YA LGBT Books discussion

I'm trying opening these at the beginning of the month:

What YA LGBTQ book would you like to read, or do you think members who haven't read it should try, (and those who have read it can discuss), as our BotM for Feb 2025?

What book made a difference to you, and might to other readers? What sounds interesting, appealing or different that you want to read?

If possible, link the book page on GR and tell us a little about it or why you picked it, or post the blurb.

The titles of past books of the month that we have read are on all the threads in this "Book of the Month" folder, and you can also check with a search of the group's book-of-the-month Bookshelf at - https://www.goodreads.com/group/books... Please do not repeat a book we have read - either as a past Book of the Month or as a Buddy Read (check the Buddy Read folder) - and please only nominate the first book in a series, unless a later book stands alone as a solo read.

Up to two nominations per member. Nominations will be open through Midnight Jan 31 or sooner if we get 8 nominations - the max for voting. Feel free to renominate a book that did not win in a past vote, if it fits this category. (You can find previous nominations in either the old polls (under the "polls" link) or in the "Old BOM Nominations" folder well down the group page.)

Authors please do not nominate your own books - but readers can definitely nominate a member author's work

I’d like to nominate “The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle” by Matt Cain for the February boom. It’s a story (heavy on British slang) about an about-to-retire British postman as he tries to break out of the shell he has encased himself in for 50 years. TW for past emotional abuse and homophobia, as well as internalized trauma and regret, but also uplifting as Albert discovers he can still be happy and loved. It’s ultimately a sweet story which I enjoyed very much, and which spoke to me directly as a retired gay man.

Steve wrote: "I’d like to nominate “The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle” by Matt Cain for the February boom. It’s a story (heavy on British slang) about an about-to-retire British postman as he tries to break ou..."

Sounds like an awesome book (has been on my TBR so I just went and bought it) but it also doesn't sound like a Young Adult book to me - are there main characters age 13 - 21 in it as well?

Kaje wrote: "Steve wrote: "I’d like to nominate “The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle” by Matt Cain for the February boom. It’s a story (heavy on British slang) about an about-to-retire British postman as he tri..."

Oops, I think not as far as character ages go. So much for my nomination. It really is a good book, though.

Steve wrote: "Kaje wrote: "Steve wrote: "I’d like to nominate “The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle” by Matt Cain for the February boom. It’s a story (heavy on British slang) about an about-to-retire British post..."

We have a lot of older group members and even the teens might enjoy it, so hopefully some will see this recommendation but for group reading I do try to keep it YA

Don't Let the Forest In looks interesting.

Divinity 36 by Gail Carriger

The aliens are coming for us and they want our voices.

New York Times bestselling author Gail Carriger brings you a gloriously warm and unique scifi about the power of art, celebrity, and found family.

Phex is a barista on a forgotten moon. Which is fine – he likes being ignored and he’s good at making drinks. Until one day an alien hears him singing and recruits him to become a god. Now Phex is thrust headfirst into the galaxy’s most cutthroat entertainment industry, where music is visible, the price of fame can kill, and the only friends he has want to be worshiped.

Welcome to the divinity. Where there is no difference between celebrity and religion, love and belief, acolyte and alien. Where the right kind of obsession can drive a person crazy or turn them divine.

I love Gail Carriger's adult fiction, and a friend said "this definitely had an mm romance. However, it was nearly no spice and was focused more on character development and world building, though I DID love the romance too. I'd probably classify this as YA/NA.
Tropes:
Grumpy/sunshine
prickly protagonist who takes care of everyone around him in his own grumpy way
hurt/comfort
finding your place in the world (galaxy?)
rock star (of a sort)"

I’m pretty new here so not sure what books you’ve already read for this category. But I’d like to nominate two (among many) that have impressed me, for different reasons.

“We Are The Ants”
A terrific, imaginative story by
Shaun David Hutchinson

“Gavin’s Big Gay Checklist”
A witty. smartly written story by
Chase Connor

Bob wrote: "I’m pretty new here so not sure what books you’ve already read for this category. But I’d like to nominate two (among many) that have impressed me, for different reasons.

“We Are The Ants”
A terr..."

Thanks - just as an FYI you can click the Book of the Month shelf in our bookshelves to see past choices - https://www.goodreads.com/group/books...

Poll is up here through the 7th of Feb -
https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/3...

Kaj - I guess you’ve noticed that my 2nd nominee has disappeared from Amazon. Weird!

Sorry group 😳

Bob wrote: "Sorry group 😳"

It happens - authors pull a book for editing and rerelease or split with a publisher or whatever. There was some interest so if it shows back up we can look at it again.