When we read, we look for reflections of our own identities. This is especially true when it comes to YA books [1], whether you're reading them at 13, 21, or 40. When we bury ourselves in these coming-of-age books, we discover new facets of what we stand for and where we fit in. More than ever, publishers are beginning to see that the market for books with diverse gender and sexual representation is there — it always has been.
If you've recently found yourself blowing through your 2020 reading list, we suggest adding these 20 books to the very top. The best part is that while a chunk of these books do revolve around LGBTQ+ characters [2] discovering their sexual and gender identities, many of them are just fantastical adventures that just happen to involve LGTBQ+ main characters.
The Gravity of Us by Phil Stamper
The Gravity of Us [3] follows Cal, an aspiring journalist with a massive social media following whose father has been tasked with piloting a mission to Mars. Cal is uprooted from his home in Brooklyn to Houston, Texas. As the public becomes increasingly obsessed with the crew and their families, Cal finds himself in the middle of a media frenzy. As he struggles to adjust to his new normal, he meets Leon, whose mother is another astronaut on the mission. Cal and Leon lean on each other as the media scrutiny grows and secrets about the Mars mission come to light.
Out on 2 June.
Only Mostly Devastated by Sophie Gonzales
Only Mostly Devastated [4] is the story of Ollie, who meets Will, a sensitive, caring, and affectionate young guy, on Summer holiday. Will is amazing, and Ollie thinks he's found his happily ever after. But when school starts back up, Will stops returning Ollie's texts and calls. When an unforeseen family emergency sees Ollie uprooted and sent to a new school, the same school Will attends, Ollie finds out Will is closeted, a class clown, and a total jerk. Who is the real Will, and can Ollie ever trust him?
Out on 2 June.
We Are Totally Normal by Rahul Kanakia
Nandan has a plan to make his Junior year perfect, and this includes patching things up with his ex, hanging out, and helping his friend Dave fit in with the popular crowd. When Nandan and Dave hook up, Nandan begins to question his sexuality. He's willing to give his relationship with Dave a shot, but Nandan starts to wonder how this will affect his other friendships and what labels now apply to him. It's overwhelming, and Nandan wonders if things can ever go back to the way they were before. We Are Totally Normal [5] explores labels, expectations, and finding yourself.
Out on 2 June.
Dark and Deepest Red by Anna-Marie McLemore
From the brilliant mind of Anna-Marie McLemore comes Dark and Deepest Red [6]. In the Summer of 1518, a strange illness sweeps through the city of Strasbourg. Women dance in the streets until they fall down dead. The townsfolk become suspicious of Lavinia and her family, and she might have to sacrifice everything to save herself and the people she loves. Fast forward five centuries, and a pair of red shoes affix themselves to Rosella Oliva's feet, forcing her to dance toward a boy whose family has ties to the history of the mysterious dancing fever.
Out on 2 June.
Reverie by Ryan La Sala
Reverie [7] by Ryan La Sala follows protagonist Kane Montgomery after he's pulled form a river half-dead with no memory of what happened to him. When three people show up claiming to be Kane's friends, he doesn't know if he can trust them to tell him the truth. In a world where dreams become reality and the line between the two is blurred, Kane has to find a way to uncover the truth about his past if there's any hope for the future.
Out on 2 June.
The Fascinators by Andrew Eliopulos
The Fascinators [8] was pitched as Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda-meets-The Raven Boys in which an openly gay high school senior living in a small town in Georgia juggles being in love with his best friend and discovering that dark magic is threatening his group of friends.
Out on 23 July.
Scavenge the Stars by Tara Sim
Scavenge the Stars [9] is a Count of Monte Cristo retelling in which protagonist Amaya is being held captive on a debtor ship when she rescues a mysterious stranger who grants her unimaginable riches. With her newfound wealth and a new identity, Amaya sets out to get revenge on the man who ruined her life.
Out on 2 June.
Belle Revolte by Linsey Miller
In Belle Revolte [10], Emilie des Marais, a young woman from a noble family, dreams of becoming a physician, but society tells her it's not a job a woman can possibly handle. Annette Boucher comes from humble beginnings and dreams of being trained in magic. When Emilie and Annette switch places, they must use their talents to back a rebellion and end an unjust war.
Out on 2 June.
Loveless by Alice Oseman
Loveless [11] is Alice Oseman's fourth novel and centres on main character Georgia and her journey of self-discovery. Georgia has never had a crush on anyone and begins to wonder if something is wrong. Loveless is a story of self-acceptance and discovering that love comes in many forms.
Out on 9 July.
When We Were Magic by Sarah Gailey
When We Were Magic [12] is a YA novel by Magic for Liars author Sarah Gailey. Alexis has always found a sense of belonging among her friends. They all share the gift of magic, and it is the thing that binds them. Nothing can break that bond . . . until prom night rolls around. When their magic gets out of hand and a boy ends up dead, Alexis and her friends have to try and put right the terrible wrong but end up making things worse. Now each of them must learn to live with the consequences of their actions.
