LGBTQIA+ Books

The Last Herald-Mage Trilogy by Mercedes Lackey

Official Description / Back cover: "This Lambda Award-winning trilogy tells the story of Vanyel, persecuted and abused son of a Valdemaran noble, who finds acceptance at Haven when he is Chosen by the Companion Yfandes. Companions like Yfandes are magical horse-like beings with the power to communicate and bond with their Chosen, and trigger the potential for psychic abilities—and magic. But Vanyel discovers other things about himself at Haven as well…. He discovers love in an unexpected place, and loses it, and nearly his own life. With Yfandes and his aunt, Herald Savil, he will travel to the home of the mysterious Hawkbrothers in search of healing and training, and will grow from a troubled and heartbroken Trainee to become the most powerful Herald-Mage in the history of Valdemar—and the one hope for Valdemar against an implacable foe bent on eradicating magic from the Kingdom entirely."

Where I found it: In any number of bookstores and public libraries.

Why I am highlighting it: Because it is a bestselling Fantasy series and, as actor and TV producer Kit Williamson says, “Vanyel in The Last Herald Mage series was one of the first gay characters I encountered, and as a recently out 16-year-old I can’t stress enough the impact that these books had on me. The Valdemar series was far ahead of its time in the portrayal of LGBTQ characters, and Lackey’s writing afforded them a level of depth and complexity that is still very rare, especially in genre storytelling." The series came out in 1989, so Williamson would have read it in the 1990s. I have read many Valdemar books (though not The Last Herald Mage trilogy) and can say that his description of Lackey and her works is absolutely correct.

Amelia Westlake Was Never Here by Erin Gough

Official Description / Back cover: "A fiercely funny, queer romantic comedy about two girls who can't stand each other, but join forces in a grand feminist plan to expose harassment and inequality at their elite private school. Harriet Price is the perfect student: smart, dutiful, over-achieving. Will Everhart is a troublemaker who's never met an injustice she didn't fight. When their swim coach's inappropriate behavior is swept under the rug, the unlikely duo reluctantly team up to expose his misdeeds, pulling provocative pranks and creating the instantly legendary Amelia Westlake - an imaginary student who helps right the many wrongs of their privileged institution. But as tensions burn throughout their school - who is Amelia Westlake? - and between Harriet and Will, how long can they keep their secret? How far will they go to make a difference? And when will they realize they're falling for each other?"

Personal book review: I loved every word of it. Frankly if this was not an emotional thrill-ride I do not know what is, for even my favorite Fantasies rarely if ever enter my dreams at night - yet this book did several times! I think this may be the first queer romantic comedy I have ever read, and it was an utter joy watching the utterly different girls of Will Everheart and Harriet Price put aside their mutual loathing to combat power and privilege, harassment and inequality, at their elite private school (that really ought to burned to the ground). I have seldom seen such pure examples of the phrases "love-hate relationship", "Frenemy", and "opposites attract". The first two (and much else) made the book funny, and latter cathartic and joyful come the end.

Where I found it: My father read and loved it, so then I read it and had the above reaction.

Why I am highlighting it: Three reasons, the first of which is that I am not a Rom Com person, so if I love it then it must be good. But the second and third reasons are the important ones, for Amelia Westlake Was Never Here has it all, featuring lesbian main protagonists who, as said, combat power and privilege, sexual harassment and inequality, at their very elite private school. Serious issues battled in a comedy that it is a crime not to love.

She Drives Me Crazy by Kelly Quindlen

Official Description / Back cover: "After an embarrassing loss to her ex-girlfriend in their first basketball game of the season, seventeen-year-old Scottie Zajac gets into a fender bender with the worst possible person: her nemesis, Irene Abraham, head cheerleader for the Fighting Reindeer. Irene is as mean as she is beautiful, so Scottie makes a point to keep her distance. When the accident sends Irene’s car to the shop for weeks’ worth of repairs and the girls are forced to carpool, their rocky start only gets bumpier. But when an opportunity arises for Scottie to get back at her toxic ex―and climb her school’s social ladder―she bribes Irene into an elaborate fake-dating scheme that threatens to reveal some very real feelings..."

Where I found it: In any number of bookstores and public libraries.

Why I am highlighting it: Because it is a bestselling queer YA Rom Com that crowns almost every Pride Book display I have seen since it came out (which was only last year!). Beyond that, showing an inter-racial romance is always a plus.