be in luck!). They're mystery novels with a gay lead character, starting as a teen and growing through each book. I've read them so much and they still give me goosebumps. You can find them online <a href="http://www.joshaterovis.com" rel="nofollow">here</a>! Tue, 18 Oct 2011 22:51:39 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_114256 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_114256 greendragon06 You know what you might want to read? Girl Goddess #9 by Francesca Lia Block. Not all of the stories revolve around queer chicks, but its worth a read anyhow. Also by Francesca Lia Block and another book of short stories, Rose and the beast has a story in it that involves queer women. Tue, 18 Oct 2011 23:36:25 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_114980 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_114980 liralen Oh, brilliant! Excuse me while I go trawl the library catalogue... Wed, 19 Oct 2011 03:26:19 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_118236 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_118236 Ryan Lohner The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay. The homosexuality isn't the main focus, but it's treated with complete respect, so much that many people just assumed the author Michael Chabon was gay, and he had to "come out as straight." Wed, 19 Oct 2011 04:23:33 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_119011 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_119011 RacheyB So stoked i came across this thread, actually have never read or written a book with lesbian characters in it (unless you count fanfiction) lol definately gonna check these out, and maybe write a wrimo with lesbian characters too... hmm lol Wed, 19 Oct 2011 04:36:32 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_119192 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_119192 Unwritten Bottle Rocket Hearts by Zoe Whittall is good. Kind of dark, but it's definitely one of my favourites. Thu, 20 Oct 2011 19:00:38 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_143203 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_143203 midnightyen Annie on My Mind is my favorite YA book with gay characters. Also, Laurie J. Marks' Logic books are really really good too. She does an awesome job of portraying gay characters as a normal everyday thing. Thu, 20 Oct 2011 19:54:36 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_143976 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_143976 lijewi Sarah Waters has a few beautifully written books (Tipping the Velvet, Fingersmith, Affinity) that have lesbian themes. Other lesbian-type books I've read are The IHOP Papers (Ali Liebegott?) and Empress of the World. Thu, 20 Oct 2011 20:47:01 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_144747 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_144747 greendragon06 I second lijewi's recommendation to read Sarah Waters- my favorite is Fingersmith. Thu, 20 Oct 2011 21:21:04 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_145220 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_145220 tomato-greens I second this! Although it's not got lesbians, nor is it particularly light reading, it's such a great book that everyone forever should read it anyway. :D Fri, 21 Oct 2011 23:39:50 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_161675 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_161675 seajewel Curious Wine by Katherine V. Forrest and Painted Moon by Karin Kallmaker were two of my favorites when I was a teenager. Kallmaker has written many lesbian novels, but Painted Moon is my favorite. Sat, 22 Oct 2011 00:02:13 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_161953 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_161953 inkinmyblood Pink by Jennifer Harris is excellent, in my opinion. It's written in a sort of stream of consciousness narrative and uses first person future tense, which took me some time to get used to when I read it the first time. I'm re-reading it now and loving it all over again. Sat, 22 Oct 2011 03:23:56 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_164373 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_164373 Parmelde Lorntiere These are all going on my list to read when I get home. I think the only queer/lesbian fiction I read has been fanfiction. All though in Holly Black's Tithe the one character is gay. He's a minor important character and has a subplot to the story. He has more story in Ironside which is technically the third book in the trilogy, but you can skip the second as it's sort of a side story and not directly related to the other two. There may have been a lesbian couple in the second one though, which is called Valiant. It's been a long time since I've read it and I didn't like it as much as the first one. I just love the first one because it's such a dark story. The faeries aren't nice, they're cruel and like to mess with humans. Yea, that's kind of all I can offer. Sat, 22 Oct 2011 21:09:10 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_173090 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_173090 liralen I read a bunch of Forrest a while back (long story involving 88 pounds of lesbian murder mysteries of varying quality), but I hadn't heard of Kallmaker...thanks :) Sat, 22 Oct 2011 23:10:26 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_174542 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_174542 saruwarui Will Grayson Will Grayson is a good one and I just read about one called Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Waters which is supposedly a retelling of Cinderella with lesbians. I put an order in through my library so I'm interested in reading that one. Tue, 25 Oct 2011 21:45:20 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_219841 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_219841 Writing_Fast I would recommend anything by Julie Ann Peters. Her books are amazing. My favorite are Rage, Keeping You A Secret, She Loves You, She Loves You Not. Then there is also Kissing Kate. There is also a series called Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard, feating a lesbian relationship which is done fairly well. Wed, 26 Oct 2011 18:50:19 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_232172 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_232172 Indie-Young Yes Sarah Waters - the woman OWNS descriptions. So good. I really enjoyed Tipping the Velvet but I've heard Fingersmith is better. YA fiction wise I really enjoyed Hello Groin by Beth Goobie. The story is pretty familiar (teenage girl falls in love with her best friend) but Goobie handles it pretty well. It's a bit more updated in the fact that the MC doesn't face a ton of homophobia (some but a majority of the characters turn out to be understanding). It's mostly about her coming to understand and accept her own sexuality. Fri, 28 Oct 2011 01:12:24 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=2#forum_thread_comment_254953 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=2#forum_thread_comment_254953 Grollen [quote=Sexmuffin_Cannibal] The Rainbow Boys series by Alex Sanchez. Very good books! [/quote] I also have to recommend this. Annie On My Mind was great. Empress Of The World was, too, but the sequel disappointed me. Mon, 31 Oct 2011 10:32:41 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_317725 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_317725 the lee shore Have you read Rubyfruit Jungle? That's a lesbian classic. If you're interested in comic books, you can check out Dykes to Watch Out For and Fun Home, by Alison Bechdel. Also, I know you said you weren't so much interested in books about gay men, but if you haven't read Call Me By Your Name, you should--it's a really, really great book. Mon, 31 Oct 2011 15:39:27 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=2#forum_thread_comment_322786 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=2#forum_thread_comment_322786 liralen I loved Rubyfruit Jungle -- total lesbian pulp fiction. I've also read all of Alison Bechdel's stuff, and based on the fact that you recommended both her stuff and Rubyfruit Jungle, I'm putting Call Me By Your Name on my to-read list :) Mon, 31 Oct 2011 19:33:39 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=2#forum_thread_comment_328899 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=2#forum_thread_comment_328899 Nouks Poppy Z Brite has written "Lost Souls" which has pretty much gay sex/feelings in it. It's the only book of Poppy Z Brite that I've read until now, but I really enjoyed it. You might as well. Gay or at least bisexual sex is said to be a recurring theme in her books. Tue, 01 Nov 2011 02:47:12 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=2#forum_thread_comment_339609 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=2#forum_thread_comment_339609 okelay annie on my mind! I love that book. the bermudez triangle by maureen johnson is all kinds of awesome off the top of my head I can only think of those two but I've got a list somewhere Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:36:57 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=2#forum_thread_comment_341874 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=2#forum_thread_comment_341874 reine_margaux Marion Zimmer Bradley (who was a lesbian herself) has a few queer-themed books out there, Lythande being my favourite, but nothing YA or contemp. Tue, 01 Nov 2011 05:48:07 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=2#forum_thread_comment_343331 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=2#forum_thread_comment_343331 Jaeness Seconding Sarah Waters! Tue, 01 Nov 2011 20:57:40 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_362598 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_362598 Jaeness Beebo Brinker by Ann Bannon. It was written in the early 1960s but unlike a lot of pulp lesbian fiction from that time, it doesn't condemn the main character for being a lesbian. And it's set in New York City, which was fascinating in that time period. Tue, 01 Nov 2011 21:10:02 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=2#forum_thread_comment_363050 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=2#forum_thread_comment_363050 AlainaintheSky My town library has none of these books I've looked up... Disappointed. I'll have to borrow some from my university/university town libraries next semester. Sat, 26 Nov 2011 04:29:54 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=2#forum_thread_comment_847483 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=2#forum_thread_comment_847483 sarahlucielle Ammonite by Nicola Griffith is the first thing that sprang to mind. It's a sci-fi book about a planet that only has women. Her Aud books are also really good (they start with The Blue Place). Sat, 26 Nov 2011 04:34:57 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=2#forum_thread_comment_847548 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=2#forum_thread_comment_847548 willmerickson I felt exactly the same way; loved Ash, and had to drag myself through Huntress. I think I wound up skimming the second half of it, actually. I hope you like it better when you try it again! Tue, 29 Nov 2011 05:23:53 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_883616 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=1#forum_thread_comment_883616 allmylove I'm gonna say Alma Mater by Rita Mae Brown And i don't know if you've heard of them... But Bold Strokes Books does some pretty good ones. I haven't really read any books from there i've hated. Some have been better than others though. But if you're looking for romance or chick-lit they have some good stuff. And mostly it isn't about being lesbian/out... i really liked Heartland. Sat, 03 Dec 2011 15:37:14 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=2#forum_thread_comment_927562 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=2#forum_thread_comment_927562 Coffee_Plate Valencia by Michelle Tea Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson Pretty much anything by Audre Lorde If that's not enough, check out Chloe Plus Olivia: An Anthology of Lesbian Literature from the Seventeenth Century to the Present by Lillian Faderman. Sat, 17 Dec 2011 04:35:54 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=2#forum_thread_comment_979050 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=2#forum_thread_comment_979050 Earthsick Jim Grimsley. Because. I don't know. He's awesome. &lt;3 Tue, 20 Dec 2011 21:41:11 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=2#forum_thread_comment_988418 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/age-group-20s/threads/5882?page=2#forum_thread_comment_988418