June has always been my favorite month as a kid for two significant reasons: summer vacation and it being my birthday month. I recently also realized that I have another reason why June is my favorite – Pride! On that note, a very happy pride to you, dear wlw books reader.
I’m an avid reader. I LOVE reading. I love it more than a baby loves their favorite sleeping position. Young Adult contemporary is my genre. I wish to be able to read every YA book ever written, but that is far from impossible – I know. I stumbled upon wlw romance recently while figuring it out what it meant to me, and so I have compiled a list of some beautiful wlw books I read in the past two years, for all of you to kick start pride 2020 in the best possible way.
1. Her Name In The Sky by Kelly Quindlen
I don’t even know how I should begin talking about this masterpiece – This book had the power to make me swoon like no other. If you want to read a book that talks about friendships, graduating, and young love, this is the book that you must get your hands on. The story is about Hannah and Baker and of them coming to terms with their sexuality. Also, read what The Lesbrary has to say about it.
“Your heart will never ask your permission to love.”
Kelly Quindlen, “Her Name In The Sky”
2. Annie On My Mind by Nancy Garden
This was the first YA wlw romance I got to read. I was terribly encapsulated by the words in this book when I first read it. It was so soft and truthful and honestly had beautiful metaphors to perfectly accompany the theme of the book. I think it was a beautiful novel. It covered so many thoughts that we actually think but don’t really pay attention to. I promise the feeling after you have after having read this book will be immense and overwhelming, and just so, so warm.
“Have you ever felt really close to someone? So close that you can’t understand why you and the other person have two separate bodies, two separate skins?”
Nancy Garden, “Annie On My Mind”
3. Keeping You A Secret by Julie Ann Peters
I have always been an avid reader, and when I came across WLW YA, I couldn’t stop reading them. This was one of those books I read in haste to understand sexuality and provide a label to my feelings. This particular book deals with coming out (like most of the other books I have mentioned) and understanding and accepting one’s sexuality. I think everyone must read this book to have an idea of the homophobia that exists.
“….the man of my dreams is a girl.”
Julie Ann Peters, Keeping You A Secret
4. She’s My Ride Home by Jackie Bushore
Okay, I read this book recently, and I just love how green-friendly this book is. Along with coming out and homophobia and questioning, this book also talks about being in love as if it is like the best possible feeling in the world. There is so much to talk about in this particular book. It is a must-read if you want an insight into a young girl’s mind when she falls in love.
5. The Gravity Between Us by Kristen Zimmer
This book – along with coming out and coming to terms with one’s sexuality – it also talks about glamour and showbiz. One of the protagonists in this book is an actress, and the part about her dealing with the press and everything are so important and brings us back to reality.
“Some problems can’t be solved by talking about them.”
Kristen Zimmer, “The Gravity Between Us”
6. Leah On the Offbeat by Becky Albertalli
Leah was a very realistic character and a very relatable one. Her character is extremely complex, and I think that is why I liked this book. It is a part of the Simon verse and just as good as the other books in it. Reading this book will take you through many feelings – all at once. This book also talks about fatphobia, racism, and calling out people, and the book is also very diverse. It also depicts a great mother-daughter relationship.
“It’s like it doesn’t even matter if I like my body, because there’s always someone there to remind me I shouldn’t.”
Becky Albertalli, “Leah On The Offbeat”
In my own opinion, everyone who is questioning right now must make it a thing to read these books. The way authors have discussed the feelings, and the idea of love is just hands down the best way to reflect on one’s interests. Even if you are not a part of the LGBTQ+ community, you must read wlw books to understand the pains and joys that come along. Also, homophobia. Reading these wlw books will help gain a better point of view, and the existence of homophobia will be known. There are so many more books I want to list out here!
Apart from the aforementioned, the following wlw books are just as good and encapsulating to read and marvel at the love and everything gay. My heart feels ever so full after reading a story that does justice to the characters and the readers.
Here, some more must-reads with similar, yet also very unique, plots:
7. Colorblind by Siera Maley
8. On the Outside by Siera Maley
9. Dating Sarah Cooper by Siera Maley
10. Starting From Here by Lisa Jenn Bigelow
11. It’s Not Like It’s A Secret by Misa Sugiura
Read also:
Feminist Books To Read When You’re Self-Isolating
Finding A Community From Within The Closet
Homophobic Heterosexual Hypocrisy