Out now.
We Unleash the Merciless Storm by Tehlor Kay Mejia
We Unleash the Merciless Storm [13] is the electrifying sequel to We Set the Dark on Fire. In this novel, we are reintroduced to Carmen Santos, who is forced to choose between the girl she loves and the work of fighting for the resistance. Carmen is a trained soldier, and her skills are desperately needed, but with her identity compromised and the nation on the brink of war, she is forced to return to La Voz's headquarters, where she must make a painful choice.
Out on 2 June.
Late to the Party by Kelly Quindlen
Late to the Party [14] is the story of 17-year-old Codi Teller. She and her best friends, Maritza and JaKroy, spend most of their time in her basement watching Netflix. When her friends suggest crashing a party, Codi has some reservations. When they finally get around to doing it, Codi stumbles on a situation that will change her entire Summer. Late to the Party is a love letter to wallflowers everywhere.
Out now.
Ghost Wood Song by Erica Waters
Ghost Wood Song [15] follows protagonist Shady Grove. She and her father share many common characteristics, but they also share the unique ability to call spirits back from the grave with a fiddle. Her father and the cursed instrument are lost when his car veers off the road one night, and Shady Grove thinks she's managed to escape the family curse once and for all, even if it cost her father his life. But when Shady's brother is accused of murder, she might have to locate the instrument to clear his name. Ghosts, cursed objects, and love of family make this story unputdownable.
Out 20 August.
Witches of Ash and Ruin by E. Latimer
In Witches of Ash and Ruin [16], 17-year-old Dayna Walsh is coping with obsessive-compulsive disorder, the return of her estranged mother, and her outing as bisexual in her small Irish town. On top of all that, Dayna is a witch in practice and hoping to soon take full ownership of her power when a rival coven comes to town. When a witch turns up dead, Dayna and the granddaughter of the rival coven's leader, Meiner, team up to unravel a mystery that involves not just witches . . . but gods.
Out now.
Infinity Son by Adam Silvera
In Infinity Son [17], the bonds of brotherhood are put to the test. Emil and Brighton idolise Spell Walkers, a group who are tasked with ridding the world of specters. Brighton dreams of having powers of his own, but Emil just wants the violence to end. During a protest, Emil manifests a previously unknown power and inadvertently makes himself a target, of both the specters and his own brother who desperately wanted what Emil now has.
Out now.
The Circus Rose by Betsy Cornwell
The Circus Rose [18] is retelling of Snow White and Rose Red. Twins Ivory and Rosie have been brought up by their ringmaster mother, and after travelling for years, they are finally ready to return to Port End, the only place they've ever really called home. But their hometown is different . . . changed. When disaster strikes during Rosie's tightrope walk, Ivory must find a way to track down the person responsible and save her circus family before it's too late.
Out 16 June.
The Electric Heir by Victoria Lee
The Electric Heir [19], the sequel to Victoria Lee's The Fever King, picks up six moths after Noam Alvaro brings down the government of Carolina. Lehrer is now Chancellor, but Noam is beginning to remember that it was Lehrer who causes the infection that ravages Carolina in the first place. Noam wants to bring Lehrer down but must do it while continuing to feign allegiance. If Lehrer finds out, it could cost Noam his life.
Out 2 June.
You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson
You Should See Me in a Crown [20] follows protagonist Liz Lighty. Liz has always felt out of place in her small town. But Liz has a plan to get out of Campbell, Indiana: attend an elite college, play in their famous orchestra, and become a doctor. Liz's plan comes crashing down when her financial aid falls through, but she refuses to let it stop her. She devises a plan to win her school's title as homecoming queen and the scholarship money that goes with it. But a new student, Mack, is also in the running and Liz wonders if she can compete without completely falling for her.
Out 2 July.
We Used to Be Friends by Amy Spalding
We Used to Be Friends [21] is told in dual timelines and explores the devastating breakup of childhood best friends James and Kat. As James prepares to leave for college, she looks back on everything that happened between her and Kat, while Kat reflects on her own future.
Out 2 June.
The Fell Of Dark by Caleb Roehrig
The Fell of Dark [22] details the chronicles of a boy who has somewhat of a paranormal crush. When a new vampire moves to town, August Pfeiffer faces a supernatural mystery. The reader is along for the ride as the new vampire warns of the threat of an ancient power and enlists August's help to solve it.
Out 14 July.
The State of Us by Shaun David Hutchinson
Hutchinson's The State of Us [23] presents the tale of Dean Arnault, who is not thrilled to support his mother running for President. While he initially wants nothing to do with her campaign, everything changes when he meets the son of his mother's opposing candidate.
Out 20 August.
The Falling in Love Montage by Ciara Smyth
The Falling in Love Montage [24] tells the story of a summer fling between two young girls. The pair decides that instead of entering a committed relationship, they would go on the cliché, cheesy dates only seen in the movies — but just for the summer.
Out 4 July.
